Who knew a harmless prescription by a trusted physician would destroy my life and health? For half of my twenties I experienced bizarre symptoms that didn’t fit any specific diagnosis. They seemed to mimic several chronic and rare illnesses, and so I subjected myself to invasive tests and saw upwards of 70 specialists in search of an accurate diagnosis and help. Apart from the occasional scare, and one cancer misdiagnosis, everything came back normal. I was falling into the “all in your head” category.
Fortunately in 2014, the medical mystery was solved. An extremely competent psychologist was able to identify the surprising source: prescription Ativan, which I had been taking daily since 2009. The Ativan was initially prescribed to prevent seizures after an accident. At the time, I was only provided with a bland warning about the medication’s potential for addiction, and was otherwise assured of its safety. I took it exactly as prescribed. I even asked a few of my specialists if the Ativan could potentially be responsible for my problems. They assured me it was not. However, it started to be the only thing that had made sense in years. Everything fit. The timelines of dosing, the potential side effects I wasn’t warned about, and a strange period with a bad interaction with fluoroquinolones that is, known to me now, notorious for interacting poorly with those with benzodiazepine physical dependence. While I was very angry that I wasted years of my life chasing a phantom illness, I also felt a sense of relief. I could get out of this nightmare. There was now, finally, hope for escape— I could rid myself of the medication and move on with my life, maybe with fully-restored health.
Not so fast.
Consulting the Experts
I quickly discovered one monumental problem: modern medicine is largely incompetent regarding benzodiazepines. This is especially surprising considering benzodiazepine withdrawal is one of the deadliest known to medicine. Everything physicians suggested not only failed, but also made the situation much worse. Some of the ideas posed, that I would discover later were potentially deadly, included: abrupt cessation, admission to a detox center, a rapid month-long taper, removing one dosage per week, switching amongst different shorter- and longer-acting benzodiazepines (usually at incorrect equivalence rates), taking two benzodiazepines simultaneously to “cancel out” the symptoms, adding random medications, placing me in a voluntary coma, and, most upsetting and unhelpful, total denial of the problem altogether. Two physicians even “fired” me as a patient, implying I was a liability. It was as if I was being gaslit. I lost confidence in medicine altogether, but kept trying. This couldn’t be. Surely, somebody would eventually know what was going on?
The reality of my situation slowly sunk in: I was trapped on a medication that was making me sick, that I didn’t want to take anymore, and I was completely on my own to figure out how to get off of it.
But nobody did. The explanations, medical opinions, and proposed options just continued to get more preposterous, finally culminating with a few doctors admitting, “This just happens to some patients. I don’t have a clue what to do for you. You should stay on the medication for the rest of your life.” I was stunned. No answers were available at all? Their solution was simply that I was stuck in a hell of their creating for the rest of my life with no help? A lifetime of feeling this way simply wasn’t an option for me. Not to mention I had many concerns around the risks of taking benzodiazepines during pregnancy, and wanted the benzodiazepines out of the way before starting a family. The reality of my situation slowly sunk in: I was trapped on a medication that was making me sick, that I didn’t want to take anymore, and I was completely on my own to figure out how to get off of it.
The Online Benzodiazepine Community
Backed into a corner, I Googled. Much to my relief (and simultaneous horror), I was not alone by any stretch. I discovered many Facebook benzodiazepine support groups and a forum called BenzoBuddies— their collective memberships totaling over eighty thousand people. None of the people in the groups were surprised. They, too, had similar experiences with useless and often detrimental direction from their doctors in their own attempts at cessation. Beyond some much-needed commiseration and validation, the groups provided what I wanted the most: solutions. They warned the process most likely would not be easy, as a certain percentage of patients can have complicated and painful withdrawals. I didn’t care, I was all in. I finally had an understanding as to what was going on and a plan to follow. I was willing to give up everything to recover my health. And I almost did.
From the communities I learned that the strange cluster of symptoms I had been experiencing for years was from a few things: dose tolerance, interdose withdrawal, and side effects. It was stressed that benzodiazepines must be tapered slowly, about a year or more, often longer. The community strongly discourages abrupt or rapid withdrawal at home or in detox/rehab centers due to the increased risk for severe withdrawal (seizures, psychosis, an agonizing movement disorder called akathisia, and/or suicide) and protracted withdrawal syndrome. The goal in a slow taper is to keep a stable serum level, maintaining even doses throughout the day, and to slowly titrate at a tolerable rate. For me, I would discover, there is not a completely tolerable rate, just a less severe one. Finally, I was told that, even after completion of a long, slow taper, some people would require another year, or even many more, to fully recover from the medication’s damaging effects.
Every cessation method proposed to me by doctors was much too rapid and indicative of an all-too-common fundamental misunderstanding of benzodiazepines and their mechanisms of action.
I began to recognize that my benzodiazepine treatment had been mishandled from beginning to end. I had not given informed consent when initiating Ativan as I was not provided the full picture of the risks involved. In particular, the risk of developing physical dependence, a physical phenomenon much different from addiction. The medical industry often conflates addiction with physical dependence, which results in confusion and mistreatment. I discovered I should never have been kept on Ativan daily for more than 2-4 weeks, per most prescribing guidelines and FDA Prescribing Information. Every cessation method proposed to me by doctors was much too rapid and indicative of an all-too-common fundamental misunderstanding of benzodiazepines and their mechanisms of action. I also discovered I was not, as I had been told, on a “low dose” of a benzodiazepine, but a moderately high one (not that it mattered— dependence, tolerance, interdose and side effects develop at any dose). Finally, I found my doctors’ suggestions to add additional psychiatric drugs as a supposed “aid” to benzodiazepine withdrawal is specifically advised against in the British National Formulary’s Benzodiazepine Guidance.
If that wasn’t enough, I soon encountered another absurd hurdle: most benzodiazepines are are not available in dose sizes or forms optimal to cessation. Luckily, the online withdrawal community figured this one out as well. Imagining where I would be without these communities is terrifying. Most likely, I would, like so many people currently are, still be blindly medicated, in a significantly worse state of tolerance without any knowledge as to why, spending a fortune investigating symptoms, or worse, rapidly withdrawn or having given up completely.
The Withdrawal
I initially tapered using the Ashton Manual, a guide explaining both how benzodiazepines work and how to withdraw, by psychopharmacologist Dr. Heather Ashton. She is highly regarded within the community for her work running a clinic for benzodiazepine patients in the United Kingdom. Using her method, one cuts their dose by about 5-10% at once and holds until the symptoms abate, at which time the process is repeated.
In spite of my best effort, each “cut” proved to be too large for me, destabilizing me further, and creating a laundry list of new intolerable daily symptoms, including: migraines, numbness, hallucinations, twitching, spasms, blurred vision, eye pain, a sensation of being on a rocking boat (similar to mal de débarquement syndrome), agoraphobia, panic attacks, hyperacusis, sensitivity to certain foods and chemicals, memory loss, confusion, unexplained tooth pain, burning nerve pain, shingles, rashes, chronic itching, tinnitus, olfactory hallucinations, hot and cold flashes, suicidal ideation, nausea, depersonalization, derealization, dizziness, insomnia, and many others.
After about a year and a half of the “cut-and-hold” method, I decided to switch to a more popular method called “microtapering”. Microtapering is essentially making small (microgram, as opposed to milligram) reductions more frequently which add up over time. For me, the microtaper made the symptoms more bearable, reducing the chronic agitation and suicidal ideations to a level where I felt safe I would not end my life, while eliminating the hallucinations. The other symptoms remain to this day prominent and disabling.
I have tapered four-and-a-half years now and predict it will take over five in total. Even at that slow rate, the process of reversing my body’s physiological dependence to benzodiazepines has completely destroyed what was left of my health and the life I once had
I have tapered four-and-a-half years now and predict it will take over five in total. Even at that slow rate, the process of reversing my body’s physiological dependence to benzodiazepines has completely destroyed what was left of my health and the life I once had. My constant symptoms cause physical, mental, and psychological limitations in every area of my life. Many of my relationships have dissolved, as well, with friends and family moving forward in their own lives while I remain stuck waiting on my nervous system’s slow repair.
This syndrome doesn’t have an alarming and well-known word attached to it, like “cancer” or “car accident,” that instructs people on how to help. It’s a mostly silent epidemic without any instructions for those on the inside or outside of it. Most people conclude that I must be exaggerating, or not trying hard enough, maybe I’m an addict in denial, or some other excuse that blames me, which is usually reasoned with it is unlikely to be this trapped, that something this serious would obviously be widely recognized by medicine. Not so. What it boils down to is this: Myself, and the many thousands of others in my same situation, are in dire need of non-medical support precisely because medical recognition is scarce or unavailable, yet, as a direct result of that medical repudiation, the non-medical support also abandons us.
I’m weirdly considered lucky; many don’t make it as far as me in solving their own benzodiazepine issues. They go to their graves wondering what suddenly went wrong with them.
I’m weirdly considered lucky; many don’t make it as far as me in solving their own benzodiazepine issues. They go to their graves wondering what suddenly went wrong with them. The barriers to discovery are immense. Accurate answers to the problem are not readily available, while incorrect and harmful answers are plentiful. Surviving the cessation is the hardest fight of ten lifetimes. It is long-term physical torture with zero societal validation or financial restitution. Many cannot cope and end their lives.
Forming a Coalition for Change
I firmly believe that so long as patients are given true informed consent, one’s treatment choices for their own body should be up to them. That said, it is abundantly clear to me that prescribers often cause more harm than good with this class of medication and competent resources need to exist immediately for those injured. We can’t rely on medicine or legislation as they have failed to address this issue since the 1950s. It’s also clear that patients who are already physically dependent and do not wish to withdraw should not be forced against their will. Many, understandably, don’t want to do it or are not privileged enough financially to be able to afford to try. Nobody should be forced into hell against their will, especially when they didn’t consent to the risk to begin with. In my opinion, the most critical concerns should include: medical recognition of the withdrawal syndrome, appropriate tapering methods, and research on the nature of the potential damage by long-term prescriptions.
From informed consent at the time of prescription to the proper handling of cessation, we hope to end this dark age of prescriber ignorance, thereby reducing patient injury and giving this epidemic, and the patients impacted by it, the recognition and care that is deserved.
In 2016, to fill my time and to attempt to help those who are also harmed, I co-founded a nonprofit called Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC). We have an amazing medical board, as well as dedicated volunteers, many of whom were harmed by benzodiazepines themselves. We have had a busy 2 years, appearing in several major news outlets and participating frequently in outreach efforts. Our aim is to contribute to public awareness of the benzodiazepine problem, as well as to give both patients and professionals much-needed educational resources and information. From informed consent at the time of prescription to the proper handling of cessation, we hope to end this dark age of prescriber ignorance, thereby reducing patient injury and giving this epidemic, and the patients impacted by it, the recognition and care that is deserved.
My so called psychiatrist cruelly took away my medication over a 5 month period after I’d been on it for over 20 years. I had no idea the hell my life would soon become and still is. I had to get back on benzodiazepines and may or may not be on them for the rest of my life as I can’t imagine repeating this agony. I have lost my career, almost lost my family and my health.
I totally understand as I had doctors who left me on them for almost 38 years. At the highest day, I was taking 6 mg a day and it has been 11 years and I still take an eighth of a milligram a day and recently I have been having these like feeling like bugs crawling on my head And numbness in my face like a tingling numbness. My blood pressure is fine. Everything’s fine so I started thinking today I have been on an eighth for like two years and I was wondering, could that be what’s causing all this?
I’m in the middle of going through PAWS after an none voluntary abrupt stop of 10mg of diazepam a day 6 months ago, this article helped reassure me I’m getting better and nor losing my mind
Hello: I enjoyed your article. Sorry u had to go through so much pain. I am about 11 years a cold turkey withdrawl from klonopin. I still suffer every other day with head waves and head pain. The head pain is lessioning but could take a couple more years to abate. Take care
Valium 5mg for upwards of 10 years no abuse than to Xanax 1mg for past year im tapering but feel dizzy and exhausted just want to sit in one place not much productive thinking and dropping everything wondering has anyone tried the colonodine or gabapentin methods
I am this person on lorazapam over 15 years I’m 65, I hurt but can’t take a pain med. I can’t take a muscle relaxer. I hit out in my sleep. And living thru he’ll. I don’t know why I let a dr do this to me. But now I’m just going to suffer for the rest of my life.
Trapped on clonazepam 2mg for a long time no help available it’s for rls but just made things worse now dr added hydrocodone I’m so depressed I want none of these medicines
Consider your self lucky. I have been on a benzo since age 11, they claimed I’m hyper.
No we found out I’m adhd I started taking kolonopin after back surgery at 27. I’m 62 I’ve been on a benzoyl for 50 some years.
My body will not let me stop them. I wound up in nut ward 3 times. Only to be released 12 and 28 days later. I dud a 1.5 year the a 6 month and whoa Nelly a abrut stop.
I have rest less leg syndrome a horrible thing to have.
If anyone trys to make me stop again. Like this last month. I will either end my life or move to Arizona and go to Mexico.
I’m too old to be in constant withdrawal.
I just spent the week in hospital due to the forced stop.
I have copy horrible panic attacks and gad. Due to child hood abuse by parents.
This medication allows me to be able to function. Now if I could only get my vicodin back. I’d be able to work. And not stress about homeless. Anxiety aggravates your cold which then gives you issues breathing then more anxiety. Worse rls. Muscle e twitches No Sleep.
Inability to eat.
Death will be better than a taper..
If I keep going into hospital for cold flare ups and chest pain.
I’ll only have about 5 years left to exist
Dont fear the meds only 3 out of 10 have a hard time getting off and staying off.
.
I’m glad I found kratom red vein it’s a opiate antagonist. In combo it helps with rls and some pain.
4 years ago when Trump the liar and loser thing opioid epidemic WA from the immigrants. He screwed 38 million of us. In 19 we all had to stop pain meds.
I’d like hom to truly suffer and his loved ones . Not baron. But the rest.
Always try to take the least possible.
Ever take more. You will get red flagged. To day a psych Dr. Could not believe I was denied by a idiot pa.her license is more important than the patients well being.
God be with all of us who suffer thru this.
Dave I’m 68 and want to die, I know exactly what you’re going through, it’s a nightmare, I trusted doctors and they failed me, do no harm is a lie, I am dealing with same as you ,I feel so destroyed from these medicines
Can I stop clonazepam with rapid taper if I have used it for about 2 months?
No taper it will hurt
Hi
I’m on kolonapin for 7 years my dr passed away and they just left me hanging no answering phones 🙃 I’m on oxygen and have congested heart failure so I’m scared to death I’m gonna die from the fast stopping I can’t find no one and my dr said I need a psychiatrist I need help I just wanna dose down how do I do it
Use the Ashton method.
But use a physc dr. Many are smarter then your avg p.a. or dr.
I just saw a segment on 60 minutes where a neurosurgeon uses ultrasound aimed at certain parts of the brain in high frequency to cure drug addiction. Does anyone think this could help benzodiazepine induced neurological damage and dependence that I suffer from ?
We can only wish
Good question I saw the same show and also wondered the same thing..
I was on 30 mg flurazepam for 22 yrs. Myelin stopped producing the med. My symptoms then began with resistant hypertension, followed by rapid heartbeat, dizziness. My doctor finally switched me to valium 5mg. This seemed to help but then he told me to cut the dose down to half and quit in 2 mos. That is when my nightmare began with dizziness, horrid anxiety, dry eyes, rapid heartbeat, horrid insomnia, the feeling I was being electrocuted alive, severe weakness on my legs horrid tinnitus and other symptoms I choose not to mention. No one believed me. A psychiatrist nurse practioner wanted to polypharma me. My 10 blood pressure meds had horrible side effects. I could not stay hydrated and went to er. The doctor stopped short of calling me a drug addict due to the marks on both arms from where the nurses could not find a vein to start an iv for a ct scan I had a few days prior. I had to ask the er doctor for a bag of fluids otherwise I would have not received them. I also had severe nausea that night. Finally I found a doctor who prescribed 10 mg diazepam 2 times per day. I had basically been going through protracted withdrawal for 4 mos. The new doctor had mercy on me. That was one year ago. At least I can now function to a fashion but I don’t think I will ever be the same due to the lack of concern of the first doctor. I feel I suffered neurological damage. I never abused the flurazepam. I took it as prescribed. I have never taken any other illicit drugs.
I was initially prescribed Xanax at night while pregnant for restless leg syndrome then duribg the day as I was going through a physically abusive relationship. I mase sure I necwr upped my dose beyond 1 mg because I heard about it being addictive. (not from my doctor)
Fast forward 20 plus years & I became tired of feeling like an addict when I couldn’t get my prescription on time. I scoured the internet not wanting to replace my dependence w another pill. I tapered myself off in a month. It was rhe hardest thing I’ve ever done but I was determined. After researching I decided to use Cannabis to wean myself off as it’s not physically addicting. I’m now over 3 years free from Xanax ?? I now am going through berve testing as I am suffering symptoms of nerve danage. I believe the years of Xanax has left my central nervous system in a raw state so I am focusing on healing myself naturally.
Hi Shannon,
Thanks, can you please tell me how are you healing naturally ?
Best Regards,
Mita
No 3 out of 10 will have horrible experiences. Others can taper and be findiet magnesium gly iante. Diet and counseling. Your side effects are real. Exercise meditation.
And stay busy
I need help. I am just waiting to die and pray I do every night. I’ve been on klonopin for 20 years. I’ve lost millions, a career, my family and friends. Not because I’m mean, because I’m nothing. My brains in a fog and at this point ordering groceries and cooking is all I can do. Lucky I have tbe faculties to eat exceptionally well, so I have tbe advantage if a spectacularly healthy diet. That’s all I have going for me. I’m losing grip. I’m afraid of rehab. I wish there was a calculator to input your dose and years addicted to spit out time needed to withdraw.
I tapered off a 4.5 mg/day Klonopin (Clonazepam) really easily, but the cuts in dosage were when I felt ready.
I was on Clonazepam for more than 20 years, yet my withdrawal from the drug was so smooth I couldn’t tell I was decreasing my dosage.
It took me roughly 3 years to go from 4.5 mg/day to zero. The first cut in dosage was a full mg/day and I was shocked I had zero issues with this large decrease. After getting to an even 3mg/day the cuts were 0.25mg/day and at no time did I feel any discomfort.
My provider is a gem. She supported me every step of the journey and adjusted sertraline (Zoloft) dosages slightly upwards and prescribed me gabapentin in varying dosages to help with the RLS I had towards the very end of my taper.
No one even suspected I was withdrawing from any drug. I guess my mix of genes and lifestyle made removal of Clonazepam therapy very easy.
I wrote about my journey at BenzoBuddies, but it was such a smooth process the only thing s person reading it receive is hope that they too have as easy a time as I did.
I can envision a future without benzo therapy ever being considered, and another where a quick genetic test will be able to tell fairly accurately whether a person will respond like me or something far worse with a broad spectrum of gradations.
Thats awesome ? proud of you and so I am weed…can you tell me how you stepped down from weed your “doses” lol if you don’t mind thanks god bless don’t know you but I love you.
Very happy to discover this organization/blog/community. Is there a way to sign up for the blog in particular?
Thanks
This article eould have been helpful if the author told how to microtaper off the benzo. I desperately want off and am not getting thd info I need to be able to do it. I need stro by step details of how to determine how much water to use with water titration and more. The spreadsheets are confusing … im 67 and i want to get off the benzo and have at least a year of life that may feel better if at all possible. And dont tell me it’s not worth it, unless you have an idea of how to make life tolerable until I die, still on this drug. I need hope.
Kathy, I’m going thru the tapering process myself and am no expert. I’ve been on lorazepam 1mg three times per day for four years. In august I decided I’d had enough so I began a slow taper and am just now down to one pill per day. I broke my pills into fourths with my fingers so that’s 12 small pills per day. So I immediately went to 11 doses per day for several weeks then 10 per day for several weeks and so on. Just remember the longer you taper the less you want to take away each time because the percentage is higher. They say to not take more than 10% away at a time. Sometimes once the pills are broken into fourths you have to then take just part of one of the pills away instead of the entire fourth. I did this by using my fingernail and breaking it down even smaller. It wastes parts of the pill but I didn’t care. The key I think is a SLOW taper. Even tapering slowly I’ve experienced tinnitus, pain in my legs, occasional anxiety attacks (nothing major) burning feelings on my skin and difficulty walking straight. It’s sucks but just know you will get thru this!! Some people say to taper and hold until you have no symptoms before you taper again. I just do it for several weeks and move on. It seems to be working. Good luck!! Also, a lot of praying helps!! Just know you’re not alone in this. God bless!!!
I recommend Reddit specifically as a great source of info here, although, take everything with a grain of salt. Many brilliant people and solutions on there, but also a few that don’t know what they are talking about. Be perceptive, understand there is a slight optimism bias at times, but there is some great stuff on there
Thank you Jason. I hope I can figure out how to micro-taper off diazepam slowly. I want to know how much I’m tapering so don’t know if I could crush pieces and keep track of it or not. I found one psych provider that knows about micro-tapers and her job focus moved away from medication management. Now I don’t have anyone and have just been talking with my family doctor. She is suggesting a compound pharmacy and that doesn’t feel like I’d be in control and the pharmacy I talked to isn’t able to compound it with the very small taper reduction that I feel is best for me. Are you working with anyone? How did you find them?
Hi Jason, my story is very close to yours. I have been on lorazepam 1mg 2 times per day. (My doctor orginally prescribed 3 times per day, like you, for some reason I never took that 3rd one. I now see it was a blessing in disguise.) I starting tapering in January of this year, like you cutting my tabs into fourths. As of today I am down to 5 of the fourths or 1 1/4 mg per day, just tapered 2 weeks ago. I have experienced benzo belly for months, not realizing, until recently, that my GI symptoms are symptoms of benzo withdrawal. While my GI symptoms are easing I’m having new symptoms such as tight throat, eye dryness and blurred vision, chronic pelvic pain. Thanks for sharing your story with it being so close to mine I somehow felt the need to reach out to you. I would love to know how you are doing. God bless.
I have needed to read someone else tapering. I have been in Xanax for 30+ years from 6mg daily initially as a trial for 6 weeks. I went up to 8/day at one stage and now I have dropped down to 1 mg per day of my own accord but over the last six months I’ve been pushed hard by the doctors to reduce once per month which I found extremely difficult as I needed to find a new home and I still suffer from agoraphobia.
I understand the lowest dosage for aprazolam is 0.25mg so 10% will not be in achievable but often wondered if I could halve a half even though it is not scored as I know the drug is not eventkh distributed in the sections which are not scored. Here is something I found on YouTube. For you too Kathy. I have read meditation can be very beneficial for withdrawal so am presently learning mindfulness meditation to see how it helps. It appears lorezapam and amprazolam are similar in that they are shorter acting and both Ten times the strength of valium. Good luck to you all.
https://youtu.be/1jm_98DBe5c
Kathy. I too, am going through hell . I was on xanax for years and years. It stopped working. Now I’m on diazapam and Lexapro. Still going through hell. I’ve lost half of my hair, horrible insomnia, horrible anxiety. My family cannot understand any if this or the hell I’m going through. I dont know what to do or who to turn to. My gp says go to counseling. Yeah, right. This is a brain injury, not something talking about to someone would help me. The prescribing doctor just keeps giving me different drugs to try. She doesn’t understand the hell I’m going through. Typing this, I’m suffering terribly. Constant anxiety. Hell on earth. God bless. Hope we can get through this torture.
