HELPING PEOPLE WITH BENZODIAZEPINE DEPENDENCE PROBLEMS
BENZODIAZEPINE THE TRANX AUSTRALIA SYMPTOMS LIST
ANOTHER BENZODIAZEPINE PROTRACTED WITHDRAWAL Always check with a health professional to try to confirm that BEWARE OF HOW YOUR DOCTOR SPEAKS TO YOU ABOUT THESE DRUGS
The most common things (most) doctors (esp psychiatrists) * This drug is perfectly safe. CLICK HERE FOR AN EXTENDED LIST
Comments you might never hear a doctor say * This is a very dangerous drug. Withdrawal effects can last months and even years. PLEASE READ THE LETTER AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR INFORMATION ON THIS BOOK CLICK ON COVER REVISED AUGUST 2002 VERSION NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW THIS Benzodiazepines-How They Work Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Chapter 3: UNITED KINGDOM & EUROPE DISTRIBUTOR
LINK TO ALL KNOWN BENZODIAZEPINE WEB SITES
LINK TO THE BENZODEBATE WEB SITE
CANADA PUTS BENZOS PROTOCOL FOR TREATMENT OF XANAX WITHDRAWAL CITA PRESENTS: THE WINSLOW LIQUID DIAZEPAM WITHDRAWAL PROTOCOL
SUPPORT GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS
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SUBJECT: ONE YEAR OFF BENZOS AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE ! Tomorrow I celebrate my one year anniversary of being BENZO FREE! I wish I
could really really tell you what a big difference the last year has made. I
read some of my old benzo diary about all of the old debilitating states I
found myself in and about finding this group and finding out at last what was
truly wrong with me.
I read letters that were sent to me by folks like Geraldine, Sheila, Yvonne,
Rand, Pandora, Rosemarie, Penny, Jan and Jeri. Some of those folks are no
longer here because they have moved on away from their lives on benzos. I can
never thank you enough for helping me to get through this and there were some
simply awful times I must admit. When doctors didn't believe me, when family
members doubted my sanity, when other friends simply disappeared, those here
understood, supported and nurtured.
I want to share with each and every one of you that is still tapering,
considering tapering, finally off and even those having trouble after being
off a while that it IS going to get better! I thought maybe I'd get off easy,
be one of those lucky ones that walked away from this after a couple months
off. After I'd been off a couple months some of my symptoms came back to
haunt me and I thought that maybe I'd just stay that way, stuck with benzo
symptoms forever. I don't have to tell you that those setbacks were
frustrating, they were. But I'd had setbacks before and we all do from time
to time, but if you hang in there, they do get better.
My symptoms are now about 90% gone and have been for several months now and
honestly I could live this way the rest of my life and feel as though I had
made a full recovery. What is left is tolerable, but more amazing is what is
GONE.
NO MORE-
Anxiety, derealization, depersonalization, obsessive thoughts, doubt about
what could be REALLY or POSSIBLY be wrong with me besides benzo induced
symptoms. No more tinnitus, loss of bladder control, excessive gas, severe
heartburn, metallic taste, obsessive sweating/chills, dizziness, vertigo,
headaches, muscle twitches, facial spasms, volatile emotions, increased PMS
symptoms AND severe fatigue. I'm sure there were others I've forgotten or
overlooked, but the point is they simply aren't there anymore.
I still have a few digestive problems from time to time, but they are
relatively minor. My energy level isn't quite where it used to be but has
increased 10 fold and seems to be improving with time. I still get a few
aches and pains, but they are less severe and come and go. And I've got about
20 extra pounds or so to take off. That's it.
Every time I now read a post about someone unable to drive, work, shop,
socialize, laugh, cry, concentrate, sleep, relax, eat, I want to shout, "It's
going to get better." I try when I can, as do all the long timers and other
moderators to provide hope and strength during those times, but it isn't easy
because we all react a bit differently and have different histories. We can't
second guess when WE will be able to do all those things, let alone convince
someone else. But it will come. The hardest thing I see in healing from
benzos is the DOUBT that we constantly dredge up that perhaps it isn't the
pills that made us feel the way we are feeling, but rather some other
emotional or physical cause. These poisons rob us of our gut instincts and
self esteem. They hit us with symptoms for which at times there seems to be
no rhyme or reason.
