[jitterbug36]

Hello, I just wanted to introduce myself here.

I am mom to three beautiful boys, and wife to one great husband. I have suffered from intermittent insomnia my whole life. I have been much worse in the past three years due to a very nasty benzodiazepine withdrawal in '08. I'm really suffering from it now because of grief. I really hope to find out some interesting tips here and maybe just get some support and understanding as well.

[Margaret]

Hi, Jitterbug,

I was interested in your addiction withdrawal and looked up benzodiazepine on the internet and found this information:

There is an excellent website on tranquilizers and tapering off tranquilizers. It is Benzodiazepine Addiction, Withdrawal&Recovery (benzo.org.uk). This site contains taper schedules from the “Ashton Manual”, written by Professor Heather Ashton, a world authority on benzodiazepine post-acute withdrawal.

If you have already gone through the withdrawal, you may not need it but I thought someone else might find it useful.

I have learned that sleeping pills and anti-depressants should only be taken for a short time or intermittantly over a longer period. Mostly they should be avoided as much as possible.

Time should help the grief better than pills in the long run.

Margaret

[jitterbug36]

'Margaret' wrote on '03:

Hi, Jitterbug,

I was interested in your addiction withdrawal and looked up benzodiazepine on the internet and found this information:

There is an excellent website on tranquilizers and tapering off tranquilizers. It is Benzodiazepine Addiction, Withdrawal&Recovery (benzo.org.uk). This site contains taper schedules from the “Ashton Manual”, written by Professor Heather Ashton, a world authority on benzodiazepine post-acute withdrawal.

If you have already gone through the withdrawal, you may not need it but I thought someone else might find it useful.

I have learned that sleeping pills and anti-depressants should only be taken for a short time or intermittantly over a longer period. Mostly they should be avoided as much as possible.

Time should help the grief better than pills in the long run.

Margaret

Thank you! I was mostly healed from the withdrawals a couple years ago. I did find Heather Ashton's Manual, but too late to avoid a cold turkey. I recieved a lot of support on the benzobuddies forum. I do feel that the severe withdrawal I went through has left my brain much more sensitive to stress, which has made my problems with insomnia more difficult to manage.

[Margaret]

Do you have a doctor whom you trust? Does he say the acute anxiety sensitivity will get better? It must be discouraging to realize that the meds left you worse off than you were when you started.

Margaret

[ExhaustedMichelle]

Just wanted to welcome you to the group, Jitterbug!

I know where you're coming from with the benzo withdrawal. I myself have a slight dependence on Ativan. Whether I want to or not, I have to take one every night before bed because my body now demands it, I suppose it could be worse, but it bothers me that I'm “required” to ingest a chemical to keep from feeling sick.

You'll find a lot of understanding and sympathy here on this site, if nothing else. Most of us have not figured out how to “cure” our insomnia, but I've received many good suggestions in the short time I've been a member, and it also really helps me mentally to know that I'm not alone in my misery… This is a great group. Welcome!

Michelle

[jitterbug36]

'Margaret' wrote on '04:

Do you have a doctor whom you trust? Does he say the acute anxiety sensitivity will get better? It must be discouraging to realize that the meds left you worse off than you were when you started.

Margaret

No, I don't have a doctor that knows anything about long-term consequences of benzos. It's pretty discouraging. I do have some online friends who are going through the same thing, though, so that helps.

Michelle, thank you for the welcome, I appreciate it.

[ExhaustedMichelle]

'jitterbug36' wrote on '04:

No, I don't have a doctor that knows anything about long-term consequences of benzos. It's pretty discouraging. I do have some online friends who are going through the same thing, though, so that helps.

Michelle, thank you for the welcome, I appreciate it.

I struggle with horrible anxiety too. I've been through pretty much every SSRI on the market and most of the Benzos. After ten years of experimentation I'm finally getting some relief and a sense of normalcy from the Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate) I'm being prescribed for my anxiety and OCD. Other than a couple unpleasant side effects, I feel much more like a normal person. Far less of the high-strung basket case I was two years ago. Have faith that someday you'll find YOUR perfect medicine.

[jitterbug36]

'ExhaustedMichelle' wrote on '04:

I struggle with horrible anxiety too. I've been through pretty much every SSRI on the market and most of the Benzos. After ten years of experimentation I'm finally getting some relief and a sense of normalcy from the Luvox (fluvoxamine maleate) I'm being prescribed for my anxiety and OCD. Other than a couple unpleasant side effects, I feel much more like a normal person. Far less of the high-strung basket case I was two years ago. Have faith that someday you'll find YOUR perfect medicine.

That seems impossible to me. I react negatively to everything. Most of my reactions have been truly scary. I really glad that you have found some relief though. Sometimes I envy people who can be successfully medicated.

I'm hoping that natural progesterone might help me. I have PMDD, and so the progesterone seems like it might be a good idea. I don't know if it will solve my sleep problems, but if it can help in any way, I sure would like to try it.

[Margaret]

Hint: I have found that tiny amounts work much better than the usual larger amounts prescribed by the doctors. Margaret

[jitterbug36]

'Margaret' wrote on '04:

Hint: I have found that tiny amounts work much better than the usual larger amounts prescribed by the doctors. Margaret

That's probably part of my problem. If I ever do go on medication again, I'll make sure I start out on a tiny dose.

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to Insomnia Land, jitterbug – as you've already noticed, we're a very friendly bunch here and you'll certainly find no shortage of support amongst our members. We're here to look out for one another.

I look forward to reading more of your posts and getting to know you better. Hopefully we can help make life with insomnia a little more bearable, and perhaps we can even help you improve your sleep.

—

If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[jitterbug36]

'Martin' wrote on '06:

Welcome to Insomnia Land, jitterbug – as you've already noticed, we're a very friendly bunch here and you'll certainly find no shortage of support amongst our members. We're here to look out for one another.

I look forward to reading more of your posts and getting to know you better. Hopefully we can help make life with insomnia a little more bearable, and perhaps we can even help you improve your sleep.

Thanks for the welcome!

[Jane]

Hiya Jitterbug, what a great username!

All of us here have spent time watching the clock ticking by whilst everyone else sleeps soundly and it's awful isn't it.

I wake up so many times during the night, every couple of hours roughly. Oh for a good solid 8 hours.

It's 6.10 am now and I want to go back to my nice cosy bed again, but alas……….. *sigh*.

There is no shortage of good advice and help here and everyone is lovely. Good to meet you. 🙂

[jitterbug36]

'Jane' wrote on '06:

Hiya Jitterbug, what a great username!

All of us here have spent time watching the clock ticking by whilst everyone else sleeps soundly and it's awful isn't it.

I wake up so many times during the night, every couple of hours roughly. Oh for a good solid 8 hours.

It's 6.10 am now and I want to go back to my nice cosy bed again, but alas……….. *sigh*.

There is no shortage of good advice and help here and everyone is lovely. Good to meet you. 🙂

Thank you Jane! Yes, it's difficult for anyone who has not experienced the frustration and misery of insomnia to understand this. So it's very nice to find a community where everyone understands!

[Hamster]

Hi, Jitterbug!

I am new too. So sorry to hear about your grief and withdrawal. Sounds like it has been a rough road for you as of late. I deal with a lot of anxiety and OCD. – ( hi, Exhausted Michele- sounds like we have some things in common). I have to take clonazapan at night to help with anxiety but since I have been taking it for years I have built up a resistance to a lot of it. But if I don't take it -wows- I can tell!

[Author]

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