BENZO DETOX MYTHS. What To Do and NOT to do when detoxing off Benzos| Benzo Detox
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- Опубліковано 26 лис 2024
- Here are the BIG MYTHS about Benzo Detox! Dr. Ken Starr, an Addiction Medicine Specialist, discusses the Big Myth about detoxing off benzodiazepines like Xanax , Valium or Clonazepam. Detox off benzo's slowly, carefully and under the care of an expert who understands these challenges.
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Been on Benzos for 15 years. I've tried detox twice, only to find out that the people had no idea how to help me there. Unfortunately u cant just get off benzos in 7 days. U need to taper off slowly or u will go through hell for no reason. It's a battle, but its 1 that u can win if u stick to it and dont give up! Best of luck to all who are fighting this battle!!
I got off it cold turkey
@@jesseaguilar9806 your one of the lucky ones
been Xanax since 1995!! following aneurysm brain surgery...My tolerance became soooo high that my daily dose was around 80 mg of Xanax plus sleeping pills /retard Xanax and normal ones/ around 2007 the same doctors decided that brrrr I needed to taper biweekly with 0.25 mg...it did not work even after 4-5 months still had seizures, vomiting, personalised, psychosis, no sleep at all, freezing, sweating, diaherra, shaking very visible and so on. an opioid withdrawal is a walk in the park. comparing to that. I got a bunch of meds like antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants but I was not functioning.lf I want something I do it but it was something else. Last time my psychiatrist prescribed me quetiapine and 2 kind of anticonvulsants and an antipsichotic med. And a day I found myself without brain, I mean I forgot to eat and drink then forgot my name, my address, the date I spent 4 months in a private clinic on infusions and all we were able to finally achieve to stop Xanax and got 2mg of Klonopin and with tear and sweat /literally/ now I am on 10 mg of Valium and antidepressant but seizures disappeared, OK I am not an angel I had a life but at the same time I always had a decent job and I had to hide it as well. It was an uphill struggle and that is an understatement. Now I do not want to taper it more. 10 mg of Valium is tiny tiny like 0.5 mg Xanax but I can use my brain, and if I would have known in 95 that Xanax was so addictive I would never ever ever even look at that medication. But the brain surgery was shocking and all those things and I was down had PTSD panick attack depression so doctors prescribed it to me. By now I am not innocent and I know how big pharma works but in 1995 I had no clue. PS. I never ever used it to get high. Never. I wanted to release my anxiety and be able to work and learn. So I feel ou dear.
Really lucky , but I find if u try not to really think about the bad side u can get thru it ,
It’s not fn easy …
I did it!!! I'm free of Xanax following your advice tapering really slowly and slightly withdrawal symptoms.Thank you so much!❤
I take them and I'm slowly getting off them too I have seizures from them. I had seizures a different type when I was a kid I had absent seizures. tonic clonic seizures
How did you do it?
With due respect Dr Starr,I followed a very succesful 10 days inpatient Benzo detox program ( not in your clinic) and actualy had my life saved resulting from it! Some said my wd’s would return…its been 5 fantastic years since! ❤
I think it would be helpful to explain how you achieved this. 99% of patients and
Benzo specialist MD would find this unbelievable.
@@Pocketpowerplant Simple, it was a 10 days NADIV inpatient program. VERY HARD first week but well monitored with extraordinary staff. Woke up in my room the eight day wanting to live the first time in 9 months!!!
NAD IV…placebo effect? Real proven results, roll of dice?…don’t know and tbh don’t care! The thing I care tough is if it wasn’t for it, I would have been dead right now as I survived before it three suicide attempts!
Would a poster boy for it ANYTIME!
@@sylvaincampeau6266 What were you on dosage, and how long?
@@sylvaincampeau6266 What were you on dosage, and how long?
@@sylvaincampeau6266you got lucky. That is Russian Roulette. I’m severely injured 44 mths off Klonopin and I have chronic akathisia, dystonia, TD in my face and tongue, severe tinnitus, anhedonia and a host of other neurological tardive madness. Don’t fear seizure and death, fear things you have to try and live with. I’ve lost over 20 friends who were 2,4,9, even 13 years off to akathisia and other medication injuries. Antidepressant withdrawal also causes these injuries.
I recently had a friend try to talk me into going to a rehab! People do not understand that a slow taper is the best way. She thinks I do not want to stop.
You can heal, I agree with the doctor I've been off benzo's for benzos for over 14 years
Prescribed 1 mg of klonopin 4 times a day; on them 4 years. never took more that 2 a day, mostly 1 a day. I tapered down for 3 1/2 months and I was very determined to get off of them. I never took them because I wanted to get high and I say this because, I think that fact helped me to stay strong when withdrawal symptoms got intense. I have been completely off of benzos for 3 months and I never will ever touch them again! However, a month after I quit I started having sleepless nights and really intense anxiety with heart palpitations about the same time I used to take my benzo. Also, my blood sugar is higher and so is my blood pressure. On a more positive note, I quit having memory problems which is great, because I am a public speaker. God bless and strengthen you all for success!
Xoxo!!!!
YES! The return of memory is amazing! Happy to hear your success story!
So after you tapered down for 3 months it took you one month to feel normal or you didn’t sleep for a month?
Exercise helps greatly. Glad you beat it ⭐️⭐️⭐️💯💯💯
How did you get a doctor to prescribe that much?
I've been on xanax for 11 years 2mg twice daily, you absolutely CANNOT get off benzos in a short period no way on earth, if you have serious panic or anxiety disorder switch to a long acting benzo or start taking an SSRI then start slowly decreasing the benzo by literally tiny tiny doses over a long period.
Always remember, IT DOES MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES, i cannot stress that enough, dont rush it, as long as you're not going backwards, take your time even if it takes you years to get taper down to almost nothing, that's how it works it will take at least a year or two, but the time frame does not matter, what matters is that you stick to it and as long as you're taking less and less than that's what you should be proud of..
Remember, it took you years to build this benzo tolerance and dependence, it will take you a long time to reverse that.
