Date: Sat Jan 18, 2003 7:32 am

Subject: RE: SSRI's and healing

xxxxxxx

As you know there is so little hard information on benzo withdrawal that it

would be impossible to state whether SSRI's or other medication used for

benzo symptom relief promotes or prolongs healing.

What is well known is that withdrawal is made worse by stress and arousal

states - insomnia is very stressful on the brain and body so relieving that

is definitely an asset.

I always find it interesting that doctors treat patients with benzos for

sleep problems: even many sleep labs prescribe them. There is considerable

research that benzos eliminate, shorten or dysregulate stage 3 and 4 sleep

and may alter facets of other stages.You never really obtain normal "sleep"

on hypnotic medications you are more accurately just unconscious.

You are wise to keep your medication dosage (chemical load) to a minimum and

ride out the more bearable symptoms. I would consider your concern and worry

about the SSRI affecting you healing to be more of a problem than the

medication itself - worry is major cause of stress and will keep the nervous

system aroused which retards healing or at least creates more pain and

suffering so we feel like we are not healing.

rik