Benzodiazepine-Induced Brain Injury: The Hidden Prescription Epidemic
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- Colorado Consortium’s 2021 Annual Meeting held a special session entitled Benzodiazepine-Induced Brain Injury: The Hidden Prescription Epidemic.
Slides:
corxconsortium...
The session featured presenters:
Nicole Lamberson, PA, of Benzodiazepine Information Coalition's Medical Advisory Board
John Staight, patient advocate
Alexis Ritvo, MD, co-chair of Benzodiazepine Action Work Group
D.E. Foster, co-chair of Benzodiazepine Action Work Group, Benzo Free Podcast, Easing Anxiety
Moderator: Jamie Feld, MPH
Session Description:
There is a growing crisis of patient harm from prescribed benzodiazepines, a class of medications traditionally prescribed for anxiety, sleep and anesthesia.
While benzodiazepines have some limited indications, they are often prescribed in the absence of adequate research and for far longer than the recommended time limitation of 2-4 weeks.
In September 2020, the FDA added a black box warning to prescription benzodiazepines. This warning states that “Physical dependence can occur when benzodiazepines are taken steadily for several days to weeks, even as prescribed.” And that “Stopping them abruptly or reducing the dosage too quickly can result in withdrawal reactions, including seizures, which can be life-threatening.” Unfortunately, much of the public and many healthcare providers are unaware of this warning.
Studies report 10-44% of chronic benzodiazepine users experience moderate to severe protracted withdrawal symptoms upon cessation lasting months to years; some have suggested calling this phenomena “Benzodiazepine Induced Brain Injury” or “Benzodiazepine Injury Syndrome”.
This session looks at the benzodiazepine crisis from the perspectives of medical professionals, affected patients, and community organizers. The goal of this session to increase knowledge about safer prescribing and deprescribing of benzodiazepines.
Websites:
www.benzoinfo.com
corxconsortium...
easinganxiety.com
This video has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This video does not substitute professional medical advice, and no doctor-patient relationship is formed through the video. This video is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. This video has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This video does not substitute professional medical advice and no doctor-patient relationship is formed through the video. This video is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Thank you for working for benzo awareness. Xanax almost killed me. I'm dealing with long term effects from 25 yrs. It is STILL not recognized in my medical community. Good to not feel so alone. I've tried cold turkey in the past several times, before I educated myself instead of listening to doctors who have no idea what they are doing. I am still not holding a job and have been tapering from Xanax to Valium per the Ashton manual for 6 years. Awareness is a must. Benzos are worse than heroin and I have heard ppl's testimonies that say that benzos affected their lives worse than cancer. Can't thank you enough for giving us a voice.
Yes, worse than cancer. Cancer was frightening... benzos and ALL other psych drugs are the gate to HELL.... It is a one way gate. No way out. Was on these poisons over 30 yrs. Every combination thinkable. I am now physically and mentally crippled, at 73 yrs. old. It's not just psychiatrists, primary drs. prescribe them as well. And to CHILDREN!! They don't know WTF they're
doing!!
I’ve had BC twice and lost my breast but NOTHING LIKE BENZO WITHDRAWAL, the first I was afraid to die and the lateral I wanted to die
I agree with you that benzos are worse than heroin and that doctors don't know anything from personal experience. They thought I could detox off Klonopin in a 5 days...lol. The half life of the drug is so long I don't think I even was in full blown withdrawal until I got out. But 6 years to taper? How many mg were you on? It took me a month to get better after I jumped off at .05mg. I used Lyrica and gabapentin to help withdrawals. The only way to describe it is like being on acid and having the worst anxiety for a month straight. Little noises scare you. It's crazy.
@@mardishores4016 they give Zoloft to 15 year olds. It's crazy. It's all about big pharma making that money they don't care about anything else but that. I've taken benzos on and off for a long time but then got prescribed Klonopin and was prescribed it for 6 years. I was only on at the most 2mg a day but usually it was 1.5mg a day. The panic attacks I got after being off it were way worse and more frequent than when I first got in it.
God bless you dear
Thank you so much for bringing awareness and education to benzodiazepines. I was on Klonopin close to 3 years and I was cold turkeyed. People that haven’t been through this will NEVER UNDERSTAND the UTTER HELL that comes with being in tolerance withdrawal and acute and protracted withdrawal. Doctors and mental health professionals didn’t help me at all, they were uninformed, uneducated, and arrogant of the subject matter. I had protracted benzo withdrawal symptoms for a solid two years. Only with the help of other strangers on the internet is the reason I’m alive today.
Thanks again for bringing awareness to this important topic.
I have a similar story. Only just barely two years out. The doctors told me there was no such thing as benzo withdrawal and sent me off to find out what new psychiatric diagnosis spontaneously developed when I quit the drugs so they could keep drugging me into oblivion. They're still out there hurting people! We have to stop them somehow. This has to end!
Hcm what are the supleements that helped u?
❤️🩹🫂
2 years for me also. Weird stupid bad trip !!!!!
@@warrenraffensberger2466but you healed after two years?
5 years off cold turkey, thrown in a psych ward for 11 days and each day I got worse to the point where it looked like I had Parkinsons. The staff there told my family it was in my head. I'm still protracted, stiff body and pain, chronic fatigue etc.
The first 2 years it was hell on earth psychologicaly.
I had no option to taper but if your faced with this try your hardest to get your doctor to read the Ashton manuel.
Stay strong everyone, you got this and don't give up, it does get better and my story isn't everyone's story so don't let it scare you 💜
Off of what
@@annedodgson8677 klonopin, over 10 years with highest dose at 6mg daily. I was CT at 3mg, it wasn't pretty and the psych ward I was put in for "detox" told my family it was in my head. Still traumatized but off since 7/11/17
@@clowngirl76 my friend's brother ended up dead from the klonopin. horrible horrible drugs.
A friend of mine was thrown in jail a long time ago and he had been on them for like 10 years at the time and he had multiple grand mal seizures, the jail refused to give him his medication, the Drs said if he had one more he would have been dead. That has also happened to multiple people I know who were on methadone. The police in Ma don’t care at all they will just throw you in a cell. I detoxed a couple times on Benzos it’s was awful. I had to go to detox for them and the phenabarbitol they gave me for withdrawals in detox had a weird side effect on me it made me feel like my lungs were shaking, I couldn’t take it so I had to white knuckle it. I did not sleep for 7 days straight not even a rest. I was in some type of paranoid manic state, I was accusing the nurses of not giving me all of my methadone prescription because I couldn’t feel it at all so I was arguing with them for days apon days, I wanted to watch them give me my medication and I didn’t want to let them out of my site. I assumed because of how bad I felt they were either not giving me my methadone or they were giving me less so I was freaking out. I kept hearing people calling my name. I have no idea how I got through it. I actually did it to myself again after that too but not as bad, I only took the Benzos for a couple days but it was like my withdrawal started all over I was sleepless and in some type of manic state again but I kinda recognized what was going on and knew it wasn’t methadone withdrawals because I was going to the clinic and could see what they were giving me.
almost same but 12 years on xanax and i got 1 week taper, its 2 years and 3 mounth ago, its a brain injury for real
I thank everyone involved in advancing the knowledge of these benzo dangers and yes they are very real. My husband of 28 years lost his battle and ending up taking his own life last year on 4/20/2021. He could not take the horror he suffered every day and night for almost two years. Thank you for the fight.
I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Hope he is safe now in the hands of dear god. PrAyers from my side ❤️🙏
@Jay Palnitkar this is f...up all these youtube testimonials 13,000 currently
That scares me that this horrible withdrawal will make me do the same thing. I’m sorry for your loss.
My heart goes out to you for your loss. ❤
You may not want to talk about it, but how was he suffering? What were his symptoms?
Wonderful presentation. I walked away from one full time job and one part-time job when I stopped taking klonopin cold turkey. I lost everything dear to me and my life was unstable. I have been off the poison for 16 years.
