Hi there !

[[Be...]]

Hello

 

Just a few lines to introduce myself. I've been surfing away trying to find some info about benzo withdrawal for the last couple of week. Something a bit more personal than all the clinical stuff.

 

I've been taking Lorazapam since Nov 2011, some 19 weeks. I started taking 2mg initially to combat insomnia when I was diagnosed with depression. I then went into a clinic as an inpatient at the end of Nov 2011 where I stayed for 3 weeks. There I was taking up to 4mg of Lorazapam/day, as well as Sertraline (which didn't agree with me), then Citallopram, Mirtazapine, Pregabalin and Zopiclone to sleep. I've recently stopped taking the Cittalopram as it didn't seem to be doing anything and my psychiatrist as just prescribed Venlafaxin, but I've yet to start taking it.

 

In January I tried to cut down to 2mg of Lorazapam a day and this continued into February when I went back to work on a phased basis. My GP gave me a bit of a hard time over my usuage, although my psychiatrist didn't seemed that concerned. After reading many of the horror stories about benzo withdrawal, I made a conscious effort to cutdown. I went from 2mg, to 1mg, to half and then a quarter over the course of about 3 weeks. I've now been clean for 5 days and I'm not sure what to expect ? I feel a bit better today, it's been tough although I've been eating 3 meals a day and been to the gym then last couple of days, which is a first over the last 6 months !

 

I guess I'm a bit grumpy, conscious of loud noises and emotionally a bit up and down. But then I was emotionally up and down anyway.... Is this normal or can I expect more ?

 

Thanks and would really appreciate some feedback.

 

Jim

[[ma...]]

Hello Benzojim

Welcome to benzobuddies you will get a lot of support here

Have a look around others will be along shortly to welcome you .

 

If you wish to add a signature: http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=9432.0

 

keep posting

 

Magrita

[[Be...]]

Hi Margrita

 

Thanks for the reply and welcome. I've read a lot on here about short term usage and guess I wonder whether I fall into that catagory ? I'm really not sure what I'm meant to be feeling !

 

Thanks again

 

Jim

[[ma...]]

Hi Benzojim

 

I guess I'm a bit grumpy, conscious of loud noises and emotionally a bit up and down. But then I was emotionally up and down anyway.... Is this normal or can I expect more ?

 

Sounds like it is normal w/ds  have you read the Ashton Manual it has a lot of good info

 

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/

 

Margarita

 

[[Sc...]]

Hi BenzoJim and Welcome!

 

Benzodiazepine withdrawal is completely individualized, so it is very difficult to say what one person may expect during this.  But the feelings you have - moody, sensitive to loud noise - are VERY normal when you've come off of Benzos.  You came off of of them fairly quickly, but you were also a short-term user.  Many short-term users are shocked by how much Benzo withdrawal can affect them, but that's the mystery behind these pills.  Some long-term users can taper off without any issues whatsoever. 

 

The GOOD news, is that it doesn't get bad for everyone, and that even if it does get difficult, we all fully heal.  And for some, the healing can happen in a matter of weeks - where for others it can take months.  I myself had an extremely difficult taper that took 10 months to complete (I was prescribed them for many years though) and it has taken some time since my last dose to see great progress, but now at 8 months off, I see huge progress.  And then there are people on the forum who are fine after a month or so.  Completely individualized. 

 

Hang in there, and feel free to post in the "Withdrawal and Recovery" board if you have any specific concerns regarding your withdrawal.  Congrats on getting off of them while you were still early in the game.  Many people find once they come off of them, they feel much more motivated and think clearer - as you were able to experience w/ the outing to the gym.

 

All the best!

Schatje

[[Be...]]

Hello Jim,

 

Welcome to Benzobuddies.. 

 

Congratulations on being free of benzos. Yoou have done well.  I would imagine that you are feeling the affects of w/d.. But it sounds as if you are quite functional with it.  It's difficult to know will you have more symptoms as you are only 5 days out.  You might be lucky, lets hope so

 

How are you sleeping now?  Are you still taking the other meds?

 

This is a really great place to find out other people's experiences.. I'm sure there will be other short term people over to say hello. 

 

I hope you settle in with us well.  We are happy you found us.

 

Betsy xxxx

[[Be...]]

Hi Schatje & Betsy

 

Many thanks for the supportive replies !

 

I do find that it's enormously rewarding as each day passes and I haven't taken another Lorazapam. I've been keeping half a mg in my pocket, wrapped up in a bit of of cling film, just in case.... I left the house this morning without it and didn't worry too much about it.

 

I'm still taking Mirtazapine (15mg in morn and 30mg at night) and Pregablin (75mgx2). I take 15mg of Zopiclone at night to help with sleep, although I tend to wait until I awake in the night before taking this. I know I really need to shake that off too but one step at a time eh ? My psychiatrist prescribed me Venlanfaxin (75mg initially) on Friday, but I've yet to meet with my GP to get the script so can't comment on that yet. My psych (he's a bit of a wag) referred to it as Californian Rocket Fuel when combined with Mirtazapine..... Not really sure what to expect...

 

Sleep has been been patchy since tapering and stopping, although I slept better last night. I hope that symptoms won't be too profound and feel encouraged that I can seem to be able to get through a day without too much grief...

 

Many thanks again

 

Jim

[[ma...]]

Hi Jim

 

Well done to you for getting off, It will get better if you keep going forward

We are all very supportive here, some are off and some are still tapering.

Take a look around were a great bunch

 

Margarita

[[Be...]]

Many thanks Margarita 

[[Ch...]]

Hi Jim and welcome to BB,

I would just say keep a close eye on how you're feeling...you're four days off right now if I read you signature correctly.  Symptoms of w/d from benzos can linger for awhile or not, everyone is different and you were taking them for a relatively short period of time.  Hang around, read the forums and keep posting! 

Challis

[[Be...]]

Hi Challis

 

Yes, sorry, Weds14/3 was the first day I didn't take a Loraz. Therefore I'm day 5 today.... Pretty academic in the grand scheme of things I know, but it makes me feel better....

 

Thanks for your kind message of support.

 

Jim