Hi guys,
I'm not sure how it started other than around the beginning of January I started experiencing bouts of tinnitus & vision problems alongside my "normal" side effects while taking my prescription, Pregabalin. I started researching it more and decided to taper off of 300mg (4 tablets x75mg daily). It was a horrible time for me, many nights full of insomnia, paranoia and depersonalization.
I took Phenibut to help me taper, and it did. I then switched it off with Kratom one night in order to avoid withdrawals, and it helped but not as much as the Phenibut. So the next day I made mistake #2 (mistake #1 was listening to the psychiatrist in the first place, and not doing more research on Pregabalin, but I was in a place of desperation, seeking an anti-depressant but I didn't want any SSRIs due to their side effects) and took Phenibut again. I read of many success stories where people can take it for months or even years on end without many side effects. I knew the dangers, but I was ignorant due to desperation. I wanted to do anything to remove the bad side effects of Pregabalin.
Eventually I was able to successfully taper off of Pregabalin (we're now approaching 1 month without usage) and decided to taper off of Phenibut. Around 1 week after ceasing Pregabalin, I dropped from 2 grams of phenibut daily to 1.5. The insomnia ensued. I was going to reduce by 100mg next every day, but I saw another psychiatrist and he told me to cold-turkey with benzo assistance. So I took Tranxene 10mg and stopped Phenibut on a Friday with .4g (instead of 1.4g). It's now day 18 without any Phenibut in my system.
The first 2 weeks of withdrawal were some of the worst in my life. It felt like a mild bad acid trip, except that it was in a constant state. I had trouble sleeping and COULDN'T sleep for a second for 3-4 days. Eventually most side effects were beginning to subside by day 7, and by day 14 I felt finally much better.
Currently I feel good, but I still experience slight periods of anxious tension every day. The only 2 major problems I'd say are revolving around hypersensitivity. My eyes and my ears.. I'm experiencing tinnitus (almost constantly since ceasing both substances) and at night it gets really bad. I've been taking NAC 1800mg daily since I stopped taking Phenibut, and have changed my diet to lose weight and feel better in the long run. I now eat more veggies & fruits, as little sugar as I can, no caffeine, a lot of tea (although not chamomile because it's a gaba-agonist and I stopped taking tranxene after 5 days to reduce the amount of gaba-agonists in my body) and exercise is included where previously it was not.
I take a daily dose of vitamins in addition to the NAC (I read that helps with T): Vitamin C 1000mg, Magnesium + B6, Cod Liver Oil + Vitamin A & D3, Vitamin E 400, Omega3 500mg, Vitamin D & K2, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and some electrolytes (Potassium, Sodium, Glucose).
At night I take melatonin to help with sleep, and I don't take anymore anti-histamines as I'm past the worst phases of withdrawals.
I recently purchased L-Theanine, Relora and Bacopa Monnieri as I read they're not direct GABA-agonists and in some cases can help with my GABA/Glutamate problems. I think my Tinnitus is revolving around that, as benzodiazepenes completely remove it for a few hours. Also one strange thing I've noticed, I experimented 2 days with Kratom and it helped reduce my T as well for the time being. I have hope that it will go away within a few weeks, and my vision problems are like visual snow. Similar to a psychedelic feeling if you're ever been through that.
I took L-theanine 200mg 2x yesterday. Once at 3pm and the next at 11pm to help with sleep. I read that Bacopa can interfere with sleep for some people, while for others it may make them drowsy and help so I decided to test it out also at 11pm. I'm now reporting... I barely got any sleep and I'm not going to be taking Bacopa at night anymore.
I've decided not to take Bacopa M. until tomorrow morning after breakfast, and I'll only take 1 tablet of L-theanine daily now around breakfast time too when I take all my vitamins. I still have not tried the Relora yet, but I'm curious. I wanted to write this post out as I'm looking for more knowledge on L-theanine, relora & bacopa. Can I take these supplements daily? Is there a chance they can help, or will they hinder my progress? And will I experience any bad symptoms if I stop taking them suddenly? Can I mix all three, or only 2 or just take 1?
Also will there be a difference in taking l-theanine once or twice daily? I feel like twice might be too much. This isn't my area of expertise, and I definitely have decided that after what I've been through.. I'm never going to take Pregabalin or Phenibut again. I don't want to be dependent upon benzos either, and would like to stay away from alcohol for quite some time. All those substances are poison. Thank you so much for any help. I'm also trying non-med coping techniques and psychotherapy every Wednesday. I have to accept my new situation and make the best out of life.
