Info on weaning from Diazepam with help from natural remedies

[islandgirl1986]

Hello Just wondering if anyone knows any natural remedies for help with weaning from Diazepam. I have autoimmune thyroid,vitiligo, and sorry this is off topic, but wondering by chance.

Thankyou.

[polly3]

Hi.....I weaned myself off zoleram (benzo) with some help from doc but what I did read was that doctors can put you on diazapem has it has a longer half life and is "easier' to come off (not saying your finding it easy). What symptoms do you have? I don't know of any natural remedies off hand but joining the benzo forum (benzobuddies) will help and give tips how others manage. I hope your Not suffering too much and taking it real real slow!!

[polly3]

Forgot to ask, what dose are you on, for how long have you been on it and are you getting help from doc. Remember what you read is not always what you will experience I had a relatively easy time with hard to sleep being the main problem. x

[islandgirl1986 in reply to polly3]

Thanks Polly. I have what I believe are 'tolerance' meaning my body may be crying for more. I feel very bad anxiety,palpitations, constant sleep disruption. I was put on Lorazepam in hospital at 4 x 1mgs, which I slowly got down to about one and half over a couple of years. I was put on diazepam 12.5 mg at my request as they didnt seem to be working anymore. Tried to taper and stopped due to death and illness in family and have been on 10 mg for about 2 years. Not attempted to drop further, as anxiety most days on ceiling. Have autoimmune thyroid problems, B12 deficiency, vitiligo, menopause, so I'm very confused and scared. I had above symptoms before they gave me any benzo ten years ago. I now have a dog with a neurological problem, and have decided to wait to try weaning until we no longer have him. This has affected me in a negative way.

[polly3]

OMG, you poor thing you are really going through it! Is your thyroid and b12 under good control cos these can cause anxiety let alone adding in the menopause. I maybe be going mad but am sure I read somewhere than benzos/anti depressants can interfere with your thyroid meds so could this be the problem may be. If you do want to come off them find a doc who fully understands all your going through and join benzo buddies as they are very good. Take things at your own pace. Do you take thyroid meds? Your not on your own here and I hope your doc is helping you. Xx

[islandgirl1986 in reply to polly3]

Hi Polly

I am having trouble with thyroid med as it appears to hype me, though it could be that it's just a daily withdrawal problem. Whenever i've tried to go up a dose I have more anxiety, even though they say I need more. I too have read that benzos can affect thyroid meds, but can't find it now. I suppose stress of any kind can do that too. I have very rare moments of feeling 'normal', but it seems to be getting less and less. Certainly got worse into menopause. Not much choice in the docs, they can't understand whats going on. I'm having three monthly shots of B12, but am supplementing too. I have a lot of antibodies,so trying to work on those with help from Isabella Wentz book for root causes of hashimotos. I am not sure about benzo buddies, as I am not tapering at the moment? Am I able to ask if anyone has any advice about natural products that may help with weaning?

Thankyou.

[polly3]

Oh yes...you can join benzo buddies even if your not tapering for advice but make sure to include other problems. There may be someone else going through the same if not similar you have much going on there and also advise on natural products if any. Have you asked on here re your antibodies and thyroid? I can only say in my personal experience that benzos did not help me! But, apart from my thyroid I had nothing else going on. Your vitiligo can be brought on by being hyper and also lack of b12.....oh my heart goes out to you!! Please do try benzobuddies, I found them very helpful and they fully get the difficulties with benzo withdrawal and will help as to where to start and how and if natural remedies can help. Xx

[islandgirl1986]

Very kind of you to give me info, i will join them. Hopefully, they will be able to advise me on some things I can use to help. I think my thyroid is certainly causing a lot of problems and some part may be due to the benzos. It's a pity the docs took the easy way out and gave me benzos instead of treating my thyroid. At the time it felt good and I had no idea the trouble these drugs can cause. It is interesting that vitiligo can be brought on by being hyper and/or lack of B12. Can you tell me where you saw that. I have had vitiligo since my daughter was born in 1990. I have read that vitiligo can be an indicator of other autoimmune disease, though not everyone will present with other problems. I think I have had hypothyroidism/hashimotos for a long time before diagnosis. Thanks again x