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Elaine5: Introduction


Elaine5

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Going from 15mg to 14mg of Belsomra tonight with intention of reevaluating after some days/week and making another small cut. 
 

I also changed the timing back to what it was before. The last 4 nights I have taken Belsomra after propanolol (12am) between 12:30am and 1:30am. I had been taking Belsomra before propanolol for about two weeks between 11:30pm and 12:30am and thought it was causing more issues. 
 

Signature updated. 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Moderator Emeritus
23 hours ago, ElaineBenes5 said:

Going from 15mg to 14mg of Belsomra tonight with intention of reevaluating after some days/week and making another small cut.

This sounds like a prudent plan.  Let us know how it goes. Be sure and listen to your body when deciding to make reductions.  

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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  • Administrator

I would rather you stop messing around with the timing of your drugs, @ElaineBenes5 You are introducing confounders, which means when you have problems, we'll have to say, "we don't know". So good luck with your taper.

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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Well I can stick to the timing as of now. 
 

 

1st day of 14mg: Took Belsomra and then fell asleep within 2 hours. Slept very well, 9 hours on and off. Felt lethargic all day but no worse off than usual. Some increased anxiety at times and strange feeling in brain, like numb? Very lethargic and took a sort of nap in evening (very light sleep, not quite sleeping at all but deep rest). Overall tolerable. 

 

Overnight however, things do not feel good after taking the second dose of 14mg. 
 

Felt better just before having to take Belsomra again. Then felt okay for a few hours watching tv. Felt sleepy but then noticed more tingling/restless legs feeling in left leg. Some waves of panic emanating from stomach/chest. Feel really sleep deprived and keep moving legs in bed. Uncomfortable and scared. anytime I relax into the start of sleep, I feel a panic feeling in my stomach and a small jerk in a different muscle group which makes me feel more panic and awake. 
 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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I am wondering if the powdered Belsomra in the capsule is absorbed differently or if there an additive is not agreeing with me from the capsules. Like it’s supposed to be 14mg but since it’s been crushed the body absorbs more of it than the 15mg pill. 
 

i called Merck to ask if it’s okay to cut/crush tablets and they said “they cannot recommend it” due to it being a controlled substance and the chance that doing so won’t deliver an accurate or full/even dose. … how else is someone supposed to wean off it then? 
 

i feel unwell. Like about to be physically sick mixed with anxious, dizzy, tingling in legs, really out of it in a way that is new. I didn’t sleep at all. I don’t feel activated/agitated like how previously Belsomra may have led to, this feels different and worse? I don’t know if I’d want to take the compounded capsules again feeling like this. Other options? 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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I really hope this passes soon. Refuse to go to hospital because they would just give out a benzo. 
 

this feeling is brutal. Absolutely all encompassing discomfort. Cannot rest stand relax anywhere that feels okay.  Worst I’ve ever felt. 
 

not sure what happened between last night and this morning but not good. 
 

would tonight warrant going back to 15mg? What would be most likely to get rid of this awful feeling? I could file the pill and weigh it on my Gemini scale until it’s 93% of what it originally weighed? 
 

something about the compounded capsules is just not sitting right with me. 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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Okay at this point I am convinced there is something wrong with the compounded capsules. I have not felt this unwell before. 
 

I am going to take the the 15mg and just work on lowering that with the psychiatrist at this time. I think I’m way too anxious about this process to benefit from this site right now. But I hope to come back with good news in the future. Thanks for all you do. 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Administrator

Strongly suggest you manage your health anxiety and stop paying such minute attention to the drug-induced effects we've already spent 7 pages discussing.

 

As you come off Belsomra, which has been causing adverse effects since you've been taking it, you may feel some odd symptoms. We really need to know only really important changes.

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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I went from being very uncomfortable to strongly wanting to die after taking the second dose of compounded Belsomra.i haven’t felt that way in months now, since when the akithisia first happened at it’s worst in November. 
 

i still feel very unwell in that way now with my entire body pulsating and tensing up with no way out of my body. I am distracting and self soothing as much as possible but for me this was a marked important change. 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Administrator

Good idea.

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

If you have gone back to 15 mg, please stay there for a while.  Don't jump around on your drugs.  

 

When you reduce again, try going down to 14.5 mg instead.  

