Newcomer here! Help needed
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ridgefield CT
Posts: 13
Newcomer here! Help needed
Hi all hope you're all well. I've been a recovering alcoholic for 4 years. Lots of relapses and detoxes. However all my withdrawals and detoxes were easy (2 maybe 3 days) - which was the devil in disguise it made me think I was fine.
Anyway after last detox was sober 1.5 years. Relapsed and have been drinking 6-10 beers a day for the last 1.5 years. Like an idiot I thought if I spaced them out and kept my bac at .08 or below I wouldn't withdrawal (I have a breathalyzer to check).
The last month got worse. So went to detox three times and each time felt fine even refusing more librium on days 3 and four. But each time came out and drank. Finally on October 12 decided that was it and this time got librium from my doc. Slipped again and even drank on librium for a week. Then at the end of that week just stopped. Took librium for a week but this time I didn't feel them at all. But I stayed sober for 10 days and felt awful.
I couldn't take it anymore and drank on day 10. Like the librium I felt nothing! Had to drink 18 beers and even then couldn't sleep and only felt a limited buz. So on oct 24 went to detox (they gave me Ativan felt nothing!) and have been sober since but still feel not right - nausea, headache, fuzzy brain and slight shakes. All still there and almost on three weeks which is unusual for me.
So. I'v read about paws but the detox dr and my dr don't think I have it just that it may take a while to clear but not too long. What do you all think? And has anyone else had this weird spike in total tolerance to any benzos and alcohol?
Thank you so much.
Anyway after last detox was sober 1.5 years. Relapsed and have been drinking 6-10 beers a day for the last 1.5 years. Like an idiot I thought if I spaced them out and kept my bac at .08 or below I wouldn't withdrawal (I have a breathalyzer to check).
The last month got worse. So went to detox three times and each time felt fine even refusing more librium on days 3 and four. But each time came out and drank. Finally on October 12 decided that was it and this time got librium from my doc. Slipped again and even drank on librium for a week. Then at the end of that week just stopped. Took librium for a week but this time I didn't feel them at all. But I stayed sober for 10 days and felt awful.
I couldn't take it anymore and drank on day 10. Like the librium I felt nothing! Had to drink 18 beers and even then couldn't sleep and only felt a limited buz. So on oct 24 went to detox (they gave me Ativan felt nothing!) and have been sober since but still feel not right - nausea, headache, fuzzy brain and slight shakes. All still there and almost on three weeks which is unusual for me.
So. I'v read about paws but the detox dr and my dr don't think I have it just that it may take a while to clear but not too long. What do you all think? And has anyone else had this weird spike in total tolerance to any benzos and alcohol?
Thank you so much.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ridgefield CT
Posts: 13
Thanks Amy. I guess surprises a) because I still had tolerance to alcohol up until I stopped for 10 days and b) I only took 25 to 50 mg of librium off and on for only a month. Weird. But I guess an addict can do it quick.
Do you think this prolonged withdrawal is the librium?
Do you think this prolonged withdrawal is the librium?
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: London
Posts: 1,010
I've no advice, but I've read and heard that each time gets worse and more dangerous.
The only analogy I can come up with is the ladies in my diet club who have another 1st week and they are dissapointed as the 'usually' lose at least 7lbs in their first week.
Perhaps their bodies are not processing things the same as its been done before so many times.
Sorry I can't offer much but please take care of yourself.
S x
The only analogy I can come up with is the ladies in my diet club who have another 1st week and they are dissapointed as the 'usually' lose at least 7lbs in their first week.
Perhaps their bodies are not processing things the same as its been done before so many times.
Sorry I can't offer much but please take care of yourself.
S x
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,126
I think Librium is one of the oldest benzos, but one thing all benzos have in common is the build up of a quick tolerance and the need for increased doses. This happens rapidly.
Drinking on the benoz is a very bad idea. For me, a decade of benzo addiction resulted in protracted withdrawals that lasted for a year.
Are you talking about the "buzz" of the benzo? Or its efficacy in quelling the shakes, heart rate, etc?
Drinking on the benoz is a very bad idea. For me, a decade of benzo addiction resulted in protracted withdrawals that lasted for a year.
Are you talking about the "buzz" of the benzo? Or its efficacy in quelling the shakes, heart rate, etc?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,126
The purpose is for the physical aspect of reducing the shakes, the anxiety, the rapid hear rate from alcohol withdrawal. Unfortunately, benzo withdrawal causes the same things.
I am not doctor, but from what I read alcohol withdrawal lasts from three to five days, at least the acute phase. Protracted Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, or PAWS, is a totally different animal that can occur in the withdrawal from most addictive substances, and is usually diagnosed months after cessation of the addictive substance. I wouldn't worry about PAWS. Most people are whacky for months after getting sober.
But I think a big question is why would a doctor keep you on librium for a month? And benzos are easily, quickly addictive. Manufacturer labeling warns that they are not to be used for more than two to four weeks.
It seems to me he could be setting you up for a benzo problem on top of an alcohol problem. Does he know you drank while on the librium?
Also, multiple withdrawals set you up for a harder time each detox. Most people who do develop PAWS have had dozens of withdrawals before chalking up some significant sober time.
A benzo is prescribed to prevent seizures, reduce anxiety, slow heart rate, all of the things that can kill you -- or at best be very unpleasant -- during alcohol withdrawal.
Sorry, but I am a real nazi when it comes to benzos. They nearly killed me.
I am not doctor, but from what I read alcohol withdrawal lasts from three to five days, at least the acute phase. Protracted Acute Withdrawal Syndrome, or PAWS, is a totally different animal that can occur in the withdrawal from most addictive substances, and is usually diagnosed months after cessation of the addictive substance. I wouldn't worry about PAWS. Most people are whacky for months after getting sober.
But I think a big question is why would a doctor keep you on librium for a month? And benzos are easily, quickly addictive. Manufacturer labeling warns that they are not to be used for more than two to four weeks.
It seems to me he could be setting you up for a benzo problem on top of an alcohol problem. Does he know you drank while on the librium?
Also, multiple withdrawals set you up for a harder time each detox. Most people who do develop PAWS have had dozens of withdrawals before chalking up some significant sober time.
A benzo is prescribed to prevent seizures, reduce anxiety, slow heart rate, all of the things that can kill you -- or at best be very unpleasant -- during alcohol withdrawal.
Sorry, but I am a real nazi when it comes to benzos. They nearly killed me.
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