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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tonyz on April 30, 2010, at 20:08:30
I hope you guys don't mind been asking a lot of questions here. It's been since January that I've had a decent nights sleep. I know I am experiencing severe depression a lot of memory and concentration issues. My doc has changed my medications I am on amitriptyline but only 75mg now for one day - tomorrow it will go up to 100mg.
I am very concerned at having taking clonazepam about 1 mg regularly during this time. I read somewhere that it is more psychologically addicting than physically addicting. Additionally I'm taking 30mg of restoril. I generally try the restoril first and if nothing happens in an hour I take the clonazepam. Restoril was added about 8 days ago.
Someone suggested time release melatonin and I will be trying that tonight.
I need a path to be benzo free that will allow me to get a restorative nights sleep. Any suggestions welcome. I also exercise almost every day.
To summarize
current meds
1mg clonazepam
30mg restoril
600mg lithium
75mg amitriptylineThanks in advance
Posted by morganator on April 30, 2010, at 23:49:26
In reply to Stopping Benzos, posted by tonyz on April 30, 2010, at 20:08:30
I took GABA when I stopped taking klonopin and it seemed to help.
I would slowly ween off klonopin, splitting the pills in half first and then in quarters. This may make getting off it much easier.
How is your sleep on Amitriptyline? Isn't it supposed to improve sleep?
You might also want to try Magnesium Glycinate at night. At first you while you are weening off klonopin you may want to take as much as 600 mg. Later you can go down to 400 or 200.
Good Luck
Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2010, at 0:12:29
In reply to Re: Stopping Benzos, posted by morganator on April 30, 2010, at 23:49:26
Restoril should help greatly with the sleep. Take a bit less klonopin each day. Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk2010 on May 1, 2010, at 2:43:01
In reply to Stopping Benzos, posted by tonyz on April 30, 2010, at 20:08:30
>I am very concerned at having taking clonazepam about 1 mg regularly during this time. I read somewhere that it is more psychologically addicting than physically addicting.
Not really, physical dependence is a major problem with benzos. It can be dealt with by reducing the dose gradually eg. by 0.125mg every couple of weeks.
Posted by tonyz on May 1, 2010, at 8:57:42
In reply to Re: Stopping Benzos, posted by morganator on April 30, 2010, at 23:49:26
I've been through so many drug combinations in the past few months - I'm getting to the point where I am very distrustful.
But, to answer your question yes amitriptyline should improve sleep but it hasn't helped so far.
Memory is getting really bad too. I think the benzos are partly to blame.
I'll look into GABA and magnesium glycinate.
Thanks for your help.
Posted by tonyz on May 1, 2010, at 9:09:32
In reply to Re: Stopping Benzos » morganator, posted by tonyz on May 1, 2010, at 8:57:42
I'm wondering is it better to just ditch the Clonazepam and double up on the temazepam(restoril) or is that not advisable.
I had been off all drugs for about 5 months and then I relapsed.
I've tried taking the Clonazepam first to see if I can sleep and doesn't seem to work, I've done the opposite temazepam first - same result.
Best result seems to be when I take both at the same time.
Also added 4mg of time released melatonin - that hasn't helped as yet but just started last night.
Posted by Phillipa on May 1, 2010, at 19:59:49
In reply to Re: Stopping Benzos, posted by tonyz on May 1, 2010, at 9:09:32
Tony think you just answered your own question. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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