Need advice for what to do after unfortunate reinstatement after few years.

Hello I am seeking an advice for benzo problem. Doctors are sadly useless.

My mom was prescribed Clonazepam for problems with sleeping and stress when she was 30. She ended up taking it for 12 years, then she switched to Estazolam right away and stayed on it for another 12 years. She did 1 year taper that was rather succesful. She used it once in few months for stress but everything was ok. Recently, in march, 4-5 years after quitting benzos, she was in kind of panic and anxiety and ended up taking Estazolam for 2 weeks. Got dependent again and the drug stopped working after those 2 weeks and she went into panic mode since bad withdrawals started. Went to doctor, she decided to ditch Estazolam and prescribe Diazepam in 5 mg doses and Pregabalin in 25 mg. So my mom started a kind of panicky taper, she didnt take it for 1 day, then she took, then she skipped two days, then she took, then skipped 3 days, then 4, then 5 and stopped it. Simultanously she was taking the diazepam 2 x day 5mg and pregabalin 3 x day 25 mg. After few weeks she started reducing diazepam dose by half and week ago she stopped it completely after 6 weeks of use. Diazepam also didn't work that well, the withdrawals were bad. She is still taking pregabalin but it doesn't really help much. And the problem is that when she updosed it, she got very bad symptoms, probably doesn't tolerate that drug very well. The withdrawal from benzos are harsh. Shaking for few hours in the morning, lack of sleep or very little of it, panic, stomach pains (they diminished fortunately perhaps due to pregabalin or just by themself), anxiety, vision problems and more. And she is panicking since we don't know where to go now. She is stuck between withdrawals, benzos that doesn't work anymore and pregabalin that has nasty side effects while positive effects are weak due to low dose but she can't updose since the vision problems and other symptoms get too nasty. I assume we can call this situation a reinstatement of benzo if I see it correct, which is unfortunately not recommended from what I read. So what to do now?

1 – try getting back on diazepam 5mg or more? Estazolam? But it doesn't really work anymore

2 – updose pregabalin? But the symptoms are too horrific from it, potentially her body really dislikes the drug, vision problems are the worst

3 – find other benzo and take it for some months and then start super slow taper?

4 – quit pregabalin or stay on 3 x 25 mg?

But if she quits then more withdrawal will come and more shaking and panic since pregabalin is anti shaking. Im afraid it can be too harsh on the body. So that's it I guess. Any advice will be greatly appreciated since it looks like a dead end and doctors are too reckless, careless and ignorant sadly.

Hi Michaelz!

 

Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

Gosh, I am so sorry for the situation you and your mom are in. It must be devastating to see her in so much pain. From what I understand she is completely off the Diazepam again. My suggestion would be to not turn to benzo's again. The simple reason for this is kindling. Every time she starts and stops benzo's it's likely the withdrawal process will be so much worse when she tries to stop again. If she reinstates again, this will be her third attempt and it might get worse. We often think we've hit rock bottom on benzo's but believe me, it can always get worse. We have a saying here at BenzoBuddies that goes like this "the only way out, is through", meaning the only way out of these terrible symptoms is to go through these withdrawals. There's very seldom a way to make it easier. I know that's not what you want to hear for your mom, but unfortunately that's the reality of these drugs.

 

I don't have experience with the other meds you've mentioned, so unfortunately I can't comment on those. I hope other members will give their advice as well. In my opinion your mother will be best of to not reinstate again and go back on benzo's. With time, the symptoms should get better. Thank you for reaching out and for looking out for her. 

I totally agree with jelly baby! From my experience it's best to not reinstate benzos... I reinstated sveral times it never worked... in Klonopin it even totally aggravated it and everything got so much worse!

 

Lyrica is a very very nasty drug! I used it for 7 weeks only, quit it with a 2 month taper due to bad intolerable side effects and it didn't even help a tiny bit ..and I had the worst withdrawal ever imaginable with the worst akasthisia and crying spells in Lyrica, worse than valium and Klonopin together,  at least for me!