What can I do I take xanax and I am numb but have horrible fear…cant sleep sweating all the time….
Carol, I sure understand what you are going through… every single word. I feel trapped because I want off it badly, and would not ever cold turkey off, and I haven’t found a safe way to get off of it. Also I’m on several other meds to help deal with all the anxiety and depression that happened after being tapered off too fast the first time (I’d been on it for 20 years at that time). Staying on it doesn’t help my brain! Good luck and God bless you, too. We will get off this medication. I’m really hoping more doctors and pharmacies become willing to help people with this.
I tapered off zoloft over a period of nearly 4 years and finished in 2021. I’m now tapering off Xanax and expect it will be another 3 years until I’m free. I’ve found a lot of support and good advice on https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/.
Hi Kathy,
I too have been scouring the internet trying to find a tapering regimen that makes sense and is (relatively) easy to follow. To be sure, I’m not giving you medical advice in any way but just my opinion. That being said, I came across an interesting and promising YouTube channel called “Crazy Canuck”. You can search “Crazy Canuck” in the search at in Youtube and easily find him. I know it’s a funny name, but this guy has a 3-part video series walking someone interested in tapering step-by-step through his entire process (he says he’s now benzo free). He even provides an Excel spreadsheet link you can print out to help you keep track of how much you’re tapering. All you have to do is plug in the benzo you’re on, your dosage, and how much you wan to taper by. The spreadsheet does the math for you. He uses what’s called a milk taper. Watch all three videos in order for it all to toe together and make the most sense. Again, and for legality purposes, I’m NOT giving you medical advice. Just something for you to look into if you’re interested. Best of luck to you.
Hi – I’ve been on 6mg Clonazepam a day 4mg in the mornings and 2mg in the evenings. I’ve run out and the doc won’t prescribe more at the moment.
Life has actually been fine on it but I have been on it for about 5 years now.
I’m on day 3 now and have a migraine and feel “funny” which is about the only way i can describe it.
I’ve had some propranolol and some codeine as I have some that I’m prescribed. (Major road accident hence the scripts).
I’ve asked my doc, I didn’t want to explain I don’t have any left.
Just a bit worried about all I’ve discovered online about abrupt cessation.
I’m kind of hoping someone might say there’s a good chance of being absolutely fine.
Hey Bruce, i’m NOT an expert. So don’t take anything of what i’m saying as facts! It’s more feelings like knowledge.
So as far as i know, roughly 50% of people that cut off benzos have no withdrawal symtomps, as i have been informeed.
The thing is, when they DO have withdrawal symptoms, they are not only horrible, but also potentially dangerous, seizures and even death can occure. I’m not telling this to scare you, but so you can take precaution against this. If i where you, i would search for another doctor right now. Call them, be honest about your situation, and hopefully you will find someone that can help you.
Slow tapering is REALLY important. You should avoid going cold-turkey at all costs! Don’t give up yet, try talking to your doctor again, show him this sites, show him the Ashton-Manual.
I wish you the best. You can do this!
I quit out of the blue and I’m just fine. I took cbd and thc edibless to help with the mild withdrawal and im fine.
How long and what dose did you take? I went off Clonipin cold Turkey several years ago and did fine. A little afraid to try now as I’m much older. I am now on Ativan.
What MG were you on when you did cold turkey?
Benzos at that age are tricky. The wide range of stated half-lives for this class of drug start increasing dramatically with age, another aspect that doesn’t seem to be considered enough in people on them.
Depending on how much longer you expect to live, it may be worth discussing if you’d be better off just staying on them, but giving great consideration in dosage schedules in order to avoid peaks and valleys so that there’s no or less interdose withdrawals.
But as for your micro tapering question, it’s usually done with volumetric solutions of liquids. Most benzos are soluble in ethanol or Propalyne Glycol. This allows for dilution so that the liquids can then be measured out to drop down even just 1-2% per adjustment, aiming to minimize, or potentially eliminate withdrawal effects at each stage.
Obligatory: this is not medical advice. Please consult your medical professionals even if they don’t seem to want to listen. A lot of knowledge of benzos is rather new info that most doctors did not learn about during their training and so they’re operating on old assumptions. Careful trusting anything you hear on the internet also, including this response. But slower tapers are better, although terrifying enough they are an off drug that can cause horrific withdrawal effects even at the slightest dosage reductions. Seizures can even occur reducing the dosage of people even taking therapeutically prescribed doses for even a few days, and it only takes 3 months of use to be labeled a long term user with an even higher risk of adverse effects. They don’t work like drugs like opioids where tolerance forms because the related receptors downregulate, which withdrawal at least causes the body to up regulate back to normal relatively quickly. Benzos, in a unique fashion, don’t downregulate their affected receptors, but have an odd effect where they uncouple the receptors from the effects they are supposed to have, so the healing process is very different. If a way could be found to trigger recoupling, there’s potential future withdrawals can be fixed more easily. For now, though, new, better benzos are being designed which can provide the positive effects without causing such an intense dependence, as the gaba-a subunits for anxiety, sedative/hypnotic effects, euphoria and addictive pull, are luckily separate from the subunits that causes the decoupling. Doesn’t mean much for this current wave of people struggling with dependence and painful tapers, but I believe that’s where the future of more selective diazepines are headed and hopefully future generations can get the positive effects without such disproportionately ridiculously intense withdrawals. If we can figure out how to trigger the recoupling proceess, that has great potential in fixing the current dependences but since that’s not as profitable, I don’t expect the pharmaceutical industry has any motivation to get such a product on the market unless it somehow actually makes things worse and people even more reliant on overpriced medical care.
Me too.
I started taking Alprazolam 3 years ago for anxiety. I was diagnosed in 2016 at the age of 50 with Type 1 Diabetes. I went to my doctor and he told me he could tell I was anxious and said he could give me something but I said no. Then one day I had an anxiety attack and I called my doctor and asked him to give me something. I wish I had researched about the Alprazolam before I took it but I just didn’t think about it at the time. I was taking .5mg 3 times a day. As I was taking it I would get dizzy. So my doctor would give me some other benzo and it would do the same thing. Anyways, long story short I have been off the Alprazolam for almost a month now and I will never go back on it again. I have tried several times to get off of it but I would have withdrawls and would get back on it. Right now I am dealing with the constant dizziness which I know it’s from taking this drug and my body is sensitive to it but my doctor doesn’t think so. I have been to every doctor and have had every kind of test run and it all comes back good (in which I am very thankful for that). Anyone else deal with the constant dizziness? If I’m outside I’m ok but if I go inside the lights in my house and businesses I go into really bother me.
I am on my first month of clonozapam for 2 or 3 years maybe… contact bro. Reading this I’m glad I’m not alone. Did you make it?
Hi Ryan , how are you doing – I am 2months off and going through hell .. how are you coping … any advice would help
The author states that shingles is a withdrawal symptom. I’m 10 years off and still not back to “normal” and am on week 6 of a really bad episode of shingles. Could this really be due to withdrawal?
How long was you on your meds
I don’t want money.
Money doesn’t soothe an injury, and I think most people find that it doesn’t soothe an angry soul either.
Money can buy comfort.
I don’t care about litigation. I’m not going to sue any of my doctors because they were just not well trained. They didn’t mean harm. Most are out of practice now.
I would like my life back. The previous 23 probably are gone, but I have at least a couple decades of work to do to make up for it.
(clonazepam 3mg x 23y)
Hi Matt. Thank you for responding and thereby helping me. Do I read the last line right, that you have been taking 3mg/day of clonazepam? That’s the dose I’m on (I started at 1MG/day, and 3 seems to keep things steady.
I’d like to get off of these. But I’m 67 years old, in good health and workout 6 times/week. Is it worth it for me to go through the hell of WD at this age? I know you can’t answer this, it’s my decision. If you have any thoughts, I’d appreciate it.
Thanks Matt. Joe
No not worth it
It is completely worth it! Not everyone reacts the same to benzodiazepine withdrawal. If you give it a fighting chance amazing things may happen! That being said, a taper will truly optimize your withdrawal. Go as low and slow as you need to, but don’t give up before you get started. I was on two mg. Clonazepam a day for 5 years. It took me two months to taper (pure hell!) another month of badness off of everything, and then I had my life back!
Hi Michelle , I needed up going to detox for klonopin 3 years up to 2mg the last year- I decided to come off , not knowing the dangers of detox facility a 4 day cold turkey . Aweful experience there. But now 2 months off and did not know if you had any instruive scary thoughts don’t want to trigger anyone – and how you got through it ? I have family support they know not to leave me alone etc.. I am 52 and can’t live like this with this kind of thoughts – I am so worried – don’t know how long it will last..
Hi Michelle wow that’s a lot ? I’m getting of .25mg shall I take diazepam ? Or just stop after a year.
Not worth it. If you’re not having any problems taking it , just stay on. The problem is, you’re probably having some issue or you wouldn’t be here asking the question, right? If you are healthy —coming off might not be as bad as others . If you’re on other psychiatric medication, I wouldn’t mess with it. It’s hell.
It started after a extreme panic attack in 1972 when I was 17 years old.Put in a ambulance and put on Valium 5mg a day.Panic did not went away completely,but I managed to finish school.Asked several times if it was addictive. Absolutely not they all said.Until I forgot a few days taking the drug.Flushed the Valium trough the toilet.The start of a horrible cold turkey hallucinating ad trip that didn’t got away.and went in a delirium.After two weeks I was full blown crazy hallucinating and committed in a mental hospital,thrown in isolation cell,they left me there without food medicine and water,When my parents came to visit me they realized they forgot me.Almost died in there.They all bang on the doors they said afterwards.Writing this gives me the shivers. Then I was given haldol.After two weeks I managed to get back home and asked for Valium.I kept taking 5mg a day.I discovered that alcohol did the job to and was drinking and skipped the Valium because I got very uncomfortable when withdrawal was unbearable and back to Valium.I stopped drinking when i was 30.It went wrong when the generics came along.Some are stronger or weaker and I had even some with nothing in it.Like last prescription.No doctor did help me I have a test kit for benzo´s.I´m 66 now and getting tired of it all.There is a big drug shortage in my country.I have to be glad if I can get any doctor said.Now the world is on corona and the jabs for this is no shortage of.Logically there should be a shortage of that to.Even haldol was out of stock.I´ve been nowhere seen nothing.66 year old invalid now because it all wasted my life.And the SSRIś I tried once four months,almost committed suicide of that horror drug.what was offered me again and again several times is also often out of stock and people have to switch from different types of it.What can we do but warn the people to be careful not to take everything a doctor says it is good.I didn’t had google in the day´s.Seems every MD had no when the oxy´s came.Thanks ..take care.
How are you doing ?
Thanks for your comment Matt. Are you off or still trying to come off klonopin?
That’s me. I lost a big money hedge fund career, lost my family and friends, now retired Ss and ready to die because I feel no will to live.
I start to take a benzodiazepine when I was 11, at the time it was (CLONAZEPAM) and I stayed with that for 2 years, after that I changed it for Xanax 2 mg 2times per day… so I was fourteen years old and already taking Xanax… I continued with that until I was 20 years old and then my psychiatrist changed for lorazepam 5mg 2 times a day…. and I’m still with those “drug” and now im 24
But today I decided that I will put myself in a psychiatric clinic, like this maybe I will still have a better life afterwards, I hope! Cause I can’t do it by myself, I already tried and after 4 or 5 days it’s terrible, lots of stress for things that doesn’t even matter, perspiration, nightmares, suicidal thoughts, anyways…
lots of stuff going on right now!
I can only advice the people that were prescribed this kind of “drogue” don’t use it for more than 1 month, it’s really difficult to stop afterwards!
That is my experience
I was prescribed Diazepam 30 years ago for generalized anxiety disorder and Pimozide by a dermatologist when I thought I had a parasitic infection. Both of these drugs have ended my real life. I am 72 and trying to survive the withdrawal from both. I have every symptom imaginable including the dreaded Benzo Belly. I have severe brain damage, vertigo, nausea, headaches, triple the anxiety, neck ache and stiff, tinnitus, jaw pain, burning mouth, tooth pain, jaw pain, ear pain, back pain, neuropathy in my arms and legs, my head feels as though it weighs 200 pounds, I cannot eat yet feel severe hunger pangs, constipation for months and months, extremely high blood pressure (260/133), heart palpitations and the inability to breathe. I live in my bedroom and I rarely see my family. I have lost all my friends and I too have thoughts just to end this Hell. Do not ever take these pills. Just Say No! People think of you as crazy as if this is in your head. I’m a retired professional who was nice looking, funny, active, intelligent, and well-liked in the community. No one really ever knew I was taking “my little helper.” I was not some drug addict. Now I cannot even drive a car. I have serious issues and no one to help me.
I just read your email, heartbreaking, I am writing to say do not give up. I have not written in a forum before.
I experienced all of what you wrote,,,,all of it. Won’t tell my whole story, too long, horrific suffering. I am now 66 and fine,,,recovered. It took me four years to taper off and get a quiet life back. I also, lost friends, close ones and family. Nobody believed me.
I was lucky to have a husband that found Professor Ashtons manual.
I know it’s hard to imagine, ,,it’s not linear, but I feel normal.
Hard part is sleep, and the pains and the terrible thoughts.
I am wishing you well, hope, prayer, you can come though this to other side. You can do this. Love will get better, I am living proof . I do not forgive the Dr who gave it to me for menopause . I never will. Most sincerely,Sally
Hi I am 17 days off valium I guess I was lucky and took gor 8 months but yes all started because of sleep.. may I ask how you doing now and has your sleep return tks
I’m sorry. I’m right behind you , I’ll be you soon.
Isac if your still on here please reply or anyone who can help – cold turkey (detox facility basically the same ) 3 years klonoin made my way to 2mg- I am off klonopin now 2 months – most worrisome is the suicidal thoughts – I hate it so scary – how are you doing – I am afraid my family is supportive trying not to leave me alone and do what they can – a lot of stress in them – but for me it is 100x worse because of these thoughts – how did you get through it ?
I suffer from Occipital Neuralgia and TMJ and have been taking 3-4 mgs of Xanax at night for about 3 months. 2 days ago i decided cut down to just a 2mg bar at night. I became paranoid, high and low blood pressure and BPM would sometimes be at 106, aches in legs and arms and nightmares. only getting about 2-4 hours of decent sleep a night. i have 8 2mg bars left and I am very worried about tappering down with only 8 left. What should i do? any help would be much appreciated. I just want off this crap so i can live a normal life. Thank you again
Ben – You will need to get more and wean down much slower. Benzo’s can be very dangerous to go cold turkey off of.
I recommend looking up The Ashton Manual, and following that protocol to wean off. Read as much of the entire manual as possible.
I have a lot of questions, and they all boil down to one word: WHY?
So many people, including myself, have been so debilitated for so long by doctor prescribed benzodiazapine dependence, often to the point of suicide.
So many people were/are prescribed these drugs inappropriately for daily long term use when at least some of the risks were known decades ago.
WHY?
So many people who do manage to withdraw from benzos do so, not with the help of their doctors who knew how to prescribe and have no clue how to deprescribe, but through internet searches of random people who have patched together their own systems.
WHY?
The most prominent guide for benzo withdrawal is the Ashton Manual, and yet to so many GPs and psychiatrists are completely unfamiliar with it. My doctor literally did an internet search about this and the withdrawal syndrome while on the phone with me, at my suggestion and said, “Oh wow…”
WHY?
The opioid crisis is now well documented, pharma companies responsible for the mess have been held accountable, and medications that assist in the withdrawal are widely used. And yet, the benzodiazapine crisis implicated in 1/3 of opioid OD deaths seems to be ignored, those pharma companies have not been held accountable and there is no indication of a medication to assist in the withdrawal.
WHY?
I recently wrote to everyone I could think of from my state medical university’s primary care dept, to my state’s recovery outreach organization, to my state’s health department, to my state senator, and more. I heard back from only one of them, the primary care dept, who acknowledged that the withdrawal process “can be tricky”. Nobody else answered. I’m guessing they all just now think I’m some unhinged lunatic.
WHY?
WHY?
WHY?
I pray that they stop making benzodiazepines because it has wrecked so many lives and there are no truly safe detox programs.
People who have been on benzos need them available to them, as microtapering is about the best hope we have. They should make them, because many of us would die without them.
I start to take a benzodiazepine when I was 11, at the time it was (CLONAZEPAM) and I stayed with that for 2 years, after that I changed it for Xanax 2 mg 2times per day… so I was fourteen years old and already taking Xanax… I continued with that until I was 20 years old and then my psychiatrist changed for lorazepam 5mg 2 times a day…. and I’m still with those “drug” and now im 24
But today I decided that I will put myself in a psychiatric clinic, like this maybe I will still have a better life afterwards, I hope! Cause I can’t do it by myself, I already tried and after 4 or 5 days it’s terrible, lots of stress for things that doesn’t even matter, perspiration, nightmares, suicidal thoughts, anyways…
lots of stuff going on right now!
I can only advice the people that were prescribed this kind of “drogue” don’t use it for more than 1 month, it’s really difficult to stop afterwards!
That is my experience….
Equally in this mess. Bring prescribed this medication and I’ve been on it for years without any warning from my PVP. How do I get out of it. Why ???
Great blog “WHY” is right!!!
Doc. Dropped me during Covid, and the meds xanax and conzip(opioid) after 10 years. Now no doctor will help. Been to several ER’s due to new to me seizures. No help. Do not know which doctor to see if I can get help. My Neurologist says I am fine, get a second opinion if you want. My regular Doctor says I can’t help you, go to pain management and a psychiatrist. My Rheumatologist was the one to forget me and Dropped me. Two weeks prior My Mom died of covid. I’m in pain and need help.
Great blog “WHY” is right!!!
One thing that helps is to learn the 1/2 life of the Benzodiazepine your using like Temazepam is 8-22hrs based on your metabolism rate so 50% of the my last 30mg dose taken at 10pm wears of by 4pm the following day. Though I’m prescribed 1mg Lorazepam for interdose withdrawal it doesn’t fully cover the same GABA receptors so I’m now experiencing sensory perception issues, muscle twitches, anxiety, suicidal/give up the gun safe keys feelings, basically roller coaster rides daily. As a Medicinally stable Epileptic (non benzo related) using Vimpat. I’ve done everything I Pharmacologically and medically can including Clonidine and Hydroxyzine without abusing the dose on the bottles* and intend to rationally request a VERY slow taper due to a Co-existing Methadone taper which is going successfully. I just wanted to say It’s necessary to be very aware of your physical and mental situation, know daily timeframes, understand your used benzodiazepine(s), to keep notes, and learn from this comment. The blog is right in saying Benzodiazepines can make you do things, feel things, and experience things that simply fucking suck.
Treatment with drugs and for drugs can be successful I’m living proof but I hope this statement helps someone think about Benzodiazepines in a way that can help them.
This was cathartic. Thank you.
Hello I’m Bert, I’m 37, I’ve been taking 2.5 mg valium every night before sleeping, maybe for 3-6 months, can’t tell for sure. I have problems in the vertebrae on the neck, so it all started with this and the lockdown due to pandemic. I started having this lower stomach sensation and diarrhea every morning maybe like 2 months ago. Tried to stop valium because I thought it was for this, stayed 1 week without it, tried last night again, woke up after sleeping 5 hours, strong diarrhea again.
Could this really be only because of the benzo? It’s a constant sensation there and diarrhea for months, got a colonoscopy next month, doctor says it can be some food intolerance, I’m worried it might be something bigger.
Being objective, what do you think about this?
Thanks to all of you and this post
I was on ativan 6 mgs a day for 4 years. Severe ptsd attacks from abuse and other traumatic events. I felt as if it was a miracle pill. I was a person that always felt it all. I found myself taking it for everything from needing to calm down from an attack or to deal with an abusive husband, or to be able to sleep at night. It took me being cheated on the 3rd time and manipulated to understand maybe I didnt need the pills I needed a change of life. I got out of my toxic situation but at first it was so hard cause I went up to 9 mgs a day because of the stress he was putting on me from leaving and then taking my child. So I finally said enough is enough I tapered my zoloft down and then switched to the lowest dose of cymbalta and tapered my ativan down to 3 mgs a day and then 2 mgs to where I switched to .5 of klonopin to finally just going cold turkey. The withdrawls are horrible to constant nausea and shaking and diarrhea. To crying and panic attacks but I did something I never thought I would have been able to do. Its possible and I did it. I cant believe I did all without any guidance from a dr I just used information I had learned because I was tired of drs treating me like an addict. I was an addict but because of the prescription I was prescribed. Even though some of my attacks make me wish I had a pill to calm me never again will I fall back to them as a crutch. The worst withdrawls ever.
I was on ativan 6 mgs a day for 4 years. Severe ptsd attacks from abuse and other traumatic events. I felt as if it was a miracle pill. I was a person that always felt it all. I found myself taking it for everything from needing to calm down from an attack or to deal with an abusive husband, or to be able to sleep at night. It took me being cheated on the 3rd time and manipulated to understand maybe I didnt need the pills I needed a change of life. I got out of my toxic situation but at first it was so hard cause I went up to 9 mgs a day because of the stress he was putting on me from leaving and then taking my child. So I finally said enough is enough I tapered my zoloft down and then switched to the lowest dose of cymbalta and tapered my ativan down to 3 mgs a day and then 2 mgs to where I switched to .5 of klonopin to finally just going cold turkey. The withdrawls are horrible to constant nausea and shaking and diarrhea. To crying and panic attacks but I did something I never thought I would have been able to do. Its possible and I did it. I cant believe I did all without any guidance from a dr I just used information I had learned because I was tired of drs treating me like an addict. I was an addict but because of the prescription I was prescribed. Even though some of my attacks make me wish I had a pill to calm me never again will I fall back to them as a crutch. The worst withdrawls ever.
6 months ago I developed severe tmj. I have always had anxiety and took lorazepam prn for like 6 years sometimes going months without. Well when the tmj hit about 2 months into the constant pain and spasms in my face I developed 24/7 chronic non stop anxiety. Tried the lorazepam daily but it didn’t last long on me and still couldn’t sleep. Now I’ve been on 5 mg Xanax extended release. 3 mg am and 2 mg pm. Anxiety still too bad to stop. I’m worried when it’s time to stop 1 I still have the severe jaw pain and 2 i I can’t wean myself as they can’t be cut. Plus Xanax XR can only be tapered .5 at a time no less. It’s been a little over 3 months on this. Am I going to be okay when I taper. Dr said when it’s time she wants to do it over 8 weeks at 1mg at a time. I don’t know how much longer I’ll need to be on it, but without it I’m paralyzed all day everyday. Am I going to be okay. Is there a way to wean extended release yourself? Is 1 mg cut too much. I’m s seed but I’ve tried over 30 antidepressants to no avail over the last 15 years and this is the worst anxiety I’ve ever had. Makes my regular anxiety I had before seem like child’s play in comparison and they was debilitating bit not daily or constant. It all from this jaw. And if I have the anxiety it makes it worse as I tighten the muscles unknowingly. I don’t know what to do.
