Weaning Regiment Help Please. =)

[cnote]

Okay, so my Dr. called me today after I left a note with the nurse describing how Paxil has been making me feel.

Here's the crappy thing. I had symptoms of labyrinthitis (lightheadedness, off balance etc.) for about a couple of weeks, it scared me and made me have a slight anxiety episode.

When the labyrinthitis stopped completely... I was doing AWESOME. I told my Dr. and he told me he wanted me to go ahead and take 5mg of Paxil anyways... so I agreed and took it for 10 days!

I was fine at first... then started to feel anxious in the evenings.. then some unpleasant symptoms in the night...

My Dr. told me it was probably just anxiety and to up my dosage of paxil to 10mg. So I did.

I have been on 10mg of Paxil for about 5 days.

I have felt like a Zombie... and the yawns are terrible... ive been having small panic attacks over weird things... i feel spacy.. achy all over, can't relax in bed at night etc. etc.

He told me today to go back down to 5mg... and even said If I want to stop taking it I can.

So if I've only been on Paxil for about 15 days max, should I wean slowly still or could I do it over a weeks time?

Also I've been taking Klonopin for about 20 days (.5mg) before bed... sometimes 1mg before bed to help me sleep.

He said he wanted me to wean off of that, and just take ativan to help relax me at night.

Q #1: How should I wean off the Klonopin while weaning off the Paxil? He said to cut the klonopin to .25mg at night.

Q#2: Can I take ativan (.5mg) with Klonopin (.25mg) while weaning off the Klonopin and Paxil? Geez Louise. lol.

Anyone? =) Thanks.

[Paxiled]

The Paxil shouldn't be a problem after just 15 days.  The klonopin, however, if you've been taking it for awhile, might be difficult.  I'd go off just one at a time, if it were me.  I'd also see if you could find something to help you sleep besides a benzo.  They really aren't sleep medicine, they're addictive anti-anxiety meds for severe anxiety.  I know sleep is hard with anxiety (tell me about it!), but I would never personally use a benzo for sleep purposes.  I do take klonopin for anxiety attacks, but not for sleep.  I know it's rough going, but drugs can make sleep very unsatisfying because they interfere with REM sleep.  On the other hand, I'm confused as to why Ativan would be better than Klonopin -- both are benzos, and klonopin lasts longer in the body, unless he just wants you to take ativan on occasion and not regularly.

[cnote]

So lastnight I cut my Paxil from 10mg to 5mg, and I cut my Klonopin from .5mg to .25mg. Slept OKAY... but didnt feel like I slept very much. That was expected. I probably won't be sleeping very well for a few days, b/c when youre used to taking a seditive like Klonopin for 20 days, it's hard to get your normal sleep back. BUT I WILL. =)

But this morning, I have more energy than I have in a while! =)

[cnote]

Thanks. He didn't really give me any instructions. I've tapered myself many many times before. I'll be fine.

[nursegirl6572]

Unfortunately, cnote, we're not allowed to give specific taper instructions.  This is something you'll need to ask your doctor about.

Hopefully you'll be feeling better in a day or two...just give it time.

[cnote]

anyone?