We depend on the support of those who care about prescribed benzodiazepine harm to continue our work. If you benefited from our awareness efforts and are able to help support this channel, please donate today. Thank you for helping us to keep our work going. www.benzoinfo.com/donate/
Chris, hang in there. I cold turkeyed Ativan in Sept 2020 and share your same problems with GI and throat. I understand the loneliness. I understand what you're going through. You can do this.
I feel you. I've been going through this hell through a long taper and now after CT valium, after switching to it from xanax halfway through my 1.5 year taper. I just couldn't stand taking the valium any longer. It was making me worse when I took it plus psychologically I felt enslaved to it. I'm benzo free only 63 days. What a trip. These many symptoms are so surreal, I don't even believe I am feeling the way I do sometimes. You are incredibly strong my friend..we all are. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending love and support to you.
Thank you Chris for sharing your story. I'm on a taper for K myself. Hardest thing I have ever done. What a strong guy you are. All the very best in your healing!
same. I am addicted to Zolpidem for sleep the way a diabetic needs insulin (sometime more somtimes less). I went to a psychiatrist so of course he started an 2 SSRI's which caused me to meltdown into serotonin storm and panic attacks within days (first in my life experience) weaning of the poison no thank you I will stick with my ambien even though the sleep quality after it is somewhat lacking. Hope these panic attacks go away cause they are very uncomfortable I'm using ambien to stop them therefore increasing my intake.
Hell, yeah bro keep going. I’m currently struggling with Kratom i’ve been taking it for about two years every day every two hours nonstop and the withdrawal is similar to a heart opiate or heroin withdrawal. I’ve been trying to stop for the past eight months make it 12 hours before giving in and taking another dose, but watching these videos gives me hope in a sense it’s not as bad as, benzos or opiates but good on you bro. Keep going and give praise to the higher power because without him wouldn’t be possible.
I was taken off cold turkey from lorazepam. I’ve been off for 53 months. I have improved but still have issues. Agoraphobia, food phobia and social phobia. I’ve healed from other issues. Everyone is different.
I listen to these stories over on instagram and I felt compelled to comment on this one. Chris, I gotta say, you're so well spoken. And I feel like I can hear every pain and suffering in your story although you don't name/ describe each one by name. I'm so sorry for what happened during your CT and the fire, unspeakable. I relate so much to the stomach sufferings you mention, developed gastroparesis and that's what made me take on my taper and get off- I'm about 4 months off K now. I wanted to say it's brave you came off, and it's admirable that you didn't want to be dependent on anything, so coming off the way you did was a courageous move. It's baffling how bad the vagus nerve gets messed up, it sounds like you're having some globus sensation there constantly as you can't get it to move right. I wonder if a reputable eastern acupuncture practice could help those of us with those gut/ vagal issues... though it can't just take it away in a blink, wondering if it could give us relief to get on to the next day. Anyways, I really resonated with your story, and I'm glad you decided to share. Hope you continue to heal.
Hey Kristen. Pardon my delayed response. I appreciate your kind words. I have tried acupuncture and a host of other eastern methodologies. They have given me some relief, but I've also come to the realization that learning to respect patience and time is part of my journey. I pray that you're feeling much better than you were a year ago when you wrote this
Stay strong. It will keep getting better. I know it seems like it will never get better, but it does. Your body and mind will heal. A lot of us feel your pain.
I love you my brother. In the same boat. Agony. I also struggle swallow going on 9 days of sleeplessness as well. Was cut off cold turkey 47 days ago. The devil's pill. GI symptoms. Excruciating body pain. 😢 I'd give anything to have my panic attacks back. Wish I never took a benzo. It's so painful just laying in bed. You will be in my prayers always. We that suffer this benzo torture have a bond for life. My friend I wish us better days. ❤ EDIT. Also former alcoholic. I'm sorry you burned yourself. Torture on top of torture. Ty for your service.
