1. < Depression & Anxiety

Yearning to be addiction-free ASAP but asking for helpful ideas

Posted by nolongerstressedmesseddepressed @stressedmesseddepressed, Mar 2, 2018

Hi, I'm on disability for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, take 60 mg Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and 4 mg daily of Clonazepam. I know that if you attempt to cold turkey off any benodiazepam like Clonazepam, you can have seizures and even die! I declare March 2018 as "My Personal Freedom Month" of all my addictions - Clonazepam, Sugar (severely addicted!), Weed, internet porn, and caffeine. I don't have the money right now to buy weed much and I have to taper off it but weed is/was the only thing that relaxes me as I am habituated to the 4 mg clonazepam so it provides no anxiety relief. I know that I have to "step up" (pun intended) the physical exercise and social activity, among other things. Anybody have any suggestions for tapering off (as quickly as is safely possible to avoid withdrawal symptoms) all these addictive substances? I want to be free of all addictions and save money simultaneously. I've researched you can taper off (and will work with my Psychiatrist) 4 mg clonazepam about 1/2 mg every two weeks until you get down to 1 mg daily, then you need to taper off more slowly, .25 mg every 2 weeks until you're off, about over 5 months if you're starting to wean off at 4 mg. Any suggestions for getting off weed and the other addictions would be very highly appreciated. I have a law degree and I'm a capable guy but crippled / impaired by all these addictive substances. And weed is too expensive for me right now. Thank you / anyone for help with this. At wit's end! Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Mentor
Jim, Volunteer Mentor | @jimhd | Mar 8, 2018
In reply to @stressedmesseddepressed "I definitely have heard and understand your viewpoint about "diseases/bodies need pills/medication" and that's fine, I'm..." + (show)
@stressedmesseddepressed

I definitely have heard and understand your viewpoint about "diseases/bodies need pills/medication" and that's fine, I'm not saying you or I should never take medicine. I'm a pretty good researcher though (learned in law school - not bragging) and benzodiazepams like clonazepam, Ativan, Xanax, and valium are NOT intended to be used for years and years; they are short term drugs. No, I'm not a Doctor but very reliable sources say this - no long term on benzos, that's not their purpose - only short-term - and long term wreaks havoc on your GABA receptors, all 50 million or so of them. They are, imo and that of pre-eminent medical organizations NOT intended for long -term usage and one can become and does become habituated to them so you have to keep upping the dosage to get the same effect. Or they stop working, viz, I feel nothing! from taking 4 mg clonazepam as I am habituated to it and physically dependent on it. The drug companies won't tell you they're short term, or it's in the fine print, so to speak. And big pharma persuades Doctors to rely on benzos for patients.

As for anti-depressants, there are many generations of anti-depressants, some (SSRIs) also not so benign with severe !!! withdrawal symptoms. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Prozac and Cymbalta has been sued many times over alleged underreporting of withdrawal symptoms and suicides and anger by some on Prozac. These anti-depressants are not so innocent.

My solution is to taper off the benzo -.clonazepam completely! and use a non habituating one as suggested by my new great Psychiatrist. OR use natural supplements like omegabrite.com, exercise, therapy, B Complex, L-methylfolate and methyl B12.

Yes, I'm still at 4 mg clonazepam for one more week, then 3.5 for 2 weeks, and so on, then when you get to one, it's extremely difficult to get off that 1 mg and you have to go more slowly, .75, .5, .25 - 2 weeks each or whatever one's particular body requires to not go into severe withdrawal pains. If you go cold turkey - NEVER EVER EVER DO THAT - you can have seizures and even die. I don't want a drug like that in my body. And I want to feel my feelings. I will not be a slave to a benzo! I declare my freedom on August 1. : ) A personal decision. We each need to decide what to do under a Doctor's supervision. We need to speak up more, though, I believe.

As for the depression, I am asking my Psychiatrist if I can switch to Lexapro 10 mg and get off Cymbalta as it is, I've heard, intensely difficult as well, to taper off. I think, as a nation, we need to be active participants with our medical providers and have input into what we take and to ASK QUESTIONS! "Are there non-habituating / non physically-dependent alternatives, Doctor?" Etc. There are so many safer meds than benzos etc.

