Ambien to Ativan and Tapering

[@S3RENDIPITY]

You’re saving lives with this video!!! bless you and thank you

[@BenzoBrains]

Thank you ❤️

[@chrismiller7784]

Love everything you do.You are a true warrior.God bless you I’m going through storm now.

[@debbiecollinson-bolles6696]

I just want to add a message of hope to all of those going through this awful withdrawal process. I went from Xanax to diazepam and was pushed to do a rapid 4 week taper by a doctor who didn’t understand. Well, I survived ( I cut quickly the. Spread the last 2 mg slowly). I am Benzo free after 9 years. Taper was rough but when I hit 0.5mg diazepam, symptoms were nowhere near as bad. I am a week on nothing and it’s been fine so far. Your journey is yours and unique. You can all do it! 8 weeks ago I thought I was dying and would never survive. I’m back at work full time! Blessings to you all x

[@BenzoBrains]

Wonderful ! Thanks so much for sharing

[@deborahhatcher186]

.5 diazepam? you mean alprazolam (xanax) right?

[@barbararay8578]

Did you go into tolerance before you started your taper?

[@garysimone4977]

@From the Press how you feeling now

[@garysimone4977]

@From the Press dam how long were ya on and how much i am about to ween of f valium 5mg been on a week

[@chestnutmair1]

Thank you so much for this video. I was only on Ativan for 4 weeks + 8 weeks tapering. .5 daily. I am 10 months off and still suffering. Agoraphobic, anxiety head pressure to name just a few of the many extreme symptoms I have. I was also put on Ativan because I had 5 miscarriages and a live birth all in a 3 year period. Obviously it was my hormones but since all my test came back negative they sent me to psych. I am very doctor and medication phobic right now. Can't even take a vitamin. I am terrified if I have to give my child over the counter medication for a cold and such. It is horrible what they have done to us then deny that we are having these symptoms. I feel bad for the people that have no clue. Educating is the answer. The psych doc told me it was not addictive and I could stop anytime. So many lies. it is sad. Thank you for bringing awareness to this poison. Take care and I pray we all have quick healing.

[@sangeetalambh6389]

Mary long how r u now

[@chestnutmair1]

@@sangeetalambh6389 still off balance and my ears feel full. Also some anxiety and panic attacks but it could be from perimenopause. Lots of phobias but I'm working them out. Thanks so much for asking

[@cube8544]

I'm taking in what your saying,thanks for your advice. I've looked up the Heather Ashton Manual. I'm on 25mgs of Diazepam per day. I am concerned about slowly tapering off because of the tolerance I have to valium. In all honesty I hope I can get through it. Thanks again for your advice. I'm extremely sorry about your child. I truly am!

[@adrianajimenez4342]

been tapering off lorazopam, feeling pretty good

[@normawilliams7550]

I am tapering off Lorazepam as well and I am at the beginning. Which method did you use? How are you now?

[@hannibalthe1st565]

I went to byui and lived in provo for years. Interesting to see there are others like me

[@BenzoBrains]

Cool! Nice to meet you :)

[@4gegtyreeyuyeddffvyt]

I've been tapering off Ativan since the beginning of the year and it's been pure Hell.

[@BenzoBrains]

I'm sorry you're having a difficult taper. are you breaking up your dose so you're taking it 3-4 times a day? It's the interdose drops throughout the day that killed me.

[@goku20Sixty]

How long were you on ativan? How long did you taper?

[@sangeetalambh6389]

Steve how r u now.did u feel emptyness and stomach cramps in ur withdrawal please ans I m 103 days sober

[@tyrel-fg7zf]

​@@BenzoBrainsI abuse 100mg of valium a day for 10 years I m a junkie

[@krissyt6891]

Hi Thank you for responding to my other questions. Im a mom of two young kids also. Do you think the daily micro cuts of valium ever caught up with you? When I make a super small cut like .03 I don't feel it until 7-10 days later. So if I were to cut .01 everyday I'm afraid I would get hit bad. Did you find this to happen to you? Also I think Im asking this again sorry my brain is mush but did you continue to cut when you were feeling really bad like extreme all day anxiety? I know you said you did a few small holds. Im just so lost right now and don't know if I should wait for anxiety to lessen before microtapring again or just do it. Im at 5mg liquid valium. Did you ever suffer from bad thoughts and detachment from the world? Those are my scariest. Thank you again for responding. I wish I could talk to you.

[@BenzoBrains]

Krissy T yes there were times when I felt all those cuts caught up to me. sometimes I would hold, sometimes I would adjust my taper rate so I was only cutting every other day or every three days. you just have to listen to your body and do what you handle. I experienced a lot of detachment or derealization and relentless anxiety. It's all a normal part of the process.

[@grimlotus6815]

Where are you in your tapering? What mg did you start with and what are you down to now and what are the time lengths in weeks pls? Great video though! I am getting ready to stop my lorazapam and I'm terrified.

[@peterwood23]

Jessica Thieleman Slow and steady wins the race.I cut down from 4 mg to 2 mg and then stabilized and then stayed on 1 mg for 2 months and then i cut to .75 of a mg 7 days i will cut down by a 1/4 until i'm off this nasty drug.As you get lower your brain will start to get better.You will receive your normal life back.Only for months tapering and I feel a lot better but not healed yet.

