Rescue Dose Help

[[Mi...]]

For those of you that took a rescue dose, did it help? I am dealing with the worst anxiety that I can remember and I'm not having any luck turning a corner and this is the first time that I've considered a rescue dose. But does it really help and where do you go from a rescue dose? Is there a setback? Thanks.

[[Iw...]]

Hi Michelle

 

I thjink it is different for everyone.  For some it is a setback,( some rescue dose successively without relief) for others it serves as relief and they go on.  For me, I did this after my son had a drug interaction with his seizure medication, lost reality and ended up missing for 24 hours.  I was a mess-my son was missing-so I took a rescue dose-for me-yes it did help-it calmed me down, and allowed my exhausted self (Mind and body)to rest while waiting for news of my sons whereabouts.  This is the only time I've rescue dosed, but I don't have any regrets-this was out of my control.  It did not set me back-I continued dosing as normal.  One thing I've learned, there is no hard and fast rule for anything.do what your body tells you within reason.   

[[Mi...]]

Hi Michelle

 

I thjink it is different for everyone.  For some it is a setback,( some rescue dose successively without relief) for others it serves as relief and they go on.  For me, I did this after my son had a drug interaction with his seizure medication, lost reality and ended up missing for 24 hours.  I was a mess-my son was missing-so I took a rescue dose-for me-yes it did help-it calmed me down, and allowed my exhausted self (Mind and body)to rest while waiting for news of my sons whereabouts.  This is the only time I've rescue dosed, but I don't have any regrets-this was out of my control.  It did not set me back-I continued dosing as normal.  One thing I've learned, there is no hard and fast rule for anything.do what your body tells you within reason. 

 

I've been off for four and a half months so I'm not dosing anymore so would that make a difference?

[[Iw...]]

if you have been off 4 months, I would try not to take a rescue dose.  You may find it does nothing.  I really can't advise you here.  I have read posts where people do this only to regret it later.  If you can push through without resuevdosing I would. 

Hope some others will chime in. 

Best wishes. 

[[pu...]]

I took a rescue dose once. The anxiety settled for a short time, maybe 4 hours, then the next day I felt like I was at the very beginning of withdrawal in excruciating pain. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy or recommend it. It was a nightmare I still regret.

[[Ma...]]

Well both possibilities are NOT good:

 

1) the rescue dose works / helps: You will notice that and in the next similar situation have the wish to get another one.

2) the rescue dose doesn't work: You might wonder if you only need a higher dose

 

- dont do it. You have come so far and believe me the situation "worst panic attack ever" will happen a lot more in the future, until you learn to accept and cope. And you will be able to handle that one day, for sure, you are still early in WD.

 

Chin up and go on!

 

[[Na...]]

Never do it. Don't look back otherwise you will get rain of stones...

[Guest [ch...]]

I'm sorry you're feeling such anxiety.

 

Rescue dose is not a good idea. You'd probably need at least your original dose of 5mg to get relief. If you get relief, you'll likely be taking more rescue doses, and this can lead to re-instating and kindling. I wrecked my taper #1 that way, and had to taper all over again. To eventually get off, I had to learn to live with anxiety and insomnia long enough to heal. It took about a year.

 

Are you still on Prozac? You might consider dropping that, as SSRI's can cause anxiety.

 

I hope your St John vacation relaxes you.

 

Love,

 

CP

[[Mi...]]

Health anxiety is out of this world and I'm being pounded by intrusive thoughts that are turning into obsessions. I was in gym class this morning and I could barely stay there because of the intrusive thoughts and sheer terror they bring with them. So, I'm not sure what to do because SSRIs make me feel awful. I was on prozac for a number of years but it sucks and sure it eases the anxiety but it causes a whole there host of problems. Man, I just don't know what to do. This is it's own form of hell on earth.

[Guest [ch...]]

Michelle,

 

So sorry you're feeling that way. Anxiety is certainly a major symptom of benzo withdrawal. Anxiety needs something to latch on to (i.e. something to be afraid of), and health anxiety is a common manifestation. Rationally, there's no reason for it, but when anxiety takes over rationality flies out the window, and you become *convinced* you have some fatal disease. This happens to many of us. It happened to me. Insomnia and anxiety were my main withdrawal symptoms, and my anxiety often took the form of health anxiety. During my withdrawal, I was dying of various forms of cancer, heart disease, AIDS, you name it... Of course now I am benzo-healed and very much alive and healthy. All those diseases cured! As if they never existed!

 

Is your anxiety really specific? If so, you can maybe address it by getting medical tests that prove you don't have whatever disease you're afraid of. This may annoy your doctors and the insurance companies that are paying, but if it puts your fears to rest it may be worth it.

 

Not sure what else to suggest. Talk therapy might help. I never found it terribly useful but others do. Can't hurt at least. Generally healthful living (good diet, exercise) is another thing that might help and can't hurt. Also I found yoga to be a little bit helpful. Distracting at least. (There were some cute women in the yoga class) (Kidding! I didn't mean distracting in *that* way! ).

 

I'm pretty sure the answer does not lie with any kind of drug. Certainly not rescue doses of benzo - down that path leads doom. Other psych drugs are also bad. OTC supplements never did anything for me to relieve anxiety and insomnia. And I tried most of them, in doses way exceeding the recommended dose... no effect, nada. I think once your brain has been afflicted with benzos, everything else feels like sugar pill.

 

Hope you feel better soon.

With love from lovely New England,

CP

 

 

[[Re...]]

I'm only 4 months out too.  But, I've been on gabapentin for 3.5 months and started tapering down after just 9 days on it.  So, our med profiles are probably quite different.  That being said, every time I considered reinstating but didn't I was VERY VERY HAPPY with that decision. 

 

I know that moment-by-moment it can be monumental to get through some of these situations.  However, time will pass and the feelings will change.  Anxiety has been a big problem for me OUTSIDE of benzo issues.  So, I know that unless I develop coping mechanisms, it won't matter what I do, it'll always be there.  Perhaps this is something you can work on?

 

My methodology to work on anxiety is to first use acceptance as a tool.  I accept what I am feeling.  I acknowledge it and by doing so, I remove the fear of it.  I don't have to fear it (which only fuels the fire).  It is merely a circumstance that I must get through.  Then, I use breathing techniques, meditation and yoga to calm myself.  This doesn't happen immediately and it requires discipline to keep with it until these techniques begin to have an effect.

 

All along, I have attempted to eat very healthily and establish sleep patterns that are supportive toward recovery.  Insomnia is one of my worst symptoms because it is so debilitating and I have  a job that requires me to be on my game in terms of critical thinking.  So, even if I don't sleep well, I've been practicing good sleep hygiene to put all the pieces in place which will help my sleep patterns improve. 

 

Non of the things I've described will lessen withdrawal in and of themselves.  However, they will help lay the ground work which will allow our bodies to be as strong as possible as we go through this prolonged healing of our central nervous systems.

 

Be well.  We all care.

:thumbsup: ;D

-RST