1191 replies to this topic

[Mxpro32]

1mg at night

I tried .5mg at night for a couple nights and slept better, and had more emotions.

[fishinghat]

How long you been on that dose?

 

By the way, benzos block REM sleep, the deepest form of sleep.

[Mxpro32]

Almost 2 months for the Klonopin. Wason Xanax 1mg for 2 months before that

[Mxpro32]

Ya, I was reading that. Awesome

[fishinghat]

I hate to give you bad advice Mxpro. If it was me I would take a 1/2 pill every night for about a week and see how I do. The risk is not only the withdrawal but if things go bad you may not have relief if you increase your dosage back to where you were. Only about half of those who reinstate back to a higher dose see an improvement in symptoms.

[Mxpro32]

That's what I was thinking of doing. If the withdrawal does go south, how long will the ride be?

[fishinghat]

Around 2 to 8 weeks. Talk to you more this evening when I get back.

[Mxpro32]

So I went 2 days at half dose, then I took a half dose at bed time and another half when I woke up at 2 am. Lat night (4th day) I took half a dose. I feel fine other than I'm a little dizzy. Emotionally I feel fine.

[fishinghat]

I would hold at that pattern for a couple three more days before cutting down any but that is very encouraging.

[Mxpro32]

That's good to hear. I was hoping you would say that and not that it was going to get way worse, lol

[Mxpro32]

I keep forgetting what I was going to say or do to. Like go to grab a tool and completely forget why I went in the shop

[invalidusername]

Sorry for silence from me - been stupidly busy last few days....

 

Hat is so right about benzos and candy. My doctor will readily refill an rx of 28 once a month for my wife - and she will just happily keep taking them and I don't like it. Again, as Hat said, it does for your REM sleep which is the most important in dealing with mental health. The cereberal fluid doesn't get to backwash the areas of the brain needed to function correctly when this third stage sleep cycle is entered into.

 

Steady how you go with the drop and keep us posted.

 

EDIT - Spelt cycle with an /s/... that is how tired I am.. LOL

[Mxpro32]

When would peak withdrawal symptoms be hitting?

[Mxpro32]

I'm getting a headache. Would it be ok to take Ibuprofen?

[fishinghat]

Peak symptoms can be from 2 months before last diose to 8 months after last dose. A lot of variables effect that, How slow you taper, weight, episodes of stress, and ….

[Mxpro32]

I had to deal with some state paperwork pertaining to my business, and my anxiety is out of control. I actually felt really good this morning after my counselor appointment, but this issue with the state has me panicking like I'm losing everything. The coronavirus and impending economic collapse had me freaking out too. Not sure if it's the benzo withdrawal or garden variety stress intolerance, but today was a tough day. Tomorrow is my 40th birthday, so hopefully I'm able to chill out and enjoy it a little.

[Mxpro32]

If the anxiety is too bad, can I up the dose a little for a few days?

[fishinghat]

Upping the dose only helps in around 50% of he cases. In addition, if you are still that sensitive to stress then I suggest the weaning wait.

[Mxpro32]

What do you mean? Stay at half a dose, or go back up and wait? I've been doing alright, but the anxiety has gotten pretty intense. It's not like the adrenaline overload of cymbalta withdrawal, its attaching to real stressors and feels more panicky. I could probably hang in there, but it could be tough to keep the panic at Bay if this continues for a while.

[fishinghat]

My apologies. Clear as mud.
 
I was saying if you are that sensitive go back up to regular dose and wait until things stabilize before weaning.

"I've been doing alright, but the anxiety has gotten pretty intense."

This statement makes me think that the increase in anxiety is from the drop in benzo. If so you can go back to the original dose and hope it helps or simply wait it out a few weeks (3 to 6?) and let it pass. What do you think?

[Mxpro32]

Maybe I'll see if the anxiety gets manageable following this stressor. I'd hate to quit the progress. The anxiety last night and at 4am this morning was pretty intense. That's usually when it's the worst though. Does the chance of reinstatement success go down the longer I wait?

[fishinghat]

No

 

The anxiety from dropping a benzo is a slow fade so if it starts getting better don't drop right away. Wait a little longer and drop a little slower. I am hoping that as little as you are taking and only intermittently that you could be improving in 2 weeks or so. Hang in there.

 

How long since you made your drop?

[Mxpro32]

6 days at half dose. I took half a dose this morning and it calmed me down. Maybe I'll try 3/4 for a week or 2. I really feel like I could have toughed it out without this stressor. Probably still could have, but I hate being super anxiety dad with my kids.

[fishinghat]

So 3/4 dose for a dew days and see how it goes. Remember if you go up to 3/4 dose and it does not help you have further to drop again.

[Mxpro32]

Man. The half dose I took this morning has me tired and depressed and drugged feeling. I'm not anxious, but I don't like the way this feels. Starting to think Klonopin might be why I've been struggling in the mornings so much. My mood is terrible in the morning and gets better as the day goes on. I've never taken it during the day. Part of me thinks I'm fine on the half dose. I felt better for the most part. I was just dealing with something really stressful which probably would have sent me for a loop anyway.

[fishinghat]

I really think you are onto something there. Use your best judgement to see what you can do about decreasing it as manageable as possible. Your a sharp person and you can work this out.
 
I was surprised by the high percentage of people who take Ativan and experience depression. This is something I was not familiar with but the FDA website covers over 20,000 people that have taken Ativan and that is a lot more experience than me.  lol

[Mxpro32]

Happy 40th birthday to me, lol. I sure hope I have better days ahead

[invalidusername]

Bloody hell I'm feeling old - to be 40 again... (only 2 years in it, but I still feel old!)  but I'll wait for Hat to chime in here...

 

All the best my friend and many happy (or happier) returns - and there will be

[fishinghat]

Congratulations

 

Was I ever 40? I don't remember.

[Mxpro32]

Thanks guys. I'm a crying mess today. My birthday is always hard since I lost my mom and brother 2 weeks apart 11 years ago. This year is particularly hard cause I'm turning 40, then you throw in the medication issues. I'm a depressed crying mess. I know it's just chemical but I feel like I'm never going to feel better and I have no future. Not how I wanted to spend my birthday. We're having a party tomorrow with nearly 40 people. I hope I'm up to enjoying it.