Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

HopeForTomorrow: SSRI and benzo withdrawal


HopeForTomorrow

Recommended Posts

  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

It might be due to the Lorazepam.

 

I would try tapering that maybe 5% and see if it clears up. It will take a few days to know if that is what it is.

 

Does that sound correct @Altostrata

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
3 minutes ago, Frogie said:

@HopeForTomorrow

 

It might be due to the Lorazepam.

 

I would try tapering that maybe 5% and see if it clears up. It will take a few days to know if that is what it is.

 

Does that sound correct @Altostrata


Thanks for you help Frogie and Alto! Just let me know for sure. It seems the only thing doctors know is antipsychotics can and antidepressants can (lower risk) but not benzos. Which I feel is not true but honestly, I have no idea at this point. My nervous system feels shot since I’m SO sensitive. 
 

I could function without this eye/neurological stuff though.

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

Although I haven't read this, here is a link you might check out:

 

 

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
43 minutes ago, Frogie said:

@HopeForTomorrow

 

Although I haven't read this, here is a link you might check out:

 

 


I saw that! Nothing really sounds like mine. Its not twitching, more of a hard blink to where I squint. And then sometimes left eye goes up to the left after a big one. It feels very neurological, if that makes sense? Like from the front/top part of my brain. 
 

I’m not one to focus on symptoms but this one is the one that is debilitating. 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

I would try tapering the Lorazepam and see if that might relieve some symptoms.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
18 hours ago, Frogie said:

I would try tapering the Lorazepam and see if that might relieve some symptoms.


Hi Frogie! With my current state, I couldn’t cut yet. Yesterday, I thought I was improving from the reaction to Belladonna - some physical symptoms, migraine, eye and fatigue/weakness and some mental symptoms but didn’t take a Benadryl.

8:30pm - propranolol 5mg and vitamin C

9:30pm - Lorazepam .06mg

I didn’t sleep at all - insomnia, migraine, brain burning, eye symptoms and some akathisia type feelings and leg twitches and by 4:30am, I had another scary episode. I started feeling that horrible physical weakness, chest pressure, nausea (almost throwing up) - a milder version of my first reaction. I took 1/2 Benadryl. It calmed down a tad but felt horrible after. 

8:00am - I got up, walked outside a little, couldn’t eat much and sat outside.
 

8:30am - dexilant 30mg and probiotic

9:30am - Citalopram 1mg

 

By noon, I was starting to have another spell. This one worse than the morning. Almost went to the ER again (it gets that bad but I know that’s NOT a good idea - I cannot afford to be polydrugged with my sensitivity’s) In these spells, I have a fever of 100 but it goes away with Benadryl. 
12:30 - took 1/2 Benadryl and within an hour the episode calmed down and I just rested because I was dealing with the physical affects of whatever is going on.

 

1:30pm - Lorazepam .06mg

 

Eye symptoms/blinking/pressure/dry eyes etc. are persistent. I know the belladonna dries you out, it’s a homeopathic antihistamine. I called poison control to see if I possibly was reacting but they said if Benadryl helps, it’s not poisoning because they’re both antihistamines. 
 

I know the Benadryl dries me out too but when those spells hit, they’re very scary.

 

So I guess my question for mods is:

1. Did the eye drops somehow throw me into having some sort of tolerance withdrawal or interdose withdrawal to Lorazepam? I’m already at such a low dose and doing it 3 times a day, there’s no way I could go to 4 with crumbs.

 

2. Is this just my nervous system adjusting from the trauma from belladonna for 2 weeks? If so, is it okay to do what I’m doing and ride it out and hold for symptoms to calm down? With an episode, take a half a Benadryl? 
 

3. I had a thought that maybe my body got dependent on belladonna and I was withdrawing, that’s why Benadryl helps but my last couple of doses, I had horrible symptoms, no sleep and then the first episode the next morning. 
 

Any suggestions from mods? 2 weeks ago, fully functional. Now super sick and new symptoms arising. 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

I'm really sorry you are having such a difficult time with this pink eye.

