Christian: Reinstatement Question

[Christian]

Thanks downtown girl. I hope that your shaking stops soon.

[bubble]

Waiting to stabilise after reinstatement is one of the most difficult points.

 

We must learn to endure the symptoms as calmly as possible and not respond to them by changing doses and throwing any sort of drugs at it.

 

People who master that are half way to recovery. The main breakthrough for me came when I experienced that my symptoms went away WITHOUT doing anything with the drug. That was totally liberating.

 

They come, we endure, they go. And every time they come they lose a bit of their force. It is very hard to turn into a rock against which violent waves are crashing but there is no other way and it works.

 

All you need is that first experience which will show you that it is possible to survive your worst fear and see your symptom going away without you doing anything about it except keeping calm. I thought that I can't possibly fall asleep or stop a panic attack without a drug. But I was very wrong. I fall asleep and the panic goes away and this is a trully liberating thing that you have to experience to stop being ruled by the drugs.

 

People can do it but then again many people don't have the endurance and faith to stop believing the drugs and start believing in their natural ability to heal.

[Christian]

Thanks, Bubble. What you said makes sense. May I ask when you crashed after weaning off of Lexapro to quickly may I ask your symptoms were at that time? Was it depression? Sever agitation and anxiety? Insomnia. Impaired cognitive function? And when you reinstated did a light turn on after two weeks that you were stabilized or were there small windows. If so, which windows opened up for you in those two weeks? Like I said, its been 3 weeks for me and not one window.   

[quitpaxil2015]

Christian, I did not get disability for lack of sleep only. As I've said to you, I had a myriad of symptoms including problems w my thyroid. I had both a psychiatrist and an endocrinologist write to my insurance company that handles short term disability. I purchased this as part of the benefit package that we can elect yearly through my employer. Not through the government. I don't think this information is that helpful to you. You will need a physician to fill out papers-it is not an easy process. A psychiatrist can do this. I don't know how else to help you because you are trying to compare my symptoms with yours and I also had an underlying thyroid issue. Nevertheless, please don't despair. You will need to see a psych or physician who can access your situation and start the disability process taking your symptoms into account. I am sorry you are going through this-it is very hard.

[bubble]

We are all different, with different drug histories, number of previous abrupt discontinuations and other things that sensitised our brain and influence on how long it will take for it to recover.

 

After I stopped Lexapro and Xanax my main symptom was irritability and swollen sinuses which prevented me from sleeping at night. Over the next 45 days my state deteriorated with rising anxiety and depersonalisation which culminated in a racing thoughts episode which was the scariest thing I had ever experienced till then.

 

That frightened me so deeply that I didn't need any persuading to reinstate because it felt like I was completely losing my mind, literally couldn't think and was flooded with thoughts I couldn't control.

 

After I reinstated I felt like a cart which was speeding down a steep hill just slowed down. I didn't expect getting back to normal any time soon. I had previous CTs so I knew it takes months. I was just grateful that I stopped getting worse and that I didn't get any more of those horrible attacks.

 

I felt almost brain dead but somehow I was able to work throughout all that time! My windows were at first very brief moments once or twice a day when the heavy brain fog would lift and I was able to function in a less zombie like way.

 

I was very gradually recovering over a period of 4 months but it probably took a lot longer before I got to my pre discontinuation state.

 

I hope that helps. I was also waking frequently during the night but if I managed to pull 4 hours I would think to myself: thank God I was able to sleep for 4 hours although disrupted (instead of thinking I didn't sleep for 4 hours and even that disrupted). Waking up around 2.30 was very typical and staying awake for an hour, two or even three.

 

I was fully aware that I did something horrible to my brain and was able to be patient with it and give it as much time as it needed to recover. Like nursing a broken leg.

[Christian]

Thanks Bubble. I do feel a little better when I get out of the house. The anticipation anxiety might be worse than the anxiety that hits when actually in social interaction. After I get home after one of those encounters I feel a little better for the remainder of the day.    

[Christian]

Thanks, QuitPaxil for the answer to my disability question.  I realize everyone is different. 

[bubble]

This is what I suspected: when people say there is no improvement they do so because they compare their present state with the state before or a normal state.

 

After discontinuing drugs a big thing is if you are not getting worse.

 

If you stop comparing your present state with your 'normal' state you might actually notice improvements as you describe now.

