flagator96

On 6/17/2021 at 11:55 AM, oobar said:

Here's a more recent study from the cutting-edge researchers at Stanford. They had significant improvements with minimal side effects using very low-dose aripiprazole, which is cheap and easily available, although you do need pharmacy scales that can weigh down to the milligram level.

 

https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-021-02721-9

I personally know several people, myself included, who have fully recoverd from ME/CFS by using the classical Buteyko method. I was sick for 7+ years with it, and the recovery was pretty rapid and solid. You may want to check out some testimonials on youtube, with the emphasis being on the word classical.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Age 65 now, not sure there's all that 'much later' to worry about.

LOL indeed, some guys can keep going strong in theis 80s. Why ruin a good thing?

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

It hasn't stopped my parts working.

just because it hasn't until now, it does not mean it will not later...

Finasteride can in some cases cause chronic and in other cases irreversible erectile dysfunction in some men. You may want to research this before you leap.

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Retirement extensions based on bank account which has an INCOME requirement of ZERO BAHT.

 

If you have an account of 800K BHT, that is approximately the $25K Mexico requires for the permanent residency process to begin (takes 4 years). If you have $100K you can get it at once. Plus, you DO NOT have to move the funds in Mexico which is much better than Thailand's demands for a local bank acct to get renewals of your retirement extension within Thailand.

Other advantages of Mexico is of course that you will not need 90 day reporting hassles, multiple re-entry permit (legalized extortion) fees, fear of being fined if you do not report to the police your new location even when you travel within Thailand, and all the other problems and hassles that Thailand imposes on us. Also the obvious upside is that at the end of 4 years you can get permanent residency, and you do not have to show the financial means at the final application or ever again! Then you can put an end to all the heavy handed junk that Thailand will be imposing on you for the rest of your life if you choose to stay there. Plus, it is exceedingly difficult to get permanent residency in Thailand just because the country does not want you to have these rights and makes it exceedingly difficult. Finally, just because Colombia made the mistake of canceling it's permanent residency it does not mean that Mexico will do it too. Just some food for thought :)

OK instead of the usual clever half line webforum Mark the snarky lark o.p. topic dismissal I'll be equally annoying in the opposite direction and actually attempt to give an in depth answer, going on and on at length in my trademark epic run on sentences about the obvious as though it were a revelation or about things you'd disgaree totally with, ha ha!

As has been said, what you spend per month there's a lot of variation depending on your luck, your preferences etc. I don't live in Udon but in Isaan and don't mind living in my wife's village an hour away from the nearest city , so I pay no rent. But I run the air-conditioning all the time so that's 2,000 baht a month electric. My wife isn't into draining her husband's bank account just because she can, not that I would allow it, and healthily paranoid enough that it is not likely, even if I were poisoned by an in-law or what have you, there'd still be no way to get much out of it. So I suppose that's also luck, not meeting a woman who turns out to be a ruthless blood sucking pipe from you to the rest of her family. Honing your perceptive abilities regarding people's characters can save you a load. But the wife does like watching western movies so we pay True another 2000 baht a month. Glad to pay it because she gets a lot out of it. Really don't enjoy very much of anything they put on and never watch TV hardly at all myself. Who needs it when you have face book and Thai Visa! Internet from TOT is 450 per month, much better value and has been pretty good and consistent since about New Years, terrible last year though, atrocious internet actually in 2014. I don't own a car and never have in my whole life so the car cost maintenance fuel money holes don't exist for me . Don't even need a car, even way out here in the sticks. If worse comes to worse tons of other people have cars here and I just offer them 400-600 baht to drive me somewhere, that happens on average only about once a month. Our village has an ambulance service that is prompt and works pretty well for the monthly heart attack or apoplexy spazzings outs, the odd jaw bone popping out and onto the floor, or leg dropping off from disuse and needing prompt reattachment etc.. When not faced with a medical emergency, usually I just take Songthaews and that's 25 baht for an hour ride into town. Our food bill is high because I don't eat local style and try to eat as healthy as I can given everything is GMO and the fruits and vegetables are sometimes so soaked in chemicals you have to toss them. 6000 baht a week and random household purchases bill for two people. But included in that is some food we give to our struggling family members, our dogs, a couple bottles of nice wine and a 500 ml bottle of Singha per day, that is beer and wine for us not for the dogs. I buy a lot of books on line and music production software and other gizmos sometimes hardware so that's about another 4,000 baht a month average. What really kills us is going to Bangkok or somewhere to get away for a bit, which is pretty essential, the walls start to close in and it feels pretty claustrophobic every 4-5 months. Perhaps living in town is a way to save on that, but for me I think even Udon would be nearly as boring as in the middle of pesticide strafed rice land, but that's just me and I suppose it could be an absolute blast for some to live in Khon Kaen or Udon. A week in Bangkok easily runs 60,000 baht all in. Sure, I could do better on that account, and not eat in any restaurants or in less, not buy nice imported beers and wines, not buy books, not do any shopping for non-essentials you can't get in Isaan, but I don't have to presently so I don't.

