Hello. I am a new member.

[[GA...]]

Hi there Benzo Buddies. I am six months free from very high doses of Oxazepam and Valium taken over 8 years. I did a 14 day residential detox in November and December 2018 followed immediately by a 6 month residential rehab program that was extremely difficult for me.  No one there understood Benzo Withdrawal Syndrome (BWS) and I was frequently misdiagnosed and mistreated. I feel I am now in ‘Phase 3’ of the Benzo Withdrawal Syndrome and have windows of ‘normality’ but I am still frequently greatly troubled by a large number of distressing symptoms (waves). I have a long career in Drug Research and Molecular Pharmacology and would like to contribute to this community so that others and myself might be helped. Thank you!

[[pi...]]

Hello GABAaReceptor,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies and congratulations on being benzo free! You did it the hard way, through detox. As you know, that is basically a cold turkey often with adjunct medications added in.  I'm not surprised that the residential part of the treatment was not helpful,  most benzo users take the drug as prescribed by their doctor and are not drug seekers. Treating people as such is not correct and honestly, most programs do not know how to help people going through benzo withdrawal and recovery.

 

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

 

I'll also give you a link to the Ashton Manual. Although it discusses tapering in detail, it also gives good information about the withdrawal process in general. The manual was written by Dr. Heather Ashton , an expert in the field.

 

I see you have experience in drug research and phamacology. We welcome your input. We are a peer support forum where people support each other through what can be a challenging process. No one is considered an expert, we are all equal in our desire to be benzo free and healed.

 

It sounds like you have some good healing going on but in actuality, 6 months off is pretty early in benzo withdrawal. With time your other symptoms will ease up. Please do ask questions, we're here to help.

 

 

Post-withdrawal Recovery Support 

 

The Ashton Manual

 

pianogirl 

[[Fo...]]

Welcome,

Gently does it from here-)

Dick

[[go...]]

Gaba

 

You are just the person I have been hoping for.  All of my MD friends think I have a Psych issue as they all know Benzo WD only takes 2-4 months and the sx I am experiencing is something in my head.  I have a strong will to win this game and even though I am only 3.5 months in I feel I am doing well.  I will teach you some distraction techniques that will help you win the game if you are determined.

 

Bryant

[[GA...]]

Thank you Pianogirl, Dick and Bryant. Yes Pianogirl my time at the residential rehab was tough going with them making me partake in sessions and events not really appropriate for someone going through Benzo Withdrawal. They actually said to me at one point “we may be doing you a disservice”. Anyway I now have a thorough grounding in the 12 steps and spirituality which will help me with the rest of my life. What I didn’t really learn there was how to interact with family and acquaintances using the new way my brain became during withdrawal. I am only learning that now after leaving and returning home. It is proving to be very difficult as everyone here knows.

 

Yes please Bryant teach me your distraction techniques. I am determined and willing to utilise all the tools I can to win. Well done to you for hanging in there for as long as you have. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you.

[[go...]]

Gaba

 

Please give us a sx run down so we can help you devise strategies to help you win.  I know what you are talking about relative to rehab.  My wife has suggested several times maybe I should seek a rehab program, but I have no drug cravings, in fact, I have pharma abatement.  My research showed no appreciable benefit from a rehab program and in many cases, they probably made people worse due to the additional medication.  Have a great day today and a better one tomorrow

 

Bryant

[[GA...]]

Hi Bryant. The symptoms I experience are many of the usual ones including anxiety, fear, terror and panic. Sometimes I get the strangest feeling of mental panic without any of the physical symptoms. I get lots of dread, loss of self, depersonalisation and unreality. I get hungry for air, flu like symptoms including a blocked nose, red rash and a choking sensation. I still get some floater type visual disturbances on awakening or falling asleep and muscle spasms. Agoraphobia, morbid thoughts and tinnitus are regular visitors. Some of my anxiety can be caused by my fear of the withdrawal symptoms  themselves and their return. As I remember more of them I can add them to the list. What’s ironic is the positive side of losing the sense of myself!  I often don’t feel as down then because I no longer seem to remember all the things I can no longer do. I think that aspect has been a major reason of why I am able to keep moving forward through this. As we know some of the most bizarre symptoms and thoughts manifest themselves through this withdrawal syndrome.

[[Sa...]]

Welcome to BB, gaba.

 

 

Your sxs are normal withdrawal sxs.  In my sixth month since forced CT, I still experience most of these sxs and many more.  I also went to rehab ... I couldn’t take care of myself post CT. 😞 Minus The Benzo Withdrawal, I had a positive experience (which I understand is not the norm).

 

SaraSue 

 

 

[[GA...]]

Hi SaraSue

 

My apologies but I have only just seen your reply to me.  Thank you for sharing that you also did a CT and went to rehab.  I think I have PTSD from doing a CT in the rehab!  What did you mean by your positive experience that is not the norm?  Just wanted to update you in that I am feeling a lot better now and many of those symptoms I have described previously have diminished in intensity or appearance.  Do you think I should add a signature with some details of my history?

 

All the best to you SaraSue