 

So if Lyrica is tapered it should be tapered super super slow, slower than benzos....more like antidepressants like reductions every 4 to 8 weeks

Imo you shouldnt even think about tapering off from pregabalin now,  nothing will help while in ful blown benzo w... I can't even call anxiety, it just takes a lot of time until it gets better, from 6 to 12 month to start getting better,.things will improove very slowly over time ..

 

Imo don't go with any psychiatrist talk as they will throw at her antidepressants, antipsychotics or whatever they can, often making it worst, imo a few days of meloxicam a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug might come in hand, there are others drugs that might be helpfull but they are drugs, unconventional and every drug has possible risks and people react differently to the same thing, it's in my post history,  doctors won't prescibe as they don't recognize such harm as a thing..

Hello I am seeking an advice for benzo problem. Doctors are sadly useless.

My mom was prescribed Clonazepam for problems with sleeping and stress when she was 30. She ended up taking it for 12 years, then she switched to Estazolam right away and stayed on it for another 12 years. She did 1 year taper that was rather succesful. She used it once in few months for stress but everything was ok. Recently, in march, 4-5 years after quitting benzos, she was in kind of panic and anxiety and ended up taking Estazolam for 2 weeks. Got dependent again and the drug stopped working after those 2 weeks and she went into panic mode since bad withdrawals started. Went to doctor, she decided to ditch Estazolam and prescribe Diazepam in 5 mg doses and Pregabalin in 25 mg. So my mom started a kind of panicky taper, she didnt take it for 1 day, then she took, then she skipped two days, then she took, then skipped 3 days, then 4, then 5 and stopped it. Simultanously she was taking the diazepam 2 x day 5mg and pregabalin 3 x day 25 mg. After few weeks she started reducing diazepam dose by half and week ago she stopped it completely after 6 weeks of use. Diazepam also didn't work that well, the withdrawals were bad. She is still taking pregabalin but it doesn't really help much. And the problem is that when she updosed it, she got very bad symptoms, probably doesn't tolerate that drug very well. The withdrawal from benzos are harsh. Shaking for few hours in the morning, lack of sleep or very little of it, panic, stomach pains (they diminished fortunately perhaps due to pregabalin or just by themself), anxiety, vision problems and more. And she is panicking since we don't know where to go now. She is stuck between withdrawals, benzos that doesn't work anymore and pregabalin that has nasty side effects while positive effects are weak due to low dose but she can't updose since the vision problems and other symptoms get too nasty. I assume we can call this situation a reinstatement of benzo if I see it correct, which is unfortunately not recommended from what I read. So what to do now?

1 – try getting back on diazepam 5mg or more? Estazolam? But it doesn't really work anymore

2 – updose pregabalin? But the symptoms are too horrific from it, potentially her body really dislikes the drug, vision problems are the worst

3 – find other benzo and take it for some months and then start super slow taper?

4 – quit pregabalin or stay on 3 x 25 mg?

But if she quits then more withdrawal will come and more shaking and panic since pregabalin is anti shaking. Im afraid it can be too harsh on the body. So that's it I guess. Any advice will be greatly appreciated since it looks like a dead end and doctors are too reckless, careless and ignorant sadly.

Hello,

 

I am very sorry for what you are going through.

 

I agree with jelly baby message. From my experience, the only way out, is through"

 

But I understand that when the symptoms are so disabling, you have to do what each one can in the best way possible.

 

Wishing you find the best possible option

 

Thank you for all the replies. We had consultation with Jennifer Leigh from benzowithdrawalhelp . com and her advice was consistent with what you guys wrote so we got some reassurance. We ain't going back to benzos but will stay on 3 x 25 mg pregabalin for at least a week (maybe more) and then start 10% taper / 2 weeks or so. The vision problems and thinking/memory/concentration problems from pregalin are very annoying tho. But I guess its best to take it slowly despite those symptoms.

