Posted by viridis on October 27, 2002, at 12:42:21
In reply to Re: True extent of benzo withdrawal? » viridis, posted by Squiggles on October 27, 2002, at 8:29:09
Hi Squiggles,
I can certainly believe that the longer you take a drug like Klonopin, the harder it will be to get off. After all, these drugs do induce changes in brain pathways and neurotransmitter release/response, so it makes sense that this would become more pronounced over time. But this isn't necessarily bad, if the changes make your brain function like that of a normal person.
And yes, I am relatively naive, having only taken K for 1 1/4 years or so. I still wonder, though, when I read reports from people who say they've had severe withdrawal and/or permanent damage from benzos (especially after relatively short-term use), whether they've returned to their "ground state" and didn't realize just how bad it was. This is just speculation on my part, but it seems logical to me in at least some cases.
A friend of mine who's a dentist told me about one of his patients, a woman in her 70s who had been on the same dose of Valium for around 30 years with no measurable negative effects. Then she saw a new doctor, who refused to prescribe it because she was "addicted". She had a severe reaction that required hospitalization, and the end result was a new doctor who reinstated the Valium. Apparently, she's doing fine, will probably continue to take Valium for the rest of her life, and (I expect) will have a higher quality of life because of it. So, why did the doctor discontinue it (abruptly), and what's the harm in her using it if it helps her live a normal life?
I'm curious (you've probably addressed this here already, but it's hard to keep track in this thread) -- why did you want to get off Klonopin after taking it for so long? Was it no longer working, causing problems, did your doctor want you off it, or were you just tired of being dependent on a medication? I ask because for now at least, K is helping so much that I'd just as soon stay on it, yet I'd like to know what to expect in the long term.
Thanks again,
Viridis
poster:viridis
thread:124171
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021025/msgs/125434.html