From: "Robert Frame" <rframe@xxxxxx.xxxx

Date: Sun Sep 26, 1999 11:27 pm

Subject: Geraldine for President

A year ago I went to see my doctor because I thought I was dying. I couldn't

understand why I was getting worse each day. It was then that I discovered

that the benzo I had quit cold turkey two weeks earlier was the problem. The

doctor had me go back on my previous dose and told me to taper down over

four weeks. That didn't work and I went through that three more times before I

finally broke free almost two months ago. I've spent most of the past year in

withdrawal. My recovery certainly did not happen in record time and having to

work through this was quite a challenge - although it kept my mind off of the

misery during the day.

I've recovered from benzo withdrawal..... the nightmare is finally over for me

and it's great to wake up in the morning and feel good everyday. I often

thought it would never end and that I was going to be stuck there. That was

just the doom and gloom part.... something I eventually learned to ignore.

Thanks to Geraldine I discovered there were others going through this and

when she started this list I met them and that's when I really started to learn. At

first the symptoms came like junk mail.... everyday it seemed I had a new one.

I was overwhelmed with how many things can go wrong with your body - and

mind. With the passing of time they all go away and we do recover. I don't

know if any of the things I did helped me recover faster, but I do think that they

helped me endure the symptoms and eliminate some.

I want to thank all of your for the support and information I needed to get

through this and especially to Geraldine for her kindness, generosity with her

time, and courtesy. My heart goes out to anyone going through this - you

couldn't be in better company than this wonderful group of caring people. If

there is a way to come off benzos and avoid withdrawal it has to be a slow

taper - the first time. It took me four tries until I got it right......I had

to learn that slow means very slow and gradual.

I have less time to read all the posts now and I miss keeping up with the list

but it's great to get back to doing the things I put on hold for this hiatus in

hell. I wish everyone the best and will continue include you in my prayers.

Your friend,

Robert