cold turkey less than two weeks. hospitalized once already.

[[As...]]

It wasn't until about the 10th day of CT that it really hit me. I tried to get out of bed and found that it was like walking through water, my legs stiffening up with every move. I tried to put my makeup on and it felt like my neck muscles were twisting painfully as I tried to raise my hands to my face. With every move, I was feeling more delirious and like I was about to faint. I was getting black outs. I called 911 but before the ambulance I crushed one klonopin in my mouth. I had to because I was afraid of dying.

By the time they got there, I was already calming down so they didn't see the state I was in which led me to call them. The hospital discharged me seeing nothing wrong with me, didn't give me any medicine or anything -- no help. I see my primary care the next day and they offer no assistance and say they want nothing to do with my situation.

I am at the point where it hurts to be on the medicine and it hurts to be off it. I can't figure out what to do. And I have been taking rescue doses which probably disqualifies me as going CT. I am really not sure what to do. I am going to try going CT again with no rescue doses and just staying in bed. At some point my body has to balance itself out. What do you think?

[[be...]]

I am a bit confused. If I look at your posts from a couple of days ago it looks you are still on benzodiazepines?? Am I wrong?

[[As...]]

I am a bit confused. If I look at your posts from a couple of days ago it looks you are still on benzodiazepines?? Am I wrong?

 

Sorry to confuse you. When my doctor told me I had to pick one, I decided to go cold turkey and see how it went. I didn't really want to discuss it here because I didn't want it to be discouraged. As I sit here going CT again, I am trying to figure out which I want to take: valium or klonopin, or if I want to take either at all. They both act differently in my system. (Also I noticed that if I take rescue doses, I seem to develop a resistance to the medicine and it doesn't feel at all like what it felt like while I was consistently one them.) I haven't taken anything today and I am sitting in bed waiting to see how long I can endure it. Sorry if this sounds too complicated, but when is it ever not complicated when it comes to this medicine? One can never make up one's mind.....

[[As...]]

I battle with my doctors over my usage of this medicine and whenever I tell people or other specialists what I am taking, there is a stigma attached to this medicine where everyone just thinks I am crazy. I don't want to be on it anymore, I don't want doctors to think I am on it anymore, and I don't want to have to beg for it anymore!

[[be...]]

You know right now you are in the acute phase of withdrawal. This is when symptoms are their very worst and at times they can be severe. This phase typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks with some noticeable improvement felt after. If you have been off 10 days you may consider just staying off and stopping the rescue doses.  Reinstatements can sometimes back fire causing the next withdrawal to be more difficult, even with a taper.

[[As...]]

You know right now you are in the acute phase of withdrawal. This is when symptoms are their very worst and at times they can be severe. This phase typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks with some noticeable improvement felt after. If you have been off 10 days you may consider just staying off and stopping the rescue doses.  Reinstatements can sometimes back fire causing the next withdrawal to be more difficult, even with a taper.

 

Yea when I take the rescue doses, it causes a strange sort of anxiety within me, like a paradoxical effect of the medicine. It feels like my body is rejecting it while it at the same time it wants it. I dont get it. It doesn't even feel good when I take it again.

[[As...]]

Does cold turkey begin all over again after a rescue dose? Am I on day one again because I took some yesterday?

[[Ca...]]

OMG CT is not a good idea! Why not try a tapper or even a rapid detox? I only lasted 3 weeks CT from Klonopin and it was a freaking nightmare. I had to do a rapid detox if I would ever have any hope of success. That's been tough enough - at 6 mo. now. Please take care.

[[Ge...]]

I would drop the K and updose the V (maybe 20 mg?) and try to stabilize for a month and then begin a taper...but only if I felt like my Dr would support me through the entire taper.  It's a long process and no guarantees that reinstatement would work...it's just what I would do.  Good luck!

[[be...]]

You know right now you are in the acute phase of withdrawal. This is when symptoms are their very worst and at times they can be severe. This phase typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks with some noticeable improvement felt after. If you have been off 10 days you may consider just staying off and stopping the rescue doses.  Reinstatements can sometimes back fire causing the next withdrawal to be more difficult, even with a taper.

 

Yea when I take the rescue doses, it causes a strange sort of anxiety within me, like a paradoxical effect of the medicine. It feels like my body is rejecting it while it at the same time it wants it. I dont get it. It doesn't even feel good when I take it again.