 

Definitely please work on ways to self sooth, calm your nervous system, and accept that you will be having these symptoms.  Distracting and self soothing is good.  

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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I’ve stayed at 15mg for the last week since trying 14mg compounded Belsomra for two days. i reread the thread on Stability. I hope the 1mg change for two days wasn’t too much for my system. But adverse effects are even worse since then. How long do I put up with these adverse effects before cutting again? 
 

 

I felt immediately unwell after taking the 2nd dose of compounded Belsomra and went back to 15mg the next night. Felt good for two days. Then it’s been a steady decline since then. Each time I take Belsomra now I feel the adverse effects more strongly than ever before and I am finding it hard to simply continue to exist like- there is an overwhelming apathy that makes me feel like I have to end things. A real dark void here, guys. This paired with inner discomfort and squirmy feeling is really bad. Never felt this kind of despair that is entirely out of my control. It would be scary except, I can’t even feel scared now I just feel this absence and eery feeling that I don’t want to be here. 
 

I keep telling myself these feelings are not me and they are from the drugs and to hold on this will work out in the end. However, I know I’m going to need to get off this stuff and at this point, I’m not sure if there is a “best” way to do it. Each time I take Belsomra now I feel worse and worse and it seems to just be accumulating since the compounding hiccup. I really don’t want to keep putting this into my body. 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Administrator

Sorry, if you're having adverse effects from Belsomra, you have only 2 choices: 1) Reduce the dosage; 2) Continue to put up with the adverse effects. Your choice. We cannot create a third solution 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.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

You say you felt worse when you reduced to 14 mg for 2 days, so then you went back up to 15 mg. But then you felt worse on that, because of adverse effects.  It sounds as if you may be dealing with a combination of adverse effects and withdrawal.  This is tricky, because you want to get off the drug and reduce your adverse effect, but you don't want to end up with severe WD by reducing too fast. 

 

I realize I previously suggested that you stick to the 15 mg for a while.  However, in light of what you are dealing with, if it were me, I would consider doing a slight reduction of the Belsomra.  You could try reducing it to 14.5 mg, or even going back down to 14 mg. 

 

Unfortunately, you are going to have symptoms either way.  It's very important to learn non drug ways of coping with these symptoms.  I understand the squirmy and inner discomfort feeling.  I still get that off and on at times.  However, I cope with it by accepting it, and telling myself "this too shall pass", and not freaking out about it.  I remind myself, that eventually, my system will heal, and I will be OK.  What you describe also sounds as though you may be depressed.  This could be partly from the time of year - the end of winter in our part of the world.  Many people get depressed at this time, myself included.

 

 

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

PS.  Please add the recent dosage changes with dates to your signature.  (Dropping from 15 to 14 for 2 days, then updosing back to 15 mg, and the dates of these changes). 

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

I don't know if I posted this before, so I'll post it now.  Please read it, it's very helpful.  

 

Techniques for Managing Symptoms

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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  • Shep changed the title to Elaine5: Introduction


 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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Excuse the blank post earlier. Update: I have dropped down to 10mg Belsomra for a week. I plan to drop to 5mg going forward for another week. 
 

The adverse reaction to Belsomra became too great. I have felt mentally a lot better this week since dropping to 10mg. I have physical tiredness, eye pain, headache from poor sleep. However, many of the mental/psychological issues I was describing have lessened. I even went to the lake, went out to eat, felt well enough to drive around, listened to music, enjoyed watching movies, read a book, cooked more, and swooned while watching a romantic movie. That hasn’t happened in 6 months. 
 

I feel extremely unwell after taking Belsomra each time I take it. Within 2 hours intense physical discomfort of inner claustrophobia, restlessness, just so yucky and awful. It either wakes me up from sleep or prevents me from sleeping. I manage a couple of hours of sleep and wake up feeling uncomfortable and agitated physically, but mentally present and not the worst. I progressively feel better through the day into the evening, except for the headache and eye strain from feeling sleep deprived. However, I feel more human. Any akithetic feelings I can connect their onset and duration to taking Belsomra it seems. Aside from today, day 7 of dropping to 10mg, all other days have been markedly improved. 
 

i plan to continue decreasing Belsomra in this way as subjecting myself to this adverse reaction for much longer feels more risky. Also because crushing/cutting Belsomra can have unexpected and varied rates of absorption which goes against the goals of a cautious slow taper. The compounding capsules with crushed Belsomra caused intense upset to what felt like what I imagine an overdose feels like. 

