EdaB: Need other members experience and guidance

[EdaB]

Desperately looking for members advice , past experience .

I think that I have progressive withdrawal syndrome from fast meds switching, I was never fully stabilized on them and for short period of time . So in my opinion I’m dealing with withdrawals, plus original anxiety that was never stable . My condition is worsening fast and I’ m loosing hope , don’t know if going back to these meds I had would worsen my situation. Escitalopram 10 mg , 7.5 weeks,then Zoloft 25 mg 5 days , then paroxetine 10 mg for 4 weeks and 20 mg for about week and a half . That was in October 2023. After about month later tried mirtazapine 7.5 for 3 weeks and 2 doses of 15 mg followed by short taper .

Pdoc is not experienced, don’t have a lot of  I trust in him and trying to avoid hospital.

I would like some info re my options, do I go back to previous meds , if yes which one to get some stabilization . or safest option is to start totally new SSRI or else . 

I mention that I lost weight and have decreased appetite , so could use anything that causes digestive issues, also have weakness and symptoms flactuate.                  

[Emonda]

Welcome @EdaB,

 

So the moderators can best help you, please complete your drug signature by following these instructions. Adding a signature ensures your drug history appears at the bottom of every post, making it more efficient for those trying to assist.

 

Once we can see your exact AD timeline, we can try to assist.

 

Regards, Emonda

[EdaB]

Thank you , added meds and hoping for some guidance .

[Emonda]

Thanks for adding your drug signature.

 

You've made a lot of changes in the last 6 months. That's going to leave you feeling very, very fragile.

 

Have a read of these possible WD symptoms: Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) . The best cure for WD symptoms is time and patience. 

 

If you'd been stable on an AD for sometime and recently stopped CT, then we could talk about a small reinstatement. In your case, there doesn't seem to have been stability at all. Adding something now may just make things worse.

 

Be very careful with the Lorazepam. You can become dependent on it very quickly, and you don't want to add that to what you are already experiencing.

 

A few other links that may help:

 

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Non-drug coping strategies

 

Magnesium

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Avoid alcohol.

 

Please post any updates here in your thread. 

 

Emonda.

[EdaB]

I’m experiencing critical issue

I tried few medications last 6 months, and had only slight control of anxiety and depression, experienced lots of side effects. 

Desperate for opinions from members, maybe similar experience, while I am still having anxiety, insomnia , I loose weight very fast and getting to the critical point when my situation may get very scary. 

Can’t stabilize weight in spite of not skipping meals and pushing food no matter what. 

Please , share your thoughts, I don’t want to go to the hospital and use artificial feeding and end up being medicated anyway. Last med was remeron which is somewhat gentle on GI , but going back to it is questionable, or should I try regardless.

Grateful for advice, I do have psych dr who’s inexperienced but can listen to patient suggestions.   

Edited January 10, 2024 by Emonda
Name to title

[Emonda]

EdaB,

I've moved your new post back here. Please keep everything relating to yourself in one spot. It makes it easier for those trying to assist.

 

I am a volunteer and do my best to respond to posts when I can...please don't send me PMs.

 

You don't seem to have responded well to any of the medications you've taken over the past few months. As I said above, adding something new or old now may just make things worse. Also, I'd be mindful of Kindling. 

 

I'd go back and have a read of the links I posted above, in particular:

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Non-drug coping strategies

 

Plus this one: Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

I know it's not nice; I've been there, but time and patience are required for your body to calm down from all the changes.

 

Reach out to a friend or family member to talk to; I find that really helpful in the midst of a wave.

 

I hope this helps a little.

 

 

 

 

 

[LostInCanada]

@EdaB hi and welcome to SA. 

What are the withdrawal symptoms that you are experiencing and when did they start? 

Have you been able to add magnesium bisglycinate? It helps with nerve healing. Also a good omega3 with DHA and EPA. If you start taking them add one and make sure you don't have any issues before starting the other one. 

I found probiotics helped with my gut issues. Also drinking organic ginger tea daily or organic ginger tablets was the only thing that helped nausea and dizziness.

