I am 54 years old and Portuguese. I took Benzos for 27 years. (23 - 50 years old) I've been free for 4 years. Despite the improvements I am still completely unable to live a minimally normal life. I lost my job at the Opera orchestra, at the university where I taught, I lost all my friends, I lost a lot of money. I have a wife who can't even imagine what I'm going through with a teenage son who doesn't understand what his father has, nor did he have a father capable of that name. I'm simply exhausted. Symptoms such as very strong akathisia, terrible fatigue, back pain, anger, brain fog, air anger, sadness, anxiety and others that I don't even know the name of. I'm exhausted from not being ME. but I don't surrender. I don't surrender!! I DON'T SURRENDER!! I will go to the end. Big Farma doesn't deserve to win. I will be able to achieve total healing because…. there is no other solution.
At 38 years old, I took them as directed from 1991 to 2020, as directed. Was never told they shouldn't be taken over 2-4 WEEKS...learned that from a Jordan Peterson video in December 2020. Reached out to my doc, asking to stop taking them. She said, "okay, STOP!" No mention of a taper and I didn't know better then I'm 43 months out now. I'm somewhat improved, no where near my former self. The first 6 months I couldn't drive, speak clearly or make sense, read, focus. Constant intense heart pounding in neck, chest, abdomen. Severe panic, hyperventilation, crying, shaking, itching til I bled, couldnt be still, vomiting/diarrhea, brain twitching, tinnitus, dizziness, muscle cramping, joint pain, electrical zapping all over, migraines, jaw clenching, burning lips/tongue. I was quite sure I might die and had a weird thought telling me to go outside, throw myself under a fast car in highway near my apartment. Now at 43 months out, age 70, my whole personality has changed. I don't smile or even chuckle much now. I do get really irritable and pissed off very easily...not me at all. I have insane hypersensitivities now, much worse than before, to lights/flashing or otherwise, smells, sounds, textures of clothing, spices. I can't regulate my body temperature anymore. I don't enjoy company at all, much prefer being alone. My adult children are worried. I've been tested for dementia, and that's not an issue...yet. My doctor has never even apologized. If you're on benzos, taper off. Don't do it cold turkey!
Thank you for your comment. We can all relate to most of it. The economic impact isn't as bad as the health/physiological impact, but still. It's extremely important to note. This can cause people to become homeless because they can no longer work. Most of us haven't even contracted SARS‑CoV‑2 yet. We don't need MORE long-term or even permanent physiological dysfunction.😷 There was nothing wrong with our brain chemistry to begin with. Most of us just had terrible parents. And they were terrible because of THEIR parents.
That is so true!! In the beginning of my journey I begged my prescriber to watch benzo videos. He wouldn’t. Recently I reviewed my health record and found out he wrote that I asked him to spend time watching a video that was 30 minutes long. He wrote it in a way that was mocking.😮. By the way, he was a pharmacist and I had NO physician during this whole time.
@@sonyadavie4790 Psychiatrists are a lesser problem; since benzos were re-scheduled from III to IV, many others are now comfortable prescribing them, including PCPs, NPs etcetera. My experience, when benzo dependency became complicated, THEN (and only then) they were referred to Mental Health, and often told they could continue the benzos but had to get them through MH (psychiatrists, psych nurses, MDs with ASAM ed etc.). So when those poor souls showed up at MH, they became highly agitated when told they were gonna be weened off, and onto safer meds, i.e. Buspar. If a person never tried benzos, Buspar is often helpful for anxiety, but if already hooked on benzos, that's a tough sell, it's like offering non-alcohol beer to an alcoholic. Glad I am retired now, because it's only gotten worse, the latest craze being to prescribe ADHD meds (meth) to adults. Until 6-8 years ago, adults with ADHD diagnosis were rare, at least in my locale. Nowadays, it's shocking to learn who's on them, and often with a "side benefit" of losing weight, so they are told.
THEY ALREADY KNOW. TRUST US WHEN WE TELL YOU THAT. AND, IT IS NOT "UNCOMMON." THAT IS NOT TRUE. AT ALL. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME, EVEN IF YOU WEAN OFF OF IT VERY, VERY, VERY SLOWLY.
I remember me, lying on my bathroomfloor. I was never suicidal before. But in this moments in my bathroom i thougt that if i would die now, it would be a salvation. Now a few months later, i am almost fine and i can live nearly a normal life. I am so grateful that i made it through this. Omg, I would have needed such a doctor like you!
Your accurate and compassionate knowledge into this widely-overlooked field is greatly appreciated, Dr. Josef. Thank you for the many honest and helpful videos!
thank you so much Dr Josef, you have been a bright light in the dark time. may God continue to bless you with wisdom and discernment to help the suffering because not many people believe the torture they are going through.
PLEASE, Please, Please make a video about AKATHISIA for doctors to help them understand! It's impossible to continue living with Protracted Withdrawals AND Akathisia and no one to help!😢
@TheAjmos I'm on my 10th year. Some Dr's. say protracted withdrawals aren't progressive and don't get worse, but they did. Two years ago, a Dr thought he could help and gave me Klonopin, Prozac and Trazodone, and I immediately developed Akathisia. I didn't know anything about it and thought I was going insane, living in a non-stop nightmare of indescribable torture! After 10 years of protracted withdrawals, I didn't think anything could be worse. I WAS WRONG!!!
