etown is 1 year off today and healed

[[et...]]

Hello dear bb's

 

Where do I start. I am almost 57 and I have come through almost 5 years of Benzo withdrawal and healing combined. Today is my 1 year anniversary of being Benzo free and today I declare myself healed. I will not give Benzos, Benzo withdrawal or Benzo healing 1 more minute of power after today. For almost 5 years I blamed everything on Benzos and from now on I will blame nothing on Benzos. I was prescribed for muscle pain.

 

Those who read this need me to say some inspirational things and I will. You will be rest assured that I will tell the whole truth as I have in every post I have ever written. I was on 1mg Clonazepam plus 15mg Serax for over 20 years. I crossed over to Valium 20mg plus 15mg of Serax. I tapered 20mg Valium to 5mg then added in 7.5mg Valium to cover the Serax. I tried to follow Ashton until I just couldn't anymore. I tried the daily taper for a few milligrams and it did not work for me so I went back to cut and hold. I got stuck at 8.3mg and with the help of my best buddie Doc I cut to 8mg and then .5mg every 3 weeks to 3.5mg and then .25mg to .5mg then off.

 

I encourage everyone to become educated. Read Ashton a couple hundred times (seriously), Reg Peart and Bliss John's book. This is all you need plus the support of a few here on BB and hopefully some support at home from family or friends. My wife struggled mightily with the whole process but we made it through. I had my best buddie doc to talk to every day and that took the pressure off my wife. He was going through the same thing but was about a year ahead of me. Thanks Doc...love you man! I also had some real good BB friends and you know who you are. For those working....don't quit. I had a hard conversation with my supervisor and manager and just told them the truth. They both were awesome, however, did not really want to know the details. I missed only a handful of days due to Benzos in the 4+ years. Some really tough days but I'm glad I worked to provide distraction and keep me productive. We also have a business that grew despite my withdrawal and tapering. I told one of my managers and she was great.Don't be afraid to tell people the truth regardless of how they accept it.

 

It was tough...really tough but worth every minute of it. If you have time and want to follow my journey, read my posts through and you'll see the whole progression. I promise you a few things.1. There is no such thing as a symptom free taper. 2. Cutting 10% of your dose above 10mg is pretty bang on and 5-10% below 10mg. Once below 5mg all bets are off. I went .5mg every 3 weeks and then .25mg every 2 weeks below 3.5mg then off at .5mg. 3. Healing does surely take place when you taper but real healing takes place once off so do what you need to do to do a sensible taper and get off. 4.  No particular taper method will guarantee you anything. Follow your own lead on this. You MUST lead your own taper regardless of how smart others seem to be. 5. It does NOT get harder as you get lower. You just need to be vigilant and listen to your body. 6. If I can do it you can do it.

 

Please educate yourself first and then grab a few buddies on here and some real ones at home or on the phone and get er' done. I looked at it like a business deal...all professional. A job that needs to be done because as I have said all along "the only way out is DOWN" You can do it I promise you. They are only symptoms and can't hurt you.

 

Doc this one's for you!

LCH I'm with you until the end

All the best to you all

etown

 

[[Ho...]]

Yay etown! Congratulations. Thanks so much for all your words of wisdom and the help you have given me and many others. Love you friend  To the end 

 

[[Ma...]]

Congrats etown! So happy for you! You have been so helpful and inspirational. Thank you!

[[Gr...]]

Congratulations Etown!

[[Sa...]]

Congratulations

[[El...]]

Congrats! Thank you for the hope and inspiration 

[[pi...]]

etown!!! I remember you and want to offer my congratulations!!! Yes, don't look back, go forward and enjoy your benzo free and healed life.

 

Thanks so much for writing this message of hope for all our members.

 

pianogirl 

[[Ju...]]

Very happy for you etown. You have been a very supportive buddy to me and many others. Your success story will continue to be a candle in the window for those who need to find the way home. Thank you and enjoy your new life!

JKS

[[so...]]

Great etown! You are one of the experienced buddies whose posts I noticed and read for information as I make my way through benzo withdrawal and tapering. Thanks for helping so many here.

[[dr...]]

congrats from one of the original working group buddies to another. Most of us are much better or done with this.  Hopefully I am not too far behind(I signed up for the extended plan)

[[Ar...]]

Thank you for sharing your journey.  Congratulations and wishing you lots of joy and love in your life. You deserve it. 

[[Bu...]]

Congratulations!!!!

[[Gr...]]

Congratulations! I agree with your advice that working helps to keep distracted from the withdrawal effects. I wish you all the best!

[[Tr...]]

ETown, Congrats!!!  Wishing you all the best!!!  Fantastic!!

 

 

TRY

[[Ne...]]

Hello dear bb's

 

Where do I start. I am almost 57 and I have come through almost 5 years of Benzo withdrawal and healing combined. Today is my 1 year anniversary of being Benzo free and today I declare myself healed. I will not give Benzos, Benzo withdrawal or Benzo healing 1 more minute of power after today. For almost 5 years I blamed everything on Benzos and from now on I will blame nothing on Benzos. I was prescribed for muscle pain.

