Alcohol update, and a couple of questions
Question:
matt – sounds like you’re doing much better. i can understand about not wanted to get hooked on a new drug (a benzo)! I think if you moderate & take care, that will work out. I swore off alcohol for 1 year when I first developed panic disorder. i think it helped. Of course now I start the days with cappucino, coffee….drink alcohol at night…. …then wonder why I never feel quite right. ha! stay on the path… -z-
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone I posted several weeks ago about my problem with alcohol abuse, and how I thought it correlated with my new-found anxiety attacks. Well, I finally quit drinking alcohol a month ago, and I’m pleased to report that my anxiety level has dropped drastically. I moved back in to my parents’ house for a while, they have been very understanding and suppportive. I haven’t experienced a single attack since I stopped drinking. As a precaution I took Valium 5 mg for four days right after quitting, and then on an as-needed basis (about 5mg once a week, if that). However, I’ve been feeling pretty lightheaded and dizzy lately, like everything is unreal and happening in slow motion. I also feel pressure behind my left eyeball, the area seems to go numb and my eyelid twitches on and off. Other than that, I’m feeling very calm and back to my old self. There are no more racing heartbeats, palpitations, choking sensations, etc, just this very weird feeling that I can’t seem to shake off. My doc thinks these are symptoms of persistent anxiety, which he claims may continue for several months after stopping heavy alcohol abuse; he wants me to take benzos regularly for a while. However, I’m *very* reluctant to take his advice because I don’t want to get hooked on benzodiazepines. I’m not worried about abusing the pills, but I’m scared of eventual withdrawal, especially after lurking in the Benzo Withdrawal Forum – is withdrawal really that horrific? (One person there suggested that my derealisation is caused by withdrawal from the Valium I took a month ago (???)). Plus, I find that benzos turn my brains to mush, I just can’t concentrate nor study while taking them – a luxury I can’t really afford at this time, as I’m still in college. Although admitedly my current situation isn’t all that better. So I’m very pleased about quitting the booze (I still can’t quite believe I got myself in that situation in the first place), but I’m scared of the possibility of having developed a permanent anxiety condition somewhere along the way (although there’s no history of GAD/panic in my family). I’ve started CBT, which seems to be helping a bit. Anyway, any advice or comments? And once again, thanks for answering my previous post 
Take good care, Matt – who is always long-winded and tends to rant endlessly, even when very sober ))
Response:
Hello everyone I posted several weeks ago about my problem with alcohol abuse, and how I thought it correlated with my new-found anxiety attacks. Well, I finally quit drinking alcohol a month ago, and I’m pleased to report that my anxiety level has dropped drastically. I moved back in to my parents’ house for a while, they have been very understanding and suppportive. I haven’t experienced a single attack since I stopped drinking. As a precaution I took Valium 5 mg for four days right after quitting, and then on an as-needed basis (about 5mg once a week, if that).
That is GREAT that you quit drinking! It’s now about 14 months sober for me. One day at a time my friend. As far as the Valium, of course, if you don’t NEED it, you are better off without it! I’m not really that familiar with weaning off Valium, but do know that with all the benzo’s, you should taper off, don’t just stop. I am in the process of attempting to lower my benzo dose. I’ve had anxiety all my life, so I’m just going to try this VERY slowly. The one other time I tried to get off it, I had an awful time. I just realized though, that I was also on an SSRI (I forget which one) and they always made my anxiety WORSE. So I’m hoping that maybe without the SSRI, I can lower, my benzo (klonopin). The main reason for me wanting to lower my dosage is because my daughter has told me numerous times that I look drugged up, and others have asked her if I was drunk! Good Luck, Tono
Response:
Matt, GREAT JOB on quit drinking my friend! I have been there. It has been 4 years for me this month as a matter of fact. I plan on rewarding myself with a present to myself, not sure what yet. I also quit smoking at the same time so it is a great holiday for me this month. The feelings you are having may be just ‘real life’ feelings you were not feeling before. We tend to numb them all with the bottle. I am so happy to hear your parents are so supportive too. That’s great, never turn back and you will just get more and more proud of yourself. Xanman
