Date: Fri Aug 23, 2002 11:36 am

Subject: Common experiences/things to avoid

Hi gang ~ Withdrawal experiences as nearly as personal as fingerprints but many of us had common experiences and hopefully, learned stuff that we can share with the group. (When I refer to 'we' I mean those of us who have survived withdrawal and lived to tell the tale. And resumed NORMAL LIVES!!)

1) Your caffeine habit will probably cost you more than its worth. A brain and central nervous system in the throes of withdrawal are far more sensitive to all chemicals and unfortunately, caffeine is a very powerful chemical. Most of us walk around with a heavy caffeine addiction that we're not even aware of and although it's a difficult addiction to kick, it's nothing compared to kicking benzos. (And caffeine withdrawal usually doesn't cause hallucinations. Unlike my experience getting off Klonopin.)

2) If anybody tries to convince you that taking an antidepressant will minimize your withdrawal symptoms, RUN LIKE HELL!! You wouldn't get a flu shot for measles or take aspirin for a skinned knee, why on earth would you believe that taking an antidepressant would help your benzo withdrawal? It won't, and the last thing you need is to add another chemical to a system that's shell-shocked from withdrawal.

3) Most of us get hit with insomnia at one point or another. It's a drag but it's not fatal. Some of us find that we actually need less sleep when we're tapering but even if you still need you customary 8 hours, you'll find that being sleep deprived is a nuisance but not a catastrophe. If you find ways to minimize the anxiety of not sleeping, you'll be better off. I found that listening to a book on tape helped pass the hours and keep me from getting that, "Omigawd it's 3-am and I'm still awake" panic.

4) Some symptoms can be fought and others must be yielded to. I managed to stave off agoraphobia by forcing myself out for teeny- weeny distances at first, then adding distance when I discovered that walking to the corner store wasn't fatal, as I'd feared. Try to fight the symptoms that can be fought but yield to the others. Insomnia usually does NOT respond to Melatonin, Kava or diphenhydramine. You can try any or all of these but if nothing works, remember that this is a symptom that won't last. And again, it's a good idea to resist adding chemicals -- your brain is already chemical soup, don't make it worse.

5) Alcohol will make you sicker. Much sicker, much quicker. If anyone tells you that wine in moderation will make you feel better, RUN LIKE HELL. Think about your brain in withdrawal being as sensitive as your stomach when you're nauseous. When you're feeling nauseous, would you eat a big meal to feel better? 'Course not, you'd be worried about making yourself sicker and throwing up. So don't add other poisons to your system when you're sick. Period.

For those of you who don't know me and wonder where I'm getting this 50 cents worth of wisdom:

After taking one benzo or another for 20+ years, I withdrew from Klonopin. Benzo-free since November '00, symptom free for more than a year, feeling better than I ever expected to feel again in my life. This group kept me from many suicidal impulses. At my lowest point, I couldn't think, couldn't stand up straight, threw up every night, had massive DP and DR, constant visual and audio hallucinations, didn't sleep for months, lost beaucoup weight very fast, worried constantly about having a psychotic break. Now I'm working and loving it, having fun with my family and friends and getting past the anger I'd felt about losing so much of my life to benzos. I lost a lot of memories but I'm busy making new ones. There is life after withdrawal, and it's fabulous.

Bee