Thank you for sharing your story. Could it be dystonia in your throat? I’m 37 mths off Klonopin. I took it 1x/day at night for 3 years as a muscle relaxant and still suffer horribly. Chronic akathisia, tardive dystonia, especially in my feet and my neck and face, tongue locking/thrusting TD type stuff. My insane tinnitus was the first sign thinks weren’t alright in Texas, or Vegas or whatever the saying is. All I know is no one told me this could happen and I’d come off serious pain medications like Methadone and Oxycontin and well… you name it. (All that pain came from PANS + 3 weeks of Prozac, and a few months of Ritalin, but ask me about that other pharmharm later). I knew “physical dependency” and even came off benzos multiple times. I didn’t see that, after each stop and start, it was evermore damaging and lasted longer. I had no choice but to come off. The interdose withdrawal only taking it once/day had already caused it to turn on me and was leading to cognitive decline. I never even felt the need to raise it? I felt the need to try and bring in ADDERALL, but again.. we’ll get to that later. I tapered by 50% over a year, but quick tapered the last 0.75mg in 45 days and nothing has been right since. I’ve even had to support a friend in chronic akathisia w/assisted death. She suffered over 5 1/2 years and was stuck back on one. I’ve lost over a dozen friends since 2021. These benzo injuries and benzodiazepine tapering injuries are real. “BIND” and “Kindling” are real. “interdose withdrawal” and “tolerance WD” are all real. Find Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring Psychiatry and his work with BIC and look for his amazing collection of videos. Find Nicole Lamberson PA and her discussions for Medicating Normal on RUclips or FB or even book an appointment with her through Witt-Doerring. Between the two of them, they represent the most important collection of mental health videos on the internet. Thank you BIC for you work. God speed.
@@ellen9925 you are not kidding. Especially while already in akathisia. I had no idea why it was so rough even 30 days off. Now I know of course. I think that I was even catching tardive dystonia symptoms. My last two cessations were Methadone + benzo and I can tell you it rivals a benzo stoppage except for the giant neurological explosion at the end. Benzos are pure evil. I must of stopped and started them a half dozen times. The last three I got really hurt and never put it together. It blows my mind now.
Thanks for sharing your story and your service . I am dealing with benzos Withdrawal and tolerance . 12 years on clonazepam tapering now is a nightmare.
Stay strong, you will heal I know someone who healed after 3 years cold Turkey stopping also Stay strong Pray, walk, take vitamins Do you take vitamins?
❤Thank you for sharing!.. and Happy Memorial day! Thank you for your service Chris!💐 I hate thinking that anyone else is going through this hell out there... But, I always feel a little more seen, with hearing everyone's stories. Good luck on your journey everyone ❤🙏
Great to hear you're on the mend. Good for you! I'm on Diazepam & am currently trying to get my doctor here in the UK to set a tapering down plan to get off this, I've been on illegal drugs before, but this Diazepam is a whole different thing & I'm very nervous about it. It is good to hear the stories of other's though, because one does feel alone. All the best Thanks
I've taken diazepam 10 mg on a few occasions to chill out (I'm a addicted to zolpidem 2 per night) The drug just gets rid of the anxiety attacks that started within 4 days of me taking my first SSRI. But my tolerance to GABA-ergic agents is so high that I didn't feel any sedation whatsoever just that uncomfortable feeling in my chest dissapated that was anxiety I just felt normal. It's a great drug as long you plan to wean off it. long term you will just need more and more and more to stay normal if you keep taking large doses daily. If your new to it take 5 and wean 1 mg a month you'll be fine. If you're on a higher dose you can always wean off but it will take time. It's not an addiction you can beat in a month or at least not comfortably.
This is crazy, it's like the medical professions best kept secret. All prescribers should do a specific course in benzodiazapines and harm reduction. I thought a doctor's duty was 'do no harm'.
