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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by shelley on January 2, 1999, at 20:05:31
I'm reposting this message in hopes that the New Year will bring me some tips from others who've been through similar experiences.
Thanks all! I am trying to stop taking Halcion because it seems to serve no purpose,
in that it does not help me sleep. Yet, if I do not take it at night I am in agony the next
day, called "withdrawing". I have the help of a good doc who is helping me to taper
off over a period of months. She said "success" is more important than "time" and that
backtracking is okay. She says the drug may be contributing to daytime "dysfunction";
ie, anxiety, early morning lethargy, etc. She doesn't want to start me on any new
anti-depressant/mood stabilizer until we see how this goes for awhile as long as I'm
pretty well stabilized. Thanks for the input. I look forward to more.
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 3, 1999, at 18:24:25
In reply to Halcion addiction and withdrawal, posted by shelley on January 2, 1999, at 20:05:31
>I have the help of a good doc who is helping me to taper off over a period of months. She said "success" is more important than "time"...
I agree, be patient. The other thing is, sometimes it's easier to taper a longer-acting medication, so sometimes it can help first to switch to an equivalent dose of something similar, but longer-acting, and then to taper that one.
Good luck,
Bob
Posted by Shelley on January 8, 1999, at 20:24:02
In reply to Switching to something else first, posted by Dr. Bob on January 3, 1999, at 18:24:25
> >I have the help of a good doc who is helping me to taper off over a period of months. She said "success" is more important than "time"...
> I agree, be patient. The other thing is, sometimes it's easier to taper a longer-acting medication, so sometimes it can help first to switch to an equivalent dose of something similar, but longer-acting, and then to taper that one.
> Good luck,
> Bob
Thanks Bob! I think that is the route we are taking. I'm using Restoril now for sleep and taking a little less Halcion about once a week. The nights I cut the Halcion are hell. But, my doc is very encouraging that we will "succeed." The withdrawal is frighhtening. I wish more people would share their tips on how to get through the weaning process alive!!
Posted by alan on January 9, 1999, at 3:40:50
In reply to Re: Switching to something else first, posted by Shelley on January 8, 1999, at 20:24:02
> > >I have the help of a good doc who is helping me to taper off over a period of months. She said "success" is more important than "time"...
> > I agree, be patient. The other thing is, sometimes it's easier to taper a longer-acting medication, so sometimes it can help first to switch to an equivalent dose of something similar, but longer-acting, and then to taper that one.
> > Good luck,
> > Bob
> Thanks Bob! I think that is the route we are taking. I'm using Restoril now for sleep and taking a little less Halcion about once a week. The nights I cut the Halcion are hell. But, my doc is very encouraging that we will "succeed." The withdrawal is frighhtening. I wish more people would share their tips on how to get through the weaning process alive!!I think you are now on two benzos, both of which are short acting. No wonder cuts in Halcion are disturbing. Maybe you can discuss Dr, Bob's suggestion with your doc. Maybe take one looong acting benzo, and if your cuts in dosage are terible, then I think you might cut less. I've like going off benzos using Valium, because the pills come in dosages that make small cuts easier. (I assume there are others with that advantage.) Don't be afraid to back track sometimes, as long as you keep going down in dosage, just not necessarily in a sraight line. I think unecessary pain is silly. (I also think, but would not assert, that anxiety teaches the brain how to be anxiuos.)
Posted by shelley on January 9, 1999, at 11:09:21
In reply to , posted by alan on January 9, 1999, at 3:40:50
> > > >I have the help of a good doc who is helping me to taper off over a period of months. She said "success" is more important than "time"...
> > > I agree, be patient. The other thing is, sometimes it's easier to taper a longer-acting medication, so sometimes it can help first to switch to an equivalent dose of something similar, but longer-acting, and then to taper that one.
> > > Good luck,
> > > Bob
> > Thanks Bob! I think that is the route we are taking. I'm using Restoril now for sleep and taking a little less Halcion about once a week. The nights I cut the Halcion are hell. But, my doc is very encouraging that we will "succeed." The withdrawal is frighhtening. I wish more people would share their tips on how to get through the weaning process alive!!
> I think you are now on two benzos, both of which are short acting. No wonder cuts in Halcion are disturbing. Maybe you can discuss Dr, Bob's suggestion with your doc. Maybe take one looong acting benzo, and if your cuts in dosage are terible, then I think you might cut less. I've like going off benzos using Valium, because the pills come in dosages that make small cuts easier. (I assume there are others with that advantage.) Don't be afraid to back track sometimes, as long as you keep going down in dosage, just not necessarily in a sraight line. I think unecessary pain is silly. (I also think, but would not assert, that anxiety teaches the brain how to be anxiuos.)
