kytee severe sleep deprivation

[kytee]

Hi to you all,

My name is Kyte and I came off 4mg a day of clonazepam just 7wks ago.

I was on this medication for 25yrs!! I had no idea what I was letting myself in for nor how much damage they have caused. I was in so much pain I sincerely thought I was going to die for the first 3 wks. I was in a rehab centre that only uses natural supplements ect for the withdrawal

. It is only since coming out a week ago (as I am unable to finish their program due to sleep deprivation & I will be going back when I can) that I now can see just how much they were and are affecting my life!! I was trying to get off tramadol hence the rehab, I didn't at first want to drop the clonazepam but deep deep doewn I knew they were a massive problem, causing me untold symptoms. My main problem right now is sleep deprivation, went a full 12 days and nights without even a wink of sleep during the first couple of weeks. then i was getting roughly 1 to 3 hours every second or third night!! I was unable to communicate, i couldn't understand anyone, so when I look back I can see the improvment already, even though I am housebound still and live on my own this is obviously a concern for me. I wish if possible to try natural solutions to this problem, and their is a lot of suggestions out there, though I would really like to find out from people who have actually gone through this!! I have and am taking melatonin and valerian & hops which def help to relax me although sleep still is a dream rather than reality right now. I would love to know if any of you have had insomnia to this extent? How long did it go on for? and what did you do about it? Thank you so much for taking the time to read my message & I wish you alll well on your journeys of recovery,
Kyte x

[Madfrank]

Hi kaytee

Ive been dealing with sleep deprivation for two years now. I have gone from 30mins to an hour sleep most nights last year this was interspaced with 2-3 nights without any. This year I began getting 4-5 hours still with nights I don't get any. In November of this year I began to feel quite well and decided to stop taking the last medication mirtazapine which I was on. The first two weeks I continued to sleep 4-5 hrs and was feeling good. The third week I began to get withdrawal symptoms and straight away my sleep suffered. I have reinstated the last dose I was on but it has had little effect on my sleep. I've barely slept 3 hrs in two days. I'm hoping it will start to improve soon. How did you cope with no sleep for 12 days. What made you sleep after that time did you take something. Do you actually get that sleepy feeling were you can't keep your eyes open. I don't anymore I'm exhausted but the sleep won't come. I also came off a lot off benzos last year and I hope my brain is resetting itself. I just hope it happens soon.

Frank

[Madfrank]

Ps sorry I can't offer you any constructive advice.

Frank

[PoetJester]

Hi Kyte x.

 

I am one of your fellow insomnia sufferers.  I was on Zoloft and zyprexa for 15 years.  I quit them for the 4th and last time in feb 2014. I went 6 straight days without sleep while projectile vomiting everywhere.  For the first year off the meds., I would only get around 4 hrs of sleep a day.  Sometimes I would go a day or two in a row with none.  Sometimes the stars would align and I would get a full eight in two shifts. My sleep deprivation or insomnia has been so bad since then that I call my condition, Inzombia, because I will often stagger around like a zombie.  My memory and concentration are horrible (check out my profile and read my topics and posts) and I have developed huge horrid bags under my eyes.  Natural sleeping pills and melatonin have done little for me.  I tried ambien for 2 days. that was a disaster.  I was totally confused and dizzy and have little memory of things. 

 

When I was on the pills (Zoloft and zyprexa) all I ever did was sleep.  at least 12 hours a day often 16 hrs a day, one day I slept 20 hrs.  I would sleep 8-10 hours from 6 am to around 3 in the afternoon and then take a 4-6 hr nap 3 hours later.  I could barely get out of bed, it was all I could do to drag myself to the couch and after eating, having some coffee and smoking, and watching t.v. I would take my nap on the couch.  I had no idea if it was early morning or early evening I was sleeping so much.  Compounding matters is that I suffer from severe sleep apnea due to a deviated septum suffered as a child when I took a  hard hit baseball between my eyes, my smoking habit and my depression.