I don't think reinstating any previous drugs would be beneficial at this point. As mentioned previously, there is a danger of kindling.

Check out Claire Weekes for help with anxiety. There are some good apps like Dare and Calm.

No caffeine (no tea-green or black, no coffee, no chocolate), no alcohol, no CBD, nothing that excites the nervous system. Slow daily walks in nature are good. Practice good sleep hygiene - no blue light at night, same bed time, same time rising, black out curtains, cool room, bath before bed, etc. 

So sorry that we are all here but you will heal with patience, kindness to yourself and acceptance.

[EdaB]

Hi @LostInCanada, thank you:)

I don't know if you read my signature,  but I tried few drugs in a very short time, practically CT, they were about 2 months for lexapro and paxil,5 days zoloftx2, and last was remeron couple weeksx2 with short taper,occasionally single doses of hydroxyzine and Buspar,  lorazepam for insomnia since beginning.  

So I think that with the first switch lexapro paxil I had cumulative WD and starting new AD symptoms and I had SO many symptoms agitation,restlessness, mm weakness, jt pain ,low mood ,GI cramps and lost appetite, constipation,nervousness, sweats,flulike symptoms,chills , it was extremely difficult and after 4 weeks 10 mg paxil dr said to up to 20 mg and It started somewhat slow anxiety but not consistently a d side effects weren't going away . I desperation I told dr I couldn't tol paxil well and he changed to remeron 7.5 mg ,it never worked for sleeping but help anxiety little bit,but when I upped the dose to 15mg ,the second day I got bad headache at night and arrhythmia with 130 pulse and got scared and taper. Remeron helped with appetite only little and after taper I got bad digestive issues. 

So everything is mixed together , I didn't get my appetite back but push food regardless and my biggest concern is rapid weight loss and cannot stop it now,scared to go to the hospital for forced feeding and more meds. Still dealing with insomnia ,

I tried magnesium glicynate, melatonin and wholistic dr recommended sweet basil and 5htp, but not tol well . I don't know if it's related but last night I had heart racing for few hrs (took mg, melatonin,sweet basil) .lorazepam helped little bit so maybe it wasn't anxiety related ? It overwhelmes me to the point I question sense of my existence,  and I have a family that I love very much 

I don't seem to be able to control anxiety plus all the symptoms I mentioned and lack of normal sleep.,

Also am sensitive to temp changes and cold so walks outside right now barely possible. Yesterday total weakness ,diff walking and washing . I really don't understand. Dr wants to push more drugs ,I am afraid they won't work or give me terrible SE, but I don't tol stress at all because I was never fully stable . I am practically disabled and family has to help me. 

In desperation I am thinking about adding med or bring back but everyone says it will not work and pertified that if weight loss continues hospital will be the only option and usually they don't believe in sensitivity, WD etc . Tried sleeping on my own never worked, no amount of sleep hygiene, insomnia and severe anxiety were reasons I started meds in the first place . 

I desperately reaching out to people maybe someone had similar situation so I get hope and solve the problem 

I feel I'm hanging at the end of the rope here and have no  

clue where to move from here to improve my situation 

I have no life in this condition

As much as I hate meds now , I question if new thing would stand achance ,but it looks like I still have WD ,but dr thinks it's depression and anxiety and I do need meds :((

Seems to me that the testimonies I read ,people are functioning and I don't know if it's going to last like this for xyears we,myself and family won't be able to take it :((

I was having hope but more time passing and last night heart racing for hours episode ,sweats crushed me .

I noticed that majority of people are reducing their meds and were stable on them for a long time now dealing with WD and dose adjustment .So when most members discouraged me from going back to the meds I tried ,too risky,  my Q is if new one makes any sense,  and if it's an option , when.

I so much don't like my circumstances now ,my whole family is affected and down :((((

I know it's long, sorry,but a lot  is going on and so blurry, it's hard to build a plan and that's what I'm asking for. Loosing my will power and survival instincs. 