Canary what was your dose of pregabalin and how much % did you taper if I may ask? That sounds scary, Im hoping that since my mom takes only the smallest dose on market then It won't be that nasty... Are you ok after all? How long did those nasty symptoms last or do you still have them?

I shall write again when some breakthrough happens or when we need some reassurance. Thanks again, peace.

Imo you shouldnt even think about tapering off from pregabalin now,  nothing will help while in ful blown benzo w... I can't even call anxiety, it just takes a lot of time until it gets better, from 6 to 12 month to start getting better,.things will improove very slowly over time ..

 

Imo don't go with any psychiatrist talk as they will throw at her antidepressants, antipsychotics or whatever they can, often making it worst, imo a few days of meloxicam a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug might come in hand, there are others drugs that might be helpfull but they are drugs, unconventional and every drug has possible risks and people react differently to the same thing, it's in my post history,  doctors won't prescibe as they don't recognize such harm as a thing..

 

6 - 12 months until getting better? Meaning this could be up to year in such hell? I hope you are the "fearporner" that I have been warned about on some other sources. Or you mean it after the long history of being dependent on the drug and you have experience with such instances? I hope the maximum pain withdrawals will go away in 2-10 weeks and the very slow taper of pregabalin will not heighten them much. Or am I too optimistic? And this meloxicam doesnt look to good... too many side effects that are similar to pregabalin. My senses tell me right away its not the best choice, but maybe then you had good effects with it, if so, good for you. I agree with you on psychatristic help tho. They are reckless, uneducated, careless and ignorant. Unfortunately i know about this situation for 2 weeks only as my mom did hide the problem for very long. If I knew what she was going throu I would have played it better since I know medical system is greatly flawed in general and I always research things for days or weeks before fancying a mainstream option of treatment. Hope I dont sound offensive, Im just speaking my mind while drinking 3rd beer and having some greens smoked earlier. I was in full stress mode for last 2 weeks and chilling now after some relief. Peace.

6 - 12 months until getting better? Meaning this could be up to year in such hell? I hope you are the "fearporner" that I have been warned about on some other sources. Or you mean it after the long history of being dependent on the drug and you have experience with such instances? I hope the maximum pain withdrawals will go away in 2-10 weeks and the very slow taper of pregabalin will not heighten them much. Or am I too optimistic?

 

 

Denizthekid is not a “fearporner”, he’s speaking the truth.  Long term users of benzodiazepines, and those who have stopped and started the drug in the past can recover, but recovery for most of us is between 1 and 2 years, it takes that long for our brain to repair the damage done by the drug.  Symptoms will lessen and gradually recede but this is a long process.  We consider someone to be protracted if they’re still experiencing symptoms after 2 years.

Well, I am aware of that but I also know there are withdrawal phases. Do you mean that my mom will be stuck in phase 1 for 6 months - 2 years?

The withdrawal phases written about here are one persons experience, some members can relate to them, others can’t, in my case, a cold turkey, it wasn’t helpful.

 

I’m not saying anything about your mom and her chances of recovery, my weighing in was simply to inform you of what we see here, it may not reflect your moms situation.

Thanks for feedback. I should have written "may" instead of "will" be stuck.

And I have an update... my mom decided to skip midday pregabalin dose today without my knowledge. And to her surprise she feels (relatively) amazing. No more messy thoughts in head, vision got way better, no more shaking, no more chest tightness, no more stomach pain, anxiety is waaay lower, she feels at ease first time in 3 months or so. At least for now...

I know ofc the taper should be super slow as we discussed it earlier. But maybe her case can be different? The side effects are so bad that to body will thank for cessation? I know withdrawal will come in approximately 24 hrs. And her doses were 25 mg , no more. Maybe such small dose can spare some hell? Or is it super dangerous and she should go back to 3 x 25 mg tomorrow and never think about such reckless moves? I guess the withdrawal will show the truth. But just maybe her benzo withdrawal isn't that bad but this pregabalin crap is the main contributor for most the pains? The pregabalin seems to be doing the opposite thing its supposed to help with. Its anti shaking - yet not taking it diminished shaking lol. Any feedback welcome, thanks and peace.