Last note, do not even think about the time frame, just make sure you stick to your tapering doesn't matter how long it takes, better doing it right then wasting months doing it wrong and relapsing.
Bless you all whoever is going through this, my doctor ignorantly just threw xanax at me when I had 2 major panic attacks which ended up I'm hospital thinking I was dying, but he didn't care he thought the next doctor can deal with my issue, 11 years later I'm still living a somewhat normal life but with the dark secret of xanax everyday.
Hope this gives you some encouragement AND reality on getting off benzos.
I was on Clonazepam for 17 years (between 0.5 to 2mg per night) and I was able to taper the dose and quit in 8 weeks.
Your doctor should have access to the tapering schedule and the substitute medication to help ease off.
I had minimal withdrawal symptoms even after 17 years of use. Some people have trouble, others don't have that much.
Congrats. Any vitamins you took to ease the symptoms?
I've been on .5mg for 15 years im trying to find a supplement or another med. What did you find that took the place of clonazepam?
Mine says "there is no schedule" wants me off .5 down a day till done.....
No other docor will intervene and i have a week left of medication
I've been on it for 7 MONTHS and withdrawing it is a real HELL. U r Lucky . Bless u
How are you doing now- we’re you on anything else that helped?
FIVE YEARS out of this INSANE NIGHTMARE! There’s NO SUCH THING AS A BENZO DETOX! Praying for you all!
Yes there is I've been there
I agree! And it is scarey and cruel
I hope you found a way to be off
@@jesseaguilar9806 THERE IS NO SUCH THING as the person said ahd this is due to the fact tapering someone using only 5 days won't work.
@@gamingwithkev8208 thats your theory
Thank you. You seem like a good doctor, and I'm close to thinking no such thing exists.
It took me years, but I successfully made Xanax part of my past. 2mg every 6 to 8 hours for 6 years... Stopped for the duration of a pregnancy (which nearly killed me) then returned to 2mg every 8 hours for almost 8 years. Then, I began to taper very, very, very, (I cannot stress this enough) VERY gradually for a period of 2½ years. I hung onto .5mg (first once a day, then every other day...) for probably longer than I needed to, but I think that's the secret. The taper needs to be 100% up to the patient. I set no rules for myself, no deadlines.
I've been off completely for 3 years.
If you're trying, just know there is no one-size-fits-all "method" to this madness. Take your time. It doesn't have to be painful. If it takes you a year, two years, five years... You CAN do it.
Thank u needed to hear that
@@qbzone7649 so did I. thank you and I'm so happy you made, I will too.
I was on klonopin 0.5 for 15 years before bedtime.. I always took less than 0.5.. tapered for 18 months ,now it is a week of end of taper and its not that bad... DIET, EXERCISE, NO SUGAR, COLD SHOERS . WIM HOF BREATHING METHOD, NO JUNK FOOD EVER !!! has help a lot
May I ask how your doing now? I’ve been on klonopin 1 mg for a year and want to taper off. What is WIM HOF breathing?
@@mcsquared2769 I tapered for 18 months... I used the milk titration..CRAZY CANUCK" he has 4 videos watch them.. he also tapered off of 1 mg klonopin... WIM HOF is on You TUBE check him out great for withdrawals
Least this guy did his homework !
I cold turkeyed Klonopin And oxy same time and I was thrown into the pits of Dante's inferno for over 2 yrs I'm yr 3 out and finally slowly it's starting to break how am Im alive I'll never know
I love this. Everytime I google a “benzo taper” its all ads for rehabs. WTF!! I have been successful (so far) dropping from 10 mg Ativan per day to 4mg. I reduce my dose after feeling fine for a bout a week - tiny reduction in the dose. The only side effects I’ve had are insomnia, a little more anxiety, BUT I’m losing weight - feel better - and actually feel less anxious most of the time. I plan on taking my time until I can use the benzo 2 or 3 days per week - I will NOT stop forever. These drugs saved my life. I dont drink alcohol - it made me crazy (although wine with a benzo was lovely) - Good luck everyone. Make your taper a marathon NOT a sprint.
I can't imagine. I'm still suffering benzo damage six years off one mg of Ativan taken as needed. But I kindled several times. You may be one of the lucky ones. All the best to you. How are you doing?
What did u do to wean off benzo?
@@morningwithgracie7870 Hi, I am still weaning off. Basically, I SLOWLY decreased my dosage. I chipped away at the pills (a 1/4 a pill less for weeks), then I would go lower and lower. Life happens and sometime I had to increase my dose for a few days and then drop down to where I left off. Right now, I’m down to about 2mg a day. I purposely do it slowly so I don’t have side effects. Good luck to you. Take your time and don’t be hard on yourself. These drugs really helped me worth my anxiety. I plan on taking them for life, hopefully not daily. .
I was off benzos for a year or so and then I relapsed using benzos for less than two weeks and immediately went into the WORST withdrawal of my life. This was my 3rd or 4th benzo withdrawal in less than 5 yearsa
Kindling is no joke and I dont hear enough people talking about it.
@@yaboy7120 your body picks up right where it left off your brain doesn’t forget
I've been on benzo's since 1994. I'm still on 6 mgs of Xanax a day. I experienced the most horrific detox for 10 days in the hospital with Covid and they weren't giving me my meds. I was hiding in the bathroom at the hospital because I was having hallucinations and I thought the doctor wanted to kill me. I was scared out of my mind. 30 years of this and to do that to me while I had Covid on top of it all. I talked to the Psychiatrist in the hospital over the phone. They should have known what was going on with me. That I was in the throes of withdrawal. They actually sent me downstairs for a brainscan. I was being abused and gaslite from these crazy roommates. They are the one's who called the hospital and they lied and said I was all doped up. The doctors in the ER kept asking me if I could have accidentally taken an extra pill that day. I told them the truth, that I had only taken 1 1/2 pills. instead of 6 mgs, so far that day, I hadn't taken the otherc1/2 of my 2nd dose or my 3rd dose. They said my blood levels were high. I said, I bet they are, I've been on them for 30 years. It ended up that when I finally go back home, those roommates tore up my entire room. They had made keys to my safe another time. But my moving money $1200.00 was in my safe when I left and when I got back, it was gone. Every last dollar. Thankfully I made it out of there alive. During this hilacious detox, I was so paranoid. I couldn't eat for 6 days. I was afraid to sleep either, because they kept trying to get me to take one of those poisonous Vaccines and so I felt like I had to keep guard. My eyes, after 4 days were beet red and hurt. I was jolting and jerking uncontrollably. I don't wish this on anyone, not even those roommates. God help anyone who has to go through this. I pretty much know I would die, if I was forced off of them.
