You guys saved my ass...!! Prescribed klonopin, but always researched these drugs before I take them...threw them away. Thanks guys for saving me this nightmare!
I am so grateful to be watching this video. Part of my journey currently is i have reinstated. Its only been three months. But im trying again. And to know this is normal is just the relief I needed. And when I first tried things werent stable in my life. Thanks for mentioning that too!
So glad you enjoyed the video. The journey is what it is, and it isn't the same for everyone or without bumps and detours for everyone. Just focus on moving forward from where you are at now, that is all that matters!
My own experience of coming off anti depressants or anti psychotics, (not sure of their category it belongs in) zyprexa to name it, was SO intense. It was HELL to the degree where I swore to myself, NEVER AGAIN! My God. I was so nervous and uncomfortable in my skin, I was a wreck andI couldn't even deal with lining up in a small queue at a supermarket register. I'll never forget when I just put the shopping basket down and walked out in tears it that was that bad! I couldn't even buy a few items! I asked myself, why am I having these issues when I've never had them before? Why was I so nervous and jittery? Was I ever that fragile and weak? HELL NO! NO! That poison, (the meds) have done that to me! Somehow and with help from my partner, I got thru that very difficult period and never ever went near 'mood stabilizing' drugs again! I didn't realise and you don't realise just HOW BAD they are until trying to get off them! Oh boy but then you find out! This video refers to 'rescue doses' which is a scary term! As is 'reinstatement'! I still take a valium at night to sleep and don't sleep and feel crap if I don't take it. People should consider trying marijuana to help with insomnia or excessive agitation but I am in no way a medical expert and am just speaking through my experience and naturally, any changes to ones medication should be done so with careful thought!
I've seen this video before and looked in again today and this is exactly what I'm going through now. I've halved my dose over the past seven months and at the point where I reinstated an extra 2.5 my for one day only thinking it would help with the dizziness and headaches.It made me feel a lot worse so I'm back on 5mgs. Still getting dizziness and many other symptoms probably made worse by taking that extra dose for one day. So, your video hit the right spot today and has given me encouragement to carry on weaning off. Thank you.
That decision was for the best. It is often difficult to see the best course of action clearly when every doctor we go to suggests more pills as the only "logical" path to feeling better (when in reality, that path is often the one that leads farther and farther away from a true solution and better health). Glad you found my videos. Take care!
Excellent video. I was just thinking about reinstatement when I fortuitously saw this video. I am NOT going to EVER take Klonopin again. This video confirmed my feelings. If I ever took another benzodiazepine it would be no longer than 10 days at the lowest possible dose and I think I would do Valium. Hopefully I will never succumb to such a temptation.
PLEASE do not take it again. I got off clonazepam on October last year (12 yrs @ 0.5 mg daily in the morning) and my struggle has been with physical symptoms. It's kinda surreal endless nightmare but worth the pain for me to be a better person.
Thank you for your speedy response. I’m currently being followed by a doc who wants nothing to do with the Ashton method and unable to find one so far but not giving up hope. I live in Montreal Canada and docs/hospitals all follow the same protocol it seems. I’m on my first cut at .25mg from initial 1.5mg and it’s been tough but today not so bad so we’ll see how it goes. My doc planned a 3 month taper but can be adjusted if symptoms unbearable. Good thing is my pharmacist is on my side and says I should do it according to symptoms even if it takes a year, so that’s good. He also said doses can be made at compounding pharmacy they deal with. Ok I’ve said too much. Thank you again for your time and knowledge; keep up the excellent work! Cheers 💥
I made it 7.5 months off 3 meds but decided yesterday to reinstate one of them (lamictal) at a low dose to see if it will help lessen some of the horrible withdrawal effects that are persistent. I wanted to push through but i have a family to take care of and it would probably take me another year to heal. My goal is to get off the med one day and be free of this nightmare, but unfortunately it's not time yet. Thanks again for the encouraging videos.
You're right, Shoshi, we have to set goals that translate into a higher quality of life for ourselves and our families. The end game is to have a high quality of life and good health. You've already made a ton of progress going from three meds down to one, so feel good about that and maybe reevaluate the situation in the future. Just keep doing the other stuff that is necessary to finding good physical and spiritual health, and those efforts will keep bringing your quality of life higher and higher. Take care.
@@tygreen8831 I went off Luvox and Wellbutrin as well. There have been some improvements but very slight. I was on medications for 18 years so the longer you're on, the longer it takes.
