Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 253823

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Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by David Greenberg on March 19, 2004, at 18:17:34

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » awatts, posted by Dave1 on March 5, 2004, at 16:36:42

This is generally true. It took me three years to switch from 3mg of klonopin to just under 1mg. Although I didn't suffer severely for more than a few days at a time, the withdrawal symptoms (mostly anxiety and insomnia) are both periodic and persistent.


> This is what I have been trying to say, but no one believes me. I think I have the figured the whole thing -
>
> Short acting BZs (Xanax,Ativan) hit you faster and harder, but they also leave your body faster.
> Long acting BZs (Klonopin) hit your body more gradually, and thus not as hard, But they leave your body slower.
>
> When you are trying to get off a fast acting BZ, the withdrawal effects will be stronger because the BZ hits you harder/faster, but the withdrawal effects won't last as long because the BZ leaves your body faster.
>
> When you are trying to get off a long acting BZ, the withdrawal effect will be weaker because it hits you more gradually/slower, but the withdrawal effects will last longer because the BZ leaves your body slower.
>
> So you have to decide between
>
> Fast acting BZ = Harder, but faster withdrawal
>
> Slow acting BZ = Easier, but slower withdrawal
>
> P.S. I am done posting on this subject.
>
> Bye,
> Dave
>
>
> > > Today's my first day of no Klonopin and so far so good; I feel fine. Of course, my next step will be getting off of Xanax...
> > >
> > WRONG! Get off the Xanax FIRST. The maintenance of Klonopin will make it easier.
> >
> > If you feel that you must stop all benzos, choose Klonopin as the last one to go.
> >
>
>

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by David Greenberg on March 22, 2004, at 20:53:53

In reply to withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by sheebies on August 25, 2003, at 8:54:49

Withdrawal from klonopin can take a while, but there's no need to become panicked about it.

The best course is to be patient and resolute, and draw up a long-term plan for withdrawal that mimics the amount of time (and dose) that you were taking prior to that.

For example, I took klonopin, up to 3mg/day, for three years, when I decided to begin withdrawing and lowering my dose. Actually, I wasn't entirely convinced of the need to get off the drug completely, only to keep the dose as low as possible.

After 4 more years, I was able to return to a relatively low dose of 1mg/day. This period involved some low-points, with lost sleep and reverse-insomnia (early morning anxiety), but that was about the worst of it. Usually, acute withdrawal wouldn't last for more than a few days. I took trazodone irregularity when my sleep was really difficult, but I haven't used it for a while.

I'm happy to give you some more suggestions, if you'd like. Just send me an email to davidg_888@yahoo.com.

Warmly,
David

> Help please. I have been taking klonopin (.5mg taking one to two at bedtime) for almost a year. I started taking after a bad withdrawl from Metabolife (yes, I know very stupid). I also had really bad insomnia and diagnosed with having an anxiety disorder. Any way all of the sudden one day, my klonopin stopped working. I totally went through 4 days of hell - heart palps, huge insomnia, panic attacks (still taking the klonopin). I remembered that my doctor had said that you can get addicted, you will start needing more and it will stop working. That is what happened. I started taking 3 (.5mg each) at night to get to sleep. And my insomnia got worse. So I went to my Doc and told him I wanted to get off of them. After describing my huge panic, heart palps and mood swings during those 4 days. He perscribed Seroquel. When I asked him why he wanted be to take that - he said that he thought I might be starting to be bi-polor. This freaked me out and I didn't take them. I thought that those feeling might just be related to the klonopin, so I just started tapering off (.5 a night), then after a week or 10 days, I totally stopped. My insomnia got worse. I totally freaked out and had huge, huge anxiety/panic and depression feelings. I called him and said that I wanted to go off of the Klonopin and did'nt want to start taking the Seroquel, so he gave me xanax xr .5mg and told me to take 2 at night to help me sleep. Completely blowing off the idea about me trying to get off of every thing. So, thinking that xanax would be milder than the klonopin, and needing to get one night of sleep - I have been taking 2 (.5mgs) of xanax for the last 2 nights. Yes I am sleeping, but I dont' know what to do know.
>
> My question is....has anyone been successful in getting off of klonopin and how long do the horrifing withdrawls last. Do you feel normal again? Or at least how you felt before starting it. I am wondering if I need an AD to help with the withdrawl? Any way I am going to my thearpist today to see what she thinks about his bi-polar comment and to get a name or a psych. for a 2nd opinion.
>
> THanks.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by ryan123 on March 23, 2004, at 14:51:48

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by David Greenberg on March 22, 2004, at 20:53:53

I was on klonopin for over three years at 3mg/day. It took me 7 weeks to get off it. I know others that got off with 3 weeks.