 

People also have misconception about initial windows. Maybe they expect a day or hours with no symptoms while initial windows are usually only moments of relief. And it's not only. It's huge. And after a usual slow start in recovery things pick up speed. Maybe disability won't be necessary. Our brains heal if we are patient enough to give them stability. In particular chemical stability by stopping playing ping pong with our brains in the way of changing doses and reacting to symptoms with drugs.

 

We are used at fixing problems by doing something, anything. This is the opposite. Healing happens when we let go. As Alto said, this experience forces as to become zen budhists...

[Altostrata]

Christian, it is impossible for me to tell if there is any cause-effect relationship in the "symptom pattern" notes you have given.

 

For example, I need to know EXACTLY which benzos you've taken in the last week, the times, the dosages, and your anxiety, headache, and sleep pattern the following day, as well as the same information about Ambien.

 

Most people on this site can do this. It's rarely this difficult to get this information from someone. I am wondering what's going on here.

 

If you don't wish to keep notes in the way I've requested, that's your choice. I can't help you.

[Christian]

Alto,

I will try to put this in a way you find useful. But its important to know I dont have windows really. I have a constant anxious feeling, cognitive struggles (I can talk, take care of basic things, but talking in detail or TV is challenging). My mind is not 100%. Its hard to determine if its lack of REM sleep or with WD or both. Its a constant brain fog and anxiety that has headaches or exhaustion coming in and out 75% of the time every day. I never had "brain zaps" or any body pain. Its all in my head. At no point ever do I feel like I did before 12/24. Since I have reinstated the Lexapro I would say I am the same or worse. Its only been 3 weeks I know. 

How long do I give Lexapro a chance to work based on what Ive described. We all have different circumstances but everything I have read folks either show some improvement within 3 weeks or they seem to never do and then have to go through a slow taper to even start healing again. I have read on here that its suggested to reinstate same drug but there has also been some cases a new drug has helped. I know you cant recommend that. But can we decide if Lexapro doesnt appear to be working? So i can avoid more pain from the slow taper. Give it a couple more days? Cut bait now? There is no clear path and it seems just like rolling the dice but this roll seems to be not working. Think about the headaches and dizziness I incurred from taking and stopping in early December. The fact I havent improved and still have the constant anxiety.  

 

Sunday

Meds 

 
Lexapro-5 MGS/ bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose
Ambien-12 MGS/bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose 
Melatonin- 5 MGS bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose 

Ambien- 12.5 dose (2 AM waking-fall asleep by 3 AM)

Wake up for good at 5 AM 

 

Monday

Symptoms

4 AM- exhausted and anxious but cant sleep

6 AM- anxious, stressed, exhausted, get up and have breakfast

6-11 AM- same symptoms but concentration effected

11 AM- become more exhausted (this occurs daily at this time)

noon- wake up some, feel a little less anxiety, eat lunch

1-5 PM- anxious, restless, headache, stressed and concentration effected

5-10 PM- feel a little less stressed. Headache as I focus online on my health. Able to concentrate a little more. more alert, aware. My nights are much better. But wind myself up. 

 

Monday night Meds

Lexapro-5 MGS/ bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose
Ambien-12 MGS/bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose 
Melatonin- 5 MGS bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose 

Ambien- 12.5 dose (2;30 AM waking-fall asleep by 3;30 AM)

Wake up for good at 5:00 AM 

 

Tuesday hourly symptoms

5 AM- exhausted and anxious but cant sleep

7 AM- anxious, stressed, exhausted, get up and have breakfast

6-11 AM- same symptoms but concentration effected

11 AM- become more exhausted (this occurs daily at this time)

noon- wake up some, feel a little less anxiety, eat lunch

1-5 PM- anxious, dizzy, restless, headache, stressed and concentration effected

5-10 PM- feel a little less stressed. Able to concentrate a little more. more alert, aware. Headaches develop before bed while reading about my situation online. My nights are much but still focused on my health. Wide awake before bed

 

Tuesday meds

Lexapro-5 MGS/ bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose
Ambien-12 MGS/bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose 
Melatonin- 5 MGS bedtime (10 PM-asleep by 11 PM) dose 

Ambien- 12.5 wake up dose (1;30 AM waking-fall asleep by 2 AM)

 

Wake up for good at 3:09 AM 

 

Wednesday Symptoms

3-6 AM exhausted and anxious. Tossing and turning in bed

6 AM-11AM- breakfast- exhausted, anxious, stress, headache, concentration issues all day

 

11;30 AM-Visit with Psych-feel very nervous and dizzy. Feel little better when leaving as she said that this will be better in one month. Prescribes, Paxil 10 MG, Seroquel 5 MG and Klonopin-.5 MGs

 

Noon-5 PM- feel a little better, run errands but still high anxiety, headache and since walking a lot dizzy.  