@@rakemesify thanks for the response. I Been off librium for 6months. I only took it for about 8 months I hope I heal soon because this is hell worst thing I have ever experienced: (
I have been away from antidepressants for one year now, after many years on them. what I can say that even I hated being them , when I have very bad days, I feel there is no way to feel better except going back on them. especially when I ask doctors, the only thing they offer is more stupid prescriptions. are they that ignorant about their negative effects or they have anther reason?? last week , I had very bad times , low mood, irritability, regret... at some point I thought Im relapsing and that Ill need meds to feel normal again. so im in a big struggle now. at some point it feels so hard especially when nobody understand my daily struggle. and when doctors who made me addicted to that crap are useless. at the end, ill keep living with hope , that one day ill be totally free from their poisons and enjoy a healthy life. Thank you again Michael for your videos which I watch them every time I feel I want give up.
I'm so glad you've found my videos and that they give you hope! That is ultimately what a person needs the most as they are going through the really tough times. Know that your situation will get better as you move forward. Yes, ultimately we must be in control of our own best health, not doctors. But in the long run that is a very good thing. Hang in there and keep watching!
I have been so poly drugged. Now I’m off all medications and it is so hard at times. My days are okay but my night’s are no sleep or terror nightmares if sleep comes. I pray it will get better...
Please help, I came off Xanax 10 yrs in the worst possible way in a detox facility in about 2 weeks time. It was horrible. I have been benzo free ever since. The whole experience left me with an over sensitive nervous system. For the past couple of months I have been struggling with insomnia and because of my damaged system I cannot take any prescription sleeping pills and was thinking of Valium or ativan just to be able to sleep. I am currently about 60 hrs plus of no sleep.
I would personally try to avoid anything prescription, maybe use something over the counter or a tea. The body will catch up on sleep eventually; also, try to wear yourself out with a little cardio exercise as well if possible. Insomnia is normal for all types of withdrawal, but the body and mind do catch up on sleep eventually if a person sticks it out.
@The Lovely Grind Thank you for the advice. I was able to get some sleep last night. I ended up in the E.R. and they ran blood test. Told me I was low in potasium. Not sure if that could be the problem.
@The Lovely Grind Also I forgot to mention that since about a year after I got off the benzo I completely stopped having anxiety, but ever since this insomnia started I have been having some anxiety. I've been taking chamomile capsules and this natural melt away tablets called Sleep Calm that really seemed to work for a couple weeks
Thank you for your video. I had to take a rescue dose of xanax bc I have developed PTSD from my initial xanax cold tukey (unintentional) withdrawl. I went into a psychotic state at work and ended up being home from work about five months. I had two episodes last week where I got so depersonalized at work which then developed into full blown panic attacks. I didn't want to lose my job so I took a rescue dose. I'm at ten months off and I'm terrified that I've thrown away all my progress. Any thoughts?
Alley, no, I don't think you've thrown away your progress. The healing that has taken place can't be undone by an intermittent rescue dose, I don't think. As I mentioned in my video, I took a "rescue dose" of Paxil (that just made me sick), and I also tried two other meds in low doses for short periods of time. Those instances didn't derail me, and the instance you mention won't derail you, either. Just focus on the big picture here and congratulate yourself for how far you've come. And keep finding natural ways to deal with anxiety and feelings of disengagement; that is a long-term strategy that will serve you well. Take care and stay connected.
I've been on many antidepressants and things like Pregabalin and u know everybody's different but I've never had a problem stopping them in a week. But I severely underestimated benzo withdrawal....
can i tapper of both clonazepam (0.5 mg) & vortioxetin (10mg) have been using for 3 weeks only.. I don't want to stay on these pills which cannot give me relef rather more I'll feeling.. Please advice me n ur support needed 🙏 I dont wanna regret in future.
Does being completely healed feel as good as when you first get on klonopin? I mean what exactly do I have to look forward? When I was on klonopin I felt Invincible. (At first) now I feel like death still (6 months off) If I had debilitating anxiety before klonopin wouldn't I still have it once I'm healed?
That' a valid question, Robert. There is absolutely no denying that Benzo drugs work wonders for instantly taking away anxiety and bringing upon feelings of confidence and dreamy euphoria. Unfortunately, they aren't a natural part of our makeup, and as such, putting them into our systems is a bit of a Faustian deal. There will always be consequences with drugs. I say this not as some moralizer, but as someone who has lived through the ordeal and who for many years tried to cling to the notion that the pills were the way to productivity, enjoyment, and enlightenment even. To answer your question, you can look forward to a life that isn't revolving around doctor's visits, refills, side effects, and eventual withdrawal concerns. I, too, had terrible anxiety before starting the benzo (hence the prescription), but ironically my anxiety levels now are lower than those days. We find ways to take back control of our own lives, and we do it in ways that empower us: exercise, goal setting, spiritual growth, etc. You will find a good life, trust me. You have a lot to look forward to, perhaps more than you can even imagine right now. Just keep moving forward until the days get brighter and brighter.