6 months ago I developed severe tmj. I have always had anxiety and took lorazepam prn for like 6 years sometimes going months without. Well when the tmj hit about 2 months into the constant pain and spasms in my face I developed 24/7 chronic non stop anxiety. Tried the lorazepam daily but it didn’t last long on me and still couldn’t sleep. Now I’ve been on 5 mg Xanax extended release. 3 mg am and 2 mg pm. Anxiety still too bad to stop. I’m worried when it’s time to stop 1 I still have the severe jaw pain and 2 i I can’t wean myself as they can’t be cut. Plus Xanax XR can only be tapered .5 at a time no less. It’s been a little over 3 months on this. Am I going to be okay when I taper. Dr said when it’s time she wants to do it over 8 weeks at 1mg at a time. I don’t know how much longer I’ll need to be on it, but without it I’m paralyzed all day everyday. Am I going to be okay. Is there a way to wean extended release yourself? Is 1 mg cut too much. I’m s seed but I’ve tried over 30 antidepressants to no avail over the last 15 years and this is the worst anxiety I’ve ever had. Makes my regular anxiety I had before seem like child’s play in comparison and they was debilitating bit not daily or constant. It all from this jaw. And if I have the anxiety it makes it worse as I tighten the muscles unknowingly. I don’t know what to do.
Did you know every pharmaceutical comes with a leaflet with all the information you seem to think you never got giving? Everyone is responsible for their own lack of research and blind use and misuse of a substance.
Hey Ross Tunnicliffe! Thanks for sharing your faulty assumptions on this site!
To give you an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding, I will share a few pieces of information that should show you why your assumption is faulty:
At the time I was prescribed the FDA leaflet was inaccurate. I know this because:
1. I have helped campaign for better information in the leaflet, which was finally acknowledged by the FDA in September, 2020, almost 12 years after my initial prescription.
2. The FDA admitted their leaflet was missing important information.
3. The FDA leaflet is still inaccurate now, despite the changes in 2020.
Learn About the New FDA Black Box
The FDA 2020 black box statement was crystal clear that this information was NOT available on benzodiazepine prescribing literature at all. To avoid confusion, I will quote it directly:
“The current prescribing information for benzodiazepines does not provide adequate warnings about these serious risks and harms associated with these medicines so they may be prescribed and used inappropriately.”
I hope this information clarifies some things for you!
Wow im going through 6mg clonazepam withdraw for 8 years. Only got a 5 day librium taper. Been off 2 months and it’s hell
Touché! I was prescribed by my dear friend who went into Internal Medicine and another physician who was a dermatologist. How was I supposed to question their diagnosing or their methods of prescribing. We all are truly victims here in this journey together. We definitely are not drug addicts! I am intelligent and graduated with honors. I have had a wonderful life and been fortunate to travel the globe. I will NOT be dismissed as misinformed! The providers should have known enough to know better than to blindly prescribe such deadly, brain altering, and life-destroying drugs so freely. I have developed a fear of doctors and the drugs that are prescribed. I read every bit of data on every pill I take now and they all have contraindications! These mental drugs may you long to be dead, which would be a welcome relief!
Touché! I was prescribed by my dear friend who went into Internal Medicine and another physician who was a dermatologist. How was I supposed to question their diagnosing or their methods of prescribing. We all are truly victims here in this journey together. We definitely are not drug addicts! I am intelligent and graduated with honors. I have had a wonderful life and been fortunate to travel the globe. I will NOT be dismissed as misinformed! The providers should have known enough to know better than to blindly prescribe such deadly, brain altering, and life-destroying drugs so freely. I have developed a fear of doctors and the drugs that are prescribed. I read every bit of data on every pill I take now and they all have contraindications! These mental drugs may you long to be dead, which would be a welcome relief!
Also want to add my practitioners yes plural as I’ve searched for so many to understand my suffering.. do not and have never heard of the term kindling and it’s importance is withdrawl severity once going on a benzo for a 2nd time! This is also not on the medication leaflet.
Hi Ross what is your purpose for visiting this website? Is it to be like Bob and make incorrect assumptions for the sole reason of personal validation?
Wow, I’m just a dumb country boy but some one should give theses ignorant ones a six months supply of Xanax. I am not the one going through this but my wife of 35 years. This is a beast straight from hell. She hurts constantly, my Wife is very strong and handles pain like no man can but this shit just broke her. It took us some time to figure out what was happening and to late when did. Her Dr. for over 30 years made Xanax out to be the best medicine ever. Boy was he wrong, now my wife that went bay fishing 3 or 4 times a week now can’t even look at or boat without having a break down. We have 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren that she hasn’t been able to be around for 6 months. The only person now that can be with her is me. I been by her side for over six months now and it’s getting worse by the day. She has tried to end her life once and I fear she may do it again in one of the stages she’s going through. Please believe me when I say my wife loves life more than anything but her heartache for her family is starting to overwhelm her pain, she’s just ready to give up. We are far from rich but I will stay with her until some kind of help with this comes along. Like most I’m sure you can right a book but if someone can help stop her pain maybe she can see her family before it just completely takes her away from me and yes we call this thing IT.
So please if anyone has anything that can help her it would be gladly appreciate.
And to the ones making negative comments I would not wish this thing on you or no one else. No one should have to suffer like this
Chris, I am so sorry your wife is suffering. Did she taper off the Xanax? Is her pain due to withdrawal? You may could find some help or encouragement from people on benzo buddies.org. I am 5 months off Ativan and still dealing with protracted withdrawal symptoms, so I understand. I am praying that you and your wife can find the help you need, and that she will find hope- and that her body will come into order/balance.
Been on calazapam for 15 years. I will be praying for every soul that is on these and needs to be set free. Thank-you for info. Can make changes now to help myself. This is a answer from heaven
I hope more people become aware that even among benzis, Xanax is nothing to mess with. While the bulk of medications used are pretty widely understood, even the addictive ones, medication that works on GABA has been a Blindspot- benzos, z drugs, gabapentinoids, etc. It has only been fairly recently that it’s been raising in healthcare awareness that a lot of assumptions about GABA drugs have been wrong (for 2 decades the pharmacology description vaguely stated “the mechanism if action is not fully understood, but it’s thought”. Only in the past 2 years has that changed).
So, In that entire problematic mess, Xanax stands out as one of the very worst. honestly, for those seeking help, find a doctor who understands benzo withdrawal well first, or one who listens and is willing to do some reading. There are a number of legit healthcare case reports that you can direct them to.
Useful info: when tapering from any benzodiazepine, if that is the absolute goal, the best option I have seen now in 7 years of working with this problem with many people is diazepam. The ability to dial the dose down and very small increments relative to the potency of most other things that I has a penis is incredibly important. You can get it in as little as one dose increments, and diazepam is far less potent per milligram then virtually all other benzodiazepines. You can be on as much as 30 mg per day so you have up to 30 milligrams per day that you can titrate out with your doctor. So say you have been on for a milligrams of Klonopin per day? That means that you can adjust that out through a benzodiazepine titration calculator, start on let’s say 20 mg per day which would take two or three days to stabilize on and then start feeling normal. From there you can then drop by 1 mg per month and slowly do that over the course of 20 months until you get to the point where stopping the final 1 mg feels almost like nothing and then you are doing quite well. In 7 years I have only had three patients out of about 43 who noted a significant Post acute withdrawal syndrome, or any significant difficulty handling the 1 mg per dose adjustment. It’s just a matter of recognizing how immensely important it is that one give themselves an appropriate length of time for their entire body to adjust and stabilize and then normalize on the new dosage time. It cannot be emphasized enough that benzodiazepine withdrawal is something that you absolutely do not want to rush.
When slowly tapering down, the slower the better. You can even take 1 mg pills and cut them in quarters and go down and such slow increments. If coming down once each month one dose adjustment at a time, anywhere from .25 mg, to 1 mg at a time but it still seems to cause some discomfort, you can even slow down and only drop by 25 mg every 2 months. Or every 90 days. Any longer than that though and you’re really not getting any benefit by going any slower because your body is fully adjusted more than it is ever going to end any instability one feels at that point is not due to the drug, nor withdrawal, but rather the re-emergence of symptoms that had been covered up for which the drug was being used to treat. We need to remember that there were symptoms that were being treated, as well as symptoms unrelated to the medication that may have arisen from other health issues that occurred during the course of using the medication that aren’t related to the medication.
As for me, the only benzodiazepine I have felt safe using for two decades now are extreme short acting ones. For patients who need help with problems like insomnia, I will sometimes have been used triazolam. The reason is that by the time they need to use it on a second night, the entire drug has completely left their system. The half-life is 2 to 5 hours, whereas the half life of a drug like Xanax can be over 24 hours. Practically speaking what that means is that when you take one dose, then take a second dose in a day you still have most of the previous dose still in your system. And then one day after another the medication is building up in greater and greater amounts in your system. After the course of months or years you have a massive backup of medication that has never cleared your system that takes months and months to have your body work through. And ultra short half-life medication does not have this problem.
As I was dictating that reply I didn’t realize how long it got. The too long didn’t read version is this, that for virtually every benzo, the half-life and potency and dose that can be dispensed is most easily managed when using diazepam as the medication to transfer to for many other benzo. It stays in your system just long enough that repeated daily dosing beyond two times is not necessary. It’s potency is such that it has a wide dosage range that can be adjusted to match the previous dosage of it the other benzo a person was on. Can be tapered extremely slowly, and though I am not any person hairs doctor, and do not take this as medical advice, bring this up with one’s own doctor.. they use benzodiazepine dosage titration calculators and air on the side of dosing too high when moving tied to diazepam. Diazepam is pretty low in potency relative to medications like Klonopin and xanax. So where you might be on 1 mg of Xanax or 2 mg of klonopin, that would transfer to say maybe 20 mg of Diazepam which one can then taper down in increments of 0.25 mg at a time per month, slowly tapering down over the course of a year or so. By the time you’re done you might not even notice when you stop all together. I have seen this now across many patients.
Our brains go through a thing called up regulation and down regulation with medications like benzodiazepines. It is important that we give our brains and adequate. To adjust and regulate themselves properly in order to find a new state of equilibrium before tapering the dose down to the next stage. Slow and very small increments at a time as little as 25 mg of using diazepam has worked solidly and achieved the results many people are looking for but don’t know the answer. I hope this works for people if they can find doctors who understand what I’m talking about.
I apologize for some of the strange typos that I didn’t see well entering this on a phone. I don’t know how some of those words got in there but I hope people just get a laugh out of them and move on.
Thank you for the information. May I ask what your job title is?
Hi. Sorryy for my bad english, I’m french. On 14 december 2020, My stomach doctor prescribe me lexomil 6mg, to take 1/4 morning and another 1/4 on the evening, cause he found me nervous. I take the pills but just 1/4 per day, and stop it 7 may 2021. So in 5 month I have eat 30 pills of 6mg of lexomil.
I want to know if it’s possible that amount of pills can fucked up my body ?
I have now a low flow rate of saliva and its a lot of time really really sticky saliva. When it comes night, my mouth and my lips are like if I eat glue!
I have some really difficult to swallow my saliva sometimes too, it’s like if my swallow muscle are blocked!
I have a sticky skin too now, it’s really really weird and all of those symptoms afraid me cause, the sticky saliva force me to wake up every hour and I’m really tired of that. It had started in April, when I was still taking lexomil.
I have never encounter that type of symptoms, so I want to know if the lexomil can have cause it.
Oh, and I forgot that I have now practically no sperm when I have an orgasm, my libido is go away too.
Sperm count? No. Libido? That can be affected while under the active effects of the drug.
Again, SSRIs, also used for anxiety/nervousness are known to frequently cause libido issues. Benzos, it’s not as common, and not at all once the med is out if your system.
So libido can happen benzodiazepines but it resolves quickly when not taking the medication. If you are never taking the medication for extended periods of time day after day, but the issue you describe is ongoing even during stretches of weeks when you’re not taking the medication then it is not related. Libido is highly susceptible to anxiety, stress, and one’s emotional state. Anxiety is very common. Greater than 50% of the population of first world countries experience a period in their life where they suffer anxiety to a degree that it is diagnosable from metadata. It sounds like your doctor diagnosed you with something called general anxiety, which is a different thing than reactive anxiety which is anxiety related to a specific life event or situation. I hope you have been able to find some help and relief and I’m glad that your doctor has been giving you some guidance. Anxiety is a really tough one because the instinct for many people is just to try to find ways to ignore it. Because of the effect that cortisol has on our systems long term if anxiety becomes chronic like it has for many during covid, it’s important that it be managed properly. If not, cortisol can change our brains and literally make us less resilient and more likely to have escalating reactions to stress. It is very important that we all keep very aware of our mental health during covid. Uncertainty and isolation are difficult things but there are strategies to minimize the long-term effects that they will have on us.
When you say your doctor found you nervous, are you meaning that you were experiencing anxiety and your doctor diagnosed it as indeed something that was happening? Your English is fine I just want to clarify what you meant. The things you describe can be symptoms of panic and anxiety by themselves
Dry mouth can happen with benzodiazepines, although we’re you put on any other medications, too? It’s much more common with classes of meds like SSRIs, which are also used to treat anxiety and/or depression.
Anxiety itself can cause dry mouth. There may be things going on in your life, not to mention COVID that’s affecting everyone, which can cause emotional responses that lead to physical symptoms. Extreme stress causes cortisol to flood our system. Chronic stress and anxiety can cause chronic cortisol levels which literally begin to rewire our brains more or less. Think of cortisol which our body releases naturally as a medication in that regard.. just like medications can have the effect of changing our brain chemistry that is exactly what is happening with cortisol. If our brain comes to adjust itself to a state of a constant supply of cortisol, it can take a long time for it to adjust back to normal it’s a person is in a less stressful place in life. This is one of the many aspects of how PTSD imprints traumatic events.
So anyways, I would mention these concerns to your doctor. 30 tablets in 6 months is less important than how often you took the tablets close together. Never take more than you have been prescribed within a short time period. For example, if 25 tablets were taken in the course of one week, and the other five were taken just here and there, that’s a far different situation than if a person was taking one tablet per week. If we were never taken more than directed, and never for more than about 7 days before stopping for a length of time, it’s unlikely that the medication you’re mentioning is responsible, unless the dry mouth is occurring only at the same time that you are taking the medication or for about a day afterwards I hope that makes sense and helps. Good luck
Ross
1. Care to guess what the pharmaceutical insert for benzodiazapines said 15-20 years ago, when many of us were prescribed, that you seem to think gave “all the information”?
2. In the time before Dr Google, we didn’t have the type of research you reference at our fingertips.
We only had trust in our doctors who were tasked first and foremost to “do no harm” – I guess they
really f’ed that one up, didn’t they?
3. “You never got giving”? If you’re going to make attention seeking ass hat statements, at least get
your grammar straight.
4. I know all about personal responsibility, and accept it. Do you know about informed consent?
This is a group of people whose health has been taken from them, for good, understand?
It was taken from us without informed consent, without giving us accurate information so that we could make our own risk assessment. One day we were teachers, accountants, truck drivers, lawyers. The next day we were wondering if we’d ever get out of bed again. So Ross? Fuck off.
AMEN! Thank god someone stopped this malignant assholes outrageous ignorance… probably is a closet bartard projecting insecurity
My mom went through this. She was prescribed Dalmane for sleep, every night, indefinitely (now, they say not to prescribe for more than 14 days without reassessment… Sigh, good to know 20 years later)!
Dalmane was another popular sleep benzo 20 years ago. What’s stupid is that Dalmane has a half life if up to 100 hours! 4 days after the first dose, you still have HALF of the medication from the first day, more from the second day, virtually all from the third still (though it is having no clinical effect at that point, the medication is still there in their body having other effects and building up)… The amount of medication building up in one’s system gets extreme!
Ppl taking it, my mom included, would forget what they were talking about in the middle of the sentence sometimes, and many of them were attributing it to memory problems and getting older. My mom would sometimes ask the same question three times in 20 minutes because she had forgotten that she had asked it. Thankfully this was something that I was aware was happening with a lot of other people and was able to clue her into it.Her generation were dealing with this and freaking out thinking that it might mean the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia… Nope, it was a medication that they were prescribed two decades before. Imagine that has been building up in your system for 20 years!
Fortunately she has a happy ending. She was able to transition to diazepam with a titrated dose and stabilize on it. Then she began to taper that diazepam dose by one quarter of a milligram per month over the course of several months. It went slowly enough that according to her, she had no noticeable withdrawal symptoms. She was lucky, as I know some people would notice even one quarter of a milligram.. even though it’s not extreme. She’s now been able to sleep without needing to take anything for over 2 years, her memory problems are gone, and cognitive issues she was extremely worried about have completely disappeared. Now we just need to persuade her that it’s safe to throw away the entire cupboard full of supplements and vitamins and who knows what else that she had bought over the course of the years as she was feeling that her memory was declining and she was descending into Alzheimer’s. Bunch of people made a bunch of money off of that crap.
Awesome,i’m so glad to hear your mom made it safe and of sound
Ross, I hate to break it to you but the leaflet the pharmacy gives you is very brief and does NOT clearly state what could happen when stopping this med. You shouldn’t comment on things you clearly have never experienced. And you should thank god everyday that you haven’t!
I went in a coma for 5 days after my psychiatrist left. Going off of them. I am still in withdrawells and was just given Hydroxzine to sleep at night. Just got them today but afraid to take anything anymore. I had no idea and never took more than the 2 a day he prescribed. I still feel beyond sick. Were given them after my best friend and daughter passed. Never been through anything like this before and I am not young and have autoimmune illness. Now my beloved Cody Cat passed about 2 weeks ago. He was 19 and now I’m alone. Friend came here to help me and he stayed a month. Thank God. I’ve been off almost a month and still can’t think or function. This is Hell. How dare they do this to us.
Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine related to Benadryl/Diphenhydramine that has the additional effect that reduces anxiety and promotes sleep. It’s not a benzodiazepine so you’re safe in that regard. It’s pretty safe so either not in the same boat.
Wait though, you have been on a benzo long enough that it put you into a coma for 5 days, but they didn’t put you back onto a maintenance dose of a benzodiazepine in order to keep you from having continuing withdrawal symptoms? That’s brutal and borderline cruel! Sure, you’re not as high a risk now that you’re going to go into another coma (although when cold turkeyed off a benzodiazepine, there is the initial seizure/coma risk, then after 2 weeks there is another window… all the while the withdrawal is a panic filled hell for months upon months and many damn doctors arent even aware).
Even after the acute withdrawal has passed, if you are forced to cold turkey it and weren’t tapered correctly, you’re at high risk of protracted, months long post acute withdrawal symptoms at very least!
God, there are some doctors who are extremely good with this, and then some doctors who just think that once they finish medical school they have no obligation to continue to educate themselves! Okay just get paid dispense outdated treatments and act as nothing but prescription writers… There really are some fantastic doctors out there who keep up to date, though.
There’s always one!I pray for you and your family now that you never accidentally deviate from your flawless existence.oh waite a minute lack of compassion,empathy and understanding!!!!!!!!Ross you have even less chance of a happy and fulfilling life that even those of us that have fallen down the benzo whole.Adleast we have light at the end of our tunnels,you judging by your comment are heading for darkness!!!!!
My message was for Ross Tunnicliffe for pure arrogance and lack of understanding!!!good luck to everyone else!my brief history is finally cracked a 17 year heroin and fentanyl addiction and thought I was finally free as was just on a 40 mg per day diazepam script through Turningpoint.Then they handed me to local gp as had finish meth script etc,gp refused to give me diazepam and anxiety spiralled so stupidly took to using other peoples and am now in a situation where all I can get is Xanax 1 mg.was using upto 10 per day then down to 3 then decided enough was enough so stopped cold turkey and had first grand mal seizure last Monday.now am back on the Xanax and gp won’t help me and neither will Turning point now called Altogether.Seriously considering fentanyl od to end this hell once and for all BUT love my mrs and dog too much to put them through it.2 best mates and my brother already did that and the devestation they left was even worse than the living nitemare that is benzo addiction ,when you have had your benzo script stopped!!!!!I am gonna check out that benzo buddy forum I think!!!!thanks god for the internet.
Yep, always that person lurking, hate reading, who then outs themselves by saying something that shows their lack of compassion and demonstrates how truly uninformed they are about what they can’t help but say something stupid about… People dealing with this are and far to many cases stuck in a situation that was not of their own making. The Fact that they’re being hung out to dry and put into situations where they’re tapered too quickly or just forced to go cold turkey, particularly with how healthcare has been during covid-19? There is no excuse for that! It’s affecting people’s lives, their personal lives, their well-being… We need to do better. We should expect better.
That might be true but what about poor elderly seniors who put their trust in their doctors.They are being giving benzos,Klonopin and Xanax when they tell their doctor they have trouble sleeping.Then when they change doctors or another doctor will not prescribe these they have to suffer.Because they are then in withdrawal from these meds they are diagnosed with Dementia or Alzmehiers.How cruel is that.That is not fair,Senior should not be treated this way.My mom was taken to emergency and because she was no longer allowed to get Xanax for sleeping after 10 days with no sleep and I told them about the Xanax stoppage the doctor stated she was going through withdrawals like a herion addict would go through.Her Doctor had been giving her Xanax for sleeping for 8 years,and the state mandated they had to stop prescribing opioids.How cruel is that!Do you think they thought about deadly withdrawals that could kill you, Absolutely not! God Bless you.
That is besides the point as the prescriber is the cause of the problems period.
They are the ones that are supposed to know better and only prescribe for no more than 6 weeks.
We all went into trusting untrustworthy prescribers.
You obviously have never had to take anything for pain/insomnia or you would have a bit more sympathy. Not nice
How are you doing now?
A lot of blame toward the medical system. Yeah. No one agrees with it. Guess why, humans created it, and guess what, humans aren’t perfect.
We’re actually the scurge of the earth to be honest. Maybe Mother Nature hardwired us to be able to get this far, create this crap, and thin out the population?? Sounds horrible I know. But if you could get a wild animal to talk, they’d agree.
So what you expect???
You were the one that put that tablet in your mouth. Be honest. Where should we draw the line on blame?
No where. Because the blame game doesn’t need to be involved when people’s lives are at risk.
And yes, doctors have put people in situations they wish they weren’t. If it’s a good doc, they didn’t intend it, if it’s bad, they’ll eventually loose their job.
So instead of having a rant on docs scripts. Take some responsibility for what your hand puts in your mouth.
I mean, I studied for months after I was told I would have to take omeprazole for the rest of my life, gutted. An antacid. Lol.
They passed you a tranquilliser, and you chose to take it.
Obviously you were never in this situation or on these meds or you would never have said that absurd, sarcastic, and ignorant comment. Did you seriously just compare an antacid to a benzodiazepine??? That alone shows how little you know. Please educate yourself on the topic before responding.