 

I did find some information on  Drugs.com on belladonna.

 

Drowsiness, xerostomia, tachycardia, palpitation, dizziness, nervousness, urinary hesitancy and retention, decreased sweating, constipation, increased ocular tension, photophobia, blurred vision, mydriasis.

 

It is very possible you could be going through some side effects from the eye drops.

 

I would hold off tapering your lorazepam until this clears up.

 

I know it's rough, but I think it would be ok to take 1/2 benadryl to help with the side effects. Just don't rely on it too much.

 

Keep me posted please.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
30 minutes ago, Frogie said:

@HopeForTomorrow

 

I'm really sorry you are having such a difficult time with this pink eye.

 

I did find some information on  Drugs.com on belladonna.

 

Drowsiness, xerostomia, tachycardia, palpitation, dizziness, nervousness, urinary hesitancy and retention, decreased sweating, constipation, increased ocular tension, photophobia, blurred vision, mydriasis.

 

It is very possible you could be going through some side effects from the eye drops.

 

I would hold off tapering your lorazepam until this clears up.

 

I know it's rough, but I think it would be ok to take 1/2 benadryl to help with the side effects. Just don't rely on it too much.

 

Keep me posted please.


Thank you so much Frogie! I’m only using the Benadryl in crisis reactions which was twice today but only half’s each time. If it happens again (praying it doesn't) I’ll try a 1/4th. 
 

Holding on the benzo right now and praying for relief soon.

 

I can’t believe I did the drops for 2 weeks and was slowly reacting horribly to them - I guess this serves as a warning for others, as well!

 

Homeopathic does not always mean no reaction. I’ve handled Cantharis and D-mannose for UTI’s but I will be beyond careful going forward.

 

Thank you again for your support, I hope you are WELL! 🤍

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

You are very welcome!

 

I hope you feel better soon.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Since you're under care for a medical eye condition, you should talk to your eye specialist about eye symptoms and drugs.

 

What drugs changes have you made in the last 2 weeks?

 

For your daily symptom notes to be useful to us, we need to see them in this simple list format with time o’clock on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right. For example, after you took Lorazepam .06mg at 9:30 p.m., when did the "akathisia" feelings start? When did that batch of symptoms get worse?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Since you're under care for a medical eye condition, you should talk to your eye specialist about eye symptoms and drugs.


I am not under the care for an eye condition. The mild blinking started when i made the accidental 14% lorazepam cut and started before I had pink eye. I got pink eye the following week for 2 days but continued the homeopathic drops for 2 weeks.

 

Initially, with the belladonna drops, the dyskinesia went away. I thought the wave was just calming down from the cut but maybe the belladonna “helped” initially but then I continued to react as it built up in my system.

 

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

What drugs changes have you made in the last 2 weeks?


None. I have held at Lorazepam .18mg/day and Citalapram is still 1mg. I was hoping to hold here until the reaction from belladonna goes away and I was hoping the dyskinesia and brain burning would calm down and I could stabilize.

 

The most worrisome symptom now is the eye movements/dyskinesia. They are constant. They’re better when I wake up and get worse/more consistent when the day goes on. When I’m resting or eyes closed, they aren’t as bad. I feel like it’s accompanied by the severe brain burning - I just feel so destabilized. They got worse after the belladonna. I also feel physically ill but assuming that’s coming from the belladonna reaction I’m healing from. 
 

 

1/9

slept well last night but had a Benadryl yesterday for reaction symptoms to belladonna so that could’ve contributed to sleep 

5:30am - .06mg Lorazepam

6:00am-8:30am - sleep

8:30am - Probiotic and Dexilant 30mg

9:30am - Citalopram 1mg

10:00am - 12:30pm - cleaned up some, brain burning and eye symptoms gradually increased. Diarrhea (TMI) which I had as a symptom to belladonna. 

