After twenty three years of Clonazepam, I detoxed last February. Eighteen days in the hospital. These last four months at home have been rough. I can finally sleep most of the night. Having some half days when I feel almost normal. The GI tract is still a nightmare at times. But I'm blessed. God brought me through this far, I'm believing he will continue. May he bless all, reading this.
You’re an amazing testimony, Richard! Thanks for sharing this. Although I know you’re not as healed as you’d like to be, and will be, the fact that you’ve made it to see June 2023 after so many years on clonazepam is remarkable in and of itself!
Thank you for the information, encouraging words, and tips. After being prescribed Klonopin for 30 years, I tapered for 14 months and am 30 days off. I too am having to watch what I eat. I’m 62 and am struggling so much.
After 25 years on ssri and Benzodiazepines I stopped cold turkey in 2017 and this December i complete 6 years.. Still some more of BIND and benzo belly to heal..
God bless you Richard your going to be healed and feeling 100% sooner than you think just trust in God and keep doing what you're doing You're an awesome man and I respect you I'm about to begin my journey on tapering off of benzos and I'm not looking forward to it but I know I can do it God bless
I was on Rivitrol for 18 years, my taper took 3 years, and it failed two times, on the third time I stayed off but I ended up in the hospital because I didn't have anxiety I had Doom every single day, I didn't know how I was going to live through everyday, I was walking for anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day because of my akathisia, I thought there was no way I would be able to live through this. I tried different supplements, I tried ssris, I tried a little bit of everything just to get me through every single day, after about 3 years almost like someone hit a light switch, it was all gone I got my sanity back and I felt like I could live through every day again feeling normal. From what you said, you're getting off lucky, but one thing is for sure those three years of absolute hell, not even hell, just knowing that I would have to make it through another day, now that it's all gone, I am thankful every single morning that I wake up, and every day no matter what happens is a good day for me, cuz I'm not stuck in that hell
Thank you so much!!! ..from a woman of 69 been on benzos since 17 and living without benzos for almost 3 years now. It is so hard but also I feel that I am healing slowly very slowly and that is unbelievable.
Wow! You are an amazing person. I’m sure many people will draw inspiration from you for having been on benzos for so long and then finding a way out of the benzo prison and finding healing. I’m so happy for you! It’s definitely far from easy but very very possible, as you’ve already seen.
What a beautiful story of determination and fortitude. Incredible. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻You are indeed an Inspiration! Welcome here; it’s a peaceful, supportive and kind Space. 💖
I’ve heard and read about benzo belly. This is a relief knowing that the actual symptoms I have 4 years out are identical to yours. I am grateful to you for posting this important information!
@@davegordon6943 I just have to count my blessings! I think 99% of the world’s population are living lives so much worse than mine! It’s selfish of me to look at it like this but it does help sometimes.
oh yes, I have the benzo belly it's getting better though. I need to start exercising and kick its butt. You are right Dan everything you are saying I can completely understand. I get shortness of breath especially after eating when I bend over to pick something up etc. I really appreciate how in depth you went on the process and how strong we are in order to go thru this. My life is changing for the better every day, ups downs, left right but overall, I am healing. I honestly can't believe how much better I am getting and how much more I have to look forward to. The more I am healing the more I can clearly see for how long I had been damaged. To be honest it is a miracle and if I can accomplish this than anything is possible in time. Thank you Dan!!! For anyone reading this it is possible to start healing. I am by no mean healed but compared to 8 months ago it is beyond comprehension. Bob Bobarino
Hello. Thank you for sharing this information🙏🏼 I am experiencing a heap of symptoms after a very rapid taper 3yrs ago, the worst for me being a full body feeling of being constantly stuck in a fright. I would love to know everything that person who told you about the Vagus nerve & Benzos harming it knows. You were very fortunate to have someone tell you this. & it totally makes sense when looking at some of the symptoms. I’m in my late 50s & see 1 lovely Dr once a month who helps as best he can. But no one in my country seems to have knowledge of what taking Benzo & or rapid tapering, what harm is done. It’s hard to repair/heal yourself when you don’t know what exactly needs healing. Your info about the Vegas nerve is a good start, it’s the first time iv heard anyone express knowledge of what is causing some of the symptoms🙏🏼 Thank you & I hope you are continuing to Heal 🙂🙏🏼🇦🇺
I’ve watched numerous videos. A retired psychiatrist who’s been on 4 mg Xanax for approximately 25 years. I was going to do the flumazenil detox, but after looking at all the videos about the neurological damage that seems to worsen when you come off these as your body has to now find someway to make gabba. I want to thank you as well as everybody else who’s giving me excellent information. Fortunately, I have a brilliant psychiatrist who’s also a researcher and an addiction psychiatrist. He basically said that the potential disadvantages seem to outweigh the advantages according to current literature. They even tracked in the journal of the American medical Association so it could be put in a month later rather than the nine months later. Essentially the gist of this whole thing was out of 350,000 people there was a higher rate of death from all causes when you attempt to take somebody who has been on for an extended period of time at high doses. we’ve decided just to stay where we are now as I’m also on Lexapro and Prozac for both anxiety and depression, and the last thing I wanna do is make this worse.
My benzo belly has just passed finally. I took 10/20mg of Valium for 5 weeks then tapered off over 2 weeks. Then I had 2 weeks of acutes, 3 weeks of benzo belly. But the worst symptom I found was the nausea that came during week 2.
That's strong man 💪 Accidently found your channel. Only tried benz a couple of times, never felt the vibe. But you seem like a genuine dude and I enjoy listening to you. You should keep up this good work, I think a lot of people will find motivation watching you! Good luck to you strong brother!
Thanks Dan for addressing the benzo belly symptoms. This too has been one of my most persistent and frequent symptoms over the past 5 1/2 years. It is soooo painful and embarrassing!! Even though I'm 48 years old, and I have an IUD for birth control, I have to take a pregnancy test once a month or so because I don't have a menstrual period. My abdomen gets so distended and hard and have such weird fluttering sensations, spasms, pains that I'm often terrified that I'm pregnant! Terrified because I'm too old, have 3 grown children and too sick to raise a baby. Thankfully it's been negative but very distressing and anxiety inducing!
It’s so crazy what it does to us. I don’t even try to tell people anymore because I feel like they won’t believe me. Unless you’ve experienced it, it doesn’t sound plausible that a pill could do so much damage.
@@philosophicalfishing I don't try to tell people what I'm going through or try to explain symptoms etc anymore either. There are no words to describe it, only those who've gone through it could ever understand and no one believes me anyway. I feel like everyone thinks I'm just a hypochondriac so I hate talking about how bad I feel all the time. That's the worst part of this. Many of us don't get any support, understanding or sympathy from others. I pray that someday we will.
@@TexasTea777 it’s true, there’s almost nothing out there in terms of help, support, understanding, research, or recovery tools. We’re still in the dark ages of benzo harm.
Hi Dan, thanks for another great video! This one really rings home with me. 4 yrs 4 months off and still struggle with this each day as one of my last things to go away. I get a 1 or 2 week relief once in awhile then it comes right back slowly until it is full on again. So weird, no one would believe it... It is allllooottt better than it used to be but still there and have to deal with it daily and think about every meal I have. Mostly slow digestion, heartburn, gas and bloating, I fell my best on an empty stomach then it is time to eat again. Sometimes good all day until evening no pattern, hard to explain. Keep up the great videos we are all in this together!
Yes! I feel my best on an empty stomach too. Consequently, I can go all day without eating and it doesn’t bother me much at all. Thanks for the kind words. As long as these videos are helping I’ll continue to make them. 🙏🏻
So good to hear. I had no idea what was wrong. Mine started while still on klonopin. I had x-rays, a pet scan, an endoscopy and colonoscopy because of the stomach issue along with severe weight loss. Last ditch effort I checked into rehab and since being off kpin I've gotten better. Been over a year and every wd symptom is gone besides some days I still have gurgling. Same here brother, coffee and tomato sauce were a no no. That's so wild man.
My benzo belly was one of the first symptoms to go away (4th month off) and I’d lost 71lbs in 90 days at one point. My experience is that Inner akathisia is really the last symptom to go. I still have outer stuff and pace 18-40hrs straight and sleep about 5hrs (at 3 years off). I was bedridden the last 6 months of my taper and a year after my jump in May of 2020. Now I pace until I drop. Hell on earth.
There’s 0 positive stories about benzos. It’s really heartbreaking too because I’ve tried beta blockers tons of antidepressants,of ways of self medicating ,CBT, you name it. Then I try benzos and I felt like I got my life back and then I come to the internet to research benzos randomly and now I’m scared shitless about all these videos. I should of just stayed on opioids. People say opioids only are short periods of withdrawal not YEARS of torture. Sheesh. I’m screwed
I know what you mean, I felt like benzos gave me my life back too when I started them. It’s very deceptive. I don’t think you’re screwed though. There are better ways to manage life without them, and at least you know that staying on them isn’t a good idea. Although, even though I knew that I still took them for well over a decade. That’s the power they had over me.
I’ve been on Klonopin for over 25 years. I have zero issues. .5 twice a day. It seems people have issues when they try to withdrawal. I know I’ll be on these for life. I wish I knew the issues of these meds pertaining to withdrawal before I took them because I wouldn’t have started them.Just speaking for myself. I live a good life. My question is if you are fine while taking these meds, why would one come off? I hope everyone well. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@Ndfourlife it’s not that I’m doing bad on them. It just seems the opinions of literally everyone on the internet are extremely negative. They basically all say once you build a tolerance you will have major issues coming off of them for years. I’m scared of that happening. If I found at least a few people that say they didn’t have a bad time on them It would help me out a lot but everyone calls it a devils drugs, worst drug you can ever take
@@Ndfourlife I think the reason people that do good on them. I think they think one day the doctor that are prescribing them will one day retire or switch doctors that will not agree with you being on benzos and now you can’t get them anymore. If i knew I can stay on them no matter what doctor I get then I wouldn’t mind staying on them with no worries but, most of all cases that’s not the case
I'm 11 months off klon. and I still have no relief from the horrible gi issues- can't eat more than a few tablespoons of food per day. Wish it would get better soon. Thanks for your info- helps me know that I'm not alone in this.
thank you for sharing your experience! i was describing benzo belly to my son before i new anything about benzo withdrawal symptoms! my tummy still hurts! i force myself to eat cuz 😅m only 110lbs. and i can’t afford to lose weight. i’m proud of you! When we get our bellies back, can i celebrate with you? lol! 🎉😊
I am withdrawing now. I am sad for you. May the Lorrd heal you I am having trouble eating. Food is unappetizing. I actually feeli nauseous. I get full quickly. Trying to eat plenty based, drinking teas and water. Everything about this is very difficult. Thank you for sharing story. Your words are encouraging.
