Posted by JadeKelly on February 24, 2009, at 22:36:47
In reply to Re: An important Question, posted by G-man885858 on February 24, 2009, at 20:34:53
> Jade,
>
> How slow of a taper do you mean? My psychiatrist says to take 1/2 a pill (5 mg) for a week, then 1/2 a pill EVERY OTHER DAY for the next week. I am currently on Seroquel 300 mg, Klonopin 1 mg, Lopressor 25 mg, and of course Ambien 10 mg.
>
> The symptoms I'm having is extreme anger, depression, irritability, and a general sick feeling. I've had these symptoms before with Ambien withdrawal back in Summer of 2005. Back then I was able to simply cold-turkey off of it, but now It's a lot harder to stop this nasty drug. My doc says that Klonopin should help ease the withdrawal symptoms, but it's not helping.
>
> I hate myself because I knew the hazards of taking Ambien for long periods of time. But out of sheer despair I took it. Now I'm stuck with this nasty drug.Hi G-Mann,
I talked to my nephew, and I am currently tapering off Klonopin. IMHO you are tapering off way too fast. My nephew agrees, its a nasty drug to get off of. I agree with you. Maybe Klonopin should be helping but the fact is, it isn't. So I would stop that rapid taper and go to a slow taper. You shouldn't be feeling that way.
You know how hard it is to w/d from Klonopin, I've been taking 3mg for years. I don't even notice. In addition, if you have tolerance to the klon its not gonna help as much.
If you are sure its the Ambien that is causing you to feel this way, then you need to slow it way down, and if it was me I'd want it slow enough that I hardly notice. Why torture yourself? Does your Doc have a reason for wanting you off it so fast?
Klon I am tapering by 1/2mg per week, I was taking 3mg per day. I'm down to 2mg a day. Like I said, I don't notice a thing. So if my math is right I started at 15% taper the first week.
You are tapering by 50% the first week. This might not mean much, I'm not sure. Bottom line, no reason for you to be suffering like that. It's too FAST! Did you take too much now your out, or is he limiting you to that taper? Or will he do what you ask?
Tell him its too fast and you want to taper at what ever rate doesn't cause those awful symptoms. If he won't do it, I think you'll have to see another Doc to handle it. I see no reason for you to suffer.
And one more thing, you need to give yourself a break! We've all made dumb mistakes when were tired or depressed or whatever. People who aren't in treatment do it all the time. Cut yourself some slack....thats an order. I am in remission because I sensed my PDoc was wrong about something. If you made a mistake and took it all thinking you could cold turkey, go see your GP.
Thats all I can think of tonight. If you are out or close to being out and PDoc wont give you any more make an emergency appt with GP.
Good Luck, weve all been there believe me.
~Jade
poster:JadeKelly
thread:877295
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090223/msgs/882282.html