I’m happy to hear she got some relief, that’s amazing!  I don’t have any experience with pregabalin, I’d ask on Other Medications board or do a search using these tools. http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=251991.0

 

One thing, our symptoms will wax and wane, some will leave, others will take their place and sometimes come back so while you can likely assume the missed pregabalin dose caused her good fortune, we can’t know for sure. 

 

The best thing to do evaluate what happened and proceed with caution.  I know we want to be the exception, but most of us find we aren’t and we have to go through this to get to the other side.

Thanks for feedback. I should have written "may" instead of "will" be stuck.

And I have an update... my mom decided to skip midday pregabalin dose today without my knowledge. And to her surprise she feels (relatively) amazing. No more messy thoughts in head, vision got way better, no more shaking, no more chest tightness, no more stomach pain, anxiety is waaay lower, she feels at ease first time in 3 months or so. At least for now...

I know ofc the taper should be super slow as we discussed it earlier. But maybe her case can be different? The side effects are so bad that to body will thank for cessation? I know withdrawal will come in approximately 24 hrs. And her doses were 25 mg , no more. Maybe such small dose can spare some hell? Or is it super dangerous and she should go back to 3 x 25 mg tomorrow and never think about such reckless moves? I guess the withdrawal will show the truth. But just maybe her benzo withdrawal isn't that bad but this pregabalin crap is the main contributor for most the pains? The pregabalin seems to be doing the opposite thing its supposed to help with. Its anti shaking - yet not taking it diminished shaking lol. Any feedback welcome, thanks and peace.

 

few days on this dose should tell you,

if things go south you reinstate.. or though it out for some time, I'm just letting you know that she can be too sensitive to mess with this drug by now, to early, it takes some time for the body to  notice a drop, maybe it will keep this way maybe not, but if it does keep this way, then anyway you should wait like a month or two or  more , that's my advice,

 

2-10 weeks ? your shouldn't be that much optimistic, just be realistic mate,  look at this forums, also on your other sources, probably reddit, different cases will show up, those who are dismissive of this, don't truly  know to what extent this can go ..

 

most of these are short term users and will have problems in the future if reinstating, because of kindling, time will tell, maybe she's lucky, maybe not so much? who knows.. I'm letting you aware of what to expect, so you can support her properly..

 

meloxicam is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, like ibuprofen, if you're having teeth pains you usually use NSAIDs.. difference is that meloxicam is a good one for the brain due to its penetration into the central nervous system, and it's a drug, it has possible side effects or none, as any other,

 

good luck

 

 

Thank you for feedback.

Guess you're right. It's a double edged sword; some people who in reality won't have such horrific withdrawals sabotage themselves with fear and some are too optimistic and then struggle badly due to overly high expectations.

Anyhow I shall update that I have realised yesterday that all this restlessness in the morning, shaking and an urge to move around (I missed this symptom when starting topic) is 100% akathisia, unfortunately, since I was reading about all this horror yesterday for 10 hours. Fortunately, today mom is feeling quite good actually. And only had 20 minutes of akathesia that was less stressful as always. I think she feels better than me today since Im 3 weeks into researching all this stuff everyday and it surely is horrifying and stress inducing heh. Never slept so little for so long.

Anyhow, are there any rules to akathisia? Is there a way to tell when maximum pain of this was reached? Or its as unpredictable as all the other symptoms?

We're gonna stay on pregabacrapalina 3x25 for at least a week. We'll see how things go. Peace.

Hello,

Id like to make a little update.

My mom is 28 days off benzos and we skipped the midday pregabalin dose 6 days ago.