@TheAjmos, Sorry this happened to you, I went through it and still am. Did you not get the help by choice or because you didn't know what it was, or because doctors wouldn't or couldn't help?
@@L-xj2xs Lack of information. I was on for a pretty short period so I dint taper, and then I dint fully understand how badly you could disrupt the healing process. The first year I took supplements and drank alcohol a few times and it made the damage a lot worse.
Thank you for this video! And for all the work you do. When I tapered too quickly back in 2019, I couldn't find any answers to explain what I was experiencing. And my doctors didn't seem to understand me either. Videos like these are so important!
Thank you Dr Joseph 🙏🏼 I truely believe (after 3yrs &4mths) that acknowledgement and support would make a tremendous difference in our recovery, it would be invaluable in how those of us in that terror minority actually come out the other end. Understanding and support is crucial & I feel, could play an important part in the duration & quality of patients recovery. Hold on tight to Hope Everyone 🤗❤️
Thanks so much Dr. Josef. The only thing I would add is how excruciatingly painful physical symptoms can be. Also, I never hear you mention the extreme head pain and head pressure that affects so many of us. My head pain, pressure and extreme dizziness is what has kept me bedridden for two years. I also know by reading many of the post in the groups, there are a lot of others whom have these awful head symptoms. Thanks again for all you do.
Thank you so much Doc. This video is such a help. This is exactly what has happened to me. I have had all the symptoms for 4 1/2 Years now. Was left on Valium for over 27 years. Ive been chasing an answer to what I'm experiencing and this was the answer i needed. Will be seeing my psychiatrist in a couple days and im bringing my phone to show my shrink this video
This is for prescribers. It’s in our best interest not to alienate them. Please don’t give them more reasons to doubt us and label us as mentally ill. This doctor is trying!
Excellent presentation, but as many have eluded to, I only had a very few out of the many providers/ER docs/etc. would even take a printed info sheet I would try to hand them concerning info on benzos, akathisia, or anything related to what I knew was going on and when my illness began-it all led back to the benzo taper which was too quickly and taking me 5 years of misery before I finally found a benzo wise dr! Thank you Dr. Josef!!
Thank you for posting this. I’ve been sick and mostly bedridden for over 8 years now due to this. I was c/t and had kindled a bunch of times which likely led to it being so protracted. Doctors must realize this length of time is real and just how serious this situation can be. Admittedly I do now have concerns I’ll ever get better.
I was on psychotropic meds for 50 years, which included 21 years on a benzo. Not one doctor ever looked for the root causes of my symptoms...which turned out to be Lyme disease and a host of co-infections. I'll NEVER go back to those drugs. Now I'm 75 and 7 1/2 years benzo free and off all the other meds. However, I still have ALL the symptoms of protracted withdrawal...but don't know whether it's protracted withdrawal OR the symptoms of Lyme disease...because the symptoms are so similar. These medications should be outlawed...except for a very short term of up to 3-4 weeks. I now have PTSD from the medical system and will never see a psychiatrist again.
This isn’t just benzodiazepines. Please PLEASE add antidepressants to this. It’s unfair to leave out a huge part of the protracted withdrawal community 😢 We ALL need help and need our doctors to understand. I am in my 4th year of serous protracted withdrawal from an SSRI.
Is protracted withdrawal of Antipsychotic medication similar to Benzodiazepines. Are able to make teaching videos about Antipsychotic medications and withdrawal symptoms. Thanks for your support and understanding of those patients suffering from this issue.
Dr josef Excellent content, but I don’t understand why doesn’t mention the fact that antipsychotic and antidepressants can also have a consequence of protracted withdrawal Akathesia when cold turkey. I personally know three people that currently have this condition from those two drugs.
I love that you created this, it's incredibly helpful. I'm going to see a neurologist tomorrow (who may or may not believe my odd symptoms are from quitting klonopin), and I watched this to have a better understanding of what to bring up. Thank you!
I am currently experiencing WD symptoms. Was on 2 .5mg, recommended by doctor to go down to 1 .5mg, experienced confusion was in hospital, down to PRN .25mg. Have been on it since 2019. I am worried that I am in PAWS.
Most doctors are narcasists,been told by siblings and parents how wonderful and bright they are . They'll think what does he know wasting your breath.Thanks tho
This may be seen by those doctors. I get the anger. I GET IT, but if we present as angry and disrespectful guess what the response will be? Place your anger where it can help.
@@HS-1828 doctors know the devestation their meds cause are you daft the don't care .Go to a barber you'll get a haircut,go to an ice-cream parlour you get an ice-cream.Guess what you get you go to a doctor? A script their meds third leading cause if death, Off to the bakery to get some bread.
@@HS-1828OP's comment says nothing of their displayed attitude with doctors. I've seen 6 doctors the past 20 months and every single one of them have been self-righteous pricks that judge the book by its cover - even when saying I'm feeling confused and sluggish due to my reaction/condition. They call me crazy since their standard tests show little to nothing, and call the next over.
@@TheDavveponken they grandiose narcasists pricks that look down on people.Advocate for your own health the analogy I make we like junior school kids going to see the headmaster we listen as if their words gospel.I told 1 gp you might have a higher IQ than me but you have no common sense.Your given a script and gone within ten mins.
