Dr. Wright is a really great guy and I think my viewers will really appreciate his ownership of his part as a medical provider in the benzo problem. Dr. Wright lectures all across the US about benzodiazepines, medical cannabis , opiates and addiction. This interview was actually from a hotel room in New Orleans (I think) where he had just completed his most recent presentation. He tells me that no matter what subject he's presenting, he always finds a way to work benzos into the lecture because he's so passionate about it now. Bless you Dr. Wright! Go to benzoreform.org to show your support.
@Lee Shipman hi I don't drink coffee or tea. I have used CBD off and on and tried cannabis but I can't take either regularly as I tend to become paradoxical after a few doses
@@michelebergman4336 I'm sorry it's so bad right now. If you need one on one personal help please go to the online support groups on Facebook..there are often people willing to chat there. Also baylissa frederick does Skype counseling
@@astralife_ecgye8328 hello yes I'm planning on many videos including a another video like the benzo myths that I'm working on right now. I'm having to wait for some other things to fall into place and I'm also very busy with writing my book and the new manual..but content will be coming!
Thomas Rehder I applaud his efforts and assistance he is offering the community but, if he really wanted to honour his mistakes and his patients he would reimburse them for all their pain and suffering and losses of income, families, relationships and on and on it goes that he has caused by his prescribing.
WE need doctors to start realizing that our initial anxiety often is caused by deficiencies or toxicities ......The RDA levels are ridiculous and blood-serum tests are inadequate for testing true levels of vitamins/ minerals in the body. B12 deficiency causes anxiety and can be debilitating and can cause permanent brain damage and MS-like symptoms , life-long. Magnesium deficiencies/ D deficiencies are also very common. OR, let's look at our work and home environments. Look for toxins and for stressors. Also diet....look for MSG and also processed stuff the body was never meant to consume. GMO, sugar, hybridized fruits, etc.. It's all very toxic......but benzos are worse than anything anyone could take. These things begin to suck the soul out of their user....and it's absolutely terrifying. For someone who is not mentally "strong", suicide is often the only escape imaginable. Yet, the doctors want to do nothing or they want to cold turkey people and cause further damage. It's criminal.
I'm there! I've been suffering for 29 months and the Akathisia is Hell! Im at the end of the rope and can't take it anymore! I know this Drug is horrible but it made Me live for 25 years before a Shrink cut My dose in half by 4mg of Xanax! No tapering, just cut off! This isn't living and I don't know how much longer I can live like this. I can't wait a few years for Them to figure it out! I hate the Drug but I can't live without it! Just let Me be, I don't abuse it, I'm not an addict! I just want to live without the constant Akathisia! My brain is damaged and I don't believe at this point it will repair itself. I know others who have been going longer suffering and not getting any better. They won't take it again but I would if it will take this vibrating away! Enough said. 😑😣
Wow. A year later and I’m still tapering. I’m towards the end of the taper, from 1 mg to 0.085 mg clonazepam. I never thought I could or would go another year. We’re capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. The truth is, we want to live. We want to survive. We endure this hellish spiritual, mental and physical nightmare because the alternative is suicide and nobody truly wants or is easily capable of executing a successful suicide. I hope everyone who reads this finds peace and courage in the toughest battle they’ll ever fight. I know 99% of people don’t understand what you’re going through. Don’t let that stop you. Feel happy that they don’t have to go through what you’re going through. We who suffer understand.
I'm thinking of creating an Ashton Manual detox and trying to let people do it from home. Some people can do it by themselves but others can't. I remember when I was tapering off these things I simply couldn't be around strangers. The panic! Why torture them? And hopefully get as many insurances cover it as I can. If not I'll try to talk someone else into it. I wouldn't wish a regular detox facility on my worst enemy! Or uneducated drs. that don't know how to help taper. You're a very smart and compassionate doctor. I wish there were more like you. Maybe you can start one of these detoxes! Another reason for doing it at home is the stigma. You can go to detox for opioids for a few weeks and go to rehab for 30 days. People probably knew you had a problem when you went in. But, first of all, benzos are hard to detect as an addiction. It's usually more of a dependence. People will think things that aren't true, therefore you have ADDICT stamped on your head when you're not. And you know how long benzos can take to taper for long time users. If you're at home you may be able to cover up what you're doing so people won't think of you this way. I'm not trying to capitalize on a business idea here. I want people helped! Maybe an idea for a doctor like yourself?
Thank you. It's a start. Now if we can get the rest of them to believe us , to stop prescribing it and help take care of those of us who are so badly injured from it. Even if it's just to hang in there with us and monitor us. It's scary to go through this alone.
I live in Utah. My son went through a bout with Ativan almost identical to yours Jocelyn. Ashton Manual and your videos were helpful. We learned from your success and mistakes. Last .5 milligram of valium should take 4-6 months. Some whole milk used in the final liquid titration. Slow and easy wins. This is not a race.
I'm so glad my videos have helped you and your son! Do you mind telling me where in Utah you are? Also, would you be open to doing an interview? Feel free to email me at jocelyn@benzoreform.org
Bravo! So excited to see a doctor on board -whom other doctors will take more seriously, this injury and the importance of slow tapering vs. at the requests of their own patients. Great work Jocelyn!
Jocelyn, I hope that you can help me or point me in the right direction. I am in my 70's and have taken clonazepam for over 20 years. In addition, due to back injuries and operations, I became addicted to oxycontin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and, finally, fentanyl patches. On these drugs my life has not been good but I was functioning. I was switched to another doctor (mine moved out of state) and he insisted that I get off all of the meds. I could not do it and put myself into drug rehab.....the new growth industry. The place I went to had good marks, especially for alcohol and opioid addiction. I no longer take opioids. However, they were not quite so savvy about benzos. I was "tapered" over three weeks......after years of dependence. This was 10 months ago. Needless to say, I am in a very terrible place right now and am experiencing pain and other horrible symptoms. I have become nearly totally non-functional in my life.....I have no life. I am anxiety-ridden, withdrawn, and in a dream world where my sensory overloads are terrible, although diminishing somewhat.. What in the world can I do? I convinced the young doctor I am with to try valium but he has no idea of the idea of a taper and is not interested in learning it, despite my attempts to share my extensive research into the topic and the Ashton Manual. I am in a small town and at least 5-6 hours away from a large metropolitan area. In short, no doctors with the knowledge my problems. I'm not sure that I can find a doctor in Denver, either. I do not want to live the rest of my life in the condition I am in now. What can I do? Can my brain/body recover at this point? Thanks.
Hi I believe you can recover but you may need to look into getting help from a functional medicine doctor or some kind of nutrient therapy along with ways of reducing inflammation. I don't think getting back on a benzo at this point would be very wise as your body is in the process of healing right now. It's not unusual to be this bad 10 months off a rapid taper. Give you body the time it needs to heal. ,
Your not done Tapering Sweetly, I'm the same age as you are, can someone in your Family help you find the right Doctor? I personally don't even want off, I was put on these for a reason, but it's important to Taper and heal the right way, I hate the way, they treat us older ones, this makes me so angry, they won't even treat us for high blood pressure anymore they only see the drug.I am so Sorry this has happen to you, I Pray you can find a Doctor, to help you finish your Taper
@@BenzoBrains It's not that easy, when your elderly, like we are, we don't have years to heal, we are not 50, or 40 with many years ahead, this is not good at all.
@@BenzoBrains Would you recommend he not go back on benzos if he was suffering from seizures? My son has been off about 10 months too and has suffered from some very severe seizures. He did a rapid withdrawal when his psych nurse practitioner cut him off suddenly after 20+ years. I am really worried as some of these seizures have been in his sleep which I understand is really dangerous. Not sure where to go to get him help as none of the doctors in this Florida town have a clue.
thank you so much for this interview... at last some validation for the horror of benzo withdrawal... now we just need a solution, and also some compensation for those of us who have been SO harmed and had so much of our lives ripped away by these meds.
I won't write my story here but have been officially off the benzodiazopine for about two months now. Also have been on zolpidem prior and have been off since last year. This is the conversation I was begging to hear the whole time in withdrawal. Doctors actually working on the science if why this happens and how to help those suffering. This page was one of the tools that helped educate and get me where I'm at. If there is anyway to help the continued efforts for research that leads to treatment let me know...
Also thank you for this page and your work once again. Inspirational for the people trying to get their lives back like me One day I feel we will look back on our experience with this with new knowledge and see how barbaric and brutally torturous our methods are today compared to, hopefully a future where no one has to experience that ever
@@coopj6443 I agree and of course we will need volunteers for future studies or help finding them and if people can donate to benzoreform.org that's always helpful
First Thank you Dr. Wright, for saying sorry... I believe you because you are doing something about it. Thank you Jocelyn for all that you do, and continue to do! I would love, and I know that I am being picky, but I have "earned" that right :) but I would love to see them look outside the scope of allopathic medicine, and also include holistic in terms of treatment plans within the tolerances of still being taken seriously so that at least the word can spread without limitation. Because, I see a lot of room of the pharmaceutical industry to take advantage of “us” again with a “fix”….. I would really love to see holistic doctors and practitioners being included in this process. Thank you so much for the work that you are doing! -Matt
lars for what I studied - GABA itself doesn’t enter the brain. Yet I don’t know which Aminos to use. I tried 2 acupuncturists and they both weren’t that good
He is the only doctor that I have seen apologize and It's obvious he means it, otherwise why would he even bother. It's about time. Thank the both of you.
Thank you again for the great presentation. You are doing a great service for all who are going through this dilemma . I took your advice about the Ashton method and my Doctor accepted it and the liquid Valium is working as a taper method. Thanks again
Jocelyn, I've watched all of your videos and am so grateful for your platform. My question is this: if I'm struggling at .0425 K of my liquid titration (holding currently to stabilize), is it worth trying to switch over at this point to Valium? You said in one of your earlier videos that it "saved you". Was that the Valium switch that saved you or getting on a microtaper, alone, that saved you? I'm afraid to rock the boat by changing meds this close to the end. Hoping, with your experience, you might have some advice.
Switching meds isn't the best option at this point. It was really the micro taper which saved me which meant dosing more frequently to avoid interdose withdrawals. You may be experiencing more interdose withdrawals now that you're so low. One option may be to split your dose into smaller more frequent doses. But, again. That's rocking the boat pretty late in the game, depending on how slowly you're going you'll have to decide if it's worth it. Just know it's normal to feel worse right at the end
Well done Dr. Stephen Wright, your legacy will be about your redemption and social responsibility on Benzos. And well done Jocelyn, your platform is changing people's lives for the better. Thank you to both, I will be sure to purchase your books.
