Confused - help please!

[[Bl...]]

This whole thing has been very confusing. I have a prior history of anxiety and depression so I'm not sure what to believe. Prior to this was I taking the Klonipin I was on for sleep. No specific emotional troubles at the moment and nothing I can tell that set it off. But I just started having palpitations daily out of the blue. Which led to more anxiety and worsening palps - then depression. it's a cycle. After awhile i decided to taper off of the Klonipin since I had been taking my dose, although small (.5) for 8-9 months. So I do. I taper all the way off in about a month. Maybe fast I know but I never felt any better between cuts anyway so it was hard to tell when to cut. And in the meantime my dr puts me back on Zoloft because she thinks this is all just anxiety. That i wouldn't have gotten any sort of withdrawal symptoms before i actually stopped taking the drug. Flash forward to now. I have been on the Zoloft for 4 weeks. I have been off of the K's for 2 weeks. The last week has been awful. Palpitations (skipping / pounding/ rapid beats) occurring all the time. Internal shaking/vibrating. Nausea. I moved up my follow up for the zoloft from last week to Friday thinking something has to change. I just don't know whats happening. I'm not sure if anyone here can help me either. But I'm scared to do the wrong thing. If this is just anxiety and I'm just prolonging my misery by not taking something that may help me while the Zoloft is kicking in? But if I give in and ask for them again and this is withdrawal and I've already been 2 weeks I would potentially be making it all worse in the long run. I just don't know what to do. If this is anxiety and not withdrawal.... IF... can an antidepressant help me on its own without a Benzo? I just need to give it more time to work and let her increase the dose? Sorry for the long post and if anyone has any thought or advice I am all ears. I've been reading lots of these posts and I know i don't have it nearly as bad as a lot of you. But I am really struggling to keep it all together. I have to go to work every day and take care of a 2 year old and try to pretend I feel ok. But regardless of what this is, i am NOT ok and it's really really scary to feel so alone.  thanks!

[[be...]]

The symptoms you describe are all classic symptoms of withdrawal from benzodiazepines, and at two weeks in you are still in the acute phase of withdrawal. The acute phase of withdrawal typically lasts about a month, with some marked improvement felt after. Sometimes anti depressants are used to help bring some relief. However, they can be equally difficult to withdraw from.

[[me...]]

Hi,

 

At this point, you are only two weeks off and in the thick of acute withdrawal.  The symptoms you mention are common withdrawal symptoms, and they're to be expected at this point.  Internal vibrations are a hallmark benzo withdrawal symptom, only one of many. As time goes on, these symptoms will lessen and they'll eventually go away. 

 

Those of us with existing anxiety issues must find new ways to deal with our anxiety.  When I was deep in withdrawal with many symptoms self-distraction became my major coping mechanism.  I distracted myself relentlessly.  Later, I began to meditate and use other means to deal with anxiety.  Healing takes time, and time itself IS the healer. 

 

[[Bl...]]

This is truly awful. I didn't expect it to be so bad on a fairly small dose for not as long as many others. I just feel so helpless and out of control. I appreciate your responses. I'm trying not to read all the horror stories and believe it might not last that a long time but it's hard to stay hopeful.  I'm trying to learn distraction too. So I can think about something other than my heartbeat but that's going to take some practice too I'm afraid.