Thank you Dr. Josef for bringing attention to this very important topic. My father (who is 65+) was on a benzodiazepine for insomnia for over 10 years. He did not take it every night, but it was pretty frequent. His GP took him off a few years ago because he started to have some memory deficits and benzos have been linked to that. I would love to get your perspective on this link to memory in another video? I should add, he was thoroughly checked for signs of dementia which were ruled out in an MRI and in some cognitive assessments. I believe he was perhaps not tapered appropriately, and now suffers with long term effects including panic attacks and severe anxiety. It has been a rough road. I cannot say for sure, but it makes me wonder if coming off of this played a big part in his mental health decline.
Benzos blunt one's emotions. When you come off them, you start feeling emotions again. Or you may start feeling them for the 1st time. It can be overwhelming when problems like anxiety and panic attacks surface. I'm still busy gradually tapering off but have recently finished 10 sessions of CBT, (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy). CBT teaches you skills to regulate your emotions and cope with them. It helps enormously with Panic attacks. I can now stop a panic attack from escalating by using breathing techniques I learnt from CBT. Have you thought of speaking to your father about getting some therapy? It's been a lifesaver for me.
Can you do a topic about antidepressants wd and symptoms? Im 6 months off and cant function that well the constant head pain for 10 months and the dpdr for 4 months is driving me insanse constant looping thoughts and anxiety aswell.
I had IBS like symptoms for years on and off, 6 mns straight of diarrhea is not fun, I finally found probiotic Florastor I take every time I eat, lifesaver for me if a little pricey. Now if I could only get my brain to reboot!
Hello doctor... Thanks for your awareness. ❤️i would be greatful for a video for ssris withdraw syndrome... Ssri can cause severe protracted withdraws too. Months to years from some days to 5 years and more. I was healing slowly in 2 years from symptoms like inability to walk, severe dysautonomia and orthostatic hypotension, completely dementia like symptoms, lost of connection with surroundings, lost of personality and more from lexapro, even was i still disable i had long way to go. I was very sick but my personality was coming back. I was exploring things like i was a child again that i had years to experience from this poision like start listen and love music agai , want to travel, want to be successful, care about my appearance, sexuality and people.. before i crashed from panax ginseng i took accidently that was in a vitamin in a wave of dysphagia (i didn't have thos symptom for 1 year) and everything came back not in waves any more..all together. Vision issues weakness and more.. People need hope when they are so sick that this is healing because they do mistakes like trialing herbs and they possibly stop the syndrome and maybe stay this for ever. I had severe side effects from this med and i see this symptoms like slowly healing of my brain. In surviving antidepressants there are stories with xtreme symptoms of disability and more from ssris that they healed after 3 years.
@@Ojhfdxhhgg at what point do you see anyone here implying for someone to remain on pharmaceutical s? And therefore work for bigpharma? Good grief. Maybe you should stay on your medication however? What I WAS trying to say was that Josef stated these symptoms occur in a small amount of people receiving these drugs. That's simply not the case. This is affecting hundreds millions people?Ending the lives of many. Mass experimentation. That's not a small fraction of people.
Thanks so much - I’ve written every word down. So angry with brothers Gp who abruptly stopped all my brothers psych meds in one go . Idiot I’m sending a copy to each and everyone of the doctors at the surgery . 2 months of insomnia , mass anxiety nausea etc . He was trying to do the slow withdrawal and one stupid letter from a random psychiatrist who claimed he didn’t really have schizoaffective disorder it was just one episode - after a decade of drugs they were withdrawn on the spot . Another doctor has out him on different drugs now but I have no clue what’s these ones are . It’s a bloody nightmare of a system to get stuck in. He rang me tonight and goes into detox tomorrow as he started drinking to try and help sleep. A bad mistake but I’m so proud he himself in .
So many are still so dismissive doctors, (CPN) Community Psychiatric Nurse and the crisis team. I am still in withdrawals 8 months from Sertraline it is absolutely brutal. There are more symptoms of withdrawals in regards to diazepam withdrawal, from my personal experience. Manic episodes, loss of time, hallucinations, a voice talking to you, waking up feeling mentally disturbed, paranoia rocking back and forth making moaning noices. That's some of what I have been through there's more but I can't exactly remember.
Can you PLEASE do one of these for SSRI protracted withdrawal. Many are enduring symptoms for years after cessation (even when doing harm reduction tapers)! Thank you !
Thank you for mentioning the caregivers. Please we need help to and there is almost none available, especially with misdiagnoses like FND or conversation disorder. Instead, we get platitudes like "put your oxygen mask on first" while my husband is having severe akathisia, constant pain and wants to take his life every day.
My husband is again taking mirtazapine for sleep we keep telling him you can’t just take these when you want. I believe he’s having some type of withdrawal head pressure and headache !
THEY ALL ALREADY KNOW. AND, IT IS NOT "UNCOMMON." AND, IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME, NO MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU WEAN OFF OF IT. THAT IS A FACT. NOT "UNCOMMON."
Thanks for this video! I'm kind of confused tho bc I thought you had said the best way to stop the symptoms was to reinstate the drug and eventually do a slow taper? Or did I misunderstand you before? Ty so much 😊
Does this occur only after discontinue the benzodiazepines or can it also happen occur while still on the benzodiazepines but after substantial benzodiazepines reduction; e.g., 3.5 mg to 0.5 mg. Thanks.
