Dabhob33: introduction

[Dabhob33]

A

[Dabhob33]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Easy for the pharmacist to say.

 

We suggest gradually converting to liquid so as not to bring a confounding factor into the works. Please work with Shep regarding dividing your doses.

I feel screwed by all the damage.   Can’t stop thinking about it.  My body just hurts.  So much conflicting info.   Is switching to liquid v a bad idea?

[Dabhob33]

230am - woke up - body burning

Didn’t sleep rest evening  

8am - 5mg valium

3 glaucoma eye drops

Agitated, burning, chest anxious sensation, doze off and wake in panic

9 - breakfast

Nap - no energy

1130 - Read coping skills

Came across a suicide from past Bluebalu86 - triggered me - redirects to positive success stories

Burning / cog fog / ruminating

1-3 - depressed - obsessing on micro taper, while trying to distract.  

330 - played catch with baseball with son for 15 mins

Burning, heavy head

5 - 5mg valium

6 - verrry Burning body, especially feet, heavy head, anxiety in belly

Very stressful night with kids (9 and 11 yrs old) 

730 - lithium 450mg

10 - lithium 450mg and 1mg valium 

3 glaucoma eye drops

Extreme agitation, burning lips (????)

11 - sleep

2/23/18

230 - woke up w/ burning all over body

Didn’t fall back asleep

[Dabhob33]

Hello

Been feeling very depressed the last few days.   Meditating, walking as much as I can and watching stand up comedy.  The valium and lithium always make me feel down, but this is a new level.   It’s coming up on two months off pristiq (Jan 5).   Does anyone ever go back on an AD short term through Benzo wd?  Or just ride it out?   I know there are supplements out there that supposedly help with depression, but I believe the consensus is to stay away from them particularly with benzo wd.  

 

Any tips?

[Altostrata]

Correct, depression is a side effect of benzos.

 

Can you hold on for a bit while you work out your benzo schedule? Introducing a new drug will complicate your symptom pattern. And then, you've got another drug to taper off later.

 

Are you getting at least a half-hour of gentle exercise, such as walking, every day? That can help. Also see Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

There's nothing wrong with converting to liquid. But some people find the change bumpy, because the liquid is absorbed faster and may have a different effect. Gradually introducing the liquid gives you a smoother ride.

[Dabhob33]

Didn’t fall asleep since waking at 1am 

8am - 5mg Valium / omega 3

11 - son’s basketball game 

1230 - lunch / magnesium 

Incredible burning and pain, told my 9 yr old son to f^#% off this morning.   I never even raise my voice to him.  

No one understands - doctors to family.  I feel hopeless.  

5 - dinner

6 - mass

7 - 5mg valium

730 - school fundraiser event - burning up, anticipating the large crowd and not feeling well.   I made it through!!

9 - 900mg Lithium

10 - made it through the event, although wanted to crawl out of skin

11 - bed - nervous, with poor sleep last few nights.  Anxious.  Sound of waves playing to hopefully help. 

2/24/18

3am - woke burning

 

 

Edited February 26, 2018 by ChessieCat
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[Dabhob33]

I’ve been struggling with deepening depression over the last few weeks, very low.  I’ve been working on the coping skills as supplied.  I know AD is the last thing we want to take, what other options would you suggest? 

[Happy2Heal]

have you ever heard of a light box? I got one called Happy Light. https://verilux.com/light-therapy

 

 

to be honest, I have no idea if it works, because I've used it very infrequently and I was doing something else to fight off seasonal depression at the same time, I was taking vit D3 pills (I vary the dosage based on how much actual sunlight I get, now that the days are getting longer and I'm out more, I cut back a bit on my dose of vit D3)

 

getting out in the early morning, in the sun on a good day, as often as you can, can def help lift your mood. 

also avoiding sugar can help your mood, there's been studies that show if you eat something like leafy greens instead of some sugary dessert, you're going to feel better and the effect can be almost immediate.

it's worth looking into, even if it doesn't help lift your depression, it gives you something else to think about and to do

 

which would be my next two suggestions, try to distract  yourself and try to keep busy.

even when you don't feel like doing something, do it anyway

 

also I read, if you keep a list of things to do and check them off, that actually gives your brain a little dopamine boost that feels good. Imagine that, just crossing things off a list helps to boost your mood!

I never would have thought that would make any difference at all.

So you KNOW< now I keep lists and tick things off as they get done!! LOL

I hope you're having a better day today. 