Medical costs run me another 60,000 per year and I happen to think Thai doctors are mostly not very good,nearly all are hopelessly arrogant, too many of them seem mentally unbalanced to me, it is not uncommon to hear frankly stupendously insane comments from them regarding myself and my condition which I won't go into here. Personally I need to research other countries to travel to for medical, there is no trustworthy help available for the likes of myself. Of course your mileage may vary and I suppose it is partly down to your personality and how cool you are with ingratiating yourself to your superiors. I don't think I am arrogant, but I am not into grovelling, I am straight forward but with a ready smile when there is reason to smile, not as an exercise extreme discomfort and eggshell walking jsut to satisfy somone's sense of superiority. Rather the wrong attitude to have with Thai doctors they won't help you if you approach them as equals, I have found anyway.

So to sum up:

1 month expenses for me and the wife:

2,500- electricity & water

2,000-True Visions Sattelite

450- internet

1,000-local transpo

24,000-food and miscellaneous daily expenses

10,000-vacation funds

4,000- books and software

6,000-medical (chronic minor skin cancer, eye and foot problems)

10,000- miscellaneous nasty surprises, gotta buy its and ufo landing pad upkeep and maintenance

= 60,000 baht/month.

If it were just me it would be probably around 40-45,000 a month. But then I'd be renting so it works out about the same.

60,000 would about cover rent for a crap apartment in a violence plagued neighborhood in America, so maybe my budget looks stupid to you but I am OK with it and live just how I wanna on it.

Of course I could eat crap food and have more health problems and feel like <deleted> all the time, but I do not enjoy feeling protein, vitamin and mineral depleted. Nobody does but I don't think half of even the western countries populations understand that they have an issue with their diet. Good food keeps you feeling happier and more resilient to the challenges of living in Thailand, so I think it's well spent, and I don't think eating on the cheap here is wise at all, you'll probably cut a decade off of your life with all the salt and grease eating cheap dishes at food courts and on sidewalks and so forth. I keep on my wife's back about proper nutrition as well and that makes her a happier and a much better person to be around. Though she still says, "God, I feel like a <deleted> parakeet today! What happened?!" "Well, what did you eat?!" "Oh...some rice, a doughnut and a few nam prik dishes and I had a Leo beer with my sister." "So, no fish or chicken, no fresh herbs or anything?" "No." "Well there you go. That's why."

Hope that answered your question. Thanks for the space! Do not push like, do not pass go, turn off the computer and get some boiling hot fresh air!

Love and Viva La Revolucion,

Commandante Guido "Do-Not Say-'That-is-Sooooh-Gay-Again'" Suave, Second Commander of The Anti-Flippant Dismissive Internet Witticism Liberation Front

p.s.- How can one have another nutter butter roto rooter double trouble shooter in they life, baby baba, when there ain't even none yet anywhere, anytime no how no way, Super Sugar Crisp Bear! Unless you talkin about your own self, Jose! And who's he anyway?! Yabba Dabbah doo, sir!

