Nikki74: Lexapro mirtazapine diazepam akathisia

[Nikki74]

 

Moderator note:  Link to Nikki74's benzo thread:  lexapro kindling akasthesia Mirtazipine diazepam

 

Help.

 

i recently stopped lexapro after a short taper from ten to five mg over 9 days.

 

i had been on 20mg since 2011 then tapered quickly in June and stopped. This was a few weeks after stopping pregabalin 150mg v abruptly.

 

all this time I was also on 15mg Mirtazipine.

 

my anxiety went crazy and gp told me to double Mirtazipine dose to 30. I lasted 3 weeks of hellish symptoms and was put on diazepam and Zopiclone.

 

im now off Zopiclone which was tough.

 

6 weeks ago GP told me to go back to 15mg Mirtazipine and add in 10mg lexapro. This didn't help so now have stopped lexapro three days ago but took 2.5 mg last night as am feeling withdrawal.

 

gp wants me to start tapering diazepam as I'm getting worse akasthesia when it wears off or even a paradoxical reaction to it.

 

i have akasthesia. Insomnia. Severe anxiety. Shaking. Muscle weakness. Obsessive thoughts and suicidal ideation as cannot go on like this. 

 

The only brief ride break I get is the 15mg Mirtazipine which calms me for 2-3 hours. 

 

How can I go on?

 

i am a single mum and have CFS already for many years.

 

do I stay off the Lexapro now? How do I cope with withdrawals, akasthesia, and tapering diazepam?? I take 7mg a day been on it three months.

 

i can't stop in one place and am smoking (just tobacco) every half hour.

 

i got sober in 2013.

 

this is hell. 

Edited September 28, 2017 by Shep
added tags and link to benzo forum thread

[Shep]

Hi, Nikki.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants.

 

I moved your post from the tapering section here to the Introductions so you can have your own thread to document your progress and ask questions specific to your situation.

 

You certainly have been through a lot with these drugs. But we can give you the information to sort if out and work on a safe taper plan. 

 

Here is some general information on withdrawal:

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

It's good you decided to add back in the Lexapro. I'm not sure that's the best dose, so I'm going to check with the other mods who are more familiar with Lexapro. 

 

In the meantime, please have a read of the above links, as well as this ones on how to know which drug to taper first and what to expect with a reinstatement:

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms 

 

It will really help us to have a timeline of your drugs and I'm confused on how long you've been on them, especially the Valium and Zopiclone. Please fill out a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

Again, welcome to SA. Please use this thread for updating information and asking plenty of questions. Once you fill out your signature and we have a better idea of how long you've been taking and / or been off each drug, we'll able to give you more advice. 

 

 

[Nikki74]

Thank you. I've tried but it was too many lines and when I tried to add as screen shot files they're too big. I don't know what to do? 

[Nikki74]

Nov 2011 Lexapro 22.5mg.

 

June 2016 zop  3.75 x4 nights/

 

July 2016 Trazodone 50mg.

 

 Aug2016 Lexapro reduced to 15mg /

 

October 2016 Traz stop then prega start 50mg/

 

Nov 2016 - April 2017 Pregab upto 150mg.

 

April 2017 tried propranolol 4 days, 15mg Mirtazipine added to 150 pregabalin and 15 Lexapro 

 

end May stop pregab.

 

June 2017 tapered Lexapro and stopped.

Edited November 12, 2017 by bubble
added paragraph breaks

[Nikki74]

This is the start of my signature it said it was too many lines.

 

i can't alter size of screen shots. 

[Nikki74]

[Nikki74]

[Nikki74]

These are what I tried to attach to signature 

[Nikki74]

I think the akasthesia started when I first cut the lexapro at the end of June then went crazy when I went to 30mg Mirtazipine but it's all so confusing as I've not been in any way stable since end of June. Though I was getting 'windows' in the evenings when I was on 30mg Mirtazipine for those 2-3 weeks in July. 

[Nikki74]

Ps I got sober in January 2013.

 

i was on Mirtazipine 45mg Jan 2009-march2011 together with clonazepam as needed. When I tapered v slowly of these I was ok but my drinking was getting out of control. I ended up on lexapro on Nov 2011 and by Jan 2013 I was alcoholic and got sober. 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2017 by Nikki74
Extra info

[powerback]

3 hours ago, Nikki74 said:

Ps I got sober in January 2013.

 

i was on Mirtazipine 45mg Jan 2009-march2011 together with clonazepam as needed. When I tapered v slowly of these I was ok but my drinking was getting out of control. I ended up on lexapro on Nov 2011 and by Jan 2013 I was alcoholic and got sober. 

