Chronic diarrhea from taper... please help!

[[Ma...]]

Hi to everyone

 

I have been tapering off my Xanax VERY slowly. A few months ago, I went from a 1mg pill to just under...such a small cut.... I weigh them and I worked out I at first went down 20%. Landed up in emerge with potassium so low it caused my heart to not work properly... Got potassium and am now going very slowly... If I do more than 5% every few months, I fear I won't make it. For some reason my system is so so sensitive. This is my second time getting off this horrible medicine so it could be why. Why I am concerned is the diarrhea. I'ts CHRONIC. My GI doc has tried gall bladder meds/sibo meds/IBS meds and nothing works. Had colonoscopy but nothing ever shows up.  I am taking around 3 Immodium per day and fear it will be this way for years to come because every time I taper even a tiny bit, it's chronic. Every day it's like I have stomach flu. I have been treated for any possible parasites etc so it isn't that. I remember the first time coming off a benzo, I had this mildly but I was in rehab and had to get off in just one month.  I live very dehydrated a lot of the time!  I have many other symptoms but my GI issues I don't know how to manage. I now can eat no gluten/dairy/all carbs and fruits/added sugars so it doesn't leave much for me to eat. I've lost 20 pounds in a few months and need some ideas, hope or just anything that can help me get through this!  Thank you in advance!!! Also wondering if anyone else has intense GI issues? I know the Ashton manuel says it can happen.

 

Tracy 

[[je...]]

I have IBS and I had awful stomach issues during withdrawal. The bright side for me was that I felt so awful mentally and physically that it was the least of my problems, haha. I had stomach issues that were really bad for about two weeks after jumping, and even now, my stomach is struggling to get back to "normal." I have awful heartburn and I do take one Imodium a day. If I don't, I pay for it the next day.

[[Ma...]]

Yes. Some of the other symptoms arwhen also awful for me but the Dirrhea and cramps always seemake to make it worse.  Living with dehydration is exhausting.  My potassium drops and electrolytes and that causes worse anxiety.  I guess its something I just have to hope will go away as I heal.  Thanks for the reply!

[[He...]]

What do you eat when you suspect low potassium....I'm also nauseous...got severe vertigo last week and have had the runs ever since...I have a call into my doctor....but I'm worried. Very weak

[[je...]]

The GI stuff is brutal.  My doc thought I had diverticulitis but I didn't.  I had diarrhea and constipation, cramps, 'roids, nausea, etc.

 

I did find this site and some of Jini Patel's protocols helped me.  It's not for benzo withdrawal but for GI issues of all sorts.  It could be worth a try.  www.listentoyourgut.com

 

The main things that helped me were a good probiotic (Florajen 3), ground flax meal for stool bulking (added SLOWLY or Benefiber), and George's Always Active Aloe Vera juice (but George's ONLY).  Took about 2-3 months for the pooping and pain to get better but it did!  Also, just watch your diet (as you probably know already).

 

I hope you find something to lessen your situation.