Benzo withdrawal is literally a living hell. I understand why so many choose to just stay on them indefinitely. They should should not even exist; the anxiety you get while withdrawing makes the anxiety you were trying to treat with the benzos seem like the good old days. My heart goes out to all who are fighting this courageous battle.
Very very true! The first Benzo I was prescribed was Lorazepam at 2mg to treat anxiety but nearly 20 years ago, when I was prescribed the Lorazepam I still suffered from anxiety as part of the interdose withdrawal symptoms and this was worse anxiety than I had before starting the benzo. The anxiety got worse as interdose WD lasted more time as I gained even more tolerance to the effects. Then, I gained more dependence on Benzos as my anxiety got worse as had more frequent interdose WD bouts of anxiety so my then GP prescribed me Diazepam at 30mg and in more recent times, this and Clonazepam at 1mg was subsequently prescribed but I'm now 18 months off after a brutal CT WD. Really was like a living hell!
@benrogers84 did it get easier when switching over to valium? I too am on 2 mgs ativan for sleep at night and am thinking about going over to valium to start a taper. Thanks for any opinion you may have.
@JohnDoe-ns9yo a cross over may or may not make things easier. I blogged about it recently. You can search my website for that post. It explains the pros and cons.
@@JohnDoe-ns9yo my thoughts and prayers are with you JohnDoe. It's a hellish thing to go through. But if we stay strong we can beat the beast. We can do this.
I was on Xanax for 16 years, I went to a 10 day detox and 3 week long rehab to get off of it. The detox was not that bad because I was comfortably tapered off with other benzos, the first week without comfort meds in rehab was tough, I would have given up if I was at home. They put me on Kepra so I didn't seize and oddly it felt like a sedative. I started feeling again, I had lost much of my senses. Little things like hair standing up on my arm came back. I have liked meditation for a long time and my meditations have been great since I have been off Xanax. To anyone going through this, it does get better, eventually I could exist in public without fear of having a panic attack.
This is amazing compared to the plethora of horror stories I've been reading the passed few days. I'm happy you were able to go through relatively ok ❤
This comment gave me so much hope thank you ;-; started at 16 years old until now (20) and I have these headaches now that are insannneee when does this go away?
Also if a person IS suicidal, them going to a “facility” is no good! They will be put on gosh knows what, against good practice & against their will- and it could damage them WAY worse
Yes and sadly families put you there. I feel like all of sufferers need to do something to change the law on being forced to go to the ward and injected God knows what.
I went through hell coming off klonopin. I used Acupuncture, herbs, massage and steam rooms to heal. I’m still healing muscle spasms that my brain can’t manage to relax them. I was ostracized by family and friends, and pretty much went through it alone. There’s a lot of medical gas lighting around this situation and we need to bring this education to the forefront. Thank you for this video. I am currently studying Acupuncture so that I can assist and advocate on this crisis. I endured and fought against so much ignorance. My addiction started by taking this pill from a friend who was mentally ill and I was naive to not realize at the time she was I’ll and so was her whole family.
Thank you so much.I was on Klonopin for 12 years off for 7 years now.zI am 76 years old and still have waves and windows.I was given Klonopin for sleeping and I am a chronic insomniac and suffering badly with that.I would love to sleep like a normal person .I refuse any drugs.I pray and do my best.Thank you,Thank you.God Bless you.🙏🏾❤️🌹
Damn 12 years. What doctor keeps prescribing a medicine where the manufacturer wording on the package says 2 to 4 weeks maximum? Wishing you all the best.
Send it anyway. I'm probably gonna lose my family soon to over klonopin so I really sympathize. Lost my job wife I'm having so much nerve pain I'm down to 135 lbs. I'm 28 prescribed at 23.. I'm not even completely off yet..was but caved at 8 months. It was hard driving past cvs everyday knowing 90 1mg were sitting in there with my name on it for 2$. Was still having burning skin, nerve pain, double vision you all know. This time it's starting while I'm on it. I either gotta go up or be nearly bed ridden. I sleep most the day. If my doc didn't put me on suboxone I'd probably b dead. Saved me for a year or so just wish I would have quit during it. Now I gotta kick that to lol I am fucked. Good luck sweetheart. No one can imagine what we go through from this.
It’s been around 25 months since I’ve been off benzos and I’m still healing - it’s honestly like a very real purgatory. On top of that my family think I’m mentally ill/depressed and being selfish as it’s been so long now - which in itself is actually more depressing than coping with the symptoms which I’ve learnt to manage to a extent. I’d defy anyone not to be slightly depressed if they had to cope with the plethora of symptoms we’ve had to deal with, saying that, on the occasions I’ve had a window of easing of symptoms I’ve felt like my old self and started to function better as each day passes, then BANG… another wave sets me back. On top of that I think I’m currently going through long haul “COVID” perhaps due to a out of whack CNS/immune system. The last three years have been trying to say the very least. I wish you all well.
Sorry you are experiencing this hell. 14 years klonopin but built tolerance and now on Ativan. I begged my doctor to put me in Valium which is extremely helpful with tapering off but she refuse.
I am hearing you Mark! I wish we can get legislation to help people like you who have been injured by this class of medication and to provide research into helping withdrawal.
Tapering for 33 months at 65 and still have another year to go because I was updosed by a neurologist making my taper so long. Thank you for this video, my husband has to do everthing for me constant vertigo is making it very hard. Thsnk so much for your compsssion and understanding.
What about those who went into withdrawal , never had the right taper & are tapering in withdrawal … people need help with family , friends & Drs need a video like this too !
My mother tapered Klonopin in 1 month with no problem, so she can't begin to understand why I'm still struggling so hard over 3 years later. Thank you so much for this video and your calming reassuring voice. This was incredibly validating (I JUST found this channel). I've been tapering Klonopin for over 3 years and still struggling so much. I feel hopeful that someday I'll feel somewhat normal again. But at least I know it's the benzos and not me.
I'm so lucky and grateful that my people support and believe me. I have my bad days and I have my BADDDD days. Sometimes it's not a good day but not very bad and I can function well enough to enjoy the day. ❤
Hi Dr. Jenn. It's been a year ago and still NO SUPPORT. My environment (partner) is toxic, I go to fight to flight so much that I'm exhausted to say the least. My grown children, one is even a nurse she thinks it something else and the other he is well educated but refuses to educate himself on benzo withdrawal. They're stubborn and I'm alone in this hell. Titles ( bipolar, borderline personality etc.) and fingers pointed , justifying myself constantly and so much more. My nervous system can't handle any negativity. I'm 4 years cold turkey not by choice and I don't know what to do. I can't be my only support through this, it's NOT working out for me. Family/Friends do not like to watch anything benzo related sad for me. Thank you for your videos. Take care ❤️
Dear Tracey(and any other sufferes who may read)Please forgive this long message even though I am condensing it ALOT! First off, I am so sorry you are suffering. i HONESTLY KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! I promise that after almost 7 years total on benzos and antidepressants and other unnecessary psych drugs, 4 of which I spent tapering, I want you to know I am at almost 3 and a half years completely healed and totally healthy and not on ANY meds or drugs! I am 48years old and I am able to be the wife, mom and gramma I was before the hell of these drugs. I am able to work out daily, ride my horses daily and be ME again. I love my life again after hating it for many years because of benzo/med hell. I absolutely understand your fear and desperation. I was certain I was going to die because the tolerance withdrawals and taper were awful. I ended up going from super healthy prior to benzos and meds to near death for half a decade. I also got sick with pancreatitis, high blood pressure, tachycardia, all requiring awful meds and many hospitalizations for above said illnesses as well as for chronic vomitting from the constant withdrawals. All I was sick with was from the benzos/med hell. I I have not needed one single med since waking up totally healed from all withdrawals in June 2019. The high blood pressure, heart issues, chronic vomitting and pancreatitis all went away the same week I woke up healed from the benzo hell. There is so much more to my story but I am trying to make it short! I really just wanted to share I went from near death to totally healed and you can/will too. Our brains were horribly injured and it takes alot of time to repair. A long time to heal. So please know that even the WORST cases of benzo hell can heal! It does not seem like it now, I know. But I am proof that even after amost a decade on benzos and antidepressants and a total of 10 other meds because of the benzo hell, there can be total and complete healing. My Dr(who was not the Dr who was the start of the prescribing and wrong diagnosis but came in to rescue at the midway mark to take me on and tapered me and helped me)says I am as healthy now at 48 off benzos/all meds as I was in my 20s and 30s, pre-benzo, when I was raising my babes and rodeoing fulltime according to him going through my lifetime medical records(I live in a tiny western Canadian town where I was born and raised and still live so he has access to everything I couldnt bring to him). Anyways please forgive my super long post to you dearTracey. I ended up here looking for postive stories for a friend of mine. She is going on 5 years of a taper from benzos after a 20 plus year use. She is disabled and bedridden and lost everything. She still is on 10mg of valium and has not been able to handle any lower tapering in the last 9months due to severe inability to stablize at all. Though I found this looking for my friend, I saw your posts and felt God putting it on my heart to share with you and tell you there is hope. I promise. I would not share that hope if I had not been soo sick and so close to death. I honestly asked God to take me because I did not feel my sweet husband and beautiful children and grandbabies deserved my horrid existence after so many years of me near death in bed. I was so wrong! I am so grateful for the miracle God gave me and that He did not answer my prayer to take me home...but He DID answer my husband and childrens prayers after many years of them praying for me to be healed! THERE IS HOPE AND A BEAUTIFUL, HEALED LIFE AFTER BENZO/MED HELL! All my love and blessings and prayers for continued strength for you Tracey. You will be in my heart and daily prayers. Tracy (we share the same name as well as the same benzo hell, we are just in different stages! You WILL heal!)