I lost 3.5 stone. All my central nervous system was fkd. Could feel all my bodily functions. Didnt sleep for months. Then got kindled by general anesthetic a
Yeah but in the USA they give it like candy the damage is vert real no 1 takks abkjr banning just dealing with withdrawals did I miss something you just went thru agony and no banning wtf theh keep saying short term uses ok. But plenty of people harm
You can get valium anywhere in Thailand. It's a big problem. I know someone who was abusing them long term and hung himself. Years back. I reckon he had interdose withdrawal and tolerance issues.
We depend on the support of those who care about prescribed benzodiazepine harm to continue our work. If you benefited from our awareness efforts and are able to help support this channel, please donate today. Thank you for helping us to keep our work going. www.benzoinfo.com/donate/
36months benzo hell free!!! 😊
@cindywilson6119 how are you now friend
Lucky
Chris, hang in there. I cold turkeyed Ativan in Sept 2020 and share your same problems with GI and throat. I understand the loneliness. I understand what you're going through. You can do this.
How are you dealing with the GI problems? I feel like I’ve eaten nothing, and get heartburn when I eat foods that I used to enjoy.
I feel you. I've been going through this hell through a long taper and now after CT valium, after switching to it from xanax halfway through my 1.5 year taper. I just couldn't stand taking the valium any longer. It was making me worse when I took it plus psychologically I felt enslaved to it. I'm benzo free only 63 days. What a trip. These many symptoms are so surreal, I don't even believe I am feeling the way I do sometimes. You are incredibly strong my friend..we all are. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending love and support to you.
Thanks for sharing your story, I hope one day I can say I've been free from benzos for 33 months like you too. Congratulations, man!
Thank you Chris for sharing your story. I'm on a taper for K myself. Hardest thing I have ever done. What a strong guy you are. All the very best in your healing!
Thank you for your story. I regret the day I was prescribed psychiatric meds. Weaning off a benzo since January.
same. I am addicted to Zolpidem for sleep the way a diabetic needs insulin (sometime more somtimes less). I went to a psychiatrist so of course he started an 2 SSRI's which caused me to meltdown into serotonin storm and panic attacks within days (first in my life experience) weaning of the poison no thank you I will stick with my ambien even though the sleep quality after it is somewhat lacking. Hope these panic attacks go away cause they are very uncomfortable I'm using ambien to stop them therefore increasing my intake.
Me, too!
Hell, yeah bro keep going. I’m currently struggling with Kratom i’ve been taking it for about two years every day every two hours nonstop and the withdrawal is similar to a heart opiate or heroin withdrawal. I’ve been trying to stop for the past eight months make it 12 hours before giving in and taking another dose, but watching these videos gives me hope in a sense it’s not as bad as, benzos or opiates but good on you bro. Keep going and give praise to the higher power because without him wouldn’t be possible.
I was taken off cold turkey from lorazepam. I’ve been off for 53 months. I have improved but still have issues. Agoraphobia, food phobia and social phobia. I’ve healed from other issues. Everyone is different.
My son has been off 5 years from benzo and still struggling with agoraphobia. Can I contact you ?
@@lepham5140blessings 🙌 & prayers 🙏🏻
Awesome, Chris, I hope you will feel better, FOR REAL, very soon, rooting for ya. Benzo withdrawal is (can be) absolute hell.
/Chris
I listen to these stories over on instagram and I felt compelled to comment on this one. Chris, I gotta say, you're so well spoken. And I feel like I can hear every pain and suffering in your story although you don't name/ describe each one by name. I'm so sorry for what happened during your CT and the fire, unspeakable. I relate so much to the stomach sufferings you mention, developed gastroparesis and that's what made me take on my taper and get off- I'm about 4 months off K now.
I wanted to say it's brave you came off, and it's admirable that you didn't want to be dependent on anything, so coming off the way you did was a courageous move. It's baffling how bad the vagus nerve gets messed up, it sounds like you're having some globus sensation there constantly as you can't get it to move right. I wonder if a reputable eastern acupuncture practice could help those of us with those gut/ vagal issues... though it can't just take it away in a blink, wondering if it could give us relief to get on to the next day. Anyways, I really resonated with your story, and I'm glad you decided to share. Hope you continue to heal.
