Re: (OT) Info on Benzodiazepines- Symptom Lists-(long)

[Guest guest]

I was on these drugs for nine years, im off of them now. it took two

tries and over a year to get off of them. for anyone thats on these

meds and wants off of them it can be done. never go off of them cold

turkey, NEVER.

sherie

BENZODIAZEPINE

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

By LIZ WOOD

As time has gone by, it has become more and more obvious that

the benzodiazepines have intrinsic addictive properties;

they would not be exchanging hands on the black market if they did not.

Over the years, however, doctors and patients have had tremendous problems

separating the withdrawal syndrome from an anxiety syndrome,

because the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome does mimic an anxiety

syndrome

to a large extent. This is only to be expected due to the tolerance of

the drug

at the benzodiazepine receptor complex: a decrease in receptor sites

results in

the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA becoming less and

less effective

and excess excitatory effects result in anxiety symptoms.

There are symptoms that some researchers believe

are seen mainly in benzodiazepine withdrawal and rarely seen in anxiety.

Examples are perceptual symptoms like undulating floors.

As a general rule, however, these symptoms that develop during

benzodiazepine ingestion and withdrawal that are different from the

original problem

are symptoms of a withdrawal syndrome.

Usually there are a cluster of symptoms that appear together.

Some of the symptoms that occur can be attributed to benzodiazepines

whilst others

like weight gain are secondary symptoms related to the overall

withdrawal effect;

i.e. inability to exercise due to muscular ridgitity could result in

weight gain.

Also the symptoms that may have occurred due to an original anxiety

problem

may well be enhanced by the addiction. The very people the drugs are

supposed to help the most are those that it helps the least.

It is also worth mentioning that regardless of whether the drug is

addictive or not,

the therapeutic effects are not conducive to solving the original

problems.

In the very short term the sedative effects may be beneficial in

situations of shock due to death for example.

However, counselling, behaviour therapy and psychotherapy are

less effective whilst the drug is being ingested.

LIST OF SYMPTOMS

DOUBLE VISION

TIRED EYES

BLURRED VISION

SCREWING UP OF THE EYES

TENSION BETWEEN THE EYES

RAPID BLINKING OF THE EYES

DIZZINESS

AGITATED SIGHT-LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOVEMENT OF THE EYES