Grateful for listening and insights

EdaB 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LostInCanada]

2 hours ago, EdaB said:

about 2 months for lexapro and paxil

It looks like you took paxil for 7 weeks so you stopped about mid October. Is that correct? Why did you stop paxil? Was there a reaction? You may be experiencing withdrawal from that. Just so many drugs and supplements in a short period have not helped your body.

 

2 hours ago, EdaB said:

sweet basil and 5htp

These both are problematic. If you take a supplement it is important to try one at a time starting at a small dose and if no issues doing that for at least 2 weeks  then you could add another supplement 

2 hours ago, EdaB said:

solve the problem 

Time is the healer. Adding any drug to the mix will increase instability of your CNS

2 hours ago, EdaB said:

my Q is if new one makes any sense,  and if it's an option , when

This is a site for tapering off these drugs. No one here would ever recommend a new drug. If you wish to pursue that, you have to work with your doctor who got you in this mess. 

 

We have all had the symptoms you mention. The important thing is not to have a knee jerk reaction and increase meds or take new ones. I have dealt with insomnia for years, the solutions are not quick or easy. Acceptance of your situation, rereading the links given and giving yourself time is so important. Write a daily symptom journal so you can see progress, learn about the wave and windows pattern and be patient. You need to stabilize and it can take 6 or more months just to get a bit of normal back. It gets better with time. ❤️

[EdaB]

@LostInCanada

1. Correct,I took paxil for about 7weeks ,last week was 20mg since anxiety was still not controlled dr ^the dose from 10mg ,anxiety was somewhat decreased ,but I had many symptoms(weakness,jointspain,,lost appetite,vertigo,chills,constipation,stomack cramps)It could be also lexapro withdrawal???I don't know,decision to stop paxil with short taper and now I know it wasn't even a proper one. Yes,toomany meds ,wasn't aware of danger

2. Supplements got from wholistic dr also 20mg melatonin which didn't take last night

3. So no options for me,even though I still have anxiety,insomnia, depression,so resuming any of meds I recently had is not an option....

4. I understand that site is for tapering, just thought that someone knew about situation like mine when anxiety still not under control, big weight loss,insomnia,weakness and more. 

I realize now how bad situation was handled and scared for life, got

PTSD from this whole experience. I'm afraid that uncontrolled anxiety and depression will get me in more trouble and I break:(. 

I will not have support forever either. Seems like I have worst of both worlds , having withdrawals and anxiety, insomnia that I originally wanted to improve. 

@LostInCanadaI'm truly crushed, hopless,worse than I started I think. I need to use lorazepam for sleep,originally plan was to use it temporarily till anxiety is reduced and not sleeping will deteriorate my health further I'm afraid . I know it's hard on everyone but my physiology always required decent amount of sleep, otherwise I get sick and totally not functional. And I don't exaggerate here,so scared that will end up in a hospital treated with very strong medications, loosing family etc. That's why I desperately seek advice ,support and guidance and cannot imagine going trough this trying to talk myself out of anxiety.  Reason I started treatment " in the first place was uncontrolled anxiety and I'm not a big fan of pharmaceutical s 

If you think of someone who's situation resembles mine, please let me know, maybe I could get some foothold, people I know use just one AD and never changed.

 

 

Thank you so much for responding,  means a lot to me ♡

 

 

 

 

 

[Dutchsarah]

Hi. 

 

I cycled through a few SSRI for a very short time, only 3 days or so for most untill I ended up with a micro dose of Zoloft for 5 weeks and going CT off that. 

 

I was in deep despair when I first came off, my husband had to stay home from work for a few weeks to take care off me. I literally thoughts I was loosing my mind

My anxiety got a lot worse as soon as I started any kind of medication. 

I can't give you any advice on what to do but im happy to answer any questions I do o recognise myself a little in your story. I thought i was going to break as well. Sleep is one of the most important things for me and the insomnia I had at the start was brutal.

Hang in there, it gets better! 