The horror stories mostly happen if withdrawal is uninformed and rapid, due to a failure to warn, or at the direction of some medic at an e-r, treatment/detox center, or from a physician or pharmacolgist doing their best within their limits. And after several weeks off a drug it can be too late to restart. For many withdrawal is a moot issue; it's about painful survival, every day, and some don't make it. We rely on professionals for various issues of safety, but that trust has been destroyed regarding rx drugs, and denials continue. Much of that is due to pharma domination of all information channels regarding drug hazards, including many studies from universities.
I’m feeling very bad this morning I am on one mg clonazepam down from two for eight years and I am increasing the dose right now by one quarter because I am hurting I’ve been in withdrawals for about fifty days don’t see how I can feel like this
@@tonygeorge8486 ..."on 1mg Clon...down from 2mg(8 yrs)...increased 1/4mg...withdrawal 50 days." Go to the taper section at benzobuddies, and maybe ask questions about kindling. My understanding is that if a large cut is made and is maintained for 2 months, then dose is increased by 25pct, that's like a "restart", which is usually the wrong thing for long-term outcome. Neurons have times of adjustment; timing and doses really matter.
Hey Jocelyn I just recently came across your channel. I was prescribed Clonazepam .5mg twice a day. Do you suppose I will have problems quitting this if I split my dose into every 3 or 4 days instead? I find great relief from the medicine but I do not want to end up addicted or withdrawing should I decide I'm done. I plan to ask my psychiatrist her thoughts about using like twice a week instead. I know this is a question for a Dr. but you seem to know as much or more than many of them.
Great stuff! Glad there's doctors out there talking about this. The only real gripe I have is when you two talked about "addiction". I feel as though there is a lot of misunderstandings going on because we're not all on the same page what "addicted" means. Is it the compulsive, psychological aspect of using a substance or engaging in a behavior? Or do we mean the physical dependence side of the equation? For example, if someone takes heroin for a few weeks and becomes physically dependent, would it be fair to say they are "physically addicted" to the drug? Benzos definitely create physical dependence. It's the sole reason for the withdrawals. The problem with opioids is that doctors suddenly view it differently from other drugs. A patient might get tolerance withdrawal and raise the dose, and the doctor accuses them of compulsively consuming the drug. So I guess what I'm trying to say is: We gotta be on the same page with our terminology.
Great question. I think Dr. Wright does a good job of defining the problem. He says that normally addiction is defined as compulsive and or increased drug use despite negative consequences. But he says even these may not be true addiction because someone on benzos may simply be trying to medicate symptoms of tolerance. So he believes that true addiction is seeking the drug for reasons that aren't medical, i.e. pleasure seeking or to enhance the mind altering effects of another drug. In my opinion I don't think physical addiction is ever an appropriate term because physiological adaptations to a drug are, by definition, dependence.
By the way - one of the things benzos seem to be prescribed for nowadays is restless legs/arms syndrome, and akathisia. Turns out opioids work well for that as well, but they A) don't mess up your CNS and B) aren't poisonous. They do create dependence, but it's not as bad as benzo withdrawal, because it doesn't last as long. So in my mind, opioids should be prescribed before any benzo is even mentioned, but unfortunately, the reverse is true. Benzos are viewed as low-risk by many doctors. And of course, it would be best if we found effective treatments that create no dependence at all. I'm glad you're changing people's minds about benzos and psych-drugs. Thank you for your efforts, Benzo Brains!
@@iWillWakeYouUp No doubt that Benzos cause Akathisia after being cut cold Turkey! I've been in hell for 29 months with Akathisia after a Shrink took Me off Xanax cold Turkey (half My dose) but the damage it's done to My brain doesn't seem to be healing. My CNS is so damaged now. I have Akathisia 7 24 for 29 months now. I'm not living. I don't think I can wait for Them to figure it out. I hate the drug but I don't want to live like this anymore! If a Doctor would just put Me back where I was and let Me be! Why don't I have a say in this? It's My body! Had I known what was going to happen to Me??!! I've had anxiety for all My life, since I was on child. Some people have some kind of disorder and need this drug. Why can't it be My decision? Obviously it's NOT! I don't know how much longer I can live, not live like this......😑😣
@@BflyMom_212 Are you still on the drug? Do you take any other drugs? You're probably also very reclusive and don't move around much. Just a thought, but maybe exercise will help you relax. Also, maybe look into opioid therapy or parkinsons therapy. I think "levodopa" works against excessive restless legs/akathisia. Opioids work well too. If you can get off the benzos but switch to a mild opioid, I'd actualy find that to be a much preferable situation. But maybe some other solution can be found. Obviously you deserve betterment of your condition! For me, after also being 29 months off cold turkey of ~10mg diazepam taken for a few months regularly, it has gotten considerably better. It's been a terrible fight but it does get much better in many areas. I'm not where I wanna be yet, but we'll get there. Some people take longer. Of course you also need to take a look at your life in general. What other medications are you on? Any drugs? Health conditions? Get yourself thoroughly checked out, who knows. Akathisia is terrible, so you have my deepest sympathy. I hope it gets much better for you soon! Stay strong!
@@BflyMom_212 Wow, that sounds terrible. Again, my deepest sympathy. You deserve better. I don't know what to say. I guess: Don't give up the search for a doctor who will prescribe you, so you can get off slowly, or stay on them if need be? You're not asking for that much, actually. 2mg Suboxone is not much whatsoever. By the way, why are you on Suboxone? Isn't that supposed to be a substitution for people who got hooked on illegal opioids? You're a pain patient. Yes you're physically addicted. And yes, I know how it goes. People then seek heroin or street opioids because they can't get enough from their doctor, or because they couldn't get any, or because it's just simply cheaper than paying for the medication. I hope you don't give up. The cancer and everything, that's terrible, I can't imagine what you go through each day. And what bullshit is that that you can't have surgery because you can't take pain meds? What? Anyway. Hope you get better!
I'm a year benzo free. I was on clonazepam for 13 yrs. Will I ever heal? I feel like I was then my cousin passed away n I fell like I'm in withdrawal again smh. I refuse to go back on meds.
Yes you will continue to heal. It takes a long time. The fact that you were well is a great sign. You're still healing and so stress whether emotional, physical, chemical etc will set off old symptoms. This is not uncommon. Take care of yourself, give your mind and body time to recover. Anyone would be out of sorts after such a loss.
@@BenzoBrains Thanks for your response. Thanks for all you do to bring awareness. I've been following you thru your journey and you helped give me the courage. I pray I do fully recover. Do you have an email? I would like to ask you a few more questions if that's ok.
I’m 21 months off alprazolam and what a terribly difficult healing journey this has been. I’ve been following you Jocelyn and you helped me get through the rough patches. I feel 85% healed and I FEARED that I’d never get to this point. I appreciate this video so much. We need validation, support and help getting off this mess.
Thanks for the interview. It should be pointed out that the term "side effects" is one coined by the pharmaceutical companies. The correct words should be "unwanted effects". Good luck with your channel.
Wonderful interview I sure wish my doctor would watch this , he seems to think I can get off of Ativan in 4wks after being on them (per prescribed) for 10 plus years 😞 I feel so scared as I feel horrible effects I want off the meds , but I am not able to in less than a week I have left ... I wish I had a doctor that understood this the way y’all do Benzo withdrawal is hell
Can you find another prescriber willing to do a slower taper? Maybe take in a taper schedule and loved one with you to your next appointment along with this video cued up to the summary at the end and attempt to educate your current doctor or a new one. It's not logical that a body /cns which has adapted to 10 years of a benzodiazepine will suddenly adapt back in 4 weeks. That seriously defies logic.
@@errorASMR That is a Great Idea, all Doctors I have seen are ignorant in Tapering, I'm going to try what you just comment, I'm still using some 0.5 Attivan that I still have, but they won't give me any more to taper on, I feel like I'm in hell,
@@justjoy7194 I hear You! I've been suffering for 29 months and I don't think it will end. I'm permanently damaged and have Akathisia 7 24!! I'm not living and I'm going to end this suffering soon if I don't find Help! I can't wait a few years for Them to figure it out. I cried when he said he was sorry for what he has done to Us. Yes,now what am I supposed to do? Feeling Hopeless 😣😑
My sister is scheduled to go to The Coleman Institute soon. They use Flumazenil to detox during an 8 day process. I can find no positive reviews after hours of research, however only one or two negative reviews. It is expensive. Mostly I don’t want her to be harmed or suffer because of their rapid detox. Does anyone know more about people’s experience with this radical program? I feel like she is going into it blind. Klonopin is the benzo she is addicted to. Thank you so much! 🌻
If your sister is severely dependent, not addicted but physically altered by the drugs then flumazenil as a detox could be a bad idea. It's basically an extreme cold turkey. However if she's not severely dependent and just needs to get off because she abuses klonopin and needs to focus on addiction therapy that could be different but its hard to know who's dealing with what until they begin to taper. Like Dr Wright said, try a small reduction. If she's ok that's a good sign, if it's too much and she gets horrible symptoms then personally, from the experiences I've heard about with the Coleman institute I would say she's not a good candidate for flumazenil. Really that's what the Coleman institute should instruct people to do.
Benzo Brains She is chemically altered. The Coleman Institute could indeed do her harm. You make perfect sense. I have decided after countless hours of research that she needs to work with her prescriber and a compounding pharmacy to help her with the titration of the pills (3mg!!!). I didn’t read much about working with a compounding pharmacy, it was my husband’s idea! She never feels well and needs help. Thank you so very much for your feedback! 🌻💐🌸
@@melissahorn6091 sounds like a good plan and you're welcome. Remember, not everyone responds the same to compounds or nee forms of their drug. If she becomes severely unwell after starting a micro taper using a compound remember there are other options available such as water titration and pill shaving micro methods
We need more Doctors talking and researching into this. One of my frustrations are the 'speak to your Doctor we are not physicians' disclaimers all over the benzo community.
Well we have to protect ourselves because we're not physicians and unfortunately no matter how well intentioned people are , there are those who will blame them when something goes wrong. It should be the doctors doing this, but it's mostly lay people
@@BenzoBrains I agree but it's so circular until we get more Doctors in our side, which I can see you are doing. I'm very supportive of what you are doing here and in general.
Yes, getting off of opiate's gives additional pain. Tapered off of both pain med's, still tapering off of Xanax, hopefully I make it through this. It's been since 2015. I still have more year's to go, I've managed to reduce, ahhhhhh can't do any crossovers, tried that and it made me more confused. 🤦 May Jesus God bless everyone. 🙏🙌 The suffering is really hard and that's an understatement. Thank you so much Jocelyn. I appreciate you. 💞💐🌺💮🌺
@@BenzoBrains Oh, this is so disappointing. My son is still suffering after 3 yrs of use. Only 24. We live in CO but it looks like he might have retired. So disappointing.
@@happytrails699 I'm sorry. How long has he been off or is he still tapering? There are resources that have helped others. Stem cell has helped me. If you haven't watched my latest interview with the psych rehab counselor she discusses a lot of things that really helped. Maybe one of these might be an option.
