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Tips to help sleep: so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia


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If relaxation exercises cause a paradoxical effect and I shouldn't do them, what am I supposed to do, when I'm so desperate to sleep?

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/555-tips-to-help-sleep-so-many-of-us-have-withdrawal-insomnia/?p=144289

 

Qi gong has been much more doable for me than sitting meditation, especially during periods of agitation. I've done a lot of this practice (sometimes hours at a time) and have not had any negative impact from it. The body is doing gentle movement, which gives the mind something to focus on. Some aspects can be energizing, and some more relaxing..which means I can tailor the practice according to my current needs. There's a link on my introduction.

Thank you, I find this advice very helpful. I will try your suggestions. I don't do enough to relax during the day. And a lot of things stress me out and get me anxious.

I have discovered Qi Gong as well, but don't practice it as often as I should. I actually have 3 of Lee Holden's dvds.  Do you think it's better to do a qi gong session in the morning or at night?

2005-2008: Effexor; 1/2008 Tapered 3 months, then quit. 7/2008-2009 Reinstated Effexor (crying spells at start of new job.)
2009-3/2013: Switched to Pristiq 50 mg then 100 mg
3/2013: Switched to Lexapro 10mg. Cut down to 5 mg. CT for 2 weeks then reinstated for 6 weeks
8/2013-8/2014: Tapering Lexapro (Lots of withdrawal symptoms)
11/2014 -8/2015: Developed severe insomnia and uncontrollable daily crying spells
12/2014-6/2015: Tried Ambien, Klonopin, Ativan, Lunesta, Sonata, Trazadone, Seroquel, Rameron, Gabapentin - Developed Anxiety disorder, PTSD, and Psychogenic Myoclonus
7/2015-1/2016: Reinstated Lexapro 2 mg (mild improvement, but crying spells still present)

1/2016-5/2017: Lexapro 5 mg ( helped a lot, but poor stress tolerance & depressive episodes)

5/20/2017 - Raised dose to Lexapro 10 mg due to lingering depression(Total of 2 failed tapers & severe PAWS)

9/11/2018 - Present: Still on 10 mg Lexapro and mostly recovered.(Anxiety still triggers Myoclonus.)

10/7/2022 - 20 mg Lexapro (brand only) Plus occasional Klonopin for anxiety and Ambien for insomnia.

 

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Thank you, I find this advice very helpful. I will try your suggestions. I don't do enough to relax during the day. And a lot of things stress me out and get me anxious.

I have discovered Qi Gong as well, but don't practice it as often as I should. I actually have 3 of Lee Holden's dvds.  Do you think it's better to do a qi gong session in the morning or at night?

 

 

I've read that the best time to do the practice is the time you'll actually do it. When I practice in the morning, it does seem to set a calmer and more focused tone to my day. For one reason or another, I have ended up doing it at different times of day. I don't think there's a right or wrong, but more listening to yourself and what will actually work for you.

 

I've heard Lee say it isn't the best to do it right before bed. Like any exercise, it can potentially be stimulating and keep you awake. But, before I'd heard that, I was doing it minutes before I got into bed. I slept like a baby then..but that was before WD. I try to do it at least an hour before bed now...

 

Which of Lee's dvd's do you have?

Remeron for depression. Started at 7.5 mg. in 2005. Gradual increases over 8 years, up to 45 mg. in 2012.Began tapering in June 2013. Went from 45 to 30 mg in the first 3-4 months. Held for a couple of months.Started tapering by 3.75 mg every month or 2, with some longer holding periods. Eventually went down to 3.75 mg. about April 2014. Stopped taking Remeron August 2014. Developed issues with histamine a week after stopping--symptoms reduced through diet and a few supplements. Currently having issues with a few foods. Most of the histamine intolerance has resolved or is at least, in remission.

Current Medications:

Current Supplements: Cannabis (CBD and THC), Vitamin C, D, Quercetin, CoQ10, Tart Cherry, Probiotic, Phytoplankton oil, magnesium, Methyl B. What has helped me most: spending time in nature, qi gong, exercise, healthy diet, meditation, IV vitamins, homeopathy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and cuddling my cats..

My introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8459-mirtazapine-withdrawal-freespirit/#entry144282

Please note: I am not a therapist or medical practitioner. Any suggestions offered come solely from my personal experience in recovering from childhood trauma, therapy, and AD use. Please seek appropriate care for yourself.

 

“After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then re-imagine the world.”
Mary Oliver
 

 

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Thank you, I find this advice very helpful. I will try your suggestions. I don't do enough to relax during the day. And a lot of things stress me out and get me anxious.

I have discovered Qi Gong as well, but don't practice it as often as I should. I actually have 3 of Lee Holden's dvds.  Do you think it's better to do a qi gong session in the morning or at night?

 

 

I've read that the best time to do the practice is the time you'll actually do it. When I practice in the morning, it does seem to set a calmer and more focused tone to my day. For one reason or another, I have ended up doing it at different times of day. I don't think there's a right or wrong, but more listening to yourself and what will actually work for you.

 

I've heard Lee say it isn't the best to do it right before bed. Like any exercise, it can potentially be stimulating and keep you awake. But, before I'd heard that, I was doing it minutes before I got into bed. I slept like a baby then..but that was before WD. I try to do it at least an hour before bed now...

 

Which of Lee's dvd's do you have?

