Date: Sat Apr 13, 2002 9:36 am

Subject: Oldtimer update..

Hi all

I will give you an update about how I am doing, almost 2-years off of Xanax and

Prothiadén,

-I am sure that coming of Benzos was the hardest thing to do, but also a very

good thing to do. Even though I didn't felt that sick on the pills, I now know

I was. I have got a different kind of life wich I value so much, and most off

all I am clear in my head and can feel all my real emotions again.

-Besides being hypersensitive to stress, I still have far to much anxiety,

specially when I am out alone, but it is nothing compared to all that kind of

fobias and weird sensations, I experienced when I was on the pills and in many

months after the last little bite. All my phobias were created by the Benzos

and have completely gone today.

I would never ever go back on Benzos again, because I know that it is me who

are in control, and what ever is left of anxiety and stress is up to more time,

patience, faith, and myself to take care for. -Two years ago it was a daily

question about, if I had enough Benzos to the rest of the month, if I could

allow my self to take a little more to feel "well", wich I never did anyway. -I

remember the never ending search after "something" wich I hoped could "save" me

from the bad feelings and panicattacks.

Living my life Xanaxfree is a lot different than what I was used to. I live a

very regularly life, I try to take good care of my self, doing what I think is

good for me without being too selfish.

-My update may not be a success story, because I haven't covered 100%, but I

look at it this way that if I had continued on Benzos, I would probably become

sicker and sicker, and someday I would anyway be forced to get off of them.

No matter where you are in your recovery, I want you to know that even though

you have a diffecult time right now, it will get better and your symtoms will

lessen.

Take care

Linda

Copenhagen/Denmark