benzo withdrawel

[Emilia]

i stopped using illegal drugs 4.5 years ago. had the odd drink here and there but now that i've commited to na i've stopped that too.

a year ago my doctor prescribed me a benzodiazepine for anxiety and insomnia. i didn't considor myself using during that time because it was doctor prescribed and i used it as prescribed (fairly small dosage). now i realise i am dependant on it and really want to stop. i've read terrible things about benzo withdrawal. i'm scared to start tapering. this is a really important time in my life because i'm going back to school and moving. i don't want to be experiencing withdrawal while this important stuff is going on. i think i am already experiencing some withdrawal symptoms because my dosage has not been increased and i've become tolerant. i'm also bipolar and this is part of why my doc put me on benzos to begin with. i'm afraid to go off them in case doing so triggers a manic or depressive episode.... i can't deal w either right now. but i have a real desire to be clean.

has any one experienced benzo withdrawal? did you go to detox for it? was it as bad as i'm reading?

i'm so stressed about this i think i need an ativan (j/k sort of). :(

[Chewi]

I don't have the answers, but I think it is probably something you should discuss with your doctor--about if and when and how much, etc. Also, there might be a safer alternative that you could switch to? I don't know, but think medical advice is best.

[yukonm]

I agree with Chewi. Please consult your medical doctor.

[CD BUCKBERRY]

I also agree,this is something for the doctor to change.

[Jay Bee]

I also agree, CONSULT YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR:15:, you mite have to break your Anonymity with him or her, let him or her know that your in recovery!!! Also please keep coming here too:15:.

[Jay Bee]

This is same Drug they found in Mj's body, YOU really need to consult your doctor!!!

[Emilia]

i will Jay Bee don't worry. i guess i knew i had to consult my doc before posting but sometimes i need to be told things. i don't like to go to doctors. i don't know many people, (esp addicts) who do. my doc is the one who put me on this highly addictive drug for much longer than is recommended in the first place. actually that was my psychiatrist... maybe i'll talk to my gp who i have much more faith in.

wasn't mj on diprivan? i think ativan is related but not as strong? maybe he was on both... i think he was on a lot of things :(

[Emilia]

i found a great site and wanted to share it incase any one else here is dealing with benzodiazepine addiction:

http://www.thetrap.org.uk/

[woodywoodpecker]

Emilia....the main thing as you already know is to take it very very slowly. It took me about 10-12 months to get off Xanax. The withdrawal symptoms at times are unpleasant as you know. They wont kill you but they bring anxiety and sometimes panic attacks. There are people at AA and NA that have experience in benzo withdrawal. Try to get hold of someone who has been through it and a doctor who understands it. It was a previous doctor who put me onto the stuff to start with. Then i fortunately found a doctor who both AA and had been on benzos. Get support. The first month is tough. I used to cry so much as i came off. But hold in there and by the way there is some very good advice just googling benzo withdrawal. Hold in there. We cant give our souls away to big pharma. The withdrawal led me to discover my spiritual path. Which means that i got down on my knees when it got tough and turned myself & the withdrawal over to Jesus. He pulled me through. And now i feel strong (still screw and crashed my car recently when i drank cos i was down & tired etc)....I must not forget that it was Jesus that pulled me through. Stay well and the biggest hug, Mike.

[woodywoodpecker]

I took a look at the trap. They mention Ashton. Good news. By the way I tapered down the Xanax and then changed to tapering doses of Valium...still hurts whatever one does. The main thing is get support and go very slowly.
Hell i keep on repeating myself and saying things you already know. Its just that it really upsets me that people like you and i can be put on these things by the medical profession and big pharma (wining and dining them) and the darned pills are designed to get you hooked, change your synapses etc so that it is difficult to not go on increasing the dose and their profits etc etc. My step brother in the UK has got some very good info...I will get it for you. I used to use a sauna alot to get the stuff out of my body and cool showers sometimes when i over heated. And Pray hard! Enormous hug, Mike

[woodywoodpecker]

Emilia:
My first doctor as mentioned was not aware of just how addictive benzos are.
My second was and he helped me enormously. Make sure the doc you choose really understands what it is about.
Mike