 

I will update again after 5mg. I expect sleep issues will be problematic as they have been even on Belsomra and as they presented suddenly back in September.  I will do some research here and go back in my thread to make use of helpful links. 
 

I really feel this medication is just immediately harmful each time I take it and the longer I am on it the worse this reaction becomes. I am doing the best I can to balance caution about not stopping immediately but also not worsening the adverse effects.

 

I have had glimpses of good things this week. 
 

Edit: I wonder if when I first had this Akathisia in late November and attributed it to Buspar if it was Belsomra all along. And things got better for a while after stopping Buspar due to the addition of propanolol at the time. Perhaps now the propanalol simply isn’t enough anymore to mask the effects of Belsomra. Or perhaps not. It doesn’t really matter as the end game is still the same. 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Administrator

Yes, we have long been aware you are having adverse reactions to the Belsomra you've been taking every night for more than 4 months.

 

Good to hear you are acting to take care of yourself. You might have to cope with withdrawal symptoms for a while.

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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Hey Elaine! 

I wonder if your sexual symptoms and emotional blunting did improve?

Januar 2020- one week mirtazapine

June 2020- 3 pills of Fluoxetine

April 2021- July 2021 Zoloft (50mg) - I developed a mild form of pssd
Oktober 2021-February 2022 St. Johns Wort (900mg) - Sexual Dysfunction got gradually worse
April 2022 - 2 weeks Wellbutrin (150mg)

April 2022- July 2022 From time to time Promethazin and Tavor
Now I have full blown pssd (emotional anaesthesia and severe pssd)

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  • 2 weeks later...

I am now off the Belsomra after tapering at 10mg for a week and then 5mg for about another week. I had no major or intolerable withdrawl symptoms during this process and instead felt markedly better most days, with adverse feelings happening in the overnight after taking the med. 

 

It has now been 3 days since last taking 5mg Belsomra. I guess I thought I’d be feeling better? I’ve slept around 4-6 hours (in total, interrupted) the last 3 nights. I have that really yucky inner itch/quaking/burrowing feeling in my left leg and torso last night/today that comes with panic and discomfort. I didn’t really feel this the entire time I was dropping so disappointed it’s here now. 
 

i am hoping that particular issue improves soon as it’s very unpleasant. I realize stopping Belsomra will require a readjustment and settling down and I just have to wait it out. At least now I am off that med. 

 
Thanks- Elaine. 

 

@Mango123 emotional anesthesia has fluctuated and so has libido and sensitivity. That cascade of endorphins/dopamine release feeling when you are doing something you enjoy, falling in love, feeling connected to something or someone, just feeling alive and with it, has shown a few faint glimmers of return here and there, like a little tiny memory of a spark flickering. I was walking around High Park, a lovely park near where I live in Toronto, and felt the natural beauty. My auntie visiting from Poland made pierogi and I was so thrilled- they where delicious. So, I’m grateful for these small moments. 

 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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Currently really struggling with internal physical symptoms. Chest/torso/back tightness/constricting feeling which feels like when you have a panic attack that has lasted 24hrs straight, crawling/tingling in legs, no sleep. 
 

4 days/nights having dropped to 0mg Belsomra after two week rapid taper due to worsening ADR, I was feeling mostly okay. Yesterday was the best day I had in many months, with genuine joy, energy, good sleep, etc. 

 

Last night, I became internally activated and did not sleep. It has gotten worse through the day and still. I don’t feel mentally disconnected/depersonalized/unreal/horror,etc. however I do have a lot of physical symptoms and panic plus insomnia. I’d describe the worst of it as a clenching of the torso (heart/back/chest) like feeling extremely verklempt, but not with emotion, just sickening discomfort/unease. 
 

having only been one night/day of this marked wave, I don’t think it’s grounds yet to consider reinstating small amount of Belsomra. Or would this be a wise option? The reason I didn’t step down to 2.5mg is because after the compounded capsule issue, i didn’t want to cut the pill and have unreliable unknown absorption. 
 

do these sound like withdrawl issues from the Belsomra that I should try waiting out? 