It's entirely possible to experience tolerance/interdose withdrawal symptoms during tapering and sometimes they can be severe. Was a massive reduction you made.
What about benzos for a movement disorder Lance Adams Sundrome? I’ve only cut down 15% in the past 3 years. Not sure if it’s ta the cutting down as I went through severe emotional trauma and financial stress. Before that, I was completely gone. I only fit down /1/16th of as ctablet every 2.5 months.. I’m determined to use neuroplasticity to my advantage. Only 150 of us alive globally. Doing everything in my power, naturally, to heal my symptoms.
Note that depression can s quite severe, no appetite and low motivation. Now exercising, sun gazing, taking cursed, cutting down on processed carbs, etc.
I developed protracted withdrawal during a very slow taper.. in fact I was having interdose withdrawals after Taking Ativan for only 1 week....so now even dr. Josef says my problem can't happen because I tapered VERY slowly.
I don't believe a doctor would waste even 2 minutes listening to this video. They are programmed to believe that a pill would never do so much harm to a human being. and also that they have nothing more to learn after becoming a doctor. much less would they “humble themselves” before a “psychiatric” patient. They are “gods” on earth. Maybe one day something will change.
Hi, can you please let me know whether it is safe to stop talking sertraline (25 mg) abruptly without any tapering after only 7 days of contentious use? Thanks
I have akathisia I did not get it from tapering off and medication I got it from taking Risperidone do people recover from tapering off medication if they get akinesia is an adverse reaction will I ever recover
Hello Dr Josef 😊, What are your thoughts on hemp gummies? I started weaning off diazepam 20mg one year+ ago, now at 3.5mgs. I’ve tried many strains of CBD Oil, none of them helped.
Have you tried the keto diet? I heard it can help a lot! Im trying to get my mom off these meds, and Im looking for people who have had successful stories withthe keto diet
He promises too much. A long tapering does not guarantee that everything will go well. I know, 3 years, and 8 years later I'm still in hell. And many of us are in the same situation. The longer you use the drug, the longer the recovery and damage. So no one can promise that a long tapering will give the best result. And why so expensive to get help? Several hundred dollars, but no success story. ☹
I was diagnosed with panic disorder in 2002. I was put on clonazapan until the my body worked with the correct antidepressant. I tried just about every antidepressant and got worse or felt like a zombie. It took about a year until I found Effexor XR and have still been on clonazapan since 2002. I chose not to come off clonazapan because my mom was also on clonazapan and the doctors took her off cold turkey and it brought her to a nursing home. They damaged her brain and I will not go down that route. I also will not go through tapering because I still need it. I’m at a lower dose compared to when I first started and only had to up the dose 1 time by .5mg. I have been under anesthesia a few times for colonoscopies, heavy bleeding during peri menopause and had to have a DNC. I had no complications and the anesthesiologist knew what was in my body. I don’t drink or smoke. I don’t take any medication that contains alcohol. Some cold and allergy medicine I only take half the dose so it doesn’t magnified the side effects of the cold/allergy side effects. I still work and have a fulfilling life. I plan to stay on my meds until I die. I refuse to waste years of my live tapering off and suffering when this medication works for me.
No one is telling you to get off benzodiazepines. He is speaking to those who were either ripped off by their doctor or chose to taper off and still had withdrawal symptoms.
…and that attitude is part of the problem for people trying to get off them and suffering. I’m fine, why aren’t you? Well, I’m not fine and I’m really glad you are and I’m really glad that you just love your drugs that much. That said, some of us are being damaged by these drugs. Some of us are having long term usage side effects.
I showed this to my doctor and he was totally on board with everything you said thank you so much, Dr
I am 54 years old and Portuguese. I took Benzos for 27 years. (23 - 50 years old) I've been free for 4 years. Despite the improvements I am still completely unable to live a minimally normal life. I lost my job at the Opera orchestra, at the university where I taught, I lost all my friends, I lost a lot of money. I have a wife who can't even imagine what I'm going through with a teenage son who doesn't understand what his father has, nor did he have a father capable of that name. I'm simply exhausted. Symptoms such as very strong akathisia, terrible fatigue, back pain, anger, brain fog, air anger, sadness, anxiety and others that I don't even know the name of. I'm exhausted from not being ME. but I don't surrender. I don't surrender!! I DON'T SURRENDER!! I will go to the end. Big Farma doesn't deserve to win. I will be able to achieve total healing because…. there is no other solution.
At 38 years old, I took them as directed from 1991 to 2020, as directed. Was never told they shouldn't be taken over 2-4 WEEKS...learned that from a Jordan Peterson video in December 2020. Reached out to my doc, asking to stop taking them. She said, "okay, STOP!" No mention of a taper and I didn't know better then
I'm 43 months out now. I'm somewhat improved, no where near my former self. The first 6 months I couldn't drive, speak clearly or make sense, read, focus. Constant intense heart pounding in neck, chest, abdomen. Severe panic, hyperventilation, crying, shaking, itching til I bled, couldnt be still, vomiting/diarrhea, brain twitching, tinnitus, dizziness, muscle cramping, joint pain, electrical zapping all over, migraines, jaw clenching, burning lips/tongue.
I was quite sure I might die and had a weird thought telling me to go outside, throw myself under a fast car in highway near my apartment.
Now at 43 months out, age 70, my whole personality has changed. I don't smile or even chuckle much now. I do get really irritable and pissed off very easily...not me at all.