@brimzs I have come a long way from a year ago. My appetite is better though I don't "love" my food as I once did. I have gotten stronger and am functioning better. I still have vestibular issues (dizziness) from the benzos, neuropathy, vision and concentration issues... I believe the RX have affected me neurologically. My anxiety issues are much, much better than a year ago. However, I when I am physically or emotionally taxed it affects my concentration greatly.
Great video Dan. I also have benzo belly but mine is a little different. I dont get the swelled up stomach. I just have the very slow motility. Some days I dont even eat because I am not hungry. I have watched all of your videos and appreciate everything you do. How long would you say it took before you started feeling normalish again. I am 15 months off and most of the really crazy symptoms have dissappeared but I seem to have plateaued with the insomnia and muscle tremors and benzo belly. The inosmnia and the muscle tremors keep me from being able to lead a life that has any semblance of normalcy. Thank you for all you do.
Amen I never knew about this horrible side effect until recently.. what a nightmare it's been, I wish I could go back in time and kick my own butt. But sadly anxiety issues run in my family mix that with PTSD it's very very uncomfortable I'm general but this whole GI tract nightmare and benzoz belly is by far dreadfully terrifying I pray no one has to feel this way
@@philosophicalfishing Thank you. At this time it is primarily insomnia and the distended abdomen. Its very uncomfortable. The best decision I ever made was to stop taking them.
I've finally withdrawn from the benzos I've been taking steadily for 12 years. I am aware that I will probably have rebound symptoms for an indefinite period of time including the issue I had taken the benzos for in the first place. Hadn't heard of the benzo belly though. Just to be safe you should see your doctor to rule other issues out if you haven't already.
Hi, Cher. How are you feeling? Way to go on being Benzo-free. 🌹What an incredible accomplishment. You should be so proud of yourself. 💖 Question: Who told you that you would have Symptoms indefinitely? 🤔
Your a very nice guy, i came off cigarettes 13 years ago, had a terrible hard time for 2 years, im addicted to caffine going to kick it to the kerb as it had robbed me of joy and sleep.
Thank you all for sharing, keep up! I am off benzos nearly 2 years now. I didnt know about benzo belly untill reaching your video and comments. I am building up ridiculous belly but mostly the internal belly pressure is huge, making discomfort, short breath, chest pain. The doctors and hospital here knows nearly anything about treatment and help in regards benzo withdrawal.. I have developed 2 abdominal hernias and abdominal muscle separation and need to lye down my abdominal on a flat surface to calm down the tension regularly during the day. I am looking to undergo operations for that but worried if that internal tension built up again hernias and abdominal muscles separation. Just trying to lose the extra 10 kgs weight I have and exercise. Keep strong and happy
Welcome to the channel! Congratulations on being free from the benzo prison- even if you still are dealing with the aftermath. I know I am too all these years later. Hope the medical treatment you receive heals you and keeps you in good health my friend. 🙏🏻
5 years later and a stomach resection. The flu can bring this back and many other meds never left since I stopped and had more episodes due to pre gablin. Steroids and few other meds. Hope you recover
I don’t understand how the hell doctors prescribe these benzodiazepines month after month to the same person, when someone can become dependent on them within a single month if they take them daily. I’ve heard of people taking benzos for just a month, then taking a YEAR to taper off, then have symptoms for months/years after the taper. All from that initial first month!
Hi I just found you your station so glad to hear you positive thoughts. I’ll be watching your videos. I’ll tell you about me later. Keep the videos coming!♥️
Had severe Benzo belly for nearly 2 years,excruciating pain and swelling, stumbled across a man saying carnivore diet was huge help. Went on the carnivore diet in March 2024 and within a month benzo Belly gone!!!! Still tapering off Clonazepam and have other symptoms but still am on carnivore diet as have had so many health benefits from it and it helps so much with my withdrawal symptoms. Worth a try if nothing else works.
Have you considered keto or carnivore? Fasting? This is likely due to certain bacteria building up/reacting to certain foods that you're sensitive to. It's likely that starving the bacteria with keto or carnivore or fasting would help you. It helped me.
Wow… I have a hard distended belly, 2 years off benzos.. I was cut cold turkey after 8 years of heavy use. I’ve had no idea most of my health problems these last years are a result of my withdrawals. :(
I still had benzo belly bad at 2 years too. Sorry that this has happened to you as well. I was basically c/t as well. Congratulations on being free from benzos though!🙏🏻
Do you remember when yours started? I had some major belly cramps on and off during my taper. Extremely painful and awful. Then it went away and when I was 6.5 months off, I got what I thought must be mild food poisoning or bad IBS. But it comes and goes regardless of what I eat. I'm now 8 months off and I have gurgling and popping gas in my belly every minute of the day. I have a lot of belching and flatulence also. Ridiculous. I stay home most of the time because of it. But luckily mine has been coming in waves, usually lasting 2-10 days with maybe a week or so in between these waves. It's 100% my most bothersome symptom. I have neuropathy that comes and goes in my fingers and toes (not too bad or often) and I have tingling in my face quite often (I don't even care) and I get internal tremors maybe for a few days every couple of months. Oh, and I just had an symptoms of a hypoglycemia episode, shaking and weakness...I used to get that all the time, but thankfully it's SO much better now. But the benzo belly...ugh. I don't know how people live like this! I am always waiting for the "indigestion" to pass, but it just stays constant. Thankful that my blurry vision went away shortly after tapering. Thankful the trigeminal neuralgia, etc went away. So many symptoms healed...but will I have benzo belly for years? Ugh.
Onions are high in fructans so a sensitive gut will find them difficult to process. Tomatoes also high in fructose so hard on sensitive stomach. I have fructose malabsorption so onion, garlic, tomatoes and loads of fruit and veggies make bloat, pain, diarrhoea worse.
First time my gut shut down after my doctor cut me exactly in 50%.!🤬 It felt like somebody tearing my insides out from the inside. Got shot completely down ended up in the ER. Completely impacted no help 🤬
I've been off of Klonipin for three and a half years (after taking 1 mg twice daily for thirty years)and have had all these symptoms. Gurgling going on in there like I have never ever in my life(and I'm 61!)My stomach has almost forgotten how to move food along. I am taking magnesium citrate to try to move things along, but can drink a whole bottle over two days and nothing...Can go without having a bowel movement for almost two weeks sometimes without the mag. citrate, but even taking half a bottle daily won't work when I'm backed up. Watching what I'm eating but it doesn't seem to help. Lumps in my right lower abdomnen actually creating big raised moving lumps like when I was pregnant. Scary stuff. Had so much pain on a few occasions I thought I was passing a stone. Was sent for a CT scan and was told I was heavily constipated. I thought it was just normal to not have a BM for a week to ten days. Praying that tomorrow I can get some relief. Have also cut my caffeine intake in half and in half again, but still can;t give it up entirely. Almost no sugar either, almost no red meat, no white flour or enriched flour. Feeling better in one way brings troubles somewhere else. Internal vibrations so bad some days and almost not at all others, tinnitus, vertigo, brain fog, high blood pressure, weird sensations and random pains all over. It's always a new symptom to worry about. Thanks for sharing your experience. From inside my room where I spend most of my life now, I appreciate the online community so much!
Hi Lynda- I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all the sxs you listed. You know it’s weird because I get the lower abdomen pains too but on my left side. It almost feels like a growth of some sort much of the time. It’s very scary but just another strange stupid benzo symptom.
I’ve had benzo belly for almost 6 years now. It’s crazy, same exactly how you explain. I actually got stem cell treatment so I’m hoping within next 18 months.
@@philosophicalfishing it’s such an uncomfortable symptom especially this far out. Blind faith I guess but have to hope it eases up. I’ll keep everyone posted in the Fb groups about the stem cells as I went 2 months ago. This journey is indescribable, truly insane.
Hallo lieber Dan,falls du das hier übersetzen kannst bei youtube wäre ich glücklich. Weißt du,ob man so einen Bauch auch vom Bedarfeinnahme bekommen kann ?Nehme ca 2-3 Xanax die woche . 🙏🙏🙏🙏😬
Hello! Yes, I was able to translate your comment. There really is no telling if you will get it or not. I think it’s mostly due to vagus nerve damage which benzos can damage when taken long term. Not everyone will get benzo belly though.
@@philosophicalfishing danke für deine schnelle Antwort. Wie bist du damit fertig geworden mit so einem Bauch rumlaufen?. Ich bin ausgebrannt und verzweifelt und kann einfach nicht mehr .Es dreht sich jede freie Minute um diesem Bauch. Langsam kann ich nicht mehr .
@@mfbtv5078it’s absolutely maddening some days and there’s not much you can do, but I would suggest staying away from sugar, processed foods, eat only meals and avoid snacking, take a walk or just rest when you can to ease the trouble, and find what foods set you off with symptoms. I had to avoid onions, red meat, dairy, sugar, tomatoes, and preservatives.
My left leg and had has nerve damage . Doesn't seem to improve. I ve weakness pain numbness. Iam 2years off now. Is this nerve danage permanent?? Dont even knoe if it heal now. I cant walk nor exercise. Am i disabled. No doctors find anything except nerve damage 😢
From Norway here. This is TORTURE! Will it go away? I have a long history from Nobligan,Klonopin,Sobril,Kodein!! All prescrited from a medical doctor. Professor, in fact. I am now a wreck! Gained weight from 75 kg to 94(!). Now I am on withdrawel on 10 mg Diazepam og 5 mg Nitrazepam. Will this heal??
I lost 80 lb because of it. I was never hungry but would get lightheaded from not eating. I pooped about once a week or longer. I forced myself to eat. I could not exercise because I felt so full and out of breath. Slowly it did get better. Two years after at time I almost feel normal and can do light amounts of exercising. B vitamins helped me a lot after about of a month of taking them. (very small amount or I am way too awake)
i feel dizzy and lightheaded all of the sudden end of the day like im gonna pass out. the only thing thats helped is taking probiotics but i still have to sleep on my left side and sitting up it sucks.
@@philosophicalfishing i cant have much dairy at all. a small sprinkle of cheese here or there and thats it. I have oatmilk with my one cup of coffee a day.
