Long term physical benzo side-effects?

[Tom Mercury]

Does anyone here have a good understanding of how these works?

I've heard things like "messed up GABA-system" (which sounds like it has to be explained) and "loosing the memory" (which I would like to know if it is permanent and at to which degree).

I don't want to hear about mental side effects as these are just too individual, and not things like "seizures" either (more caused by going off to quick in my opinion) or tolerance increase (also individual and depend on how it is used).

Why I wonder this is because I believe it defeniately have a strong medicinal value. I don't know what could easily replace this. Would be very thankfull for an answear.

//Tom

 

[debaser]

The memory problems (which I'm experiencing too, I don't remember some basic names of some basic things) aren't permanent, if you stop using you'll remember the things you tend to forget while using. For the rest, I don't know, but I think nothing is permanent.

 

[belfort]

i dont think there is any physical side effects from benzos...same as with opiates, its the mental/addiction issues that pose the biggest problems..

 

[Tom Mercury]

How long term after You quit did You experience these? I've heard something like "one will not be restored for at least a year after quitting", which sounds strange to me. Anything factual would be great appreciated and I thank You for answearing Mr Reed.

I don't need to use benzos every day, sometimes I can go like six days without but I only use those with short half life like Xanax. Why I wonder is because during all these years I have only experienced withdrawal effect after using too much too long without letting it exit the system properly - was not really a big psychological problem for me. Short term physical side effects is not to much, if it goes away after like a week I'm fine. But having defeniate physical side effect for over a year would probably impact the psyche for real.
Thanks again, peace!

 

[Tom Mercury]

i dont think there is any physical side effects from benzos...same as with opiates, its the mental/addiction issues that pose the biggest problems..

That is exactly my perception of this. Thanks for the reply Belfort - I really hope this is the case. If there is not scientific proof of the physical side effect issue I will be very glad. Those who I have talked with who claim the physical side effect issue of this seems so dead serious (and self knowledgeable as I've never seen any scientifical statement - which would be the gold for me to know) that I will just keep my mouth closed if I have no proof of that this may actually be more of a mental issue.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

40% of the millions of neurons all over the brain respond to GABA, this means that GABA has a general quietening influence on the brain: it is in some ways the body's natural hypnotic and tranquillizer. This natural action of GABA is augmented by benzodiazepines which thus exert an extra (often excessive) inhibitory influence on neurons. As a consequence of the enhancement of GABA's inhibitory activity caused by benzodiazepines, the brain's output of excitatory neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine (noradrenaline), serotonin, acetyl choline and dopamine, is reduced. Such excitatory neurotransmitters are necessary for normal alertness, memory, muscle tone and co-ordination, emotional responses, endocrine gland secretions, heart rate and blood pressure control and a host of other functions, all of which may be impaired by benzodiazepines.

Symptoms are caused from a dampening of the action of GABA as neuroadaptivity causes GABA to become dependent on stimulation from the benzodiazepine to initiate its primary action. In other words, when you have become dependent upon a benzodiazepine, your GABA is unable to perform its natural action without the presence of the benzodiazepine. This results in a wide variety of over-activity in different areas of your brain, causing a vast and diffuse array of symptoms. These symptoms are believed to be various manifestations of neurological over-excitation as the cells in your brain become especially sensitive to the action of excitatory neurotransmitters.

Generally, a drug's withdrawal syndrome is the mirror of its primary effects. Thus, for benzodiazepines, you can expect sleeplessness (the mirror of its hypnotic effect), anxiety (the mirror of its anxiolytic effect), muscle tension/pain (the mirror of its muscle relaxant effect), and seizures in rare cases (the mirror of its anti-seizure effect). The only exception is that the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome does not "mirror" the amnesic effect. On the contrary the Withdrawal Syndrome often results in increased impairment of memory and cognitive functioning. However, in all cases, after the withdrawal is complete and in total remission, cognitive functioning will gradually return to the level that it was at before you began using the drug.

You wanted to know...

 

[Tom Mercury]

Wow that was a well written summary if I've ever read one, thank You Sir!

This physical aspect of the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome You explained so well - does it take like years (or decades) for getting fully reversed cognitive functions after quitting? I am thinking about the shorter acting types like triazolam or alprazolam - is this dependancy of the brain fully factual even if one uses (if needed) 1 to 2 times per week at maximum?

Thanks again, You really cleared this issue alot K'd.

