Weaning off of Drugs

rutzetta
rutzetta Member Posts: 174
in Breast Cancer #1
Have any of you weaned off of Paxil, Ativan or Ambein. I need any advice on weaning from these drugs. There have been times in a 24 hour period that I’ve only spelt 2 hours, due to insomnia. I want off this rollercoaster, but it’s easier said than done. I was on 20mg of Paxil since 8/11 and did get down to 10mg starting 5/12 after a month, but I can’t get to the next level without severe side effects. I went back to the doctor and was given Trazadone to help with the sleep issue, it didn’t work. I told the doctor I didn’t want to take the Ambein again because it’s so addicting, but I did start taking it again. I was then given Ativan, and told to take up to 2 per night for sleep disturbance, it’s not working. This should be the happiest time now that I have finished chemo, radiation and returned to work 4/12, but I can say it worst than all the others treatments combined. I’d love for my pink sisters to let me know how you were successful with weaning off drugs. Oh 1 more thing I did try natural sleep aids and the most I would sleep would be for 2 hours then I'm up again. I’m a train wreck right now. Please help!
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Comments

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #2
    Consulting Prescribing Physician?
    Hi,

    I never took those drugs. I do believe you should consult the doctor who prescribed them to you on how to slowly wean off. You could have serious problems going cold turkey.

    Wish you well with this problem,

    Doris
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #3
    Good luck and hope this helps...
    If I was having trouble weaning those meds, I would not hesitate to see a psychiatrist. Ask around and see if you can find one who is expert in "tweaking" meds as some are and some are not. They usually have great ideas about how to wean and what meds might help to get you over the hump.

    Ambien (zolipem) is a hypnotic drug that many physicians are now shying away from (except very short term) as some studies are now linking chronic usage to a fivefold increase risk of death and a slightly increased risk of cancer.

    Hypnotics Association with Motality or Cancer

    http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000850.full
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #4
    Weaning off drugs
    I was on Paxil for about 2 years in around 1987 and I don't remember having trouble getting off it. Then the problem came back in 2008. And I've been on another one since. I hope you do OK. I'll be thinking of you rutzetta. I know it is hard to get off Ativan. How long have you been on Ativan? I hope they find something that works for you...

    peanutcat
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #5
    peanutcat said:

    Weaning off drugs
    I was on Paxil for about 2 years in around 1987 and I don't remember having trouble getting off it. Then the problem came back in 2008. And I've been on another one since. I hope you do OK. I'll be thinking of you rutzetta. I know it is hard to get off Ativan. How long have you been on Ativan? I hope they find something that works for you...

    peanutcat

    There are class action
    There are class action lawsuits about paxil. I took ambien and although not aware of it was stopped by a state trooper yelling at me for my driving. I seriously had no idea what he was talking about, I had taken an ambien the night before but it should have been out of my system. dont know if he was just being a jerk because he was out of control. But I have never touched it since. I weaned off of ativan by .25 mg a month. I had to do it slowly but did get off it.
  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #6
    Been there done that
    Benadryl. Best advice I got from the rad waiting room crowd. when I told my cardiologist, he said he wished he thought of it! Good luck
  • rutzetta
    rutzetta Member Posts: 174
    #7
    tufi000 said:

    Been there done that
    Benadryl. Best advice I got from the rad waiting room crowd. when I told my cardiologist, he said he wished he thought of it! Good luck

    Thank you
    For your suggestions and kindness. I will talk with my doctor and give the benadryl a try while I tapper off the drugs. I must remember my strength and fight the good battle.

    Constance
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #8
    rutzetta said:

    Thank you
    For your suggestions and kindness. I will talk with my doctor and give the benadryl a try while I tapper off the drugs. I must remember my strength and fight the good battle.

    Constance

    You can do it!
    You can do it, but I strongly urge you to do it under your doctor's supervision....I had to be weaned off of Decadron, a steriod 3 months ago..I was on it because of brain radiation...to prevent seizures...my oncologist is who supervised this...it was a month long process but successful...

    I wish you the very best...keep us posted, we care...
    Hugs, Nancy
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #9
    My prayers are with you
    I have no words of wisdom to help you with kicking the drugs. From my understanding - need to be done with medical assistance to prevent potentially worse issues.

