Protracted benzo withdrawal

[Aarniek]

i there anything that can relieve my extremely contracted muscles,so i could walk again,as i have  been off lorazapam for 18 months ,suffering tinnitus and ,extreme muscle contraction. Was on 8 mg daily of it and my neurologist took me off in 3 weeks.( nine years on it)thanks.

[Aarniek]

Finally someone who gets it. I tried another,Dr.,all tests normal( no surprise there) so he was honest( or clueless) and said wait it out as i showed him the many muscle relaxers I tried,the magnesium,and supplements ,all having a negative effect. But its now month 29 and i still cant walk.( possibly its worse).

[Dee1956]

p.s. I am taking magnesium right now to try to help my muscles relax.  I think it is working

[Dee1956]

Hi I realize this is an old post however your story really touched me.  I looked up protracted benzo withdrawal and found this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine_withdrawal_syndrome


It can last months or years.  I am so sorry for what you are experiencing and I think it is awful that your doctor took you off over such a short period.  Is there any way you can see a new doctor and explain what happened?  I also wonder if it is possible that the benzo is what kept you from having this problem in the first place.
Again, so sorry, doctors are clueless some times

Dee

[CPain4]

I have muscle spasms and my doctor put me on potassium M 20 , Bananas are also a good source of potassium . Other than that I take Zanaflex  that my doctor prescribed  . Also sometimes a hot bath can help and keeping them warm . I also use a Home Medic Massager . Last but not least if the pain is also in your lower back , a heating pad can help .

[ChristNonsense]

Everyone here has made a good point.

And, if it's true what you said, CCtailor, I just learned something new! I'm gonna immediately start taking magnesium and b-6, as I believe I've been consuming too much calcium. I just now read that magnesium citrate is the best form?

Anyway, Aarniek, I just wonder if you need to tackle this muscle problem with the help of an additional, but different type, of physician.

Look up "neurophysiologist."

[Aarniek]

Finally ,everone looks at this as a muscle problem and it's a brain problem,therefore that explains why calcium,magnesium ,baclofen ,etc are usless,just a shame the medical profession is so clueless.***@****

[Aarniek]

As I have tried Baclofen ,and every muscle relaxer known to,man ,medicine or supplements are not an option,as the compromised ,super sensitive CNS can't handle anything ,not ever a simple vitamin.aarniek.

[Aarniek]

I guess no one believes this can happen,but I text with others with the same problem. How does one walk when that is the problem,as it was originally put forth. As soon as I stand my muscles dpshrink( contract) making walking impossible. As it turns out BENZOS are a strong muscle relaxer,so when they are stopped the muscles are hyper excited . Only some have this problem and it's listed by professor Ashton,and she ever says mild to moderate exercise shold help,but that is for milder cases.I am 22 months Benzo free ,and have not improver at all. Maybe my age ( 77) is part of it or the fact I was on 6 times the safe dose for older people. My neurologist waves me through his office and i hate going there as I have to be helped in and out by strong hands,very demeaning,but I don't find help,except knowing I am not the only one in this .All blood tests of hormones and nutrients are normal.Aarniek

[omhome]

thanks for clearing up my error.....i had it confused and magnesium was the answer.  sorry to confuse them you guys......om

[cctailor]

Magnesium relaxes the muscles and nerves.  Calcium causes contraction in muscle fibers. When there is too much calcium and not enough magnesium you get muscle contraction, twitches, and spasms. You need to take B-6 along with magnesium.  The level of B-6 determines how much magnesium the body absorbs. This works for RLS as well.
Drug withdrawal uses up alot of the bodies magnesium.
Soaking in epsom salt bath will help as well as streching

[philnoir]

It is not likely that you're feeling any residual withdrawal after 18 months w/o benzos.

Omhome gives good advice. Massage can help. Mild exercise, like walking, will help keep muscles loose.

A non-central acting muscle relaxant like dantrolene may also be useful. Ask your doctor.

Best wishes.

[omhome]

are u taking any calcium?  and baclofen works really well but be careful coming off of it. Stretch stretch stretch slowly however much u can after hot bath or shower.