Benzo Withdrawal

[Deleted member 20280]

I am currently being weaned off Valium, I am finding I sketch out all the time and have blank moments, I also have some, not all though of the GI issues.

Thank-you @Solara for the above link I am sure I will find it really useful myself.

Laurie

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Oh, and I'd just like to add.....A family member is a pharmacist and she says that doctors really know very little about medications and such. I think she said they only have a class or two dedicated to just medication. If you have questions about medications, ask a pharmacist as they go to school for 4 years and most of their classes are focused on medications.

 

[greenleaf]

I wonder if there is any overlap with fibromyalgia symptoms in there, like the fogginess, tingling and such? It's really not well understood... You could try some of the recommendations for fibro self-care though...

 

[KwanYingirl]

I am in the throes of withdrawal syndrome. Did it too fast but I was told I was on a low dose. I went to the ER today as I felt I was going into a seizure state and every other symptom of withdrawal. I haven't slept for two days and am nursing a bitch of a headache.

I thought I would be ok since I was on a low dose and it wasn't helping me. The brain wants whatever measles bit of xanax

His symptoms are identical to mine when I was overexposed to chemicals at work. All the tests look normal but the body is screaming "Help". Does he work around chemicals or off gassing furnaces and building materials?

So the ER doc gave me .5mg if Xanax to take once a day to ward off the withdrawal but it didn't help at all. I am so sick it's horrendous. Another day lost to PTSD.

 

[greenleaf]

There are some research studies about issues with benzos and ptsd; the gaba system gets affected by ptsd, and benzos act on gaba, but benzos are addictive -- so they are changing your system's sensitivity to themselves, which might mean you are changing the gaba system's resting state until the addiction wears off, and your ptsd symptoms might change... as I'm not a chemist or doctor I have no real idea though.

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treatment/overview/clinicians-guide-to-medications-for-ptsd.asp
Link Removed

 

[adriftatsea]

KwanYingirl, he hasn't been exposed to any type of chemicals or building materials.

And Greenleaf thanks for the links. I started researching more last night about the gaba system, benzos and neurontin because his symptoms improved with the neurontin and I guess neurontin is a gabaergic (I think it has been shown to increase gaba biosynthesis) and actually neurontin/gabapentin is currently going through clinical trials for the assistance of benzo withdrawal treatment because of its effects on the gaba system. I've looked at some other studies for neurontin's use in alleviating withdrawal symptoms. We've talked to his neurologist and pharmacist about the neurontin and so he's restarting that and hopefully the psychiatrist will have some more insight on Tuesday.

 

[user27357]

now I have an opinion I have to share. NEURONTIN is a drug to be careful of. It has so many off label prescribers, basing their prescriptions on purely anecdotal info at best and downright mis information straight from the mfg. at worst.

Do some research. I wish I had. I wasted alot of time bearing the side effects of the drug only to find that the positive effects we were hoping for but missing were in fact non existent and werent going to come no matter what the dose or how long it was tolerated.

Neurontin has convinced me that side effects aren't worth tolerating and unless a drug has a definite positive effect I want nothing to do with it.

Even if it carries the risk of addiction and a bad withdrawal, thats better than the certainty of sexual side effects, feeling like a robot, inability to concentrate, lack of energy, all in the hopes of a positive mood effect that was totally contrived by a drug companies sales department. Beware Neurontin.

 

[falling_wave]

I just take xanax as needed but it is a benzo and when I am triggered I take a lot of it especially to sleep. My therapist advised me against it and said she was concerned so I stopped all the sudden. I was in a fog totally lethargic for about a week but couldn't sleep despite have no energy. It was literally like my muscles were limp and I had a persistent dull headache. It will pass just get outside, get exercise, and drink a lot of fluids. I still take it for panic attacks but I take it less. If I take it several nights in a row and then stop my insomnia gets worse but I just push through and realize what's happening.

 

[Changing4Best]

That is what I am going through right now, withdrawal from Clonazepam. I am at the one pill every other day point now and soon will be at the every 3 days point. I am feeling increased anxiety and nightmares are occurring too. Constipation and the runs, yes, stomach troubles, yes, memory troubles yes.

I've been put onto an antidepressant which is supposed to handle the restless leg syndrome (RLS) and has some capacity to handle anxiety too. The Dr. just increased my dose of the antidepressant double and I am feeling anxiety this moment. I am suffering, and I am not even all the way off the benzo. I cannot imagine how it will be when I am off it completely. I have been on it for years, but a recent change in state laws has made this withdrawal necessary.

I am in need of support. If anyone is willing to give me support through this tough time, I would appreciate it! Thanks. (Tears).

 

[joeylittle]

I am suffering, and I am not even all the way off the benzo.

Try and remember that some of this suffering is that you are experiencing withdrawal, and it will actually pass more and more as the days go by. Also, if it helps, remember that you would have likely gotten to this point at one time or another; eventually the body does learn to metabolize the benzo differently and it becomes ineffective. In the long run, you are going to be happier having something else address your symptoms that isn't addictive, won't cause other health problems, and can be taken long term.

But I am sorry that it is hard. Withdrawal is always hard, and changing meds is scary, no matter what. Hang in there.

 

[Changing4Best]

Thanks @joeylittle and I appreciate the perspective that these things will eventually subside. I am dealing with two issues here, the RLS and the anxiety. Both of these were being handled so well by the clonazepam that I was indeed addicted to it. I do look forward to that time when I will stabilize with the new medicine and hopefully will again be symptom free of these two issues.

 

[KwanYingirl]

My daughter has been asking me to consider medical marijuana for my PTSD.