[@BenzoBrains]

Jessica Thieleman I started at 2 mg ativan and rapidly tapered to about 1.25 then crossed over to valium (13mg). Now I'm down to just under 2 mg valium! I've been tapering since last March. I actually just realized that if I'd done an proper Ashton taper I wouldn't be off until November. I've had to really slow things down since I hit about 5 mg. But I still expect to be off in the next couple of months.

[@BenzoBrains]

hotrod pete Is this with ativan or valium? Are you splitting up so you're dosing more than once a day? The interdose was killer for me!

[@peterwood23]

This is with ativan because I couldn't find a doctor that would prescribe Valium.So I have been doing it with ativan,I go all day with out it until I reach 5:00PM my body is used to that.I'm holding at .75 mg because I feel so ill sick you name it I feel horable.I felt fine the other day like I was normal again and then it hit out of nowhere.I wish I could explain more but can't think much right now.

[@peterwood23]

I started my 4 mg taper in dec 2014 I went fast at first and slowed down when I got to 1 mg and now i'm at .75 and it's getting hard

[@amyl2567]

So if Benzos can cause such horrific problems, what can I do for my anxiety and insomnia that is worsening every day? I currently do deep breathing, go for walks, Art, play piano and sing, have sensory tools on hand because I have sensory processing disorder. I don’t want to take benzos or psych meds if it is going to be causing more problems in the long run, but I also don’t want to suffer the rest of my life with worsening symptoms. Aren’t some psych meds good? And if they don’t help people then why are the prescribed so much?

[@BenzoBrains]

Those are all good questions. Firstly how you deal with your anxiety depends on what is causing it. It could be a combination of trauma, environment, nutrition, hormones etc. It takes some sleuthing but a good resource to start with is the councilforsustainablehealing.org. Meds are prescribed so much because, as you said, they often do work quickly, just like drinking alcohol or taking small doses of meth or cocaine can work immediately to make you feel calmer or less depressed. But like any substance, legally prescribed or not, it's not a sustainable way to treat someone long term- mostly because they don't actually fix what's wrong! For me a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, eating natural unprocessed foods, and daily kundalini meditation, prayer and scripture study help, along with supplements my functional medicine Dr prescribed me for hormones and gut balance. So aside from the website I'd say, if possible, seek out a functional medicine dr in your area to help you work on any physical issues that might be contributing to your anxiety. Best wishes❤

[@Greencloud8]

Drugs are drugs. My friends sister has been in klotopin for 40 years and had a kid and does everythin and hasnt hd any seizures. I wonder why it worked and works so well on her

[@supermelodia]

how many mlg the ambie and the ativan?

[@BenzoBrains]

I honestly don't remember how many mg of Ambien I was on but I'm sure it was a low dose. It was 2 mg ativan

[@bestrong4ever342]

Wow we have a lot in common I've had me is catscans They found this anxiety is no joke Do u suffer from anxiety and depression Please check out my vids

[@BenzoBrains]

+Zo ever (zo4ever) did your cat scans show anything. I have anxiety and depression now as a result of the drugs. I was never prone to them before.

[@garysimone4977]

Get off the ambien ad it can cause serious addiction a d cause wd during the day !!!

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

learning learning learning.. thank you for all your videos. So Pissed at the big pharma and Drs. Get you on then yank it away.

[@JohnRambo1947-July-6th]

Because of Effexor xr withdrawal I am forced on ativan or I am sure I would die. Pain 10/10. Please pray for me.

[@kuroshcontractor1001]

Your awesome. I’m watching this with tears from my eyes cause I rely on benzos to get off opiates. Now I’m on Xanax but I’ve done quick tapers and they are bearable for me. It’s hard to eat, can’t do anything physically exhausting lately, and I’m like a very organized and clean person. It’s ruining my relationship and my gf said she won’t marry me or have a child with me as long as I take Xanax or drugs. I have support too and loved ones. I just want to get better and this is giving me

[@andrewlewiscameras]

Jocelyn, you poor thing. You've been through hell. I'm going through a tough time with Benzo withdrawal at the moment and your videos help me so much. You're an inspiration. I hope you're feeling better now. X

[@BenzoBrains]

+Andrew Lewis thanks I am doing much better now, in general, than when I made this video.

[@adrianajimenez4342]

hi everyone going through pain from getting off meds, we are strong, we can and will overcome this.