5-10 PM: feel a little less anxious like every night. work myself up some but a little less anxiety due to psych meds and opinions (but skeptical)

 

Wednesday night meds

 Lex-5 MGS- 10 PM (fall asleep at 11)

Ambien-.6 (1/2 tablet)-10 PM (fall asleep at 11)

Seroquel-.50  MGs-10pm PM ((fall asleep at 11)

Melatonin-5 MGs (fall asleep at 11 PM)

Ambien- .6 tablet at 1 AM upon waking (fall back asleep at 2 AM)

Seroquel-50 MGs (fall back asleep at 2 AM)

 

Thursday 

wake up at 6 AM-slept 4 consecutive hours and had a dream for the first time in a month

6 AM-little less anxious, tired

7 AM- breakfast- little less anxious, tired 

8AM-11 AM- less anxious, concentration issues all day but exhausted by 11 AM again

Noon- anxiousness building, dizzy, wake up some, more alert, but anxious remains  

[Altostrata]

Now you're taking Seroquel, too? How much and at what time of day?

 

I presume you had a headache at the same intensity constantly over these 5 days?

 

What happened to moving the Lexapro earlier, as it may be interfering with your sleep?

 

You realize when you change two drugs at once, ex. add Seroquel and change time of Lexapro, it confuses things even more, correct?

 

Christian, I'm working on a hypothesis that 5mg Lexapro might be too strong for you, plus you may be suffering adverse effects from the Ambien (a quasi-benzo). The psychiatrist is working on a different hypothesis. They cannot be combined.

[Christian]

Alto,

 

My sleep has been awful since 12/24. I took Lexapro in the AM from 1/1 until 1/10 in the AM and slept horribly. As a result, I changed it to at bedtime on 1/11 to 1/18 and still slept horribly. I have been moving it earlier in the day by one hour each day and still sleep horribly. I told the Psych I wanted to get off Ambien as it might be causing much of my problems. I started Ambien back up in mid December when I was dealing with the headaches, stress and dizziness of the quitting of Lex on 12/3. Melatonin wasnt strong enough anymore. The anxiety was growing and that is when my cortisol results came back high (on 12/14). I know its addictive and set a reminder in my phone to quit after Jan 1. That obviously was delayed because of my breakdown on 12/24 when the insomnia really hit. I was provided the .50 Seroquel to help me sleep. I take it at bedtime. I am tapering my Ambien to eliminate it. I took in total 12.5 MGs (split between two doses) last night. Hopefully .6 MGs tonight. Though now taking Seroquel may be bad. I hear Seroquel and Ambien are both bad. But I cant sleep without anything. I wont fall asleep. I have taken the Lexapro earlier. I am sorry I said 10 PM its been working its way down from 10 PM and tonight I take it at 7 PM. Any advice ? Continue tapering Ambien. Reduce my Lexparo? I used a pill cutter to get to the 5 MGs. They are from a 10 MG prescription. Reduce it to 2.5 MGS? 4 MGS?        

[Christian]

I was not on any drugs for months prior to reinstating Lexapro on 11/24.I took Lexparo on 11/24 and quit on 12/3. Then had to restart Ambien again on maybe 12/14 (quit that two months prior) as at that point my sleep started to deteriorate. But I was managing to get 6 hours a night at that point but waking up every two hours at least. On 12/24 insomnia got worse when the intensified anxiety set in. Now its partial sleep with Ambien hangovers. I dont know if it would be better to have zero sleep or get 4 or 5 interrupted hours with a sleeping pill hangover. If I can get past this SSRI issue, I will quit the sleep aids again.    

[Rain]

Hey Christian, Sorry for the symptoms you are having now, I have a quite simular situation as you now. But I dropped down the dose because of huge side effects when I up dosed to 20mg of the Lexapro. So I didn't feel good when up dosed and after dropping to 10mg straight away I felt Worse. Now I am having severe anxiety, running thoughts all the time. heart beating is so fast! (Do you have that too?) and insomnia, wake up early by heart beating fast......