WOW how did you manage to get off of it?
Bravo!
Crimes against humanity!!!
@@childofgod884sounds like cold turkey .. yikes 😳 I’m tapering UBER slow .. thankfully have always been in low dose, but sometimes the lowest dose is the most challenging.
I was prescribed 0.50mg clonazepam (klonopan ) 35 yrs. Ago .. not told anything, except don’t stop cold turkey. Was told I could/should stay on for rest of my life… I have tapered down to 0.25mg. (Lowest dose in Canada) & stayed in the past couple of yrs…. Starting up again to taper off the last pill. This seems to mean I can’t used thr Ashton Method b/c I can’t slowly switch over to diazepam…
I’m using a precision, digital scale (weights to .001g) to go down by 5-10% each taper .. staying on each level a couple of mos. or so. (Plateau at each level to minimize discomfort) I’m splitting the pill, to 1/2, 1/4 & smaller … weighing & then putting in empty gelcaps (ordered online) This way I can make up a mo. or 2 at a time & not be concerned with that daily. I’ve been told it may be more accurate to crush the pills before filling the gel cap .. more accurate weighing ..
About 5 wks. in on 1st small taper .. was ok until last few days - headachy, muscle/body ache, flu like, no energy ..
All a work in progress… thank God I’m retired 🙄🤞
I tapered off klonopin at age 81. Off 9 months now. Have lot of protracted symptoms. Beating Benzos was my only support
Bravo! 🎉
Hi Edith, I'm off Klonopin just 12 days after a 7 month taper and 30 plus year use of 1 mg/day. I'm 83 and feel so hopeless. I would die before ever taking that again. Are you doing any better now? I haven't seen anyone our age making it through this nightmare. Would like to know you are ok.
@@kathymottinger7136 Just wow !
@@kathymottinger7136 Hello Kathy. I'm 69 and took them every night (with Flexeril) and sometimes in day but always as directed, for 28 years and 6 months. I was told there would be no problem if I took them as directed, which I did. I was never told they were not supposed to be taken over four WEEKS. I learned this by coincidentally hearing a UA-cam video from Jordan Peterson. I spoke with my doctor immediately asking her to stop taking them, and all she said was "okay, stop." That was in December 2020 and I've never taken another pill (stopped Klonopin and Flexibility cold turkey). When I went into a horrible heart pounding nonstop panic attack, I tried to reach her for help but she didn't respond to my portal messages. I tried to call once but was not speaking well or making sense so kept trying to get through by portal message. No response. Finally received a message from her office saying to call for an appointment. I couldn't drive as I couldn't think clearly or focus at all. I was hyperventilating, couldn't sleep more than a few minutes at a time with horrible nightmares, and the pounding heart, need to breathe into a bag from the hyperventilation. I was vomiting, severely cramping and itching until I bled, migraines, couldn't sit still, crying, had a terrified feeling that I was dying. Had near constant ringing in my ears, trouble swallowing at times like my throat had forgotten how to swallow, had heavy sweating and electric zaps throughout my body. Thought about calling someone to take me to ER but was afraid to go there as I felt they would give me benzos again and I would have to start this over again.
Its been about 30 months since I stopped and now have no interest in much of anything, don't trust people much, especially doctors. I am no longer a pleasant person, get overly angry way too easy. I now have a nerve problem called small fiber neuropathy and a permanent heart arrhythmia called ventricular tachycardia.
This drug changed my life. Dont take benzos and if you've started already, TAPER off. No cold turkey. One counselor told me I'm lucky to still be alive.
@@Rollwithit699your Dr that just stopped as you asked for, rather than strongly advising a tapper is absolutely evil.
I've been off for 2 years after 8 years on. I feel a lot better but not 100%. Thank you for raising awareness!
What symptoms did u have???
👍
Klonopin/clonazepam took everything from me and it took 20 years to figure it out. I thought I was dying of some mystery illness but nope…just tolerance withdrawal. It’s taken 3 years to taper 75% down. I no longer have any hope I’ll survive this. Living in my fathers garage at 46 years old. Haven’t worked since 2009. We’ve lost countless friends who couldn’t take the torture any longer and ended their lives in our FB & other online support groups.
This has to stop.
Can I join your support group? I'm in the exact same boat :/ haven't left my room in years
Iva Hanssen I was prescribed Benzos for 26 years for my OCD and now i am on Clonazepam. Suffering. You are right, tolerance withdrawl can be very tricky when you don't know about these drugs. Even the Psychiatrists might think that you just gone paranoid and label you with other conditions because they are clueless (most of them) When i tried to slowly taper i ended up in the ER with severe withdrawal symptoms that were threatening to my life.
Take care😊
@@giannisrevealer3588 do you have a psych that UNDERSTANDS? I landed in ICU for 2 weeks when I came off cold turkey. Scared of everything now :(
@@tommyt7441 Yes the last doctor that i saw was honest and supportive. But you see i am not from the US. I live in Europe. And in my country, Greece, they don't force you to cold turkey if that's what you mean.. My advise is never to cold turkey, just taper. I take 4mg of Clonazepam every day. And although i slowly reduced i ended up in the ER. Take care my friend 😊
@@giannisrevealer3588 why do people understand more over there and not here in the US? I'm happy you have that understanding. It really is scary riding around with no script and being put in prison for years for something I need. I hope your well 🙏
8 years off of Klonopin. I did the daily micro taper. I took Klonopin for over 20 years. The micro taper worked for me, took 2 years. What made it worse was the akathisia. Also people can't help but develop PTSD. I went through therapy for that.
Kudos to you and well done. 👌🏻
Did you have histamine issues / sensitivities. Did it go away?
What is a micro taper?
PTSD because of the severity of the withdrawal?
I have had akathesia for seven years. I was on many drugs that can cause it. I am off the drugs but still have akathesia. What treatment did you have for it and was it helpful?
I was on 20-30 mg of prescribed valium daily. For the first couple of years the meds worked great. Then the stopped working. My doctor kept prescribing me higher and higher doses. Then my hands would always hurt/ache at the same time every day. It took me over a year to tapper off Valium, but I was able to do it.
This woman's story is mine.. 8 yrs and counting 😢.
Thank you for bringing awareness to this hell on earth.
I'm so sorry to all suffering. I wish I could help make a difference but as this year marks two years since My husband's unfortunate passing due to this, I suffer with 25 years with MS! So please continue this fight of needless suffering 🙏❤️🩹
@newkingdom6750 I'm so so sorry 😔
Same with SSRI. Im in hell, lost everything after fast taper zoloft, 15 year use.
13 years Xanax free after 10 years prescribed use. 2mg for sleep. It was very tough but well worth it ✊
How is your memory now? I’ve been on Xanax for 20 years. I tapered off & wondering if my memory will ever return to normal
@@krise6721 It took me a lot of mind exercises Like taking music theory, play guitar learning new things everyday. Also meditation was key. A tape from Roy Masters helped me greatly with simple ways to be objective to one’s thoughts. I don’t watch tv I don’t need brain washing… 🙈 That tape was called the Classic tape. All things are possible with a well mind. Good luck and Keep on keeping on 👍🏻
@@JohnAdams-rm7zmhow are you now
Xanax is not. Sleeping pill and should not be prescribed as one !
Kudos to us both. I’ll be 5 years free this December. 19 years/2mg prescribed for Sleep. 💪🏻One breath, one step, Everyone. 🙏🏻❤️🩹
I have 100 days down on the taper. This drug is poison and I’ll he so glad when it’s behind me if that’s possible. Been on it for 20 years and I just lost my son to a fentanyl overdose. I am motivated to be the best version of me so I can fight for my son.