Thank you I appreciate I withdrawing from Klozapam couldn’t sleep for 3 days doc gave me pills for nausea the ones they give for cancer patients really good I was throwing up blood pressure low blood work excellent disarray im taken Gabapentin so I can sleep tonight been in bed 3 days work tomorrow oo sweating too❤
You are correct: When the benzodiazepine user gets off it - the symptoms they are reporting are not exaggerations - this drugs are horrible to get off of. That is the consensus of all self reports. You are right - the Drs do not have a clue and give unhelpful advice as to how to get off them.
My brain wouldn't connect to the lower half of my body and I didn't know when I had to urinate, I couldn't get my legs to take a full stride and absolutely couldn't do steps. It's called transverse myelitis and it was brought on by coming off of benzos. Every time I went to the hospital they couldn't figure out what it was. It wasn't until after I had gone through it and was better that I found out what happened to me ....Doctors don't know much especially when they have a preconceived idea about you going into it.
You are so right about the doctors and the ER if you're on a benzo diazepine some doctors have already formed an opinion about you before they ever examining you just by reading your medication list!
An older video but very good! Hits home. Looks like I lost partner tonight. He said I need to be a more positive person. In other words, I'm getting on his nerves. I'm 2 months out from klonopin taper
3 years out sometimes I must keep reminding myself of this knowing it's not over yet but it's gotten so much better the 3 yr mark is when it really starts to let up God be w you all ! WE DO RECOVER !
Blue fuse my frd I quit alc and nicoteen take benzos only 15 days qutipen or clonazepam then. quit no taper still feel. disconnection of llegs and arm when it get better 417 ddays now daily broken sleep 6 7 hours
Yeah three years for you not everybody reacts the same I got a couple of friends that were taking this stuff for years and they stopped cold turkey and they said they had withdrawals but after about two weeks they said they were OK they were fine still had anxiety like they always had but it wasn’t really no better or worse than what it was before they started the medicine . It doesn’t affect some people as bad as all these horror stories . My Lord it’s almost like you don’t even wanna watch none of these things if you were taking a benzo scare the crap out of you . And the thing is where are all the people that are just starting like that or four days or one week talking about what they’re feeling it’s all this oh I’ve been off of them now for 10 years and I’m still healing ! My lord, 😳
So three years is the "feel better" time? I know this isn't the same for everyone, of course. I just need hope. I'm 31 months off Klonopin 1.5 to 2 mg (actually Xanax for the first 6 years, was then switched to klonopin) taken as directed, for 28 years 6 months. After learning from a Jordan Peterson video about the dangers of long term benzo use (possible Alzheimers!), I contacted my doctor to stop. All she said was "okay, stop" and I've never taken another since. The first 5-6 months were nonstop horrendous, thought I was dying and wanted to die. Couldn't leave my bedroom or apartment. I'm so different now, not cheerful, easily angry. Now have a ventricular tachycardia I didn't have before. Have now been diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy. Old migraine problem has intensely worsened. When will this end? I'm 69, have never drank, smoked, or had med issues. So strange.
@@DH-dh2nj I wasn't going to proceed with my back handed reply to your comment..🤦🏽♀️ But, I truly think that you're the most ignorant person that I've seen on the internet TODAY! 🤦🏽♀️🥴🙄 I bet you make your mom very PrOuD..🥴🙄 Benzo brain injury is eventually going to repair itself...However, your permanently stuck with a mico chip mind..🥴🙄
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFORMATION!!!! You cleared up so many things...Why do so many psychristics just keep prescribing this and its hurting people
I don’t know. I offer a certification course in benzo withdrawal for healthcare professionals. But many are hesitant or skeptical. Hopefully they will come to realize how harmful their practices are.
They prescribe it because they don't care about patients' welfare. But mostly because that is one of their primary sources of income. TRUTH. And also, because they have assumed they can never be sued for destroying our entire lives and future.
Thank u jeen im from puerto rico here i can tell that no doctors and nobody know about these problem i gonna heal and try to help others in these process thanks for these value information ❤️🔥
Thank you for letting us know that acute phase will not last through entire recovering, that was my biggest fear, my worst symptoms subsided in two first weeksbut many of them are still there... I struggle mentally now more then anything else but I hope that will pass ine day as well😔
@@tournesol777 I didn't go cold turkey, still tapering ( biiiiig reduction since then) but feel much better and able to function in compare with that acute phase when I was bedridden and like Dr. Jen said, I prayed death wishes every day. There are still bad and good days but I try to get there and recover as many others did... I don't know if that will ever happen but I'm not loosing hope... I hope you're doing good and thank you for asking💓
@@MrCyberShow I've been taking Valium for 17 years but not every day ( although in recent years started to be every day)... then switched to Xanax ( worst decision of my life) 1 mg as needed... now im down to .25 also when needed and its been two and a half years that im tapering but still afraid to go off of it alltogether, it was very bad in the beggining but its better now... but im still on it😓... I'm not loosing hope that one day I'll be benzo free... wishing you well
@@lidiyas7153 Sounds like huge steps IMO. Congrats. I wish you the best. I'm on Clonanzapam. Been on it 6 years. Started at 1mg. Up to 3mg, now I'm at .5mg daily. Sides are intense, but I'm going to push through.
My mom and brother tried to gaslight me throughout the first seven months of my first withdrawal. They had no comment when I could not do my job due to the symptoms after a year off klonopin, and they never acknowledged or apologised for their despicable behaviour. They treated me poorly, and they offered zero support. They would not even listen to me, and they would get angry at me for some of my symptoms. To do my job, I started klonopin again since I have national healthcare now.. I also immigrated permanently to a different continent than them, and they will not be able to harm me during my next attempt. I will, however, have my supportive husband, who saw their ugliness and who will be there for me in person now that he has his visa to my EU country.
my family expected me to get back to work after 2 months off 6 years off klonopin or pretty much get out. well i did the same as you got back on them and now it's backfiring i have to up my dose or get off because i have nerve pain just not even myself on my normal dose, i know if i up it i'll be back to normal but that lasts for about 6 months then here we go again... so sick of it. you're lucky who have someone who understands i have to keep all of this to myself. til i break and go to detox or a mental hospital where either one gives you a TERRIBLE week taper at best. i hate this.
I was on Klonopin for a while last year (2023). Before this, I already had OCD (which I’ve had all my life). I’m a few months shy of being off of it for a year and I’m still suffering some of the side effects. For me, it’s mainly my OCD but on steroids, followed by multiple panic attacks, explosive emotional fits, not being able to handle everyday things. The worst part is not being able to convince people that what you’re going through is %100 legitimate. It’s a crime.
Thank you Dr. Jenn for the much-needed video for our loved ones that was awesome! I sent it to all my loved ones I hope they watch it. Keeping my fingers crossed. Much love,Tracey
I am trying to come off of benzodiazepines and I wish you could help talk to my family. I feel like I need help in a psychiatric facility and noone believes me. I don’t think my psychiatrist thinks I need that kind of help either.
I know it's different but I can relate so much with opioid withdrawal. I tapered and stopped norco for pain mgt a few months ago and my symptoms have been so severe. I share many of the same ones as benzo withdrawal. I have nothing but compassion for all of you who are fighting your way back from hell. I wish I had known the true consequences of dependency before I starting taking the medication. As much pain as I was in, the protracted withdrawal state I'm living with now is so much worse. My brain is injured and I pray it will heal someday. I just want to be me again.