Shaun,

Thank you for the detailed posting about your life and expenses.

I was a bit surprised to read what you said: "try to eat as healthy as I can given everything is GMO".

Which foods are GMO in Thailand? In most countries soy, corn, and sugar beets are either 80-90 % GMO, or, are suspicious enough to be avoided. It is my understanding that GMO crops are not legal in Thailand, not even GMO papaya. Is this true?

Can you find organic food in the sticks? If so can you trust the seller?

Thank you.

I need more details.

1. When you say it is difficult to get out of bed - difficult how?

Is it that you are groggy and sleepy and have trouble waking up?

Or that you are awake but just feel no motivation to get up?

Or are motivated to get up but your limbs don't seem to respond readily?

Makes a big difference.

2. As you mention having had a recent physical check up: were thyroid levels checked (TSH, T3, T4)?

Any physical check up will have included a blood count so anemia, hookworm etc can be ruled out. But they often do not include a thyroid panel unless specifically requested.

3. What if anything happened in your life just before this problem started?

First of all may I thank the many folks who responded to this - this is really ThaiVisa working at its best. I hope also that some people may benefit from the various wise comments, and health-related advice already offered here..

Sheryl - thank you for your input - very much appreciated. The essential reason for my post was this sudden - very odd - inability to get out of bed, which others might have also suddenly experienced, and maybe discovered why.

I am busy most days with a number of pleasurable/creative things, and I like to tackle these in the early morning. The motivation to start the day is therefore very strong, and I'm normally up with the lark. Shocked therefore to suddenly lie there feeling so darned weak - not sleepy, groggy, just completely exhausted. Once up, I feel 50/50 until mid-morning, then I'm whacked again, and can't wait to lie down. No neurological symptoms. No sleep apnoea. And I'm certainly not depressed, nor have suffered any recent psychological upsets.

Re thyroid - regular check ups have always been normal, but just checked the recent lab report and see that TSH, T3, T4 were not done, so I'll do this asap. This indeed might be the culprit.

Meanwhile, my renewed thanks to all - great support.

JKO,

I am sorry you are going through all this.

If you have had a complete work up, and you have ruled out anemia, kidney / liver/heart disease, autoimmune disorders, infections ( HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, worms etc, neurologica;l disorders etc,

then most likely you are experiencing what we call HPA axis dysregulation ( HPA= hypothalamus pituitary-adrenal axis). The less scientific, but more commonly used term for it is: "adrenal fatigue". Nevertheless, it rarely has anything to do with the adrenals. Instead it is usually a brain issue as described above. You do need a fasting and an afternoon cortisol level though just to be sure. Your blood pressure can also be low when symptomatic, but not always.

In most people this comes from excessive stress, too may activities, too much exercise, sometimes medications can do it as well, not enough food (fasting), too much coffee or tea, and not enough sleep.

If that is what you have it has been in the works for years, and one day you just crashed. How many hours of sleep to you get? What time do you go to bed? Have you been busy for many years and getting inadequate rest? Have you had any super stressful periods in the last months, how about in the last 10 years? They tend to accumulate,

This condition results from chronically elevated stress response and the hormones that come surging with it.

Just some food for thought.

Regards.

OP,

I agree 100 % with what you are saying. People are addicted and glued on their cell phones and it is not just a coincidence.

They do cause neurological harm as well as cancer. Pretty soon after the new so called cellular wearable gadgets become widely spread, we will start seeing people volunteering for embedded RFID chips which also eventually will become required for all.

Therefore we will be tracked and controlled just like a herd of sheep.

What a sad future for humanity.

double post, see below

Dear Sigurris,

After some members here made some recommendations for alternative treatments I decided to post this publicly.

You can survive pancreatic cancer with the only true and proven method that can cure you or prolong your life significantly. Why is this not known better? Because it has been suppressed,and sabotaged for years. The facts speak for themselves though.

Dr William Kelley, was diagnosed with fatal pancreatic cancer in the USA back in the 70's. He went ahead and cured himself and developed a program to cure others. He lived 20 more years and died from causse unrelated to cancer two decades later.

