Moderate Withdrawal - Does Benzo prevent brain damage?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
Moderate Withdrawal - Does Benzo prevent brain damage?
Hi all,
Firstly, I have just joined and its a credit to all the people dealing with their alcohol issues and sharing information. Support networks are so important.
I have a question which I haven't found yet, hopefully someone can give a knoweldgeable second opinion to my Dr. I have read lots of threads about symptoms/time etc, but haven't found this yet, apologies if its already been answered.
I'm 31 and have been a regularly drinker for 13 years (approx - 6-10std drinks per day - no drinking on 1-2 days per week) - only alcohol, never any other drug, never smoked.
Its my 5th day of withdrawal and going by all the "tests" etc available I am in the "mild-to-moderate" category - slight tremor, mild headache, mild fatigue, sort of brain "fog" etc - but no sweating/anxiety/vomiting/hallucinations etc.
After visiting my Dr today about how i'm going, he recommended I take Benzo medication with the symptoms i'm still getting after the 5th day. He said its "much safer" that way.
I honestly feel I can do without drug therapy, I can still work/drive/function OK at the moment, and it doesn't seem to be getting worse (3rd - 5th day identical). However, he said the symptoms I am feeling is because the brain is in severe shock and likely get worse as its still occuring, so I risk permanent brain damage by continuing to withdraw without Benzo medication (and recommended me go to a clinic).
Is this correct? From other threads, I thought Benzo was more designed to help people cope with worse withdrawal that I have, not to stop brain damage?
I guess I want to do this without assistance if possible (I have reactions to medication due to allergies etc, so I dont want further complications.....), but then I dont want to cause myself damage either as it does feel like my brain is "hurting" (hopefuly its "healing").
I guess I am really worried now since seeing my Dr.
Anyway, sorry for the long post and thanks so much for any advice. Best of luck to all and where you are at now, or its with getting your own health back on the right track.
Firstly, I have just joined and its a credit to all the people dealing with their alcohol issues and sharing information. Support networks are so important.
I have a question which I haven't found yet, hopefully someone can give a knoweldgeable second opinion to my Dr. I have read lots of threads about symptoms/time etc, but haven't found this yet, apologies if its already been answered.
I'm 31 and have been a regularly drinker for 13 years (approx - 6-10std drinks per day - no drinking on 1-2 days per week) - only alcohol, never any other drug, never smoked.
Its my 5th day of withdrawal and going by all the "tests" etc available I am in the "mild-to-moderate" category - slight tremor, mild headache, mild fatigue, sort of brain "fog" etc - but no sweating/anxiety/vomiting/hallucinations etc.
After visiting my Dr today about how i'm going, he recommended I take Benzo medication with the symptoms i'm still getting after the 5th day. He said its "much safer" that way.
I honestly feel I can do without drug therapy, I can still work/drive/function OK at the moment, and it doesn't seem to be getting worse (3rd - 5th day identical). However, he said the symptoms I am feeling is because the brain is in severe shock and likely get worse as its still occuring, so I risk permanent brain damage by continuing to withdraw without Benzo medication (and recommended me go to a clinic).
Is this correct? From other threads, I thought Benzo was more designed to help people cope with worse withdrawal that I have, not to stop brain damage?
I guess I want to do this without assistance if possible (I have reactions to medication due to allergies etc, so I dont want further complications.....), but then I dont want to cause myself damage either as it does feel like my brain is "hurting" (hopefuly its "healing").
I guess I am really worried now since seeing my Dr.
Anyway, sorry for the long post and thanks so much for any advice. Best of luck to all and where you are at now, or its with getting your own health back on the right track.
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome TassieGuy -
Since we can't offer any medical advice (and it wouldn't be in your interest if we did), I don't know what to tell you. Your doctor would be the only one with all the medical information necessary to make that decision, although I will say I think you have some good reasons for wanting to avoid the benzos.
Did you express your concerns to him?
Since we can't offer any medical advice (and it wouldn't be in your interest if we did), I don't know what to tell you. Your doctor would be the only one with all the medical information necessary to make that decision, although I will say I think you have some good reasons for wanting to avoid the benzos.
Did you express your concerns to him?
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,355
Welcome 
As Artsoul said we can't give you medical advice here Tassie Guy - it's against our rules.
Personally though I would seek a second opinion if I got advice I was unsure about or that felt wrong to me.
Why not see a second Dr for a real second opinion?
D
As Artsoul said we can't give you medical advice here Tassie Guy - it's against our rules.
Personally though I would seek a second opinion if I got advice I was unsure about or that felt wrong to me.
Why not see a second Dr for a real second opinion?
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
OK guys, sorry I wasnt aware of the rules - wasn't so much a "right or wrong" question, more a confirmation that someone else had heard similar advice.......especially as there is so much conflicting info regarding Benzo.
Thanks for the welcome Artsoul. Yes I spoke to my Dr about my concerns and he was very much of the opinion "better to be safe than sorry". I am just very reluctant, especially after reading so many people making it through the initial period successfuly without it. Just seems wierd to me to solve one drugs problem with the use of another.....
No Bob, I didnt ever think I really had a problem (my extended family drink more than me...) until I made a snap decision to quit - and have learnt a whole lot about withdrawal very quickly. No AA - didn't think i'd need to, but will now consider it thanks.
Will take your advice Dee74, I guess I was not hoping for more $$ and ill be honest, was hard enough fronting up to one. I really appreciate the responses even though you aren't allowed to comment on medical side, thanks very much again.
Thanks for the welcome Artsoul. Yes I spoke to my Dr about my concerns and he was very much of the opinion "better to be safe than sorry". I am just very reluctant, especially after reading so many people making it through the initial period successfuly without it. Just seems wierd to me to solve one drugs problem with the use of another.....
No Bob, I didnt ever think I really had a problem (my extended family drink more than me...) until I made a snap decision to quit - and have learnt a whole lot about withdrawal very quickly. No AA - didn't think i'd need to, but will now consider it thanks.
Will take your advice Dee74, I guess I was not hoping for more $$ and ill be honest, was hard enough fronting up to one. I really appreciate the responses even though you aren't allowed to comment on medical side, thanks very much again.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by Dee74 
I'm an Queenslander- if you're actually in Tassie, can you find a Dr who bulk bills?
D
D
My Dr used to bulk bill 6mths ago....then changed it to $45 out of pocket each visit. Money is really tight at the moment (another reason for giving up drinking) I guess it might be good timing to find a BBiller if available.
Thanks D.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,355
If you're in Hobart this is a good place to start
Hobart Doctors - Bulk billing
(there's a Launceston page too)
D
Hobart Doctors - Bulk billing
(there's a Launceston page too)
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by DoinThis
Welcome to SR Tassieguy! I'm a Queenslandergal!
Nice to know a few other Aussies are around - I could do with some nice Qld weather at the moment : )
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by Dee74
If you're in Hobart this is a good place to start
D
D
Thats excellent, will give them a try. Thank you very much for your help.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
