What to do about misinformation

[[An...]]

I have been wanting to raise this topic for a long time.  My PDoc (an addiction specialist) whom I like and trust told me that post withdrawal from Klonopin takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks. If you google (which I am sure most of suffering people have done) how long benzo withdrawal lasts or a withdrawal timeline, generally it varies.  Most addiction sites say it is over after a month. Of course, from my limited point of view, it is taking a lot longer as for many of you, too.  My symptoms are persisting, such as insomnia, anxiety, muscle pain, some depression.  The list of symptoms are so varied and unusual.  Have any of you struggled with the misinformation out there?  As time goes on, some symptoms such as insomnia need to be treated, I think, but I don't know for sure.  Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[[Re...]]

I have been wanting to raise this topic for a long time.  My PDoc (an addiction specialist) whom I like and trust told me that post withdrawal from Klonopin takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks. If you google (which I am sure most of suffering people have done) how long benzo withdrawal lasts or a withdrawal timeline, generally it varies.  Most addiction sites say it is over after a month. Of course, from my limited point of view, it is taking a lot longer as for many of you, too.  My symptoms are persisting, such as insomnia, anxiety, muscle pain, some depression.  The list of symptoms are so varied and unusual.  Have any of you struggled with the misinformation out there?  As time goes on, some symptoms such as insomnia need to be treated, I think, but I don't know for sure.  Thanks for taking the time to respond.

 

My doctor that prescribed me klonopin in the first place is misinformed. I went to see him my third week off and he told me there is no way that I am still in withdrawel at that point. He said I was just experiencing rebound anxiety and insisted I was bipolar when I was explaining everything to him. He also tried to prescribe Valium and ambian. I have not seen him since that day and doubt I ever will again.

 

My therapist doesn't believe me either about benzo withdrawel so I stopped seeing her as well. I think there are not many informed people on the matter of benzo withdrawel . In the medical field or the general populace .i was misinformed until I found this website almost a month after jumping. Thank god I did, I would be so lost without. I am so so so grateful for this website and the people on here.

 

 

I try not to talk about benzo withdrawel with anyone except my wife.  Even she is misinformed. She knows I am suffering because she can see it though. I find its best not to bring it up with people or medical staff. Unless it's something they can measure with a medical device which most of benzo withdrawel you can not measure with any device. Bringing it up seems very fruitless.

 

If you need heart medication to lower bp or something like that than sure. Even then though they won't understand ,but they can understand high blood pressure and treat that. As for the rest of the symptoms we all use coping skills and cry like babies when it gets real bad.

[[An...]]

Thanks for responding, R. There's probably not much more to say.  I am astounded that benzo withdrawal is so misunderstood, even by the people who are closest to it, like an Addiction Specialist PDoc.  I, too, am grateful for this site!  It grounds me in reality and has let me know that my experience is very much like others going through this terrible time.  Thank you, BB'ers.

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What I have found and struggled with. Is that sharing with misinformed people especially family ends up creating more problems for me. Just a heads up . 

[[az...]]

Thanks for responding, R. There's probably not much more to say.  I am astounded that benzo withdrawal is so misunderstood, even by the people who are closest to it, like an Addiction Specialist PDoc.  I, too, am grateful for this site!  It grounds me in reality and has let me know that my experience is very much like others going through this terrible time.  Thank you, BB'ers.

 

It truly is astounding. This site has also been grounding for me.

[[si...]]

I have read on here, some people have found understanding Therapist, Dr and even Psychiatrist.

I have never found one. I went to a couple of phycologist early on because I thought it would be good support as I went through it. Only to have them look at me with a blank stair.

So what I have found, unfortunately  is there are very few people you can talk to about this.

Family can be the worst.

At this point I only talk to people on this site.

I have never been a internet person. No social media. And in fact this is only the second Forum I have ever been on. This site has most likely saved me from going insane.

So this is my two cents worth on this subject.