50 and over club- withdrawal and recovery issues for the aged :-)

[[In...]]

Littlebones,

 

I'm glad you replied and I'm glad you feel so much better. This medication half life business makes a tremendous difference in how we react to these medications. I don't know if the doctors even get that part.

 

I hope your stress tolerance gets better and better. I'm hoping that my life is going to feel more normal soon. I took K for 14 weeks as I said, but the difference in half lives between klonopin (18-50), and Xanax (6-12) has greatly affected me even though I took X for 11 years. I guess I just "reset" my brain to the longer time and now going back to X is difficult.

 

But you are a veteran of this type of situation with what you are experiencing. Please keep me posted on your progress. I read your previous posts yesterday. I certainly identify when you say you can remember back a year before and how things have changed.

 

Best wishes to you,

Intend

[[Li...]]

Thanks Intend...I will keep you posted. I have not posted that much since I joined. I had trouble putting two words together for the longest time. I really appreciated being able to read other peoples' posts just to reassure myself that I was not going crazy!! Feel free to ask me any questions at all. Thanks for your replies.

Sandy

[[Po...]]

Littlebones,

 

I'm glad you replied and I'm glad you feel so much better. This medication half life business makes a tremendous difference in how we react to these medications. I don't know if the doctors even get that part.

 

I hope your stress tolerance gets better and better. I'm hoping that my life is going to feel more normal soon. I took K for 14 weeks as I said, but the difference in half lives between klonopin (18-50), and Xanax (6-12) has greatly affected me even though I took X for 11 years. I guess I just "reset" my brain to the longer time and now going back to X is difficult.

 

But you are a veteran of this type of situation with what you are experiencing. Please keep me posted on your progress. I read your previous posts yesterday. I certainly identify when you say you can remember back a year before and how things have changed.

 

Best wishes to you,

Intend

 

When I had to go back up in dose it took at least 6 weeks before I felt any where near stable.  Now I feel good enough I may start to titrate.  Just scared from the first taper that just backfired on me.  This time I will go so slowly no one will even see me moving.

 

Take care,

Popcorlady

[[Li...]]

Popcornlady!!!

You go....and good luck to you...I will be thinking of you.

Sandy

[[In...]]

Littlebones and Popcornlady,

 

It is good to be able to compare notes on these situations as "they" say. I'm just trying to hold on my current dose of X which is 2.5 mgs. It is hard for me as I think (but I'm not real sure) that it could be I/W due to the difference in half lives between X and K.

 

Most people go from shorter half life to longer half life benzo which I did when I tried to cross to K. Now I am essentially "going backwards" by going back to X with shorter half life. But K made me very sickl with intermittent paradoxical sx, so I just couldn't continue on it.

 

Nevertheless, I did continue with it for those 14 weeks, and it established some connection that I now am strongly feeling the w/ds.

 

I debate about updosing on the X. I still plan to give it some more time to "settle" down as I have had days when I do feel much better. It's just hard to know what is right, but I do know I will need to feel better soon. I've been totallyboff K since 2/14/12 which is 10 weeks. I hope this levels out soon.

 

My best to both of you and thanks for your info and advice. Greatly appreciated.

 

Intend

[[GH...]]

Can anyone figure out the blog and buddie space guidelines?

 

I am confused. I would like to type about my thoughts on benzos and us benzo people. You know just get thinks out of my head kinda stuff. I am off off for over a year so cant talk about tapering. (besides I went CT)

 

Any thoughts old timers?

 

good healing, fair winds

[[Fl...]]

Hi 50 & over club, I have been having major breathing problems and had to take prednisone last evening and also use nebulizer. Not much relief from either.  Please keep me in you prayers & positive thoughts.  I appreciate it.  A taper on a young healthier body seems like it would be a bit easier but I guess that is not necessarily a given.  I do hope you are all faring well "golden girls" & guys".  As for me I do whine allot but truth be told I am grateful I have lived this long.  A smoother ride and fare winds with the sun on my back would be ever so nice however as I sail into the sunset.  One can hope and pray.................

fb

[[In...]]

Flutterbye,

 

Breathing problems are certainly some of the scariest things anyone can have. I've had many surgeries to keep my airway open.

 

The cause is not the same as yours, but the effect is the same. Maybe it is helpful to know that this might not be related to w/d, but could be allergies also. I have seen many children and teenagers similarly afflicted.

 

But I also think w/d is not easy for any of us and I also think that getting older makes plenty of things harder. So here's hoping you have an easier time of it today and that this scary breathing issue passes.

 

All my best to you.

 

Intend

[[wi...]]

Hi..just wanted to pop in and get used to the idea of the approaching "golden years"    turning 50 this year...wowza...hard to believe. Thankfully I'll be entering this new chapter of my life w/o the burden of depending on a pill to get me through each day. Wishing you all a peace-filled day.

Hope it's okay that I entered a little early?

[[GH...]]

Flutter, I am sure that you know that prednisone is not fast acting, right? Just checking, OK?

 

sorry to hear about your breathing probs.