Thank you for your viewpoint, though! I know I will get off the benzo by about August 1.

May we all be well.

I used this NIH withdrawal study to determine my taper schedule BUT I will confirm with my new Psychiatrist next month (her first opening) and see how my body reacts to this taper schedule. NIH = National Institute of Health. ( NIH is about as reliable as you can get!)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20473065

Jump to this post

@stressedmesseddepressed

I truly hope that you are successful in finding what works best for you.

I took Cymbalta for a couple of years, for peripheral neuropathy pain. It was completely ineffective, so I tapered off it. I don't remember the schedule I followed, but didn't find it difficult, and never noticed any withdrawal symptoms.

I figured out that it was affecting me sexually - I had ED - and my wife and I are both happy that ED is better.

Jim

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 9, 2018
In reply to @lorena1egas "I as many women lived the whole reproductive life with a disorder that is somehow new..." + (show)
@lorena1egas

I as many women lived the whole reproductive life with a disorder that is somehow new for the medical community and it's mechanism still unknown disphoric premenstrual disorder. Have been 20 years on antidepressant but still couldn't have a normal life (2 weeks without symptoms and 2 weeks with mental and physical symptoms) so strong that the condition is recognized as dissability. I did a complete hysterectomy and after it my symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks finished forever. I stopped completely all the benzodiazepines xanax/neuryl medication, just felt bad during 2 weeks because of withdrawal. Couldn't eliminate the zoloft because my brain is used to it. But I can say that I didn't get addicted to benzo. I am 1 and a half year post op and no benzo at all. I guess there are people with a personality with more vulnerability to addiction

Jump to this post

Hello @lorena1egas

I appreciate your sharing your story of dysphoric premenstrual disorder with the Connect Community. For those who may not be aware of it, here is a Mayo link that describes this problem, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/expert-answers/pmdd/faq-20058315

If you would be comfortable sharing more, would you tell us more about your decision to have the hysterectomy? Was it to relieve other symptoms such as excess bleeding, etc.?

I appreciate your input into this discussion and I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

REPLY
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Mar 9, 2018
In reply to @lorena1egas "I as many women lived the whole reproductive life with a disorder that is somehow new..." + (show)
@lorena1egas

I as many women lived the whole reproductive life with a disorder that is somehow new for the medical community and it's mechanism still unknown disphoric premenstrual disorder. Have been 20 years on antidepressant but still couldn't have a normal life (2 weeks without symptoms and 2 weeks with mental and physical symptoms) so strong that the condition is recognized as dissability. I did a complete hysterectomy and after it my symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks finished forever. I stopped completely all the benzodiazepines xanax/neuryl medication, just felt bad during 2 weeks because of withdrawal. Couldn't eliminate the zoloft because my brain is used to it. But I can say that I didn't get addicted to benzo. I am 1 and a half year post op and no benzo at all. I guess there are people with a personality with more vulnerability to addiction

Jump to this post

Hi, @lorena1egas -- thought you may be interested in following the Women's Health group on Mayo Clinic Connect: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/womens-health/. In the light blue box with the photo at the top, you can click on +FOLLOWING to be emailed new posts from that group. I'm sure your experience with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and hysterectomy would be of interest to other members of that group.

Here are a couple threads you may want to read or participate in:

- http://mayocl.in/2HjqAhz (PMDD and medication sensitivity)
- http://mayocl.in/2Fqwr8j (about cramping symptoms years after hysterectomy)

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Nov 23, 2018

@k777 I see @colleenyoung has directed you here. I have been off psych meds for quite sometime. Tried the CBD which helped more than I had realized. My concern was getting caught up in another cycle and also the expense.
I cannot emphasize strongly enough to NOT do this on your own. I did and my circumstances at that time were very complicated and I was no longer under a doctor’s care. If your current doctor is knowledgeable and supportive then follow the taper schedule. Be honest with your doctor and PLEASE don’t try doing so solo.