@@tonimcdaniel9110 Thanks, toni. Yes, just try to do your best each day. I cant believe its been 7 months since I left that comment. I am still going through paws symptoms but it's better than it was (thank God!) All my best to you. It does get better with time. Just keep praying and know you got this!
@@Thatsbannanas-d8c It's sooo hard! Hardest thing ever! One day at a time (or less) is all I can do. You'll get there. Keep going! There are plenty of us in the same boat.
@@Thatsbannanas-d8c I feel you on that. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. You are certainly not alone. I hope you're getting some decent windows. We're inching a little closer to healing every day, and someday we'll be on the other side. Don't give up. If you ever feel like you're about to give up, reach out and let me talk you out of it, or let someone talk you out of it. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at any time. I don't have much energy, but I'm here.
Sara - I heard benzo and AD (so-called "antidepressant") withdrawal are very similar. I know for sure AD withdrawal is hell because I'm in the middle of it.
Having a person help you.make drs. Appointments, or meals, or do laundry are huge. My friend of 55 years decided to do nothing and dump me. Be aware.. That happens, alas.
I am grateful for this channel. I work with Amanita Muscaria and I have a lot of customers coming to me with benzo withdrawl. It is a GABA A agonist and if you research Amanita Dreamer she claims to have healed herself of benzo withdrawl with Amanita muscaria. I want to become more educated on this subject so I can better help guide people in the right direction.
I'm 2 years benzo free. I'm still chemical brain injured. I still can't work full-time, drive around, still experiencing all of those hundreds of symptoms you mentioned still and it keeps recycling over and over. Alot of windows and more waves. I'm so very sensitive to everything. Right now I'm not living my life, I'm surviving just to get by the day, this sucks. Thank you for this video.
@@sangeetalambh6389 Hello. I'm hanging in there still. I'm trying to focus my thoughts of healing by seeing myself already healed and truly believing it. I'm doing alot of daily affirmations. I'm doing alot of exposure therapy by going out in public walking around, driving around to where I'm comfortable. I'm still dealing alot of symptoms but moving forward. What about you?
@@Marcus-1211 my frd I quit alc and nicoteen take clonazepam 2.5 and qutipen 75 for sleep only 15 days then quit no taper still feel disconnection of legs annd arms did u feel that sym frd or u feel totally out of body sym ple ans 417days sober now
It's often said that benzos cannot be used long term; they are for two to four weeks maximum. But with the horror stories about dependency and long, painful recovery, I can't imagine a level of anxiety that would cause me to think that one day of Xanax use would be a good idea.
Most excellent point, and I am right there with you. Dear God, don’t anyone come NEAR me w/a Benzo-ever again. My only” love affair” that almost turned deadly. ❤️🩹
They should be taken sparingly, and not regularly more than a few days. It horrifies me when people say they’ve been on them for years. Even the manufacturers say 2 to 4 weeks maximum. Why are doctors prescribing these month after month to the same individual? Reckless!
I've given up explaining my symptoms and feelings. They're there and not visible to anyone other than those who've either been through it or are willing to try to understand. This is torture, LITTERAL TORTURE and we're given this and have it taken away by those (doctors) who're supposed to be helping us. If they don't understand how can I expect a layperson to 'get it'? It's something that had me back on valium after 16 months of hell that just didn't seem to stop. I gave up and maybe I'm weak, a woos, a drug-seeker, idk, but I'm not ready to try that road again at the moment.
Hello. Thank you for explaining this I'm hoping some family might watch this video. I imagine you're very busy but do you have a video explaining the various amount of extreme symtoms and timeframe of withdrawl for long term users so my family can hear them from a professional?
i went thru the dreaded gabapentin withdrawal, and i lterally had no one there for me but god. I HATE these friggin drugs and what they do to people, i wish doctors would pull the stick out of their ass and start educating people and realize the harm they are causing us instead of just giving out prescriptions like candy, I went through withdrawl for 2 years starting in november of 2016 and have over 60 withdrawal side effects from being off of the gabapentin, people didnt believe me whe i told them about what i was experiencing, hopefully people are starting to listen now.
My family don't care they just think you come off em and that's it. My father is horrendous he's treating me like Iv been a bad person I just want this to end I can't even go my therapist today iv gott terrible intrusive thoughts and agoraphobia I'm too afraid to leave my house and yet my family think each day I should be better ?!??!?! Iv tried to inform them
Thank you again for this video. It may have saved me and my aunts relationship. It's a very important video. My Alanon sponsor was very impressed with you as well.
If your brain is damaged and cannot be healed, why discontinue your benzodiazepines. The damage is already done and it appears the only way to live a functional life is to continue the meds. I don’t understand why people are going through this. Quality of life matters.
Because the damage can continue to get worse. These drugs were never intended for more than a few weeks use. Many people never stabilize once they hit tolerance no matter how much they raise the dose. Better to get benzo free and heal. Enjoy a better quality of life.
I won’t be 60/70/80 years old and put my loved ones and friends through what my entire family had to watch me suffer and endure alongside me. No informed consent? Not even a discussion? How very dare my Doctor and the makers of this drug for their audacity and eventual cruelty. As a well-respected and lauded career public school Educator with a Master’s degree and decades of successful teaching experience, the “gotcha” of benzos was unnecessary, uncalled for and unequivocally unfair to my relationships and to me. I’ll be proudly 5 years free of the “poison and the nectar” that was a Benzo taken as prescribed for sleep for 19 years. I developed tolerance-out of nowhere. This drug tried to steal all I studied and worked for my for entire life. What a total disgrace. ❤️🩹
Many people eventually get interdose withdrawal as the brain downregulates GABA activity so much, the individual starts to exhibit panic symptoms even taking the prescribed amount. These drugs are not some magic bullet. I took benzodiazepines for a few weeks and still had about a month of withdrawal. I now use natural supplements like L-Thianine and Magnesium for sleep. I also exercise and eat a whole food diet.
Because we are under constant threat of doctors "deprescribing"...my pharmacy made an error resulting in skipping one month refill and not one of my doctors helped...I was advised that if I really ran out and had problems to go to an ER (where I would be treated as a drug seeker)...Once pharmacy realized the error and gave me refill I knew I must get off on a taper to avoid a potentially deadly cold turkey
My parents rushed me on benzos because they found I did not sleep well enough when I said I slept fine. I was confused from cortisone withdrawal and just wanted to take time off work for the first time in my life. Then obviously the benzo made everything so much worse after less than 2 weeks use. I got even more abused and violated by my parents that I did not heal fast enough etc. They take 0 accountability and I had to flee the continent. I lost my job, my friends, my family, my health, all because my own father pushed me on drugs cause he found me dysfuncitonal as I had some anxiety and cried once a week wtf. I was getting better every week and I was doing acupuncture. Now all of that is ruined.
I wish you would call my Dr and explain to him what he did to me. He cut my dose in half in January and started this hell I'm in now it's June. I gave him the paperwork on BIND and tolerance. He turned blood red and got angry because I knew something he didn't. I wish I knew from the beginning what this was I would have never taken it. 12 year intractable pain patient. Two fell back surgeries. Already in horrific pain.. I was surviving day to day. What is actually just being able to go fishing with my husband for a little while. Now I can't even leave the house. 🥺😭🤬
46 months off CT as of yesterday, still have the big benzo belly bloat. Other symptoms have lessened but really scared this is permanent as I haven’t found many who has it heal this far out
I managed to convince some people this truth in the Benzo group I belong to and explained to them why doctors give them diagnoses of psychosis but isn't right and stupid plus negligent to quickly diagnose someone who's been on benzos before trying to find out what's really going on or just be straight up and let them know the truth which is this is no longer withdrawals but damaged caused by benzo use but if does heal!
I had some instances where the front of my brain or frontal lobe felt like it went offline as if there was too much glutamate firing. Scrambled impulses
Just started my tapering off this poison. Researching this made me aware, my doctor has no clue how to help me with this. Trying to lower dose by 50% in a month & 2 months to be off. Not working at all & finally I understand why. Can anyone on here explain what happens that affects driving & how you may have dealt with this.
