Benzos, GABA and pain killers

[ted_marx]

My question is how long benzo occupation of GABA receptors might take to alleviate upon benzo usage termination.

 

Based on another thread here, it's apparently well-documented that lengthy benzo usage and subsequent GABA receptor occupation reduces the effectiveness of pain killers eg opiates, thus increasing morbity if such a patient needs, for example, open-heart surgery.

 

Don't know if you have any knowledge or know a place where I can find out??

 

THANKS!

[ted_marx]

My question is how long benzo occupation of GABA receptors might take to alleviate upon benzo usage termination.

 

Based on another thread here, it's apparently well-documented that lengthy benzo usage and subsequent GABA receptor occupation reduces the effectiveness of pain killers eg opiates, thus increasing morbity if such a patient needs, for example, open-heart surgery.

 

Don't know if you have any knowledge or know a place where I can find out??

 

THANKS!

[Bald Wonder]

Hey, check out this website:

 

http://www.benzo.org.uk/

 

Especially this section:

 

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/index.htm

 

There are also a number of links on that site you can follow for more information.

 

The problem is not occupation of the GABA receptors. The problem is that long term benzo use causes downregulation of GABA receptors and decreased GABA activity in the brain. It will take some time for your body synthesize new receptors and more GABA once the benzos are gone. Like I mentioned in the other thread, I only took Klonopin for 1 year (although I was taking a fairly high dose = 1mg TID) and it took over a year for me to completely normalize.

 

The main thing is to not try and taper yourself. Follow the advice of a knowledgable physician.

[Bald Wonder]

Hey, check out this website:

 

http://www.benzo.org.uk/

 

Especially this section:

 

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/index.htm

 

There are also a number of links on that site you can follow for more information.

 

The problem is not occupation of the GABA receptors. The problem is that long term benzo use causes downregulation of GABA receptors and decreased GABA activity in the brain. It will take some time for your body synthesize new receptors and more GABA once the benzos are gone. Like I mentioned in the other thread, I only took Klonopin for 1 year (although I was taking a fairly high dose = 1mg TID) and it took over a year for me to completely normalize.

 

The main thing is to not try and taper yourself. Follow the advice of a knowledgable physician.