So far it's a total sine wave. 1 day so so, 1 day bad/really bad, 1 day good, 1 day so so, 1 day ok, 2 days so so, 1 day really bad, 1 day bad, 1 day good etc. 2-3 days total were quite good including relatively mild mornings (meaning very little akathisia (Im not sure it's akathisia actually. Once my mom starts walking around house it's quite managable psychologically, the inner tremor and inner restlessness are annoying but managable too. I read akathisia is when walking is the only way out and it does not provide any relief) and little tremors that don't last very long. The rest of the good days were/are (today is a good day) are chill)). On bad days there are plenty ofinner tremors, inner restlessness, air hunger, hands shaking for some hours and legs for 30-60 mins, stomach and head pains and some skin burning, depression, some panic and hopelesness.

There seems no considerable wd effects from skipping pregabalin dose so far. Maybe little less sleep at beginning, some dizziness sometimes, a little night sweats, but nothing gamechanging. And bad side effects from pregabalin are stepping back. And today is a good day.

Ive read plenty of people struggle 24/7 for first months or even longer sadly and I know this stuff is unpredictable. Mom tested urine for benzos yesterday and it's clear.

So my question is - can we say that these are good signs overall? How long should we wait before ditching another dose of pregabalin? 10 days? 2 weeks? 3, 4? I know I won't probably get straight answer but just thinking out loud.

I should also add, that since not everybody has problems ditching pregabalin, especially when on low dose and when side effects are really bad and therapeutic effects are worn off or non existent in the first place, it would be wise to skip the midday dose and wait and see what happens. If things get bad very soon, then reinstate and plan for slow taper ahead. If not, keep it for some time like that and see what happens. That's from what Ive researched on my own and so far experience shows it was a good step. I might be very wrong on that of course, but so far so good. Im not criticizing your advices since that was your experience. But this drug is nasty and some might prolong their misery if they taper super slow instead of checking first if they are the case where this crap can be ditched with little consequences. Again, I might be wrong in the long run. Just sharing what we've learned so far and maybe others can benefit from it. 

Ok thats it. Thanks for support. Peace.

 

PS. We've made a mistake in signature acutally. There was 2 x 2,5 mg of diazepam and then every 10 days 0,5 mg was reduced and last week was one night dose of 0,5 mg before jumping. So it was less of it and more gradual taper. Ill fix that later in signature.

You sound exhausted, I hope you’re taking care of yourself because as you’ve seen, this is a long process and our loved ones suffer too.

 

Her mornings seem like high cortisol issue to me, many members experience terrible mornings with some relief coming in the late afternoon, have you noticed a pattern?  I know some of our members do have have true akathisia but understand most of us are experiencing extreme restlessness and agitation.

 

I wish I could help with your questions about pregabalin, except to say I’ve never read a positive post about it.

 

 

Months ago this forum reported 6-18 months for full recovery. Only just recently is it being reported 1-2 years. So, IMO, take these timelines with a grain of salt.

And just BELIEVE, believe in the healing power of the brain and body!!

Months ago this forum reported 6-18 months for full recovery. Only just recently is it being reported 1-2 years. So, IMO, take these timelines with a grain of salt.

And just BELIEVE, believe in the healing power of the brain and body!!

 

I agree with Mary1, believe in yourself or in this case, your Mom.

 

The timeline I mention is not the forums, its mine and yes, please take it with a grain of salt because we just don’t know how long it will take, there are too many variables.  I would say recovery at 6 months is highly unlikely unless the person has been on the drug for a very short time, as in less than 4 months and even then, I’ve not seen it often. 

 

My rationale for giving this timeline is so a member doesn’t have unrealistic expectations, believe it or not, the forum has been accused of sugar coating this experience so it’s tough to find the right balance. 

imo wait more time to cut again, 2 or 3 months, or even more, it would be better if you could compound a dose, it was 3 x25mg and now it's 50mg two times a day, right? guess if you could make a compounded pill with 15 mg would be better for this next cuts

Thanks for all the replies. Im doing better now, sleeping ok, thanks.

Well, I mean I've read that people after rapid taper or ct often experience nearly constant hell for many months and more since jumping. My mom has "plenty of relief" in the afternoon in comparison to mornings (yes its cortisol) and there were 3 days already where mornings were relatively ok and afternoons on those days were even better.