[LostInCanada]

@EdaB there are medical reasons for anxiety. Did your doctor do blood work to check your ferritin, vitamin B levels, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin D etc.? If not, I think this would be a good step.

I can only encourage you to really look into Claire Weekes and other non drug coping strategies.

[EdaB]

@Dutchsarah

Thank you for responding ♡

The only reason I was thinking about restarting past meds(except Zoloft which was evil) because I remember that they did took the edge of anxiety at least but I never felt stable and always had SI, I literally pushed through paxil and @20 mg had difficulty eating,loosing weight and other things and last one mirtazapine was supposed to help with sleep and appetite but had bad SI or both withdrawals from paxil and SI together ,little effect on anxiety but now I feel completely raw and unstable and cannot keep weight, still loosing and I'm a small person , my BMI is too low,underweight but I push meals everyday,  that's why I'm in panic because weight issue is serious and I don't want to go to the hospital. So you couldn't add new thing either? So for me critical is weight issue and I think that on the top of withdrawals I do have initial anxiety problem since it was never stabilized and my concern is that I'm not capable of controlling it , big problem for me, some people can , I could manage it without AD only occasionally Xanax. This time is different,  much more severe symptoms, totally not controlling it .

So it looks that eventually you past WD and coped with anxiety fine.

I'm just trying to choose lesser evil here and decide what the safest option will be and many discouraged going back to the same meds after weeks/months ,I see. Initially my anxiety was very bad and couldn't sleep but right now I don't function, still anxious with insomnia,  dr said maybe I should have tried longer or keep ^^^dose 

Thank you for contact and opinion ♡ 

[EdaB]

@LostInCanada

Yes, he checked ferritin, folates ,D,B12 is within limits but was dropping so started supplements, hollistic dr gave me magnesium and thyroid levels are ok , I take levothyroxine 50mcg,

I do prefer no meds strategy but as I said it's overwhelming and weigh loss is a huge one . I think I would have coped differently if I wasn't loosing weight so fast.  Dr thinks it's stress ,anxiety/ depression related . My bmi is not healthy anymore. 

Don't know anymore ,last night I had heart punding and faster pulse for couple hrs in spite of lorazepam, first time happened like this 

So if it's anxiety related I have to make a decision and pick the most reasonable and safest option,if I have any at this point:((

I'm between rock and a hard place 

Thank you so much @LostInCanada. So appreciated ♡

As I mentioned before, want to avoid hospitalization at all costs. 

 

[jtarchin]

I understand your concerns about appetite and weight issues. I dropped 30 lbs due to withdrawal symptoms that reached a critical point in Nov. '23 Your drug signature is very familiar to me. Most of the weight loss was in part due to my food not absorbing and leaving my body too quickly. My goal is to eat regularly yet its easy not to because feeling everything in my body kills my urge to eat. Around this time I began making smoothies and they really helped. I added greens/fruit/protein powders. I noticed smoothies lifted my mental confusion and my body energy. Now my taper is over but I am still getting windows and waves. Its clear to me this will take months. Try to keep an eye on your weight and make nutrition dense foods, ex. whole scrubbed sweet potato just roasted in the oven.  

[Dutchsarah]

@EdaB

 

 

For me after having tried a few different SSRI I was not able to tolerate any benzo. Looking back at it now the klonopin made my sleep worse as I was kindling and I would have a very strong anxious rebound after they stopped working. 

 

It's been 10 months since my adverse reaction and things have gotten better for sure. I'm not healed yet and progress is slow but I'm able to function a little again.

 

I was convinced I would just break if I would not sleep but I didn't. Somehow I expanded. After many sleepless night it slowly got a bit better especially after realizing that the only way through was just for time to pass. Sometimes counting minutes, and then to suddenly find some relief for a few hours. 

 

 

I understand you frustration about looking for support. I have not tapered either and it felt like I had no where to turn to for support.

 

If I where you I would schedule an online appointment with a withdrawal coach like Angela peacock. She has a lot of experience with adverse reactions and CT.

