Quote from NanG:

I'm wondering if someone here can help me. My doctor is poo pooing me as being anxious and asked that I "trust" him on this. However, I think I have legitimate reasons to be concerned and would like to know:

I was taking 300-400 mg Neurontin nightly for epilpsy-like brain activity (w/o having epilpsy), which may have been contributing to my migraines, for about three years. After switching doctors, I was taken off the Neurontin and prescribed Temazapam 30 mg nightly for sleep.

It's been three months since starting the Temazapam and I'm very concerned about addiction/withdrawal. I've also lost about 20 pounds and wonder if it's from stopping the Neurontin (of which I did gain some weight) or if it could be from the Temazapam? Is it a "given" that I will be addicted to Tempazapam? Is 12 weeks too long to be on nightly doses of 30 mg? My doc has given me four refills, so it doesn't seem like something he'll have me stop anytime soon. I'm very concerned. Thanks for your assistance.

Hi NanG. After 12 weeks use I am afraid that you will be addicted to temazepam.

Some people lose weight and yet some people gain weight when they are taking benzodiazepines ( temazepam ).

Hi NanG
Temazepam is highly addictive and should be used for a maximum time of 2 - 4 weeks. I think you may have addiction problems now. Dont stop suddenly - you must taper slowly off a benzo. Ideally this is easier done by switching to a benzo with a longer half life - like valium. However, doctors in the US are very reluctant to prescribe valium. Ask your doctor for advice re tapering off asap. The longer you leave it the more difficult it will become. You will reach tolerance - and the temazepam can then induce anxiety. Insomnia is another of its side effects.
I would not recommend the use of any other benzo - or indeed ambien or sonata which work in much the same way as a benzo.
Natural sleep will come in time - after you get off the benzo.
You are lucky - you have become aware of this very early on - I reckon you will have a short and relatively straight forward taper after this length of time.
There are very good sites for info on the net.
One is the benzo org uk site and it follows the Ashton method - Prof Ashton being a world authority on benzo withdrawal and her manual is available on line. Just type in Ashton Manual into a search engine..........
Also try typing benzodiazepine......
You have just no idea how lucky you are to have questioned the use of benzos so quickly - many people use them for years and years - never abusing - following doctor's guidelines - and are horrified to find themselves addicted thro no fault of their own. After years of use it can be very very difficult to get off -so do it now while you can and before you start upping your dosage.
So - go and do your research on the net - the benzo org uk site has a huge amount of information and a forum for mutual support.
Good luck
y