Honestly dude, f*** off.
You show yourself to be absolutely ignorant on the concept.
They tell us to trust the doctors, and then when we do trust them we are the ones to take the blame, not the docs who prescribe these absolutely potent drugs like candies and then don’t give a s*** if you live or die.
“trust the doctors” they say.
You don’t seem to be a very happy person yourself as well.
I been on a bar a day for 6 monthes and am trying to stop. The only help I can find I can’t afford. I’m going to try to do it myself cold turkey. If I get to bad go to ER and tell them. If anyone can help please let me no. I new I should have never started them to begin with. But I’m hear now. Thank yoy
Everyone on here needs to look into natural things to help with your brain chemistry . I found out 4 fish oil tablets from a site called the road back helped me tremendously lower very slowly over 3 years get off 300 mg of fluvoxamine a terrible horrible ssri don’t ever ever take it !!!!!!
PLEASE DO NOT COLD TURKEY A VENZO EVER!!! It’s not a “go through a e days of the kicks and you’ll feel better” medication. But only does withdrawal from Xanax last for months, but cold turkey withdrawals kill… Not in the way you’re capable of getting yourself to the ER! You’llbat risk you’ll drop in a seizure and lights out. If you want to stop, see if your doc is good with taper plans. If not, consider another doctor. This is not medical advice, but people have fairly painlessly transitioned from Xanax to an equivalent dose of Diazepam, then tapered down over a year or so and were off. It doesn’t need to be a black and white “it’s gotta be now” thing. You may well regret cold turkey more than starting the med. Diazepam isn’t as potent as Xanax, less noticeable, and cheaper at the pharmacy. You can do it, but I hope you do it smart.
This isnt exactly that kind of forum… I’m sorry for the crappy situation you’re in. If they were prescribed, can you not work out a tapering plan with a doctor? If they weren’t… I’m not sure there is much you can do unfortunately. There really isn’t any magic cure
So, if I knowingly hand you a poison that I know that you might never be able to stop taking with the supposed idea of solving a non life threatening health problem and I do not inform you of the possible risks, just the fact that it will solve a health issue and you take it. Later I can blame you for being so stupid as to take it when, after years, you find out how dangerous it is and can not stop it. My, aren’t you the high and mighty one. What goes around comes around, Bob. Since you will someday need to see a physician, you know how arrogant that physician is likely to be. Good luck with that.
You are Ignorant‼️
I was prescribed Ativan 1mg a day for only a month for tachycardia likely caused by Elavil and the entire experience was pure hell. The Ativan gave me terrible headaches, insomnia, anxiety to the point I felt like I was having a mental break, and every other side effect you could think of with little help to the problem it was trying to treat. It got so bad I didn’t go to college for a week after which I decided to rapid taper as per my doctor’s recommendation (“you aren’t on that high of a dose”). Since coming off, my heart rate has normalized, but the withdrawal symptoms are horrendous. My entire body feels like it’s buzzing, I can’t eat any salt otherwise I get terrible muscle cramps and spasms, and I get random jaw pain. I’m pretty sure I started getting sleep apnea because I would feel like my blood pressure suddenly dropped and I would gasp awake. I’m 27, fit, and not overweight, but I am medication sensitive. The symptoms are slowly disappearing (slowly) but it’s definitely upended my life. I specifically told the ER and my doctor I didn’t want to take Ativan, but it would the only option they would give me for SVT/ Tachycardia each time I went. My normally low blood pressure is now chronically high leading to headaches.
I knew the danger going in and felt it was the lesser of two evils at the time (it kept me out of the hospital for a month at least). However, I’m terrified that maybe my body will never go back to normal. One can only hope that after a few weeks I’ll be on the mend. This page has been immensely helpful.
Why are you even reading this article is what I want to know….oh wait….you’re one of those miserable humans that go around the internet looking for people you consider weak to attack and judge behind the shield of your computer/phone/tablet screen. It is not one bit unusual or wrong that people trust that their Drs have their best interest at heart and that they have equipped themselves with the knowledge before prescribing a drug to many many people over their careers. Drs exist and we go to Drs because we trust Drs. You say you did your research for months before taking Omeprazole, yet you still decided to take it even though Omeprazole cessation can cause some extreme gastro pain and issues. Guarantee little bobby will be crying to his mommy about his wittle tummy hurting when it’s time to stop taking them. On top of that 12 years ago it was not known or the facts weren’t conveyed about the effects of the particular class of drug this person was taking. And I can guarantee this person’s Dr told them that there wouldn’t be any issues with dependence if taken as prescribed. I know that’s what I was told 16 years ago when my Dr carelessly prescribed me opiates, and any research I did said the exact same thing, but guess what when I no longer needed the pain meds for a several broken vertebrae, slipped disc and broken hips from a terrible auto accident, I realized quickly that I was physically dependant even though I followed the Drs instructions and in fact took far less than prescribed. On top of that, the internet between one and two decades ago wasnt nearly what it is today. Information like this wasn’t readily available nor was it accurate. Drug companies weren’t honest about potential dangers and the FDA didn’t regulate like it should. Why? Because when drugs sell the government and corporate America lines their pockets. I can’t imagine Mr. Bob, that you are god’s gift to earth and that you have all the answers or have lived a perfect life. In fact, correct me if I’m wrong, but I imagine people probably distance themselves from you because of your god complex. I imagine you have a lot of conflicts with people and that you feel like it’s everyone else and not you. Seriously, I may be wrong but your attitude and your need to come to an article someone wrote about the extreme struggles they have faced, and weigh in, in such a negative and judgemental fashion, leads me and probably many others to believe my ASSumptions are probably pretty accurate. Especially the fact that you brought yourself to a webpage that is discussing a topic that it sounds like you are far too good and too smart to have ever struggled with, and then you invite yourself to comment negatively without any provocation shows your intent to belittle, degrade, insult, and demean human beings, because you didn’t come here looking for information, you came here looking for confrontation and to make yourself feel better about your own personal demons that are truly caused by YOU. I hope you feel a little more validated in your hateful life now that you have berated someone that has struggled with something that has nothing to do with you. Only YOU have to meet YOUR maker in the end. God bless!
Bob, I agree with you that we are responsible for what we put in our mouths but the prescribers are not innocent either. If they are prescribing this crap to people then they should first of all be prescribing it for only a couple weeks at the most and not for years!! And secondly they should know how to safely get you off the med! Which they do NOT! Sounds like you have never been in a situation like this and you should feel lucky for that. My doctor told me no problem taking it for years and no problem to get off. And we all know that’s not the case!
So are you taking omeprazole? If you researched it, you would have only used it for 2 weeks max, and only 3’s a year. If you researched it, you know it has black box warnings, it’s had them for over 8 years now. Benzodiazepines didn’t get black warnings until last year. How screwed up is that? You can’t take omeprazole for the rest of your life, unless you want to develop those serious conditions listed in the black box. Go ahead and stop it, and find out what hell is when you do. Proton Pump Inhibitors, just like Benzodiazepines, cause the very problem they were intended to treat when you try stopping them. And there is no standard treatment to taper off PPI’s. There is a drug in the pipeline, but it has yet to complete Phase 3 studies.
I had one of those conditions, and because the only available drug is only approved for treating Orphan Diseases, I had to get FDA approval to get it from the researcher in the UK, who kindly donated it to me. I am now PPI free, and I wasn’t given it for a GI issue, the manufacturer lied to doctors and said it could be as a prophylactic from ulcers due to NSAID use, and back when it was given to me, it wasn’t known about the serious (and even deadly) side effects. So please stop your omeprazole and tell me how long you last before the Rebound Acid Hypersecretion happens, and you go back on it. Oh, did you learn about RAHS during your research? Because that, to my knowledge, is STILL not on the patient leaflet, and most doctors deny it exists. I fired a bunch who didn’t believe me, and I figured out on my own that the PPI was the culprit, not those idiot former doctors. I had RAHS trying to stop it, and Hypomagnesemia from using it so long.
Luckily I found a compassionate GI doctor who believed me, confirmed I had no GI reason for this drug, that my condition caused by this PPI, was serious, and helped me get FDA approval. Since you are such an @ss, you can do your research and find out what this drug that freed me of PPI dependency in only 44 days is. But you won’t be able to get it, unless/until your omeprazole turns on you. And it will. The GI and Kidney docs I saw, have patients with kidney failure on a transplant list, and it started with their first PPI pill. Now that they know about the drug I discovered, they are trying to get it for their patients. Too bad. So sad. You’ll have to wait at least 5 years before it’s on the market. Phase 3 trials were halted due to COVID.
Hypomagnesemia causes panic/anxiety symptoms. Psychiatrist never considered that, decided I had GAD (even though I didn’t have constant anxiety/panic, only right before I’d be back in the hospital getting an infusion). She lied and said I could stop them easily. I was very sick, and took the poison she gave me, only to learn too late that it never worked, in fact Klonopin impaired my my ability to function. I then saw my Endocrinologist who was flabbergasted this Psychiatrist did this to me. It was she who pointed that Hypomagnesemia caused the very symptoms the benzo was prescribed for, and personally wanted to talk to Psychiatrist herself. She called her irresponsible.
Please STFU and go troll somewhere else. I can hardly wait until your omeprazole turns on you, then you can eat your own words to us.
Carol thank you so much educating him on the drug he is taking. He has no idea what he is in for. I was put on a high dose of omeprazole to treat 2 ulcers and i had the most horrendous side effects and withdrawals. In addition i was given xanax by my gp to help with the withdrawal (big mistake) and i am still recovering. Xanax withdrawal is horrible but I have to say my omeprazole withdrawal was worst.
Hey Bob, how do you feel now that omeprazole has been pulled entirely off the market due to the fact they cause cancer?
And you did your research. Lol Or perhaps IT’S CAUSE THEY HAVE NÉW INFORMATION! INFORMATION THAT DID NOT EVEN YET EXIST WHEN YOU WERE PRESCRIBED THE MEDICATION. I was prescribed this stuff when I was just a kid. I had no parents to fend for me SO I TRUSTED MY DR. Now that they know what they do, drs are not so keen on prescribing them anymore, BUT THEY STILL HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO PROPERLY TAPER ANYONE
Your point could have been made in a more compassionate, supportive way. Yes, it’s incumbent upon us all to inform ourselves the best we can. I’m glad we’re in the age of the internet where months of research agonizing over Omeprazole is even possible (months?! You can get all current info there is to know about that med in under a week, lol… Just sayin’. Indecisiveness for months you call “researching”).
We’re talking about ppl coming from generations that didn’t have the internet when put on these meds. And even 10 years ago, research and understanding of many medications wasnt near what it is today. Benzo understanding has increased exponentially in the past 5 years.
So come off your high horse. If you’ve never experienced the degree of incapacitating panic or anxiety that some ppl have, I’m glad for you. If you’re not able to relate, and that willing to be without compassion, don’t comment in a forum where people need support and understanding. Again, your point isn’t the problem. It’s the way you frame it. More ppl might pay attention if you didn’t come off like that.
Omaprazole! Ha, you live on another planet!
Lord Corporation
It’s been 51 months and counting since I stopped taking Klonopin. I kept a diary for years tracking my progress and quest for the magic herb, diet, lifestyle etc. I never found it. Although most of the original symptoms have gone, I have several remaining that erupt periodically. They all appear together when I get a relapse, so to speak. They are – twitching (mostly when I try to relax at night), verbal outbursts, vertigo, brain fog and often irregular heart beats. When this problem shows up, it may go on for a few hours or a week or two.
I’m at the point ( I know many people don’t believe it’s possible) that I’m starting to believe that the relapses come from small amounts of the remaining benzodiazepine leaching out of the fat cells into the blood stream and starting the withdrawal cycle again. The reason I believe it’s possible is because for the last several months I started experimenting with dry fasting. Each time I came off the dry fast, I felt great for a day or so and then the relapse would start again – only this time they were much worse than usual. I have repeated this 5 times now – all with the same result.
Has anyone had a similar experience?
Honestly dude, f*** off.
You show yourself to be absolutely ignorant on the concept.
They tell us to trust the doctors, and then when we do trust them we are the ones to take the blame, not the docs who prescribe these absolutely potent drugs like candies and then don’t give a s*** if you live or die.
“trust the doctors” they say.
You don’t seem to be a very happy person yourself as well.
Sorry Paul, the website glitched and I replied to the wrong comment.
Stop ganging up on him. He said his peace and you are all projecting.
You say the doctors did not help you come off yet you are the ones that the doctors didn’t help by coming on.
You don’t get it both ways.
You are not victims. You to some extent chose these drugs as you did your doctors.
You took responsibility by deciding to come off.
Good job for that. Don’t be soft and allow others to upset you.
No Paul, it’s not small amounts of leftover benzo! I have been in the same boat as you for 6 years now. The only solution to calm your nervous system is to completely eliminate MSG from your diet and limit foods rich in aspartic acid and especially free glutamic acid as much as possible. Do not hesitate to take a little acetaminophen in the event of a relapse. Sorry, I’m French, please excuse my translation mistakes!
Yes, glutamate and glutamate storms are closely related to the same mechanisms if action at play with benzos, SSRIs, etc. GABA, brain glutamate, gabapentinoids, voltage gated calcium ion channels, etc.
Yes, I believe you are on to something everytime I detox i get worse
The problem with modern medicine is the doctors. Unfortunately they are overpaid puppets of big pharma, plus they are igrnorant greedy fiends whi just want money. The other problem is they are semi protected but need to get sued more often. most times they should just turn patients away. 99 percent of doctors are incompetent
I wouldn’t say 99%, but I fired 4 doctor and one Nurse Practitioner in the past 6 years, In the past 10 years I have only kept my Endo. And I would go back to the same Orthopedist and GI docs I previously saw, if I ever need them.
Cold Turkey of lorazepam when Pandemic began, my doctor close the office and hide under the bed. Could not get a hold of him so I decided to get off pills and not be dependent on drs that I have to be nice to when I really want to tell them a few choices words. My daughter in law is a federal lawyer and we’re going to get this dr and make his life impossible
I am an idiot who made a catastrophic mistake. No taper was necessary. Not suggested by mental health NP. I had never heard of Benzodiazapine withdrawal. How it eluded me I don’t know. After 22 years of being the most compliant patient taking 2mg of Klonopin successfully for my severe anxiety disorder, (only med that has ever worked) keeping my prediabetic sugars tight and neuropathy in my feet stable I started a slower taper to slightly reduce my dosage without talking to my mental health NP. After not trusting my NP’s opinion that I should forget about Alzheimer’s because she could get it, or I could get it and the findings are inconclusive I lost all respect. Knowing I was upset about developing Alzheimer’s it would have been the perfect time for her to talk to me about tapering or inquire if I was considering it. Nothing. She never mentioned the word withdrawal, asked me years used, reviewed my serious anxiety disorders or medical issues. Had I heard the words withdrawal and anxiety it would have been stopped me dead in my tracks. Never would have touched my wonderful meds. Heading to Dr Google I completely missed the words withdrawal and anxiety yet again. Wasn’t searching under Benzo withdrawal as I didn’t know it existed. Totally missed the phrase Benzodiazepine dosage decrease will cause anxiety and panic. I found instructions on slowly tapering Klonopin keeping it comfortable. My mental health issues include making decisions on impulse due to severe anxiety. I began a slow taper without talking to a soul. In 2 months and a slow taper I had reached my goal of 1.5 mg. Yippee! I was fine for months slight headache some tension, a rash. By the 6th month, anxiety was growing, month 7 after start of taper blood sugar rising. Month 8 I crashed. The most incredible anxiety words can’t describe the pain. Needless to say learning about withdrawal syndrome was devastating and the fact I had missed it in my research caused increased self loathing and blame. My new Prescriber, she had moved to another location, brought me back to life by up dosing to 3mg. Felt better quickly. Expecting this dose to last for 10years I was relieved. 7 months later interdose withdrawal struck. Devastated. Panic. Deeper self hatred blame and anger. Now on 3.5mg. Feeling better again but scared to death every minute that I’ll develop a tolerance to this dosage soon. My cholesterol has popped, my hair is falling out, my blood sugar is rising because I already know from my previous experience that I am the long timer user who will have a protracted withdrawal. This is all my fault for my ignorance about my meds, not speaking up about a dosage decrease to someone and for failing in my research. Simple stupidity. My mental health is poor as I know I don’t have the strength to see a protracted syndrome through to its end with my anxiety disorders at the age of 60. Why did I touch my meds haunts me? I was fine. No need to taper, keeping my anxiety and other issues in order. Although now over medicated if possible and no tolerance build up after 2nd updose I will never taper again. I ruined my already challenging life because of an impulsive ignorant decision. There’s no forgiveness in my heart for self. Not much for the NP either. I can’t even imagine the suffering that may be in my future. A dose decrease may not work due to kindling and up dosing causing additional downgrading of GABA receptors. My last dose reduction proved that. I could have avoided all of this despair had I only opened my mouth. I could have avoided all of this and continued take my 2mg and continued the quality of life it provided. It’s surreal. Scared every minute and I have to live with myself knowing I could have prevented this. May God show all mercy. Thank you for listening.
Hi Suzanne,
I researched Cons spam, and saw all of the potential side effects, but I was desiring more sleep. I asked my PCP, and she obliged. That was 2 mg, and sometimes I cheated and borrowed some from my wife who had a small stash, so we’ll say 2.5 mg. I told my doctor I was going to taper off to 1 1/2…told her about the cheating, she didn’t say a word.
The drug had contributed to depression, & I wanted off. Then on top of the depression came the horrible side effects of the withdrawal. I had heard of slow taper, but I really don’t know yet what I should do. I am almost 71 years old, too.
I told her that I was going back up from 1 1/2 to 2 mg and then I was going to start titrating down about 10% every 12 days but if anybody can see this, and maybe you know, that might be too ambitious also.
God can do the impossible. I was asking Him for help, that is, a total deliverance from the depression and the withdrawal symptoms, but maybe it was Him leading me to the site & to you
I’m so sorry. I’m in same boat. But 81 and on 2 mg. But in tolerance and suffering. As per your post. I will have to find out how to go o. From here. I don’t plan on updosing. I have been on Gabapentin too and could only taper that to 93 mg a day. Cannot get off. I have little time on this planet. And I don’t believe it was my fault I got stuck on kl bc I had only half a brain with Gabapentin. Unable to think clear enough to kno why I felt so sick. God help you and bless you
Good for you – hope your daughter in law takes this Dr. to the cleaners – and then some. I’ve suffered Klonopin withdrawal 19 months. My Dr. put me on it to try to wipe out the horrid effects of the Abilify that nearly killed me. So I took the stuff for 6 months and then I insisted on tapering off it when I found out how life threatening it was. As usual, never a forwarning of the toxic Klonopin. “It’s fine,” she said. “You don’t ever need to go off it.” WHAT? I don’t even HAVE anxiety! HELLO? What in the hell is WRONG with these people? I’ve lost ALL trust in the medical community. I am living through an indescribable HELL that shows no sign of ending anytime soon because I was casually thrown onto a drug I never even needed in the first place. I have been poisoned by people who refuse to help me. I’m a fracrion of my former self. And there are millions of us out here losing our jobs, our families, our LIVES. The pandemic pales in comparison to THIS. Please, make sure your daughter in law throws the book at your doctor. I can’t afford a lawyer. Most of us can’t – that’s why this criminal prescribing behaviour continues to poison people who already suffer so terribly. It’s disgusting. Please, PLEASE – take this, “doctor,” of yours to the highest Court. You have my complete support.
Yes! Thank you for putting my feelings into words! ?
Y’all realise a part of getting over addiction, is learning to forgive??
You chose to take the pill, stop blaming doctors, otherwise this will go in circles for years.
Did you get held down, against your will, and have your mouth forcefully open, pill shoved in??
Look. Everyone. It’s ok to admit you have addiction issues. Alcoholics can go their whole life without admitting it. Why? Because that’s how our society’s been programmed. The majority of the human race has some kind of addiction that’s by not healthy, and they never admit it to themselves.
There’s a huge difference between addiction and a physiological dependence caused by a doctor’s lack of responsibility. Most who are prescribed Benzos are mentally incapable of making decisions and have no choice but to trust a doctor and follow their instructions. Most people stuck in Benzo withdrawal and damage are not warned at all about the dangers of Benzo toxins. Despite widespread suffering and suicidal deaths that result, these poisons continue to be doled out to the unsuspecting public by, yes, doctors. It’s not a blame game but simply a fact. This isn’t about not being able to forgive anyone. It’s about survival and trying to keep millions of other people from being harmed in this horrible way. If people need to sue the medical profession to get it to wake up and stop killing people, then please, don’t criticize them for having the guts to do the right thing. Anyone who experiences Benzo toxicity and has the strength left over to take the medical profession to task, should be applauded, not put down and discouraged. These people are heros and nothing less.
Dear Bob,
You are not a nice, compassionate or thoughtful person. You are quite mean making negative and hurtful comments on this support group board. This is not a board for hateful people trying to find a place to express their perceived superiority. I’m sure you’ve heard this from your friends and family as well. You may want to consider studying kindness and compassion. Yoga might help, or maybe read Buddhist philosophies.
Bob, the rudeness and lack of compassion you have is unbelievable.
People with anxiety and panic go to their trusted and “educated” doctors for help. The doctor prescribes them a very addictive and dangerous prescription drug with no cautionary information given to them, even when that info is specifically requested, as in my case. This “safe”medication does help the anxiety so all is well, right?
Years pass and other doctors are seen for the growing list of headaches and neurological symptoms. These docs discuss your Klonopin dose and may adjust it, but no one tells you this drug is not for use over a couple of weeks r recognizes it is the cause of your neurologic problems!
Decades later, I find I have unknowingly damaged my brain.
Am I pissed? Hell yes!
“Did you get held down, against your will, and have your mouth forcefully open, pill shoved in??”
Uhh…yes. Plus injections too, they (certain doctors) are very “liberal” with certain meds…
Did you get held down, against your will, and have your mouth forcefully open, pill shoved in??
Yes! They also forcibly drug people to blast 100 volts of electricity straight in to the brain (over and over again!).
So yes, some of us have had very little “choice” in the matter…one can’t when it’s 5 vs 1.
You need too do some research before calling this addiction. I have no interest or enjoyment from Klonopin. I continue to take it because if I don’t I will have the most magnificent list of conditions from diarrhea to insomnia to hypersensitivity to smell, touch, pain, light, overarticulation of my feet and on and on… it is truly a bizarre and endless list so I won’t bore you. And with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, you don’t improve as you get farther away from your last dose the way you would from most drugs. My physical problems mount and spike. I had decided to reduce my dose unwitting of this syndrome crap and felt nothing for about a week. Then my brain went on overdrive. I couldn’t sleep – even 1 minute – for 7 straight days when I showed up at my doctor’s about it. He said “Maybe you’re not tired.” That’s when I realized he shouldn’t have an MD. This isn’t about addiction. It’s about brain receptors being altered and now physiologically dependent on benzodiazepines to function properly… well, at all. Forget “properly.”
