Benzo Withdrawl- Anxiety

[Defaulted26]

I have been going through benzo withdrawl for 5 months now, and am having the most trouble with anxiety. Anyone else go through this and have the anxiety dissipate? If so, how long did it take? Been thinking of getting back on an SSRI but the withdrawls from that can be just as bad as benzo's so I'm weary. Any experiences or thoughts?

 

[Lazyscience]

hey ive been through this. it last a long time but it will eventually dissipate. try some vigorous exercise too that helps a bit. i remeber my jaw was clenched all the time for months and i had to get a special thing to put in my mouth from the dentist and it cost £50.

i reckon SSRIs are bad news because i dont think theyre any better than a placebo.

 

[Bushdoctah]

Benzo Withdrawls

I was popping Valiums and Xanax like they were candy, eventually I decided I was over it and quit. Went through around 12 days of high anxiety withdrawals, and heart palpitations. That shit was so rough! I can't even imagine what you are going through. Try to stay strong, and stay clean, it will go away! How long were you on them? Supposedly withdrawals can last about as long as you were taking them. Ive heard of cases were they lasted between 6 months and up to a year. Exercise will definitely help! Going on a vigorous walk, helped calm my anxiety and relaxed my heart. I would also try meditation and breathing exercises, don't take them for granted they can help you! Peace, love and light!
You can do it! Choose life!
- Brother Bushdoctah

 

[villian]

I have been going through benzo withdrawl for 5 months now, and am having the most trouble with anxiety. Anyone else go through this and have the anxiety dissipate? If so, how long did it take? Been thinking of getting back on an SSRI but the withdrawls from that can be just as bad as benzo's so I'm weary. Any experiences or thoughts?

I am a year off benzos as of yesterday. I was a long term high dose abuser and cold turkeyed. The depression and agoraphobia are completely gone now and although I still have mild anxiety it is *nothing* compared to what it was. My last remaining symptoms are a cognitive deficit and insomnia.

Your goals should be eating healthy (some people don't tolerate sugar well in w/d but I was fine with it), cutting out caffeine, and exercising. Meditation is really helpful as well.

Keep on fighting the good fight.. this does end.

 

[AfterGlow]

My story is the same as villian, but I've only been off for about 8 months.

Compared to the anxiety I felt from rebound and withdrawals, my pre-benzo anxiety was a calk walk in retrospect. I think it makes me realize that I can tolerate normal anxiety and not let it get out of control without needing drugs. Exercise, diet, and staying out of trouble makes life enjoyable.

 

[Defaulted26]

Hey thanks for the replies everyone, I wasnt on benzo's for very long, only a period of 3 months, but I was taking like 6 a day. I also drank quite a lot before this and during. I quit Paxil, Klonopin, and Alcohol all on the same day, and its been a hell of a ride ever since as you guys know; not something I'd wish on my worst enemy for sure. All of my other symptoms have pretty much dissipated, the derealization, insomnia, headaches, burning anxiety, cog fog (to an extent), ect....now all that is left is some of the general anxiety, heart palps, chest pressure stuff, which is bothersome still. I just needed to know that it can go away, and that im not just stuck with the anxiety. Anyone try any suppliments that helped, like taurine or theanine?

 

[cosmic._.ape]

kava

some people find kava helpful http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava_kava

but don't buy the pills or extracts
what really works is the pure root powder, you blend it with water according to instructions, filter it, and drink it -tastes awful, but works

another one that might work is valerian root. with this one you are better buying the whole root, because once that it is powder it rapidly loses its power (some of the active oils are quite volatile, apparently)
valerian root is quite hard and you'll need a very strong pestle and mortar (granite is best IMO)

kava is easier to prepare and more effective, i believe, but it might work better to try both, they have certain synergy

another one that some people find useful is melatonin