Jesus Tracey i hope you are ok, sounds like a horror film what you,ve just said, you need to try a find a doctor that cares which is hard these days
@@paulbillington8290, Yes, you are right about that. It was like being in a horror film, except it was real. I live in Pennsylvania and after 30 years of being on these, I think they should have an option to be " Grandfathered" in and it would have to be the patients who want to get off of them.
@@traceyrychewhite1874 I,m glad you are still with us, i,m on 55 mgs of street bought valium, been on for about 3 years but drink a little bit with them which iv,e been told is not good but i,ve cut the drink wey down and trying to slowly taper the valium, do you think ive got a fighting chance?
Am so sorry
This doc got me off benzodiazepines after 15 years of being on this stuff since the military. After trying cold turkey and it was a nightmare. I found him after doing research. Was not fun but was not the end of the world! 5mg daily to 0!
Who is and where is your doctor? Thank you
@@zinahoward5689 Ken Starr this doctor in the video- he was great - one thing of note if you are not in California he can still do a consult and talk about it and the best way to be successful - in my experience I think it was called the Allison protocol or something- Dr Starr was very good to me.
Thank you. Did you taper slowly? I’m losing speech and need help fast!
@@zinahoward5689 I followed the taper plan that is outlined by doctor Starr I would give a doctor a call - while rough I did not lose speech - I wish you the best but I would put in a call to a doctor
Yeah you told me I forgot
What is NAD?
Why should one get off of Benzos if it makes you feel much better? People take BP and Insulin to make them feel better.
I've taken 1 to 3 .5 mg tablets of Xanax for over 20 years.
Normally just one tablet a day.
Sometimes you have no choice. Doctors will pull patients off cold turkey with zero knowledge of the damage they're causing.
Some people get off easy some horrible time, my daughter off in 2 months after 10 years on 2 mg , me been trying for 5 years , taking .125 to .250 per day down from 2 mg per day been on 20 yrs, go super slow is best advice, so sorry for everyone trying to get off especially people who had a Dr slam the door that is despicable.
I only take .50 valium in the a.m and p.m for hyperactive disorder. They really help me focus but even at 51 yes my brain still trainwrecks through any day the year... I can not miss a day of them and recently the doctoe I seen forever just retired and NO ONE will refill my script. Wth? No new doctors think I even need it. Its a pain management for me as well my back is destroyed from 34 years of full journeyman in floorcovering. I need these things and I dont have them and so I being forced to detox. And I am here listening to y'all talkin' about tapering down. I didnt see this coming (his retirement) so soon. He is old. Lol. Okay well... hey! Kratom. And lots of water. But I cant sleep and my anxiety is insane. I am trippin' hate it.
But you all are giving me hope. I just wish I could. Back up a few months and cut them in halfs and quarters. Thus would be more acceptable. Note I am HIGHLY sensitive to substances. So that is why .5 is my key area. And that's low. But my brain has ALWAYS needed it to be productive in any given day. Lol Ugh.
He's describing the ashton manual, which -- if you're in the USA, good luck with that. If you go to a provider and tell them you're addicted to benzos and want a script for valium so that you can taper, they'll laugh at you and tell you to go fuck yourself. Even worse, the inpatient benzo detoxes here almost always use phenobarbital, which is one of the worst medications ever brought on the market for human beings. It causes all kinds of horrible side effects like psychosis, dementia, memory loss, etc. It also barely even does anything for benzo withdrawal symptoms!
You're describing my situation perfectly. I asked my psych for a valium taper. He insists I can just cut my temazepam from 15 to 7.5 . Just to further reiterate he said that 15mg is actually a safe stopping dose. I have no idea what to do...
My provider retired and it took months to find another. I asked him once if he was familiar with Dr. Ashton. Nope. Never heard of her. WTF??? My new guy is pretty cool. When I worked from home during covid I reduced from 5MG's of clonazepam to 2.6mgs. It was not fun. Seems I'm at a point any more is hell. So my new doc does not see why it really needs to be done. But will be supportive if I want to. Fyi. I tapered with a scale and by grinding up the meds. I reduced a tiny bit at a time. The scales are not expensive nor are the capsules. Amazon. Good luck. The medical community can be vicious. My X doc had zero backups. But I have been squirreling away meds for years.
When I make a reduction or cut I feel crap and have side effects for a good 1O days ...then I start to feel bit brighter, and then do another cut at 14 days and around and around we go
I use to abuse benzodiazepines and took around 6 mg a day of Xanax. I agree with him on how to get off of them. I reduced my daily dose by .25 every 2 weeks until I got down to 1mg of Xanax and then I switched to 10mg Valium and reduced my dose by 2.5 mg every couple of weeks. When I finally stopped all together, I still suffered the withdrawal symptoms of rebound anxiety and rebound panic attacks for roughly 3 or 4 weeks but I really believe it would have been SOOO much worse if I had quit cold turkey. It was a long process and every time I reduced my dose, I’d suffer a few days of rebound anxiety again, which wasn’t fun but it was tolerable & I didn’t have any seizures or die so that was nice & a huge WIN!!! Plus I don’t have month long black outs, nor do I wake up and play “count the bruises” from when I ‘d mix with whiskeys & I’d spent the previous evening as a pinball, running into everything and everyone.
Great advice. That's exactly what I recommend. Thank You
Your story is my exact story and I am going to try your method, only difference is I also suffer from two massive brain damage wrecks lost half my skull to titanium plates 8 strokes lost my wife, my family, my career, have attempted suicide many times, have horrible anger, have been attempted to be murdered 3 times in the last 6 moths due to scaring people 😢💔🙏😞.
