Posted by Guy on September 23, 2013, at 12:12:39
About 20 years ago I was prescribed 25 sleeping pills because I was experiencing stress and insomnia. I took oxazepam every night for 25 nights (and felt terrible). When the prescription ran out I stopped sleeping for many days. Nobody had warned me about rebound insomnia and I thought I was going to die! One night I went to bed and my whole body started to shake uncontrolably as if an invisible force had seized me. Since that time, I have been struggling with a deep-rooted phobia of going to bed. It is so bad that I am now afraid to even lie down without drugging myself first. I also experience horrible anticipatory anxiety throughout each and every day. I have tried many anti-depressants (e.g., Doxepin, Zoloft, Effexor) which only made my anxiety worse. I have also taken Zyprexa which initially helped a lot but then seemed to poop-out. Currently taking 15 mg Remeron plus 1 mg clonazepam, however I am freaking out because I am afraid of benzo tolerance and the prospect of being left without any tools to deal with the panic. I have just been to emergency because I am chronically suicidal. They recommended I try Paxil, and if that doesn't help, then Nardil. Again, I am terrified of the Paxil because of my previous experiences with SSRI's and all the withdrawal horror stories I've read on the net. As for the Nardil, I understand that insomnia is a common side-effect...just what I need given that lack of sleep has become my biggest fear. In the meantime I continue to obsess about sleep, bed and (all) ways to escape this living hell. I desperately need something that will quell the fear and that I can take on a long-term basis. I know I am my own worst enemy but I can't seem to do anything about it. Tears!
poster:Guy
thread:1051175
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130828/msgs/1051175.html