    While on Taxol I could not sleep at all - Chemo Dr gave me Trazodone. It did give me 3 - 4 hrs sleep but the nightmares were horrendous (normally the worst of any 'nightmares' I have are really silly things like being in a car that backs off a cliff and I just say "That's OK - we have rubber tires so we will bounce." [reccuring since a small child if I lay/sleep on my back]). I talked to my PA and she gave me the lowest dose of Ambien and it gave me several hours of sleep.

    Have you tried a "white noise' machine? The kind of things that play tide sounds, wind sounds, whales/dolphins, calming music, etc.? Might be worth trying. You can find them in 'Baby Stores' for about $20.

    Prayers!

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #10
    rutzetta said:

    Thank you
    For your suggestions and kindness. I will talk with my doctor and give the benadryl a try while I tapper off the drugs. I must remember my strength and fight the good battle.

    Constance

    Wishing you good luck and
    Wishing you good luck and hope that it won't be difficult for you. Keep us updated.


    Hugs, Debby
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #11
    Rague said:

    My prayers are with you
    I have no words of wisdom to help you with kicking the drugs. From my understanding - need to be done with medical assistance to prevent potentially worse issues.

    While on Taxol I could not sleep at all - Chemo Dr gave me Trazodone. It did give me 3 - 4 hrs sleep but the nightmares were horrendous (normally the worst of any 'nightmares' I have are really silly things like being in a car that backs off a cliff and I just say "That's OK - we have rubber tires so we will bounce." [reccuring since a small child if I lay/sleep on my back]). I talked to my PA and she gave me the lowest dose of Ambien and it gave me several hours of sleep.

    Have you tried a "white noise' machine? The kind of things that play tide sounds, wind sounds, whales/dolphins, calming music, etc.? Might be worth trying. You can find them in 'Baby Stores' for about $20.

    Prayers!

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

    Other sleep tips...
    Susan,

    Those are great ideas! And do you know that they even have white noise apps now? I used one recently when I was hospitalized and feeling really cruddy and some hospital visitors (idiots) were making a ruckus outside in the parking lot. The one that I used is called Relax and Sleep, but there are probably many of them.

    I also always, always wear earplugs. There are many different kinds. Pick one with a high noise rating (>30). I love the blue Hearos, but everyone's ear is shaped differently so you might have to try several to find a comfortable fit (I did). They muffle faraway noise. They do NOT keep me from hearing the phone or my alarm. They do always make me fall asleep faster and stay asleep better (I think I am conditioned ;-)

    I never, ever watch tv in the bedroom and I try and block out any sources of light (even digital clock). Many studies are now demonstrating that any light source can interfere with sleep.

    Reading an unexciting book makes me drowsy, but that may or may not work for all.

    I bet others might have some good tips too. The one thing that I personally would avoid is melatonin. I did that for awhile and, initially, it seemed to help. Then, I found myself feeling really blue and weird. When I told this to my psychiatrist sister, she said she doesn't recommend melatonin, because it is a hormone and can have many effects long term. That may have just been my individual weird adverse effect, but depression is listed as a possible adverse effect, so just be aware.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #12
    CypressCynthia said:

    Other sleep tips...
    Susan,

    Those are great ideas! And do you know that they even have white noise apps now? I used one recently when I was hospitalized and feeling really cruddy and some hospital visitors (idiots) were making a ruckus outside in the parking lot. The one that I used is called Relax and Sleep, but there are probably many of them.

    I also always, always wear earplugs. There are many different kinds. Pick one with a high noise rating (>30). I love the blue Hearos, but everyone's ear is shaped differently so you might have to try several to find a comfortable fit (I did). They muffle faraway noise. They do NOT keep me from hearing the phone or my alarm. They do always make me fall asleep faster and stay asleep better (I think I am conditioned ;-)

    I never, ever watch tv in the bedroom and I try and block out any sources of light (even digital clock). Many studies are now demonstrating that any light source can interfere with sleep.

    Reading an unexciting book makes me drowsy, but that may or may not work for all.