Are you guys taking any supplements for your CNS during tapering? My legs & back hurt, my entire body since I tried to taper. Thanks you guys so much for sharing
One of the few, smart professionals involved in this topic. Thx.
Jennifer, how long were you taking 6mg of xanax, that is one hell of an amount, you have done well to get off them, i,m just starting a taper off 60mg of street valium so i hope it is valium because i,ve heard it is possible to taper.
Tapering can be hell aswell especially if your already in tolerance.. im 54 days off klonopin and its been hell . None of my doctors understand and think everything is in my head . 54 days and i feel like im still in acute .. pvcs,pots,servere anxiety, stomach disturbances/gi issues ,hbp ,intrusive thoughts the list goes on .
feeling better?
Ditto my friend, you just don,t know what to expect, hope you get through it
Yeah when I've been to impatient programs. They keep you there just long enough for the withdrawal to get really going. You come out much worse than you went in
Slow withdrawal from a long half life form like valium ... I think the best. I did it ... still took a year to get free and then some to heal.
Scary scary stuff I did it twice cold turkey after being on them for 5 years and I went insane, also if attaches itself to every part of your central nervous system and withdrawal effects for me lasted a couple years but for that 1st 2 or 3 weeks I was a babbling crazy person, the person, I was also detoxing from opiates cold turkey at the time, Dangerous stuff
5 months post last klonopin dose and my brain is still healing. I had to make several lifestyle changes to include zero caffeine after noon. I competed a 10 month taper from 1mg to .0625mg daily.
Look into Agamtine sulfate, I'm waiting on it coming off kratom because the CNS gets used to it and the mental withdrawal is the worse. Amino acids help get the brain back to a healthy balance
Pure Evil...never start these!!!!😳
I’m goin through it right now and this is absolute hell!!! I quit cold turkey n I feel like I’m losing my mind. There is no real help out there!!! What kind of doctor would prescribe these?!!!! A Quack! I don’t have cravings at all. Just mental pain n physical pain. I quit a week ago. Bye
Wow u a brave one...unless youre on them on short term you cant just go cold turkey
@conquernremind408 I Was prescribed 4 mgs Klonopin and 6 mgs Xanax per day for 25 years and the Antidepressant Doxepin. I was forced to Cold Turkey, had horrible bed ridden withdrawals for about 2 months. Started to slowly feel better from the withdrawals but rebound anxiety was still bad. A few months later out of nowhere and completely unexpected, severe Protracted Withdrawals set in. Now 8 years later and still in Protracted Withdrawals (BIND). More Ignorant Doctors thought they could fix this by putting me back on 2 mg Klonopin a day and Prozac. Totally Backfired. Now it's all worse and now have Akathisia. Non stop moving and pacing and a few times a day have the horrible mental terrors that are straight from Hell!
I always took my medications exactly as Prescribed by ignorant doctors and this is how I end up. Akathisia is undescribable and total torture!
Prescribed alprazolam 35 years ago 6/10/12mg, started weaning of 2019. 2022/2023 2.25mg hopefully the worst part is over 🇨🇦❤️🌎
I'm sorry to say but...the worst part is still to come.Its not the weaning from high dose to a lower dose that is the challenge,its the low dose to none that will be very challenging.
how you doing now? Don’t listen to Vasile. It’s not that way for everyone.
It’s odd because I was detoxed off 1mg of klonapin in a detox center for other drugs. I had a rough few days but that was it. Years later my anxiety returned like vengeance so I was put back on 1mg. I started running daily and cut back to .5mg with no issues. I stopped running and stress and anxiety returned and back to 1mg daily. A few years later I got a new doctor that said I need to come off them so I slowly tapered over a 6 month period and got completely off. A couple months off them I started having chronic non stop panic attacks, depersonalization, depression and OCD. I was put back on 1mg again but it wasn’t helping much with my panic attacks, etc. I battled for almost 4 years and overcame all my anxiety issues but I’m still on 1mg of klon a day at bedtime. Now I have to decide at age 57 is it worth even trying to taper off or just live with it. I would really love to be drug free but I feel like I’m running out of time.
That is my story. I was on 5mg's a day of Klonopin. I did taper during covid. I was working from home. Still had to tell my boss. She knew I was in trouble. I have been on it since 1990. I took an emery board to the pills, taking a tiny amount each time. I kept all the dust. But at 2.6MGs it become so hard to do. My doc retires, with no backup or support. Nobody would prescribe. FINALLY found someone. He thinks at my age (67) getting off would do more damage than good. I can still taper down some if I want but he's being supportive. Of course, if he moves I'm screwed again. The United States SUCKS at mental health.
I couldn't agree with you more. I was pulled off 12 years of klonopin put immediately on pheno-barbs and given a 7 day taper while also tapering off of Suboxone! A nightmare and a criminal act I should have sued for. This was at Promises. Anyway good sir, would this also apply to a 3 or 4 month Valium dependency 15-20 mg a day? I'm trying to get off of it in preparation for Ketamine, as benzos can have a dampening effect on Ketamine efficacy. I'm considering doing a 5 day inpatient but on the fence.
I have been on benzo now 20 years, I try to get off with MD support I read and followed so many youtubes stories of how to taper detox to GET-OFF ..etc that was 10 yrs ago . Now there seem to be a NEW GENERATION STAY-ON
You can do it. There are ways
@@KenStarrMDWellnessGroupwhat way plz
Lorazepam, benzoyl are now in near future will be not allow from Dr's to precripe to patients.
I need help!! I have been on lorezpam since 1998 from my Dr that I saw back then. Now Dr I am seeing for mental health is needing me to tamper off slowly. The only problem is I have only 3 months left August. I just got told from my Dr in April two months ago I need to tamper off. I am on 2mg and then 1 MG
How can I do this??? I have 3 months to be off. I need more time maybe 6 month at most. I can not do this on my own
Thank you
I need professional help and to find proper therapy to train my brain to function properly when anxiety hits me and also this medication helps my muscles to relax but not bad away.