This group Some days you DO have to live "As if." As if these drugs haven't damaged your
life, as if you are carefree and healthy, as if you feel and can be just the
same as everyone around you. Some days you have to push yourself when you
feel you just don't have any more to give. Some days you think you must have
done something pretty bad to have ended up in this mess. Some days you need
to look for the humor in life although yours may feel pretty tragic. Some
days you need to cry and feel sorry for yourself because no one around you
truly understands how you feel and how you want to feel. Some days you think
you are a good person and that this shouldn't have happened to you. Some days
you think that your already endured so much and this just isn't fair. Some
days you just don't think you are going to make it, but you DO and you CAN.
All these days and emotions and pains run together and TIME does move on. You
take them as they come, trying to make each day as meaningful and as pleasant
for yourself as you can. Eventually you DO come out on the other side. We all
get there if we take it a day at a time.
Nowadays my life is filled with more and more normal stuff. I can once again
work, take care of a sick kid instead of just nursing myself, deal with a
cranky husband (hey, I can't blame it on the benzos anymore), fix dinners,
pay bills, take the dog to the vet, go to school functions, reconnect with
those out of touch friends.
There are many of you that seem to be doing a heck of a lot better now than I
ever did! Some days I could hardly get dressed, let alone shower. Housework,
Job? Out of the question. Drive, walk around, trip to the Mall? No way! Give
yourself some CREDIT for what you HAVE done! And continue giving yourself
pats on the back for each renewed accomplishment. Forgive yourself if you
waiver, but hold on to the belief that if you can just get through TODAY you
are that much closer to your dreams. Each and every day CAN be a step
towards healing, even if you have to get around a few potholes now and then.
Hugs and High hopes for you ALL!
Shelly
Presents:
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS LIST
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS LIST
& THE DANGERS OF GENERALIZING
your symptoms are withdrawal symptoms and not attributable to some other condition.
say to their patients:
* If you need it you need it. Don't worry about it.
* That's ridiculous - you haven't been on long enough.
* You have been off _____for a month now. Because of its short half life
you could not possibly be still experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
* This must be due to some underlying psychological problem.
* I am going to switch you to Klonopin.
* You have a chemical inbalance in your brain - it's like being a diabetic.
You will probably need this drug for the rest of your life.
* I think you need Paxil (Zoloft, Prozac) fill in the blanks...
to handle your depression.
* You haven't given it (the anti-depressant) enough time yet.
* Withdrawal symptoms should only last for a couple of weeks.
* You might feel a little "antsy" and
like you have a bit of the flu for a few days.
* I am the doctor here.
* You heard about this on the internet????
( unless you have an ethical doctor ):
For this reason I don't prescribe benzos.
* If you want to withdraw from this drug it would be a good idea.
The symptoms you are having are almost certainly caused by it.
* You are a person who is going through some real difficulties in your life.
I will spend the time with you so you can develop some
self help techniques that will help you.
Taking drugs will only make things worse.
* Slow tapering is the best way to withdraw.
Here, I have a schedule in this manual ( SEE BELOW )
.....we'll work out something that is best for you.
* Have you heard of this terrific site on the internet for support ???
* I didn't have the information I should have and
mistakenly prescibed a drug that has many negative effects.
* Don't worry if the effects of the drug last for longer than you expect. This is normal.
* I am sorry
CLICK ON BOOK COVER
FREE MANUAL
CLICK HERE
and How to Withdraw
by Prof. C. Heather Ashton D.M., F.R.C.P.
The Benzodiazepines: What They Do In The Body
How To Withdraw From Benzodiazepines
After Long Term Use
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms,
Acute And Protracted
ON THE TARGETED SUBSTANCE LIST
by RONALD A. GERSHMAN M.D.
BENZODIAZEPINES AND THERAPIES
by
Pam Armstrong
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/benzo )
gave me my life back. Heart, body and soul. I can never give back
what I got, but I hope that I can help a few others in their journey to good
physical and mental health. There is only ONE magic bullet that will take
away the doubt, the anxieties, the pains and disabling nature of benzos and
that is TIME. The only one that can give that to you is yourself.
(Ativan Free One Year, Seattle, WA)