alizarin: Debilitating Insomnia Help

[alizarin]

Hello,

 

I'm reaching out to SA as a means of hopefully gaining clarity as to what caused or how I can resolve my insomnia.

 

I get a few minutes to an hour per night since May 8th, 2014. Before that I was an 8 hour sleeper.

I was hospitalized in May for hyperthyroidism relapse and slept for a week soundly whilst in hospital. Then I just stopped sleeping when I came back home on the 8th of May. Afterwards, I frequented the ER and ended up hospitalized for another 2.5 weeks due to insomnia and thyroid levels. My thyroid is now regulated, they increased my Klonopin at the hospital by 1 mg, I was given Remeron by a sleep specialist, and I still cannot manage to sleep.

 

I would really appreciate any guidance or help.

 

Thank you!

[alizarin]

I forgot to mention that I was also put on the antibiotic Augmentin last week, since Trazadone lowered my BP, caused vasovagal syncope and I ended in the ER. Suffered dental trauma with surgery scheduled tomorrow morning. Ceased taking antibiotic after 3 days.

[alizarin]

Hi,

 

Unaware of the consequences, I CTed off Lexapro about 1.5 years ago. I had all the typical w/d symptoms, somehow tolerated them, but have been struck with debilitating insomnia now since May 8th. Would there be a possible connection between the Lex CT and the insomnia? Until now, I've been blaming the benzo.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Petunia]

Hi Alizarin,

 

Welcome to SA.  I'm sorry to hear that you have been having problems sleeping, that must be very difficult.  I'm really not sure how we can help.  This is a site which helps people safely taper from psychiatric medications.  Insomnia can be a symptom of withdrawal, but it doesn't look like you stopped or decreased any of your medications around the time you started having problems, although in your signature you have written that you are now tapering Remeron.  A very common withdrawal problem with remeron is rebound insomnia, which reinforces the need for very gradual tapering.

 

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% every for weeks, here are our Remeron tapering tips:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5301-tips-for-tapering-off-remeron-mirtazapine/

 

Did the insomnia start after you started your remeron taper?   It looks like you may be tapering the remeron too fast, but I'm not sure if this is what's causing your insomnia.

 

Maybe others will have some ideas.

 

Petu.

 

Petu.

[alex]

Yes, SSRI'S withdrawal cause insomnia.

I have been struggling with it for 25 months now.

It has gotten better in the sense that I don't use any drug;only natural stuff to help me,and it works.My sleep is broken, but I'm able to rest.

[Petunia]

Unaware of the consequences, I CTed off Lexapro about 1.5 years ago. I had all the typical w/d symptoms, somehow tolerated them, but have been struck with debilitating insomnia now since May 8th. Would there be a possible connection between the Lex CT and the insomnia? Until now, I've been blaming the benzo.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Hi alizarin,

 

I just saw your post in 'symptoms' and added it to your thread, its best to keep all your information together in one place, that way its easier to see what's going on.  Your CT off Lexapro could most definitely be a factor in why you are having sleep problems.  I also now see that you started a benzo taper and then stopped. What dose were you on and how much did you drop?  When did this happen? It would be helpful if you could provide a few more details with dates. Please list your drug history including dates, dosages and all changes prior to May 8th when the problem began.

 

I suggest you don't make any more changes to your medications for now until we can understand your situation better.

[alizarin]

 

"I'm really not sure how we can help.  This is a site which helps people safely taper from psychiatric medications. "

 

Hi, Petu. Thank you for your response. I do realize this site focuses on AD tapers, but it was my prior use of Lexapro that brought me here. I wanted to know if there was a correlation between CT the Lex after 10 years and the onset of chronic insomnia I've been experiencing since the 8th of May. Initially, I CTed the Lex 1.5 years ago.

 

 

"A very common withdrawal problem with remeron is rebound insomnia, which reinforces the need for very gradual tapering."

 

The insomnia began on May 8th. I was prescribed Remeron on July 2nd. Going from 15 mg to 7.5mg in 2 months hasn't altered my sleep, to my knowledge.  

 

"Did the insomnia start after you started your remeron taper?  "

Like I said, the insomnia began before I was on Remeron.

 

Thanks for your suggestions.

Also, please forgive the bold print as I'm still learning how to add quotes.

[alizarin]

Yes, SSRI'S withdrawal cause insomnia.

I have been struggling with it for 25 months now.

