Posted by offsleepmeds on February 28, 2005, at 18:12:27
I am on meds for insomnia and have gradually weened myself to what, compared to what I used to take, are small doses. Now I am on 225 mg per night of Trazodone, 100 mg (down from 800mg, which did not a thing for me!) of Seroquel, and 1.5 grams of Klonopin.
I have weened myself from 3 to 1.5 mg. per night of Klonopin gradually, albeit more quickly than usual withdrawal schedules with the support of the precursor to tryptophan, 5-HTP(50-100 mg per night), 1500 mg GABA per night, and 500 mcg of melatonin.
By tapering off Klonopin, the other meds, and by adding the above--along with the addition of some central nervous system-support minerals during the day, my sleep has improved tremendously. I now experience more REM sleep, can remember my dreams, and feel more rested.
My problem is that I tend to need at least two hours in the morning to really get going.
When I was on 3 whopping mg. of Klonopin per night and was busy tapering my doses of Trazodone and Seroquel, I was able to quite coffee in the morning. Now that I am taking the 'natural' aids to get off of Klonopin, I have to have a cup of coffee in the morning to get going.
Why get off the Klonopin and not continue getting off the Trazodone and Seroquel completely before tackling Klonopin? I have done the research, and finally seen a psychiatrist who has been frank with me about how long it takes to undo what Klonopin does to the brain chemistry. Therefore, I have decided to get off the Klonopin and then proceed getting off the Trazodone and Seroquel.
By the way, yoga, good diet, and better sleep hygiene have helped with everything.
I am mainly concerned with going off of Klonopin safely, and with using the 'natural' adjuncts that I am using in the safest manner.
I welcome your suggestions.
Thanks.
poster:offsleepmeds
thread:464574
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050227/msgs/464574.html