What do you do about multiple drug damage, I was ctd off of sertraline, I had akathisia was put on mirtazapine lost all my memory and emotions. Don't feel human was put on an antipsychotic, many ssri/snri... Can't sense my limbs or head, massive pressure in my brain. All I can do is sit there can't watch TV or do anything stuck in constant suicidal terror I know I'll probably eventually give up been 4 years still getting worse impossible to live like this. Burning tingling all over, pssd, can't remember my own family or life. My soul is gone cant do anything other than try not to end it
I am going through benzo withdrawal; I now know I had the symptoms even before I started cutting back.In the past six months I've cut from .75 Klonopin to .5. I had cut it even more, but with symptoms I was having I decided to go back to .5 The drs know absolutely nothing about it. Now my symptoms are even worse.
Been over 100+ years because they got started with barbiturates but changed to benzos. Barbiturates are old fashion benzos..Also doesn't a slow taper help with recovering better?
Its more hard withdrawal on antideppressant ppl should talk about thst to..I tapering out valium 1 y was not soo hard..like sertraline been hell..still are i jump off 3 months ag..
Many people get high bp. Always see a doctor if you are concerned. As we heal our bp goes back to normal- but some may need medical intervention if their numbers are too high while in bwd. ❤️
I made it four months and I caved. I'm in tolerance withdraw right now and I feel like I can't tell anyone that I failed. I was forced to ct from 30mg of diazepam and I though I was going to die.
Do you heal from the brain damage or not?? It's been 6 months for me since I was taken abruptly off Klonopin and my brain is so messed up causing me to feel psychotic 24/7.
@@Carolina_girl86 I’m not an MD. But the Ashton manual and the anecdotal evidence of the benzo community over the last few decades would indicate that reinstating after 30 days rarely works. I’ve only known of a few that it worked for them- and it took months for them to stabilize. There is no way to predict the outcome for you. I’m sorry you’re suffering so much.
@@aashish551 I’m mostly bedridden now. I can’t move anymore. I had pre-existing subluxation in my neck,wrists and hip, but I was fine. Muscle weakness caused multiple injuries to me.
I’d like to share this with my son but he tells me that just gives him a panic attack. After what you says I believe he’s going through tolerance withdrawal he’s been on Klonipin for 20 plus years and he’s been having such a hard time. Can you message the groups you mentioned. Thank you
Oh my God! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I'm sending this to my mother who loves me, but has a hard time understanding what I'm going through. All of what you have said Is Spot on! I would love to talk with you! How do I go about getting ahold of you and is there a fee?! 🤔
It can be too aggressive in cuts for some. We now know that crossing over to Valium isn't always the best thing to do. That decision needs to be made on a case-by-case basis. Also, drinking alcohol should be avoided, and antidepressants are not usually the answer to the depression that can occur in benzo withdrawal. The manual is a good starting point for knowledge, but remember it was written 40 years ago. We've learned a lot since then.
Not that I’m aware of. The only researched compound that seems to help is something called HDAC INHIBITORS and they are found in certain plant foods. I have blogged about them before. You can do a search on my website about them. Benzowithdrawalhelp.com
@@benzowithdrawalhelp thank you for the hope in education of doctors I’m still trying to find one in a new state and it’s tough, most don’t know a thing about tapering or suggest normal DSM-5 meds even ECT, if I even try to say a word about slow tapering or the Ashton method they treat me like an addict and dismiss me so I really need to learn how to talk to doctors or test their knowledge before I put my life in Their hands I’m going to join the online support community it helps so much Also just wanted to ask if these ketamine clinics are a scam, I know NMDA receptor agonist are disassociating, or perhaps a 5HT2 receptor will help? I’m sorry if I sound drug seeking, I’m just terrified of long term high dose klonopin withdrawal, not doing well on a taper, lived with dose tolerance withdrawals since 20 years thankfully I just learned about that from you’re videos I am terrified, I’m a burden in my family and they all think I need to go to a detox center again to just “ get it over with” not believing me when I say it’s the worst thing to do ! unless there’s some clinic that knows the Ashton method and users new alternative medicine and wellness therapy you can recommend if all else fails But I doubt I can find one so Hopefully with you’re help or the online support community I can find some solution that will not end up killing me, I do not want to die from mismanagement, I also don’t want to live what’s left of my life stuck in their psych ward / sober living system as a insurance cash cow Im so scared but you’ve given me good advice and some hope so thank you 🙏🏻 so much I hope to keep in contact Forgive my long winded reply, I’m too used to over explaining
@@benzowithdrawalhelp thank you for the reply, I’m new to online coaching I am trying to research alternative medicine, I also wanted to ask if these ketamine treatment centers are a scam, I’ve done some research on NMDA receptors and it’s contradictory information unless I deep dive into the Pharma kinetics and safety I will book a sessions with you as soon as I can Thank you again
I wish you could talk to mine. I’m a slow methylizer, and moved from ny to ks. Dr. Couldn’t believe how long, amt. I’m getting my brain back, but loose it due to physical health.
I’m being sent to detox for 10 years use of 1.5 kolonopin and 3 years of 3mg Lunesta. The doctors here in Oklahoma City I can’t find a doctor to help me.
I don’t even bother trying to explain it to family anymore . If u get it u get it if not whatever
I try showing my family these videos because I’m tapering of diazepam and they don’t care or even watch them
@jobarbery3373 its like they dont believe it. Many times because we have already been labeled as mentally ill, we dont get taken seriously.
Most of my family and friends don't want to know my problems😪
It is so extremely bad and terryfing to the core ti be left alone.
Benzo withdrawal is literally a living hell. I understand why so many choose to just stay on them indefinitely. They should should not even exist; the anxiety you get while withdrawing makes the anxiety you were trying to treat with the benzos seem like the good old days. My heart goes out to all who are fighting this courageous battle.
Very very true! The first Benzo I was prescribed was Lorazepam at 2mg to treat anxiety but nearly 20 years ago, when I was prescribed the Lorazepam I still suffered from anxiety as part of the interdose withdrawal symptoms and this was worse anxiety than I had before starting the benzo. The anxiety got worse as interdose WD lasted more time as I gained even more tolerance to the effects. Then, I gained more dependence on Benzos as my anxiety got worse as had more frequent interdose WD bouts of anxiety so my then GP prescribed me Diazepam at 30mg and in more recent times, this and Clonazepam at 1mg was subsequently prescribed but I'm now 18 months off after a brutal CT WD.
Really was like a living hell!
@@benrogers84 going thru WD right now only 2 months since Dr. Cut me off cold turkey after 10 yrs. BRUTAL is right. Take care my friend.
@benrogers84 did it get easier when switching over to valium? I too am on 2 mgs ativan for sleep at night and am thinking about going over to valium to start a taper. Thanks for any opinion you may have.
@JohnDoe-ns9yo a cross over may or may not make things easier. I blogged about it recently. You can search my website for that post. It explains the pros and cons.
@@JohnDoe-ns9yo my thoughts and prayers are with you JohnDoe. It's a hellish thing to go through. But if we stay strong we can beat the beast. We can do this.
I was on Xanax for 16 years, I went to a 10 day detox and 3 week long rehab to get off of it. The detox was not that bad because I was comfortably tapered off with other benzos, the first week without comfort meds in rehab was tough, I would have given up if I was at home. They put me on Kepra so I didn't seize and oddly it felt like a sedative. I started feeling again, I had lost much of my senses. Little things like hair standing up on my arm came back. I have liked meditation for a long time and my meditations have been great since I have been off Xanax. To anyone going through this, it does get better, eventually I could exist in public without fear of having a panic attack.
This is amazing compared to the plethora of horror stories I've been reading the passed few days. I'm happy you were able to go through relatively ok ❤
This comment gave me so much hope thank you ;-; started at 16 years old until now (20) and I have these headaches now that are insannneee when does this go away?
@@Positivemushroomg I did not experience headaches while detoxing but did experience insane tinnitus, I think it went away in about 3 weeks.
@@dbraymore 🙏🙏 blesss
Also if a person IS suicidal, them going to a “facility” is no good! They will be put on gosh knows what, against good practice & against their will- and it could damage them WAY worse
Going toward a medical facility is usually disasterous. They don't care.
Yes and sadly families put you there. I feel like all of sufferers need to do something to change the law on being forced to go to the ward and injected God knows what.
I agree!! Thank you.
What do we do then? This is so sad.
@@analysiagarcia5467 taper slowwwww and use forums online
I went through hell coming off klonopin. I used Acupuncture, herbs, massage and steam rooms to heal. I’m still healing muscle spasms that my brain can’t manage to relax them. I was ostracized by family and friends, and pretty much went through it alone. There’s a lot of medical gas lighting around this situation and we need to bring this education to the forefront. Thank you for this video. I am currently studying Acupuncture so that I can assist and advocate on this crisis. I endured and fought against so much ignorance. My addiction started by taking this pill from a friend who was mentally ill and I was naive to not realize at the time she was I’ll and so was her whole family.