@@BenzoBrains He came off Ativan and also his psych meds. He tapered the Ativan fairly well but his psych meds he came off very quickly. He is now almost 4 years off everything. He said he feels like his brain doesn't process information like it use to. His main problems are loss of emotion and the feeling of dissociation, and what he perceives as slower thought processing.
@@happytrails699 I'm sorry I know what it's like to watch your son suffer. Anhedonia and derealization were brutal after effects for me too. For me personally a ketogenic diet really helped to clear up the derealization. I know it's helped others too. If you're interested in trying the neurorecover discussed in that interview I mentioned there are 2 clinics, 1 in California and 1 in Indiana.
One item. I went to your website. It needs work . The top especially has overlapping text. I'm a digital publisher and would gladly offer my services to you and your group to help.
@@benzowithdrawal-robert8352 actually why don't you email your offer and info about what you do to me at jocelyn@benzoreform.org . I agree the site needs a serious upgrade but that's not my department. I'll forward your offer to the others and hopefully we can spruce it up a bit. Thanks again
I was on clonzapan teva for 20 years in June of 2018 cvs changed the manufacture to accolade from China the pharmacy never told me I saw the color change figured the manufactor just changed color and instantly I started getting a hissing in my right ear.I wasgoing through aloy lost a sibling. So I said I need to with withdraw November 2018 i took my last dose. In Feb 2019 I went back on figuring the brand name klonopin would be better but it hasn't been and I want to withdraw again. Will this get rid of my hypercusious and tinnitus?
Jocelyn, I thank you for doing this work for those of Us who are suffering from Benzodiazepine withdrawal. I won't go to far into detail but I was cut off half My dose of Xanax after 25 years. I've had anxiety since I was a child and finally after being unable to leave My home, was prescribed Xanax. Always took as prescribed, never had tolerance problems. I was living! My PC Doc didn't feel right prescribing it and sent Me to a Shrink. The Shrink cut My dose of Xanax by 4 mg. and I searched for a year before I realized that I was having Akathisia from being cold Turkey off 4mg of Xanax. I cried that this Doctor here, said He was sorry for those who are suffering but He is working on it but it will be a few years away before They get it right. 😑😢 I don't think I can wait for that. I'm so suicidal, I can't take the Akathisia! It's been 29 months that I've been in horrible pain from the Akathisia! I hate the drug but I can't take the Akathisia! I just want to go back to where I was before being cut off cold Turkey! This isn't living! I'm in Hell! I don't know why I can't find a Doctor who will prescribe it for Me! I just want to live without this constant vibrating pain! I hate the drug because I know how much damage it has caused Me but I have to live and this isn't living! I'm in San Diego,Ca.. If there is a Doctor out there that will help Me, please help Me! I can't deal with this anymore! I know others who are suffering even worse than Myself and We need Help Now! Any suggestions please??!!! I'm at the end of the rope! Lord,don't send Me to Hell if I end it All! 🙏😑
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Sarah was also pretty bad. Here is the video where she talks to me about some of the resources that helped her ua-cam.com/video/ckSaWeh8ayE/v-deo.html
@@BenzoBrains Jocelyn, Do you know where Sarah lives? I'm in San Diego Ca and I saw a number posted on her blog and I know the area code is very close to Me. I don't know if I want to believe She might be able to really Help Me! You know people move and keep the same number, so I am praying She is still here! I believe She is on to an awful lot about the body and I have had a lot of similar problems when I was younger. Thanks, I hope you respond.
the doctors don't know anything more than what pharmaceutical industry wants them to, take your health into your own hands, don't rely or wait on your doctor to care or make any sense with your "treatment" and just get off these toxic medications asap
@@thomasrehder9608 Now that's smart, let him continue giving them to you, and continuing to Taper, with out him knowing, because sooner or later, he's going to take you off. Your very smart doing it this way, I wish I would of thought of that!
As a brain tumor survivor, I was prescribed a variety of medications over the years as a means of suppressing potential seizure activity and then later on, a sudden experience in panic attacks. It's unclear to me if these panic attacks were related to my brain tumor procedure or if they would have presented themselves anyway. It's been over 30 years since that procedure and I am stuck on .5 mg of Klonopin that I am currently being very slowly being tapered off of. This slow taper is being directed by a combination of my neurologist, pcp and psychiatrist. I'm finding it very difficult to accept the slow degree of taper and at times want to accelerate that process but after listening to many speakers including Dr. Wright. it is apparent that the correct way is to go thru this process very slowly and under careful supervision. I have not been free and clear of Benzodiazepine since 1989 and although the dose is pretty low (.5mg/day ).. it's been hell to break free of this demon. I don't know how much of my thought process is compromised from this medication or if it's who I am after my medical treatment. There are moments I just want to stop cold turkey but know I cant manage to do that. My hats off to anyone that has been thru this hell and has successfully survived it. These kinds of support videos are literally and figuratively a real life savor. Thank you for examining this topic and sharing these experiences.
You're welcome. My father in law has a closed head injury from a car accident. He was put on many medications afterwards. When his insurance ran out he had to rapidly taper off them. Luckily he didn't have any major complications in doing so. He found that, while he had definitely changed, he was much better off the meds than on. I'm glad to hear you have knowledgeable and responsible doctors who are tapering you carefully. Hope this helps.
@@BenzoBrains thank you for the kind words..I'm hopeful that this long term process will be worth it and that I will regain some normalcy after all these years. Good to hear your dad is doing well too. Thank you ..hope you all have a great holiday..
Can I ask, do you have any resources for benzowise doctors in Canada? People who will see people remotely? This is such a challenge here in this country because there is literally no one!!
Benzo Brains unfortunately there are none :( It’s such a sad situation where someone who sporadically took benzos over the course of a month and a half (14 times total) is being blamed for everything they are feeling. I feel there is such a lack of responsibility in prescribing benzos, antidepressants and z-drugs. We need more resources and people who are in the medical field who understand this!
Any way to contact you or the dr.? A quick taper question and also wondering if anyone should stay on ever-- Dr. Ashton seemed to think sometimes from my reading... after decades. thanks.
@@BenzoBrains It is too long and complex for here. Tried to contact him from phone number to no avail. I've never seen my siuation anywhere, tho, and wonder does he think everyoen should be off even if on for many decades. Ill keep searching for phone no, tho!!
Benzo Brains Thanks for your reply I’ve tried to quit could turkey a year ago because I’ve been on 90 1 mg Klonopin for seven years. In my three week withdrawals I felt a hot breath more times then I can count on the back of my knock, never sleep but only minutes to wake up to this evil presence,and was in not minute or hour of hour suffering but every micro second of just so much mental anguish,heart arrhythmia,and psychosis.Im not Schizophrenic or Bipolar it was totally benzo withdrawal.I sooo much appreciate everything you do and think this has been the most powerful video on benzo withdrawals.Thank you!!!
I know you can’t carry the weight of everybody and I really have no support as they just don’t only psychopaths have no symptoms.Thats a different story
Thank you for doing this. I guess my concern listening to this is the "hold" approach when distressing symptoms crop up. What I found when I held was that I went into severe tolerance and it just continued to get worse. Then picking up the taper, I was only able to reduce miniscule amounts without way worse symptoms. I should have continued tapering. I know everyone is different, however, and that some do well with holding for a few months. Just not my experience.
Can I get temporary disability for 13 years of taking 8mg a day prescribed and I don't want to lose my career. I'm scared! I can't take this much longer. I don't know what to do.
I tapered off a 2 mg. Klonopin usage (26 year) over a 5 month period - per my HMO. Now I am almost 4 month totally off & the Horrible effects have gotten worse. I think my Doctor has "thrown me under the bus." as he does not have a clue. How do I proceed at this point? I heard from testimonials that is will get better - However - what should I do at this point? Thank You for your efforts - benzo brains. SINCERELY.
@@PatrickA1 Terrible. I am almost 1 1/2 yrs out now & this is absolutely horrible. Can't drive. By God's grace I can sleep at night. we have to remember I was on Klonopin for 26 years - plus other things. @ 65 years of age & being paralyzed & in a wheelchair for 46 years now & having had 18 major surgeries I am about ready for the bone pile. But I am a fighter - my parents lived into their 90's so I do have the indomitable will to live. I hope that God will see me thru this. I am willing to give my research facts - so that others possibly will be helped by my story. Jocelyn is really helping all of us out here. We owe her a debt of gratitude & also our continued feedback and support if possible. SINCERELY.
@@BenzoBrains well I am in a very frustrating situation. My psychiatrist doesn't think I'm stable and we'll enough yet to be off the Benzo, but I would prefer to come off since noticing weird symptoms like a bloated stomach That Won't go away for the last month+, and recently now heart palpitations and I know this is directly linked to the benzo, it has to be. I have never had a bloated stomach for this long before usually if I do it lasts a day and then goes away. I have been taking 0.25mg klonopin before bed for the last six months or so, and every time I bring this up to my psychiatrist she says not to worry about it so much, that it won't be that difficult to come off because we will do a slow taper, which I know is bs from her because I've seen many videos of people really struggling even on small doses. I don't know what to do!
If you're going to be doing a micro taper then I wouldn't recommend a pill cutter as it's not accurate enough. Please look at my How to Taper video and the resources under that for more info on how to do micro cuts. To do it properly you will need a jewel scale and a razor blade. You can get the scale on Amazon
I am just in question. As a user of benzo and only the name brand Valium. (The Generics don't seem to work as well) I use 5mg to a max of 10mg a day. I am 70 years young and have been doing this for 32 years. I know that everyone of us is different. So my primary question in hopes maybe you can help a little. How much damage have I done to my body? OK for the last couple of years I have had extensive blood work every year. The only thing I was low on last year was vitiman D. My former doctor no longer takes Medicare. Finding another is almost impossible. This new doctors has put me on Gabapenyin 100mg 2 times a day. Been taking a few weeks and finding way to many problems and side effects (You know another miracle drug) I just discontinued. Can you maybe let me know what you might think on the damage this might have done. This doctor is trying to take me completely off benzo, I did not ask. Funny as I look at my self and say. If I could never die I could have never lived. Maybe you ask Dr. Wright as I can't find him Google. A common name. I am also going over your other youtubes you have great info. Kindly
Hi watch my tapering videos and develop your own plan so your doctor doesn't try to take you off too fast. There's no way to know how damaged you may or may not be. I wouldn't worry about it. Just start a slow taper and do your best. If things get hard there may be some things that help. I will try to put out a video on these as soon as possible
@@BenzoBrainsI have and they are Grrrrrrrrrrr8 and very formal. Thank you so much for getting back to me. However, my problem is I see at my age really not tapering any more. When and if I am ready I will ask a good medical doctor for advice.(If I can find one) At my age it is delicate and YES I watch the things my body goes through. This new Doc I am dumping is crazed with success and not caring about death. She put me on Gabapentin. I never asked for this, I know she does not know how many deaths have happened in the first month of using. In less than a months’ time I have so many symptom’s that reference interaction of this newer so called wonder drugs that does not work for me. I dumped it yesterday and still feel the mosquitoes biting me and there are none. She does not listen and I have to force repeat myself let her know she is not listening. Hey you are not listening. Also through the decades I am the one who has reduced the meds. Even after surgery's I am the one who cuts the meds. I explain that I do not like the high and it interferes with my thinking etc. They love me for this and my doctor has always been ecstatic when he sees me reduce. The worst part SHE does not have any of my medical record has not requested blood work or a physical. She is just guessing on the kaleidoscope vision in a chronological Pharmacology. I am on Medicare and my doctor no longer can see me. It has been a long hard road. I cannot find Dr. Wright. Looked him up on Google and there are a lot LOL. If I could talk with him maybe he can pass it on to them. Or maybe even talk to me. Hell that is if they will listen to him. As you might see I could use any help possible in finding a good doctor that accepts Medicare. Kindly and respectful to you and yours keep up the good work
Safe tapering must be careful & slow, even from 5mg Valium. Most doctors don't know that tapers must be months; sometimes years. Too fast injures neurons. Maybe the safe choice is to stay on it after 32 years. 5mg Valium is not so bad if you don't need to increase it.
