1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Benzodiazepines and Z Drugs

Apo-diazepam withdrawal

Posted , 3 users are following.

Jim45991
Jim45991

Hi, 

My doctor prescribed me 2mg of diazepam to help me get off zopiclone (which I took for about 4 month). So far I have been able to manage all the withdrawal symptoms that I have (nausea, cold, agitation, a constant tinnitus, numbness, dizziness, feeling of not being my self, shaking 24/7, bla bla bla). I'm now at 0.5 mg and I've been on diazepam for 3 weeks only. I've been tapering 25% every week, so I should come off next friday. The thing is, i'm starting to have intrusive thoughts and it's scares me a lot (ya...my thoughts are hunting me. Meh). I feel extremely vulnerable. It seemed like i'm auto-stimulating my fears (fear of becoming violent, of losing control or grasp on reality, fear to become suicidal or crazy, etc.). I've never had this kind of thoughts before and I feel like I may be hypersensitive to any medication, and I feel very isolated even tho my family is there for me. So, I would like to know if there's anything I can do or if these intrusive thoughts are normal considering have been taking a low dose for a short period of time? I eat well, do plenty of exercice, drink a lot of water and I try to see my friends (I'm well surrounded). 

I was prescribed zopiclone/imovane to help me sleep in a rough period of my life. that became critical after I did mdma once in a music festival (what a poor choice). I decided to stop zopiclone (with the approval of my psy and doctor) because I was experiencing a severe rebound anxiety during daytime.

I'm 27 and I'm just scared of not being able to enjoy life again. 

Thank you smile

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • jane48558
    jane48558 Jim45991

    Posted

    I couldn't help but reply to your post after your last sentence!  I've known that fear, and while I had to pull myself up by my bootstraps, I did eventually get through it.

    it sounds as though your medication is mostly low dose, so take all the help you can get from anyone around you who is willing to support you. It sounds to me as though a good starting point would be an SSRI like Prozac or Citalopram.  This need only be temporary until you feel back in control of your life.

    i'm not saying it will be easy, but you have to learn to not be so hard on yourself.  So you lapse here and there.  So what?  Would you hate a good friend for dropping the ball occasionally?  Of course not - they are a loveable, capable human being.  As are you.

    i truly hope this helps you, and wish you all the best ❤️I'm sure you will get there!

    • Jim45991
      Jim45991 jane48558

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. So far, I have tried 0,5 mg of Ativan when needed, Citalopram (apparently I had a serotonergic syndrome...so I had to stop), lowest dose of Effexor (was worst), 6,25 mg of Quetiapine (worse worse) and Remeron (made me feel violent, agitated, confuse, etc.). At first, both anxiety and panic attacks where the problem. Then, it was the sleep. I had panic attacks when I would fall asleep. Even gravol (seasick pills) gave me anxiety. That's almost funny. 

      ....Maybe I just need time.  

    • lily69921
      lily69921 Jim45991

      Posted

      Jim, I think you nailed it on the head yourself! You need to give yourself time! Going back and forth on all of these benzos and related meds is not good for your CNS! The doctors will say why don't we try this med or that med and if it doesn't work after a few days, stop and it isn't a problem. My personal belief is that the Valium cuts you took were too big and the taper too fast. Maybe some people can handle 25percent each week, but at least 30 percent of people probably can't! I really think you should probably stay on your remaining dose of Valium for a few weeks to see if you can't stabilize some and then reduce more slowly. You can get your doctor to write scripts for compounding and reduce at 10 percent or even less every few weeks.A lot of us are extremely sensitive to meds, but these benzos, antidepressants etc are all dangerous toxins! I hope you can deal with the mental issues. If these aren't intolerable then you should just try to stay away from more meds, but only you really know!
  • lily69921
    lily69921 Jim45991

    Posted

    Jim, since you were on such a low dose got such a short period of time, you are experiencing symptoms that are not that common. However, I think that your doctor cutting by 25percent for each cut was and is too much for your system to handle. Everyone is different and this tapering business is a very i exact science. I have all of your physical symptoms but no de realization and not too many intrusive thoughts.Please don't worry. You are young,healthy, and have not been on benzos for too long! I feel the cuts might have been too large for you. Many people can only handle 2 1/2 percent cuts every three weeks or more,You probably know more about how you should taper than your doctor. Please refer to the Ashton Manual for benzo tapering and related info!
    • Jim45991
      Jim45991 lily69921

      Posted

      Thanks for your support smile I think your right, 25% might be to much, I should have tried 12,5% instead, but its stress me out having to extend the treatment, even for a week, when i'm having those discomfortable thoughts from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep again. At least I don't have strange behaviours. 

      I'll try not to worry as you say nor try to rationalize everything. But still, I dont understand why there's a profond gap between what the doctors told me this drug would do to my body and what I'm actually experiencing. 

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.