I have insane hypersensitivities now, much worse than before, to lights/flashing or otherwise, smells, sounds, textures of clothing, spices. I can't regulate my body temperature anymore. I don't enjoy company at all, much prefer being alone. My adult children are worried. I've been tested for dementia, and that's not an issue...yet. My doctor has never even apologized.
If you're on benzos, taper off. Don't do it cold turkey!
@@Rollwithit699Same withdrawals here 😔 NO one I know gets it. That makes it so much harder.
@@Rollwithit699 Thank Very much. You are Brave and a warrior. I wish you health as soon as possíble
@@MAÇOMCRIPTO I wish you good health as well, sir. All we can do is keep going. 🙏
Thank you for your comment. We can all relate to most of it.
The economic impact isn't as bad as the health/physiological impact, but still. It's extremely important to note. This can cause people to become homeless because they can no longer work. Most of us haven't even contracted SARS‑CoV‑2 yet. We don't need MORE long-term or even permanent physiological dysfunction.😷
There was nothing wrong with our brain chemistry to begin with. Most of us just had terrible parents. And they were terrible because of THEIR parents.
Excellent video, but most docs won't take 10 minutes out of their schedule to watch it.
That is so true!! In the beginning of my journey I begged my prescriber to watch benzo videos. He wouldn’t. Recently I reviewed my health record and found out he wrote that I asked him to spend time watching a video that was 30 minutes long. He wrote it in a way that was mocking.😮. By the way, he was a pharmacist and I had NO physician during this whole time.
Exactly! I've sent this to my client's psychiatrists but their protracted symptoms continue to be ignored. #frustratedtherapist
@@sonyadavie4790 Psychiatrists are a lesser problem; since benzos were re-scheduled from III to IV, many others are now comfortable prescribing them, including PCPs, NPs etcetera. My experience, when benzo dependency became complicated, THEN (and only then) they were referred to Mental Health, and often told they could continue the benzos but had to get them through MH (psychiatrists, psych nurses, MDs with ASAM ed etc.). So when those poor souls showed up at MH, they became highly agitated when told they were gonna be weened off, and onto safer meds, i.e. Buspar. If a person never tried benzos, Buspar is often helpful for anxiety, but if already hooked on benzos, that's a tough sell, it's like offering non-alcohol beer to an alcoholic. Glad I am retired now, because it's only gotten worse, the latest craze being to prescribe ADHD meds (meth) to adults. Until 6-8 years ago, adults with ADHD diagnosis were rare, at least in my locale. Nowadays, it's shocking to learn who's on them, and often with a "side benefit" of losing weight, so they are told.
THEY ALREADY KNOW. TRUST US WHEN WE TELL YOU THAT. AND, IT IS NOT "UNCOMMON." THAT IS NOT TRUE. AT ALL. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME, EVEN IF YOU WEAN OFF OF IT VERY, VERY, VERY SLOWLY.
This was a really kind gesture. Thanks, Josef.
I remember me, lying on my bathroomfloor. I was never suicidal before. But in this moments in my bathroom i thougt that if i would die now, it would be a salvation. Now a few months later, i am almost fine and i can live nearly a normal life. I am so grateful that i made it through this. Omg, I would have needed such a doctor like you!
So proud of you.
How long did you take it for? And dose ?
@@Richard-ns5ls sertralin 50 mg and trazodon 150 mg for 17 years!
Your accurate and compassionate knowledge into this widely-overlooked field is greatly appreciated, Dr. Josef.
Thank you for the many honest and helpful videos!
Thank you for drawing attention to something l have been through.
thank you so much Dr Josef, you have been a bright light in the dark time. may God continue to bless you with wisdom and discernment to help the suffering because not many people believe the torture they are going through.
PLEASE, Please, Please make a video about AKATHISIA for doctors to help them understand!
It's impossible to continue living with Protracted Withdrawals AND Akathisia and no one to help!😢
And how could they help? Is there any treatment? 😢
I'm glad you took people's previous advice to simplify the video presentation for older generation medical professionals. Very attentive and smart!
I’ve been disabled by this for 5 years and I’m sure it’s lasted so long because I didn’t get the help I needed at the beginning.
@TheAjmos I'm on my 10th year. Some Dr's. say protracted withdrawals aren't progressive and don't get worse, but they did. Two years ago, a Dr thought he could help and gave me Klonopin, Prozac and Trazodone, and I immediately developed Akathisia. I didn't know anything about it and thought I was going insane, living in a non-stop nightmare of indescribable torture! After 10 years of protracted withdrawals, I didn't think anything could be worse. I WAS WRONG!!!
I am so sorry to hear this. You will keep healing!
@TheAjmos, Sorry this happened to you, I went through it and still am. Did you not get the help by choice or because you didn't know what it was, or because doctors wouldn't or couldn't help?
@@L-xj2xs Lack of information. I was on for a pretty short period so I dint taper, and then I dint fully understand how badly you could disrupt the healing process. The first year I took supplements and drank alcohol a few times and it made the damage a lot worse.
Thank you for this video! And for all the work you do. When I tapered too quickly back in 2019, I couldn't find any answers to explain what I was experiencing. And my doctors didn't seem to understand me either. Videos like these are so important!
