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Benzos To Help With Withdrawal?


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#1 Bailey1020

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Posted 13 August 2018 - 06:45 PM

Now I would never, ever suggest that anyone start on benzos, because they are terribly addictive & also horrible to withdraw from. But I have been already on them for yrs - diazepam & temazepam. Obviously while going through my Cymbalta withdrawal hell, I'm sure not going to decrease or stop the benzos. But is there something to be said about taking these to help me through my horrible days? I just took a valium & it does take the edge off. Any thoughts? And again I want to reiterate, only because I'm already on these. Thank you.

#2 gail

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    5 months on cymbalta, scary side effects, to get help and to return the favor if I can.

Posted 14 August 2018 - 07:26 AM

Hi Baily,

Many take benzos while withdrawing. We all know how addictive they are but there is a proper way to taper them, takes a long time but this way, you have no withdrawal.
My saying is you need them, you take them and worry about it later.

Fishinghat has 2 other meds that are non addictive, they don't work on everyone but when they do, they beat the benzos. He'll tell you about them.

#3 Bailey1020

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Posted 14 August 2018 - 08:07 AM

Thanks so much Gail. I think this is the route I'm going to try - consciously taking these (remember I have 2 types) during this terrible withdraw. And btw, this is the same psych doctor that has been prescribing me these that basically had me stop the Cymbalta cold turkey!! Even tho she thinks going from 60 to 30 to nothing was tapering. My body is already so used to these. I'll give it a try for a few days anyway & see if it makes things tolerable. Thank you so much again Gail!

#4 fishinghat

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Posted 14 August 2018 - 08:18 AM

Hi Bailey

The other two meds that Gail mentioned are hydroxyzine and clonidine. As Gail mentioned they are like all meds in that they work for some and not others. Neither has a withdrawal and are not addictive. The hydroxyzine (an antihistamine) is very good against anxiety and to help with sleep. They are normally prescribed for 4 times a day. A 25 mg dose three times a day and 50 mg at bed time. Any daytime sleepiness usually fades after a few days. The clonidine decreases adrenaline production and can be very against anxiety. It does not cause daytime drowsiness.

Also, the benzos are easy to come off of with little to no withdrawal but it is slow. We can deal with that when the time comes.

#5 Bailey1020

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Posted 14 August 2018 - 08:24 AM

Thanks, but right now I'll just stick with these. I am at a highly sensitive state in my body & don't really want to introduce anything new just yet.

I must say I find it very interesting that you say benzos are not difficult to come off of. They truly are a whole other h*ll of a drug to withdraw from. At times I have skipped 1 for 2-3 days & the zaps start immediately. I'm stuck with these for now, cause my body can't take anymore change & it has been so many yrs that I've been on them.

#6 fishinghat

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Posted 14 August 2018 - 09:44 AM

The technique is called water titration and the benzos are dissolved in liquid and decreased at a rate of between 0.5% to 4% a month depending on the individual. This is a common technique used by benzo buddies and was taught to me by one of my old psychiatrists. I know many people, including some on this site, that have used this technique to come off benzos with little to no effects. It can take as little as 2 years and as long as 9 years depending on which benzo it is and the dose. A wonderful technique for sure. This method has been around since the 1980s and just shows how drs just don't keep up with things. In all fairness though there is over 300 medical research articles published each week and I don't know how any physician can keep up with that much in formation.

#7 Bailey1020

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Posted 14 August 2018 - 10:01 AM

Great, thanks! Good to know I'll have options when that time comes, thank you. You are a wealth of information!



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