It has gotten better in the sense that I don't use any drug;only natural stuff to help me,and it works.My sleep is broken, but I'm able to rest.

Thanks for your response, alex.

Is reinstating recommended after 1.5 years off of Lexapro 10 mg? I'm scared of going back to it as the w/d was so nasty. But I'd be willing to if I knew it was the cause of my insomnia. Sleeping minutes a night to an hour max is literally destroying my body. I had a bad fall last week which ended in me going to the ER and suffering dental trauma.

[alizarin]

 

Unaware of the consequences, I CTed off Lexapro about 1.5 years ago. I had all the typical w/d symptoms, somehow tolerated them, but have been struck with debilitating insomnia now since May 8th. Would there be a possible connection between the Lex CT and the insomnia? Until now, I've been blaming the benzo.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Hi alizarin,

 

I just saw your post in 'symptoms' and added it to your thread, its best to keep all your information together in one place, that way its easier to see what's going on.  Your CT off Lexapro could most definitely be a factor in why you are having sleep problems.  I also now see that you started a benzo taper and then stopped. What dose were you on and how much did you drop?  When did this happen? It would be helpful if you could provide a few more details with dates. Please list your drug history including dates, dosages and all changes prior to May 8th when the problem began.

 

I suggest you don't make any more changes to your medications for now until we can understand your situation better.

 

Sorry for the 'mess', I'm just learning how to navigate the site and post.

I've only removed .3 micrograms of 2 mg K (half dry, half milk) thus far. I began the microtaper last month.

Could you kindly offer any information as to how Lexapro would cause insomnia so later on, after nearly 2 years of CT? I'm just looking for answers, I appreiate your time.

[alizarin]

 

Unaware of the consequences, I CTed off Lexapro about 1.5 years ago. I had all the typical w/d symptoms, somehow tolerated them, but have been struck with debilitating insomnia now since May 8th. Would there be a possible connection between the Lex CT and the insomnia? Until now, I've been blaming the benzo.

 

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

Hi alizarin,

 

I just saw your post in 'symptoms' and added it to your thread, its best to keep all your information together in one place, that way its easier to see what's going on.  Your CT off Lexapro could most definitely be a factor in why you are having sleep problems.  I also now see that you started a benzo taper and then stopped. What dose were you on and how much did you drop?  When did this happen? It would be helpful if you could provide a few more details with dates. Please list your drug history including dates, dosages and all changes prior to May 8th when the problem began.

 

I suggest you don't make any more changes to your medications for now until we can understand your situation better.

 

Hi Petu,

 

I've tried to list the dates and doses to the best of my ability. Please try to bear with me as my insomnia has crippled my ability to organize and process information. Brain fog is beyond terrible and I lack concentration abilities. I'm just running on fear.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, alizarin.

 

What drugs were you taking prior to that bout of hyperthyroidism? How were you treated for that?

 

How was your drug regimen changed when you got out of the hospital?

 

You're probably aware your sleeplessness might be related to your thyroid condition. How has that been ruled out?

[alizarin]

Welcome, alizarin.

 

What drugs were you taking prior to that bout of hyperthyroidism? How were you treated for that?

 

How was your drug regimen changed when you got out of the hospital?

 

You're probably aware your sleeplessness might be related to your thyroid condition. How has that been ruled out?

Hello,

 

Prior to hyperthyroidism, I was only on 1 mg K. The hyperthyroidism had been in remission. I was sleeping well.

However, I was experiencing migraines, visual auras on right side of face, and vertigo. I had a CT and Brain MRI which turned out negative. Had eyes, ears, and throat checked, also nothing. I was blaming these symptoms on benzo tolerance w/d. To me, they are very much alike.

 

Once in hospital, I was given many drugs. Some I do not recall simply because I was quite revved up from the hyperthyroidism coming back full force with tachycardia, heart palpitations, restlessness, you get the gist. But I was given Propranolol for a week then switched to a calcium channel blocker called Cardizem. They upped my Klonopin dose by another mg and it was too late for me to CT it once I became aware. They tried Seroquel for one night. However, I was already not sleeping prior to the med change. To put it briefly, I was in the ambulance, went to ER, they gave me an IV, and I went a week sleeping 8 hours on 1 mg Klonopin, the PTU for thyroid, and the Propranolol. It was after that first week that I stopped sleeping and that's when the meds were changed.

 

Hyperthyroidism is now 'regulated' as my T3, T4, and TSH is within range.