Everyday my vitals were in the stroke zone (my doc gave me propanalol to help this). My anxiety and depression were through the roof and beyond (my doc gave me seroquel for this and it helped).

Even with the added meds though, the pain was so intense. Every minute seemed like an hour. I am a recovering alkie, so I am used to feeling alcohol withdrawals everyday, but this made alcohol withdrawals seem like a walk in the park. Pure torture.

But then again for others, it isn't so tough to get off the drug. Everyone's different I guess.

How am I now? I still have a hard time leaving the house and cry during sportcenter, but hey, I wasn't the picture of perfect mental health before all this. I only worked 8 weeks last year.

I could be better I think if I just applied more mental energy at my probs with anxiety and depression, but I'm not in a real hurry, and am kinda taking a mental energy vacation after getting off the klonopin.

Rough stuff. I dunno what else to say. Good luck.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » David Greenberg

Posted by Mr. Scott on March 24, 2004, at 21:42:38

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by David Greenberg on March 22, 2004, at 20:53:53

Hello David,

Have you had to put anything in it's place (The Klonopin)? I am trying to get off of benzo's too, but I'm such a mental case on it I can only imagine I must need something lest I jump out a window!

Scott

 

Why do people want to quit Klonopin?

Posted by Viridis on March 25, 2004, at 2:33:55

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » David Greenberg, posted by Mr. Scott on March 24, 2004, at 21:42:38

I'm really just curious, but what's the reason that so many people want to get off benzos like Klonopin? I realize that many of us would prefer not to be dependent on meds, but if they improve your quality of life, why stop? Have all of the discontinuers who suffer so much with withdrawal found other ways to deal with anxiety?

This is not a sarcastic post; I just want to know. My life has improved immeasurably with benzos and I don't think I'd feel better without them. I have no doubt that I'm dependent on Klonopin, but I've had no problems with it, haven't had to increase the dose (1 mg/day) despite almost three years of use, and have no side effects whatsoever.

I'd like to be off meds, but what's the alternative for a sane, anxiety-free life?

 

Re: Why do people want to quit Klonopin?

Posted by Sad Panda on March 25, 2004, at 8:34:16

In reply to Why do people want to quit Klonopin?, posted by Viridis on March 25, 2004, at 2:33:55

> I'm really just curious, but what's the reason that so many people want to get off benzos like Klonopin? I realize that many of us would prefer not to be dependent on meds, but if they improve your quality of life, why stop? Have all of the discontinuers who suffer so much with withdrawal found other ways to deal with anxiety?
>
> This is not a sarcastic post; I just want to know. My life has improved immeasurably with benzos and I don't think I'd feel better without them. I have no doubt that I'm dependent on Klonopin, but I've had no problems with it, haven't had to increase the dose (1 mg/day) despite almost three years of use, and have no side effects whatsoever.
>
> I'd like to be off meds, but what's the alternative for a sane, anxiety-free life?
>
>

Effexor+Remeron is giving me relief from some of my mild anxieties. A lot of docs seem to be steering towards AD's & going away from Benzos (probably drug company steered) & I really doubt that AD's are actually any safer than Benzos, but they may be for some.

Cheers,
Panda.


 

Re: Why do people want to quit Klonopin?

Posted by awatts on March 25, 2004, at 11:56:21

In reply to Re: Why do people want to quit Klonopin?, posted by Sad Panda on March 25, 2004, at 8:34:16

> Effexor+Remeron is giving me relief from some of my mild anxieties. A lot of docs seem to be steering towards AD's & going away from Benzos (probably drug company steered) & I really doubt that AD's are actually any safer than Benzos, but they may be for some.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
I'd guess that you are correct, Panda. Using AD's for anxiety is driven by drug company greed. ADs sure don't work as well for anxiety.

