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Deena question about klonopin and trazedone


Deena

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Past withdrawal from Ativan (15  2 mg pills).  Foolishly took klonopin 10 times .25 dose. Feeling bad but it could be due to the health reason and anxiety I took it for. Do I need to taper? Also have taken 50 mg nightly (a few times took a 100) Trazedone for 2 months. What kind of taper is needed?

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a peer owned and run forum of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs. Congratulations for getting off of the Ativan!  I'm glad that you are researching how to properly taper before starting your taper.  I will need to know more about your Klonopin use before I can advise.  Did you take them each day, or just once every few days, or what?  How long ago was your Ativan withdrawal?  We suggest you only do 1 taper at a time. 

 

First of all, can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.  

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

 Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Tapering is best done extremely slowly, and we taper by 10% of the current dose no more than once every 4 weeks, so that the taper becomes exponentially smaller.

 

 Why Taper by 10% of my Dosage  

 

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. This is extremely important. 

 

Considerations About Stability Stop Jumping Around

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

When we recover, there are times of feeling OK mixed in with times of feeling bad.  This is called windows and waves.

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 


Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. When we know more about your drug history, we can give you some guidance on how to taper the drugs.  

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

 

I am extremely sensitive to all meds one Lexapro was horrific. 

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

Forgot to mention I tapered off the Adderall from August to October 2018

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

I took the Ativan intermittently over the course of a few months ( not sure if it was two or three) 1 mg to sleep. This was because the Adderall 30 mgs was starting to keep me up at night. I never realized I was dependent until I was in pain in every muscle in my body. I took 15 pills out of 60. I never tapered I just stopped. It took a while to feel ok. Then I quit the Adderall by cutting dosage it took 2.5 months. It took a year to feel normal. After a physical and mental trauma I got a prescription for klonopin meaning to take 2 at the most. But two turned into 9.5 .5 pills with the majority taken over the last three weeks. The trazadone 50 mgs was to sleep following this trauma. I’ve taken 42 pills in last 52 days. I skipped a few nights and doubled up a few nights. I’m 66 years old and not resilient like I was. Since I have taken 42 pills total do I still need to cut by 10 percent? It seems overwhelming. And with the klonopin do I have to start taking to taper after taking 10 pills. I spoke to psychiatric nurse today who was of absolutely no help. My problem is health trauma which caused me take drugs has so many symptoms I can’t tell what is problem and what could be withdrawal.

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

Oh my god. I have been reading other posts and realize I may be having significant adverse effects from trazadone that I attributed to panic. Tremors numbness dyskenesia and now I’m in a panic. Do I taper or stop before symptoms worsen?? Help please!

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

I also have had leg arm feet and hand numbness as well as significant suicidal ideation and made a pretty serious attempt last week. When I saved myself at last second from hanging I thought I was done but started investigating how to buy a gun all day yesterday. Ythis all started within last month I started trazadone 8 weeks ago!

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

I can not sleep past dawn no matter what time I go to bed. I am fearful that the trazadone has somehow fed into my dopamine depleted brain fro years of Adderall abuse and that I have screwed myself forever. Feeling despondent. Went to bed at 330!up at 630. What do I do???

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

Basically what I need to know is whether all of the significant miserable problems numbness of feet legs hands dyskinesia suicidal warrant a faster taper off trazadone? I’m afraid I may not survive a slow taper…

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

I can’t figure out how to put my history in signature!

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
23 hours ago, Deena said:

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

 

18 hours ago, Deena said:

I took the Ativan intermittently over the course of a few months ( not sure if it was two or three) 1 mg to sleep.

In this case, I doubt you developed a dependency on Ativan since you did not take it every day, and didn't take many pills at all.  

 

I'm assuming you have not taken a Klonopin since the end of May?  If this is the case, if I were you, I would just stop the Klonopin, especially since you are very sensitive to meds.  I also used to take Xanax (a benzo like Klonopin) to help me sleep about 3 times per week, and I was able to just stop without a benzo withdrawal.  This was 1.5 years ago.  