@@goalsoverbenzos5384 Of course you will heal even if you're not sorrounding yourself with people! It doesn't change anything being around people except the feeling of being embarassed because you can't connect with them and articulate like you want to. Don't put too much weight on that. There's nothing that will prevent you're healing unless you're going to take other drugs. Only time will help and trying to take care of yourself through nutrition as much as you can. Hang in there, you will make it
@@yeshuahakasha4582 thank you I appreciate the kind words :) I just left my Aunt's house and just sitting around the dinner table trying to make conversation was brutal! Everytime someone asked me a question I felt like I was on trial. The anxiety is still truly debilitating (6 months off) and you're right man, it is VERY embarrassing because I am usually lively and cracking jokes with everybody. I really hope all this suffering is worth it.
What about if you have to updose?? I’m stuck on 0.75 Ativan that is sublingual. Every time I try to move to a different form- liquid or pill that is swallowed, I get terrible withdrawals!! I had a colonoscopy recently and they gave me versed. I haven’t been the same since. I feel I need to go up a little in order to get onto a different form of the pill. You can’t taper off the sublingual- it’s way too small to cut. Any advice?
I guess I'm not sure why you would need to go up in dosage, but I'm no expert on every situation and medication form out there. I would simply say keep that you shouldn't lose sight of your bigger taper goal, no matter if you go up or not. Just stay committed, even if it takes a little longer to get totally off the meds!
No, Tomas, I don't think that any reinstatement will cause some sort of permanent damage. It's just difficult to quit these medications, so keep at it and be patient with yourself. Eventually, as you move further away from them, things will get much easier. The healing will happen. Take care.
@@TheLovelyGrind Okay that's good to know. I did however have 3 xold turkeys done too. Two of them were low doses though. I am currently tapering off of the lasr drug which is Mirtazapine 15mg. I am tapering very slow at 5%.
Hello ! Thank you for helping us ! I was off benzo 3 months and my withdrawal was ok , until I took by misstake another benzo and I kindled the dos was 5 ml zolpidem, and from that day i got 100 Times’ worse symptoms . And im 5 months off and i Can not go out and i Can not do Nothing my symptoms in my head they are terribles . I dont think that i Will recover . The dos it was so small but enough for destroy me . Do you cases the people has been kindled and got better if that it’s the case after how many months ? Thanks .
I hope you feel better soon. I'm in my 10th month and only got worse with kindling. I'm still on a drug and have to taper it. I probably won't see improvement for at least 2 years.
I kindled one time . And still feeling shit but in my 5 month i was doing lite bit better until i got sick with the flu . Ans now im 2 months that im still sick and stupid me i took a vitamin because i Wanted to get better and i got 100 Times worse but its a vitamin so maybe a need to wait maybe 2 weeks or one month until i get bettet from the vitamin . I hope you Will better soon . What kind of medicin you were kindled 9 Times ?
I stopped Lexapro 20mg cold turkey after only being on it for 2 months. I went on effexor for 5 days then back on the Lexapro 5mg for a month then went on ativan for 2 weeks. After all of that I got EXTREMELY bad withdrawal symptoms. I then was forced on Mirtazapine for 6 days then went back on it up tp 30mg and went on Zyprexa 5mg. I also tried Prozac for 1 day and Trazadone for 4 days. My brain is destroyed. I hope I can heal someday. I am on 15mg of Mirtazapine and tapering currently.
I was two years off klonopin and doing pretty good,then I took a anti biotic cefuroxine, it brought back everything big time, and if I did anything while in that set back, even something small like vitamins, it was back to hell,,I'm still waiting to snap back to the way I was, one month after the set back, still not good at all, high hopes and being very carefull.
I am not able to taper myself . I cant administrate having a lot of pills ( diazepam). And taper , i dont know why . But its because i feel so bad so i end up taking too much . Then i end up having several days without anything . All in all i guess its about 10 mg each day i have been dependent on . I cant explain myself . But i dont know what to do . Tempted to quit it all .
Tapering off meds is going to be the way to go. There are many methods out there, and you can find a method/pace that is both safe and consistent with your goals. Take care and keep watching!
Exercise and things such as calming teas/meditation can help, but ultimately the answer is to get off the pills so there is no more interdose withdrawal.
@@TheLovelyGrind Thank you for responding. Im at 1mg/day now split into 4 doses. I would love to just stop it now but am afraid to. After a person takes their last dose, the interdose withdrawal stops? Or does it turn into one continuous battle of relentless withdrawal symptoms? That's my fear
Darrin, I didn't have an extremely precise or well planned taper. The Paxil, I halved, waited a few weeks, then stopped. The Xanax, I went from about 4 mg to 0 in about a year and a quarter. The cuts were made using a cheap pill-cutter from Walgreens or something, and the size of my cuts varied, because again I wasn't following the most logical plan. I advise people to do better than I did on tapers. There is guidance out there. See the Ashton Manual, go slow, and be as precise as you can when possible. Take care.