[Altostrata]

My guess is your sleep problem was caused by some precipitous change in your drugs. It could be a drug interaction. Please put ALL the drugs you take in the Drug Interactions Checker http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html and post the results in this topic.

 

Drugs generally take about 4 days to reach steady-state in your bloodstream, it's possible adverse effects to whatever you were prescribed in the hospital kicked in.

 

Adverse effects of Propylthiouracil http://www.drugs.com/pro/propylthiouracil.html

 

You may also be suffering interdose withdrawal, rebound from the Klonopin towards the end of its half-life, 18–50 hours, or it's gone paradoxical on you.

 

It's possible your previous cold turkey off Lexapro might have left your nervous system susceptible to reactivity to drug changes. It doesn't sound to me like you have a withdrawal syndrome problem per se, but your nervous system might have become sensitized in the hospital. Our general philosophy of The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.   applies to you.

 

My guess is you have a benzo problem.

[alizarin]

Hello,

 

Please allow me to clarify the timeline of events and medications until now.

 

2004-2012  and present - Propylthiouracil (varying doses, anywhere from 350 mg to 35 mg, currently taking 150 mg)
2004-present - 1 mg Klonopin (always at night)
2004-2012 - Lexapro 10 mg Quit cold

May 1, 2014: ER then FIRST hospital stay:
May 2014 - Propylthiouracil 350 mg
May 2014 - Propranolol
Slept throughout first stay of 7 days, then went home STILL ON 1 MG KLONOPIN
Home, May 8th 2014: STOPPED SLEEPING
Next Week ER:
Ambien (denied) sent home
ER again:
Xanax (denied)
Reglan (didn’t take) was diagnosed with gastritis

Late May 2014: Hospitalized second time for 2.5 weeks, no sleep.
May: Klonopin 2 mg (given in hospital at morning and noon, not at night)
May: Protonix
May: Propranolol for 5 days, then switched to Cardizen
Realized it was too late to CT the extra 1 mg of Klonopin

May: Released from hospital without progress
Saw therapist and acupuncturist
Acupuncture for sleep: no results
Therapist gossiped about other patients so I quit
Saw psychiatrist and was prescribed Trazadone
June: Took 250 Traz, didn’t sleep
Saw sleep specialist who didn’t perform any sleep tests and informed me i had secondary insomnia due to mood disorder (depression).
July -present 2014 - Remeron (15 mg 1 month, 7.5 mg since Aug.) SLEPT ONE NIGHT on July 2nd then started sleeping 30-1 hour per night
2014 - Klonopin (extra 1 mg) now 2 mg total, began shifting it to night time as opposed to how it was handled in hospital. It gave me maybe a few minutes more sleep
Sept - Took Trazadone 300 mg out of desperation and ended in ER with dental and facial trauma due to vasovagal syncope/ low BP but didn’t sleep. Never took Trazadone again.
Current meds: as listed in sig: Klonopin 2 mg, Rem 7.5, Propylthiouracil 250 mg

 

I hope this clarifies a few things. I thank all who take time to read this for your patience and compassion in trying to help.

[alizarin]

My guess is your sleep problem was caused by some precipitous change in your drugs. It could be a drug interaction. Please put ALL the drugs you take in the Drug Interactions Checker http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html and post the results in this topic.

 

Drugs generally take about 4 days to reach steady-state in your bloodstream, it's possible adverse effects to whatever you were prescribed in the hospital kicked in.

 

Adverse effects of Propylthiouracil http://www.drugs.com/pro/propylthiouracil.html

 

You may also be suffering interdose withdrawal, rebound from the Klonopin towards the end of its half-life, 18–50 hours, or it's gone paradoxical on you.

 

It's possible your previous cold turkey off Lexapro might have left your nervous system susceptible to reactivity to drug changes. It doesn't sound to me like you have a withdrawal syndrome problem per se, but your nervous system might have become sensitized in the hospital. Our general philosophy of The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.   applies to you.

 

My guess is you have a benzo problem.

Hi,

Thanks for your time. If it was a negative drug interaction at the hospital, is there anything I can do now to try and resolve this? If it's the benzo, I am trying my best to taper but it will be a very slow process as I'm on a high dose and have been on the drug for a decade now. Any suggestions?