We really don't know much about the long term effects of the newer ADs, but the benzos have been used and studied for years. I think the benzos are safer unless you are prone to drug abuse.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by ryan123 on March 25, 2004, at 15:56:39

In reply to Re: Why do people want to quit Klonopin?, posted by awatts on March 25, 2004, at 11:56:21

Mr. Scott: I took oxazepam (30mg once per day) to help me get off klonopin. It was not prescribed to me. It helped, but it was still hell.

I didn't initially want to get off klonopin myself. This was the third time of trying at the insistence of my doctor. I had just started feeling well, and I wanted to wait a bit before I quit klonopin. But then I figured, I want to get off them eventually, so why not now? I now have oxazepam prescribed to me. I don't see any difference between this and klonopin.

My wish was to get off of all benzos completely. Why? Severe lack of creativity. Benzos numb the mind.

I am a musician that can't write a song. I am a writer that can't even start a screenplay. I am a photographer in a three year rut. I have all these talents that have just fallen by the wayside.

Because of this "left brain freeze," I don't even feel like pursuing any of these....things. I am also a cunning linguist that just used the word "things."

Benzos don't make me a total zombie. Just a half zombie.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123

Posted by Viridis on March 26, 2004, at 3:02:09

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 25, 2004, at 15:56:39

As usual, we all react differently. With benzos, I finally can think clearly without anxiety getting in the way. No numbing -- just normal thought.

I'm a research scientist (university professor), and did without benzos throughout most of my career, with tremendous harm to my mental and physical health. When I discovered Klonopin, my life turned around (although it's still far from perfect). I wouldn't trade this med for anything, and I have tried the full gamut of SSRIs/SNRIs etc., which were uniformly awful for me.

The new meds are good for some, the old ones better for others. Rather than rejecting the older ones, I think that doctors should try the range of possibilities and see what works best for each patient. And, I think that this eagerness of some to get off benzos should be tempered by the realization that constant anxiety is much more detrimental than benzo use for most people...unless there's a better solution that I'm not aware of.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123

Posted by Sad Panda on March 26, 2004, at 3:39:10

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 25, 2004, at 15:56:39

> Mr. Scott: I took oxazepam (30mg once per day) to help me get off klonopin. It was not prescribed to me. It helped, but it was still hell.
>
> I didn't initially want to get off klonopin myself. This was the third time of trying at the insistence of my doctor. I had just started feeling well, and I wanted to wait a bit before I quit klonopin. But then I figured, I want to get off them eventually, so why not now? I now have oxazepam prescribed to me. I don't see any difference between this and klonopin.
>
> My wish was to get off of all benzos completely. Why? Severe lack of creativity. Benzos numb the mind.
>
> I am a musician that can't write a song. I am a writer that can't even start a screenplay. I am a photographer in a three year rut. I have all these talents that have just fallen by the wayside.
>
> Because of this "left brain freeze," I don't even feel like pursuing any of these....things. I am also a cunning linguist that just used the word "things."
>
> Benzos don't make me a total zombie. Just a half zombie.
>
>

Hi Ryan,

You are one of the people that should give up Benzos (Obviously! :)) AD's help with my soical anxieties, have you tried any? Use Valium to get off Oxazepam, Dr. Bob has equivalency tables in the tips section.

Cheers,
Panda.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by ryan123 on March 26, 2004, at 13:56:22

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123, posted by Sad Panda on March 26, 2004, at 3:39:10

Viridis,

I'm glad you qualified my standpoint. I didn't mean to scare away people from klonopin that really need it.

Sad Panda,

What's an AD? I really want to get off benzos altogether, but my anxiety and depression is unmanagable without them.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123

Posted by Fred23 on March 26, 2004, at 18:59:40

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 25, 2004, at 15:56:39

> Benzos don't make me a total zombie. Just a half zombie.

This is what happened to Stevie Nicks, but it may be that Xanax is less of a zombifier than Klonopin.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123

Posted by Sad Panda on March 27, 2004, at 12:11:51

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 26, 2004, at 13:56:22

AD is Antidepressant. The AD's I am taking are helping me with my social anxiety. Doctors favour using AD's for treating Anxiety these days & for some people this is good. For others, Benzos are choice & some people use a combination of both.