Agree with ur comment. 2 month cut off cold turkey from Dr. What a nightmare. Take care my friend. ❤
Thank you so much.I was on Klonopin for 12 years off for 7 years now.zI am 76 years old and still have waves and windows.I was given Klonopin for sleeping and I am a chronic insomniac and suffering badly with that.I would love to sleep like a normal person .I refuse any drugs.I pray and do my best.Thank you,Thank you.God Bless you.🙏🏾❤️🌹
Damn 12 years. What doctor keeps prescribing a medicine where the manufacturer wording on the package says 2 to 4 weeks maximum? Wishing you all the best.
@@futureofmoney3527 Thank you.God Bless you.🙏🏾❤️🌹
Wish i had someone left to show this, lost erveryone because lack of information
How are you doing nowadays?
I know people that don't get it, because they are not going through this.
same here😢
How?
Send it anyway. I'm probably gonna lose my family soon to over klonopin so I really sympathize. Lost my job wife I'm having so much nerve pain I'm down to 135 lbs. I'm 28 prescribed at 23.. I'm not even completely off yet..was but caved at 8 months. It was hard driving past cvs everyday knowing 90 1mg were sitting in there with my name on it for 2$. Was still having burning skin, nerve pain, double vision you all know. This time it's starting while I'm on it. I either gotta go up or be nearly bed ridden. I sleep most the day. If my doc didn't put me on suboxone I'd probably b dead. Saved me for a year or so just wish I would have quit during it. Now I gotta kick that to lol I am fucked. Good luck sweetheart. No one can imagine what we go through from this.
It’s been around 25 months since I’ve been off benzos and I’m still healing - it’s honestly like a very real purgatory. On top of that my family think I’m mentally ill/depressed and being selfish as it’s been so long now - which in itself is actually more depressing than coping with the symptoms which I’ve learnt to manage to a extent. I’d defy anyone not to be slightly depressed if they had to cope with the plethora of symptoms we’ve had to deal with, saying that, on the occasions I’ve had a window of easing of symptoms I’ve felt like my old self and started to function better as each day passes, then BANG… another wave sets me back. On top of that I think I’m currently going through long haul “COVID” perhaps due to a out of whack CNS/immune system. The last three years have been trying to say the very least. I wish you all well.
Sorry you are experiencing this hell. 14 years klonopin but built tolerance and now on Ativan. I begged my doctor to put me in Valium which is extremely helpful with tapering off but she refuse.
I am hearing you Mark! I wish we can get legislation to help people like you who have been injured by this class of medication and to provide research into helping withdrawal.
Hope your doing better this sux so bad
Benson injury Syndrome now called BIND (that is tolerance while on, tapering and when off .. )
Did you take the VAX❓️ It has messed up alot of people also
Oh my God ! Finally a way to explain this nightmare to those who care about me and cant possibly “ get it “ ! this is amazing.
Tapering for 33 months at 65 and still have another year to go because I was updosed by a neurologist making my taper so long. Thank you for this video, my husband has to do everthing for me constant vertigo is making it very hard. Thsnk so much for your compsssion and understanding.
What about those who went into withdrawal , never had the right taper & are tapering in withdrawal … people need help with family , friends & Drs need a video like this too !
that’s me! Thank you for mentioning this situation, so important for people to understand.
My mother tapered Klonopin in 1 month with no problem, so she can't begin to understand why I'm still struggling so hard over 3 years later. Thank you so much for this video and your calming reassuring voice. This was incredibly validating (I JUST found this channel). I've been tapering Klonopin for over 3 years and still struggling so much. I feel hopeful that someday I'll feel somewhat normal again. But at least I know it's the benzos and not me.
What wonderful woman
Xx
I'm so lucky and grateful that my people support and believe me. I have my bad days and I have my BADDDD days. Sometimes it's not a good day but not very bad and I can function well enough to enjoy the day. ❤
Crying listening to this, it’s so hard I just forgot most times hard to remember to keep fighting. But I know this video is important
Hi Dr. Jenn. It's been a year ago and still NO SUPPORT. My environment (partner) is toxic, I go to fight to flight so much that I'm exhausted to say the least. My grown children, one is even a nurse she thinks it something else and the other he is well educated but refuses to educate himself on benzo withdrawal. They're stubborn and I'm alone in this hell. Titles ( bipolar, borderline personality etc.) and fingers pointed , justifying myself constantly and so much more. My nervous system can't handle any negativity. I'm 4 years cold turkey not by choice and I don't know what to do. I can't be my only support through this, it's NOT working out for me. Family/Friends do not like to watch anything benzo related sad for me. Thank you for your videos. Take care ❤️
Dear Tracey(and any other sufferes who may read)Please forgive this long message even though I am condensing it ALOT!
First off, I am so sorry you are suffering. i HONESTLY KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! I promise that after almost 7 years total on benzos and antidepressants and other unnecessary psych drugs, 4 of which I spent tapering, I want you to know I am at almost 3 and a half years completely healed and totally healthy and not on ANY meds or drugs! I am 48years old and I am able to be the wife, mom and gramma I was before the hell of these drugs. I am able to work out daily, ride my horses daily and be ME again. I love my life again after hating it for many years because of benzo/med hell.
I absolutely understand your fear and desperation. I was certain I was going to die because the tolerance withdrawals and taper were awful. I ended up going from super healthy prior to benzos and meds to near death for half a decade. I also got sick with pancreatitis, high blood pressure, tachycardia, all requiring awful meds and many hospitalizations for above said illnesses as well as for chronic vomitting from the constant withdrawals. All I was sick with was from the benzos/med hell. I I have not needed one single med since waking up totally healed from all withdrawals in June 2019. The high blood pressure, heart issues, chronic vomitting and pancreatitis all went away the same week I woke up healed from the benzo hell. There is so much more to my story but I am trying to make it short! I really just wanted to share I went from near death to totally healed and you can/will too. Our brains were horribly injured and it takes alot of time to repair. A long time to heal.
So please know that even the WORST cases of benzo hell can heal! It does not seem like it now, I know. But I am proof that even after amost a decade on benzos and antidepressants and a total of 10 other meds because of the benzo hell, there can be total and complete healing. My Dr(who was not the Dr who was the start of the prescribing and wrong diagnosis but came in to rescue at the midway mark to take me on and tapered me and helped me)says I am as healthy now at 48 off benzos/all meds as I was in my 20s and 30s, pre-benzo, when I was raising my babes and rodeoing fulltime according to him going through my lifetime medical records(I live in a tiny western Canadian town where I was born and raised and still live so he has access to everything I couldnt bring to him).
Anyways please forgive my super long post to you dearTracey. I ended up here looking for postive stories for a friend of mine. She is going on 5 years of a taper from benzos after a 20 plus year use. She is disabled and bedridden and lost everything. She still is on 10mg of valium and has not been able to handle any lower tapering in the last 9months due to severe inability to stablize at all. Though I found this looking for my friend, I saw your posts and felt God putting it on my heart to share with you and tell you there is hope. I promise. I would not share that hope if I had not been soo sick and so close to death. I honestly asked God to take me because I did not feel my sweet husband and beautiful children and grandbabies deserved my horrid existence after so many years of me near death in bed. I was so wrong! I am so grateful for the miracle God gave me and that He did not answer my prayer to take me home...but He DID answer my husband and childrens prayers after many years of them praying for me to be healed! THERE IS HOPE AND A BEAUTIFUL, HEALED LIFE AFTER BENZO/MED HELL!
All my love and blessings and prayers for continued strength for you Tracey. You will be in my heart and daily prayers.
Tracy
(we share the same name as well as the same benzo hell, we are just in different stages! You WILL heal!)
I'm sorry your going thru this .are you feeling any better...
I’m so glad that for the past 10 years, I’ve gotten the exact opposite of your advice. I don’t ever truly see getting completely off😢
Thank you I appreciate I withdrawing from Klozapam couldn’t sleep for 3 days doc gave me pills for nausea the ones they give for cancer patients really good I was throwing up blood pressure low blood work excellent disarray im taken Gabapentin so I can sleep tonight been in bed 3 days work tomorrow oo sweating too❤
Yes 🙌 I’m going through it my husband won’t listen
So sorry to hear that ...