[@loveless7877]

Im going through it too It's hell... and trying to deal with life kids, house and everything else. No support hubby is hateful with name calls. Does not understand and if Im not keeping up and he has to do any household duties he complains and puts me down. Im just staring tapering I tried cold turkey but noway bc of him. I want to get through it as quick as possible but can't with my circumstances. My head feels foggy and weird as hell right now. Im coming off about 6 mgs of Xanax. I am so angry at myself for getting on them but I have anxiety and severe sleep deprivation. I got desperate for sleep. About 2 yrs that slowly made it to 3 bars or less a day. Im not zombie like or anything and nobody ever has said anything like notice me strange... nothing like that. But Im trying to do a fast taper and hope it works. Ugh!! Why would they make these meds that put ppl through so many probs and addicted?!! Drs Piss me off. They never explained it.... I blame them for alot of the problems and epidemic now soo many are struggling and dying.... which withdrawal makeamakes you feel like when cold turkey. So messed up the system has been for over a decade. Crazy!! Nice to see others dealing with same thing. Thanks to all for sharing. Helps, it really does. Lonely feeling too bc I isolate myself from ppl as much as possible bc you cant think right. They will know. Sucks

[@lorig1087]

@@loveless7877 Hey there, I'm on Benzo brain's right now and I came across your post. You are the only one, I can find that was on 6 mg of Xanax a day. 2mg 3,X's a day, for many years. I just was wondering, how you are doing and, if you had to change over to a long acting, in order to get off? I don't talk to anyone either! This is a horrid thing! I'm never the same because a Dr., thought it'd be a good idea to wean me by 50%. Now I can't find me!! Thank you in advance!! If you can't get back to me, or just don't feel like going there, I understand!! God bless!! 🙏🙏💞

[@sangeetalambh6389]

Andrew did u feel fatigue like no spirit in body and stomach cramps in ur withdrawal please ans I m 103 days sober

[@debrasalinas2831]

Great video beautiful. .i pray you will heal as time goes by...yes i feel i lost 2 year plus of my life due to benzo. .i haf to move out of my families home to my moms to be alone cuz of the withdrawal symptoms. .thank god my kids were adults and my husband understood once we figured out it was benzodiaspin causing my illness. ..thank god my mom lived across the street. .but yes thanks for posting your video its very educational for others to know the dangers of benzo and the life it taked from us...God Bless you beautiful. ..keep healing

[@sea_hous]

Thank you for realizing that your story is my story, is someone else's story. Thank you for knowing that we have to help eachother.

[@BenzoBrains]

Ally Nugent Thanks Ally for inspiring me to do this. I found your videos so helpful not just for me but to help explain to others. Sometimes the people we love need to hear this from someone else.

[@esmeambrose7373]

For anyone experiencing benzo dependence or addiction: I know it feels scary and overwhelming and impossible, but the Ashton Method saved my life, I did a sloooow safe 16 month taper with the support of Jocelyn's videos and the Benzo Buddies online community. I tapered off Ativan, Xanax, Citalapram and Zoloft. Doing it slowly and safely with titrations and lots of self care and the right vitamins such as L-Theanine and Kali Phos 6, I was able to handle work again, drive again, handle food and sleep, manage the panic attacks which used to be 2-3 times a day and are now only maybe once a month (if I'm tired or stressed) and reclaim my life. You are strong and brave, you may not feel like you are but you ARE and you can do this, slowly and safely, it takes patience but it will set you free. Slow tapering is the key to getting your life and health back. Fast tapers will lead nowhere good. You are in good hands with Jocelyn and Dr Ashton, she helped me find a way out of benzo hell and I feel amazing. I believe in you, so take a step and reclaim your health

[@BenzoBrains]

I'm so glad to hear how well you're doing after being polydrugged and implementing a slow taper!

[@normawilliams7550]

Hey there, I would like to do the titration method with water. Did you do it with 300ml of water as well. I am on Ativan, I have tapered off from 2.5mg to 1,75mg. I want to slowly taper and have started with a pill cut. I am looking for a more precise way to do it.

[@lauriina85]

Kelly-Ann, I'm doing my third taper, two times were too quick and went badly wrong. I was living a healthy active social life and now i'm alone mostly because I tell my hell all the time to my loved ones and feel like I'm in a different reality from other people. I was prescriped a big amount of benzo 2021 and have suffered since "brain lock",like you don't understand a simple thing and become overwhelmed of any normal things and can't understand that people can do normal things and live their lives normally. I have horror waking ups like you feel you die in that second and can't take one day anymore like this, no brain. I was confident and now i fear even take the trash out. I can't be with my partner. I can only see my mom when she helps me to get food. I feel depersonalization and derealisation and disconnected from people and enviroment and my loved ones. I loved to go to store and cook and now going to store is awful. I can't cook. I'm isolated. I had over year ago bad withdrawl symptoms of oxazepam after rapid taper and doctor did crossover from oxazepam to diazepam 10 mg and I got relief and my brain lock went away. I got my normal function back. I could exercise and be with my partner and mom and other people. But taper was too quick and went badly wrong. Since then brain lock has been there. I was tried in summer klonopin to get me relief for a while and then taper but it didn't help and after six months of klonopin and suffering I said to my doctor that I think I suffer withdrawl even don't taper and want to taper with Ashton manual and she was willing to read it and we started over three months ago and tapered from 60 mg to 27,5 mg of diazepam. I have horror waking ups like you feel you die in that second and can't take one day anymore like this and then want to die, no brain and no quality of life, just pure torture. I have ten months to taper to zero. Thank you if you can answer if you had any similar problems. All the best.