Been on .05 for about 5 months. I'm going to do 1/2 my. Pill from now on to see how it works since I haven't been on them real long.
Hello, I was admitted to a rehab 7 years ago this coming Feb. I was a 55 year old female. I had been prescribed xanax between 16 and 17 years. I was up to 5 doses a day. They stopped them immediately while treating me with phenobarbitol for 6 days I believe. As you can imagine, it was a living hell!!! With that being said, I have stayed off of them for almost 7 years. I still have withdrawal symptoms to this day. I try to live with these day by day. It is a struggle but I have no options. I live alone and spend the majority of my ti e alone. I cant' tolerate being in public places with much noise for very long. The buzzing in my head and body vibrations are still painful. I'm thankful that I've made it this long!!
Hi Ken, Thank you for your work and helpful information!
I’ve been on .5mg of Klonopin unfortunately for about 20 years. I’m seeing conflicting info on using amino acids and Passion flower and other herbs during tapering. Are these generally helpful to the brain in recovery from benzo use and would it be ok if I used them to help with withdrawal?
What you're missing here is some people, like my wife, struggle immensely with tapering off slowly. With severe Akathishia. Very debilitating. Over a year now for her. Some people suffer from this for many years after getting off their meds.
I don't want to come off valium because it helps me in ways no other medicines can but I am being forced to now because no doctors will prescribe it probably because it is not profitable like more dangerous less effective newer drugs. I have maybe a month or two and I will have none. I know what withdrawing from it suddenly can do and I cannot find a program like you suggest where I live. I don't want to sound dramatic but I will probably soon be dead at this rate. I am in Australia if someone sees this and can point me in the right direction.
No, doctors don’t care about benzo money. It’s the unfortunate noise from benzo coalition (though doing awareness with best intentions), scared off doctors that are afraid from fda and suits !
What kind of chance do I have?
23 years of benzos, and I am 39
So how do you get off 0.25 mg of Xanax I went from twice a day to one a day. For 2-3 months on it
Never mind I just quit it’s a small dose !
On klonipin 23 years taken as prescribed. Doctors sending patients to detox facilities are coming out psychotic!! Im tapering now but can't find a doctor to prescribe Valium or liquid compounds. Scared of the jump off, many say that's when all hell hits. Months after the jump off?
Definitely find a qualified MD who knows what they're doing with benzo detox/tapering. I agree. No hard detox.
Shana Neidig how are you getting to 0.125 mg? Are you sure this is the dose? What mg is your pill? You’re not alone... many are tapering alone because doctors have no idea what we experience and they’re actually dangerous.... their ignorance can mean our death, prolonged pain, brain damage etc. There are some who try to help and are following the Ashton Method ( many UA-cam videos). Healing is non-linear. It can feel like such Hell one minute and , suddenly, a window of clarity opens up for a while. Just know that you are healing. Remember, you needed a larger dose to function before. Now, you are functioning on a lower dose. This proves that your brain is healing and receptors for GABA are up-regulating. Hold when you need to. There are no hard abs fast rules. Do what you need to do to survive this.
Shana Neidig doctors who cold turkey patients are grossly negligent! This can be deadly. I, too, had no idea that short-term use ( 10 weeks) , low dose , as needed (2-3x a week) could cause a physical dependence ( not addiction... we do not seek this drug out for a “high”. We take it because without it , our minds and bodies malfunction greatly). I lost my mind and had no idea why. No informed consent. Nobody told me this might be possible. I’ve heard a LOT of good things about NAD TREATMENT! If you can afford it, do it! It might take months or years off of your recovery.
SeanSean Sean my original dose was 0.5mg 3X a day for 23 years! omg! I never had any idea it caused dependency..it was prescribed for insomnia. I cut out 1 pill n felt fine...couple months later cut off half of another pill..held for months..i just kept cutting 1/4th off then n holding til I got down to half of a .25mg. I can't explain it (dumb) I keep cutting from 0.5mg pill. I know these pills have fillers so idk if Im doing this right..the lower I go some insomnia n weird anxiety? I can't afford that NAD Im a laborer worker no intelligence needed lol.
I have to keep my job or starve..I don't have any family n few pals who don't understand this at all..If WD starts to get bad I have no choice..I have never been more scared in my life!! When I had that seizure the ER doctor said "no such thing as Benzo WD" I was certain then that doctors are idiots with a degree..n didn't care if I died.. They stitched up my mouth n released me..I knocked out a few teeth hitting the floor ( I don't remember it) just woke up on the floor bloody..did my own resesrch then!!! You sound very smart n Can you tell me please if Im doing this right? I never cry but I am now caz of fear..feeling vulnerable n helpless..I am strong but this is so scary! I just don't know wtf to do..ohh I know what you mean tho with going crazy I seen bats on the ceiling (during that CT) n NO we aren't addicts but doctors treat ya like ya are!! I take no other meds Ever!! no drugs!! I'm sorry that happened to you..I could punch my original doctor in the face he told me this pill was safe..it like facing death or facing your own sanity thats how serious it is! N no doctor I met knows this..well the doc in this video does..but us laymen people can't afford it..so we're left on our own. Like I said if I live through this.. I'm done with doctors!! no trust!! when I was at the ER my blood pressure was so high..I never had that before being cut off klonipin...I'm sorry ranting here but you are smart. 🌹
Shana Neidig sorry you went through that! Don’t let fear cripple you. You’ve made it through the critical period and you e talented very rapidly and it sounds like you tapered a lot at a time. Try holding for a couple weeks until you feel strong and stable before tapering further. In fact, you’re at such a low dose now. Are you taking it all at once or dividing it into 2-3 doses throughout the day? Fear is the enemy. Knowledge and strength are keys to getting your life back. Check your vitamin levels ( b12, D). Supplement if necessary. I eat a carnivore or keto diet. Very low carbohydrates. Get a lot of fatty beef and other meats. Fat is needed by the brain. Are you in Europe or USA? You can message me anytime.