 

I know one thing that can happen with reinstatements is that a paradoxical effect can happen. Maybe that can happen with rescue doses. I don't know.  It doesn't take long for rescue doses to become full blown reinstatements.  I personally would not reinstate. I have seen too many people here regret it. With that said I have seen it work for some.

[[Ge...]]

No doubt, its a hard decision.

[[As...]]

You know right now you are in the acute phase of withdrawal. This is when symptoms are their very worst and at times they can be severe. This phase typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks with some noticeable improvement felt after. If you have been off 10 days you may consider just staying off and stopping the rescue doses.  Reinstatements can sometimes back fire causing the next withdrawal to be more difficult, even with a taper.

 

Yea when I take the rescue doses, it causes a strange sort of anxiety within me, like a paradoxical effect of the medicine. It feels like my body is rejecting it while it at the same time it wants it. I dont get it. It doesn't even feel good when I take it again.

 

I know one thing that can happen with reinstatements is that a paradoxical effect can happen. Maybe that can happen with rescue doses. I don't know.  It doesn't take long for rescue doses to become full blown reinstatements.  I personally would not reinstate. I have seen too many people here regret it. With that said I have seen it work for some.

 

Why do they regret reinstating??

[[Lo...]]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindling_(sedative%E2%80%93hypnotic_withdrawal)

[[Da...]]

You really need to get on a structured, steady taper. You can find help planning one on the 'planning your taper' board on here. I also recommend the Ashton manual for tapering, and finding a doctor who is both aware of it and willing to work with you on it. I would also ask if you can get rid of the Klonopin and make it up with an equivalent dose of Valium, as Valium's long half life makes it the ideal Benzo for tapering. You're at risk of a nasty phenomena called Kindling. Basically what kindling is is when you stop a substance, notably alcohol and Benzos, reinstate, then try to stop again, each subsequent withdrawal will be worse than the last. It's like if an alcoholic has had DTs before, they are at a much higher risk of developing DTs again when they try to stop drinking again. I think, looking back, kindling mixed with paradoxical effects made coming off very difficult for me. I'm sure it happened to me, as I did try to stop a few times, but didn't manage it.

 

Of course nobody understood when I tried to tell them about all this and I asked to be put on Valium and allowed to taper at my own pace, I had to manage it all myself with Benzos that were not even human medicines.

 

CT isn't recommended for many good reasons, and people who CT, or taper too quickly (like me) are at risk of protracted WD. I am a perfect candidate for protracted, as I tapered off the equivalent of 700-1000mg of Diazepam a day in Diclazepam (research chemical/designer Benzo).

 

I wouldn't wish the sxs I had after my jump on anyone, let alone those of a CT. I had/still have every single physical symptom aside from a seizure. Mentally I am doing really well, but my physical health is dire. I've just started getting really bad pain too. Don't land up like me or worse, try and stabilize then taper. It's important to stabilize before you taper. So you will want to start on a dose you feel comfortable on, then begin your taper from that dose.

 

Do try to avoid updosing/rescue doses during this process because it can lead to kindling and kindling is horrible.

 

Good luck

[[bl...]]

Sigh - you need to gather a lot of information to decide whether you wish to remain cold turkey or reinstate and taper slowly. People telling you not to reinstate do not have to live in your shoes. I have reinstated twice the first time 6 months into cold turkey those 6 months were hell on earth and only got worse no sleep couldn't eat ie not functioning at all. I got Pam Armstrong to persuade my dr to reinstate me on Valium at 10mg over double the dose of nitrazapam I cold turkeyed from it saved my life and I went from non-functioning to back to work 3 months into the taper. Fast forward 10 years I have reinstated due to a reaction to progesterone (acts on Gaba same as benzos) so reinstated updosed to 14,mg it took 11 weeks to stabilise and I thought I was paradoxical but of course I wasn't your system is in shock. I have been tapering for 3 months now and back working with only mild to moderate withdrawals see my blog. Reinstatements can work but most people either try a dose that's too low or do not give themselves the time it takes to stabilise before tapering . I am horrified that people are encouraging you to stay cold turkey when it even states on here it is dangerous !

[[As...]]

