Posted by Guy on September 27, 2005, at 22:02:29
I have suffered with severe agitation and insomnia for the past nine years. What a strange coincidence that I first really fell off my horse after my first presciption of oxazepam ran out! Yes, I had anxiety and depression before the pills, but after that first prescription of 20 pills ran out I went four days without sleep and cracked up so badly I had to go to the psych clinic. Since that time, I have seen numerous psychiatrists and psychologists and tried a myriad of medications. I still feel like hell most days, and am almost convinced that this is what I have to look forward to for the rest of my life. (I'm 51 now.) I firmly believe that, had I never touched pharmaceuticals, I would have recovered from my anxiety/depression within a few months. The worst is the "bed phobia" I developed after that first round of meds. I became so afraid of not sleeping that I couldn't even look at my bed without feeling anxious. Now, nine years later, I still have anxiety attacks if I do not take my meds every night. The problem is that my sleep meds (Zyprexa and clonazepam) keep pooping out, forcing me to take higher and higher doses. Also, I believe the meds prevent me from getting the deep (Stage IV) sleep I need to feel better. On top of all my anxiety, I have chronic pain in my head, neck and back. And I have become so sensitive to insomnia! Even one night of poor sleep leaves me feeling like I'm having a nervous breakdown. How the heck do I get out of this mess? I can't tolerate insomnia, yet that is the door I have to walk through if I want to get off the med merry-go-round. Can I use a tricyclic such as Doxepin or Trimipramine to wean off the benzo, and then slowly wean off the tricyclic? Are tricyclics easier to stop that benzos? Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
poster:Guy
thread:560414
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050822/msgs/560414.html