REPLY
sanchopanza | @sanchopanza | Jul 11, 2019
In reply to @stressedmesseddepressed "I definitely have heard and understand your viewpoint about "diseases/bodies need pills/medication" and that's fine, I'm..." + (show)
@stressedmesseddepressed

I definitely have heard and understand your viewpoint about "diseases/bodies need pills/medication" and that's fine, I'm not saying you or I should never take medicine. I'm a pretty good researcher though (learned in law school - not bragging) and benzodiazepams like clonazepam, Ativan, Xanax, and valium are NOT intended to be used for years and years; they are short term drugs. No, I'm not a Doctor but very reliable sources say this - no long term on benzos, that's not their purpose - only short-term - and long term wreaks havoc on your GABA receptors, all 50 million or so of them. They are, imo and that of pre-eminent medical organizations NOT intended for long -term usage and one can become and does become habituated to them so you have to keep upping the dosage to get the same effect. Or they stop working, viz, I feel nothing! from taking 4 mg clonazepam as I am habituated to it and physically dependent on it. The drug companies won't tell you they're short term, or it's in the fine print, so to speak. And big pharma persuades Doctors to rely on benzos for patients.

As for anti-depressants, there are many generations of anti-depressants, some (SSRIs) also not so benign with severe !!! withdrawal symptoms. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Prozac and Cymbalta has been sued many times over alleged underreporting of withdrawal symptoms and suicides and anger by some on Prozac. These anti-depressants are not so innocent.

My solution is to taper off the benzo -.clonazepam completely! and use a non habituating one as suggested by my new great Psychiatrist. OR use natural supplements like omegabrite.com, exercise, therapy, B Complex, L-methylfolate and methyl B12.

Yes, I'm still at 4 mg clonazepam for one more week, then 3.5 for 2 weeks, and so on, then when you get to one, it's extremely difficult to get off that 1 mg and you have to go more slowly, .75, .5, .25 - 2 weeks each or whatever one's particular body requires to not go into severe withdrawal pains. If you go cold turkey - NEVER EVER EVER DO THAT - you can have seizures and even die. I don't want a drug like that in my body. And I want to feel my feelings. I will not be a slave to a benzo! I declare my freedom on August 1. : ) A personal decision. We each need to decide what to do under a Doctor's supervision. We need to speak up more, though, I believe.

As for the depression, I am asking my Psychiatrist if I can switch to Lexapro 10 mg and get off Cymbalta as it is, I've heard, intensely difficult as well, to taper off. I think, as a nation, we need to be active participants with our medical providers and have input into what we take and to ASK QUESTIONS! "Are there non-habituating / non physically-dependent alternatives, Doctor?" Etc. There are so many safer meds than benzos etc.

Thank you for your viewpoint, though! I know I will get off the benzo by about August 1.

May we all be well.

I used this NIH withdrawal study to determine my taper schedule BUT I will confirm with my new Psychiatrist next month (her first opening) and see how my body reacts to this taper schedule. NIH = National Institute of Health. ( NIH is about as reliable as you can get!)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20473065

Jump to this post

When I tried to stop the clonazepam, it went really badly. I had a Major Depressive Episode and had a seizure along the way. I want to tell you that yes, the slower the better!! As long as you have access to a doctor that's giving you the drug, work your way down as slowly as possible. I know that feeling that you want off all of it and you wan to do it NOW. Please, take one drug at a time. Don't try to stop smoking weed while you're weaning from the benzo. Withdrawal from marijuana can also be a tough experience and you definitely don't want both going on at the same time. I'm glad you see that drug free is the way to go, barring some pressing psychiatric diagnosis. The SSRI's are also hard to stop and need the same amount of care weaning off. When it's medicine that isn't ordinarily abused, they just call it Discontinuance Syndrome. One of my favorite euphemisms.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 11, 2019
In reply to @sanchopanza "When I tried to stop the clonazepam, it went really badly. I had a Major Depressive..." + (show)
@sanchopanza

When I tried to stop the clonazepam, it went really badly. I had a Major Depressive Episode and had a seizure along the way. I want to tell you that yes, the slower the better!! As long as you have access to a doctor that's giving you the drug, work your way down as slowly as possible. I know that feeling that you want off all of it and you wan to do it NOW. Please, take one drug at a time. Don't try to stop smoking weed while you're weaning from the benzo. Withdrawal from marijuana can also be a tough experience and you definitely don't want both going on at the same time. I'm glad you see that drug free is the way to go, barring some pressing psychiatric diagnosis. The SSRI's are also hard to stop and need the same amount of care weaning off. When it's medicine that isn't ordinarily abused, they just call it Discontinuance Syndrome. One of my favorite euphemisms.