1:30pm - .06mg Lorazepam

2:00-3:00pm - brain burning/eye symptoms same

3:30-4:30pm - laid down and relaxed. Eye symptoms and brain burning calmed some. Able to somewhat relax. 
5:30pm-8:30pm - brain burning/big headache and eye symptoms constant again. Diarrhea (TMI) which I had as a symptom of reaction to belladonna. 
 

 

Do you think the dyskinesia and instability is due to the cut then reaction to the belladonna and my nervous system is trying to get calmed again? And should I hold until it does? I do not feel stable at all right now. 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Administrator

It may be dyskinesia improvement was coincidental, not caused by, the eye drops.

 

Since the eye movements are not usually associated with the low amounts of psychiatric drugs you've been taking, strongly recommend you see an eye specialist or neuro-ophthamologist to rule out a medical condition affecting your eyes.

 

Did you look into decreasing or replacing Dexilant? Perhaps you're having an odd reaction to it.

 

On 1/4/2022 at 12:25 PM, Altostrata said:

 

How far back do the odd eye movements go? Did you get them intermittently, say, a couple of years ago?

 

It would be unusual for dyskinesia to be caused by the low amounts of psychiatric drugs you've taken in the last year. Of all of them, promethazine would be the most prominent suspect, but it appears you took it only occasionally. Some PPIs have been implicated in causing dyskinesia, but very few reports for Dexilant. If you do not have a serious medical need for Dexilant, you might gradually decrease it to see if the eye movement changes.

 

Otherwise, you've been on and off psychiatric drugs for at least 9 years. Could be the benzo has been masking this all along, and reducing it has unmasked it.

 

 

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
25 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

It may be dyskinesia improvement was coincidental, not caused by, the eye drops.

 

Since the eye movements are not usually associated with the low amounts of psychiatric drugs you've been taking, strongly recommend you see an eye specialist or neuro-ophthamologist to rule out a medical condition affecting your eyes.


Thank you so much for recommending this. I get so engrained that “everything is withdrawal” so this is a good reminder to get it checked. I will keep you posted on the outcome.

 

26 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Did you look into decreasing or replacing Dexilant? Perhaps you're having an odd reaction to it.


My doctor said we could try to replace it but reminded me that YEARS ago I had a reaction to another PPI we tried (it made me anxious/feel weird) so he wanted me to be cautious. I asked him about tapering dexilant and he said it would be hard because they’re extended release capsules. Do you have any experience with that? 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment

@Altostrata @Frogie

 

Theres also one more factor in the mix here. I have had a horrible time with finding a taper method for the lorazepam. At first I was dry cutting, then the weight got so small, I tried switching to liquid. Once by my own mixture with water, it DID NOT work.  I tried 3 times to go to compound pharmacy oil mixture. 

 

Once - almond oil - it flared PGAD bad, assuming from almond oil (magnesium flares me)

Second - Olive oil but they used a different manufacturer for pill/powder. Did not work

Third - olive oil with correct manufacturer. I had to updose on this but then every minuscule .001mg cut threw me big time so something was off. 
 

I called another pharmacy, they said oil based compounds are not soluble with the lorazepam so that could have been why but still unsure. At that time, I was desperate for stability so I went back to pills and have been weighing ever since.

 

Each of my .06mg doses weighs .006g. As you can imagine, without a $1,500 pharmaceutical grade scale, it fluctuates. I try to eyeball the pills and then weight them over and over again.  Most recently, I started to get them as close to .006g as possible, then weighed the 3 together to get my days dose to .18g.

 

Ideally, I wanted to stabilize here before I made any changes but wanted your suggestions. I have outside stressors right now so stability is most important to me.
 

1. With my history, do you think I just metabolize the liquid differently and it’s not going to work for me? Or do you think a solution where it’s soluble will?

 

2. If I’m going to try liquid again, do I hold here until stable first?

 

3. I don’t really know another option. I ordered filler and tried to do it that way from home. I did that last Tuesday (day before I realized I was sick from the belladonna drops) and had a pretty bad reaction. Within 30 minutes - waves of intense fear, shivered in bed for an hour and then felt extremely “off” - this worried me that I did something incorrectly.