 

 

Hi nikki74 thought ide say hi and say well done on being sober ,I'm sober since feb 2015 and dam proud of it .I was a binge drinker .all the same anyhow in the end .

I welcome many more  years sobriety for all our members .

PB

[Nikki74]

Thank you PB and well done on sobriety!

[Nikki74]

Shep

 

i reinstated 5mg lexapro last night.

 

i feel the damage has already been done though by my rapid stopping of it in June.

 

my gp doesn't think I need to taper it slowly now. He wants me to stop it and taper the diazepam and is talking about doing it in 6 weeks!

 

i am already in immense discomfort and difficulty due to akasthesia, severe anxiety, depression from this, insomnia.

 

i don't know what to do.

 

2mg diazepam is effective for about 30-45 mins. 

 

 

[Nikki74]

Also motor difficulties, fatigue.

 

i am scared I won't make it through this.

[Altostrata]

Hello, Nikki.

 

What time of day are you taking each of your drugs, and at what dosages? Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and the dosages. This is important so we can tell if you are having adverse reactions to any of the drugs you are taking now.

 

Did that dose of 5mg Lexapro have any effect on you?

 

Your nervous system is upset from going on and off drugs. Please stop changing drugs and let it settle down. This may take a while and be very frustrating, but it will settle.

[Nikki74]

22 hours ago, Shep said:

Hi, Nikki.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants.

 

I moved your post from the tapering section here to the Introductions so you can have your own thread to document your progress and ask questions specific to your situation.

 

You certainly have been through a lot with these drugs. But we can give you the information to sort if out and work on a safe taper plan. 

 

Here is some general information on withdrawal:

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

It's good you decided to add back in the Lexapro. I'm not sure that's the best dose, so I'm going to check with the other mods who are more familiar with Lexapro. 

 

In the meantime, please have a read of the above links, as well as this ones on how to know which drug to taper first and what to expect with a reinstatement:

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms 

 

It will really help us to have a timeline of your drugs and I'm confused on how long you've been on them, especially the Valium and Zopiclone. Please fill out a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

Again, welcome to SA. Please use this thread for updating information and asking plenty of questions. Once you fill out your signature and we have a better idea of how long you've been taking and / or been off each drug, we'll able to give you more advice. 

 

 

Shep I have had to post my signature here. 

[Nikki74]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, Nikki.

 

What time of day are you taking each of your drugs, and at what dosages? Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and the dosages. This is important so we can tell if you are having adverse reactions to any of the drugs you are taking now.

 

Did that dose of 5mg Lexapro have any effect on you?

 

Your nervous system is upset from going on and off drugs. Please stop changing drugs and let it settle down. This may take a while and be very frustrating, but it will settle.

Thank you.

 

ive been all over the place but as follows currently:

 

8.30 15mg Mirtazipine gives me 2 hours sleep then I wake shaky and restless with the Akasthesia type symptoms, suicidal and despairing 

 

11am 2mg diazepam brief calm in body but not in mind, 45 mins later, akasthesia type symptoms back again

 

Restless and anxious all day, cannot focus or relax

3pm 2mg diazepam same effect as earlier

High anxiety

despair and akasthesia all evening

 

maybe a window of being able to stop @8pm

 

11pm bedtime sometimes I fall asleep til 2 or 3am if I don't I take the 5mg lexapro and 1mg diazepam then

 

wake and feel akasthesia 

take 5mg lexapro and 1mg diazepam and sleep for two hours

 

6am-8.30 worst time, severe restlessness, agitation, akasthesia, despair. Cannot wait to take 15mg Mirtazipine to get some respite.

 

short term memory is very poor. 

 

My muscles were less less shaky and weak this morning after reinstating the 5mg escitalopram.

[Nikki74]

Just now, Nikki74 said:

Thank you.

 

ive been all over the place but as follows currently:

 

8.30 15mg Mirtazipine gives me 2 hours sleep then I wake shaky and restless with the Akasthesia type symptoms, suicidal and despairing 

 

11am 2mg diazepam brief calm in body but not in mind, 45 mins later, akasthesia type symptoms back again

 

Restless and anxious all day, cannot focus or relax

3pm 2mg diazepam same effect as earlier

High anxiety

despair and akasthesia all evening

 

maybe a window of being able to stop @8pm

 

11pm bedtime sometimes I fall asleep til 2 or 3am if I don't I take the 5mg lexapro and 1mg diazepam then

 

wake and feel akasthesia 

take 5mg lexapro and 1mg diazepam and sleep for two hours

 

6am-8.30 worst time, severe restlessness, agitation, akasthesia, despair. Cannot wait to take 15mg Mirtazipine to get some respite.