Love and strength to you 💞
You can do it!! Sorry to hear about your son. I've been off for 18 days and I barely started to feel better a couple days ago. I tapered down to 2mg at night and jumped to 2mg to 0mgs!! Breath work, Kratom, NA meetings when you feel like you want to use. I felt like I was gonna have a heart attack when I went to me first meeting and was I'm tears but support and love you get from family and support groups are what will save us. I have 5 or 6 different supplements that I'm using to help me get threw this. The only thing I'm using that is addictive is kratom and that's all natural and a cake walk to get off of compared to heroin and benzos. I got off heroin with kratom as well
@@katrinamenzies9398 THANK YOU.
@@DiMiTri-ys7ei Thank you. I'm on my final weeks at .03. Yay.
@@sherry3935 💞
Benzodiacepines were also the worst thing ever happened to me, more than a decade of hell.
Thank you very much for the work you are doing, you are a hero 💙💙💙
My husband was on Clonazepam for 11 years for anxiety. His doctor did not discuss the bad side effects with him at the time. He pretty much quit cold turkey in Nov 2022. Our life has been HELL ever since. He totally went nuts, made poor health decisions and is now in a nursing home because of his health. Through all the hospital stays this year, not one doctor has discussed this with him. How do you help someone that won't help himself? He is trying to wait it out himself. This has ruined our life and possibly our marriage. Please pray for us.
Has he detoxed off of it??
Why doesn't he just go back on them?
Sorry 😢, sounds like there is an option for your husband, what’s the solution? I’m scared myself, l have Ativan for insomnia, that stop working but afraid to ct , so helpless, most drs don’t know how to help, really and didn’t now about side effects either.l wonder what solutions they got for your husband,maybe l could benefit ,try. I’m desperate 😢
@@heather88888do you mean fast detox they do sometimes with other drugs like phenobarbital? This makes things worse for many people
You poor woman. My Psych presented a Clonazepam Rx and said to me, "One pill is like drinking 2 glasses of Chardonnay..." She was the visiting Psychiatrist to a Nashville TV station, so she was like the big deal to me. NOT! Prayer is what is going to get me through this. I'm just going to pray my way through this. The thing is not to quit cold turkey, but no doctor tells one that. They're very lah tee dah about the drug because they haven't researched them. People are talking about the Ashton manual which shows people how to withdraw safely. Maybe your husband can go back to a small dose for awhile and try to wean slowly like it's described in the manual. Best of luck. Look to Jesus always.
I was put on Xanax in 1994 when I had trouble falling asleep, I stayed on that drug until 2008. The reason I had tried to get off of this drug what is tolerance. I was cold turkey three times it’s been nearly 7 1/2 years since being off this horrible drug I still feel the effects to this day. Concentrating or trying to cognitively do anything with my mind, whether it be reading a book putting together a project or any of our daily life situation, can be extremely hard. Concentrating having relationships it affects it all the most important thing don’t give up we only get one life you can never go back to the store and buy another one god bless.
First Lady who speaks about the symptoms experienced during tolerance mentions exactly what I experienced with Prozac. Never took any Benzos. We have to see, there is a prize to pay for each and every chemical we take.
We shouldn't have to pay the penalty for taking a prescribed drug. Where is the accountability for Dr's who don't know what they're doing . They told me it only takes a week.
@@susanboswell4117, they know what they are doing. It's up to us to distrust them enough to learn how to titrate addictive neurotoxic drugs they dish out indiscriminately. Then we have to learn the holistic ways of repairing the body.
Maybe you mean price to pay instead of "prize to pay"? There are no prizes that I can find with Benzo use.
Im so happy that this epidemic has come to light!! ...I am after 35 yrs of clonazepam and am very much suffering from withdrawl and consequences... destroyed my family. Im am am very much alone with my consequent induced illneses...Im living in Canada, dont know where to turn!!??
Thanks to your podcast , I know im not crazy and will keep following..doing the best I can to help others aware!!...
There must be some FB groups to join. I'm going to look into that next. Did you come off cold turkey or did you taper? Canada has socialized medicine. Can you afford to go private? The Psychs are not compassionate with what we go through. They only like us when we are happy. They can't wait to get rid of us when we are symptomatic. That's been my experience down in the lower 48. Do you pray?
It's refreshing to see more information about the damage that benzodiazepines can cause. I suffered tolerance, withdrawal, and protracted withdrawal. It was the worst experience of my life, completely inhumane and barbaric. I lost my career, and my mind due to these medications. Sadly there hasn't been one doctor I've seen that has even acknowledged that its the medication, rather they think I'm crazy. It's a lonely walk. I'm now three years off these evil medications and getting better. Often I wonder if I'll ever be the same and truly mourn my life before I was prescribed zanax.
Exactly. By pure chance I had read Dr. Peter Breggin and Professor Ashton... just skimmed through before my veteran pal had a horrific crisis; the so called professionals blamed him and though I had the glimmering of understanding enough to help him during the crisis... hallucinations; ultra rapid cycling... I fouled up by not being more assertive on his behalf after the crisis; it shows I was still half in a mistaken confidence in the system; the guilt I would feel forever on that score kept me plugging away to help him even when it became problematic for me personally even financially; but from what I know for sure now I would do it again. I said to the pharmacist Are they Trying to Kill him or are they Just Stupid.
💯💯💯💯
Thank you for this presentation. I’ve been sharing it in all of the benzo recovery groups. Everyone seems to be reacting to it in a positive way. It’s very well done and, more importantly, it’s helping people to NOT feel so isolated and confused about their condition.
Thank you 🙏
In the 60's my mom was prescribed benzodiazepines for anxiety. - I was born in 1957. - Only now do I understand my mother's strange behavior. -She continued to take benzodiazepines continuously throughout her life. - A hell of a life for the whole family. - When I was 30 I suffered from panic attacks. The doctor (psychiatrist) prescribed me high dose benzodiazepines. - I tried for two days but I couldn't work, I was groggy. - I let the panic attacks pass without doing anything. No medicine. - Fixed, lasted about a year. - Wise decision. - My mother is a completely destroyed person due to benzodiazepines. I only understood this now. - I know many people who took benzodiazepines like cold water, especially in the 75/90s. Initially prescribed by doctors, but when the doctor no longer issued prescriptions, they continued to obtain the drug in any way.
Thank you for spreading the word about this and all that you do. I have had severe withdrawls from benzos myself and I hope your work will save someone from the grips of a benzodiazepine addiction. Most brutal experience of my life
Dependency
Blessings and total healing 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you for everything you and your staff do for us, Lorazepam for 7 years as needed which increased my chances and exposure of Kindling. I'm 3 years post taper which I had to C/T because I kept having paradoxical effects with each dosage. I suffered 211 symptoms ranging from anxiety, musculatory, neurological.. I was diagnosed with MS, then ALS and what's worse is those tests kept showing false positives. The worst is burning and itching organs like my liver and intestinal track. I no longer have those symptoms since I went on Carnivore. I'm successfully recovered now but my God... This was a life traumatizing process no man or woman should have to go through
Pure poison. Glad u got better. Thx for hope
Gct filter how r u now my frd
Went on carnivore?.…. Paleo dieet?
What is carnivore?
@@mamabear6169 You just eat meat and water and salt.
I think it's very important for anyone who's ever used benzos to work on puzzles every now & then. I play Tetris & try to do things that make me excerise my brain. I'm afraid of the damage that has been done from past use. I find that working on puzzles helps my brain fog moments & improves memory. I'll probably never get my memory back from when i used them, but it improves my current memory. Also meditation, yoga, & brain/mental friendly diet helps me as well.
It helps greatly to run or walk to repair neuronal damage.
Take L-Theanine and take Magnesium , L-Theanine help repair you bran respecters and helps your own body make GABA when you take Benzos it makes GABA and then your body stops making it that what causes withdraw !! when you stop Benzo
B12 can help
Get yr levels check plus vit d
Good for you. The problem is how to do these sorts of things when one is absolutely lethargic?
I've been on Clonanzapam for 6 years now. Started at 1mg daily. Went up to 3mg. Now, I'm down to .50 mg daily. Been here for about 6 months. Next script I will start tapering from the .50mg and go from there. I think it will take another year to get down to zero. Then the real fun begins!! I wish everyone well.
