Endless withdrawal from benzos and pregabalin

Posted by chaos @chaos, Jun 3, 2022

Hi,
I’m at my wit’s end. I have been withdrawing for so so long that euthanasia is looking good to me. Since last November I have withdrawn from clonazepam and closely followed by pregabalin. Actually still struggling with the later drug. I am not sleeping, full of anxiety, fear and wanting to off myself. It feels like every week I reduce the drug, I lose hope that things will get better. I don’t have anyone in the medical system that understands withdrawal from these drugs.
It would be good to connect with people that have gone through this process and have improved their lives.
Also, I’m not sure if there is a discussion already in place for this topic.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Addiction & Recovery Support Group.

@yvonne55

I went to that Coalition site and it scared the pants off me. I noticed a lot of people are coming off clonazepam. I'd be coming off ativan. Is that any easier?

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I think they would be comparable. Klonipin has a longer half life which might make it easier. You just don’t know how your body will react. It might not be that bad for you. Just go. Dry slow. Never more than 10% a month.

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@chaos

What you have described is horrific and I am very similar to you. I am 70 and I have thought I was having a cardiac issue because of the palpitations. No sleep, hot/cold sweats, anxiety that is beyond belief and fear. My hair fell out because of the drug and I look as if I I’ve aged 5 years in just 6 months.
I was on 4mg of clonazepam, Zolpidem for sleep and then the lyrica for spinal nerve pain. No one seems to understand this. It feels like no one cares at all. Even my husband has been pushing away from me.
I am all alone in this.
I am sad that you are still suffering, but I am also so glad that you reached out to me.
Thank you.

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My husband is bowling and I'm in the ER for the 14th time in 2 months. I get it!

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Hello, I can completely understand the seemingly never ending saga of the Klonopin weaning/this has been a several year venture for me as well, and yes-it seems the medical prof. just don't get it or understand how many varied and painful symptoms go with this. Finally, I am trying a 1 ml. per day taper each day or two that I found on U-tube. I am now down from 3 mg of K. per day to 1.9 mg after 7 months. Initially, the doc tried a 3 week fast taper after 25 years of K at bedtime. That was insane and lasted only a very few days before reinstating-have not been the same since. Has impacted so many aspects of my life, I thank God that my wife has been here at my side, or I would not be able to keep going day to day. I do have some renewed hope in this slow water taper, I do feel blessed that He has given me the strength to keep hope and the strength to endure this and know that one day this bad drug will be out of my system.

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@glgcmk

Hello, I can completely understand the seemingly never ending saga of the Klonopin weaning/this has been a several year venture for me as well, and yes-it seems the medical prof. just don't get it or understand how many varied and painful symptoms go with this. Finally, I am trying a 1 ml. per day taper each day or two that I found on U-tube. I am now down from 3 mg of K. per day to 1.9 mg after 7 months. Initially, the doc tried a 3 week fast taper after 25 years of K at bedtime. That was insane and lasted only a very few days before reinstating-have not been the same since. Has impacted so many aspects of my life, I thank God that my wife has been here at my side, or I would not be able to keep going day to day. I do have some renewed hope in this slow water taper, I do feel blessed that He has given me the strength to keep hope and the strength to endure this and know that one day this bad drug will be out of my system.

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I think it's literally criminal they anyone ever prescribed such a large dose to such an addictive medication. You hang in there - you CAN get off of it - it takes time and determination. Look up benzo buddies online - they are support group and may have some different ideas for you. https://benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php

Wishing you the very best.

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@babs10

I think it's literally criminal they anyone ever prescribed such a large dose to such an addictive medication. You hang in there - you CAN get off of it - it takes time and determination. Look up benzo buddies online - they are support group and may have some different ideas for you. https://benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php

Wishing you the very best.

