|
From: "Carol " Date: Fri Dec 3, 1999 7:41 pm Subject: Signing off for awhile... I am going to have to leave the group for a period of time, at least for the holiday season. I will leave my onelist set to "no mail", but will check the archives in on occasion, and will check in on the board, as well. With work and the holidays, there simply aren't enough hours in the day anymore. I care about each and every member of the group, and pray for all of you every night. ANYONE who has any questions they feel I can help with, or needs encouragement, or wants to talk regarding matters of faith, please do not hesitate to email me at carolapatterson@h... As for my recovery, I consider myself "cured". My health is doing great, and I wish I could point to any one thing, but I cannot. To all those still struggling, I want to say...IT DOES GET BETTER...AND THERE IS AN END TO THE ORDEAL. Have faith in the Lord, and it will make the journey that much easier. My intention is to create a website regarding natural methods and benzo withdrawal, but I am not going to get to do this until January, as I am working on other people's websites right now... God bless, Carol Here next post was this one in response to one from xxxxxxx: From: "Carol" <xxx@xxxxxxx.xxxx Date: Sat Dec 4, 1999 8:12 am Subject: Re: Signing off for awhile... Dear xxxxxxx and Group: xxxxxxx - what a sweet thing to say, about having stuck with the group. Thank you. I know it seems like the withdrawal drags on forever...but let me tell you about an experience that illustrates the difference between the pre- and post- benzo ME. I just got back last night from driving to Houston, TX (from Orlando) as a favor to Stan. 2000 miles r/t. I did this same favor when I was on benzos. And, it was a disaster. I visited 2 emergency rooms, got drunk more than once (I gave up alcohol when I gave up Klonipin - over two yrs ago now), and it took me a week and a half. This trip took me 4 days/3 nights, and was like any normal person, you could say. And, I drove a little Isuzu truck to Houston and back, this time. What a sight...little me driving this little truck getting diesel fuel in a truck stop! LOL (In my fur trimmed Perry Ellis coat, no less!) All the truck drivers were trying to wave "hi", it was WEIRD (and not a little intimidating!). But, I drove that truck (a standard transmission) through downtown Houston traffic... and the first few months of withdrawal I couldn't drive a car at all!!!! So, first of all, remember all of the symptoms do pass. You DO get better. It's not in the time frame any of us would choose, but that's another story. But, when I think of the energy I used to expend worrying about my next prescription... "What if I run out"...knowing fully well I could not function (but not realizing I was simply postponing withdrawal by taking the Klonipin at all). I had lots of time to reflect on this during this trip, and was feeling very grateful to the Lord for my freedom (yes, freedom) from this terrible addiction. And, I can promise every group member that if they stick with it, their day will come, as well. And, they will be the one writing this type of post. (Remember, the 10 mg/day of Klonipin I quit "cold turkey" is the equivalent of 200 mg of valium a day - if I got better, most anyone will!) One other hint I found out from my MOM! When my skin gets dry and itchy - which it did on this trip...I go to Wal-mart and get their unflavored pedialyte equivalent ($2.27). It's like a miracle. I must be very dehydrated at times. Really makes all the difference in how I feel. Water alone doesn't do the trick. Anyone else who tries this and has luck, please let me know about it at carolapatterson@h... - I'm interested regarding the website I'll be putting together in January. God bless you xxxxxxx and I, too hope to always keep in focus the meaning behind the holidays. And, God bless everyone in the group. Love, Carol |