Post Benzo Freedom Withdrawal Support Group

[[gi...]]

Ginger

 

I am so with you on this!  I saw The Descendants and The Help but The Artist is in a league of its own isn't it?  I wish I was on your time zone so I could watch it.  But I've recorded it so I can see it tomorrow.

 

Come on The Artist!!

 

Angel

 

I was shocked that the Hollywood Foreign Press picked The Descendants over The Artist for the Globe. Since it's been strong with the DGA and SAG awards I'm hoping Hollywood USA follows suit.  I was rooting for The Help until I saw The Artist.  I was surprised The Descendants has gotten all the accolades it has. I mean, it's a good movie and all, but Best Picture?  I think George is a phenomenal actor; I understand his nomination.  But I think his role in The Ides Of March is much more Oscar-worthy. Did you see that? Great flick.

 

oops - it's on!!  Enjoy it tomorrow. I'll check back in here tomorrow night my time to catch up with you.

 

g

[[gi...]]

But then, there's Midnight in Paris - IMO Woody Allen's best!  Fantastic movie, excellent premise.  If you haven't seen it put it on your list.  It should win best screenplay.

 

gtg - red carpet time -

[[An...]]

V - I agree re The Help being better than The Descendants but, as you say, the book is so much better.

 

I woke up and just checking the blogs but it hasn't really got going yet.

 

By the way I am pleased to say I am feeling much better but I hope I am not jinxing it.

 

G - yes I plan to watch Midnight in Paris tomorrow. 

 

Angel

[[mt...]]

HI guys,

Taking a quick break from the Oscars to check in.  Verti so glad the melatonin is working for you.  Isn't it great to get a FULL nights sleep!  I am doing great.  Still taking the L tryptophan and L Tyrosine.  Tried to stop the L tryptophan and after a few days I realized I was thinking negatively and a bit more emotional with indigestion.  Once I started it up again it all disappeared.  So I plan on taking it a few more weeks and try stopping again.  Guess I need it as it makes a big difference to me.  I am also taking some tests to get a look at adrenal fatigue etc.   

 

I went to a lecture on Friday evening at a local University and after I left the auditorium I got lost finding my car.  I ended up walking about 2 miles cause once I realized I made a wrong turn it was just as long one way as another.  Felt kinda stupid but I had to remind myself that

here I was out on a Friday evening out ALL by myself (she who could not leave her house for almost 2 years) driving the freeway navigating a college campus that even my husband admits challenges him.  So I gave myself a pat on the back and drove home so happy that I am back to living my life and ABLE to walk 2 miles-it actually felt great!

 

As for cold sores it was Lysine (another amino acid) that wiped out my break outs.  Took about 6 months of lysine supplements after I suffered for years and after the Lysine I have not had one again.  If I get a tingle I take the Lysine and it is gone.  But obviously amino acids are something that I am lacking and benefit from- so far.  You can google Lysine and HPV and read the studies.  Lysine actually represses the virus.

 

Hope you are all well and I send you my deepest wishes for healing and health!

Mimi

 

 

[[ve...]]

HI guys, Taking a quick break from the Oscars to check in. Verti so glad the melatonin is working for you. Isn't it great to get a FULL nights sleep! I am doing great. Still taking the L tryptophan and L Tyrosine. Tried to stop the L tryptophan and after a few days I realized I was thinking negatively and a bit more emotional with indigestion. Once I started it up again it all disappeared. So I plan on taking it a few more weeks and try stopping again. Guess I need it as it makes a big difference to me. I am also taking some tests to get a look at adrenal fatigue etc. I went to a lecture on Friday evening at a local University and after I left the auditorium I got lost finding my car. I ended up walking about 2 miles cause once I realized I made a wrong turn it was just as long one way as another. Felt kinda stupid but I had to remind myself that here I was out on a Friday evening out ALL by myself (she who could not leave her house for almost 2 years) driving the freeway navigating a college campus that even my husband admits challenges him. So I gave myself a pat on the back and drove home so happy that I am back to living my life and ABLE to walk 2 miles-it actually felt great! As for cold sores it was Lysine (another amino acid) that wiped out my break outs. Took about 6 months of lysine supplements after I suffered for years and after the Lysine I have not had one again. If I get a tingle I take the Lysine and it is gone. But obviously amino acids are something that I am lacking and benefit from- so far. You can google Lysine and HPV and read the studies. Lysine actually represses the virus. Hope you are all well and I send you my deepest wishes for healing and health! Mimi