PUPILS IN THE EYES BECOME MINUTE

IRIS IN THE EYES CHANGE COLORS

WAVES, SPARKS AND FLASHES OF LIGHT

HYPERSENITIVITY TO LIGHT AND

SOUND AND SMELL

SEEING SPOTS

TOTAL LOSS OF CONFIDENCE

FEAR OF BEING ALONE

THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS THAT YOU ARE DYING

RAPID MOOD CHANGES

INSOMNIA

LOSS OF CONCENTRATION

LOSS OF INTEREST IN PEOPLE AND THINGS

INABILITY TO READ

DYSPHORIA

FEELING OF VULNERABILITY

REPETITIVE THOUGHTS

A FEAR OF INSANITY

A FEELING OF IMPENDING DOOM

DEMENTED AND MURDEROUS THOUGHTS

IRRATIONAL RAGE

LOSS OF SELF RESPECT

DEPRESSION

ANXIETY

PARANOIA

UNUSUALLY DISTURBED AND SENSITIVE

PHOBIAS

FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL

DE-REALISATION

SPEECH DIFFICULTIES

DIFFICULTY IN WRITING SLOWLY

INABILITY TO WRITE

DISORIENTATION

INABILITY TO COMPHREHEND THE SIMPLEST OF THINGS

OBSESSIVE BEHAVIOUR

FEAR OF WATER

HYSTERICAL AND INNAPPROPRIATE LAUGHTER

NIGHTMARES

LOSS OF MEMORY

FEELINGS OF THE SPIRIT BEING OUT

OF SYNCHRONISATION WITH THE BODY

SUICIDAL FEELINGS

AGORAPHOBIA

DEPERSONALISATION

BRAIN MOVING WITHIN THE SKULL

INABILITY TO COPE WITH A LOT OF INFORMATION

HALLUCINATIONS

VERTIGO

TIREDNESS

LEGS, ARMS AND HEAD VERY HEAVY

PARESTHESIA

EXERCISE INTOLERANCE

SEVERE MUSCULAR RIDGIDITY ALL OVER

MUSCULAR WEAKNESS

MUSCLE WASTAGE

ACHING JOINTS AND MUSCLES

RESTLESSNESS

RESTLESS LEGS IN BED AT NIGHT

SEVERE CRAMPING IN THE STOMACH

ELECTRIC SHOCK AND MUSCULAR SPASMS

UNABLE TO WALK

ARMS AND LEGS FEEL DETACHED FROM BODY

GRINDING TEETH

INTENSE JAW PAIN

JAWS CLAMPED TOGETHER

NEURALGIA

PAINS IN THE NECK TO THE SHOULDER BLADES

TICKLING AND ITCHING FEELING OVER THE WHOLE BODY

NUMBNESS, PAIN, PINS AND NEEDLES

SHARP THROBBING PAIN IN THE WRISTS

CLUMSINESS

LACK OF CO-ORDINATION

BUILDINGS APPEAR TO BE LEANING

LEGS FEEL LIKE JELLY

SWEATING

FEELING OF EXTREME COLD

NAUSEA

FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS

TIGHT BAND AROUND THE HEAD

INTENSE FUZZY FEELING IN THE HEAD

TINNITUS

EARACHE

SINUS PROBLEMS

TWITCHING OF THE HEAD

FEELINGS OF WORMS UNDER THE SCALP

SEIZURES

PAINS IN THE TEMPLE

SEVERE HEADACHES

EXTREMELY NERVOUS AND JUMPY

HYPERACTVITY

PANIC ATTACKS

FEELINGS OF SHAKING INSIDE AND OUT

HEAVY POUNDING OF THE HEART WHEN CLIMBING STAIRS

BREATHLESSNESS

OVER BREATHING

HEARTBURN

PAINS IN THE LUNGS

MISSED HEARTBEATS

MILD HYPERTENSION

PAINS IN THE CHEST

IMPOTENCY

HAIR LOSS

PROBLEMS OF DECAYING TEETH AND GUMS

CRACKED AND SORE LIPS

ALLERGIES TO FOOD

SENSITIVE TO CHEMICALS AND ODORS

METALLIC TASTE IN MOUTH

EXTREME THIRST

SWALLOWING DIFFICULTIES

DRY MOUTH

FEELING BLOATED

DIAHORREA

CONSTIPATION

RASHES,BLOTCHES AND

BURNING SENSATIONS ON THE SKIN

TOE AND FINGERNAILS CHANGE COLOR

FROM PINK TO GREY

SALIVA RUNNING FROM MOUTH WHILE SLEEPING

CUTS AND ABRASIONS TAKE WEEKS TO HEAL

SPEECH APPEARS TO BE TWO FEET IN FRONT

OF YOU WHEN SPEAKING

FLASHBACKS

BURNING SPINE

" The art of fighting against benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome is in

ability to convince yourself when you feel so bad like you are dying

that you are feeling good and that you will get better.It's also a

demonstration of the ultimate power of positive thinking within you. "

NOTE: ALWAYS GET CHECKED TO MAKE SURE.

RULE OUT SERIOUS DISEASE.

EVEN IF YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT WD IS THE CAUSE

IT IS BEST TO TRY TO CONFIRM IT.

Benzodiazepine Side Effects

This is a list of side effects that may result

from the use of benzodiazepines:

So-called " Paradoxical " Effects

According to Professor Malcolm Lader, 5% of those using

benzodiazepines may be affected by so-called " paradoxical " reactions

in response to the drugs rather than the desired tranquillising

effects. Such reactions include increased aggressiveness (in some

individuals even violent behaviour), depression (with or without

suicidal thoughts or intentions), and sometimes personality changes.

In some instances, reactions such as hallucinations,

depersonalisation, derealisation and other psychiatric symptoms occur.

Ativan (lorazepam) and Halcion (triazolam) in particular may produce

dissociation and other psychiatric symptoms.

" Paradoxical " side effects occur in all age groups but are more likely

to be found in children and in the elderly where they may be fairly

frequent yet erroneously diagnosed as various psychiatric disorders.

The risk of such reactions is generally greater with short-acting

compounds but may occur with all benzodiazepine drugs. It is important

to remember that the " paradoxical " reactions can also be encountered

in short-term use and, in rare cases, even following the first

ingestion of the drug.

Long-term Side Effects

All the psychological changes mentioned above may occur as long-term

side effects when the use (or abuse) has become chronic i.e. has been

going on for many months or even years. The frequency of such side

effects is significantly higher than the frequency of " paradoxical "

side effects. The long-term effects include depression, querulousness

or aggression, and subtle personality changes. Further, fatigue,

passivity and symptoms of memory and cognitive impairment may ensue.

Tolerance with inter-dose withdrawal exists when the originally

prescribed dosage no longer produces the original effect, and the

patient experiences drug withdrawal although he/she is still taking

the preparation. This may lead to an increase of dosage, or more

often, result in long-term use. Over time, the above-mentioned

long-term side effects may develop. The risk of this course of events

is greater with compounds with short half-lives such as Ativan

(lorazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Xanax (alprazolam) , Rohypnol

(flunitrazepam) and even Serax/Serenid (oxazepam). In addition to the

symptomatology described under " Paradoxical Effects " , phobias, OCD,

and various neurological symptoms such as tinnitus may occur as

long-term side effects.

Psychomotor Side Effects

Benzodiazepines may cause psychomotor impairment, and several studies

have shown an increased risk of road accidents in drivers under the

influence of benzodiazepine drugs. The risk of other accidents, for

example in industrial workshops, may be increased as well. The elderly

are particularly vulnerable to these psychomotor effects and may also

develop dysarthria and ataxia. The risk of falls and fractures is

pronounced in this population when tranquillisers are used on a

regular basis.

Cognitive Side Effects

Memory functioning is markedly and measurably impaired, especially the

ability to store acquired knowledge into long-term memory. This memory

impairment is highly relevant to students. The risk of acute amnesia

is more pronounced with short-acting drugs. Ativan (lorazepam),

Halcion (triazolam), Xanax (alprazolam) and Rohypnol (flunitrazepam)

are especially likely to induce such memory impairment.

Benzodiazepine Symptoms List

More Symptoms Lists

1. ACUTE

2. PROTRACTED

3. PARADOXICAL

4. TOLERANCE EFFECTS (including toxicity)

5. SIDE EFFECTS

6. CATEGORIES OF SYMPTOMS

1. ACUTE:

- aggression

- anxiety

- agoraphobia

- apathy

- ataxia

- breathlessness

- chest discomfort and tightness

- choking

- constipation

- convulsions (muscle usually)

- dental pain

- depersonalisation

- depression

- derealisation

- diarrhoea

- distortion of body image, misperceptions

- dry, itchy skin

- " electric shock " feelings throughout the body

- dysphoria

- excitability

- fasciculations

- flushing

- formications

- head sensations

- heart palpitations

- hyperacusis

- hypersensitivity to stimuli

- hyperosmia (sensitive sense of smell)

- hyperpyrexia (overheating)

- hyperventilation (overbreathing)

- insomnia

- intrusive thoughts

- irrational rage

- irritability

- jumpiness

- metallic taste

- nausea

- nightmares

- obsessions

- panic attacks

- perceptual disturbances and distortions

- photosensitivity

- psychotic symptoms (usually transient and

confined to rapid withdrawal)

- restlessness

- seizures (on abrupt discontinuation)

- sensory disruption

- scalp burning

- sore tongue

- sweating, night sweats

- tinnitus

- tremor

- vomiting

- weakness, " jelly legs "

- weight gain

- weight loss (this may be quite rapid)

