Etizolam Withdrawal? Yikes :\

[Lady Codone]

Heyo, just had a few questions about benzo withdrawal--specifically etizolam.

I went on a 3-day bender in which I consumed unknown amounts of 4-FA, kratom and etizolam. Before those 3 days, I'd been using etiz about 3x per day in doses of 1/4th mg (I break my pills into 1/4ths). 4-FA is used in small doses (20-40 mg) semi-daily along with a small daily kratom habit.

Anyway, the day after the binge was fine, but the NEXT day I was struck with a sickness that has left me baffled and scared. I took the last of my hormonal contraception, popped a probiotic and proceeded to feel extreme nausea similar to taking a bunch of opiates and spinning in a circle. I only had 1/4th of an etiz that day and almost none the day before. I felt okay when lying down but sitting or standing would cause a rush of nausea that was unbearable.

All I could do was sleep and cry for the past two days. Today is the first day I could sit/stand without feeling pukey. My dreams have been terrifying and depressing; I jerk myself awake as I'm falling asleep.

Other symptoms:

Cold sweats
Extreme suicidal depression
Feeling breathless upon standing
Increased bowel movements

Is this what etizolam withdrawal feels like? Someone on here must've experienced it before. The fact that it's improving leads me to believe it's either the etizolam or my birth control, which I've only been taking for 2 months.

Sorry so long.

TL;DR - Can etizolam w/d cause extreme nausea that's worse when sitting/standing, cold sweats, suicidal depression, hyper-somnia and breathlessness?

 

[.:Holy::Toast:.]

How long had you been using etiz for?
Those definitely seem like mild benzo withdrawal symptoms, especially the vivid/terrifying dreams.

 

[dopemegently]

I did use quite high doses of etiz for four days, I felt fine for the days after. I've read a lot of posters who use etiz, and phsyical dependence seems to creep up more slowly than true benzos. I think if you're using it for three days, you should take taper those three; in rehab I was tapered on high doses of a strong benzo for 6 days and felt fine afterwards.

What you experienced def sounds like some type of rebound effect though; I've also experienced reduce sleep quality and vivid nightmares after my use, so this is a drug to respect and use wisely imho

 

[zzz101]

I've never experienced benzo or Etizolam withdrawal.

But I do get a side-effect from Etizolam, which has forced me to never take it again - even though it's perfect for anxiety.

It causes bouts of depression in me- one off use. Even when the Etizolam wears off, it makes me _very_ depressed.

 

[Lady Codone]

Thanks guys.

I've been using etiz in small amounts since about March of this year. It's hard to say exactly what dose since I usually just pop 1/4th of a 1 mg pill whenever I feel like it (with the occasional "binge" of about 5-6 mg per day). I know there are people here who would scoff at these doses, but it seems to be fucking me up big time. (Perhaps its prolactin-increasing effects interact negatively with the birth control as well? The nausea/dizziness is unbearable).

I've never been a benzo user and have no idea what withdrawals feel like other than "really bad", so your answers are very helpful There's not much info about etiz withdrawal specifically which is kind of surprising. I'd think hundreds of people would've gone through it by now.

 

[Bardeaux]

Although your experience may differ, this doesn't sound like benzo withdrawal to me. This sounds like something that may be more attributed to the kratom or 4fa. In my experience, benzo withdrawal after long term use feels like an immovable mountain of anxiety, depression, irritability and general lack of any kind of motivation. The breathlessness and depression sound familiar, but the rest is something I haven't experienced personally. Especially the hypersomnia, in my experience, benzo withdrawal involves a great deal of insomnia.

YMMV, but the nausea, cold sweats, bowel movement changes etc are something I've never experienced. And I get quite intense withdrawal symptoms after stopping any kind of benzo.

 

[zzz101]

Etizolam isn't a benzo.

But yea.

Depression could be a side-effect from Etizolam. Plus 4-FA bender wouldn't help. Plus the etiz is a mild snri - which may add more complications from your binge.

I know there are people here who would scoff at these doses No, Etizolam is very strong, esp if it effects you.

It caused a crazy depression effect in me. Lucky I picked up its effects as soon as I did. It was hard to tell at first, I just put it down to bad mood but lucky I found it was the Etizolam.

 

[Lady Codone]

"feels like an immovable mountain of anxiety, depression, irritability and general lack of any kind of motivation."

