Meds I am on for agrophobia anxiety

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Meds I was on Ativan but I guit 20 years ago

Alcohol am now sober nearly 5 years

Antidepressants: Effexor, Prozac, and now duloxetine, I’m prescribed lyricia 40mg four times daily, zopiclone 1  7.5 mg, which I take during the day, 1 5 mg of Valium

Unprescribed :  zanax 1 mg 3 times daily and 2 more zopiclone ( from a friend at first) I was deeply depressed, but not much anymore, going out is still a problem but I know the meds are making me worse. 

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Hello Mika and Welcome to benzobuddies

 

We are glad you found us, welcome to the community.  Well done on your 5 year sobriety! Sorry you are struggling,  benzodiazepines were the cause of my agoraphobia.  You should taper off one drug at a time.  Zopiclone is not a benzo but it will need to be tapered in the same manner as the benzo. The generally accepted taper rate is 5-10%, every 10 to 14 days.  The rate can be adjusted to meet your needs.  Some are able to taper faster than this and some must go more slowly to help keep their withdrawal symptoms manageable.

 

We have a great community, our members are very caring, and will be happy to share their withdrawal and recovery experiences.  Withdrawal can be quite a challenging time, but it’s worth it to get your life back.  I found that being among those who understand makes this process a little easier.

 

Read through the Ashton Manual,  It’s great for understanding the effect benzodiazepines have on our body.  It also provides tapering and withdrawal information  and includes a list of common symptoms .  You will find some great support here on the forum.  Please feel free to browse the boards and post questions to any of the dedicated threads.

 

I'll leave you a few links:

 

The Ashton Manual. 

Withdrawal Support

General Taper Plans

Other Medications     

 

If you would be so kind please add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice.  Go to the top of the page and select PROFILE then choose forum profile then insert drug history into the text box and remember to click change profile

 

Welcome aboard

Magrita

 

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I am only getting used to navigating the site, but after reading some of the posts, I feel less isolated about my addiction and not so alone.  I had nobody to talk to about this problem until now.  I did go for years of counseling for my alcohol addiction, but I never really got around to talking about my past addiction to ativian which I’m off now 20 years and sobre 5 years, but I always had to have some Benzo, to take, I managed on various antidepressants and I took 1 zopiclone daily, until 4 years ago my agrophobia came back with awful anxiety and am now on zanax zopiclone lyricia and Valium.

 

I hope to get to know you guys on my journey.

 

Thanks

 

Mika

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Hi, Mika.

 

 

Welcome.  I am glad you are here.  The site is a bit of a learning curve.  I am still learning myself.  But the people on here are amazing.

 

 

Glad to have you here

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Welcome!

 

Are you planning on tapering? Probably Xanax would be the first one to taper, since it's short acting.

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Hi, yes I’m starting with the Zanax, I have a notebook ready to log my tapering.  Thank you for your message,