Feel like I`m all alone in this boat.

[[Gi...]]

Hi All

I`m feeling isolated and frightened, and don`t know where to turn.

I was prescribed Diazepam initially to help me cope with my anxiety and insomnia during my partner`s illness and subsequent death.  Although I am a qualified mental health nurse and knew the addictive nature of benzos I took them gratefully with little thought of the future consequences for myself.

Now 7 years later I am trying to discontinue them.  I would probably have continued taking 20mg each day had my GP not written to me pointing out the increased risk of dementia for some benzo users, and recommending withdrawal. Since my father, and currently my mother both suffered/suffer from dementia it was already a great fear for myself.  So, with no hesitation, very little thought, a lot of stupidity and probably arrogance.  I stopped!  No withdrawal plan or schedule, just stopped!

I was already withdrawing from 10 months of Tramadol, Mefenamic acid, and Gabapentin prescribed for a ruptured lumbar disc, and sciatica, and thought, "well, I can`t feel any worse". How wrong was I!

 

Now, 10 weeks later, I am taking 4mg each day.  The physical symptoms have subsided greatly, but emotionally I am an absolute wreck and don`t know where to turn for support.

[[be...]]

Hi Gingernut Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

You are not alone. You found us, and I am glad you did. I understand everything you are going through. I have through several horrific cold turkey withdrawals, so I know firsthand what that was like. Because of the risk of "kindling", you will want to taper off carefully. Kindling is where each subsequent withdrawal can be worse than the previous one.

 

You might like to check out The Ashton Manual it is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field. 

 

Please feel free to post to any of the dedicated boards, we have a wonderful community of people here, who will give sound advice. Members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal and are more than willing to share their experiences.

 

General Taper Plans

 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again Welcome! 

 

benzos-R-cruel