That too

After reading the Ashton Manual, I'm fairly certain that etiz withdrawal is at least partially responsible for my symptoms. (And I know etiz isn't technically a benzo, but it seems to fit that category more closely than any other AFAIK).

Taking 1/4th of a tablet last night actually worsened my symptoms and stopped my menstrual flow almost immediately (TMI). Like most things on the internet, most of the discussion about benzos/etizolam includes the experiences of men. I'd be really interested to know how etizolam has affected women who used it long-term. My hormones feel incredibly out of whack. (Now that I look back, I can see it causing depression for me too, zzz101).

Fingers crossed for fewer nightmares tonight and a better tomorrow!

 

[Morphling]

It could be an interaction between the etiz and your birth control. Etizolam has been known to affect estrogen, etc.

 

[Lady Codone]

^ Agree. Etiz DEFINITELY has affected my hormones in a not good way, which is why I am quitting. Sent me into full mania followed by crushing depression...and I'm not bipolar. My cramps have gotten so bad in the past year, which is why I started birth control in the first place. Only now am I realizing/accepting that it was actually the etiz and not some underlying disorder (most likely). My symptoms mimic hypothyroidism identically, so hoping to rule that out soon.

Day 5 of cold turkey abstinence and still feeling awful. I considered checking into a psych ward voluntarily on Day 1. But it's getting better each day. After 2 days clean, I finally had my first normal bowel movement in about 6 months and started my period (late).

Opiate withdrawal vs. benzo (thieno) withdrawal is like comparing a head cold to brain cancer. I get it now.

(I know this should is probably "personal diary" material, but just wanted to share my experience so others don't make the same mistake.)

 

[RedRum OG]

i bet a lot of this is caused by/made worse by kratom withdrawal

 

[pally pete]

Heyo, just had a few questions about benzo withdrawal--specifically etizolam.

I went on a 3-day bender in which I consumed unknown amounts of 4-FA, kratom and etizolam. Before those 3 days, I'd been using etiz about 3x per day in doses of 1/4th mg (I break my pills into 1/4ths). 4-FA is used in small doses (20-40 mg) semi-daily along with a small daily kratom habit.

Anyway, the day after the binge was fine, but the NEXT day I was struck with a sickness that has left me baffled and scared. I took the last of my hormonal contraception, popped a probiotic and proceeded to feel extreme nausea similar to taking a bunch of opiates and spinning in a circle. I only had 1/4th of an etiz that day and almost none the day before. I felt okay when lying down but sitting or standing would cause a rush of nausea that was unbearable.

All I could do was sleep and cry for the past two days. Today is the first day I could sit/stand without feeling pukey. My dreams have been terrifying and depressing; I jerk myself awake as I'm falling asleep.

Other symptoms:

Cold sweats
Extreme suicidal depression
Feeling breathless upon standing
Increased bowel movements

Is this what etizolam withdrawal feels like? Someone on here must've experienced it before. The fact that it's improving leads me to believe it's either the etizolam or my birth control, which I've only been taking for 2 months.

Sorry so long.

TL;DR - Can etizolam w/d cause extreme nausea that's worse when sitting/standing, cold sweats, suicidal depression, hyper-somnia and breathlessness?

I'm just 1 week free from a 5 day stay in hospital, IME Benzo withdrawal can cause every symptom known to man and more! My use was off the map compared to yours but by no means do I believe that even mild use can cause extreme symptoms.

Stear clear of Benzos if at all possible.

 

[Lady Codone]

Stear clear of Benzos if at all possible.

Don't have to tell me twice! :D Haven't touched the stuff since last Friday. Just now starting to feel like a human being again. Benadryl has been helpful for sleep and I'm incorporating small amounts of 2-FMA back into my rotation. Looking forward to good health after a year of feeling shitty and not knowing why. Etizolam is a sneaky sum'bitch.

Congrats on your sobriety from benzos! I don't know how people quit bigger habits than I had. I've never thought about suicide so seriously. The scary part is thinking the feeling will never go away, but it does!

 

[MinusAgony]

Myoclonic Jerk is probably what you were experiencing when you mention "jerk myself awake, as I'm falling asleep". It's pretty annoying, and it comes and goes depending on diet in my experience. You may need more vitamins and less meat/caffeine, this happened to me before and after etiz so can't be sure it's because etiz.

