Date: Thu Aug 29, 2002 3:07 pm

Subject: Re: [benzo] so scared

This is a tough one. Not alot you can do, really. I have the insomnia symptoms

too, as do just about everyone coming off benzos. It can even be quite

protracted. But I have been improving greatly since my first months, even

sleeping normal nights in a row. It comes in waves, just like the other

symptoms.

I don't know, but sometimes it seemed different things would help me at certain

stages of withdrawal. The things that helped me at different times(other times,

did not work), were: chamommile tea (very strong, use 3 teabags minimum). Then

for awhile, I thought I'd developed a milk addiction..... would lay for awhile

sleepless, get up and then drink 1/2 cup milk and I'd be out!! Funny, it

didn't work in the beginning of withdrawal, and chamommile did but not later on.

Taking only one, not two, extra strength tylenol at bedtime helped someone in

the group...I tried it and found it did help me 98% of the time. I usually

would only take it on nights I couldn't fall asleep in a reasonable time. It

lowers body temperature which helps bring on sleep. But nothing will always

work, and it's best to try and let the brain do it's own work to produce sleep,

although this can take some time!

I don't do anything presently because I am having a good spell of sleep right

now(following a really bad spell) , but I make sure I drink milk throughout the

day and before bed. It supposed to contain aminos that support good sleep.

Seems to be helping me, but who knows what really helps this hellish process of

withdrawal?

The above suggestions are very harmless, so if they don't work, at least they

are safe. I wouldn't trust herbs like valerian or prescription drugs to fix

anything, although some say they have had success with these. Some people have

results from benedryl type OTC aids; they are drugs too so be careful, but they

are weaker than prescriptions, so not too harmful in regular doses.

I am not back to my pre-benzo "perfect" sleep yet, but am worlds away from the

torture you describe!! I've been there and know that it does get better in

time. Going back on drugs will just make it worse in time. I know this

firsthand because I was one who developed "tolerance" to my benzo.... that's

when you swallow the pill and lie awake all night anyway!! Then you have panic

all day!! That is not something I would wish on anyone. It can happen at any

time while taking these pills....that's why, in the end, they are not an answer

but a cause of even more misery than you had before!

Don't go back,

Eugenia