I’m going to say this. I’ve been on benzos since 18. I’m 42 now. My doc said alchol is a liquid xanax. Had cps called on me multiple times because they tapered me too quick. I lost 9 boys in the 2nd trimester. I thought the doctor had me. No, cut 1mg every two weeks. I needed something for the disaster I was in and wish I didn’t. Docs don’t care.
Jacqueline,
I am so sorry to hear all that. You, little love, are on my prayer list forever. Idk how to contact you otherwise I would reach out to you directly. I know it probably doesn’t help to hear that some random person is praying for you, but I know you. I, too, lost babies. One time, it was because I found out I was pregnant, and I stopped my Valium cold turkey. The withdrawals were so bad, he/she didn’t make it. At the time, benzodiazepines weren’t considered addictive so I had no idea no idea what was even happening to me. If I had known….
Does anyone know how to directly contact someone on here? I’m so far behind the times that I still use Netscape! Lol
I would like to take the pain I am suffering and use it for something positive to help other sufferers. I have Counseling and Psychology degrees and I am considering getting a diploma in chemical addiction. I would like to start a clinic for suffering patients experiencing withdrawal or wanting to stop taking benzodiaopines. It seems to me that once on the meds, people should not stop but taper down to less than 2 mgs a day and then switch to a long acting valium. Then possibly be put into a coma. The side effects of withdrawal seem to be far worse than staying on the med. Keep praying to Jesus for mercy and God bless all.
Bob, You obviously do not understand that people on benzos are not addicted the way an alcoholic is but has to take the benzo because of changes made in their Gaba receptor sites that will give them terrible symptoms if they do not keep taking the benzos. In the case of xanax, it stops working after 5 to 6 hours so strange symptoms develop (inter-dose withdrawal symptoms), that mimic disorders that cause many to return to their doctors fearing a new illness. Isn’t job security for Big Pharma and the doctors wonderful? People given xanax are not told about that. They are often given that for sleep, take once a day in the evening.
That is the real reason benzos are out there, for the benefit of Big Pharma and their legal drug dealers. None of them EVER inform the patient of what is waiting for them down the benzo road. That is what happens when you TRUST your doctor. Most have forgotten the majority of what they may have been taught and they also take one very short course, I believe it is 6 weeks, on drugs and yet we are suppose to believe they are experts!. No, they are simply drug dealers, just legal ones
I actually did get held down, I was having a severe anxiety/panic attack and the ambulance took me too a Hospital and I was held down with straps (while in a full blown attack) and a IV. Was started with several different injections and then Oral tab and so there you go
Carbamazapine will get you off benzo’s in a few days with no side effects…at least it did for me. 100mg 3x a day…ASK YOUR DOCTOR
Leon,
Did you try to get off benzos before , without carbamazapine?
i WAS PUT ON XANAX AT AGE 22 FOR SEVERE ANXIETY, PANIC Attacks, etc. Never saw doctor again, Over the years I was switched to klonopin 2mg. I was on celexa, 300mg doxepin and 160 mg of geodon. I was told I was overmedicated and saw a few different docotrs for second opinion, I started having heart palpitations from geodon, stopped. ended up in hospital. Anyway quit messing with anything after they tried every antdepressant on me. I am 65. Pandemic hit. Didnt sleep for 3 months. Very depressed. Cut back to 100 mg doxepin. and several weeks ago to 1mg of klonopin, very nervous lost appetite three weeks ago. Went to hospital again, Tried luvox on me couldnt sleep so added ambien, These doctors should be sued. I have lost hope. No interest in anything and I am an artist. no friends now. very irratable. Drugs are like taking poison. My doc of 21 years dropped me because I went to another doc. Afraid Im not going to make it. Shell of myself. Have seen a few docs who never mentioned what to do about klonopin or doxepin. Gave me cymbalta and ambilify etc. I have no doctor and no left family. Friends dissappeared. Read where withdrawing from klonopin could cause more insomnia which I have loss of appetite. Cant find a doctor in my area dont trust them. Need to sue my doctor. Some doc tried to wean me off of klonopin in a month in the middle of sever pandemic anxiety. Ended up in emergency room ten times. They only keep you in hospital 7 days to so call stabilize you hah. Send you back home with no sleep and no help. I have been suicidal ever since this mess started. All my medications can cause demetia. Did anyone mention that? My doctor dropped me in the middle of a pandemic. I think I will sue her. I already wrote a bad review of the hospital and her. The hospital wouldnt let you wear shoes and I couldnt lift those heavy trays. One fnp told me to quit taking everything. On and on. Laywer coming up. I cant find a good doctor if there are any on my insurance. My rural town has no mental health care. Im moving to another state if I can after this or to Germany. I am not functioning at all. When I do have to get out to an appt. I dread it. Sleeping has been awful since pandemic. Help!!!!!
How about try enjoy your life.
Forget about the ones that bring you down.
And maybe an English class or 2.
You sound as evil as the medical system. Your going to ‘get back at them’.
Sesh. Talk about fighting fire with fire. You’ll never get back at ‘the man’. Maybe a doc. But where does that leave us?? We get to hear your cool story. Great.
Your daughters a lawyer?? Why are you wasting time on here whinging?? Got kids? Spend some happy time with them. Let your daughter deal with the stress, she wants it if she became a layer.
Wow…is all I can say! If I actually took you seriously I’d be quite angry, but you’re so not worth it. Learn the difference between addiction and physiological dependence, then take a course on empathy.
Having a laugh at other people’s expense. You must be the low life of the party.
Bob’s only here because he’s been hurt by someone who’s gone through this but hasn’t the first clue what they actually experienced. He’s just a lurker who finally had the balls to speak. Don’t forget to turn in the balls, Bob. I’m sure they’re on loan from your wife.
Bob, you’re such an unfeeling weirdo
Can I ask how many mg you we’re taking? I was prescribed Klonopin to get off Ativan about 12 or so years ago. I was also prescribed Baclofen and 3200 mg of gabapentin for nerve damage. I’m off the Baclofen, I’ve reduced the gabapentin to 1500 mg and I tapered to 2 mg of klonopin. Just lowering it 0.8 5 days ago and I am dizzy, have nightmares, sweats, I’m emotional, don’t feel like I’m even here, I want to hide from everyone… I may have a tooth problem so made a dentist appt for what may not even exist. My heart feels like it’s working overtime. I’m in my 60’s. Am I nuts? Is something not right with me? I had also been prescribed Zoloft which I weaned off of a few years ago, and still have depression from it. I’m confused I guess on what’s causing these symptoms. Thank you for reading this.
Hello Dav
If I am reading your comment correctly here, you indicate that you reduced your Klonopin dose from 2mg to .8mg? If that is correct then I will tell you that is a very aggressive reduction. If you have not yet read the Ashton Manual I would highly suggest that you do. It provides guidance for tapering off of benzodiazepines. Everyone’s taper is unique in duration and symptoms experienced but having a base line to follow is much safer and helps to not just be winging it. Also joining any number of online support groups can really be of great value for much needed support. Here is the link to the Ashton Manual – – – > https://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/
How could I read all of your stories without tears!!!
I get encouraged so very much by all your struggles and success stories. I’ve gone through hell so many times, and my young days were shadowed by this evil med – BENZO!
I am 63 years old. I was on Xanax and Paxil for 10 years for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. In 2015, my Psy. Dr. switched to Clonazepam, 3mg during my 5th hospitalization for MDD, anxiety disorder and panic attacks in 2015.
On top of Clonazepam, 7 different meds were added every time I saw new Psychiatrist because I either moved or Psy. MD retired. My brain was always foggy, lethargic, had to sleep 10-12 hours a day including 2 hour nap without fail. I had 4 auto accidents for the last 10 years. I gained 22 lbs.
I, myself started digging into some articles about the side effects of all my meds. OMG! High blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride, A1C problems I had – all the poisonous meds I’ve been taking. I was very slim and healthy until I started these meds.
As years go by, I got weaker, depression got worse, insomnia, memory loss, disorientation, hair loss, excessive eating, ……
Then I met my current Psy. Dr. who strongly advised me to get off meds after 4 different sessions of treatments of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(lasted about 6 months). THIS WAS A GAME CHANGER!!!! Believe it or not, none of my previous Psychiatrists, Psychologists recommended it to me. One of them did not even know that such thing exists. I found TMS on my own after I digged into the answer to my ongoing question of “Am I going to have to live like this for the rest of life? I feel I will not be able to.” I was able to manage getting off all meds, one at a time, except Zoloft 100 mg, and Clonazepam down to 1mg. TMS made it happen without severe withdrawal symtoms. Or reduction of Clonazepam was masked by other meds.
However, now it is the time for real game. Doing Water titration by Ashton Method- 2 ml reduction of .375 mg Clonazepam diluted in 250 ml water, every 3 days in the morning, leaving .5mg for evening for sleep. I am now down to .707 mg per day.
I am constantly feeling like I am on a floating boat.
numbness, weird sensations –
Objects feel bigger or smaller than normal
i.e., food such as noodles, pasta, rice feel smaller
Some objects feel bigger and heavier, like mugs, dishes, clothes
Cars look too small.
I can not clearly say what time I fell asleep at night, whether I was asleep or not throughout the night.
Sometimes I hear things ‘hi!, beeping sound from microwave!’ which was not real! Also feel that my throat got swollen, often get choked with a sip of water. Had acid reflux, treated with Omeprazole, swallowing tests-OK. Still choking.
I am positive and hope that these are all WDs and will go away. Did anyone have these experiences? It could take years until I feel normal and healthy again. Really, I wish there were ways to make disappear BENZOs from on earth!
I am looking forwards to your replies. And thank you JC! You saved hundreds of thousands of people who suffered from BENZOs of which no doctors, no government agencies, no pharmaceutical companies were concerned. I also thank Dr. Ashton.
With All My Best,
JC -I just want to send you my most heartfelt acknowledgement of what you’ve been through and what you’ve accomplished. You’re an Olympian, a warrior and someone who is massively helping awareness of benzo dangers forward. Thank you for everything you’ve done, everything you’ve been through to get here. I’m so glad you made it.
Taking lorazapam ruined the last 15 years of my life. I didn’t realize what had happened until i started tapering off the drugs.i had gotten married to an abusive slob, moved 4 times, and my behavior was so bizarre. As i was slowly tapering off lorazapam i developed auto immune disorders, depression, anxiety, mouth sores broght on by teeth grinding and sucking on my mouth so badly i broke pieces of my teeth in my sleep. I am now 64 years old, my health has rapidly declined and before i started taking lorazapam i was pretty, healthy and relatively happy. I just needed something to help me sleep. It has been a year since i took my last pil but i feel terrible, am in constant pain, suffer with dizziness and depression because i woke up in this old body and i have to deal with the reality of everything i had done while taking Lorazapam. My doctor said it’s like waking up from a coma except i know everything that happened as if it happened to someone else. I have no feelings and no personality. This has been ty he worst experience of my life.
How I rue the day I first popped a Valium in my mouth.
The struggle is real, the pain is real.
You have my deepest genuine sympathy.
I am Three years benzo free and am still having flare ups. Fortunately they are becoming less and less frequent over time.
I am 41 now took my first benzo at 20. Used and abused them for the best part of twenty years.
It does get better but it is a damn slow process. What I’ve learned: Avoid stressful situations and people that cause you distress as much as possible.
Swim, getting in the water and swimming does wonders for benzo withdrawal (I discovered this randomly).
Don’t drink alcohol ever. Marijuana can help but be aware it can also exacerbate symptoms (edibles work best small dose one hour before bed).
I genuinely wish the author and everyone struggling with benzo injuries all the best in their abstinence and recovery.
How these evil insidious little pills still exist is beyond me.
They are a physiological hand grenade.
Steve thank you so much for what you wrote. I have always worked out and that definitely has helped now but I will try swimming. I agree completely about having regret for taking my first benzo dose about 17 years ago. I titrated off two months ago and the chronic daily suffering has been unbearable.
To JC and all, I also have been having issues with my vision and feel as if I’m in a dream/out of it and I am more dissociated than I have been in my life. It os so uncomfortable and no one understands what we go through. It is incredible to receive the validation here.
Good luck to everyone
I took 19 Ativan pills and 8 Ambien over a 35 day period–to help me sleep after being given an overdose of Vitamin B-12 shots that caused terrible insomnia and burning skin. I stopped the meds abruptly and am having terrible anxiety–terror in my gut– chills, insomnia, GI problems, shaking inside and out–I will stop there. I am into my 22nd day of this nightmare. I don’t want to start taking any meds again as I have come this far in withdrawal and I took so few pills–surely this will end soon. I have had several days when I was normal and feel pretty good every evening, but the anxiety I am experiencing when it is on me is overwhelming. Has anyone had experience going cold turkey after so few pills? I was having interim withdrawal almost immediately. I would take Ativan for 4 nights for insomnia and then the next night I would crash at 6 and sleep all night on my own. The next day I would experience panic I have never known before. Could not take the drug from the start. Horrible. Any thoughts?
Yes. Back in February, I was grieving a loss and had a mild panic attack and went to the doctor for it. Was prescribed lorazepam. I took it that night and boy did I feel good. After that I only took it as needed. It wasn’t until I drank wine that I had a full blown panic attack ( I hadn’t taken the pill in two days) and the Er staff told me to take it on a regular basis. Long story short, I was on Lorazpam 1.5 mg for about two weeks and hated how I felt on it so I stopped it. Bad idea. I had the worse rebound anxiety known to man. My doc put me on clonazepam ( longer acting benzo) while I worked to find a detox doctor. In total I was on benzos for about 3-4 weeks and my detox doctor told me I could stop cold turkey. Afterwards my rebound anxiety was bad and I developed acute gastritis. It’s now April and I am just now starting to feel somewhat normal. My detox doctor did not understand why I was experiencing these withdrawal symptoms when I’d only been on it for the recommended 2-4 weeks. He just concluded that I was sensitive to the medication and to never take it ever again. 100% noted.
I took 1 mg of Xanax for 15 days, off for 7 days until refill, Then tapered 5 mg in 15 days. I have been off 28 days still have sound sensitivity, tinnitus And mild insomnia. Thanks for posting, seems like another month of hell?
Hi I have just started my taper. I have been on larazapam since 2014. I started taking it along with Cylexa for horrible insomnia and anxiety brought on by believe it or not using a CPAP machine. It worked wonders at first. About 6 months in I started having this feeling like my head was floating and I felt disassociated so I stopped taking the Cylexa. I was able to get off Cylexa with no problem. My symptoms went away and doctor said I could keep taking the bezo 1 mil at night. I’ve gone along pretty well until recently. Maybe because I’m getting older. Changes in my metabolism? I started to notice foggy head , increased anxiety and just lack of energy, no ambition. New doc said it is the benzo. He said just stop taking it. So I decided to go off. I figured I was only taking 1 to 1/2 at night and could go 2 nights at a time without it so no big deal. Oh so wrong. I’m 2 weeks into taper. I have pushed myself out to 3 nights at 1/2 I have waves of fatigue. Foggy brain that come and go. I wake up 3 or 4 times by night 3. This morning I woke up with anxiety and broke down and took a .25. I have also got benzo belly going on. I’m going to hold at this for a month and see how things go Then go to 1/4 every 3 days. I pray to be off in 6 months. I know everyone thinks I’m crazy and with such a low dose but this stuff is no joke and my heart goes out to the ones that are on higher doses. God Bless
Wow, I feel like I’ve found my place after reading all your stories. I was put on Ativan for dizziness, inner ear/balance disorder when I was 37 years old. I’m now 65. I would not have thought to ever get off of it, but my doctor was relaced by a new one who refuses to give it to me and wants me on antidepressants, which just don’t sit well with me. It’s been a battle with her! She does not understand. Anyway, I decided to get off Ativan rather than have the ongoing battle with her about antidepressants and humiliating urine tests to check for marijuana and alcohol. I’m down to 1/2 tablet every 12 hours, it’s been hard. My question is lately I’ve been experiencing severe pain in my lower left leg, along with burning abd tingling. All kinds of crazy thoughts about what could be wrong have literally kept me awake at night (I can’t sleep). Could this be caused by Ativan withdrawal? I appreciate and response and help. Thanks, God bless you all and continued good luck.
None of these stories i am reading online say how much benzo they were taking a day? I have been on 1mg a night for prob 5-7 years. Around the end of Last year i decided to start tapering off and was down to .25mg. I was getting what i thought were postictal effects of my seizures. Last month after having them bad for a week i cracked and went back on 1mg ativan a night and it really helped for awhile. About a week ago i notice i am having trouble sleeping again and i just realized those werent my seizures they were effects of tapering off this ativan? Now i am back at square 1 ive only been back on 1mg a night for about 3 weeks. Am considering if i should cut back to 3/4 mg or go even more? Idk anything about drug addiction. Luckily i dont get cravings for this shit but i never took it to get high or relieve stress. I think maybe now that i know what those feeling are is actually withdrawals o can deal with them better?
I just stumbled across this article and Tom, if you have already received help, just disregards. I have been on lorazepam (generic for ativan) since 2006. I know, crazy, but it has allowed me to do things that I never thought possible, like travel and relief from panic attacks, etc. I feel leery about this article because I read it and did not find “how much?”. Perhaps I missed it but my response is to you. My dose was at 2 1/4 to 2 1/2. Beginning in March of this year, I began to taper down, which I have done before. I am now on 1 1/2mg and plan to continue tapering down. The best way I have found to taper down is to do it slowly and evenly. I taper 1/4 mg every 3 weeks. The first week is tough. Little sleep and strong withdrawal symptoms but manageable. The second week is a little better but unstable (one good day and one bad) and by the third week I am much more stable and doing well. I spread out my medication to 3 times a day. I do 1/2 mg at 6am, 1/4 mg at 3pm and 3/4 mg at 10pm. I will be reducing again in one week (down to 1 1/4 mg) and the way I plan to do it is 1/2 at 6am, 1/4 at 3pm and 1/2 at 10pm. I don’t use a pill cutter. I literally just bite the pill in half. Hoping the best for you and others.
I tried again and went through utter hell. I was having delusions. I was hallucinating. It was crazy. 1/4 was too much and i realize thats why the end of last year i was in and out of the er so much. I am kicking myself in the ass for ever going back on 1mg but i have started again. I bought a scale last month and have been microtapering and so far no serious withdrawal symptoms. I ma down 10% in one month. Seems slow but at this rate i should be off within a year. Plus i pray none of those crazy side effects i felt tapering off too fast last time.
Withdrawals from any gabaergic will cause these symptoms. You were on them for 5-7 years so the length of the taper needs to be comparable to not experience symptoms immediately. I would cut by half a pill or even a quarter of a pill to start, and you’ll still probably experience some rebound anxiety, insomnia, or twitching. When you taper you need to stay on the reduced dose until you don’t experience any symptoms, then stay on it for another week to a month, THEN reduce the dose. You’ll never not experience symptoms, but you should be able to control them to a degree. I don’t know if you’ll read this because it’s been 3 months but from my experience it should help anyone who does read it. Once you’re completely off you’ll experience the worst of the withdrawals and temptation to reuse will be very high, it’s important that you do not. If you continue to use you will set yourself back that much more.
I am new to this site and like what I read. This information is helping me understand what is going’ on with me. I started taking 0.5 mg of klonopin 1 times a day to relax pelvic floor muscle tightness. I am a 64 yo male. After a neck injury and surgery I was put on 0.5 mg 2 times a day. Now tapering for 16 days. One side effect that started me to tapper is my skin became dry and burning especially my feet they will not sweat. Has anyone had this problem while on Benzos All my tests are normal and dr say Benzos not the problem. Any information will be very helpful thanks.
Gsd55
I’m living with this burning, sensitive sensation on the soles of my feet right now, along with a myriad of other problems. I had no idea this stuff was so evil. I would’ve never agreed to take it.
Hi I’m French. For anyone who thinks they are suffering from prolonged benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, greatly reduce or, if you can, completely stop foods high in glutamic acid or histamine. These are 2 excitatory neurotransmitters that can no longer be countered by our faulty gabaergic system and which in excess considerably prolong withdrawal with 99% of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
I am researching this now and also juice fasting and cleansing to help me. Down to .5 mg k 2x/day. since 2012 ( started at 2 mg=3x/day) alcohol daily. weed. other meds. I am doing anything i can to make this smooth as I have 4 children and they need me-am a widow. ( kids are 11, 10, 10 and 7 ) Very sad how i once thought we would all be better off dead as ” life is not worth living” (knowing nothing about the benzo i was taking contributing to it. Now-hope and some light in my world. thank for this comment.
To my knowledge most people have to be on a benzo daily for at least a month to have significant withdrawal symptoms, not to say there won’t be discomfort, depending on the dosage and the individual’s sensitivity. I was on klonopin FOUR MILLIGRAMS A DAY for 3 YEARS and quit cold turkey in a medical detox over a period of 10 days with Librium, and stayed for another almost 2 weeks to be monitored and given “comfort meds”. It was really unpleasant, almost to the point of unbearable. But those 3 years of being on it, they were terrible, like being in a thick haze where I knew time was passing, but it didn’t seem to be, and I just wanted my freakin life back…I had a terrible trauma which had lead to debilitating panic attacks, and sure, the klonopin worked for that but I felt NOTHING. Maybe some sort of dread? I can’t describe it. Anyway. It took about 6 months of eating really clean, drinking lots of water, exercise, stress reduction, vitamins etc to physically feel ok and about another 6 months to feel mentally somewhat myself. I think it depends on so many individual factors how a person will experience withdrawing from a medication or substance. And it’s true some people do have protracted withdrawals forever. I KNOW my brain was altered, I am definitely different, and not so much in a good way. I do believe my brain was damaged. It’s still better than being on klonopin! At least, for me.