Hows it going?
@@seagullvictim7563 i finally quit. I went ct at .25mg. Has crazy side affects for a few months so my dr put me on prozac to chill the side affects. So far so good. Id say im prob 60% better. Got a few minor bs things lingering but nothing of any concern.
Not necessarily. I think the tapering method is the way to go and not cold turkey. I wish you all the best on your journey. I begin my tapering journey today.
@@seagullvictim7563Hey!! So, I ended up tapering down to .25mg daily then just said fuk it and quit CT. I will say I was glad I was off completely, but the side affects were absolutely insane. I was 3 months off and the only real bad side affect was dizzyness and like massive dizzyness where the walls and floors kept moving on me. Anyhow, after multiple blood tests, I came back normal except my testosterone was insanely low, around 200's. So, my Dr put me on TRT and I instantly woke up. I've been off since and I'm only taking TRT now. Paranoia and all the scared mental stuff I was going thru is gone. I am still dizzy, but not near as bad, so I'm just dealing with it.
@@CookieZ3353 Good luck!!! You can do it. Just know the side affects, no matter how bad they might get, are mostly mental so if you can overpower that, you'll make it thru. ;)
Nicole Lamberson is someone I’d like to meet. Got every base covered she has.
I went off opiates and had psychosis 9 months later. They took me to the ER, and I screamed “I don’t want to be addicted to anything! I do not consent!” They put me on enough Adavan to keep me asleep ten hours , put me on a bunch of other drugs in the mental hospital, and now I’m stuck trying to get off everything, and can’t trust the Drs. This is helpful to confirm my withdrawal symptoms. I knew it was addictive, but all this brain injury is crazy! I thought I had fibromyalgia, but nothing I’m doing for it helps. Feels worse than going off all the other opioid, ect drugs. And I’m on low dose of two kinds, and mood stabilizer. God Bless and heal everyone ❤
Fibromyalgia is vitamin D3 deficiency....and no activation od it will happen if you are low on Magnesium and Boron. So take a tsp of Borax in a liter of water, add 10 rosehip berries, Ruta graveolens 1 tsp, shake it in a dark glass bottle and drink in little gulps through your day for a month or so.
The idea of doctors getting you addicted to drugs explicitly against your consent is horror movie material.
I don’t understand how you had psychosis after months of not using opiates. It sounds like you have an underlining issue.
@@davidkruse4030 I don't think they were blaming opiates for the episode.
The doctors just want to quickly stop your pain. That's how they're trained. And don't get me started about the drug reps. Blessings back at you.
Your presentation should be required for continuing education in the medical & pharmacy fields. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Only for sleep”. Once per night. Went off it once not thinking it was a big deal- I ran out. Could not believe the effect. Crawling feelings under the skin, pacing madly, gagging into the toilet with no output. Hard to convey what this felt like. At most 1 mg per night.
I've gotten down on my own from 3 MG of Xanax to a half but I throw up if I haven't taken the half by 4 in the afternoon. I'm afraid to cut them out completely.
How many nights did you go without it before you hit withdrawal? It had to have been days and maybe more days. Plz don't leave this info out.
Same here
How do you feel now?
Yes, I just went through not timing my refill correctly, and my pharmacy ran out. First day was fine. Second day, okay, too. But the third day, I started to feel shaky, and paranoid. That is when I decided that I'm tapering off of this horrible medicine--starting today!
Thank you this talk is exceedingly timely. My family like so many has been irreparably changed by the protracted prescribing of these dangerous drugs. Thank you for your actions!
That was great. Thank you, I will be reaching out to all different groups provided. I’ve been struggling for about 16 years now, still prescribed and trying to taper from Xanax.
I've been severely ill since benzo withdrawal. I had NO IDEA that it was the benzo withdrawal. Thank u 💓 i didnt know what was wrong with me.
spot on Nicole. spot on. thank u for all u do for raising awareness and exposing the truth. i also was a nurse - now do not trust medical system at all . I am now doing TMS work, neiro science, mind-body stuff ...my only hope to heal some of this, my only hope.
Thank you for having the courage to be honest, especially as a medical professional! People thought I was crazy for trying to find Ativan after rapid detox ( thanks Dr 6 yrs then nothing because government is cracking down) but yes it increased anxiety so that you felt need for more often or higher dose.
Hi Nicole, I just finished watching your presentation portion. It was so well done. I'm so sorry for your suffering. Thank you for all you do to raise awareness about this devastating issue. I'm protracted as well (nearly 5 years off). Your presence is so appreciated. 💛🙏💛
Hi, thank you so much for your kind words. So very sorry that you find yourself protracted as well. Hang in there.
Hi, I am 4 years off but still struggling. Can I ask how is your sleep? Still can’t sleep more than 4 hours a day & it’s depressing. How long does protracted last? Some days I have no fight left in me. This battle can be so exhausting.
@@Oceanskye11 Hi Oceanskye, I'm so sorry for your suffering. There is no way to know how long it will take to heal unfortunately. My sleep is broken, I have woken refreshed maybe 5 days in the past 62 months. On those handful of days I have been so thankful and it gives me some hope. I try not to focus on the sleep I'm not getting, I have to remind myself that there was a time I only slept a minute at time and the rest of the night I waited for the sun to come up. Knowing where I've been reminds me that my body is amazing and I will continue to heal. I pray that you turn a corner soon. Hang in there, one moment at a time. 💜🙏💜
So sorry for all of you guys here …. Same over five years . Have any of you guys heard of lions mane mushroom to help repair some of the damage? It’s worked for me
@@TheTurtleTribalNation how exactly did it work? I might have asked you before, but is it safe to take. What did it repair?
6 months off my 1051 day taper from Klonopin, still suffering! wouldn't wish this on anyone..
Yes benzodiazepines are straight from hell
It's brutal
Tony James Worst drugs to come off and very dangerous. 26 years on them taken as prescribed. It's devastating
@@giannisrevealer3588 Does it ever affect your swallowing. I can´t initiate my swallowing, im 20 years on klonopin. I dont know how to fight a tapering if im weak, in pain of hunger. I think im not gonna make it
@@elizabethfranco7115 Yes even on them sometimes you have difficulty in swallowing food and and even water.. It has happened to me with water. Also the air hanger is a great issue. Your try to breath sometimes and you feel that the air is not enough. Sometimes it's due to anxiety but if you read the side effects of these drugs they can cause trouble breathing especially in high doses. Stay strong🤗
Xanax nearly killed me in 2016, and ambien tapered off over 7 long months, and now in 2023 I'm weaning off valium 10mg. Today 4-27-23 I'm down to 5mg. It is the hardest thing you'll ever do in your life
Are you able to sleep?
14 years Valium, 20 mg. Tapered down to 5mg from August 2022..
Yes, hardest thing ever done. And all the other hard things you have done come to the forefront of your brain at times during this.
Was sleeping for 5 hours and grateful.. nornainjustveeippedbto 4.5 and Aim waking up after an hour. It has to let up
Have you read the free Ashton Manual on line? Tells you all about these drugs and what you need to do to taper slowly.
My first job was as a pharmacy assistant. I remember the drug rep introducing Xanax. It was being marketed as an antidepressant. He told us there was no known lethal dose and it had not been shown to cause dependency. Holy shit, did I have an education coming. Thank you for the info. I don't think my providers are aware of this. So many questions answered.
my doctor that prescribed me xanax also said theres no lethal dose and in few years from 0.25 he put me on 5 mg!Im so happy i got off them by mself cause doc didnt agree and he wanted i take more and more other pills...think doctors and farmaceutical industry should be sue for damageing people lives
Thanks and big shout out to all of the ladies for putting this here.
I was prescribed valium in high school. As soon as I left home and went to work I was able to quit valium within 1 month. I would just start taking the first dose later and later in the day. And I did the same with the second dose. The night time one was the hardest. I just needed to leave toxic family home.