 

I have these three: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Qi-Gong-3-DVD-Set-Flow-Continues-7-Minutes-of-Magic-Healthy-Joints-Bones-/181688441333?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4d7999f5

But the only one I really like is The Flow Continues, which is the one I originally saw on PBS.

Which one do you like?

2005-2008: Effexor; 1/2008 Tapered 3 months, then quit. 7/2008-2009 Reinstated Effexor (crying spells at start of new job.)
2009-3/2013: Switched to Pristiq 50 mg then 100 mg
3/2013: Switched to Lexapro 10mg. Cut down to 5 mg. CT for 2 weeks then reinstated for 6 weeks
8/2013-8/2014: Tapering Lexapro (Lots of withdrawal symptoms)
11/2014 -8/2015: Developed severe insomnia and uncontrollable daily crying spells
12/2014-6/2015: Tried Ambien, Klonopin, Ativan, Lunesta, Sonata, Trazadone, Seroquel, Rameron, Gabapentin - Developed Anxiety disorder, PTSD, and Psychogenic Myoclonus
7/2015-1/2016: Reinstated Lexapro 2 mg (mild improvement, but crying spells still present)

1/2016-5/2017: Lexapro 5 mg ( helped a lot, but poor stress tolerance & depressive episodes)

5/20/2017 - Raised dose to Lexapro 10 mg due to lingering depression(Total of 2 failed tapers & severe PAWS)

9/11/2018 - Present: Still on 10 mg Lexapro and mostly recovered.(Anxiety still triggers Myoclonus.)

10/7/2022 - 20 mg Lexapro (brand only) Plus occasional Klonopin for anxiety and Ambien for insomnia.

 

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I also like that one, plus many others. I initially used the 7 minute easy routine, then bought "beginner's flow". I'm easily bored at times, so have quite a few dvds to help keep me interested. I especially like the flowing movements, but find other parts can be very beneficial too. I try to go each time with what feels right in that moment. I think starting with what you like best is a good way to go. Also, try not to impose "should" on yourself...as in "I should practice every day or for x amount  of time". Any amount you do is good and can be helpful over the long term. If I haven't practiced that day, I'll get into bed and do a few minutes of deep breathing..and that's my practice for that day.

 

If you're  looking for an interesting and in depth book on qi gong, I'd highly recommend Roger Jahnke's "The Healing Promise  of Qi.

Remeron for depression. Started at 7.5 mg. in 2005. Gradual increases over 8 years, up to 45 mg. in 2012.Began tapering in June 2013. Went from 45 to 30 mg in the first 3-4 months. Held for a couple of months.Started tapering by 3.75 mg every month or 2, with some longer holding periods. Eventually went down to 3.75 mg. about April 2014. Stopped taking Remeron August 2014. Developed issues with histamine a week after stopping--symptoms reduced through diet and a few supplements. Currently having issues with a few foods. Most of the histamine intolerance has resolved or is at least, in remission.

Current Medications:

Current Supplements: Cannabis (CBD and THC), Vitamin C, D, Quercetin, CoQ10, Tart Cherry, Probiotic, Phytoplankton oil, magnesium, Methyl B. What has helped me most: spending time in nature, qi gong, exercise, healthy diet, meditation, IV vitamins, homeopathy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and cuddling my cats..

My introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8459-mirtazapine-withdrawal-freespirit/#entry144282

Please note: I am not a therapist or medical practitioner. Any suggestions offered come solely from my personal experience in recovering from childhood trauma, therapy, and AD use. Please seek appropriate care for yourself.

 

“After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then re-imagine the world.”
Mary Oliver
 

 

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Ugh, I think i screwed up! Been sleeping pretty well lately and actually decided to drink some tea with st.johns wort and a bunch of other herbs. Well, the first night i slept like a rock, second night drinking it slept ok but it seemed a little strange drifting off and that brings me to last night after my third night drinking it. Every time i started drifting off to sleep i was startled awake and a little nauseous, after 5 times i just became totally awake for the rest of the night with a warm feeling all over my skin. I will never take it again but does anyone have any experience with this? I'm just wondering if i ruined my taper and future sleep or now that i stopped it will allow me to sleep again. I was doing so well....

Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg.

1/01/15 - .75 mg.

1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues...

2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me!

3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad!

4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 

4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. 

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  • 1 month later...

I have had amazing sleep the last two nights. Which may not continue, but this idea still might help someone. I have stopped all sleep supplements (just incidental). Anyway, I have been gardening after dinner until dark. Barefoot, for the "earthing" effect. I worked till the light was gone, then put on amber glasses before going in. Then I went to bed as soon as possible...about an hour later. Then slept in my foiled-windows room. It seems like being outside as the light turns is really affecting me.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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That sounds lovely...gardening at that time of day. I wouldn't do it barefoot here, as there are too many slugs! I started walking at that time of day a few months ago, and it also helped my sleep. It can help with circadian rhythm, or so I've read. I've come to find it my favorite time of day for walking and being outdoors. It's quieter, fewer people, and something very calming about watching the light go from the sky. I hope the sleep improvement continues for you.

Remeron for depression. Started at 7.5 mg. in 2005. Gradual increases over 8 years, up to 45 mg. in 2012.Began tapering in June 2013. Went from 45 to 30 mg in the first 3-4 months. Held for a couple of months.Started tapering by 3.75 mg every month or 2, with some longer holding periods. Eventually went down to 3.75 mg. about April 2014. Stopped taking Remeron August 2014. Developed issues with histamine a week after stopping--symptoms reduced through diet and a few supplements. Currently having issues with a few foods. Most of the histamine intolerance has resolved or is at least, in remission.