Sigh - you need to gather a lot of information to decide whether you wish to remain cold turkey or reinstate and taper slowly. People telling you not to reinstate do not have to live in your shoes. I have reinstated twice the first time 6 months into cold turkey those 6 months were hell on earth and only got worse no sleep couldn't eat ie not functioning at all. I got Pam Armstrong to persuade my dr to reinstate me on Valium at 10mg over double the dose of nitrazapam I cold turkeyed from it saved my life and I went from non-functioning to back to work 3 months into the taper. Fast forward 10 years I have reinstated due to a reaction to progesterone (acts on Gaba same as benzos) so reinstated updosed to 14,mg it took 11 weeks to stabilise and I thought I was paradoxical but of course I wasn't your system is in shock. I have been tapering for 3 months now and back working with only mild to moderate withdrawals see my blog. Reinstatements can work but most people either try a dose that's too low or do not give themselves the time it takes to stabilise before tapering . I am horrified that people are encouraging you to stay cold turkey when it even states on here it is dangerous !

 

I just private messaged you about this because I think you said some key words that have to do precisely with my situation.

By the way, who is Pam Armstrong? How did you get in contact with her? It looks as if she is from Britain and the CITAP  organization she was with has been shut down?

What is the link to your blog? Sorry I have so many questions.

[[As...]]

This site: http://www.btpinfo.org.uk/individual-support which is connected to the Pam Armstrong you mentioned is based on Britain and they have no contact information for people in the US. However, it states right on that site:

 

"Don’t:

Reduce too quickly.

Reinstate the medication after you have come off your medication.

Over do things - you may not have as much energy as you did so just do what you feel able to."

 

[[As...]]

Sigh - you need to gather a lot of information to decide whether you wish to remain cold turkey or reinstate and taper slowly. People telling you not to reinstate do not have to live in your shoes. I have reinstated twice the first time 6 months into cold turkey those 6 months were hell on earth and only got worse no sleep couldn't eat ie not functioning at all. I got Pam Armstrong to persuade my dr to reinstate me on Valium at 10mg over double the dose of nitrazapam I cold turkeyed from it saved my life and I went from non-functioning to back to work 3 months into the taper. Fast forward 10 years I have reinstated due to a reaction to progesterone (acts on Gaba same as benzos) so reinstated updosed to 14,mg it took 11 weeks to stabilise and I thought I was paradoxical but of course I wasn't your system is in shock. I have been tapering for 3 months now and back working with only mild to moderate withdrawals see my blog. Reinstatements can work but most people either try a dose that's too low or do not give themselves the time it takes to stabilise before tapering . I am horrified that people are encouraging you to stay cold turkey when it even states on here it is dangerous !

 

 

I just found this old benzo post about the links between progesterone and benzos. It provides all the research and everything! Not sure if you have read this?

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=47259.0

[[be...]]

You know right now you are in the acute phase of withdrawal. This is when symptoms are their very worst and at times they can be severe. This phase typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks with some noticeable improvement felt after. If you have been off 10 days you may consider just staying off and stopping the rescue doses.  Reinstatements can sometimes back fire causing the next withdrawal to be more difficult, even with a taper.

 

Yea when I take the rescue doses, it causes a strange sort of anxiety within me, like a paradoxical effect of the medicine. It feels like my body is rejecting it while it at the same time it wants it. I dont get it. It doesn't even feel good when I take it again.

 

I know one thing that can happen with reinstatements is that a paradoxical effect can happen. Maybe that can happen with rescue doses. I don't know.  It doesn't take long for rescue doses to become full blown reinstatements.  I personally would not reinstate. I have seen too many people here regret it. With that said I have seen it work for some.

 

Why do they regret reinstating??

 

Because subsequent withdrawals are often more difficult that the previous withdrawal, even with a slow gradual taper.

[[be...]]

You really need to get on a structured, steady taper. You can find help planning one on the 'planning your taper' board on here. I also recommend the Ashton manual for tapering, and finding a doctor who is both aware of it and willing to work with you on it. I would also ask if you can get rid of the Klonopin and make it up with an equivalent dose of Valium, as Valium's long half life makes it the ideal Benzo for tapering. You're at risk of a nasty phenomena called Kindling. Basically what kindling is is when you stop a substance, notably alcohol and Benzos, reinstate, then try to stop again, each subsequent withdrawal will be worse than the last. It's like if an alcoholic has had DTs before, they are at a much higher risk of developing DTs again when they try to stop drinking again. I think, looking back, kindling mixed with paradoxical effects made coming off very difficult for me. I'm sure it happened to me, as I did try to stop a few times, but didn't manage it.

