8 replies to this topic

[Cse70]

From 60 mg down to 0, then had a panic attack and had to start back on 20 mg. weekly taper by 10% until this week and I am dealing with what I fondly call "the boogie man" I.e., panic! I will stay here at 16 mg until the boogie man goes away!

[lady2882Nancy]

That happens when you get down on the dose and you are doing the right thing.

You may have to go down slower from here once "the boogie man" goes away.

The last part of the tapering can take the longest so don't worry or rush it, you will get there.

Take care of you and be well

[thismoment]

Cse70

Sorry to hear about the return of the "boogie man", the night crawler, Mack the Knife-- anxiety. It's the worst-- it penetrates to the cellular level, it's the smothering thief of the confident mind, the cosmic horror from within!

Over what period of time did you withdraw from 60 mg to 0?

Always slow down the tapering as you approach the last 10% of the dosage-- extend the timeline; reduce the number of beads removed by half-- as a place to start, and adjust as necessary.

[Cse70]

TM,

I started tapering from 60 mg on 3/14 by 10% daily. Really, it was a piece of cake until I hit 13 mg. then I had headaches and some insomnia but was still doable. I took my last dose of 2 mg on 3/29 and (as you know) the "boogie man" showed up on 4/1. I restarted at 20 mg that day and have slowed to 10% weekly. This week is 16 mg....

The boogie man isn't as scary this week as before, but I really don't want to ever see him again!

Did you see Mr Scratch on Criminal Minds last week? Scary! Reminded me of my boogie man!

[thismoment]

Cse

 

Glad to hear it's down from last week. I used to keep a benzo on the shelf for whenever that spectre of anxiety arose from the dead. I haven't had any on the shelf for more than a year, and I've been okay. But I think it's something that's managed rather than eradicated.

 

Your taper was rather fast, and therefore it's not surprising that it bites back toward the end. There's no rush when healing; be gentle, go lightly.

 

 I did not see that show; the bandwidth of my teevee time is consumed by NHL hockey.

 

Take care.

[lady2882Nancy]

I like that and very appropriate comparing the anxiety we feel while withdrawing to Mr Scratch from Criminal Minds last week.

It certainly can make us lash out verbally rather violently at those around us and torments our souls.

I could identify with the woman who was lost in her own little world of anxiety as mine hit that intensity at one point

What else are you doing to help you manage the anxiety? Any therapy, meds or other natural remedies?

Hope it all settles down for you soon

[Cse70]

Lady2882Nancy,

I am Christian and....wow! Do I ever pray a lot these days! I follow Ann Voskamp on FB, she has daily inspirations that help.

[Cse70]

Update....

I am at 14.3 mg this week. Today was my first day back to work and I was exhausted by noon! I was getting a headache and just feeling generally sick so I took 50 mg of Imitrex which boosts serotonin. Hopefully, this doesn't persist.

On a brighter note, my doc said last week, "just let me call in a prescription for 20 mg so you have it in case you decompensate." A big improvement over his previous comment of "you can't do this", huh?

[fishinghat]

Hang in there Cse. It may take a couple weeks but you will stabilize. This is definitely a game of patience.