Posted by Quintal on August 11, 2007, at 1:18:36
In reply to Re: beta carbolines to reverse benzo cognitive pro » Quintal, posted by Phillipa on August 10, 2007, at 22:57:07
Those rocking sensations are something I recognize from my own benzo withdrawals, so from that I think it's fair to conclude that you have suffered withdrawal symptoms at some point. The sensations and feelings you experienced in April this year, when the doctor prescribed huge doses of benzos then reduced the dose suddenly, were also very reminiscent of benzo withdrawal symptoms. I think they were withdrawal symptoms because although there was a strenuous attempt to attribute them to the thyroid problem at the time, the next thyroid test turned out to be normal. When you quit benzos cold turkey many years ago the withdrawal symptoms might have been mild because you were taking only small doses, and they would likely have been mitigated by the sleeping pills you were also taking at the time.
If the benzos are no longer as effective as they were then that would suggest tolerance, and tolerance would be entirely expected after such a long period of continuous use.
The problem with raising and lowering the dose again rapidly, as the doctor did with you, is that (as I posted on the other thread) the benzodiazepine receptors can get locked into an inverse agonist configuration. This means that you can get withdrawal symptoms even in the presence of the drug, and I think this may be one reason in addition to tolerance why you still have so much anxiety despite taking benzos. This can be corrected so that the benzos regain their original efficacy - in other words tolerance can be reversed. I'll explain in more detail when I get up as I'm going to bed now myself. Sleep well.
Q
poster:Quintal
thread:774284
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070808/msgs/775439.html