Current Medications:

Current Supplements: Cannabis (CBD and THC), Vitamin C, D, Quercetin, CoQ10, Tart Cherry, Probiotic, Phytoplankton oil, magnesium, Methyl B. What has helped me most: spending time in nature, qi gong, exercise, healthy diet, meditation, IV vitamins, homeopathy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and cuddling my cats..

My introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8459-mirtazapine-withdrawal-freespirit/#entry144282

Please note: I am not a therapist or medical practitioner. Any suggestions offered come solely from my personal experience in recovering from childhood trauma, therapy, and AD use. Please seek appropriate care for yourself.

 

“After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then re-imagine the world.”
Mary Oliver
 

 

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There may be something in that herb mix that is too strong for you and has a long-half life, possibly the St. John's Wort, which is an MAOI.

 

For quite a while, I've been taking magnesium glycinate, glycine, and taurate when I wake at 3 a.m. It seems to help.

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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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi guys. im really struggling with this sleep thing. So ive been off of remeron for 16 months so far. for most of that time I didn't have much of sleep problems. I do have insomnia and have for over 3 years. however, when I went off the remeron I tried a new diet that immensely helped with my insomnia. I went from sleeping soundly once or twice a week to almost everyday. not perfect sleep but pretty good. the past two months of sleep for me have been really tough where I may get 1 or 2 good restful nights of sleep a week. this is very concerning because for over a year before that I had finally felt like I got this insomnia thing under control. Any ideas why this could happen. Why out of nowhere my sleep has turned bad. Is this another wave? What should I do? will this go away on its own? im very concerned because even when I am sleeping well, because of withdrawal I have terrible brain issues and mood issues. but after I haven't been sleeping well for this long, im gonna severely irritable and depressed. sleep deprivation is one of the worst tortures known to man. please help me, I don't know what to do. I don't want to be addicted to sleeping pills. I am trying to go drug free after seeing what this antidepressant did to me.

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What is the diet?

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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Does this withdrawal insomnia go away. Ive had chronic insomnia for years but during withdrawal I had changed my diet and seemed to start to sleep better for the past year. I had finally started to sleep restful nights most nights. the past two months I have bearly got any sleep and it came out of nowhere. im a little worried cuz I know what lack of sleep can do to me from the past. does this go away? does anyone know why insomnia would come out of the blue like this? im not under any abnormal amount of stress or anything to cause it.

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It just happens when it wants to. I do great for a while and out of nowhere i will be up all night or have a few weeks of horribly broken sleep. But it eventually comes back again. I have been doing alot better lately but i know it wont last.

Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg.

1/01/15 - .75 mg.

1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues...

2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me!

3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad!

4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 

4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

This is a somewhat fresh look, or at least summarizes a lot of options, by a sleep specialist, on Lifehacker. http://lifehacker.com/5971884/the-science-behind-sleep-and-how-getting-better-sleep-means-youll-need-less-every-night

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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  • 4 weeks later...

Foolishly I came off my Zoloft in 4 weeks I should have known better but I was feeling so good I thought I was ok

 

5 weeks off I am crashing so bad I want to die. I may have to reinstate at low dose and taper slowly but until then what do any of you use for sleep

 

I have had 2 nights no sleep and my body burning up...anxiety off the charts

 

had to take double my dose of lorazepam last night to get 4 hours of sleep....I never have been a good sleeper but always fell asleep easily...now I can not

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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All of the information we have about sleeplessness due to AD withdrawal is in this topic: Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems . Scroll to the bottom of the first post for many useful links.

 

To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever died from losing a few night's sleep, so try not to panic and take more of the benzo than usual. When I was in the early stages of withdrawal, I could only sleep about five hours every two and a half to three days no matter what I took. (And yes, I panicked and took pills.  Liquor, too, and neither of them worked.)

 

The thing that helped me the most was making the sure the bedroom was as dark as possible and wearing a sleep mask.  I was extremely light-sensitive during the first few months of withdrawal and this permitted me to start getting a reasonable amount of sleep every night. That's when I started to heal. 

 

In my opinion, it's important to find solutions that don't involve reaching for a pill.  I think that's how many of us got into this fix, refusing to undergo suffering and demanding a fast cure from our doctors. I'm still struggling with this deeply ingrained habit. It isn't easy to accept that suffering is a normal part of life, but no amount of wishing or medicating is going to change that. The advertising world has so brainwashed us into thinking that we should be happy 100% of the time or there's something wrong with us.  Sheesh and BS!

Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's Razor


Introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/

 

Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/

Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers.

 

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Hi Lainyk

 

I am sorry you are struggling with this.

 

I found that listening to the human voice can sometimes be really helpful with sleep issues.

 

Tara Brach has lots of guided meditations on her website & on dharmaseed.

 

http://www.tarabrach.com/audioarchives-guided-meditations.html

 

http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/175/

 

Her voice is so soothing and comforting. She does ring a bell at the end of the meditations but you can get apps that will time out after so many minutes. I use 'sleep timer'.

 

I also recorded my own voice on my phone when I was feeling slightly better or having a window - just reassuring and soothing myself which also sometimes helped. I told myself that things often seemed & felt worse late at night.

 

Talking books may also be worth a try.

 

I found these approaches sometimes induced sleep and if not, often calmed & soothed. They can be really useful in focusing the mind away from negative thoughts & worries.