    I bet others might have some good tips too. The one thing that I personally would avoid is melatonin. I did that for awhile and, initially, it seemed to help. Then, I found myself feeling really blue and weird. When I told this to my psychiatrist sister, she said she doesn't recommend melatonin, because it is a hormone and can have many effects long term. That may have just been my individual weird adverse effect, but depression is listed as a possible adverse effect, so just be aware.

    Constance
    I am very sorry,
    I have been through all of these medications. I also took melatonin and it did help. In addition to what was mentioned I had acupuncture and trigger point injections for several months to combat addiction from Ambien and Ativan. Meditation and yoga did help too.
    Since my recent diagnosis, unfortunately I am back on Ativan . On weekends I am trying to scents time at the beach. Ocean air and light excersises helps a lot
    Wishing you improvement.
    Hugs
    New Flower
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #13
    rutzetta said:

    Thank you
    For your suggestions and kindness. I will talk with my doctor and give the benadryl a try while I tapper off the drugs. I must remember my strength and fight the good battle.

    Constance

    I've never heard of benadryl
    I've never heard of benadryl helping anyone, but, I hope that it will work for you Constance.


    Best to you,


    Lex
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #14
    Rague said:

    My prayers are with you
    I have no words of wisdom to help you with kicking the drugs. From my understanding - need to be done with medical assistance to prevent potentially worse issues.

    While on Taxol I could not sleep at all - Chemo Dr gave me Trazodone. It did give me 3 - 4 hrs sleep but the nightmares were horrendous (normally the worst of any 'nightmares' I have are really silly things like being in a car that backs off a cliff and I just say "That's OK - we have rubber tires so we will bounce." [reccuring since a small child if I lay/sleep on my back]). I talked to my PA and she gave me the lowest dose of Ambien and it gave me several hours of sleep.

    Have you tried a "white noise' machine? The kind of things that play tide sounds, wind sounds, whales/dolphins, calming music, etc.? Might be worth trying. You can find them in 'Baby Stores' for about $20.

    Prayers!

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

    I am wishing you good luck
    I am wishing you good luck Constance! You sound determined, so, I know you can do it.

    I do take Trazodone to help me sleep and to make sure that I don't wake up with a headache. Apparently, Trazodone puts you into the REM sleep, which is what I needed. I never wake up with headaches anymore and sleep great!


    Hugs, Megan
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #15
    Rague said:

    My prayers are with you
    I have no words of wisdom to help you with kicking the drugs. From my understanding - need to be done with medical assistance to prevent potentially worse issues.

    While on Taxol I could not sleep at all - Chemo Dr gave me Trazodone. It did give me 3 - 4 hrs sleep but the nightmares were horrendous (normally the worst of any 'nightmares' I have are really silly things like being in a car that backs off a cliff and I just say "That's OK - we have rubber tires so we will bounce." [reccuring since a small child if I lay/sleep on my back]). I talked to my PA and she gave me the lowest dose of Ambien and it gave me several hours of sleep.

    Have you tried a "white noise' machine? The kind of things that play tide sounds, wind sounds, whales/dolphins, calming music, etc.? Might be worth trying. You can find them in 'Baby Stores' for about $20.

    Prayers!

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan

    I've never taken any of
    I've never taken any of those drugs. Just wanted to wish you good luck and it looks like you've gotten some great advice here from the other pink sisters.

    Keep posting to update us,


    Jan
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #16
    SIROD said:

    Consulting Prescribing Physician?
    Hi,

    I never took those drugs. I do believe you should consult the doctor who prescribed them to you on how to slowly wean off. You could have serious problems going cold turkey.

    Wish you well with this problem,

    Doris

    I am hoping that your doctor
    I am hoping that your doctor can wean you off of these drugs easily. I do understand that just stopping any of them would not be good.


    Good luck!
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #17
    Megan M said:

    I am wishing you good luck
    I am wishing you good luck Constance! You sound determined, so, I know you can do it.

    I do take Trazodone to help me sleep and to make sure that I don't wake up with a headache. Apparently, Trazodone puts you into the REM sleep, which is what I needed. I never wake up with headaches anymore and sleep great!