 

I’m obviously very sensitive to meds, any changes, etc. so I’m not sure what to do at this point.

 

Any suggestions on how to get me stabilized with my dosing issues?

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

You can try dissolving the Lorazepam in Ora-Plus. Here is a link to it. It's available at Amazon and a lot of people use it to make a liquid.

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GGHSQM/

 

They also make a liquid lorazepam, if your insurance will cover it. You might check into that.

 

I'm really sorry you are struggling so much. Hopefully one of these suggestions will help.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment

Hi @Frogie and @Altostrata!

 

My doctor prescribed liquid compound lorazepam (.1mg/1ml) that will be ready Saturday. I am hoping this helps with dosing issues. 
 

Alto, I went to the doctor for my eyes and blinking. They are not worried and say it’s severe dry eyes and inflammation which I’ve never had before (thanks withdrawal). I also have super dry sinuses.

 

They recommended preservative free eye drops and MSM eye drops (methylsulfonylmethane). The ingredients are methylsulfonylmethane 185mg, distilled water, and vitamin C 74mcg.

 

Would either of these be dangerous with my extreme sensitivities?
 

I tried a couple drops of Refresh Optive Advanced eye drops (ingredients: carboxymethylcellulose .5%, glycerin 1%, polysorbate 80 .5%) - I got some relief but major headache after. 

 

I am going to add turmeric and chia seeds to my diet to see if that helps, as well. Omega-3 supplements I react too.

 

Thank you so much for your help!

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

That's wonderful news on the liquid. It will be so much easier to taper, as you can get an exact dose with a syringe.

 

As for the eye drops, I have very dry eyes. I just use a saline eye drop and use it 3 or 4 times a day and it doesn't bother me at all. All it is is salt water. You might try that and see if that helps before introducing something else.

 

Just a suggestion.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
  • 4 weeks later...

Hi @Frogie and @Altostrata!

 

I tried to switch to liquid lorazepam again and it was a fail. After 9 days, I was very sick. I react to something in liquid so I’m having to go back to dry cutting.  
 

Anyways, I’m back to pills and was going to start tapering in 2 days due to what I feel is probably tolerance to lorazepam. Over the last month (with no cutting) I’ve had new symptoms arise and just gradually feeling worse and worse. I have a lot of support right now and if I’m ever going to buckle down and cut, now is the time. Being scared of cutting and withdrawal has just gotten me worse. 
 

Last night, I thought I would cut my propranolol from 5mg to 2.5mg. I was thinking some of my extreme fatigue, insomnia, etc. could be from the propranolol. After 2 hours of just 2.5mg, my heart was pounding like never before with chest pains, I got pretty scared and took the additional 2.5mg. This helped a tad but I had horrid symptoms all night including heart racing and chest pains. I checked my blood pressure at one point and it was a tad low. I was nauseous and could not sleep at all. I still feel pretty bad this morning, stomach upset and overall weakness. 

 

Blood pressure/heart rate has been normal while on it over the last year. Just last night turned a little scary as I had no idea that withdrawal symptoms could come like that from a “low dose” of it! I was prescribed it when I was having akathisia from the Citalopram and just never went off trying to stabilize and not make any changes while tapering lorazepam. 
 

I did just read that 10% cuts should be made on propranolol which makes sense to me now and will definitely go much slower when it’s time to cut. 
 

Do you think these symptoms are just from the change in my dosing of propranolol? I plan to go back to dosing how I was until I’m off of the lorazepam and “healed” but I want to make sure you guys didn’t feel as if the propranolol is hurting me?

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

I'm really sorry the liquid did work out. It just makes it so much easier to taper off of. But I understand about having reactions to medications.

 

Just take your time and crush and weigh the lorazepam. 

 

Hold on the propranolol, because you will have to taper off of it. But we can do that after you get off the lorazepam and feel better.

 

Hang in there. It will work out.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
2 hours ago, Frogie said:

@HopeForTomorrow

 

I'm really sorry the liquid did work out. It just makes it so much easier to taper off of. But I understand about having reactions to medications.