 

I have asked my mom how did she taper her estazolam 4-5 years ago after 12 years of use + 12 of clonazepam and she said she didn't even measure this stuff - she just chipped the pills "by the eye" so there were no more than 4-6 increments of reduction in the whole 1 year taper. So Im surprised she did so well with such "unprofessional" approach in just one year of taper (I didnt know about it btw, she did keep her benzo use to herself). So I don't know if she's lucky or what. Its even more surprising since she is very sensitive to all meds in general.

 

So aren't these some signs of positivity? I don't expect her to get well in few months or something, Im realistic. But those little daily windows seems positive in comparison to other stories Ive read. Or it doesn't matter at all? Guess it's to early to make any judgements.

 

About pregabalin - we're thinking of dropping it earlier assuming there won't be any debilitating wd from it. If they will appear, we will either reinstate middle dose or just keep 2 x 25 until getting stable. And by earlier I mean 2-4 weeks after skipping midday dose. I've read plenty of people ct it and are fine. There is imho possibility that she's one of those since it's week after dumping the middle dose and things are stable and most people develop wd within first hours after skipping the dose or after 2-3 days of after week. Ive read some take 2-3 weeks so that's why we're waiting now. I guess after 4 weeks we'll try dumping the morning dose and see what happens. In case things go south, we'll reinstate, wait and take the approach of cutting both doses by %. But we're keeping it "stable" now and that's the plan for now if things don't go south.

 

"I wish I could help with your questions about pregabalin, except to say I’ve never read a positive post about it." - I have actually read plenty of people praising its effects for their conditions. Despite that I know its just crappy poison, yet some can get relief after some serious injuries that are unfixable. So the devil sometimes has its use. Ive done deep research on medicine in last 5 years and have very low opinion on the whole establishment. Majority of docs are just pill dealers that want to thwart the symptoms and have no clue on root causes of diseases including psychiatrists. I had a friend who was diagnosed with borderline pd (I have recently come to conclusion that all the personality disorder labels are more detrimental than helpful to the sufferers of them. They're literally all forms of less or more severe PTSD from childhood that were not resolved into adulthood). He was forced with benzos and other antipsychotics against his will in asylums at least few times. At that time I didn't know that those drugs can have such serious long term side effects. I knew to stay away from them in the first place but didn't know that they can create such havoc for such a long time. This should be common knowledge in society. My friend has taken his life last year sadly. I wonder now how much did the side effects contribute to his misery. I dunno when he was first put on those tbh so can only speculate.

 

Ok sorry for going off topic and for the wall of text. Ill end with that. Thanks again for all the replies.

I’m grateful you’ve done so much research and understand adjunct medications can help in some situations, you’ve obviously studied pregabalin more than I have so thank you for including its usefulness here.

 

Your mothers previous use helps me understand her situation a little better, benzo’s seem to punish us when we try to taper off them more than once, have we discussed kindling with you? https://www.benzoinfo.com/kindling/

 

I’m happy to hear she’s experiencing windows, I only had one and it lasted just a few seconds but it was a taste of what was to come and can provide much hope.  They can be followed by what we call waves but if we look at waves as a sign our body is healing, we can endure them.  You’re a good person to help your Mom like this, it was truly the worst experience of my life because it hits us from every direction. 

Hello,

I'm Leszek and from now on I will continue with this topic. I'm Michael'z father and husband to Alice who is suffering after withdrawal of benzo on 13th of June 2023. Alice will be 60 years old in 2024.

Some updates/refreshing to present situation:

after 4-5 years without benzo Alice started to take it again during Covid (March 2023), in fact she thought she took it only once but it turned out it was 2 weeks (probably due to high temperature and hard symptoms of Covid she did not realize it was 2 weeks). Then the panic and remorse started and she was trying to stop benzo but due to hard symptoms she was coming back and stopping again - 3 times, every 2-3 days more or less. After that she went to psychitrist and started to procced with doctor's prescribtion which was of course wrong. 