 

good healing

[[ve...]]

Hi..just wanted to pop in and get used to the idea of the approaching "golden years"    turning 50 this year...wowza...hard to believe. Thankfully I'll be entering this new chapter of my life w/o the burden of depending on a pill to get me through each day. Wishing you all a peace-filled day.

Hope it's okay that I entered a little early?

 

Greetings oldtimers, Golden Gals and would be Geysers ... That's a good point, Wishful1.  I discovered in my late forties that I had become an accidental addict after a three week trip in which I took valium back in 2008.  After a few weeks off, I ended up with vertigo and reinstated.  I did not intend to taper but thought about just staying on valium indefinitely but alas, I discovered tolerance and ended up updosing to 7mg for a week before coming back down to 5mg. When I got hit with strong side effects and started having increasing cog fog, I realized that I did not want to be having to keep increasing the dose and being a zombie in my post fifties.  Now that I am in the "over 50 club", I am very happy to be off the benzo poison as many of you all have either found or will be finding as you complete your tapers.  I'm glad this thread has taken off and seems to resonate with a few older buddies.  And yes Wish, early entry is allowed.  I think the age range the last time I checked here was about  47 to "feeling like 101" .  If you feel like you're older than 50, that counts too!

 

Best wishes,

 

Vertigo

[[ve...]]

 

 

Scared about the future, because I have no savings to retire on, since I lost everything during the years I was so disabled on all those psych meds.  I have a decent job now, starter level for my field, nothing like I would be making if I had been able to work all those years, but enough to pay rent on a little duplex and keep up with the bills and feed myself.  But I'm already 57 and I can't work forever. 

 

Ironic, in a really messed-up way, that I am actually functional enough to work full time now, during a taper, even though back when I was actually taking all these drugs that were supposed to be so great, and I was younger and physically healthy, mentally I was barely functional.

 

Those are some good points.  Many of us have lost jobs, lost income, lost years... (where did they go?) have had to start over in some regard.  I think you're doing remarkably well to be holding a full time job now.  Hopefully you can sustain it for a period of time and gradually accumulate savings and some investments.  Try not to compare yourself to others.  It's not helpful and you never know what will happen to other people down the road.  Stay focused on your accomplishments and good things can still happen from here.

 

Vertigo

 

 

[[Fl...]]

Back from Dr. visit and had to see P.A.  Ghostship I did not know that.  When I took it years ago it worked fast and helped me breathe.  Thanks though for telling me.  She gave me flovent ;an inhaled steroid to add on for now.  Gotta see a pulmonologist down the road.  Will have to get in line with all the other specialists that are in the queue.  Hope you are all doing well today.  thanks for the kind thoughts........

fb

[[Bl...]]

Back from Dr. visit and had to see P.A.  Ghostship I did not know that.  When I took it years ago it worked fast and helped me breathe.  Thanks though for telling me.  She gave me flovent ;an inhaled steroid to add on for now.  Gotta see a pulmonologist down the road.  Will have to get in line with all the other specialists that are in the queue.  Hope you are all doing well today.  thanks for the kind thoughts........

fb

 

Hi Flutterbye,

 

I hope the Flovent works and you are more comfortable. I am sending good thought your way.

 

Bluebell

 

 

[[GH...]]

Flutterbye,

 

Steriods, like prednisone, work to reduce swelling. They reduce swelling in many body tissues. So many people with COPD take steriods on a routine basis. (everyday) There are meds called brochodialators that dilate the breathing passages. These work immediately, and are often called "rescue inhalers".

 

There are some other meds that are different also.

 

Take the inhaled steroid as directed, everyday.

 

I dont want to offend you, but I doubt that a steroid helped you immediately.. But it could have been psychological, and that is still helping. Do you use a spacer? It is like an extension on the inhaler. It helps the med get into the air and not hit the back of your throat. But some people expect that, to show that they are getting the meds. Not so...

 

again, I hope you feel better in all ways!!!

 

[[Fl...]]

Ghostship, thank you.  I completely forgot about a spacer and the p.a at the Dr's office and the pharmacy did not advice it.  I used to take it years ago and had a spacer so will have to get another.  I am rinsing my mouth out.  I have a bronchodilater inhaler and nebulizer med.  I also use occasionally glutathione inhaled solution for nebulizer from a naturopathic Dr.  It wasn't helping with this bout.  My inhaler ( bronchodilator ) was not helping this time either.  I pray I don't have copd as I do not want to take the steroid everyday.  I know what it can do damgage wise.  I would rather use the flovent as it is going right where it is needed.  No offense.........I appreciate learning and advice.  Thanks again Ghostship,

fb

[[In...]]

I am not an expert on all the varieties of breathing issues; only my own. Due to narrowing of my airway down to @5% of normal, I would often struggle and gasp for air. Subsequent to the struggle (which was immense and scary), my airway would swell and then close even more which is hard to visualize much less handle.

 

I was given prednisone tapers over the many different times this occurred  to "open me back up." It was literally a life saver to have that in these emergencies, but these tapers are primarily for swelling. And there is no doubt that one does not want to be on steroids on a regular basis if it can be avoided.