 

short term memory is very poor. 

 

My muscles were less less shaky and weak this morning after reinstating the 5mg escitalopram.

Is this really going to settle? 

 

I get a strange aggressive feeling 45 mins after taking diazepam and surge of all worst symptoms.

 

without it I am severely anxious and can't stop though.

 

head is constantly stuck in a loop of fear and dread about the future.

[Shep]

2 hours ago, Nikki74 said:

8.30 15mg Mirtazipine gives me 2 hours sleep then I wake shaky and restless with the Akasthesia type symptoms, suicidal and despairing 

 

11am 2mg diazepam brief calm in body but not in mind, 45 mins later, akasthesia type symptoms back again

 

Hi, Nikki. Thanks for writing out your drugs and timeline.

 

Two questions:

 

1. From the above quote, you are taking Mirtazipine at 8:30 in the morning and then trying to sleep. Why are you taking a sedating drug in the morning and not in the evening? The timing of your drugs could be causing problems, but please don't make any changes yet. 

 

2. How long have you been taking diazepam and Zopiclone? Please list the month and year for each drug. 

[Nikki74]

26 minutes ago, Shep said:

 

Hi, Nikki. Thanks for writing out your drugs and timeline.

 

Two questions:

 

1. From the above quote, you are taking Mirtazipine at 8:30 in the morning and then trying to sleep. Why are you taking a sedating drug in the morning and not in the evening? The timing of your drugs could be causing problems, but please don't make any changes yet. 

 

2. How long have you been taking diazepam and Zopiclone? Please list the month and year for each drug. 

Thanks Shep.

 

i was taking it at night but my gp said to take it in the morning (changed to take it at morning I think 14th September) to help with sedation. He has since said to change it back to night but I've been too scared to make that change as I've come to rely on the peace it gives me albeit brief. Also I don't know how to make that change and am scared to do so. 

 

diazepam: i was using one or two 2mg a month from Jan-June then started to take it daily from the 8th July after I'd abruptly stopped the lexapro and went up to 30mg Mirtazipine as things were severe with anxiety, OCD, racing head, probably the akasthesia started then too. 

 

I ramped up from about 4mg a day to current level once I'd got off the Zopiclone.

 

zopiclone: started 3rd August when my gp told me to revert to 15mg Mirtazipine and reinstate lexapro at 10mg. I used it until the 19tj September. I had started on 3.75 but within a couple of weeks that barely knocked me out so upped to 7.5mg around 28th August. Stayed on this until 19th September.

 

i had tried two nights cold turkey from zop 6th and 7th Sept and ended up in severe withdrawal. So reinstated it at 7.5 and tapered down using diazepam til 19th sept when I stopped. I think that drug really screwed things up.

 

i also briefly took the lexapro in the morning early Sept after psychiatrist told me to but I'd always taken it at night for all my years on it so gp said to revert to night which I did from 13th September.

 

its been an almighty mess!!!

[Nikki74]

I have had a migraine today - lexapro reinstatement?

 

Im scared I've done permanent damage by stopping the lexapro as I did in June after hardly any tapering, then upping the Mirtazipine, then reinstating lexapro. And that the diazepam is just shielding it. 

[Altostrata]

Do you often get migraines? What time did you get it?

 

We need to know when you get your symptoms relative to when you take your drugs. You need to be consistent in taking your drugs, same dosage and time every day.

 

Please put ALL your drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
and copy and paste the results in this topic.

 

Have you found Lexapro to be sedating? Do you always take 2mg diazepam at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.? Do you always take 1mg at night?

 

When was the last time you increased diazepam? By how many milligrams?

 

Going on and off drugs often causes the nervous system to become upset. It's why many of the people here join this site. You can't change the past. Please try to stay calm and not add to the symptoms you're getting from the drugs. Your nervous system will settle down. You will get past this.

 

 

[Nikki74]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Do you often get migraines? What time did you get it?

 

We need to know when you get your symptoms relative to when you take your drugs. You need to be consistent in taking your drugs, same dosage and time every day.

 

Please put ALL your drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
and copy and paste the results in this topic.

 

Have you found Lexapro to be sedating? Do you always take 2mg diazepam at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.? Do you always take 1mg at night?