One of his trainees is Dr Gonzalez is in New York. He does run a clinic specializing on cancer treatment that uses Dr Kelly's method. Basically you can read all about it on his website or listen to him being interviewed by Dr Mercola, and here is the link

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/04/23/dr-nicholas-gonzalez-on-alternative-cancer-treatments.aspx

Dr Gonzalez explains in great detail how the treatment works and what it takes to effectively treat this condition.

Please stay hopeful and positive. many people have lived long lives it appears by following this method. It is detailed, meticulous, and there is some cost involved as well, but I think it is your best bet to survive and thrive. Please do not wait too long, make a decision soon as time is of the essence.

I wish you the very best in healing and getting your life back as it is possible!

Flagator.

Flagator, she recently had a full health check before this problem started and was in tip-top condition 3 months ago. She has been on medication for about 2 months now.

I do worry about the amount of medication she is taking,and the long term,

She actually did sleep in another room last night away from me, but there was still no difference, she got 4 hours and was awake from 2am onwards.

All the advice given on this thread is useful, but conflicting in a lot of ways so it's making it harder for me to know what the right thing to do is.

But please keep your comments coming, I have to get to the bottom of this problem and help her resolve it.

Thank You all

TP

TP,

The so called "Z" drugs for sleep are have a high potential for tolerance, addiction and side effects. They also destroy what we call "normal sleep architecture" for most people. Many other medications will affect sleep as well. They cannot be trusted. This can take a long time to get fixed by the body again naturally.

Modern medicine unfortunately does not have any good solution for chronic insomnia as evidenced by all the harm medications cause some of which can take years to correct. What's heartbreaking is that most doctors do not even know, recognize or take responsibility for he harmful effects of the sleep drugs, or any drugs that they prescribe. Therefore, many times the treatment is worse that the disease itself.

Most people with initial insomnia ( not able to fall asleep) may suffer from anxiety. People that suffer from terminal insomnia ( not able to go back to sleep) may suffer from depression. Although these are not "hard fast" rules many times bear some merit.

A sleep study would be beneficial to rule out sleep apnea or other sleep disorders. Sleep apnea treatment is pretty effective, but for other sleep disorders not so great especially if more toxic drugs have to utilized. Another issue / problem is that the medications are already disrupting and changing her normal sleep architecture. She may need to get off those to evaluate her sleep properly. Moreover if she does, how long is it going to take for her sleep to normalize again from the drugs in order to get an accurate sleep study and evaluation done? Nobody really knows as it can take a long time. You can see now how these medications are truly evil.

Three month old labs are not considered very current, and many medical professionals would repeat them at some point and or improvise upon them after 3 months of continuous symptoms. After all things do and can change after 3 months.

Just some thoughts to offer perspective on your situation. and talking points when you talk to your doctor.

What are the effects of Thalassemia?

How does it affect people physically and psychologically?

Most people are non symptomatic from what I can remember. They usually find out from screening blood tests. Others may have a variety of symptoms.

Here are some sites that offer more information on the subject

http://www.thalassemia.org/learn-about-thalassemia/about-thalassemia/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thalassemia/basics/definition/con-20030316

If his CBC is normal then the low iron levels are not considered pathological. He may need more nutritionally, (Fe rich foods) since most iron supplements are toxic.

If the CBC is abnormal, then he needs a full hematological work up to rule out a number of different etiologies.

Best of luck.

Thanks for all your helpful replies.

I don't know if she is going through the menopause at the moment , nor does she, but she is at the right age (48)

We went to our local doctor yesterday who said that only counseling will have any long term effect. She believes that there is some underlying problem here. My wife says she has no worries at all, but of course there may be some underlying problems that even she is not aware of, so it's worth pursuing.

However she prescribed Seroxat 20mg and Zalepion and Zolpidem.

When she went to the local hospital previously they gave her Tranmed 5 Sertraline Alpruzolen and Lorazepam all of which have had zero effect.

