What is Your Experience Titrating Off Temazepam/Restoril?

September 22, 2023 8:30 PM

I am in graduate school and began having insomnia issues beginning 3 months ago. After taking 15MG of Temazepam as needed, my doctor suggested after a serious bout of sleeplessness to take a single capsule every night for one week and begin to titrate off by 1/4 each new week. I was made aware about the possibility of dependence. I am currently in the middle of week 3 taking 7.5MG. I am noticing feeling flat emotionally, bouts of depression, increased fatigue, weak short-term memory, hyper-sensitivity, spaciness, and some mood swings.

I am a healthy 60 yo male (swim, sail, movement practices) I am in the process of changing sleep hygiene. I am negotiating the side effects by morning physical and somatic movement, swimming, and sound therapy and have to helpa good support team

This morning was a challenge mentally. Felt off-center and, at times, somewhat disassociative. sluggish and self critical.

I am curious to hear other MeFite's experiences with this drug, especially their experiences coming off the drug

posted by goalyeehah to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

Personally speaking, I have found benzodiazepines like lorazepam, alprazolam and temazepam work well for handling anxiety and insomnia if I only take them once in a while. If I dose for more than a couple days, when I stop taking the medication I will usually subsequently feel noticeable symptoms of what is colloquially described as "benzo flu": benzodiazepine withdrawal. In my case, my body physically aches and I often feel mentally depressed and emotionally flat. I usually feel better after a few days, but recovery can take longer if I have dosed for a longer period of time, so I try to avoid taking these medications longer than a few days, if I have to take them at all. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 12:17 AM on September 23, 2023

You might ask about Trazodone for tapering off the Restoril. It's not a benzo, but rather an old AD that works better for sleep. I've been taking it for years and years. I've not increased my dose (in fact decreased it). It doesn't leave me feeling hung over.

Also, are you depressed? Grad school is hell.
posted by kathrynm at 8:58 AM on September 23, 2023

That’s a very fast taper for benzos. I would recommend following the Ashton manual.
posted by wheatlets at 4:19 PM on September 24, 2023