Cheers,
Panda.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by awatts on March 27, 2004, at 12:39:33

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123, posted by Sad Panda on March 27, 2004, at 12:11:51

> AD is Antidepressant. The AD's I am taking are helping me with my social anxiety. Doctors favour using AD's for treating Anxiety these days & for some people this is good. For others, Benzos are choice & some people use a combination of both.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
For some reason, British doctors, especially, are reluctant to prescribe benzos for SAD, even though they are usually safer and almost always more effective for anxiety. The exception (and it's a big one) is if you are prone to drug abuse.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 27, 2004, at 16:48:46

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by awatts on March 27, 2004, at 12:39:33

I'm prescribed Buspar, Lexa-Pro (an AD), Klonopin (benzo), Neurontin, and Abilify. So far the combo's working and I don't want to get off of Klonopin either. If anything, I'd like to drop the Abilify.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by ryan123 on March 28, 2004, at 0:13:55

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 27, 2004, at 16:48:46

Oh. Anti-depressant. Yeah. I'm on a couple of those.

The reason the doc wanted me off klonopin in the first place is because I'm a recovering alcoholic, therefore I have substance abuse issues (even though I never took extra tranqs to get high).

My best combo of drugs was paxil, trazodone, and klonopin. I had a great summer in 2002 with that mixture.

Right now I'm on paxil, trazodone, oxazepam, seroquel, propanalol, and tegretol. If you think I'm taking too many pills, I agree, but my shrink doesn't.

I have been through with klonopin withdrawals since the beginning of February, but I feel worse than I did before quitting it.

My brain functions at a lower level with benzos in my system. My creativity is worse, my memory is worse, my reasoning is worse, and I'm worse at Jeopardy. But damnit all, I feel so much better with klonopin.

After going through 7 weeks of withdrawals, I feel stupid for thinking of getting back on it.

The insane thing about everything is that at night, I've been drinking one to five shots of vodka. I'm a recovering alcoholic, so I shouldn't be doing this, but I am more energetic the next day and my brain functions at a higher level.

In fact, when I was a constant drinker five to seven years ago, I got straight A's as an applied math major at a respected college. Since I've been taking benzos, I'm flunking out of classes wherein the math level is predominantly lower than it was in the math major at a class such as Calc III.

I wish everything was more cut and dry in deciding which path to take. If I was a horse, I would've been shot by now. No decision.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » Viridis

Posted by Pluto on March 28, 2004, at 0:21:44

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123, posted by Viridis on March 26, 2004, at 3:02:09

Dear Viridis,

I have been following your threads most of the times here in this board. I would say you have a very level headed approach to those extremely sensitive things like benzo vs SSRIs. Meanwhile I am just curious how long have you been taking klonopin and what is the strength? I have been taking Rivotril (Klonopin in U.S) for the past six years and now am on a self induced free period from this stuff. My dosage was somewhere between 1.5 to 2mg a day. Tapering took only fifteen days and even after a month of off Rivotril, it really wonders me I am not experiencing any withdrawal symptoms other than a slight return of the anxiety that first led me to Rivotril. But this time the anxiety is not so severe because I think my living environment has changed a lot and stress at work is more manageable now. Still I think if anxiety is getting uncontrollable I will surely fill the prescription which is left with me. The horror stories of short term memory loss and other blabberings really amaze me, because my memory was quite sharp while I was on klonopin and interestingly I am experiencing some forgetfulness now on this off period. I think my diagnosis should have been CFIDS rather than social phobia. In CFIDS patients, rivotril has shown to improve cognitive performance.
Just curious here. Can you answer the first couple of questions I asked?
Percy. LS

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123

Posted by Pluto on March 28, 2004, at 0:32:31

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 28, 2004, at 0:13:55

Dear Ryan,

It is very difficult to distinguish which drug is zombifying you since you are taking a lot of drugs. Trazodone is notorious for drugged feeling. Regarding klonopin, it depends on the dosage and how you take them. It is long acting and if you take your full quota at night, the chances it will have any detrimental effect on your congnitive function next day is less. But every patient is different. I can take most of my klonopin in the morning and paradoxically it improves my cognitive function.
Percy.LS

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » Pluto

Posted by Viridis on March 28, 2004, at 1:47:16

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » Viridis, posted by Pluto on March 28, 2004, at 0:21:44

Hi Pluto,

Thanks for the supportive comments! I take 1 mg clonazepam/day and have for almost 3 years. After the first couple of weeks, I had no side effects whatsoever. Now it just allows me to think more clearly, without the recurring anxiety -- definitely not a "dumbing" med for me (it seems to sharpen my mental acuity). It was a bit sedating at first, but that stopped quickly.