@@tedd_blackk Agreed completely. However most are QUAKS today. Through the years I have reduced meds and my former doctor was always impressed. This new doc (my other no longer excepts Medicare) is a know it all. Does not have my medical records, have no blood work or a physical. This is crazy want me stop immediately and let's try another new wonder drug. Tried for 3 1/2 weeks. Had 85% of the symptoms (Bad) is now a good reason to quit taking. I will fire her next visit and like the little lady said here take someone with you. Years ago believe it or not I refused to see doctors. My choice was a friend who is a Veterinarian. Best Doc ever had. Figure if my dog could not explain the problem and he could figure it out. He could help me without the drugs. LOL Sorry as I am rambling
No everyone heals, but that process is different for everyone and how long and hard a road it is may be affected by the way I'm which you taper. Anecdotally, people who cold turkey or rapid taper who also happen to be severely injured seem to have acute symptoms of withdrawal for longer periods of time.
@@BenzoBrains He added so many patients that I would have to wait an hour and a half just to see him. He then began to prescribe 3 month supplies of Clonazepam along with 3 refills. Nice doctor huh lol!
@@BenzoBrains I'm off off Clonazepan. He then offered me to try Lorazepam. I told him no. He wasn't happy. These doctors get paid extra to prescribe these drugs. It's pathetic.
If my doctor was to cut me off my Klonopin I would completely be unable to function, I have ran out for 2 days, was so anxiety stricken after the first day that I didn't think I would even be able to drive to office to get my refills! Only on 1mg a day, in the mornings. But have been taking them for around 15 years! I was put on them for anxiety way back, it was bad anxiety, like tunnel vision, palpations, severe dizziness, I couldn't even drive. I can now but not without the Klonopin. Still have anxiety at times, anything that comes up out of the ordinary, like a long road trip, unexpected company, basically anything.
And I don't crave Klonopin, I don't even realize that I am on them unless I run out for a day or two. That's when I realize my body, brain needs them to function
The good news is, because you've been on for so long, it's likely the klonopin isn't even treating your anxiety and you've gotten better on your own. At this point the klonopin is probably just staving off the symptoms of rebound anxiety and things that it causes when taken long term. So if you do a very slow micro taper, as I show in my videos, you may find your anxiety is much improved post taper, and possibly even as you taper.
@@kaykay0038 , I am like you. I have been on klonopin 25 yrs. I do not abuse it or try to get refills to soon. And now all the sudden my doctor just told me the other day she wants me to get off them. I can't do it. I've tried before 3 times.
@@mikel4526 , oh yes, I believe you. My own doctor just told me that some pharmacies are refusing to fill them. She gave me a 3 month script, so I have already gone down 25 % from 1 mg to . 75 in one week. I have been forced off them before in 2,004, 2,008 and 2,011. This time I am already doing it myself before it's done to me. Dear God, help me.
should a nurse and or dr tell ya go cold turkey im scared hellish benzo I took for years she just told me couple days ago and ive had detachment from GOD and myself
Its irresponsible to ever advise someone to cold turkey a benzo. Your response sounds like a common one to rapid cessation. If you can get back on and do a slower taper it may help.
It's not all bad some b people need them an now more people than ever are resorting to getting drugs and medicines that they need to survive over the internet and from shady drug dealers which is intern also making more and more people die so I believe that we need to actually start giving back to the people who really need them and who are trying to go through the system to get them the right way but as always as soon as you bring it up the stereotypical doctor will always say oh no it's a drug addict he's trying to just get drugs no it's not the way it's been it's something that we the people who have lived with ourselves for our whole lives are always always always facing and having to deal with this on our own just like depression just like suicide all of that all that could be basically eradicated if we were allowed to get the medicines that we so desperately need and these new laws are making it harder for us to get them so we have to resort to either the black market or buying them off the street and therefore that's where the overdoses are starting to happen because of shady Grove eaters that are selling those fake drugs so really which would rather have somebody was getting them from the right person who's getting the right drugs or somebody who might go to your dealer and get rat poison there has to be a way for us to somehow get our medications that we so desperately need and not be faced with so much criticism and always the thought that we're just drug dealers so I have lived with my depression anxiety and anxiety attacks for my whole life never knowing what they were because I am from a Hispanic family where they preach you know tough it out all of that often causing me to think of suicide or attempts and all of that so that is why I am so interested and so trying to get everybody to realize that we really need to get these medicines that are so desperately needed to be depressed the anxiety attacked people the people who are experiencing anxiety attacks and basically trapped in their own mind and in their own homes I need nobody believes them which is leading to even more deaths doctors only go off what we say but yet we often do not know the words or things to say to the doctor that will show them because nobody teaches us and therefore in the end doctors believe that oh they're just trying to get high which is not the case so I ask if anybody agrees please like and if y'all have any answers or ways for us to either get the prescription or somehow find a doctor who will really listen to us and not just throw us into the bus to think that we are another drug addict would be great because that is what we really need thank you
It's true, no one should be forced off their meds and led down that path. It's true that some people's bodies and brains word differently. It's also true that you can still heal from all of that and the life experiences that have led to where you are right now www.madinamerica.com/2020/09/seeds-hope-journey-toward-truth-about-psych-drugs/
This video was nothing more than a useless conversation. Where is the "recipe" for getting a patient off of a prescribed benzo? Some patients think they are married to me and I must continue to prescribe their benzos. I have dramatically changed my prescribing habits. Now, it's time to get the "hanger's-on" off of these drugs.
There is no recipe per se but you can learn best practices for withdrawal at benzoreform.org which is the non profit Dr Dr Wright works with. Much of the information we have on Benzodiazepine withdrawal is based on the Ashton Manual. I have an entire video series on it included here ua-cam.com/play/PLiYfSj-zJmtdFcNDVbMgug8YlGI7Jdm80.html Or you can go to benzo.uk.org/manual and read it. You sound very frustrated. Remember that your patients aren't just frustrated, they're terrified. Fearing he hell of benzo withdrawal is not about laziness. It's a brutal process for many and some may have already tried getting off without telling you and found it to be excruciating. You can help minimize their suffering by providing proper tapering guidance. But the number 1 ingredient in the a successful taper recipe is that it must be patient directed and no patient should be forced off. They have to believe it's possible. If they believe it will ruin or end their lives it probably will.
Dr. Wright is a really great guy and I think my viewers will really appreciate his ownership of his part as a medical provider in the benzo problem. Dr. Wright lectures all across the US about benzodiazepines, medical cannabis , opiates and addiction. This interview was actually from a hotel room in New Orleans (I think) where he had just completed his most recent presentation. He tells me that no matter what subject he's presenting, he always finds a way to work benzos into the lecture because he's so passionate about it now. Bless you Dr. Wright! Go to benzoreform.org to show your support.
@Lee Shipman hi I don't drink coffee or tea. I have used CBD off and on and tried cannabis but I can't take either regularly as I tend to become paradoxical after a few doses
HELP!!! I’m having NERVOUS BREAKDIWN & I’m TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE TO CALLL FOR HELPING ME IN COMPLETE DISTRESS PANIC after Stopping KLONOPIN🙏🙏🙏
@@michelebergman4336 I'm sorry it's so bad right now. If you need one on one personal help please go to the online support groups on Facebook..there are often people willing to chat there. Also baylissa frederick does Skype counseling
Benzo Brains hello when are you doing more videos please!!!!!!!!! We Need more info
@@astralife_ecgye8328 hello yes I'm planning on many videos including a another video like the benzo myths that I'm working on right now. I'm having to wait for some other things to fall into place and I'm also very busy with writing my book and the new manual..but content will be coming!
Bout time a dr supports and honors his mistakes and is trying to make it right God bless him
Thomas Rehder I applaud his efforts and assistance he is offering the community but, if he really wanted to honour his mistakes and his patients he would reimburse them for all their pain and suffering and losses of income, families, relationships and on and on it goes that he has caused by his prescribing.
@@snafu22 But no amount of money would ever make up for all the Suffering, that we have to go through to get off,
An actual apology from a doctor to benzodiazepine survivors at 44:17.
My GP didn't have a clue when I mentioned the Ashton manual! Time to educate them.
WE need doctors to start realizing that our initial anxiety often is caused by deficiencies or toxicities ......The RDA levels are ridiculous and blood-serum tests are inadequate for testing true levels of vitamins/ minerals in the body. B12 deficiency causes anxiety and can be debilitating and can cause permanent brain damage and MS-like symptoms , life-long. Magnesium deficiencies/ D deficiencies are also very common. OR, let's look at our work and home environments. Look for toxins and for stressors. Also diet....look for MSG and also processed stuff the body was never meant to consume. GMO, sugar, hybridized fruits, etc.. It's all very toxic......but benzos are worse than anything anyone could take. These things begin to suck the soul out of their user....and it's absolutely terrifying. For someone who is not mentally "strong", suicide is often the only escape imaginable. Yet, the doctors want to do nothing or they want to cold turkey people and cause further damage. It's criminal.
I agree there is always a reason for anxiety, but the medical profession isn't designed to really discover them
@@mikel4526 sounds about right
I'm there! I've been suffering for 29 months and the Akathisia is Hell! Im at the end of the rope and can't take it anymore! I know this Drug is horrible but it made Me live for 25 years before a Shrink cut My dose in half by 4mg of Xanax! No tapering, just cut off! This isn't living and I don't know how much longer I can live like this.