Thanks Alan. Yes, Restoril is another short acting benzo, but not as short as Halcion. At least I sleep. If I don't sleep hypomania sets in and nothing gets done. I understand Klonopin is longer acting and have permission to use as much as I need to settle the day after effects of cutting, for now. Tonight's my night to cut back again. We'll see if it's a success this week. Maybe, anxiety breeds anxietys, maybe exponentially here. I'm well rested and ready if tonight is hard. Thanks, Shell
Posted by alan on January 9, 1999, at 20:40:43
In reply to Re: Switching to something else first, posted by shelley on January 9, 1999, at 11:09:21
Shelly
Maybe I have just been veery lucky, but I have never had any discomfort at all from Benzo withdrawal since I found out what was going on. (Years ago, I was always told that my anxiety was just coming back.) Of course, we are all diffeent. Nevertheless, I have found it so easy that I can't help myself from suggesting that you might get a second opinion from some expert in psychopharmacology, especially with much experience with benzos (and no knee-jerk reactons against them). I just wish this could be as easy for you as it has been for me. Good luck.
alan
Posted by Shelley on January 11, 1999, at 16:37:38
In reply to Re: Switching to something else first, posted by alan on January 9, 1999, at 20:40:43
> Shelly
> Maybe I have just been veery lucky, but I have never had any discomfort at all from Benzo withdrawal since I found out what was going on. (Years ago, I was always told that my anxiety was just coming back.) Of course, we are all diffeent. Nevertheless, I have found it so easy that I can't help myself from suggesting that you might get a second opinion from some expert in psychopharmacology, especially with much experience with benzos (and no knee-jerk reactons against them). I just wish this could be as easy for you as it has been for me. Good luck.
> alan
Thanks Alan. Well, it's getting easier. I don't know why it was so rough when I got down to the minimal dosage. I've come a long way without much problems. I have a new doc, but have only seen her once. She's been very helpful in assuring me. This last time I cut the Halcion I felt almost nothing and am hoping that this is a sign that my body is adjusting to the decreasing dosages. Finally. I had a few scary spells where I went totally hysterical and had suicidal thoughts, etc. Those are days that I do not not want to revisit. I liked what you said earlier, if I remember correctly, that no one should have to be in pain. No, they shouldn't. Thanks, again.
Posted by shelley on January 17, 1999, at 16:24:06
In reply to Re: Switching to something else first, posted by Shelley on January 11, 1999, at 16:37:38
I had a few scary spells where I
went totally hysterical and had suicidal thoughts, etc. Those are days that I do not not
want to revisit.Well, I'm revisiting the place I didn't want to go. It seems the nausea, hysteria, and psyhotic thinking take a few days to surface after I adjust dosages. This isn't going very well. Is it possible that reducing benzos in someone as sensitive to meds as myself could trigger serious depression/cycling? I'll ask my doc and check back with you. Thanks, S
Posted by alan on January 25, 1999, at 23:24:43
In reply to Any other ideas? I'm getting quite ill, posted by shelley on January 17, 1999, at 16:24:06
> I had a few scary spells where I
> went totally hysterical and had suicidal thoughts, etc. Those are days that I do not not
> want to revisit.
> Well, I'm revisiting the place I didn't want to go. It seems the nausea, hysteria, and psyhotic thinking take a few days to surface after I adjust dosages. This isn't going very well. Is it possible that reducing benzos in someone as sensitive to meds as myself could trigger serious depression/cycling? I'll ask my doc and check back with you. Thanks, SI wish I had something full of insight to say.
Mainly, I write to lwt you know that I am thinking about you. One thing I might suggest, is that if things are going so very badly, go back up in your dosage of an appropriate benzo until you are comfortable--well, as comfortable as before attempting withdrawal--and make sureish that present problems are indeed due to the withdrawal.
(The determination of causal factors is often very difficult even when we they seem quite certain.) If it becomes evident that withdrawal is the problem, stay at the dosage necessary to maintain reasonable comfort for awhile. When ready, you can try to withdraw again at a snail's pace, or slower. IF you need a benzo for some time, then so be it. Of course, stay in close touch with a good doc. Don't create an unecessary crisis. If indeed your primary problem is extreme sensitivity to withdrawal from a reasonable use of benzos, don't sweat it, take the benzos. Put off any withdrawal which actually may never be necessary. Best wishes.
Posted by shelley on January 26, 1999, at 20:40:14
In reply to Re: Any other ideas? I'm getting quite ill, posted by alan on January 25, 1999, at 23:24:43
Thanks Alan! Well, I went back up on my dose, and my doc, when she finally called, gave me some smaller pills to cut. I tried it once, and only had a little discomfort. Yes!! Hopefullly this is a good sign. Otherwise, she said, if the hysteria, etc. continue, she'll put me "inpatient", whatever that means. She's thinking it over 'til our next official visit. I expect I'll take some form of benzo for the rest of my life...I'm not really all that worried about being addicted, etc. I just don't like Halcion! The amnesiac effect is unnecessarilly dangerous, it doesn't make me sleep, and it costs too much...being a single mom on disability I have lots of factors to consider when changing my meds, etc. Taking klonopin everyday is probably not only good for me but for everyone else around me. Thanks for listening, Shell
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