 

Just take your time and crush and weigh the lorazepam. 

 

Hold on the propranolol, because you will have to taper off of it. But we can do that after you get off the lorazepam and feel better.

 

Hang in there. It will work out.


Definitely holding on the propranolol and praying this settles soon from the one night mess up. 
 

I know, I’m so frustrated with taper methods but I react so badly to everything it seems. I’m so sensitive. 
 

For the lorazepam, I have been filing with a nail file and weighing. I plan to go down .001grams each cut (I’m currently at .018grams (.18mg). Should I be crushing and weighing them instead? 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

It's better to weigh 10 lorazepam tablets and then divide that number by 10 to get a baseline average weight. Once you get the baseline weight, you don't have to re-weigh all tablets.  Then crush and weigh ten at a time so you get the active ingredient in all your doses because the pharmacy companies don't mix the active ingredient in the tablet evenly in manufacturing.

 

 

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment
  • Administrator

How often do you take propranolol? What is your current drug schedule, with dosages?

 

In what way did using the liquid not work for you?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
28 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

How often do you take propranolol? What is your current drug schedule, with dosages?

 

 


5:30am - Lorazepam .06mg

8:30am - Dexilant 30mg and Probiotic

9:30am - Citalopram 1mg

1:30pm - Lorazepam .06mg

8:30pm - Propranolol 5mg and Vitamin C 500mg

9:30pm - Lorazepam .06mg

 

I was placed on propranolol for akathisia during the adverse reaction to Citalopram. I suffered on Citalopram for 2 weeks and my only relief was the propranolol.  When I cold turkeyed, akathisia stopped but I was so destabilized, I didn’t stop the propranolol and have continued it through benzo withdrawal. I didn’t think I had issues with it until last night.

 

I had a brief thought that it could be hurting and causing some insomnia - I cut it in half and within 2 hours was ILL. Hot all over, heart pounding, panic. It was insane. Nothing like I’ve ever felt in withdrawal. I took the other half 2 1/2 hours later. It calmed some but still had pretty rough symptoms throughout the night with insomnia and all day today felt horrid physical symptoms. Nausea/no appetite, can’t really get out of bed, just really, really, really awful. I mean, what in the world is that from? I took the rest of it 2 1/2 hours later, you wouldn’t think I would have such severe withdrawal/hellaciously ill symptoms. 

 

35 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

In what way did using the liquid not work for you?


It felt like each dose was a stimulant initially. Then insomnia but I just choked that up to the adjustment. But then, by the 4th day I couldn’t hold my head up. Horrid flu like symptoms. It felt like I was slowly poisoning myself. My pharmacist thought it was possibly the alcohol in it but not sure. I also reacted to compound capsules similarly except had shortness of breath. It’s very frustrating as I’ve exhausted every option for a different taper method and they have all failed miserably. 
 

I am feeling very destabilized physically. I’m not sure if I’ve developed tolerance to lorazepam or if it’s turned paradoxical or if the propranolol has been doing harm behind the scenes and I just didn’t know it. I try to track my symptoms but they do not make sense. I do know, since the end of December, I have some sort of a stimulating reaction in the evenings after propranolol and after lorazepam. I eventually go to sleep but it takes time of trying to calm down the irritability and anxiety. 
 

I thought this was due to instability from eye drop reaction. But it was also at this time I developed the eye tics. 
 

Sometimes I feel like I react to the morning or afternoon dose of lorazepam and other times I don’t?

 

I have been hovering over the same dose of lorazepam for a year and I wonder if it’s just turned on me and is making me extremely ill. Or if the propranolol is? I went through several moments of stability over the last year and propranolol never seemed to cause insomnia or a panicky response) although I have always taken propranolol and lorazepam close together in the evenings.

 

I am seeing a functional neurologist for the eye tics who think they are a sign of nervous system instability and possible benzo withdrawal. She didn’t mention anything about propranolol being an issue and I didn’t think it was at all until the reaction I had last night after tampering with dose. 
 

