I feel I can´t do this anymore

[[Ho...]]

I´ve been off benzos for 3 months (clonazepam 2.5 mg). I was also tapering Lexapro 10 mg but I had to stop because my anxiety and my symptoms got worse. I realized I was tapering Lexapro too fast and I´ve been 3 weeks with the same dose but the anxiety and fear I´m feeling keep getting worse. My brain is a mess. My thoughts scare me to death. I feel I can´t do this anymore. My psychiatrist denied benzos and antidepressants could cause withdrawal syndrome. I don´t have any guidance and I can´t afford It. I wan´t to give up. I´m home alone and right now I feel desperate. I can´t live this way.  I don´t know what to do. 

[[CA...]]

I am so sorry you're having a rough time. And, like so many doctors, they haven't a clue. 

 

If you've been off the benzo, I do hope you won't go back on it.  That's wonderful that you're off them.

 

Were you feeling okay before you started tapering the Lexapro?  I told my doctor that after I was off the benzo, I wanted to get off my sertraline (zoloft) and he said not to worry so much about the anti-depressant.  I guess they're not a lethal as the benzo, but I'm still going to try but not until I'm feeling well when my tapering is over.

 

So, if you were feeling okay before trying to wean the Lexapro, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to stay on it.  I don't know, but it's a thought.

 

Best wishes ...

 

 

[[Ho...]]

I am so sorry you're having a rough time. And, like so many doctors, they haven't a clue. 

 

If you've been off the benzo, I do hope you won't go back on it.  That's wonderful that you're off them.

 

Were you feeling okay before you started tapering the Lexapro?  I told my doctor that after I was off the benzo, I wanted to get off my sertraline (zoloft) and he said not to worry so much about the anti-depressant.  I guess they're not a lethal as the benzo, but I'm still going to try but not until I'm feeling well when my tapering is over.

 

So, if you were feeling okay before trying to wean the Lexapro, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to stay on it.  I don't know, but it's a thought.

 

Best wishes ...

 

Hi, I wasn´t feeling okay. but I wasn´t feeling this bad either.

[Guest [mi...]]

Hi Honey!

I know the feeling! Try to calm down! If you can walk go for it! take a shower! Get somehow distracted!

This video below helped me ! the guy is very good.

Hope it helps!

Miguel

 

 

[[...]]

Most likely the anxiety you’re feeling is due to withdrawing from the benzo. I know you’ve been off the benzo for three months but believe me you can still have a flareup of anxiety due to benzos even months after you stop taking them. In time you would heal.  While you’re waiting for the healing which could take many more months, learn to address anxiety in natural ways such as exercise  and YouTube meditations and if you need to take Lexapro that seems appropriate. I find taking L’theanine helps a lot.  You can get it by drinking decaffeinated black tea or just find it in pill form.

 

[[An...]]

@ HoneyLemon, how long were you on K? I pretty much agree with what Bob said to you. I can understand the feeling of wanting to give up bc I feel that same way at times. It is a horrible feeling not really knowing if things will ever start to improve or not.

[[Ho...]]

@[An...]

Thanks to everybody for answering. I thought nobody was going to respond. I´m taking valerian and hop pills to calm down, but all this has been really hard. I haven´t tried with L´theanine, maybe I will try it.

Have you guys felt desperate and wanting to quit more than once?

[[An...]]

@ HoneyLemon, I was on for 30 years and I am still tapering. I have had many failed taper attempts, but I have not given up. I really wish there were better treatment options for those of us who suffer with anxiety and panic. Meditation and light aerobic exercise help me. Have you considered or tried either of these? Some ppl say both revs them up too much and they can't do them right now. I think after you have been off the benzos for awhile and things still have not gotten any better, buspar might even be helpful. I would personally try to do everything possible bf going back on benzos. We all know where that path will eventually lead...tolerance, escalating doses, tolerance w/d, becoming more sick even tho you continue to take the drug.

[[Th...]]

@ HoneyLemon, I was on for 30 years and I am still tapering. I have had many failed taper attempts, but I have not given up. I really wish there were better treatment options for those of us who suffer with anxiety and panic. Meditation and light aerobic exercise help me. Have you considered or tried either of these? Some ppl say both revs them up too much and they can't do them right now. I think after you have been off the benzos for awhile and things still have not gotten any better, buspar might even be helpful. I would personally try to do everything possible bf going back on benzos. We all know where that path will eventually lead...tolerance, escalating doses, tolerance w/d, becoming more sick even tho you continue to take the drug.

 

Have you tried Buspar? Sorry to Shang Hai this post, but I hadn't heard of this drug before..I am 6 months out and suffering with terrible anxiety as well. Interested in what works for others. I was prescribed GABA by a naturopath but afraid to take it as I heard it might affect healing neurotransmitters, but not sure if that is true. HoneyLemon I empathize, I am currently agoraphobic with worsening symptoms at 6 months out.

[[Ma...]]

Honey - I've wanted to quit for about the last 2 years, but I was terrified to give up my sleep. I'm pretty sure I reached tolerance at least a year ago. Split my dose in half, and took it twice a night, along with a lot of beer, and I still wasn't sleeping more than a couple of hours at a time. I was desperate to quit, but couldn't bring myself to do it. It was always, "Well, maybe next week" or "Maybe in a couple of days".

 

I think was really got my butt in gear was several disastrous trips to my GP and my rheumatologist, who kept trying to shove drugs in my face that I knew would tear up my GI tract. I got very angry. Angrier still when my GP said I needed to get another doc, cause he was going to cut me off. More anger at the insurance companies who wouldn't cover alternatives like naturopaths, as I'm obviously chemically sensitive. Started wondering, "Well, if I'm chemically sensitive, what the hell are my sleep meds doing to me?" Researching the long term effects of benzos/Z-drugs was an eye-opener from hell. Scared me to death.

 

Scared and angry is not a good combo (or maybe it is). Finally made a decision, and here I am. Funny thing about my arthritis and fibro. The longer I'm off the sleep meds, the better both get. Things that make you go, hmmm...

[[Re...]]

Honey lemon. K  is known to cause bad withdrawl because it is potent. Your antidepressant is also known to cause withdrawal. I think that you are wise to hold for a while until you become more stable. Taper the antidepressants when you are feeling better. Remember that your central nervous system is already destabilized  from benzo withdrawal  so it doesn’t need another hit.

 

I’m taking Zoloft and I’m planning to taper off ... I started to a few days ago  but got symptoms so I reinstated. Probably going to hold for another month or two and then try again when I’m further along in my recovery ....

 

Congrats on making it this far and for getting off the benzo !!!

[[An...]]

Honey Lemon, how are you doing? Please update!