[Dabhob33]

8am - 5mg Valium

Anxiety in stomach/chest, tightness around head 

930 - breakfast - omega 3

1030 - depressed, burning body, head, anxiety

11 - Nap/meditation - 20 mins - woke anxious

3 - son’s football game - despite how I was feeling, pushed through, couldn’t miss it. Team lost in last second play - my body wemt on fire 

5 - lithium 450mg

6 - dinner

730 - lithium 450mg

8 - 6mg valium

9 - fell asleep 

1030pm - woke up burning all over ( Feet, chest, throat, arms, back of head), not as much head pressure as usual. 

1130 - tylenol 500mg / magnesium powder drink 

230 - woke up burning - I can’t handle this - is Tylenol making matters worse?

[Dabhob33]

Can I take a heavy pain killer for the severe burning?    I know the answer, but I am in excruciating pain.  

[Kristine]

Hi Dabhob,  I have just read your thread.  I'm so sorry you are suffering so much. I have been through similar experiences to you.  As far as the burning....I still have this symptom but it has eased considerably.  It used to be all over my body but is mainly restricted to my arms now and less intense.  I almost always have an electric fan on next to my bed. It brings me some relief. K 🌻

[Altostrata]

On 2/16/2018 at 1:18 AM, Dabhob33 said:

I’m terrified that I’m permanently damaged.   The burning didn’t really get worse until the last valium 4 week drop from 16mg to 11.5. 

 

I did have burning periodically prior, but not like now.   I can kick myself for doing the rapid taper.   

 

Will I heal?   

 

Are you taking 10mg Valium per day now?

[Dabhob33]

11mg. Must be forgetting to record the 1mg.    The burning is getting unbearable.   Don’t know what to do.   

[Shep]

51 minutes ago, Dabhob33 said:

 The burning is getting unbearable.   Don’t know what to do.   

 

Hi, Dabhob.

 

Two questions:

 

1. Did the burning start after you came off Pristiq? 

 

2. Did you have burning from your Librium rapid taper? 

 

Just trying to tell if the burning is specific to your benzo reduction or if you might benefit from a very low dose reinstatement of an antidepressant.  

[Dabhob33]

6am - doxylamine 12.5mg

8 - valium 5mg

Depressed, feet and arms burning, right side if head

10 - laid on the couch all morning

Noon - therapist 

1 - lunch 

Couch 

3 - picked up daughter

Burning, worrying about sleep

5 - dinner

6 - 1mg Valium

7- 900mg Lithium

8 - 5mg valium 

10 - sleep

Burning!   Should I go to neurologist or GP?

Is this akathisia?

2/27/18

130am - woke up on fire

3am - unable to sleep - meditating last hour

[Dabhob33]

2 minutes ago, Shep said:

 

Hi, Dabhob.

 

Two questions:

 

1. Did the burning start after you came off Pristiq? 

 

2. Did you have burning from your Librium rapid taper? 

 

Just trying to tell if the burning is specific to your benzo reduction or if you might benefit from a very low dose reinstatement of an antidepressant.  

1 from what i recall yes. Although the burning picked up significantly over last week or so.  Gradually getting worse by the day.  

2 I don’t recall.  But I don’t think so.  

 

Is this what is akathisia?

[ChessieCat]

3 minutes ago, Dabhob33 said:

Is this what is akathisia?

 

 

Akathisia is a movement disorder characterized by a feeling of inner restlessness and inability to stay still. 

 

Edited February 27, 2018 by ChessieCat

[Dabhob33]

I read burning can be a symptom.  It terrifies me.   But what doesn’t these days. 

[Shep]

15 minutes ago, Dabhob33 said:

6am - doxylamine 12.5mg

 

I noticed this from your drug and symptom journal. Are you taking doxy to sleep? 6 am seems an odd hour to take it.

 

Also, there is an interaction with doxylamine and valium. I placed all your drugs in the drug interaction checker. 

 

Interaction checker - valium, doxylamine, lithium

 

 

 

On 2/26/2018 at 3:01 AM, Dabhob33 said:

8 - 6mg valium

 

19 minutes ago, Dabhob33 said:

6 - 1mg Valium

7- 900mg Lithium

8 - 5mg valium 

 

 

I just want to double-check the timing of your Valium. You state you took 6 mg at 8 pm yesterday and then today, it was 1 mg at 6 pm and 5 mg at 8 pm.

 

I'm referring back to the schedule in this post here on your benzo thread. According to that schedule, you should be very close to having the afternoon dose and night dose at 6 mg taken at 10 pm. So I'm a bit confused at your recent drug and symptoms journal entries. 

 

You also had previously divided out your Lithium doses by 450 mg taken earlier in the day, but now you're taking it all at night. 

 

Please be careful with how you are taking your doses, as it's confusing to your nervous system.  

 

Are you still taking the 3 glaucoma eye drops? It's not listed in your last two journal entries. 

 

30 minutes ago, Dabhob33 said:

1 from what i recall yes. Although the burning picked up significantly over last week or so.  Gradually getting worse by the day.  