 

 

I came off Seroxat in August 2005 after a 4 month taper. I was initially prescibed a benzo for several months and then Prozac for 5 years and after that, Seroxat for 3 years and 9 months.

 

"It's like in the great stories Mr.Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines it'll shine out the clearer."  Samwise Gamgee, Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers

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I've been eating much healthier this past week however my insomnia is absolutely horrible.  For the past two nights, I've tried to mimick the inpatient hospital setting.  Basically, I would take my meds around 10:00 PM and then try to go to sleep before midnight.  On July 11, 2015, I only got about 4 hours of sleep broken up into about two sessions of 2 hours each.  I woke up starving the second time and I got a snack, brushed my teeth again and went back to bed but just laid there for about 5 hours.  Yesterday, I tried the same thing except I added cardiovascular exercise in the mix as well.  I cried for about an hour prior to exercising.  I haven't been able to cry for most of the period of time I was on medication with the exception of when I came out of inpatient last month.  I only got 2 hours of sleep and I was definitely unable to go back to sleep again.

 

I'm still on 1250 mg of Depakote ER and 3 mg of Klonopin.  This stuff used to work for me to sleep although my sleep onset would be very random.  Usually it would be between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM and I would sleep into the afternoon.  My diet was usually very poor, I did not exercise, did not use supplements, did no deep breathing but I was able to sleep almost every night on this med combo.  Now I fear that doing that slow taper from 3 mg to 2 mg of Klonopin from March to May and then going back up to 3 mg once I had multiple 0 hour nights of sleep has destroyed my ability to sleep normally forever.  Naturally options like magnesium have done nothing for me.  I don't want to go back in the hospital again because I only have a small number of options for sleep left.  There's about 4 antipsychotics I haven't tried and ECT.  I don't even feel hypomanic right now.  My mind simply doesn't shut off and it's not even racing thoughts.  I just close my eyes and I don't sleep.  I even got the signal in my brain earlier indicating I should try to sleep but I only got the 2 hours of sleep.

 

I'm out of ideas and out of strength at this point.  The sun is going to rise in less than a half hour.  My brain is so completely damaged from these medications, I don't know what to do anymore.  I fear that this is just like the permanent sexual dysfunction caused by SSRIs.  I think benzos have caused permanent insomnia for me and I'm not even off of them.  I often say that I am at a rock bottom but this time I truly feel like there is no recovering from this.

I've been on dozens of psychiatric medications starting with being forced to take Prozac back as a minor in the mid 1990s.  All doctors would cold turkey me from medications.  I did not learn about withdrawal until the mid 2000's by reading Dr. Breggin's books and finding sites similar to this one.  I had one successful full cleansing from medication in 2007 and began to recover from some of the iatrogenic damages.  I started to drink alcohol in 2008 to try and recover from PSSD and then about 6 months later, I lost my ability to sleep and was put into an inpatient psychiatric facility and redrugged.  The only med combination that has allowed me to sleep was 1250 mg of Depakote ER and 3 mg Klonopin.  However, my quality of life is terrible on these meds.  I want to try to get off everything now once again.  I have failed a couple of times trying to come off these meds recently but will try again once I can find a psychiatrist who understands withdrawal and can support me.

 

UPDATE:

 

I have not consumed any alcohol in over 10 years.  May 2019 - I started to reduce Anafranil very slowly so I can see a PSSD specialist.  I also plan on trying stem cell therapy to repair my iatrogenic brain damage.

 

Current meds:  1125 mg Depakote Sprinkles, 3 mg Klonopin

 

Current side effects:  PSSD, insomnia, odd sleep schedule, anhedonia, lack of motivation, cognitive issues, memory loss, hair loss, weight gain, dry mouth

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Dear Zant

 

I 'm so sorry you are suffering like this.

 

Healing does happen.

 

I very much hope things improve for you.

 

I have also found these things helpful at times:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1175-yoga-breathing-technique/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1334-band-creates-the-most-relaxing-tune-ever/

 

This tune is quite hypnotic so do exercise caution though, it may not suit everyone

 

Gem

 

 

I came off Seroxat in August 2005 after a 4 month taper. I was initially prescibed a benzo for several months and then Prozac for 5 years and after that, Seroxat for 3 years and 9 months.

 

"It's like in the great stories Mr.Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines it'll shine out the clearer."  Samwise Gamgee, Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers

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Unfortunately, I felt I had no choice but to resume taking Temazepam on a PRN basis to get back to sleep because my functioning was severely impaired.   Not only did my sleep increase when take it but I was able to accomplish a lot more tasks during the day although I wasn't the energizer bunny.

 

Obviously, I don't want this to be a permanent choice and am in the process of setting up a consultation with a sleep doctor to go over my issues.    But meanwhile, I can't continue to exist in a severely impaired state and as a result, was wondering if people can share their experiences with non med remedies in getting back to sleep as I have zero luck in finding anything.

 

I know this has been discussed before but what I don't recall being mentioned is how was a person's functioning during the day when they took them.   For example, I have taken melatonin to get back to sleep but my functioning was still horrible and I would have been better off not taking anything.

 

Finally, for those of you who want to lecture me about taking Temazepam, please don't.   If you read my posts, you will understand how I have gotten to this point.    And if you don't, please ask and I will be happy to explain.  