 

I had one of the best days since all of this yesterday, so this is so disappointing. I felt consistently better lowering the Belsomra the last two weeks and then last night/today it really hasn’t let up. Not sure if this is Akathisia, or just uncomfortable withdrawl symptoms, but it’s nearing the point of being unbearable. 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It sounds to me as if you have withdrawal symptoms from tapering off the Belsomra too fast.  When a person has an adverse reaction to a drug, we only suggest a fast taper if they are having liver damage, or an allergy to the drug.  The trick is to taper off in such a way that we don't make withdrawal worse than the adverse reaction.  

 

It's up to you whether or not to reinstate, but that is what I would do.  If you do choose to reinstate, I would suggest reinstating to 2.5 mg of Belsomra.  The sooner your reinstate the better, and the more likely it is to work.  I believe you could probably grind the pill into a powder and weigh this to get an accurate dosage.  You might also have a compounding pharmacy make up a 2.5 mg dose.  You may even be able to make it into a liquid, but I'm not sure.  I'll check with the other staff.  

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Using a Scale to Weight and Measure Doses

 

 

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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Okay. I will probably try to wait a few days more to see how I’m feeling. If I can tolerate it, I will try to do that rather than reinstating. I had another good day yesterday and so far tolerable today. 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Administrator

@Elaine5, we spent a long time talking about tapering Belsomra. Do you remember:

 

On 12/27/2022 at 9:14 AM, getofflex said:

....

 

1) You will probably be able to grind the pills into a powder, and then weigh the powder with a scale, but check the link below to be sure. 

 

Here is a list of drugs that should not be crushed:   https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/tablets-crushed-3563535/

 

Using a Scale to Weigh and Measure Doses

 

 

2) You may also be able to have a compounding pharmacy make this specific dose: 

 

Getting Custom Doses at Compounding Pharmacies

 

 

3) You may be able to make a liquid from your tablets.  This is helpful for especially small tablets and doses: 

 

How to Make a Liquid from Tablets or Capsules

 

I'll try and check with the other mods, to see if they know more about how to measure non standard doses of Belsomra.  

 

 

 

On 12/27/2022 at 2:32 PM, Altostrata said:

I thought you were going to look into a compounded liquid for tapering Belsomra?

 

You may wish to get 10mg tablets and add the rest of your daily dose in liquid form while you taper.

 

Unfortunately, if you want to taper slowly, you may have additional costs.

 

On 12/27/2022 at 2:37 PM, Altostrata said:

Since you're taking 5mg tablets, why don't you split one into quarters and taper by 1.25mg per step? Did you read https://walrus.com/questions/can-you-split-belsomra ?

 

On 1/15/2023 at 10:56 PM, Elaine5 said:

 


Saving these here for later. 

 

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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Hi this is Elaine- I had trouble with my account as the email address I used was not accurate. i made a new account. 
 

I am really struggling. Please- be gentle. 
 

Yes, I intended to taper off more slowly but had that horrible reaction to the compounded capsules.
 

i have been off the Belsomra after a two week rapid taper. I last took 5mg on the evening of March 6th/morning of March 7th. 
 

I had a few good days. Two very bad day. And yesterday was akithisia hell. I was extremely agitated and activated. SI. A feeling of needing/wanting to die. And zero sleep. Each time I got comfortable a surge of adrenaline or something made me feel so yucky and scared. 
 

i just don’t understand how I felt so much better the two weeks lowering Belsomra- so close to normal- and then a week after stopping feel like THIS. 
 

I read through the thread about reinstating. I really don’t know what to do. It suggests if you have sleeplessness and panic reinstating may not work. That’s the only reason I would be looking to reinstate- to avoid those things. 
 

to go from feeling so hopeful and happy that I made the right decision, to be thrown back to have full blown Akathisia is horrific.

 

My body feels activated/no relaxation. No sleep last night, yet I averaged 6 hours most nights the last week since stopping. So again, how can I account for such a dramatic change.  I truly don’t know what to do. 
 

I explained everything to the psychiatrist about tapering slowly, I did try the compounding pharmacy, and then I wound up just doing what the psych said. I cannot feel this level akathisa with zero good feeling for anything continuously. I feel like how I felt back in late Novemberwhen the akathisa first hit. 
 

