Posted by Isis6000 on June 15, 2006, at 14:51:34
In the past 6 months I have had to withdraw from nicotine, caffeine, benzodiazepine (Ativan), morphine (from surgery) and now I'm withdrawing from Cymbalta. I've learned much about alternative help and wanted to share it with those who are also suffering - it can help take the edge off withdrawal at the very least.
First, please see if there is a naturopathic doctor near you and go see him as soon as you can. The naturopath will pay better attention to you than a conventional doctor and will likely diagnose you more accurately. He will also have doctor-level natural remedies that are better than herbs you can get at natural food stores. Twice I tried to get off Ativan and failed. I was successful the third time because of the natural supplements my naturopath gave me. It still sucked to go through withdrawal, but it was at least tolerable and it only lasted 10 days, each day getting better.
If you cannot get to a naturopath, I recommend getting Edmund Bourne's Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. He has a chapter about alternative substances that can help with anxiety, such as GABA, SAM-e, calcium and magnesium, passionflower, etc.
poster:Isis6000
thread:657297
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060610/msgs/657297.html