 

Thank you kindly for your time.

      clonazepam ↔ mirtazapine

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), Remeron (mirtazapine)

Using clonazePAM together with mirtazapine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience some impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

cholecalciferol ↔ magnesium amino acids chelate

Applies to: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), Chelated Magnesium (magnesium amino acids chelate)

Ask your doctor before using cholecalciferol together with magnesium amino acids chelate. If you are undergoing chronic kidney dialysis treated with cholecalciferol you should avoid magnesium amino acids chelate. Using these medications together can cause high magnesium levels, particularly in chronic kidney dialysis. This can cause nausea, vomiting, flushing, low blood pressure, a slow heartbeat, drowsiness, coma, and death. High magnesium levels may also play a role in the development of bone disease in dialysis patients. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

[alizarin]

Yes, SSRI'S withdrawal cause insomnia.

I have been struggling with it for 25 months now.

It has gotten better in the sense that I don't use any drug;only natural stuff to help me,and it works.My sleep is broken, but I'm able to rest.

Hi Alex,

 

Thank you for your response. May I ask, how long did you go with either no sleep or minutes of it at a time? I've been like this since May and had a traumatic injury (fall) last week which caused facial lacerations and severe dental trauma. I don't want to become bedridden. Any advice on getting through the insomnia?

 

Thank you so much.

[alex]

Try natural stuff like Linden tea, mint,and Valerian root.

Also you can try a supplement called "Seriphos" which seems to lower cortisol levels.

 

I am having the hardest time in months.

 

Hang in there.

[alizarin]

Please, does any knowledgeable member have any advice regarding what to do in the situation described above? I'm honestly struggling to stay afloat daily.

 

Thank you.

[alizarin]

Please somebody help me. I think what I'm experiencing is withdrawal from 9 years use of 10 mg Lexapro. All my symptoms are here:

http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2014/05/07/lexapro-withdrawal-symptoms-how-long-do-they-last/

 

Please help me, I am 36 years old and feel utterly helpless. Can't sleep, bathe, do simple chores, am alone, no family. Please help me.

[Meimeiquest]

Oh my word. I can't imagine. So very sorry. When you can't sleep what is it like? Are you on full alert all night, almost go to asleep and jerk awake, or what? Do you have any idea why you developed hyperthyroidism in the first place? You might see if Karma could look at your thyroid values, she's our thyroid expert. Sometimes normal and NORMAL are not the same thing. I would think another sleep specialist might be in order.

[alizarin]

Oh my word. I can't imagine. So very sorry. When you can't sleep what is it like? Are you on full alert all night, almost go to asleep and jerk awake, or what? Do you have any idea why you developed hyperthyroidism in the first place? You might see if Karma could look at your thyroid values, she's our thyroid expert. Sometimes normal and NORMAL are not the same thing. I would think another sleep specialist might be in order.

I have to take 2mg Klonopin plus 7.5 Remeron before bed. I do FALL asleep but wake up minutes later. I just wake up. No real anxiety until the hours pass and I realize I cannot sleep.

My thyroid is regulated and tests show it's almost looking HYPO. I developed hyperthyroidism in my mid 20s due to Graves. There are no more sleep specialists in my city. The one I saw was supposed to be one of the best but never performed tests. Now I'm stuck taking Remeron because I'm afraid of rebound insomnia. I'm desperate. The depersonalization is getting out of control.

Please, somebody help me. Offer suggestions. I've included a timeline with everything I've taken for the past 10 years.

[alizarin]

Should I reinstate the Lexapro that I mistankenly Cted a year ago??? Could this be the culprit? Or should I continue to taper the Remeron before the Klonopin? Without the Remeron, I can't eat and experience bad nausea with GI issues. Someone, please.

[bubble]

Hello Alizarin,

 

sorry we couldn't have been more helpful so far. I'm really sorry about your suffering. We are around the same age and I was also on 10 mg of Lexapro. I reduced to 5 mg without problems and then stayed on that dose for 6 months. then I cut to 2.5 mg and after 2 weeks they ran out of the drug in pharmacies so I was forced to stop. I also stopped Xanax and managed to last for 40 days. Then the whole hell broke lose. 

 

Alto is our main expert here and I read very carefully what she writes. I think you are right in assuming you are still suffering from Lexapro withdrawal but reinstating it now is a very, very long shot. I don't know what I would do in your situation... Given my experience of relief upon reinstating, I am inclined to support reinstating. But if you decide to do so you should try with the smallest possible amount, 1 mg at most. In that way you can stop intermediately if there is a bad reaction.  