 

Those who read this need me to say some inspirational things and I will. You will be rest assured that I will tell the whole truth as I have in every post I have ever written. I was on 1mg Clonazepam plus 15mg Serax for over 20 years. I crossed over to Valium 20mg plus 15mg of Serax. I tapered 20mg Valium to 5mg then added in 7.5mg Valium to cover the Serax. I tried to follow Ashton until I just couldn't anymore. I tried the daily taper for a few milligrams and it did not work for me so I went back to cut and hold. I got stuck at 8.3mg and with the help of my best buddie Doc I cut to 8mg and then .5mg every 3 weeks to 3.5mg and then .25mg to .5mg then off.

 

I encourage everyone to become educated. Read Ashton a couple hundred times (seriously), Reg Peart and Bliss John's book. This is all you need plus the support of a few here on BB and hopefully some support at home from family or friends. My wife struggled mightily with the whole process but we made it through. I had my best buddie doc to talk to every day and that took the pressure off my wife. He was going through the same thing but was about a year ahead of me. Thanks Doc...love you man! I also had some real good BB friends and you know who you are. For those working....don't quit. I had a hard conversation with my supervisor and manager and just told them the truth. They both were awesome, however, did not really want to know the details. I missed only a handful of days due to Benzos in the 4+ years. Some really tough days but I'm glad I worked to provide distraction and keep me productive. We also have a business that grew despite my withdrawal and tapering. I told one of my managers and she was great.Don't be afraid to tell people the truth regardless of how they accept it.

 

It was tough...really tough but worth every minute of it. If you have time and want to follow my journey, read my posts through and you'll see the whole progression. I promise you a few things.1. There is no such thing as a symptom free taper. 2. Cutting 10% of your dose above 10mg is pretty bang on and 5-10% below 10mg. Once below 5mg all bets are off. I went .5mg every 3 weeks and then .25mg every 2 weeks below 3.5mg then off at .5mg. 3. Healing does surely take place when you taper but real healing takes place once off so do what you need to do to do a sensible taper and get off. 4.  No particular taper method will guarantee you anything. Follow your own lead on this. You MUST lead your own taper regardless of how smart others seem to be. 5. It does NOT get harder as you get lower. You just need to be vigilant and listen to your body. 6. If I can do it you can do it.

 

Please educate yourself first and then grab a few buddies on here and some real ones at home or on the phone and get er' done. I looked at it like a business deal...all professional. A job that needs to be done because as I have said all along "the only way out is DOWN" You can do it I promise you. They are only symptoms and can't hurt you.

 

Doc this one's for you!

LCH I'm with you until the end

All the best to you all

etown

Thanks etown. We are connected at the hip for life for sure. There is no finer person on the planet than you. Thanks for sharing your story. Doc

[[Ca...]]

This is a joy to read Etown! Thank you for returning to share your wellness. You've been very warm and supportive. It means so much to have someone reach out to you with encouragement...thank you.

 

I'm better but still very symptomatic.....patience!

 

I wish you continued healing and peace.

 

With warmth and gratitude,

 

Carita

[[mr...]]

Welcome back to life, Etown!

I wish you and yours all the best life has to offer.

 

[[ar...]]

Grats buddy.  You're one tough guy for real!

[[Lo...]]

E-Town! Congrats!!!! Amazing news! I'm still healing and working! I won't stop! Thank you for chatting with me and encouraging me on the working while tapering group.

 

Many blessings!

[[Ch...]]

Dear E-Town! Congratulations on a job well-done and a war well-won!

 

Your posts on the working thread kept me going when I was in the worst months of my taper. You gave me faith that I could stick with my job even when I didn't think I could manage a simple conversation, or stay put in a meeting room with a group of people, or somehow manage to act professional when cortisol was running, and pain was too much, and my brain was a mass of chaos and fear. You have no idea how much you helped me. And reading your success story helps to convince me that I will make it past these last pesky symptoms I am dealing with.

 

We do heal, and I am so incredibly happy for you E!

 

Cheery

 

 

[[ed...]]

etown,

 

Congratulations on a super job!  Looking forward to reading some of your previous posts to gain insight to your journey.

 

Many thanks for the time you've spent with me.

 

Best,

Ed

[[ly...]]

Hi etown,

 

Just saw this and it put a huge smile on my face. Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement!

 

So happy for you!! Congratulations!!

 

Lynn

[[pe...]]

whats yopur thoughts on dry cutting because many say it is not even etc ....plus trying to get even doses with those damn scales is a nightmare as half the time they dont weigh properly..

Im down to 1mg of ativan and trying to think of what to do now to off this shit ..LT but my gut is such a mess that i may react to the solvent ...although cutting any amount now seems to bring on mental symptoms..

 

 

[[...]]

Congratulations! And thanks for your advice.  This is waaay harder than I thought.

Hope you still help encourage us!

 

Question: how do you know when you're healed? Ppl seem to know but how do you know another wave won't come?

[[et...]]

Congratulations! And thanks for your advice.  This is waaay harder than I thought.

Hope you still help encourage us!

 

Question: how do you know when you're healed? Ppl seem to know but how do you know another wave won't come?

 

After month 1 we know that we are not physically dependent. When you know you are not mentally dependent you are healed.  However, Ashton said that some people have fleeting symptoms up to 18 months while some experience nagging symptoms for years. As I said, when you do not give Benzos power in your life then you are stronger than them.

etown