[@deborahwilcox5716]

Thank you for sharing. I am 68 and have been on ambien for 18 years…

[@matchpoint14]

3.5 years clean from a 18 month taper from xanax and i am still very sick. I only feel about 85 percent healed and many days I do not feel healed in the least bit. Now i have slipped up and been taking gabapentin for sleep for the past 3 years. I have zero support network. This is all so hard. I am so lifeless. Not even close to having a meaningful relationship with anyone. How has my life came to this.

[@Iliketurtlezz]

Exactly the same here and same timeline

[@matchpoint14]

@@Iliketurtlezz Do you ever get like a burning type pain all in your legs and/or arms. It feels like my nerves are literally on fire. I also developed almost daily headaches about a year ago. Do you have regular headaches or the sharp widespread nerve pain?

[@Iliketurtlezz]

@@matchpoint14 I had pain all over my body for 3 years. I mainly suffer from debilitating pain in my head nowdays not so much my nerves. Im semi handicapped thanks to benzos. Feels like braindamage.

[@rosbergs3]

You have such a soothing relaxing demeanor.

[@Eleuthero5]

Dear Jocelyn ... what a great series of videos. As time marches on in total abstinence (which you achieved a couple weeks ago) you will find that the feel-good windows get wider and more frequent and the feel-lousy windows get smaller and less frequent. It takes a while but you WILL get there. I'm 3 months in abstinence and the passage of time is only creating good things and lessening bad things. Your videos are so needed.

[@mamabear6169]

How are you feeling now?

[@susanabyad4396]

You do understand that most of us here took the correct amount by a doctor. So calling being off benzodiazepines as abstinence is a bit weird.

[@RobertPaisolaCEO]

Thank you my friend. I also went to BYU and am going through the same things you experienced. You are amazing! Rob in Draper / Las Vegas

[@emmanuelvacakis4463]

You’re right. A class action lawsuit must be filed against the pharmaceutical companies for drug misrepresentation. My brother has been destroyed by these drugs. He lost his family and is suffering in suicidal pain every day.

[@andreah6175]

He ever try Kratom?

[@emmanuelvacakis4463]

@@andreah6175 no. Absolutely no drugs. They are all poison. You got to eat organically grown vegetables and grains and do your ginger compresses on the kidneys and intestines. The only way to solve this problem is by strengthening your internal organs. If you continue to see doctors and take their drugs, you will never improve.

[@lcagee]

Was on Halcion one week. On day 6 began having bizarre symptoms very unpleasant. It took several days to start to feel normal again and several months before the side effects resolved. Dante's hell describes it well. It was horrible. I think it so messes up your sleep as to make it like complete sleep deprivation.

[@coreyheartatnight]

Day 6 for me PAWS began too....5 months I was on 1mg lorazapam.......still in PAWS 14th week.......improved 50%.......

[@Rogue_Trooper970]

Does anyone know where I can get help to come off lorazepam (Ativan) I'm in the UK and struggling with this stuff. Need some advice for my own personal situation and can't get it anywhere. Docs no help and tried addiction organisations but keep coming up against brick walls

[@BenzoBrains]

Leslie Roche I had the exact same experience. Benzo Buddies a great forum. I'm partial to the facebook groups. facebook.com/groups/112449132147409/ This is a great place for answers.

[@leedunn5786]

I’m in the UK too. Trying to get off Zolpidem. Finding it so so hard and so difficult to find any support.

[@zacshreve7862]

Thanks for the reply. Your the like the female version of me: teacher smart, educated, approximately the same age, socioeconomic back, etc. It nice to have "normal" looking and well educated to relate to. I share this to for your records and to help others. I took this drug around the time that my dad passed for insomnia. At first it worked great, but after about a year I started having server reactions to the drug. After thousands in medical visits I finally had two psychiatrist at least acknowledge I was having a sever reaction to this medication, but they didn't inform me of the withdraw syndrome. After reducing my medication, klonopin, in the last couple days and waking up with sever anxiety, cramping, etc, I did a little research and saw your videos. These finally helped me to connect the dots and realize that I was "crazy" and that this is not all in my mind. I am also very fit and athletic, and others have watch my health decline and my battle to get it back. Last summer I could only ride my mountain bike for five minutes without collapsing, and this summer I'm back to about thirty minutes. Best of luck on your journey. Also, I do not use Facebook, is there another link to the class action lawsuit?

[@BenzoBrains]

yes www.benzoaction.com

[@sumguy2581]

Going through it now. Cold turkey. Its awful! I was grocery shopping earlier and I had to leave my cart and exit the store. Its silly but I just felt pure panic and couldn't be in the store w all of those people.

[@chestnutmair1]

I have done the same thing many times. This will probably be one of the hardest things you'll ever do in your life. But we are superheroes and we can get through it. I have left many of shopping cart behind. Don't worry with time this will pass!

[@lauram8489]

I did that too. I liked self check-out and would do several small shops a week to deal with it

[@Roadback2health]

omg doctors are insane...to say you had pp......these drugs are addictive and can kill people.....glad you are okay now...ive taken all of these meds due to medical malpractice and had other problems from everyhing i was on...and i got off everything but was doing IV vitamin C therapy and B and was taking tons of vitamins to get off...