2 I don’t recall.  But I don’t think so.  

 

 

Did the burning get worse after you started moving your doses? I'm concerned about the way you are moving the Valium and Lithium and if that might be making things worse. Please be very careful with your dosing schedule.  The schedule I listed in the benzo area was to move your afternoon dose to night while keeping all other drugs the same. 

 

Are you taking the Valium at different times to try and stop the burning symptoms? 

 

 

 

 

[AliG]

Hi Dave. Please answer Shep's questions as it helps to uncover the problem and causes of your symptoms. As I said in my initial post to you : this is multi - layered and could take a little time to fully unravel.

 

In the meantime, I just wanted to share with you : that many of us have had some of the the burning symptoms, in withdrawal. It's an uncomfortable feeling, but I have found that ice and coolness can help. For burning feet ~ I found, a tub of cold water and ice helped to relieve the pain and for the arms and body : wet towels and a fan. I found a cool towel around the shoulders/ or even legs, helpful. I also kept a gel pack in the freezer so that it was always handy. Menthol creams can also offer some relief, at various times.

 

This link has a discussion on the topic:

Hope this helps. This symptom does improve.

[Dabhob33]

1 hour ago, Shep said:

 

I noticed this from your drug and symptom journal. Are you taking doxy to sleep? 6 am seems an odd hour to take it.

 

Also, there is an interaction with doxylamine and valium. I placed all your drugs in the drug interaction checker. 

 

Interaction checker - valium, doxylamine, lithium

 

 

**** I got desperate.   At the time I was coming up on 4 nights of no sleep (6 now). 

 

 

 

I just want to double-check the timing of your Valium. You state you took 6 mg at 8 pm yesterday and then today, it was 1 mg at 6 pm and 5 mg at 8 pm.

 

1 hour ago, Shep said:

I'm referring back to the schedule in this post here on your benzo thread. According to that schedule, you should be very close to having the afternoon dose and night dose at 6 mg taken at 10 pm. So I'm a bit confused at your recent drug and symptoms journal entries. 

 

**** I made a mistake. 

1 hour ago, Shep said:

 

You also had previously divided out your Lithium doses by 450 mg taken earlier in the day, but now you're taking it all at night. 

 

Please be careful with how you are taking your doses, as it's confusing to your nervous system.  

 

*****ok  I will take at bedtime as prescribed.   Was trying to move to see if I can find some relief.   Was thinking timing wasn’t as important as valium.   My error.  

 

1 hour ago, Shep said:

Are you still taking the 3 glaucoma eye drops? It's not listed in your last two journal entries. 

 

 

****i am taking the eye drops.  Need to begin marking them down.  

Did the burning get worse after you started moving your doses? I'm concerned about the way you are moving the Valium and Lithium and if that might be making things worse. Please be very careful with your dosing schedule.  The schedule I listed in the benzo area was to move your afternoon dose to night while keeping all other drugs the same. 

****my burning got worse when over last 4 days.  Although it was there prior.  

1 hour ago, Shep said:

Are you taking the Valium at different times to try and stop the burning symptoms? 

****the only one I moved was the 1mg dose that day.   Besides the ones we were moving so I’d eventually take all at 10pm.    

 

 

 

 

[Dabhob33]

Come to think of it my burning started getting bad after I took the liquid 5mg dose of valium.   Can’t recall the day. 

[Dabhob33]

On 2/26/2018 at 3:33 AM, Kristine said:

Hi Dabhob,  I have just read your thread.  I'm so sorry you are suffering so much. I have been through similar experiences to you.  As far as the burning....I still have this symptom but it has eased considerably.  It used to be all over my body but is mainly restricted to my arms now and less intense.  I almost always have an electric fan on next to my bed. It brings me some relief. K 🌻

Thank you

[Dabhob33]

2 hours ago, Dabhob33 said:

1 from what i recall yes. Although the burning picked up significantly over last week or so.  Gradually getting worse by the day.  

2 I don’t recall.  But I don’t think so.  

 

Is this what is akathisia?

 

2 hours ago, Dabhob33 said:

1 from what i recall yes. Although the burning picked up significantly over last week or so.  Gradually getting worse by the day.  

2 I don’t recall.  But I don’t think so.  

 

Is this what is akathisia?

I tend to ruminate.  I wonder what AD would be best to use.  

[Shep]

10 hours ago, Dabhob33 said:

Come to think of it my burning started getting bad after I took the liquid 5mg dose of valium.   Can’t recall the day. 

 

 

On 2/21/2018 at 7:58 PM, Dabhob33 said:

Took my first dose of liquid valium today.

