Had a minor setback

[Weeniedoglady]

Hi everyone, I posted awhile back about having a really hard time and I got lots of kind and encouraging words. I had stopped my SSRI and suffered scary, severe withdrawal. I'm back on, it's been about a month and I'm glad to say the last two weeks I have felt almost like myself again.But my doc had prescribed ativan and then clonazepam for the month. Then told me to just stop. I did for 48 hours then caved and took a .25 dose because I'm now terrified of any kind of withdrawal. I'd really like to be off the benzos but I'm still so fragile. Am I trying to move too quickly?

Please no scary comments about how benzos ruin lives, I am well-versed and communicated with my doctor my fears of taking them and we are on the same page until now, I think maybe I need to taper more slowly.

Just looking for some empathy and kind words. Thank you!

[Weeniedoglady]

Yes I had awful withdrawal and am now back on lexapro. Did you go back on the same drug?

[gajh]

You were only on the Ativan and Clonazepam for one month? If so, you shouldn't have any withdrawal from stopping. If your doctor said to just stop, then it should be fine. If you feel better to taper, that is fine too. You are going to be fine. I am glad that the SSRI is helping you so soon. So I am just sending my empathy and kind words as you asked. Be well.

[Weeniedoglady in reply to gajh]

Thank you so much. I'm having a hard time trusting that I won't suffer withdrawal because I suffered so severely trying to taper the SSRI. I'm going to taper the clon slowly, I think my brain just needs that reassurance.

Thanks again

[gajh in reply to Weeniedoglady]

I think it is great to give yourself the reassurance you need. You are doing a good job taking care of yourself.

[ShakeyD]

I was able to taper off ssri with no problems. What sort of withdrawals would you experience?

[Weeniedoglady in reply to ShakeyD]

Just the worst panic attacks/chronic fight or flight for days....diarrhea...disrupted sleep. I've been on them for 15 years though...

[ShakeyD in reply to Weeniedoglady]

Sorry to hear that. Are things any better for you

[Weeniedoglady in reply to ShakeyD]

Yes I'm back on the SSRI and it's starting to work. Next step is tapering the clon. But life feels manageable right now ☺️

[MindfulMoment]

benzos have a definite place in the care of anxiety and panic attacks. Sometimes I need a course to set me back on the right road so I can begin to get things under control again. .25 is a super small dose, if you need it, take it. It was prescribed for a reason. I don’t know why doctors make such a stink about it. Being addicted to not having panic attacks is normal. Once the ssri kicks in good you shouldn’t need it much anymore. You don’t need to taper off. Just see how you feel and only take it once the anxiety becomes too much. Organically you should need it less and less. I have found if I take an Ativan at a small dose and I’m not super anxious I don’t really notice anything different. But in the throws of rolling panic it brings me back to level so I can think logically and have a break.

[Weeniedoglady in reply to MindfulMoment]

Do you mind if I ask; you're saying you sometimes take it regularly for awhile during a particularly rough time and then once back on track you take it just as needed? I'm trying to get back to the 'just as needed'.

[MindfulMoment in reply to Weeniedoglady]

I don’t really need it much anymore. I have my medications really under control and have been working through the issues. On occasion, maybe once a month I will need to take one to stop incoming panic so it doesn’t become a cycle. However, in the past there have been times I needed to be on a daily regimen for a few weeks or so to get things back manageable. And then when I started to feel better I stopped taking it. Usually while I was waiting for a med to kick in fully. I never dosed more than .25 twice a day and never needed to wean off. It does start to lose its effectiveness after 2-3 weeks and people need to go up in dose. That’s the addictive part. I never had that issue.

[Weeniedoglady in reply to MindfulMoment]

Yeah I know my lexapro is still building in my system and I've went months in the past without needing any benzo so I'm hopeful to get back there.

[Weeniedoglady]

Exactly my story. I was in such a great place I thought I didn't need them. So wrong lol

[Midori]

Do what is right for you; Personally I always taper myself off medication.

Cheers, Midori

[Island2]

slowly but surely you will get there , listen to your body , baby steps are always helpful , you are not alone and you are doing great 😊

[Weeniedoglady]

Yeah I've also come to that conclusion. But accepting that brings some peace too.