    Hugs, Megan

    Trazodone not good for all
    Trazodone is great for those it works for BUT it doesn't for all. It gave me horrendous nightmares. Also only gave a few hours sleep - Thankfully with the nightmares.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #18
    CypressCynthia said:

    Other sleep tips...
    Susan,

    Those are great ideas! And do you know that they even have white noise apps now? I used one recently when I was hospitalized and feeling really cruddy and some hospital visitors (idiots) were making a ruckus outside in the parking lot. The one that I used is called Relax and Sleep, but there are probably many of them.

    I also always, always wear earplugs. There are many different kinds. Pick one with a high noise rating (>30). I love the blue Hearos, but everyone's ear is shaped differently so you might have to try several to find a comfortable fit (I did). They muffle faraway noise. They do NOT keep me from hearing the phone or my alarm. They do always make me fall asleep faster and stay asleep better (I think I am conditioned ;-)

    I never, ever watch tv in the bedroom and I try and block out any sources of light (even digital clock). Many studies are now demonstrating that any light source can interfere with sleep.

    Reading an unexciting book makes me drowsy, but that may or may not work for all.

    I bet others might have some good tips too. The one thing that I personally would avoid is melatonin. I did that for awhile and, initially, it seemed to help. Then, I found myself feeling really blue and weird. When I told this to my psychiatrist sister, she said she doesn't recommend melatonin, because it is a hormone and can have many effects long term. That may have just been my individual weird adverse effect, but depression is listed as a possible adverse effect, so just be aware.

    Thanks
    I'll have to find that app.

    Quite awhile ago 'someone' told me that melatonin was good for SAD (this was long before BC) so I asked my PA about it and I don't remember all the reasons she gave me for not taking it but there were many. Also she said that it wasn't a good idea being ADD also. So I use my light box and take a lot D.

    I can't be home alone without the TV or radio/music on - don't pay attentionto what it is - just sound. Also have to have at least some light I can see at night. Goes back to things that happened as a small child and I have tried to overcome but can't and have accepted and Hubby accepts so that's how it is. I have a small night light on my side of the bed and if I wake up I see it and go I go back to sleep - if it's not on -I can't go back to sleep. When he gets called out at night, the TV gets turned on and I sleep. Outside I have no problems with quiet or darkness (love both) but not inside.

    Yeah - I'm weird!

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #19
    survivorbc09 said:

    I've never taken any of
    I've never taken any of those drugs. Just wanted to wish you good luck and it looks like you've gotten some great advice here from the other pink sisters.

    Keep posting to update us,


    Jan

    When do you see your doctor
    When do you see your doctor Constance? Be sure and post to update us as to what he suggests for you.


    Good luck,

    Noel
  • rutzetta
    rutzetta Member Posts: 174
    #20
    Noel said:

    When do you see your doctor
    When do you see your doctor Constance? Be sure and post to update us as to what he suggests for you.


    Good luck,

    Noel

    Doctor
    I saw him on the 27th. He said due to my anxiety and sleep issue I need to continue with the Paxil 10mg and Ativan 1mg. I don't feel like I'm losing my mind anymore and I have better control of me with these drugs. I will also be seeing a pysch doctor. As they feel I have issues from my treatment I have to deal with. I was the one always smiling so others wouldn't feel bad for me. He told me I won't be or feel normal for a while, so stop beating myself up over it. I guess we've all been there. I hope all this will help me so i can wean from the drugs, as I still want off the drugs, but I also need to sleep at night. My sisters thanks for lifting me up during this time- I needed it! With love, Constance
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #21
    rutzetta said:

    Doctor
    I saw him on the 27th. He said due to my anxiety and sleep issue I need to continue with the Paxil 10mg and Ativan 1mg. I don't feel like I'm losing my mind anymore and I have better control of me with these drugs. I will also be seeing a pysch doctor. As they feel I have issues from my treatment I have to deal with. I was the one always smiling so others wouldn't feel bad for me. He told me I won't be or feel normal for a while, so stop beating myself up over it. I guess we've all been there. I hope all this will help me so i can wean from the drugs, as I still want off the drugs, but I also need to sleep at night. My sisters thanks for lifting me up during this time- I needed it! With love, Constance

    It's good that you are
    It's good that you are feeling better Constance! I agree with your doctor, stop beating yourself up. You will get yourself off of the drugs, just do it slowly. Just getting some sleep will help tremendously.

    Keep us posted,


    Jan

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