 

Thanks for the update and for the info on Lysine, Mimi . Good to read that you're continuing to heal and taking steps to get outdoors and re-engage with life on your own terms. Forgetting where you parked happens to many of us. I'll never forget the time my father forgot where he parked and reported his car stolen . A day later, a colleague of his told him that he saw his car in the parking garage on another level. I've forgotten where I parked before too. Like you said, it's a blessing that you were stong enough to make the two mile walk and also all the skills you have developed to be able to view the experience in more of a positive light.

 

As for the amino acids and melatonin... Yes, I've been getting some solid sleep since I started the melatonin last week. However, I've also had some grogginess on some mornings. I wonder if it's possible that getting more sleep can be paradoxically counter productive? I think I'm still adjusting to it plus I've been skipping the afternoon nap and exercising more so several things going on right now. I'll also be starting up a diet and hopefully lose 10lbs in the next few months so we'll see how that impacts adrenalin and overall homeostasis.

 

As you recall, going off carbs too rapidly and losing weight too quickly in the Fall of 2010 resulted in some adrenalin and cortisol type issues at the beginning of last year (2011) for me. Well, we'll all be curious to see how your adrenalin tests turn out. Sounds like you have found some good medical care and are taking good care of yourself as well.

 

,

 

Vertigo

[[13...]]

Im thirteen weeks off Temazepam and get a few withdrawal symptons my worst one is a loose cough worse in the night.  Ive been checked twice by the doctor there is no infection had this since the begining of my taper last April.  I also suffer with a blocked nose and my sinus's play up.

 

I have felt quite well otherwise and manage to sleep 8 hours most nights and enjoy going out and socializing.

[[ve...]]

Im thirteen weeks off Temazepam and get a few withdrawal symptons my worst one is a loose cough worse in the night.  Ive been checked twice by the doctor there is no infection had this since the begining of my taper last April.  I also suffer with a blocked nose and my sinus's play up.I have felt quite well otherwise and manage to sleep 8 hours most nights and enjoy going out and socializing.

 

Welcome to the post benzo thread 13SK.  I had a history of sinus problems before benzos so I'm no stranger to what you posted.  That's great that your sleep is not impacted and that you are healing.  Have you ever tried one of those "breathe right" nose strips that some of the athletes wear?  My wife sometimes uses one at night and keeps her breathing through the night and also cuts back on the snoring  .

 

Vertigo

[[ve...]]

But then, there's Midnight in Paris - IMO Woody Allen's best!  Fantastic movie, excellent premise.  If you haven't seen it put it on your list.  It should win best screenplay.

gtg - red carpet time -

 

I saw Midnight in Paris,  one of Woody Allen's best in a long time. Glad it won.  I have not seen The Artist but was glad Hugo won a bunch of awards too.  I'm looking forward to seeing The Iron Lady.  It was really tough one for best actress this year.

 

V

[[An...]]

Yippee!  The Artist did good!  There's a whole bunch of films I want to see now.  I don't fancy the Iron Lady - I somehow don't want to see Maggie Thatcher's dementia part of life.  Too close to home probably (my mum).  I prefer memories of the wonderful strong and domineering woman she was as our Prime Minister.

 

Angel

[[Li...]]

Libby,

Thank you!  I sent doublewave a PM asking for information.  I hope to hear from her.  I am getting worse every day.

 

Again, thanks!

Wish

 

Wish, how are you doing? Did you get the information you were looking for? Been thinking about you and hoping you were doing okay.

 

Libby

[[wi...]]

Libby,

Thanks for asking.  I really appreciate the support.

 

I haven't heard back from doublewave, yet.  Hoping to hear how long she took to taper.  I am also waiting for my doctor to return a call to me.  I'm not sure he knows much, if anything, about tapering hormones.

 

I'm in a lot of pain and other strange symptoms.  I'm worried and mad that I now have to taper off of the hormones when I thought I was done after getting off clonazepam.  But, when I get off of these, I will be moving toward healing - drug free.  An up side to having gone through 2 horrible years of trying to get off benzos is that I have a lot more control over my anxiety than I had before.  I've already been through so much.  But, it is a fight to stay calm with w/d symptoms ramping up as they are, and wait for direction on how to proceed.

