ombass
Greenlighter
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2018
- Messages
- 13
Hey folks,
First off, big thanks for being here as a community! I have been a long time reader, first time poster. I have gotten a lot of knowledge and value from this community, so big kudos for that! %)
Backstory / context: I have been taking either Xanax or Klonopin (more usually Xanax) nightly as a sleep aid for a approx. 5 to 6 months. I have been going through a lot of stress, and have had real problems sleeping, so the Dr prescribed BOTH Xanax and Klonopin for me, one to help get to sleep, and one to take again if i wake up in the middle of the night and cant get back to sleep.
Fast forward to present day, stress levels are down, and I just want to stop taking the benzos and get back to normal sleeping patterns. I didn't think i was addicted on them until I tried to stop taking them. First symptom of withdrawals was massive fatigue. Others that followed were anxiety, depression, stomach problems/nausea, muscle pain, and out of all them, the WORST was/is this electric shock feeling as I'm trying to go to sleep. Its like my nervous system is inflamed/electrified, and these shocks/zaps seem to come in waves. The ONLY thing I've found that eliminates them is, of course, benzos. My body is addicted to them, and it seems to be the only thing that works.
After trying to go cold turkey, I realized why I was feeling so crappy and decided to go back up to the full pill (0.5mg) so I could regain normalcy in my brain and sleep patterns. This worked for a couple days, but quickly became ineffective. I hear / read this sort of rebound thing is common, especially when you try to go cold turkey. You go back to the benzos because you cant take it, but when you do back, the same dose isn't enough anymore. This seems to be exactly the case with my current situation.
At this point, I just want DESPERATELY to get off these devil pills. The withdrawal symptoms are nothing I would wish on ANYONE. Absolutely HORRIFIC!! The worst sensations I have ever felt, hands down. I figured I would be a "big man" the 2 days ago and go down to half a pill. First night was ok, i slept through the night. But the night that followed? PURE HELL! Been up since 3:00am, 3 hours total of sleep, fried, frazzled, tired, and just feeling like complete crap.
I absolutely have got to do something to help myself sleep and get off these pills. I know that I need to taper off the benzos SLOWLY, I have heard the liquid method is the best, since the small pills become hard to measure. There are guides for that online, but what I am really wondering is what i can take to SLEEP. I absolutely cannot stand another night of feeling like my nervous system is being electrocuted.
Does anyone have any experience tapering off benzos and using any of the following medications to help with the sleep disturbances and insomnia?
Amiltriptamine (Elavil) - low dose tricyclic antidepressant. Doesn't sedate you, but helps keep you asleep.
Doxepin (Sinequan) - low dose tricyclic antidepressant. Supposedly well tolerated with minimal side effects.
Remeron (Mirtazapine) - this one scares me! Dr just gave it to me, but I'm scared to take it due to all the scary reports online.
Lunesta (Eszopiclone) - I have an old bottle of this lying around, i'm pretty close to trying it. But i hear it also works on GABA receptors (like benzos).
Ambien (Zolpidem) - I also have an old bottle of this lying around. Tried it years ago but remember it making me groggy in the morning, and feeling depressed the day after.
Trazadone - another older antidepressant I took many years ago for sleep. I have heard its ineffective with benzo withdrawls.
Antihistamine drugs with sedative effects - e.g. diphenylhydramine (Benadryl), promethazine (Phenergan)
The main thing I seem to be struggling with is SLEEP. Especially getting to sleep. I am hoping one of these drugs is safe, and effective, and can potentially aid in combating insomnia and sleep disturbances associated with benzo withdrawl. I want to taper as quickly as possible, while also trying to avoid these nasty side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
Any input, experience or advice is greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!
First off, big thanks for being here as a community! I have been a long time reader, first time poster. I have gotten a lot of knowledge and value from this community, so big kudos for that! %)
Backstory / context: I have been taking either Xanax or Klonopin (more usually Xanax) nightly as a sleep aid for a approx. 5 to 6 months. I have been going through a lot of stress, and have had real problems sleeping, so the Dr prescribed BOTH Xanax and Klonopin for me, one to help get to sleep, and one to take again if i wake up in the middle of the night and cant get back to sleep.
Fast forward to present day, stress levels are down, and I just want to stop taking the benzos and get back to normal sleeping patterns. I didn't think i was addicted on them until I tried to stop taking them. First symptom of withdrawals was massive fatigue. Others that followed were anxiety, depression, stomach problems/nausea, muscle pain, and out of all them, the WORST was/is this electric shock feeling as I'm trying to go to sleep. Its like my nervous system is inflamed/electrified, and these shocks/zaps seem to come in waves. The ONLY thing I've found that eliminates them is, of course, benzos. My body is addicted to them, and it seems to be the only thing that works.
After trying to go cold turkey, I realized why I was feeling so crappy and decided to go back up to the full pill (0.5mg) so I could regain normalcy in my brain and sleep patterns. This worked for a couple days, but quickly became ineffective. I hear / read this sort of rebound thing is common, especially when you try to go cold turkey. You go back to the benzos because you cant take it, but when you do back, the same dose isn't enough anymore. This seems to be exactly the case with my current situation.
At this point, I just want DESPERATELY to get off these devil pills. The withdrawal symptoms are nothing I would wish on ANYONE. Absolutely HORRIFIC!! The worst sensations I have ever felt, hands down. I figured I would be a "big man" the 2 days ago and go down to half a pill. First night was ok, i slept through the night. But the night that followed? PURE HELL! Been up since 3:00am, 3 hours total of sleep, fried, frazzled, tired, and just feeling like complete crap.
I absolutely have got to do something to help myself sleep and get off these pills. I know that I need to taper off the benzos SLOWLY, I have heard the liquid method is the best, since the small pills become hard to measure. There are guides for that online, but what I am really wondering is what i can take to SLEEP. I absolutely cannot stand another night of feeling like my nervous system is being electrocuted.
Does anyone have any experience tapering off benzos and using any of the following medications to help with the sleep disturbances and insomnia?
Amiltriptamine (Elavil) - low dose tricyclic antidepressant. Doesn't sedate you, but helps keep you asleep.
Doxepin (Sinequan) - low dose tricyclic antidepressant. Supposedly well tolerated with minimal side effects.
Remeron (Mirtazapine) - this one scares me! Dr just gave it to me, but I'm scared to take it due to all the scary reports online.
Lunesta (Eszopiclone) - I have an old bottle of this lying around, i'm pretty close to trying it. But i hear it also works on GABA receptors (like benzos).
Ambien (Zolpidem) - I also have an old bottle of this lying around. Tried it years ago but remember it making me groggy in the morning, and feeling depressed the day after.
Trazadone - another older antidepressant I took many years ago for sleep. I have heard its ineffective with benzo withdrawls.
Antihistamine drugs with sedative effects - e.g. diphenylhydramine (Benadryl), promethazine (Phenergan)
The main thing I seem to be struggling with is SLEEP. Especially getting to sleep. I am hoping one of these drugs is safe, and effective, and can potentially aid in combating insomnia and sleep disturbances associated with benzo withdrawl. I want to taper as quickly as possible, while also trying to avoid these nasty side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
Any input, experience or advice is greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!