I can't wait a few years for Them to figure it out! I hate the Drug but I can't live without it! Just let Me be, I don't abuse it, I'm not an addict! I just want to live without the constant Akathisia! My brain is damaged and I don't believe at this point it will repair itself. I know others who have been going longer suffering and not getting any better. They won't take it again but I would if it will take this vibrating away! Enough said. 😑😣
Total Toxic Overload - Toxins in Everything - Thank you Posting Truth -An Accurate Analogy!
Wow. A year later and I’m still tapering. I’m towards the end of the taper, from 1 mg to 0.085 mg clonazepam. I never thought I could or would go another year. We’re capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. The truth is, we want to live. We want to survive. We endure this hellish spiritual, mental and physical nightmare because the alternative is suicide and nobody truly wants or is easily capable of executing a successful suicide. I hope everyone who reads this finds peace and courage in the toughest battle they’ll ever fight. I know 99% of people don’t understand what you’re going through. Don’t let that stop you. Feel happy that they don’t have to go through what you’re going through. We who suffer understand.
Well done, Jocelyn! You ask the best questions and have actually gotten good answers. Thank you for fighting for us!
Thank you Jocelyn for all you do
thanks for watching
I'm thinking of creating an Ashton Manual detox and trying to let people do it from home. Some people can do it by themselves but others can't. I remember when I was tapering off these things I simply couldn't be around strangers. The panic! Why torture them? And hopefully get as many insurances cover it as I can. If not I'll try to talk someone else into it. I wouldn't wish a regular detox facility on my worst enemy! Or uneducated drs. that don't know how to help taper. You're a very smart and compassionate doctor. I wish there were more like you. Maybe you can start one of these detoxes! Another reason for doing it at home is the stigma. You can go to detox for opioids for a few weeks and go to rehab for 30 days. People probably knew you had a problem when you went in. But, first of all, benzos are hard to detect as an addiction. It's usually more of a dependence. People will think things that aren't true, therefore you have ADDICT stamped on your head when you're not. And you know how long benzos can take to taper for long time users. If you're at home you may be able to cover up what you're doing so people won't think of you this way. I'm not trying to capitalize on a business idea here. I want people helped! Maybe an idea for a doctor like yourself?
Thank you. It's a start. Now if we can get the rest of them to believe us , to stop prescribing it and help take care of those of us who are so badly injured from it. Even if it's just to hang in there with us and monitor us. It's scary to go through this alone.
so proud of what your doing been an addict now 5 years.
I wish there was more education on this in Canada, maybe share all this with the Canadian doctors please.
I live in Utah. My son went through a bout with Ativan almost identical to yours Jocelyn. Ashton Manual and your videos were helpful. We learned from your success and mistakes. Last .5 milligram of valium should take 4-6 months. Some whole milk used in the final liquid titration. Slow and easy wins. This is not a race.
I'm so glad my videos have helped you and your son! Do you mind telling me where in Utah you are? Also, would you be open to doing an interview? Feel free to email me at jocelyn@benzoreform.org
I thank God for you and for telling your story and helping others . God bless you and thank you for this video.
Bravo! So excited to see a doctor on board -whom other doctors will take more seriously, this injury and the importance of slow tapering vs. at the requests of their own patients. Great work Jocelyn!
Thanks!
Jocelyn, I hope that you can help me or point me in the right direction. I am in my 70's and have taken clonazepam for over 20 years. In addition, due to back injuries and operations, I became addicted to oxycontin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and, finally, fentanyl patches. On these drugs my life has not been good but I was functioning. I was switched to another doctor (mine moved out of state) and he insisted that I get off all of the meds. I could not do it and put myself into drug rehab.....the new growth industry. The place I went to had good marks, especially for alcohol and opioid addiction. I no longer take opioids. However, they were not quite so savvy about benzos. I was "tapered" over three weeks......after years of dependence. This was 10 months ago. Needless to say, I am in a very terrible place right now and am experiencing pain and other horrible symptoms. I have become nearly totally non-functional in my life.....I have no life. I am anxiety-ridden, withdrawn, and in a dream world where my sensory overloads are terrible, although diminishing somewhat.. What in the world can I do? I convinced the young doctor I am with to try valium but he has no idea of the idea of a taper and is not interested in learning it, despite my attempts to share my extensive research into the topic and the Ashton Manual. I am in a small town and at least 5-6 hours away from a large metropolitan area. In short, no doctors with the knowledge my problems. I'm not sure that I can find a doctor in Denver, either. I do not want to live the rest of my life in the condition I am in now. What can I do? Can my brain/body recover at this point? Thanks.
Hi I believe you can recover but you may need to look into getting help from a functional medicine doctor or some kind of nutrient therapy along with ways of reducing inflammation. I don't think getting back on a benzo at this point would be very wise as your body is in the process of healing right now. It's not unusual to be this bad 10 months off a rapid taper. Give you body the time it needs to heal. ,
Your not done Tapering Sweetly, I'm the same age as you are, can someone in your Family help you find the right Doctor? I personally don't even want off, I was put on these for a reason, but it's important to Taper and heal the right way, I hate the way, they treat us older ones, this makes me so angry, they won't even treat us for high blood pressure anymore they only see the drug.I am so Sorry this has happen to you, I Pray you can find a Doctor, to help you finish your Taper
@@BenzoBrains It's not that easy, when your elderly, like we are, we don't have years to heal, we are not 50, or 40 with many years ahead, this is not good at all.
@@justjoy7194 I have friends who healed from this in their 60s and 70s. There's always hope. The good years may still outweigh the bad
@@BenzoBrains Would you recommend he not go back on benzos if he was suffering from seizures? My son has been off about 10 months too and has suffered from some very severe seizures. He did a rapid withdrawal when his psych nurse practitioner cut him off suddenly after 20+ years. I am really worried as some of these seizures have been in his sleep which I understand is really dangerous. Not sure where to go to get him help as none of the doctors in this Florida town have a clue.
thank you so much for this interview... at last some validation for the horror of benzo withdrawal... now we just need a solution, and also some compensation for those of us who have been SO harmed and had so much of our lives ripped away by these meds.
I won't write my story here but have been officially off the benzodiazopine for about two months now. Also have been on zolpidem prior and have been off since last year.
This is the conversation I was begging to hear the whole time in withdrawal. Doctors actually working on the science if why this happens and how to help those suffering. This page was one of the tools that helped educate and get me where I'm at.
If there is anyway to help the continued efforts for research that leads to treatment let me know...
Also thank you for this page and your work once again. Inspirational for the people trying to get their lives back like me
One day I feel we will look back on our experience with this with new knowledge and see how barbaric and brutally torturous our methods are today compared to, hopefully a future where no one has to experience that ever
@@coopj6443 I agree and of course we will need volunteers for future studies or help finding them and if people can donate to benzoreform.org that's always helpful
@@BenzoBrains sent a message there earlier 🙂
Finally a Doctor that says ‘I’m sorry’ yes it means a lot
First Thank you Dr. Wright, for saying sorry... I believe you because you are doing something about it. Thank you Jocelyn for all that you do, and continue to do! I would love, and I know that I am being picky, but I have "earned" that right :) but I would love to see them look outside the scope of allopathic medicine, and also include holistic in terms of treatment plans within the tolerances of still being taken seriously so that at least the word can spread without limitation. Because, I see a lot of room of the pharmaceutical industry to take advantage of “us” again with a “fix”….. I would really love to see holistic doctors and practitioners being included in this process. Thank you so much for the work that you are doing! -Matt
I agree, we're still barking up the wrong tree so to speak. That's why I'm a fan of Dr. Kelly Brogan's approach to functional psychiatry
I am glad you feel that way, your contribution is soooooooo great!
Glad he recognized the taper % is not static to all. I was fast tapered and my life was just declining since
Robert Long Same here. Cbd oil helps a little.
Lumi LaBonte not for me 😖 tried 8 brands
lars for what I studied - GABA itself doesn’t enter the brain.
Yet I don’t know which Aminos to use.
I tried 2 acupuncturists and they both weren’t that good
@@RobertLongM Search for LDN. Low dose Naltrexone. Might help.
He is the only doctor that I have seen apologize and It's obvious he means it, otherwise why would he even bother. It's about time. Thank the both of you.
Thank you again for the great presentation. You are doing a great service for all who are going through this dilemma . I took your advice about the Ashton method and my Doctor accepted it and the liquid Valium is working as a taper method. Thanks again
Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know
Jocelyn, I've watched all of your videos and am so grateful for your platform. My question is this: if I'm struggling at .0425 K of my liquid titration (holding currently to stabilize), is it worth trying to switch over at this point to Valium? You said in one of your earlier videos that it "saved you". Was that the Valium switch that saved you or getting on a microtaper, alone, that saved you? I'm afraid to rock the boat by changing meds this close to the end. Hoping, with your experience, you might have some advice.
Switching meds isn't the best option at this point. It was really the micro taper which saved me which meant dosing more frequently to avoid interdose withdrawals. You may be experiencing more interdose withdrawals now that you're so low. One option may be to split your dose into smaller more frequent doses. But, again. That's rocking the boat pretty late in the game, depending on how slowly you're going you'll have to decide if it's worth it. Just know it's normal to feel worse right at the end
Well done Dr. Stephen Wright, your legacy will be about your redemption and social responsibility on Benzos.
And well done Jocelyn, your platform is changing people's lives for the better. Thank you to both, I will be sure to purchase your books.
The horror stories mostly happen if withdrawal is uninformed
and rapid, due to a failure to warn, or at the direction of
some medic at an e-r, treatment/detox center, or from a
physician or pharmacolgist doing their best within their limits.
And after several weeks off a drug it can be too late to restart.
For many withdrawal is a moot issue; it's about painful survival,
every day, and some don't make it.
We rely on professionals for various issues of safety, but that
trust has been destroyed regarding rx drugs, and denials continue.
Much of that is due to pharma domination of all
information channels regarding drug hazards,
including many studies from universities.
www.benzoinfo.com/doctors/
www.benzoinfo.com/resources/
I’m feeling very bad this morning I am on one mg clonazepam down from two for eight years and I am increasing the dose right now by one quarter because I am hurting I’ve been in withdrawals for about fifty days don’t see how I can feel like this
@@tonygeorge8486 ..."on 1mg Clon...down from 2mg(8 yrs)...increased 1/4mg...withdrawal 50 days."
Go to the taper section at benzobuddies, and maybe ask questions about kindling.
My understanding is that if a large cut is made and is maintained for 2 months, then
dose is increased by 25pct, that's like a "restart", which is usually the wrong thing for
long-term outcome. Neurons have times of adjustment; timing and doses really matter.
Proud of you Sweetie...Thanks You..God bless you.
Hey Jocelyn I just recently came across your channel. I was prescribed Clonazepam .5mg twice a day. Do you suppose I will have problems quitting this if I split my dose into every 3 or 4 days instead? I find great relief from the medicine but I do not want to end up addicted or withdrawing should I decide I'm done. I plan to ask my psychiatrist her thoughts about using like twice a week instead. I know this is a question for a Dr. but you seem to know as much or more than many of them.