 

Again, thanks Libby.

Cheryl

[[gi...]]

Yippee!  The Artist did good!  There's a whole bunch of films I want to see now.  I don't fancy the Iron Lady - I somehow don't want to see Maggie Thatcher's dementia part of life.  Too close to home probably (my mum).  I prefer memories of the wonderful strong and domineering woman she was as our Prime Minister.

 

Angel

 

Believe it or not, Angel, but I thought of you when The Artist won; I knew you'd be thrilled.  You have to see it. It's such a wonderful love letter to Hollywood.  Jean D. so righteously deserves his Oscar.  Before the ceremony, someone asked Clooney if he was confident he would win. His reply: "Let's just say I think the acceptance speech will be in French."  Total class! I'll always love him.

 

I'm so happy Midnight got best screenplay!!  It's such a great movie. I was rolling in the aisles at some points (actually I've seen it twice and laughed harder the 2nd time around).  Best female was tough; I agree, V. I was shocked, though, that Meryl won.  I saw it - she was great, as usual - but I thought Viola Davis was a shoo-in.  You're right, A; seeing Thatcher's decline is sad. Have you seen The Help? Another great film.

 

I knew the other actress from The Help would win for best supporting, but I really wanted Melissa McCarthy to win. She was so fantastic in Bridesmaids! Have you seen that movie? It's bloody hysterical.

 

What was your opinion about Angelina? There's now a facebook page and twitter account for her leg!  I thought she made a fool of herself, coming out and strutting like that.  The girl needs to gain about 15 pounds, too. I thought she looked terrible (aside from the leg and the gown!).  I think she's starting to believe her own hype; which is always the beginning of the slide into obscurity.

 

g

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I agree Ginger. That leg strut was weird. My wife and I looked at eachother and I said to her, that girl looks anorexic. As for Cloony, not a big fan (must be a girl thing). Don't really like his little smirks and who was he with? A paid escort? The guy has some serious intimacy and commitment issues! I agree about Viola and The Help, but the role as Thatcher may have been a little tougher and part of it was probably the fact that she could easily have won the last five times she was nominated and should not be penalized because she already won twice. She is incredible, the more I see her movies. Of course, Viola was superb too. I hope she will have an opportunity to win one down the road. V

[[An...]]

Yippee!  The Artist did good!  There's a whole bunch of films I want to see now.  I don't fancy the Iron Lady - I somehow don't want to see Maggie Thatcher's dementia part of life.  Too close to home probably (my mum).  I prefer memories of the wonderful strong and domineering woman she was as our Prime Minister.

 

Angel

 

Believe it or not, Angel, but I thought of you when The Artist won; I knew you'd be thrilled.  You have to see it. It's such a wonderful love letter to Hollywood.  Jean D. so righteously deserves his Oscar.  Before the ceremony, someone asked Clooney if he was confident he would win. His reply: "Let's just say I think the acceptance speech will be in French."  Total class! I'll always love him.

 

I'm so happy Midnight got best screenplay!!  It's such a great movie. I was rolling in the aisles at some points (actually I've seen it twice and laughed harder the 2nd time around).  Best female was tough; I agree, V. I was shocked, though, that Meryl won.  I saw it - she was great, as usual - but I thought Viola Davis was a shoo-in.  You're right, A; seeing Thatcher's decline is sad. Have you seen The Help? Another great film.

 

I knew the other actress from The Help would win for best supporting, but I really wanted Melissa McCarthy to win. She was so fantastic in Bridesmaids! Have you seen that movie? It's bloody hysterical.

 

What was your opinion about Angelina? There's now a facebook page and twitter account for her leg!  I thought she made a fool of herself, coming out and strutting like that.  The girl needs to gain about 15 pounds, too. I thought she looked terrible (aside from the leg and the gown!).  I think she's starting to believe her own hype; which is always the beginning of the slide into obscurity.

 

g

 

The annoying thing is they only show the highlights of the Oscars the next day on UK tv.  But I was thrilled for The Artist.  Yes, I have seen it of course.