Cold Turkey

Symptoms usually confined to 'cold turkey' or rapid

withdrawal from high doses of benzodiazepines:

- confusion

- delirium

- fits

- hallucinations

- psychotic symptoms

- seizures

2. PROTRACTED:

- abnormal muscle tone

- anxiety

- aching joints

- ataxia

- allergic reactions

- back pain

- blepharospasm (eye twitching)

- breast pain

- apathy

- constipation (often alternating with diarrhoea)

- cravings

- dehydration

- dental pain

- depersonalisation

- depression

- derealisation

- diarrhoea (often alternating with constipation)

- dry, tickly cough

- dysphagia

- fluctuations in blood pressure

- " electric shock " feelings throughout the body

- fasciculations

- formication (sensation of bugs crawling over skin)

- gait disturbance (the ground seems to move underfoot)

- gastritis

- glassy eyes

- hair loss

- heartburn

- heart palpitations

- heavy flu-like symptoms

- hyperacusis

- hyperaesthesia (sensitivity to stimuli)

- hyperosmia

- insomnia

- iris colour changes

- kakosmia

- joint pains

- leukonychea (whitening of nails)

- libidinal changes

- malabsorption

- menstrual irregularity

- muscular cramps

- muscular rigidity

- muscular spasms

- muscular (and bone) weakness

- myoclonic convulsions (muscle/nerve spasms)

- nausea

- neurological problems (topical nerve anaesthesia)

- nose bleeds

- oedema (especially of ankles and face)

- oesophagitis

- paraesthesiae (numbing, burning and tingling; pins and needles)

- poor concentration

- poor short-term memory

- perspiring, night sweats

- severe headaches

- sinusitis

- skin insensitivity

- sore, itchy eyes

- spine (burning sensation)

- stomach cramps

- thirst

- thrush-like symptoms

- tremor

- tinnitus (ear buzzing, popping, ringing, hissing)

- tiny pupils

- urinary problems (bladder either 'all on' or 'all off')

- vertigo

- visual disturbances (blurred, double, vivid)

- vomiting

- water retention

3. PARADOXICAL:

- acute hyperexcited state

- agitation

- aggressive behaviour

- anxiety

- breathlessness

- excitability

- fear

- hallucinations

- hostility

- hyperactivity

- increased muscle spasticity

- irrational rage

- insomnia

- nervousness

- nightmares, vivid dreams

- phobias

- rage

- restlessness

- restless legs, arms

- sleep disturbances

- tension

- tremor

- panic attacks

4. TOLERANCE EFFECTS (including toxicity):

- anxiety

- apnea (night)

- breathlessness

- dyspnea (breathing problems)

- fibrositis

- fatigue

- gait disturbance

- impotence

- leaden heaviness

- lethargy

- libido disturbances

- loss of self-confidence

- menstrual irregularity

- neurological problems

- panic attacks

- phobias

- severe muscle rigidity

- short-term memory impairment

- vasovagal attacks

- vertigo

5. SIDE EFFECTS:

- abnormal behaviour or false beliefs

- aches and pains (muscle tension)

- aggressiveness

- agitation

- agoraphobia and claustrophobia

- anger

- anti-social behaviour

- apathy

- ataxia

- blood disorders (resulting in severe tiredness

and possible infections)

- blurred vision

- bradycardia (slow heartbeat/pulse)

- breast enlargement

- changes in appetite

- changes in libido

- changes in salivation

- chemical sensitivities, allergies

- cognitive impairment

- confusion

- daytime drowsiness

- depression

- diarrhoea and constipation

- diplopia

- dizziness

- dry, itchy skin

- dysarthria

- dysphoria

- emotional blunting

- exhaustion

- fatigue

- feeling afraid

- feeling unreal

- feelings of anger and anxiety

- flu-like symptoms

- hair loss

- hallucinations

- headaches

- hypotension

- IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

- inability to pass urine/holding of urine in the bladder

- impairment of motor co-ordination

- incontinence

- insomnia

- irritability

- jaundice

- jaw pains

- lack of concentration

- lack of confidence

- lethargy

- many people wonder why they have changed from being happy

and outgoing, to being over-anxious and unconfident

- memory loss or forgetfulness

- mild hypertension

- muscle weakness, spasticity, cramps, abnormal tone

- nausea

- nightmares

- numbed emotions

- oedema

- panic attacks

- personality changes

- poor muscle control

- problems with vision

- psychomotor impairment

- rashes

- reduced alertness

- reduced blood pressure

- restlessness

- shivering

- skin problems, rashes

- sleep problems

- slurred speech

- stomach and bowel problems

- stomach upsets

- suicidal behaviour

- thyroid disturbances

- tolerance

- tremor

- urinary retention

- vertigo

- violence

- water retention

- weight gain

- xeroderma (dry skin)

6. CATEGORIES OF SYMPTOMS:

CARDIOVASCULAR:

Fluctuations in blood pressure

Mild hypertension

Shivering, feelings of extreme cold or hot

Heart palpitations

DERMATOLOGICAL:

Allergic reactions

Chemical sensitivities

Dry, itchy skin

Dry throat, sore tongue, and thrush

Formications (sensation of crawling on skin)

Glassy eyes

Hair loss

Leukonychea (whitening of nails)

Nosebleeds

Oedema

Paraesthesiae (numbness, tingling)

Perspiring, night sweats

Rashes, blotches

GASTROINTESTINAL:

Bladder incontinence

Constipation (sometimes alternating with diarrhoea)

Diarrhoea

Dyspepsia (indigestion)

Gastritis

Heartburn

Nausea

Oesophagitis

Stomach cramps

GENITOURINARY:

Impotence

Libido disturbances

Menstrual irregularities

urinary problems (continence or incontinence)

Encopressia (faecal incontinence)

MUSCULOSKELETAL:

Aching joints

Blepharospasm (eye twitches)

Formication (sensations of bugs crawling on skin)