13.06.2023 - last dose of Diazepam after tapering for almost 2 months (which in fact was very similar to cold turkey). Never achieved any stabilisation during this time with Diazepam (tapering in not full 2 months from 2 x 2,5 mg). In fact during this time suffered already with severe symptoms, even taking pregabaline (3 x 25 mg) - which according to doctor should cover withdrawal symptoms.

31.07.2023 - last dose of pregabaline. 

Symptoms were like these: every morning very strong belly pain, severe insomnia, sweating during every night, strong shortness of breath, chest's "tearing" pain, inner and outer akathisia, parkinson's symptoms like: trembling hands, legs, whole body, teeth, neck, head, inner tremors, actually everything. She could neither speak nor do anything. 

In the afternoon and evenings symptoms were more bearable but every morning was terrrible. During this time she lost weight (approx. 15 kgs), crying very often. Depression, panic attacks appeared too. 

Over a time, mentally it was becoming a bit better but physically it was getting worse and worse. Mentally I mean - more clear thinking, looks like pregabaline was making something like "foggy" brain.

Now, after 8 months of last benzo pill, we thought it should be better but unfortunatelly it is getting worse all the time. What is getting worse is: extremely strong chest pain, lack of air, like being underwater and could not breathe. Belly "tearing" pain is so sharp like someone is putting knife into it and moving around, then she can't move. On the other hand morning akathisia and parkinson's symptoms do not allow to rest...

She is getting weaker over a time, also dizziness appeared, sight is worse, brain is like frying, burning skin, itching bones, tingling and numbness in hands and legs, then crying, screaming...just praying for end to this and peace.

Also duration of these symptoms is extending...now it can start early in the morning , 6 a.m. and lasts till afternoon. 

Blood pressure is high, she always feels like drinking 20 cups of coffee (she is not drinking coffee more then a year).

She can sleep sometimes 3-4 hours but usually every second night she can't sleep at all. When she sleeps then she wakes up with terror, high pressure and pulse and pain.

In the morning with extremely strong chest pain it so severe that it looks like she is going to lose consciousness.

We do not know what to do. Earlier (in October) she was able to make some examinations ( chest, belly tomograph) but it looks good.

Can it be even worse? Slowly it is becoming unbearable for her. She can't watch tv, read books, meet friends, talk over the phone...actually most of the time staying in bed.

Whatever we try , positive thinking, trying to go for small walk in the afternoons (when she is able for it), it does not help. She says she can't think recently, she feels like foggy  brain. We know people suffer longer but actually we can't find people with such a severe symptoms, it has to be more bearable to stand it...can it be dangerous to life?

Simply we do not know what to do.

Thank you for any help, advice...

Leszek

 

 

I forgot to mention, all medicine she takes now is Propranolol 2 x 10 mg and some herbs, like Melisa, Magnesium.

Hello @[Le...], I'm so very sorry to hear how bad its been for your wife.  Her symptoms sound horrific and I know you know this, but they're common, even so many months out.  It sounds like you're all at the end of your rope, especially her, but she can recover, please don't ever stop telling her this. 

I know its probably pointless but could you name the herbs she takes and I'm confident she doesn't drink alcohol? 

 

Thank you for replying. Yes, it is really hard time for us and, especially my wife, thinks there is no happy end to this. Of course I believe it will be ok and keep telling it, same as Michael.

Regarding your question, she does not drink alcohol at all, actually she has not been drinking for almost whole life as it does not work with her well.

Herbs, in pills - just Lemon balm, magnesium and vitamin B12, as she had too low level of B12.

Lemon balm, we know it can affect somehow but she was taking it also during time when she was without benzo (over 4 years without benzo after tapering for 1 year and somehow finding Lemon balm which looks like helped to stop benzo completely).

What's more she drinks some herbs instead of tea, like Chamomile. Tea would be too stimulating we believe.

Thank you