Thank you Dr Joseph 🙏🏼 I truely believe (after 3yrs &4mths) that acknowledgement and support would make a tremendous difference in our recovery, it would be invaluable in how those of us in that terror minority actually come out the other end. Understanding and support is crucial & I feel, could play an important part in the duration & quality of patients recovery. Hold on tight to Hope Everyone 🤗❤️
Thanks so much Dr. Josef. The only thing I would add is how excruciatingly painful physical symptoms can be.
Also, I never hear you mention the extreme head pain and head pressure that affects so many of us.
My head pain, pressure and extreme dizziness is what has kept me bedridden for two years. I also know by reading many of the post in the groups, there are a lot of others whom have these awful head symptoms.
Thanks again for all you do.
I was one of them with those awful head symptoms the worst
Thank you so much Doc. This video is such a help. This is exactly what has happened to me. I have had all the symptoms for 4 1/2 Years now. Was left on Valium for over 27 years. Ive been chasing an answer to what I'm experiencing and this was the answer i needed. Will be seeing my psychiatrist in a couple days and im bringing my phone to show my shrink this video
I thank God for you Dr. Josef.
Thank you for listening and redoing this. We appreciate you and your efforts so much!
This is for prescribers. It’s in our best interest not to alienate them. Please don’t give them more reasons to doubt us and label us as mentally ill. This doctor is trying!
Excellent presentation, but as many have eluded to, I only had a very few out of the many providers/ER docs/etc. would even take a printed info sheet I would try to hand them concerning info on benzos, akathisia, or anything related to what I knew was going on and when my illness began-it all led back to the benzo taper which was too quickly and taking me 5 years of misery before I finally found a benzo wise dr! Thank you Dr. Josef!!
Yes my son got this when he tried even cutting back on his klonipin.
Thank you for posting this. I’ve been sick and mostly bedridden for over 8 years now due to this. I was c/t and had kindled a bunch of times which likely led to it being so protracted. Doctors must realize this length of time is real and just how serious this situation can be. Admittedly I do now have concerns I’ll ever get better.
My psychiatrist was negative when I brought this to his attention.
Sounds like my PAs supervisor.
They hate being 'wrong', they are the 'experts' in their insular consulting room! 🙄
Thank you!!!
Any suggestions about how to get a doctor to watch a video?
Pay the doctor for their time to watch it. lol.
I was on psychotropic meds for 50 years, which included 21 years on a benzo. Not one doctor ever looked for the root causes of my symptoms...which turned out to be Lyme disease and a host of co-infections. I'll NEVER go back to those drugs. Now I'm 75 and 7 1/2 years benzo free and off all the other meds. However, I still have ALL the symptoms of protracted withdrawal...but don't know whether it's protracted withdrawal OR the symptoms of Lyme disease...because the symptoms are so similar. These medications should be outlawed...except for a very short term of up to 3-4 weeks. I now have PTSD from the medical system and will never see a psychiatrist again.
This isn’t just benzodiazepines. Please PLEASE add antidepressants to this. It’s unfair to leave out a huge part of the protracted withdrawal community 😢 We ALL need help and need our doctors to understand. I am in my 4th year of serous protracted withdrawal from an SSRI.
Same. SSRI protracted severe. Did you make a fast taper, long term use? I almost c/t due to a reaction 15 years sertraline.
Is protracted withdrawal of Antipsychotic medication similar to Benzodiazepines. Are able to make teaching videos about Antipsychotic medications and withdrawal symptoms. Thanks for your support and understanding of those patients suffering from this issue.
I think kind of the same. Even SSRI. Every drug.
Dr josef
Excellent content, but I don’t understand why doesn’t mention the fact that antipsychotic and antidepressants can also have a consequence of protracted withdrawal Akathesia when cold turkey.
I personally know three people that currently have this condition from those two drugs.
I love that you created this, it's incredibly helpful. I'm going to see a neurologist tomorrow (who may or may not believe my odd symptoms are from quitting klonopin), and I watched this to have a better understanding of what to bring up. Thank you!
I am currently experiencing WD symptoms. Was on 2 .5mg, recommended by doctor to go down to 1 .5mg, experienced confusion was in hospital, down to PRN .25mg. Have been on it since 2019. I am worried that I am in PAWS.
Most doctors are narcasists,been told by siblings and parents how wonderful and bright they are . They'll think what does he know wasting your breath.Thanks tho
This may be seen by those doctors. I get the anger. I GET IT, but if we present as angry and disrespectful guess what the response will be? Place your anger where it can help.
@@HS-1828 doctors know the devestation their meds cause are you daft the don't care .Go to a barber you'll get a haircut,go to an ice-cream parlour you get an ice-cream.Guess what you get you go to a doctor? A script their meds third leading cause if death, Off to the bakery to get some bread.
@@HS-1828OP's comment says nothing of their displayed attitude with doctors. I've seen 6 doctors the past 20 months and every single one of them have been self-righteous pricks that judge the book by its cover - even when saying I'm feeling confused and sluggish due to my reaction/condition. They call me crazy since their standard tests show little to nothing, and call the next over.
@@TheDavveponken they grandiose narcasists pricks that look down on people.Advocate for your own health the analogy I make we like junior school kids going to see the headmaster we listen as if their words gospel.I told 1 gp you might have a higher IQ than me but you have no common sense.Your given a script and gone within ten mins.
@@TheDavveponkenwhat med did you take?