Gait disturbance

Jaw, tooth, neck and shoulder pain

Muscle wasting

Muscle spasms

Rapid weight loss

Severe headaches

Severe muscle rigidity

Tremor or feeling of inner vibration

Vertigo

NEUROLOGICAL:

Blurred vision, seeing spots, flashes, vivid vision

Bruxism (teeth grinding)

Dysphagia (difficulty eating or swallowing)

Electric shock feelings

Fatigue, leaden heaviness

Hypersensitivity to light, sound, and other stimuli

Neurological problems (e.g. topical anaesthesia)

Severe muscle rigidity

Speech difficulty

Thirst

Tinnitus (ear buzzing, popping, ringing, hissing)

Tiny pupils

Tremor

PARADOXICAL:

Agitation

Aggressive behaviour anxiety

Breathlessness

Excitability

Fear

Hostility

Hyperactivity

Irrational rage

Insomnia

Nervousness

Nightmares, vivid dreams

Phobias

Restlessness

PSYCHIATRIC:

Apathy

Anxiety

Delirium

Depersonalisation

Depression

Derealisation

Distortions or hallucinations

Dysphoria (inability to feel pleasure or happiness)

Fear

Hyperventilation

Hyperreflexia (`jumpiness' )

Hypnologic hallucinations sleepwalking)

Lack of concentration

Nightmares

Obsessions

Paranoia

Phobias (hydrophobia, agoraphobia, monophobia,

acrophobia, anthropophobia and others)

Rapid mood changes

Suicidal thoughts

Short-term memory impairment

RESPIRATORY:

Breathlessness

Choking

Dry, tickly cough

Dyspnea (breathing difficulty)

Hyperventilation (overbreathing)

Inability to draw satisfying breath

Night apnea

Sinusitis

These lists are pretty comprehensive and include symptoms reported by

members of the Benzo Group. It is mercifully unlikely that any one

person will experience all the symptoms recorded here. They are given

purely for reference purposes.

Note: It is difficult to determine exactly which symptoms are acute

and which are protracted. Everyone's experience is clearly different.

Ray Nimmo and others from the Benzo Group · July 2000.

BENZODIAZEPINE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

from Tranx, Australia

There are many symptoms that can be experienced during benzodiazepine

withdrawal. Some common withdrawal symptoms are increased anxiety,

insomnia, headaches, dizziness, depression and increased sensitivity

of the eyes, ears, skin and taste.

The following is a complete list of possible withdrawal symptoms:

Common withdrawal symptoms:

* Abdominal pains and cramp

* Agoraphobia

* Anxiety

* Breathing difficulties

* Blurred vision

* Changes in perception (faces distorting and inanimate objects

moving)

* Depression

* Distended abdomen

* Dizziness

* Extreme lethargy

* Fears

* Feelings of unreality

* Flu-like symptoms

* Heavy limbs

* Heart palpitations

* Hypersensitivity to light

* Indigestion

* Insomnia

* Irritability

* Lack of concentration

* Lack of co-ordination

* Loss of balance

* Loss of memory

* Muscular aches and pains

* Nausea

* Nightmares

* Panic attacks

* Rapid mood changes

* Restlessness

* Severe headaches

* Shaking

* Seeing spots before the eyes

* Sore eyes

* Sweating

* Tightness in the chest

* Tightness in the head

Less common withdrawal symptoms:

* Aching jaw

* Craving for sweet food

* Constipation

* Depersonalisation (a feeling of not knowing who you are)

* Diarrhoea

* Difficulty swallowing

* Feeling of the ground moving

* Hallucinations (auditory and visual)

* Hyperactivity

* Hypersensitivity to sound

* Incontinence, or frequency and urgency

* Increased saliva

* Loss or changes in appetite

* Loss of taste or metallic taste

* Menstrual problems (painful periods, irregular periods,

cessation of periods)

* Morbid thoughts

* Numbness in any part of the body

* Outbursts of rage or aggression

* Paranoia

* Painful scalp

* Persistent, unpleasant memories

* Pins and needles

* Rapid changes in body temperature

* Sexual problems (changes in libido)

* Skin problems (dryness, itchiness, rashes, slow healing)

* Sore mouth and tongue

* Speech difficulties

* Suicidal thoughts

* Tinnitus (buzzing or ringing in the ears)

* Unusually sensitive (unable to watch the news on television or

read the newspaper)

* Vaginal discharge

* Vomiting

* Weight loss or gain

Rare withdrawal symptoms:

* Blackouts -an episode where the person has no recall of their

activity. (This is rare with low dose use, but less rare when large

amounts have been taken)

* Bleeding from the nose

* Bleeding between menstrual cycles

* Burning along the spine

* Burning sensation around the mouth

* Discharge from the breasts

* Falling hair

* Haemorrhoids

* Hypersensitivity to touch

* Rectal bleeding

* Sinus pain

* Seizures (fits) Almost unknown if people reduce gradually. More

common for people using high doses who stop suddenly.

* Sensitive or painful teeth

* Swollen breasts

LIST OF SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH

BENZODIAZEPINES & WITHDRAWAL

from Kilen, Sweden

Note: Some of these are side-effects and tolerance symptoms

Changes in perception:

Derealisation - a sense of unreality

Depersonalisation - insecurity about one's identity, one cannot

recognise oneself in the mirror and so on

Tinnitus - ringing ears, buzzing, whistling

Déjà vu experiences - appear occasionally due to dreams, and sometimes

as strong, sudden experiences in the middle of the day

Discomfort in the face and around the mouth - a sense of loss of

control over face muscles, sometimes appearing as unwanted faces. The

cramps spread occasionally to the whole body

Formications - A sense that insects are crawling on the body, scalp etc

Visual Disturbances - blurred vision, vivid 3D vision

Tense head, neck, shoulders. A marked, sometimes hard backache may be

experienced while one is taking pills and during abstinence

Co-ordination problems - slurred speech, stammering, the mixing up of

words when speaking

Paraesthesiae - " A thousand needles "

Shivering / Heating experiences

Dizziness

Fatigue - a feel of exhaustion

Tension Headache The feeling of that one has a piece of string around

the head, a constant pressure on the top of the head

Numbness

A sense of instability - the ground seems to move beneath one's feet,

one walks in the air, a common and very disturbing experience which

may last for a long period of time

Illusions and hallucinations

Paranoia - " people are looking at me, talking about me " . This is also

a common symptom of long-term use

Changes in emotions:

Phobias - This is also a common symptom of long-term use.