 

18 hours ago, Deena said:

The trazadone 50 mgs was to sleep following this trauma. I’ve taken 42 pills in last 52 days. I skipped a few nights and doubled up a few nights

This could be causing problems for you.  We do not suggest you skip doses, or alter your dose.  Please read this: 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/22958-never-skip-doses-to-taper/?tab=comments#comment-488827

 

If I were you, I would: 

 

1) stop the Klonopin altogether 

 

2) take the trazodone 50 mg each and every night for a while.  It may very well take a long time, as in months.   Please be very patient.  Your nervous system has been through a lot with the various bad reactions to the Lexapro, Buspar, etc.  It needs some time to heal from this, and find it's equilibrium. Wait until you feel stabilized.  Then, you can begin a gradual 10% per month taper as per the link above in my first post.  Whatever you do, please don't freak out and jump off the trazodone cold turkey, or do a too fast taper. That could make you worse.  Here is a link on how to taper Trazodone: 

 

Tips for Tapering Trazodone

 

18 hours ago, Deena said:

I have been reading other posts and realize I may be having significant adverse effects from trazadone that I attributed to panic. Tremors numbness dyskenesia and now I’m in a panic.

Or, these symptoms could be from the adverse reaction to the Lexapro and the Buspar.  Either way, we will deal with this, and get you off these drugs.  

 

 

9 hours ago, Deena said:

I can not sleep past dawn no matter what time I go to bed. I am fearful that the trazadone has somehow fed into my dopamine depleted brain fro years of Adderall abuse and that I have screwed myself forever. Feeling despondent. Went to bed at 330!up at 630. What do I do???

Insomnia is a very common and typical withdrawal symptom.  It will gradually get better with time.  If I were you, I would go to bed earlier.  When the sun starts coming up, our cortisol naturally (in all people) starts to go up, and many of us wake up at that time.  By going to bed at 10 or 10:30, you will have more of a chance to get some sleep at night when it is dark.  

 

18 hours ago, Deena said:

When I saved myself at last second from hanging I thought I was done but started investigating how to buy a gun all day yesterday. Ythis all started within last month I started trazadone 8 weeks ago!

 

Please read 

 

Desperate or Suicidal

 

Suicidal thoughts and urges are also common during withdrawal from psych meds.   I sincerely hope you do not take your own life.  Please try and have hope.  Many people have recovered from withdrawal syndrome. I'm also in my early 60's, and my life is much better now than it was in early recovery.  Read some of the success stories to give you hope: 

 

Success Stories

 

To create your drug signature, please click on your name in the upper right hand corner of the screen.  Select account settings.  Then select signature from the list on the left.  You will see a box.  Type in your drug history there, just like you did it in the post.  Then, click save.  Thank you.  

 

Finally here are some links to help with anxiety and panic.  These are very simple, but helpful.  

 

Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)
 
 
Hang in there, and don't give up!  Stay with us.  It gets better.  It's slow, which is frustrating, but there is hope.  

 

 

Edited by getofflex

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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Thank you so much for all of the wonderful support!!

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

@DeenaYou're welcome.  😀☀️

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

Link to comment

I’ve been on trazadone 8 weeks. If I follow the 10 percent taper i will be on this drug for a long time while it is giving me horrid symptoms. I feel so torn wondering if this is the best course. I have read everything about slow taper but as an old woman who has add I am so overwhelmed. You have to be so organized just reading about how to do it has fried my brain. It’s like you need a math degree and chemistry degree. Of course doctors are telling me I’ll be ok after such a short while cutting down quickly but that is terrifying too. Is there a happy medium? I’m so anxious!

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

I’ve been up since 4 am and since I can’t sleep I’ve been reading info on tapering. I am despondent there is no way I’m going to be able to do all of this. Everyone seems so intelligent and just reading about this seems so daunting. Makes me suicidal thinking there’s no hope for me. Would a compounding pharmacy be helpful? How do I get a dr to prescribe properly?

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
On 6/20/2021 at 5:36 AM, Deena said:

there is no way I’m going to be able to do all of this

I believe you can do this if you really want to.  

 

On 6/19/2021 at 5:53 PM, Deena said:

I’ve been on trazadone 8 weeks. If I follow the 10 percent taper i will be on this drug for a long time while it is giving me horrid symptoms. I feel so torn wondering if this is the best course.

 

Can you please describe what these horrid symptoms are? 

 

Unfortunately, these drugs create a physical dependency after only 4 weeks.  