 

My point is that I recognize that the goal of this site is to support people getting off meds which I highly endorse.   But as we all know, even folks who are against meds find that sometimes they have no choice but to take something temporarily for various reasons.

 

 

CS

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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I'm sorry it's still so very hard. When do you wake up in the night now? I think you already know this, but I think a strict schedule helps. If I could, I would get up for an hour about 2:30 or 3, using amber lights, then go back to bed for a couple of hours or whatever, then get quickly out into the sunlight for a walk. But it seems like your insomnia is on a whole different level than most people's.

Hi Meime,

 

The problem is I also have narcoleptic/hypersomnia type issues in the afternoon where no matter how little I eat, I feel very drugged which causes me to fall asleep prematurely which then messes up my sleep cycle.    Even when I went to a baseball game yesterday, I still dozed off although just for a few minutes.

 

When I am at home, I have tried exercising, light therapy, drinking coffee to no avail.   It is like my system is programmed to fall asleep at that time no matter what.

 

You're right, my insomnia is totally different from most people's.   I know everyone says their situation is unique but I really believe mine is.

 

Anyway, due to going to the game, I went to bed although late, without a long nap screwing up things.    But I only slept 4 hours and couldn't get back to sleep.

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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Have you ever tried going to bed for the night when that sleepy time comes? It would be a weird schedule, but no more limiting than someone who has to work swing shift...just your work is sleeping.

Thanks, I have tried that and have been only able to sleep about 3 hours on the machine.    Then I will wake up and feel so drugged that I fall asleep without the mask for about 2 more hours and feel like crap.   Then I am awake for about 3 hours and go back to sleep for about 3 more and wake up in the am.

 

Then the vicious cycle starts again.

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hello - I am now in the sleepless hell.  I'm doing intensive CBT which is somewhat helpful, but I'm having a lot of trouble knowing what to do with myself.  I'm lucky right now if I get 2 hours/night - I know that's more than some.  But I don't know what to do with myself.  I wake up around 12:30 a.m. and am still tired, so I just lay there because I can't focus well enough to read and everything seems overwhelmingly stimulating and I'm horribly depressed at the same time.  I do try turning on the bedside lamp, try to read, get up and pee, eat a couple of crackers, drink some water.  Then around 3 or so (maybe it's a cortisol thing) I get a sudden burst of energy and I can focus, I can read.  By the time daylight comes around I'm still wide awake but very, very shaky.  I can often take a very short nap in the early afternoon, but then agitation/anxiety begins to ramp up again around 3 in the afternoon.

If anyone else has experience, strength and hope to share on this, I'd love to hear it.

1986-2005:  Limbitrol (15 Librium/ 50 Elavil combo) 1986-2005, 2005-successfully tapered Librium

January of 2009-2011:  Mirtazapine 30 mg; Cymbalta 60 mg; tapered cymbalta fall/winter of 2011/12

March 2012-March 2014:  Mirtazapine, and various trials of Celexa, Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Lexapro; began Lexapro taper

9/18/14-Lexapro .7 mg; Mirtazapine 30 mg; 9/29/14 ditched Lexapro; added 25 mg Nortryptyline began mirtazapine taper

11/4/14:  Mirtazapine 15 mg; Nortryptyline about 12.5 mg; 1/17/15:  Mirtazapine 7.5 mg; Nortryptyline 2.5 mg, then jumped nortryptyline.

2/10:  Mirtazapine 1.875, 2/11:  Re-established at 6.75, 3/19-6.0 mg, 4/9-5.8, 4/17-6.3; 4/21 tried to re-establish at 7.5

4/23/15-Back to 5.8; 5/5-5.1mg; 5/16-4.6 mg; 5/24-4.2 mg; 6/2-3.9 mg; 6/9-3.6 mg; 6/16-3.3 mg; 6/23-3 mg

6/28-2.8 mg; 7/2-2.5 mg; 7/4-Jumped, due to increased misery from the drug itself.

In a spell of panic due to agitation and insomnia, went through a few days each of 10, then 5 mg amitryptyline and 5 mg librium. Did not work out well. Horrible insomnia now.

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  • 1 month later...

I've been an insomniac all my life, even as a little kid I can remember being kept awake by getting the theme songs of cartoons stuck in my head. 

 

I thought that's just how I was, but now I realize (too late!) that it was all due to anxiety and stress. So here I am on the the psych med train, but what can you do about the past?

 

Anyways, I've been having sleep troubles these past few nights, after a good ten day stretch of good sleep. I'm not withdrawing from anything but I did go CT from olanzapine two weeks ago.

 

I think there are two explanations for this latest hiccup:

 

1) Being anxious over one bad night of sleep has led to three bad nights of sleep

 

2)My meds are acting in a different way than before, so I'll need to updose the olanzapine

 

 

I sure hope it isn't option 2 (The last time I had to updose was 2013).  I'm thinking that it's a temporary blip (I've had them before) that will go away, but right now I'm pretty stressed. Last night I was feeling good until about 23:00 and then my stomach starting feeling all knotty.

 

In the past I've found that a good schedule and exercise helps, though last night it didn't. Isn't it terribly frustrating when the techniques don't seem to work, even though they have in the past?