Interesting that you call it Rivottril -- are you Canadian? I am, but have lived in the U.S. for years

Regardless, I find Klonopin (= Rivotril = clonazepam) very helpful. If I go without it though, I experience severe anxiety after a day or so, so I assume that I've become dependent on it . However, when my pdoc asked whether the "withdrawal" anxiety was any worse than the anxiety and panic attacks that I experienced before taking it, I had to say (quite honestly), probably not.

As I just posted in another thread here, I suspect that some of us could reduce or eliminate the meds if we just adjusted our lifestyles to fit our personalities. But this is extremely difficult for many of us, including me.. In the meantiime (while I'm sorting out my life) I rely on the meds and have a great psychiatrist who understands my situation.

The following sort of relates to your post too: I always carry Xanax (alprazolam) with me (usually in my pocket) in case of severe anxiety. Yet I only take it a couple of times a month. Probably 1/3 of it (at least) winds up going through the wash etc. and being lost. But it sure is nice to have it, just in case. It sounds like you might respond well by just taking clonazepam with you in case of a bad situation However, of all the benzos, it seems the safest to take daily, and if a gradual taper is necessary to discontinue it, so be it.

All the best,

Viridis

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by silmarilone on March 28, 2004, at 15:10:21

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 28, 2004, at 0:13:55

umm....oxazepam is a benzo. i dont see the difference in terms of your alcoholism being a factor...if klonopin works better for you than oxazepam, you should use that, because theyr'e both benzos anyway.

> The reason the doc wanted me off klonopin in the first place is because I'm a recovering alcoholic, therefore I have substance abuse issues (even though I never took extra tranqs to get high).
>
> My > Right now I'm on paxil, trazodone, oxazepam, seroquel, propanalol, and tegretol. If you think I'm taking too many pills, I agree, but my shrink doesn't.
>

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 28, 2004, at 17:47:44

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by silmarilone on March 28, 2004, at 15:10:21

Right now I'm on paxil, trazodone, oxazepam, seroquel, propanalol, and tegretol. If you think I'm taking too many pills, I agree, but my shrink doesn't.>>

If it makes you feel better I'm on too many also; Lexa-Pro (depression), Buspar (anxiety), Klonopin (I'm addicted...), Abilify (aggression), and Neurontin (anxiety and to help me taper Klonopin hopefully)

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by awatts on March 28, 2004, at 18:29:24

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 28, 2004, at 17:47:44

> Right now I'm on paxil, trazodone, oxazepam, seroquel, propanalol, and tegretol. If you think I'm taking too many pills, I agree, but my shrink doesn't.>>
>
> If it makes you feel better I'm on too many also; Lexa-Pro (depression), Buspar (anxiety), Klonopin (I'm addicted...), Abilify (aggression), and Neurontin (anxiety and to help me taper Klonopin hopefully)
>
I'm interested about the Abilify since I may be adding it to my drug soup. Does it actually make you less aggressive? Anything else you can tell me about your reaction to Abilify? How much are you taking and how long have you been on Abilify?

Thanks. I'm just reluctant to add an antipsychotic since I'm suffering from depression and anxiety, but the pdoc wants to try it.

 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin » ryan123

Posted by Sad Panda on March 29, 2004, at 0:52:24

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by ryan123 on March 28, 2004, at 0:13:55

> Oh. Anti-depressant. Yeah. I'm on a couple of those.
>
> The reason the doc wanted me off klonopin in the first place is because I'm a recovering alcoholic, therefore I have substance abuse issues (even though I never took extra tranqs to get high).
>
> My best combo of drugs was paxil, trazodone, and klonopin. I had a great summer in 2002 with that mixture.
>
> Right now I'm on paxil, trazodone, oxazepam, seroquel, propanalol, and tegretol. If you think I'm taking too many pills, I agree, but my shrink doesn't.
>
> I have been through with klonopin withdrawals since the beginning of February, but I feel worse than I did before quitting it.
>
> My brain functions at a lower level with benzos in my system. My creativity is worse, my memory is worse, my reasoning is worse, and I'm worse at Jeopardy. But damnit all, I feel so much better with klonopin.
>
> After going through 7 weeks of withdrawals, I feel stupid for thinking of getting back on it.
>
> The insane thing about everything is that at night, I've been drinking one to five shots of vodka. I'm a recovering alcoholic, so I shouldn't be doing this, but I am more energetic the next day and my brain functions at a higher level.
>
> In fact, when I was a constant drinker five to seven years ago, I got straight A's as an applied math major at a respected college. Since I've been taking benzos, I'm flunking out of classes wherein the math level is predominantly lower than it was in the math major at a class such as Calc III.
>
> I wish everything was more cut and dry in deciding which path to take. If I was a horse, I would've been shot by now. No decision.
>
>

I think you need to try different AD's. I am happy with my current meds (Effexor+Remeron) primarily because they haven't altered my personality or cognitive abilities.