Fear, anxiety, indignation, panic. This is also a common symptom of

long-term use.

Resignation - " what is the point of quitting?

Melancholy - an abnormal state of depression, guilt, feelings of

hopelessness.

Suicidal behaviour - everything ranging from suicidal thoughts to

actual attempts should be taken seriously

Fear of, or a feeling of, becoming mentally ill

Lack of confidence

Irritability, bursts of fury

Restlessness

Rapid mood swings

Lack of control over impulses

Lack of sense of humour

Contact seeking

Demanding, whining

Morbid, destructive thoughts

Bodily and vegetative symptoms:

Sleeping problems - Insomnia and irregular sleep patterns

Loss of appetite

Thirst

Weight loss

Nausea

A taste of metal in the mouth

Stomach cramps Periods of diarrhoea and periods of constipation

Breathing problems

Uneven inhalation

Hyperventilation

Dry coughs

Uneven pulse

Blood pressure changes, upwards and downwards

Palpitations

A feeling of swollenness, sometimes very swollen hands, feet and face

Sore tongue

Difficulty swallowing, dysphagia

Tremor - shaking body parts, may go on for months

Itches

Hair loss

Cracks in lips and in the corner of the mouth

Libido - usually reduced, but sometimes intensified

Changes in menstrual pattern

Incontinence - alternatively difficulty voiding bladder

Swollen vulva

Increased secretion in the vagina

Changes in the will and cognitive ability:

Deterioration of the memory, the short-term memory is most affected

Paralexia - the mixing up of words in texts.

Poor concentration

Problem with speed and precision in work

Loss of ability to take initiatives

Problems making make plans or decisions

Learning difficulties - it is not unusual that things learnt during

the period when one took benzodiazepines will be lost and have to be

relearned

Drug related behaviour:

A subjective need for drugs - " the body cries out for pills "

A secret, continued drug use, if necessary with help of lies and fraud

Stock of pills

Frauds, theft, falsified prescriptions to get pills

Seeking replacement drugs - alcohol, pain killers, codeine etc

Social changes:

Social isolation

Loss of contact with others

Loss of financial judgement

Kleptomania

The power acting the strongest for one to continue using pills,

regardless of what consequences it has, is FEAR. It is not dangerous

to be afraid, but it can be paralysing, especially when one doesn't

have the courage to even admit to oneself what one is afraid of.

http://www.benzo. org.uk/

[Guest guest]

Mark,

Thanks for posting this. I wholeheartedly concur! They saved my life

many a time.

Dahlia

>

> Oh I'd just like to point out that these drugs DO have their place

> and should not be viewed only in negative light. It's true that

> these drugs are offen abused and must be used responsibily but

> honestly I might not have survived this without them.

>

> I've been on them for approx. five years and would not have been

able

> to work without them. Perhaps not even survive.

>

> They were a LIFE saver when my thyroid and adrenals started going

bad

> and I didn't know what the heck was wrong with me and idiot doctors

> couldn't figure it out.

>

> These drugs were the only thing that enabled me to cope and hang on

> for several years until I finally found the real cause of my

> illness. I use to DREAD going to bed at night being woke up

> everynight with the night terrors due to low cortisol. Xanax and

> Temezpam was the only thing then which enabled me to be able to

> sleep. Without sleep I would have went downhill quickly lost job

> been thrown out on the street and probably dead or something by now.

>

> Thanks mainly to HC and Armour I'm almost off now I only take

> approx .5mg Clonazepam at bedtime.

>

> Ok just wanted to put my 2cents.

>

> Mark

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Ok, I have to add my 2 cents too. I have not slept " on my own " in 2

years due to adrenal fatigue and 2 disastorous attempts at fixing my

endocrine system by going at it through my sex hormones (estrogen and

testosterone). All along, my western doctor knew my adrenals were

weak but didn't know best how to adress them. Now i'm going to an ND

who is treating adrenals FIRST, and i'm feeling a LOT better, doing a

combination of 's vitamin supplements, precursors such as

iodine, and Isocort to adress my low coritisol. (FINALLY! this is

what i've been wanting to do for so long)... anyway, I, at the moment

i use a small amount of klonopin to sleep: .5mg. Last year when i was

averaging 3 hours per night for several months --I was going nuts.

Ativan worked for a while but the side effects were a killer the next

day...plus the tolerance went up with me. Klonopin, " for me " works

really well, with very little side effects. The idea for me is not to

stay on it, but I think intermitently for people who are suffering so

badly, its not a bad idea to use a benzo. But to be aware of how to

use it and for how long.

I just saw this article on the web recently by a doc who treats

adrenals and it " clicked " for me why " ambien " and all the " new " sleep

aids don't work. Because benzo's work on the physiological symptoms

of anxiety (they are anti-anxiety), which seem to be symptoms of

adrenal fatigue (at least for me, i felt like i was in panic most

nights, my body only, not my head or my cognitions. although going

through that enough eventually wears on your mental health too.) And

this doc in this article said benzos can be more helpful for treating

insomnia and adrenals while using Jeffries model of treatment. This

was the " ah ha! " for me in why regular sleep aids never worked and

only wired me more!

http://www.usdoctor.com/cortisol.htm (i can't even remember, did i

get this article from this list? I may have...)

The current messages on benzo's and gaba make a lot of sense in this

light to me and it makes sense that one wouldn't ideally want to stay

on them for the reason of lowering gaba receptors. However, everybody

is different and every body has a different healing time table.

whatever it takes!

ps. I've been lurking for a few months and you've all help a whole

lot.