 

Please re read the link I gave you on "why taper by 10%" in my first post. In there, our founder altostrata says "EXCEPTION: IF YOU ARE HAVING A SEVERE ADVERSE REACTION TO A DRUG, YOU MAY WANT TO GO OFF FASTER. Some adverse reactions, such as abnormal liver tests or strong allergic reactions, indicate potential organ damage". 

 

I realize you are having some adverse effects from the Trazodone; however,  we must weigh the adverse effects against the risk of going into severe withdrawal and crashing your nervous system.  We at SA use a harm reduction approach, which is conservative.  We have seen too many people rush a taper and end up very sick for many months or years.   Altostrata also says later in the thread "If you are not having a serious adverse effect, which would show up in blood tests or other physical tests, the risk of withdrawal syndrome is greater than the health risk of the drug. You would want to avoid withdrawal syndrome with gradual tapering."

 

Here is post that discusses when an adverse reaction necessitates a fast taper: 

 

When to Taper Faster Due to Adverse Reaction 

 

So the protocol at SA is, only do a faster taper for a SEVERE adverse reaction, not a mild or moderate one.  You need to ask yourself if you feel you are having a SEVERE adverse reaction. If you feel you are having a severe reaction, then doing a faster taper may be warranted.  The key is to try to go with the lesser of 2 evils.  Let me know what you decide.  

 

Edited by getofflex

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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Thank you so much for you help. I have numb legs and feet akinisia and severe suicidal ideation. As in planning in detail.  Also choking globus of throat. Also severe insomnia. What do you think??

Edited by Deena
Autocorrect

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

When I wrote the above comment I was 4 days into a fast taper which left me in horrible shape. I had tremors akinisia and have had suicidal thoughts non stop all day and night for days. I took 3 quarters of a pill for two days he half pills for two days. By fifth day yesterday I took a 25 in the morning to make up for the half taken on Sat night. Regretted taking it and was not sure what to do. Decided to follow  your suggestion and return to 50 last night ( day 6). Fifteen minutes later felt like I was on speed. Head started pounding. Went to bed. At 11. Freaking out. Slept from 1230 to 430. Woke up and tried 6 times to hang myself. Husband came in room to find me sitting there with scarf around my neck. What do I do now?? I can’t live like this. I was a happy functional person til mid March who never had suicidal thoughts.

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Deena, please call one of these numbers right away.  Someone else will come soon to give you more guidance.  

 

CLEVELAND

The Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland

Crisis Intervention & Referral Service

Open Every Night from
8pm to Midnight 

(216) 721-1115 

CLEVELAND 
Free Crisis Services 

Sunday-Thursday 6pm-2am
Friday-Saturday 8pm-4am

We respect your privacy. 
All calls are confidential and anonymous.
Our counselors receive
extensive hotline training. 

(216) 251-7722 

CLEVELAND

24-Hour Crisis Hotline 

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Deena,

I think if it was me, I would take just 25 mg of Trazodone tonight.

I've read your narratives, and description of symptoms almost immediately after your last 50 mg dose, and I sure would not want you to take that much again.

Stay away from alcohol, or any other substances right now.

 

My heart goes out to you, for what you are experiencing now.

Some pretty intense symptoms indeed and we want you to have every hope for full recovery and healing.

 

Call for help if you need to, this is only a temporary state, and not worth dying for.  Things can change with the internal agitation, and all the thoughts that go with it.......  Things will change for the better.

 

I really think you need a bit more than we can offer right now.

 

It could be benzo withdrawal or trazodone wd, so hard to tell just what is what just yet.  But I know that WD can be fierce.  It's no crime to seek additional help in your area.

 

We are just an internet forum, not a crisis site.

I was able to get your information into a signature, you'll see it below your posts now.

 

Sending out all the positives for you now, to this great Universe.

 

Please do update us when you can and we can go from there.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth, and hugs,

manymoretodays

 

 

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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Please don’t abandon me in my taper. I reached out for help and feel much calmer now. Should I start tapering from 25? And when should I start the 10 percent?

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Deena,

No, not abandoning.  I know you are having some pretty intense waves of symptoms that are very difficult to manage though, and we just need to know you can stay safe on the ground/where you are at.   Feeling really confused and being cognitively impaired, is a symptom of WD(withdrawal) too.  Just so you know.  We're used to it.   I'm only here really sparingly right now, others moderators and members may stop in to help too though, and get to know you.  

