Nicole is stating the most thorough best advice. With one addition: Re-instating can cause kindling. So go slow and avoid having to. Trust her advice, it’s spot-on truthful and absolutely sincere.
I am tapering off Benzo's now - just about half way through - 2 1/2 years in, with stops along the way. I actually feel like the taper is sending me frikken insane. More insane than I ever was b4 I went on them. I dread having to start cutting into another full tablet, as it has just been hellish,. You cannot describe what it is like to anyone who has not had to do it and felt the physical , mental and emotional kick back wdl gives you. It is like having bad flu 10 months out of every year. I went on it for CFS and Fibro symptoms and the wdl side effects are just like having a CFS 'crash' . I hardly leave the house. Thank G*d for people who are spreading awareness and being a sane voice
This was me in 2014. Your talk is really spot on. My issue was a paxil wean and start of menopause. I had to take a medical Leave Leave for 7 months. I was also taking a small amount of ativan and ambien every night. The Lord is good . This was so scary. Really resonate with hiw you need to have coping skills. God Blessed me with an amazing psychiatrist and husband. No one human around you can understand the fears you're dealing with . ❤ It took a year of a pediatric liquid paxil wean. My psychiatrist saved my life.
What a fantastic guest thank you for having her on, I’m very sorry for her injury but I’m glad she is using her voice to help so many sufferers. One suggestion I have is to advocate on expanding the SoL for cases related to mental health mistreatment because 2 years is not enough time to decide if you are going to drop a suit on your shrink if you’re in severe withdrawal as your SoL goes away. I was well aware of the Statute of Limitations (SoL) in my state for a lawsuit and even consulted an excellent attorney but he warned me how difficult a legal case would be emotionally and I was already is a bad place from withdrawal so I was out of luck even though I had a good case. I did file a complaint with the medical board and they investigated him based on it, but they didn’t do a formal discipline, only a slap on the wrist.
This was a great Zoom meeting! I could really relate with a very similar story. I also advocate! Went through the polypharmacy for over three decades. Tapering X now. Thank you.♡
Best podcast on tapering I have seen. I get sporadic paradoxical xanax doses (it comes in waves), and was sent info that if that is your expereince, it will only get worse, it will eventually be permanent, and you have to CT. I have been near suicide over this. Your input on adverse doses literally is what I have been looking for:hope. You must know you literally saved me from what could of ended up being a drastic action, and a very damaging one. Thank you. Love all the content. Loves to you Nicole, and the coalition. Your saving people from severe actions, and even saving lives.
@@jonathankenningsworth9923 Her comment during the presentation to not Ct, and the fact that it was brought up at all. Knowing I am not the only one experiencing this gave me some reassurance. I have continued to research, and their is no answer, nor does anyone know how best to deal with it. Good luck to us all. Be well.
I’ve seen the same problem with everyone thinking they are worse than anyone else, but most of the people I deal with are living with akathisia. I try to tell people that, as long as they are still on the drug, there is still tapering hope. I’m usually concerned more about their first 4-12 month period off the benzo and the potential for tardive symptoms. If you see those, you know you might be in for a long recovery, but until then, don’t start worrying. Most of my worst symptoms (Akathisia, tardive dystonia) didn’t happen until 4-9 months off. I didn’t even pace until nearly 14-16mths off. I definitely wouldn’t make any changes, or taper a 2nd medication, for at least 2 years after stopping the previous one after what I’ve seen. Making changes in that destabilized period cost me dearly. I tapered a pain medication (Methadone) and then 9 months later discontinued the benzo (Klonopin). I’d not even get anesthesia in those first 2 years. I didn’t even pace like his until after I tore my knee nearly 2 years off and woke up from anesthesia. I also had dental work 60 days off and took antibiotics, something I’d take back if I could. I’d definitely tell people to plan for the worst and think about disability applications before you even start the taper. You can get too bad to do any of it and, by that time, your family and friends will be acting dangerously ignorant, and you’ll put yourself in harms way trying to get any help. Definitely get used to being frustrated that you will have to do everything yourself no matter how sick. You’ll wast sooo much energy trying to get understanding and like I said, you’ll find the risk of talking to family isn’t worth it.
Really? 😳🤔 I am at the end of 6-7months benzo/Clonazepam tapper, and just wandered how long should I wait to begin Prozac taper. I thought people do it right away, cs some are doing multitaper, withdrawal from 2,3even more meds at the same time. Do you have any info of the pause /time break between tapers? Thank you.