You are correct: When the benzodiazepine user gets off it - the symptoms they are reporting are not exaggerations - this drugs are horrible to get off of. That is the consensus of all self reports. You are right - the Drs do not have a clue and give unhelpful advice as to how to get off them.
Absolutely
My brain wouldn't connect to the lower half of my body and I didn't know when I had to urinate, I couldn't get my legs to take a full stride and absolutely couldn't do steps. It's called transverse myelitis and it was brought on by coming off of benzos. Every time I went to the hospital they couldn't figure out what it was. It wasn't until after I had gone through it and was better that I found out what happened to me ....Doctors don't know much especially when they have a preconceived idea about you going into it.
So true
Thank you so much Jennifer. Your a blessing to all of us who are going through this. Bless your ❤.
That's how my body is, can't feel when I need to urinate.
You are so right about the doctors and the ER if you're on a benzo diazepine some doctors have already formed an opinion about you before they ever examining you just by reading your medication list!
When you are in benzo WD you find out who are actually your friends and who actually cares about you. Chose people who chose you.
An older video but very good!
Hits home. Looks like I lost partner tonight. He said I need to be a more positive person. In other words, I'm getting on his nerves. I'm 2 months out from klonopin taper
3 years out sometimes I must keep reminding myself of this knowing it's not over yet but it's gotten so much better the 3 yr mark is when it really starts to let up God be w you all !
WE DO RECOVER !
Blue fuse my frd I quit alc and nicoteen take benzos only 15 days qutipen or clonazepam then. quit no taper still feel. disconnection of llegs and arm when it get better 417 ddays now daily broken sleep 6 7 hours
@@sangeetalambh6389 sounds about right better proccees w caution
Yeah three years for you not everybody reacts the same I got a couple of friends that were taking this stuff for years and they stopped cold turkey and they said they had withdrawals but after about two weeks they said they were OK they were fine still had anxiety like they always had but it wasn’t really no better or worse than what it was before they started the medicine . It doesn’t affect some people as bad as all these horror stories . My Lord it’s almost like you don’t even wanna watch none of these things if you were taking a benzo scare the crap out of you .
And the thing is where are all the people that are just starting like that or four days or one week talking about what they’re feeling it’s all this oh I’ve been off of them now for 10 years and I’m still healing !
My lord, 😳
So three years is the "feel better" time? I know this isn't the same for everyone, of course. I just need hope.
I'm 31 months off Klonopin 1.5 to 2 mg (actually Xanax for the first 6 years, was then switched to klonopin) taken as directed, for 28 years 6 months. After learning from a Jordan Peterson video about the dangers of long term benzo use (possible Alzheimers!), I contacted my doctor to stop. All she said was "okay, stop" and I've never taken another since. The first 5-6 months were nonstop horrendous, thought I was dying and wanted to die. Couldn't leave my bedroom or apartment.
I'm so different now, not cheerful, easily angry. Now have a ventricular tachycardia I didn't have before. Have now been diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy. Old migraine problem has intensely worsened.
When will this end? I'm 69, have never drank, smoked, or had med issues. So strange.
@@DH-dh2nj I wasn't going to proceed with my back handed reply to your comment..🤦🏽♀️ But, I truly think that you're the most ignorant person that I've seen on the internet TODAY! 🤦🏽♀️🥴🙄 I bet you make your mom very PrOuD..🥴🙄 Benzo brain injury is eventually going to repair itself...However, your permanently stuck with a mico chip mind..🥴🙄
we need more of this kind of videos
Thank you so much. I'm showing my husband your video later. He doesn't understand what I'm going through.
So many dont understand...its so fustrating. My doctor won't listen my therapist ughh I dont know what to do anymore
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFORMATION!!!! You cleared up so many things...Why do so many psychristics just keep prescribing this and its hurting people
I don’t know. I offer a certification course in benzo withdrawal for healthcare professionals. But many are hesitant or skeptical. Hopefully they will come to realize how harmful their practices are.
Money
They prescribe it because they don't care about patients' welfare. But mostly because that is one of their primary sources of income. TRUTH. And also, because they have assumed they can never be sued for destroying our entire lives and future.
Thank u jeen im from puerto rico here i can tell that no doctors and nobody know about these problem i gonna heal and try to help others in these process thanks for these value information ❤️🔥
Thank you so much for the relationship advice. I'm a caregiver for someone like this and it helps me understand and keep the peace.
You are fantastic for making these videos! I love your blogs too. You help a lot of people :)
Thank you for letting us know that acute phase will not last through entire recovering, that was my biggest fear, my worst symptoms subsided in two first weeksbut many of them are still there... I struggle mentally now more then anything else but I hope that will pass ine day as well😔
How are you feeling today? :)
@@tournesol777 I didn't go cold turkey, still tapering ( biiiiig reduction since then) but feel much better and able to function in compare with that acute phase when I was bedridden and like Dr. Jen said, I prayed death wishes every day. There are still bad and good days but I try to get there and recover as many others did... I don't know if that will ever happen but I'm not loosing hope... I hope you're doing good and thank you for asking💓
@@lidiyas7153 May I ask what you’re tapering from what dose you’ve been taking for how long?
@@MrCyberShow I've been taking Valium for 17 years but not every day ( although in recent years started to be every day)... then switched to Xanax ( worst decision of my life) 1 mg as needed... now im down to .25 also when needed and its been two and a half years that im tapering but still afraid to go off of it alltogether, it was very bad in the beggining but its better now... but im still on it😓... I'm not loosing hope that one day I'll be benzo free... wishing you well
@@lidiyas7153 Sounds like huge steps IMO. Congrats. I wish you the best. I'm on Clonanzapam. Been on it 6 years. Started at 1mg. Up to 3mg, now I'm at .5mg daily. Sides are intense, but I'm going to push through.
My mom and brother tried to gaslight me throughout the first seven months of my first withdrawal. They had no comment when I could not do my job due to the symptoms after a year off klonopin, and they never acknowledged or apologised for their despicable behaviour. They treated me poorly, and they offered zero support. They would not even listen to me, and they would get angry at me for some of my symptoms. To do my job, I started klonopin again since I have national healthcare now.. I also immigrated permanently to a different continent than them, and they will not be able to harm me during my next attempt. I will, however, have my supportive husband, who saw their ugliness and who will be there for me in person now that he has his visa to my EU country.
my family expected me to get back to work after 2 months off 6 years off klonopin or pretty much get out. well i did the same as you got back on them and now it's backfiring i have to up my dose or get off because i have nerve pain just not even myself on my normal dose, i know if i up it i'll be back to normal but that lasts for about 6 months then here we go again... so sick of it. you're lucky who have someone who understands i have to keep all of this to myself. til i break and go to detox or a mental hospital where either one gives you a TERRIBLE week taper at best. i hate this.
I was on Klonopin for a while last year (2023). Before this, I already had OCD (which I’ve had all my life). I’m a few months shy of being off of it for a year and I’m still suffering some of the side effects. For me, it’s mainly my OCD but on steroids, followed by multiple panic attacks, explosive emotional fits, not being able to handle everyday things. The worst part is not being able to convince people that what you’re going through is %100 legitimate. It’s a crime.
I love your compassion.
Thank you Dr. Jenn for the much-needed video for our loved ones that was awesome! I sent it to all my loved ones I hope they watch it. Keeping my fingers crossed. Much love,Tracey
I love you for the, "Are you sure its benzo withdrawl." article. I can't tell you how many times I've read it and relaxed.
Can you tell me where i can find this article please?
I am trying to come off of benzodiazepines and I wish you could help talk to my family. I feel like I need help in a psychiatric facility and noone believes me. I don’t think my psychiatrist thinks I need that kind of help either.
I know it's different but I can relate so much with opioid withdrawal. I tapered and stopped norco for pain mgt a few months ago and my symptoms have been so severe. I share many of the same ones as benzo withdrawal. I have nothing but compassion for all of you who are fighting your way back from hell. I wish I had known the true consequences of dependency before I starting taking the medication. As much pain as I was in, the protracted withdrawal state I'm living with now is so much worse. My brain is injured and I pray it will heal someday. I just want to be me again.
It will get better.I understand and I am going through it too.I just pray and do my best.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🌹❤️
@@tonimcdaniel9110 Thanks, toni. Yes, just try to do your best each day. I cant believe its been 7 months since I left that comment. I am still going through paws symptoms but it's better than it was (thank God!) All my best to you. It does get better with time. Just keep praying and know you got this!
Thank you, to all the strangers, who have helped me. I have destroyed all my friends, all my family. I hate life.