-Started on Citalopram 20mg & Zopiclone 7.5mg in August 2010 after stressful life events induced anxiety attacks

-Given olanzapine 2.5mg due to not sleeping through the night with zopiclone (I have never had any symptoms of psychosis)

-Went up to 40mg Citalopram sometime in 2011 after disastrous flirtation with Wellbutrin

-Tapered off zopiclone by January 2013 (take as PRN sometimes)

-Jan 10/2016: Back up to full dose of citalopram after attempted taper from late November 2015

-Jan 2018: Cut to 1.8mg of olanzapine from 1.825

-Mid-August 2018: Cut from 1.8mg olanzapine to 1.76mg. Probable withdrawal symptoms emerged about ten days later. Went back up to 1.8mg

-July 2021: Currently experiencing a strange "episode", withdrawal but no dose changes???

Current meds and doses: 1.8mg Olanzapine (compounded capsules), 40mg Citalopram, 1.25mg zopiclone (as PRN, taken once every few weeks during good periods and once or twice a week during bad ones)

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have found this nootropic which,according to its saying,can help with sleep:

"When I first started taking it, my sense of smell returned, my digestion improved and I slept better. I have also noted positive changes in my vision and hearing. All of these functions are related to the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system. Epitalon has been shown to restore normal melatonin production in aging monkeys, as well as restore the normal circadian rhythm for cortisol production, both of which result in better sleep at night."

 

http://nootropix.com/epitalon-fountain-of-youth/

http://www.nel.edu/22_4/NEL220401A03_Khavinson_w.pdf

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Hi Scot-- nootropic drugs have been discussed extensively here. The threads can be found by using the search function.  We do not recommend their use as they have shown little to no value in treating withdrawal symptoms from psychiatric drugs.  This sight is all about getting off of drugs and finding other ways to handle the things that life throws at us.  If you are currently taking a psychiatric drug and wish to taper off of it we are here to help. Otherwise this type of post is inappropriate for this forum. 

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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Hi Scot-- nootropic drugs have been discussed extensively here. The threads can be found by using the search function.  We do not recommend their use as they have shown little to no value in treating withdrawal symptoms from psychiatric drugs.  This sight is all about getting off of drugs and finding other ways to handle the things that life throws at us.  If you are currently taking a psychiatric drug and wish to taper off of it we are here to help. Otherwise this type of post is inappropriate for this forum. 

 

I understand,I just wanted to share my findings.So my previous post can be deleted of course.thank you

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Just a few small tips from me, that might not work for everybody but have helped me in the past:

 

- Putting on a lot of blankets on top of one another. Somehow, the weight of the blankets is comforting and promotes sleep for me. 

- When I was dealing with a lot of muscle twitching - Putting many pillows all around my body to tightly surround and support my body, and between my legs too - Seemed to help a little with the twitching

I suffer from depression, anxiety, pure-o ocd, and panic attacks since 2004. Been on multiple different psychiatric drugs since 2006. Never had a significant WD problem before, only brain zaps for a month and then I'd be fine...............Been on Cipralex (escitalopram) 15 mg and Fluanxol (flupentixol) 1 mg since Sep 2014. Stopped taking the Cipralex after a fast 20-day taper.Took the last 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 5th, 2015. Then took Seroxat (paroxetine) 10 mg for a week, and stopped it too. Severe WD started suddenly on Feb 16th. RI 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 18th, 2015. RI worked and was relatively stable for a while................April 7 - decreased Fluanxol from 1 mg to 0.5 mg and took it at this dose for a week. - BIG MISTAKE; April 13 - WD starts creeping in; April 14 - RI full dose of Fluanxol 1 mg => severe muscle twitching and jerking when trying to relax and fall asleep, overwhelming sense of doom, dread, terror, and horror, insomnia, hoping to stabilize.
Tried doing a 10% cut off Fluanxol in the end of May for a few days, but quickly updosed to full dose because the twitching returned.
Experiencing waves and windows in the following months.
Unsuccessful brief taper attempt of Fluanxol by 5% on November 1st. Symptoms hit the next day. Too scared to continue tapering, reinstate full dose.
Severe crash in November after stupidly trying a barbiturate on November 9th. Grave mistake. Sense of unshakable inescapable internal torture, like my soul is in hell being tortured, terror/horror/dread/doom (probably akathisia?) that gets especially bad when trying to relax and fall asleep, muscles twitch, jerk and move on their own, shaking, insomnia, can't eat, confusion, disorientation, brain not working normally. Never felt so bad in my entire life. Never experiment with other meds while in WD! Praying to God I stabilize and get back to my baseline.
December - things getting even worse.

January - unbearable suffering

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  • 2 weeks later...

From our friend Gianna Kali's blog Beyond Meds https://bipolarblast.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/recipe-for-a-good-nights-sleep/

 

Recipe for a good nights sleep

 

5 cups Epsom Salts

 

1 cup Baking Soda

 

Poor both ingredients into a large tub and fill with water as warm as you can tolerate comfortably.

 

Soak 10 to 20 minutes.

 

Go to bed and pass out. Sleep delightfully deeply for 7 to 9 hours.

 

No kidding. This works for me like nothing else has. Epsom salt baths are widely talked about in withdrawal groups and circles as well as alternative medicine sites. The thing is no one ever really says how much to use. This is a whole lot of Epsom salts.

 

We found sources of bulk salts and the baking soda both. It can be pretty darn cheap.

 

This knocks me out. Now it may be because I’ve never tolerated much magnesium supplementation and most of us withdrawing from psych drugs need mag really bad. Not everyone’s gut can handle supplementation with magnesium though.

 

When magnesium is taken in through the skin it completely bypasses the gut and so there is no gastro discomfort.

 

....

So give this a shot. I’m utterly shocked at the difference it’s made.

