How Things Really Work

[[Ke...]]

I have been doing a lot of reading and thinking about protracted withdrawal symptoms and the present understanding of benzodiazepine receptors. I don't think the current literature explains what actually goes on very well. It is difficult to understand how symptoms can wax and wane, disappear and then reappear, become progressively worse over time if it is as simple as the binding and unbinding of benzodiazepine receptor sites. It seems logical that if that were the case, symptoms might evolve but would progressively recede over time in a somewhat linear pattern. It seems that they would be worse initially and then better over time.

 

I am really starting to wonder how much a role the conscious and subconscious mind and emotions play into the picture. I had a problem with GAD and PTSD years ago that resurfaced a few years back (the reason I was given klonopin). I know from that previous experience how powerful an emotion like fear can be in producing psychosomatic symptoms that can last for years. I know through experimentation that I am able to often (with conscious effort) turn off symptoms like burning muscles or strong pain in an area - all through changing my mood and becoming at peace. The other day, I went for a walk when I was experiencing burning arms and when I returned and sat down, I noticed my mood had greatly changed and I felt symptom free (except for tinnitus, muscle tension and a few other things). I can't always turn them off - they at times can be overwhelmingly powerful. And now overexercising ( a new development) or taking a supplement like Theanine for a few days in a row can really amp up my symptoms to make them almost unbearable.

 

So, it almost seems like the unbinding rate of the benzodiazepine receptors is a less important factor than others in recovery. Thoughts?

[[...]]

Here is a pretty good explanation regarding windows and waves form The Benzo Book by Jack Hobson-Dupont.

 

DURING THE POST-BENZO PERIOD OF RECOVERY, MANY PEOPLE

REPORT HAVING ‘WINDOWS’ WHERE, USUALLY QUITE SUDDENLY, THEY WILL SIMPLY FEEL GOOD. THE WINDOW MAY BE BRIEF, JUST LASTING A FEW MINUTES OR AN HOUR OR SO, AND WILL INEVITABLY CLOSE AGAIN, WITH A RETURN OF THE PREVIOUS MALAISE. BUT THE FACT THAT IT HAS HAPPENED IS DEEPLY SIGNIFICANT: IT IS PROOF POSITIVE THAT RECOVERY CAN TAKE PLACE, THAT SOMEONE TRULY CAN FEEL GOOD AGAIN. THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THEM USUALLY SAY THAT RECOVERY CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF THESE WINDOWS, WHERE THE TIME THAT THE WINDOW IS OPEN INCREASES IN LENGTH AND THE INTERVAL BETWEEN THEIR OCCURRENCES BECOMES SHORTER AND SHORTER UNTIL, FiNALLY, THE WINDOW SIMPLY REMAINS FOR AN INDEfiNITE PERIOD. ffIEWED NEUROCHEMICALLY, THE PHENOMENON WOULD APPEAR TO BE AN INSTANCE WHERE THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE GABA  RECEPTORS’ ALPHA SUBUNITS IS OPERATING NORMALLY, THEIR AffiNITY FOR ATTRACTING GABA RESTORED TO ITS NORMAL LEVEL OF EffiCACY. THE WINDOW CLOSES BECAUSE THE BODY EVIDENTLY CANNOT SUSTAIN THAT STATE FOR LONG, BUT, OVER TIME, CONTINUES TO REGAIN IT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL THE FUNCTIONALITY HAS BEEN REINSTATED

 

I agree with you that the power of the mind can have a substantial impact on how we feel and how we cope with withdrawal.  However, I'm not sure if the scientific explanation is less important.

[[Ke...]]

VIEWED NEUROCHEMICALLY, THE PHENOMENON WOULD APPEAR TO BE AN INSTANCE WHERE THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE GABA  RECEPTORS’ ALPHA SUBUNITS IS OPERATING NORMALLY, THEIR AffiNITY FOR ATTRACTING GABA RESTORED TO ITS NORMAL LEVEL OF EffiCACY. THE WINDOW CLOSES BECAUSE THE BODY EVIDENTLY CANNOT SUSTAIN THAT STATE FOR LONG, BUT, OVER TIME, CONTINUES TO REGAIN IT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL THE FUNCTIONALITY HAS BEEN REINSTATED

 

Thanks for that. So I guess what I am after is why the huge variability and what can we do to proactively minimize it? I am finding that I am able to control symptoms more than I could have ever imagined. There, are, of course, many other biochemical factors that could play into it as well (like what we ingest).

[[re...]]

VIEWED NEUROCHEMICALLY, THE PHENOMENON WOULD APPEAR TO BE AN INSTANCE WHERE THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE GABA  RECEPTORS’ ALPHA SUBUNITS IS OPERATING NORMALLY, THEIR AffiNITY FOR ATTRACTING GABA RESTORED TO ITS NORMAL LEVEL OF EffiCACY. THE WINDOW CLOSES BECAUSE THE BODY EVIDENTLY CANNOT SUSTAIN THAT STATE FOR LONG, BUT, OVER TIME, CONTINUES TO REGAIN IT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL THE FUNCTIONALITY HAS BEEN REINSTATED

 

Thanks for that. So I guess what I am after is why the huge variability and what can we do to proactively minimize it? I am finding that I am able to control symptoms more than I could have ever imagined. There, are, of course, many other biochemical factors that could play into it as well (like what we ingest).

 

I have tried many times to control my sx, but have not been able to turn them off. I wish I could. I would in a heart beat.

 

We do know that people in protracted wd get relief when they are given flumazenil. No relief from placebo. So something must be going on at a biological level that we do not understand.

 

 

I dont think we are creating our protracted withdrawal. I think some people just got unlucky.

[[co...]]

Very interesting. So it's like you get this build up of balanced chemicals but it's depleted since the drugs influence is so powerful and your brain still hasn't overcome it enough to replenish it's resources. I do agree it's truly progress and proof of recovering.

[[...]]

VIEWED NEUROCHEMICALLY, THE PHENOMENON WOULD APPEAR TO BE AN INSTANCE WHERE THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE GABA  RECEPTORS’ ALPHA SUBUNITS IS OPERATING NORMALLY, THEIR AffiNITY FOR ATTRACTING GABA RESTORED TO ITS NORMAL LEVEL OF EffiCACY. THE WINDOW CLOSES BECAUSE THE BODY EVIDENTLY CANNOT SUSTAIN THAT STATE FOR LONG, BUT, OVER TIME, CONTINUES TO REGAIN IT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL THE FUNCTIONALITY HAS BEEN REINSTATED

 

Thanks for that. So I guess what I am after is why the huge variability and what can we do to proactively minimize it? I am finding that I am able to control symptoms more than I could have ever imagined. There, are, of course, many other biochemical factors that could play into it as well (like what we ingest).

 

I'm not sure if there is much we can do to proactively minimize it.  I think that there are some things that may help some people but since we're all different there isn't a specific "recipe" that will help everyone.  I think time is the only thing that can truly heal us from this experience.  However, some people find that some things help such as moderate exercise, healthy diet, avoiding stress, avoiding stimulants such as sugar and caffeine, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, talk therapy, positive self talk, etc.