I noticed it helped with what I consider moderate to extreme anxiety as well as the pain/discomfort associated to vericose veins just like lorazepam & alprazolam. The pain/discomfort came back after stopping doses, a couple times after a month or two of use there was withdrawls like you mentioned but strangly not everytime.

 

[MinusAgony]

Heyo, just had a few questions about benzo withdrawal--specifically etizolam.

I went on a 3-day bender in which I consumed unknown amounts of 4-FA, kratom and etizolam. Before those 3 days, I'd been using etiz about 3x per day in doses of 1/4th mg (I break my pills into 1/4ths). 4-FA is used in small doses (20-40 mg) semi-daily along with a small daily kratom habit.

Anyway, the day after the binge was fine, but the NEXT day I was struck with a sickness that has left me baffled and scared. I took the last of my hormonal contraception, popped a probiotic and proceeded to feel extreme nausea similar to taking a bunch of opiates and spinning in a circle. I only had 1/4th of an etiz that day and almost none the day before. I felt okay when lying down but sitting or standing would cause a rush of nausea that was unbearable.

All I could do was sleep and cry for the past two days. Today is the first day I could sit/stand without feeling pukey. My dreams have been terrifying and depressing; I jerk myself awake as I'm falling asleep.

Other symptoms:

Cold sweats
Extreme suicidal depression
Feeling breathless upon standing
Increased bowel movements

Is this what etizolam withdrawal feels like? Someone on here must've experienced it before. The fact that it's improving leads me to believe it's either the etizolam or my birth control, which I've only been taking for 2 months.

Sorry so long.

TL;DR - Can etizolam w/d cause extreme nausea that's worse when sitting/standing, cold sweats, suicidal depression, hyper-somnia and breathlessness?

I thought the withdrawls might have been from the painkillers but I've never had withdrawls from oral painkillers. The first time I had withdrawls from Etiz I was also taking Acetylfentanyl and stopped both at the same time so I thought that's what it was, but the 2nd and 3rd times was without. I remember a post from the vendor a while back that it was from a different source or something was different so that might be the reason also. Definitely was difficult sleeping without it, cold sweats, increased BM, but I'm male so no birth control pill involved, I usually have nausea and dizziness/breathlessness so can't say that was from the Etiz.

I was impressed that my dizziness/breathlessness went away when I took it. It's like day and night going from shaky vision to being able to see straight and not feel so worried about things. I bruised easier while on it and they wouldn't go away until a couple days after I stopped taking it.

 

[phatass]

at 0.25mg etizolam/day i can't imagine what you describe being caused by benzo withdrawal (you would have crippling anxiety and insomnia mostly from benzo w/d)... i think it's more likely to do with the 3 day binge (depression, hypersomnia and vivid dreams from the 4-FA abuse), the increased bowel movements would be attributed to the kratom as it is an opioid. So you should be back in good shape within a few days hopefully.

 

[DuckEcho]

Im just going to comment on one thing you said im in a bit of a hurry. The dreams youre having are stress dreams. You get them while on drugs or when feeling anxious, and i believe when feeling ill. ive always been amazed by dreams and keep a dream journal (well its 13 journals now). I can recall around 90% of every dream I have but i honestly think i like nightmares or just kinda of scary/weird dreams the best because once you wake up, you know youre ok. theyre fun to me. im trying still to learn how to lucid dream correctly, i began having some for a little while but my subconscious took over or something cause id immediately wake up.

anyway, one more thing. short and simple. benzo w/d can be pretty bad but you seem to be feeling better. and also like the guy above me said, thats such a low dose of benzo i dont understand how or why youd be w/ding from it. if you think about it, most people are given a benzo script only for a very short term use to help them cope (like if a family member died, or something along those lines). and they take them and when they run out, they dont withdrawl. ive never seen anyone w/d from short term low dose benzos. maybe you psyched yourself out thinking about if the w/d was going to be bad and your mind made it happen. the brain is an amazing machine... if only i could make it give me the feels of drugs instead making it give me anxiety and shit. bah!

Also what Bardeaux said about thinking its the other stuff and not the benzo I could not have said it better. he nailed it, what im thinking. also i didnt see you said youve been on it 2 months, i thought those 3 days were the only time you did them thats why i was so confused about why youd be w/d'ing - but still, 2 months is not long on such a small dose. i dont know anything about the kratom and 4-fa or w/e except for a few kratom horror stories. so maybe its that.. maybe those 3 are a bad combination to you.