 

I have all the movies actually.  Going to watch Midnight in Paris, can´t wait.  I read the book of The Help a couple of years ago and I did watch the movie.  It was really good but, as  I said earlier, I preferred the book.

 

I am also going to watch Hugo and We need to talk about Kevin - have you seen them Ginger? My Week with Marilyn is another one I want to see.  The Descendants was beautiful scenery, Clooney´s acting was good but as to whether he deserved an Oscar nomination, hmmm not sure.

 

I saw Bridesmaids but I´m afraid I didn´t like it.

 

I agree with you re. Angelina but I think she is beautful though seriously underweight.

 

Sorry to get off the topic of this thead but it makes a change!

 

Am still feeling stable 

 

Angel

[[ve...]]

Clooney is a good looking guy with average to above average acting skills. He's no Merrel Streep! By the way, I think Paul Giamatti is a far better actor than Clooney. For that matter, Christopher Plummer, who won supporting actor probably is too, along with many others like Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Al Pacino, De Niro, Denzel Washington, Anthony Hopkins. Clooney isn't even in their league. Vertigo

[[Li...]]

Libby,

Thanks for asking.  I really appreciate the support.

 

I haven't heard back from doublewave, yet.  Hoping to hear how long she took to taper.  I am also waiting for my doctor to return a call to me.  I'm not sure he knows much, if anything, about tapering hormones.

 

I'm in a lot of pain and other strange symptoms.  I'm worried and mad that I now have to taper off of the hormones when I thought I was done after getting off clonazepam.  But, when I get off of these, I will be moving toward healing - drug free.  An up side to having gone through 2 horrible years of trying to get off benzos is that I have a lot more control over my anxiety than I had before.  I've already been through so much.  But, it is a fight to stay calm with w/d symptoms ramping up as they are, and wait for direction on how to proceed.

 

Again, thanks Libby.

Cheryl

 

Cheryl, have you talked to Perseverance too? I'm not sure if she actually tapered hormones, or if she's just really knowledgeable about it, but she might also be a very good resource. I'm so sorry you're suffering so much but your attitude is great- looking at the positive side, how much you've learned. Keep us posted and hang in there!

 

Libby

[[ro...]]

Hi All Post Benzo Beeps:

 

Wish:  I was on BHRT estrogen and progesterone for a few years, while on the benzo train.  I did two tapers off both at two different times trying to figure out the interdosing WD stuff of ativan.  I've been off all the hormones since 6/09 and will not take them again.  Progesterone does bind to the GABA receptors as a neurosteroid so you might have the WD feelings for awhile.  Estrogen does increase serotonin which is down graded by the benzo.  I hope you can weather the storm with tapering off the progesterone.  I can tell you it won't last nearly as long as benzo WD stuff. 

 

V; I agree with you -- Clooney is not a favorite actor of mine either.  He seems to float and drift through his roles and some of his films have been distasteful to me.  Love Streep though - I wanted her to win for "Julie and Julia."  I

 

I posted earlier about swallowing the plastic cylinder thingy in my Seriphos bottle.  I called Seriphos and they said they do not put the plastic cylinder in their products, only the silica packets.  I was very sleepy when I got up to take the Seriphos and swore I swallowed the cylinder instead of the capsule.  Oh well, I did order another bottle to arrive this week, so I will check it out and confirm it if I see the cylinder in the bottle.  I haven't felt any ill effects since I thought I swallowed this thing, so pressing on. 

 

Thanks Mimi and Angel for your concerns.  I have replied back to you both via PMs.  I do like the Interplexus Seriphos product to help reset the HIPP axis as Julia Ross mentions in her book "The Mood Cure."  I was taking the Neesby Seriphos (which I thought was much better than Interplexus) but that has been discontinued. 

 

Rebecca; taking your great advice and walking outside without my sunglasses or sunblock on my face.  Hoping to get some vit D into my body.  Where I live, February has been very cold and so when I walk, I am usually so covered up.  I do feel my spirits lifted after a walk in the sunshine.  Hoping this will help with my sleep pattern too.

 

Marching on to one year anniversaries!

Rocko

[[ro...]]