@@naomimara3340 if I could have done it over, I’d of waited 2 years before tapering my second med (Klonopin). I was opiate (Methadone & Oxycodone) + benzo (Klonopin) the last two times. Each time I tapered them together, leading with the benzo cut, waiting two weeks, then cutting the opiate. I used the opiate to break the benzo fall. I believe I was covering up the injuries from the benzo cuts with the opiate. While it allowed me to push harder, it likely cost me in the end. (I also introduced PRN Adderall to push through my taper). Even with tapering both, I still stopped the opiate 9 months before the benzo this final time. I regret not waiting longer because I believe tardive stuff was still erupting from the opiate cessation 9 months out. I had no idea tardive injuries even happen. It took 18 months after my benzo stoppage, and 27 months after my opiate stoppage, to pace. I “only” had terrible inner Akathisia at the beginning. I was nearly bedridden the last 6 months of my taper and the first year after my jump. Now, I pace for 24-40hrs straight and haven’t been able to sit or lay down for 20 months and counting. Alto Strata from Surviving Antidepressants says to taper the stimulating drugs first. My feeling is, despite opiates being a stimulating drug, I’d keep opiates around and taper the benzo first if you have pain. If you have significant Akathisia, I’d do the stimulating drugs first. I’d definitely wait 2 years in between drugs. Doing both at the same time “worked” if you call getting off my last times, but there was definitely a protracted and/or tardive period after each of them. The one in 2011 pushed me back to paincare by 2013 and eventually back to a benzo in 2016. Sadly, I can’t do that again. Besides, this final injury made me intolerant to nearly all pharmaceuticals. Things I used before to (unknowingly) survive several decades with chronic akathisia no longer worked or felt the same. Even THC doesn’t feel like it used to. I tried one of everything “feel good” 4 months off to try and stop this neurological madness. One of every kind of benzo, one of every kind of opiate, stimulants, even LSD. It was when I tried THC, and it felt foreign, that I knew I’d broken something. Opiates were deceiving because they still kind of worked and then would quickly stop and more wouldn’t help or work. It looked like quick tolerance building but it’s not. It’s like they quickly mine all your remaining dopamine and then there is nothing left for it to work against. Most of those things will work better after to sleep and will work less and less toward nighttime. If you are treating pain, definitely watch. Use short acting meds PRN and get in and get out. My belief is raising and holding dopamine elevated via serotonin or endorphin receptors, etc is what causes a lot of this neurological mayhem. There’s plenty of other ways to bottom out dopamine and simulate a dopamine blockade besides antipsychotics.
I didn't even taper. I went to rehab, and they ripped me off in 23 days after 14 years heavy Ativan and Xanax dependance. I'm 21 months clean now! I have akathisia like you said, and I'm still on Gabapentin since rehab. I don't want to be on the gabapentin, but it's actually the only drug I'm on and it allows me to sleep and work. I went back to work in just one week after rehab. Sounds impossible right? I did it and it was rough. But I did it. Just taking it day by day
Thank you from Montreal Quebec, checking in hospital detox next Monday for klonipin (clonazepam) and helping me ask the right questions as I am very sceptical about the protocol they will follow
Excellent information I am tapering right now of clonazepam 4 mg I am on 3 mg for 6 months plus lamictal and Seroquel. I like how you explained everything. I don’t want to suffered anymore I don’t know if I am going in the right direction.
after 15 years on temazepam, the doctor says she cannot prescribe it along with pain meds. so cold turkey off Tezmapam . she said there will be no withdrawal? anybody else go cold turkey off Tesmapam?
@baby.lemonade5864,I too was on Temazepam for going on 32 yrs, my Gp has now transfered me over onto Diazepam 15mgs(equal to 30mgs Temazepam) the first time I tried withdrawal from this drug a few years ago ,I did it within 3 months period ,(may have well of being cold turkey really) but because symptoms were so bad I begged my GP to reinstate Temaz,which he did.I have had withdrawals for years even on this drug,this has taken me years to realise,I asked to see so many consultants about different symtoms over these years until I am now educating myself on what symptoms these drugs cause.I watch Mark Horowitz,Nichol Lamberson,Mad in America,Medicating Normal,and many other programmes found on Ytube, the best book I have found to read is by Robert Whitaker.Mark Horowitz explains all symtoms by being on Benzo's and SSRi and how to slowly taper from these drugs. All symptoms Mark explains ,I had nearly every one of them. I wish you all best wishes that you may get the help you need.
@@jcoop49 Thank you. What were your withdrawal symptoms from temazepam? I have searched for a video for temazepam withdrawal symptoms, but cannot find any info. it's actually a family member going through this, he has major pain from arachnoiditis and neuropathy, so needs to stay on pain medication but I noticed since he was cut off the temazepam his legs are jerking more, I am afraid he will have a permanent injury from this heartless cut-off . Afraid his doc will cut off his pain medication if there is any complaint or she will think he is just drug seeking but he is definitely in worse shape since being cut off temazepam.