@@philosophicalfishing i dont have any pain its just like a dizzy feeling only happens around bedtime. many times its very scary though like i need to go to the ER i take a hot shower then try to calm down but the probiotics for the most part now keep it from getting to that degree. if i stop the probiotics for a day or more im hit with very severe dizziness and discomfort when trying to go to sleep no pain though
@@philosophicalfishing i also cannot drink regular water ive been only drinking bottles Essentia water for the past 2 years its crazy . ive tried switching back but each time i have to go back
thankyou for sharing, I stumbled across your videos today and I am happy I did, please keep up the good work, I am 14 months benzo free and was wondering if you or anyone else reading suffered with tinnitus. Mine has been constant since the last benzo, will it ever just stop or go away. Anybody reading this please keep up the fight and stay strong.
Hiya, Stan and welcome Here. Kudos on your 14 months free. That’s incredible work by you! 💪🏻 I was 4 years free in Dec and I def recall having a few issues with tinnitus in early recovery. It was unnerving to say the least, for sure. It wasn’t too very intense or terribly long-lasting; thank goodness I was spared that strange and annoying symptom hanging around to torment me for too long. I wish you continued strength and patience on your healing Journey. 💖
Hi Dan. Great video as always, I'm sure most if not all of the benzo community think your a hero for informing and trying to help people. Most people are/was lost at the start of this journey (including myself). I'm sorry to hear you are this far out and you have that symptom still. I can relate because i also am a man, and i can understand especially the visual difference it will cause us to feel. I think mine is nearly gone (29 months). I also found out that last week i am probably lactose intolerant. That certainly wasn't helping things as i was eating chocolate and milk most nights. Unfortunately the symptoms i do have left are disabling and I'm very much housebound. You say you are 7.5 years out and all symptoms apart from 1, did fade, can i ask at what time frame did they fade?
do you know if its a garuntee youll experience benzo belly when coming off benzos, i only used for like 2/3 months and never more then 4 mg a day, not even every day though, i kind of worried about stopping because i already have stomach issues and dont want to make them worse but i also dont want to make xanax and benzos a habit, any advice or knowledge very appreciated 🙌
Definitely not a guarantee that you’ll have it. Many people don’t have benzo belly or if they do, it’s very temporary. Most people Ive spoken with who’ve had it tell me that it went away after some months, but I’m one whose had it bad for many years. It just varies so much across the board.
Do you have any tips on what to eat? Right now I’ve cut out all fiber and am eating low fat which helps but the foods are just not healthy. When I do eat healthier, my symptoms are much worse and I start losing weight again. I don’t know what to do. Any kind of meat makes it worse as well.
Low sugar, low dairy to begin with. I couldn’t tolerate red meat, onions, tomatoes, processed foods, or caffeine. I could tolerate sweet potatoes, oatmeal, bananas, apples, white meat, and green veggies pretty well. Nothing made me feel all better or anywhere close to perfect, it’s just that some things made it much much worse.
@@vwalker1040 As I said to Julie, I would try what they used to feed babies before commercial baby food (which is contaminated these days). That would include grits and oatmeal. Try eggs and butter in the grits, and maybe fresh blueberries in the oatmeal.
Thank you brother. I was only taking xanax for a couple months and I went from 2 mgs down to 0.5 in an aggressive taper, and had gone through opiate withdrawal many times in my life I could take pain. I definitely had interdose symptoms but eventuality 0.25 knocked me out cold so my tolerance dropped. I switched to klonopin for a week at a low dose and now idk what I have. My stomach had been cramping due to stress and constipation but the days I cramped I was taking laxatives. Today i went no problem with no laxative, and I can eat with no issues like pain or anything. Idk if I'm going through withdrawal symptoms or if it's in my head because when I was taking xanax it was only at night once for sleep and not every single night there were times I'd go 3 or 4 days without issues. I also can sleep without taking them. I wake up a few times but I can fall asleep no issue. I just overthink and get Nervous a lot :((
I can identify with overthinking and nervousness. You and I are much alike in that regard. Probably why we started benzos in the first place(I know that to be the case for me)
@Philosophical Fishing I actually was never on them long term. Only take them here and then but those 2 months was the most I've taken for the longest. So I'm not a long term user, but I guess I'm sensitive to it but I don't know I feel like the worst of the symptoms are gone. I take a beta blocker to slow my heart rate and it actually really helps. I also do thai boxing running helps a lot too
@Philosophical Fishing another good taper method I realized was when you go days and days and days without the benzo, when you're having those lost acute issues, you take like the tiniest amount like a 0.25 or less, it'll help the symptoms and it'll stop post acute. My buddy did that too. He was like these post acute are killing me. He ended up taking a 0.25 here and then like days in between, sometimes a week, and then eventually post acute went away and never came back. Because it was a taper method. I've done it once too in the past when I had brutal xanax withdrawal, I took a 0.25 like a month later, one time, and the post acute went away and never came back. Now all I deal with is rapid heart beat but not anxiety, and some stomach pain but not that bad. I've changed my diet and drink a ton of water and it helps a load.
Can eating eggs exaggerate withdrawal symptoms? , as my b12 levels are a bit low, and I am prescribed B12 supplements, but I know that it can increase the symptoms. What else we can take ? I am vegetarian.
At first, in acute withdrawal the physical brain and body damage were the worst. I’ve noticed that, as time goes on, the mental symptoms linger much longer.
Your test could be incorrect. Glucose test can miss it and very well known for ppl to get false negatives. To detox heavy metals you have to chelate and use binders to pull the metals out there’s several videos on it. Sifo and sibo are common together same bloating symptoms too with both. Sifo is fungus overgrowth. You have to use antifungals and binders to pull it out. Have you had your genes tested? You may want to try methylated vitamin complex and nac. Nac is a biofilm disrupting agent and helps to detox increase glutathione. So much to the machine to get it running. And your symptoms totally say Sibo especially the onion. Try a cake made with manuka honey maybe almond or coconut flour. I can’t have any flour yet. I’m having to stay low histamine low glutamate Whole Foods AIP organic. IVE BEEN KETO, gaps and I’m trying whole food plant based atm for 12 weeks. I miss cakes and cookies but I know they’re bad for me. I’m
i have it right now and it's annoying af! i lost 25 pounds over the past 7 months finally in shape etc etc and i look like i ate ten pizzas after a small meal! the bloating and distended look is so frustrating. thank goodness baggy clothes are super in style i guess 🤷♂️
Thanks, and congrats on being free from the benzo prison! Learning how to regulate my nervous system and heal the vagus nerve is an on-going process for me. I use some vagus exercises and self-therapies that I’d be happy to share. There’s a lady with an excellent RUclips channel that teaches you how to reset the vagus nerve.
I'm still dealing with my benzo belly. I'm stretching my stomach muscles (yoga). Not making much of a big impact. I'm very frustrated that I can't eat what I want to eat. Limited on what im eating. Bloating, gassy, nausea, tightness, random diaphragm spasms, then triggers my anxiety. This forces me to lay down and rest alot (several times) out of my day. An ice cold cloth, rag applied on my stomach is relaxing, soothing & calms me down. Going to work 8 hrs a day is very hard & trying not to show my coworkers what I'm going through, no one knows what I'm going through. Coming home after work is exhausting. I'm just trying to cope with all these symptoms the best I can & waiting for this process to get better.
@@philosophicalfishing yes, if you taper too quickly off benzos, it can cause shock to your nervous system and damage organs, including your vagus nerve.
@@philosophicalfishing Yes, so basically saying if you do have the patience and you do a very gradual taper, you shouldn’t have to worry about dealing with these Physical, discomforting Problems afterward.
Hi Marjorie- I think it can be very beneficial. Ive dabbled innit but don’t have the will or dedication to persevere with one. I think experiment and see what happens and find a diet that works best for you!❤️
Brother can u plz tell me if u had severe back neck and leg pain. If so when did u have this n until when. I doubt if my spinal cord is damaged as my mri shows disc bulges in neck n back.
@@philosophicalfishing I got severe back n neck pain. There r disc bulges and nevers compressiing.. All this was never there there before cold turkey. It's lik a disability
Hai ,i'm from the Netherlands and 62 year . As a child 6 or 8 years young i had belly trouble.When i had it i found out then, that lay in house on the floor on my belly and that was the only thing that relaxed my belly .But when i was 14 i started using Amphetamine , shooting it in my veins. With 17 i was on Methadone, because i was fast already using Heroin.(cocaine end so on) I dont use Heroin for 25 years anymore but i still on the Methadone , and Morphine and Valium (diazepam ). I got al kinds of med's from my home doctor.Nathing worked til i used 1 time a Valium 10mg tablet. THAT WAS A WONDER.I could breathe agin without the feeling they put a belt just under my ribcage . i had when i was younger 7 or more detox cliniks . But what i wanted to say ,I wish you all the best and hope u all will do better as i did. My life is over.No drama , i;m dutch remember ;-) !!!
This sounds so scary. Does anyone get away with these awful symptoms. I'm bipolar and I've been on 2 mg lorazepam for about 13 yrs I've been doing a slow taper I've cut my dose to 1 mg so far. I'm 65 yrs old ,I don't think I could bear what you've been through and still going through.
If you’re doing a slow taper then there’s much less of a chance that you’ll come anywhere near what I went through being taken off in 9 days. Please don’t let my story scare you, it’s on the more extreme side.
So you didn’t switch to valium? How slow have you been tapering? I’ve been on Ativan 2 mg for 10 years. I failed doing Ashton- I wasn’t prescribed enough valium. It’s been a nightmare! So I’m back on ativan 2 mg
@@suesjoy tried to answer but something went haywire.I left a comment on your dogs last car ride very sweet dog. So I hope you get that message. Cos I wrote answer to your question on here but it went to cosmos.❤️
Intermittent fasting with high dose thiamine + cofactors (magnesium & potassium) and flavonoids like olive leaf and luteolin will heal your belly and get that vagus nerve up to par. Think in terms of vascular health.
@@philosophicalfishing - I buy the luteolin complex with rutin. Worth reading up on. It also reduces production of IL-6 which is involved in regulating GABAA receptors.
Would exercise help benzo belly? I have gained weight. I had cted almost a year back. I have been trying to exercise despite all the symptoms but its not working!