 

When was the last time you increased diazepam? By how many milligrams?

 

Going on and off drugs often causes the nervous system to become upset. It's why many of the people here join this site. You can't change the past. Please try to stay calm and not add to the symptoms you're getting from the drugs. Your nervous system will settle down. You will get past this.

 

 

Interactions between your selected drugs

Major

mirtazapine  escitalopram

Applies to: mirtazapine, escitalopram

Using escitalopram together with mirtazapine can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms during treatment. In addition, combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with these medications, whether together or alone. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

diazepam  mirtazapine

Applies to: diazepam, mirtazapine

Using diazePAM together with mirtazapine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

diazepam  escitalopram

Applies to: diazepam, escitalopram

Using diazePAM together with escitalopram may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

No other interactions were found between your selected drugs.
Note: this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

[Nikki74]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Do you often get migraines? What time did you get it?

 

We need to know when you get your symptoms relative to when you take your drugs. You need to be consistent in taking your drugs, same dosage and time every day.

 

Please put ALL your drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
and copy and paste the results in this topic.

 

Have you found Lexapro to be sedating? Do you always take 2mg diazepam at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.? Do you always take 1mg at night?

 

When was the last time you increased diazepam? By how many milligrams?

 

Going on and off drugs often causes the nervous system to become upset. It's why many of the people here join this site. You can't change the past. Please try to stay calm and not add to the symptoms you're getting from the drugs. Your nervous system will settle down. You will get past this.

I

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

 

I used to get migraines frequently 2015 and 2016 when I was just on escitalopram 20mg. Then they stopped. I had one last month for the first time since spring 2016. I had it when I got up around 6 today, I had taken the 5mg escitalopram at 3am with 1mg diazepam after having fallen asleep naturally about midnight.

 

I used to find escitalopram/lexapro sedating as I'd take it at night and sleep. Up til June 2016 when my anxiety hit the roof when I was doing intensive emdr therapy (Feb-Aug 2016). All aspects of my health deteriorated during this therapy esp ME/CFS worsening and anxiety. That's when adding in new meds started.

 

i dramatically increased diazepam from around 14mg per week week commencing 4th Sept to 52mg per week then 54mg per week the past two weeks since coming off Zopiclone. I'm much less functional now than I was up to the first week of Sept. since then I have cut from 10mg lexapro to 5mg, come off Zopiclone after about 7 weeks use, and massively upped my diazepam as outlined above. I was in a state before that but my memory is much much worse and I can no longer drive.

 

no, I have been entirely inconsistent with diazepam use up til last couple of days (i.e. Took 8mg in one night recently and had what felt like adverse reaction). Im trying to now spread 7mg through the day. Although I realise today o had 1mg 4am, 2mg 1pm, 2mg 5pm so have 2mg yet to take before midnight in 45 minutes though I don't feel I want or need it!

 

do I take the 5mg escitalopram at bedtime rather than waiting til I wake up from a little 'natural' sleep? I do find it sedating but not for long. Nights are awful after about 4am. 

 

I briefly swapped lexapro to the morning in first and second week of Sept as instructed by my psychiatrist (who also told me to stop Zopiclone cold turkey and replace by 6mg diazepam, whilst also cutting lexapro to 5mg, with a view to starting Sertraline and stopping Mirtazipine cold turkey too!). When I did start taking it in the mornings I felt wired and shaky, just awful.

 

Do do I keep the Mirtazipine at 8.30 am? It calms me for a couple of hours and I sleep. It feels like it stops the early morning 'manic' restless akasthesia I get. But then it starts up again once I 'come round' from the mirt.

 

Symptoms:

During using Zopiclone I developed a white and blistering tongue, and my teeth raged with pain if I ate sugary food. I still have the raging pain when I eat processed sugar foods. 

 

I cannot sleep in tje day even if im exhausted, partly as my body is so restless but mainly as my mind throws up awful images and feelings and I imagine I'm a skeleton or I have this sense I'm lost with no identity and don't know where, when or who I am. This started back when I'd first cut the lexapro and jumped up to 30mg Mirtazipine. I desperately need my rest as I am CFS. 

 

Tonight I had dry retching at about 9pm. I've had this periodically since mid August and put it down to either the awful metallic taste from Zopiclone and/or there was a week I only took 8mg diazepam early in my usage which was less than I'd used early on. I don't know why tonight. Perhaps as I've been smoking a lot. 

 

thank you so very much for your help!