[@autumnallgood3520]

Thank you so much for this video! They kept telling me that I had PTSD after my nervous breakdown. I felt like everything was hinged on the Ambien that I was on for a year and a half. So I went to the ER and then into a Crisis Stabilization Center. They told me that they were helping me drop Ambien cold turkey and called it a "De-Tox". But I wasn't being actually detoxed because they put me on Ativan the whole time that I was in the Center. So after getting out of the center I had to keep grabbing the Ativan because my panic attacks were so continuous and severe. Now I see this is actually withdrawal. Now its been a month and I'm still not Detoxed because I've been using the Ativan. So here we go with more suffering because of having to micro-taper myself off of Ativan as well. Thank you so much for this video and this information. I hope all is going well for you now!

[@BenzoBrains]

Thanks. Things are much better now. I hope your taper goes smoothly and that you recover quickly. I have other videos on tapering and for help with loved ones. If you haven't seen any of them yet check out the other videos here on kzbin.info

[@twilightsprite1]

I am not on Facebook but would like to check out the class action lawsuit.

[@twilightsprite1]

I have lost so much. was prescribed this poison for approximately 10 -11 years. And when I wanted to get off, I was basically thrown to the wolves

[@gloriayarbough5853]

twilightsprite1 me too how are you doing now I need help also in so much pain

[@morgansm]

Had horrors with Ambien and Ativan too. Never again. Also, Gabapentin and Tramadol. Terrible meds to come off of.

[@sartainja]

Welcome to the world of psy drugs.

[@moo24251]

It’s like chasing your tail

[@debrasalinas2831]

I went thur hell accidentally took ativan and was having interdose withdrawal. .long story short...get off very slowly. .i tappered over 8wks..but i was in constant withdrawal anyway..it was beyond hell..i couldn't function for 2yrs. .yes 2yrs...it totally killed my cns..thank god for phergan it help a tiny bit..but yes i lived in the ER thinking i was dying. .my body did so many terrible things..i lost 70lbs..it effected my stomach and my anexity level was thur the roof..i couldn't drive .eat.be around people. .omg its bad. .but now im healed after 2yrs..in between i had a few windows. .i knew i was still in there. .i rode that roller-coaster of benzo hell..but get off not cold turkey ..do it slowly but make those cuts..i used ..benadryl ..and phergan nausea pills to help ...dont give up you will heal your brain..but never ever take a benzo again....your brain is addicted to benzo as fast as one week. .it will cause u to.start having anexity. .when indeed its interdose withdrawal symptoms. .your gabas are all jacked up...benzo cause anexity. .they do not heal it..it makes u need more benzos...if your stressed in life..drink some rum..take a benadryl. ..do not take a benzo..like ativan that's the worst one...Xanax. klonopin. .lorazapam. .there's more..just say no to any benzodiaspin...thanks for posting these stories. ..benzodiaspin are the devil 😈

[@MicheleHohman]

How long did you take Ativan for before realizing you had to get off?

[@lauriina85]

Hi, there has been a long time since your message. I'm tapering with Ashton manual and suffering. This hell started in summer 2021 when my dog had to put to sleep at the age of 16 and was prescriped a big amount of oxazepam and doctor didn't warn me. I became to suffer brain lock. Like you don't understand a simple thing and become overwhelmed of any normal things and can't understand that people can do normal things and live their normal lives. I had lived a good active healthy social life. I was shocked when I realised that I was hooked up with this drug. I tapered it and year ago had 1 x 15 mg of it and had awful withdrawl symptoms and doctor did crossover to diazepam 10 mg and I saw he read Ashton manual (but didn't notice the point where it says after 20 mg of diazepam it should be tapered 1 mg per week or two weeks, I had seen Ashton manual but not read it, wish I was) and he told me to taper 2 mg per week. My oxazepam withdrawl wenr away and I got to breath for the first time after my dog died. I have had many traumas before and survived from them and haven't used benzo then, my dog was my world and I just couldn't handle it, he had the best life and best medical care through this life. My brain lock went away. I was so glad. I got to sleep and wake up in normal mornings in peace. And could go to store without agoraphobia (normally don't have it) and cook and function and see my partner and mom and other people (Now im isolated a lot because I tell my hell all the time to my loved ones like year ago when I was in bad withdrawl symptoms of oxazepam and feel like I'm in a different reality from other people.) could exercise and have a good feeling first time after my dog died. I was so sure that I will get off of this drug and few weeks went well, my depression symptoms went away because I could do anything, but taper was too quick and went badly wrong. They rised diazepam to 12 mg but it didn't help. I tapered it on my own barely sleeping and in spring I went to hospital and they tapered me to zero straight and I had terrible panic attacks and withdrawl symptoms and after month rude doctor said I couldn't have any withdrawl symptoms and I got to home very sick. One doctor prescriped me klonopin to get me relief for a while and then taper but it didn't help. I didn't get support that I should just stay on zero and have people to bring me food etc because I was so sick and brain lock was bad and that my brain is just starting to heal and it could take a year. Nobody told me that and I took klonopin in panic and it didn't help. When I go to the store to get food I feel depersonalization and derealisation and if I try to walk and run brainlock is ruing it and I feel like my brain just shuts down. I can't be with people and suffer it. Normally I'm confident and social. Now after six months of klonopin and suffering I said to my doctor that I think I suffer withdrawl even don't taper and want to taper with Ashton manual and she was willing to read it and we started few weeks ago. We are doing crossover from klonopin to diazepam and the same amount of diazepam is huge 😥 I have dropped klonopin from 2,5 mg to 1 mg and added 30 mg of diazepam and today it will get lower. I have total amount of diazepam about 50 mg 😥 Back to squere one. I feel awful. I can't do much. Mostly I'm alone in my home. I was so close one year ago to get rid of this. I wake up in hell and death, I fear mornings all day. I didn't sleep over half year just 1-3 hours and was prescriped 200 mg of quetapine (normally and year ago when I had good mornings and sleep i have just 25 mg) and 20 mg of temazepam. Now I sleep coma sleep and wake up thinking I can't take one day anymore like this. And have third time to taper and have brain lock. I have lost my soul and heart, I can't feel anything but anxiety, pain, terror and fear and lost everything that makes me me. I fear this brain lock is permanent brain damage, it feel like they have done lobotomy to me. I fear I lose my partner, he tries to wait. My doctor says I have tolerance and that's why klonopin didn't help and this drug is making me sick and more anxious and I agree. And when I'm enough long time off of benzo my anxiety will get easier and brain lock will go away. Luckily it went year ago away even with diazepam but it had something to do with the benzo and withdrawl symptoms and I am in constant fight or flight state. Glad you survived. Thank you if you can read this and if you can answer if you had any problems with brain function and understanding normal things and daily tasks. All the best.

