Petrified!

[[do...]]

I suffer from severe panic attacks and depression especially during this taper. I dropped my dose by 20% instead of the recommended 10%. 

 

  I have never been so afraid and I need some buddie's help.  I had a horribly stressful day and about 11pm in the evening, I suddenly had forgotten where I was, who I was - the most frightening - I have no recall of what happened a week ago, a month ago, 6 months ago.

 

Has any buddie experienced this? I am so deathly afraid.

 

I am so frightened,

 

Dontpnc

[[do...]]

I also suffer from PTSD

 

Help!

 

Dontpnc

[[me...]]

I suffer from severe panic attacks and depression especially during this taper. I dropped my dose by 20% instead of the recommended 10%. 

 

  I have never been so afraid and I need some buddie's help.  I had a horribly stressful day and about 11pm in the evening, I suddenly had forgotten where I was, who I was - the most frightening - I have no recall of what happened a week ago, a month ago, 6 months ago.

 

Has any buddie experienced this? I am so deathly afraid.

 

I am so frightened,

 

Dontpnc

 

Hi dontpnc,

 

I know how scary this can be, but what you describe is actually normal during benzo withdrawal.  I had everything you describe as well as many other symptoms.  As far as the panic goes, you must constantly remind yourself that although you feel you're dying or going crazy - you're not.  A panic attack never killed anyone - I should know, I've had them on and off for almost 40 years now and I'm still here.  The extreme brain fog you're describing is also normal - my mind often went blank and I couldn't remember how to start my car and I literally couldn't remember anything that had happened more than a few hours before.  All this is temporary and it will go away in time.  Remember, time IS the healer.

 

[[do...]]

Dear Megan

 

You are a life-saver! I am relieved and I do believe little sleep has such an impact on our mental well-being during this journey.

 

You had quite a journey yourself and your input has helped so many - especially me and I am so grateful.

 

Again, from the bottom of my benzo-riddled heart, I thank you.

 

Jennilynn

[[li...]]

I also have PTSD, made worse by a bad decision on my doctors part to C/T me.  The anxiety and fear were present for me. I literally thought I was going to die , and even had my will made up and had my sister sign it. It's almost funny now, thinking back, I was paranoid about everything. It wasn't at all funny going through it. Was the worst hell ever. I would recommend sticking with 10% or maybe even 5% and get a few small guys under your belt. For me the effects have been compounded somewhat, so give your system a chance to recover before you cut again. This is my opinion of course.

 

I'm still tapering, and even 5% for me is tough.

[[so...]]

I had depersonalization and derealization during the failed portion of my first Ativan taper, detailed in my signature. There was a point where my own street looked very foreign to me and it was the scariest thing in the world because I've been living here all 34 years of my life!

 

The best advice I can give you as you're going through this is to go a little slower and try reading Claire Weekes books. They're old and you can get them on eBay for mere dollars. Absolute life saver for anxiety and PTSD. Simple, straightforward, old fashioned advice and coping methods that actually work. Nothing else has helped me. The secret of it is basically to realize that anxiety is normal but that we fear the anxiety itself and layer more and more fear on top of the normal anxiety. She focuses on floating through it and accepting the experience. It's so simple but you have to read it in her words.

 

Best wishes to you and stay strong. You're gonna make it.