I went cold turkey for 7 days off Valium and it was bell I was hallucinating talking to the wall I thought I’d been working away . Talking to my girlfriend like a friend from work. Then I started fitting . I had to buy some off the street and soon as I took them it hit me so fast . I couldn’t remember half the things I did my girl friend said I frightening. The hallucinations when 20 times worse . I hadn’t eaten or drank anything in 7 day . I take 4 10 mls every day street benzodiazepines. So I don’t no even no what strength I’m taking . I want a proper script and to a rapid withdrawal before I star work a again . It’s the worst tablet to be invented
Hi. I only took Ativan when my doctor prescribed it to help me for sleep when mom passed. I took about 42 pills spread out over 10 years. Sometimes I went years without taking any. The most frequent was one pill a month. I did notice that I was starting to have insomnia. I complained about it for about 4 years. I also noticed that eating out at restaurants brought on anxiety sometimes. Especially loud busy ones. I would just order a drink to help with it. Then one night I awoke to the entire room spinning. I was holding onto the bed. I learned I had BPPV, a type of vestibular vertigo. It was treated with some physical therapy type maneuvers. After that I always felt like I was on a boat. Then about a month later tinnitus started 24/7 and never stopped. I just thought I had vertigo problems. My mom did too. No one ever questioned that I was taking Ativan. Not one medical person I saw. Not even my family doctor. 6 months later I was sick of the “being on a boat” feeling. I had also read my symptoms could have been a vestibular migraine. Frustrated we headed off to the ER, my husband and I. I explained my vestibular migraine. I had vertigo with no headache I told them. It was pressure. It was decided they give me a “migraine cocktail” intravenously. It’s something commonly used for migraines. Reglan & Benedryl. I was told in these exact words: “Reglan can make you irritable. So we give Benedryl with it to counteract that.” Seemed okay to me. As far as I could remember. I had not had an Ativan for about a month. Not that anyone in the ER questioned my use of Ativan. This is just a hindsight epiphany. As soon as the IV of Reglan cocktail was injected,
everything went horribly wrong. My heart raced, and thoughts of doom & gloom were strong and immediate. It did not help my vestibular migraine. It only almost killed me! I immediately could not sit still and wanted to get up and pace (this is akathsia). The pacing subsided, but what followed was months of suffering. Come to find out Reglan is used for migraines & gastroparesis yes, but it’s also an old antipsychotic from the 60’s. A dopamine antagonist. It has a black box warning for tardive dyskinesia. A body movement disorder that can be permanent. I got the other movement disorder – akathasia. An intense feeling that you can’t sit still. It also came with doom, gloom depression, suicidal thoughts, inner tremors, feeling like I was going to die. This all started to taper down slowly I got better over the last 9 months. It was very similair to benzo withdrawal. The light bulb went off in my head when I read this article because of the “boaty” feeling. I had that months prior to the Reglan. I stopped the Ativan the week it happened. Haven’t taken it since. But I do wonder if that Ativan predisposed me to that Reglan reaction. Even though I took it infrequently , I think I was having interdose withdrawals. It was a rough nine months. Was I dealing with a Reglan reaction AND Ativan withdrawal? I still have some neurological symptoms. I feel “flu-like” or like I have a stuffy head cold when I am in a lot of stimuli ie: lights, crowds. I went to a Christmas play this past holiday. In a crowd of about 3400 people. I could not sit still. I felt fine standing. Could not sit. I felt fidgety. It was actually torture & I could not enjoy the play at all. That was 3 months ago. I now drive, and go to stores. Some days I have zero symptoms. Some days I feel like my feet are concrete when I’m walking through the store. It was very bad within the first months. I couldn’t even sit as as a passenger in a car at a red light without screaming (that’s akathasia for you). I’ve come a long way. I wish I could shake this tinnitus though. Also after reading your article. I realize I have hypercussis too. I think I was already in withdrawal. The Reglan in a way saved me because I stopped the Ativan. Also in researching the Reglan reaction, there really isn’t a lot of info on it, so I read about benzo withdrawl. I knew better than to take a benzo ever again. I actually take zero meds. I guess at least now I understand what’s going on. Puts answers to all the weird questions. After this experience, I’m actually afraid of medication. What if I need surgery? Aren’t anesthesia meds sedating? Are they benzos? How do you handle surgery after benzo withdrawal? Are some people really more sensitive to benzos? Can some people really take them for life without any issues? Guess I’m not one of those people!
Reglan is a serious drug. It can have lasting psychological effects after just one dose. Just going onto drugs dot com’s review section gives me nightmares. I have gastroparesis and I’m sure it works for some people but I’m not going to try to find out. Stay away from that one.
Shelly Mayer, I had similar symptoms from both ativan and when the ER gave me halperidol and reglan for “anxiety” when I was really having interdose ativan withdrawal. I eventually quit ativan cold turkey after 9 years of my rx. I developed tardive dyskinesia and dystonia and protracted benzo withdrawal syndrome that continues after 3.5 years. It is pure hell torture no one understands. I am blessed to have a husband who tries to understand and am raising my daughter who is amazingly supportive. I homeschool and drive when I am able to safely. When I am in a bad wave I hunker down and everyone just has to help out, otherwise I just pray my way through most days. I pray my complete healing is coming. I’ve been poisoned by mold and methane, benzene and toluene but that was nothing compared to ativan and the psych meds they tried to force on me. I do not have mental illness, never did. I have a B A. In psychology and a paralegal certificate. I left the workforce in 2006. I have no provision for retirement. My husband is amazing in his drive to support and grow our family. We are doing well financially but unless there is a miracle treatment like stem cells I just have to wait for God’s healing and pray nonstop I make it. My family would be devastated if I lost this battle after fighting so hard for so long. No diet, exercise, medication, supplements, nothing gets rid of protracted withdrawal syndrome except time. It’s a hard pill to swallow.
That is so nice of you, You’re an Angel. I wish my older Children would help, but they can’t understand this drug. I have to take care of my Husband, who has Cancer, plus, I am cold turkey on 40 years being on this drug, was in the ER twice, and a young doctor told me not to come back for they can not help me.
so many do not understand this drug, I pray for death every night, I can’t continue this way, and wish I had a Doctor to help me through this. Your Mom is so Blessed to have you!
Please go BenzoBuddies forum
I have prayed for death also. The pandemic has helped this along. My fear and anxiety has been like never before. I have no life and dont know if I will again. I was on a lot of very sedating drugs the klonopin was the least of these. I was in a normal mood and had a life. I have cut my meds to almowt nothing am=nd and very depressed. I cut my klonopin in half and have lost my appetite, wake up during the night lost desire for everything and dred leaving the house. I have lost my friends. Worried about ending my life and cant find a provider after my doctor of 21 years got mad because I saw another doctor. She never tried to cut back my medicine knowing they cause dementia and heart problems. I read about it. I was a nervous wreck today and felt too bad to go to a doctors appointment. There is little help out there. I told my husband I dont know if Im going to make it. I ended up taking a klonopin after reading about cutting back too fast. I wish I could find a decent doctor because it is now a matter of life and death. I live in a rural town in NC where mental health resources are poor and a luxery in this state. I want to live to move to a different area but want to give up every day. I have looked and begged for help support groups natural vitamin supplements. Nowhere. I ask everyone for referrals mental health is taboo where I live. I wonder how many people die because of suicide from benzoid and antidepressant medicines being handed out irresponsibly every year. I have been on klonopin since age 22. I am 65.
Hannah, my heart breaks for you as well as all you other sufferers.
JC, I am beyond grateful I stumbled upon this site and read your beautifully written entry. I titrated off benzos only two months ago and it had been a living hell. I took all of them at different times for over 16 years (I did go off them 5 years ago but only could last 6 weeks before I went back). This time it is a million times worse for the fact that in that time I was on and off SO many psych meds and I believe it damaged my brain. (Last year one of the shrinks – out of probably a couple dozen over the years) said point blank to me “you have brain damage). I have suffered from anxiety/panic disorder, depression, complex PTSD, dissociation, attachment dosorder and more my whole life and all I did for decades was run from one doctor to the next searching for answers. I developed Trigeminal Neuralgia this year after a 6th surgery (epic fail) on my nose
The pain was so horrific. I made a decision to get off all my daily meds a d only take PRN’s. My psychiatrist gave me a one month titration schedule. I was pretty good initially but then the protracted withdrawal hit me and I became severely depressed, unbearable anxiety /panic attacks, extreme dissociation so much so that I could not drive, I became more isolated. I had no life. I started to self harm again and had suicidal ideation as.
After reading dozens of comments on here, I realize I went off my klonopin way too fast. I’m definitely going to look into the Ashton Method as well as your organization. What a gift you are giving t others.
It is outrageous that this deadly problem is not being addressed in this country or in the world while opiate addiction/withdrawal is.
I am almost tempted to go back on them to end the pain and suffering. However, I am working so hard utilizing holistic modalities. Accupuncture, meditation, yoga etc. But the symptoms still override. I’ve had horrific night sweats and what I believe is benzo belly (bloating /stomach distention that starts in the evening and worsens every night so bad that I look/feel months pregnant. My siblings are all constantly worried about me. I’ve almost gone to the Emergency Room many times but I fought so hard as I knew they’d pump me with medicine and Baker Act me. If it weren’t for my son and dog I wouldn’t be here.
Maria, what is the name of the website as The Road Back did not get me there. Thank you.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO YOU ALL. ?
Please don’t “cut your Klonopin in half” just like that. Especially on your own. Most docs don’t even get it .. Klonopin is very potent. 1 mg of klonopin is equivalent to 15 mg of Diazepam! What you did was akin to keeping from 15 mg to 7 at once. It’s likely you feel like you do because you’re in benzo withdrawal and on a benzo at the same time. It takes months to adjust to a dose change that extreme and stabilize. Hang in there, though.
I started taking ativan probably 4 years ago. My doctor prescribed to take after seizures to help me relax. I had never heard of benzos and when i found it helped me fall asleep i started taking 1mg every night. After around 3 months i tried to quit taking it and realized i couldnt. Ive never taken more than 1mg at a time and only took more than 1 a day when i was recovering from seizures. About 4-5 months ago my pharmacy refused to refill it and my my doctor was out of town for a week. I ended up in the ER twice with the worst withdrawal symptoms. After that i started tapering off. Taking about 1/4-1/8 off at a time and was down to 1/4 mg a night. Earlier this week i was in the hospital recovering from a bad seizure and for 3 days they put me back on 1mg a night. Last night i went back on 1/4mg and felt like hell today. Should i go back to 1mg a night and restart my taper or is this just my head still recovering from those seizures? My biggest concern is i have no idea if my doctor will even refill this, last thing i want is to be cut cold turkey again.
Thus is late but .. it’s likely you just need to go through kind of a hangover phase and you’ll stabilize again.
Hi, I hope you read this and it helps you. If your mum was on 500mg of lorazepam !!! ‘That is the equivalent to 3750mg diazepam and 250 mg chonazepam!!!! I calculated what chlonazepam equivalent would be ( if she went to chlonazepam from lorazepam at 500mg and that also is 3750 mg diazepam! That is really really really crazy high and real care has to be taken tapering down very slowly like 10% or less just with diazepam ( I’m not sure about other benzos but Ashton manual goes into it. I hate to wave the Ashton manual about, but Prof Ashton r.i.p. also goes into conversion tables for different benzos and withdrawal. She was a very very experienced clinician in the field helping people withdraw from benzos. She has made her manual available in many languages for free. It’s like the bible and thank goodness she has done. The link you need is,
https://benzo.org.uk/manual/ is Chlonazepam has about a 30 hour half-life, lorazepam has a 12 hour half-life. Id check she is on the equivalent dose of clonazepam that she was on or very near to it to start with. I’m not sure but it may have been better to go straight to diazepam which also has a long half-life maybe? The danger is the withdrawal really, tapering too fast can be fatal and often is. It’s not so much getting the drugs out and all will be ok its the backlash from the body in withdrawal, the rapid firing and overfiring of the nervous system. People in prison have had their meds took off them, for example, Xanax and had seizures and died. There was even a case where someone settled 4 million-plus due to this issue and the death of a relative. I’m not sticking up for them in prison its just an example of what happens in too fast withdrawal and a common one. I feel duty-bound to tell you this to possibly save a life here! The doctors don’t always know what they are doing and it’s not always safe, far from it to be honest. I really really hope that’s a spelling error or the wrong name of the drug she was on. I was on 100mg of diazepam and I’m half her age and pretty much nearly died on a cold turkey a year ago and tapering has been a total hell ( and I’m not exaggerating ) just from that. I still have severe withdrawal 2 months later. You may find the calculator useful on link https://clincalc.com/Benzodiazepine/, as it shows the conversion dose to diazepam. Most people convert on their current dose of benzo to the equivalent in diazepam then taper off diazepam as it’s got a longer half-life. Id seriously check and get in touch with the GP doing the taper if somehow the dose she was on has not been checked or disclosed properly. I feer for her health and sanity 73 is fragile enough! She needs immediate help to get the dose checked and correct first like today! Sorry to be blunt, before any of the psychological support groups etc and its a wonder she is still alive, to be honest, but she’s in possible grave danger if things go on even hours if its wrong. Take care be interested to know how things have gone. All the best.
Fighting tears as I read this today. It was two years for me on July 11, 2019 and I am blessed to be able to even write this. I was locked away in my local hospital to cold turkey klonopin after being prescribed for 10yrs.
I hit the floor litterally, pretty hard when my nervous system crashed and was very lucky to have had other patients to help me as the medical staff just yelled at me and left me hungry and in my own waste. I lost all motor skills and my entire body shook like I was end stage Parkinson’s.
I managed to survive this and fight to regain almost normal functions. I still suffer neurological issues but I have gotten my memory back as well as being able to retain new information. Anyone reading this, don’t give up. Happens at different speeds for us all but it does and it absolutely will get better.
I needed to read this today. I lost my facebook a while ago and I need to know what I went through was real. The things I still struggle with our real. Lack of support is so hard in this.
My heart goes out to you, Brenda. Please don’t give up. I pray for my life to end also, but that’s just plain giving up. We HAVE to find an answer. What, I don’t know, but let’s give each other support, ok? I’ve been on Xanax .25mg. 2-3 times a day for 34 years , then a year ago they switched me to one 1 mg. Extended release Xanax 2 times a day. My memory has been
destroyed , I have constant tremors, head bobbing, eyes twitching, my gait is all off, social anxiety, & severe depression. I went to a neurologist and she said I hav developed Lewy Bodies Dementia now. I want to get off the Xanax, but I have tried countless times and countless ways, and it was disastrous. I then asked my doctor to help me get off of it and he fired me as a patient!! Life is really difficult because I use to be so full of life and happy and energetic. Now I’m always depressed, lethargic and just “numb” to living. It all started with a doctor prescribing Xanax due to a death if my best friend and I was so depressed . Also, I have dealt with my husbands severe PRSD from Vietnam Nam as a gunner who was in a mid air collision and was the only survivor on the helicopter. It’s been a 46 year uphill battle.
Michele, i hope your still hanging in there. I can relate, Xanax & benzos are the some of the worst drugs ever created & I had no idea the hell that wld become my life after taking them. Lets stay strong & know we are not alone in this struggle but we will beat it!!
Can I ask how many mg you we’re taking? I was prescribed Klonopin to get off Ativan about 12 or so years ago. I was also prescribed Baclofen and 3200 mg of gabapentin for nerve damage. I’m off the Baclofen, I’ve reduced the gabapentin to 1500 mg and I tapered to 2 mg of klonopin. Just lowering it 0.8 5 days ago and I am dizzy, have nightmares, sweats, I’m emotional, don’t feel like I’m even here, I want to hide from everyone… I may have a tooth problem so made a dentist appt for what may not even exist. My heart feels like it’s working overtime. I’m in my 60’s. Am I nuts? Is something not right with me? I had also been prescribed Zoloft which I weaned off of a few years ago, and still have depression from it. I’m confused I guess on what’s causing these symptoms. Thank you for reading this.
Thank you so much for taking the time to create this forum. I could relate to your situation as I had a similar situation. I was prescribed Ativan by a psychiatrist in 2009 after I began to experience panic attacks following a hysterectomy. I was not told about any risk of addiction. In fact when I asked, I was told that it wasn’t addictive because I was taking a low dose & I was taking Ativan vs. Zanax. I was also never told that I shouldn’t remain on Ativan longer than 2-4 weeks.
I remained on Ativan for 10 years. My life became a nightmare. I would try to not take Ativan during the day but my anxiety would escalate horribly. My psychiatrist & I determined that my anxiety was getting worse. It wasn’t until later that I learned I had because dependent & my body was going through withdrawal when I missed a dose.
In March 2013, I began to experience GI problems. I went from specialist to specialist & had numerous tests & procedures performed. Dr.’s couldn’t find anything organically wrong with me. I was told that a great deal of my problems were caused by my anxiety & that if I could get my anxiety under control my symptoms would improve.
As my anxiety worsened, I found that 1mg of Ativan wasn’t helping. In consultation with my psychiatrist, I began to take 2 mugs of Ativan. My psychiatrist & I determined that the 1 mg was no longer working because my anxiety was worsening. I know now it was because I had developed a tolerance. I again asked my psychiatrist if Ativan was addictive & re reiterated that it wasn’t because of the low dose I was on.
As my physical & mental health deteriorated, I began to get severely depressed. By this point I was taking 1-2 mgs of Ativan 2 – 3 times during the day & 2 mgs of Ativan at bedtime. My depression worsened & I voluntarily admitted myself to the VA hospital.
My inpatient psychiatrist told me that the VA doesn’t prescribe Benzodiazapenes because of their addictive nature. She recommended that I go through detox. She did tell me the risk of going through detox & explained the protocol that would be used. She said tapering wasn’t an option because I was only taking 1 mg tablets. She never discussed substituting the Ativan with another Benzo during detox. I was given Gabapentin & Quetiapine to help with the withdrawal symptoms & my anxiety.
So after 10 years of taking Ativan, I was taken off it cold turkey. Even though I was closely monitored, going through detox was a nightmare. I had hallucinations & started acting out. I was given medication as needed. It took the edge off but didn’t eliminate the physical agitation & anxiety After the 5 days of acute withdrawal my symptoms abated somewhat.
It has been 78 days since my last Ativan. They changed my antidepressant while I was in the hospital. Despite my continued symptoms I no longer feel hopeless or depressed which is huge for me. The severity of my symptoms has significantly reduced. I’m no longer immobilized by agitation & panic. I’m able to leave my house & socialize. However I’m nowhere near back to 100%. I’m easily overwhelmed, my mind has trouble keeping up in conversations because I forget things, I seem to be always tired & on edge & it’s hard for me to get motivated to do things.
I’m also trying to titrate off the Quetiapine. I gave my consent in the hospital to take it. However I was in such a fog I didn’t fully understand the risk of taking an antipsychotic. I have gone from 200 mg to125 mg. I don’t know if my symptoms are caused by protracted withdrawal or from decreasing the Quetiapine. There isn’t a lot of research on going off of Benzodiazepines after 10 years of daily use.
Interestingly my GI problems stopped immediately once I stopped taking Ativan. I was throwing up 1-2 times every day. At least 1-2 days each week I was too nauseous to get out of bed. I haven’t thrown up once since I stopped Ativan. I can eat foods I haven’t been able t eat for years. In terms of GI problems, I feel like I have my life back.
I take Hydroxyzine as needed & at bedtime. The Hydroxyzine helps take the edge off but it doesn’t make the anxiety go away like Ativan did. I am learning how to cope without emotions without taking a pill. Idid. For example it’s been 10 years since I have had a medical procedure, taken a commercial flight or had a panic attack with Ativan. It’s very hard. However I will do it because I never want to become addicted & go through detox again.
If I knew how addictive Benzodiazepines were I never would have taken them. I pray that over time my symptoms continue to lessen. I hope my experience helps others.
Sorry to hear, did Gabapentin work?
I wish i could go to detox and get off this shlt. I think i could deal with 5 days of hell so long as i was monitored and given drugs to take the edge off and knew it would get better. Unfortunately i am caring for my 93 year old grandfather by myself w/o any help so i cannot be gone for days or months and i cannot let my brain become fcked up. I have been tapering very slowly for the pat month and so far so good. Down 10% and besides the ringing in my ears, muscle and abdomen pain (usually about 18-20 hrs after my last dose) i havent had any of the insane withdrawals ive had in the past when tapering too fast.
Thank you for the time you spent informing others about the dangers of these drugs. Thank you for your time.
What about someone that listened to their doctor and discontinued 0.8-0.5 mg clonazepam cold turkey?
It precipitated major withdrawals, bodily symptoms, and cognitive issues.
2~ years later and I feel a lot better, but it cost me everything. I feel stupid now, at least partially from atrophy, and yet I know if I had done it this way I’d be in a much better place.
What evidence is there to suggest I’ll regain my cognitive function with continued abstinence?
I have no interest in going back, but I’m looking for (empirically supported) hope for my brain and body.
I want to think clearly again and involve myself with the things I used to.
Wow! JC your article is almost an exact replica of my experience. I too was given Ativan and was given no warning of side effects and dependence. Brad Verrets article was of particular interest as I was given 3 rounds of sinus infection anti biotic as an early interdose withdrawl symptom masked an infection. Was also taking a prescription nsaid at the time. Taper ended 3 years ago and still have the perephial neuropathy in my feet and legs. Ironically I am headed to Mayo Clinic neurology next week for it. Will be taking a copy of Mr Verrets article with to see if they are aware. Would love to have a lengthy conversation with you and share the full story. Hope you are well.
I’m a mother of 7 beautiful children and a wife, whose life has been utterly and completely ruined by klonopin daily usage to “bridge the gap” of trying different antidepressants last year. When I realized the klonopin was part of why I was so depressed and not getting better, I tapered my dosage from approximately 2 mg per night to .5 (over about 4 months) and while it was tough, it wasn’t horrendous – increase in anxiety, restlessness that would return to baseline afterwards. I held the dose at the instruction of my doctor due to some medical issues (which ended up being somewhat related to the klonopin and w/d as it turns out)…..what followed has been horrendous, an absolute nightmare that I had no idea was possible. I held at .5 mg for about 5 months before I started feeling manic, followed by new physical and mental symptoms that came out of nowhere – many of which you described above and more. I had no idea that by holding, I would be sucked into a severe acute tolerance withdrawal situation. I knew that I would need to slowly taper the remaining .5 mg but had no idea that I could experience severe hyperacusis, morning cortisol spikes, burning skin, electrocution feelings, tinnitus, agoraphobia, crying spells, tremors, severe hair loss, a feeling of rage (plus 30 other symptoms) while on this stuff. Trying to determine how to taper this remaining .5 mg at a “tolerable” rate and finding a supportive doctor has also been a nightmare. Small percentage reductions now destabilize me, as do many meds and supplements. I am so hypersensitive to everything now. I tried a small amount of Valium but got more side effects and knew I couldn’t cross over – that it would just destabilize me further. I’m now reducing at .003 mg per day or 3 of 5 days (dry cutting and weighing .125 mg ODTs since I couldn’t adjust to a liquid titration). I’m doing ok, but can feel the symptoms starting to increase a bit and so now, I’m trying to determine if I’m going too fast – I need to stay at a level that is “safe” but I know there’s no true healing until off this destructive medication- I’m already in acute according to some of the experts…..I’m stuck between two worlds. I’ve experienced severe depression/anxiety in my life but this is a HELL I never could have imagined. Inhumane suffering, physically and mentally. As the sole breadwinner of my family, I’ve had to give up my career to stay home (with noise intolerance and overstimulation, living in a home with 7 kids, that’s pretty difficult). I just want to be a mother to my children, a wife and this has stolen my life and I’m SO afraid that I won’t get off and heal. I am, however, not going to be silent. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. It’s SO wrong – I was never warned about these dangers. I knew there was an “addictive” nature to the drug but thought as long as you didn’t have an addictive personality and tapered off, you would be fine. WRONG. In addition, I never intended to be on it daily as long as I was. I pray for all those that are suffering from this atrocity.