Hey Kristen. Pardon my delayed response. I appreciate your kind words. I have tried acupuncture and a host of other eastern methodologies. They have given me some relief, but I've also come to the realization that learning to respect patience and time is part of my journey. I pray that you're feeling much better than you were a year ago when you wrote this
Loneliness, unfortunately, is relatable. 😢
People don't understand it.
Stay strong. It will keep getting better. I know it seems like it will never get better, but it does. Your body and mind will heal. A lot of us feel your pain.
So sorry and thanks for sharing
I love you my brother. In the same boat. Agony. I also struggle swallow going on 9 days of sleeplessness as well. Was cut off cold turkey 47 days ago. The devil's pill. GI symptoms. Excruciating body pain. 😢 I'd give anything to have my panic attacks back. Wish I never took a benzo. It's so painful just laying in bed. You will be in my prayers always. We that suffer this benzo torture have a bond for life. My friend I wish us better days. ❤ EDIT. Also former alcoholic. I'm sorry you burned yourself. Torture on top of torture. Ty for your service.
Thank you so much for sharing Chris very corageous, God bless stay strong
Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼 I had horrible digestive issues also.I started taking powdered collagen. It helped so much . Take care ❤
Hey there how are you doing!
Shalom to you as well as you continue your journey
Shalom, peace, blessings to you
Thank you for sharing your story. Could it be dystonia in your throat? I’m 37 mths off Klonopin. I took it 1x/day at night for 3 years as a muscle relaxant and still suffer horribly. Chronic akathisia, tardive dystonia, especially in my feet and my neck and face, tongue locking/thrusting TD type stuff. My insane tinnitus was the first sign thinks weren’t alright in Texas, or Vegas or whatever the saying is.
All I know is no one told me this could happen and I’d come off serious pain medications like Methadone and Oxycontin and well… you name it. (All that pain came from PANS + 3 weeks of Prozac, and a few months of Ritalin, but ask me about that other pharmharm later).
I knew “physical dependency” and even came off benzos multiple times. I didn’t see that, after each stop and start, it was evermore damaging and lasted longer.
I had no choice but to come off. The interdose withdrawal only taking it once/day had already caused it to turn on me and was leading to cognitive decline. I never even felt the need to raise it? I felt the need to try and bring in ADDERALL, but again.. we’ll get to that later.
I tapered by 50% over a year, but quick tapered the last 0.75mg in 45 days and nothing has been right since.
I’ve even had to support a friend in chronic akathisia w/assisted death. She suffered over 5 1/2 years and was stuck back on one. I’ve lost over a dozen friends since 2021. These benzo injuries and benzodiazepine tapering injuries are real. “BIND” and “Kindling” are real. “interdose withdrawal” and “tolerance WD” are all real.
Find Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring Psychiatry and his work with BIC and look for his amazing collection of videos. Find Nicole Lamberson PA and her discussions for Medicating Normal on RUclips or FB or even book an appointment with her through Witt-Doerring. Between the two of them, they represent the most important collection of mental health videos on the internet. Thank you BIC for you work. God speed.
Oh good lord methadone was a nightmare to come off
@@ellen9925 you are not kidding. Especially while already in akathisia. I had no idea why it was so rough even 30 days off. Now I know of course. I think that I was even catching tardive dystonia symptoms. My last two cessations were Methadone + benzo and I can tell you it rivals a benzo stoppage except for the giant neurological explosion at the end. Benzos are pure evil. I must of stopped and started them a half dozen times. The last three I got really hurt and never put it together. It blows my mind now.
You escaped hell. Welcome to the real world.
You’re not kidding. ♥️🙏🏻
Thanks for sharing your story and your service . I am dealing with benzos Withdrawal and tolerance . 12 years on clonazepam tapering now is a nightmare.
