Using various benzos since October 2016, need help tapering off

[[me...]]

I'm in a bit of a unique situation. I cold turkeyed from Prozac in November 2015 after 13 years on a 20 mg dose. I experienced some withdrawal symptoms, but nothing like what came 6 months later, when I started experiencing horrific anxiety, insomnia, inner trembling, nausea, depersonalization, loss of appetite, etc. I didn't connect it to the SSRI withdrawal at first, but now have come to learn that these late-emerging symptoms are common in long-term SSRI users.

 

I'd been powering through the withdrawal and it was getting better, but then in October of 2016 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The symptoms ramped up and I was given 1 mg Lorazepam to manage insomnia. I took it nightly for the 2 weeks leading up to my surgery, then stopped CT afterwards as I was on pain meds and not having any problems sleeping or with anxiety. However, about 3 weeks after surgery, the insomnia and anxiety returned. I had been prescribed 5 mg Valium for muscle spasms from my mastectomy, and started using it every few days to help me sleep.

 

But then I had a surgical complication and was put on Cipro for a month. I think this really made everything worse and I began using either 5 mg Valium or 1 mg Lorazepam every night for most of December and early January (a solid month).

 

Now it's no longer helping with my insomnia (my sleep has gotten worse). After taking both Valium and Lorazepam on 2 occasions last week, I realized I need to stop.

 

Any advice on tapering? I am tempted to go at the pace Ashton suggests: reducing from 5 mg Valium by 0.5 mg every week or two. But here, it's generally recommended to go slower at the 10% pace. I wasn't on them that long and I already had anxiety and insomnia from the SSRI withdrawal, so I'm wondering if I can go quicker.

 

I would appreciate advice! Need to get off this poison and start healing!

 

Before my breast cancer diagnosis, I was doing much better and my sleep is improving, so I know healing is possible!

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  I'm sorry that you've been through so much.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

 

 

 

[[me...]]

Thanks Megan! I was only taking the benzos a few times a week for most of the time I was using them. I started using them almost every night towards the end of December/early January because my insomnia was getting bad. Now I'm wondering if that was because of the Cipro, which is a GABA antagonist. If so, wondering if I can taper faster.

 

I'm off the Cipro as of January 8, so we'll see if my anxiety and insomnia improves. I really want to get back to healing, and don't want to prolong my benzo use if I'm not truly physically dependent. Trying to sort out how to tell.

[[me...]]

Do you think SSRI withdrawal makes you more vulnerable to withdrawal from benzos?