Is it still a reasonable time to reinstate? How much to reinstate- still 2.5? Or lower? Is it a total gamble and could make things worse or likely to help avoid extreme Akathisia? 
 

i am extremely scared and uncomfortable. I am also so discouraged since I was going a lot better after lowering the Belsomra. So I am really confused.

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Elaine5,

You should have been able to sign in using old email, which I was able to access and is a doozy.

You can try again with that, and hopefully you recall your password or that may have been saved as well for you.

You were able to find your Introduction, and I'm hoping you can sign in with your old account once calmer too.

So I'll leave your last post still unapproved with your new account but can see it to refer to, and might even be able to quote it right now.

(nope couldn't quote, but staff can see it)

 

Have you been able to self calm yet?  Or find any clarity to make your own decision?

If you scroll up, you can find how to get a dose of 2.5 mg or 1.25 mg of Belsomra, and so.......if you want to try to reinstate after 2 rough days and 1 sleepless night you might do that.  You don't even have to use the compounded Belsomra again.

It's all been gone over, and over with you.

 

Your fears are overwhelming this morning and I'm sorry.  If you do try or don't try I encourage you to be consistent with what you do.  For example.......if you ride this out and are fine later and tomorrow, continue to ride the waves.

If you reinstate at 1.25 mg for example, you stick with it for the couple of days to a week to see if this is helping.  And beyond that even.

You quit if you are markedly worse in that time. 

 

You can scroll up and read how to get 1.25 mg when you are calmer.  Lucky for you it's a bedtime drug.

 

Go back and read about Windows and Waves as well, as that may be all that is happening, while you further stabilize.

 

I don't how to answer your questions in black and white, for sure or not for sure.  I'm sorry about that.

 

I do know that your ability to self manage and ride the Waves on or off a reinstatement is going to be important.  And really wish you well doing so.

 

Okay, I can PM you your old email, in hopes you remember your password(or the site may have it already remembered)

 

And best, in deciding and self managing.

L, P, H, and G,

 

mmt

 

 

 

Edited by 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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Elaine55,

With your new account then go up to your account settings(pull down under your user name) and then to notifications.  If those stress you, then make the selections to shut those off.

 

Using a bogus email can be grounds for warning and/or bans so please don't do this again.

And for all:  What will get you warned or banned

 

If you are not familiar with or have never gotten around to the Read This First forum, do so.

 

Just might be a good time to review.

And sorry who ever I did not get to this morning.  I'm moving slow anyway, and this took up pretty much all the time I had.

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

Thanks @manymoretodays
 

Yes, I’m trying to find some calm. I managed to sleep 10hrs Saturday night and have a fantastic yesterday. 
 

Upon trying to fall asleep at night, internal activation ramped up, no sleep, and just feel very unwell this morning. Angry Static in legs, chest, head. It feels like I’m low key dying, and the thought of not sleeping again for weeks straight like in the fall makes me so scared. 
 

I really regret tapering so quickly recently. It just seemed like it was going so well so I carried on with it. 
 

You mentioned in your post sticking to a plan, whether it was riding out the waves, or reinstating. It has now been 14 days since stopping Belsomra. Is that still within an advisable timeframe to reinstate? I couldn’t find a concrete timeline just the sooner the better. 

 

i may choose to do so tonight. 
 

I’d go with the smaller amount of 1.25. To stop if markedly worse- what are some specifics to look for? Like new issues, and even worse existing ones? Immediate issues? I was having adverse effects while on it, which is why this is so tricky. I couldn’t tell what issues were from what. 
 

Looking back, I should have gone to 2.5 after noticing a few days of feeling worse at 0. 
 

 


 

 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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Okay I managed to sign in to my account again and fixed the email issue. 
 

i posted under Elaine55 but don’t see it here so I will post. 
 

I managed to find some calm and actually slept 10hrs on Saturday and had a fantastic day yesterday. 
 

Upon going to bed, became internally activated with zero sleep, and feeling of energy/static in legs and pretty much everywhere. I wouldn’t call this Akathisia exactly this time, but still was very uncomfortable. It feels like my entire body wants to vomit? Not like actually nauseous gastro wise- but like the rest of my body feels nauseous. Exhausted. 
 