I think the vast majority of mental health issues are environmental. Be it family issues, or even just the reality of living in the 21st century.
I've seen interviews with hunter gatherers, and they've only really heard of depression through rumors that we're always killing ourselves.
So grateful for your work. It makes a world of difference to be understood.
Thank you so much for this. Now I know I'm not alone!
Took various benzo's several years after the traumatic death of my husband in my arms in the street. Yes I was in a severe state emotionally and trauma. Anxiety severe, Suicidal ideation yes. Yes I needed meds. However I took them for a long time. When I finally needed to stop OMG.Truncate was the approach.Slowly cut down.NOPE.Decompensate.Emotional, crying, could not talk straight, stuttering, tremors, could not go to work. Severe anxiety.Raise dosage back. Start to reduce again. Benzos did save my life. However it took me several years to get off them and out of what felt like chronic detox benzo hell.
I had been on 2mg daily Clonazepam for 30 years to treatment Tourette’s syndrome and never recovered from withdrawal. I tried coming off in my early 20’s which seemed to induce extreme fatigue, intense leg muscle pain, head pain and poor sleep. My doctor forced me off it and just wasn’t an end to the withdrawal. I had to go on hormone therapy due to the poor sleep crushing my testosterone levels into the double digits.
I'm actually in the same boat been taking benzos for the last about 15 years now for tourrettes syndrome as well. What a nightmare this medication has been for me. 😢
Countless stories of benzodiazepine injuries and yet the prescribing / over prescribing continues . Not one prescriber held accountable. This is criminal.
That's becauss there's no proof of damage. Benzo damage can be detected by a spinal tap. People need to start proving damage done or nothing will ever change.
RFKjr speaks out about the dangers of our food habits, and the drugs we put our children on. Little kids are on this s--t. Can you imagine? LIttle kids!
Blessings and total healing 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 to all
Thank you I wish those monster who created this unleash the pain on millions of people be prosecuted more awareness needs to be out there
Awwwww that’s so sweet of you ! Thank you
Our daughter was prescribed benzos after postpartum depression 15 years ago. Her personality has changed to the point that we don’t recognize her anymore. She’s angry, terribly depressed and at one point became violent towards me. Very sad
Sorry 😢, which one, I take Ativan at bedtime, it has bad side effects and want to reduce but it’s hard, lots of symptoms. Doctors never talk about symptoms and dangers 😡
Is there ANYONE out there who was ABLE to titrate off of benzos without long term consequences that completely ruined their life?
No
After 35 years. Free and clear.
I was on Clonazepam and Xanax for about 7 years, and was able to titrate perfectly fine.
I was taking Alprazolam 1mg 3 times i day then one day a couple years ago i decided to to just quit taking them cold turkey. I was able to get off of them for about 6 months. Then one day out of nowhere i had a really extremely bad panic attack. So i had to start taking them again one of my worst mistakes ever. I'm currently taking diazepam 5mg once at bedtime. Sometimes ill take a half a pill during the day, whenever my anxiety gets out of control. What a nightmare these pills have been.
The thing is that benzodiazepines don’t even work that well to control anxiety, which is what they’re indicated for…
Im fairly certain benzo use is what killed my mother. She took her own life 15 years ago. She was prescribed enough of them that it seemed to completely change her personality and quality of life for the negative. Unless absolutely necessary, these shouldn't be prescribed.
My mother died 13 years ago from this as well she started having seizures I think she had one in her sleep which is what killed her
Should be taken off the market altogether !!!!!!
@@KarmaProsperity8sorry for your loss. Which one did your mom had ? I
I was on it 1994 after my 4th child dreading to go back to work having 4 little ones. I was on Xanax 3 times a day my panic attacks were horrible. After 3 wks I told doctor I was ok to stop it. They said no as my panic attacks and anxiety was so bad. A few more weeks then I was addicted. I slept a lot passed out basically. A newborn baby. I got off of it 2 yrs later by switching to Librium. Then had to get off that. Now that newborn baby has anxiety issues at age 29. No longer wants to talk to me. I think I was emotionally unavailable when he was newborn and this affected him giving the anxiety issues and feeling unconnected to me. A sad sad story. I hate this drug. I regret being on it and getting addicted. Ruined me for a while. What a struggle. I’d love to support anyone addicted to this horrid drug.
My heart hurt for you reading this. Devastating yet, not a drop suprising, sadly. Your experience with this drug took so much from you…my God, you are brave and still Here; how strong, how brave you are to step up and share your heartrending, lived and Direct Experience. It makes total sense to me; this drug keeps us cocooned, separate and distant from our senses, from others, from what is real, from all the joy and woe we were made for. My condolences to you today, but even moreso? My respect. ❤️🩹
I had a friend on Valium and I believe it did him more harm than good as he passed away 😢
I am in the same boat i got xanex from a dr with oxycontin and i got hooked now i been off benzos since 2015 from my 4 dui charges 2 years in state penn list license to drive for 25 years now im having bad bad bad panic attacks with fear and anxiety i gad seizures in jail from withdrawl got maced because of it i was not aware that these panic attacks could be from the abuse of xanex when i quit i was buying from the street and going to the dr im going through bad times 48 living with my mom now its so sad this has happened to everyone now they are giving out the gabapentin what will happen from that its all about money they could care less about us little people aka the poor good luck to all who reads this...
Ativan destroyed my life. My health my relationships my every thing.
SAME.
Same.
Me too. Ten years suffering.
@@aileenfulgens1909 shit ten years
@@sangeetalambh6389 💞
Another help for more awareness of benzos is to recognize what I had to figure out on my own.
I realized my psychiatrist was the same as a corner cocaine dealer. At one point I was taking four or five benzos not counting four prozac. He wrote dosages like
1-2 restoril at bedtime
Dispense 90
a month supply
I am also extremely injured by the benzodiazepines and been on this journey for over 5 years now . I was left in a corner to die with absolutely no help at all . I just wanted to tell everyone here how the lions mane mushroom changed my life and has really helped repair some of this damage and helps to control some of my symptoms. Also if a woman’s in Pre menopause that makes the benzo damage sooo much worse and until you straighten out your hormones with that it’s going to be so much harder
Thank you for sharing
May I know what kind of lion mane mushroom you used. The mycelium or fruity bodies ?
@@phoebechong8799 I would do some research so don’t quote me on this but the fruiting bodies are suppose to be better . Get it while you can they are going to outlaw all supplements soon , that’s why nestle took over garden of life , etc . This is all a part of their plan . Also the biggest thing I can say is repent to Jesus , in your own free will , about the pharmaceuticals . They are all poison . That’s why it’s a staff with a snake . The pharmaceuticals leave doors open for demons to enter and as long as we repent to Jesus Christ those doors will be closed. It’s all black magic witchcraft sorcery. No need to be scared we have Jesus and no weapon formed against us shall prosper. I have worked really hard for five years to get myself back and I’m not there yet . I still suffer a lot but the lions mane really got me through the worst times ever
How did the lions mane help??
@@Carolina_girl86 awww honey you too are you messed up by this evil medicine too ? I’m gonna pray for you . That’s another thing , do you get into the alt media? Cuz I am calling them bs lately . I have tried to get this benzo story covered for Millions of sufferers but ain’t no one doing it . To answer your question when I was in the beginning stages of my injury I had nerve pain, zapping and zapping , all over my entire body and even on my tongue . I could not taste my food . After a month of taking the lions mane I was able to taste my food . Month bf month I got a little bit better . As soon as I took it I felt more relaxed , it helped my stomach issues a lot too. I still have little things like nerve pain in my legs and feet still but I also have fibroids and back issues so I’m not 💯 where this is coming from . I had akasethia where I couldn’t hold still and can do that now . I thought I was never going to come back as bad as I was . The sooner one takes the Lions mane , the better chance one has to repair themselves. It’s worth a try to me . Let me know what’s going on with you . That’s such a tragedy and you know what you will make it . Keep all your thoughts captive with Jesus and you will make it
I’m 84. Tapered klonopin without a doctors help. 16 months off and have debilitating symptoms from klonopin. I took no other benzos after a the first few months I started with nerve pain . This got worse and balance dizziness, vision. All got worse. I still have this plus exhaustion. I get a window usually every week lasting 1 day. Dizziness; balance does not go away. Only neuropathy muscle pain is gone.