@@baby.lemonade5864 Thank you for reply , the 1st symptom I began with after about 3 days of being on Temazepam was ,when I was falling asleep I would suddenly get a feeling as though my skull was about to crack open( all symptoms I have had to look back in hindsight now after 32 yrs ),something that also happened within days of being on this drug was I was totally disinterested in having sex( unable to have an orgasm) then I started having back ache,then at the age of then about 43yrs,I began an early menopause,then all my top teeth became loose and gums painful(so had to have all top teeth removed)then noticed I was tripping up ,as though I was losing the ability to lift my feet up properly,then noticed my muscle mass in my legs were affected,and would get crawling feelings in my legs,I couldn't stand anyone touching my skin(especially my arms) noticed I couldnt stand loud noises or bright lights.Then I began having breathing problems and really daily bad headaches, rhinitis,and allergies which I'd never had before.I too had and still have stated by you ,I'd suddenly have my legs would jerk,and arms would do the same,snoring,or my body would suddenly jerk up in the air when falling asleep.Then started having terrible pains in my legs,especially in my left foot( this is 24hrs a day 7 days per week I can,t stand to wear shoes,even bed sheets hurt on my feet) told by neurologist that I was suffering with irritable leg and feet syndrome and put on Ropinerol, now I know this is a symptom of benzo's side effects(Neuropathy),Ropinerol is an antiparkinson drug,he told me to take 2mg at night(but I've stuck to 1mg,which I take 1/2 at around 6pm then the other 1/2 just before I get into bed,this has side effects ,thus why I've stuck to just the 1mg) a few years ago started grinding my teeth and my tongue rolls around in my mouth all day(quite distressing) I have seen that many specialists over the years and not one of them said anything about could have been because of being on Temazepam,this I have had to find out myself.I've being diagnosed with COPD,Fibromyalgia,Osteoarthritis,Osteoporosis(fracture in lower spine)Discoid Lupus,( as Nichole has said ,I was getting these rashes all over body)Heart attack,breast cancer (now in remission)All my symptoms were coming while on Temazepam,Drs have insisted I now I taper off ,as I said in my 1 st post to you how I am slowly tapering.Find the talk on you tube of Benzo Warrior from 3 months ago from Mark Horowitz MBBS,PHD,he explains what the side effects are and how to taper,(really good talk) Maybe you could tell your family member to either inform his Dr of Mark Horowitz,or even find another Dr who is maybe more sympathetic to his plight.We who have or still on Benzo's are not drug addicts,we have only taken the prescribed amount by our own GPs,I never went looking for any drug addicts to buy this drug from.We who have been on this drug our minds and bodies have become dependant on this drug,I also refuse to take any antidepressant drugs,which my Dr has tried time and again for me to take in the past,as I was put on Paroxitine years ago and it took me 8 months to taper off.I refuse to take any drug now other than this Ropinerol, but as soon as I have got off benzo,I will taper this drug too I seem to be very sensitive to drugs of any sort,even alchohol does funny things to me and really shouldnt be drank when on benzo's anyway.The other person your family member may take to his Dr is the Professor Heather Ashton Manual, you can download this on you tube. All my best wishes.
Hi there my brother stopped cold turkey and went catatonic, he has since recovered however he has sever bouts of paranoia, does anyone know if this will be permanent it has been about 3 weeks since he stopped, he was 'normal' before, any help would be great thanks
The pathophysiology of benzo harm is all about oxidative stress injuries. And that means that anti-oxidant therapy ought to be regarded as an essential component of the recovery process. Because the resulting harm gives rise to states of chronic anxiety and likely insomnia as well, both of which work to compound the oxidative stress injuries caused by the drugs themselves. Although the common approach in this regard would likely lead one toward vitamin C, the issue here pertains to damage to cellular membranes associated with the dendrites--nerve fibers--so it's important to be thinking in terms of lipiphilic anti-oxidants, hence ascorbyl palmitate as apposed to standard vitamin C, or a diverse spectrum of Vitamin E types that likewise solubize into the lipid fraction of the cells. Also of value is the use of procaine-novacaine taken orally and NOT swallowed, but dissolved into the tissues of the mouth so as to directly end up suffused into the brain itself. Easiest of all, and as demonstrated by professor Robert Sapolsky in a lecture long since removed from the web, alcohol sugars such as xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol used as sweeteners or likewise dissolved in the mouth can also work so as to block the oxidtative stress injuries that result from stress---cortisol overload that in turn triggers excess glutamate and pathological "calcium influx" within the cells. Nobody is thinking in terms of these ideas and this is because nobody is demanding to know the pathophysiology, that is to say the path of disease causation associated with benzo use. It's simple science that you all choose to ignore, and yet it's this simple science that the Nazi quacks of the post WWII period of Operation Paperclip no doubt relied upon as the basis of weaponizing psychiatry so as to deliberately slaughter the patient population seeking treatment. These doctors are not treating the patient, they are treating themselves, to such things as expensive European vacations thanks to the ample kick back schemes provided by pharmacuetical sales representatives. It's just that bad. This is death-camp era medicine, and we are the losers who fell for the ruse. The least we can do is to think in terms of the very same scientific template used by the perpetrators. They secret away the autopsy data, the so called "histopathological analysis" of the brain tissue that is harmed by these drugs. And since we among the patient population have chosen to play stupid, they are to be witnessed laughing their way all to the bank, the sounds of our agonizing demise within the criminal justice systems per the norm like music to their Nazi-era ears. Capiche?
Please give some data/resources to back up these claims, Noel. We're all looking for ways to heal completely and sooner than later from iatrogenic injury.