Any suggestions? I was going to start a more “rapid” taper (but still within guidelines) of lorazepam tomorrow. I have prepared and have the support now to do it.

 

Is it safe to hold propranolol through this process? I am so lost. My withdrawal has never made sense and at this point, I’m already suffering tremendously and I just want off of the BB and benzo. I wish I never would’ve taken the benzo and BB but it was before I found you guys. 
 

I will worry about the taper from Citalopram once I’m in a much better place from these withdrawals and symptoms. 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Administrator

You take propranolol only once a day?

 

Since you take clonazepam and propranolol so close together, you could be mistaking symptoms resulting from the benzo for those caused by propranolol.

 

Propranolol lowers blood pressure. If you're adapted to it, if you decrease it, you can get rebound blood pressure spikes. To go off, all you need to do is to decrease it by smaller amounts than 50%, over a week or so.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
32 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

You take propranolol only once a day?

Yes, I always have. 5mg at night. 
 

I hadn’t had issues that I was aware of unless I was just unable to pinpoint it. Can the BB turn on me like this randomly? 

 

Example - last Thursday - Was calm that night. Took medications like normal and fell asleep nicely. Friday night, issues going to sleep with physical anxiety.
 

Saturday night, I did 2.5mg propranolol instead - within 2 1/2 hours I was in torture physical anxiety with adrenaline rushes and ILL. I then took the other 2.5mg out of fear. It eased a tad but then had insomnia symptoms, physical anxiety. Woke up this morning so ill physically. Definite stomach upset with nausea, no appetite, could barely drink water, laid around. I haven’t felt this bad physically the entire withdrawal! I did doze off around 3:30pm for about 20 minutes and then woke up feeling horrid again. Felt horrid pretty much all evening with malaise but I would say it calmed down a tad at random moments. Eating seemed to help temporarily ease symptoms. I took my doses this evening and bam, up with physical anxiety. Almost like a stimulating reaction. Stomach upset. Heart pounding (although not near as bad at when I only took 2.5mg last night) but bad insomnia. 
 

I monitored my HR and BP all day. HR seemed a little elevated. BP was on the lower side of normal. 

 

So you think these symptoms are propranolol tolerance/dependency/withdrawal? And I should taper them first before lorazepam?

 

Whew, after this reaction consider me terrified of how my body will react to this. But at this point, I want off both desperately. 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

Here's some information on tapering off Propranolol.

 

Tips for tapering off propranolol

 

Hope this helps.

 

And please let me know if you need help or have any questions on the lorazepam

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment

@Frogie @Altostrata

 

I went to the doctor today. I took 5mg propranolol last night. Was up with insomnia/heart racing and anxiety until it wore off around 1am. Then woke up with bad physical anxiety and feeling horrid again. 
 

I went to the doctor, my blood pressure is low so they want me to discontinue propranolol. They think I’m having side effects to propranolol and want me off of it before the lorazepam taper so we can differentiate what is what. 
 

With the sudden withdrawal I had from cutting to 2.5mg, I am scared. I know it’s very much recommended to taper everything on here - she said I could taper over the week and discontinue. Thats different than the 10% method recommended.


Is this okay? I could do 2 days at 3.75, 2 days at 2.5, 2 days at 1.25 then off? 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Administrator
10 minutes ago, HopeForTomorrow said:

Is this okay? I could do 2 days at 3.75, 2 days at 2.5, 2 days at 1.25 then off? 

 

You may wish to give it 3 days for each decrease.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment
9 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

You may wish to give it 3 days for each decrease.

 

Good idea - I'm dreading it. Although she says withdrawal is minimal, my reaction to 2.5mg was a little scary and I of course, read online where withdrawal was brutal.


She said dry eyes and eye symptoms, insomnia, fatigue and malaise could all be side effects to propranolol and wants it gone for benzo withdrawal. Propranolol can lead to sleep disorders, I had no idea.

 

I am dreading these withdrawals but I guess it's one more med I'm getting off of, thank God.

