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Klonopin Withdrawal

Hello.  I am now officially off of SSRI's and Klonopin (benzo) .  One week in I am experiencing the following.  I will try to describe these feelings the best I can as they are weird as hell.  I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism as well, so keep that in mind.  I started with 1 1/2 mill and tapered down from there.

Waves of anxiety, and lasting a couple of minutes in between all day.  At the peak of each one, I get bad chills all over my body.  They totally cripple me.  I cannot walk a straight line without feeling as though I will fall.

Weird thoughts of being in places where the ground is not under me.  Like airplanes, space, ect. And panacking like crazy.  Yes I have a fear of heights, but this is intense.  Like I'm actually there.

Tingling starting in my spine and working it's way all over my body.  The feeling is very weird.

Isolating from people.  Making excuses not to see anyone other than my husband.  Even my own mother.  I fear I will have a bad spell and not be able to escape.  NEVER a feeling I would harm myself or anyone, just want to be away.

Hard time working, although I try, but had to take a leave because I miss so many days.  

Cannot concentrate at work.  Vision is blurry, hard to focus.  

Throat is tight, almost like its hard to swallow.

How long does this last?  Does these symptoms sound familiar with anyone?  If so, how long do they last?  I am desparate for answers.  Please respond if anyone is or has gone through this.  

Thanks in advance for reading this.  

Jamie
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480448 tn?1426948538
For instance, an inner ear infection, and thyriod problems.

Of course other issues can attribute to, even cause anxiety, but regardless of the cause, it needs dealt with, just for the simple reason that we have an emotional response to the anxious symptoms and often end up exacerbating it.  The more that it allowed to go on, the greater it will affect our lives.  Anxiety is anxiety, regardless of the cause.  

Even people with anxiety as a result of a thyroid imbalance find that thery still have a residual anxiety left after the thyroid issues have been dealt with.  That's because of the way we condition ourselves.  If anxiety hangs around long enough, it will no longer matter that it may be a medical condition that caused it...we WILL be left with chronic anxiety.  

So, my advice to you is find a good therapist, particularly one that specializes in CBT.  Therapy doesn't always have to be about exploring your deep inner feelings, or finding some deep rooted problem.  For many of us with anxiety, there IS no deep rooted problem, we just have anxiety.

I have used therapy both as a way to sort of "vent" things about my daily life, but most importantly, I used it as a way to educate myself about amxiety, and learning how to cope.  Learning exactly WHAT would help me IN THE MOMENT when I have a panic attack, or am very very anxious?

That's the kind of stuff you carry with you long term.  Sometimes it takes a few tries to find a therapist that is a really good fit...and who is going to give you what you want.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how much you can empower yourself with the right therapist.

Best to you!!
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Avatar universal
Thanks for responding.  I have tapered off my meds with the help of my doctor.  This was done in hopes of trying to get pregnant.  Of course I would not bring a child in this world without a full recovery, but that is my goal.  I'm 34 and the clock is ticking so to speak.

I've tried therapy and it seems like I could read the things they tell me in a book.  I do believe that part od it is anxiety, but reach for other solutions that it could be.  For instance, an inner ear infection, and thyriod problems.  My bloodwork shows the TSH levels have risen slightly, but I doubt it could cause this much havoc.  

I need a really good therapist.  One who can tell me exactly how to handle this.

Thank you for your feedback!  It means the world to me!
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Did you taper off the meds, or stop them abruptly?  Did you do this with the help of your doctor, or on your own?

Sounds a lot to me like some nasty rebound anxiety/panic with some derealization mixed in, which would be typical after the cessation of the meds that were helping to manage your anxiety.

Have you ever gone through therapy?  Lots of people make the decision to stop taking their meds (which, personally, I disagree with in a lot of cases, especially if they were helping)....but they don't ever put an alternative coping method in place..or they only took meds, they never went to therapy to learn how to cope with anxiety.  Without learning those critical tools, after the meds have been d/c'ed, usually the anxiety just comes back, and the person is no better off than when they started.

Any of this sound familiar?

I would recommend keeping your doc notified of how you're feeliong, to rule out any medical cause, but, I'm guessing it's going to be anxiety related,.  If that's the case, time to regroup and formulate a new plan to address the anxiety.

Good luck, keep us in the loop!
Helpful - 0
675718 tn?1530033033
what you described may be vertigo i would see a doctor :)
Helpful - 0
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