> >

> > Oh I'd just like to point out that these drugs DO have their

place

> > and should not be viewed only in negative light. It's true that

> > these drugs are offen abused and must be used responsibily but

> > honestly I might not have survived this without them.

> >

> > I've been on them for approx. five years and would not have been

> able

> > to work without them. Perhaps not even survive.

> >

> > They were a LIFE saver when my thyroid and adrenals started going

> bad

> > and I didn't know what the heck was wrong with me and idiot

doctors

> > couldn't figure it out.

> >

> > These drugs were the only thing that enabled me to cope and hang

on

> > for several years until I finally found the real cause of my

> > illness. I use to DREAD going to bed at night being woke up

> > everynight with the night terrors due to low cortisol. Xanax and

> > Temezpam was the only thing then which enabled me to be able to

> > sleep. Without sleep I would have went downhill quickly lost job

> > been thrown out on the street and probably dead or something by

now.

> >

> > Thanks mainly to HC and Armour I'm almost off now I only take

> > approx .5mg Clonazepam at bedtime.

> >

> > Ok just wanted to put my 2cents.

> >

> > Mark

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Oh I'd just like to point out that these drugs DO have their place

> and should not be viewed only in negative light. It's true that

> these drugs are offen abused and must be used responsibily but

> honestly I might not have survived this without them.

>

> I've been on them for approx. five years and would not have been

able

> to work without them. Perhaps not even survive.

>

> They were a LIFE saver when my thyroid and adrenals started going

bad

> and I didn't know what the heck was wrong with me and idiot doctors

> couldn't figure it out.

>

> These drugs were the only thing that enabled me to cope and hang on

> for several years until I finally found the real cause of my

> illness. I use to DREAD going to bed at night being woke up

> everynight with the night terrors due to low cortisol. Xanax and

> Temezpam was the only thing then which enabled me to be able to

> sleep. Without sleep I would have went downhill quickly lost job

> been thrown out on the street and probably dead or something by now.

>

> Thanks mainly to HC and Armour I'm almost off now I only take

> approx .5mg Clonazepam at bedtime.

>

> Ok just wanted to put my 2cents.

>

> Mark

>

Hi Mark

This was my experience too. I didn't get any proper treatment for 23

years and I am positive I wouldn't have survived without clonazepan.

It still keeps me sane when I get severe adrenaline attacks at night

and helps me to get back to sleep. Without it I would be suicidal at

times. Recently my adrenals completely crashed because of daily

Diflucan and I still haven't been able to get back to where I was

prior to this. My thyroid has a habit of very easily going hyper

from hypo and I have got this the past few days so yet again adrenals

are being stressed. I don't feel I am ever going to get the balance

back.

I am lucky in that I respond to only 1/4 of 0.5mg but sometimes at

night if I am in a bad way I need 1/2 of 0.5mg. Now that I have got

Florinef I am hoping that eventually my adrenals are going to pick up

a bit but the extra adrenaline from being a tiny bit hyper keeps

pushing me bp up too high anyway so its not a brilliant time to be

adding in the Florinef but I know I need it cos I loose so much salt

and have done this for many years but it wasn't treated.

Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Like you, I've always found the only thing that helps for sleep are

benzo's. And I agree sleep is crucial, for mental and physical health.

Ambien never touched my sleep problems. Benadryl and other

antihistamines worked better than ambien. They're also known to be

anti-anxiety agents. I hadn't made the connection why until reading

your post. Thank you!

btw, after about a month on Florinef, I have stopped needing benzo's

to sleep--for the 1st time in 15 years! I find this truly amazing, as

I wasn't trying to stop taking klonopin/ativan (I rotated them), one

night I just felt I didn't want it, and I haven't looked back. I'm

very psyched about this!

Dahlia

p.s. I may be unusual, but I had no problem at all with withdrawal,

didn't notice a thing. Sometimes these articles are written as if

we're children and don't know anything and need to be scared

to 'behave'. Like when there's no distinction drawn between

physiological and pharmalogical doses of hc. Hate that!

> > >

> > > Oh I'd just like to point out that these drugs DO have their

> place

> > > and should not be viewed only in negative light. It's true

that

> > > these drugs are offen abused and must be used responsibily but

> > > honestly I might not have survived this without them.

> > >

> > > I've been on them for approx. five years and would not have

been

> > able

> > > to work without them. Perhaps not even survive.

> > >

> > > They were a LIFE saver when my thyroid and adrenals started

going

> > bad

> > > and I didn't know what the heck was wrong with me and idiot

> doctors

> > > couldn't figure it out.

> > >

> > > These drugs were the only thing that enabled me to cope and

hang

> on

> > > for several years until I finally found the real cause of my

> > > illness. I use to DREAD going to bed at night being woke up

> > > everynight with the night terrors due to low cortisol. Xanax

and

> > > Temezpam was the only thing then which enabled me to be able to

> > > sleep. Without sleep I would have went downhill quickly lost

job

> > > been thrown out on the street and probably dead or something by

> now.

> > >

> > > Thanks mainly to HC and Armour I'm almost off now I only take

> > > approx .5mg Clonazepam at bedtime.

> > >

> > > Ok just wanted to put my 2cents.

> > >

> > > Mark

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Oh I'd just like to point out that these drugs DO have their place

> and should not be viewed only in negative light. It's true that

> these drugs are offen abused and must be used responsibily but

> honestly I might not have survived this without them.

>

> I've been on them for approx. five years and would not have been

able

> to work without them. Perhaps not even survive.

>

> They were a LIFE saver when my thyroid and adrenals started going

bad

> and I didn't know what the heck was wrong with me and idiot doctors

> couldn't figure it out.

>

> These drugs were the only thing that enabled me to cope and hang on

> for several years until I finally found the real cause of my

> illness. I use to DREAD going to bed at night being woke up

> everynight with the night terrors due to low cortisol. Xanax and

> Temezpam was the only thing then which enabled me to be able to

> sleep. Without sleep I would have went downhill quickly lost job

> been thrown out on the street and probably dead or something by now.