 

ive not been able to concentrate on or enjoy anything for weeks. I can't even do my crafts now, focus on tv, or conversation as my mind is racing and my body is restless. I shower once a week as I have this urgency to be onto the next thing and so on and find any self care almost painful. 

 

Eating is a chore even though I'm starving. 

 

I am teying to take on board the idea of neuro-emotions. 

 

I am literally obsessed with medication and how im ever going to recover and heal and live any sort of life again. I know it doesn't help but my OCD seems to have stuck on this after going through various stages since all this kicked off in June. I am getting some intrusive thoughts again, like harming loved ones or myself, which I had terribly when I doubled the Mirtazipine to 30mg in July.

 

I'm finding it impossible to talk to family as I don't know how to explain what's happened to me and they don't seem to believe me or just can't understand. 

[Nikki74]

Overall I am much less functional since lowering from 10mg escitalopram, getting off the zop and upping the diazepam. I don't go out, see family, short term memory is terrible, I can't concentrate on anything enjoyable.

 

is it too late to try to get to a lower usage of diazepam again? 

 

 

[Shep]

30 minutes ago, Nikki74 said:

i dramatically increased diazepam from around 14mg per week week commencing 4th Sept to 52mg per week then 54mg per week the past two weeks since coming off Zopiclone. I'm much less functional now than I was up to the first week of Sept. since then I have cut from 10mg lexapro to 5mg, come off Zopiclone after about 7 weeks use, and massively upped my diazepam as outlined above. I was in a state before that but my memory is much much worse and I can no longer drive.

 

no, I have been entirely inconsistent with diazepam use up til last couple of days (i.e. Took 8mg in one night recently and had what felt like adverse reaction). Im trying to now spread 7mg through the day. Although I realise today o had 1mg 4am, 2mg 1pm, 2mg 5pm so have 2mg yet to take before midnight in 45 minutes though I don't feel I want or need it!

 

 

At the highest diazepam dose, you were taking 54 mg a week, which is about 7.7 mg per day, up from 14 mg per week or 2 mg per day.

 

I really think you're getting a paradoxical reaction from the diazepam, especially when taking it close to when you take the mirtazapine, so reducing the diazepam may be the way to go. 

 

But please do not make any changes quite yet, as we have been discussing your drug cocktail and Alto mentioned  you may want to discontinue the Lexapro reinstatement since that's only been for a couple of days. But let's get a bit more information.

 

Two questions:

 

1. Is this timeline correct for your Lexapro use?

 

Lexapro - 2011 through June 2017 at 20 mg. Reinstated at 10 mg in August and then stopped it 3 days ago. Reinstated Lexapro 3 days ago at 5 mg. 

 

2.  How were you feeling when you were only on 14 mg of diazepam a week (or 2 mg a day)? 

 

 

 

[Nikki74]

18 minutes ago, Shep said:

 

 

At the highest diazepam dose, you were taking 54 mg a week, which is about 7.7 mg per day, up from 14 mg per week or 2 mg per day.

 

I really think you're getting a paradoxical reaction from the diazepam, especially when taking it close to when you take the mirtazapine, so reducing the diazepam may be the way to go. 

 

But please do not make any changes quite yet, as we have been discussing your drug cocktail and Alto mentioned  you may want to discontinue the Lexapro reinstatement since that's only been for a couple of days. But let's get a bit more information.

 

Two questions:

 

1. Is this timeline correct for your Lexapro use?

 

Lexapro - 2011 through June 2017 at 20 mg. Reinstated at 10 mg in August and then stopped it 3 days ago. Reinstated Lexapro 3 days ago at 5 mg. 

 

2.  How were you feeling when you were only on 14 mg of diazepam a week (or 2 mg a day)? 

 

 

 

Ok.

 

1. Lexapro Nov 2011 15mg gradually upped to 22.5mg in Dec 2013

 

stayed on that dose til around July 2016 when trazodone was added at 50mg to tackle extreme anxiety and shaking, I think lexapro reduced to 20 then.

 

Oct 2016 Trazodone stopped immediately and escitalopram reduced to 15mg with pregabalin added in.

 

June 2017 stopped 150mg pregabalin abruptly and tapered lexapro (sorry I keep using escitalopram/ lexapro so tired) over about 3 weeks every other night then stopped end June.

 

reinstated 10mg in August as you say, reduced to 5mg for 9 days til last Sun. Stopped it, felt shaky, tried 2.5, then last night went back to 5mg.

