swammi01 Tommy wants his life back

[swammi01]

i everyone:

I have been tapering from a benzodiazepine for almost a year and now am ready to undertake the antidepressants. I guess some people say do the antidepressants first but its too late for that now. I am almost done with my benzo taper.

 

I am copying my first entry from Benzo buddies here because the history is the same

 

Current cocktail: 60 mg Cymbalta, 150 mg Wellbutrin SR, and .090 mg of Klonopin (Benzo).

I won't bore you with too many details but I think an abridged version is in order.

     I was first put on a cocktail of Klonopin, Wellbutrin, and Cymbalta over 12 years ago. I had been on SSRI's for 15 years at this point. The Pdoc said this would help with anxiety and never mentioned a word about dependence, addiction or withdrawal. He continued to prescribe for the next three years till he fired me for missing appointments.
     
My next three pdocs said nothing other than it was hard to get off but it had no negative side effects. One said I might need to stay on the rest of my life, after all it's cheap! My GP refused to offer opinions and would not prescribe psychotropic meds.

Meanwhile my marriage was falling apart and it was getting harder and harder to do my job.

In June 2014, a friend referred me to a Lyme doctor who had a great rep. He spent an hour talking to me and then said he wanted to do about $1200 worth of testing. Result? I definitely had Lyme disease and I spent the next 2-1/2 years doing antibiotics and herbal protocols to kill the Lyme. 

At the end of this, I still had most of symptoms and had almost been fired and then went on Long Term disability in late 2015. SSA denied me but my company had a private plan (I know I am blessed here).

 To the Lyme Doctors credit he had said initially that I should try to get off Benzos and he took me from 1 mg down to .75 mg in one cut.  I then started seeing a number of homeopaths, naturopaths and other quacks. I got a new Pdoc and asked him to help me taper off K. I just had this feeling.....

Fine, he said. Why don't you go from .75 mg down to .5 mg, the tablets are hard to cut more than that. Yes sir, I said in my most humble voice. 

 Well, I am sure you all know how that went. I reinstated to .6875 mg (or therabouts) after 3 weeks of hell. By this time, I had found the ashton manual, and benzobuddies. When I asked him to slow the taper, he said he didn't know how. I finally found an oral K pill on my own that was .125 mg. He graciously gave me one month's worth.  I begged for Valium. And, no way, he said, through his assistant. I have quit him and have another appointment with somehow who actually is familiar with Ashton in Late June.

It is now over 2 months later. I am have ordered supplies for a liquid taper. My major symptoms haven't changed much and are brain fog, memory issues, severe fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and muscle spasms (which got better after reinstating). I am also grouchy which explains why I am alone a lot. I try to be pleasant and avoid the topic of Benzos, but it is hard.

I did two dry cuts and am now down to .53125 mg. (or therabouts). Symptoms have been simply outrageous and I have been holding for 1-1/2 months.

I have no idea what the new Pdoc will do, so I am going to try very small cuts using water titration next. Still with K. What a wonder drug! It worked for all of 4 weeks back in 2005.

Well, thats my story and I am sticking to it. Would love to get to know some of you. I listen well and I actually have other interests. I just don't get out as much anymore.

Blessings,
 

Edited December 11, 2017 by Altostrata
added screen name to title

[Altostrata]

Welcome, swammi.

 

You seem to the in the midst of a benzo taper. What symptoms are you experiencing? What benzo are you taking now, and at what dosage?

 

Are you still taking 60mg Cymbalta and 150mg Wellbutrin SR? What kind of information are you looking for here?

 

 

[swammi01]

On 12/10/2017 at 9:06 PM, Altostrata said:

Welcome, swammi.

 

You seem to the in the midst of a benzo taper. What symptoms are you experiencing? What benzo are you taking now, and at what dosage?

 

Are you still taking 60mg Cymbalta and 150mg Wellbutrin SR? What kind of information are you looking for here?

 

 

Alostrata:

I will finish my Benzo taper next month. My next goal is to taper Cymbalta next. My original post was meant as an introduction only.

 Do I need another approval to access.the "surving" forums?

Thanks

[Altostrata]

You can access all forums now.

 

On 12/9/2017 at 6:34 PM, swammi01 said:

My major symptoms haven't changed much and are brain fog, memory issues, severe fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and muscle spasms (which got better after reinstating). I am also grouchy which explains why I am alone a lot. I try to be pleasant and avoid the topic of Benzos, but it is hard.

 

Have your benzo withdrawal symptoms changed at all?

 

We don't recommend starting a Cymbalta taper if you already feel poorly from going off a benzo. In fact, we'd encourage you to stop tapering the benzo right now and let your nervous system settle down. More tapering does not help withdrawal symptoms.

[Kristine]

Hi Swammi,  I'm sorry you have been suffering so terribly.  Welcome to sa 😊 You have found the right place.  You have mentioned your isolation which I think many of us can relate to.  The side effects of these drugs and the withdrawal has a domino effect on every aspect of our lives.  Just letting you know you are not alone.  K.