Stay strong, you will heal
I know someone who healed after 3 years cold Turkey stopping also
Stay strong
Pray, walk, take vitamins
Do you take vitamins?
I am 4 and 1/2 years off from a cold turkey by a doctor . Still have 3 phobias. Fatigue. My insomnia went away though. Everyone is different!!
@@jackiegerspachhas4237How long did you take benzo?
@@jackiegerspachhas4237do you remember how long it took for your insomnia to go away?
❤Thank you for sharing!.. and Happy Memorial day! Thank you for your service Chris!💐 I hate thinking that anyone else is going through this hell out there... But, I always feel a little more seen, with hearing everyone's stories. Good luck on your journey everyone ❤🙏
Shalom Shalom! Thank you for sharing. Community helps a lot.
Great to hear you're on the mend. Good for you!
I'm on Diazepam & am currently trying to get my doctor here in the UK to set a tapering down plan to get off this, I've been on illegal drugs before, but this Diazepam is a whole different thing & I'm very nervous about it.
It is good to hear the stories of other's though, because one does feel alone.
All the best
Thanks
I've taken diazepam 10 mg on a few occasions to chill out (I'm a addicted to zolpidem 2 per night) The drug just gets rid of the anxiety attacks that started within 4 days of me taking my first SSRI. But my tolerance to GABA-ergic agents is so high that I didn't feel any sedation whatsoever just that uncomfortable feeling in my chest dissapated that was anxiety I just felt normal. It's a great drug as long you plan to wean off it. long term you will just need more and more and more to stay normal if you keep taking large doses daily. If your new to it take 5 and wean 1 mg a month you'll be fine. If you're on a higher dose you can always wean off but it will take time. It's not an addiction you can beat in a month or at least not comfortably.
Thank you for sharing. Much help❤
Thanks
I was on Seroquel then came of it went through 2 years of withdrawl.
I just hit 25 months off myself!!
How ya feelin now??
I'm down to 7 ml pd 1x5 ml and 1x2ml,going down 1ml at a time, feeling OK,just worried about coming to zero, good luck bo 😊
I was prescribed benzos from 25 years. I found shrooms and was able to taper off over half my dosage with no symptoms.
What kind of shrooms help you?
Bless your heart. It is a nasty drug to withdraw from. Stay strong!!! ❤
12 months off and feel like I’m dieing
Dose anyone know about akathisia? I’m 3 month off and it hasn’t happened
Dose it come down the road? How dose it start? Thank you x
Sounds pretty good 👍
This is crazy, it's like the medical professions best kept secret. All prescribers should do a specific course in benzodiazapines and harm reduction. I thought a doctor's duty was 'do no harm'.
You are a hero! You will heal totally ❤❤❤you’re brain is almost back to homeostasis. When you find youreself in hell… keep walking. Take care❤❤❤
there should be a lawsuit for the continuation of crimes against humanity
I lost 3.5 stone. All my central nervous system was fkd. Could feel all my bodily functions. Didnt sleep for months. Then got kindled by general anesthetic a
How are you now ? Pls answer
Does anti depressants help people when there doing taper off benzos
4 years benzo free after being on them 6 years for a neurological condition .
These meds are BAND in Thailand 🇹🇭 because of the brain damage they cause . You are ABSOLUTELY NOT ALONE! 🤝
Yeah but in the USA they give it like candy the damage is vert real no 1 takks abkjr banning just dealing with withdrawals did I miss something you just went thru agony and no banning wtf theh keep saying short term uses ok. But plenty of people harm
You can get valium anywhere in Thailand. It's a big problem. I know someone who was abusing them long term and hung himself. Years back. I reckon he had interdose withdrawal and tolerance issues.
Theyre not banned at all in Thailand, stop lying
@@DrBohannonphdDOJ Could still get them a month ago in Phuket. Maybe something changed this monthS
Should be banned all over the world.