 

Hang in there! Things do get better. They really do. 💫

 

[EdaB]

@LostInCanada

Yes, he checked ferritin, folates ,D,B12 is within limits but was dropping so started supplements, hollistic dr gave me magnesium and thyroid levels are ok , I take levothyroxine 50mcg,

I do prefer no meds strategy but as I said it's overwhelming and weigh loss is a huge one . I think I would have coped differently if I wasn't loosing weight so fast.  Dr thinks it's stress ,anxiety/ depression related . My bmi is not healthy anymore. 

Don't know anymore ,last night I had heart punding and faster pulse for couple hrs in spite of lorazepam, first time happened like this 

So if it's anxiety related I have to make a decision and pick the most reasonable and safest option,if I have any at this point:((

I'm between rock and a hard place 

Thank you so much @LostInCanada. So appreciated ♡

As I mentioned before, want to avoid hospitalization at all costs. 

 

[EdaB]

@jtarchin

Hi

I started loosing weight while still on paxil and increased dose caused even more problems with appetite and weight, but still not critical. Maybe it was from lexapro that I switched from , don't know . But decision to stop paxil was due weight loss,appetite,terrible cramps and constipation. 

So dr suggested remeron since it could help with sleep,appetite and anxiety. It never let me sleep normally, just groggy, helped little bit with appetite ,I wasn't getting bad cramps ( easier on GI) and anxiety but causing weakness overall, muscles stiffness and weakness and ^^dose the second day arrhythmia with 130 pulse,so I didn't know if it was med or unrelated and I started taper.  And then  weight decreased even more. Everything was so fast it's hard to determine what's causing what ,so many meds in short time.

I don't skip meals, push food even if doesn't feel good . 

I do eat potatoes and substantial breakfast/ lunch ,fish,veggies, GI is probably overreacting to all those changes but seems that I keep food , no loose BM , bad cramps though. I thought about smoothies 

I think that reason dr thinks is still mainly initial  anxiety.,no WD , because weigh loss is too big and I have no more reserves 

Additionally any sleep deficit affects weight ,too.

I'm so lost and exhausted,  I regret that didn't stay on lexapro longer to stabilize and then taper. I'm afraid I'm in a worst spot.where I never stabilized and only disregulated my system and now desperately trying to fix things when my body getting weakend from WD weight loss ,stress and everything. But most people say it's dangerous to go back to same meds ,they won't work or even make thimgs worse for me ,so last dich effort thought I start new one to get stability and then taper. 

I'm scared that I either get very ill or die .

My anxiety, insomnia were bad ,but now I literally am afraid that my life is in danger if I stay like that,  never had that feeling before. 

I think that weight loss tipped the scale and made me desperate and I feel I fight for life here . 

I'm trying to give the clear picture here so when I asked for help, members can help me choose the safest path .

That's why I keep my mind open to every option that will save my health and life 

I noticed many people use Prozac for taper. Do you think it could help me with any WD I possibly have and quiet anxiety too so it's bearable and I can function better, possibly improve weight situation?

@j1290thank you so much ♡♡♡so grateful 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LostInCanada]

@EdaB

As you navigate the site you will see your experience is the same as many on here and drugs are not the answer but the problem.

Are you still taking lorazepam? How often do you take it specifically and what dose specifically? 

[LostInCanada]

13 minutes ago, EdaB said:

noticed many people use Prozac for taper. Do you think it could help me with any WD

Advice has been given by the moderators about this  and it is unethical to put members in this position to recommend such a course. This is a peer supported group for getting off ADs. If you wish to seek a drug based solution, please talk to your health care provider.

[EdaB]

@Dutchsarah

Hi♡

i tried many times to fall asleep on my own ,always failed ,and anxiety just intesified and eating and wieght sufferd . For some reason it's always been like this, even  before I got sick . Not enough sleep always backfired and had consequences for my body . When I watch some people they tol better and recover fast .