I saw you are considering to switch to a new ssri medicine, I am thinking of that too, but some of the members don't really agree with that, it may cause side effects of the new drug. I'm very confused now.... Hope we can get better soon!

[Altostrata]

I understand the lack of sleep is upsetting. Of the more than 5,000 people who have signed up on this site, probably 4,000 had terrible sleep issues (including me).

 

We get it about lack of sleep. To unravel the problem, you need to be consistent with your drugs. You have been jumping all over, out of anxiety -- we get that, too.

 

Stop jumping around. Take a deep breath. In fact, take about 2 minutes of deep breaths, then learn meditative breathing, because you're going to need it.

 

Are you actually taking .5mg, 5mg, or 50mg Seroquel? And why are you taking it in such an odd fashion?

 

On Thursday, it would appear you were somewhat less amped, and it appears you took 100mg Seroquel the night before.

 

You can't take psychiatric drugs in this irregular way. Odd things will happen. You need to be systematic.

[Christian]

Hi Rain, 

yes that sums of my symptoms. Cognitive impairment as well. It sure stinks. I am not stabilizing on Lexapro but in my case I havent been stabilized on it in 6 months when I quit cold turkey. Back then I was having some physical adverse effects but since reinstating in early December and suddenly quitting due to adverse reactions I either created some severe panic reaction or developed protracted WD. Based on what I have read its the latter. But I have seen some success by changing for a new med as well. I see both on here and other chat rooms there are both kinds of successes. But the fastest paths seem to be either staying with the reinstatement  or changing meds. Riding it out appears be be minimum a year recovery and that's on the short side. I am trying to decide if in my case since I havent been stabilized on Lexapro in so long the new drug is the next step.  I have never seen anyone stabilizing after being off of it for 6-7 months. I may be "sensitized" to it or all drugs. Its really a tough decision. Psych Doctors will say change the drug. But that is their quick fix and then its on to the next patient.        

[Christian]

I was given Seroquel yesterday for sleep because Ambien wasnt keeping me asleep. I have a RX for 50 MG (per tablet) of Seroquel. I was told to take 1-2 at bed. Last night (for my first dose)  I took one 25 MG pill (with 6 MG of Ambien-1/2 pill) at say 10:45 PM. Went to sleep within 15 minutes and got up after 2 1/2 hours sleep at 1:30 AM. Took a 2nd pill and the 2nd 1/2 of the Ambien pill. Fell asleep at 2 AM and slept until 5:50 AM. Though I got more sleep than I have had in a long time I was still exhausted. I am thinking of taking both pills of Seroquel to see if that will keep me asleep for the night. I think I saw you posted a interesting article on how cortisol spikes at 1:30-2:30 AM. Well I havent slept past that time frame since this started. I have read most of your materials. Sleeping pills dont cut through that and isnt true REM sleep anyways. I also saw all the safer ways through melatonin, Sephiros, baths, chamomile tea, magnesium, salt baths, etc. Since this started there is no way my eyes can close for sleep is if they are drug induced. Or maybe if I sleep during the day!      

[Rain]

Hi Christian, it is a tough decision! As Alto replied to my tread, he also mentioned that my nerves seems to be sensitized when I was on higher dosage, the new medicine might not help much as well, i scared a lot, so based on your research of the people who switched to a new med successfully, were their situation simular to us?

[Altostrata]

I don't get it. Each Seroquel tablet is 50mg yet you are saying you took one 25mg pill. Do you also have 25mg Seroquel tablets?

 

Yes, Seroquel is often prescribed for sleep by doctors who will disregard its very serious adverse effects, see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22510671. It is an antipsychotic that is an effective shut-up pill, since it tends to make people fairly inert.

 

My guess about what's going on is that you've overused Ambien and you are now experiencing paradoxical effects, particularly after you take the second Ambien of the night. Now you've added Seroquel and for a short time, it will help you sleep. Then, in combination with Ambien, it will add to the paradoxical effects.

 

The Ambien adds to the symptoms you have in the daytime, with rebound anxiety when it wears off. When you throw in another benzo at night, this gets worse.

 

I don't know where Lexapro is in this, there are too many confounding factors, as your drug schedule has been so inconsistent.

 

I hate to be even talking about Seroquel, it is such a dangerous drug. It also incurs dependency and must be tapered. But if I were you, I'd take as little as possible consistently every night at the same time while going off Ambien (even so, you may experience Ambien withdrawal). 100mg Seroquel is not a small dose.