The exercise didn’t make it go away because I think it’s more nerve damage than anything else. Some say it’s gut micro biome, and that could be true as well- I’m not 💯 sure. But, it’s not fat accumulation, it’s our gut’s inability to properly digest food and thus gas builds up, digestion slows down, and we feel like crap. However, I will say exercise does help heal the nervous system and body, so indirectly, yes it does help. Just listen to your body and don’t overdo working out like I tend to do!
Thank you for this video. I’m going through a very rough time right now. Deep depression and despair. Waking up with sweats and burning panic. Then awake for the rest of the night. Been awake now for about 5 hours. I’m 70. Was on Klon ( low dose) for over 30 years. Came off nearly 30 months ago ( ct on .25).i never had benzo belly until 5 months off. Now it’s a major symptom. Distended and hard. Moving, shaking, feeling like it’s full of water. There is a constant pushing, swaying sensation that seems to pull my mind/ brain into a confused state. My insides feel very sore and hot. I have to get to the bathroom very quickly when I wake up to empty my bowels Trying to explain this to my family seems ridiculous, indescribable really. I really must address my diet but I feel a sense of overwhelm at the thought of doing that. Also I have no idea what foods or not make it worse. Back in January I was admitted to hospital with double pneumonia. I didn’t think I would survive it. I was on oxygen , steroids and a lot of oral and intravenous antibiotics for over a week. All the meds that would not have helped my recovery. The benzo belly seemed to quieten down at this time but that could have been the drugs. I recovered quite quickly from the infection but have had the worst month or so since then that I’ve ever known. Have watched a few of your videos over the last few days and will continue to do so.
Wow! 30 years of use and what you’ve been through with pneumonia too… your strength is incredible. Congratulations being free of benzos. It’s truly a long journey for most of us and not an easy one by any means. It’s almost impossible to describe to family. They just can’t comprehend it. Luckily, we understand you as only we can understand each other.
Did you try eating less carbs and sugar? I've been tappering down from 3 mlgrms alprozalam for over a decade. I quit drinking in May, 5 months booze free. Been on Keto hardcore and Intermittent fasting 16 hrs a day for same amount of time, like 4 months. I've tappered successfully down to .25 mlgrs if that, per day for almost a month now so took about 2 months to get there from 3 whole pills a day, to just a half. No problems, no withdrawls. Sleep like a baby, waking up refreshed. Am I the only lucky one on Earth who has gotten this far this quickly with no issues? I do meditate about 40 mins a day for almost 10 years so maybe that helps? Not sure but I'm so sorry for what everyone is going through. Makes me wish I had never taken them, but they helped me get off cocaine, and cure my panic attacks, so that's good at least. Still the drug is evil. I've been stockpiling my meds just in case all hell breaks loose. I can't wind up in the pysche ward. Eff that. Any input is welcome. Thank you sir for your courage and the video. I love getting healthy and staying healthy. At my age, 50, I can't play stupid games anymore.
@@philosophicalfishing I'm actually doing a study on keto and intermittent fasting and how sugar and carbs might be a huge part of why coming off benzos is so hard. Wish me luck!
Did the doctor really say you had a 50/50 chance of phycosis forever from coming off benzos? That must of been terrifying, for me it’s been 6 - 7 months since I been off. I think I was in the detox center when you posted your first video. Then three weeks later I searched benzo withdrawal recovery story on RUclips and found your video which is my favorite one. I feel like coming off of benzos after a severe long term addiction causes brain damage similar to a TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. But who knows the long term symptoms are very similar like anger, depression and sometimes even mania. I hope they find a better modern alternative to benzos and find out what benzos do to the brain and how they damage it because they don’t know much now.
Yep, all very true what you said. And yes, the doctors called my wife to tell her I had a 50/50 chance at coming out of the psychosis at the time I was in the hospital.
How are you now? Be careful with laxatives because then you might do damage to your digestive system and never be able to move your bowels without the laxative.
@@amysho2192 I’m on pain medicine and anxiety medicine. 9 years. Suffering in excruciating pain constantly stiffness anxiety panic attacks depression PTSD. I can’t go to the bathroom unless I take laxatives. My life is HORRIBLE. Cant even go anywhere. SUFFERING
I have used them and continue to use them. I think it helps somewhat but definitely hasn’t cured benzo belly because I believe it’s due to nerve damage.
This shows up once in a while in terms of my stomach distending and looking like I’m in full term pregnancy. However, it goes down fast. Doesn’t always happen after I eat…can just blow up spontaneously. What does happen every morning is burping…non-stop burping for a couple hours straight. Now, before this, I very rarely burped. So, this is totally a new experience for me. And, they are huge burps. And, my stomach isn’t even distended when this happens…so where the heck is all the air coming from? I wake up waiting for it to start, and sometimes it will not happen. Most often, it will start up and it literally lasts for a couple of hours straight. Non-stop. Obviously, it’s for the same reason as benzo belly. Just would expect it to happen in conjunction with eating…but, no. It just shows up.
I get the excessive burping as well. One day Jaclyn all these things will be a distant memory. We are going to be so wise and strong after this ordeal. Bobarino
You two sillies, 😆, love you both! Sending you each a big hug and only hopeful wishes for us to rest well tonight. 🤞🏻 Talk more tomorrow, J, so very joyful to reconnect; you never left my mind. I 100% know how hard It is, Sis, one breath, one step. I am Here, J. 💖
Thank you for sharing. Have you tried frequencies like this one from Sapien for your vagus nerve? It has helped me a great deal. ruclips.net/video/TjMBQovULH4/видео.htmlsi=ZYijH_mpSH3viZNz Thank you.
After twenty three years of Clonazepam, I detoxed last February. Eighteen days in the hospital. These last four months at home have been rough. I can finally sleep most of the night. Having some half days when I feel almost normal. The GI tract is still a nightmare at times. But I'm blessed. God brought me through this far, I'm believing he will continue. May he bless all, reading this.
You’re an amazing testimony, Richard! Thanks for sharing this. Although I know you’re not as healed as you’d like to be, and will be, the fact that you’ve made it to see June 2023 after so many years on clonazepam is remarkable in and of itself!
Thank you for the information, encouraging words, and tips. After being prescribed Klonopin for 30 years, I tapered for 14 months and am 30 days off. I too am having to watch what I eat. I’m 62 and am struggling so much.
After 25 years on ssri and Benzodiazepines I stopped cold turkey in 2017 and this December i complete 6 years.. Still some more of BIND and benzo belly to heal..
God bless you Richard your going to be healed and feeling 100% sooner than you think just trust in God and keep doing what you're doing You're an awesome man and I respect you I'm about to begin my journey on tapering off of benzos and I'm not looking forward to it but I know I can do it God bless
I was on Rivitrol for 18 years, my taper took 3 years, and it failed two times, on the third time I stayed off but I ended up in the hospital because I didn't have anxiety I had Doom every single day,
I didn't know how I was going to live through everyday, I was walking for anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day because of my akathisia, I thought there was no way I would be able to live through this.
I tried different supplements, I tried ssris, I tried a little bit of everything just to get me through every single day, after about 3 years almost like someone hit a light switch, it was all gone I got my sanity back and I felt like I could live through every day again feeling normal.
From what you said, you're getting off lucky, but one thing is for sure those three years of absolute hell, not even hell, just knowing that I would have to make it through another day, now that it's all gone, I am thankful every single morning that I wake up, and every day no matter what happens is a good day for me, cuz I'm not stuck in that hell
Thank you so much!!! ..from a woman of 69 been on benzos since 17 and living without benzos for almost 3 years now.
It is so hard but also I feel that I am healing slowly very slowly and that is unbelievable.
Wow! You are an amazing person. I’m sure many people will draw inspiration from you for having been on benzos for so long and then finding a way out of the benzo prison and finding healing. I’m so happy for you! It’s definitely far from easy but very very possible, as you’ve already seen.
What a beautiful story of determination and fortitude. Incredible. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻You are indeed an Inspiration! Welcome here; it’s a peaceful, supportive and kind Space. 💖
You will find that eventually you won’t be thinking about it. You will be doing some ordinary task and realize ‘oh! I feel better!’
@@donna6165hey Donna how r u dear?? 😢
Keep spreading the good word my man. The more people that speak up about this, the more people we can save from ever taking meds like this.
Awesome, I will keep talking about it! 🙏🏻
you have no idea how much you are indeed helping people...thanks !
Thanks for saying so, that’s why I keep doing it.
I’ve heard and read about benzo belly. This is a relief knowing that the actual symptoms I have 4 years out are identical to yours. I am grateful to you for posting this important information!
It’s been my most persistent symptom.
That's insane to have symptoms years later. I feel for y'all
@@davegordon6943 I just have to count my blessings! I think 99% of the world’s population are living lives so much worse than mine! It’s selfish of me to look at it like this but it does help sometimes.
oh yes, I have the benzo belly it's getting better though. I need to start exercising and kick its butt. You are right Dan everything you are saying I can completely understand. I get shortness of breath especially after eating when I bend over to pick something up etc. I really appreciate how in depth you went on the process and how strong we are in order to go thru this. My life is changing for the better every day, ups downs, left right but overall, I am healing. I honestly can't believe how much better I am getting and how much more I have to look forward to. The more I am healing the more I can clearly see for how long I had been damaged. To be honest it is a miracle and if I can accomplish this than anything is possible in time. Thank you Dan!!!
For anyone reading this it is possible to start healing. I am by no mean healed but compared to 8 months ago it is beyond comprehension.
Bob Bobarino
Omg! Yes! The shortness of breath was ridiculous
@@philosophicalfishing It is so crazy how just listening to you explain symptoms etc. and how much I relate.
@@philosophicalfishing THE COMEBACK - Austin Archer (Official Video)
I listen to this song above I find it healing in RUclips.