Great stuff! Glad there's doctors out there talking about this.
The only real gripe I have is when you two talked about "addiction". I feel as though there is a lot of misunderstandings going on because we're not all on the same page what "addicted" means. Is it the compulsive, psychological aspect of using a substance or engaging in a behavior? Or do we mean the physical dependence side of the equation? For example, if someone takes heroin for a few weeks and becomes physically dependent, would it be fair to say they are "physically addicted" to the drug? Benzos definitely create physical dependence. It's the sole reason for the withdrawals. The problem with opioids is that doctors suddenly view it differently from other drugs. A patient might get tolerance withdrawal and raise the dose, and the doctor accuses them of compulsively consuming the drug.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is: We gotta be on the same page with our terminology.
Great question. I think Dr. Wright does a good job of defining the problem. He says that normally addiction is defined as compulsive and or increased drug use despite negative consequences. But he says even these may not be true addiction because someone on benzos may simply be trying to medicate symptoms of tolerance. So he believes that true addiction is seeking the drug for reasons that aren't medical, i.e. pleasure seeking or to enhance the mind altering effects of another drug. In my opinion I don't think physical addiction is ever an appropriate term because physiological adaptations to a drug are, by definition, dependence.
By the way - one of the things benzos seem to be prescribed for nowadays is restless legs/arms syndrome, and akathisia. Turns out opioids work well for that as well, but they A) don't mess up your CNS and B) aren't poisonous. They do create dependence, but it's not as bad as benzo withdrawal, because it doesn't last as long. So in my mind, opioids should be prescribed before any benzo is even mentioned, but unfortunately, the reverse is true. Benzos are viewed as low-risk by many doctors. And of course, it would be best if we found effective treatments that create no dependence at all.
I'm glad you're changing people's minds about benzos and psych-drugs. Thank you for your efforts, Benzo Brains!
@@iWillWakeYouUp
No doubt that Benzos cause Akathisia after being cut cold Turkey! I've been in hell for 29 months with Akathisia after a Shrink took Me off Xanax cold Turkey (half My dose) but the damage it's done to My brain doesn't seem to be healing. My CNS is so damaged now. I have Akathisia 7 24 for 29 months now. I'm not living. I don't think I can wait for Them to figure it out. I hate the drug but I don't want to live like this anymore! If a Doctor would just put Me back where I was and let Me be!
Why don't I have a say in this? It's My body! Had I known what was going to happen to Me??!! I've had anxiety for all My life, since I was on child. Some people have some kind of disorder and need this drug. Why can't it be My decision? Obviously it's NOT! I don't know how much longer I can live, not live like this......😑😣
@@BflyMom_212 Are you still on the drug?
Do you take any other drugs? You're probably also very reclusive and don't move around much. Just a thought, but maybe exercise will help you relax.
Also, maybe look into opioid therapy or parkinsons therapy. I think "levodopa" works against excessive restless legs/akathisia. Opioids work well too. If you can get off the benzos but switch to a mild opioid, I'd actualy find that to be a much preferable situation. But maybe some other solution can be found. Obviously you deserve betterment of your condition!
For me, after also being 29 months off cold turkey of ~10mg diazepam taken for a few months regularly, it has gotten considerably better. It's been a terrible fight but it does get much better in many areas. I'm not where I wanna be yet, but we'll get there. Some people take longer. Of course you also need to take a look at your life in general. What other medications are you on? Any drugs? Health conditions? Get yourself thoroughly checked out, who knows.
Akathisia is terrible, so you have my deepest sympathy. I hope it gets much better for you soon! Stay strong!
@@BflyMom_212 Wow, that sounds terrible. Again, my deepest sympathy. You deserve better.
I don't know what to say. I guess: Don't give up the search for a doctor who will prescribe you, so you can get off slowly, or stay on them if need be? You're not asking for that much, actually. 2mg Suboxone is not much whatsoever. By the way, why are you on Suboxone? Isn't that supposed to be a substitution for people who got hooked on illegal opioids? You're a pain patient. Yes you're physically addicted.
And yes, I know how it goes. People then seek heroin or street opioids because they can't get enough from their doctor, or because they couldn't get any, or because it's just simply cheaper than paying for the medication.
I hope you don't give up. The cancer and everything, that's terrible, I can't imagine what you go through each day. And what bullshit is that that you can't have surgery because you can't take pain meds? What?
Anyway. Hope you get better!
Also he says CBT, what type? What if insomnia/sleep/circadian rhythm disorder was the issue, preceeding benzo use.
I'm a year benzo free. I was on clonazepam for 13 yrs. Will I ever heal? I feel like I was then my cousin passed away n I fell like I'm in withdrawal again smh. I refuse to go back on meds.
Yes you will continue to heal. It takes a long time. The fact that you were well is a great sign. You're still healing and so stress whether emotional, physical, chemical etc will set off old symptoms. This is not uncommon. Take care of yourself, give your mind and body time to recover. Anyone would be out of sorts after such a loss.
@@BenzoBrains Thanks for your response. Thanks for all you do to bring awareness. I've been following you thru your journey and you helped give me the courage. I pray I do fully recover. Do you have an email? I would like to ask you a few more questions if that's ok.
I’m 21 months off alprazolam and what a terribly difficult healing journey this has been. I’ve been following you Jocelyn and you helped me get through the rough patches. I feel 85% healed and I FEARED that I’d never get to this point. I appreciate this video so much. We need validation, support and help getting off this mess.
That's so wonderful to hear you're so far into your healing! I'm glad I could help you. Thanks for sharing.
But how did you leave the house?
You are absolutely an amazing warrior to have on our side about this. Why won't any doctor help me?
Help you taper?
Thanks for the interview. It should be pointed out that the term "side effects" is one coined by the pharmaceutical companies. The correct words should be "unwanted effects". Good luck with your channel.
Wonderful interview
I sure wish my doctor would watch this , he seems to think I can get off of Ativan in 4wks after being on them (per prescribed) for 10 plus years 😞
I feel so scared as I feel horrible effects
I want off the meds , but I am not able to in less than a week I have left ...
I wish I had a doctor that understood this the way y’all do
Benzo withdrawal is hell
i was on klonopin for 10 plus years, i got off in about a year tapering slow, just stock up and ditch the dr
Can you find another prescriber willing to do a slower taper? Maybe take in a taper schedule and loved one with you to your next appointment along with this video cued up to the summary at the end and attempt to educate your current doctor or a new one. It's not logical that a body /cns which has adapted to 10 years of a benzodiazepine will suddenly adapt back in 4 weeks. That seriously defies logic.
@@errorASMR That is a Great Idea, all Doctors I have seen are ignorant in Tapering, I'm going to try what you just comment, I'm still using some 0.5 Attivan that I still have, but they won't give me any more to taper on, I feel like I'm in hell,
@@justjoy7194
I hear You! I've been suffering for 29 months and I don't think it will end. I'm permanently damaged and have Akathisia 7 24!! I'm not living and I'm going to end this suffering soon if I don't find Help!
I can't wait a few years for Them to figure it out.
I cried when he said he was sorry for what he has done to Us. Yes,now what am I supposed to do? Feeling Hopeless 😣😑
Awesome video!!!!! Thank you , for continuing to help us. Awareness needs to go globally!
Thanks!
Your channel inspired me to start mine :)
My sister is scheduled to go to The Coleman Institute soon. They use Flumazenil to detox during an 8 day process. I can find no positive reviews after hours of research, however only one or two negative reviews. It is expensive. Mostly I don’t want her to be harmed or suffer because of their rapid detox. Does anyone know more about people’s experience with this radical program? I feel like she is going into it blind. Klonopin is the benzo she is addicted to. Thank you so much! 🌻
If your sister is severely dependent, not addicted but physically altered by the drugs then flumazenil as a detox could be a bad idea. It's basically an extreme cold turkey. However if she's not severely dependent and just needs to get off because she abuses klonopin and needs to focus on addiction therapy that could be different but its hard to know who's dealing with what until they begin to taper. Like Dr Wright said, try a small reduction. If she's ok that's a good sign, if it's too much and she gets horrible symptoms then personally, from the experiences I've heard about with the Coleman institute I would say she's not a good candidate for flumazenil. Really that's what the Coleman institute should instruct people to do.
Benzo Brains She is chemically altered. The Coleman Institute could indeed do her harm. You make perfect sense. I have decided after countless hours of research that she needs to work with her prescriber and a compounding pharmacy to help her with the titration of the pills (3mg!!!). I didn’t read much about working with a compounding pharmacy, it was my husband’s idea! She never feels well and needs help. Thank you so very much for your feedback! 🌻💐🌸
@@melissahorn6091 sounds like a good plan and you're welcome. Remember, not everyone responds the same to compounds or nee forms of their drug. If she becomes severely unwell after starting a micro taper using a compound remember there are other options available such as water titration and pill shaving micro methods
We need more Doctors talking and researching into this. One of my frustrations are the 'speak to your Doctor we are not physicians' disclaimers all over the benzo community.
Well we have to protect ourselves because we're not physicians and unfortunately no matter how well intentioned people are , there are those who will blame them when something goes wrong. It should be the doctors doing this, but it's mostly lay people
@@BenzoBrains I agree but it's so circular until we get more Doctors in our side, which I can see you are doing. I'm very supportive of what you are doing here and in general.
Yes, getting off of opiate's gives additional pain. Tapered off of both pain med's, still tapering off of Xanax, hopefully I make it through this. It's been since 2015. I still have more year's to go, I've managed to reduce, ahhhhhh can't do any crossovers, tried that and it made me more confused. 🤦 May Jesus God bless everyone. 🙏🙌 The suffering is really hard and that's an understatement. Thank you so much Jocelyn. I appreciate you. 💞💐🌺💮🌺
Good interview,
I believe they should be schedule 2 should be only used for alcohol withdrawal, status epileptus, and tapering.
They actually work for anxiety and he’s specialty is in family medicine and not psychiatry,so he should of been careful when giving out psych meds
This was great! And it did mean a lot...his words at the very end! Thank you for this post! 🙏🏼
Does Dr. Wright have a physical practice someone can go to?
He runs a pain and addiction focused clinic in Colorado.
@@BenzoBrains Oh, this is so disappointing. My son is still suffering after 3 yrs of use. Only 24. We live in CO but it looks like he might have retired. So disappointing.
@@happytrails699 I'm sorry. How long has he been off or is he still tapering? There are resources that have helped others. Stem cell has helped me. If you haven't watched my latest interview with the psych rehab counselor she discusses a lot of things that really helped. Maybe one of these might be an option.
