Zopiclone prolonged withdrawal symptoms
Posted , 7 users are following.
Has anyone else suffered prolonged withdrawal symptoms from coming off z drugs or benzos? Was forced to just stop zopiclone end January by new GP after using them on and off for 12 years. Still suffering anxiety and intrusive thoughts. Now trying sertraline in desperation. Tried therapy, cbt, self help books, various supplements, mindfulness nithing helps. Have been advised by a benzo help line here that most people don'T recover until the 2nd year at least. Undoubtly being made go cold turkey mad things lot worse as never had any symptoms before stopping.
0 likes, 25 replies
lee12629 Guest
Posted
I'm confused,you stopped last January or are stopping this coming January? Your Doctor made you,or is making you stop cold Turkey? If it's this next January you are stopping,go to a different doctor,the safest way suppose ably is to taper slowly over a matter of months. Your body needs an adjustment period. between dose reductions. If you did stop cold Turkey because a Doctor would not help you taper,I would be looking for another Doctor. I am kind of in the same situation. After taking Alprasolam (Xanax) by prescription for bad anxiety,4 × 0.5 or 2 MG daily, (for half that time I took, 3×0.5 daily for 10 years my Doctor of 20 years retired,so far I've seen 2 doctors,the one I currently have,is refusing to keep prescribing it. The other one I consulted,same thing. Both however are saying I should taper 1 pill per month,unless we need to slow it down because of too many symptoms at one step. I so far have cut it 1 and a half pills. I already am getting panic attacks because I was not expecting this to happen. He also is trying to get me too start an anti-depressant,I need relief from anxiety,but am leary. Anyway what dose were you on? I do so hope you feel better. I'm thinking a lot of your symptoms are probably from continued stress this has left you.
Sears lee12629
Posted
Does anyone out there REALLY TRULY get relief from anti depressants?
lee12629 Sears
Posted
I've been reading so much,my brain hurts lol. I think some do,while I think others just suffer from a constant change of anti depressants not working. Start up symptoms,waiting for them to work,if they don't,withdrawal symptoms from the antidepressants. Anyway,I am leary to start one while being in the process of a taper as I wouldn't know which med could be producing a negative symptom if I got one. He is really pushing them on me,when I say no,its always WHY, you can always find another Doctor,actually if I can find one I will,my doctor I had for 20 years always listened to how I felt. By the Way,I'm in the U.S.
Guest lee12629
Posted
As I said in post I came off them in January. Opinion has changed about prescribing them now, my doctor would always give them to you , but now they'll only give you 2 weeks worth. I was told it was just placebo effect and I'd be fine. The symptoms are purely caused by withdrawal, was only on 1/4 of a tablet but for a long time
Sears Guest
Posted
Ive never heard of the two week antidepressant thing. They take much longer than that to start working. Its benzos that are not being prescribed for more than two weeks. Im in the U.S also.
Sears lee12629
Posted
Its a dilemma for sure. I just started Prozac to hopefully help with my benzo taper. I dont really like them but dont know what else to do at this point. Try not reading too much on those internet forums. Lots of crazies out there.
Guest Sears
Posted
I was referring to the zopiclone, regarding limiting how long you can have them. I know anti depressants have to be taken for quite a while. I was told zopiclone was non addictive originally!
lee12629 Sears
Posted
Can I ask how long you've taken the Prozac?
Sears lee12629
Posted
Ive been taking Prozac for about 2 weeks.
lee12629 Sears
Posted
How are you feeling..the prozac? I am still considering it,either during or after withdrawal. I have anxiety,so it's at least something I'm thinking about. I am dreading the New Year with this hanging over me. Two months ago,I didn't know I'd have to be dealing with this. Even had a trip planned to Florida,now this.. Anyway appreciate this forum and all of you people on it. Happy Holidays..here's hoping we have a good 2020.
Sears lee12629
Posted
My doctor felt I should start taking this before i begin tapering. So far the only thing Ive noticed is an increase in anxiety which is normal during the 6 or so weeks it can take to kick in. According to my doctor it should help with anxiety although everyone is sooooo different on these meds. Ill just have to wait and see. I am not looking forward to this taper! Thank God he believes in going very very slow! He says 6 mos., a year, longer if that what it takes.
lee12629 Sears
Posted
That is good that he is helping you take it slow. If I take the anti depressant he said we will slow it down to get used to the med. I am planning on keeping it slow as I can, I just talked him into keeping me on my current dose an extra month...slow..is good,only bad thing is it takes so long it makes my anxiety bad .
lee12629 Sears
Posted
I have tapered down one and a half 0.5 from 2 MG a day. So far it hasn't been too bad as this was close to my original dose a few years back. I do feel tired though as my sleep is not very good,think it's my own doing though as I lay there and worry half the night.
Sears lee12629
Posted
i know what you mean. I detest thinking about pills, tapering, doctor appts., Its causing a whole new element of anxiety for myself. I just wish I could be put into a coma, wake up and its over!!!!! I still cant believe theres really no tried, true and effective way to taper. Hard core heroin users can be off in a week or so.
lee12629 Guest
Posted
Also,it doesn't really sound like prolonged withdrawal to me,just sounds like the original reason you took your med is still there now that you've quit. Do you live in a state where CBD oil is legal? I have read some very good things about research showing it can really help with Anxiety. It is legal in my state,so I am thinking of trying it.
Guest lee12629
Posted
It's definitely prolonged withdrawal, took them for insomnia nothing else, didn't have any anxiety before stopping them. The helpline said most people don't recover until the second year it's manned by people who have taken them in the past. have
lee12629 Guest
Posted
I'm not really familiar with your med. I have read quite a few people recover quite quickly. Seems every site and help line has a different timetable they go by. Some state much shorter than 2 years.