@@bobbobarino6213 Awesome vid, B, thank you!! 👏🏻👊🏻💪🏻 Love it. 💖
Hello. Thank you for sharing this information🙏🏼 I am experiencing a heap of symptoms after a very rapid taper 3yrs ago, the worst for me being a full body feeling of being constantly stuck in a fright. I would love to know everything that person who told you about the Vagus nerve & Benzos harming it knows. You were very fortunate to have someone tell you this. & it totally makes sense when looking at some of the symptoms. I’m in my late 50s & see 1 lovely Dr once a month who helps as best he can. But no one in my country seems to have knowledge of what taking Benzo & or rapid tapering, what harm is done. It’s hard to repair/heal yourself when you don’t know what exactly needs healing. Your info about the Vegas nerve is a good start, it’s the first time iv heard anyone express knowledge of what is causing some of the symptoms🙏🏼 Thank you & I hope you are continuing to Heal 🙂🙏🏼🇦🇺
Gerry
I’ve watched numerous videos. A retired psychiatrist who’s been on 4 mg Xanax for approximately 25 years. I was going to do the flumazenil detox, but after looking at all the videos about the neurological damage that seems to worsen when you come off these as your body has to now find someway to make gabba. I want to thank you as well as everybody else who’s giving me excellent information. Fortunately, I have a brilliant psychiatrist who’s also a researcher and an addiction psychiatrist. He basically said that the potential disadvantages seem to outweigh the advantages according to current literature. They even tracked in the journal of the American medical Association so it could be put in a month later rather than the nine months later. Essentially the gist of this whole thing was out of 350,000 people there was a higher rate of death from all causes when you attempt to take somebody who has been on for an extended period of time at high doses. we’ve decided just to stay where we are now as I’m also on Lexapro and Prozac for both anxiety and depression, and the last thing I wanna do is make this worse.
L
My benzo belly has just passed finally. I took 10/20mg of Valium for 5 weeks then tapered off over 2 weeks. Then I had 2 weeks of acutes, 3 weeks of benzo belly. But the worst symptom I found was the nausea that came during week 2.
5 weeks is nothing
@@harun1529yeah it's a bit silly as there's folks that have been on benzos for 25 years . Like me .
That's strong man 💪
Accidently found your channel. Only tried benz a couple of times, never felt the vibe. But you seem like a genuine dude and I enjoy listening to you. You should keep up this good work, I think a lot of people will find motivation watching you!
Good luck to you strong brother!
I appreciate you saying that. Thanks for the encouragement!
@@philosophicalfishing Youre welcome dude!
Thanks Dan for addressing the benzo belly symptoms. This too has been one of my most persistent and frequent symptoms over the past 5 1/2 years. It is soooo painful and embarrassing!! Even though I'm 48 years old, and I have an IUD for birth control, I have to take a pregnancy test once a month or so because I don't have a menstrual period. My abdomen gets so distended and hard and have such weird fluttering sensations, spasms, pains that I'm often terrified that I'm pregnant! Terrified because I'm too old, have 3 grown children and too sick to raise a baby. Thankfully it's been negative but very distressing and anxiety inducing!
It’s so crazy what it does to us. I don’t even try to tell people anymore because I feel like they won’t believe me. Unless you’ve experienced it, it doesn’t sound plausible that a pill could do so much damage.
@@philosophicalfishing I don't try to tell people what I'm going through or try to explain symptoms etc anymore either. There are no words to describe it, only those who've gone through it could ever understand and no one believes me anyway. I feel like everyone thinks I'm just a hypochondriac so I hate talking about how bad I feel all the time. That's the worst part of this. Many of us don't get any support, understanding or sympathy from others. I pray that someday we will.
@@TexasTea777 it’s true, there’s almost nothing out there in terms of help, support, understanding, research, or recovery tools. We’re still in the dark ages of benzo harm.
Hi Dan, thanks for another great video! This one really rings home with me. 4 yrs 4 months off and still struggle with this each day as one of my last things to go away. I get a 1 or 2 week relief once in awhile then it comes right back slowly until it is full on again. So weird, no one would believe it... It is allllooottt better than it used to be but still there and have to deal with it daily and think about every meal I have. Mostly slow digestion, heartburn, gas and bloating, I fell my best on an empty stomach then it is time to eat again. Sometimes good all day until evening no pattern, hard to explain. Keep up the great videos we are all in this together!
Yes! I feel my best on an empty stomach too. Consequently, I can go all day without eating and it doesn’t bother me much at all.
Thanks for the kind words. As long as these videos are helping I’ll continue to make them. 🙏🏻
So good to hear. I had no idea what was wrong. Mine started while still on klonopin. I had x-rays, a pet scan, an endoscopy and colonoscopy because of the stomach issue along with severe weight loss. Last ditch effort I checked into rehab and since being off kpin I've gotten better. Been over a year and every wd symptom is gone besides some days I still have gurgling. Same here brother, coffee and tomato sauce were a no no. That's so wild man.
Me too! I’ve had all the tests and they were all negative. All I can say is that it’s nervous system damage.
My benzo belly was one of the first symptoms to go away (4th month off) and I’d lost 71lbs in 90 days at one point. My experience is that Inner akathisia is really the last symptom to go. I still have outer stuff and pace 18-40hrs straight and sleep about 5hrs (at 3 years off). I was bedridden the last 6 months of my taper and a year after my jump in May of 2020. Now I pace until I drop. Hell on earth.
71lbs in 90 days!!😱 What these drugs do is absolutely unreal.
There’s 0 positive stories about benzos. It’s really heartbreaking too because I’ve tried beta blockers tons of antidepressants,of ways of self medicating ,CBT, you name it. Then I try benzos and I felt like I got my life back and then I come to the internet to research benzos randomly and now I’m scared shitless about all these videos. I should of just stayed on opioids. People say opioids only are short periods of withdrawal not YEARS of torture. Sheesh. I’m screwed
I know what you mean, I felt like benzos gave me my life back too when I started them. It’s very deceptive. I don’t think you’re screwed though. There are better ways to manage life without them, and at least you know that staying on them isn’t a good idea. Although, even though I knew that I still took them for well over a decade. That’s the power they had over me.
I’ve been on Klonopin for over 25 years. I have zero issues. .5 twice a day. It seems people have issues when they try to withdrawal. I know I’ll be on these for life.
I wish I knew the issues of these meds pertaining to withdrawal before I took them because I wouldn’t have started them.Just speaking for myself. I live a good life. My question is if you are fine while taking these meds, why would one come off? I hope everyone well. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@Ndfourlife it’s not that I’m doing bad on them. It just seems the opinions of literally everyone on the internet are extremely negative. They basically all say once you build a tolerance you will have major issues coming off of them for years. I’m scared of that happening. If I found at least a few people that say they didn’t have a bad time on them It would help me out a lot but everyone calls it a devils drugs, worst drug you can ever take
@@Ndfourlife I think the reason people that do good on them. I think they think one day the doctor that are prescribing them will one day retire or switch doctors that will not agree with you being on benzos and now you can’t get them anymore. If i knew I can stay on them no matter what doctor I get then I wouldn’t mind staying on them with no worries but, most of all cases that’s not the case
@@fonzarellyplay370 How long have you been on them?
I'm 11 months off klon. and I still have no relief from the horrible gi issues- can't eat more than a few tablespoons of food per day. Wish it would get better soon. Thanks for your info- helps me know that I'm not alone in this.
It’s crazy what these drugs can do to our guts. Congratulations on being free from the benzo prison! You’re not alone by any means.
@@philosophicalfishing Thank you. Worst thing I've ever been through. Good to know that we do recover.
@@lisaboyle8138 yes we do!
Low Dose Naltrexone. Starting dose .5mg work up to 4 mg per night
thank you for sharing your experience! i was describing benzo belly to my son before i new anything about benzo withdrawal symptoms! my tummy still hurts! i force myself to eat cuz 😅m only 110lbs. and i can’t afford to lose weight. i’m proud of you! When we get our bellies back, can i celebrate with you? lol! 🎉😊
Haha yes! We’ll have a screw benzo belly party!!
Wow! I have gastroparesis and autonomic dysfunction.
Thank you for this information.
I am withdrawing now. I am sad for you. May the Lorrd heal you
I am having trouble eating. Food is unappetizing. I actually feeli nauseous. I get full quickly. Trying to eat plenty based, drinking teas and water. Everything about this is very difficult.
Thank you for sharing story. Your words are encouraging.
How are you doing now . I'm going through a taper right now and I'm experiencing all the symptoms u mentioned.
@brimzs I have come a long way from a year ago.
My appetite is better though I don't "love" my food as I once did. I have gotten stronger and am functioning better. I still have vestibular issues (dizziness) from the benzos, neuropathy, vision and concentration issues... I believe the RX have affected me neurologically. My anxiety issues are much, much better than a year ago. However, I when I am physically or emotionally taxed it affects my concentration greatly.
Great video Dan. I also have benzo belly but mine is a little different. I dont get the swelled up stomach. I just have the very slow motility. Some days I dont even eat because I am not hungry. I have watched all of your videos and appreciate everything you do. How long would you say it took before you started feeling normalish again. I am 15 months off and most of the really crazy symptoms have dissappeared but I seem to have plateaued with the insomnia and muscle tremors and benzo belly. The inosmnia and the muscle tremors keep me from being able to lead a life that has any semblance of normalcy.
Thank you for all you do.
I think at around 9 months I turned a big corner. After that symptoms just began to fall away very slowly over time
Try prebiotics and probiotics. I think they helped my indigestion and bloating.
Amen I never knew about this horrible side effect until recently.. what a nightmare it's been, I wish I could go back in time and kick my own butt. But sadly anxiety issues run in my family mix that with PTSD it's very very uncomfortable I'm general but this whole GI tract nightmare and benzoz belly is by far dreadfully terrifying I pray no one has to feel this way
It’s been my most persistent symptom
Thank you so much! I'm a 65 year old male 21 months off clonazepam after 41 years.
Wow, congratulations on being
free from the benzo prison! How are you faring?
@@philosophicalfishing Thank you. At this time it is primarily insomnia and the distended abdomen. Its very uncomfortable. The best decision I ever made was to stop taking them.
Wow. That's a long time. I was on for 35 yrs. and I feel so hopeless and discouraged after 2.4 years. Congratulations.
@Jen-c6u Thank you. It will get better. Congratulations to you!
Thank you, finally found proof
I've finally withdrawn from the benzos I've been taking steadily for 12 years. I am aware that I will probably have rebound symptoms for an indefinite period of time including the issue I had taken the benzos for in the first place. Hadn't heard of the benzo belly though. Just to be safe you should see your doctor to rule other issues out if you haven't already.
Hi, Cher. How are you feeling? Way to go on being Benzo-free. 🌹What an incredible accomplishment. You should be so proud of yourself. 💖
Question: Who told you that you would have Symptoms indefinitely? 🤔
Your a very nice guy, i came off cigarettes 13 years ago, had a terrible hard time for 2 years, im addicted to caffine going to kick it to the kerb as it had robbed me of joy and sleep.
Good luck, you can do it if you want to.
Thank you all for sharing, keep up!