Not cold turkey. I got off the Paxil relatively quickly, in a month or two, but I was more gradual with the Xanax, weaning off over about a year and a quarter. My tapers were too quick, but I still found healing and I believe healing comes to cold turkey scenarios too. It's more important what we do after the last doses to take care of ourselves! Take care, and stay connected here!
@@TheLovelyGrind my dad has been taking Citalopram for 6 or 7 years. He's been thinking about coming off of them and has been cutting them down from 40 mg pills to 10 mg. He's doing fine with 10mg. He never took the full 40 he always cut them down to 20mg. Eventually he want's to stop. I'm afraid for him because i went through withdrawal before with pregnisone and it sucked. I took them for 5 days and took me a month to recover. So i guess my question is what he might expect and how long will he suffer?
@@dcb6729 I don't know your dad's age, but if he's doing fine at 10 mg perhaps he could hold a while yet; then if he still wants to push ahead with a taper, cut it down to 5 perhaps before stopping. I can't say for certain what his experience would be like, but the fact that he "only" took the meds 6-7 years and then tapered gradually should help ease any withdrawal. And, no matter what, he should exercise, eat right, stay spiritual, etc. That will help everything. Take care!
I got reinstated on benzos against my will my mental state was so bad the hospital put me back on it, the only words i could say to them was this medicine hurt my brain but they didnt care now im going through withdrawal again after fighting for 15 months and working although this withdrawal seems way less severe im still devestated dont reinstate fight your asses off please, reinstatement can take away some symptoms but then add all new ones that are unfimiliar
Thanks for sharing your story, Tbone. You're correct. Treating medication (SSRI or Benzo) withdrawal with more medication is such backwards logic. It pains me to even keep commenting on it, but people keep talking to doctors or psychiatrists or detox centers, and that is the only "help" many of those outlets offer. I guess black is white in 2019 yet regarding this issue, but we do have the power to take control of our own situations in a real way. Thanks again for the comments! Keep caring for your own health in real ways!
I reinstated in similar way. I was off benzo for 5+ years.. bad protracted wd.. But real life scenario put me in the hospital. Now, Im once again tapering a benzo all these years later. Any advice or comments can help
@@TheLovelyGrind people end up hospitalized and reinstatement is their only solution. More drugs. I had to reinstate to avoid forced other drugs. It was partially successful but now I have to slow taper off. Slow taper folks.
I'm healed, Yeshuah. However, I don't like the practice of assigning a percentage to healing. I tried that for a while during my first 12-18 months, but after a while it became apparent to me that no one could ever live up to the notion of such a measure. It's actually counterproductive to think in those terms. Everyone in the world experienced some sort of discomfort within the past 24 hours: anxiety, depression, a headache, a stomach ache, a sleepless fit, a bout of being tongue tied, a period of anger or fatigue, etc., etc. If some of those people had gone through withdrawal, would they then say they weren't 100 percent healed? See where I'm going with this? Trust me. You'll know when you're healed. Just keep doing the right things to pursue total health, and keep putting more time between yourself and the last dose. Good things will happen. Try not to overanalyze things.
It's because your system was too sensitized to take anything, that's why you had a bad reaction when you tried to reinstate. I'm sure you know that, I wrestled with this for a year now. Sigh.
You guys saved my ass...!! Prescribed klonopin, but always researched these drugs before I take them...threw them away. Thanks guys for saving me this nightmare!
pillowbugg Thank your lucky stars you never started Klonopin. I wasn’t that smart and really paid the price.
You saved your life!! Benzos and withdrawal literally kills ppl.
I am so grateful to be watching this video. Part of my journey currently is i have reinstated. Its only been three months. But im trying again. And to know this is normal is just the relief I needed. And when I first tried things werent stable in my life. Thanks for mentioning that too!
So glad you enjoyed the video. The journey is what it is, and it isn't the same for everyone or without bumps and detours for everyone. Just focus on moving forward from where you are at now, that is all that matters!
@TheLovelyGrind thank you for replying. It means alot
My own experience of coming off anti depressants or anti psychotics, (not sure of their category it belongs in) zyprexa to name it, was SO intense.
It was HELL to the degree where I swore to myself, NEVER AGAIN!
My God.
I was so nervous and uncomfortable in my skin, I was a wreck andI couldn't even deal with lining up in a small queue at a supermarket register. I'll never forget when I just put the shopping basket down and walked out in tears it that was that bad!
I couldn't even buy a few items!
I asked myself, why am I having these issues when I've never had them before? Why was I so nervous and jittery?
Was I ever that fragile and weak? HELL NO! NO! That poison, (the meds) have done that to me!
Somehow and with help from my partner, I got thru that very difficult period and never ever went near 'mood stabilizing' drugs again!