Thank you Dr. Josef for bringing attention to this very important topic. My father (who is 65+) was on a benzodiazepine for insomnia for over 10 years. He did not take it every night, but it was pretty frequent. His GP took him off a few years ago because he started to have some memory deficits and benzos have been linked to that. I would love to get your perspective on this link to memory in another video? I should add, he was thoroughly checked for signs of dementia which were ruled out in an MRI and in some cognitive assessments. I believe he was perhaps not tapered appropriately, and now suffers with long term effects including panic attacks and severe anxiety. It has been a rough road. I cannot say for sure, but it makes me wonder if coming off of this played a big part in his mental health decline.
Benzos blunt one's emotions. When you come off them, you start feeling emotions again. Or you may start feeling them for the 1st time. It can be overwhelming when problems like anxiety and panic attacks surface. I'm still busy gradually tapering off but have recently finished 10 sessions of CBT, (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy). CBT teaches you skills to regulate your emotions and cope with them. It helps enormously with Panic attacks. I can now stop a panic attack from escalating by using breathing techniques I learnt from CBT. Have you thought of speaking to your father about getting some therapy? It's been a lifesaver for me.
Can you do a topic about antidepressants wd and symptoms? Im 6 months off and cant function that well the constant head pain for 10 months and the dpdr for 4 months is driving me insanse constant looping thoughts and anxiety aswell.
Can I ask what ssri u were on?
@@steph7960 zoloft
mattnichols374
Did you go cold turkey Matt?
@christinemclatchie went off in a month after 16 years doctors orders
@@steph7960 zoloft
I had IBS like symptoms for years on and off, 6 mns straight of diarrhea is not fun, I finally found probiotic Florastor I take every time I eat, lifesaver for me if a little pricey. Now if I could only get my brain to reboot!
Hey Josef, nice video as always. One for PSSD would be very handy, although more complex!
Hello doctor... Thanks for your awareness. ❤️i would be greatful for a video for ssris withdraw syndrome... Ssri can cause severe protracted withdraws too. Months to years from some days to 5 years and more. I was healing slowly in 2 years from symptoms like inability to walk, severe dysautonomia and orthostatic hypotension, completely dementia like symptoms, lost of connection with surroundings, lost of personality and more from lexapro, even was i still disable i had long way to go. I was very sick but my personality was coming back. I was exploring things like i was a child again that i had years to experience from this poision like start listen and love music agai , want to travel, want to be successful, care about my appearance, sexuality and people.. before i crashed from panax ginseng i took accidently that was in a vitamin in a wave of dysphagia (i didn't have thos symptom for 1 year) and everything came back not in waves any more..all together. Vision issues weakness and more..
People need hope when they are so sick that this is healing because they do mistakes like trialing herbs and they possibly stop the syndrome and maybe stay this for ever. I had severe side effects from this med and i see this symptoms like slowly healing of my brain.
In surviving antidepressants there are stories with xtreme symptoms of disability and more from ssris that they healed after 3 years.
" a small proportion" go through this after stopping the benzo? Not sure about that Doc?
From the testimonials I’ve heard, that’s not the case.
There’s no point either in me showing this to my Dr, as he won’t want to know…
So what your saying is patients need drugs instead of time and patience.... obviously you get paid by drug companies...
@@Ojhfdxhhgg at what point do you see anyone here implying for someone to remain on pharmaceutical s? And therefore work for bigpharma? Good grief. Maybe you should stay on your medication however?
What I WAS trying to say was that Josef stated these symptoms occur in a small amount of people receiving these drugs. That's simply not the case. This is affecting hundreds millions people?Ending the lives of many. Mass experimentation. That's not a small fraction of people.
@@steph7960 sorry I misinterpreted what you were saying....I agree with you... please ignore my comment....
Thanks so much - I’ve written every word down. So angry with brothers Gp who abruptly stopped all my brothers psych meds in one go . Idiot I’m sending a copy to each and everyone of the doctors at the surgery . 2 months of insomnia , mass anxiety nausea etc . He was trying to do the slow withdrawal and one stupid letter from a random psychiatrist who claimed he didn’t really have schizoaffective disorder it was just one episode - after a decade of drugs they were withdrawn on the spot . Another doctor has out him on different drugs now but I have no clue what’s these ones are . It’s a bloody nightmare of a system to get stuck in. He rang me tonight and goes into detox tomorrow as he started drinking to try and help sleep. A bad mistake but I’m so proud he himself in .
So many are still so dismissive doctors, (CPN) Community Psychiatric Nurse and the crisis team. I am still in withdrawals 8 months from Sertraline it is absolutely brutal.
There are more symptoms of withdrawals in regards to diazepam withdrawal, from my personal experience. Manic episodes, loss of time, hallucinations, a voice talking to you, waking up feeling mentally disturbed, paranoia rocking back and forth making moaning noices. That's some of what I have been through there's more but I can't exactly remember.
Could you make another video about protracted ssri withdrawals?
Where are the three important "links"? I'd like to review them.
Can you PLEASE do one of these for SSRI protracted withdrawal.
Many are enduring symptoms for years after cessation (even when doing harm reduction tapers)!
Thank you !
Thank you for mentioning the caregivers. Please we need help to and there is almost none available, especially with misdiagnoses like FND or conversation disorder. Instead, we get platitudes like "put your oxygen mask on first" while my husband is having severe akathisia, constant pain and wants to take his life every day.