[Christian]

They are each 50 MG tablets of Seroquel. I know I hate that I am taking this now. If it makes you feel better I have laid off the Librium, Xanax and Klonopin that has been given to me this week. I havent really taken much of those at all. But the Ambien is a problem. Funny thing is for two years prior to October I took Ambien 2-3 times a week (I wold rotate with Trazodone) for years including the time I was both off Lexapro and on it. It never game me problems cause I always got a good night sleep. Now that I am going through this ordeal these sleeping aids are making my symptoms worse while also not doing their complete job of keeping me asleep.  

[Altostrata]

If I were you, I would not take any more than 25mg Seroquel (half a tablet), and at the same time each night, not "as needed," to reduce the Ambien, which requires tapering.

 

Do not expect to sleep well while you're doing this.

 

You will have to taper the Seroquel later on.

[Christian]

Thanks, Alto. I will try. 

[Christian]

Hi Christian, it is a tough decision! As Alto replied to my tread, he also mentioned that my nerves seems to be sensitized when I was on higher dosage, the new medicine might not help much as well, i scared a lot, so based on your research of the people who switched to a new med successfully, were their situation simular to us?

Its hard to find anyone similar. I have tried asking folks as well as researching online. Though our symptoms are similar when we describe it on email you can never really tell if one's pain's threshold is. We also have quit at different times and did it CT or tapered. All I know is I spent most of 2015 and now 2016 with a headache or dizzy. I have concluded that its either from being on Lexapro or quitting it and dealing with WD issues. I think i pooped out on me when I think back on how I have been handling stress the last 15 months. I think back to November. The dizziness went away. I quit booze. Sleeping pills. I was clean. I made a poor decision to restart Lexapro and triggered all of this I believe. The fact I havent stabilized yet somewhat validates that for me. The pysch said it too. I dont know where that leaves me with my decision to stay the course with Lex or try this Paxil as a last ditch effort to get better. Its in the same family they say and less stimulating. I don't know. 

[Christian]

I can deal with the headaches and dizziness. Its this anxiety and lack of concentration that is killing me! I say this with respect to those who might be facing worse symptoms.

[Altostrata]

See Ambien adverse effects here http://www.drugs.com/pro/zolpidem.htmlhttp://www.drugs.com/pro/zolpidem.html

 

....

Dose relationship for adverse reactions: There is evidence from dose comparison trials suggesting a dose relationship for many of the adverse reactions associated with Zolpidem use, particularly for certain CNS and gastrointestinal adverse events.

....

Central and peripheral nervous system: Frequent: ataxia, confusion, euphoria, headache, insomnia, vertigo. Infrequent: agitation, anxiety, decreased cognition, detached, difficulty concentrating, dysarthria, emotional lability, hallucination, hypoesthesia, illusion, leg cramps, migraine, nervousness, paresthesia, sleeping (after daytime dosing), speech disorder, stupor, tremor.....

 

[Christian]

Interesting. I wonder which is worse. Seroquel or Ambien. I agree that 2nd pill in the middle of the night has to go. Hopefully that wont be the case tonight.  

[Rain]

im sorry to hear about that Christian, I am struggling with that too, if my symptoms is little bit better, maybe i would not think about to switch, however, the situation is tough now. 

 

the Med you mentioned is Paxil ( Paroxetine), is that the one doctor recomended to you? what is his point to take this one? Less stimulate? will that 'restart' our system fresh new?

[Christian]

The Psych said Paxil is for fear and anxiety much more than Lexapro is. It's less stimulating. Lexapro is difficult if it doesn't agree with you. She said these meds might stop working for folks and that you can find a new one. If I do this then I would just do it long enough to stabilize for a bit then taper. Otherwise, I'll be back in this position again.

[Christian]

Hello,

I understand this site's position on suggesting meds. My question is not which med but if anyone who was in withdrawal from one med then changed meds with success. I have read a few stories on this site saying such but they are dated. I would like to ask this current active group that same question. If you can provide details such as the gap between meds and perhaps the symptoms it corrected that would be appreciated. And how long before you improved?

[Rain]

The Psych said Paxil is for fear and anxiety much more than Lexapro is. It's less stimulating. Lexapro is difficult if it doesn't agree with you. She said these meds might stop working for folks and that you can find a new one. If I do this then I would just do it long enough to stabilize for a bit then taper. Otherwise, I'll be back in this position again.

that sounds Paxil is more suitable for us, do you feel depressed? I found after dropped to 10mg, behind my severe anxiety, i can feel bit depressed... Before i don't feel depressed very often. 