I didn't realise and you don't realise just HOW BAD they are until trying to get off them! Oh boy but then you find out! This video refers to 'rescue doses' which is a scary term! As is 'reinstatement'!
I still take a valium at night to sleep and don't sleep and feel crap if I don't take it. People should consider trying marijuana to help with insomnia or excessive agitation but I am in no way a medical expert and am just speaking through my experience and naturally, any changes to ones medication should be done so with careful thought!
Well done! Thanks for sharing your story. Take care today and keep watching!
Thank you Michael for all of your positivity and encouragement!
You're welcome, Ram. Take care and stay connected here!
I've seen this video before and looked in again today and this is exactly what I'm going through now. I've halved my dose over the past seven months and at the point where I reinstated an extra 2.5 my for one day only thinking it would help with the dizziness and headaches.It made me feel a lot worse so I'm back on 5mgs. Still getting dizziness and many other symptoms probably made worse by taking that extra dose for one day. So, your video hit the right spot today and has given me encouragement to carry on weaning off. Thank you.
You're so welcome, Cheryl. Glad this found you when you needed it, again. Take care tonight!
Really great advice, I also wrestled with reinstatement but thankfully I didn’t and I never took my doctors advice of taking anti depressants.
That decision was for the best. It is often difficult to see the best course of action clearly when every doctor we go to suggests more pills as the only "logical" path to feeling better (when in reality, that path is often the one that leads farther and farther away from a true solution and better health). Glad you found my videos. Take care!
Excellent video. I was just thinking about reinstatement when I fortuitously saw this video. I am NOT going to EVER take Klonopin again. This video confirmed my feelings. If I ever took another benzodiazepine it would be no longer than 10 days at the lowest possible dose and I think I would do Valium. Hopefully I will never succumb to such a temptation.
So glad you found this right when you needed it!
PLEASE do not take it again. I got off clonazepam on October last year (12 yrs @ 0.5 mg daily in the morning) and my struggle has been with physical symptoms. It's kinda surreal endless nightmare but worth the pain for me to be a better person.
Thank you for your speedy response. I’m currently being followed by a doc who wants nothing to do with the Ashton method and unable to find one so far but not giving up hope. I live in Montreal Canada and docs/hospitals all follow the same protocol it seems. I’m on my first cut at .25mg from initial 1.5mg and it’s been tough but today not so bad so we’ll see how it goes. My doc planned a 3 month taper but can be adjusted if symptoms unbearable. Good thing is my pharmacist is on my side and says I should do it according to symptoms even if it takes a year, so that’s good. He also said doses can be made at compounding pharmacy they deal with. Ok I’ve said too much. Thank you again for your time and knowledge; keep up the excellent work! Cheers 💥
You're very welcome! Take care this holiday season!
I made it 7.5 months off 3 meds but decided yesterday to reinstate one of them (lamictal) at a low dose to see if it will help lessen some of the horrible withdrawal effects that are persistent. I wanted to push through but i have a family to take care of and it would probably take me another year to heal. My goal is to get off the med one day and be free of this nightmare, but unfortunately it's not time yet. Thanks again for the encouraging videos.
You're right, Shoshi, we have to set goals that translate into a higher quality of life for ourselves and our families. The end game is to have a high quality of life and good health. You've already made a ton of progress going from three meds down to one, so feel good about that and maybe reevaluate the situation in the future. Just keep doing the other stuff that is necessary to finding good physical and spiritual health, and those efforts will keep bringing your quality of life higher and higher. Take care.
Shoshi what other meds did you go off of? And you didn't improve any in 7.5 months?
@@TheLovelyGrind I decided to hold off with the reinstating. I'm gonna try to push through for now :)
@@tygreen8831 I went off Luvox and Wellbutrin as well. There have been some improvements but very slight. I was on medications for 18 years so the longer you're on, the longer it takes.
@@rakemesify thanks for the response. I Been off librium for 6months. I only took it for about 8 months I hope I heal soon because this is hell worst thing I have ever experienced: (
I have been away from antidepressants for one year now, after many years on them.
what I can say that even I hated being them , when I have very bad days, I feel there is no way to feel better except going back on them.
especially when I ask doctors, the only thing they offer is more stupid prescriptions. are they that ignorant about their negative effects or they have anther reason??
last week , I had very bad times , low mood, irritability, regret... at some point I thought Im relapsing and that Ill need meds to feel normal again. so im in a big struggle now.
at some point it feels so hard especially when nobody understand my daily struggle. and when doctors who made me addicted to that crap are useless.
at the end, ill keep living with hope , that one day ill be totally free from their poisons and enjoy a healthy life.
Thank you again Michael for your videos which I watch them every time I feel I want give up.
