24 replies to this topic

[DebMorris]

So last night I took a 50 mg of Serequil, fell asleep & woke up in an extremely bad panic/anxiety attack.  Chest was tight felt like someone was sitting on my it, stomach in knots (still is) & thought I was going to have to go the ER. Also I had no emotion what so ever.  I maybe got about 2 hrs of sleep.  Feeling tired but my mind is not allowing sleep.  Not sleeping sends my mind to another part in which causes me to get deeper into to anxiety.  For some reason I was not able to lay down, it made my anxiety worse, was very scared.  I just would really like to find something that can help me sleep & stay sleeping.  I feel like I took a step backwards in my C recovery, but hopefully wont have to much withdrawal since I only took it last night, but knowing me I will!!!

[gail]

Deb,

I know what you mean here. Why don't you try benadryl total instead, it relaxes like you would not believe.

People take it for sleep and or anxiety.

I did try the seroquel, heaven for one month then pure hell.

[DebMorris]

What type of Benadryl do I get?  The one I have now is pink Benadryl Allergy Ultra Tabs

[fishinghat]

The key thing is the 50 mg diphenhydramine as an active ingredient. You can also find products with the same ingredient in the sleep aide aisle. This time of year Benadryl goes fast.  lol

[DebMorris]

I had some here but they were 25 mg so I took 2, is that okay?

[fishinghat]

No problem. If you look at the sleep aide bottles they recommend two 25 mg before going to sleep. If it makes you too drowsy when taken during the day then next time try just 1. I would suggest 2 at bedtime though for sleep.

[gail]

Just my two cents here, the pink ones don't work on me.

I use the blue ones, It's Benadryl Total, orange and white box. Caplets not gel. One and a half. Works great!

Each caplet contains 25 diph.
30 decongestant
500 acetaminophen

[DebMorris]

I am drowsy but my anxiety won't go away.  FH I wanted to let you know that I have been decreasing my Trazadone & also haven't been taking any of my Ativan.  Do you think my high anxiety could be from that & maybe I should take one of my Ativan's tonight along w/my Trazadone?

[fishinghat]

Patience Deb. Stay on the 100 mg trazadone a day for two weeks as you ramp up on the Wellbutrin. If you bounce up and down on the Ativan during this transition you are asking for trouble. Nerves heal very slowly and you must be patient with them.

 

Liz, I guess you are talking about ....

Extra Strength BENADRYL® Total Allergy & Sinus

 

It is the only Benadryl I could find with the word total in it and it meets your description.

[fishinghat]

The "total" contains Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride which can cause anxiety and sleeplessness in some people just to let you know (It did in me but it doesn't in everyone.

[fishinghat]

You know I was just thinking. I would start with kust the regular Benadryl first (diphenhydramine) and see if it works. If not move up to the Total and try it. If you try the total first and it doesn't work or you have side effects then you won't know if it is the diphenhydramine or the pseudoephedirine. Add one drug at a time so you can isolate what works and what doesn't.

[DebMorris]

Thank you!! Wow what a rough day this was.  I have got to stop thinking there is a magic pill out there somewhere.  What a Christmas this is going to be!!!

[gail]

Deb,

I don't know how long you have been on ativan, don't stop it, regular taking if it's been a long time. You can withdraw from that and trazodone later. We usually use a bit more in withdrawal from the C.

Fisherman, Liz, Gail, Liz, Gail, you mix us up even if we are both beauties.....

Deb, I think that it's he mix of the three ingredients in Total Benadryl that work for me.

[DebMorris]

Gail,  I am on Xanax & was told by my Dr it was an = amt so I would not need to taper.  I am getting myself so out of wack here,  my chest is so tight I think I am having a heart attack but I know its not.  I can't shut my eyes to even take a cat nap because of it.  I feel like such a failure that I took that med, I should of listened to my husband but I just wanted that easy fix!!!  All I can do is sit here and cry because I am so tired & I know I am not going to sleep tonight.

[fishinghat]

When your dr put you on an equivalent dose of Xanax did he want you to stop the Ativan?

