Lili: Benzo/AD

[Lili]

Hi, I'm brand new here and I'm struggling. I had a rough 2017. I was put on Ativan for sleep 6/20/17 & then on temazapam 6/23/7- I didn't know they were both benzos. I tapered off Ativan for 2 months and what ensued was a horrific withdrawal scenario that landed me in a psych ward with extreme suicidal ideation. I was reinstated on Valium and pretty much stabilized by end of December 2017. I went off Lexapro in the fall as I didn't want to be on an antidepressant but was put on Cymbalta 11/2017 first at 30 mg, then 60mg 2 weeks later. I didn't know so I started dropping down at beginning of January , had some anxiety, restlessness, so I went back up to 50mg over the course of a few days. Presently, some insomnia, some irregular heart beats and lessening anxiety. My Dr doesn't know about my Cymbalta escapade & thinks I can microtaper my Valium now. I will have to be forthcoming at my next visit in 3 weeks. I'm so worried about stabilizing and how this is going to affect my taper.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Lili,

 

Yes, if you have been inconsistent in the way you take Cymbalta and are still experiencing symptoms like that, you may find it difficult to taper Valium.

 

You might tell your doctor you accidentally skipped a dose or two, you are feeling the effects from that, and you wish to postpone your Valium taper until you feel more stable.

 

However, if you intend to minimize both drugs, we recommend tapering the Cymbalta before the Valium.

 

As this is a site for going off drugs, what kind of information are you looking for here?

[Gridley]

Hi, Lili and welcome to SA from me too.

 

Here is a link explaining why it's advisable to taper an antidepressant like Cymbalta before a benzo.

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

At Surviving Antidepressants, it is recommended that a person taper by no more than 10% of their current dose with at least a four week hold in-between decreases.  The 10% taper recommendation is a harm reduction approach to going off psychiatric drugs.  Some people may have to taper at a more conservative rate as they are sensitive to even the smallest drops.
  
To get you started, and familiarized with the protocols followed by SA, I am linking a few topics so that you have a better understanding of what is recommended here. 

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?
Tips for tapering off Cymbalta (duloxetine)

 

This link explains why it is important to taper slowly.

Brain Remodelling

[Lili]

12 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Welcome, Lili,

 

Yes, if you have been inconsistent in the way you take Cymbalta and are still experiencing symptoms like that, you may find it difficult to taper Valium.

 

You might tell your doctor you accidentally skipped a dose or two, you are feeling the effects from that, and you wish to postpone your Valium taper until you feel more stable.

 

However, if you intend to minimize both drugs, we recommend tapering the Cymbalta before the Valium.

 

As this is a site for going off drugs, what kind of information are you looking for here?

Thank you for the welcome.

 

Well, I do intend to come off Cymbalta but my Dr wants me to micro taper Valium and wont be willing to wait as long as that will take. So, I'm hoping to stabilize on this dose at some point hopefully over the next month. I will try & delay this process, but not sure how long. So, I will have to come off of Valium first. I was bad off in the fall & he's not going to be all that understanding as he wants me to get off the Valium. I will have to tell him I missed a couple doses & want to be stable before microtapering. My symptoms are not that bad right now. I do wake up at night but usually fall back to sleep. The anxiety is not as bad as it was. The worst thing is the lack of motivation but I have fear involved; PTSD & I cant believe I'm in this situation. I'm aware of the recommendation to go off Cymbalta first but I don't think I have a choice. I really was looking for any information I could find as I am nervous. 

 

Thank you for your help

 

Lili