 

Thank you for your help, Alto.

The fact that you and Frogie volunteer and help others out of experience and kindness of your hearts is incredible. I have endless gratitude.

 

@Frogie - when the time is right to taper the benzo, I will have to cut by weight - .001grams hopefully each week since I am dry cutting. I'm at .006grams 3 times a day. I'm guessing once they get a little lighter, I will have to crush and weigh. It's going to be more difficult to cut, I know but I've exhausted all other options.

 

Thank you again.

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

You may have to "eyeball" your taper. Because the scales aren't accurate that low. But it's ok. You can get a baseline weight and we can go from there when you are ready. 

 

Just let me know and I'll be happy to help you out.

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment

Hey guys -

 

My doctor prescribed hydroxyzine if “things got rough” in withdrawal from propranolol (and benzo withdrawal when time is right) and insomnia made me desperate. She said it’s like Benadryl and no dependency can be developed. 
 

I have taken benadryl when desperate for sleep, as you guys know. Maybe one every 3 weeks or so.

 

It’s hydroxyzine HCL - I tried to search here but had a hard time finding anything. Drug interactions said that it can cause issues with higher doses of Celexa (heart palpitations) and that it needs doctor supervision but my doctor said that’s rare especially with my “low dose” of Celexa.


So, is it safe for emergencies? My first line of defense is always coping and pushing through - I have learned invaluable tools that have gotten me through hell. BUT, if desperate, Benadryl will be on standby. Then I thought if it gets severe and I’m just absolutely desperate, hydroxyzine.

 

Again, I am 100% going the med free route unless it gets absolutely chronic and desperate.

 

What do you think? My doctor has been through benzo withdrawal (not SSRI) so she is absolutely supportive and does a lot of research to help me. So I trust her somewhat but still want to do my due diligence.

 

Thanks again!

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • 7 months later...

Hey @Frogieand @Altostrata!

 

it’s been a while. I came off of Ativan and my last dose was in April. I also came off of propranolol prior to that (it was causing sleep issues - I felt much better off). 
 

I was definitely struggling but having windows and waves. Windows were just starting to look decent when I got Covid, a UTI/antibiotic and stomach virus (within 2 weeks) about 6 weeks ago. 
 

Symptoms went crazy but newest symptoms (I didn’t have before) are derealization, headaches/migraines, anhedonia, extreme anxiety at times, unable to handle a lot of stimulation, GI distress.

 

Right now, I’m definitely in acute and not really functioning. 

 

I am seeing a functional neurologist but have been very careful with any recommendations. She did find Candida antibodies in a iGe blood test and suspects I have an underlying gut issue or Candida overgrowth. Haven’t decided yet if I’m going to follow through with her treatments right now due to acute - a lot of it is neurological therapies (red light therapy, eye movement therapy, hyperbaric chamber) + treating gut issues with supplements and probiotic. 

 

Anyway, she recommended Quercetin 500mg since a low histamine diet helped prior to Covid. I was/am reacting to chemicals, a lot of foods, etc. I took it for around 9 days. I stopped for 2 days and headaches/migraine came back and it seemed anxiety came back with it. I came here and saw someone say Quercetin isn’t good to take while on Celexa. Something about it can make the effects of Celexa increase in the liver? HUH? I think maybe Brass Monkey mentioned it. I have serious fear of supplements and medications but it does seem as if the Quercetin was helping ever so slightly. But now I’m like “was it helping because it was increasing Celexa OR is it just a good supplement for inflammation?”
 

I’m only on 1mg Celexa (I was holding to get far away from benzo withdrawal before even messing with it out of fear of added withdrawal and not knowing what is what). 
 

My questions:

1. Is Quercetin okay to take while on 1mg Celexa? I definitely do not want to further complicate SSRI withdrawal.

2. Do you think any of my problems are the 1mg Celexa at this point or just benzo withdrawal and recent sicknesses? I guess my question really should be - is there any chance Celexa is hurting me further at this point?