You've got our support, okay? 

 

How are you doing today?  And how did it go last night after a lowered dose, if you went that route.

 

Great to hear you had some calming.  That's a great sign.  And that you were able to reach out locally as well.

 

Generally the dependency with drugs like Trazodone will set in after even just one months usage.

With the benzo's it can happen in only 2 weeks time.

That just means that your brain has adapted and changed a bit, around the drugs/medications.

How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made.  The CNS likes stability. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.

 

Then when we attempt a too fast withdrawal from them, sometimes symptoms like yours will occur.  Same with a reaction to a drug, which may have happened with the Buspar and Lexapro trials. 

So we promote a more harm reduction approach, if possible.

Which in your case, like so many here, you were unaware of, and then even ill advised on.

 

You've already come through a withdrawal from Adderall, and you remember that it did take a while to feel normal again.  That was probably WD(withdrawal).  Sometimes it can be avoided or minimized, other times not. 

So we promote a more harm reduction approach, if possible.

Which in your case, like so many here, you were unaware of, and then even ill advised on.

 

You've shown some great strengths already Deena. 

 

And sweetie, I realize you won't be able to read all the links at once, but I am adding a few more, to the ones that getofflex, has given you above.  That way you'll have them here on your Introduction page to refer too, and read and utilize when you can.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome

 

It sounds like you got hit hard with some tough anxiety around a health issue, and so far, to date, nothing has really helped in the way of drugs and may have even made it much worse. 

 

The changing drugs since March, and then changing doses, and variable times that you have been taking your medications have all played a role in the symptoms you are experiencing now.

 

So we take it from here, where you are at now.

19 hours ago, Deena said:

Should I start tapering from 25? And when should I start the 10 percent?

 

I would recommend several months, before you start tapering.  And giving your nervous system some much needed stability now.  If you can tolerate the 25 mg dose, it may be best to just do what we call a HOLD, for several months, before attempting another withdrawal.

Just staying on the the same dose, at the same time may help.

Let's just take it a day at a time for now, and try not to figure it all out today, rush to the end, or catastrophize.

 

Best I can do is give you links to more information here, which should help you feel a bit more empowered about what is going on.  Just take in what you can, when you can.

Stabilizing- what does that mean?

 

And......you've had a window.  That period of calm, when you posted last.  And yay!  Gives you time to gather your wits, and continue on with hope and healing.
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization


And then learning and beginning to use some of the non-drug coping skills.  We've got a whole forum devoted to those called Symptoms and Self Care.

I'll point you to a few of the post there to get more familiar with and try:

"Change the channel"- dealing with cognitive symptoms

Neuro-emotions

Weighed blankets and bedtents for restlessness, akathisia, insomnia, and anxiety

and I am starting to see the blankets ^, now available fairly cheap, online and at local retailers

Tips to help sleep

 

I think I'll stop there, so as not to overwhelm.  And do let us know how the last 24 hours have been for you.

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays
thought a saw a repeat phrase somewhere

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment

Thank you all. 

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment

Thank you all.  I am going to stabilize at 25 and taper from there. But the side effects are so bad that I wonder if I should taper sooner? How do you know what are side effects and what is withdrawal?

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

Link to comment
  • Administrator
On 6/17/2021 at 2:08 PM, Deena said:

Adderall 30 mg X-R October 1997-July 2018

Ativan 2 mg (15 pills total I believe in 2017)

Buspar took 3 days in April 2021 ( 20 mgs total)

Lexapro 1 10 mg pill May 2021

Klonopin 1 .5 pill; 9 .25 mg pills (scattered over one month) May 2021

Trazadone 50 mgs April 26 2021 to present (took 100 approximately 4 times; skipped a few nights as well).

 

I am extremely sensitive to all meds one Lexapro was horrific. 

 

@Deena what happened when you took Lexapro in May? Have you been taking Klonopin and trazodone because of that reaction?

 

What are your symptoms? Does 25mg trazodone help you sleep? What are the symptoms you attribute to trazodone?

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.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Deena,

Just checking in and wondering how you are doing this past 24 to 48 hours?

And still cheering you on too.

Oh so hoping you've had more of the calm windows, as well as some healing sleep.

 

If you can answer Alto's questions above too, when you get back that will be helpful, in getting to just what might have happened with this drug go round.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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