I shall see what kind of results we get from the new batch of drugs, if nothing changes in a few days will definatley take her to the sleep clinic and request Melatonin.

I do tell her that we should sleep separately but she just won't have it, but the longer this goes on she may change her mind. JAS 21 I will look up CFS and pm you if I need further info-thank you.

Thank you to all the people who have responded to this thread. I will keep you informed about what happens next.

Dear ThaiPauly,

The medications are the most likely culprit for her continuous symptoms. How long has she been on them? These medications that she got from the hospital can make the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis malfunction only after 2 weeks of usage. Did she stop the meds cold turkey? there is even more of a risk for insomnia and more after doing that. Even if she is still taking them they can cause tolerance problems and many interactions among each other. It is an awful cocktail of harmful chemicals that need to be weaned off slowly if not helping. Even if she had symptoms of insomnia prior to taking them, they will only make her worse sooner or later.

She probably would benefit from a basic work up to rule out general illness such as complete blood count, a full thyroid panel, liver and kidney function, glycohemoglobin, and urinalysis. An EKG might also be a good idea if she has palpitations and such.

Usually chronic insomnia, if most medical conditions have been ruled out is due to anxiety or depression or both. Cognitive behavioral therapy, and nutritional supplementation supervised by a knowledgeable medical professional will be a good choice in m opinion.

Most medicinal drugs like the ones you mentioned are highly addictive and can cause worsening of her symptoms and chronic disease that can take years to go away.

I wish her all the best.

Dear OP,

Sorry to hear about your father's situation.

You probably need to take action sooner than later to ensure good outcome. I presume your father is already in the hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of clot/brain stroke, and probably on anticoagulants already. If not he needs to get to a hospital immediately!

it would probably be most helpful to state your location if you want specific hospital recommendations from other folks here.

I wish him a speedy recovery.

flagator

In the monastery grounds at Wat Suan Mokkh there are a number of buildings including male and female dorms, historical displays and dining hall.

Across the road and 1 - 2 kms down a laneway there is the international retreat nestled in rambling gardens and bushland.

The loudest sound you'll hear is the sound of the bell struck at key times through the day.

Beyond the retreat there is extensive bushland incorporating walking tracks Monk quarters, meditation huts, & khutis.

There is a British Monk who practices here and appears as a guest speaker at the retreat.

I recommend a 10 day stint at the retreat and then approach the Monk.

You don't have to ordain or wear Monks clothing.

Everyone is welcome to live in the dorm indefinitely at no cost.

Meals are 25 baht approx and served at set times by the volunteers.

If the Monk accepts you, you can stay in a khuti and live off the Monks alms.

Wat Suan Mokkh is a short drive from Surat Thani.

They practice Theravada and embrace Anapanasiti.

rochyysdt,

This sounds really great. Thanks for the post.

Do you, by chance, have a contact number, email, or web site URL? Or do you know if the people at Wat Suan Mokkh would have contact information?

Thanks.

Kind regards,

JJ

Hello JJ,

http://www.suanmokkh-idh.org/idh-rules.html

This is the link for Suan Mok

Also if you are looking for long term meditation and practice this may also be an option.

http://www.paaukforestmonastery.org/aboutUs.htm

With metta,

flagator

Is Xanax similar to Zoplicone ??

I had that for 6 years 15mg a night and then one day GP refused to renew prescription. Didn't sleep for couple days but after that was fine

The so called "Z drugs" for sleep are very similar to benzodiazepines. You are very lucky your insomnia lasted for 2 days going off the drug "cold turkey" . I guess your doctor is/was ignorant about the potential nasty withdrawal and did not even offer you tapeirng. Of course this is nothing new. Incompetent and ignorant doctors endangering peoples lives are an epidemic nowadays. Your insomnia could have lasted for 2 years along with a slew of other intolerable side-effects from abrupt withdrawal.

And just because you were lucky the last time it does not mean you will have the same good luck in the future...