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TU-I do agree that it is criminal what has happened to so very many, innocently, with these med. so called prof. putting money over patients well being. I am now tapering per Dr. Josef on U Tube, at 1 ml per every other day-long and slow but have dropped from 3 mg of K to 1.9 mg. Each day, so many symptoms, yet by Gods grace, I am determined to get off and believe He carries me each day
TU for your reply and encouragement, and look forward to further communication. God Bless, Greg,

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You are doing so well. Yes on the symptoms and they will pass. In my experience, they lessened over time and then POOF - gone and off of that poison. Prescriptions ought to be restricted and very closely monitored and refilled for very short periods of time, if at all. MDs should have consequences for over-prescribing. They MUST know of the side effects, but continuing to prescribe keeps patients happy and that must be easier than dealing with whatever is causing a person to want benzodiazapenes (anxiety? no sleep? whatever). The current recommendation is to take them for no more than 4 weeks. Many of us went months and most of us went years beyond that recommendation which is in good place for very good reasons.

Stay the good course.

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@glgcmk

TU-I do agree that it is criminal what has happened to so very many, innocently, with these med. so called prof. putting money over patients well being. I am now tapering per Dr. Josef on U Tube, at 1 ml per every other day-long and slow but have dropped from 3 mg of K to 1.9 mg. Each day, so many symptoms, yet by Gods grace, I am determined to get off and believe He carries me each day
TU for your reply and encouragement, and look forward to further communication. God Bless, Greg,

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Josef Witt-Doerring is the best out there right now.

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laurine7, I'm back after many many months away. I finished my taper off Lorazepam 6mg with 3mg Clonazepam and finally. No wonder I suffered so and kept saying I feel like I am still withdrawing from the Lorazepam, I was given .50mg instead of 3mg. Started my taper in June of 2021, finished March of 2022. I feel like I am still in withdrawal. Sleep 3 hours a night, which started in June of 2021 when I stopped the Lorazepam. I believe it's because Lorazepam is also prescribe for insomnia, I was prescribed Lorazepam for Restless Leg Syndrome. I have found out so many mistakes make by my care givers, impossible to imagine. You can get malpractice suits against a Doctor, BUT, IT HAS TO BE DONE EARLY, I didn't know until way later. You CANNOT sue the manufacturer if it's a generic prescription. I am still constantly researching almost 3 years now. I have tried so many prescriptions for RLS, nothing has worked. They just started me on Codeine, not good, but I'm desperate for sleep. Should the codeine not work, My neurologist said we are going to try Methadone. That scares me! I happy to be back with MAYO CONNECT.

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laurine7 You must hang in there, I was on every medicine they prescribe for Parkinson's Disease because of my Restless Leg Syndrome which I was prescribed Lorazepam 6mg each night for 17 years to sleep. Then had to taper with Clonazepam, which they did the incorrect conversion from 6mg of Lorazepam to Clonazepam. Doctors do not know how to deal with this. Benzodiazepines are for short term only, I was prescribed it for 17 years. I now have refractory RLS and they want me to try METHADONE, doesn't that sound crazy. Hopefully, something will hit home.

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@glgcmk

Hello, I can completely understand the seemingly never ending saga of the Klonopin weaning/this has been a several year venture for me as well, and yes-it seems the medical prof. just don't get it or understand how many varied and painful symptoms go with this. Finally, I am trying a 1 ml. per day taper each day or two that I found on U-tube. I am now down from 3 mg of K. per day to 1.9 mg after 7 months. Initially, the doc tried a 3 week fast taper after 25 years of K at bedtime. That was insane and lasted only a very few days before reinstating-have not been the same since. Has impacted so many aspects of my life, I thank God that my wife has been here at my side, or I would not be able to keep going day to day. I do have some renewed hope in this slow water taper, I do feel blessed that He has given me the strength to keep hope and the strength to endure this and know that one day this bad drug will be out of my system.

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You are amazing ! Hats off to you . Klonopin is the only thing that helps with my anxiety . My zolloff stopped working and I am scared to try another one . I take 0.5 and 1/2 daily . My husband has cancer . I do therapy but nothing helps . I also take Restoril because I have insomnia . I tried trazodone but it stopped working . I admire your courage . I am so scared of long term effects but I have no choice .

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