Re:Benzo Buddies

[Attaloss01]

I have taken CBT and psychotherapy. Boy and I practicing the CBT tools now! Lol

[Agora1]

Hi Attaloss01, I've told many about my journey in weaning off benzos.

I was on the smallest dose 0.25mg Xanax, once a day for 30 years. (it no longer worked)

I was lucky in that my Psychiatrist specializes in Benzo Weaning. He used the

Dr. Heather Ashton Method of Safely and Slowly weaning down the dosage and transferring

to a small amount of Valium. The cuts of the dosage were made every 2 weeks, never going

back up. (This method is on the internet if you wanted to take a look) Eventually I was

on no benzos. I was transferred to Lexapro which I've been on now.

Even with my being on such a small dose, it still took 2 years to wean completely off benzos.

Another 6-9 months for my brain to heal completely and start to make the chemicals on

their own.

The best thing you can do is to stay positive during your withdrawal. It's difficult but

can be done.

May I suggest a support symptom for you?? benzobuddies.org

Great site for those going through this most difficult journey. I wish you well.

When you get to the other side, you will see that life can be amazing again without

the foggy, tired feeling all the time. From there you can find other methods that

will help you. I do daily Mediation/Breathing exercises. I got my life back and it

is an amazing feeling. My best to you xx

[Attaloss01 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks Agora1. I clicked on and saved that Benzobuddies site already. I sure appreciate the info!

[litethatnevergoesout in reply to Agora1]

Ashton method

benzo.org.uk/manual/

[Attaloss01 in reply to Agora1]

I can't wait. I've joined Benzobuddies. Very helpful!

[LadyZen]

Good for you! Practice makes perfect

[swag10]

Hi Attaloss01..I have had depression for 40+ years. In the earliest days , I did take xanax for a very short time (as I found it caused uncontrolled muscle spasms) I can't remember exactly what my next medication was, but I have had floxatine for some time with a boospar add on. I have had counseling & psychotherapy over the years & I even obtained a BS and MA in psych.

[Attaloss01 in reply to swag10]

Wow! I have the same education. The 2 degrees.

Yes, I am on Buspar now, well fir 4 months and am sloooowly tapering off the benzodiazapine medication. It's rough but I'm doing it.

I have a therapist at my kocal mental health clinic and have done long term group psychotherapy and taken psycho-educational courses in depression and anxiety management.

Like you, I refuse to give up but some days ...!!

I'm currently on paroxatine ( paxil) and Welbutrin anti- depressants. With the clonazepam withdrawal, I went too fast at first and had a few short hallucinations so my psychiatrist put me on Seroquel 25 mg, a mild anti psychotic, short term. No more than a couple of months. I have reeeally slowed the Benzo withdrawal now. 6-8 month rather than the half tablet every week instructions from my psychiatrist! You'd think he would know better. I've been on it 25 yrs!

I am so glad you shared your experiences with me! I am ALWAYS open to new ideas. Cheers!

[swag10 in reply to Attaloss01]

Hi Attaloss01,

I have found that the addition of Delprin ( a food add-on) which increases folic acid works well with fluoxetine. You may want to ask your psychiatrist about it

Best,

Swag10

[Attaloss01 in reply to swag10]

Thanks swag10. I don't think I'm on fluoxetine but maybe it would help with paroxatine ( paxil) also?