 

Of course nobody understood when I tried to tell them about all this and I asked to be put on Valium and allowed to taper at my own pace, I had to manage it all myself with Benzos that were not even human medicines.

 

CT isn't recommended for many good reasons, and people who CT, or taper too quickly (like me) are at risk of protracted WD. I am a perfect candidate for protracted, as I tapered off the equivalent of 700-1000mg of Diazepam a day in Diclazepam (research chemical/designer Benzo).

 

I wouldn't wish the sxs I had after my jump on anyone, let alone those of a CT. I had/still have every single physical symptom aside from a seizure. Mentally I am doing really well, but my physical health is dire. I've just started getting really bad pain too. Don't land up like me or worse, try and stabilize then taper. It's important to stabilize before you taper. So you will want to start on a dose you feel comfortable on, then begin your taper from that dose.

 

Do try to avoid updosing/rescue doses during this process because it can lead to kindling and kindling is horrible.

 

Good luck

 

1000 mg of Diazapam a day??? That is 100 10 mg tabs a day. :o or 200 5 mg tabs a day.

[[As...]]

Im in the hospital for a second time due to a central nervous system breakdown....right now. Ugh,life with or without benzos is becoming hell.

[[be...]]

I am sorry.  Going to the hospital is not uncommon during the acute phase. Another CT member is on their way to the hospital too todsy. Between my 3 CT withdrawals I had at least 25 trips to the ER.  I had kindled horribly.

 

 

[[be...]]

Sigh - you need to gather a lot of information to decide whether you wish to remain cold turkey or reinstate and taper slowly. People telling you not to reinstate do not have to live in your shoes. I have reinstated twice the first time 6 months into cold turkey those 6 months were hell on earth and only got worse no sleep couldn't eat ie not functioning at all. I got Pam Armstrong to persuade my dr to reinstate me on Valium at 10mg over double the dose of nitrazapam I cold turkeyed from it saved my life and I went from non-functioning to back to work 3 months into the taper. Fast forward 10 years I have reinstated due to a reaction to progesterone (acts on Gaba same as benzos) so reinstated updosed to 14,mg it took 11 weeks to stabilise and I thought I was paradoxical but of course I wasn't your system is in shock. I have been tapering for 3 months now and back working with only mild to moderate withdrawals see my blog. Reinstatements can work but most people either try a dose that's too low or do not give themselves the time it takes to stabilise before tapering . I am horrified that people are encouraging you to stay cold turkey when it even states on here it is dangerous !

 

You are right they can be dangerous but the chance of a seizure 12 days into A CT would be extremely uncommon.

[[As...]]

I guess i have essentially reinstated. I took klonopin and valium again before the ambulance arrived because my symptoms were too horrific. I can't keep going to the hospital like this. I just don't know how much to reinstate on....the same dose I was taking before cold turkey? I'm having paradoxical reactions to my medicine now which will make it difficult to go back to my original dose...i have no idea what to do. Maybe i should just go on an ssri or an anti depressant? Can either of those compensate for benzos?

[[be...]]

I guess i have essentially reinstated. I took klonopin and valium again before the ambulance arrived because my symptoms were too horrific. I can't keep going to the hospital like this. I just don't know how much to reinstate on....the same dose I was taking before cold turkey? I'm having paradoxical reactions to my medicine now which will make it difficult to go back to my original dose...i have no idea what to do. Maybe i should just go on an ssri or an anti depressant? Can either of those compensate for benzos?

 

No, neither can replace a benzo. However, they may help with some symptoms. It sounds like you had a very expensive day.  Reinstatements  are best done within two weeks of stopping after that it is little more than a crap shoot that it will be any better the next time around, even with a slow taper.  You may continue to have paradoxical symptoms throughout taper. That is one the many risks of reinstating. Typically when reinstating you have to resume the same dose you were on, and sometimes even higher. Another risk of reinstating is that you could reach tolerance quickly. You could also never truly be able to stabilize. You are in a tough spot. I personally would never had reinstated.