A 24-year-old female asked about a 43-year-old female:
I have been off benzos for 2 months, i'm starting to feel like i'm not going to be able to work or sleep without going back on them do i go back on?
5 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in
Dr. Vasu Brownanswered
Integrative Medicine 23 years experience
Don't: Benzo addiction is one of the toughest to treat withdrawal can last for 6 months. Use magnesium 800mg at night will help you restore sleep and take l-glutamine 1000mg if you still have difficulty sleeping.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Killiananswered
General Practice 30 years experience
Disease of Addiction: Your brain will tell you that nothing will ever work like those benzos. That is a lie. That is the disease of addiction and it is very much alive and active in you. If you have not found a program of fellowship and learned the tools of other healthy ways to get to sleep; learned the ways to stop the obsession then you must and i mean that with all i know, get to a program and treat the disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Pamela Pappasanswered
Psychiatry 44 years experience
Why benzos?: Why were the benzos prescribed in the first place? Whatever basic condition they helped with, can return -- such as various anxiety disorders that can be treated other ways. Please talk with your doctor about this -- should see a psychiatrist and/or psychologist. If you were using benzos acquired without prescription, this is an addiction and you need an addiction medicine doctor as well.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Phil Chenanswered
Family Medicine 28 years experience
See a doctor: You need to talk to your doctor and try other medication or find out why you still has insomnia. If necessary your doctor can order sleep study and find other causes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowleranswered
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Were you addicted?: There are other ways to deal with stress, anxiety & sleep problems then benzodiazapines. The difference is that to really treat the problem - you have to do some work (as opposed to popping a benzo). Have you tried cognitive behavioral therapy? Behavior modification? Individual psychotherapy? Group psychotherapy? Qi gong? Tai chi? Acupuncture? Acupressure? Homeopathy? Meditation? Yoga? Exercise >.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Heidi Fowler commented
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Provided original answer
Exercise program? Breathing exercises? Progressive muscle relaxation? Different psychiatric medications?** Use good sleep hygiene. Retire & rise same time each day. Keep bedroom dark & cool & use only for sex & sleep. Turn off tv. No naps. Exercise regularly but not in late evening. No caffeine for 6 hrs & no alcohol or tobacco w/i 2 hrs of sleep. Keep dinner moderate sized & finish at least 2 to 3 hrs before sleep. Can try warm milk, Chamomile tea or melatonin along w light reading, warm bath or lavender scent.
Sep 8, 2013
Dr. Heidi Fowler commented
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Provided original answer
Thanks Dr. Jacobson.
Sep 8, 2013
Last updated Dec 19, 2019
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