I don’t want to foresee weeks straight with no sleep like back in the fall which led me to get on Belsomra in the first place. I was sleeping so much better as I lowered the dose and was so hopeful. 
 

Re: reinstatement - it is now 14 days since last taking Belsomra. Is this still an advisable timeframe from reintroducing small amount of 1.25mg MMT referenced? Or do reinstatements need to be within days to usually have positive effect? If I am going to do that I think tonight would be the night. 
 

Also, regarding stopping if markedly worse, what specifically are things I can look for? Immediacy of a reaction, worse existing issues, new ones? I think I mistook withdrawl symptoms the second week of my taper for continued adverse effects of Belsomra, that’s why this was so tricky. 
 

I have no clue what the right move here is. I wish I didn’t taper so fast recently. 
 

I really am trying here. Yes, I know it has all been Layed out for me here and I do remember those posts Alto attached. However, that compounding issue really threw me for a loop and made me feel like my plan didn’t work and thus I just sort of felt defeated and wound up listening to the psychiatrists plan. Clearly that plan isn’t working either. I would just really like something to work. 

 

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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Okay this is getting worse. I’m going to need to reinstate. I thought it might pass but this is very bad. Feels like I’m being stunned by a stun gun everywhere. 
 

will need to renew prescription and reinstate tomorrow night. 
 

I have the following questions: 1)can someone offer just some reassurance that it won’t be objectively too late to reinstate at 14/15 days? 2) I will shoot for 1.25mg (equivalent of 25% of weight of a 5mg pill) is this an advisable target? 3) am I understanding correctly that it is better to reintroduce at a lower amount than higher, and if needed, tweak upwards rather than go too high at first? 4) what exactly am I looking for in terms of monitoring if it goes well or abort mission? 

Like I said, I wish I hadn’t tapered this so fast. But I did and I’ve got to just try to move forward and do my best from here on out. 

 

I can also imagine that at this point you may be feeling why continue engaging with this person, she isn’t really listening. As a teacher, I understand that sentiment, why devote resources to someone who is not going to use them when others will. However, I’ve had students who suddenly get it and it makes all the difference in the world. There were times I was close to not making it but I held at 15mg for a while and felt a lot better. So all is not lost- I have lost hope before but have pulled through and felt better. So, I am here, I am listening, and I am asking for help. Please don’t confuse my pain and fear for disrespect, unintelligence, or nonchalance. I am trying to survive a really wacky situation as we all/were. 
 

hopefully this post shows a bit more control of that fear. Thanks @manymoretodays Getofflex and Alto

Aug 2020 - Feb 2022 on and off Lexapro 5 and 10mg,  Rapid taper

Nov 2021 - May 2022 on off Wellbutrin 100mg, 150mg, 75mg CT clindamycin cycle and also Plan B bc 1x 

Fall 2020- June 2022 - Xanax .5 PRN usually 4x a week, CT 

June 2022 - Z pack, Buspar 7.5 3 days

September 20-24th - low tryptophan diet and 20-30g beef gelatin powder

Oct 3- 16 - Xanax .5 for sleep each pm, 1 mg Ativan in ER, .25 Xanax —> .125–>0 

Oct 14-17Trazadone 50/75, Lunesta 3mg 

Oct 24-  start Belsomra, 4 days to20mg 

Nov 3-5 10mg Belsomra and 300mg Gabapentin 

Oct 13-Dec 1 Buspar 7.5 2x/day rapid taper over 2 weeks due to ADR 

Recent: Belsomra 20mg since 10/23/2022 to 15mg mid December for 2 nights —> 20mg —> 15 mg since 12/22/2022 —>14 mg compounded 02/11/2023 —> 15 mg 2/13 —> 10mg 2/22 —> 5mg 3/1 —> 0mg 3/8/2023 

Current:  Propanolol 20mg AM, 10mg 4pm, 20mg PM since 11/30/2022

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  • Administrator

@Elaine5 we have given you many recommendations about tapering, but you decided to do it your way. Your requests for rescue when things go wrong is an extraordinary burden on peer support.

 

It's your decision about what you want to do next. Up, down, sideways -- up to 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.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

The absolute best way to track this for yourself, would be to do some notes, or daily drug and symptom logs.