You need to educate my dr about this shit
Should I take blood pressure meds while tapering? Something to lower blood pressure?
Detox is the worst place to go for people to come off Benzos. Took as prescribed for about 16 yrs. Came home damaged with withdrawal Akathisia, insomnia, etc. The doc then ghosted me when I was calling freaking out, needing help. About 5 yrs later, after a fast taper off an antipsychotic I’m still suffering from intense chronic withdrawal Akathisia. My doctor is stumped.
I feel for you. It’s sad… I’m struggling too and hope to god that my doc will still allow me to cut and dry taper! I did have a doctor that rapid tapered many psych drugs and it’s not forgivable!!!
It's almost like they do it on purpose so they can say "see you needed those drugs after all".
Thank you for this video.. I’ve been thinking about detox because I’m having a hard time with the taper
Why if alcohol and benzoes work on the same GABA receptor does one take so long to detox and the other is over in 5 days. Alcohol WD and benzo WD are exactly the same in terms of symptoms so why does one take so much longer than the other.
It's true James. Benzos are lipid soluble (fat loving) literally sticks around. Scary stuff.
Breathe, dont give up
Been on zanax 30 plus years.I have tried everything with no luck.Seizures ect.. I have copd too and pulmonoligist says I need them.I don't know what to do !!
Same here. 4 mg day for over 30 plus years. Xanax is no joke. I'm going to try to reduce by ,25 mg over a 6 mounth period. I will be feeling it out as i go along.Hopefully it can be done . I wish you the best..
Just starting to taper from 115-1mg monthly. The PA was directed by the psychiatrist dropped me down to 90 .5mg of diazepam with clonidine. I have learned in the passes 2 days. Do not listen to the horror story about benzos. Everyone is different, I am grateful that the Dr. is doing a taper, I was told if my conditions worsen to call the office.
does klonopin cause weight loss.....I keep losing weight and am on 1 mg at night for sleep......I eat 3 meals but have some diahreaha in the morning.......if I get off the benzo then how will I sleep.....I cannot sleep naturally...
I can't believe we've got a doctor that's brutally honest on benzodiazepine withdrawal there's no quick solution 30 days you don't have a chance watch this video again
@@patrickdugan1231 How does this answer my question of how do you sleep without drugs when you get off a benzo?
Try these supplements for sleep but you have to take daily for them to work. I recommend magnesium, L Theanine, glycine, lemon balm, passionflower, vitamin D, vit C, vit B and ginko. These help the brains neuroplasticity.
@@thesingingviolinist referring to professor Heather Ashton all the supplements you've mentioned are on the list of things to stay away from when you've tapered from benzodiazepines. She states the receptors need to unregulate naturally without supplements that cross the blood brain barrier that bind onto the gaba a receptors. Do you think this is right or her theory is outdated. I'm post taper 7 weeks. I know everyone is different through their journey and recovery differs.
@@thesingingviolinist upregulate I meant
I've been on xanax for 32 years for milligrams A-day. Is that considered hot dosage?
For 32 years... Your CNS/PNS is fried at this point but that's crazy long.
Don't fear you can recover that's what the body does. May take you a long time but you will recover
Hi I live in Oklahoma City and I am currently on about 3 mg of Ativan a day I am looking for a doctor or a specialist to taper me down during the withdrawal I’ve been having withdrawal already with some delirium and intense shaking with muscle rigidity. What kind of doctor do I look up to find to help me taper correctly I have a psychiatrist she tried to put me on BuSpar and cut out most of the Ativan but that’s what led to the withdrawals and I could not handle the BuSpar it felt like. My main struggle right now is insomnia extreme insomnia. Please help I live in Oklahoma and I don’t know where to even begin
Look for an Addiction Medicine Specialist or usually a psychiatrist can handle it
Alprazolem is avaialbe in 0.25 mg sccored; so you can take as little as 0.125 mg a dose when tapering. Iam down fom 3.5 to 1.0 after almost a year, but am having dizziness. At time do not know if taking too much or too little. The diizziness could be related to something else, but I have heard dizziness can be a side effect of withdrwal. It could be my inner ear acting up again; after a cold five or years ago I had some vistubar nerve damage that resulted in dizziness for a long time. I have about a year left in my tapering scheudle. Any comments? Thanks.
I been on them 15 to 20 years, am not even going to try am staying on them the rest of my life I even told my doctor I will sue if you try to take me off them , am not going though that
You would have to prove malpractice with substantial evidence and it would be insanely expensive and very time consuming during which your doctor is not required to continue that medication. Its already meant to be prescribed short term, especially with more studies showing its long term effects of cognitive decline. If your only reason is because you don't want to experience the withdrawal that is not a reason, no lawyer would touch that. While I feel for you, currently going through withdrawal, to sue just isn't an option though.
@@MrNate05 I have been on them 20 years with out anyone saying anything, it’s a bit too late for the doctor to say you need to come off them now , I tried a few years ago and cut down I cut down 14 tablets , I have ever right to sue, I should have only been given them for a few weeks
@@kingkong81icloud no, 20 years ago we didn’t have the studies or data we have on them now. Long term they are neurologically damaging. You will not win that argument against a doctor let alone get them into a courtroom. That is not realistic and doesn’t happen. Try finding a case on that. They should however be tapered slowly and safely, other than that. your only luck is having a doctor who will continue giving them to you which will get much more slim as they are changing how they are prescribed and policies are changing. I’m sorry but your personal feelings won’t change that. That is not how the medical field works in regards to medications especially these. Again, you would have to prove malpractice, your feelings will not carry you when things don’t go your way, you can get “sue” happy all you want. Not how it works. Sorry
I was on Xanax for eight weeks, started with 1 mg per day,I have one month already since I started to taper.In this moment I am on 0,12mg per day.Is it safe to quit at this moment or should I taper also the 0,12mg dose?Thank you!
Ocamy... how are you doing now? If I am right, you are 6 months off by now, how is your recovery? Did you feel anxiety and head pressure, brain fog etc, did the anxiety go away as the time passed?