Benzos sure know how to reck our lives. Sorry for what you're going through. I get it, and I'm right there with you.
@@HowToGetSaved...Love.Taylor hey, thank you. Honestly, I’m so done.
@@Thatsbannanas-d8c It's sooo hard! Hardest thing ever! One day at a time (or less) is all I can do. You'll get there. Keep going! There are plenty of us in the same boat.
@@HowToGetSaved...Love.Taylor it’s been a lot of suffering.
@@Thatsbannanas-d8c I feel you on that. It's the hardest thing I've ever done. You are certainly not alone. I hope you're getting some decent windows.
We're inching a little closer to healing every day, and someday we'll be on the other side. Don't give up. If you ever feel like you're about to give up, reach out and let me talk you out of it, or let someone talk you out of it. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at any time. I don't have much energy, but I'm here.
And antidepressants! Why don't we have a spokes person
Surviving antidepressants . Look at their site 🙏
Sara - I heard benzo and AD (so-called "antidepressant") withdrawal are very similar. I know for sure AD withdrawal is hell because I'm in the middle of it.
Having a person help you.make drs. Appointments, or meals, or do laundry are huge. My friend of 55 years decided to do nothing and dump me. Be aware.. That happens, alas.
So glad I found you! Now I have something to share with family that can explain what I have been trying to tell them.
I am grateful for this channel. I work with Amanita Muscaria and I have a lot of customers coming to me with benzo withdrawl. It is a GABA A agonist and if you research Amanita Dreamer she claims to have healed herself of benzo withdrawl with Amanita muscaria. I want to become more educated on this subject so I can better help guide people in the right direction.
I'm 2 years benzo free. I'm still chemical brain injured. I still can't work full-time, drive around, still experiencing all of those hundreds of symptoms you mentioned still and it keeps recycling over and over. Alot of windows and more waves. I'm so very sensitive to everything. Right now I'm not living my life, I'm surviving just to get by the day, this sucks. Thank you for this video.
M how r u now my frd
@@sangeetalambh6389 Hello. I'm hanging in there still. I'm trying to focus my thoughts of healing by seeing myself already healed and truly believing it. I'm doing alot of daily affirmations. I'm doing alot of exposure therapy by going out in public walking around, driving around to where I'm comfortable. I'm still dealing alot of symptoms but moving forward. What about you?
@@Marcus-1211 my frd I quit alc and nicoteen take clonazepam 2.5 and qutipen 75 for sleep only 15 days then quit no taper still feel disconnection of legs annd arms did u feel that sym frd or u feel totally out of body sym ple ans 417days sober now
@@Marcus-1211 my frd quit alc and nicoteen take benzos only 15 days still feel dp dr when it get frd no phy sym now
@@Marcus-1211it’s been a year. How are you now?
This is very helpful. Thank you for doing this video. 🙂
It's often said that benzos cannot be used long term; they are for two to four weeks maximum. But with the horror stories about dependency and long, painful recovery, I can't imagine a level of anxiety that would cause me to think that one day of Xanax use would be a good idea.
Most excellent point, and I am right there with you.
Dear God, don’t anyone come NEAR me w/a Benzo-ever again. My only” love affair” that almost turned deadly. ❤️🩹
They should be taken sparingly, and not regularly more than a few days. It horrifies me when people say they’ve been on them for years. Even the manufacturers say 2 to 4 weeks maximum. Why are doctors prescribing these month after month to the same individual? Reckless!
I've given up explaining my symptoms and feelings. They're there and not visible to anyone other than those who've either been through it or are willing to try to understand. This is torture, LITTERAL TORTURE and we're given this and have it taken away by those (doctors) who're supposed to be helping us. If they don't understand how can I expect a layperson to 'get it'? It's something that had me back on valium after 16 months of hell that just didn't seem to stop. I gave up and maybe I'm weak, a woos, a drug-seeker, idk, but I'm not ready to try that road again at the moment.
Hello. Thank you for explaining this I'm hoping some family might watch this video.
I imagine you're very busy but do you have a video explaining the various amount of extreme symtoms and timeframe of withdrawl for long term users so my family can hear them from a professional?
i went thru the dreaded gabapentin withdrawal, and i lterally had no one there for me but god. I HATE these friggin drugs and what they do to people, i wish doctors would pull the stick out of their ass and start educating people and realize the harm they are causing us instead of just giving out prescriptions like candy, I went through withdrawl for 2 years starting in november of 2016 and have over 60 withdrawal side effects from being off of the gabapentin, people didnt believe me whe i told them about what i was experiencing, hopefully people are starting to listen now.
Thank you so much, Jennifer! Great video to share with friends and family.
Very validating. Thank you so much!
I wish and pray they quit making benzodiazepines!
6 yrs later and I’m not even halfway through withdrawal
I was having some intrusive thoughts towards my family I had to see this video to remind me that those are NOT my thoughts.
Thank you!!! For your kind words :)
My family don't care they just think you come off em and that's it. My father is horrendous he's treating me like Iv been a bad person I just want this to end I can't even go my therapist today iv gott terrible intrusive thoughts and agoraphobia I'm too afraid to leave my house and yet my family think each day I should be better ?!??!?! Iv tried to inform them
Thank you again for this video. It may have saved me and my aunts relationship. It's a very important video. My Alanon sponsor was very impressed with you as well.
If your brain is damaged and cannot be healed, why discontinue your benzodiazepines. The damage is already done and it appears the only way to live a functional life is to continue the meds. I don’t understand why people are going through this. Quality of life matters.
Because the damage can continue to get worse. These drugs were never intended for more than a few weeks use. Many people never stabilize once they hit tolerance no matter how much they raise the dose. Better to get benzo free and heal. Enjoy a better quality of life.
I won’t be 60/70/80 years old and put my loved ones and friends through what my entire family had to watch me suffer and endure alongside me. No informed consent? Not even a discussion? How very dare my Doctor and the makers of this drug for their audacity and eventual cruelty. As a well-respected and lauded career public school Educator with a Master’s degree and decades of successful teaching experience, the “gotcha” of benzos was unnecessary, uncalled for and unequivocally unfair to my relationships and to me. I’ll be proudly 5 years free of the “poison and the nectar” that was a Benzo taken as prescribed for sleep for 19 years. I developed tolerance-out of nowhere. This drug tried to steal all I studied and worked for my for entire life. What a total disgrace. ❤️🩹
Many people eventually get interdose withdrawal as the brain downregulates GABA activity so much, the individual starts to exhibit panic symptoms even taking the prescribed amount. These drugs are not some magic bullet. I took benzodiazepines for a few weeks and still had about a month of withdrawal. I now use natural supplements like L-Thianine and Magnesium for sleep. I also exercise and eat a whole food diet.
Because we are under constant threat of doctors "deprescribing"...my pharmacy made an error resulting in skipping one month refill and not one of my doctors helped...I was advised that if I really ran out and had problems to go to an ER (where I would be treated as a drug seeker)...Once pharmacy realized the error and gave me refill I knew I must get off on a taper to avoid a potentially deadly cold turkey
My parents rushed me on benzos because they found I did not sleep well enough when I said I slept fine. I was confused from cortisone withdrawal and just wanted to take time off work for the first time in my life. Then obviously the benzo made everything so much worse after less than 2 weeks use. I got even more abused and violated by my parents that I did not heal fast enough etc. They take 0 accountability and I had to flee the continent. I lost my job, my friends, my family, my health, all because my own father pushed me on drugs cause he found me dysfuncitonal as I had some anxiety and cried once a week wtf. I was getting better every week and I was doing acupuncture. Now all of that is ruined.
I am so sorry to hear of your suffering. Please hold on and keep healing. We do get better.
I wish you would call my Dr and explain to him what he did to me. He cut my dose in half in January and started this hell I'm in now it's June.
I gave him the paperwork on BIND and tolerance. He turned blood red and got angry because I knew something he didn't. I wish I knew from the beginning what this was I would have never taken it. 12 year intractable pain patient. Two fell back surgeries. Already in horrific pain.. I was surviving day to day. What is actually just being able to go fishing with my husband for a little while. Now I can't even leave the house. 🥺😭🤬
46 months off CT as of yesterday, still have the big benzo belly bloat. Other symptoms have lessened but really scared this is permanent as I haven’t found many who has it heal this far out
The longest iv found out there was 8 years recorded I hear ya man we all feel that way
I'm very sorry to read this. I hope things are different now. How are you?
If you're 3 years off it's probably permanent.
