still having recurring symptoms

[[gr...]]

I am off clonapin for 3 years now after a nightmare taper. I was on Ambien when I began doing things at night that I did not remember, such as cooking and having sex. I told my doctor about it and he just blew it off. When I had a car accident while driving while asleep he took me off it and put me on clonapin. I was on that for 10 years. During that time I had two car accidents (while awake), had increasing trouble functioning at work and many relationship problems I never had before. I also had two bad falls while walking my standard poodle-who is trained to walk. These accidents and problems I did not associate with clonapin till now-thinking back. I kept having to take more pills-under the doctors direction and finally when taking 3mg a night and still not sleeping he sent me to a cognitive behavior therapist specializing in sleep. Both of these doctors said just cut in half every day. I finally asked the doctor to prescribe the medication in a compound liquid that he had never heard of. The pharmacist took me aside and told me that in his opinion, I needed to taper very very slowly and stop tapering for longer if the symptoms were bad. I never got any encouragement or help or suggestions from doctors. Now, 3 years later, I notice that I still have problems that I never had before. I have trouble with fear of leaving the house and driving. Sometimes, like last week it gets horrible, but that seems to pass with time.

 

I was put on disability because I could not work, and then I took early retirement, as I knew it would be impossible for me to go back and work. The only way I make it is being able to be gentle with myself and not go places or deal with people that are difficult to deal with. I am a different person, but glad at least that I am off the drug. But, now, different doctors want me to take drugs for migraine prevention or depression that I have had since I started having problems with sleep and taking these drugs. I am sleeping a little better, but again, thank God I don't have to work. I feel so angry for all of this and still need support and to be a part of this community, since no one understands how all of this could happen.

 

I asked my doctor every time he refilled my meds all those years-are you sure i am not addicted or dependent on this medication? He always said no, because I only took it at night. Little did I know that it was in my brain all the time. I never got any warning. I want them to quit giving these drugs to so many people who should have never had them.

 

My name is grey girl

[[Ca...]]

Hello graygirl --

 

Welcome to BenzoBuddies!  Congratulations on three years off of the benzos.  I am sorry to hear you are still having symptoms.  Some people take longer than others to fully recover.  Everyone is different.

 

Here are some links to the boards that you may want to post questions about additional medications.  Everyone has an opinion on other medications but ultimately it is between you and your doctor.  I would certainly never take a benzo or Z drug.

 

 

Post-withdrawal Recovery Support 

 

 

Protracted Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms   

 

 

 

Other Medications     

 

 

 

Please add a signature so that members can best understand where you are in the process and how best to help you.

 

Add a signature 

 

 

Again, welcome!

Carol

 

 

 

[[wy...]]

Yet another horror story - I'm so sorry.  If they are trying to talk you into more meds, I trust that you are going to be very skeptical, as you should be!  If you haven't tried mindfulness/meditation, it might be an alternative for you.  Google & UTube can both provide good links - just do a search.

Continue to be gentle with yourself - it's the best way to recover. 

Best of luck,

Wynne