I'm so glad you've found my videos and that they give you hope! That is ultimately what a person needs the most as they are going through the really tough times. Know that your situation will get better as you move forward. Yes, ultimately we must be in control of our own best health, not doctors. But in the long run that is a very good thing. Hang in there and keep watching!
I have been so poly drugged. Now I’m off all medications and it is so hard at times. My days are okay but my night’s are no sleep or terror nightmares if sleep comes. I pray it will get better...
Yes, it will get better. And I hope things have gotten somewhat better for you since this comment. Take care!
Please help, I came off Xanax 10 yrs in the worst possible way in a detox facility in about 2 weeks time. It was horrible. I have been benzo free ever since. The whole experience left me with an over sensitive nervous system. For the past couple of months I have been struggling with insomnia and because of my damaged system I cannot take any prescription sleeping pills and was thinking of Valium or ativan just to be able to sleep. I am currently about 60 hrs plus of no sleep.
I would personally try to avoid anything prescription, maybe use something over the counter or a tea. The body will catch up on sleep eventually; also, try to wear yourself out with a little cardio exercise as well if possible. Insomnia is normal for all types of withdrawal, but the body and mind do catch up on sleep eventually if a person sticks it out.
@The Lovely Grind Thank you for the advice. I was able to get some sleep last night. I ended up in the E.R. and they ran blood test. Told me I was low in potasium. Not sure if that could be the problem.
@The Lovely Grind Also I forgot to mention that since about a year after I got off the benzo I completely stopped having anxiety, but ever since this insomnia started I have been having some anxiety. I've been taking chamomile capsules and this natural melt away tablets called Sleep Calm that really seemed to work for a couple weeks
Thank you for your video. I had to take a rescue dose of xanax bc I have developed PTSD from my initial xanax cold tukey (unintentional) withdrawl. I went into a psychotic state at work and ended up being home from work about five months. I had two episodes last week where I got so depersonalized at work which then developed into full blown panic attacks. I didn't want to lose my job so I took a rescue dose. I'm at ten months off and I'm terrified that I've thrown away all my progress. Any thoughts?
Alley, no, I don't think you've thrown away your progress. The healing that has taken place can't be undone by an intermittent rescue dose, I don't think. As I mentioned in my video, I took a "rescue dose" of Paxil (that just made me sick), and I also tried two other meds in low doses for short periods of time. Those instances didn't derail me, and the instance you mention won't derail you, either. Just focus on the big picture here and congratulate yourself for how far you've come. And keep finding natural ways to deal with anxiety and feelings of disengagement; that is a long-term strategy that will serve you well. Take care and stay connected.
@@TheLovelyGrind Thank you for the encouragement :)
I've been on many antidepressants and things like Pregabalin and u know everybody's different but I've never had a problem stopping them in a week.
But I severely underestimated benzo withdrawal....
I underestimated withdrawal, too. Probably for the best in the long run. I just tackled it as it came rather than worrying about it beforehand...
can i tapper of both clonazepam (0.5 mg) & vortioxetin (10mg) have been using for 3 weeks only.. I don't want to stay on these pills which cannot give me relef rather more I'll feeling.. Please advice me n ur support needed 🙏 I dont wanna regret in future.
Year out off 2 meds, the struggling, body pain, it's insane. Ativan and lexparo.
Thanks man. Crazy how my 60-30 jump was way easier than 30-15 on Paxil. Paxil fly hittin me, but I got this 🙌
*flu
That's the attitude, Brett. It will pass. You got this!
Can you help me please? What to do when one single benzo dose triggered severe withdrawl?
Does being completely healed feel as good as when you first get on klonopin? I mean what exactly do I have to look forward? When I was on klonopin I felt Invincible. (At first) now I feel like death still (6 months off) If I had debilitating anxiety before klonopin wouldn't I still have it once I'm healed?
That' a valid question, Robert. There is absolutely no denying that Benzo drugs work wonders for instantly taking away anxiety and bringing upon feelings of confidence and dreamy euphoria. Unfortunately, they aren't a natural part of our makeup, and as such, putting them into our systems is a bit of a Faustian deal. There will always be consequences with drugs. I say this not as some moralizer, but as someone who has lived through the ordeal and who for many years tried to cling to the notion that the pills were the way to productivity, enjoyment, and enlightenment even. To answer your question, you can look forward to a life that isn't revolving around doctor's visits, refills, side effects, and eventual withdrawal concerns. I, too, had terrible anxiety before starting the benzo (hence the prescription), but ironically my anxiety levels now are lower than those days. We find ways to take back control of our own lives, and we do it in ways that empower us: exercise, goal setting, spiritual growth, etc. You will find a good life, trust me. You have a lot to look forward to, perhaps more than you can even imagine right now. Just keep moving forward until the days get brighter and brighter.
@@TheLovelyGrind I definitely appreciate the words of encouragement and insight, thank you
Will I heal even if I am not forcing myself to be around people?
