Posted by Larry Hoover on December 30, 2008, at 23:14:20
In reply to Permanent damage from Benzodiazepines?, posted by crittercuddler on December 30, 2008, at 17:35:01
Hi michelle. I read the thread you linked to, and I do understand your concerns. Some biochemical balances bounce back fairly quickly after drug withdrawal, and some seem to take forever. But I think the capacity to restore equilibrium is only lost under extraordinary circumstances.
In the case of benzodiazepine withdrawal, there is a rebound phenomenon. The rebound overshoots the "normal" set-point, and produces aggravated symptoms like those that first led to treatment. In the case of anxiety, becoming far more anxious than you used to be just doesn't seem fair and right. And, if you're innately anxious, you've now got anxiety to be anxious about, a potential vicious circle of emotional excitement. It's no wonder you might feel worse than you did before. You probably do.
Here's the key point though, the rebound phenomenon is proof that your body is seeking a normal equilibrium. GABA-A receptors do decrease in number under chronic benzodiazepine exposure. It takes time for your body to recognize the deficit, to upregulate the genes that produce them, and to synthesize the receptors. I have full faith that your capacity will rebound. What I can't predict is how long it will take.
There are some supplements that might help you through some rough moments. The amino acid taurine also has effects similar to GABA on norepinephrine release, so it's a fairly potent stress mediator. Magnesium is essential for GABA-A receptor function, so ensuring you're not deficient can lead to better overall function. And, the B-vitamin niacinamide (not niacin, but niacinamide) improves GABA-A receptor function, and also acts as a mild agonist at the receptor (mimics GABA modestly).
And there's a behavioural modification that might give you some long-term benefits, called mindfulness. It's a meditative awareness state, quite useful for dealing with stress. Right now, I'm mindful that I'm well past my bedtime, and I need to shut it down. Happy to talk more, later, if you wish.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:871465
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081223/msgs/871550.html