I am off benzos nearly 2 years now. I didnt know about benzo belly untill reaching your video and comments. I am building up ridiculous belly but mostly the internal belly pressure is huge, making discomfort, short breath, chest pain. The doctors and hospital here knows nearly anything about treatment and help in regards benzo withdrawal.. I have developed 2 abdominal hernias and abdominal muscle separation and need to lye down my abdominal on a flat surface to calm down the tension regularly during the day. I am looking to undergo operations for that but worried if that internal tension built up again hernias and abdominal muscles separation. Just trying to lose the extra 10 kgs weight I have and exercise. Keep strong and happy
Welcome to the channel! Congratulations on being free from the benzo prison- even if you still are dealing with the aftermath. I know I am too all these years later. Hope the medical treatment you receive heals you and keeps you in good health my friend. 🙏🏻
Aw my word! Thank you for this. My tummy is swollen and I've been on valium for years 😢
It’s my most persistent symptom.👎🏻😐
5 years later and a stomach resection. The flu can bring this back and many other meds never left since I stopped and had more episodes due to pre gablin. Steroids and few other meds. Hope you recover
@@marcus3060 thank you for your reply! So kind
I don’t understand how the hell doctors prescribe these benzodiazepines month after month to the same person, when someone can become dependent on them within a single month if they take them daily. I’ve heard of people taking benzos for just a month, then taking a YEAR to taper off, then have symptoms for months/years after the taper. All from that initial first month!
You’re absolutely right. I’ve spoken with numerous people that this has happened to. It’s a nightmare!
Hi I just found you your station so glad to hear you positive thoughts. I’ll be watching your videos. I’ll tell you about me later. Keep the videos coming!♥️
Hi Brenda, welcome and I look forward to hearing more about you. ✌🏻
Had severe Benzo belly for nearly 2 years,excruciating pain and swelling, stumbled across a man saying carnivore diet was huge help. Went on the carnivore diet in March 2024 and within a month benzo Belly gone!!!! Still tapering off Clonazepam and have other symptoms but still am on carnivore diet as have had so many health benefits from it and it helps so much with my withdrawal symptoms. Worth a try if nothing else works.
Have you considered keto or carnivore? Fasting? This is likely due to certain bacteria building up/reacting to certain foods that you're sensitive to. It's likely that starving the bacteria with keto or carnivore or fasting would help you. It helped me.
I haven’t tried it but I’m open to anything that helps, so maybe that will be my next endeavor.
Fasting heals a lot of stubborn ailments.
Wow… I have a hard distended belly, 2 years off benzos.. I was cut cold turkey after 8 years of heavy use. I’ve had no idea most of my health problems these last years are a result of my withdrawals. :(
I still had benzo belly bad at 2 years too. Sorry that this has happened to you as well. I was basically c/t as well. Congratulations on being free from benzos though!🙏🏻
Do you remember when yours started? I had some major belly cramps on and off during my taper. Extremely painful and awful. Then it went away and when I was 6.5 months off, I got what I thought must be mild food poisoning or bad IBS. But it comes and goes regardless of what I eat. I'm now 8 months off and I have gurgling and popping gas in my belly every minute of the day. I have a lot of belching and flatulence also. Ridiculous. I stay home most of the time because of it. But luckily mine has been coming in waves, usually lasting 2-10 days with maybe a week or so in between these waves. It's 100% my most bothersome symptom. I have neuropathy that comes and goes in my fingers and toes (not too bad or often) and I have tingling in my face quite often (I don't even care) and I get internal tremors maybe for a few days every couple of months. Oh, and I just had an symptoms of a hypoglycemia episode, shaking and weakness...I used to get that all the time, but thankfully it's SO much better now. But the benzo belly...ugh. I don't know how people live like this! I am always waiting for the "indigestion" to pass, but it just stays constant.
Thankful that my blurry vision went away shortly after tapering. Thankful the trigeminal neuralgia, etc went away. So many symptoms healed...but will I have benzo belly for years? Ugh.
Thank you 🙏🏻
I've never had it, but if I did I would try diatomaceous earth, and or a water fast .
Onions are high in fructans so a sensitive gut will find them difficult to process. Tomatoes also high in fructose so hard on sensitive stomach. I have fructose malabsorption so onion, garlic, tomatoes and loads of fruit and veggies make bloat, pain, diarrhoea worse.
Thanks for this insight- it makes lots of sense.
Have u heard of Low Dose Naltrexone. Start at .5 mgthen build up to 4 mg per night.
First time my gut shut down after my doctor cut me exactly in 50%.!🤬 It felt like somebody tearing my insides out from the inside. Got shot completely down ended up in the ER. Completely impacted no help 🤬
Im sorry this happened to you. Damn these poison ass drugs.
Thank you so much for explaining this. I didn't know what it was but I've heard of it.
I've been off of Klonipin for three and a half years (after taking 1 mg twice daily for thirty years)and have had all these symptoms. Gurgling going on in there like I have never ever in my life(and I'm 61!)My stomach has almost forgotten how to move food along. I am taking magnesium citrate to try to move things along, but can drink a whole bottle over two days and nothing...Can go without having a bowel movement for almost two weeks sometimes without the mag. citrate, but even taking half a bottle daily won't work when I'm backed up. Watching what I'm eating but it doesn't seem to help. Lumps in my right lower abdomnen actually creating big raised moving lumps like when I was pregnant. Scary stuff. Had so much pain on a few occasions I thought I was passing a stone. Was sent for a CT scan and was told I was heavily constipated. I thought it was just normal to not have a BM for a week to ten days. Praying that tomorrow I can get some relief. Have also cut my caffeine intake in half and in half again, but still can;t give it up entirely. Almost no sugar either, almost no red meat, no white flour or enriched flour. Feeling better in one way brings troubles somewhere else. Internal vibrations so bad some days and almost not at all others, tinnitus, vertigo, brain fog, high blood pressure, weird sensations and random pains all over. It's always a new symptom to worry about. Thanks for sharing your experience. From inside my room where I spend most of my life now, I appreciate the online community so much!
Hi Lynda- I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all the sxs you listed. You know it’s weird because I get the lower abdomen pains too but on my left side. It almost feels like a growth of some sort much of the time. It’s very scary but just another strange stupid benzo symptom.
@@philosophicalfishing when the gas is acting up it's like a pin ball game in there that never stops. Hang in there.
@@LyndaLand exactly!
Hi there I'm on a taper off of kpins and am suffering all the symptoms you mentioned. The constipation is a nightmare how are you feeling today?
excellent video again. Thank you
@@robertpearson8269 ✌🏻🙏🏻
I’ve had benzo belly for almost 6 years now. It’s crazy, same exactly how you explain. I actually got stem cell treatment so I’m hoping within next 18 months.
Please feel free to let us know if that works for you. I’ve never spoken to anyone who’s tried that. 🤞🏻I’ve had it for over 7 years now.
@@philosophicalfishing it’s such an uncomfortable symptom especially this far out. Blind faith I guess but have to hope it eases up. I’ll keep everyone posted in the Fb groups about the stem cells as I went 2 months ago. This journey is indescribable, truly insane.
I was told by a doctor in treatment that it would be the last symptom to ever leave me, and so far, he’s right.
Can you explain what stam cell treatment is?
Hugs from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
Try Low Dose Naltrexone. Start at .5 mg go up to 4 mg per night
You,ve literally explained how I feel right now, with my stomach.
Hallo lieber Dan,falls du das hier übersetzen kannst bei youtube wäre ich glücklich.
Weißt du,ob man so einen Bauch auch vom Bedarfeinnahme bekommen kann ?Nehme ca 2-3 Xanax die woche .
🙏🙏🙏🙏😬
Hello! Yes, I was able to translate your comment. There really is no telling if you will get it or not. I think it’s mostly due to vagus nerve damage which benzos can damage when taken long term. Not everyone will get benzo belly though.
@@philosophicalfishing danke für deine schnelle Antwort. Wie bist du damit fertig geworden mit so einem Bauch rumlaufen?. Ich bin ausgebrannt und verzweifelt und kann einfach nicht mehr .Es dreht sich jede freie Minute um diesem Bauch.
Langsam kann ich nicht mehr .
@@mfbtv5078it’s absolutely maddening some days and there’s not much you can do, but I would suggest staying away from sugar, processed foods, eat only meals and avoid snacking, take a walk or just rest when you can to ease the trouble, and find what foods set you off with symptoms. I had to avoid onions, red meat, dairy, sugar, tomatoes, and preservatives.
My left leg and had has nerve damage . Doesn't seem to improve. I ve weakness pain numbness. Iam 2years off now. Is this nerve danage permanent?? Dont even knoe if it heal now. I cant walk nor exercise. Am i disabled. No doctors find anything except nerve damage 😢
I'm going through this and OMG it sucks 😢😢😢😢😢
Thank you!🙏🏻
What about the opposite, diarhea or loose stools
From Norway here. This is TORTURE! Will it go away? I have a long history from Nobligan,Klonopin,Sobril,Kodein!! All prescrited from a medical doctor. Professor, in fact. I am now a wreck! Gained weight from 75 kg to 94(!). Now I am on withdrawel on 10 mg Diazepam og 5 mg Nitrazepam. Will this heal??
Did you feel fatigued and dizzy because of cramping and also did you feel pain just in the intestines and colon or also in the stomach?
Yes, to all the above. 💯
I lost 80 lb because of it. I was never hungry but would get lightheaded from not eating. I pooped about once a week or longer. I forced myself to eat. I could not exercise because I felt so full and out of breath. Slowly it did get better. Two years after at time I almost feel normal and can do light amounts of exercising. B vitamins helped me a lot after about of a month of taking them. (very small amount or I am way too awake)
Happy to hear you’re feeling much better!
I too am in a similar situation. Its 6 years off from alprazolam for me. Any medical or non medical help you got, could you explain please.
i feel dizzy and lightheaded all of the sudden end of the day like im gonna pass out. the only thing thats helped is taking probiotics but i still have to sleep on my left side and sitting up it sucks.
I still drink kefir on the regular and think it helps a lot too.
@@philosophicalfishing i cant have much dairy at all. a small sprinkle of cheese here or there and thats it. I have oatmilk with my one cup of coffee a day.
