Guidance for the use of Signature Lines

[[Buddie]]

Hello,

You will notice that at the foot of posts of some members, there is information about their benzodiazepine dose, taper schedule, etc. Adding a brief description of your benzo history and current dosage to your sig (signature) line, and updating it as you taper is extremely helpful to both moderators and buddies who wish to keep up to date with your details. This will allow us to much better help and support you. It can become quite difficult to sift through old posts looking for pertinent information.

To do this, Click on 'profile' in the forum menu bar. Under 'modify profile' from the left-side menu, click on 'forum profile information'. Then, scroll down almost to the bottom of the page and type in your information in the signature box. Make sure to click 'change profile' at the bottom-right. Job done!

We restrict the amount of information that can be added to signature lines so that they do not unduly interrupt the flow of threads (topics). Generally speaking, we do not allow images in signature lines. However, you can add one or two small emoticons (smileys, etc.), or similar images, such as those that are available to you when composing a post to the forum. Additionally, you are allowed to add one graphical ticker, such as those available from tickerfactory.com.

We have noticed that more members are beginning to add all the details of their taper schedule to their signature line; this is not necessary. We provide the Progress Log board for members to keep a record of their benzodiazepine withdrawal, dates of changes to their dose, withdrawal symptoms, etc. Space is limited in your signature line, and, when you hit the character limit (currently set to 800, but this soon will be reduced to 500 characters), there is a real danger that you will loose your taper history. We strongly encourage members to make use of the Progress Log board. A useful tip is to add a link in your signature line to your Progress Log thread. This way, when you need to make an update, it will be easy for you to locate your Progress Log, and easier for other members find more detail about your benzodiazepine use and taper history.

Here are a couple of fictional example signature lines:

Started 3mg Xanax per day Oct. 2008. Started direct taper February 10th, 2010. Current dose 2mg Xanax.

My Progress Log. My Buddie Blog.

The code for the above (to add to your signature line) would look like this:

Code: [Select]

Started 3mg Xanax per day Oct. 2008. Started direct taper February 10th, 2010. Current dose 2mg Xanax.

My [url=http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=7974.0]Progress Log[/url]. My [url=http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=8512.0]Buddie Blog[/url].


Another example:

Valium, 20mg for 16 years. Six month taper. Benzo-free March 5th, 2010!

My Progress Log.
My Buddie Blog.

The code for the above is as follows:

Code: [Select]

Valium, 20mg for 16 years. Six month taper. Benzo-free March 5th, 2010! :yippee:

[url=http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=7974.0]My Progress Log[/url].
[url=http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=8512.0]My Buddie Blog[/url].
These are just examples. How you structure your signature line is up to you. If you keep your signature line simple, it will be easier for other members to follow and is more likely to be read.

Please be aware that the USA structures dates differently to most other English speaking countries. 8th February, 2009, in the UK, might be expressed as 08/02/09 (dd/mm/yy). In the US, it would be expressed as 02/08/09 (mm/dd/yy). Using the international standard, it would be expressed as 2009/02/08 (yyyy/mm/dd) - note the four digit year! Either write out your dates longhand (8th February '09 or February 8th, '09), or use the international expression: 2009/02/08.

On the 7th June, 2010, we will be reducing the number of characters available in your signature line to just 500. This is more than enough space for you to add withdrawal and taper information, a couple of links to personal pages, a graphical ticker, etc. Please note, if your present signature line is longer than 500 characters, it will not be affected when we reduce the number of characters from 800 to 500. However, when you next update your signature line, you will loose any characters over the 500 limit. Please be sure to copy your signature line to your Progress Log (or elsewhere) before you update your signature.

Thank you.

[[Buddie]]

Hi,

I've only just got around to making the changes to the character limit in signature lines. I decided upon 550 (rather than 500) characters to allow for a little more information (the previous limit was 800). Please read the post, above, for details.

Remember, it is better to add detailed information to a Progress Log thread, and add just the basic details to your signature line. Other members do not need to know the exact dates of your cuts and your exact dose at these dates to be able to help you. They will, however, benefit from knowing for how many years you have been on benzos, your particular benzodiazepine, your dose before starting your taper, taper start date, and your present dose. And, if you substituted your benzodiazepine for another or are utilising titration. Of course, there may well be other useful information you might like to add. But, again, if you keep your signature simple and to the point, other members will be better able to make use of the information in contained therein. You can always add links in your signature line to your Progress Log, Blog, etc.

Thanks.

[[Buddie]]

Hi,
I am not very good with computers.   It will take me a while to figure things out.   (eg. don't know how to post a smiley).   I have tried to go to profile to type in my info but it would not type.   Is this because my approval status is pending?   

thanks,

Diana

[[Buddie]]

Hi Diana,

Your account has been approved, I sent you a message giving you this link to see your post on our Welcome Board.  This is the link in case you can't see your message. http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=21616.0  Here is a link to the instructions on how to add a signature to your profile. http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=9432.0

We'll help you figure things out, no worries! 

[...]

[[Buddie]]

Hi [...],
Not sure if you read my reply when you wrote your success story but wanted to let you know that i have just gone through almost exact same thing as you did. but mine just happened between 4/26-5/3/12 in the detox and left 1 day earlier AMA with phenobarbital prescription and i have 65 days today and still in a lot of benzo-w/d hell.
but your story; my mom printed out for me before i joined benzo buddies last week and it helped me so much!
and i wanted to thank you!
[...]

[[Buddie]]

[...],

[...] does not log into the forum very often these days. If you send her your message by PM, she is more likely to read it.

[[Buddie]]

thank you!