 

Flutterbye, I sure do wish you the best. Sounds like you are doing everything you can to get this handled.

 

Intend

[[Fl...]]

Thanks Intend,  My it sounds like you have been through a rough time.  I'm so sorry.  May I ask what was wrong that this happened.  You do not have to answer if you do not want to or it is distressing.  I will take any advice on this  and reflux which is a problem when one has asthma.  They seem to go hand in hand. 

I hope you are well now Intend,

wishing you wellness,

fb

[[In...]]

Flutterbye,

 

I had a rare disease called sub-glottic stenosis. It was termed "idiopathic" meaning cause unknown, but the suspected reason was acid reflux. It was thought that acid burned my trachea causing scar tissue.

 

The tissue would grow and then almost close off my airway. When it would close down very small where I just could not handle it, I would have surgery termed a micro laryngoscopy. That was a lasering of the area to remove the tissue and then rings were dropped into the trachea to stretch it. I had this done 8 times over 7 years, but my trachea was never opened more than 40% of normal.

 

In 1999, I had  a rib removed and the cartilage was used to rebuild my trachea. It was then opened to 125% of normal which was wonderful. However, the tissue grew back again and by 2004, I had to have the micro laryngoscopy done 3 times that year. The reconstruction was major surgery. I was in the hospital for 10 days and had a tracheotomy for 6 weeks, and could not speak for 4 weeks.

 

The whole thing was very wearing, so by 2004 and after constant closings of my airway, I requested a permanent tracheotomy. My doctor suggested a radical surgery called a crichotracheal resection. So I had it in 2005.  They cut out 2 inches of my trachea (the area that was scarred and kept growing the tissue), and stitched the severed ends together.

 

Now my vocal chords are in a different place and my voice is altered, but my airway is open. I have been through much, but Im glad I had the strength to do this. I hope I can tackle the benzo issue like that, but that too has been very hard. I feel very fortunate to have been located where I am as there are only about 25 specialists in the US who handle this problem, and one of them is here.

 

It is a rare disease, but you find out how strong you are by having something like this happen. I sure hope you can get your breathing issues under control. I truly know how hard this is.

 

Intend

 

 

[[Fl...]]

Oh Intend, all I can say is you must be a strong person to have endured all of this.  People say that about me but I do not feel strong.  I have had so many surgeries it is crazy but I cannot fathom going through what you endured.  How gracious of you to share this difficult story with me. God bless you and keep you in His tender care Intend.  I am so glad you are ok now!  You have such a great spirit as it comes through your writing!

Wishing you wellness, health and much love, :smitten:

fb

[[In...]]

Flutterbye,

 

Thank you for your reply and your kindness and understanding. As I said, I understand the panicked feeling of air scarcity.

 

I also have had much breathing therapy (taught by speech therapists), and perhaps that is something you can mention for yourself when you get into the specialists. Due to all those lessons, I have been able to really help myself get air in difficult circumstances. It has avoided numerous paramedic calls over the years and given me a sense of empowerment where my breathing is concerned.

 

Those speech therapists are a highly learned bunch. I never would have realized that before. They know many techniques and exercises. I have even used it in my work with troubled adolescents to calm them. Please keep me posted on your progress. This is an area  most people take for granted  until it affects them.

 

All my best.

 

Intend

[[ve...]]

Are there any other 50 or older wise beyond their years tapering  or already benzo free buddies out there???  We'd like to hear from you!

 

Vertigo

[[...]]

Hi Everyone,

 

Vertigo recently sent me a PM that I want to respond to via this thread.  I didn’t find a “reply option” after reading it.  My hope, of course, is that maybe my experience will help others as well. 

 

V:  You mentioned melatonin to help for sleep; and that you were not sure if it was helping or not.  My doctor told me he has definitely found some brands work; and others don’t.  The brand he suggested is Kirkman. I am now taking a 1 mg “chewable” tablet some nights before bed (about an hour or two before).  Interestingly, I found in the past that it didn’t work that well.  At the time, I was taking lexapro or occasional ambien, however.  Now that I have several weeks off both drugs, I find that the melatonin works very well.  I can’t tell you how much better I feel at this point.  By the way, I have been off valium since March of 2010.  Since my brain has been getting either lexapro or some ambien during most of that time, however, this is truly the first continuous, reasonably long time that I have not been on some kind of “psychotropic” drug.

 

BTW, at 64, I’m afraid I qualify for this thread!

 

Rumi

[[In...]]

Rumi,

 

I'm wondering  if that's  the Costco brand. Seems like it might be. Costco is "Kirkland," but maybe that's what you mean.

 

I've heard from co-workers that melatonin does work well for sleep. Even still being on benzos I'm very often a lousy sleeper. But I'm not taking anything right at the moment till I resolve my current situation somewhat.

 

Thanks for that info though. Confirms what I've heard a lot.

 

Intend

 

 

[[...]]

It's definitely Kirkman, not Kirkland.