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone I posted several weeks ago about my problem with alcohol abuse, and how I thought it correlated with my new-found anxiety attacks. Well, I finally quit drinking alcohol a month ago, and I’m pleased to report that my anxiety level has dropped drastically. I moved back in to my parents’ house for a while, they have been very understanding and suppportive. I haven’t experienced a single attack since I stopped drinking. As a precaution I took Valium 5 mg for four days right after quitting, and then on an as-needed basis (about 5mg once a week, if that). However, I’ve been feeling pretty lightheaded and dizzy lately, like everything is unreal and happening in slow motion. I also feel pressure behind my left eyeball, the area seems to go numb and my eyelid twitches on and off. Other than that, I’m feeling very calm and back to my old self. There are no more racing heartbeats, palpitations, choking sensations, etc, just this very weird feeling that I can’t seem to shake off. My doc thinks these are symptoms of persistent anxiety, which he claims may continue for several months after stopping heavy alcohol abuse; he wants me to take benzos regularly for a while. However, I’m *very* reluctant to take his advice because I don’t want to get hooked on benzodiazepines. I’m not worried about abusing the pills, but I’m scared of eventual withdrawal, especially after lurking in the Benzo Withdrawal Forum – is withdrawal really that horrific? (One person there suggested that my derealisation is caused by withdrawal from the Valium I took a month ago (???)). Plus, I find that benzos turn my brains to mush, I just can’t concentrate nor study while taking them – a luxury I can’t really afford at this time, as I’m still in college. Although admitedly my current situation isn’t all that better. So I’m very pleased about quitting the booze (I still can’t quite believe I got myself in that situation in the first place), but I’m scared of the possibility of having developed a permanent anxiety condition somewhere along the way (although there’s no history of GAD/panic in my family). I’ve started CBT, which seems to be helping a bit. Anyway, any advice or comments? And once again, thanks for answering my previous post Take good care, Matt – who is always long-winded and tends to rant endlessly, even when very sober ))
Response:
:So I’m very pleased about quitting the booze (I still can’t quite :believe I got myself in that situation in the first place), but I’m :scared of the possibility of having developed a permanent anxiety :condition somewhere along the way (although there’s no history of :GAD/panic in my family). I’ve started CBT, which seems to be helping a :bit. : :Anyway, any advice or comments? And once again, thanks for answering :my previous post Dear Matt, Congrats on quitting drinking! I can imagine that was no easy feat…. but you did it and it was probably one of the best things you could have done for yourself. I understand your fear that you may have a chronic anxiety disorder…….it`s possible that your drinking was a way of self-medicating it. You can have a good, productive life even if you have an anxiety disorder. It`s a very treatable disorder…..so far you are doing all the right things, you quit drinking, you are taking an effective med and are in sure it will. Getting well takes time The symptoms you mentioned, the dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling unreal, etc, can be symptoms of anxiety. My main anxiety symptom is dizziness and feeling off balanced. Your body has gone through some major changes during the last month…..and your body could be reacting to that. :I’m not worried about abusing the pills, but I’m :scared of eventual withdrawal, especially after lurking in the Benzo :Withdrawal Forum – is withdrawal really that horrific? (One person :there suggested that my derealisation is caused by withdrawal from the :Valium I took a month ago (???)) I`ve been at this newsgroup for a few years and have seen many people wean off their benzo`s or decrease their dose significantly with little to no poblems. There are some that have a harder time weaning off benzos than others though. For most people, benzo withdrawals are not horrific. Benzos are a treatment, not a cure……so it makes sense if you stop taking a medication that was controlling your anxiety, that your anxiety may still be there. Many people confuse a return of anxiety symptoms when weaning off benzos as withdrawal symptoms. It`s very important when it comes time to wean off your benzo, that you do it under the supervision of your doctor and that the taper be done very slowy. A fast taper can be uncomfortable. May I suggest that you stay away from forums that are very negative about benzo withdrawal, all you are going to hear are horrific stories. If you are a suggestible type of person, than you will convince yourself that weaning off benzos is going to be awful before you`ve even started. It is best to find a forum that offers more balanced information. be applied to any benzo though. http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html What benzo are you taking and how much? If this current benzo is turning your brain to mush, ask your doctor about perhaps lowering your dose or swtiching over to another benzo. Some people do lousy on one benzo but find another very effective. Take care! Jackie ~~*~The true story….is the realization that no time in your life is ever perfect, that even the best memories have cracks you might not see~*~