 

 

I found the date you took the dose of liquid - Feb 21, 2018.  Hopefully this will work its way out soon if you did have a reaction to the liquid Valium. Valium has a really long half life of up to 200 hours, so some of that may still be in your system since it was 6 days ago.

 

 

[Dabhob33]

I pray that it dissipates.  The burning is unbearable.   Although the burning and no sleep was there prior.  Ugh!  I almost feel like I need to go to the ER the burning is so bad.    But what can they do.  

[Dabhob33]

Also, It seems the symptoms are getting worse each day. 

[ChessieCat]

10 hours ago, Dabhob33 said:

I tend to ruminate.  I wonder what AD would be best to use.  

 

I think this comment may have got overlooked so I'm reposting it here.

[Dabhob33]

Coming up on day 6 or 7 of verrrrrrrrrry little sleep.  Not sure what to do.   Keep waking 5 mins after falling asleep. 

[ChessieCat]

Are you practising good sleep hygiene?  During this process of reducing and getting off the drugs it is important to try not to panic and to learn and use non drug techniques.  It's also helpful to learn acceptance.  It is what it is at this time.  The more you struggle against it the worse things can be.

 

Sleep Hypnosis, Guided Meditations, Calming Videos

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Acceptance

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

11 hours ago, Dabhob33 said:

I tend to ruminate.

 

intrusiverepetitive-thoughts-rumination-and-increased-panic

 

Edited February 27, 2018 by ChessieCat

[Dabhob33]

stayed awake from 130am

8 - 5mg valium 

9 - breakfast / magnesium drink

Burning 

10 - omega 3 / eye drops

12 - lunch

130 - walked dog for mile

Burning, anxiety and agitation 

3 - Tylenol 500mg Extra strength.   Tried holding off.  Burning unbearable.  

330 - burning dwindled but head even heavier 

4 - picked up Kids

Laid on couch - severe burning and anxiety

730 - “keys to recovery” support group

Using stand up fan to help cool down the burning

8 - 900mg Lithium

10 - 5mg valium

140am - woke up burning!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dabhob33]

I consistently wake up at 2am every night with burning.  Around 4 hours after last dose of valium.  

 

Could I take neurontin?  I read about it.   

Is this akathisia?

[Dabhob33]

Took Tylenol at 4am

[Dabhob33]

Day 7.   I feel awful.  No sleep again...I appreciate the hygiene tips.  Use many already.  Wake in panic after just dozing off.    

[Shep]

Hi, Dabhob.

 

From your journal, you only took 10 mg of Valium (5 in the morning and 5 at night).

 

Question - Is this correct or did you forget to write down that 1 mg dose? 

 

4 hours ago, Dabhob33 said:

Could I take neurontin?  I read about it.   

 

We don't recommend drugs to help with withdrawal. 

 

Two options we can recommend: 

 

1. A slight updose in Valium.

 

OR

 

2. A small reinstatement of your AD. Please read the thread Tips for tapering off Pristiq. As written in that thread, due to Pristiq's difficulty to taper, you may want to try a very small reinstatement of Pristiq's older sibling drug, Effexor. A reinstatement dose would only be 5 beads of Effexor, just to see how you do. 

 

 

On 2/16/2018 at 4:18 AM, Dabhob33 said:

I’m terrified that I’m permanently damaged.   The burning didn’t really get worse until the last valium 4 week drop from 16mg to 11.5. 

 

 

From your comment here, I would try a small updose of the benzo first to see if that helps. You could try 1 mg to start with. 

 

Question: When were you last on 16 mg of Valium? 

[Dabhob33]

1 minute ago, Shep said:

Hi, Dabhob.

 

From your journal, you only took 10 mg of Valium (5 in the morning and 5 at night).

 

Question - Is this correct or did you forget to write down that 1 mg dose? 

 

 

We don't recommend drugs to help with withdrawal. 

 

Two options we can recommend: 

 

1. A slight updose in Valium.

 

OR

 

2. A small reinstatement of your AD. Please read the thread Tips for tapering off Pristiq. As written in that thread, due to Pristiq's difficulty to taper, you may want to try a very small reinstatement of Pristiq's older sibling drug, Effexor. A reinstatement dose would only be 5 beads of Effexor, just to see how you do. 

 

 

 

From your comment here, I would try a small updose of the benzo first to see if that helps. You could try 1 mg to start with. 

 

Question: When were you last on 16 mg of Valium? 

I meant to put 6 for second dose

 

ok re updose of benzo. I’m open to that

 

last on 16mg Dec 27, 2017

 

i just can’t get the fact that this bwd is going to be a horrific experience and that I’ve damaged myself out of my head.  I try to tell myself I’m setting myself up, but it doesn’t relent - even with meditation, exercise, talk therapy,....  I have ocd and have been on related meds pretty much past 10 years.    Now, live without a net?