Hi V

I'm so sorry my friend to hear that thhings are so tough right now. But, it sounds like as ever you are practical and pro-active, and doing everything you need to to get the advice and help you feel you need

I wonder if some of the additional anxiety and frustration is due to coming off the benzos completely, in which case that should pass with time, shouldn't it? Even so that may be very little comfort in the here-and-now my friend, as I know so well myself.

After some weeks of terrible anxiety and panic and daily benzo-use I find myself wishing to come off them myself now, but am stuck in a Catch 22 situation to some extent. I'm looking at some alternative anxiety-reduction routes, as I'm already having psychotherapy and starting CBT next week, including acupuncture and reiki.

Anyway, I am wittering on about myself, sorry! I feel we have much in common, and I have learnt a lot through your posts, advice and wisdom on the board here, and hope you start to feel better soon with the right support.

All the best my friend

8

Hi 8,

Many thanks for the words of support.

You may well be correct when you say "I wonder if some of the additional anxiety and frustration is due to coming off the benzos completely". It is very possible but I guess I will never know. I see that you are starting CBT; that's one of the ingredients in my integrative therapy. You may want to take a look at the following website:

http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/

It is an excellent adjunct but not a replacement for one-to-one CBT. I'll be very interested to learn how you get on with acupuncture and reiki, having never tried either of these.

Thanks again.

V.

Many thanks for the link V, I'll take a look at it this evening as I'm just popping up the road to stock up on some amino acids that a member here kindly recommended me as being of possible benefit (I meant to also mention those).

I had acupuncture in detox, and it was incredible relaxing. Only one of the pins actually caused any slight discomfort going in - interestingly corresponding to the 'liver' point on the ear, I think.

My mother had reiki when she was terminally ill. Despite being in incredible pain almost constantly, after a session she would be glowing and in the best of spirits. She said it was amazing to feel the energy transference from the practitioner even though their hands don't touch the subject's body. I'm looking for a good local person right now. A committed Christian friend has warned me against it, as it's not Christian healing and therefore 'wrong' (or worse), but I'm spiritual and not Religious so I don't worry about that!

Have you ever looked at NLP? Something else I've been meaning to get into for years now. Damn my procrastination!

Hi 8,

I'd be interested in knowing more about the amino acids that you mention. Regarding NLP, I know what it stands for but that's about it!

All the best.

V.

I know little about NLP beyond the basics, but it sounds fascinating, and perhaps a powerful tool. I'm going to start a thread on it later I think as we must have some very clued-up people here. I've also become very interested in amino acids, so at the risk of spamming the forum I'll be starting one on those too I think!

8, not sure what sort of Christian friend you have but Reikki is practiced on patients in our local Catholic hospital.
I am Catholic also and have a degree in Reikki. It is an ancient healing art coming from the Orient. It is very relaxing and can benefit people who are ill or have anxiety. Just wanted to add my 2 cents!

I'm not sure what sort of church his is, but they are very big on Christian healing, and so suspicious of anything else I guess. He's also been quite involved in exorcism, so is very deep into things. Stuff I don't really care to go into too much with him, quite honestly!

It's good to hear that other denominations are open to it, and - wow! - you have a degree in it? I'd love to pick your brains a bit about it sometime if you don't mind. Is it something that many people might find helpful that would deserve it's own thread here in 'off-topic'?

V, sorry to sidetrack your thread. From our chat by PM it sounds like the amino acids I'm trying are things you've looked at in the past.

Hang in there Virgil.
Don't give in. I really admire your spirit and determination to make TSM work for you.
You're an inspiration.
6DIJ

Thanks, everyone, for your kind words of support.

V.

8, I think that Virgil is interested in this too. I started with healing touch performed by a nurse practioner many years ago. My anxiety was at an all time high due to upping dosages of anxiety meds. a theory called rebound anxiety! Both theraputic touch and Reikki calms the mind and thus the anxiety to a degree, you still have to do the work of getting the meds under control. It is my firm belief, having been through this senario, that the benzo's are the very cause of your anxiety now, not in the beginning but the bouncing all over the place with them. I am still on a low dose of klonipin for anxiety and am attempting a very very slow taper. There are so darn many symptoms these meds cause! It is a hell in and of itself. I was duped into taking a small amount and there is no such thing as a small amount!!!! Reikki will most definitely calm you. Hope this helps! I am going for either Reikki or Reflexology today. I do it weekly and have for years. I use it on myself, but having it done by someone is better. It is not that expensive and well worth the price.