Stay with the 1.25 mg for at least a week, and maybe that's all you need.

Don't go up further for at least 2 weeks or more.

We're just looking for you doing slightly better than you did without any Belsomra.

So if you get a night of insomnia or 2, don't immediately increase the dose.........it might level off on just 1.25 mg.  Your sleep that is, over several weeks time.  And all your fears.

 

And then later, months from now you might try to taper again in 10% increments from each previous dose, first every month and then you might be able to do the same at 2 week intervals.

 

Belsomra is not a usual drug we deal with, but just use the same principles.

 

Oh wait.......Are you still taking propranolol regularly, like your signature suggests? 

Put that in your drug and symptom logs for yourself too.  Could that have backfired or gone paradoxical?  Meaning it is doing the opposite of what it might have once done. 

 

Might be time to start that taper then,  before you even try 1.25 mg Belsomra. 

 

More on the propranolol here, and tapering of:

Tips for tapering off propranolol

Tapering Beta Blockers or Alpha Blockers

 

Could that be the solution then?  To get off the propranolol, slowly enough that it doesn't backfire further.  Meaning slow enough that you don't wind up getting a high blood pressure or worsening of all your feelings of jumpiness. 

 

I don't know Elaine5.  No, on 14 days being too late for Belsomra.  But.......that's all off the table completely if you are still taking propranolol and your symptoms are related to that no longer helping at all.  You'd need to get off that first.

 

That's really all I've got.  Glad you are back to your original name and registration.  Best of luck. 

 

L, P, H, and G,

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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  • Administrator

I think you know the ground rules by now, @Elaine5 The staff here is not going to be able to fix things for you, you'll have to do it yourself.

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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  • 4 weeks later...

 @Elaine5 are you okay? Has anybody heard from her?

Januar 2020- one week mirtazapine

June 2020- 3 pills of Fluoxetine

April 2021- July 2021 Zoloft (50mg) - I developed a mild form of pssd
Oktober 2021-February 2022 St. Johns Wort (900mg) - Sexual Dysfunction got gradually worse
April 2022 - 2 weeks Wellbutrin (150mg)

April 2022- July 2022 From time to time Promethazin and Tavor
Now I have full blown pssd (emotional anaesthesia and severe pssd)

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  • 3 months later...

Hi Elaine,

How are you?

 

I just want you to know i didn't listen when i first joined  and i landed up in a whole world of trouble.

I understand you're scared and maybe not trusting of strangers on the internet no doubt, as we had been so badly burnt before.

But all these beautiful souls really do have a hand to hold and guide, nobody can walk this path for us apart from our self's.So if you're reading this please follow their guidance.They have walked the path and hold the torch to lead you back home to yourself.

I hold there advice and help like a sacred song to me now.

Check in if able.

 

 

First AD when i was 19.Binge drinker/drugs 15 years weekend use.I was always pulled on and off.2005-2007-Mirtapine 45mg CT. 2010-2016 Paxil 40mg + Zopiclone.Jan-2016 i was CT off Paxil.Stopped alcohol Jan 2016.Given 2-4mg of Diazepam April 2016 CT them after 3 month.They reinstated 8mg of Diazepam July 2016 and the Doctor CT me off Zopiclone the same day.They then tried adding all different drugs Mirt one of them at 15mg (i took 7.5mg).I was tapered August 2016 7.5mg.Sep 2016 7mg.Oct 2016 6mg.Tried 1mg of Paxil-stopped after 2 days.Nov 2016 5.5mg.Tried olanzapine @2.5mg (stopped after a week)Dec 2016-5mg.Tried switching to liquid Jan-March 2017 (no good)back to pills.April 2017-4.75mg of Diazepam June 2017 -4.5mg.July 2018 went inpatient for 10 days.Awakening 4 days later.HELD.Sep 2017 4.3mg Dec 2017-4mg (Held)April 2019- started tapering the Mirtazapine.Sep 2019 at 6mg of Mirtazapine (HELD)Stopped smoking CT after 26 years.10.16.19..Restarted the Diazepam taper Jan 2020 micro tapering (game changer) now 18/7/23 @0.052mg Diazepam + Mirtazapine @6mg.

 

 

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