10 years of rivotril, 2 months off, it's hell

[[La...]]

Hi,

I had been taking rivotril 0.5mg for 10 years against spasms and sleeping disorder. It was a great drug until it was no longer having the wanted effect unless the dose was raised. Because I realised the danger I wanted to stop. I have switched to valium 10 mg and started a long journey of 2 years of getting of the drug. It really worked well, was hard but managable. Since half of august I'm off the drugs and I feel that I have not been living ever since. My sleep was reduced to 2 max 3 hours. I was exhausted but still upright. Than vertigo settled in, my neck was very painfull. I rarely have good days but I feel some progress. Some days I sleep 4 hours, and than after being awake for hours, I still catch an hour or so. These are the good nights. I do not have energy. I'm tired but can't sleep. Sometimes I think I have a brain tumor because of all the strange symptoms. It's been 2.5 months now. I do not know how long this difficult phase is going to last. I had no help from any doctor in the withdrawal. They prescribe but do not help when things get rough. I would like to know more about others in the same situation.

[[pi...]]

Hello laruna,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies and congratulations on being benzo free! You experienced one of the issues with these types of drugs, tolerance, where the original dose is no longer effective. Good for you for deciding to take the steps to come off the benzo and it looks like you did a slow taper.

 

2.5 months off is still really early in terms of benzo withdrawal.  The acute phase, where the symptoms are the strongest, can last for a couple of months. It did for me, I was very symptomatic for quite a while. The good thing is that this is temporary. We have to remember that benzos make significant changes to the central nervous system and it takes a while for recovery to happen. It will, with time.

 

I'll give you a link to the Ashton Manual. It is an excellent resource about these types of drugs and how to withdraw. It was written by Dr. Heather Ashton, an expert in the field.

 

I'll also give you a link to the Post Withdrawal Recovery Board, where you can post your concerns and receive feedback from members. 

 

Vertigo is a common withdrawal symptom.  I had a couple of very bad instances of it in my early days off benzos.  It didn't last and eased up with time.  Benzos have a strong effect on the vestibular system so vertigo and dizziness can happen during withdrawal recovery.

 

Yes, the symptoms can be strange but time will allow your body to heal.  You are in the right place for support and encouragement.  Please do ask questions, we're here to help.

 

The Ashton Manual

 

Post-withdrawal Recovery Support 

 

pianogirl