@mathqueen Im right there with you!
During my 6 years bedridden the Drs diagnosed me with anxiety...really?? How surprising. I couldn't walk, eat or use my arms hardly( due location of torn abdominal wall muscle) so I started on low dose alprazolam. It massively helped my IBS which resulted from the injury. Yes when I tell Drs/ nurses it helps my pain they look at me like im crazy.
Aprazolam quiets nerves in the Brain, why wouldn't it do the same in the " gut".
I discussed addiction with my physc Dr . She said I definitely have a bodily dependency but that I do not use the drug as an addict would. Fortunately my nature is not one of addiction and im strong willed. I take my alprazolam daily and can honestly tell you I would not be here without it....it's literally saved my life during those 6 yrs....sometimes we just have to accept a little ' help' and not worry...BUT yes Medics are always surprised when I say basically the same as you...which goes to prove DRS don't always know everything. They would do well to learn from their patients. Enjoy your good days❤️
PS sorry the course didnt help...grounding helps me a lot on good days.