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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ChicagoKat on March 19, 2013, at 16:02:59
Hi all,
I did not know this could happen. I used to be a pharmacist before I went nuts after ECT. In school we were always taught how much safer benzos are than barbs. But now, here I am, experiencing serial panic attacks two months after I stopped taking Klonopin regularly. I was tolerant to it and I had to take a high dose - at least 5mg - to have any perceptible effect. And, like an idiot, I did take more. Until I decided that it was not helping me anymore and I stopped it. I had absolutely no wiwthdrawal effects until last Thursday when what I swear was a 4-day panic attack began. It finally relented yesterday, only to strike again this morning. I've read that benzo withdrawal can manifest weeks to even months after stopping, and that the withdrawal symptoms can wax and wane for a long time.My current meds are Lexapro 20mg qam, Elavil 25mg qhs for sleep, Vistaril 50mg tid prn, Atenolol 50mg qam, Gabapentin 600mg qpm.
I've given up caffeine, chocolate, and cigarettes.
I just wanted to hear others' experiences if they have had them and wondered if anyone has any advice. Thanks
Kat
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2013, at 16:45:51
In reply to Benzo withdrawal, posted by ChicagoKat on March 19, 2013, at 16:02:59
Kat it didn't happen to me.Cold turkeyed miltown years ago, also chloral hydrate 20cc. I did still have low benzo dose. Until I read stuff nothing happened to me? Why would the panic happen so much later? Don't get it? P
Posted by joe schmoe on March 19, 2013, at 17:00:36
In reply to Benzo withdrawal, posted by ChicagoKat on March 19, 2013, at 16:02:59
Sorry to hear about this.
I just stopped klonopin a week ago after about a 14 week taper, after 12 years of use. Have had lots of minor side effects all through the taper and now but nothing like what you describe. Guess I'll find out in the months to come what will happen.
Posted by joe schmoe on March 19, 2013, at 18:40:18
In reply to Re: Benzo withdrawal » ChicagoKat, posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2013, at 16:45:51
> Kat it didn't happen to me.Cold turkeyed miltown years ago, also chloral hydrate 20cc. I did still have low benzo dose. Until I read stuff nothing happened to me? Why would the panic happen so much later? Don't get it? P
Not sure what you mean? What happened to you?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on March 19, 2013, at 20:35:37
In reply to Benzo withdrawal, posted by ChicagoKat on March 19, 2013, at 16:02:59
kat, if you're still getting withdrawl symptoms, I would seriously look at The Ashton Protocol, devided by Heather Ashton, a professor of psychiatry at an english university
It basicly involves converting your dose of whatever benzo to either diazepam or chlordiazepaxide (the longest acting benzos) and then slowly tapering by say 1-2mg of diazepam a week, taking 6-12 months. It takes a long time, but each step is so tiny that the body doesnt notice it, and so withdrawl is totaly painless
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2013, at 21:30:18
In reply to Re: Benzo withdrawal » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on March 19, 2013, at 18:40:18
Strong meds stopped cold turkey and zero happened to me other than no longer taking those meds. Phillipa
Posted by brynb on March 20, 2013, at 19:04:47
In reply to Benzo withdrawal, posted by ChicagoKat on March 19, 2013, at 16:02:59
> Hi all,
> I did not know this could happen. I used to be a pharmacist before I went nuts after ECT. In school we were always taught how much safer benzos are than barbs. But now, here I am, experiencing serial panic attacks two months after I stopped taking Klonopin regularly. I was tolerant to it and I had to take a high dose - at least 5mg - to have any perceptible effect. And, like an idiot, I did take more. Until I decided that it was not helping me anymore and I stopped it. I had absolutely no wiwthdrawal effects until last Thursday when what I swear was a 4-day panic attack began. It finally relented yesterday, only to strike again this morning. I've read that benzo withdrawal can manifest weeks to even months after stopping, and that the withdrawal symptoms can wax and wane for a long time.
>
> My current meds are Lexapro 20mg qam, Elavil 25mg qhs for sleep, Vistaril 50mg tid prn, Atenolol 50mg qam, Gabapentin 600mg qpm.
>
> I've given up caffeine, chocolate, and cigarettes.
>
> I just wanted to hear others' experiences if they have had them and wondered if anyone has any advice. Thanks
> KatKat,
I know you don't really feel like you get relief from benzos anymore, but I think you should add a low dose (20 mg) of Valium in the mix. It will help with withdrawals and quell the anxiety even if you don't necessarily "feel" it working.
I went through terrible benzo w/d many times (mostly off of Klonopin), had to medically detox, used the Ashton method, etc., but I'm back on Valium and it does help. Email me and hang-in there :).
-b
Posted by joe f on March 21, 2013, at 11:15:25
In reply to Re: Benzo withdrawal » ChicagoKat, posted by brynb on March 20, 2013, at 19:04:47
how about ativan users...any comments
Posted by brynb on March 21, 2013, at 13:09:48
In reply to Re: Benzo withdrawal, posted by joe f on March 21, 2013, at 11:15:25
> how about ativan users...any comments
joe,
i find ativan good for acute situations (panic attacks, in the hospital) but its half life isn't very long. it shouldn't be used for a taper. the best benzo for a taper is valium--the dosing can be very precise.
-b
Posted by ChicagoKat on March 28, 2013, at 16:53:25
In reply to Re: Benzo withdrawal » ChicagoKat, posted by brynb on March 20, 2013, at 19:04:47
> Kat,
>
> I know you don't really feel like you get relief from benzos anymore, but I think you should add a low dose (20 mg) of Valium in the mix. It will help with withdrawals and quell the anxiety even if you don't necessarily "feel" it working.
>
> I went through terrible benzo w/d many times (mostly off of Klonopin), had to medically detox, used the Ashton method, etc., but I'm back on Valium and it does help. Email me and hang-in there :).
>
> -bb-
I have been detoxing off of Klonopin - with Klonopin. I was surprised they didn't put me on Valium as you and others have mentioned b/c of its long half-life. I finish my taper tomorrow, but I am still getting a couple of panic attacks a day. At least they are not all-day long anymore! It's amazing how most professionals are not benzo-wise. I was shaking uncontrollably and becoming psychotic until I finally, luckily, found the program I found.
Thanks for your post! As always, it is nice to hear from you. I hope you are well
Kat
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