@@goalsoverbenzos5384 Of course you will heal even if you're not sorrounding yourself with people! It doesn't change anything being around people except the feeling of being embarassed because you can't connect with them and articulate like you want to. Don't put too much weight on that. There's nothing that will prevent you're healing unless you're going to take other drugs. Only time will help and trying to take care of yourself through nutrition as much as you can. Hang in there, you will make it
@@yeshuahakasha4582 thank you I appreciate the kind words :) I just left my Aunt's house and just sitting around the dinner table trying to make conversation was brutal! Everytime someone asked me a question I felt like I was on trial. The anxiety is still truly debilitating (6 months off) and you're right man, it is VERY embarrassing because I am usually lively and cracking jokes with everybody. I really hope all this suffering is worth it.
What about if you have to updose?? I’m stuck on 0.75 Ativan that is sublingual. Every time I try to move to a different form- liquid or pill that is swallowed, I get terrible withdrawals!! I had a colonoscopy recently and they gave me versed. I haven’t been the same since. I feel I need to go up a little in order to get onto a different form of the pill. You can’t taper off the sublingual- it’s way too small to cut. Any advice?
I guess I'm not sure why you would need to go up in dosage, but I'm no expert on every situation and medication form out there. I would simply say keep that you shouldn't lose sight of your bigger taper goal, no matter if you go up or not. Just stay committed, even if it takes a little longer to get totally off the meds!
I reinstated 9 times. 3 of the times were big doses. Can I still heal? Or does reinstatements cause permanent damage?
No, Tomas, I don't think that any reinstatement will cause some sort of permanent damage. It's just difficult to quit these medications, so keep at it and be patient with yourself. Eventually, as you move further away from them, things will get much easier. The healing will happen. Take care.
@@TheLovelyGrind Okay that's good to know. I did however have 3 xold turkeys done too. Two of them were low doses though. I am currently tapering off of the lasr drug which is Mirtazapine 15mg. I am tapering very slow at 5%.
@@tomasalas1122 did you get better
Hello !
Thank you for helping us !
I was off benzo 3 months and my withdrawal was ok , until I took by misstake another benzo and I kindled the dos was 5 ml zolpidem, and from that day i got 100 Times’ worse symptoms . And im 5 months off and i Can not go out and i Can not do Nothing my symptoms in my head they are terribles .
I dont think that i Will recover . The dos it was so small but enough for destroy me .
Do you cases the people has been kindled and got better if that it’s the case after how many months ? Thanks .
I kindled way more than you. I kindled on 9 drugs. So you should be fine.
How many months it was the worse ?
Im in my 6 months and still feel horrible .
I hope you feel better soon. I'm in my 10th month and only got worse with kindling. I'm still on a drug and have to taper it. I probably won't see improvement for at least 2 years.
If I was on 5-6mg of xanax and rapidly tappered. And after 3 months I took clorazepate 10mg which is 0.5mg of xanax is this considered reinstatement?
Yes, don't dwell on the things that make you feel scared, weak, depressed, etc. This is one key to feeling well. Hope you're okay today!
We're you clean 3 months before you reinstated?
I kindled one time . And still feeling shit but in my 5 month i was doing lite bit better until i got sick with the flu .
Ans now im 2 months that im still sick and stupid me i took a vitamin because i Wanted to get better and i got 100 Times worse but its a vitamin so maybe a need to wait maybe 2 weeks or one month until i get bettet from the vitamin . I hope you Will better soon .
What kind of medicin you were kindled 9 Times ?
I stopped Lexapro 20mg cold turkey after only being on it for 2 months. I went on effexor for 5 days then back on the Lexapro 5mg for a month then went on ativan for 2 weeks. After all of that I got EXTREMELY bad withdrawal symptoms. I then was forced on Mirtazapine for 6 days then went back on it up tp 30mg and went on Zyprexa 5mg. I also tried Prozac for 1 day and Trazadone for 4 days. My brain is destroyed. I hope I can heal someday. I am on 15mg of Mirtazapine and tapering currently.
You Will heal my friend god its your side i Will pray for you . God bless you ans your family
@@vaneramirez5235 Thank you
I was two years off klonopin and doing pretty good,then I took a anti biotic cefuroxine, it brought back everything big time, and if I did anything while in that set back, even something small like vitamins, it was back to hell,,I'm still waiting to snap back to the way I was, one month after the set back, still not good at all, high hopes and being very carefull.
did u reduce your benzo slowly or ct?
I tapered, Alex.
I am not able to taper myself .
I cant administrate having a lot of pills ( diazepam). And taper , i dont know why . But its because i feel so bad so i end up taking too much .
Then i end up having several days without anything . All in all i guess its about 10 mg each day i have been dependent on . I cant explain myself .
But i dont know what to do .