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone I posted several weeks ago about my problem with alcohol abuse, and how I thought it correlated with my new-found anxiety attacks. Well, I finally quit drinking alcohol a month ago, and I’m pleased to report that my anxiety level has dropped drastically. I moved back in to my parents’ house for a while, they have been very understanding and suppportive. I haven’t experienced a single attack since I stopped drinking. As a precaution I took Valium 5 mg for four days right after quitting, and then on an as-needed basis (about 5mg once a week, if that). However, I’ve been feeling pretty lightheaded and dizzy lately, like everything is unreal and happening in slow motion. I also feel pressure behind my left eyeball, the area seems to go numb and my eyelid twitches on and off. Other than that, I’m feeling very calm and back to my old self. There are no more racing heartbeats, palpitations, choking sensations, etc, just this very weird feeling that I can’t seem to shake off. My doc thinks these are symptoms of persistent anxiety, which he claims may continue for several months after stopping heavy alcohol abuse; he wants me to take benzos regularly for a while. However, I’m *very* reluctant to take his advice because I don’t want to get hooked on benzodiazepines. I’m not worried about abusing the pills, but I’m scared of eventual withdrawal, especially after lurking in the Benzo Withdrawal Forum – is withdrawal really that horrific? (One person there suggested that my derealisation is caused by withdrawal from the Valium I took a month ago (???)). Plus, I find that benzos turn my brains to mush, I just can’t concentrate nor study while taking them – a luxury I can’t really afford at this time, as I’m still in college. Although admitedly my current situation isn’t all that better. So I’m very pleased about quitting the booze (I still can’t quite believe I got myself in that situation in the first place), but I’m scared of the possibility of having developed a permanent anxiety condition somewhere along the way (although there’s no history of GAD/panic in my family). I’ve started CBT, which seems to be helping a bit. Anyway, any advice or comments? And once again, thanks for answering my previous post Take good care, Matt – who is always long-winded and tends to rant endlessly, even when very sober ))
Matt, I think your symptoms are anxiety. Those are the symptoms i experience when my anxiety level is LOW. when it is high….i go into full blown, heart attack, end of the world panic. Alcohol used to help….if i drank everyday. When I quit drinking I got the symptoms you described. It slowly built into full blown melt down. You should listen to your doctor if your symptoms are causing you major discompfort. A little valium will not hurt you. It is better than a fifth of scotch 
Response:
Hello everyone I posted several weeks ago about my problem with alcohol abuse, and how I thought it correlated with my new-found anxiety attacks. Well, I finally quit drinking alcohol a month ago, and I’m pleased to report that my anxiety level has dropped drastically. I moved back in to my parents’ house for a while, they have been very understanding and suppportive. I haven’t experienced a single attack since I stopped drinking. As a precaution I took Valium 5 mg for four days right after quitting, and then on an as-needed basis (about 5mg once a week, if that). However, I’ve been feeling pretty lightheaded and dizzy lately, like everything is unreal and happening in slow motion. I also feel pressure behind my left eyeball, the area seems to go numb and my eyelid twitches on and off. Other than that, I’m feeling very calm and back to my old self. There are no more racing heartbeats, palpitations, choking sensations, etc, just this very weird feeling that I can’t seem to shake off. My doc thinks these are symptoms of persistent anxiety, which he claims may continue for several months after stopping heavy alcohol abuse; he wants me to take benzos regularly for a while. However, I’m *very* reluctant to take his advice because I don’t want to get hooked on benzodiazepines. I’m not worried about abusing the pills, but I’m scared of eventual withdrawal, especially after lurking in the Benzo Withdrawal Forum – is withdrawal really that horrific? (One person there suggested that my derealisation is caused by withdrawal from the Valium I took a month ago (???)). Plus, I find that benzos turn my brains to mush, I just can’t concentrate nor study while taking them – a luxury I can’t really afford at this time, as I’m still in college. Although admitedly my current situation isn’t all that better. So I’m very pleased about quitting the booze (I still can’t quite believe I got myself in that situation in the first place), but I’m scared of the possibility of having developed a permanent anxiety condition somewhere along the way (although there’s no history of GAD/panic in my family). I’ve started CBT, which seems to be helping a bit. Anyway, any advice or comments? And once again, thanks for answering my previous post Take good care, Matt – who is always long-winded and tends to rant endlessly, even when very sober ))
