Unexpected, yet common daily routines that can set you back

[[Mo...]]

I complained a lot about how benzo's can permanently damage your brain because my symptoms would not go away, even 5 years after being benzo-clean and alcohol-clean (or so I thought). I was not aware of some commonly used substances that could set you back and I am VERY sensitive to symptoms like itching. After 2 weeks of quitting all those substances I finally have no itch!

 

First of all, I think (pretty sure actually) that symptoms come and go not only when GABA A agonism and antagonism takes place, but also when GABA A amount fluctuates due to whichever other mechanisms, including our own circadian rhythm. Ever noticed that itch tends to get worse in the evening and at night? This happens because the amount of GABA A goes up in the evening by itself, which is a normal and natural fluctuation in our bodies.

 

This leads to the first substance that can set you back big-time and it did for me undeniably - clonidine. It does not agonize GABA A, but it does increase the amount of it in you! Do some research on CLONIDINE AND GABA and you will find it to be true + I can tell from experience. I stopped using it many months ago and saw improvement, but I did see some posts here with people saying it has no effect on healing because it does not agonize GABA A directly, but again, GABA A fluctuation does not have to be caused by agonism to set you back.

 

Chamomile tea - I drank that every single day because it relaxes me for 30 minutes, but after running out of it and not using it for a week I noticed I got less itch, then restarted chamomile tea and itch got worse 30 minutes after first cup! I always used 4 tea packs per cup. I did some research and once again, the calming effect is due to GABA activity, quite possibly agonism, but as I stated - any mechanisms that causes GABA A fluctuation can set you back.

Note: check and research all your herbal substances on how they affect GABA and if they do affect it in ANY way, then I suggest you stop using them.

 

Alcohol or peroxide mouth wash AND fluoride tooth paste was the third item for me. Yes, some tiny amount of alcohol does get absorbed through your mouth alone, even if you do not swallow and I never did. Only about 5% gets absorbed and mouth washes have low alcohol % (26% I think), but holding that in your mouth for 30 seconds twice a day will definitely get some very minor amount of alcohol into your body, which, as you know, is a no-no during benzo WD. I simply decided not to risk it and switched to peroxide mouth wash just to be clean, but then did some research and found out it also has effect on GABA A - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25100596. I am not sure if any peroxide gets absorbed through mouth, but why risk it? No mouth wash for me! Fluoride tooth paste also has effect on GABA A - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1690266. I would rather go to dentist more often to make sure my teeth are fine than to risk with tooth paste too, but I am only quitting it for now and have no idea if it gets absorbed at all (still have to research). I just do not want to risk it.

 

Maybe these non-agonist substances have a very minor effect on GABA A and set you back only temporarily, but if they are used daily, then you may never fully recover or it may take way more time to recover. I drank Chamomile tea DAILY several times per day and 4 packs per cup!

 

Maybe I sound a bit paranoid, but there evidence to all that I stated and quiting all those substances WORKED after 2 weeks of complete abstinence! I cannot express how awesome I am feeling 2 weeks after stopping all that - I can actually sleep and no, it's not placebo because I was depressed and very reluctant to believe that any of that would make a difference. Today I even took some prescribed Adderall first time in many many months and did not create any itch for me either, although it did increase my anxiety somewhat.

 

 

[[Mo...]]

I forgot to mention that if you have a tendency to bite you inner-lining cheeks inside your mouth as I do from being nervous, then any wounds left would allow for even more absorption in you mouth. In the end, I think Chamomile tea was the biggest factor for me. You can read more about it here - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/ .

 

I do realize that A LOT of substances and foods have an effect on GABA and you can't quit all of them nor should you, but I am only providing personal experience of what I quit that significantly and quickly resulted in having no benzo WD symptoms at all after many years of clammy hands and night-time itch.

[[Fi...]]

Congrats on feeling so much better and thanks for the insight. I never knew flouride in tooth paste could effect Gaba A! Going to have to research to see if one exists without it. Good read 

[[Fl...]]

I use baking soda as my toothpaste.  Also makes your breath fresh.

[[Br...]]

It's always possible you are mildly allergic to the chamomile and you don't know it.  Chamomile is related to ragweed, so people with certain seasonal allergies shouldn't drink it.  Also I know I am also allergic to lavender for some reason.  I was using some sort of lavender shampoo or something, and kept sneezing!!!!

 

I wish I could use a lavender/chamomile tea to relax me, but I start getting mild asthma symptoms every time.  Blah.

[[Su...]]

Monarch,

 

Just wondering how you are doing? I am on the same cocktail of meds you were,and stuck in tolerance wd. I slowly reduced Baclofen in half, few years ago, then held. Was ok until Botox for migraines slammed me.

 

I can’t believe you were able to go off all 3 at once! Each one is so hard. Congrats, and hope you are having better days.

 

Best,

Sun 🌻

[[Aj...]]

I am now sensitive to sugar alcohols like Xylitol and sorbitol.

 

Also fluoride but also glycerine in toothpaste.

 

Mint/menthol is also a gaba agonist that effects me.

 

Unfortunately I have to take a laxitive to go at all and that works on the basis of sugar alcohols and I have to use toothpaste that helps with sensitive teeth as everything g else too painful and that contains both fluoride and mint.