My husband is again taking mirtazapine for sleep we keep telling him you can’t just take these when you want. I believe he’s having some type of withdrawal head pressure and headache !
THEY ALL ALREADY KNOW. AND, IT IS NOT "UNCOMMON." AND, IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE TIME, NO MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU WEAN OFF OF IT. THAT IS A FACT. NOT "UNCOMMON."
What if anything can you do to grow or rebalance out the receptors. Would 5HTP be an option?
Thanks for this video! I'm kind of confused tho bc I thought you had said the best way to stop the symptoms was to reinstate the drug and eventually do a slow taper? Or did I misunderstand you before? Ty so much 😊
What constitutes severe anxiety and insomnia?
Does this occur only after discontinue the benzodiazepines or can it also happen occur while still on the benzodiazepines but after substantial benzodiazepines reduction; e.g., 3.5 mg to 0.5 mg. Thanks.
It's entirely possible to experience tolerance/interdose withdrawal symptoms during tapering and sometimes they can be severe. Was a massive reduction you made.
What about benzos for a movement disorder Lance Adams Sundrome? I’ve only cut down 15% in the past 3 years. Not sure if it’s ta the cutting down as I went through severe emotional trauma and financial stress. Before that, I was completely gone. I only fit down /1/16th of as ctablet every 2.5 months.. I’m determined to use neuroplasticity to my advantage. Only 150 of us alive globally. Doing everything in my power, naturally, to heal my symptoms.
Note that depression can s quite severe, no appetite and low motivation. Now exercising, sun gazing, taking cursed, cutting down on processed carbs, etc.
I developed protracted withdrawal during a very slow taper.. in fact I was having interdose withdrawals after Taking Ativan for only 1 week....so now even dr. Josef says my problem can't happen because I tapered VERY slowly.
It can happen even from some pills. Everything that can cause toxicity and side effects
No, I've watched many of Josefs videos, and he says protracted withdrawals CAN occur in people who've tapered gradually from these drugs.
I don't believe a doctor would waste even 2 minutes listening to this video. They are programmed to believe that a pill would never do so much harm to a human being. and also that they have nothing more to learn after becoming a doctor. much less would they “humble themselves” before a “psychiatric” patient. They are “gods” on earth. Maybe one day something will change.
Hi, can you please let me know whether it is safe to stop talking sertraline (25 mg) abruptly without any tapering after only 7 days of contentious use?
Thanks
I have akathisia I did not get it from tapering off and medication I got it from taking Risperidone do people recover from tapering off medication if they get akinesia is an adverse reaction will I ever recover
Please make video on topic amitriptyline why still popular?
6.5 years off benzos. My life is ruined. Disabled from them.
So do doctors have to act on something that's fda appropriate?
Prof. Ashton wrote the manual, and it's free. But he makes a lot of money, 38.000 dollar! All is about money!
i don't see the 3 links to the articles
I can't find them either.
Hello Dr Josef 😊,
What are your thoughts on hemp gummies?
I started weaning off diazepam 20mg one year+ ago, now at 3.5mgs. I’ve tried many strains of CBD Oil, none of them helped.
Have you tried the keto diet? I heard it can help a lot! Im trying to get my mom off these meds, and Im looking for people who have had successful stories withthe keto diet
Is it OK if we hog tie I provider and make them watch. jk 😢
This isn't clear at all. Firstly, it's not uncommon. Secondly, it's related to damaged GABA receptors. Isn't this common knowledge ?
Obviously it’s not common knowledge to “experts” or there wouldn’t be so many people going through this shiz
He promises too much. A long tapering does not guarantee that everything will go well. I know, 3 years, and 8 years later I'm still in hell. And many of us are in the same situation. The longer you use the drug, the longer the recovery and damage. So no one can promise that a long tapering will give the best result. And why so expensive to get help? Several hundred dollars, but no success story. ☹
I was diagnosed with panic disorder in 2002. I was put on clonazapan until the my body worked with the correct antidepressant. I tried just about every antidepressant and got worse or felt like a zombie. It took about a year until I found Effexor XR and have still been on clonazapan since 2002. I chose not to come off clonazapan because my mom was also on clonazapan and the doctors took her off cold turkey and it brought her to a nursing home. They damaged her brain and I will not go down that route. I also will not go through tapering because I still need it. I’m at a lower dose compared to when I first started and only had to up the dose 1 time by .5mg. I have been under anesthesia a few times for colonoscopies, heavy bleeding during peri menopause and had to have a DNC. I had no complications and the anesthesiologist knew what was in my body. I don’t drink or smoke. I don’t take any medication that contains alcohol. Some cold and allergy medicine I only take half the dose so it doesn’t magnified the side effects of the cold/allergy side effects. I still work and have a fulfilling life. I plan to stay on my meds until I die. I refuse to waste years of my live tapering off and suffering when this medication works for me.
No one is telling you to get off benzodiazepines. He is speaking to those who were either ripped off by their doctor or chose to taper off and still had withdrawal symptoms.
I love that you said this because many people choose to stay right where they are if it’s working for them .
…and that attitude is part of the problem for people trying to get off them and suffering. I’m fine, why aren’t you? Well, I’m not fine and I’m really glad you are and I’m really glad that you just love your drugs that much. That said, some of us are being damaged by these drugs. Some of us are having long term usage side effects.