>

> Thanks mainly to HC and Armour I'm almost off now I only take

> approx .5mg Clonazepam at bedtime.

>

> Ok just wanted to put my 2cents.

>

> Mark

>

Mark,

I can SO relate. I have been on .5 mg of Klonipin for years. Only a

bit higher of dose if I was in a full blown panic attack. Finally I

am getting on the right path very slowly for adrenals and thyroid.

We are all diff. and that is why somethings work on one person and

some people need a whole other set of minerals, meds. etc.

I have known serveral people who have goen addicted to these type of

meds but those who really need it I believe are the ones not prone to

abuse it. Sure I would like to be off it. I would need it less. My

situation is that I have in the past 15 years not been able to sleep

a a quality sleep. I have tried natural. Once in a blue moon it

helped. This is part why I am in stage 5 close to 6 in adrenal

issues.

I appreciate those who have posted the effects and article on the

Benzo's. For ME I have tgo slowly try and heal in baby steps because

as most of you are aware this causes this and so on. When I first

started researching I was freaking out. I am like how in the world am

I going process all this and being I as on three meds for depression

made the situation even more dicey.

Thanks for everyones posts and precautions! I am feel very blessed I

have this support group and such bright individuals that care.

Peace and Healing,

a

[Guest guest]

One thing I found out about " natural " sleep aids (in this case only

referring to melatonin), was that melatonin cannot be given to people

with adrenal fatigue because it lowers the cortisol levels even

further! I once took 12 mg of melatonin (3mg should knock anyone on

their butts)... and it wired me for days.

I read this in a hormone book by Uzzi Reiss (The Natural Superwoman)

or was it his first book on hormones? (my memory is aweful.)

i'm not trying to discount melatonin for anyone here that uses it.

but if anyone had tried it and didn't work... this is another one of

those " Ah ha! "

> >

> > Oh I'd just like to point out that these drugs DO have their

place

> > and should not be viewed only in negative light. It's true that

> > these drugs are offen abused and must be used responsibily but

> > honestly I might not have survived this without them.

> >

> > I've been on them for approx. five years and would not have been

> able

> > to work without them. Perhaps not even survive.

> >

> > They were a LIFE saver when my thyroid and adrenals started going

> bad

> > and I didn't know what the heck was wrong with me and idiot

doctors

> > couldn't figure it out.

> >

> > These drugs were the only thing that enabled me to cope and hang

on

> > for several years until I finally found the real cause of my

> > illness. I use to DREAD going to bed at night being woke up

> > everynight with the night terrors due to low cortisol. Xanax and

> > Temezpam was the only thing then which enabled me to be able to

> > sleep. Without sleep I would have went downhill quickly lost job

> > been thrown out on the street and probably dead or something by

now.

> >

> > Thanks mainly to HC and Armour I'm almost off now I only take

> > approx .5mg Clonazepam at bedtime.

> >

> > Ok just wanted to put my 2cents.

> >

> > Mark

> >

> Mark,

> I can SO relate. I have been on .5 mg of Klonipin for years. Only a

> bit higher of dose if I was in a full blown panic attack. Finally I

> am getting on the right path very slowly for adrenals and thyroid.

> We are all diff. and that is why somethings work on one person and

> some people need a whole other set of minerals, meds. etc.

> I have known serveral people who have goen addicted to these type

of

> meds but those who really need it I believe are the ones not prone

to

> abuse it. Sure I would like to be off it. I would need it less. My

> situation is that I have in the past 15 years not been able to

sleep

> a a quality sleep. I have tried natural. Once in a blue moon it

> helped. This is part why I am in stage 5 close to 6 in adrenal

> issues.

> I appreciate those who have posted the effects and article on the

> Benzo's. For ME I have tgo slowly try and heal in baby steps

because

> as most of you are aware this causes this and so on. When I first

> started researching I was freaking out. I am like how in the world

am

> I going process all this and being I as on three meds for

depression

> made the situation even more dicey.

> Thanks for everyones posts and precautions! I am feel very blessed

I

> have this support group and such bright individuals that care.

> Peace and Healing,

> a

>

[Guest guest]

One thing I found out about " natural " sleep aids (in this case only

referring to melatonin), was that melatonin cannot be given to people

with adrenal fatigue because it lowers the cortisol levels even

further! I once took 12 mg of melatonin (3mg should knock anyone on

their butts)... and it wired me for days.

I read this in a hormone book by Uzzi Reiss (The Natural Superwoman)

or was it his first book on hormones? (my memory is aweful.)

i'm not trying to discount melatonin for anyone here that uses it.

but if anyone had tried it and didn't work... this is another one of

those " Ah ha! "

> >

> > Oh I'd just like to point out that these drugs DO have their

place

> > and should not be viewed only in negative light. It's true that

> > these drugs are offen abused and must be used responsibily but

> > honestly I might not have survived this without them.

> >

> > I've been on them for approx. five years and would not have been

> able

> > to work without them. Perhaps not even survive.

> >

> > They were a LIFE saver when my thyroid and adrenals started going

> bad

> > and I didn't know what the heck was wrong with me and idiot

doctors

> > couldn't figure it out.

> >

> > These drugs were the only thing that enabled me to cope and hang

on

> > for several years until I finally found the real cause of my

> > illness. I use to DREAD going to bed at night being woke up

> > everynight with the night terrors due to low cortisol. Xanax and

> > Temezpam was the only thing then which enabled me to be able to

> > sleep. Without sleep I would have went downhill quickly lost job

> > been thrown out on the street and probably dead or something by

now.

> >

> > Thanks mainly to HC and Armour I'm almost off now I only take

> > approx .5mg Clonazepam at bedtime.

> >

> > Ok just wanted to put my 2cents.

> >

> > Mark

> >

> Mark,

> I can SO relate. I have been on .5 mg of Klonipin for years. Only a

> bit higher of dose if I was in a full blown panic attack. Finally I

> am getting on the right path very slowly for adrenals and thyroid.