@@Carolina_girl86 not true at all. Very ignorant statement.
@@TFemm44 yeah right
Thank you Dr. Jenn ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
God bless you!
I needed them to care and know in 2017. I wish now they would realize I won't heal
You are amazing Doctor. Thank you so much for educating
Sending this share to my care-team. Thank you
I managed to convince some people this truth in the Benzo group I belong to and explained to them why doctors give them diagnoses of psychosis but isn't right and stupid plus negligent to quickly diagnose someone who's been on benzos before trying to find out what's really going on or just be straight up and let them know the truth which is this is no longer withdrawals but damaged caused by benzo use but if does heal!
You are amazing ♥️
Bless you
I had some instances where the front of my brain or frontal lobe felt like it went offline as if there was too much glutamate firing. Scrambled impulses
I have the same in the back of my head. Electric like sensations in legs, stiffness and pain. They diagnosed me with fibromyalgia now :(
@@kto-totam2876how are you doing now? And are you on disability now because of the diagnoses?
Thank you doctor sending you love from Qatar.,❣️❣️
You are most welcome. ❤️
Just started my tapering off this poison. Researching this made me aware, my doctor has no clue how to help me with this. Trying to lower dose by 50% in a month & 2 months to be off. Not working at all & finally I understand why. Can anyone on here explain what happens that affects driving & how you may have dealt with this.
Very well done! Thank you
It takes years to get off it, slow tapering. Problem is life throws u stress
I need a good doctor, please!!!
people say the drug is out yes and no
it went in destroyed gaba and left
What do you do about multiple drug damage, I was ctd off of sertraline, I had akathisia was put on mirtazapine lost all my memory and emotions. Don't feel human was put on an antipsychotic, many ssri/snri... Can't sense my limbs or head, massive pressure in my brain. All I can do is sit there can't watch TV or do anything stuck in constant suicidal terror I know I'll probably eventually give up been 4 years still getting worse impossible to live like this. Burning tingling all over, pssd, can't remember my own family or life. My soul is gone cant do anything other than try not to end it
How are you
I am going through benzo withdrawal; I now know I had the symptoms even before I started cutting back.In the past six months I've cut from .75 Klonopin to .5. I had cut it even more, but with symptoms I was having I decided to go back to .5 The drs know absolutely nothing about it. Now my symptoms are even worse.
@RachelsUA-cam Channel did the vistril help at all?
Well explained
I wish you were my mom.❤
Been over 100+ years because they got started with barbiturates but changed to benzos. Barbiturates are old fashion benzos..Also doesn't a slow taper help with recovering better?
Its more hard withdrawal on antideppressant ppl should talk about thst to..I tapering out valium 1 y was not soo hard..like sertraline been hell..still are i jump off 3 months ag..
Wish I could afford to talk to you for some help this has been the worst few months of my life
I completely understand your pain. Been w/d for the past 4 months and it’s been torment. So sorry you too are having to deal with this.
I believe my son is going through “tolerance withdrawal “
did anyone get high blood pressure? I've been off for little over 2 months and still high in the mid 140s/95
Many people get high bp. Always see a doctor if you are concerned. As we heal our bp goes back to normal- but some may need medical intervention if their numbers are too high while in bwd. ❤️
THANK YOU ❤
Bless you 🙏❤️
I made it four months and I caved. I'm in tolerance withdraw right now and I feel like I can't tell anyone that I failed. I was forced to ct from 30mg of diazepam and I though I was going to die.
3weeks off 4me and the headaches and anger,is torture
Do you heal from the brain damage or not?? It's been 6 months for me since I was taken abruptly off Klonopin and my brain is so messed up causing me to feel psychotic 24/7.
We heal!!! ❤️
@@benzowithdrawalhelp when?
@@Carolina_girl86 everyone is different. No way to predict.
@@benzowithdrawalhelp :-( . So going back on Klonopin now over 6 months later wouldn’t help me?
@@Carolina_girl86 I’m not an MD. But the Ashton manual and the anecdotal evidence of the benzo community over the last few decades would indicate that reinstating after 30 days rarely works. I’ve only known of a few that it worked for them- and it took months for them to stabilize. There is no way to predict the outcome for you. I’m sorry you’re suffering so much.
Going through this right now
I tore many ligaments and tendons due to muscle weakness induced by benzodiazepines without falling down.
How r u now
@@aashish551 I’m mostly bedridden now. I can’t move anymore. I had pre-existing subluxation in my neck,wrists and hip, but I was fine. Muscle weakness caused multiple injuries to me.
@@MK-pl4fr wat kind of injuries.. how old are you? Have you tried physiotherapy????
@@MK-pl4fr muscle weakness can be healed by diet and exercises
@@aashish551 subluxation,dislocation,rupture of tendons and ligaments etc. I’m in Japan. I can’t try Physiotherapy.
I’d like to share this with my son but he tells me that just gives him a panic attack. After what you says I believe he’s going through tolerance withdrawal he’s been on Klonipin for 20 plus years and he’s been having such a hard time. Can you message the groups you mentioned. Thank you
Oh my God! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I'm sending this to my mother who loves me, but has a hard time understanding what I'm going through. All of what you have said Is Spot on! I would love to talk with you! How do I go about getting ahold of you and is there a fee?! 🤔
What is your take on the Ashton Manual? Over 30 years on xanax. Excellent video. Appreciate your knowledge and and empathy!
It can be too aggressive in cuts for some. We now know that crossing over to Valium isn't always the best thing to do. That decision needs to be made on a case-by-case basis. Also, drinking alcohol should be avoided, and antidepressants are not usually the answer to the depression that can occur in benzo withdrawal. The manual is a good starting point for knowledge, but remember it was written 40 years ago. We've learned a lot since then.
@@benzowithdrawalhelp Excellent advice! I see a new psychiatrist on Wednesday. I really appreciate you!
Dr Genn.. Please help. Can I use L-Teanene with my tapering for clonazipam.. Please, I must know 🙏
Is there any medication that can help down regulate glutamate in the brain during GABA-a damage/ all stages of BZD withdrawal ?
Not that I’m aware of. The only researched compound that seems to help is something called HDAC INHIBITORS and they are found in certain plant foods. I have blogged about them before. You can do a search on my website about them. Benzowithdrawalhelp.com
@@benzowithdrawalhelp thank you for the hope in education of doctors I’m still trying to find one in a new state and it’s tough, most don’t know a thing about tapering or suggest normal DSM-5 meds even ECT, if I even try to say a word about slow tapering or the Ashton method they treat me like an addict and dismiss me so I really need to learn how to talk to doctors or test their knowledge before I put my life in Their hands
I’m going to join the online support community it helps so much
Also just wanted to ask if these ketamine clinics are a scam, I know NMDA receptor agonist are disassociating, or perhaps a 5HT2 receptor will help? I’m sorry if I sound drug seeking, I’m just terrified of long term high dose klonopin withdrawal, not doing well on a taper, lived with dose tolerance withdrawals since 20 years thankfully I just learned about that from you’re videos
I am terrified, I’m a burden in my family and they all think I need to go to a detox center again to just “ get it over with” not believing me when I say it’s the worst thing to do !
unless there’s some clinic that knows the Ashton method and users new alternative medicine and wellness therapy you can recommend if all else fails
But I doubt I can find one so
Hopefully with you’re help or the online support community I can find some solution that will not end up killing me, I do not want to die from mismanagement, I also don’t want to live what’s left of my life stuck in their psych ward / sober living system as a insurance cash cow
Im so scared but you’ve given me good advice and some hope so thank you 🙏🏻 so much I hope to keep in contact
Forgive my long winded reply, I’m too used to over explaining
@@benzowithdrawalhelp thank you for the reply, I’m new to online coaching
I am trying to research alternative medicine, I also wanted to ask if these ketamine treatment centers are a scam, I’ve done some research on NMDA receptors and it’s contradictory information unless I deep dive into the
Pharma kinetics and safety
I will book a sessions with you as soon as I can
Thank you again
@@benzowithdrawalhelpthank you for responding, I also wanted to ask about these inpatient places using Esketamine for tapering
I wish you could talk to mine. I’m a slow methylizer, and moved from ny to ks. Dr. Couldn’t believe how long, amt. I’m getting my brain back, but loose it due to physical health.
Intrusive thoughts sucks from what Im going through
Same here
Thanks
I’m being sent to detox for 10 years use of 1.5 kolonopin and 3 years of 3mg Lunesta. The doctors here in Oklahoma City I can’t find a doctor to help me.