Jump to content
Please Check, and if Necessary, Update Your BB Account Email Address as a Matter of Urgency ×
New Forum: Celebrating 20 Years of Support - Everyone is Invited! ×
  • Please Donate

    Donate with PayPal button

    For nearly 20 years, BenzoBuddies has assisted thousands of people through benzodiazepine withdrawal. Help us reach and support more people in need. More about donations here.

Recommended Posts

[bb...]
Posted
I really don't know what happened to me. I've always had anxiety and years ago, was on Xanax for it; not knowing the dangers. I would CT it and lived through a month of withdrawal. Life went on as normal before I had to take Lexapro to help with the anxiety. I functioned normally until 2015, I stopped the Lexapro with no problems. Then, last summer, I had a panic attack and my doctor prescribed Klonopin. I didn't know just how dangerous or life ruining this would be. I tried getting off it and the doctor rx'd Lexapro again sinc I'd had success with it in the past. This time however, it sent me into fits of hysterical crying. I tried to lower the Klonopin myself and ended up not sleeping for a week and would develop depersonalization/derealization. My year has been spent crying hysterically, going from doctor to doctor for help-to no avail; just worsening of symptoms. I finally just couldn't keep taking the meds so I quit again. I feel no different off than on-still the hysterical crying and high agitation. There are days where I have less agitation but I don't know how to deal when it's so high...it makes me feel I'm going to explode. I have no idea for coping skills. Please help.
Posted

When I weaned off klonopin my Dr. told me not to taper down more than a 1/4 mg. per month and any faster was too much. That worked for me. When I got down my last 1/4 mg. I cut to 1/8 for 3 weeks then down to 1/16 for a couple more before I jumped.

 

How much were you taking when you jumped? Did you jump from the lexapro too? How much?

[bb...]
Posted
Hi...I probably did it all wrong but I felt bad from the beginning of the meds; no different on than off so just stopped them altogether...They had changed my lexapro to prozac (40mg) and Klonopin to Ativan (1mg)...I'm one month off both...just a nightmare..
Posted

I came off my Lexapro pretty fast too and had no problems with that. The question is the klonopin/ativan.  I've seen a lot here where people who taper too quick or c/t have a vicious time down the road. I've seen some exceptions where a few do okay with a rapid taper or c/t, but not the majority.

 

You could ride it out from here and in time you will recover or you could go back on a small dose and taper down for a couple of months till the levels drop enough then jump. It probably won't help you feel any better but it may have a positive impact down the road, and that's debatable. Hopefully some other people who have gone through this will share their experience that may be of more help.

 

I had the agitation also pretty bad. For me the real bad agitation only lasted a few months then let up some to where it wasn't an issue.

 

I hope that things improve for you.

[bb...]
Posted
Thank you rj9...I appreciate your insight and feedback.
Posted

The first month off is the hardest. It does get better!

 

As far as coping skills, you want to be gentle with yourself. Talk to yourself as if you are a small child. What what you tell a small child in your situation? You would be kind and tell them everything will be ok.

 

I c/t off klonopin but I am here right now doing much better now  :smitten:

[bb...]
Posted
Thank you pushthefeeling. I just can't understand though what happened with me...When I first took the meds, this crying agitated state presented itself and stayed with me for the eleven months I was on them...I never had any relief. Now, I'm one month off the ssri and five weeks off benzo and still agitated...I just feel it's so unlivable. I just exist. Thank you for your kind words. I pray I'll get where you are.
[bb...]
Posted
I don't know how people push through this. I'm so worn down mentally and physically, I can't possibly keep this up. Every day is a new symptom. Please tell me it won't last much longer. I suffered on and off the meds with the same symptoms; never heard of that before...no relief except a little at night...Does anyone know the stages; like acute...how long....then what?
Posted

I'm sorry you are going through so much hardtocope-sending healing thoughts and hugs to you.  :smitten:

 

I was on Xanax and then was switched to klonopin overnight.  They were both very low doses, but  only helped me for a short time and had I had continuous inter dose and tolerance withdrawals as well.  I was agitated.  had crying spells and many, many other symptoms too the whole time I was on these drugs.

 

You are probably still in acute from coming off klonopin.  I don't know but, wonder if stopping the ssri is affecting you as well this time?.  Glad at least you are getting a little relief at night-even tiny windows are a hopeful sign.  I believe acute is usually an month to 2 months and that's what I experienced.  After that, I had windows and waves but, felt like my overall baseline was improving.  Had a bad month and a half wave but, came out of it into a better window.  This recovery process is so different for everyone it seems.  I got new symptoms too but, now, some of the old ones are dropping off at least.  I've found CBD oil, meditation and hypnotherapy for pain/stress,  and magnesium have helped take the edge off the anxiety.  There were so many days where I didn't think I'd get through all this but, tried my best to distract, read the BB success stories over and over and seek support here on BB.  Our bodies are trying so hard to heal and it seems impossible at times but, they do-little by little.  Hoping you have some good windows soon and see some signs of healing.

 

 

Posted
5 weeks off my Klonopin taper is when I had my absolute worst symptoms. You're likely in acute. (Xanax withdrawals were a walk in the park for me, compared to what Klonopin has done to me.) You are close to feeling better/turning a corner, I'd put money on it!
[bb...]
Posted
Thank you both so much; twinkle and BurnedOut...this is the absolute hardest thing I've ever endured and I'm so weak. I just never realized what a horrific experience this could be. I pray I am close to a good breakthrough or window. For the life of me, I could not figure out why the meds would not work and spent months and months trying to get better only to realize the meds were doing me in...I will cling to your hopeful experiences and expressions. Thank you
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • [hu...]
    • [Sa...]
    • [Lo...]
    • [be...]
    • [Gu...]
    • [in...]
    • [kn...]
    • [Su...]
    • [bl...]
    • [El...]
    • [Sw...]
    • [An...]
    • [Fi...]
    • [fl...]
    • [Mr...]
    • [Fi...]
    • [Je...]
    • [ca...]
    • [bu...]
    • [ro...]
    • [ba...]
    • [Ma...]
    • [En...]
    • [Pi...]
    • [My...]
    • [...]
    • [Do...]
    • [Si...]
    • [Ki...]
    • [Ja...]
    • [ol...]
    • [...]
    • [...]
    • [Ma...]
×
×
  • Create New...