A bit over a week since my last Klonopin--and 6 weeks off Xanax (both of these very low doses). Trying to deal with the ongoing side effects of anxiety/depression caused mostly by Meniere's and all it has caused. Now I am in my 7th day dealing with awful head pressure (not ear pressure) but feeling like if I turn my head too quickly I might 'spin'. No vertigo since 2012, so this concerns me. I feel nauseated and anxiety is 'bad' with shaking episodes of the hands, and on occasion--head. Keep doing what I have to do--going where I want to--but mostly feel obligated to, since going or staying home is really a task. Hoping in a few more days--not weeks, I'll have gotten this 'stuff' out of my system. And that these symptoms aren't a warning that 'Vertigo' is about to happen. I've lived with symptoms since 2008, but vertigo began in 2011--and left in 2012 with shunt surgery. And my hearing is getting poorer, and these past couple of weeks the tinnitus is developing into strange sounds--and it was basically there but didn't bother me until I changed meds then decided to try to wean off all of them. Just not good days--and wondering if anyone here has gone thru this , in the way or has some input that might encourage me? That would help!
I don't want to depress you and I hope that your experience is not like mine. Benzos are very addictive and very difficult to withdraw from. I took a low dose of valium for 6-8 months because I read that it helped to calm the vestibular nerve and stop the violent vertigo attacks. It seemed to help at first but then not so much. I then tried a low dose of clonipine for about 4-6 months. It helped for a short time and then made things worse. I decided to get free from the benzos and began to do the research and was horrified by what I found out. I did a 3 month taper and finally "jumped" in April of 2014. I recommend that you visit a site called Benzo Buddies and get some support and advice. My experience was not pleasant and it is still not completely over, although most days are good. I wish you the best of luck.
Thank you Crazy Legs--I visited that site--and have followed the advise. I did wean off and today--again, my doctor said it's perfectly normal to have these symptoms. But--if I had a really bad day to take a Xanax. I'm hoping not to, but did take a Valium awhile ago since I now feel what is going on is more 'Meniere's related' and my doctor also prescribes it for vestibular nerve symptoms. It's the 2 mg. It's calmed me for awhile but doesn't last very long. I'm heading to bed soon. I do think my Meniere's has flared up due to the increased, strange more intense dizziness going on and nausea just really bad lately. And the tinnitus has returned. So, I'm battling several issues and just praying I can handle them and eventually the 'weaning off' part will be over. Not easy for sure. Scary too. Thank you for your thoughts on this. You can't depress me more than I am--it's been a long 'up and down' journey but I keep on keeping on!
It's probably withdrawal from the benzos, and may last awhile. I would avoid taking any benzos once you're off. Getting back on them often results in kindling, which has the effect of making the second, and subsequent, times quitting much harder.
That's my thoughts too Scott. I did take Valium last night--because as my Neuro-ent has said, it's not meant in the 2 mg. dose to be for sedative purposes--but to quiet the vestibular system. He said that is the what it was originally marketed for. Then they upped dosages for other purposes later on. I do hope I get past all this. Thanks Scott.
Encouraged! by yesterday afternoon, the nausea had eased 'alot' and my hands trembling too. So--I began doing my Christmas card addressing! I was really not looking forward to that since my hands lately had begun to shake when I'd try to write. Even though I have printed address 'going to and return ones', you still have to say 'who the card is from'--that's always nice! I did about 85 cards and though I was ready to stop when I did, it really made me grateful to get them done. Still have a few more to do --but will wait a few days. I'm just so glad that today no nausea' and I slept until 8:00. Never sleep that long! I'm truly hoping I've 'turned the corner'. I do think alot of my symptoms are Meniere's related and not just weaning off the Benzo meds. I had loud tinnitus and ears feeling closed and so could barely hear for the last few weeks. A combo of both. Hoping to feel even better by Thanksgiving. Hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving--and 'no vertigo' to deal with.