I'm 69, was on Xanax for six years, was then switched to klonopin 1.5 to 2 mg took both as directed, for a total of 28-1/2 years. Discovered 34 months ago from running across a UA-cam video of Jordan Peterson talking about his benzo withdrawal, and brain damage dangers from the drug. Contacted my doc, asked to stop taking it, she said "okay, stop". Last pill was 34 months ago. Horrible, life threatening symptoms, the worst was the first six months nonstop...I'm sure you know.
Now been diagnosed with small fiber peripheral polyneuropathy, occipital neuralgia, pudendal neuralgia, and paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia. Many other symptoms like urinary frequency, continued insomnia, continued anxiety, apathy, extreme personality changes (anger, intolerance, "not cheerful anymore"), extreme hypersensitivities to smells, lights, sounds, textures, temperature. At 34 months I wonder if ill ever get back to me.
Are you back to normal? Will it EVER happen??
@@Rollwithit699same thing w me
5 yrs off and it's complete hell. Just like you described
I took them for 20 years. Then my Dr. suddenly decided to take me off them. I really don't remember it being as terrible as people describe. I don't however, like my normal nervousness. But, I actually feel abandoned, because there are no alternatives.
.
I understand. I had to choose between pain med or anxiety med. I am down to one pill a day.
I've found zoloft is a very good anti anxiety at low doses
andrewgoodbody2121 listen to this presentation please
I would cut my left hand off right now to be free from this hell...I'm not exaggerating
Same, I’ve been suffering for 10 months straight. What are your symptoms?
I understand it, my wife in your shoe...saying the same. How are you now? Have you recovered? Do hope , yes, and all others too.
Well, don't go that far. Did you go cold turkey? That seems to be very problematic for many. The tapering method is what I hear is the best. Good luck. Hang in there. The brain takes time to heal. Pray. Drink lots of water. Pray some more. Hopefully you have a support system. If you don't try one of the 12 step programs. At least you'll be with like-minded people.
Tinnitus is driving me nuts from benzo wd. Never seems to go away. Only relief is sleep
For me eating paleo diet (no dairy products no grains no sugar no seed oils) reduces my tinitus with 90%+. When I eat a regular diet I cannot hear people talking to me because of the noise.
When I am on the diet, I only hear a slight tone when wearing my earplugs at night.
@@Randomdude-i8x Thanks! In going to give this a try. It will be hard for me to cut dairy but I'm sure it's going to be worth it!
@@TartanArmy85how are you now friend
I don't have tinnitus but I hear music. Like a radio. Think it's some kind of psychosis. But I'm aware of it. Hallucinations, hearing my name called. Also tactile Hallucinations
WOW! Well I know that I’m not crazy (even though my neurological exam showed that as well,) but I’m a little disappointed except the information may not have been widely available that the neuropsychological doctor wasn’t able to factor it in her breakdown. Thank you for getting this information out to the public as no one could or would give me a valid or straight answer. So I’ve been on clonazepam since 2001 for panic attack and anxiety then told that I had to stay on it because I had vestibular neuritis which left damage to my CN VII in 2005. The clonazepam was to keep my vestibular in check (which is some truth but not the course of action that is used).
My Xanax withdrawal was like delirium tremens.
I am also extremely injured by the benzodiazepines and been on this journey for over 5 years now . I was left in a corner to die with absolutely no help at all . I just wanted to tell everyone here how the lions mane mushroom changed my life and has really helped repair some of this damage and helps to control some of my symptoms. Also if a woman’s in Pre menopause that makes the benzo damage sooo much worse and until you straighten out your hormones with that it’s going to be so much harder.
I was put on benzodiazepines for muscle spasms and opioids for my back issues . I have several herniated discs in my spine , a spinal cord tumor and spinal stenosis . All because I denied the spinal injections, was told I was just a drug addict and was abruptly taken off every thing and denied my spinal surgery as soon as I got on SSI for my back issues .
My God that sounds harrowing. Thanks for sharing. Will try the mushrooms. Am looking at ketamine infusions or maybe using kratom.
@@dianemorrell9638 Read the Ashton manuel.Taking these supplements just make your recovery longer because they mimic what the benzos do in our brains...
@@dianemorrell9638 did you ever try the mushrooms?
@@TheTurtleTribalNation yes I tried several different kinds and they made me quite ill unfortunately. You are incredibly strong my dear. The shrooms used to work wonders back in the the 70s and 80s and was so excited to try them again. Do you have luck with a certain strain?
@@dianemorrell9638 the lions mane , reishi , chaga and cordyceps you tried those ? I’m not talking about the psychedelic ones , these are different they have specific purposes
Thanks for the video. Personally I really don't think there is a safe way to prescribe benzos. I've read about people having to taper from only having it once in hospitals, or only having them once and being messed up for years.
Wish I NEVER took them!
Me too.😢
I have never heard of that. Someone taking it once and having to taper?
I am 7 years out and suffer with some post acute symptoms. Some times it gets extreme other times it’s tolerable. Is there any research into finding ways to heal? I’m so sick of living like this. I’m better then many but I am terrified I will never be completely normal. 😢
I am not normal either
@@lenawalker2418
To be honest i really don't think anybody that has taken this medication has any type of normalcy in their lives... 😢 JS
@lenawalker2418 there is no reshearch on hoe to heal us. Great wr got a new term don't me shit to help c us
@@childofgod884 Not True you see the worst ones on the internet, many go on and remain symptom free.
What did you take and how long ?
It's impossible to have faith in mental health care. The withdrawal syndromes are high in almost every class of psychiatric drugs, and it's been well known, so the gaslighting is horrific.
Interesting information Thanks SO much. 👍 More
Hi. I'm on 8mg daily benzo. For 20 years. I'm 54F. 2mg zanax 2mg klonipin 2x daily.
I am too scared on my own to find help to rid these toxins....and don't have any clue who will assist me.
Thank you for the very informative information here.
I often take two pills not 4 in a day and feel it when I try to fall asleep, can't for hours but sometimes if it's high anxiety day I take 4-6 pills. I dunno. Just chiming in I guess.
I do want off these completely.
Know I will need in patient medical help.
But don't want to cut off completely. Which seems only choice.
I'm glad for all the brave souls going through the hell it is.
Thanks for sharing.
Why are you on 2 different benzodiazepines? I am 67 and on them much longer...
My concern is that there WILL come a time that we don't have a doctor. I already experienced that during Covid when 2 of my doctors took early retirement.
I was off them myself for 3 weeks....when things got rough I opted for a rehab center in Florida. They did NOTHING for me....they gave me nothing!
Can you find someone who will measure out your medication for you ?
I say this because you simply will not be clear headed going through this .
Try and avoid in patient medical care, I've heard many horror stories from others being in a facility where the staff have no idea about WDs from benzos and they stop you cold turkey. I done it at home and started in the winter as its darker and quieter which helps with the sensory issues I've been having. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Are they causing you side effects>
For every horror story, think of how many more do not speak of their experiences and those of family members. How many lives have been lost.
Exactly... And like those who haven't figured out the connection of it all to their Rx🤦🏻♀️😪🙏🏻
Or how many people have been helped.
What about for those of us for whom it’s too late? Prescription started @ 2010. I’m 70 years old. Options?
I'm 69. The only option is tapering. Went cold turkey off opiates. No where near as bad as benzos
13 months off Loraz and suffering tremendously
How much and how long did you use it?
