From: "dsennet45" <.....>

Date: Fri Jun 14, 2002 3:52 pm

Subject: 20 months free of klonopin - update

Hi Group,

Most of you won't know me because I rarely post anymore. Although

benzo w/d was a life changing event for me, it seems very distant

now and I don't think about it much anymore. Two years ago I was

suicidal and totally dependant on klonpin. I knew very little about

the drug and was being given misinformation by my doctor. When I

tried to reduce my dose I was non functional and thinking about

suicide. At that point in my life I found the benzo group, became

educated and with the support of so many good people I managed to do

the most difficult thing in my 45 years - get off of klonpin.

It was difficult and I had some symptoms for many, many, months.

After finishing my taper I began to improve but I was disappointed

that symptoms remained. The remaining symptoms were not anything

really bad that I couldn't live with, but things were not like my

pre benzo days. Well, as the months passed one symptom after

another disappeared. I still had some very minor, minor symptoms at

a year off. It was only this past week that I became aware that I

no longer suffer from Resltess Leg Syndrome. Its only been the last

month or so that it completely has disappeared.

I write to tell those of you who have finished your taper but still

have many symptoms to be patient and give them time. The body seems

to heal very slowly from this ordeal. I personally think I suffered

damage to my nervous system and that the nervous system heals very,

very, very, slowly.

I also seemed to be much more sensitive to blood sugar after the

benzo w/d and that seems to be stabalizing now. I am back to my

normal weight and feel good. During my benzo w/d I lost weight and

became very thin. After the w/d I put on too much weight due to

sugar cravings. Now I'm where I want to be (well, I guess everyone

would like to lost 10 lbs!).

Hang in there benzo warriers. The good life is around the corner.

And believe me, having lived in the hell of benzo w/d makes life on

the other side so much sweeter.

All my Love,

Deb from Ohio