One of the things that I have found to help is long nightly walks.  Anywhere from 4-8 miles a night and at a brisk pace.  Also long bike rides help to tire me out and lately and this may sound strange, but heavy physical labor helps, I go out to local golf courses and collect all the wayward shots in the woods and the weeds and then I bring them home, wash them and then sell them online.  All the bending and picking tires me out plus throw in anywhere from 10 to 25 miles of biking half of it with a 50 lb. load of balls on my back.

Also, and this will sound pretty gross, but masturbation can help induce sleep.  I want to give marijuana a try, but I haven't smoked any in 20 yrs and don't really know where to get it

 

I have been to sleep specialists and regular doctors for my insomnia, but they hardly listen to me or really care and it feels like a waste of time to deal with them.

 

Anyways, best of luck in your quest for sleep.

 

PoetJester

[kytee]

Thank you both for your replies

 

It helps to know  am not the only person on the planet who has been plagued with this problem at such a dramatic and life altering level!!!

 

Hi Frank, the answer to your Q how did I cope with no sleep at all for 12 days is " I didn't"  I was in a rehab and had around the clock care, I would not have been able to do anything had I been on my own. I wasn't eating anything at all then whiich was in a way a good thing because my hand co ordination was non existant. I didnt even know my own name at times! I could not communicate with anyone as I couldn't talk, my brain just wouldn't work. I was so worried I had severly damaged myself!! I could not convey this to the staff either. I was wired rather than tired and still today I am not qute sure if I can remember the feeling of being properly tired!! I finally slept but it was just like a kinda blackout not real sleep and not refreshing n any way at all, and then i went another 4 nights without. No I didn't take anything to induce that sleep, I think my body was just near collapse, my heart was pounding and I had palpitatons, not much fun at all. 

It sounds like your sleep will come back as it was before you stopped the mirtazapine atleast, I sure hope it does so quick for you. If I find a magic cure I will let you know here. There is advice and links to good natural solutions on 'the road back' I might go for that and order their products for sleep and anxiety.

 

Hi Poet Jester,

Haha, I like the inzombia name, I gotta laugh about my situation or I will go even madder!! Thank you for sharing. Obviously I wouldn't wish this on anyone, I really thought it was iimpossible to survive with so little sleep, so hearing others stories does help. I will go check out your posts in a sec. Hmmm, you would think a sleep specialist would listen huh? Crazy stuff!! I am pretty much fed up with doctors. I found out today that I may be able to claim compensation, as the doctor who gave the rehab the go ahead to allow me to quit cold turkey, has been negligent!! I didnt think to research myself and trusted his opinion I was told today by a group who helps individuals with benzo withdrawal that his circumstances were very similar to mine He received a substantial sum, though I have to say right now, that sleep is priceless, as is of course good health Though I must stop him putting somebody else through the same experience I guess!!Yrs I find a walk really helps but more than that, mental stimulation is bringing on a faint reminder of how it felt to be normally tired. Someone told me to take benadryl, though I think probably time and patience iis the answer for us all 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, kytee.
 
Sleep disruption as you've described it is a very, very common symptom of having come off psychiatric drugs too quickly.
 
What drugs are you taking now?
 
You came off tramadol and clonazepam at the same time, is that correct?
 
See What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization
 
Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

 

Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

[kytee]

Hi Altostrata,

 yes I came off them both together exactly 7 weeks today with a doctors approval!!! It is only now I am out the rehab because of being to ill to complete thier intense program that I am seeing how dangerous it is to do so. I would never advise anybody to come off their medication cold turkey now I have my own experience of doing so    I was on clonazepam for over 25yrs and the tramadol roughly 8 months. thyank you for sending me the abvbove links I'm gonna check them out right now x

[Altostrata]

Very few doctors know how to taper people off psych drugs properly.

[LostInTheWoods]

Did you went off Clonazepam cold turkey?   That's insane in part of the doctor.

