Is this benzo withdrawal?

[davidthegnome]

Hi all. Not sure if this is benzo withdrawal or not.

To give you a summary of my situation though, I started taking lorazepam as perscribed by my Doc, once every four hours, in late december. A couple days after Christmas. I was in a crisis unit for about a week at the time and it took me a while to get through the accute phase, but I did.

THen as I came back home I slowly weaned down to three times a day, then half a MG three times a day, then half a MG twice a day. For the past week (and a couple of days) I've been taking it once a day, in the mornings. Weaning down has been hard but I've managed.

Still, now I'm trying not to take it anymore. It's really rough and I don't know if it's because of withdrawal or my thoughts about it. But when I wake up in the morning I feel highly anxious and shaky, heart is beating faster than normally. I'm worried about my breathing too. And I keep having muscle pains in my arms or back.

It's just so hard not to take it. And I feel so bloody odd, worrying about everything. I also seem to have to run to the loo (as you UK folks call it ) every morning when I wake up. I'm just kind of scared and shaky and wonder if anyone has been in a similar situation or knows about benzo withdrawal. My doc told me I shouldn't have withdrawal as I've been taking the meds correctly and weaning down right, but I think I might be having withdrawal.

God bless you all,

Dave

[nomorepanic]

Dave

I am not sure to be honest because the effects or starting/stopping any medication can so easily mimic the anxiety symptoms.

Not much help I am afraid.

[Southern_Belle]

Hi Dave,

I have been on benzos before but not the kind you are talking about. I must say you haven't really been on it that long or taken that high a dose for it to sound like withdrawals to me. It could be just plain old anxiety. Your doctor doesn't think it withdrawals either. When I was going off klonopin before one of the symptoms I never had was having to run to the bathroom first thing in the morning but every med is different. I would contact your doctor again and tell him what you are going through. Good luck and I hope you a feel better soon.

Laura

[Karen]

Hi Dave

As has been said already withdrawal can mimic anxiety.

You might like to have a look at this site for more information.

Karen