 

Sorry about that Liz/Gail. Don't feel bad I get confused over my own name!!

 

She is weaning of the trazadone while waiting on the Wellbutrin to build up due to the high risk of seizures while taking both. They are considered incompatible although many drs prescribe them both at the same time.

[DebMorris]

Yes she did!!!  I just woke up from a 2hr nap yahoo!!!

[DebMorris]

Well as you can see I am up.  I slept on & off but nothing great.  I feel weak & just don't know what to do!  My husband says to stay strong but I am so weak right now.  FH do you think its cuz I stopped my Ativan or is it because of the Serequil?  I need help

[fishinghat]

It is just the withdrawal. Periods of weakness, fatigue and such are common. It will swing back in another direction soon.  Your husband is right ... just stay strong.

By the way, it is good you got a nap, Hang in there Deb.

[DebMorris]

Well went to the Hospital this morning.  Couldn't breath right, felt light headed & terrible chest pains.  All is good!! Heart is fine & lungs are also.  I do want to let you all know that I am looking into a good facility to go to.  Not for detox more for myself.  I am mentally spent!!!  I am going to make sure that I find a place good & will keep in touch.  I need to also do this for my family.

[fishinghat]

Trips to the ER are common with chest pains, palpitations. etc. I think most of us have made at least one trip. I myself went twice.

 

Finding a good facility to support you during this isn't a bad idea. Maybe your dr has some recommendations. In any case check them out on the net first to see what the reviews are. Also be SURE that it is a facility that you can check yourself out of if need be. some require a drs sign off whether you want to go home or not.

[DebMorris]

Well make that 2 trips in one day for me.  I got up after taking an hour nap, started throwing up & my shaking & my left side of my face went numb. I am at a loss right now.  Everything was fine but I shake out of no where & when I close my eyes & think I am sleeping I wake up in a full blown anxiety attack. I am done with my meds except for Xanax at this point until I find a facility.  My Dr is just throwing meds at me & I just can't do it anymore!!!!

[DebMorris]

To the ER that is!!

[brzghoff]

Hi Deb, if i understand you correctly, you have been on several meds concurrently. when you say that "i am done with the meds except for xanax..." did you wean off them or just stop abruptly? if you did it cold turkey, then that will seriously contribute to how you are feeling. even if you think your meds are making you worse it is not in your best interest to stop them without weaning. 

 

withdrawal from the C as well as other drugs takes time. lots of time. if its only been a few months since you stopped, the symptoms you've been experiencing is well within the normal range - unfortunately, virtually all of us have been there. if you cold turkeyed off the C, then the symptoms are much stronger. anxiety is by far the worst for many. it sounds as though some of your symptoms could actually be byproducts of anxiety - even the nausea, shakiness and numbness on your face. i've experienced all those and more due to anxiety alone. however, gastro issues and muscle pain are very common for those weaning off, and/or totally off cymbalta especially within the first 6 months once you are done. 

 

i understand how you feel about your doctor throwing meds at you, but taking on new ones without weaning off the old ones doesn't sound good - you still need to wean. of course, fishinghat is the "king of the wean"and can give you all the direction you need.

[fishinghat]

brz is right Deb, Stopping the Ativan, trazadone and Wellbutrin, etc at the same time is a recipe for disaster. This can include seizures, suicide, dystonia and much more.  The approach your dr took is typical. He is throwing medicine at it. Unluckily that is usually the only choice. These meds work in 80 to 90% of the cases but with varying results and then consider the side effects (like your seroquel). Without a past track record for these drugs the dr can only try trial and error.

[equuswoman]

Well went to the Hospital this morning.  Couldn't breath right, felt light headed & terrible chest pains.  All is good!! Heart is fine & lungs are also.  I do want to let you all know that I am looking into a good facility to go to.  Not for detox more for myself.  I am mentally spent!!!  I am going to make sure that I find a place good & will keep in touch.  I need to also do this for my family.

 

Hi Deb

Glad that you are here on the forum. The ppl here can help so much. I hope you are having a better day today.

TC TheEquusWoman