I was given 1 mg Clonazepam for Hereditary Essential Tremor by a neurologist for 25 yrs w/o problem … THEN, I tried to taper in a 4 mo period and went into a very bad state where I did not sleep for 3 weeks and could not leave my home. I won’t go into my reasoning for tapering except that I saw another women with Essential Tremor who was taking CBD and miraculously her tremor was gone! Yep, that hooked me. After my 2 week fight or flight episode that put the fear of God in me, I went to my PCP and he did reinstate me on 1/2 of my original dosage of .5 mg. clonazepam which snapped me back immediately and I was able to go back to work as an adm asst in a very busy office and go on vacation. This lasted for several months, but then I guess my body wasn’t going to have any more and hit tolerance (not sure if correct term) and I began having severe pain in my sternum/ribs/back area and thought I was having a bout of costochondritis or some other physical ailment, until one trigger point therapist told me he felt it was the benzo and I probably needed to w/d from it. Then I did much research, and after some lengthy online research and talking with others in tapers, I decided I was strong enough to do it and did so, but each step was quite difficult for me. My husband used kitchen scales and a fingernail file and I tapered approx. 5% of previous dosage every 2 weeks or when I felt I could go on, of that .5 mg tablet and just felt every cut, but continued on. I did get to a point where the piece left was so tiny, I decided to finish off the taper with water titration which I feel was probably one of my biggest mistakes and I didn’t realize it was really a much faster taper than the microtapering I was previously doing. I began having harsh tremors and also finding my breathing getting much more labored and also fatigue was horrific. My husband and I felt I should go to the ER …. BIGGEST MISTAKE, because at that point, I did let the doctors updose me back to the .5 mg Clonazepam b/c they wouldn’t let me take my cuts at the hospital. Then each time I went back to the neurologist they persuaded me to updose to 1 mg Clonazepam b/c my pain was increasing so much. Now, 5 yrs later, I am on 2 mg Clonazepam. I’ve gone to so many providers of all types and every one of them has told me I will be on the Clonazepam for life, so I resigned myself to that fact. Then, many tried to put me on Gabapentin, all types of ADs, and now, even Tramadol (but only 50 mg though they want me to take more). I do have COPD according to my pulmonologist but I had been taking an inhaler, Spiriva, and Zyxal for years before the taper, so I have remained on those 2 meds. Also about the same time I was put on the benzo for my ET, I was also put on propranolol, which I also successfully took for years. I haven’t really even thought of trying to taper the benzo b/c my physical condition has deteriorated so drastically over the past 1-2 yrs. I was always a petite woman of about 110 lb, but now weigh 88 lb, have lost all muscle mass, can barely walk b/c of pain/neuralgia in my legs, arms, etc. Cognitively, I have also declined - you amaze me as to how well you speak b/c I just feel stuck in my home …. I DO TRY TO GET OUT A BIT TO SOCIALIZE, but not much. Each day I seem to be going downhill. Blood testing and most scans, xrays, MRIs, etc are ok for the most part, but are beginning to show decline in bone density, but I am a 67 yr old woman, who just 5 yrs ago, walked 4 miles a day, biked, kayaked, vacationed and could work all day at work, home, in my yard, etc. with energy to spare. The one thing that does seem to be happening is that my bp is very low at about 70/40 and oxygen levels are 93 and as low as 88 at times. Do you know of people who have stayed on the benzo and was able to get better and function? I’m to go see a back dr tomorrow b/c my last x-rays did show scoliosis, esp. where the oxygen goes into my legs. Guess I’m hoping they say that is the reason for such pain in my sternum/ribs/back and now just about everywhere in my body. My diaphragmatic breathing is all but nil. I don’t want to believe my state if because of the benzo, though I guess in my heart of hearts, I know it probably is 😢 Any advice for me???
Do hope that you are doing better after your last comment posted 4 months ago. So glad that you have an understanding husband that has been there to offer help and support. I do question why clonazapam was prescribed as you mentioned for pain. Though it does help for the anxiety that comes with the illnesses you described, it along with other medications (eg: opioids) sometimes will hinder a persons ability to breath (ie: oxygen intake) but if you don't mind answering why they would prescribe klonopin as a pain killer. Wishing you all the best with improved health. Take care.
Nicole is stating the most thorough best advice. With one addition:
Re-instating can cause kindling. So go slow and avoid having to.
Trust her advice, it’s spot-on truthful and absolutely sincere.
I am tapering off Benzo's now - just about half way through - 2 1/2 years in, with stops along the way. I actually feel like the taper is sending me frikken insane. More insane than I ever was b4 I went on them. I dread having to start cutting into another full tablet, as it has just been hellish,. You cannot describe what it is like to anyone who has not had to do it and felt the physical , mental and emotional kick back wdl gives you. It is like having bad flu 10 months out of every year. I went on it for CFS and Fibro symptoms and the wdl side effects are just like having a CFS 'crash' . I hardly leave the house. Thank G*d for people who are spreading awareness and being a sane voice
Good luck to you. You are giving me hope 😊😊
This was me in 2014. Your talk is really spot on. My issue was a paxil wean and start of menopause. I had to take a medical Leave Leave for 7 months. I was also taking a small amount of ativan and ambien every night. The Lord is good . This was so scary. Really resonate with hiw you need to have coping skills. God Blessed me with an amazing psychiatrist and husband. No one human around you can understand the fears you're dealing with . ❤
It took a year of a pediatric liquid paxil wean. My psychiatrist saved my life.
