I began taking Klonopin in December of 1999 for anxiety attacks that I now know we brought on by taking an allergy med called Rynatan. In March of 2000 I started getting the paradoxical reactions--my anxiety was worse and my tolerance to the K was awful! I found these benzo sites and began to taper in April of 2000 using liquid K, I was K free on October 17 of 2000.

I'm now in my 19th month of recovery. It has been hell, I also had terrible anxiety and depression. Vibrating body, GI symptoms, aching muscles and agoraphobia. There were other symptoms as well but these were the worst. People told me I would get better and after a while I doubted them. Some people took longer and some seemed to recover in a shorter time but I thought that I was different and that the symptoms would hang on forever and ruin my life.

I am happy to say that within the past month, the symptoms have subsided almost completely. Someone said that they seemed to life instantly and I can somewhat relate to that. You must be diligent and hang in there. Try to stay positive which in the state I was in was a real challenge. But the only alternative was to take those benzos again and that was NOT the answer!! So I had no choice....had to hang on and pray for the best and expect the worst. BUt I did it!!! I feel so much better emotionally as well as physically.

As for the BCalmed, I did take it and some days it seemed to help but not always. I have since learned that the one key ingredient in it--glutamin ( I think) is an amino acid that accelerates the growth of malignant tumors--so no, its not a good idea to take bcalmed, I don't think. Personally, most vitamins seemed to make my symptoms worse. I did take SAMe and that helped a little most of the time.

I think the key is diet, lots of water (with lemom) and rest and moderate exercise. Also finding something to occupy my mind was helpful. Alot of times, that was just reading a good book. Don't put alot of pressure on yourself, change too much about your life and allow yourself to feel hopeless. It does get better-I hope that this helps.

Claudia