@@BenzoBrains He came off Ativan and also his psych meds. He tapered the Ativan fairly well but his psych meds he came off very quickly. He is now almost 4 years off everything. He said he feels like his brain doesn't process information like it use to. His main problems are loss of emotion and the feeling of dissociation, and what he perceives as slower thought processing.
@@happytrails699 I'm sorry I know what it's like to watch your son suffer. Anhedonia and derealization were brutal after effects for me too. For me personally a ketogenic diet really helped to clear up the derealization. I know it's helped others too. If you're interested in trying the neurorecover discussed in that interview I mentioned there are 2 clinics, 1 in California and 1 in Indiana.
One item. I went to your website. It needs work . The top especially has overlapping text. I'm a digital publisher and would gladly offer my services to you and your group to help.
Thank you . Please email benzoreform so we can discuss this
@@BenzoBrains what is the email?
You can go to my contact page on my website idrver.com and send me your info
@@benzowithdrawal-robert8352 actually why don't you email your offer and info about what you do to me at jocelyn@benzoreform.org . I agree the site needs a serious upgrade but that's not my department. I'll forward your offer to the others and hopefully we can spruce it up a bit. Thanks again
I was on clonzapan teva for 20 years in June of 2018 cvs changed the manufacture to accolade from China the pharmacy never told me I saw the color change figured the manufactor just changed color and instantly I started getting a hissing in my right ear.I wasgoing through aloy lost a sibling. So I said I need to with withdraw November 2018 i took my last dose. In Feb 2019 I went back on figuring the brand name klonopin would be better but it hasn't been and I want to withdraw again. Will this get rid of my hypercusious and tinnitus?
Great info. Thank you both.
Jocelyn, I thank you for doing this work for those of Us who are suffering from Benzodiazepine withdrawal. I won't go to far into detail but I was cut off half My dose of Xanax after 25 years. I've had anxiety since I was a child and finally after being unable to leave My home, was prescribed Xanax. Always took as prescribed, never had tolerance problems. I was living! My PC Doc didn't feel right prescribing it and sent Me to a Shrink. The Shrink cut My dose of Xanax by 4 mg. and I searched for a year before I realized that I was having Akathisia from being cold Turkey off 4mg of Xanax. I cried that this Doctor here, said He was sorry for those who are suffering but He is working on it but it will be a few years away before They get it right. 😑😢 I don't think I can wait for that. I'm so suicidal, I can't take the Akathisia! It's been 29 months that I've been in horrible pain from the Akathisia! I hate the drug but I can't take the Akathisia! I just want to go back to where I was before being cut off cold Turkey! This isn't living! I'm in Hell! I don't know why I can't find a Doctor who will prescribe it for Me! I just want to live without this constant vibrating pain! I hate the drug because I know how much damage it has caused Me but I have to live and this isn't living! I'm in San Diego,Ca.. If there is a Doctor out there that will help Me, please help Me! I can't deal with this anymore! I know others who are suffering even worse than Myself and We need Help Now! Any suggestions please??!!! I'm at the end of the rope! Lord,don't send Me to Hell if I end it All! 🙏😑
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Sarah was also pretty bad. Here is the video where she talks to me about some of the resources that helped her ua-cam.com/video/ckSaWeh8ayE/v-deo.html
@@BenzoBrains
Jocelyn, Do you know where Sarah lives? I'm in San Diego Ca and I saw a number posted on her blog and I know the area code is very close to Me. I don't know if I want to believe She might be able to really Help Me! You know people move and keep the same number, so I am praying She is still here! I believe She is on to an awful lot about the body and I have had a lot of similar problems when I was younger. Thanks, I hope you respond.
is the updated workout or withdrawal Manuel out yet
I was just put back on klonopin I wish my dr had a clue what is going on with me
maybe he will listen to another doctor. show him benzoreform.org
the doctors don't know anything more than what pharmaceutical industry wants them to, take your health into your own hands, don't rely or wait on your doctor to care or make any sense with your "treatment" and just get off these toxic medications asap
I'm,tapperimy off myself
@@thomasrehder9608 Now that's smart, let him continue giving them to you, and continuing to Taper, with out him knowing, because sooner or later, he's going to take you off. Your very smart doing it this way, I wish I would of thought of that!
Wish my doctor would listen he wants me off in 4 months , I want off but not this fast that scares me, I’ve been on 12 years
As a brain tumor survivor, I was prescribed a variety of medications over the years as a means of suppressing potential seizure activity and then later on, a sudden experience in panic attacks. It's unclear to me if these panic attacks were related to my brain tumor procedure or if they would have presented themselves anyway. It's been over 30 years since that procedure and I am stuck on .5 mg of Klonopin that I am currently being very slowly being tapered off of. This slow taper is being directed by a combination of my neurologist, pcp and psychiatrist. I'm finding it very difficult to accept the slow degree of taper and at times want to accelerate that process but after listening to many speakers including Dr. Wright. it is apparent that the correct way is to go thru this process very slowly and under careful supervision. I have not been free and clear of Benzodiazepine since 1989 and although the dose is pretty low (.5mg/day ).. it's been hell to break free of this demon. I don't know how much of my thought process is compromised from this medication or if it's who I am after my medical treatment. There are moments I just want to stop cold turkey but know I cant manage to do that. My hats off to anyone that has been thru this hell and has successfully survived it. These kinds of support videos are literally and figuratively a real life savor. Thank you for examining this topic and sharing these experiences.
You're welcome. My father in law has a closed head injury from a car accident. He was put on many medications afterwards. When his insurance ran out he had to rapidly taper off them. Luckily he didn't have any major complications in doing so. He found that, while he had definitely changed, he was much better off the meds than on. I'm glad to hear you have knowledgeable and responsible doctors who are tapering you carefully. Hope this helps.
@@BenzoBrains thank you for the kind words..I'm hopeful that this long term process will be worth it and that I will regain some normalcy after all these years. Good to hear your dad is doing well too. Thank you ..hope you all have a great holiday..
When he I'm sorry... Tears❤
Are these doctors who are in aware, some how able to go to these Med Schools to help make it part of the curriculum?
That's something I've considered before. I'll ask about possibly guest lecturing or other means of influencing new doctors
In Florida need benzo wise doctor will travel out of state if necessary Where are the good doctors located? Somebody please respond!!!
Can I ask, do you have any resources for benzowise doctors in Canada? People who will see people remotely? This is such a challenge here in this country because there is literally no one!!
I'm sorry. You could try benzoinfo.com last I checked they had a provider list of benzowise doctors. Maybe there are some in Canada
Benzo Brains unfortunately there are none :( It’s such a sad situation where someone who sporadically took benzos over the course of a month and a half (14 times total) is being blamed for everything they are feeling. I feel there is such a lack of responsibility in prescribing benzos, antidepressants and z-drugs. We need more resources and people who are in the medical field who understand this!
Any way to contact you or the dr.? A quick taper question and also wondering if anyone should stay on ever-- Dr. Ashton seemed to think sometimes from my reading... after decades. thanks.
Staying on or not is a personal choice really. What's your question?
@@BenzoBrains It is too long and complex for here. Tried to contact him from phone number to no avail. I've never seen my siuation anywhere, tho, and wonder does he think everyoen should be off even if on for many decades. Ill keep searching for phone no, tho!!
What about a time release benzo time release patch ? I know it’s no such thing , but just a thought.
There are some extended release benzos but in my experience those are harder to taper because you can't make accurate reductions with them
Benzo Brains Thanks for your reply I’ve tried to quit could turkey a year ago because I’ve been on 90 1 mg Klonopin for seven years. In my three week withdrawals I felt a hot breath more times then I can count on the back of my knock, never sleep but only minutes to wake up to this evil presence,and was in not minute or hour of hour suffering but every micro second of just so much mental anguish,heart arrhythmia,and psychosis.Im not Schizophrenic or Bipolar it was totally benzo withdrawal.I sooo much appreciate everything you do and think this has been the most powerful video on benzo withdrawals.Thank you!!!
I know you can’t carry the weight of everybody and I really have no support as they just don’t only psychopaths have no symptoms.Thats a different story
Welcome back ❤
Thank You for all you do.. God bless both of you.
Thank you for doing this. I guess my concern listening to this is the "hold" approach when distressing symptoms crop up. What I found when I held was that I went into severe tolerance and it just continued to get worse. Then picking up the taper, I was only able to reduce miniscule amounts without way worse symptoms. I should have continued tapering. I know everyone is different, however, and that some do well with holding for a few months. Just not my experience.
I'm sorry you experienced that, definitely each experienced varies which is why tapers need to be tailored to each individual patient.
Can I get temporary disability for 13 years of taking 8mg a day prescribed and I don't want to lose my career. I'm scared! I can't take this much longer. I don't know what to do.
This might be a good question to ask in a support group. I'm not familiar with how disability works
I tapered off a 2 mg. Klonopin usage (26 year) over a 5 month period - per my HMO. Now I am almost 4 month totally off & the Horrible effects have gotten worse. I think my Doctor has "thrown me under the bus." as he does not have a clue. How do I proceed at this point? I heard from testimonials that is will get better - However - what should I do at this point? Thank You for your efforts - benzo brains. SINCERELY.
How are you now?
@@PatrickA1 Terrible. I am almost 1 1/2 yrs out now & this is absolutely horrible. Can't drive. By God's grace I can sleep at night. we have to remember I was on Klonopin for 26 years - plus other things. @ 65 years of age & being paralyzed & in a wheelchair for 46 years now & having had 18 major surgeries I am about ready for the bone pile. But I am a fighter - my parents lived into their 90's so I do have the indomitable will to live. I hope that God will see me thru this. I am willing to give my research facts - so that others possibly will be helped by my story. Jocelyn is really helping all of us out here. We owe her a debt of gratitude & also our continued feedback and support if possible. SINCERELY.
I have a question regarding my current situation with benzo
Can you guys help me please?
I don’t think my psychiatrist understands benzos!
I'd be happy to address any questions you may have
@@BenzoBrains well I am in a very frustrating situation. My psychiatrist doesn't think I'm stable and we'll enough yet to be off the Benzo, but I would prefer to come off since noticing weird symptoms like a bloated stomach That Won't go away for the last month+, and recently now heart palpitations and I know this is directly linked to the benzo, it has to be.
I have never had a bloated stomach for this long before usually if I do it lasts a day and then goes away. I have been taking 0.25mg klonopin before bed for the last six months or so, and every time I bring this up to my psychiatrist she says not to worry about it so much, that it won't be that difficult to come off because we will do a slow taper, which I know is bs from her because I've seen many videos of people really struggling even on small doses. I don't know what to do!
Does anyone know if there is a good pill cutter (Klonopin 😢) for micro-titration?? I searched a bit online to no avail.