Tempted to quit it all .
Tapering off meds is going to be the way to go. There are many methods out there, and you can find a method/pace that is both safe and consistent with your goals. Take care and keep watching!
The Lovely Grind thank you so much ❤️
How did you deal with interdose withdrawal?
Exercise and things such as calming teas/meditation can help, but ultimately the answer is to get off the pills so there is no more interdose withdrawal.
@@TheLovelyGrind
Thank you for responding. Im at 1mg/day now split into 4 doses. I would love to just stop it now but am afraid to. After a person takes their last dose, the interdose withdrawal stops? Or does it turn into one continuous battle of relentless withdrawal symptoms? That's my fear
The lovely grind...may I ask what your taper schedule looked like?
Darrin, I didn't have an extremely precise or well planned taper. The Paxil, I halved, waited a few weeks, then stopped. The Xanax, I went from about 4 mg to 0 in about a year and a quarter. The cuts were made using a cheap pill-cutter from Walgreens or something, and the size of my cuts varied, because again I wasn't following the most logical plan. I advise people to do better than I did on tapers. There is guidance out there. See the Ashton Manual, go slow, and be as precise as you can when possible. Take care.
Have you ever tried a 5-htp supplement?
No, not personally.
Have you made a video on supplements
Not yet, but thanks for the suggestion. I will keep that in the pipeline!
Did you quite cold turkey?
Not cold turkey. I got off the Paxil relatively quickly, in a month or two, but I was more gradual with the Xanax, weaning off over about a year and a quarter. My tapers were too quick, but I still found healing and I believe healing comes to cold turkey scenarios too. It's more important what we do after the last doses to take care of ourselves! Take care, and stay connected here!
@@TheLovelyGrind my dad has been taking Citalopram for 6 or 7 years. He's been thinking about coming off of them and has been cutting them down from 40 mg pills to 10 mg. He's doing fine with 10mg. He never took the full 40 he always cut them down to 20mg. Eventually he want's to stop. I'm afraid for him because i went through withdrawal before with pregnisone and it sucked. I took them for 5 days and took me a month to recover. So i guess my question is what he might expect and how long will he suffer?
@@dcb6729 I don't know your dad's age, but if he's doing fine at 10 mg perhaps he could hold a while yet; then if he still wants to push ahead with a taper, cut it down to 5 perhaps before stopping. I can't say for certain what his experience would be like, but the fact that he "only" took the meds 6-7 years and then tapered gradually should help ease any withdrawal. And, no matter what, he should exercise, eat right, stay spiritual, etc. That will help everything. Take care!
I got reinstated on benzos against my will my mental state was so bad the hospital put me back on it, the only words i could say to them was this medicine hurt my brain but they didnt care now im going through withdrawal again after fighting for 15 months and working although this withdrawal seems way less severe im still devestated dont reinstate fight your asses off please, reinstatement can take away some symptoms but then add all new ones that are unfimiliar
Thanks for sharing your story, Tbone. You're correct. Treating medication (SSRI or Benzo) withdrawal with more medication is such backwards logic. It pains me to even keep commenting on it, but people keep talking to doctors or psychiatrists or detox centers, and that is the only "help" many of those outlets offer. I guess black is white in 2019 yet regarding this issue, but we do have the power to take control of our own situations in a real way. Thanks again for the comments! Keep caring for your own health in real ways!
I reinstated in similar way. I was off benzo for 5+ years.. bad protracted wd..
But real life scenario put me in the hospital. Now, Im once again tapering a benzo all these years later.
Any advice or comments can help
@@TheLovelyGrind people end up hospitalized and reinstatement is their only solution. More drugs. I had to reinstate to avoid forced other drugs. It was partially successful but now I have to slow taper off. Slow taper folks.
@@rosebirrell567 how long to stabilize
Are you 100% healed?
I'm healed, Yeshuah. However, I don't like the practice of assigning a percentage to healing. I tried that for a while during my first 12-18 months, but after a while it became apparent to me that no one could ever live up to the notion of such a measure. It's actually counterproductive to think in those terms. Everyone in the world experienced some sort of discomfort within the past 24 hours: anxiety, depression, a headache, a stomach ache, a sleepless fit, a bout of being tongue tied, a period of anger or fatigue, etc., etc. If some of those people had gone through withdrawal, would they then say they weren't 100 percent healed? See where I'm going with this? Trust me. You'll know when you're healed. Just keep doing the right things to pursue total health, and keep putting more time between yourself and the last dose. Good things will happen. Try not to overanalyze things.
It's because your system was too sensitized to take anything, that's why you had a bad reaction when you tried to reinstate. I'm sure you know that, I wrestled with this for a year now. Sigh.
Hello
Is there a way to pm you?
Hi, you can email me at michaelpriebewriter@gmail.com
Hi. Can I message you too??