 

Alto indicated that you might have a problem with benzo Klonopin. You have also been on it for a long time in the same way I was on Xanax. 

 

We have a benzo section here so you can start a thread there so that we can explore in more detail what is happening with Klonopin. 

 

I'm so sorry you are suffering so much. Not being able to sleep is horrible. Have you looked at our thread on sleep problems to find something that might help?

 

Keep us posted.

 

big hug,

 

Bubble

[alizarin]

Bubble,

 

Thanks so much for your response. I mistakenly cted the Lexapro that I had taken for 9 years. I did this about 1.5 years ago and still believe I am withdrawing from it at times. Trouble is, the AD w/d symptoms are quite similar to the Klonopin. To be honest, I've always been far more terrified of Klonopin w/d that I overlooked Lexapro, until I stopped sleeping. I can't testify with certainty that Lexapro is the root cause of my insomnia but I somehow fear it may be as I was still sleeping during my first hospital stay (you can find the timeline above).

 

You just stopped Xanax for 40 days? How much were you on and for how long, if I may ask, 2-3 mg? Did Lexapro w/d cause insomnia for you? I wonder how many years it would take the average misinformed CTer for Lex insomnia symptoms to subside.

 

I tried taking 15 mg of Remeron last night and it just made things worse as my heart felt as if it was racing.

 

Thanks for suggesting the sleep threads, although I have looked and read them extensively. That's all I do lately. Read anything and everything I can about insomnia (since May 8th of this year). I am exhausted and not having a family (mom passed 3 years ago suddenly due to pancreatic cancer), I can't say that I have anything to lean on or a 'purpose'. But I have lost everything since May and at the rate I'm going, will end up homeless. I had a major fall this month with facial lacerations and dental trauma from vasovagal syncope due to low BP and Trazadone. All in vain attempts to control insomnia so I can 'function'.

[alizarin]

It's very difficult to distinguish benzo tolerance/ relative w/d from Lexapro withdrawal. I've had most of what's included in both lists, minus the seizures of the benzo.

[Altostrata]

That is true, alizarin.

 

You may have prolonged post-acute withdrawal syndrome from your cold turkey of Lexapro so long ago. However, from what we've seen, reinstatement of Lexapro at any dose or any other antidepressant in your state would be a gamble with long odds.

 

Since you went off Lexapro, possibly leaving your nervous system hyper-reactive to any kind of drugs, you've been on many drugs and combinations of drugs. It's likely adverse effects from any of these re-awakened or reinforced those signs of nervous system dysregulation we call withdrawal symptoms. Sleeplessness is one of those symptoms.

 

I would not call your current situation Lexapro withdrawal syndrome, but rather nervous system hypersensitivity to drugs. You need to let your nervous system settle down.

 

The pattern of alerting upon falling asleep that you've described indicates a possible paradoxical reaction to the mirtazapine-Klonopin combination. What I might do is separate taking them by a couple of hours, probably take the mirtazapine earlier. Then the whole load won't hit your nervous system at once.

 

How long have you been on your present combination of drugs? To let your nervous system stabilize, it's important to keep all of them as steady as possible.

[alizarin]

That is true, alizarin.

 

You may have prolonged post-acute withdrawal syndrome from your cold turkey of Lexapro so long ago. However, from what we've seen, reinstatement of Lexapro at any dose or any other antidepressant in your state would be a gamble with long odds.

 

Since you went off Lexapro, possibly leaving your nervous system hyper-reactive to any kind of drugs, you've been on many drugs and combinations of drugs. It's likely adverse effects from any of these re-awakened or reinforced those signs of nervous system dysregulation we call withdrawal symptoms. Sleeplessness is one of those symptoms.

 

I would not call your current situation Lexapro withdrawal syndrome, but rather nervous system hypersensitivity to drugs. You need to let your nervous system settle down.

 

The pattern of alerting upon falling asleep that you've described indicates a possible paradoxical reaction to the mirtazapine-Klonopin combination. What I might do is separate taking them by a couple of hours, probably take the mirtazapine earlier. Then the whole load won't hit your nervous system at once.

 

How long have you been on your present combination of drugs? To let your nervous system stabilize, it's important to keep all of them as steady as possible.

Hi there,

 

I have been taking the Remeron since July 2. It was prescribed by a sleep specialist at 15 mg who then informed me to get off it in August. I'm taking what I have left at 7.5 mg and then, if I want to continue the taper, I'll have to ask another doctor. So to answer your question, this combination has been so since July. Prior to that, I was just taking the Klonopin with the PTU (thyroid), after all the meds from hospitals were eliminated.