What a fantastic guest thank you for having her on, I’m very sorry for her injury but I’m glad she is using her voice to help so many sufferers. One suggestion I have is to advocate on expanding the SoL for cases related to mental health mistreatment because 2 years is not enough time to decide if you are going to drop a suit on your shrink if you’re in severe withdrawal as your SoL goes away.
I was well aware of the Statute of Limitations (SoL) in my state for a lawsuit and even consulted an excellent attorney but he warned me how difficult a legal case would be emotionally and I was already is a bad place from withdrawal so I was out of luck even though I had a good case. I did file a complaint with the medical board and they investigated him based on it, but they didn’t do a formal discipline, only a slap on the wrist.
Nicole always does a very thorough job through every step of benzo harm and healing. She’s terrific.
This was a great Zoom meeting! I could really relate with a very similar story. I also advocate! Went through the polypharmacy for over three decades. Tapering X now. Thank you.♡
Thanks Nichole. No words really. Glad you are better.
This sounds so much like all the things you do through grief, what to do, and what not to do.
Best podcast on tapering I have seen. I get sporadic paradoxical xanax doses (it comes in waves), and was sent info that if that is your expereince, it will only get worse, it will eventually be permanent, and you have to CT. I have been near suicide over this. Your input on adverse doses literally is what I have been looking for:hope. You must know you literally saved me from what could of ended up being a drastic action, and a very damaging one. Thank you. Love all the content. Loves to you Nicole, and the coalition. Your saving people from severe actions, and even saving lives.
What was her advice that you followed?
@@jonathankenningsworth9923 Her comment during the presentation to not Ct, and the fact that it was brought up at all. Knowing I am not the only one experiencing this gave me some reassurance. I have continued to research, and their is no answer, nor does anyone know how best to deal with it. Good luck to us all. Be well.
I’ve seen the same problem with everyone thinking they are worse than anyone else, but most of the people I deal with are living with akathisia. I try to tell people that, as long as they are still on the drug, there is still tapering hope. I’m usually concerned more about their first 4-12 month period off the benzo and the potential for tardive symptoms. If you see those, you know you might be in for a long recovery, but until then, don’t start worrying. Most of my worst symptoms (Akathisia, tardive dystonia) didn’t happen until 4-9 months off. I didn’t even pace until nearly 14-16mths off.
I definitely wouldn’t make any changes, or taper a 2nd medication, for at least 2 years after stopping the previous one after what I’ve seen. Making changes in that destabilized period cost me dearly. I tapered a pain medication (Methadone) and then 9 months later discontinued the benzo (Klonopin). I’d not even get anesthesia in those first 2 years. I didn’t even pace like his until after I tore my knee nearly 2 years off and woke up from anesthesia. I also had dental work 60 days off and took antibiotics, something I’d take back if I could.
I’d definitely tell people to plan for the worst and think about disability applications before you even start the taper. You can get too bad to do any of it and, by that time, your family and friends will be acting dangerously ignorant, and you’ll put yourself in harms way trying to get any help. Definitely get used to being frustrated that you will have to do everything yourself no matter how sick. You’ll wast sooo much energy trying to get understanding and like I said, you’ll find the risk of talking to family isn’t worth it.
Really? 😳🤔 I am at the end of 6-7months benzo/Clonazepam tapper, and just wandered how long should I wait to begin Prozac taper. I thought people do it right away, cs some are doing multitaper, withdrawal from 2,3even more meds at the same time. Do you have any info of the pause /time break between tapers? Thank you.
@@naomimara3340 if I could have done it over, I’d of waited 2 years before tapering my second med (Klonopin). I was opiate (Methadone & Oxycodone) + benzo (Klonopin) the last two times. Each time I tapered them together, leading with the benzo cut, waiting two weeks, then cutting the opiate. I used the opiate to break the benzo fall. I believe I was covering up the injuries from the benzo cuts with the opiate. While it allowed me to push harder, it likely cost me in the end. (I also introduced PRN Adderall to push through my taper).
Even with tapering both, I still stopped the opiate 9 months before the benzo this final time. I regret not waiting longer because I believe tardive stuff was still erupting from the opiate cessation 9 months out. I had no idea tardive injuries even happen. It took 18 months after my benzo stoppage, and 27 months after my opiate stoppage, to pace. I “only” had terrible inner Akathisia at the beginning. I was nearly bedridden the last 6 months of my taper and the first year after my jump. Now, I pace for 24-40hrs straight and haven’t been able to sit or lay down for 20 months and counting.