@@philosophicalfishing i dont have any pain its just like a dizzy feeling only happens around bedtime. many times its very scary though like i need to go to the ER i take a hot shower then try to calm down but the probiotics for the most part now keep it from getting to that degree. if i stop the probiotics for a day or more im hit with very severe dizziness and discomfort when trying to go to sleep no pain though
@@philosophicalfishing i also cannot drink regular water ive been only drinking bottles Essentia water for the past 2 years its crazy . ive tried switching back but each time i have to go back
Can a person get benzo belly 23 months off benzo
thankyou for sharing, I stumbled across your videos today and I am happy I did, please keep up the good work,
I am 14 months benzo free and was wondering if you or anyone else reading suffered with tinnitus. Mine has been constant since the last benzo, will it ever just stop or go away. Anybody reading this please keep up the fight and stay strong.
Hiya, Stan and welcome Here.
Kudos on your 14 months free. That’s incredible work by you! 💪🏻
I was 4 years free in Dec and I def recall having a few issues with tinnitus in early recovery. It was unnerving to say the least, for sure. It wasn’t too very intense or terribly long-lasting; thank goodness I was spared that strange and annoying symptom hanging around to torment me for too long.
I wish you continued strength and patience on your healing Journey. 💖
Hi Stan, welcome. Glad you’ve found us. You’ll find a lot of genuine support here.
Now I have body jerks as well,2 yeartaper Clonazepam.
Did you also got pain in your neck and upper back and get so stiff and painful?
A sort of walking pain?
Hugs from The Netherlands
Yes, I definitely had back and neck pain. It felt like my muscles would tense up and I just wanted to lay down.
@@philosophicalfishing thankx for your answer, I keep hope alive💋
Onions? Interesting. My nutritionist recommended Onions and garlic as they are pre-biotic and not usually in my diet.
Hi Dan. Great video as always, I'm sure most if not all of the benzo community think your a hero for informing and trying to help people. Most people are/was lost at the start of this journey (including myself). I'm sorry to hear you are this far out and you have that symptom still. I can relate because i also am a man, and i can understand especially the visual difference it will cause us to feel. I think mine is nearly gone (29 months). I also found out that last week i am probably lactose intolerant. That certainly wasn't helping things as i was eating chocolate and milk most nights. Unfortunately the symptoms i do have left are disabling and I'm very much housebound. You say you are 7.5 years out and all symptoms apart from 1, did fade, can i ask at what time frame did they fade?
do you know if its a garuntee youll experience benzo belly when coming off benzos, i only used for like 2/3 months and never more then 4 mg a day, not even every day though, i kind of worried about stopping because i already have stomach issues and dont want to make them worse but i also dont want to make xanax and benzos a habit, any advice or knowledge very appreciated 🙌
Definitely not a guarantee that you’ll have it. Many people don’t have benzo belly or if they do, it’s very temporary. Most people Ive spoken with who’ve had it tell me that it went away after some months, but I’m one whose had it bad for many years. It just varies so much across the board.
@@philosophicalfishing ok cool thank you
Do you have any tips on what to eat? Right now I’ve cut out all fiber and am eating low fat which helps but the foods are just not healthy. When I do eat healthier, my symptoms are much worse and I start losing weight again. I don’t know what to do. Any kind of meat makes it worse as well.
Low sugar, low dairy to begin with. I couldn’t tolerate red meat, onions, tomatoes, processed foods, or caffeine.
I could tolerate sweet potatoes, oatmeal, bananas, apples, white meat, and green veggies pretty well. Nothing made me feel all better or anywhere close to perfect, it’s just that some things made it much much worse.
Thank you!
@@vwalker1040 As I said to Julie, I would try what they used to feed babies before commercial baby food (which is contaminated these days). That would include grits and oatmeal. Try eggs and butter in the grits, and maybe fresh blueberries in the oatmeal.
Does the vagus nerve Itself ever heal
I believe it does, but it can take a long time.
Interesting. Glad I don’t have to deal with that!
Thank you brother. I was only taking xanax for a couple months and I went from 2 mgs down to 0.5 in an aggressive taper, and had gone through opiate withdrawal many times in my life I could take pain. I definitely had interdose symptoms but eventuality 0.25 knocked me out cold so my tolerance dropped. I switched to klonopin for a week at a low dose and now idk what I have. My stomach had been cramping due to stress and constipation but the days I cramped I was taking laxatives. Today i went no problem with no laxative, and I can eat with no issues like pain or anything. Idk if I'm going through withdrawal symptoms or if it's in my head because when I was taking xanax it was only at night once for sleep and not every single night there were times I'd go 3 or 4 days without issues. I also can sleep without taking them. I wake up a few times but I can fall asleep no issue. I just overthink and get Nervous a lot :((
I can identify with overthinking and nervousness. You and I are much alike in that regard. Probably why we started benzos in the first place(I know that to be the case for me)
@Philosophical Fishing I actually was never on them long term. Only take them here and then but those 2 months was the most I've taken for the longest. So I'm not a long term user, but I guess I'm sensitive to it but I don't know I feel like the worst of the symptoms are gone. I take a beta blocker to slow my heart rate and it actually really helps. I also do thai boxing running helps a lot too
@@philosophicalfishing you definitely sound like someone I could be friends with lmao
I used to take beta blockers too. Glad to hear that you’re doing some positive things for your health!
@Philosophical Fishing another good taper method I realized was when you go days and days and days without the benzo, when you're having those lost acute issues, you take like the tiniest amount like a 0.25 or less, it'll help the symptoms and it'll stop post acute. My buddy did that too. He was like these post acute are killing me. He ended up taking a 0.25 here and then like days in between, sometimes a week, and then eventually post acute went away and never came back. Because it was a taper method. I've done it once too in the past when I had brutal xanax withdrawal, I took a 0.25 like a month later, one time, and the post acute went away and never came back. Now all I deal with is rapid heart beat but not anxiety, and some stomach pain but not that bad. I've changed my diet and drink a ton of water and it helps a load.
Any thoughts on antibiotics?
Can eating eggs exaggerate withdrawal symptoms? , as my b12 levels are a bit low, and I am prescribed B12 supplements, but I know that it can increase the symptoms.
What else we can take ? I am vegetarian.
Would you consider the mental part of withdrawal to be more difficult to manage than the physical GI symptoms?
At first, in acute withdrawal the physical brain and body damage were the worst. I’ve noticed that, as time goes on, the mental symptoms linger much longer.
Did you get treated for sibo sifo candida and parasites? Also do a Heavy Metal detox?
I did get tested and it was negative. What is a heavy metal detox and how do I do that?
Your test could be incorrect. Glucose test can miss it and very well known for ppl to get false negatives. To detox heavy metals you have to chelate and use binders to pull the metals out there’s several videos on it. Sifo and sibo are common together same bloating symptoms too with both. Sifo is fungus overgrowth. You have to use antifungals and binders to pull it out. Have you had your genes tested? You may want to try methylated vitamin complex and nac. Nac is a biofilm disrupting agent and helps to detox increase glutathione. So much to the machine to get it running. And your symptoms totally say Sibo especially the onion. Try a cake made with manuka honey maybe almond or coconut flour. I can’t have any flour yet. I’m having to stay low histamine low glutamate Whole Foods AIP organic. IVE BEEN KETO, gaps and I’m trying whole food plant based atm for 12 weeks. I miss cakes and cookies but I know they’re bad for me. I’m
i have it right now and it's annoying af! i lost 25 pounds over the past 7 months finally in shape etc etc and i look like i ate ten pizzas after a small meal! the bloating and distended look is so frustrating. thank goodness baggy clothes are super in style i guess 🤷♂️
It IS incredibly frustrating and seemingly the only that really helps to heal is time. Abstaining from things that make it worse helps too.
Great video. Im 38 months xanax free. My gut issues comes and goes & back. I understand your issues. How do you heal your vagus nerves naturally?
Thanks, and congrats on being free from the benzo prison! Learning how to regulate my nervous system and heal the vagus nerve is an on-going process for me. I use some vagus exercises and self-therapies that I’d be happy to share. There’s a lady with an excellent RUclips channel that teaches you how to reset the vagus nerve.
@philosophicalfishing What's her youtube video title???
@@Marcus-1211 Sukie Baxter
I'm still dealing with my benzo belly. I'm stretching my stomach muscles (yoga). Not making much of a big impact. I'm very frustrated that I can't eat what I want to eat. Limited on what im eating. Bloating, gassy, nausea, tightness, random diaphragm spasms, then triggers my anxiety. This forces me to lay down and rest alot (several times) out of my day. An ice cold cloth, rag applied on my stomach is relaxing, soothing & calms me down. Going to work 8 hrs a day is very hard & trying not to show my coworkers what I'm going through, no one knows what I'm going through. Coming home after work is exhausting. I'm just trying to cope with all these symptoms the best I can & waiting for this process to get better.
I hear you, those same symptoms are still with me, just much much less exaggerated than they used to be
So was your vagus nerve damaged cause of the benzodiazepines or from withdrawing too fast?
From going too fast
@@philosophicalfishing yes, if you taper too quickly off benzos, it can cause shock to your nervous system and damage organs, including your vagus nerve.
Yes, you’re right. I think it all comes back to nervous system damage
@@philosophicalfishing Yes, so basically saying if you do have the patience and you do a very gradual taper, you shouldn’t have to worry about dealing with these Physical, discomforting Problems afterward.
@@philosophicalfishing Oh, this question may be a bit personal, but why did you go off so fast? Why didn’t you just taper slowly?
Hi Dan, what do you think of a can anti histamine diet?
Hugs from The Netherlands
Hi Marjorie- I think it can be very beneficial. Ive dabbled innit but don’t have the will or dedication to persevere with one. I think experiment and see what happens and find a diet that works best for you!❤️
@@philosophicalfishing thanks I find it difficult too , to hold on on a diet. Yea hope I heal without following a diet
💋
Manuka honey has helped me with benzo belly
Really? Thanks for sharing that. How do you take it?
@@philosophicalfishing 1 small spoon of it in the morning alone with nothing else. A good prebiotic, rebuild the gut
look into Gaps and natasha campbell mcbride
I have just finished my taper and am having serious benzo belly. I am experiencing serious acid reflux with it. Do you have acid reflux also?
Congratulations on finishing your taper! I did have some acid reflux. My digestion was all jacked up.
@vwalker has your acid reflux resolved or gotten better??
Brother can u plz tell me if u had severe back neck and leg pain. If so when did u have this n until when. I doubt if my spinal cord is damaged as my mri shows disc bulges in neck n back.
I had bad pain in my back and joints but I wouldn’t call it severe.
