Date: Fri Mar 26, 1999 6:54 am

Subject: Carbamazepine, seizures and withdrawl

Hi Everyone:

Re: Carbamazepine for benzo withdrawl. I was on Klonipin 10 mg day for 7 yrs. I quit "cold turkey" 18 months ago. But, I was also on Tegretol (carbamazepine) for seizures which I developed whenever I discontinued or reduced the Klonipin. I stopped both for one week, had a seizure, resumed the carbemazepine 800mg/day, but reduced it gradually and finally discontinued it completely over 9 months.

I have been completely off the carbemazepine for 9 months now, and the Klonipin for 18. I have had no seizures (shows that they were from the benzos!), and my withdrawl is more or less over, too. But, as far as the other uncomfortable symptoms of the withdrawl being reduced, I would say that I had all the other symptoms pretty severely (as I discontinued the carbamazepine they did not get any more severe, either). Swelling in the extremeties, visual disturbances, tinnitus, feeling of unreality, digestive problems...you all know the symptoms, I'm sure. The carbamazepine did nothing to reduce this. But, it did keep me from having the siezures, and I personally could never have disontinued the Klonipin safely without it. Hope that answers your question.

The only physical problems I still have, in my 18th month, are problems with infections that my body has difficulty fighting. Ears, sinus and the like. I do have a wonderful job, am going back to school, and feel like I am pretty much functioning normally. I will write more about my personal experience this weekend. (I have to get to work right now!) If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Carol Patterson