Jumped 8 weeks ago, was doing great until 7 weeks off, need support/information

[[ge...]]

I thought maybe I had escaped the horrors of withdrawal from klonopin.  I had a few rough days in weeks 2-7, but generally I was doing well until 10 days ago.  It's like the bottom has fallen out of everything familiar.

 

First off, I expect that this is unusual.  I have had a lot of stress in my life lately, and I expect that it has not helped my symptoms.  I am having a lot of trouble sleeping, and I had been sleeping 5-6 hours each night since I jumped.  The last three nights have been 2-3 hours.  I wake and I can't seem to calm my mind so I can get back to sleep - lots of racing thoughts.  I also have discomfort in many forms.  I have joint pain round the neck and shoulders, and my neck keeps making a cracking noise if I move it a certain way.  I keep grasping my neck/shoulder on the right side with my left hand.  I'm also having the electric shock feelings in my arms (very weird) and some occasional tinnitis.  D/R is my constant companion

 

The reason for my post is this:  My doctor, who I saw last week, is not benzo-wise.  He still thinks klonopin is a good, safe medication for long-term use but he has tried to be helpful.  He thinks my recent symptoms are due to anger at my family for things that happened over the last 10 years (basically, while I was taking klonopin).  I have not read a lot of posts by other members to see if others have had to deal with emotional issues related to withdrawal.  I have avoided reading a lot of posts, because I was concerned about taking on other people's symptoms.  I do respond to posts, but usually under post-benzo celebrations and to help members who are titrating.

 

My doctor whats to see me weekly to discuss my anger.  I think it may be an exercise in futility, but I try to be open-minded.  Can anyone who has gone through this relate to any of this?  Has anyone been doing really well after withdrawal and then started to have constant symptoms?  I really appreciate any feedback you may have.  Thank you.

 

GettingMyLifeBack

[[rk...]]

sorry to hear you are stilling having withdrawls....its been a month since i jumped and ive been pretty good for the most part...ill have a week or so feeling really good,,then a few days feeling bad...ive been feeling lowsy for the last 2 days...but not as bad as i was when i was getting off the med..ive noticed that when i feel lowsy,,ie,,nausea, blurry,anxiety, problems sleeping,,,my spine,,neck, back, shoulders hurt worse..for sleep,,,ive been using chamomile tea, once or twice before bedtime..it seems to help me...it also helps with the anxiety....i read somewhere, that klonopin gets absorbed into your bones, and could a while to completely get out...plus your brain is still healing....you could also take chamomile during the day when the anxiety is bad.....hope you feel good soon...i just keep telling myself that this is temporary....

[[we...]]

There are many reports of some people getting hit after 2 months. Unfortunately it's not that unusual. Your doctor is obviously ill-advised about benzodiazepines, and anger is normal in withdrawal. Maybe your doctor is trying to cash in on the ones per week visit, if you think you have unresolved anger issues, then therapy is definitely helpful, maybe you can spread your visits out while the withdrawal subsides, just in case you do have to work your anger through.

[[ge...]]

rkf - I'm glad to hear from you and also glad you are having some good days.  I drink sleepytime tea, which contains chamomile, lemon balm, and spearmint.  I drink it all day long and it is comforting.  I'm actually having a pretty good day, so I'm grateful for that.  I wish you continued healing.  Hang in there and take care.

 

wellness - I had not heard that anger is normal in withdrawal, but I doubt that it is responsible for my symptoms.  That is what my doctor is saying.  He is definitely ill-advised about benzos and he even suggested I take ativan while I was tapering.  While I was titrating, he would ask me how much I was still taking and I would say ".04 or .03" and he would just stare at me.  I know he thinks I'm a nut.  He has a thriving practice, so I doubt that he is trying to cash in.  I think he thinks I need extra help to deal with my emotions so my pain will subside.  I wish it was that simple.  Thanks for responding. 

 

If anyone has seen improvement in their symptoms from intensive psychotherapy, please let me know.  I know it's a stretch.  Thank you!

GettingMyLifeBack

[[sp...]]

I just wanted to quickly say hat you will do better to stop grasping or rubing affected muscles. I kiwi get into a fixation thing where certain neck and head muscles bother me, and then I'm thinking about them all the time, and then I'm tensing them all the time, and then I start rubbing and grasping them, and this makes the original symptom worse.

 

Talking about your anger on a regular basis can be very helpful I am sure, if ou like and trust the person you are talking to.

 

Cognitive therapy (and abstinence from drugs) are too the biggest things keeping me sane and somewhat happy these days.