[@Banffgirl2]

Thank you so much for posting this ...you are so strong to do this and myself and so many others totally understand and are there with you.....I have never felt hell like withdrawal from benzos...unbelievable.......thank you....we will make it together.

[@TartanArmy85]

Just trying to shower and shave was extremely difficult for me. My hygiene was so poor!

[@mgray3130]

It is so like all doctors. Have we all been through these crazy shit stuff. Pharma should be jailed fined name it. I can't go further right now, but I'm feeling you!!!

[@TheBenzoHouse]

Watched your other videos I'm so glad you are okay ! Your story is a lot like mine. God bless and i hope your road to recovery will continue!!!

[@laurengilbert9079]

Melissa J how are you, Melissa? I've seen you on many of these videos. Thinking of you. ❤️

[@AdamSolt59]

Hi again Jocelyn, Hope all is well ! I wanted to ask, and I know that you wouldn't want to promote Ambien. But what strength were you taking, maybe 5mg nightly ? And were you able to drive let's say, at 8a.m. the next day ? I'm taking 2mg of Lunesta due to chronic insomnia, but it's losing its strength.

[@BenzoBrains]

@AdamSolt59 I honestly wasn't on it that long , only 5 days so I don't remember. I ended up tapering with Valium

[@lauram8489]

Wow, you've been through a lot! Anxiety is why I went on klonopin, so I was not stranger to panic attacks, but they became worse after I went through the withdrawal. I'm sorry that you ended up with anxiety after you went on benzos.

[@dannyboy8108]

Great video ur a real soldier, my cousin found out she pregnant and CT she have birth to a still born full term, heartbreaking, u are never 37! 25 maybe lol, hold in there ur wining x

[@BenzoBrains]

Danny Boy Thanks and that breaks my heart to hear that about your cousin. I hope she is healing.

[@662dodz]

Thank you for all your videos they are encouraging to me

[@alphacentauri8083]

Most people don't know that benzos and z-drugs calm you down by way of anterograde amnesia, or the inability to form new memories. It makes sense because anxiety and stress is compounded when you dwell on the same negative thought pattern over and over. So taking a drug that inhibits the ability to form new memories is highly effective in the short term. However, you're just kicking the can down the road if you don't resolve the actual source of your anxiety, and once you stop taking benzos all those negative thoughts will re-manifest tenfold because your brain is no longer able to deploy its own natural coping mechanisms.

[@walterdavis1454]

Congratulations on turning such a tough situation into a positive. Your videos have been so helpful and give me peace and hope as I am trying to get off of 3 mg xanax prescribed for the last 3 years. I am starting to microtaper with a jeweler's scale. I decided to start tapering with what I have learned. Unfortunately it will be start to finish with alprazolam. If I can find a doctor to switch to valium I will. In the meantime, I will try to get use to turning my 3 doses a day into 6 slowly so my body can adjust. I hope to have less inter dosage withdrawal with this method because xanax has such a short half-life. I am hoping for 5 to 10 percent reductions per month. I have a family of 6 and also need to stay employed through this. Thanks again, and best of luck to anyone going through this.

[@AdamSolt59]

Oh my, tell me about this Photophobia ! I think that I might have developed it from Lunesta, sleep deprivation, or worsening depression. Thanks !