@@philosophicalfishing I got severe back n neck pain. There r disc bulges and nevers compressiing.. All this was never there there before cold turkey. It's lik a disability
...try to watch
Peggy Shirmer-gut feelings
and
Barbara O'neill
These wise women will help you to understand everything about food and healing😊
Hai ,i'm from the Netherlands and 62 year . As a child 6 or 8 years young i had belly trouble.When i had it i found out then, that lay in house on the floor on my belly and that was the only thing that relaxed my belly .But when i was 14 i started using Amphetamine , shooting it in my veins. With 17 i was on Methadone, because i was fast already using Heroin.(cocaine end so on) I dont use Heroin for 25 years anymore but i still on the Methadone , and Morphine and Valium (diazepam ). I got al kinds of med's from my home doctor.Nathing worked til i used 1 time a Valium 10mg tablet. THAT WAS A WONDER.I could breathe agin without the feeling they put a belt just under my ribcage . i had when i was younger 7 or more detox cliniks . But what i wanted to say ,I wish you all the best and hope u all will do better as i did. My life is over.No drama , i;m dutch remember ;-) !!!
That’s quite a story, thank you for sharing it. Wish you all the best.🙏🏻❤️
@@philosophicalfishing Thank you from the heart❤
The alcohol alone is bad enough on the gutt I dont even know how gruesome big doses of benzos on top of that would be
This sounds so scary. Does anyone get away with these awful symptoms. I'm bipolar and I've been on 2 mg lorazepam for about 13 yrs I've been doing a slow taper I've cut my dose to 1 mg so far. I'm 65 yrs old ,I don't think I could bear what you've been through and still going through.
If you’re doing a slow taper then there’s much less of a chance that you’ll come anywhere near what I went through being taken off in 9 days. Please don’t let my story scare you, it’s on the more extreme side.
So you didn’t switch to valium? How slow have you been tapering? I’ve been on Ativan 2 mg for 10 years. I failed doing Ashton- I wasn’t prescribed enough valium. It’s been a nightmare! So I’m back on ativan 2 mg
@@suesjoy tried to answer but something went haywire.I left a comment on your dogs last car ride very sweet dog. So I hope you get that message. Cos I wrote answer to your question on here but it went to cosmos.❤️
Ask your doctor about low dose naltrexone, google itihavefixed a huge 10 year issue. .5 mg per night build up to 4 mgper night
@suesjoy I'm doing the ashton type valium thing. Why did ya "fail"
Intermittent fasting with high dose thiamine + cofactors (magnesium & potassium) and flavonoids like olive leaf and luteolin will heal your belly and get that vagus nerve up to par. Think in terms of vascular health.
I’ve never heard of luteolin. Thanks for sharing!
@@philosophicalfishing - I buy the luteolin complex with rutin. Worth reading up on. It also reduces production of IL-6 which is involved in regulating GABAA receptors.
Regular tea has more caffeine than coffee. How strange that it didn’t bother you.
Would exercise help benzo belly? I have gained weight. I had cted almost a year back. I have been trying to exercise despite all the symptoms but its not working!
The exercise didn’t make it go away because I think it’s more nerve damage than anything else. Some say it’s gut micro biome, and that could be true as well- I’m not 💯 sure. But, it’s not fat accumulation, it’s our gut’s inability to properly digest food and thus gas builds up, digestion slows down, and we feel like crap. However, I will say exercise does help heal the nervous system and body, so indirectly, yes it does help. Just listen to your body and don’t overdo working out like I tend to do!
@@philosophicalfishing thank you. I will try not to over exercise.
Well done Sir l am going through this benzo belly torture 9 months in
You’re in good company then, because I’ve had it in spades! I still hold out hope of it healing though.
Symptoms also comes from Alcohol not only benzodiazepines !
Thank you for this video. I’m going through a very rough time right now. Deep depression and despair. Waking up with sweats and burning panic. Then awake for the rest of the night. Been awake now for about 5 hours. I’m 70. Was on Klon ( low dose) for over 30 years. Came off nearly 30 months ago ( ct on .25).i never had benzo belly until 5 months off. Now it’s a major symptom. Distended and hard. Moving, shaking, feeling like it’s full of water. There is a constant pushing, swaying sensation that seems to pull my mind/ brain into a confused state. My insides feel very sore and hot. I have to get to the bathroom very quickly when I wake up to empty my bowels Trying to explain this to my family seems ridiculous, indescribable really. I really must address my diet but I feel a sense of overwhelm at the thought of doing that. Also I have no idea what foods or not make it worse. Back in January I was admitted to hospital with double pneumonia. I didn’t think I would survive it. I was on oxygen , steroids and a lot of oral and intravenous antibiotics for over a week. All the meds that would not have helped my recovery. The benzo belly seemed to quieten down at this time but that could have been the drugs. I recovered quite quickly from the infection but have had the worst month or so since then that I’ve ever known. Have watched a few of your videos over the last few days and will continue to do so.
Wow! 30 years of use and what you’ve been through with pneumonia too… your strength is incredible. Congratulations being free of benzos. It’s truly a long journey for most of us and not an easy one by any means.
It’s almost impossible to describe to family. They just can’t comprehend it. Luckily, we understand you as only we can understand each other.
Did you try eating less carbs and sugar? I've been tappering down from 3 mlgrms alprozalam for over a decade. I quit drinking in May, 5 months booze free. Been on Keto hardcore and Intermittent fasting 16 hrs a day for same amount of time, like 4 months. I've tappered successfully down to .25 mlgrs if that, per day for almost a month now so took about 2 months to get there from 3 whole pills a day, to just a half. No problems, no withdrawls. Sleep like a baby, waking up refreshed. Am I the only lucky one on Earth who has gotten this far this quickly with no issues? I do meditate about 40 mins a day for almost 10 years so maybe that helps? Not sure but I'm so sorry for what everyone is going through. Makes me wish I had never taken them, but they helped me get off cocaine, and cure my panic attacks, so that's good at least. Still the drug is evil. I've been stockpiling my meds just in case all hell breaks loose. I can't wind up in the pysche ward. Eff that. Any input is welcome. Thank you sir for your courage and the video. I love getting healthy and staying healthy. At my age, 50, I can't play stupid games anymore.
Just saw you cut out sugar. Finishing the video now. lol😂
@@MattyLiam333 yeah, sugar seemed to be the worst trigger for benzo belly.
@@philosophicalfishing I'm actually doing a study on keto and intermittent fasting and how sugar and carbs might be a huge part of why coming off benzos is so hard. Wish me luck!
@@MattyLiam333 break a leg!
What really helped me was to get off wheat and gluten... problem solved
Awesome! That’s great to hear.
Did the doctor really say you had a 50/50 chance of phycosis forever from coming off benzos? That must of been terrifying, for me it’s been 6 - 7 months since I been off. I think I was in the detox center when you posted your first video. Then three weeks later I searched benzo withdrawal recovery story on RUclips and found your video which is my favorite one. I feel like coming off of benzos after a severe long term addiction causes brain damage similar to a TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. But who knows the long term symptoms are very similar like anger, depression and sometimes even mania. I hope they find a better modern alternative to benzos and find out what benzos do to the brain and how they damage it because they don’t know much now.
Yep, all very true what you said. And yes, the doctors called my wife to tell her I had a 50/50 chance at coming out of the psychosis at the time I was in the hospital.
Hey Marc do have neck pain and back pain and spasms?? Numbness tingling etc??
@@aashish551 yes
@@nbamarc2525 how r u now???? What r ur symptoms
Sounds like they don't want to know.
I got that allso. I got everything BAD. My stomach feels like that. I stay constpated. I have to take laxative. NIGHTMARE
I know- been there. It’s maddening.
How are you now? Be careful with laxatives because then you might do damage to your digestive system and never be able to move your bowels without the laxative.
@@amysho2192 I’m on pain medicine and anxiety medicine. 9 years. Suffering in excruciating pain constantly stiffness anxiety panic attacks depression PTSD. I can’t go to the bathroom unless I take laxatives. My life is HORRIBLE. Cant even go anywhere. SUFFERING
Did you use probiotics?
Hugs from The Netherlands
I have used them and continue to use them. I think it helps somewhat but definitely hasn’t cured benzo belly because I believe it’s due to nerve damage.
@@philosophicalfishing yes ui understand , , I think you are right . I have took them but the benzobelly does not go away
Thx for your answer
Omg, I have this!
It all just sucks.
Ir's a HORROR SHOW. TRULY NOT TO BE BELIEVED. BEYOND HORRIBLE. APPALLING. SUE THEM ALL.
This shows up once in a while in terms of my stomach distending and looking like I’m in full term pregnancy. However, it goes down fast. Doesn’t always happen after I eat…can just blow up spontaneously.
What does happen every morning is burping…non-stop burping for a couple hours straight. Now, before this, I very rarely burped. So, this is totally a new experience for me. And, they are huge burps. And, my stomach isn’t even distended when this happens…so where the heck is all the air coming from? I wake up waiting for it to start, and sometimes it will not happen. Most often, it will start up and it literally lasts for a couple of hours straight. Non-stop. Obviously, it’s for the same reason as benzo belly. Just would expect it to happen in conjunction with eating…but, no. It just shows up.
I get the excessive burping as well. One day Jaclyn all these things will be a distant memory. We are going to be so wise and strong after this ordeal.
Bobarino
@@bobbobarino6213We can be the Awesome Burping Buddies, Bob!
@@jaclynpeters3892 Well played!!! You still have your sense of humor. Have a great night Burping Buddy!!!
Bob
@@bobbobarino6213 I’ve been gifted a low symptom day, so I have a chunk of my brain back. 👍
Have a good night, Bob. (ABB)
You two sillies, 😆, love you both! Sending you each a big hug and only hopeful wishes for us to rest well tonight. 🤞🏻
Talk more tomorrow, J, so very joyful to reconnect; you never left my mind.
I 100% know how hard It is, Sis, one breath, one step.
I am Here, J. 💖
Thank you for sharing. Have you tried frequencies like this one from Sapien for your vagus nerve? It has helped me a great deal. ruclips.net/video/TjMBQovULH4/видео.htmlsi=ZYijH_mpSH3viZNz
Thank you.
Mine is different i feel my belly is empty and i lose weight🥲 a bit nauseous and dizzy i force myself to eat
Can a person get benzo belly 23 months off benzo
@@MatthewYarrell I haven’t heard of someone getting it that far out. Mine did come on later after going c/t but it was weeks later, not months.
Can a person get benzo belly 23 months off benzo