It could be some metabolic issue, my sons are the same way , I have autoimmune thyroid condition,  maybe that's causing this vulnerability.  Body is not as efficient, just assuming 

 

 

 

And

Original plan was to control huge anxiety and when things settle down ,then  nights will be easier and insomnia will improve.. well never worked this way and I still suspect that this initial anxiety with somatic symptoms I had ,persists,only got slightly diminished while I was trying meds ,never got a chance to stabilize . And for a minute I also hoped I could go through this ,but now not so sure . 

I noticed that when my weight dropped critically ,body started reacting differently,too . That's why I'm so scared . Before I felt I had some reserves I could use, not any more , it literally feels like fight for life to me .

I understand your point totally, my sister is on AD and has eating and sleep problems ,but she is overweight and actually glad that meds cause lack of appetite and sleeping / not sleeping manages somehow because her energy supply it's still good .

Unfortunately, I don't have this feeling , and is so scary ,

I really would like to drop benzo,but as I still think I'm dealing with initial  anxiety am afraid it would put me at even higher gear 

You are right that they aren't good though,  hate them now but feels like no choice ... 

I curse a day when everything started and how fast things rolled, many mistakes on  the way , but I so badly want to save myself now

 

@Dutchsarah♡♡♡thank you , grateful,  so badly don't want to get worse or die 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 T

 

 

 

 

 

[FireflyFyte]

15 minutes ago, EdaB said:

I really would like to drop benzo,but as I still think I'm dealing with initial  anxiety am afraid it would put me at even higher gear 

 

Are you taking the lorazepam once a day?

[EdaB]

@LostInCanadahi ♡♡♡

I take daily for sleep 1-1.5 mg usual dose with various effects 

Originally when started lexapro used it very little. 0.5-0.75 mg and had decent rest but it was few months ago and medication changes were always making it harder , and looking back now I regret these changes and think that maybe staying longer with lexapro and stabilized I could have better chances to successfully taper and be drug free , maybe.. as I mentioned my body is now exhausted, less resilient, weight loss changed a lot and I'm just trying to find the way to save myself while still dealing with anxiety,  my family also since they have a burden now to help me , don't know how long though:(

 

I only asked about Prozac being helpful for some since I've seen it many times  before on different forums when people with severe weight loss used it , so I  thought about if could be helpful to me 

[FireflyFyte]

4 minutes ago, EdaB said:

I take daily for sleep 1-1.5 mg usual dose with various effects 

 

Lorazepam should be taken 2-3 times a day so part of what you are currently experiencing might be due to inter-dose withdrawal. You may want to try splitting the dose so taking 0.5mg in the evening and another 0.5mg 12 hours later.

 

12 minutes ago, EdaB said:

I only asked about Prozac being helpful for some since I've seen it many times  before on different forums when people with severe weight loss used it , so I  thought about if could be helpful to me 

 

As mentioned, we are a site dedicated to safely tapering off of psychiatric medication and do not provide guidance on new/additional medications. 

[EdaB]

@FireflyFytehi

Yes, for sleep 

rarely used it besides that,  it's problematic enough 

Problem was with meds switches and paxil some time ago , remeron for some reason was easier,not as "aggressive " on the body 

That why in desperation I was considering going back to the med that was easier on body ,stabilize and then taper , but people advice against goinback after longer time 

 

[LostInCanada]

@EdaB your body is dependent on lorazepam due to regular use for more than 14 days . As FireflyFyte has said 

10 minutes ago, FireflyFyte said:

Lorazepam should be taken 2-3 times a day so part of what you are currently experiencing might be due to inter-dose withdrawal. You may want to try splitting the dose so taking 0.5mg in the evening and another 0.5mg 12 hours later.