 

when I was on 14mg diazepam a week I felt clearer, could drive, go to the local shop (I've only been able to drive a couple miles a time with my CFS anyway for the past year) felt more myself even though I was v anxious and restless. I just felt sharper and could do my crafts if I needed a distraction. Memory was better. I think the Zopiclone had dampened some stuff down like restless legs and taking that away I felt I needed more diazepam but I felt much more like me. I feel sick on the diazepam at this level. Really drugged and not in a chilled way. 

 

Though when hen I was on 14mg I would get v frightening muscle weakness in the evening quite severely (like I get with ME when it's really bad). But perhaps that was the dreadful Zopiclone. Id have to wait to feed myself as preparing a meal made me so weak I'd have to rest to regain strength to then lift the fork and chew the food. 

 

ive had dp/dr for months though back to June. 

Edited September 29, 2017 by Nikki74
Extra info

[Nikki74]

Took 2mg Diaz at midnight and 5mg lexapro 1am, slept, woke 4am with burning up the back of head and surge of adrenaline and fear. Now sat up feeling deeply stressed and concerned and exhausted. 

[Nikki74]

5am Burning at back of head continuing in waves. RLS, mild shaking, panic. Tingling in left hand (I often wake with this during the night), akasthesia (restless and ants under skin feeling). I'm so tired and scared! 

[Nikki74]

Ok so a typical night time sleep experience apart from addition of burning head. I experienced this when I ct off the Zopiclone for two nights but that was on the sides of my head. Though at the same time I'd reduced the lexapro to 5mg.

 

6.50am now. Got up at 6 for cigarette. I normally do that. Just counting the minutes til I can take the Mirtazipine for hopefully brief relief of a couple hours. Terrible night though not unlike all the rest preceding since stopping the Zopiclone. 

 

So far since 6am I've tried prayer (I pray throughput the day), a relaxation technique and some trauma release by allowing body to shake. 

 

Top of my bsck and back of my head tingling and milder burning. Intense inner restlessness in arms, churning in stomach, panic in stomach. All typical of this time of day apart from so much burning feeling. V uncomfortable.

 

My eyes are so heavy like I could just sleep but my body is wired; akasthesia?! 

 

I'm resisting taking a diazepam. 

 

I will now have another cigarette and feed the dog and wait til 8.30 for Mirtazipine.

[Nikki74]

I think I could cope if it weren't for the extreme restlessness/ akasthesia. I'm sure it is akasthesia. I've had it now for months and all I want is to be able to take something to stop it. But I know this is it now for however many months/ years. It's a waking nightmare. I really appreciate all your support thus far so early in my time on here. I wish I'd known about this stuff before June when I so abruptly stopped the pregabalin then the lexapro. 

 

I'm holding out to take my Mirtazipine. Resisting a diazepam.

 

i just want some let up. 

 

 

[UnfoldingSky]

Hi Nikki, welcome to the site.  So glad you found us.  I just answered your PM.  What you describe here sounds all too familiar, the adrenaline, wired but tired feeling, restlessness, burning sensations etc, I had these too.  I feel for you, a lot.  Is there anyone outside your family who can offer you some support right now?  Like a sympathetic friend?

[Nikki74]

1 hour ago, UnfoldingSky said:

Hi Nikki, welcome to the site.  So glad you found us.  I just answered your PM.  What you describe here sounds all too familiar, the adrenaline, wired but tired feeling, restlessness, burning sensations etc, I had these too.  I feel for you, a lot.  Is there anyone outside your family who can offer you some support right now?  Like a sympathetic friend?

Thank you. My best friend is helping with chores o cannot do and is praying with me. She thinks the answer is going to church but I went yday, my first trip out for a month, and although the praying was helpful I feel I'm paying for the stimulation and activity today.

 

i feel I can't go on.

[Nikki74]

Took Mirtazipine 8.15am

stimulating to start with

took an hour to relax me

lasted about an hour

10.15 got up and shaking and restless

ive urinated about 11 times since 5am

havr smoked about 7 cigarettes since 6 am, now 11am, finding I can't stop smoking through the day.

[Nikki74]

Endless restlessness, confusion, v poor short term memory, full of fear, brief window of calm and hope at 11.45

have smoked about 5 more cigarettes. 

12.20 ate a small ham roll

i drink a lot of water

Not yet taken a diazepam as not wanted to but will at 12.30.

diazepam all over the place time wise. 

 

[baroquep]

Nicki, As Shep requested above, could you please post your withdrawal history signature as instructed below?  

 

It will really help us to have a timeline of your drugs and I'm confused on how long you've been on them, especially the Valium and Zopiclone. Please fill out a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.