[@BenzoBrains]

@AdamSolt59 Basically I had severe sensitivity to light. Not fun

[@hayleygreen4051]

Ur such a strong woman n u have inspired me n I can relate to so much u went thru, I feel like I'm a dark hole n can't get out. I tried to get off cymbalta back n 2011 n it was so bad, I had to get back on n then, I eventually got better, well, was thinking I'f I ever wanted to have baby, I need to get off this junk, it was just too hard. So, I got better n then n May of 2015 started tapering off cymbalta n did very slowly n was ok for lit while n then, bout end of Oct i was just feeling worse n worse n got on Ativan .5mg n it's June of 2016 n I'm still on it, tapering down to 1/4 mg n it's been awful! I have had every thing uve mentioned, I was picture of health, active, great personality, funny, I was Hayley n now I don't even know who this person is. It has affected me so much mentally n physically I am just at a loss but I'm so glad I found ur videos, actually, my mom found u:) u mentioned the Valium approach? I'm just so afraid to put anymore poison back n my body!

[@BenzoBrains]

Haley I'm sorry I missed these somehow. Are you currently tapering still with Ativan or did you switch?

[@helenminnaar]

i was on klonopin .5 3 times a day for 1 month...got scared and cold tutkeyed dr swithed me over to diazapam cross over but now im scared im gonna get in more trouble...my house dr scriped me off over 6 weeks of 30mg Diazapam witch im only been on for 5 weeks

[@Rogue_Trooper970]

Thank you. I'll check them out. This is a scary situation to be in!

[@carkal9906]

Where is your onnline group? What if a person is alone with no support, no family, nothing... do they have to stay on it?

[@garysimone4977]

You are so brave Keep the vids coming Yes i was told i was bi polar and take a klonopine.... may i ask how long was on ambien You have come so far You are a ínpiration

[@goroproblems7742]

Thanks for sharing.

[@wanderlust-qs3es]

Thank you for your touching testimony. You are hope.

[@edgarcruz1172]

Your. A very strong women thank you for sharing WoW amazing strength you have keep fighting thanks am motivated to take my pills now am taking ativan for my anxiety.

[@spacemonk1978]

i understand how you feel been there done that. stick with it, it does it will get better, tappering slowly is the only way and the Dr Ashtons website is the key to unlock people from this nightmare. my prayers are with you sounds like you have gone through alot of trauma well done for being strong. This is coming from someone who had no-one to help me get through it. keep the faith !

[@kristywoodward910]

I am just to the point where I want to give up. My husband abuses me. I have physical pain in my legs. My doctor is now willing to do the Valium and I have a ton of Valium. What do I do.

[@BenzoBrains]

Kristy Woodward you survive. Others have been in your situation, they've gotten through withdrawal and abuse, even homelessness and survived. If your doctor is willing to work with you then count that as a blessing. You can take control of your own taper and heal from the medication and your situation as you get your own mind back , bit by bit until you are whole again.

[@lazn9863]

i worked as an outside guard in the most hellish prison in greece called korydalos. we were working 7 months straight with no sleep. we all went to the doctor and it was either ativan or death from exhaustion. so a 4 year attivan use i m a junky and try to cut it off.

[@BenzoBrains]

Laz N are you abusing it or taking it as prescribed. Junky refers to some one who is using benzos to get high. If that's not you don't treat yourself like and addict and don't "cut yourself off". Do a slow taper. Give your body time to adjust after 4 years of chemical alteration

[@lazn9863]

exactly what i'm doing

[@anayuli_quin4297]

I’m on Ambien 10mg and Klonopin 0.5mg for 8 months I want to tapper off should I start with ambien first?

[@BenzoBrains]

I would consider converting the ambien to an equivalent amount of Klonopin and tapering both doses simultaneously. If not as ambien is shorter acting you may want to taper that first and hopefully the Klonopin will help mitigate the effects of withdrawal from that.

[@anayuli_quin4297]

@@BenzoBrains thank you I will do that I will start with Ambien first. It would be same as water tapering benzo? How do I convert 10mg Ambien to an equivalent amount of 0.25 clonazepam.

[@LouellaMagtajas]

@@anayuli_quin4297Hi were you able to succesfully taper ambien? How did it go and how did you do it?

[@adrianajimenez4342]

I am going to start tapering off lorazopam soon withnthe help of my doctor and psychiatrist, if anyone has any good tips let me know.

[@BenzoBrains]

read the Ashton Manual if you haven't already. I have a video entitled safely tapering off benzodiazepines that has lots of information

[@goku20Sixty]

Are you on any medications right now?

[@BenzoBrains]

no I've been off for a year now :)

[@goku20Sixty]

How long did you taper?

[@goku20Sixty]

Did you suffer Serotonin Syndrome?

[@Kimmm1984]

Wow!! Keep up the good work!! :-)

[@ashleysimonep3169]

Hello, I’m looking to switch over from Xanax to Valium. I switched over to clonezapam but it made me extremely depressed only after 1-2 weeks of taking to . Did you experience depression on Valium?

[@BenzoBrains]

Ashley Porter I did, depression is a common side effect with people who switch to valium. Since Klonopin has a much longer half life you may likely be feeling more sedation or depression of your central nervous system. Did you crossover per the ashton manual or did you switch directly over?

[@xivwords5448]

Ashley Porter I did, Valium has that opiate like euphoria that depressed me knowing it’s wrong. And it doesn’t bind tightly. Work through it. It’s the easiest one to come off of

[@stephaniesteed7653]

Six months on ambien but I am tapering now off this horrible med. I am on only 5 this week and that’s it I am done. This med has stolen the light from inside me. I look like crap every day like I don’t even get sleep. I will never take that crap again. I feel crazy every day.

