Took benzo 14 years and didn't realize they weren't working

[[Em...]]

I have been susceptible to anxiety and depression my whole adult life ( presently 66yo). Began Rx for anxiety and depression at 40 yo. Two months ago, after a two year stretch of four close family members ill and/or dying, I took a nosedive into depression and anxiety three months ago. Dr. doubled my Zoloft from 100 MG to 200 MG.  Before my 6 week recheck, a friend suggested I try tissue salts for my symptoms.  After taking them four days, I woke up to 80% disappearance of my anxiety symptoms.  I was finally " content and happy". The downside was, I realized Librium was not really helping my anxiety.  So I just quit taking it six weeks ago I knew that I would have some withdrawal symptoms, but my logic said it would be minimal.  I was on the lowest dose available, and I only took 1/2 a pill.  Compared to others on high doses, maybe my symptoms are mild.  But they feel severe to me. I worry that I may develop hallucinations and seizures from going cold turkey.  I have done extensive research on the internet about withdrawal, and I think medical professionals are not trained well enough to give advice. I am reluctant to be open with Dr because she may go one of two extremes.  Either she will say just keep at it, and you will be fine.  Or she will say I have to go back to square one and withdraw the right way.  I think the answer is somewhere in the middle.  I will discuss with her at next visit.  But I will have to go with my gut as to deciding on following her advice. I am hoping the forum will give me a since of " you will survive this".

[[pi...]]

Hello Emirm,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies!  You were taking Librium for 14 years at a very low dose but stopping cold turkey will still bring on some withdrawal symptoms. I was forced to stop a low dose of Ativan for a medical test and did suffer some pretty awful withdrawal symptoms.  Not everyone does though, and now that you are off for 6 weeks I think there is little you need to worry about in terms of seizures, that threshold has passed. 

 

You are right that medical professionals, in the main, have little good experience dealing with benzo withdrawal.  You will get a lot of good information and support here because we understand the process having lived through it.

 

I'll give you a link to the Ashton Manual, it is an excellent resource about these types of drugs and how to withdraw. It was written by Dr. Heather Ashton, an expert in the field. Although it discusses tapering, it also gives a lot of good information on the withdrawal process in general.

 

I'll also give you a link to the Post Withdrawal Recovery Board where you can post and receive feedback from members.

 

Don't worry about your age. I'm 66 and getting off benzos was the best thing I did for my health and wellbeing.  I've been off 5 years and have been healed for quite a long time. We'll be here to support you as your central nervous system recovers, it will, it just may take a little time. Please feel free to ask questions, we're here to help.

 

The Ashton Manual

 

Post-withdrawal Recovery Support 

 

pianogirl 

 

[[Ho...]]

Welcome.  Please would you share which Tissue Salt/s you used -- there are 12 and then one that is a combination of them all.  I am considering trying Kali Phos which is for nervousness, anxiety and fatigue.  I would like to take it with Mag Phos for insomnia, but unfortunately that is antidoted by the homeopathic remedy Belladonna, which helps a lot when the sound of the pounding of my heart in my ears is keeping me awake (which is most nights till I take it).  Thank you and I wish you well with the hard time you are having now and hope it will start to ease up soon.