Hi there, I will send the shortened versions. You might want to have a look at these links. Firstly calculate the diazepam equivalent for your Klonopin ( Clonazepam ) dose of 0.8 or whatever you’re on, then convert it to equivalent diazepam. Then Ashton method to taper see schedules usually about 1mg per 1/2 weeks off diazepam ( although Prof Ashton ( rip ) goes
into the other benzos and possible withdrawal schedules ), then as the dose drops, it gets to be a smaller percentage as that’s what counts and helps the taper and subsequent severity of the withdrawal apparently. I wish I’d done things this way, my GP tapered ridiculously fast and now won’t reinstate so I’m stuck in bad withdrawal. I don’t know what diazepam dose you tried but longer half-life is supposed to help 30 hours approx as opposed to a lot shorter with Klonopin. https://benzo.org.uk/manual/ and https://clincalc.com/Benzodiazepine/
I don’t know if you’ll get this. I am a mother to 3 beautiful kiddos and pregnant with my 4th. I have tapered off 1 mg of klonopin in one month and had to stop because it’s been HORRENDOUS. I’m down to .5 mg. I feel so lost and alone, especially as a mother staying home trying to just survive because there’s so much physical pain and panic and much more. If you get this please reach out. I’d love to connect with another mother.
My personal opinion is that she is too generous with the medical community as a whole. I expect a majority of those ages 50-+ are fully aware of the addictive nature of these benzos, and simply want to get as many “captive patients” as possible. Not to mention kick-backs from “Big Pharma” I hope the day will come when cash-settlements to their victims, and perhaps criminal conspiracy convictions will be brought against many of those responsible for the misery they have caused. so many.
When I tell people it’s a psychiatrist who actually cold turkey detoxed me and then tried forcing me off benzodiazepines, they’re often in shock. In the six years I saw her, she readily dispensed daily Xanax prescriptions to me, even doubling to tripling my dose. I suppose it’s generally assumed a psychiatrist would try to keep someone prisoner to the medication to keep the patient, among other factors.
I’m sorry I began chronic use of benzodiazepines, not because of what my life was like on them (and I do sympathize with people who suffered on them), but because living without them seems so unbearable. I’m one of those individuals who tolerated being on them, once dependent, but can’t seem to find peace without them.
After my horrific CD detox, my psychiatrist did reinstate me on lower doses of various benzodiazepines for nearly a year afterward. As my dose is reduced more drastically, I’m reaching for things like Benadryl or anything OTC that can help these horrific effects of anxiety. People say to exercise and meditate. Being confined to a wheelchair seems to make jumping into activity much more difficult and my mind races too much for me to meditate. In fact, I do the opposite; I’m constantly on Twitter or something that is fast-paced to constantly keep my mind stimulated on something else. If I try to do something more relaxing, like viewing a film, I have to be in the right head space or I simply can’t concentrate and slow down at all.
A neurologist took over my care because I’m supposing she’s willing to wean me off slower, plus add things to my regimen that may help me: Baclofen, Zanaflex, or even medicinal marijuana. I won’t lie, ideally, I’d find a doctor to keep me on them on doses that keep me being myself.
I will confess I withdrew from 10mg of Valium in a month’s time earlier this year. I spent nearly a month entirely off. In that phase, anxiety was still an issue, but it was mostly feeling ill and catatonic that lead me to begin retaking the Valium again. With one dose, 2.5mg, I was amazed by how normal I felt again. I was me! My psychiatrist wasn’t pleased, despite the fact that with my rapid withdrawal, I had nearly an entire bottle of Valium left, plus a refill on it. I think giving into temptation and going back was inevitable with that fact: I was confined to bed, I didn’t want to do anything. I’d spend my days trying to pass the time on Twitter just reading tweet after tweet or watching a film I’d already seen many times for comfort. I’d spend those times waiting in desperation for when it was time to sleep again because I hated being awake; I hate existing.
My ideal goal:
– Quit creating new dependents on benzodiazepines.
– Don’t be so barbaric as to force those dependent off of them because it’s so life-altering.
Were you able to come completely off or did you remain on them? I’m experiencing severe withdrawal and I’m wondering if staying on, in the long run, will be the easiest and best route to take.
I’m presently still on them (5mg of Valium). I wish staying on was an option freely provided to the compliant patient made dependent by doctors mis-prescribing, but it’s not that easy as it’s a controlled substance. Doctors can literally create dependents, make executive decisions to not continue to prescribe, and leave you picking up the pieces of a shattered life; those doctors get to move on to their next patient, not giving a second thought about you.
I have had the same issue, Dr,s Not caring about what they have do to their patience,s. I broke my back & on pain med an now because of it they said detox! What a joke My normal life is gone now Very Tense
all the time.
Todd, I agree 100% with your goals. The mainstream medical community is coming to the conclusion that these drugs are not appropriate treatments for chronic problems such as anxiety and insomnia. I see no value in prescribing something for 2-4 weeks to address a problem that has existed for possibly a lifetime. That’s just mental torture.
At the same time, there is a population of people in my generation who were in fact prescribed a benzo long term to address a chronic problem. I was given clonazepam 16 years ago, for daily use, and not warned of dependence. I did not suffer negative side effects while taking it, only relief, which is why I kept taking it so long. Fast forward. There is a new generation of doctors who have been made to recognize the danger of long term benzo use with respect to balance and cognition ; clinics have done a turn about in their prescribing practices. And that’s great for those who have not fallen down the slippery slope I have, I have taken this drug for close to a third of my life. My brain has been altered, possibly permanently, to the extent that taking them out of my system, no matter how slowly, is killing me.
My thoughts have turned to medication assisted recovery, or the prescribing of methadone or the equivalent to spare those dependent on prescribed opioids the physical horrors of withdrawal. And I wonder, is there a chance there will ever be a medication assisted recovery for benzodiazapine dependence? Or do way more people have to die, as they have during the opioid crisis, for the mainstream medical establishment to wake up and give this problem the attention it so obviously needs? The really scary thing for me is that the psychiatrist who prescribes my benzo, assigned to me b/c my new GP wants no part of it, was completely unaware of what happens during a benzo detox in an institutional setting, she had never heard of the Ashton Manual or protracted withdrawal. She’s a young doctor, and still never learned about any of this. What is it going to take for the mainstream medical establishment to recognize this? Every time I talk to her it’s like the patient is schooling the doctor. I’m gentle about it, she’s pretty receptive to new information, but I don’t think a lot of physicians are. Because to accept these things as truth one has to recognize how badly the medical community has historically f’ed up people’s lives because of their ignorance about this med.
Anyway, medication assisted recovery from benzodiazapine dependence, will it ever be a thing?
“Quit creating new dependents on benzodiazepines.
– Don’t be so barbaric as to force those dependent off of them because it’s so life-altering.”
Todd! Yessss! This has been my mantra for so long!!
Well said. It should be in the physician’s learners manual, right around the “do no harm” part.
Yup, totally agree. The companies that make these drugs are publicly traded corporations. When a company is traded on the stock market they must please stock holders, they do this by creating high revenue year after year or giving out dividends.
Having dependent lifetime customers is a dream for any corporation. These companies know what they’re doing and I believe many of the doctors do too.
No better than crack dealers in my opinion and I don’t want anymore of what they’re selling.
Also believe that modern life is not natural at all and causes of discontentment and “mental illness” because it is unnatural. Pills are prescribed to keep this unnatural modern life alive, without drugged up nations people would realize where the discontentment came from and revolts would occur as people would realize that they aren’t the only ones that feel this way.
Cubicles, computer screens, lack of community, and Netflix do not create contentment.
I agree. I am 53 years old and was prescribed xanax at the age of 23, I have severe panic disorder and social anxiety. I was on .5 3x daily. I was put on pain meds recently and the psy doc just took me off xanax cold turkey! I have 3 jobs due to this and had every symptom listed above + more. I have never been this scared ! I pray every day to make it thru the day. Big Pharm and the prescibors should be sued and lose their jobs !
I meant to state that I have lost 4 jobs in 4 months due took the xanax withdrawal syndrome.
Yes cash settlements. Im in. Been suffering since 2007 when i was diagnosed wuth insomnia and given Ativan the klonapin then i asked to be switched to valium. Cannit get down from 10mg to 9mg without getting sick and getting dry eye.
I’m 60. After 22 years of taking Klonopin I had no clue of it’s addictive nature until I didn’t believe my Med NP after telling me that I should worry about developing Alzheimer’s. My 2mg of Klonopin only med that kept my severe anxiety managed along with other health issues made worse by anxiety. She didn’t review my meds and I did not ask her about lowering my dosage. Took it upon myself. No clue about withdrawal. Used all the wrong key words in Google search. Catastrophic mistake #2. Tapered on my own slowly until 8 months later I crashed in a heap of anxiety onto the floor. Now on 3.5mg and tapering is in my near future. As a long time user and a previous failed taper user protracted syndrome just about assured. Petrified as I feel my life is over in the most excruciating manner I could possibly imagine. . All because I had no clue of addictive nature. I thought I could just take a little less if I didn’t feel well go back to original dose. Klonopin was a miracle med for me for 22 years. My life was almost normal.No side tolerance, or side effects. I don’t have a clue how I will make it through. I’m sure I’ve ruined what’s left of my life. Thinking nursing home is much closer than I thought due to this horrendous mistake I have made. I’ve told my partner not to hesitate to put me in a nursing home. I’ll never be my 2mg self again. Devastated doesn’t begin to describe it. All my fault on every level. Should have just taken my prescription as I had for 22 years.
Thank you JC and all the volunteers of this coalition.
I too had similar experience from
Lorazapam ( Ativan) but was so sick
with withdrawal tolerance but on just half the prescribed dose, when a therapist who did Neurofeedback said you can go off that medicine because you are doing Neurofeedback.
I did almost die those first 3 months, calling Betty Ford Clinic, where a MD said ,” You are out of the woods, there is nothing we could do but give you benadryl then phentynol..which would require further withdrawl”
I talked to all on Benzo Buddies, MDs on both coasts but Only a few understood. These few had no help however. And yes, many therapists later with lame diagnosises of PTSD, etc were eating up thousands of dollars.
Now, I am 14 months recovered, almost lost my husband and lost froends, because they did not believe it was a drug damaging chemical inbalance from the prescription. That internet seeze,”
Most people are over it in 10 days. “
So those around me, slipped away.
I have scheduled an appointment with a research doc at Stanford to hopefully get this horror more puplic.
JC
I am curious. How much more ativan have you got to go? When do you expect to complete the process? These drugs are horrible.
I just switched to Valium this week. I takes a while for our bodies to acclimate to the new benzo. I was bedridden before with so many symptoms. And hope this will ease some of the suffering. I am waking with night terrors and all the symptoms that go along with it. I pray the Tranxene will help you. .
Klonopin comes in a .125 mg ODT which is what I’m using but when you are in acute tolerance withdrawal, I am not sure it matters what benzo you are withdrawing from – I don’t know? Glad for you that it wasn’t a difficult cross and that you are sleeping better.
JC
I’m glad you had a good crossover and hope that it continues so that you can slowly taper off and be done with this.
I finally made the switch to Valium this week and although not complete with my crossover and not really sure if this was the way to go I am going to stay on this course and hope I can continue to taper from Valium. I was low in my Ativan dose and it had become unbearable.
I’m so sorry for all of us going through this dark time and pray that with time we will all be better.
ScaredMother, I hope the taper from the klonipan
Will get to a tolerable point for you as well. I know how awful this hell that we have entered into is. You deserve to be with your family. Sending love and strength to all the benzo warriors.
Mel, I wish you well also in your Valium taper, that things can ease up enough so that you can continue on. “Tolerable” is a difficult word when things are so bad, eh? The bad symptoms rotate but this week, it’s the severe hyperacusis, tinnitus and ear pain that are really difficult – painful for anyone but especially difficult with 7 kids in the house.
I just want to thank everyone who is telling their story. I can in some way or another relate to everyone. I stopped 6 mg. of Ativan per day, 800 mg. of serequel per night and 300 mg. of trazadone per night cold turkey within one week. The worst mistake of my life. It has been about 5 weeks since. I am experiencing every symptom imaginable to some degree or another. This debate is so complex and one moment I see it one way and another moment I see it yet this way. The bottom line though is all that are involved, whether it be patients, physicians, family, friends, government and the list can go on must be informed and educated in every way possible. It starts with the patient and the physician. We must keep telling are stories and informing each other the best way we possibly can. All of you are survivors and I just send out my thoughts and prayers that each of you keep fighting. You are not alone and thank you for reassuring me that I am not either.
Has there been any serious consideration of a class action lawsuit? I’m amazed at the damage done to people. My relative was prescribed Xanax for insomina. She’s not anxious. She was on another benzo, too. two and a half years. She has autoimmune disorders in addition. Her doctor withdrew her from 2 benzos in a matter of weeks. She followed her instructions and has been suffering withdrawal for three months. I’m so angry at the doctors who prescribed in the first place–she doesn’t have anxiety. And those who kept refilling. Then the one who “tapered” her very fast. She’s barely able to work some days. She was so glad to get a diagnosis for her autoimmune disorders, she trusted the doctors and filled the prescriptions. She says the medical system has failed her. There needs to be a huge lawsuit.
I would love restitution. My medicine was a generic and you can’t due if injured by a generic. Also there’s statute of limitations. By the time we find out it’s the drug it’s too late to file. Plus they will always argue other causes like mental illness or physical illness. There is truly no justice in this world for benzo victims. I was injured by ativan.
You must start guzzling Pink Himalayan Salt water all day & Night to balance the Adrenaline Anxiety Fear !
I am currently weaning off 5 mg of valium by my Psychiatrist because I was on klonopin
for years.I am experiencing interdose withdrawal.My symptoms are stomach pain and gas.
The occurance of this is around the same time each day.I know its a small dose to deal with
but the intensity of this is almost intolerable for a a short time.I found the best way to deal
with this is too drink cold water and lay down until it subsides.So due to drug sensitivity,
even low doses can effect some patients.Also any underlying conditions should be ruled
out to really understand the the long range effects of this drug.Hopefully more awareness
is needed to combat further addiction that i hope more doctors would understand.
I was wondering if anyone else still has withdrawals after 8 months of being fully off their benzo doses? I took Ativan at around 1mg for a year and a half and did a micro taper for two months and have been fully off of Ativan for 8 months now. So much has gotten better but I still have ally of mental symptoms going on. Can anyone relate?
From my experience with major tranquilizers antipsychotics 3 years, then minor tranquilizer xanax/klonopin 2 years. sent me to hell for a year, because of cold turkey.
It took a year, and half to get back normally!
So you will be back in 1year i guess, because my case was harder with other medications, and drugs as well.
2 years you will be on point!
3 years your brain will be mastered again!
5 years is the maximum, and you will be back again, even from the highest dosage, of the strongest ones!
Speaking as a victim of many drug withdrawals. especially the tranquilizers, which erase your mind, you can build it back. Just use every natural methods, and jogging, workout, do your thing! Meditate!
Yes, I am tapering now and meditation has been a huge help. I have been on these things over 30 years. I do not think my CNS will ever be the same again. God help me!
How are you getting off? I have been on ativanfor18 years.
Hi John I’m almost 23 months completely off and bedridden in the most severe cruel unbearable pain and anxiety depression fear and looping thoughts of SI , I don’t find many who have the crippling pain I do , can we all recover from the nightmare of wd ??? I’ve thought about reinstating my symptoms are so cruel, I can’t sit down without excruciating pain or lay down without excruciating pain, wear clothes or shower without excruciating pain and sleep is non existent as is silence, what were your symptoms, thank you
Your story is mine. I have been bedridden for 2 years because of tolerance withdrawal and cold turkey from clonazepam taken daily as prescribed. Are you any better?
today is 1/2021 exact 1 yr i began ashton #5 from 1.5 clonopin-my current dose is around 2-3 mg valium i cant stand up w/out severediseuilbrium–i hae severe tremor of the rt handand myft underim afraid im going to seiz cos my tremor is so big-this crosover madeworse
Why did you go cold turkey? Did your physician recommend?
Yes I still have a very tight chest and throat tightness. Very scared. In my 9 th month Really could use a friend to talk to
Hello,
Debbie is my mom. I have watched her suffer for 9 months from detoxing from Xanax. She is mostly in bed, scared, and is hopeless towards what her future holds. Most days she feels she cannot breathe, worsens if she stands. Feels spasm sensations in her chest and throat. If anyone can talk to her…. maybe give her some hope back, it would be more than greatly appreciated. ❤️?
Love,
Debbies Daughter – Jamie
Hi Debbie (+ daughter). Have you checked out benzo buddies? You can fund me there : Believe2018
Wouks mive to hear from you.
I am also in my 8th month of benzo (Xanax for 15 years) withdraw with ongoing, constant throat and neck concerns.
Be well.
Hope to hear from you.
Hi Debbie / Jamie’s mom. You’re not alone. Sometimes having someone to just know you’re struggling, to distract you, to hold your hand can help. You must be a strong person to endure this. Resilient. I’m impressed with you. And you’re healing. Every day a little. You’ve probably heard it all as to things you could try. If you can tolerate anything completely natural: magnesium is good for sleep and calm-low dose so it doesn’t upset your stomach; melatonin 1.5 mgs in plain cherry juice also for sleep. Not sure if your age but hormonal imbalances can cause so much trouble. Bio identical hormone therapy is amazing. Just some thoughts to take or leave. You may need a naturopathic doctor to give clarity on any of this. I wasn’t on Xanax, but Clonazepam. Still trying to get off it. Please keep reaching out for help, outside of the usual medical type. I believe you can heal.
Your process is not complete yet. I believe it is not possible to cut the withdrawal time to less than a year. No matter what. Do hang in there. There should be less and less symptoms.
Rose, yes I can relate. I was given Ativan for misdiagnosed tickborne illnesses and the anxiety resulting from that. That took over two decades before it was diagnosed properly by a nurse who happen to have the same stuff. I went to a facility to get off of Ativan at 3.5 mg “slowly.” I know realize that that certainly was not slow enough. I am going through horrible withdrawal symptoms with insomnia being One of the worst. I unfortunately have to take something for sleep, but it is not helping very much and I don’t want issues from that either. I would love to hear if anyone has suggestions! Thank you.
I found a facebook page to be quite helpful for microtapering instructions and share it frequently. The link is at the bottom of this post.
Sadly even a slow taper won’t help everyone, but it’s the only tool I have to work with. I’m in my 3rd year of tapering at age 70. I projected out 5 more years before I will be finished but I can function most days quite well except that I am disabled with no help at home as I live alone.
I decided to come off in January 2016 after my 4th CT by a doctor in a new city I moved to. I was CTd by my original prescriber after one year…he was a sleep medicine specialist. My GP knew the dangers of CT so he took over writing the prescriptions…but in 2009 he was not practicing and another doctor CTd me and I nearly died as all organs were failing. A friend found me a doctor to reinstate me within 4 weeks and it took 3 months to stabilize. My new GP was out of the office a few months and his nurse CTd me…I was so ill at 4 weeks I could not take care of myself and I found a doctor who reinstated me at half the dose. I never really stabilized and eventually was prescribed my original dose of Clonazepam. It just continued like that until my trusted GP returned to practice and took over my care 100%. I have taught him how to microtaper using the ethanol method. I explained how I mix my solution to my pharmacist and he was amazed and approved, saying “that will work.” My doctor and I did not think I would ever be able to get off this medication, that it was a life sentence. I’m his only benzo patient. He knows the danger of a rapid withdrawal and let’s me go at my own pace. I have many health problems but not all are benzo related and I must go very slow in my taper, at times 1% per month…however I tapered off the first half (1 mg) in 5 months in 2016. I’m forever grateful to a woman in a facebook group who taught me the basics of microtaper. I’ve reduced my dose from 2 mg to 0.34 mg. I hold my taper 4 weeks during times I need surgeries which is about twice a year. I have developed chronic bladder inflammation, called IC or CC due to withdrawal and have had tumors removed. I do believe that is benzo related as I noticed many ppl in withdrawal groups also had the condition.
Thank you for this page and all you do. Especially the info about fluoroquinolones…it’s a real life saver. I wish all doctors were as understanding as my GP and I hope he doesn’t retire as long as I’m alive. No other doctor seems to understand the dangers of benzos & withdrawal.
https://www.facebook.com/benzotaper/
I am so sorry you were cold-turkeyed four times, that’s just awful! I’m glad you have an understanding doctor, that is truly what every one of us needs during these withdrawals. I am only 25 but almost ended my life last year when a doctor rapid tapered me then told me my symptoms were either all in my head or that I was just pretending and drug-seeking. I pray we will all get through this!
I started taking ativan 5 months ago. My mother passed I was taking .5mg once every other day. Then I had a weird thing happen so Increased to once a day for the last 3 weeks. I’m having tolerance and withdraw symptoms with my .5mg the doctors keep telling me to increase my dose but I just cant. I’m paranoid cant sleep or eat. What do I need to do.
How could I read all of your stories without tears!!!
I get encouraged so very much by all your struggles and success stories. I’ve gone through hell so many times, and my young days were shadowed by this evil med – BENZO!
I am 63 years old. I was on Xanax and Paxil for 10 years for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder. In 2015, my Psy. Dr. switched to Clonazepam, 3mg during my 5th hospitalization for MDD, anxiety disorder and panic attacks in 2015.
On top of Clonazepam, 7 different meds were added every time I saw new Psychiatrist because I either moved or Psy. MD retired. My brain was always foggy, lethargic, had to sleep 10-12 hours a day including 2 hour nap without fail. I had 4 auto accidents for the last 10 years. I gained 22 lbs.
I, myself started digging into some articles about the side effects of all my meds. OMG! High blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride, A1C problems I had – all the poisonous meds I’ve been taking. I was very slim and healthy until I started these meds.
As years go by, I got weaker, depression got worse, insomnia, memory loss, disorientation, hair loss, excessive eating, ……
Then I met my current Psy. Dr. who strongly advised me to get off meds after 4 different sessions of treatments of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation(lasted about 6 months). THIS WAS A GAME CHANGER!!!! Believe it or not, none of my previous Psychiatrists, Psychologists recommended it to me. One of them did not even know that such thing exists. I found TMS on my own after I digged into the answer to my ongoing question of “Am I going to have to live like this for the rest of life? I feel I will not be able to.” I was able to manage getting off all meds, one at a time, except Zoloft 100 mg, and Clonazepam down to 1mg. TMS made it happen without severe withdrawal symtoms. Or reduction of Clonazepam was masked by other meds.
However, now it is the time for real game. Doing Water titration by Ashton Method- 2 ml reduction of .375 mg Clonazepam diluted in 250 ml water, every 3 days in the morning, leaving .5mg for evening for sleep. I am now down to .707 mg per day.
I am constantly feeling like I am on a floating boat.
numbness, weird sensations –
Objects feel bigger or smaller than normal
i.e., food such as noodles, pasta, rice feel smaller
Some objects feel bigger and heavier, like mugs, dishes, clothes
Cars look too small.
I can not clearly say what time I fell asleep at night, whether I was asleep or not throughout the night.
Sometimes I hear things ‘hi!, beeping sound from microwave!’ which was not real! Also feel that my throat got swollen, often get choked with a sip of water.
I am positive hoping that these are all WDs and will go away. Did anyone have these experiences?
I am looking forwards to your replies.