 

There's a Benzo section in here, they will give you better advice.

[SquirrellyGirl]

Holy Cow, kytee, that is insane, what your doctor did to you with such horrible instructions to go off your meds!  I hope you let him know what his instructions have done to you!  I can't even imagine what it would be like to not sleep for 12 days!!!  I'm sorry that I don't have anything to offer here, but I did want to say welcome to the SA forum, so glad you made it here, and that I feel horrible for what you have gone through!

 

Have you tried magnesium, yet?  For how bad off you are, it may not put a dent in your insomnia, but it's worth a try.  I take the glycinate version, have no intestinal troubles from it.

 

I'm sure Alto and other senior members can instruct you more appropriately, but have you considered a small reinstatement of your meds?  Maybe 7b weeks isn't too far out to do so and get some relief.

 

SG

[AliG]

Hi Kytee.

I'm sorry for what you have been through . It's inhumane what these drugs and doctors have done to so many lives , including ours. I can't offer much more advice than you have already been given , but I can identify as I have W/D induced insomnia as well. I'm currently on day 3 of no sleep whatsoever, except for a short 60 minute " doze" on the couch, cut short by a " cortisol" wakening.

I understand how debilitating it can be to your life , on top of the other W/D symptoms. Unfortunately , there is no easy answer. If I were you, I would consider reinstating a small dose to help alleviate some of this a little.  Otherwise, read some of the links you have been given ,and keep reading in the Symptoms & self-care forum.  I hope you find some relief from this, soon .  This link might help as well  : 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/

 

Ali

[Rachelina]

Going off 4 mg clonazepam cold turkey is really dangerous. There's nothing they can do for you in rehab that can take the place of a slow taper. It's no wonder at all that you can't sleep, and that you are even able to type a coherent post is a testament to your strength. Please seek knowlegeable advice from a benzo forum. You can start with the benzo forum here:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/29-members-only-benzo-forum/

It includes links to other benzo forums. I hear Benzo Buddies is good.

[ChanceLucky]

Holy Cow, kytee, that is insane, what your doctor did to you with such horrible instructions to go off your meds!  I hope you let him know what his instructions have done to you!  I can't even imagine what it would be like to not sleep for 12 days!!!  I'm sorry that I don't have anything to offer here, but I did want to say welcome to the SA forum, so glad you made it here, and that I feel horrible for what you have gone through!

 

Have you tried magnesium, yet?  For how bad off you are, it may not put a dent in your insomnia, but it's worth a try.  I take the glycinate version, have no intestinal troubles from it.

 

I'm sure Alto and other senior members can instruct you more appropriately, but have you considered a small reinstatement of your meds?  Maybe 7b weeks isn't too far out to do so and get some relief.

 

SG

Yeah, I had the same reaction. 12 days sounds just terrible. I've had that feeling of being wired rather than sleepy when I wish I could fall asleep. I'm sure this won't completely solve your issue but I find doing about 10 min of progressive muscle relaxation sometimes calms me and puts me to sleep in that scenario.

 

[kytee]

Hi thank you all, 

 

rachelina I'm going to jion as many helpful places as I can. This morning I have been in contact with a couple of places here in England that deal specifically with benzo withdrawal. The advise I have received is to go back on a diazepam equivalant,  stabalise and withdraw from there slowly. I've been told that a lot of withdrawal symptoms won't even hit me until 2 or 3 mnths!! Also that I still could cause permanant damage (though I would have thought that I I have any permanat damage from cold turkey I would already have it, therefore going back on would not reverse that), And I have been told that I am still in danger of seizures and I should not be on my own!!  This is very disburbing.

 

I have also been informed that I could sue the doctor who advised the rehab that I could come off my medications cold turkey as this is negligence, allthough my thoughts are only on getting well right now, but I do feek he should be stopped from this happening to anyone else and when my head is a little starighter I wll do something if only write him a letter.

