Posted by JadeKelly on December 30, 2008, at 21:17:27
In reply to Permanent damage from Benzodiazepines?, posted by crittercuddler on December 30, 2008, at 17:35:01
> Is anyone keeping up to date on research about whether "chronic" benzodiazepine usage can cause permanent damage to the brain? Specifically, by permanently altering the GABA receptor and GABAs actions in the brain?
>
> I have discussed this issue on another forum here, under the same posting name.
> http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=11415.0
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> If you are interested, please read my posts there to understand my line of reasoning for being concerned.
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> I am 6 months benzo free from a usage of 1.5 years. I am not any better than I was when I first weaned off in many ways. In some ways, I am actually worse. :-(
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> I am terrified.
>
> Thanks.
> -michelle
Can't help but like someone called crittercuddler. My doggies kept me sane during some tough times. Anyway, yes, I am afraid also. I'm currently on 3mg klonopin a day. The scary part is I've been told how safe it is I've been lazy about d/cing the stuff. I have no psychological dependence on it but have taken it for 10 years this month for nerve pain from a car accident. I talked to someone on it, if it was you, you'll forgive me as I suspect now, as you do, that this drug has caused cognitive problems at times. Posibbly it set me up for the depressive episode I had. Anyway, along time ago I had an overnight surgery and thought well, I'll be taking pain pills so shouldn't take klonopin too, right? No-one told me!!! I had NO IDEA there was a withdrawal. So I cold turkeyed at 3mg a day!! I was convinced for 30 days the surgery was killing me. Bad sweats, paranoia, anxiety thru the roof, it was insane. Being the idiot I apparently am, it took me 30 days to figure it out. Thirty days of blood tests(they didnt catch it) 30 days of appts, Dr. calls, etc. INSANE! So I've not been in a hurry to d/c.Can you tell me in what ways you are worse? I am finally in some remission from depression with Parnate, the last thing I need is to have w/d's interfere this early on in recovery. But I too want badly to get off this drug. Is there a way to test if it has done damage? sorry if this repeat for you. I think I'll get secure in recovery, and then taper very slowly. My PDoc said .5 mg per week. Sounds like that landed you in the hospital? What did you feel as you were withdrawing from it? Hope you feel better.
~Jade
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poster:JadeKelly
thread:871465
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081223/msgs/871514.html