Posted by Carol on March 4, 1999, at 7:24:42
In reply to Re: getting off benzos, posted by Pat on March 3, 1999, at 13:47:29
> Thanks for more responses, everyone. What are benzos? I missed something there. I've been drug free for one week now. I've been on the edge of having an anxiety attack three or four times, but forced myself not to go over the edge. I feel like I'm not sleeping at all, even though I know I must be sleeping at least a few hours a night. Does anybody have a comment on whether the withdrawal effects will get any worse after one full week, or will they just stay the same now and then taper off? I'm supposed to see the psychiatrist this coming Tuesday, and I feel like he is going to try to persuade me to go back on some drug "just in case". I feel anxiety that the withdrawal may get worse than it has been this week. Any thoughts/help on this?
Pat,
At the point you're at, I'd probably ask the Dr. for an appointment in another 2 weeks, to let most everything get out of your system. The only thing that might hold on longer than that would be prozac, which for me had a VERY long duration. At the end of the 2 weeks, with your background, I would start at a low dose of something different, like Wellbutrin (personal experience) or Celexa (new to me). You could ask your Dr. to start at 1/2 the usual starting dose, or at the minimum pill size. For example, Wellbutrin comes in 75 mg SR, which will release over 12 hrs or so. Try it for at least 1 week (2 weeks would be better) to see if the side effects go away or diminish in severity. Only increase the dose when the side effects are tolerable.Milk and carbohydrates at bedtime can help with sleep. My favorite carbo is Pop-tarts, but a bowl of cereal also works. Obviously, this can also lead to weight gain, so you'll need to watch how much of this you do. I've also had warm (not hot) showers help me go to sleep.
Keep on trying, and don't give up. The hardest part at this stage is hoping that the next trial will work, and then not being too disappointed when it doesn't do what's needed.
Take care
Carol
poster:Carol
thread:3201
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990301/msgs/3390.html