Doctor had no choice. City where I live issued some directive (not sure of the full story) that all Benzo's sleepers were to be withdrawn from immediate effect except in the case of family death whereby one sleeping tablet only would be precribed.

100's were effected not only just me I might add

In my opinion there is almost always a choice and exceptions can be pursued but the doctor has to work on it. There is always a choice to prescribe something else. Also there is the option of herbs as well as supplements that could have "eased you off " instead of going cold turkey and ruining your life. Did he warn you of the potential withdrawal ? Did he offer you any alternative options?

Where was this by the way?

Is Xanax similar to Zoplicone ??

I had that for 6 years 15mg a night and then one day GP refused to renew prescription. Didn't sleep for couple days but after that was fine

The so called "Z drugs" for sleep are very similar to benzodiazepines. You are very lucky your insomnia lasted for 2 days going off the drug "cold turkey" . I guess your doctor is/was ignorant about the potential nasty withdrawal and did not even offer you tapeirng. Of course this is nothing new. Incompetent and ignorant doctors endangering peoples lives are an epidemic nowadays. Your insomnia could have lasted for 2 years along with a slew of other intolerable side-effects from abrupt withdrawal.

And just because you were lucky the last time it does not mean you will have the same good luck in the future...

About cross tolerance and withdrawal for xanx valium and ativan: i think it is actually possible to become addicted to more than one at the same time and taking one will NOT relieve the withdrawal from another. Is this scientifically true?

They all have the same mechanism of action which is GABA A receptor stimulation. This results in the brain down regulating these receptors which leads to withdrawal (cross, tolerance or otherwise) as well as dependence and addiction,

If you want a through discussion of benzodiazepine withdrawal you can google " Ashton Manual" and you will find a very thorough discussion on this subject.

Unfortunately there are probably a great many detrimental things these and most pharmaceutical drugs do that we will never know about, as they are skillfully hidden by the criminal syndicate called Big Pharma.

Thanks.

Is today Buddha day ?

It is actually in May. It will be May 25 2015 next time it is celebrated.

It is also a national holiday for some SE Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Burma, Singapore and of course Thailand.

How do recomend fixing the gut? I to had many years of drinking on an empty stomach and never thought it could be a link to my anxiety.

Well it is the gut as well as the whole body. You can read Dr Mercola's article linked above.

There is a great deal of good information in it. You can also do a nutritional balancing program by following Dr Lawuence. Wilson's protocol to restoring the body. You can google Dr Larry Wilson for the website.

It is important to remember that this is a process. There is no quick fix in healing the body from years of stress and various insults. With time and patience however as well as using the right tools, our bodies can reverse the damages and gain back good health. The sooner you start to do these things the better. Time is of the essence.

My problem seems to be an overly sensitive nervous system as a result of too many years of drinking beer on an empty stomach which means that going to noisy crowded places with bright lights definitely leaves me on edge. But when I'm at home I never take Ativan because I guess that's my "safe zone".

I can identify Ron

It's not like i'm looking for things to make me nervous it's like there's a mechanism in me looking for danger that's way too over sensitised.

A loud noise and I duck for cover.....then look round to see other people just acting normal.

I even start to feel dodgy at a place where there's a slight vibration in the floor from machines......I'm sure my danger radar is watching out for something primordial like an earthquake.

I'm off Ativan and have had to stop drinking because even beer or two leaves me even more sensitised next day......I do my best to "act normal" and I largely have a nice life, but have to say if there was something I could take long term without side effects I would like that.

Just can't seem to find anything.

Your symptoms are due to chronic GABA A receptor dowregulation / dysregulation. Benzos, alcohol and chronic stress can all contribute to this.

You can take probiotics with Lactobacilus cultures in them. Also you can eat lactofermented dairy foods like yoghurt sour milk etc. It is important to get good early sleep, each night to normalize stress hormones, and perhaps try some breathing meditation on a regular basis. These practices can restore your nervous system back to normal. It takes time and patience , but you can do it!.