Please help me I m 8 months taking benzo diazepam 5 more attivan 2 I have a high tolerance and as soon as I try to cut off the symptoms are so bad especially inner agitation fears and storing suicidal feelings and even homicidal ideation all started with prescribed antidepressants who gave me severe acatisia that the Dr tried to keep down with benzo, after they said I have antidepressants induced bipolar tough i never had highs so prescribed meds for. Bipolar making me. Sleepy for all day long I ve lost. My job my friends my inner peace my life my joy and I m a single mom and have an old. Mom and is painful for me I wish I could get better for my kids they need me please help me
Ramona, try benzobuddies.org. Why are you taking Valium and Ativan? Trying to cross over? You should cut less than 10% (maybe 5) of your present dose and hold for a month.
A lot of good advice there. I am on that board, too. My screen name there is Teologul. Noroc si sanatate!
JC I hear you!! Mine has been 40 years!
So I’m on a taper from 6.0 now at 4.0 of Xanax .im almost 60 days into it and the side effects are killing me, I go see my doctor tomorrow? I think I’m going too fast,
@David, yes you are going too fast. Google benzobuddies and join that forum. They can be of tremendous assistance. I have been on these things for nearly 30 years. Xanax is a high potency benzo. It and klonopin can be particularly hard to direct taper off dry cutting. The members at benzobuddies can help you design a taper plan to minimize the intolerable SX’s as much as possible.
Has anyone tried to liquid Titrate off titrate off Xanax
I am so scared. I have been on 2mg of klonopin for years. Not once did a doctor tell me about any of this. I don’t know what to do. I don’t think I’m strong enough to go through a withdrawal. If someone would have told me this could happen I never would have taken pill one. I only started learning about this a few weeks ago from Reddit of all places. I don’t know what to do. I am so very scared. Thank you for trying to help people… like REALLY help.
Try not to be too scared. You’re going to be ok. There are far deeper, trickier benzodiazepine hell’s than 2mg of clonazepam. Just remember: you’re going to be ok.
Tina, I spent 11 months coming off 4mg of Clonazepam. Started April 23, 2018 and last dose was March 14,2019. I used the liquid titration with milk. Worked great! Sleep is the biggest issue but I have read everything there is, I now use a CPAP machine(which was probably why I didn’t sleep and that causes panic depression) when I sleep days are very good. I liked beer and would drink a couple on The weekend….wow come Tuesday or Wednesday and it was hell so I don’t drink now…duh! You can do this, I posted about the liquid titration on Benzobuddies so go look there…others have posted as well
Good Luck , it’s not that bad but you will have tough days after 3 months I had some great days and they continue to happen even after a 20 yr Clonazepam script
Dear Elizabeth,
First of all, I am so sorry x I too, suffer from the same. I try to stay positive and take the good days when they come.I found friends fell by the wayside as usually I look fine, so they don’t understand what’s going on inside. I’ve tried to find others in my area suffering with this too for support- but nothing. It’s something I’m resigned to now and just take the good with the bad. Haven’t got any really helpful advise for you, just wanted to let you know you’re not alone x
I took Benzos nightly for 30 years. Over time, especially in the last 15 years I took them, my health began to go downhill. I felt weak, tired and had a lot of unexplainable aches and pains. I saw several neurologists and all told me I probably had fibromyalgia, maybe M.S., mabe CFS and possibly Patrkinsons. In the last 4 years on benzos, my weight dropped to 85 lbs. But the worst thing was I began falling for no reason. I would just go down. I broke a bone in my neck, and had surgery to repair this. Then I fractured my femur and blew apart a knee replacement. I was told I could lose that leg. The pain was so extreme I fainted. Luckily a good surgeon saved the leg but my recovery was very long. OI used a walker for several years and then used a cane. About a month after the surgery . on Levaquin IV and then had the only panic attack of my life. I know know that those antibiotics threw me into withdrawal. My doctors did NOT know this. Not long after that fall, I fell yet again and broke my hip.
Fast forward: my PMD finally began to think the benzos were causing my problems so he called ther psych doc who wrote my prescriptions. I was abruptly cut off from Klonapin 6 mgs, Ambien 10 mgs and two antidepressants. Within a day I began having terrible withdrawal symptoms. My withdrawal was epic and lasted FAR longer than I expected. About 4 months into it, I discovered BenzoBuddies. That was my sole support and they were extremely helpful. It was on BB that I began to understand that I DID NOT have Fibro, CFS, or any other odd disease. It was ALL caused by benzos. I was in tolerance withdrawal for years, and NONE of my physicians knew that this exists. My withdrawal went on for over 3 years and after that, I STILL had WD symptoms. I learned over time how to deal with them, thanks to what I learned on BB and other sources. I believe I am the perfect example of the severe harm that can happen if you take benzos. I am now 69 years old, and healthier than I have been in perhaps 20 years.
Your story is close to mine as far as chronic diseases and symptoms throughout years. I am on benzo medications for almost 40 years!! I was put on benzo medication at age 19 for nerve damage pain. I had no Anxiety throughout my life until months ago attempts to get off benzo medications. During taper I never stabilized Period! No Windows. All Waves. I finally got off and each day off my symptoms got worse and worse. 11 months completely off and I was in sucidal thoughts very intense and I knew I would go through with it! I had severe electrocuted symptoms throughout my entire body including my vagina, brain zapping and electric shocks throughout my entire body day and night! I have a benzo belly which looks like I’m 9 months pregnant with twins and the pressure is unbearable. My breast went up to 2- sizes and I cannot wear a bra because of sensitive breast and pushing pressure in my ribcage takes my breath away and some. I have so many symptoms it’s insane! I went to my Neurologist and flat out told her she needed to reinstate me back on Xanax immediately because I was seriously going to kill Myself because of the severity of withdrawaling symptoms. She would only give me half of the medication prior to taper and the only symptoms that subsided was Sucide mode and brain zapping along with extreme body shocks. But severe acute symptoms are still strong and my body is swollen. The Ashton Manual States If in acute withdrawals and reinstatement should be done right after taper not wait. For it may not work also many people need to go back on original dose prior to taper or higher dose to stabilize then once stabilized wait and go to a super slow taper method. Some patients are permanently damaged by benzo medications and I could possibly fall into that percentage of patients since on for 39 plus years taken Multiple times daily dose. I’m alone and scared without a willing doctor to read print out of Ashton Manual and to put me back on Xanax at the proper dose to stabilize my body and soul! All doctors are clueless and I have so many mri, labs, brain ultrasound ect all abnormal and Shows on scans abdominal distended which Gastro doctor can’t figure out why or listening to what I am saying, Endoscopy done showing slowing of of my entire Gastro System Which another I don’t know what is happening. My list goes on and on! And so does the Torturous day and night! How long can one person go on like this without anyone willing to help me and read up on benzo patients nightmares and HELL!
Gale, I want you to look into a botanical called Kratom. It is a legal tree leaf that is harvested in the far east. It is legal in the U.S. and in many countries. It has literally saved my life. It is in the coffee family of plants. It does attach to the brains opioid receptors as does coffee and mother’s milk… It is addictive much the way coffee is but not even close to the addictive qualities of benzos.
I drink 3 cups of Kratom tea per day and it makes my life bearable as I have reached tolerance levels on my Valium a long while ago. I am about to embark on a microtaper of Valium and this botanical might be the one thing that helps me get off of that hideous drug. You must research suppliers and the pharmaceutical companies are try to make it difficult to get this tea. I have found The Kratom Connection.com to be very reputable with a well screened healthy product. I use this product Green Maeng Da Kratom Powder. I take two to three teaspoons of the powder as hot tea every day and it has made my life bearable again. Try a small amount and see if it does not turn your life around. God Bless.
Robert
robert@moonstones.com
Just be aware that Kratom is not a simple harmless thing to use and you may be trading one addiction for another. It’s addictive and can have bad withdrawals itself. Check out https://reddit.com/r/quittingkratom to read stories of people trying to get off it.
With that said, it has helped some people so it’s not all bad. Especially if used only for a short while at low doses.
Hi I have just started my taper. I have been on larazapam since 2014. I started taking it along with Cylexa for horrible insomnia and anxiety brought on by believe it or not using a CPAP machine. It worked wonders at first. About 6 months in I started having this feeling like my head was floating and I felt disassociated so I stopped taking the Cylexa. I was able to get off Cylexa with no problem. My symptoms went away and doctor said I could keep taking the bezo 1 mil at night. I’ve gone along pretty well until recently. Maybe because I’m getting older. Changes in my metabolism? I started to notice foggy head , increased anxiety and just lack of energy, no ambition. New doc said it is the benzo. He said just stop taking it. So I decided to go off. I figured I was only taking 1 to 1/2 at night and could go 2 nights at a time without it so no big deal. Oh so wrong. I’m 2 weeks into taper. I have pushed myself out to 3 nights at 1/2 I have waves of fatigue. Foggy brain that come and go. I wake up 3 or 4 times by night 3. This morning I woke up with anxiety and broke down and took a .25. I have also got benzo belly going on. I’m going to hold at this for a month and see how things go Then go to 1/4 every 3 days. I pray to be off in 6 months. I know everyone thinks I’m crazy and with such a low dose but this stuff is no joke and my heart goes out to the ones that are on higher doses. God Bless
I came off of xanax in Oct of 2018. Has anyone had trouble with chest and throat tightness where its hard to breath?
Debbie, I guess you could describe mine as chest tightness, although it just feels as though my bra is too tight sometimes, and I finally have to unhook it. That helps me to breath more easily.
I’ve been on up to 4mg a day at one point in 2016.
It seemed to work much better then. Been on it at usually 2-3 mg. Now on 2, but that was because of a recent 4 day stay at a psych unit. I have a VERY big fear of being alone. I also have MECFS, Fibro and Dysautonomia for almost 30 years which no psychiatrist or medical dr understands how sensitive we are to meds. I had a very bad relapse in June and have been bedbound and scared that I’m dying. Hired a lady that I cannot afford to come stay with me, fix meals etc, but I cannot afford her very long. Very isolated; one friend that I’ve had for years, now will not help me. Have had anxiety and panic disorder for years, but now it’s constant. My daughter wants me to go bk to a psych unit and I’ve tried, but it freaks me out. Have bad insomnia now..slept 45 minutes last night…Ambien seems to have stopped working or all my meds seem to be doing the opposite. Never been able to tolerate anti-depressants, cause more panic. The Klonopin I’ve been on for 9 years, before that xanax small dose, and Valium at some point. I know I’m rambling here. Very surprised I can even type this much. Since I seem to have lost the ability to care for myself. WHAT DO I DO?
This could have been written by me!
I’m 58 years old and was put on benzo medications since 19 years old for nerve pain. I recently tried to get off Xanax and the withdrawals were the bottom pit of Hell itself! I was completely tapered off and had zero windows the entire taper. I was completely off for 11 months and my withdrawals intensified every day. I had such severe electric shocks and zapping which included my entire body and most sensitive body parts. I became sucidal and so fearful of reinstatement because it was a decision of kill Myself or reinstate and live. My husband and daughter had made me reinstate due to not wanting me to kill Myself. I reinstated half the amount I had started with and it isn’t controlling everything but it has stopped the severe brain zapping and electric shocks. Doctors didn’t want to give me back the medication and do see this as drug addicts and seekers. I told my Neurologist I was gonna take my own life because of being tortured for way to long! Doctors don’t believe especially when you’re off after 11 months of still experiencing severe withdrawals! Every system is involved with me. I am totally frightened of what to do next and if my doctor will continue to write out my scripts or end it. Of course I will have zero choice but to then take my own life for NO MORE TORTURING ME! Hopefully one day Doctors will acknowledge the harm done to Unknown Patients Torture! I believe I have fell into the category of Permanently Damaged by Benzodiazepines. Almost 40 years on these Drugs!!
Thank you for sharing your story of the horrific suffering you endured and your ultimate survival. Don’t know why I’m always shocked at how young some are who have gone through this torture. I am 63, was prescribed valium 15 yrs ago for electrical surges in my body. I repeatedly ask all my docs if this drug could cause me harm long term. I was ALWAYS told no, you’re on a low dose. As you stated, it doesn’t matter the dose OR benzo. They are ALL poisonous! I have lost my life as I knew it. My family is suffering bc they wonder what happened to me. I don’t have any hope of getting off…I cannot survive life or the thought of years of withdrawals, even though I’ve been in tolerance withdrawals for years. I don’t want to live much of the time. But my hope in Jesus and my G kids draw me back to life. The thing that is so brutal is the absence of any joy and the deep depression. God bless and protect you and all of us who are suffering from this benzo disease.
Mary, have you been tested for Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases? I’m sure there are quite a few things that can cause electrical surges in the body, but that was one very prevalent symptom for me. I actually felt like I had electricity running through my whole body. Most doctors are extremely ignorant of Tickborne diseases and how to treat them, And of the multitude of symptoms that could present. They actually overlap with so many of the benzodiazepine symptoms it’s not funny. The regular Western blot is quite useless as is the Eliza test which is even more useless for tickborne diseases. I would recommend getting a test from I Gene X for not only Lyme disease, but also for Bartonella which are grandparents called cat scratch fever. To learn more about Lyme disease and coinfection’s you can Google : ILADS which is the international Lyme associated disease society, And then put in Joseph Burrascano, MD and that will take you to his protocol for Lyme disease and coinfection’s. I am not by any means saying that you have this, but since you had the electrical shocks before starting the Valium like I had electrical pulses before starting my Ativan, It is a possibility. You will have to pay for these tests out of pocket, but as I say the regular Western blot is quite useless. I would go buy Lyme literate doctors and what they say as opposed to the infectious disease society. They are far more accomplished in the field of tickborne diseases! The other lab I would highly recommend possibly more than I Gen X would be DNA Connections. I have not used this test personally, but A doc that I used who is quite well-versed in Lyme disease says that this test is superior to I GeneX. I Gen X is a very good lab though. You May have to find a doctor that does these tests, but I would call the companies to find out, if you are interested in looking into this. There are some very good docs or holistic practitioners that have used herbals and homeopathy as opposed to antibiotics. I would highly recommend this if indeed this is something you need to tackle. The only reason I mention that is because Tickborne diseases become well entrenched in all tissues and cells of the body and brain relatively quickly. The 3 to 4 weeks of doxycycline or amoxicillin is nothing but a very bad joke! I would be very happy to provide names of people who can treat you well if this happens to be something you need and/or desire. hugs and prayers!
Your a god sent you are helping so many people like me who are suffering as you are god bless all of you
I took benzos for THIRTY years. I did know they are addictive. But I did NOT know about tolerance WD. I do now. My physician forced me to go cold turkey. That should never be done, but it did to me. My physician called the prescribing psychiatrist and he would no longer give me refils.
My health on benzos had gone steadily downhill for about 12 years, which corresponds to my being put on Klonapin. I became weak, dizzy, lost so much weight I got down to 85 lbs. I hamany falls because my balance was so bad. Specialists told me I had fibromyalgia, CFS, and possible MS or Parkinsons.
I did a cold turkey. The first 4 days I was in a psych hospital, not by choice. I was told if I did not go, the doctor would have me Baker acted. Well, this place had NO clue about benzo withdrawal. NO CLUE. I was treated as a common street addict, publiclly shamed for my addiction by the Social Worker. Thank heavens that after 4 days my insurance refused to pay and the hospital promtly booted me out. In full blown withdrawal! I was hallucinating with all five sense by then and became extremely paranoid that the hospital was going to come get me. The first month was something out of a horror movie. By month 3 I had found BenzoBuddies and that is when my true education began. I slowly began to understand what was going on. I felt totally crazy and sick for about 4 years. It very slowly got better. Six years ago I sold my house and moved to a new town, still in major DP and DR. But now, 6 years later, I am healthier and happier than I have been in perhaps 20 years! ALL my old symptoms disappeared. All along, it was benzos and nothing else.
I forgave my former physician because along the way I realized that going cold turkey was my ONLY chance of getting off benzos. I was so addicted. A taper – no way could I have handled that.
I still going on BenzoBuddies, because I now just want to help other people in the same situation. I literally owe my life to that forum.
Annie
Thank you for sharing your encouraging sorry even though it was 4 years of hell for you. I’m sorry they cold turkeyed you. It’s awful what these doctors and drugs can do to you.
I followed your posts in the fb groups during and after my withdrawal from clonazepam. Please know that I and many others understand precisely where you are coming from and are very grateful you have donated your time to BIC.
Excellent article. My brother fell into the category of “cannot cope and ended his life” part of your article toward the end. I am glad that you were “lucky” and that you have helped form the BIC. Please continue to educate and send your articles. Thank you.
I am 54 and I too have been taken a benzo for 26 years now. Started with Xanax to kolonapin to Ativan the last 16 years. And my biggest fear has came by my doctor of 16 years of prescribing the Ativan decides to cut me off cold turkey untill I got enough energy to go in and tell him that he shouldn’t just stop this med just like that. I finally got through to him letting him know the horrible painful withdrawal I would go through. He was able to titrate me down from 3 mg a day to .5 mg 3 x a day for 2 months.
Now I’m out of meds and losing it . I feel like I’m dying for real.
Electric shocks on my skin and hands . Swollen eyes . Painful qlenching jaws. Sweats, no appetite headaches extreme headaches and can not tolerate noise or sun
Or any smells . My taste buds are all out of whack. No sleep. Depression and panic anxiety attacks even greater .
I can not live like this . I’ve lost my family and friends due to not functioning.
Not a good quality of life to live like this . No one understands me.
I used to work all the time and enjoy doing my hobbies but it’s gone and I’m really scared
Some one tell me what do I do? I’m begging to just feel ok again. It’s as I’m losing my mind and need hospitalization
Anyone out there please I need advice
Cbd and medical marijuana helped me with these symptoms
Marina
I hope you have managed to stabilize and continue on your healing. Please update us. I pray you are doing better.
I am going through exact same thing all of it. am an artist but cant paint anymore.. Need help but cant find it,
I’m 0n 4 half mils of klonipin a day is there any answer to get free of this addiction I fall apart without it
where is this article. My brother commited suicide but didnt take benzoids. His family doctor gave him xanax and prozac. He took the xanax to knock him out and died from fumes in his car. I am in pandemic trying to getoff doxepin and klonopin but feel like my life is over. Worried about suicide as I have had no help from doctors.
You’ll be alright, go out with old or new friends, talk to them, enjoy life
I took Ativan without informed consent for 4/5 months during this time I experienced the most horrific anxiety and panic attacks that I had never had before. Originally give for tinnitus? I thought it was a sleeping pill the dr was so casual about it! After a month of taking it I asked can I take this as it says it’s addictive and causes anxiety… sr says yes take it till the pandemic is over… then I had another dr saying the same thing! Saying I could just take it as and when I needed it. So I was taking different dosages. Plus! Taking natural supplements and having the odd beer and icecream. It’s lockdown and I had no social life for those months I was isolated with my dad. Who took no notice of what I was taking. The anxiety got so bad I went on an antidepressant which I experienced the worst!!! Side effects.. and eve more anxiety. I was working night and day to help ok but all I could do was shake. After 6 weeks of turning into a vedge table fro lexapro and lorazepam.. I decided to wean off both which I did over a month.. I was told by two drs it can be done in two weeks. I was off it for a week felt better. Then I was hit with the worst out of body experience of my life. I could not calm down I was frantic . Pacing and crying. I became suicidal and unable to sleep at all with worsening tinnitus. And electric shocks going through my head. I started taking half an Ativan to try calm my system and then some in the evening at this point I was already in it, I got the NHS to come round as I was suicidal and they said I should never of taken it .. it’s for emergencies!!!! At this point I was like how and why did no one advise me I even asked! I went to a specialist in benzos and he said I’m in tolerance withdrawals. It wasn’t working but I was also withdrawing. He said to start tapering again, over 6 months. I just thought how??? I was already restless pacing and in hell. I started tapering and it just wasn’t giving me any relief so I said can I switch to diazepam as it’s longer acting maybe it will help… he said he’s. So I did and got to about 3.5 but it was hell .. sleeping 1 hour a night and pacing night and day, I started to feel so depressed, and started bashing my head in the doors in my dads house, I just want a peaceful death I cried! He did not get it and thought I’d lost it. All his friends there are the time thought the same, and I was not heard at any point that it was the pills! My dad had said it was ok to take! He never even looked them up. I just took the advice I was given! Mainly by Drs of course! My dad took me to a hospital where they heard me out and said no that can’t be what’s happening those drugs don’t do that? I said but I have dependable ! My body needs it to function. They suddenly forced me to take more meds forcing injections and acting like I was mad. I was forced more meds, my dad left me there, security men threw me into a ward and I was left there for 3 days no one spoke English I was in Spain, and I fainted a number of times in the hospital. From this point I lost my sleep. And when I came out I had a rocking sensation through my whole body. I could not sleep at all. I became more unstable pacing, in the heat. I thought of ways to end my life so many times due to the meds and no sleep. I just couldn’t do it. I thought up so many ways but I just couldn’t do it! I’m the end my mum came to get me my dad never believed me once! That it could be from a pill! Not once! This added to the severe stress! And whilst I was taking it all at first I had no support! I was just left at his in Spain in isolation. Taking something that was killing me. I ended up going back to the UK with my mum, my dad dumps me at the airport I’m almost certain I can’t get in the plane! I try remain calm but the flight was traumatising! I couldn’t stand I just had chronic pain throughout my body, the force of the plane was affecting my body. I got home thin as a rake, and there began more pacing and I started ti come totally out of reality, weird pain all over my body feelings of melting and horrifying feelings seething through my veins, I stopped eating and drinking I couldn’t I was in that much pain, I felt like I was burning and was infact the devil, I felt I was being punished. I ended up 4 stone and back in a mental hospital my mum didn’t know what to do and drs came round and saw me like that. I was messed up beyond all comprehension, it goes on but basically I have been drugged more with risperidone and quietiapine … my family just think I’m mad and it’s me nuts it’s not I can’t function, and no one has supported me down this road. My nervous system is so fried that I don’t know how to end my life? With our severe pain. Before this happy actor photographer .
I was the strongest person. My friends used to say that They admired me. Now Am the weakest. I spent my whole life helping People and homless Animals in needs. Then came the day I couldn’t stop, say „ NO”. People were using me to the point where my mind and body couldn’t stand it anymore. I felt chronic stress because of all those „ other People” problems I take on me. Now I’m suffering from eight very serious diagnosed diseases. Not able to walk and in severe pain all days and nights. And suddenly I realize there is no one to offer the little HELP, shopping food or meds for me. I almost died lying alone for four month in my apartament. All my „ friends” disappeared. I gave my life away by helping others and was given NOTHING in return when needed. I took a hardest lesson ever. No one will ever understand and offer me a HELP. People are awfully selfish creatures. You also have to learn that the only one can HELP you is you. Nobody else but you. It brings a little relief to cry out on internet but no virtual friend will ever have the power to change your life nor do they care. You have to go through your withdrawal and not to expect miracles. Think of it as a friend you have to live with for a little time or think of it as it is your worst enemy you have to live with. What do you prefer? Friend or Enemy?
I hear you loud and clear. Unfortunately, that is correct. The only one who can help you is you. I wish you all the best.