Benzos Withdrawal from my temazepam script - need advice

[Dexed]

My psychiatrist has had me on 30mg temazepam nightly for debilitating insomnia since the beginning of March, and now it's time to get off of it. Short story: I've tried over 15 meds in the past, including antipsychotics, Z-drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, and found temazepam to give me the best sleep. I couldn't really not skip a single night, since this psychiatrist works at an inpatient rehab center and the staff have to administer your meds. The psyhiatrist fed me 20mg Adderall IR twice a day, 300mg Lyrica BID + 50-100mg tramadol PRN (the center said no to hydrocodone) per my neurologist for "neuropathy" I got off opiates to get on these? Sure I'll play along. Hell, I'm thankful to know amphetamines and tramadol is a fucking dangerous combo because nobody would have stopped me from taking them together if I'd asked.

Well, fast forward to the present I'm now dependent on Lyrica and temazepam, and winged my way into outpatient treatment after checking in to residential (involuntarily) around New Year's day. I'm not worrying about Lyrica right now. My problem is this same psychiatrist cut my temazepam in exchange for ambien last week just because he didn't want me on two controlled meds. That was his reason, and it somehow took this guy 5 months to figure it out. DEA probably breathed down his neck and whispered sweet words of temptation in his ear. I still don't get why he moved me to another C-IV if he was so worried about losing his license. My psychiatrist is the type who'll say one day that amphetamines aren't addictive and the next he'll say they are extremely habit forming. Oh joy.

I currently have two temazepam caps left and I tried taking an Ambien tonight. Well, actually I shot it. Surprisingly it didn't hold me for long, even though I was markedly high for a good hour. 30 hours after my last dose and 4 hours after the Ambien I was definitely in an uncomfortable, jittery, sweaty, confused and light/sound sensitive state. That's benzo w/d coming on, shit. I could barely operate my phone without fucking up due to being too shaky or random anxious headfucks. I should mention I've noticed interdose withdrawals increasing in intensity for the past couple of months. Caved in and took a temaz a little over an hour ago, and am feeling much better now.

What am I supposed to do now? I know if I just take the ambien I'll be a total wreck, and might just seize up at some point. I asked my psych for a proper taper and he said there's no need because I'm not dependent on benzos (!!) and wouldn't require any diazepam. I know I need to change psychiatrists but right now that isn't an option due to my shitty insurance. A detox facility is out of the question, and I don't like the idea of going to the ER. Should I just ask my GP, even though he's obligated to not object to the judgement of my psychiatrist? I need some insight guys, and quick.

 

[lolwhatzdrugs]

What am I supposed to do now? I know if I just take the ambien I'll be a total wreck, and might just seize up at some point. I asked my psych for a proper taper and he said there's no need because I'm not dependent on benzos (!!) and wouldn't require any diazepam. I know I need to change psychiatrists but right now that isn't an option due to my shitty insurance. A detox facility is out of the question, and I don't like the idea of going to the ER. Should I just ask my GP, even though he's obligated to not object to the judgement of my psychiatrist? I need some insight guys, and quick.

1. Your psychiatrist sounds like an idiot, if what you say is true.
2. Withdrawing from benzodiazapines can cause seizures and death seek medical attention (emergency room) if you feel it is necessary.
3. Why the hell would your GP be obligated to agree with your psychiatrist? This sounds like a very paranoid assessment of the situation. Your GP is obligated to make sure they take care of your health to the best of their ability.
4. You don't sound like you are not making very good decisions. You are withdrawing from gabagerics so you take the only ones you have by an ROA which makes them the least useful (I.E. quick onset, fast come down), next time, swallow them and you will probably feel better longer.
5. If you MUST inject (Read: just don't do it) use a wheel filter.

 

[tramadol_head1000]

My psychiatrist has had me on 30mg temazepam nightly for debilitating insomnia since the beginning of March, and now it's time to get off of it. Short story: I've tried over 15 meds in the past, including antipsychotics, Z-drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, and found temazepam to give me the best sleep. I couldn't really not skip a single night, since this psychiatrist works at an inpatient rehab center and the staff have to administer your meds. The psyhiatrist fed me 20mg Adderall IR twice a day, 300mg Lyrica BID + 50-100mg tramadol PRN (the center said no to hydrocodone) per my neurologist for "neuropathy" I got off opiates to get on these? Sure I'll play along. Hell, I'm thankful to know amphetamines and tramadol is a fucking dangerous combo because nobody would have stopped me from taking them together if I'd asked.

