Posted by Larry Hoover on February 6, 2007, at 12:30:32
In reply to Re: Benzo-induced memory impairment, posted by laima on February 6, 2007, at 10:25:18
> I've been off for about 3 months, but while on it, I had eventualy developed a real tolerance to it, for I used it a number of years- doctor agreed I likely had built up quite a tolerance. I was also, by the end of my using it, a much more anxious and jittery person, prone to shortness of breath, stomache aches, panic attacks, etc- than I ever was before I started the benzos, or since coming off. I speculate- could I have been going through daily withdrawals? Dr. wrinkled up his face with skepticism when I suggested the possibility, but I think Heather Ashton mentions somewhere on her site that it's a possibility.
I just went through the same thing with oxycodone. I thought I was losing my mind, experiencing loss of pain control at the same time as having withdrawal symptoms, while on a stable dose of continual release medication. I found some references to this phenomenon in published literature, with the syndrome being called Downhill Spiral Syndrome. Being stuck between pain and withdrawal, with the only resort being full withdrawal of an opiate, was horrendous.
I hypothesize massive upregulation of receptors, the body's efforts to regain control over some important aspect of our physiology. Something that can only come from long-term use, I'd imagine. I can only wonder at what unknown variable triggers this response, as it appears to be fairly rare? Or simply poorly documented? It's bloody easy to blame the victim for this experience, methinks.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:730251
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070201/msgs/730410.html