I'm sorry if it appears I mentioned a 'pattern of alerting'. I didn't mean to. What I meant was that I notice my heart rate increased at around 2-3 am, after having taken a larger dose of Remeron last night. I know I shouldnt have but I've been desperate to sleep. I'm staying on 7.5 regardless of what happens from now on. I do notice that the Rem-Klon conglomeration significantly disrupts my short-term memory. Klonopin used to do that on its own at 1 mg.

Do you think the insomnia will subside on its own with time? Prior to May, I never had an issue with sleep so it literally feels as if I'm in a different reality, quite a petrifying one.

Thank you, infinitely, for listening and providing advice.

[alizarin]

Forgot to mention thast I've also had a lot of GI issues since I was released from the hospital. I experience bloating and cramping. I've had every type of CT and MRI performed (all being negative) and am now wondering if I'm going to need an endoscopy?

[Altostrata]

You may be having a paradoxical reaction to the Klonopin itself. Please keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern relative to when you take your drugs.

 

When someone has a complex drug history such as yours and is taking a combination of drugs, it's impossible to tell what's doing what. Your nervous system changes over time and can get sensitized even to drugs that seemed reliable before. Benzos can go paradoxical, Remeron can become stimulating.

 

I cannot tell you if you need an endoscopy. You should consult with a gastroenterologist.

[alizarin]

That is true, alizarin.

 

You may have prolonged post-acute withdrawal syndrome from your cold turkey of Lexapro so long ago. However, from what we've seen, reinstatement of Lexapro at any dose or any other antidepressant in your state would be a gamble with long odds.

 

Since you went off Lexapro, possibly leaving your nervous system hyper-reactive to any kind of drugs, you've been on many drugs and combinations of drugs. It's likely adverse effects from any of these re-awakened or reinforced those signs of nervous system dysregulation we call withdrawal symptoms. Sleeplessness is one of those symptoms.

 

I would not call your current situation Lexapro withdrawal syndrome, but rather nervous system hypersensitivity to drugs. You need to let your nervous system settle down.

 

The pattern of alerting upon falling asleep that you've described indicates a possible paradoxical reaction to the mirtazapine-Klonopin combination. What I might do is separate taking them by a couple of hours, probably take the mirtazapine earlier. Then the whole load won't hit your nervous system at once.

 

How long have you been on your present combination of drugs? To let your nervous system stabilize, it's important to keep all of them as steady as possible.

Should I continue to taper the Remeron 7.5 mg which I've been taking since July 2nd? I stopped tapering it half a month ago.

[alizarin]

 

 

Since you went off Lexapro, possibly leaving your nervous system hyper-reactive to any kind of drugs, you've been on many drugs and combinations of drugs. It's likely adverse effects from any of these re-awakened or reinforced those signs of nervous system dysregulation we call withdrawal symptoms. Sleeplessness is one of those symptoms.

 

Alto,

 

Why did I begin suffering from insomnia so (seemingly, to me at least) late in the Lexapro w/d? I feel, to be honest, uninformed typing this, but I had no idea that insomnia would be a symptom of Lexapro. I have been blaming the benzo all along.

[Petunia]

 

Why did I begin suffering from insomnia so (seemingly, to me at least) late in the Lexapro w/d? I feel, to be honest, uninformed typing this, but I had no idea that insomnia would be a symptom of Lexapro. I have been blaming the benzo all along.

 

 

 

When someone has a complex drug history such as yours and is taking a combination of drugs, it's impossible to tell what's doing what. Your nervous system changes over time and can get sensitized even to drugs that seemed reliable before. Benzos can go paradoxical, Remeron can become stimulating.

 

 

 

 

Should I continue to taper the Remeron 7.5 mg which I've been taking since July 2nd? I stopped tapering it half a month ago.

 

 

If I were in your situation alizarin, I would stop tapering everything and do as Alto suggested - keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern relative to when you take your drugs.

 

If you do this, it may be possible to find out what kind of effect each drug it having on you, then you will know which drug to reduce first.  Your nervous system needs a break from changes, it needs to have the opportunity to settle down.  Look through the symptoms and self care section to find ways to help you relax so that you can get some rest at night, even though you may not be sleeping much.