 

Right now I am just very very confused, I don't know what to do, after 7wks do I really need to go back on and start withdrawal all over again?? Or do I go through it now?? I want to do what will be the best for me and of course to not cause permenant damage but lke I said if I have then surely t's already been done?? I also feel so stupd for not knowing this stuff beforehand, I was on the stuff for 25yrs!!!

I need to make up my mind pretty quickly too, otherwise it will be too late to go back on them, I thiink anyway. should I repost this n the benzo forum do you think, or will they have seen it in there already because of the links I put on the orignal post??

[apace41]

Right now I am just very very confused, I don't know what to do, after 7wks do I really need to go back on and start withdrawal all over again?? Or do I go through it now?? I want to do what will be the best for me and of course to not cause permenant damage but lke I said if I have then surely t's already been done?? I also feel so stupd for not knowing this stuff beforehand, I was on the stuff for 25yrs!!!

I need to make up my mind pretty quickly too, otherwise it will be too late to go back on them, I thiink anyway. should I repost this n the benzo forum do you think, or will they have seen it in there already because of the links I put on the orignal post?

 

Kytee,

 

Nobody here can tell you what to do.  All we can do is offer advice.  It is possible that you could be one of the INCREDIBLY lucky ones that goes off K cold turkey at that level and doesn't have massive problems.  I would not count on that.  Tapering off of K is a very tricky business and going cold turkey off of that level of the drug after 25 years is -- in a word -- insane.  I wouldn't want to say whether the ill effects that can be felt from cold turkey off K will be felt by 7 weeks or not at all.  It is far too unpredictable to feel comfortable saying that.  I'm frankly shocked that you are at the point where you are typing and being coherent.  I don't know what they gave you during the "natural detox" but maybe that provided some cushion.

 

If it were me I would be looking to either go back on the K and taper it directly or get a prescription for 80mg of diazepam (valium) as that is the equivalent of 4mg of K and taper that assuming you can reach stability.  While people typically do a slower crossover to V from any other med when they want to go to a V taper, being off it for 7 weeks it probably doesn't matter much at this point as anything that helps the GABA receptors will probably serve to limit potential damage from the C/T. 

 

Not looking to scare you Kytee, and, like I said, sometimes people are lucky and don't have devastating damage in the form of seizures, etc. (although 12 days of no sleep is not a great place to be in) from a major C/T like this, but I would not advise anyone to stay in that position naked of all benzos, simply allowing whatever happens to happen.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[Altostrata]

I was hesitant to suggest reinstatement but, as apace says, a low dose of Valium seems to me would be the most likely way to reduce withdrawal symptoms from all the drugs.

 

You may not need to take the equivalent of 4mg clonazepam, the equivalent of 1mg or 2mg might be all you need. Then, you can taper off properly later on.

[apace41]

You may not need to take the equivalent of 4mg clonazepam, the equivalent of 1mg or 2mg might be all you need. Then, you can taper off properly later on.

 

That's a fair point, Alto.  You could certainly try 20-40mg of V to start and see how you feel on that.  I would have the larger prescription in reserve, however, in case there is a need to start at a higher level than that.  Again, not trying to be alarmist, but 25 years is a long time to be sensitized.

 

Andy

[ang]

welcome, and congratulations for being the damn toughest person I know................  hang in there, do as Alto etc suggest.. I am just amazed you are still alive.

 

so well done, think you need a medal for being damn tough.

 

I hope you survive your Christmas, and remember next Christmas, will be better.............. hang in there! and keep posting, where are you?  We all feel your pain, we are here to support you.......... write anytime, there will be someone to return your message.   Christmas is so stressful for many.

 

Anyway a big hug from me, and wow! you are one tough cookie!

Ang

 

where do you live,?? I was a dagenham girl many years ago!  now live in sunny Australia..........  please keep posting, I want to know how you are faring...from a fellow pommie!