When will the other shoe drop?

[[sa...]]

I tapered Klonopin in January after taking it for a year or so after my mom died.  I used Valium to taper and took the last dose in February I think (I can't remember anything anymore).  I did OK for a few weeks but then had heart palpitations (every day, all day, every hour, every minute)  then the panic hit.  I was in a panic state for 6 days.  Horrible, awful terror - for no apparent external reason. I had resigned and began steeling myself for at least a 6 month battle.  I dropped a college course thinking there was no way I could do it now.

 

Yesterday I started having what I hoped was a window.  The anxiety was way down.  Still under there but not screaming panic.  I thought "this is good".  This morning the panic is still at bay.  Other symptoms are quiet too.  I don't care about any of the other stuff, I just can't handle the panic.  If I had to live with panic I think I would consider ending it all or going back on benzos. 

 

I don't want to jinx this but maybe panic won't be a constant for me?  Has anyone had this experience?  Does the panic subside within 1 to 2 months of the last dose?  Or am I just in a lucky window?  Is the window going to slam shut?

 

P.S. In 2008 I tapered Klonopin (after a year or so of taking it) with Valium and I did fine.  Very few symptoms comparatively.  I wish I had never started taking the K again.  I must have had a 'kindling' effect this time.  I thought I was going to die.  I'm afraid it will come back.

[[...]]

Hello,

 

I am happy for you that you have a window, I hope it lasts for a long time.  With the way benzos can turn on us, we just never know when, or if, that window will close, and for how long it will remain open or closed.

 

I can tell you this; since my body has been free of Ativan, and Ambien I have not had another panic episode. 

 

the best to you

 

pj

[[pr...]]

Sally, everyone is different.  You may be through the worst of it already, or you may not, only time will tell; but it's certainly possible that you're through the worst of it already.  Everyone is very different. 

 

Benzo withdrawal and healing is classically roller coaster, with improvements followed by disheartening worsening, back and forth.  That's why the terms "windows" and "waves" got invented. 

 

So even if the panic does come back it doesn't mean you need to be discouraged; you're still healing and you'll still get there.

 

And yes, some people do come off fairly smoothly, and you could certainly be one of them!

[[pr...]]

Sally, everyone is different.  You may be through the worst of it already, or you may not, only time will tell; but it's certainly possible that you're through the worst of it already.  Everyone is very different. 

 

Benzo withdrawal and healing is classically roller coaster, with improvements followed by disheartening worsening, back and forth.  That's why the terms "windows" and "waves" got invented. 

 

So even if the panic does come back it doesn't mean you need to be discouraged.  It may come and go for a bit; you're still healing and if you stay off the K, you'll still get there and be free.

 

And yes, some people do come off fairly smoothly, and you could certainly be one of them!