Dizzy days

That zappy feeling is horrible. I am on xanax .02

After being prescribed temazapam (15 mg. 25+ yrs.)  I can reassure you what you're feeling is normal while tapering.  I'll spare you the dreadful details of my continuing circumstances, but suffice to say after 4 months of tapering and 6 months of holding at 2 mg. diazapam and 7.5 of temazapam the dizzyness waxes and wanes along with other side effects.  It's important to remember healing from benzos is not linear.  The GABA receptors that have been supressed are being released at different rates.  I doubt it matters whether your withdrawing from D or X. It's been 10 months for me and while I see progress, I have to look at it in terms of months, not days or even weeks. I suggest you taper as slowly as possible to avoid severe side effects.  Try to stay at your current dosage until you feel "stabilized".

 At 70 years of age, I've been able to convince my doctors to allow me to stay at my current dosage.  At the rate I've been going I would need another 2 to 3 years or longer to completely come off this drug due to the length of time I've been on. I'm not willing at this time in my life to sacrifice the time it will take to find normalcy once again.  I'm not suggesting anyone stay on their current dosage as I have  chosen.  Each must find their own way to cope and/or heal. 

 

Hi Carol

​That zappy feeling your getting is completely normal, it's just very uncomfortable especially switching between benzo's. Are you taking 10mg once a day or split into doses? that will make a hugh difference too that Zappy feeling. Speak with your Dr about spliting the dose. Diazepam has a very long half life of active metabolites (up to 200hours) then you get a cumlative effect, same as alcohol. Also Diaz has muscle relaxant qualities (xanax does not) which will give that dizzy (not real "feeling") 1mg of X is a big dose, so it will take several months to "normalize" then start reducing your Diaz. Importantly though, go SLOWLY it takes as long as it takes. If you stopped taking X abruptly and straight on to Diaz that will Defo give the symptoms your describing. Side note 1mg of xanax is approx equal to 20mg of diaz so your already taking half of your normal dose, again this will DEFO give you those symptoms. Ask about taking 4x5mg diaz every 4 hours. Hope this helps. Let me know how you get on

Hiya

​You need a new DR (im not a DR btw) Diaz comes in 2mg and are white, 5mg and are yellow and 10mg are blue. NO WAY should your DR have you come off a big dose of xanax.without tapering down to at least .5mg X first .5mg = 10mg Diaz. Tapering is an uncomfortable expierence, expect a few sleepless nights. Diaz is a very useful medication, but it can take time to adjust. If your using them for sleep only (no anxiety) I would take 5mg about an hour before bed then another 5mg before you turn the lights out. DR may even put you back on xanax on a reduction plan (good idea I think) Did your DR put you straight onto 5mg diaz without trying zolpiderm or zopiclone first AKA the Z drugs? Thats irresponsible in my opinion. I would print this thread out and take to your new DR see what they have to say.Don't be afraid to ask questions  

​Craig

They are called brain zaps. And normal for withdrawal.  Carol, are you in the US or UK?  I am in the US, but have found tons of info from the UK on Benzo withdrawal, I first found the Ashton Manual, and very little from the US.  And am trying to do research on my own becuase I, too, was rapidly tapered from Xanax to Valium and a terrified the Dr. is going to take me off of the little Valium I am on before I can even out.  I do want to get off this crap, but safely and in a way in which I can function.  I've read here and in the Ashton Manual the recomendation of first a cross over from X to V, then an equivelent amount of V, then a 10% taper on your own timetable as your withdrawal subsides.  However, In the US, the DSM5 suggests a cross over to an equivelent anount of valium and then a 25% taper every 2 weeks.  WOW.  I didn't get the cross over, but got more than a 25% taper and am in deep withdrawal including being so dizzy I can no longer drive.  I think Craig is right, it is the Valium, but also the withdrawal.  If it was days and not months later, I would jump at the opportunity to go back and taper slowly.  But it is too late, I am never going back and I hope that one day I wont take a benzo and the withdrawal symptoms will go away.

Hey there

​Ativan (lorazepam) is most often prescribed as an "inbetween" benzo because it's effects start twice as fast but last half as long. Mirtazipine (which i'm on) is an antidepressant that has seditive effects. Citalopram is the current "flavour" of the month. Is it just sleep your having trouble with??? if so I would question why your on benzo anyway, when the Z meds would be the obvious place to start. Zopiclone is ok but it taste bad (i mean bad) lol. Zolpiderm (ambien) is much easierly toleratored and has less side effects (restless leg syndrome, night sweats ect ect. Mirtazipine gave me horriffic nightmare mares but DR and I decided to halve the dose of Mitazipine 15mg and double my Sertraline to 100mg. Bang no more nightmares and guess what I!  was on Citalopram. What I'm getting at Carol is that. It's not a 1 size fits all situation, and it sounds like your old DR is just trying to fob you off ( and go help someone she thinks she can help can rather than investigate what could be causing your symptoms). Hopefully your new DR will take the time to do a little investigating. Print this thread out and highlight the questions you have. I personally think you should'nt even of been on benzo's in the 1st place, especially since there is no anxiety or panic attack issuses. Defo see your new DR asap. Your much more likely to suceed taking a divided dose either 3x5mg diaz or even 5x2mg diaz. You'll get there it just takes some experimention

Hey there again

​sorry to hear you had a bit of a rough day, it won't be the last one unfortunately, but we can get there.

​I actually agree with you, I think going back too xanax (maybe at .75mg) on too the 1mg bars. Are you taking the prescription for at least 2 weeks?? (it takes at least that long for a theraputic level of the active metabolites to build up. I was actually going to enquire about Venlafaxine (effexor) but the brain zaps on those (especially if you miss a dose) are horrendous. Trust me I did a year long taper as I was on Venlafaxine for nearly 6 years.

​It doesn't make any sense to increase Diaz as you all ready have an aversion to them. I'm sure your aware of the placebo effect. I think this my apply (at least a little) in your case. I eveident this with the fact you said you took a fluexetine (prozac) and 30 min later felt better. That would suggest to me you are expecting that the pill will make you feel better, therefore it would have a stronger effect even though it's only a phsychosomatic one. Unfortunately the reverse is also true.

IF you have a negative impression of the results of the pills your taking, it will have an effect on there efficacy. That's not to say they're not working, but your expecting them not too work. So again the placebo effect in reverse seems to play at least a small part of it. SSRI, are only 1 family of anti D's there's snri, tricylic, nri, tetracylic, sms and then you got mood stablizers. Hope fully your new DR will be a bit more understanding and actually ask questions. I would suggest you print this out and highlight the parts you have questions about. Hang in the kiddo

Craig

​Looking forward, have you heard of Chlordizpoxide (librium) normally used for alcohol withdrawall (it's like a baby benzo lol)  fyi  25mg Chlor=10mg diaz= .5 xanax​ it has a long half life up too 200 hours and (when your ready) introduce it AFTER you have tapered down too at least .5mg. xanax. When was the last time you had blood tests done? There is a combination of medicines that will combine together to work, it just takes awhile to find it sometimes.