Delusional and Paranoid most of the time is this normal? Pls Help.

[[sc...]]

:'( Hello everyone I am on a self induced and regulated taper, I guess it is a quick taper. I have gone from taking Xanax 1 mg to Klonopin 2mg in 1 week per my Dr., she just doesn't like Xanax. However, she had me on it for 4 years! Now I have gone from 2mgs for a month to 1 mg for one week to 1/2 mg for the past 5 days. Then I will go to .25 for about 10 days to half of that to end it.

 

The past five days I started feeling w/d symptoms. Vertigo, tightened jaw, headaches, very vivid dreams and nightmares; I even thought I was urinating in my dream and caught myself before I peed on my bed!

 

Now the w/d has turned ugly, after yesterday it lightened up and I actually felt good! Today I became manic for a few hours. I also was very paranoid and delusional. I think I still am a little but for the most part it has subsided. It lasted a few hours. I thought I was losing my mind and needed to go the the psych. hospital. I am bipolar so it's tricky, right?  I was wondering if this has happened to others and if they have experienced it in waves? Because I know that if it was real mania it wouldn't just go away like that. I am really scared of it returning. And also panic attacks. I used to get them a lot. I have not experienced them yet but I feel like they are just waiting in the wings. Any advice would be sooo appreciated, I feel really agoraphobic right now and alone. So, thank you in advance. I hope to find a lot of help, and support here and give it back as well.

 

Thanks guys,

Scared71

[[Da...]]

Hi Scared71, I understand what you are going through and I definitely felt that way myself during the first 60 days of my detox. I quit CT last November in rehab from about 3mg per day of Xanax and I also would take valium. I had the vertigo I fell down so many times and I busted my head open and got 17 stiches. I also had the episodes where I felt manic and also vivid dreams. I am 8 months out now and I still suffer with a lot of symptoms but during that initial time I had the worst.

 

Stick with it and you should come out of the acute phase sometime in the first 30-60 days. I still have a lot of anxiety, depression, mental problems from prolonged use. Also prescribed by my doctor for 15 years. But I'm hoping these addiction symptoms pass soon for me and for you.

[[fe...]]

Hang in there, it really does get better. Any taper is better than no taper. I quit cold turkey in rehab after about 25 yrs of benzo use. My acute phase lasted about 2 mos, and after that my brain calmed down and I felt better. I'm 12 mos benzo free now and I'm doing ok. My main symptoms now are mental, anxiety, depression.

[[sc...]]

@ Davis and @Ferggie Thanks so much for just replying, but also for sharing your stories. I am glad I am not losing my mind. I'm glad that I have the meds to taper for at least a little bit. This is hellish, but just knowing that I have support from people that have already gone through it makes a world of difference. Peace be with you guys!

[[me...]]

Yes, unfortunately this is normal right after a cold turkey/detox.  This and many other symptoms, both physical and mental. But it will get better in time.  Time is the healer!

 

[[sc...]]

Thanks Megan!!!!!