Alto Strata from Surviving Antidepressants says to taper the stimulating drugs first. My feeling is, despite opiates being a stimulating drug, I’d keep opiates around and taper the benzo first if you have pain. If you have significant Akathisia, I’d do the stimulating drugs first. I’d definitely wait 2 years in between drugs. Doing both at the same time “worked” if you call getting off my last times, but there was definitely a protracted and/or tardive period after each of them. The one in 2011 pushed me back to paincare by 2013 and eventually back to a benzo in 2016.
Sadly, I can’t do that again. Besides, this final injury made me intolerant to nearly all pharmaceuticals. Things I used before to (unknowingly) survive several decades with chronic akathisia no longer worked or felt the same. Even THC doesn’t feel like it used to. I tried one of everything “feel good” 4 months off to try and stop this neurological madness. One of every kind of benzo, one of every kind of opiate, stimulants, even LSD. It was when I tried THC, and it felt foreign, that I knew I’d broken something. Opiates were deceiving because they still kind of worked and then would quickly stop and more wouldn’t help or work. It looked like quick tolerance building but it’s not. It’s like they quickly mine all your remaining dopamine and then there is nothing left for it to work against. Most of those things will work better after to sleep and will work less and less toward nighttime.
If you are treating pain, definitely watch. Use short acting meds PRN and get in and get out. My belief is raising and holding dopamine elevated via serotonin or endorphin receptors, etc is what causes a lot of this neurological mayhem. There’s plenty of other ways to bottom out dopamine and simulate a dopamine blockade besides antipsychotics.
I didn't even taper. I went to rehab, and they ripped me off in 23 days after 14 years heavy Ativan and Xanax dependance. I'm 21 months clean now!
I have akathisia like you said, and I'm still on Gabapentin since rehab. I don't want to be on the gabapentin, but it's actually the only drug I'm on and it allows me to sleep and work. I went back to work in just one week after rehab.
Sounds impossible right? I did it and it was rough. But I did it.
Just taking it day by day
God work 🙏🏽
Thank you so much for this enlightening and truly helpful talk. I really appreciate it.
No one told me about me tapering , I did multiple cts with no support and got bullied . im so heartbroken
Thank you from Montreal Quebec, checking in hospital detox next Monday for klonipin (clonazepam) and helping me ask the right questions as I am very sceptical about the protocol they will follow
I would do a long micro-taper if I could do it over.
This was extremely informative. Thank you, Nicole. I learn much from you and your experience and I so appreciate your candor.
Wonderful talk Nichole.
This is brilliant
Thank you, Mark. Feel the same about your work
Nicole, you are beautiful! Like natural and more graceful version of Reece Witherspoon. 😊
Thank you @nicolelambic ... great information and presentation.
Excellent information I am tapering right now of clonazepam 4 mg I am on 3 mg for 6 months plus lamictal and Seroquel. I like how you explained everything. I don’t want to suffered anymore I don’t know if I am going in the right direction.
Intro/credentials stop around 6:20.
after 15 years on temazepam, the doctor says she cannot prescribe it along with pain meds. so cold turkey off Tezmapam . she said there will be no withdrawal? anybody else go cold turkey off Tesmapam?
@baby.lemonade5864,I too was on Temazepam for going on 32 yrs, my Gp has now transfered me over onto Diazepam 15mgs(equal to 30mgs Temazepam) the first time I tried withdrawal from this drug a few years ago ,I did it within 3 months period ,(may have well of being cold turkey really) but because symptoms were so bad I begged my GP to reinstate Temaz,which he did.I have had withdrawals for years even on this drug,this has taken me years to realise,I asked to see so many consultants about different symtoms over these years until I am now educating myself on what symptoms these drugs cause.I watch Mark Horowitz,Nichol Lamberson,Mad in America,Medicating Normal,and many other programmes found on Ytube, the best book I have found to read is by Robert Whitaker.Mark Horowitz explains all symtoms by being on Benzo's and SSRi and how to slowly taper from these drugs. All symptoms Mark explains ,I had nearly every one of them.
I wish you all best wishes that you may get the help you need.
@@jcoop49 Thank you. What were your withdrawal symptoms from temazepam? I have searched for a video for temazepam withdrawal symptoms, but cannot find any info. it's actually a family member going through this, he has major pain from arachnoiditis and neuropathy, so needs to stay on pain medication but I noticed since he was cut off the temazepam his legs are jerking more, I am afraid he will have a permanent injury from this heartless cut-off . Afraid his doc will cut off his pain medication if there is any complaint or she will think he is just drug seeking but he is definitely in worse shape since being cut off temazepam.