Hey again:

 

I was planning to meet with Kaiser execs to discuss the benzo issue and push for "informed consent" before giving their scripts out for benzos.  It turns out Kaiser is holding these telephone town hall meetings.  I signed up for my telephone call with the execs on April 4th.  So I didn't have to go to them -- they are calling me to discuss my issues with their health delivery system. 

 

I want to disuss benzos and their uses with the exec who calls me (...they are the top dogs in our Kaiser plan).  1)  docs need to let the patient know that benzos are intended for short-term use, and may be addictive if used longer.  2)  one might reach tolerance quickly and experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms unless the dose is increased.  3)  you will need to taper off this med to lessen unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and you cannot stop taking it abruptly.  Sign here by the patient = INFORMED CONSENT.  If I would have had this info, I would have never swallowed my first pill. 

 

If anyone else have some input, please let me know.  This is a start albeit a small one to get this info out about the pitfalls of benzos.

 

Rocko

[[Li...]]

Rocko, if you could include anything about the average length of benzo withdrawal being 6-18 months (or whatever it is according to the most up-to-date sources), I would do that. I would definitely have paused before taking the first pill, but I would have assumed that w/d would only last a couple of days, like it usually does for narcotics. If I had to sign something saying I might withdraw for up to two years, THEN I would never have taken that first pill! That's what astounds me- doctors don't say, hey, this could last a really long time. Granted, many of them don't believe it DOES last a long time...but it's something worth mentioning, I think, in your discussion. That's great that you're doing this! Keep us posted and good luck.

 

Libby

[[pi...]]

Hi Everyone,

 

Cheryl,

 

I was on hormones for about 1 year and was still on them when I jumped off benzos last June.  I knew that the progesterone that I had to take made me feel worse so I tapered off both the estrogen patch and progesterone.  As with all of these processes take it slow.  I did have wd's but I was also in wd from benzos so its hard to separate the 2, I was just glad to be off everything.

 

Rocko,

 

Good for you for taking this important step.  I hope that your concerns will be taken very seriously, because this is indeed a serious subject.

 

I also was irritated by the obvious display of leg by Angelina Jolie.  So contrived.  She sure does look anorexic. 

 

I am now into my 3rd week of feeling better.  I usually have a couple of crappy days but the crappy is not nearly as bad as it was before where I would close up shop so to speak and hibernate. Yesterday I had a full day of lessons and I was out and about today with little concern.  My sxs are strictly physical now, the sitting on the washing machine muscle stuff.

 

pianogirl

[[wi...]]

Cheryl,

 

I was on hormones for about 1 year and was still on them when I jumped off benzos last June.  I knew that the progesterone that I had to take made me feel worse so I tapered off both the estrogen patch and progesterone.  As with all of these processes take it slow.  I did have wd's but I was also in wd from benzos so its hard to separate the 2, I was just glad to be off everything.

 

pianogirl, Were you on progesterone cream or oral?  Do you remember how long it took you to taper, and how you did the taper - how often reduce and by how much?  I haven't heard back from my doctor - will try again tomorrow.  I talked to the pharmacist today and he suggested taking one day and not the next, then going to every three days, etc. but didn't say how long between cuts.  He didn't believe me that the symptoms are progesterone related and said, "What you are describing is benzo w/d, not from too much progesterone."  Exactly!  The symptoms are benzo w/d, but most definitely are directly related to when I take the hormones.  I'm not sure about the on again/ off again approach.  I didn't take the hormones today and my symptoms are less.  Makes me tempted to just stop the stuff, but I know better.

 

Hi All Post Benzo Beeps:

 

Wish:  I was on BHRT estrogen and progesterone for a few years, while on the benzo train.  I did two tapers off both at two different times trying to figure out the interdosing WD stuff of ativan.  I've been off all the hormones since 6/09 and will not take them again.  Progesterone does bind to the GABA receptors as a neurosteroid so you might have the WD feelings for awhile.  Estrogen does increase serotonin which is down graded by the benzo.  I hope you can weather the storm with tapering off the progesterone.  I can tell you it won't last nearly as long as benzo WD stuff.

 

Rocko, I'll ask you the same... were you on oral progesterone and estrogen?  How long was your taper and how did you go about it?  I'm trying to come to a decision of how to do this.

