Tryingtohelp

[[Ch...]]

Hi, I'm here because my husband is cold turkey detoxing from 40 mg fluoxetine, 1mg clonazapam, 250 mg Divalprox, and 20 mg escitalopram. He has been taking most of this daily for about 7 months. I don't think he abused, just took as prescribed. I don't even know what most of these drugs are...., but he is on day 5 of cold turkey withdrawal and it is bad. Severe tremors, panick attacks, emotional outbursts.....I don't know what to do to help. We have small children who have been at their grandparents for the past 3 days but are coming back today....Should I call a doctor, force him to to take some meds, I just need some advice.

[[Ch...]]

One of these meds he has been taken off of....he said it was the lexapro

[[pi...]]

Hello Char1eigh,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies!  Thank you for coming here for information to help your husband.  Is there a reason that he stopped all these drugs cold turkey?  I can understand why he is having such a difficult time.

 

First of all, sudden cessation, cold turkey, of clonazepam is not the recommended way to stop taking this type of medication. His dose is not that small at 1mg, clonazepam is a very strong drug.  A slow taper is the best way to minimize withdrawal symptoms.  The symptoms you describe are very common for withdrawal but can be amplified significantly when someone stops cold turkey. Since he's only been off for 5 days, it is possible to reinstate, stabilize and then do a sensible taper.  Is is possible to talk to the doctor about this?

 

Additionally, he has been taking two anti-depressants.  Fluoxetine (Prozac) and escitalopram (Lexapro) both can present with discontinuation syndrome themselves.  Tapering these medications is also recommended.

 

Divalprox is an anti seizure medication, does your husband have a seizure disorder?

 

Yes, I would most definitely recommend that you contact the doctor, very soon.  It is not wise to stop so many drugs at once, usually one drug is tapered at a time.

 

I know this is frightening for you but you've come to the right place for support and advice.

I'll first give you a link to the Ashton Manual, I would suggest you read it and if your husband is able, that he read it as well. It is an excellent resource about benzos and how to safely withdraw. It was written by Dr. Heather Ashton, an expert in the field.

 

If your husband reinstates clonazepam and starts a slow taper, it is suggested to taper no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days. I'll give you a link to the General Taper Plans for additional information.

 

I'll also give you a link to the Cold Turkey, Detox, Rapid Withdrawal Board where you can communicate with others in the same situation as your husband.

 

Keep asking questions, our members will be happy to offer information and support. This process can be challenging for familes as well, so we'll be here for you as well.

 

The Ashton Manual

 

General Taper Plans

 

Cold Turkey, Detox & Rapid Withdrawal

 

pianogirl     

[[Ch...]]

Thank you so much for responding! The Dr. took him off Lexapro and put him on Prozac a few weeks ago. He says none of it has been working and he wants it out of his system as quickly as possible. He has made some poor choices for his family the past few months and I believe that is why he is doing this cold turkey.

 

Also, the one you say is for seizures was prescribed as a mood stabilizer.

[[pi...]]

Thank you so much for responding! The Dr. took him off Lexapro and put him on Prozac a few weeks ago. He says none of it has been working and he wants it out of his system as quickly as possible. He has made some poor choices for his family the past few months and I believe that is why he is doing this cold turkey.

 

Hello again,

 

I see, thanks for the clarification.

 

I understand your husband's desire to be rid of these drugs. Frankly, medications like benzos can affect behavior. People will often act much differently than they normally would.  Anti-depressants can also have behavioral effects. 

 

While your husband is anxious to be rid of the drugs, stopping suddenly can bring on some very strong symptoms.  While the drugs may be out of his system, recovery from use can take quite a while. These types of drugs, like clonazepam, make massive changes to the central nervous system.  These changes usually don't reverse immediately. 

 

I hope your husband might consider joining as well.  He'll be able to see that others have walked this path and that he is not alone in this process. 

 

pianogirl