Posted by Peace on March 7, 2002, at 21:08:59
I recently came off benzos and my doctor put me on 25 mg. of Seroquel. It helped me get off a 13 year addiction to benzos, and is now helping me to sleep. My doc told me this is a low dose and I should not have any problem. I am doing really well.
However I saw this message on another board and I am starting to freak out a bit. I don't plan on taking the Seroquel forever. I am just taking it for a few months till my body adjusts to no benzos.
My question is: Is what is written in the message a common occurrence?
Here is the message from the other board. Please give me some feedback.
Peace
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"I am very concerned that Seroquel or any medication in the major
tranquilizer class (antipsychotics) is ever given for anything other
than intractable Schizophrenia or psychosis.They have absolutely no place in benzodiazepine or anxiety disorder
treatment.I have a very sad personal experience with these drugs. When I was
detoxing in the early 90's I met a man who was an attorney for the
state. He specialized in Elder Care law for seniors who had no
financial resources.Andrew loved his "calling" and told his doctor to keep him working
through benzo withdrawal; he simply had no time for recovery. His
doctor gave him an antipsychotic and while it did not stop the
majority of symptoms it did force him into unconscious sleep.After 4 months Andrew started showing signs of extrapyramidal side
effects that the doctor failed to recognize. Fast forward to today:Andrew has the typical PERMANENT neurological, brain damage from this
class of drugs. His eyes bug out and his tongue rolls in his mouth
uncontrollably, he slobbers and his lips gap open. He rocks from side
to side or becomes totally rigid and can't move, has such severe
muscle tension he sits and cries. Other times he paces for hours and
can't sit down or hold a thought. I have been to his home when he
will stand like a toy soldier, totally rigid for hours.He survived the benzo withdrawal but now is totally disabled by a
medication well known to have the potential for permanent
neurological damage. We made the medication mistake once, I pray no
one else is damaged like Andrew."
poster:Peace
thread:96962
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/96962.html