Date: Thu Sep 20, 2001 7:19 am

Subject: Practically Rehabilitated

Hi xxxxx:

Such a good point! Yes, everyone needs to log onto this

site and see stories of those of us who have made it to the other

side of this horror! I know how much they meant to me when I was at

my low points in this thing. Somedays, I would log on and look

through the archives in order to read posts by people who had made it

and that was the hope that got me through those times.

I finished my Klonopin taper in October of 2000, which makes me

almost a year free of it! It was awful and so painful that there

were many times that I questioned whether I would actually make it.

There were times of personal anguish that amplified my w/d symptoms

but I never let it lead me back to benzos. I have kept those benzos,

tucked away in my bathroom cabinet just to strengthen my resolve.

There was never a time, no matter what was happening, that I reached

for them. The hell was too fresh in my mind and I could not go back

to them. I owe so much to all of the people on this site as well as

the protracted site. Without all of you I would have never made it.

My worst symptoms were anxiety and depression. On the days that I

only had physical symptoms I felt lucky. They didn't get into my

mind and play tricks with me. They were irritating and sometimes

frightening but doable. The whole process was doable--obviously--

since I made it.

My message to you is to hang on no matter what. It will happen. So

many "veterens" told me that and while I hung on their words I also

doubted them. But they were right and I have made it. Almost a year

off, with flashes of some symptoms--but almost 95% healed! All of

you can do it. My experience wasn't any easier than yours--trust

me. The rewards are worth the agony--believe me. While my life is

not totally back to normal yet, I can see, for the first time, that

it is heading that way. That gives me the strength I need to weather

the remainder of this nightmare. This WILL happen to you too. NO

matter how difficult it is for you now--you are heading in the right

direction, trust me.

Love Claudia 11 months and 4 days Klonopin

free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!