 

Cheryl, have you talked to Perseverance too? I'm not sure if she actually tapered hormones, or if she's just really knowledgeable about it, but she might also be a very good resource. I'm so sorry you're suffering so much but your attitude is great- looking at the positive side, how much you've learned. Keep us posted and hang in there!

 

Libby

 

Libby, I did talk to Perseverance.  Doesn't appear she has done the taper from the hormones, but is a wealth of information.  If only I didn't have benzo brain I might be able to understand it.  She did break down the most important points for me to be able to understand.  She helped me come to the conclusion that I am correct that the progesterone is aggravating my w/d symptoms.  I also heard back from doublewave.  She tapered off cream in two months and went into deep w/d.  She has epilepsy which complicated matters.  What a brave woman!

 

Thank you all for your help and encouragement.  I'm so thankful for your input.  Don't know what I'd do without BB!

 

Wish

[[ve...]]

Hi.  I know a buddy who successfully tapered off valium and then waited some six or maybe seven months before stopping the progesterone and got hit with very strong withdrawal, eventually reinstated valium.  I wonder if that's an argument for tapering off both at the same time rather than waiting?  I know that some doctors say with an a/d, to stay on it until several months after the benzo taper but that may not work so well with the progesterone, at least for some...

 

Vertigo

[[pi...]]

Cheryl,

 

I can't really give you a straight answer about the progesterone issue.  My experience with it and all of the other meds I have taken is so convoluted that I refrain from giving anyone advice.  The Pdoc I saw wanted to me have my hormones and thyroid checked because he didn't think my anxiety had a psychological cause. ( Too bad he couldn't connect the dots and see it was the meds causing the anxiety).  I was put on biodentical hormones for about a year. It was a cream and was a combo of estrogen and progesterone. I was feeling so sick that I saw an Md who is a naturapath and he tested my hormones again.  He told me the cream wasn't working and put me on oral.  I found out later the test he uses is not accurate.  I knew right away it was too strong.  I changed to my now primary care and he tested me and said my estrogen was way too high.  He put me on the lowest dose of estrogen patch and then I had to take oral progesterone every 3 months.  Each time I took the progestrone I had a lot of terrible side effects that I now know are because progesterone is cross tolerant to benzos.  I decided to taper off. What I did was just trim my patch every week until there was almost nothing and then didn't take the progesterone again. This occured during withdrawal so I'm not sure if some of the waves I had were due to this or not. Sorry I can't give you more help.  I wish you the best and hope you get some good answers from your doctor.

 

pianogirl

[[do...]]

I talked to the pharmacist today and he suggested taking one day and not the next, then going to every three days, etc.

This doesn't make sense to me. You will have then one day OK, then one day WD, then again OK, then again WD. In fact, I applied Prig. cream twice a day, during treatment and during WD.

What makes sense is a steady reduction from one cycle to another, without dropping the doze during one cycle.

 

Please be prepared for the fact that the doctors who have some knowledge about mutual influence of hormones, Benz-, and brain chemistry are very rare. I am afraid ultimately you will have to do it as your own experiment and see how you go.

 

As I mentioned in my 'Success Story' my husband is a recentest (not a clinical doctor) and together we worked out the speed of reduction (he prevented me from too rapid and too abrupt WD). I remember now that it was 1st month 3/4 ---> 2nd month 2/4 ---> 3d month 1/4 ---> zero.

We also introduced an anticonvulsant while reducing Prog, after a month into WD. I also had a bigger dose of Keppra during the week before my period. I think it is a good idea to check 'Other Medication', the tread about Keppra as an aid - there I gave the link to the discussion of anticonvulsants for a rapid WD.

[[wi...]]

Thank you Pianogirl and Doublewave,

The on again/off again approach is making me nervous.  I found this approach sited quite a lot on the internet for estrogen w/d - seems to be quite common.  Doesn't make sense when applied to withdrawing essentially a benzo.  I didn't take the progesterone yesterday and actually felt better since the side effects of being on the progesterone are pretty bad.  I called my doctor again today and still didn't get any response.  Frustrating!  I had already decided to ask for a Rx for 3/4 of the dose, so that is confirmed by what you did doublewave.  I'll have to look into Keppra.  I was told by the pharmacist that my prog. dose is on the low side, so wondering if I don't need the anticonvulsant.

 

Again, thanks,

Wish