3. Out of curiosity for the future - at what mg do you get off of SSRI’s? Is there a standard since 10% would last forever? 

 

I hope you guys are doing so well!

Thank you so much!

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment

Just read my previous post too -

I got off propranolol. It wasn’t fun but withdrawal didn’t last too long. Then went into benzo taper/withdrawal.

 

The eye symptom ended up being blepharospams. It stopped midway through lorazepam taper! So confirmed I was in tolerance withdrawal from lorzepam. It came back towards the end and still flares but now not worried because I know it’s common with benzos and withdrawal. 
 

Wish I never took a benzo! It really messed things up for me but hindsight is 20/20. 
 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
1 hour ago, HopeForTomorrow said:

But now I’m like “was it helping because it was increasing Celexa OR is it just a good supplement for inflammation?”

Sorry for the double posts. I also haven’t slept the last 2 nights - maybe 2 hours between the 2. I really hope I didn’t mess with Celexa and that withdrawal. Ugh. 
 

What do you think?

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment

@Altostrata
 

Night 3 of no sleep. I tried Benadryl and melatonin out of desperation and it didn’t work.

 

At this point I’m either thinking Quercetin affected the Celexa OR Celexa has been an underlying problem that came out with Covid, UTI, antibiotic and adding Quercetin tipped it over the edge?

 

Any suggestions? Should I start to lean towards coming off Celexa or wait this out? 
 

I am completely stumped and miserable. 

Celexa 10mg - 2012-2014 - "pooped out" Crossover to Paxil 20mg 2014 Crossover from Paxil to Lexapro 20mg 2016

Zofran (as needed every day for pregnancy) - October ‘19-May ‘20 - CT after delivery

Crossover from Lexapro to Celexa May 2020 - gradually increased to 30mg. Once hit 30mg, over a couple weeks started to have adverse reaction. Impending doom, akathisia/anxiety BAD for 2 weeks - took me 2 weeks to figure out it was Celexa since it was a delayed reaction Cold Turkey July 2020 Withdrawal hit hard - hypersexual. Discovered PGAD through google - freaked out thinking the only "cure" was medicine because that's what PGAD facebook group said...bad idea Prescribed Lorazepam for symptoms - around .25-.5mg/day -- Got on Lorazepam schedule of .125mg 3 times a day. October 2020 - Stabilized on 1mg Celexa and .375mg Lorazepam

Finally off Lorazepam April 2022, thank God!

Celexa reinstatement stopped PGAD mostly (still have random flares).

Dexilant 30mg - 2009 - August ‘23 - OFF

CURRENT MEDS--

Celexa 1mg (9:30am)- October 2020-Present (Decrease to .9mg 3/9/23 - updose back to 1mg 3/10/23)

Quercetin 250mg - September 22-Current for Post-Covid (Calms fight or flight, helped - if I stop, insomnia horribly)

Link to comment
  • Moderator

@HopeForTomorrow

 

Have you tried putting these into the interaction checker on drugs.com? That would be the first place I would go to check for interactions. Supplements sometimes can be worse than anything because they are not regulated and may contain many ingredients that can cause multi symptoms. You might continue a histamine diet since that is safe.

 

Also, I would be reluctant to try all the things the functional neurologist suggests (red light therapy, eye movement therapy, hyperbaric chamber) + treating gut issues with supplements and probiotic, without researching all of these first. What they do to the body, especially when tapering psychiatric medications.

 

You say you took an antibiotic, correct? What antibiotic did you take? They can throw you into wd also. 

 

I would not take Benadryl for sleep. You could try melatonin, but more is not better. Try 0.3 mg. It will not make you sleep, but can help keep you stay asleep. Try shutting off the tv, computer and phone a couple of hours before bed as blue light can disturb your sleep also. You might try an Epson salt bath before bed also. Those help some people.

 

It won't take forever to taper off of 1 mg Celexa. You could try the Brassmonkey slide when stable. You would taper 2.5% a week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 weeks. Just look how far you have gotten, not how far you have to go.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Edited by Frogie

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy