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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Narelle Lehane on September 25, 2000, at 9:57:45
I am new here, and have had a long haul, first with Post-natal depression, then 3 operations for my vocal cord condition (Spasmodic Dysphonia) in the last 12 months, lots of different meds - Prozac, Effexor xr (yechhh), Aropax, Dothiepin, plus Xanax and the Valium to get off the Xanax. I went off the dothiepin 2 weeks ago and tried to go off the valium, but couldn't the WD was just so intense. Now I find out that Benzo withdrawal can mimic the symptoms of depression. Groan. I don't know if i'm depressed, withdrawing, just normally anxious, or what. My new pdoc says my depression is a result of my vocal cord disorder (13 years of it) and was not really PND, that just made things worse. Now my throat situation is looking up but I can't face all this withdrawal and i'm really scared. I joined a group for benzo wd, but when I had to start taking them again, on docs orders, they really don't want to know me until I get off them. I quote "Your daughter needs a drug free mother". If I went cold turkey i'm not sure she'd have a mother at all. I have tried to take my life during the depths of the depression, and don't want that to ever occur again. I guess no-one can help me, i'm just looking for reassurance from people who know depression and how i'm not "taking drugs" and harming my daughter by doing that, I am just not equipped to go cold turkey off a benzo, and it needs to be more gradual. I feel like i'm slipping back here, but that was such a horrible thing to say, I am a good mother and the drugs have helped me realise that. Now my world's been turned upside down, and just as I thought things were going to be OK, another battle faces me - getting off the benzos. I am rambling, sorry. The doc thinks i'm out of the depression, but this has all knocked me about. Surely a good mother is one that cna look after her child, not a zombie going through fast WD who can't function at all???
Narelle
Posted by shellie on September 25, 2000, at 11:30:29
In reply to Depression over??, posted by Narelle Lehane on September 25, 2000, at 9:57:45
Narelle. I would forget about a group who uses your strongest vulnerabity (being a good mother) to bully you into accepting their formula for drug withdrawal. You and your doctor are absolutely right--slow withdrawal from a benzo is the correct way to go. You ARE making the best choice for both yourself and your daughter. You've been through a lot--try to forget about what that group said--it sounds like they come from the robot school of so-called "support". Be as kind to yourself as you are able to be. Shellie
Posted by catherine on September 25, 2000, at 14:57:47
In reply to Depression over??, posted by Narelle Lehane on September 25, 2000, at 9:57:45
Narelle,
I was was depressed since I was 19 years old, now I'm 39. I hid it from the world; my husband didn't even know. Three years ago, I decided to get help. I have four children; 20, 16, 6 and 3. BELIEVE ME! my "second set" see a much calmer, patient, happy mother than the "first set". (both from the same marriage, by the way). I've tried several times to do without them and I've come to the conclusion that I just can't. I always sink back into depression again. If you feel that you need them for whatever reason, PLEASE do so. Don't let anyone tell you what kind of a mother you are.
Good Luck!! Catherine
This is the end of the thread.
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