I feel like my comments may end up being disjointed or incoherent, because I’m responding while very very emotional. I’m responding to the first speaker, who is a PA. Her description of the various symptoms of the buildup to benzo tolerance, so much mirrors my son’s journey, however he/we never got to the point of discovering the cascade of issues with benzo detox, because he killed himself in September of 2022, at 24. He kept so much to himself. He wanted to deal with his mental health issues, “on hand own, as an adult.” My efforts to help at that age weren’t meant with aggression, but more like a, “I’m doing fine.” But, I can see him in almost every single thing you named on your list of symptoms. I’m in NH. I have other loved ones that I’m also so concerned about now. But, I don’t know how to take even one step forward with this. Any suggestions, if possible, would be so appreciated. Thank you all. God bless you all richly with healing and comfort.
Mary, I’m in Seacoast NH. I know you son’s confusion. It took getting so hurt that it could be nothing else to realize benzos could even injure me like that. I was electrical engineering at UNH. I went to Phillips Exeter Academy. I had to drop out of college. It was horrible. I tried to go back to UNH to finish in 2009 and got benzo injured again. I had no idea that I had developed chronic akathisia by that point and it kept pushing me to find something to calm it so I could push through school work. I still couldn’t do it. I was too hurt. Now I no why. If you are offering help though… I could use a friend in NH. My entire family is in Florida and none of them understand. Anyway… I still cannot believe I got this injured. I am sorry for your loss Hugs.
@@kevk741 I’m so sorry you have been battling this for so long. You must be a really strong, determined person. How are you doing now? Have you ever tried asking family members to watch some of the testimonies on these videos? I only today shared with my husband that I’d started learning about this. It’s very painful, as a parent, realizing how much you missed, or so badly misunderstood. Do you have any medical practitioners that you trust around where you live?
Sorry for your loss ❤which med did your son took ? My doc suggested fast detox but supposedly it can make things much worse! Why drs do these things, can’t they see?! I wonder if your son had same one as l do, lm so scared 😢
@@kevk741which one? Did you taper or ct ? I take Ativan at bedtime, had bad side effects and it horrible, l still want to stop , cannot stand it
@@ellaMel4632 he was on many. I can’t remember all,, but, I will find out and get back to you. From everything I’ve read, fast detox is not the best alternative, but, of course, I’m not a doctor. But, I think some doctors just recommend fast detox because they don’t really know much about how difficult it can be for some people. But…what about trying to see if there are any doctors in your general area that are familiar with benzo detox? Or, maybe reaching out to one of the ones on UA-cam to see if they could make a recommendation? Don’t be afraid. You’re very brave to be looking into this in the first place. Take your time to make sure you have the resources and support you need. God bless and be with you going forward.
😮 Good Information god bless you
Im listening to this thinking.....
For the people whos lives were destroyed by these medications deserve compensation NOW. Im currently in withdrawal from xanax after using for 13 yrs. I had no idea taking xanax and then stopping would be hell on earth. This has so far been the worst thing ive ever gone through in my life....and the only thing that is keeping me motivated to LIVE is my 2 children. The Dr that cut me off cold turkey needs his medical license taken from him
I am free since 2007. Still have some symptoms ... but so pleased I am clean.
something seldom seldom seldom mentioned is 'spiritual awakening'. The symptoms are similar. I feel the effort to get off benzos is a start of an internal spiritual awakening. But I am afraid ... like my original trouble with getting anyone to believe in benzo withdrawal symptoms ... I will have similar problems with my theory of spiritual awakening. But I think recognition of the fact that it is spiritual lack that causes us to take benzos in the first place ... if we can see this ... I think we can see that the only real way out of the 'imprisonment' is spiritual work ... after a very slow tapered withdrawal.
I definitely agree with you but so many are crippled by pain.
Yes! Yes indeed. I have the same idea ... but only ever met (on line) two or three other people who think the same. I got off benzos in 2007 - very rough withdrawal - recognised the similarity between the withdrawal and spiritual awakening ... and like you the reason most of us start on benzos is because of a lack ... and ... like you I feel that lack is spiritual.
It has been seventeen years ... and I am almost completely over the withdrawal and trauma ... but in the last 11 years or so I have frequently gone into similar 'feelings' I had with withdrawal. It felt exactly the same ... in many of its varieties. I am still on the spiritual path ... Good to hear what you have to say.
When you go into protracted your so-called support community turns on you and wants to shut you up. Bonus suffering. Yay!! 12.5 years off here, still suffering alone, each and everyday and night. I wasn't able to listen to the whole thing but I doubt the words "permanent damage" were used in the making of this video presentation. I'm pretty sure by now that this shit ain't going away. I do appreciate the validation of this syndrome though. Thanks for putting it together.
28:37
@FUBAR I am functional in the sense that I can take care of myself. I live alone. I can cook, shop for groceries, clean etc. but did so even in the worst of w/d . I don't have much of a life beyond the necessities. Staying in bed was not an option for a brain and body that was frying and in agony, I had to take care of myself, there was no one to do it for me. Everything I do outside of the ordinary, like go to the doctor or go visit someone I don't know well, takes a lot of mental energy to prepare and pull off. I'm in a lot of physical pain in head and neck mostly. I tapered off AD as well as a benzo, so no to more AD's or drugs of any kind. After what I've endured, I have an aversion to distorting my reality, chemically, in anyway whatsoever, so no to the weed or alcohol or cigs or even caffeine. I've worked very hard at my healing and spent a ton of money and nothing has helped ease things. It's looking like I am permanently injured. I sure wish more was known about this injury, hoping to heal is very draining. I am sorry you're in this too.
I came back to this video today, wondering if I dare ask my Doctor whether he'd consider watching a video. I have to go see him on Monday and it still freaks me out to have to talk to a medical professional. I've been severely traumatized.
@@JCatBIC Thanks. I see the question is asked "Can there be permanent symptoms?" My question is "At what point is permanence declared?"
@@Jannietime1 In some of the studies, 2 years. I don't think that's true, though. That's just when they stopped studying. I've seen people improve/heal after 2 years. We're obviously not taken seriously enough anywhere in medicine to have extensive, useful data.
@@JCatBIC it's a terribly brutal and sad situation to end up in, especially because it feels like no one cares about the suffering benzo's cause. It's hard to cope with when your body and brain feel broken. Cruel medicine. Sorry that you got caught in it too.
Is there anyway I can contact you guys? Please
Thanks for the presentation, sincerely from the UK. Xanax was a saviour once, now it's anything but.
I’ve taken a benzodiazepine on and off for years. When they start not to work, I taper off. In addition, I do a drug vacation every summer unless something is going on necessitating their use. I know how they work with me and it’s important to avoid total dependence on them. I’ve never taken more than 1.0 mg. 3x day. I’ve gone cold turkey once when a drug addicted cousin stole them from me. I felt like I was coming down with the flu, body aches so bad I could barely get out of bed, plus a panicky feeling that wouldn’t go away. It abated after two weeks during which time I lost my job. Since then, my medical condition and meds are strictly under wraps. I discuss with nobody except my doctor and my spiritual director.
Why would anyone take Ambien and benzos together? Dangerous, no?
As I’ve aged, I need less.
I have taken Ambien and Klonopin together, though in very low doses. I just last week stopped taking the Klonopin and felt terrible. Took one on day 3 and have not taken any for two days. Hoping to get down to none, but we'll see.
On the benzo, good for you! Brava!
Oh my God I'm John to a T! I just started having heart palpitations and was about to schedule a cardiologist. I can type no more I'm a wreck now.
Jesus, poor woman multiple prescriptions, 1 was enough to disable me and make me feel I was well and truly crazy.
thank you for your work
I was on Xanax, Ambient, Adderall, antidepressants , and using alcohol daily when I went cold turkey off of everything...I had stopped taking Adderall maybe two years prior though.
How are you now?
I need help! 67 yrs old. Taken klonopin 37 years. I'm a mess and don't know what to do. Any resources available in TX?