Why are you taking Pranpanol? Do you suffer from pannic attacks?

Cheers,
Panda.


 

Re: withdrawl from Klonopin

Posted by MSTROU1 on March 29, 2004, at 18:07:26

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by MSTROU1 on March 28, 2004, at 17:47:44

Abilify is supposedly a lot like Risperdal, except with less side-effects. It's helped me a lot with drug-induced aggression and what not. I have not noticed any side-effects, including drowsiness. The target dosage is 15 mg per day, while I'm on 10 mg per day. People are usually prescribed b/n 5 & 30 mg a day. There's no generic version, so it may be expensive, depending on your insurance. I'd say it's been very helpful though. BTW, I don't know why you're doctor's prescribing it to you, or wanting to, but normally it's prescribed for schizophrenia, which I don't have yet it's still served a purpose.

 

Re: withdrawal from Klonopin

Posted by Laura915 on March 30, 2004, at 8:17:56

In reply to Re: withdrawl from Klonopin, posted by awatts on March 28, 2004, at 18:29:24

I have been on my own road to recovery and have some suggestions for anyone who wants to get off benzos. Amino Acids.

I was prescribed a growing number of scrips over a 4-year period to deal with the aftermath of an auto accident. Oxycontin, Klonopin, Ambien, Baclofen, anti-inflammatories, Seroquel, Methocarbomol and others at various stages. On top of that, I enhanced all that with lots of alcohol. I was never informed of the side effects of the drugs I was prescribed(at the time I began, Oxycontin was hailed by my pain doc as "not addictive like other painkillers", boy was that a crock!)and I certainly wasn't told about how to detox or the intense withdrawal symptoms to expect. K

lonopin was the last drug I withdrew from and the worst, long term at least, to cope with. I did a lot of homework to find relief that is natural, since I knew just about any pharmaceutical solution would only prolong my problems and I was so ready to be myself again. Amino acids have helped me greatly.

Now that I learned the hard way about withdrawal, the relief I have gotten from amino acids while my brain chemistry gets back to normal is so wonderful. It's all about serotonin and creating more of it.

Our brains need serotonin, endorphins and dopamine to feel good without drugs or alcohol. Our bodies cannot create serotonin from nothing, the amino acids needed to produce those brain chemicals can only come from diet or supplements. Unfortunately, many of us do not get enough from the foods we eat due to low-calorie diets and poor food choices. Stress further depletes serotonin stores. The lack of serotonin sets us up for failure by creating drug, alcohol and food cravings to get us to do something to normalize the brain chemicals even if it has only temporary effects.

Drugs and alcohol can mimick the feelings of ample serotonin but they actually trick your brain into creating less, so when you try to withdraw from those feel-good drugs, the absence of serotonin is even greater than before. Many of the popular anti-depressants work by using whatever serotonin you have and pumping it up a bit, but if you're short on it anyway, it's like a 98-pound weakling going to the gym, there's only so much you can do with what you have and the side effects are often worse than the depression.

When I detoxed from Oxycontin, I remember how electric my mind became. After years of my mind being dulled, it was awake and didn't feel like sleeping for more than a couple hours a night for two weeks. My body was wracked with pain, nausea, intense restlessness, unrelenting insomnia. The first natural remedy I used was called Nutrasleep. It has GABA (nature's Valium), valerian, taurine, and other vitamins and calming herbs. For the first time in weeks I slept for a few hours without waking.