It's very ironic that you mentioned the probiotic cultures Lactobacilis because I just started taking those a week ago to restore my gut after having screwed it up from drinking too much and a bad diet. And now you tell me it helps with anxiety? Wow, that's great! I can kill 2 birds with one stone.

Fixing the gut is equivalent with fixing anxiety. So you are actually addressing two sides of the same coin. Lactobacilus bacteria in your gut communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve. that communication commands your brain to activate it's genes for creating and increasing the number of GABA A receptors in the brain which leads to more relaxation, better sleep, and better overall emotional well being.

You may want to check these out:

1 http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201206/do-probiotics-help-anxiety

2 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/07/25/probiotics-new-prozac.aspx

3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21876150

Why did you stop taking Ativan?

I went on a meditation retreat.

One morning I started feeling extremely strange and sensitive and later had to leave to go home.

It was like driving in a cloud and I was in fact in a depression.

My (pretty aware) doc had read that benzos could bring on depressions and he just said that's it we've got to get you off them.

(I had done it once before but travelling around Canada I got too agoraphobic to carry on and a doctor friend gave me enough ativan until i got home.....and I was on it again. )

So my doc changed me to diazepam and put me on tricyclics to aid sleep and withdrawal and I toughed it out over quite a long period and that's been it no more.

After effects of booze have gradually got me off that despite being very heavy including DT withdrawals too many times.

I'll add that i found after being on Ativan a long time and three doses a day.....typical then....because of the short half life it was very much up and down each day.

It's certainly best avoided but remarkably I functioned extremely well i did a lot of stuff in my Ativan years. The fact is an anxiety prone psyche is very painful and does not function well, stagnation by procrastination etc..... and depending on stage of life etc, in some cases an addiction to the right drug.....even til death....may just occasionally be the lesser of two evils.

It sounds like you had a negative experience with meditation. The fact that you were already on medications then is probably the cause of the bad experience. Overall all these meds (benzos, trycyclics, SSRIs) they will exacerbate chronic anxiety and depression because they do not work on the real cause of the problem. They just treat symptoms. More over will slowly and surely poison the body in the long run. Alcohol and stress are also destabilizing factors as they contribute to imbalances in brain chemistry. Meditation and relaxation techniques can and will heal your body. It is process though and it takes time to fully heal just as it took time to develop these problems in the long run. Most people feel better every week after they clean their life out of all these toxic chemicals and learn how to manage stress with meditation and perhaps some CBT ( cognitive behavioral therapy) counseling if needed. Breathing meditation can heal on it's own as well. It is taught all over Thailand as Anapanassati ( breathing meditation) Once you start cleaning your body out from all these chemicals you will feel better and better every week/month till you are back to normal. Aother great resource on nutrition and healing is Dr Larry Wilson's website. You can google that at your leisure. Long story short is that the body can and will heal itself if it is given the right conditions and tools.

My problem seems to be an overly sensitive nervous system as a result of too many years of drinking beer on an empty stomach which means that going to noisy crowded places with bright lights definitely leaves me on edge. But when I'm at home I never take Ativan because I guess that's my "safe zone".

I can identify Ron

It's not like i'm looking for things to make me nervous it's like there's a mechanism in me looking for danger that's way too over sensitised.

A loud noise and I duck for cover.....then look round to see other people just acting normal.

I even start to feel dodgy at a place where there's a slight vibration in the floor from machines......I'm sure my danger radar is watching out for something primordial like an earthquake.

I'm off Ativan and have had to stop drinking because even beer or two leaves me even more sensitised next day......I do my best to "act normal" and I largely have a nice life, but have to say if there was something I could take long term without side effects I would like that.

Just can't seem to find anything.

Your symptoms are due to chronic GABA A receptor dowregulation / dysregulation. Benzos, alcohol and chronic stress can all contribute to this.

You can take probiotics with Lactobacilus cultures in them. Also you can eat lactofermented dairy foods like yoghurt sour milk etc. It is important to get good early sleep, each night to normalize stress hormones, and perhaps try some breathing meditation on a regular basis. These practices can restore your nervous system back to normal. It takes time and patience , but you can do it!.