[Christian]

Rain,

 

I am sorry you are struggling. I am to as many others are on here. I understand we are in somewhat similar situations. But I dont know the details of yours. If you recently tapered or quit an SSRI, then your cure is in that med more than likely from what I have learned. Its a matter of finding the right dose and stabilizing. I am different as I have been technically off of them until this 3 week reinstatement for 6 months. More than likely outside the reinstatement window. I did ask a question to the group that could help address the new drug theory for a cure. The more we add posts on top of my question on a new med scenario the less likely it will be read and addressed. Because of everyone's own struggles, I am assuming folks dont have the patience to scroll through posts to find actual questions they can try and address. They will probably abandon the discussion because of posts that get off track. I have been guilty of doing this as well I am sure. 

[Rain]

Hi christian, yes we are quite simular, i know it is hard for us, but we have to keep waiting or trying, I think we will be ok in the future. I am a unique case too think because neither high dosage and normal doasage is suitable for me now, but i am still waiting for a miracle to come.

[Altostrata]

Among all the antidepressants, Paxil is probably the one with the worst side effects combined with a terrible withdrawal syndrome. Psychiatrists think it's appropriate for "fear and anxiety" because it is the most anti-cholinergic of all the SSRIs, meaning it acts like a sedating antihistamine and makes people "calm." This may contribute to the withdrawal difficulties.

 

Paxil should have been taken off the market long ago. If you think a psychiatric drug is the answer to your problems and you are looking for a good drug to try, this is probably the wrong site for you. We will never recommend a drug to treat a psychological condition, we're about minimizing drugs, not becoming dependent on them to solve our problems.

 

Christian's psychiatrist is acting on the theory that Christian suffers from anxiety rather than an adverse effect from drugs, a common error as few psychiatrists recognize the adverse effects of the drugs they so frequently urge people to take. Even so, Paxil is a stupid replacement. Celexa is a close relative of Lexapro that is weaker and less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms in the switch. Most likely, Christian's psychiatrist also commonly prescribes benzos to deal with this, too. She is a mediocre doctor. 

 

Christian, you can start additional topics in forums OTHER than Introductions. There's only one topic per member in the Intro forum.

[Christian]

Hi Alto,

 

Thanks for your reply and feedback. You would know better than I would. Do you have any objection if I re-post this question in a topic to the broader audience (not in the Intros) or is this a mute point?  I don't want to upset you or do anything to hurt what the site's objectives are. Like I said, I have noticed posts on here switching has helped some WD sufferers but not lately. Also, how do you feel about increasing my Lexapro dose? I am only on 5MGs and have been for over 3 weeks. I have noticed posts of folks who have gone up to their previous dose prior to quitting and had success. I know there is always a chance of an adverse reaction but if it works it might help speed up some of the symptoms recovery?    

[bubble]

There are no short cuts. Attempts to speed things up prolong suffering. You can read people's stories, take our word for that or find out yourself.

 

You can post this question in the tapering section. I don't know which stories you have read but those that I have seen people mostly end up getting a withdrawal from a drug they discontinued and bad reaction from the new one.

 

In your case 5 mg might be too much, not too little. But after 3 weeks I wouldn't change it. You were on the drug for 12 years. Your brain changed a lot in this time. These drugs don't work like antibiotics. Your state is a result of a nervous system destabilisation and not a matter of a type of drug or a dose. These just increase destabilisation further.

 

When I read about your symptoms I see improvement and impatience that you are not 100 % yet. Impatience is your biggest enemy at the moment. Playing with benzos is also contributing a lot more than you are aware.

 

I would suggest starting a thread in our benzo section so that we can look at your benzo situation in more detail.

[Christian]

*topic moved from tapering forum

 

Changing Meds During Withdrawal

 

Hello,
I understand this site's position on suggesting meds. My question is not which med necessarily but if anyone who was in withdrawal from one med then changed meds and improved their WD symptoms. I have read a few stories on this site saying such but they are dated. I would like to ask this current active group that same question. If you can provide also details such as the gap between meds and perhaps the symptoms it corrected that would be appreciated. And how long before you improved? Did you do this after an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate the original med?

 

Again, I understand that its best to reinstate the original med vs starting a new med.  

 

Thanks!

Edited January 28, 2016 by Petunia
added note and topic title