Please respond.. I am one month off xanax after 1 year use and tapered it for 6 months. I am experiencing severe anxiety, foggy head and other horrible symptoms. I am scared of whether they will ever fade away with time?
@@ranim7618What kind of taper did you do?
Out of ignorance, fear and not finding a Dr to help me taper, I went to a detox facility for 47 days. I was on X for 12 years at 1 mg and than increased it to 2.25 mg the last 6 mo. I was in X tolerance withdrawal. It has been 5 1/2 months since off and still have withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, blurred vision, mood swings and not feeling well. Is there any help for me?
been abusing valium, Xanax and klonopin for 9 months heavy use and I cold turkeyed 5 days ago I feel awful do I go to er or just ride it out? I feel sick I don't have anymore benzos I got them illegally
@@Deeno282 don't, all you'll end up with is useless meds and a large hospital bill. It was uncomfortable one could say slightly hell but I made it through lifestyle changes and the trust in god to heal me.
I am on 0.5 mg xanax for past 25 years. What happens if I continue till death do us part.
First the Docs put you on Benzo and then tell ways to detox it. Both ways they benefit without realising the agony the patient undergoes
my brother always hits and scolds me. He didn't understand my pain because I stopped taking the xanax I got from the doctor. My brother thought I was exaggerating
Been on 0.5 mg on and off for 2 yrs and i stop now i cant sleep i have panic attacks
what is NAD?
He said you can’t go in for benzo detox why do they take you in for benzo detox then they bring you down way faster than 10 percent in them I would really like him to explain this better
I went to rehab for opiates, this guy was in there started off having seizures, but after 8 days he was eating and walking around. Every body reacts differently
Thank you for being honest I am down to 1.9 mg of tapering using liquid Valium I am stuck the symptoms of withdrawal
How are you doing now? I know how hard this is
@@thesingingviolinist Hey Sweetie I am at .4 ml now have air hunger and heaviness on chest praying to heal hope you are doing good
@@teresaj7796 thank you. I’m hanging in there. Found things to help along the way. I recommend magnesium, L Theanine, glycine, lemon balm, passionflower, vitamin D, vit C, vit B and ginko. I bought these online at Vitacost in tincture and powder form. All these supplements help the brain’s neuroplasticity. I’m here if you have any questions. Also go to the chiropractor once a week. It’s changed my life.
@@thesingingviolinist How are you doing are you healed
@@thesingingviolinist are you off benzo I try to take vitamins b and d magnesium I had spine pain and I had X-ray doctors said I had ra
I have been on 8 mg of Xanax for 12 years and yes I did go to a couple detoxes and left worst than when I got there the longest one was 10 days the shortest one was 7 days I don't understand why they do it so fast but I am in trouble because now I am seriously considering taking my own life because it's better than the suffering that I'm dealing with and talking to somebody about this somewhere where I'm going to be suffering twice as bad if there's anything that can be said to be helpful please help me I am 55 years old and I live in New Jersey😢
For Klonopin "detox" is Flumazenil helpful to taper it off? Does it have any counter interactions with NAD?
I have long covid. I was given .5 mg lorazepam took it 3 times a day for 10 days. Didnt need it much so doctor stopped it. She gave me 30 pills just incase. I noticed on my very bad symptom days that i get anxiety and when i take the ativan it helps my symptoms. I have taken it sometimes 3 times a week a week break or 3 days brake then take a pill. Very rarely everyday. Last week i had a really bad week and ive taken it 5 times i am extremely afraid of getting addicted so i try hard not to take it. My question is. How likely can someone like me the way i take it grow a dependence to it. Its been 121 days in total and have used 66 .5 mg pills.
You might not even be physically addicted it is probably more mental, but merely reduce your dose until you are completely off of them and embrace the unpleasant feelings until you get better you will get better
I was prescribed Xanax and I would take it two weeks on and two weeks off and it kept me from physical dependence. From March 2011 to September 2012 I had no withdrawal until I began taking it without a med break, and in three months I missed a dose and went into full on withdrawal and suffered a seizure. It is possible to moderate. I'm now finally free of physical dependence. As long as you keep mind over matter and use non control anxiety meds with decent seizure meds you can conquer the addiction within a reasonable amount of time.
@@mattmammone2338 thx
@@mattmammone2338 Hi Matt, I’m having seizures after tapering. What meds are you taking for seizures?
@@mattmammone2338 What meds would you say re helpful for withdrawl M M?
I knew a guy selling liquid Xanax like this guy describes in the video. This guy after a month of selling the liquid form decided it’d be a good idea to kill an 18 year old man who had kids over 28$ worth of the liquid Xanax
I have taken 1 mg lorazepam before sleep for 40 years with no problems . should I stop taking them ??
No. Most people are afraid of the medical community. They will not prescribe and yet it's the most prescribed med on the planet. Go figure. The fear of being cut off is real. But damn it, they passed them out like candy. Now? Tough.
Class action lawsuit anyone? But one a day is a low dosage. Docs like low dosages.
NO
Hey, someone who gits it. Medi Cal pts. are left out in the cold. It's been three years clean and suffering after Klonopin prescribed by mental health. Told me I'd be fine and since I wasn't taking meds anymore I can't come back. Dumped..! Drs either don't know or don't care. Maybe they're afraid of getting sued. I'm brain damaged and wish I never went to ER that day.
Can't tolerate valium and I'm slowly tapering ativan. I take for 2mg at night for sleep for 1 1/2 years now, ambien 10 years prior to that. I'm almost down to 1.5 and starting to really feel the effects during the day. I know I will eventually have to split up the doses throughout the day. Any advice?
What should I do.my dr is forcing me off way too fast she cut my dose without telling me and I'm being forced to go cold turkey and she don't care
Consider a doctor that takes their Oath seriously.