Jump to this post

Hello @sanchopanza

I appreciate you sharing your story and offering very good personal examples and advice on withdrawing from drugs of all types.
Consulting a doctor or pharmacist is always the way to safely withdraw from drugs. Your reminder is a good one!

REPLY
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jul 11, 2019
In reply to @sanchopanza "When I tried to stop the clonazepam, it went really badly. I had a Major Depressive..." + (show)
@sanchopanza

When I tried to stop the clonazepam, it went really badly. I had a Major Depressive Episode and had a seizure along the way. I want to tell you that yes, the slower the better!! As long as you have access to a doctor that's giving you the drug, work your way down as slowly as possible. I know that feeling that you want off all of it and you wan to do it NOW. Please, take one drug at a time. Don't try to stop smoking weed while you're weaning from the benzo. Withdrawal from marijuana can also be a tough experience and you definitely don't want both going on at the same time. I'm glad you see that drug free is the way to go, barring some pressing psychiatric diagnosis. The SSRI's are also hard to stop and need the same amount of care weaning off. When it's medicine that isn't ordinarily abused, they just call it Discontinuance Syndrome. One of my favorite euphemisms.

Jump to this post

Hi, @sanchopanza - with your experiences in tapering off of clonazepam, I also thought you might be interested in this Connect thread on that topic https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-clorazapam

REPLY
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jan 23, 2020
In reply to @sanchopanza "When I tried to stop the clonazepam, it went really badly. I had a Major Depressive..." + (show)
@sanchopanza

When I tried to stop the clonazepam, it went really badly. I had a Major Depressive Episode and had a seizure along the way. I want to tell you that yes, the slower the better!! As long as you have access to a doctor that's giving you the drug, work your way down as slowly as possible. I know that feeling that you want off all of it and you wan to do it NOW. Please, take one drug at a time. Don't try to stop smoking weed while you're weaning from the benzo. Withdrawal from marijuana can also be a tough experience and you definitely don't want both going on at the same time. I'm glad you see that drug free is the way to go, barring some pressing psychiatric diagnosis. The SSRI's are also hard to stop and need the same amount of care weaning off. When it's medicine that isn't ordinarily abused, they just call it Discontinuance Syndrome. One of my favorite euphemisms.

Jump to this post

@sanchopanza - that is pretty dramatic that you had a major depressive episode and a seizure along the way while trying to taper off clonazepam. This actually reminds me of @brightwings, who I believe had a stroke while tapering off a medication.

How are you doing now, sanchopanza? Have you recovered from the seizure?

@brightwings, how are you?

REPLY
carmelite | @carmelite | Jan 24, 2020

There is a good book called "Slaying Dragons" that you might want to read. Much to my complete surprise, I found instant liberation from an oppressive suicidal depression through the methods described there and one of the priests estimated that one in four people is afflicted. We are spirit and flesh, and modern medicine often fails to address the root of addiction, which is often spiritually based. Good luck in your quest for freedom. A good confession can prove better and more quickly effective than prescription drugs for many serious mental disorders. Take the road less traveled.... I'm sure glad I did!

REPLY
holly1972 | @holly197205 | Aug 19, 2022
In reply to @stressedmesseddepressed "Terrific idea - I will do that, find accountability partners. Thanks very very much!" + (show)
@stressedmesseddepressed

Terrific idea - I will do that, find accountability partners. Thanks very very much!

Jump to this post

Start going to AA /NA get a sponsor to whom you will be accountable ... All you have to do is have the desire to quit drinking /using. I wish you the very best of luck& may God bless.

REPLY
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