Monty - Currently withdrawing - Starting Benzo Support Group South Africa

[[Mo...]]

Hi there,

 

To make a 8 year story short, I was given Azor (Generic name in South Africa for Xanax) I fractured a vertebrae, it was for pain and to sleep, nothing else worked. I did however not receive ANY info on the substance I was given and future 'issues'. Needless to say I unknowingly became dependant and lived in 'daytime withdrawals' for about 2 years as I only took the tabs at night to sleep... Doctors had no idea what to do!! Anyway, by luck I managed to figure it out myself, lost all confidence in the specialists I consulted with, I even had two Rhyzotomy's done where the nerves in the spine are 'burned' and destroyed, without success... All withdrawal symptoms from not taking the benzos correctly.

 

Been Tapering for a month using the Ashton Method, started my research in Jan 2011 regarding withdrawal as the doctors had no answers so I now 'negotiate and CONTROL this with my psychiatrist, I don't just listen to them anymore and will get through this safely and on my terms.

 

I am also starting my own Benzo support group as they just don't exist in Johannesburg...

 

I am hoping to further increase my knowledge of this subject, not just for my own recovery but also my support group but it would be very rewarding if I can provide any bit of help to another sufferer elsewhere in the world with the exact same problems.. I feel like crap but we have to be strong.

 

In the bigger scheme of things, something has to be done about doctors handing out benzos like they are M & M, I would like to do my bit!!!!

 

Thank you.

 

Monty

 

 

[[Mi...]]

Hi Monty and welcome to BB.

 

How nice that you want to start a benzo support group in So.Africa.  Often, I had wished we had such "live" groups in addition to the great online support we receive from sites like Benzo Buddies, but that has not caught fire in the US.

 

We're glad to have you, and feel free to ask questions.

[[Pe...]]

Hi Monty,

 

Johannesburg...wow!  Amazes me how the benzo ignorance in the medical community seems to be in every single solitary country in the entire world!!!!!

 

I am so glad you found the Ashton method.  Seems we all had to figure this out on our own.  Kudos to you for starting up a support group! 

You will definitely learn a ton of information here.

 

I also had a procedure at a pain clinic to burn my nerves, didn't work.  Turns out my pain was caused by the benzos!!!

 

Good luck to you.  Glad to have you with us!

[[ca...]]

Hello and welcoming you to BB. Congrats on getting your taper started. Glad you found us, we are here to help you.

[[Mo...]]

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for the kind words, nice to know there is someone just a click away:-) Show me a GP anywere and I'll show you benzo sufferers!!

 

What I have experienced the last couple of years has really set us back, although I still have my same stable work and family environment which I am very gratefull for things are just not right... Actually its pretty bad!!!

 

I think the problem is WAY BIGGER than anyone would like to admit, I feel ready to take on the medical industry and these so called professionals but one step at a time:-)

 

I have this urge to help others prevent this situation completely & helping someone in need.

 

Thanks again and I look forward to speaking to you soon.

 

M

[[Mi...]]

 

I think the problem is WAY BIGGER than anyone would like to admit, I feel ready to take on the medical industry and these so called professionals but one step at a time:-)

 

I have this urge to help others prevent this situation completely & helping someone in need.

 

 

I would tend to agree that the problem is much bigger than people admit.

 

It's an honorable thing you do in wanting to help others