Have you heard of the Coleman institute
I've been eating no less then 10 MG a day of xanax or Klonpin. What do I do
That is an extreme amount. Whatever you do don't detox alone. In day 8 of cold turkey xanax and it's been a real nightmare. Disconnected from reality, Auditory hallucinations, tremors, electric zaps through out body, heart palpitations, worse panic attacks than I had before I got on Xanax. I have been taking .5mg a day for a year. The stuff is pure poison. Please get help as you would more than likely have grand mal seizures taking that amount. God bless
I was taking 8mg a day of Xanax for 6 years when I quit pretty much cold turkey for the duration of a pregnancy.
This, I do not recommend. I was hospitalized more than once.
After my daughter was born, I took 6mg a day for almost 8 more years.
I tapered for 2½ years *on my terms* and successfully stopped altogether with little discomfort.
When I was able to make it through the day without a nap - and when I was able to remember things again - I really started to feel better, and that helped me keep going.
I tell everyone the same - because I've tried both ways. You have to do this S-L-O-W-L-Y
I didn't use any type of schedule to taper, I took less till I needed less. If things got weird, I didn't beat myself up over waiting a bit longer.
I found there is tons of bad advice online, some good advice, but follow no "rules." Your goal is to free yourself from the benzo. So what if it takes a few years? What's the alternative? In 3 years you're still taking 5+ bars a day?
Take your time, taper gradually, enjoy all the rewards of life returning to you, and you will succeed.
Why wont you help me Dr Starr ? I have been writing emails to you.......I need to withdraw from 2mg Ativan....
Taper a qr of a mg every 2 weeks.
Thanks 😊😊😊
they wont treat me at hospital i had akathasia due to pharmacy flood second time. 2 floods wanted to dieb
So doctor what someone didn’t know about rehabs and went and hasn’t improved after 10 months what could be done if patient is at the end or his rope thanks
Doctor is it possible to be on Valium for the rest of your life
Because I’d rather Valium than booze any day.
Although I’ve been sober 14 years but 14 years benzo
I know if the Diazepam stops I will Drink again.
P.s 20 mg Daily
200mg lyrica (pregablin)Daily
15 mg olanzapine Daily
I know how did they get away with it
Yet I’ve got this horrid mental health nurse saying I shouldn’t be on that amount .
Physiatrist saying I’m not taking you off these meds after an assessment from which that nurse sent me .
Anyone got an answer for me.
Many thanks.
A family member has been put on vallium between 15mg to 40 mg daily 6 yeads straight and temapazine 20mg daily six years as well. Amd on mirtazipine 6 years. Pyschrist said ok to wean off temapazine completely within 4 weeks, amd now down to 5m vallium daily, but i dont think he is coping by my observations😞 i think this is too fast?
Yes, this was way too fast.
What about Ketamine? I’d be down to try that. Is that helping with benzo detox?
Dr Starr I was wondering what your thoughts on low dose flumazenil for benzo withdrawal is? I know some research is coming out about the subject.
I have not used it. However, colleagues of mine have not reported benefits. I think it could be useful in the right setting
I’m taking 5 white Xanax bars a day for about a month. Is it safe for me to detox at home?
This guy is realistic
Thanks Chris. I try to be.
@@KenStarrMDWellnessGroup It is brutal. Taken as prescribed. Dr had no idea what I was talking about when I stopped taking it. Never knew the hell. 19 months and still "crippled."
I think meditation can heal this withdrawal symptom
Hi Ken. I'm off benzos now for 3 months. I have a gait instability. Did you came across this at all?
I can't say that's something I've seen before.
What to expect if I try to get OFF benzodiazepines. 8 years
Can I use a NAD+ supplement instead of an IV type process at a clinic
I been taking clozapine for 5 years I have never been a daily user 4 to 5 pills 0.5 a week. With periods where I stopped for up to two weeks. I use them to soothe my IBS. But recently came to realization that they were actually making it worse. Any suggestions how I should go about tapering off them.
Google Dr Heather Ashton. She was from the UK. She has a suggested tapering schedule for each benzo. Also like the lady from Benzo Brains. Good Luck
I am going through severe withdrawals. Can someone guide?
What about Ketamine while tapering for depression?
Been on Xanax for years.2 month clean and from detox 14 days the best think in my life,and people who said detox doesn’t help talks sh.. I thought the same think about detox in the first place,but now have different few,first week was hard after detox insomnia,but now everything fine don’t be scared as I was to go to detox and be clean
What was their protocol? Can you explain pls?
What protocol you want to know ?
I am clean now for 10month never even have thought to have a Xanax just go guys to detox and be clean as I am
And don’t listen to those who said detox doesn’t help it’s helps a lot !!!!
@@AM-nv9fd Was your body physically dependent? Like did it go in withdrawal without xanex? Then what did detox do for you? Not everyone can afford it. Can you just tell us their taper schedule? Please. It's life or death for some people. Help us. Which 1 did you go to?
Ok I am in uk 🇬🇧 London
I done detox here in uk Nottingham for two weeks I been on Xanax for 10years, 10 purple pills a day
What they done in detox give me same benzos,but not Xanax they raised my dose up then slowly take down ,then keep me in detox for 3 more days then o check on me I was on a pills for 11 days then they watching me was hard for first days now I am clean and happy get 15kg back
Well said Doctor!!!
Damn I need help getting off Xanax. I lost my script. I'm terrified
10+ years and I’m finally starting to taper myself off them because where I live I don’t have any professionals it’s a small island with a bullshit clinic. And I basically am pushing myself to get used to feeling like shit a little bit at a time and it is hell. Iv dropped my dose by more than half and I have on and off spells of feeling like shit but idk I feel like it’s better to get your body used to the detox before taking the next dose. I can’t wait to be done but I’m ready to put the work in to stop. I want them out of my life for good.
How long after taking pregablin can I take 4mg of subutex?
What if u only took it when u felt anxious prn basis
What kind of doctor are you?😊
Is it ok to take Ashwagandha once Benzo taper Is finished? Thanks 😊
I don't see why not. I've had patients report it was helpful.
Did you try ashwagandha?
Has anybody heard of the Verona detox approach with flumazenil?
Thank you
Is l theanine useful post taper
Idk im tapoering and what helped to sleep is Gaba from now foods i got ....as for l theanine it helps too but id take it after 4 pm