I have been on xamex sinse 15 im 45 now i was told if i were to stop ill have a seizure idk im addicted and its bad even if one day off
2017 I wanted off . It was killing me. No sleep and major panic. Medical and mental health was a joke for real tapering. I was alone and in trouble ~
I weaned myself off Clobazam but then I started cutting my Lamictal, then I had a seizure and they forced me to go back on it. I'm hoping10mg/night won't cause me too much damage.
I have seizures caused by clonazopam pretty sure of it, around 6 episodes now since last September each 1-2 months apart. I’m tapering Clonazopam as of now to 0.25mg every 4 days, but doctors told me I need to start on Lamictal, so I’ve started slowly at 0.25mg morning and night everyday for about a week now. I just don’t know what to do at the moment, just curious what do you think of your situation, is it similar to mine by any chance?
My uncle, now in his late seventies, is an ex-alcoholic (40+ years sober now.) In recent years his short-term memory has become shockingly bad. He's been popping 10mg Valium nightly for many years, and seems to think that's preferable to risk of relapse. We don't know what to make of it n- meaning is it dementia, or could it be his drug? Thanks for making people aware of the problems with this poison.
thanks for your clarifications and hejp. I would like to have one association/coalition in my country
it s not easy to get help
best
Filipe
Lisbon - Portugal
Awwww Filipe I am so sorry . Have you heard of lions mane mushroom to help repair some of that damage? I am five years into this
What does brain injury feel like? I was snatched off klonopin after 12 years (was on it from June 2010-June 2022 prescribed by my primary doctor then by a psychiatrist) in a matter of 5 days back in June 2022. Every day since I have severe brain pressure, pulsating and throbbing every single day. I don’t work anymore had to quit school, can barely care for myself and my son, vision is damaged, can’t drive.
Is there any help for us????
not much, but the Facebook groups, "Beating Benzos" etc having very supportive people , saved me, in many groups for 4 years now
No, no help.. The medical and mental health people are in DENIAL. .. and.. $$$$$$ No money in healthy people!
@@mardishores4016 Your right on. Way to much money. They don't care.
I started taking benzo's after a traumatic assault in 2014 and they helped me a lot at that time. It provided relief from my chronic depression too, so I took more and more gradually; Diazepam 10m (Valium), Alprazolam 1&2m (Xanax), and Bromazepam 6&12m (Lexotan) mixed up, daily, about 8-10 pills 'till 2019/20. My biggest mistake was thinking that quitting years of heavy benzodiazepine use would best be handled by just stopping taking them. Abruptly.
That stupid decision left me dysfunctional up until today. I am not talking about work alone, even normal domestic living stuff... I have been clinically disabled for 4 years now, lost all capability to socialize, enjoy my hobbies (or enjoy anything at all), and even going back to work seems impossible today. I had to move back in with my parents, financially broke and mentally disabled because of the way my brain is affected by long-term benzodiazepine use and my 'sudden withdrawal' stunts. But it's only when I take a benzo, preferably long-acting, that I go straight back into feeling like a normal, functional, relaxed, and confident individual.
Basically, my life was over at 40 (five years ago). I am treated with stimulants momentarily - to get me functioning basically- and it does not help. It would be easier to take one Valium daily and avoid this current misery but where does that end? It's clear that benzodiazepine misuse alters the brain structure somehow after long exposure and it looks like the brain needs time, a lot of time, to re-adjust itself back to normal.
Was it so wrong to trust a warm, fuzzy blanket in harsh times when feeling weak and vulnerable? No, ... but I didn't sign up for an experimental lab-rat position either.
XXX
I bet you didn't spend a single night alone.
@@Tadesan Salt
Very interesting. Thank you!!!
Will doctors ever learn about the Ashton manual as my dr is against diazepam, and I'm in severe physical withdrawals
I finally got mine to agree to the Ashton way. I’m off Lorazipam
and taking what I’m told is equivalent to 60% lower dose of diazepam. Stuck at that for a bit. Using the ReCode programme for cognitive decline to help counter stuff.
@@christianguthrie6614did you try to get off of lorazepam directly? How long were you taking it and dose?
I was thinking about switching to Valium but it’s more like lorazepam l think and for me might be not beneficial, anyway, what’s the dose of lorazepam you switched and did you have any withdrawals or tolerance with lorazepam?
@@christianguthrie6614 how long and what’s dose did you take of lorazepam ? I need to stop because of side effects and l think that Valium is more similar to lorazepam , l may not benefit possibly. Did you try taper directly? And did you hit tolerance and withdrawals with lorazepam ?
After three months of extra Xanax getting through the worst semester ever when it was over I flushed it, cold turkey. I trashed it because I didn’t want to be an addict. Second day out, in bed, got up and had a withdrawal seizure. I remember getting up and heading to another room. my boyfriend yelling at me to get dressed, then on an ER bed under observation. What I do remember is three months of feeling I lost half my brain cells. It was humbling. And taught me I do not want to do that again. That was in the nineties and I still have not overdosed on it.
My boyfriend worked in ICU. He told me later he had to do a little CPR because I stopped breathing. A blessing, I know. If it had happened 30 minutes later he would have left for work and I would have been alone.
I've never had a romantic partner. Why do you get one?
I need help for the wife in Baltimore, Maryland.
And yes, I do watch the Benzo buddy's and others. She has pre-existing problems with pain. And she's been on a benzo For twenty years, doctor told her to cut a quarter of it down and she's been protractive withdrawals since he will not move it up To help her.
When I call other doctors around here and talk to them. They want to cold turkey her Or seven day get it off Pretty much the same thing. And they know nothing or act like they don't know anything about it. We need help bad.
Hi D. I'm off k now for 3 months. I have a gait instability. Will that go away over time please. Thank you for the work you do for all of us. God bless you 🕊️💞
1mg.x 3 since 1986..40 yrs...in 2011, I got a mystery illness..I was non functional for 5 yrs..I underestimated their strength of the hold on my Body, mind, soul and spirit..I was a monster..I am Just Now understanding that the 4 pgs of strange symptoms..I now think the tolerance put me in constant withdrawal
I wish I could sue the doctor who prescribed me klonopin back in July 2010 when I was 24 years old.
Can brain injury heal? I developed oral dysphagia since a year ago. I have been taking klonopin for 20 years, i do have a neurological dysphagia, I barely can´t swallow blendend food. Im so scare to not be able so swallow again and scare of tapering. What it is weird is when I take my dosis for some reason it´s a bit easier to swallow my liquids but by the effect is going it´s impossible to swallow. I don´t know what to do, I really don´t want to continue fighting im weak and desperate. The doctor gave me Klonopin when I was a minor (kid)
Your comment just reminded me: the first symptom I experienced when "detoxed" was that food got trapped in my esophagus when swallowing. I couldn't get it down or up. It was truly frightening,.
Please look into lions mane to help repair some of that damage and they make the liquid versions since you can’t swallow anything. I too had serious problems with swallowing. Not so much anymore
@@TheTurtleTribalNation thanks! But I have read that we can't take anything more ese while im still under this poison drug and not even a quite time after the withdrawal
@@elizabethfranco7115 awww you are welcome but at least you know for further reference . Yes I believe I started that close to a year off the benzodiazepines and I was on gabapentin at the time when I started the lions mane . I didn’t care much at the time I was suffering so bad . I still do and the hormone changes I have been having recently have been something else to go through with this because I’m going through premenopause right now too .
*Simple questions, if these drugs has such potential to cause so much harm why prescribed them at all? could it be modern western medince isn't about curing but treating and treating is more profitable for physicians and pharmaceutical companies*
I can explain. Doctors aren’t told either. Because they aren’t exactly considered addictive. I was fortunate to find a psychiatrist in Mass that helped me a lot when I checked myself into the hospital refusing to take another pill. First thing he said was I was smart to get off them as he has treated hundreds of patients with dementia caused from them.
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