The nightmare continues

[discgolfbob]

Greetings all,

I have just joined the forum and have many questions. I started having problems with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) in July this year. One recommendation was to avoid alcohol so I cut back and eventually quit altogether. I stopped Sept 12 and had no problems with cravings. I had not realized I grew a healthy appetite for beer, probably a 6 pack a day, usually more on weekends with occasional other liquor at parties. Did that for years.

I have been suffering from insomnia ever since and also have been suffering anxiety and depression since Sept. I've told all my docs everything but I still feel I'm walking the path alone. My wife has been very supportive (God bless her). I read how alcohol affects the brain's GABA receptors, and sure enough, the only meds that provide any relief are the benzodiazopines. My psychiatrist has me on Lexapro and gave me Klonopin for the anxiety. I also have Restoril to take for the insomnia.

I am very concerned about these meds since they can be so addictive. I am currently taking the Klonopin as needed but it is getting more frequent. I am thinking of taking 0.25 mg twice a day since it seems to help my sleep and mood. To be honest, I am scared to death of what is going on. This is my first bout with any serious health issues.

Any guidance or encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

dgb

[mpvt]

In my opinion the benzodiazepines will likely become a problem.As you know they effect the same receptors as alcohol.So if your trying to stop drinking then taking benzo's isn't really the way to go.How about an anti-depressant or just go off the benzo's and get back into eating well and light exercise.You wouldn't believe what that can do for you.Also,you don't want to go through a benzodiazepine withdrawl,man they can literally kill you.Good luck....Dave

[discgolfbob]

Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion. I understand the problem with using benzos is only replacing one drug with another. That is what I have been concerned about for the past several months. I have not been able to sleep for almost 5 months and I have found that the benzo type drugs help the most. Without them, I fall alseep okay, but wake up within 2 hours, fall asleep for another hour and then its time to toss and turn the rest of the night. I tried AmbienCR, Lunesta and Rozerem, none of which worked. I have been trying to get by with melatonin, valerian, passion flower and/or various mixes of these. I get some relief from these but my sleep pattern is totally disturbed. Sominex seems to help some as well. I realize everyone is different, but how long can this go on?

Does this even sound like alcohol withdrawal?

Thanks,

dgb

[kim4074]

I wish I had more answers for you. Have you been on the benzos since you stopped drinking? It takes time your your body to heal and for your brain to start producing things like seratonin and dopamine and other chemicals that were stopped because they were replaced by booze or pills. When I stopped taking vicoden I have to say sleep was the last thing to come naturally I felt like in 2 mos I only had about 5hrs of sleep. Frustrating as it was I also have never heard of someone dying from no sleep. So it may be that the benzo's just replaced what the alcohol was doing. Just give it time and I would start weaning off the benzo's and let your body heal. It will soon be back to normal and it will start producing the chemicals that help you to sleep. Just takes time thats all. You will start feeling better just one day at a time. Melatonin did help me some too. I would get a few good hrs then it just seemed like I was just staring at the clock the rest of the day. I wished I could just scream. What happened to the days of crawling in bed and peacefully falling asleep without needing something. I would just slowly cut the benzos out. Start taking 1/2 or you normal dose at bedtime then cut it back as you need to. Your body is an amazing instrament it will heal itself and put you to sleep naturally the way it used to. Its just rusty right now and not running right but it will. Best wishes and it will get easier. Kim

[discgolfbob]

Thank you for your kind thoughts and suggestions Kim. I started having insomnia around the 4th of July. I stopped drinking in early Sept and did not take any benzos until recently. So I have been struggling with the insomnia for almost 5 months. It sounds like you are saying hang in there and it my head will correct itself. I'm not impatient but I hope it doesn't take too much longer. One other problem is the tinnitus. Sometimes the ringing is louder than a TV set and I find that the benzos help reduce or eliminate the symptoms. I'm trying to suck it up and tough it out, but it is a real challenge.

Thanks again,
dgb