Is this klonopin withdrawl after 5 weeks or zoloft side effect

about 3 weeks ago, after being on the following for three weeks, I was switched off 5mg lexapro plus .5 mg klonopin X 2 per day to use as needed (which I didn't because I didn't fully know what that meant. Anxiety attacks were completely new to me) The switch was made because of extreme start up side effects including, a huge ramp up in anxiety and weight loss due to nausea. I was then prescribed 50 mg zoloft (started at 25mg for 6 days) and .5mg klonopin 3 X per day (to use at that exact dose for 12-14 days to off set any similar start up side effects).

I have been weaning off the klonopin for 9 days and am currently at .25mg X 2 per day and .5mg X 1 per day (evening). Everything was going really well on all of the above plan until about 5 days. I got a crazy tension headache that hasn't responded to advil (which I had permission to use as needed short term) or tylenol. Not allowed to take a muscle relaxer which is what I would use in the past. I realize anxiety causes us to be tense, but this particular tension headache has been a doozie. Two days ago mild nausea returned as well as my loss of appetite. It's worse today. I've also noticed some tiny muscle spasms in the perineum area. And I've experienced a couple of instances of mild anxiety yesterday and today - but nothing full blown, and I've been able to use coping skills to work through it.

I was wondering if anyone knew if this is likely a reaction to weaning off the klonopin OR since I'm weaning of the klonopin are these possibly breakthrough start up side effects from the zoloft? I have been going to therapy twice per week for a month and have been diagnosed with GAD. I feel like I'm turning into a real hypochondriac or maybe it's just 2 steps forward 1 step back.

Any advice or experience on this issue would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

juniper

S.C., Thanks for the encouragement! I have been keeping a journal, as per my therapist's request. It is helpful to look back and see how much better I feel versus 3 shorts weeks ago. I understand it's a process, I'm just not a very patient person, and I'm certain that some of the control issues that contributed to this whole mess are also to blame for some of my current symptoms. It sometimes seems like an unfair cycle, but learning why I process thoughts in a certain way, where they lead, and how to change them is something to be excited about. Perspective throughout this journey is also quite valuable. I really need to stay off the internet, with the exception of this forum, and quit feeding the beast. People don't seem to post as frequently when things are going really well lol. And it only leads to unnecessary worry and anxiety, right? ;-) Thanks again.

forestbook, Thanks for the reply. Were you just on zoloft? I had a bad experience on lexapro so after three weeks the doc prescribed 50mg zoloft and .5 mg X 3 per day klonpin to ward off possible start-up side effects of the zoloft. Started tapering after 11 days at that dose. And after doing extensive research it does seem like my new symptoms, tension headache (specific to mostly neck and shoulders), and nausea are two of the most common side effects to klonopin withdrawl. I also think it's the klonopin withdrawal because the symptoms started exactly 5 days after I started to taper. My doctor and therapist are pro-taper. And any anxiety breakthrough I've had has been quite manageable thus far. It's just these darn headaches- although advil seems to help at times and so does magnesium. Dramamine is really helping with the nausea, and I wear those acupuncture wrist bands - which also seem to help. I think I have a little health anxiety, so I'm super sensitive to ANYTHING going on with my body. Today, after therapy I felt so crappy I almost went home instead of to work. But I pushed through and forced myself to concentrate on something other than my "aches and pains." Made it to the gym for some good cardio, and have been enjoying a relatively tolerable afternoon/evening. I'm going with "that's progress." I plan to stick with the current plan unless it becomes totally unbearable (and then I may still stick with it lol). See my doc again this coming Monday. Thanks again for your input.