 

symptoms and self care

[alizarin]

 

 

Why did I begin suffering from insomnia so (seemingly, to me at least) late in the Lexapro w/d? I feel, to be honest, uninformed typing this, but I had no idea that insomnia would be a symptom of Lexapro. I have been blaming the benzo all along.

 

 

 

When someone has a complex drug history such as yours and is taking a combination of drugs, it's impossible to tell what's doing what. Your nervous system changes over time and can get sensitized even to drugs that seemed reliable before. Benzos can go paradoxical, Remeron can become stimulating.

 

 

 

 

Should I continue to taper the Remeron 7.5 mg which I've been taking since July 2nd? I stopped tapering it half a month ago.

 

 

If I were in your situation alizarin, I would stop tapering everything and do as Alto suggested - keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern relative to when you take your drugs.

 

If you do this, it may be possible to find out what kind of effect each drug it having on you, then you will know which drug to reduce first.  Your nervous system needs a break from changes, it needs to have the opportunity to settle down.  Look through the symptoms and self care section to find ways to help you relax so that you can get some rest at night, even though you may not be sleeping much.

 

symptoms and self care

 

Hi,

I can't really say I have symptoms when I take the drugs. The only symptom I suffer from currently is insomnia. I did have/ experience all the Lexapro w/d symptoms before, but even then I was working and quite productive. It's the insomnia that's rendered me useless and dependent on others. Also, please forgive me if I may repeat or inquire about something more than once. Since I don't sleep, my memory and cognitive abilities are nonexistant. I'm basically bedridden at 36 years of age.

 

Also, please keep in mind that the insomnia occured before I was put on 2 mgs Klonopin. I was sleeping on 1 mg K during my first hospitalization.

Thanks for the referral to 'symptoms and self care'; as I mentioned to Bubble a few posts above, I've read it extensively. I simply have not had any luck.

 

Is there anyone on this forum that I can speak to that's endured  a Lexapro CT wd? Also, how long do I try to stabilize on the K and Rem before tapering? I ask because I've only taken the Remeron since July 2nd and am at  7.5 mg. As you can see, I've quite a daunting task ahead of me with tapering that and then the giant Klonopin beast. My insurance will expire in March so I don't have too much time available as I've lost my job due to this insomnia.

 

Thank you so much for your time!

[alizarin]

You may be having a paradoxical reaction to the Klonopin itself. Please keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern relative to when you take your drugs.

 

When someone has a complex drug history such as yours and is taking a combination of drugs, it's impossible to tell what's doing what. Your nervous system changes over time and can get sensitized even to drugs that seemed reliable before. Benzos can go paradoxical, Remeron can become stimulating.

 

I cannot tell you if you need an endoscopy. You should consult with a gastroenterologist.

Hi,

Sure, I can keep notes. Thank you for the suggestion. However, I don't really 'feel' anything when I take either the Klonopin or the Remeron. I simply take the Remeron at about 9 pm, then the K at 10 pm. I read a little in bed and manage to fall asleep. Then an hour later or sometimes even 45 minutes later, I wake up and just stay in bed. I cannot stay asleep. I remember that on July 2nd, when I was able yo sleep for 8 hours the first time I took the Remeron, I felt amazing. Had some tea and accomplished a lot. Before that, I slept on May 8th. That's been all. I'm desperate.

Thank you for your time.

[Meimeiquest]

You might want to read MammaP's thread as she has ongoing insomnia issues. At some point she mentions that she was told to not lie down in bed all day, or at night when unable to sleep. That worked for me at the end of my first benzo taper...I limited my sleeping time to time I usually slept, then gradually increased it. Pretty brutal, though. But before I came to this site I restarted the benzo while tapering an antipsychotic. If I hadn't done that I probably would be done coming off drugs by now.

[alizarin]

You might want to read MammaP's thread as she has ongoing insomnia issues. At some point she mentions that she was told to not lie down in bed all day, or at night when unable to sleep. That worked for me at the end of my first benzo taper...I limited my sleeping time to time I usually slept, then gradually increased it. Pretty brutal, though. But before I came to this site I restarted the benzo while tapering an antipsychotic. If I hadn't done that I probably would be done coming off drugs by now.

like sleep restriction, perhaps. trouble is i've begun to have balance issues with accompanying dizziness. had a fall early this month resulting in facial lacerations and dental trauma due to insomnia.

 

i will peruse her posts. thank you.