Well, fast forward to the present I'm now dependent on Lyrica and temazepam, and winged my way into outpatient treatment after checking in to residential (involuntarily) around New Year's day. I'm not worrying about Lyrica right now. My problem is this same psychiatrist cut my temazepam in exchange for ambien last week just because he didn't want me on two controlled meds. That was his reason, and it somehow took this guy 5 months to figure it out. DEA probably breathed down his neck and whispered sweet words of temptation in his ear. I still don't get why he moved me to another C-IV if he was so worried about losing his license. My psychiatrist is the type who'll say one day that amphetamines aren't addictive and the next he'll say they are extremely habit forming. Oh joy.

I currently have two temazepam caps left and I tried taking an Ambien tonight. Well, actually I shot it. Surprisingly it didn't hold me for long, even though I was markedly high for a good hour. 30 hours after my last dose and 4 hours after the Ambien I was definitely in an uncomfortable, jittery, sweaty, confused and light/sound sensitive state. That's benzo w/d coming on, shit. I could barely operate my phone without fucking up due to being too shaky or random anxious headfucks. I should mention I've noticed interdose withdrawals increasing in intensity for the past couple of months. Caved in and took a temaz a little over an hour ago, and am feeling much better now.

What am I supposed to do now? I know if I just take the ambien I'll be a total wreck, and might just seize up at some point. I asked my psych for a proper taper and he said there's no need because I'm not dependent on benzos (!!) and wouldn't require any diazepam. I know I need to change psychiatrists but right now that isn't an option due to my shitty insurance. A detox facility is out of the question, and I don't like the idea of going to the ER. Should I just ask my GP, even though he's obligated to not object to the judgement of my psychiatrist? I need some insight guys, and quick.

Doctors are double talk themselves to whatever situation suits them. Like my doctor told me tramadol is very addictiig when he first started to prescribing it when I got in trouble for always calling trying to get it refilled early. When I asked him if I could wean off it he told me its only tramadol and withdrawals aren't as severe as other narcotics. I hate this double talk as they tell you anything that fits them at the time.

 

[shreddedlettuce]

Don't blame the drug. Or the doctor if you go and start injecting ambien.

Don't mean to sound harsh, but had to say that.


Edit. Sorry had to add.............about the "proper taper" question.
Injecting ambien and then complaining and saying "what am I supposed to do now", ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm............jesus, no point even mentioning the word taper, cause you aren't ready to want to stop.

I'm actually trying to help you here, I'm not attacking you.

 

[Boupstarnm]

I'm confused. You're voluntarily in treatment and you're on tramadol and adderall? And in treatment and shooting your meds?

This is confusing.

 

[bennyZA]

I'm also trying to sort this out. I really am not sure what it is going on... From what I can gather, this is my take on the situation.

First, do not go into benzo w/d, no matter what. No doctor in his right mind would keep you off benzo's w/o a taper if you were starting to feel the effects of withdrawal. Even the newest doctor, who graduated at the very bottom of the worst class in the history of the worst med school in the world would know you can die from benzo w/d. You have to tell him what is happening. Just tell him your symptoms and how you noticed these debilitating symptoms after you stopped taking temezapam. If your doctor does nothing/doesn't get back to you, etc. you're either going to have to find a new doc asap, or you're going to have to go to the ER. An ER doc would probably refer you to another doctor, and in the mean time give you a script for diazapam (valium).

Seriously, you do not have to go through benzo withdrawal. With opiates, it sucks, but you get over it. With benzo's you can die, and it takes months and months and months for even the physical effects to go away. I had to go through the benzo w/d hell numerous times. I've had seizures, and all the works. You'll probably end up getting hospitalized anyways.

As for the IV ambien... just don't. Seriously. Just don't. If you are trying to get away from addiction, you gotta get away from the needle.

 

[shreddedlettuce]

Thanks bennyZA, pretty much what I was trying to say..nice post.