Hi: I am going to post a link here for you to check out. Most of us, while we find the benzos work well when we first start them, find that the longer we stay on them, the more problems we actually start having. Things like memory loss, impaired cognitive function, increased depression, inability to learn new things, loss of emotions, heightened irritability - to name just a few. I also belong to a group: benzo@yahoogroups.com It is an excellant group for w/d from benzos. The mods are great - have a lot of good advice and support. There are people on there who have been on benzos as little as a few months to 20 years or more. I have been on klonopin 2mg for 15 years. The last few years, I have lost my son (he wants nothing more to do with me), my relationship wit my daughter is tenuous at best, I'm having increased trouble at work - doing things that used to come easily. There are people on that group that didn't realize they need to get off the benzos until they had lost everything - including jobs, family, homes. I only became aware that the klonopin could be part of my problem when I landed in the hospital last month. If you choose to check out the link, read Dr. Peart's story. I'm not certain - but you might have to join that group to get into all the info on this link - but it's free, there are no obligations, and you don't have to keep posting. It would be just to get all the info off this link. : /www.benzosupport.org/ When you are ready to go off the benzos, you will need support. Benzos are the most widely prescribed meds in this country (US). They are also some of the hardest drugs to get off of. it can take months - and many times people find they have withdrawal syndrome for 2-3 years, even longer for some, AFTER the drug is out of the system. The brain has to heal itself and that takes time - so keep the group benzo@yahoocroups.com in mind.
Good luck.......Becky