 

It also gets rid of my body pain. I have really bad pain that seems to be similar to those who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. And in point of fact this bath is also recommended in fibro circles. I have no idea what my pain is caused by but I’m assuming it’s simply the withdrawals and hope it will eventually pass.

 

The bath makes the pain remit long enough for me to fall asleep.

....

 

Hi Folks,

 

So I actually gave this idea a try last night.  Instead of 5 cups of epsome salts I used 2 cups (I didn't want to take too much and risk a hypersensitivity reaction) and 1/2 cup of baking soda:  http://www.amazon.com/White-Mountain-Magnesium-Sulfate-Solution/dp/B0064GBCL0/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1445004380&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=epsome+salts

 

So in spite of only using 2 cups instead of the recommended 5 cups, these salts did work as advertised:  within about 20 minutes of pouring and dissolving the salts, I just started to feel sleepy.  My eyes were closing, and I just kind of felt like I would have felt if I took a small dose of a benzo - maybe .5 mg of a klonpin or something (I don't remember exactly what they felt like, but it's the closest thing I can think of to how I felt). 

 

Unfortunately they didn't really help me sleep all that well, in spite of my muscle relaxation and sleepiness.  My body seemed to be ready for sleep, but my mind was not cooperating and just kind of kept moving along at it's normal rate.

 

I also feel currently "hung over" from these salts - I still feel sleepy and droopy and cognitively slow, despite the fact that it's been about 12 hours since I had my bath.  I don't feel really bad or anything, but I didn't expect the "effect" to last this long.  I'd say I still have around a 20% effect from last night's bath.

 

So I'll probably try this a couple more times, or until that box of salts is finished.  There's nothign really wrong with feeling cognitively slow, in my case, because I don't have a job and am disabled (because of the psych meds), but I would prefer not feeling this way if it could be helped.

 

BUT I'm also unusually hypersensitive - so if you're not so hypersensitive, I can imagine this working pretty well for most people.  At the very least, I strongly recommend TRYING the epsome salts.  I was very surprised at how sedated they made me - and I only tried 2 cups, rather than the recommended 5 cups.

 

Love and Hugs,

Osk

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I have the utmost respect for GiaK, but I must add a warning to her recipe.  It is possible to overdose on magnesium, and using this much in a NIGHTLY bath could easily do just that.  If you find that the baths are leaving you agitated and anxious, then you're getting too much of a good thing and need to cut back.  I've had it happen to several good friends. Otherwise enjoy.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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  • 2 weeks later...

I suffer from depression, anxiety, pure-o ocd, and panic attacks since 2004. Been on multiple different psychiatric drugs since 2006. Never had a significant WD problem before, only brain zaps for a month and then I'd be fine...............Been on Cipralex (escitalopram) 15 mg and Fluanxol (flupentixol) 1 mg since Sep 2014. Stopped taking the Cipralex after a fast 20-day taper.Took the last 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 5th, 2015. Then took Seroxat (paroxetine) 10 mg for a week, and stopped it too. Severe WD started suddenly on Feb 16th. RI 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 18th, 2015. RI worked and was relatively stable for a while................April 7 - decreased Fluanxol from 1 mg to 0.5 mg and took it at this dose for a week. - BIG MISTAKE; April 13 - WD starts creeping in; April 14 - RI full dose of Fluanxol 1 mg => severe muscle twitching and jerking when trying to relax and fall asleep, overwhelming sense of doom, dread, terror, and horror, insomnia, hoping to stabilize.
Tried doing a 10% cut off Fluanxol in the end of May for a few days, but quickly updosed to full dose because the twitching returned.
Experiencing waves and windows in the following months.
Unsuccessful brief taper attempt of Fluanxol by 5% on November 1st. Symptoms hit the next day. Too scared to continue tapering, reinstate full dose.
Severe crash in November after stupidly trying a barbiturate on November 9th. Grave mistake. Sense of unshakable inescapable internal torture, like my soul is in hell being tortured, terror/horror/dread/doom (probably akathisia?) that gets especially bad when trying to relax and fall asleep, muscles twitch, jerk and move on their own, shaking, insomnia, can't eat, confusion, disorientation, brain not working normally. Never felt so bad in my entire life. Never experiment with other meds while in WD! Praying to God I stabilize and get back to my baseline.
December - things getting even worse.

January - unbearable suffering

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I should have posted a follow-up here before so I'll do so now.  After that first night of getting completely sedated, and the sedation effect lasting for like 12-18 hours - the next bath produced MARKEDLY less profound results.  In fact, I had to add an extra cup of salts to get even a little sleepy.  I did 2 more baths after that, and the effect of 3-5 cups of epsome salts were much much less severe than the first night's experience - but I did tend to sleep quite well those nights. 

 

I should note that I did not do a bath 2 days in a row - for fear of a magnesium overdose.  I did one every other day.

 

Interestingly, when I take oral magnesium I get a pretty nasty headache - perhaps there's a contaminant in the supplement I purchased at CVS that I'm sensitive to?  I do not get this same effect from the epsome salts, although apparently the magnesium is absorbed through the cutaneous circulation and does make it's way into my brain (via circulation).

 

I ended up ordering an extra 20 lbs of the stuff, because I find that soaking in an epsome salt bath, while listening to a meditation speaker was extremely relaxing and made me feel "alive" a bit.