> We are all diff. and that is why somethings work on one person and

> some people need a whole other set of minerals, meds. etc.

> I have known serveral people who have goen addicted to these type

of

> meds but those who really need it I believe are the ones not prone

to

> abuse it. Sure I would like to be off it. I would need it less. My

> situation is that I have in the past 15 years not been able to

sleep

> a a quality sleep. I have tried natural. Once in a blue moon it

> helped. This is part why I am in stage 5 close to 6 in adrenal

> issues.

> I appreciate those who have posted the effects and article on the

> Benzo's. For ME I have tgo slowly try and heal in baby steps

because

> as most of you are aware this causes this and so on. When I first

> started researching I was freaking out. I am like how in the world

am

> I going process all this and being I as on three meds for

depression

> made the situation even more dicey.

> Thanks for everyones posts and precautions! I am feel very blessed

I

> have this support group and such bright individuals that care.

> Peace and Healing,

> a

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dahlia,

I'm exactly like you. Before my adrenal crash 2 years ago, I " used "

Benadryl probalby 3x/week for probably 4 years regularly, which

should have been the adrenal sign then and there, but I knew nothing

about adrenal fatigue then. BEFORE those 4 years, i used it very

intermittently (a few times/month)...I'm quite certain I

was " blessed " with weaker than average adrenals going into my 20's.

(I'm not late 30s')... looking back at my history of " using "

Benadryl...if only i had known then... and supplemented properly...

oy.

The florinef thing intrigues me. I've heard about this in various

circles and among other peers. i just started my iodine and isocort

routine so i have a long way to go...I'll keep the florinef in mind.

I'm not so certain about my salt/potassium levels at the momement,

some tests show high sodium so not so sure.

this group has been very educational. thank you for that!

best,

> > > >

> > > > Oh I'd just like to point out that these drugs DO have their

> > place

> > > > and should not be viewed only in negative light. It's true

> that

> > > > these drugs are offen abused and must be used responsibily

but

> > > > honestly I might not have survived this without them.

> > > >

> > > > I've been on them for approx. five years and would not have

> been

> > > able

> > > > to work without them. Perhaps not even survive.

> > > >

> > > > They were a LIFE saver when my thyroid and adrenals started

> going

> > > bad

> > > > and I didn't know what the heck was wrong with me and idiot

> > doctors

> > > > couldn't figure it out.

> > > >

> > > > These drugs were the only thing that enabled me to cope and

> hang

> > on

> > > > for several years until I finally found the real cause of my

> > > > illness. I use to DREAD going to bed at night being woke up

> > > > everynight with the night terrors due to low cortisol. Xanax

> and

> > > > Temezpam was the only thing then which enabled me to be able

to

> > > > sleep. Without sleep I would have went downhill quickly lost

> job

> > > > been thrown out on the street and probably dead or something

by

> > now.

> > > >

> > > > Thanks mainly to HC and Armour I'm almost off now I only take

> > > > approx .5mg Clonazepam at bedtime.

> > > >

> > > > Ok just wanted to put my 2cents.

> > > >

> > > > Mark

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

>

> btw, after about a month on Florinef, I have stopped needing benzo's

> to sleep--for the 1st time in 15 years! I find this truly amazing, as

> I wasn't trying to stop taking klonopin/ativan (I rotated them), one

> night I just felt I didn't want it, and I haven't looked back. I'm

> very psyched about this!

>

> Dahlia

Congratulations Dahlia! That's wonderful! I haven't slept without meds

in about 15 yrs or more either. Wonder why the florinef. Very

interesting.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Well, I'm glad for you that you are treating your adrenals, that will

go a long way for you. It's hard work,as you know, and this board is

certainly fantastically helpful!

On a side note, I also take iodine (in the form of Iodoral) and found

I had to cut way back on my dose (which was 50 mg) when my adrenals

re-crashed this past fall. I can now tolerate about 6.25 mgs without

my temps going down. Just a word to the wise.

Re: florinef, I had my aldosterone tested and it was in the dirt, my

sodium and potassium levels are also lowish by our standards. I wish

I had the aldosterone tested years ago, I'm sure it would have

screamed out " florinef " , LOL.

Best of luck,

Dahlia

>

> Hi Dahlia,

> I'm exactly like you. Before my adrenal crash 2 years ago, I " used "

> Benadryl probalby 3x/week for probably 4 years regularly, which

> should have been the adrenal sign then and there, but I knew

nothing

> about adrenal fatigue then. BEFORE those 4 years, i used it very

> intermittently (a few times/month)...I'm quite certain I

> was " blessed " with weaker than average adrenals going into my 20's.

> (I'm not late 30s')... looking back at my history of " using "

> Benadryl...if only i had known then... and supplemented properly...

> oy.

>

> The florinef thing intrigues me. I've heard about this in various

> circles and among other peers. i just started my iodine and isocort

> routine so i have a long way to go...I'll keep the florinef in

mind.

> I'm not so certain about my salt/potassium levels at the momement,

> some tests show high sodium so not so sure.

>

> this group has been very educational. thank you for that!

>

> best,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> >

> > btw, after about a month on Florinef, I have stopped needing

benzo's

> > to sleep--for the 1st time in 15 years! I find this truly

amazing, as

> > I wasn't trying to stop taking klonopin/ativan (I rotated them),

one

> > night I just felt I didn't want it, and I haven't looked back. I'm

> > very psyched about this!

> >

> > Dahlia

>

>

> Congratulations Dahlia! That's wonderful! I haven't slept without

meds

> in about 15 yrs or more either. Wonder why the florinef. Very

> interesting.

>

> Lynn

Hi Lynn,

I also am extremely curious, as I had no idea how I would do on the

Florinef. This is a wild guess, but I have the feeling that the

florinef is not only helping sodium/potassium but also all other

minerals, maybe, and that has something to do with sleep. If I find

out more, I'll post it.

Dahlia

>