You are only taking it once a day and due to it's short half life, this could be the cause of your WD. It could take 2 weeks of following the moderator's advice to see results. Be consistent, same dose, same time, every day 

[EdaB]

@FireflyFyte

I was never taking lorazepam this way , always for sleep , occasionally during the day and some time ago when I used it for panic attack during the day 0.5 barely made a difference,  added another 0.25 to get some relief.  So when I say that I'm literally fighting for my life here I mean it , especially since big weight loss I noticed big difference, loosing resources so to speak,  so scared:(((

 

I know your helping taper meds ,not add , I only asked since I've seen it many times , I was wandering about Prozac and its ability to ease symptoms and as desperate as I am , instincs pulls you anywhere where you can get help from , that's all 

 

 

 

 

[FireflyFyte]

19 minutes ago, EdaB said:

I was never taking lorazepam this way , always for sleep , occasionally during the day and some time ago when I used it for panic attack during the day 0.5 barely made a difference,  added another 0.25 to get some relief. 

 

How long have you been taking it daily?

[EdaB]

@LostInCanada

So spreading the dose will allow to sleep ?, because this is how originally started , to use as needed with lexapro and the need was for sleeping, during the day I was holding up OK,  could push through without it during the day. Things changed later with a switch and for some reason got easier with remeron . 

I don't have any other sleeping aid and hrs of sleep are crucial at this point when body weight is critically low .

This really turned for fight for life for me, so scared and exhausted 

 

[EdaB]

@FireflyFyte

Since mid July 2023 when had nervous breakdown with severe somatic anxiety and insomnia 

With lexapro used about 0.5-075 mg a night ,days I could deal with side effects since the worst physical anxiety symptoms were controlled relatively early on ,so level of anxiety during the day I could handle. Drug switches were really hard (lots of symptoms)and started to use more 1.75 mg ,sometimes 2mg , occasionally during the day , and with remeron also slowed down since it caused slight sedation and helped with appetite a little. 

Now ,without other meds , need for sleep 1-1,5-2  mg , not consistent outcomes,  especially since weight at critical point.  

I stay at home , don't have capacity to face any stressful situation,  even not stressful ones are a problem , so I don't feel I'm heading in a good direction and looking for ideas , info to save myself.  

I do think that my anxiety I started originally with still here , looks like meds I used are "burned " , so nothing to stabilize on , any suggestions, please? Want to avoid hospital at all cost and stay home and help myself . Family also tired and need break

Please share your opinion ,so valuable to me ♡

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FireflyFyte]

Just now, EdaB said:

Since mid July 2023 when had nervous breakdown with severe somatic anxiety and insomnia 

 

This is more than enough time to build a dependency on lorazepam so part of what you are experiencing may well be due to inter-dose withdrawal.

 

1 minute ago, EdaB said:

Please share your opinion

 

As stated, I would start dosing the lorazepam at least twice a day and see if that helps alleviate some of your symptoms. 

[EdaB]

@FireflyFyteFireflyFyted do you see any option/ rescue for me to use one of my recent meds to try to stabilize on  anxiety, stop loosing weight and help with sleep so at least I got some ability to fight and reduce meds when stronger? 

[FireflyFyte]

3 minutes ago, EdaB said:

FireflyFyted do you see any option/ rescue for me to use one of my recent meds to try to stabilize on  anxiety, stop loosing weight and help with sleep so at least I got some ability to fight and reduce meds when stronger? 

 

I think adding another medication at this stage could lead to further de-stabilization. I think the best course of action is to switch to dosing the lorazepam to at least twice a day and see if that alleviates any of your current symptoms.

[EdaB]

@FireflyFyteFireflyFyted do you see any option/ rescue for me to use one of my recent meds to try to stabilize on  anxiety, stop loosing weight and help with sleep so at least I got some ability to fight and reduce meds when stronger? 

[EdaB]

@FireflyFyte

does switching to a different benzo at this point make any difference in alleviating symptoms and/ or allowing easier taper or I have to take lorazepam now ,no other option 

 

 

[FireflyFyte]

1 minute ago, EdaB said:

does switching to a different benzo at this point make any difference in alleviating symptoms and/ or allowing easier taper or I have to take lorazepam now ,no other option 

 

You have made a lot of changes recently so I don't think that switching to a different benzo will help as this time. I would start dosing the lorazepam correctly and see if that helps.