When I started tapering off Klonopin, Nutrasleep was not strong enough to overcome the multitude of withdrawal side effects and that is when I discovered amino acid supplementation. I got bits of information from many websites, but found an excellent article that explains why serotonin starvation causes us to turn to drugs and alcohol, to overeat, become anorexic/bulumic, have low pain tolerance, suffer migraines and experience deep depression. You can find it at: www.wellbeingjournal.com/protein.htm

Here's what worked for me:

L-tryptophan* - 3000 mgs/day in divided doses
(l-tryptophan starts a chain reaction as the body creates 5-HTP from it and converts that to serotonin and that is ultimately converted to melatonin. L-tryptophan is nature's Prozac without the major side effects. It is used to treat depression and insomnia. Some people take the supplement 5-HTP--the second step in the chain--but dosing is trickier since the conversion is not happening in your body. You need fewer mg's but I found it provided less overall relief than tryptophan.)

DL-Phenylanine - 1500 mgs/day in divided doses
(this amino acid supports alcohol withdrawal,reduces aggression, helps diminish physical and emotional pain and enhances tryptophan's effects on the brain.)

L-Glutamine - 1000 mgs/day in divided doses

(this amino acid supports alcohol withdrawal, suppresses appetite-especially carb cravings, helps metabolize fat, helps with mental focus-enhances effects of the other amino acids. I only take it in the day so my mind is ready to relax for sleep)

L-theanine - 2000 mgs/day in divided doses

(this one produces a calming effect on the brain and relaxes muscles but does not have a sedating effect so your mind is clear as a bell-it takes 30-40 minutes to take effect, you feel a calm come over you and your shoulders will relax like you just had a massage. I take this one frequently.)

GABA - 1500 mgs/day in divided doses

(Like I said before, this one is known as nature's Valium-it helps "balance" your brain. It also stimulates the production of Human Growth Hormone which can enhance muscle growth and reduce fat storage.)

You should be able to find all of these on-line or at your local health food stores. All of the amino acids, except L-Theanine should be taken on an empty stomach with a little carb snack which improves the absorption and prevents stomach upset. If you take them within 2 hours of either side of a meal with protein, the amino acids you take will not be able to compete with the amino acids in the protein and will not be as effective. Also, take a good B-complex vitamin once a day as B's, especially B6, enhance the effects of the amino acids. You can take L-theanine at any time since proteins do not affect its absorption. Although overdosing is uncommon, be aware of the upper recommended doses. The dosages I am taking are in the middle of the range. Initially, you should probably aim for those dosages and tinker with the right combination for you. Maintenance doses can be lower, once you get past the withdrawal period.

Like you would with any supplement, make sure you read about any conditions you have that would be advisable to avoid supplements or drug interactions with current meds. You should not take MAOI's when taking the amino acids and some anti-depressants should be avoided if taking amino acids. Because these are natural body chemicals, side effects are typically few or none and relief can be immediate. I had 50% relief my first day and it gradually improved each day for at least a couple weeks. I feel calm, relaxed, not in pain, I can even say I feel HAPPY again.

When I first started tapering off Klonopin, I spent four weeks in physical and mental agony before I discovered the amino acid therapy. I started at 3 mgs/a day (quite a bit for a small woman) and ten weeks later am now drug-free. I was able to be a little more aggressive with my tapering schedule and still not miss a day of work. I haven't eliminated all of the withdrawal side effects, but my symptoms are under control while my brain recovers.

Interestingly enough, I believe I have always been serotonin-starved. I had migraines from age 3, have been anorexic and bulimic, prone to drug and alcohol dependence, all attributable to lack of serotonin. Now that I understand the possible reasons why, I know how to prevent it from happening for the rest of my life and I can finally stop being a "patient".

I don't know if this will help anyone, but I have scoured these message boards and haven't seen this suggested by either professionals or others trying to taper off drugs or alcohol, so I would love to hear if anyone has tried this and if it was successful.


*You may read where l-tryptophan was removed by the FDA from the consumer market in 1989 (due to one foreign company creating contaminated supplements that many fell ill from)and was only approved for US non-prescription sale again recently. The problem was isolated to the one company and was due to a change in their processing procedures-they skipped a couple critical steps-but tryptophan continued to be available in Canada and by prescription in the states and is used in manufacturing baby food, liquid food supplements, and pet food. (Another interesting side note, Prozac, a then-new anti-depressant was introduced just four days after the l-tryptophan ban. Some believe it wasn't just a coincidence and that the ban was politically motiviated--big drug companies' interests helped ensure the ban to eliminate competition. L-tryptophan was used for depression without incident for years.)


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[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
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