Date: Mon Aug 13, 2001 1:27 am

Subject: Re: weight gain

--- In benzo@y..., I Am <adnil2ca@y...> wrote:> The only problem is I am already on the Paxil (3 yrs).> Now I'm on both Celexa AND Paxil. I am not sure what> to do. I am also tapering Ativan. Feels like I'm> between a brick and a hard place. I want my body back!!!!!!xxxxx> > =====> Each Day a New Beginning >

xxxxxDear xxxxx,

I don't want to scare you but I think you and the group should look at this link to the Paxil petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/oky71/ You can see the similarities. These drugs are all poisonous to our bodies and they have got to be slowly but surely eliminated, one drug at a time.

The best way to help the body endure the withdrawal is by doing as many healthful, nontoxic things as possible for the duration. Reduce the intake and exposure to toxins as much as possible and increase right and healthy raw foods. It makes all the difference in the world.

I was forced by doctors (who I am convinced, are totally clueless) to take multiple other meds in order to get off of valium and over, a 17 year addiction. Paxil was only one of many for me. There was also heart meds, hormone meds, sinus meds, stomach meds, cholesterol meds, the buspar and wellbutrin and on and on it went as they guessed whichdrugs to try out on my poor ailing body. They even thought I should take Lithium for my bi-polar disorder, (that I don't have).

I began to gain weight in 1995 after three solid years of being a living drug experiment in progress. At first I thought it was great and then I got worried as things escalated out of control. I blew up from a size one to a size 16, from 92 pounds to 152 pounds of toxic waste my body simply couldn't eliminate. I nearly died in the summer of 97. Exhausted and defeated from a failed two year long attempt to stay off valium, I had no choice but to go back on.

For a while, long enough to get me relocated I guess, I was alright and then, I guess you could say I hit the wall with all the drugs including the valium. I developed what we might call multiple chemical sensitivity even to valium. It was really caused by leaky gut syndrome caused my candida, caused by a compromised liver and too much stress which was caused by torturing my nervous system as I tried to get off valium. (ring around the rosey) Ugh! So glad it's over!

It was at that point, my all time lowest, which the founder of this group will atest to and that AT&T benefitted from greatly, that I sought help from a naturopath. After five months in her care, I was no longer hooked on a benzo. I

no longer had heart, sinus, cholesterol, stomach, colon, skin, emotional, phsychological or any other kind of problems. I had no need for any medications and have not since. I lost all that toxic waste/weight and now wear a nice size 6 like I should. I remain in good health 2 1/2 years later with only an occasional visit to my angel and naturopath, Barbara.I am back to work 4 days a week in addition to taking benzo calls about 20 hours a week, being a mother to a teenage GIRL, (God help me) writing and thinking about starting school.

The only remaining issue is the financial devastation that came from so many years of not being in the work force. I am determined to rectify that also.Linda, there stands before you a mountain that you must climb in order to "get your body back".

I will say prayers for you that you will find the strength and have the faith to climb one day and one step at a time, like myself and others have had to do. I wanted to quit many times. I cried rivers of tears. I screamed at the unfairness of this whole mess but I picked myself up and started over many times too, until FINALLY I succeeded.

Recovery is glorious and well worth all my efforts and yours will be too!

Sending love and saying prayers,

Cindy Samora,

benzo victim 17 years, fully recovered 28 months thanks to the holistic approach I incorporated in my quest to heal, united in spirit with all other victims and praying for their recovery , author of benzo petition at: http://www.petitiononline.com/benzo/petition.html

(please sign it if benzo's have hurt your life in any way)

I am a supporter of www.benzo.org.uk and: http://members.dencity.com/benzobusters and a member of www.groups.yahoo.com/group/benzo