If you're going to be doing a micro taper then I wouldn't recommend a pill cutter as it's not accurate enough. Please look at my How to Taper video and the resources under that for more info on how to do micro cuts. To do it properly you will need a jewel scale and a razor blade. You can get the scale on Amazon
I am just in question. As a user of benzo and only the name brand Valium. (The Generics don't seem to work as well) I use 5mg to a max of 10mg a day. I am 70 years young and have been doing this for 32 years. I know that everyone of us is different. So my primary question in hopes maybe you can help a little. How much damage have I done to my body? OK for the last couple of years I have had extensive blood work every year. The only thing I was low on last year was vitiman D. My former doctor no longer takes Medicare. Finding another is almost impossible. This new doctors has put me on Gabapenyin 100mg 2 times a day. Been taking a few weeks and finding way to many problems and side effects (You know another miracle drug) I just discontinued. Can you maybe let me know what you might think on the damage this might have done. This doctor is trying to take me completely off benzo, I did not ask. Funny as I look at my self and say. If I could never die I could have never lived. Maybe you ask Dr. Wright as I can't find him Google. A common name. I am also going over your other youtubes you have great info. Kindly
Hi watch my tapering videos and develop your own plan so your doctor doesn't try to take you off too fast. There's no way to know how damaged you may or may not be. I wouldn't worry about it. Just start a slow taper and do your best. If things get hard there may be some things that help. I will try to put out a video on these as soon as possible
@@BenzoBrainsI have and they are Grrrrrrrrrrr8 and very formal. Thank you so much for getting back to me. However, my problem is I see at my age really not tapering any more. When and if I am ready I will ask a good medical doctor for advice.(If I can find one) At my age it is delicate and YES I watch the things my body goes through. This new Doc I am dumping is crazed with success and not caring about death. She put me on Gabapentin. I never asked for this, I know she does not know how many deaths have happened in the first month of using. In less than a months’ time I have so many symptom’s that reference interaction of this newer so called wonder drugs that does not work for me. I dumped it yesterday and still feel the mosquitoes biting me and there are none. She does not listen and I have to force repeat myself let her know she is not listening. Hey you are not listening. Also through the decades I am the one who has reduced the meds. Even after surgery's I am the one who cuts the meds. I explain that I do not like the high and it interferes with my thinking etc.
They love me for this and my doctor has always been ecstatic when he sees me reduce.
The worst part SHE does not have any of my medical record has not requested blood work or a physical. She is just guessing on the kaleidoscope vision in a chronological Pharmacology.
I am on Medicare and my doctor no longer can see me. It has been a long hard road. I cannot find Dr. Wright. Looked him up on Google and there are a lot LOL. If I could talk with him maybe he can pass it on to them. Or maybe even talk to me. Hell that is if they will listen to him.
As you might see I could use any help possible in finding a good doctor that accepts Medicare.
Kindly and respectful to you and yours keep up the good work
Safe tapering must be careful & slow, even from 5mg Valium. Most doctors don't know that
tapers must be months; sometimes years. Too fast injures neurons. Maybe the safe choice
is to stay on it after 32 years. 5mg Valium is not so bad if you don't need to increase it.
@@tedd_blackk Agreed completely. However most are QUAKS today. Through the years I have reduced meds and my former doctor was always impressed. This new doc (my other no longer excepts Medicare) is a know it all. Does not have my medical records, have no blood work or a physical. This is crazy want me stop immediately and let's try another new wonder drug. Tried for 3 1/2 weeks. Had 85% of the symptoms (Bad) is now a good reason to quit taking. I will fire her next visit and like the little lady said here take someone with you. Years ago believe it or not I refused to see doctors. My choice was a friend who is a Veterinarian. Best Doc ever had. Figure if my dog could not explain the problem and he could figure it out. He could help me without the drugs. LOL Sorry as I am rambling
@Tim Tully Wow how many times a day were you taking the 10 mg? Was it for aniexty or?
Please help me I'm going through withdrawal so bad
There are online support groups. Go to benzobrains.com for resources ❤️
Can you get WD just from taking 1mg of klonopin for 2 weeks only
Yes you can
@@BenzoBrains ok what would be a good ween off schedule ???
She looks like a lobbiest
Doesn't he still prescribe psychiatric meds though still?
Four weeks!?!?!?!?, I've been on 3mg of Klonopin since 2000.
2mg since 1990
Where is the good doctor located?
www.benzoinfo.com/doctors/
My Doctor would prescribe me (360 pills) with 3 refills!
Whoa that's insane!
@@BenzoBrains I quit by myself. I surprisingly didnt fo through any brutal withdrawl. I guess I was lucky.
@@johnkerkalis6310 that's really great to hear well done
@@johnkerkalis6310 How long were you on it ?
@@LAZAELV 25 years!
so if you didn't get off slow then you wont heal?
No everyone heals, but that process is different for everyone and how long and hard a road it is may be affected by the way I'm which you taper. Anecdotally, people who cold turkey or rapid taper who also happen to be severely injured seem to have acute symptoms of withdrawal for longer periods of time.
My doctor prescribed them like Candy.
that's awful
@@BenzoBrains He added so many patients that I would have to wait an hour and a half just to see him. He then began to prescribe 3 month supplies of Clonazepam along with 3 refills. Nice doctor huh lol!
@@johnkerkalis6310 whoa well I guess he made good money that way. I hope you're ok.
@@BenzoBrains I'm off off Clonazepan. He then offered me to try Lorazepam. I told him no. He wasn't happy. These doctors get paid extra to prescribe these drugs. It's pathetic.
Who can help me
If my doctor was to cut me off my Klonopin I would completely be unable to function, I have ran out for 2 days, was so anxiety stricken after the first day that I didn't think I would even be able to drive to office to get my refills! Only on 1mg a day, in the mornings. But have been taking them for around 15 years! I was put on them for anxiety way back, it was bad anxiety, like tunnel vision, palpations, severe dizziness, I couldn't even drive. I can now but not without the Klonopin. Still have anxiety at times, anything that comes up out of the ordinary, like a long road trip, unexpected company, basically anything.
And I don't crave Klonopin, I don't even realize that I am on them unless I run out for a day or two. That's when I realize my body, brain needs them to function
@@mikel4526 thanks for the advice!
The good news is, because you've been on for so long, it's likely the klonopin isn't even treating your anxiety and you've gotten better on your own. At this point the klonopin is probably just staving off the symptoms of rebound anxiety and things that it causes when taken long term. So if you do a very slow micro taper, as I show in my videos, you may find your anxiety is much improved post taper, and possibly even as you taper.
@@kaykay0038 , I am like you. I have been on klonopin 25 yrs. I do not abuse it or try to get refills to soon. And now all the sudden my doctor just told me the other day she wants me to get off them. I can't do it. I've tried before 3 times.
@@mikel4526 , oh yes, I believe you. My own doctor just told me that some pharmacies are refusing to fill them. She gave me a 3 month script, so I have already gone down 25 % from 1 mg to . 75 in one week. I have been forced off them before in 2,004, 2,008 and 2,011. This time I am already doing it myself before it's done to me. Dear God, help me.
should a nurse and or dr tell ya go cold turkey im scared hellish benzo I took for years she just told me couple days ago and ive had detachment from GOD and myself
Its irresponsible to ever advise someone to cold turkey a benzo. Your response sounds like a common one to rapid cessation. If you can get back on and do a slower taper it may help.
It's not all bad some b people need them an now more people than ever are resorting to getting drugs and medicines that they need to survive over the internet and from shady drug dealers which is intern also making more and more people die so I believe that we need to actually start giving back to the people who really need them and who are trying to go through the system to get them the right way but as always as soon as you bring it up the stereotypical doctor will always say oh no it's a drug addict he's trying to just get drugs no it's not the way it's been it's something that we the people who have lived with ourselves for our whole lives are always always always facing and having to deal with this on our own just like depression just like suicide all of that all that could be basically eradicated if we were allowed to get the medicines that we so desperately need and these new laws are making it harder for us to get them so we have to resort to either the black market or buying them off the street and therefore that's where the overdoses are starting to happen because of shady Grove eaters that are selling those fake drugs so really which would rather have somebody was getting them from the right person who's getting the right drugs or somebody who might go to your dealer and get rat poison there has to be a way for us to somehow get our medications that we so desperately need and not be faced with so much criticism and always the thought that we're just drug dealers so I have lived with my depression anxiety and anxiety attacks for my whole life never knowing what they were because I am from a Hispanic family where they preach you know tough it out all of that often causing me to think of suicide or attempts and all of that so that is why I am so interested and so trying to get everybody to realize that we really need to get these medicines that are so desperately needed to be depressed the anxiety attacked people the people who are experiencing anxiety attacks and basically trapped in their own mind and in their own homes I need nobody believes them which is leading to even more deaths doctors only go off what we say but yet we often do not know the words or things to say to the doctor that will show them because nobody teaches us and therefore in the end doctors believe that oh they're just trying to get high which is not the case so I ask if anybody agrees please like and if y'all have any answers or ways for us to either get the prescription or somehow find a doctor who will really listen to us and not just throw us into the bus to think that we are another drug addict would be great because that is what we really need thank you
It's true, no one should be forced off their meds and led down that path. It's true that some people's bodies and brains word differently. It's also true that you can still heal from all of that and the life experiences that have led to where you are right now
www.madinamerica.com/2020/09/seeds-hope-journey-toward-truth-about-psych-drugs/
A person should go to a psychiatrist to get a psych meds not a family doctor
Why is a family doctor writing scripts for psych meds? Aren’t you supposed to go to a psychiatrist for that?
Unfortunately no, any prescriber can give a patient psych meds
@@BenzoBrains yea but why go to see someone who doesn’t specialize in psych meds? It’s like going to an Cardiologist to treat cancer.
This video was nothing more than a useless conversation. Where is the "recipe" for getting a patient off of a prescribed benzo? Some patients think they are married to me and I must continue to prescribe their benzos. I have dramatically changed my prescribing habits. Now, it's time to get the "hanger's-on" off of these drugs.
There is no recipe per se but you can learn best practices for withdrawal at benzoreform.org which is the non profit Dr Dr Wright works with. Much of the information we have on Benzodiazepine withdrawal is based on the Ashton Manual. I have an entire video series on it included here ua-cam.com/play/PLiYfSj-zJmtdFcNDVbMgug8YlGI7Jdm80.html
Or you can go to benzo.uk.org/manual and read it. You sound very frustrated. Remember that your patients aren't just frustrated, they're terrified. Fearing he hell of benzo withdrawal is not about laziness. It's a brutal process for many and some may have already tried getting off without telling you and found it to be excruciating. You can help minimize their suffering by providing proper tapering guidance. But the number 1 ingredient in the a successful taper recipe is that it must be patient directed and no patient should be forced off. They have to believe it's possible. If they believe it will ruin or end their lives it probably will.
Tzipporah V typical response
Benzo Brains Thank you for all you do! 🌹
@@NoName-pu5ls you're welcome :)