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I have a question. Since I unfortunately don't have a bath, can I use the epsom salts in a plastic basin and soak only my feet? Will it work? And if it has a chance to work, how many cups should I use? 

I suffer from depression, anxiety, pure-o ocd, and panic attacks since 2004. Been on multiple different psychiatric drugs since 2006. Never had a significant WD problem before, only brain zaps for a month and then I'd be fine...............Been on Cipralex (escitalopram) 15 mg and Fluanxol (flupentixol) 1 mg since Sep 2014. Stopped taking the Cipralex after a fast 20-day taper.Took the last 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 5th, 2015. Then took Seroxat (paroxetine) 10 mg for a week, and stopped it too. Severe WD started suddenly on Feb 16th. RI 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 18th, 2015. RI worked and was relatively stable for a while................April 7 - decreased Fluanxol from 1 mg to 0.5 mg and took it at this dose for a week. - BIG MISTAKE; April 13 - WD starts creeping in; April 14 - RI full dose of Fluanxol 1 mg => severe muscle twitching and jerking when trying to relax and fall asleep, overwhelming sense of doom, dread, terror, and horror, insomnia, hoping to stabilize.
Tried doing a 10% cut off Fluanxol in the end of May for a few days, but quickly updosed to full dose because the twitching returned.
Experiencing waves and windows in the following months.
Unsuccessful brief taper attempt of Fluanxol by 5% on November 1st. Symptoms hit the next day. Too scared to continue tapering, reinstate full dose.
Severe crash in November after stupidly trying a barbiturate on November 9th. Grave mistake. Sense of unshakable inescapable internal torture, like my soul is in hell being tortured, terror/horror/dread/doom (probably akathisia?) that gets especially bad when trying to relax and fall asleep, muscles twitch, jerk and move on their own, shaking, insomnia, can't eat, confusion, disorientation, brain not working normally. Never felt so bad in my entire life. Never experiment with other meds while in WD! Praying to God I stabilize and get back to my baseline.
December - things getting even worse.

January - unbearable suffering

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I don't think that much will be absorbed into your blood stream from just your feet - that's something like 2.5% of your total surface area of the body (this estimate is based on a burn % chart which classifies each part of the body) being exposed, compared to around ~80-95% (my personal estimate) when laying in a bath.  That being said, I don't really know for sure if it will work or not - it's worth a shot I suppose?  My best guess would be that it wouldn't work as well.

 

I don't think you could put more than 2 cups in a small bucket of water before the water magnesium solute becomes saturated, leaving un-dissolved crystals on the floor.

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I have been off paxil for 6 mths and have not had good sleep since.  I've tried every sleep aid there is, prescription and over the counter.  If I dont' get sleep tonight Ill probably have to go to the hospital and get put back on meds.  I've tried everything. including the magnesium baths, lavender oil, the works!  Please help 

Started on ad's in the mid 90's.  

Amitriptyline , prozac , Wellbutrin, 'zoloft, effexor, trazodone,   remeron, Paxil, cymbalta 

xanax, buspar, lyrica, gabapentin, sam e, 5htp, L tryptophan, There were other ad's but I cant remember them all. 

Ambien, lunesta, cyclobenzaprine,

levothyroxine

Last ad was  Paxil, 60 mg.  I did a 6mt tapor, 

Only meds at this time is the levothyroxine, fish oil, folic acid, and unisom 

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I have been off paxil for 6 mths and have not had good sleep since.  I've tried every sleep aid there is, prescription and over the counter.  If I dont' get sleep tonight Ill probably have to go to the hospital and get put back on meds.  I've tried everything. including the magnesium baths, lavender oil, the works!  Please help 

 

I have found that other than a little melatonin to help me get to sleep no other drugs / supplements work. I bought some ear plug headphones that I play meditation/sleep music thru and a mask to keep light from hitting my eyes. I sleep a little better with these.

 

The alerting from sounds and light hitting my eyes wakes me up every time. These items keep that from happening as much. Last week I slept one day from 8:30pm until 5:00am. I'm hoping I get some more of those nights. 

AD History
Zoloft (Sertraline) 4/07 - 7/09, Celexa (Citalopram) 7/09 - 10/09 , Zoloft (Sertraline) 11/09 - 4/10 , Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) 5/10 - 4/15 , Effexor (venlafaxine) 5/15 (2 week taper)

 

Taper 
05/2015 - Effexor (venlafaxine) 75mg  7 days, Effexor (venlafaxine) 37.5mg 7 days.

 

Reinstatement  Effexor (venlafaxine)
05/21/2016 37.5mg 06/01/2016 18.75mg

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I cant get to sleep to worry about waking!  Melatonin has not helped me at all.  Neither has any other sleep aid, otc or otherwise.  Last night I took a ambien and didn't sleep at all so of course I'm feeling  horrible today. No matter what anyone says, sleep is necessary to function.  I cant even drive, clean house or anything today.  I'm so afraid I'll end up back in the phyc ward and back on meds. 

Started on ad's in the mid 90's.  

Amitriptyline , prozac , Wellbutrin, 'zoloft, effexor, trazodone,   remeron, Paxil, cymbalta 

xanax, buspar, lyrica, gabapentin, sam e, 5htp, L tryptophan, There were other ad's but I cant remember them all. 

Ambien, lunesta, cyclobenzaprine,

levothyroxine

Last ad was  Paxil, 60 mg.  I did a 6mt tapor, 

Only meds at this time is the levothyroxine, fish oil, folic acid, and unisom 

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