 

[ikkyu]

40% of the millions of neurons all over the brain respond to GABA, this means that GABA has a general quietening influence on the brain: it is in some ways the body's natural hypnotic and tranquillizer. This natural action of GABA is augmented by benzodiazepines which thus exert an extra (often excessive) inhibitory influence on neurons. As a consequence of the enhancement of GABA's inhibitory activity caused by benzodiazepines, the brain's output of excitatory neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine (noradrenaline), serotonin, acetyl choline and dopamine, is reduced. Such excitatory neurotransmitters are necessary for normal alertness, memory, muscle tone and co-ordination, emotional responses, endocrine gland secretions, heart rate and blood pressure control and a host of other functions, all of which may be impaired by benzodiazepines.

Symptoms are caused from a dampening of the action of GABA as neuroadaptivity causes GABA to become dependent on stimulation from the benzodiazepine to initiate its primary action. In other words, when you have become dependent upon a benzodiazepine, your GABA is unable to perform its natural action without the presence of the benzodiazepine. This results in a wide variety of over-activity in different areas of your brain, causing a vast and diffuse array of symptoms. These symptoms are believed to be various manifestations of neurological over-excitation as the cells in your brain become especially sensitive to the action of excitatory neurotransmitters.

Generally, a drug's withdrawal syndrome is the mirror of its primary effects. Thus, for benzodiazepines, you can expect sleeplessness (the mirror of its hypnotic effect), anxiety (the mirror of its anxiolytic effect), muscle tension/pain (the mirror of its muscle relaxant effect), and seizures in rare cases (the mirror of its anti-seizure effect). The only exception is that the Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome does not "mirror" the amnesic effect. On the contrary the Withdrawal Syndrome often results in increased impairment of memory and cognitive functioning. However, in all cases, after the withdrawal is complete and in total remission, cognitive functioning will gradually return to the level that it was at before you began using the drug.

You wanted to know...

Taken from: http://www.benzo.org.uk/FAQ1.1.htm

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

If taken once or twice a week I don't see any need to worry about BWS. I've been on Clonazepam (daily) for 10 years and my doctor has told me that if I were to quit that it would take 1-2 years for my memory and cognitive thinking skills to fully recover.

 

[radarsaysradar]

I know this is a an individual experience but it goes against everything i had ever heard about benzo's: I was taking klonopin 2-3mg a day for about a year. A month ago I stopped cold turkey. I experienced no siezers(sp?) no anxiety, no nothing. So I dont really understand the hype on the benzo addiction, but again, obviously an individual thing. Memory loss tho, sucks. Time passes and i still wonder where it went.

 

[jsnake]

^In the limbo, where all thoughts go, to be enjoyed and reflected upon by any passing aliens or astronauts.
Benzos aren't that damaging dude, I doubt they'd be prescription if they were. Abstinence (not from pussy) will help a lot, as it does with any drug. Give it a few months and you'll feel like a new person. Just find something to do to keep your mind off it if you get withdrawal symptoms.

 

[ro4eva]

Ive been on Xanax for 4 and 1/2 years now. I only notice negative side effects if I miss a dose or run out. They are the typical benzo WD side effects you hear and read about. Don't get me wrong though, if I run out, I'm royally fucked (the side effects are HORRIBLE).

Ive been on Ativan (Lorazepam), Dalmane (Flurazepam), Valium (Diazepam) and Xanax (Alprazolam) and Xanax for me is the worst of the bunch to come off of. At the same time though, it's been the most effective in alleviating my Panic Disorder symptoms. So I've stuck with it, for good and for bad.

 

[debaser]

I know this is a an individual experience but it goes against everything i had ever heard about benzo's: I was taking klonopin 2-3mg a day for about a year. A month ago I stopped cold turkey. I experienced no siezers(sp?) no anxiety, no nothing. So I dont really understand the hype on the benzo addiction, but again, obviously an individual thing. Memory loss tho, sucks. Time passes and i still wonder where it went.

Some people get through it without major problems... it depends on a lot of factors (genetics, set and setting). But be careful, you can get through this time but another time you can suffer.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

I know this is a an individual experience but it goes against everything i had ever heard about benzo's: I was taking klonopin 2-3mg a day for about a year. A month ago I stopped cold turkey. I experienced no siezers(sp?) no anxiety, no nothing. So I dont really understand the hype on the benzo addiction, but again, obviously an individual thing. Memory loss tho, sucks. Time passes and i still wonder where it went.

You should never go cold turkey from a drug that can potentially cause seizures when withdrawn from. You may have got through it just find but that still wasn't a good idea. You should always taper first regardless. If your doctor didn't tell you that then he shouldn't practice. Any doctor would have you taper first.