@@baby.lemonade5864 Thank you for reply , the 1st symptom I began with after about 3 days of being on Temazepam was ,when I was falling asleep I would suddenly get a feeling as though my skull was about to crack open( all symptoms I have had to look back in hindsight now after 32 yrs ),something that also happened within days of being on this drug was I was totally disinterested in having sex( unable to have an orgasm) then I started having back ache,then at the age of then about 43yrs,I began an early menopause,then all my top teeth became loose and gums painful(so had to have all top teeth removed)then noticed I was tripping up ,as though I was losing the ability to lift my feet up properly,then noticed my muscle mass in my legs were affected,and would get crawling feelings in my legs,I couldn't stand anyone touching my skin(especially my arms) noticed I couldnt stand loud noises or bright lights.Then I began having breathing problems and really daily bad headaches, rhinitis,and allergies which I'd never had before.I too had and still have stated by you ,I'd suddenly have my legs would jerk,and arms would do the same,snoring,or my body would suddenly jerk up in the air when falling asleep.Then started having terrible pains in my legs,especially in my left foot( this is 24hrs a day 7 days per week I can,t stand to wear shoes,even bed sheets hurt on my feet) told by neurologist that I was suffering with irritable leg and feet syndrome and put on Ropinerol, now I know this is a symptom of benzo's side effects(Neuropathy),Ropinerol is an antiparkinson drug,he told me to take 2mg at night(but I've stuck to 1mg,which I take 1/2 at around 6pm then the other 1/2 just before I get into bed,this has side effects ,thus why I've stuck to just the 1mg) a few years ago started grinding my teeth and my tongue rolls around in my mouth all day(quite distressing) I have seen that many specialists over the years and not one of them said anything about could have been because of being on Temazepam,this I have had to find out myself.I've being diagnosed with COPD,Fibromyalgia,Osteoarthritis,Osteoporosis(fracture in lower spine)Discoid Lupus,( as Nichole has said ,I was getting these rashes all over body)Heart attack,breast cancer (now in remission)All my symptoms were coming while on Temazepam,Drs have insisted I now I taper off ,as I said in my 1 st post to you how I am slowly tapering.Find the talk on you tube of Benzo Warrior from 3 months ago from Mark Horowitz MBBS,PHD,he explains what the side effects are and how to taper,(really good talk) Maybe you could tell your family member to either inform his Dr of Mark Horowitz,or even find another Dr who is maybe more sympathetic to his plight.We who have or still on Benzo's are not drug addicts,we have only taken the prescribed amount by our own GPs,I never went looking for any drug addicts to buy this drug from.We who have been on this drug our minds and bodies have become dependant on this drug,I also refuse to take any antidepressant drugs,which my Dr has tried time and again for me to take in the past,as I was put on Paroxitine years ago and it took me 8 months to taper off.I refuse to take any drug now other than this Ropinerol, but as soon as I have got off benzo,I will taper this drug too I seem to be very sensitive to drugs of any sort,even alchohol does funny things to me and really shouldnt be drank when on benzo's anyway.The other person your family member may take to his Dr is the Professor Heather Ashton Manual, you can download this on you tube.
All my best wishes.
Is it possible to get the Presentation as a PDF or Power Point? It was so helpful!
Has anyone researched legal recourse? My life is a shambles! I don’t know what to do ? 😞
I've researched, reached out, was told "they can't help me."
very informative
I wish I’d have seen this before I’d talked to my dr about coming off.
What about trauma? Been 10 years in hell how can i heal from that trauma?
Have you tried EMDR? Did wonders for me.
Hi there my brother stopped cold turkey and went catatonic, he has since recovered however he has sever bouts of paranoia, does anyone know if this will be permanent it has been about 3 weeks since he stopped, he was 'normal' before, any help would be great thanks
Symptoms improve. Everyone is different. Hoe I'd he doing.
Hi Nicole what symptoms are you still experiencing?
Thanks from Bharat!
Jackson Matthew Moore Shirley Thomas Gary
The pathophysiology of benzo harm is all about oxidative stress injuries. And that means that anti-oxidant therapy ought to be regarded as an essential component of the recovery process. Because the resulting harm gives rise to states of chronic anxiety and likely insomnia as well, both of which work to compound the oxidative stress injuries caused by the drugs themselves. Although the common approach in this regard would likely lead one toward vitamin C, the issue here pertains to damage to cellular membranes associated with the dendrites--nerve fibers--so it's important to be thinking in terms of lipiphilic anti-oxidants, hence ascorbyl palmitate as apposed to standard vitamin C, or a diverse spectrum of Vitamin E types that likewise solubize into the lipid fraction of the cells. Also of value is the use of procaine-novacaine taken orally and NOT swallowed, but dissolved into the tissues of the mouth so as to directly end up suffused into the brain itself. Easiest of all, and as demonstrated by professor Robert Sapolsky in a lecture long since removed from the web, alcohol sugars such as xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol used as sweeteners or likewise dissolved in the mouth can also work so as to block the oxidtative stress injuries that result from stress---cortisol overload that in turn triggers excess glutamate and pathological "calcium influx" within the cells. Nobody is thinking in terms of these ideas and this is because nobody is demanding to know the pathophysiology, that is to say the path of disease causation associated with benzo use. It's simple science that you all choose to ignore, and yet it's this simple science that the Nazi quacks of the post WWII period of Operation Paperclip no doubt relied upon as the basis of weaponizing psychiatry so as to deliberately slaughter the patient population seeking treatment. These doctors are not treating the patient, they are treating themselves, to such things as expensive European vacations thanks to the ample kick back schemes provided by pharmacuetical sales representatives. It's just that bad. This is death-camp era medicine, and we are the losers who fell for the ruse. The least we can do is to think in terms of the very same scientific template used by the perpetrators. They secret away the autopsy data, the so called "histopathological analysis" of the brain tissue that is harmed by these drugs. And since we among the patient population have chosen to play stupid, they are to be witnessed laughing their way all to the bank, the sounds of our agonizing demise within the criminal justice systems per the norm like music to their Nazi-era ears. Capiche?
Please give some data/resources to back up these claims, Noel. We're all looking for ways to heal completely and sooner than later from iatrogenic injury.
I was given 1 mg Clonazepam for Hereditary Essential Tremor by a neurologist for 25 yrs w/o problem … THEN, I tried to taper in a 4 mo period and went into a very bad state where I did not sleep for 3 weeks and could not leave my home. I won’t go into my reasoning for tapering except that I saw another women with Essential Tremor who was taking CBD and miraculously her tremor was gone! Yep, that hooked me. After my 2 week fight or flight episode that put the fear of God in me, I went to my PCP and he did reinstate me on 1/2 of my original dosage of .5 mg. clonazepam which snapped me back immediately and I was able to go back to work as an adm asst in a very busy office and go on vacation. This lasted for several months, but then I guess my body wasn’t going to have any more and hit tolerance (not sure if correct term) and I began having severe pain in my sternum/ribs/back area and thought I was having a bout of costochondritis or some other physical ailment, until one trigger point therapist told me he felt it was the benzo and I probably needed to w/d from it. Then I did much research, and after some lengthy online research and talking with others in tapers, I decided I was strong enough to do it and did so, but each step was quite difficult for me. My husband used kitchen scales and a fingernail file and I tapered approx. 5% of previous dosage every 2 weeks or when I felt I could go on, of that .5 mg tablet and just felt every cut, but continued on. I did get to a point where the piece left was so tiny, I decided to finish off the taper with water titration which I feel was probably one of my biggest mistakes and I didn’t realize it was really a much faster taper than the microtapering I was previously doing. I began having harsh tremors and also finding my breathing getting much more labored and also fatigue was horrific. My husband and I felt I should go to the ER …. BIGGEST MISTAKE, because at that point, I did let the doctors updose me back to the .5 mg Clonazepam b/c they wouldn’t let me take my cuts at the hospital. Then each time I went back to the neurologist they persuaded me to updose to 1 mg Clonazepam b/c my pain was increasing so much. Now, 5 yrs later, I am on 2 mg Clonazepam. I’ve gone to so many providers of all types and every one of them has told me I will be on the Clonazepam for life, so I resigned myself to that fact. Then, many tried to put me on Gabapentin, all types of ADs, and now, even Tramadol (but only 50 mg though they want me to take more). I do have COPD according to my pulmonologist but I had been taking an inhaler, Spiriva, and Zyxal for years before the taper, so I have remained on those 2 meds. Also about the same time I was put on the benzo for my ET, I was also put on propranolol, which I also successfully took for years. I haven’t really even thought of trying to taper the benzo b/c my physical condition has deteriorated so drastically over the past 1-2 yrs. I was always a petite woman of about 110 lb, but now weigh 88 lb, have lost all muscle mass, can barely walk b/c of pain/neuralgia in my legs, arms, etc. Cognitively, I have also declined - you amaze me as to how well you speak b/c I just feel stuck in my home …. I DO TRY TO GET OUT A BIT TO SOCIALIZE, but not much. Each day I seem to be going downhill. Blood testing and most scans, xrays, MRIs, etc are ok for the most part, but are beginning to show decline in bone density, but I am a 67 yr old woman, who just 5 yrs ago, walked 4 miles a day, biked, kayaked, vacationed and could work all day at work, home, in my yard, etc. with energy to spare. The one thing that does seem to be happening is that my bp is very low at about 70/40 and oxygen levels are 93 and as low as 88 at times. Do you know of people who have stayed on the benzo and was able to get better and function? I’m to go see a back dr tomorrow b/c my last x-rays did show scoliosis, esp. where the oxygen goes into my legs. Guess I’m hoping they say that is the reason for such pain in my sternum/ribs/back and now just about everywhere in my body. My diaphragmatic breathing is all but nil. I don’t want to believe my state if because of the benzo, though I guess in my heart of hearts, I know it probably is 😢 Any advice for me???
Do a taper of your benzo. Reduce 2.5% per week.
Do hope that you are doing better after your last comment posted 4 months ago. So glad that you have an understanding husband that has been there to offer help and support. I do question why clonazapam was prescribed as you mentioned for pain. Though it does help for the anxiety that comes with the illnesses you described, it along with other medications (eg: opioids) sometimes will hinder a persons ability to breath (ie: oxygen intake) but if you don't mind answering why they would prescribe klonopin as a pain killer. Wishing you all the best with improved health. Take care.