[@coreyheartatnight]

hi how long were you on benzos for? length of months?

[@BenzoBrains]

@coreyheartatnight before I began my taper I'd been on them 4 years. But it was my second time taking them.

[@weistandreas]

I'm on Ativan and Ambien at the moment. I have very good sleep since I'm taking it. But I need to take it everyday. I'm not able to sleep without my meddcation any more. I very often tryed stop taking it, but withdrawal is very heavy.

[@BenzoBrains]

That's why converting the Ambien to Ativan and then doing a very slow micro taper is much more doable. Watch my tapering playlist to learn more. You can sleep without meds. I know it seems like that will never happen but it does 🥰

[@weistandreas]

@@BenzoBrains , I hope that I can get off these meds on day. My daily dosage at the moment is Ativan (5mg) 2 x 2,5 mg sublingual. Quetiapin (200 mg) in the evening, and 10 to 20 mg of Ambien. I want to reduce the dosage, but I'v taken it for many years now. My doctor said, the risk to end in psychiatric-hospital again, is very high, if I stop taking my meds. I know that I'm addicted to these meds. But the other side is, it's no real life to be sedated all the day.

[@bestrong4ever342]

@ lilmissperfect Who is Ashton I'm going back to exercise and strict diet

[@BenzoBrains]

+Zo ever (zo4ever) Professor Heather Ashton was the professor Emeritus over the school of psychopharmacology at Newcastle. She was and still is the world's leading authority on the effects of benzodiazepines and how to safely taper off of them. You can find her manual which explains all this at www.benzo.org.uk Be well and good for you! I think healthy eating is the biggest factor in healing.

[@b.j.banditt206]

Ativan is MUCH WORSE than most people wanna believe. Nxt week will mark 21 yrs (on 12/23) that a dear friend of mine passed away from an OD (Ativan was the primary drug in her system @ the time of her passing per autopsy). In 2017, u probably heard about Chris Cornell (from Soundgarden/Audioslave/Temple Of The Dog) passing away from an ATIVAN OD shortly after his per4mance in Detroit where I'm from) That same yr, a 4mer neighbor of mine who I 4merly had a crush on (my crush on her ended in 2016) & I went 2 a Detroit Red Wings game (platonically, mind u) in early 2/2017 & displayed behavior reminiscent 2 some1 w/an ATIVAN ADDICTION. Long story short, the MGMT of the apt complex along w/many fellow 4mer neighbors treated my concerns 4 this person as a ROMANTIC REJECTION instead of the ATIVAN ADDICTION DISPLAYED IN MY PRESENCE. Less than 9 months l8r, I was 4ced 2 moved out of the apt complex bc of the backlash that I was subjected a. THANK GOD THAT I LEFT THAT DRUG HAVEN. I H8 ENABLERS.

[@boukestoukes1864]

Ambien affects Gaba 1 receptor. However in doses above 6.5 mg it can affect the gaba 2 - 5 changing it's affects on the receptor to that of a Benzo like Xanex which is more addictive and evil than heroin. It's a psychological and certain hell to get off of. If you are a woman in particular Ambien withdrawal will have a much more pronounced and stronger affect on you and be much harder to get off of. IF YOU ARE DEPENDENT IN IT ALWAYS GET ADVICE FROM A DOCTOR AND MANY MAY ADVISE A TAPER

[@jenniferr5934]

You mentioned you had akathesia. How long?

[@BenzoBrains]

Jennifer R only a couple of days thank goodness

[@om-ni3dm]

Switched to ambien from klonopin but I take 0.25 klonopin currently I am taking ambien for my sleep

[@AdamSolt59]

Nice smile, beautiful teeth !! :)

[@BenzoBrains]

@@AdamSolt59 thank you

[@MrMoejoe555]

Jocelyn I am desperate for advice with my taper..I am failing fast and I know you are th eonly one who can help me...how can I contact you. I will be happy to pay for your advice. The doctors here are going to kill me.

[@swissguy71work50]

10 mg thats not a lot!!! bad thing

[@TreasureLA99]

Thank you

[@swissguy71work50]

thank you for your story. i am on ambien for 10 years now. i am on 5mg day and plan to go off until 2017. i think you did you more then 10mg ...good luck!!

[@BenzoBrains]

I actually don't remember how much Ambien I was prescribed but I believe it was 10 mg, I only took it for one week before the cold turkey off, but that was enough to kindle me unfortunately.

[@dinosushi705]

You were only taking it for a week?? Wow did you go on something else after stopping this ?? I have been on ambien for the last few months on and off for insomnia the doc told me it's fine just to stop it but now I'm worried 😢 he has put me on melatonin instead . I would appreciate any help pls??

[@swissguy71work50]

@@dinosushi705 trazodon?

[@lynnwithnosinmounger5502]

It's not lymes, it's JUST lyme and we are suffering from all of this also because we are chronic pain patients but I'm currently wanting to go holistic and will do it on my own with some counseling...........Lyme needs some attention cause we are dying! I like your VIDEOS sooooo much and have learned a lot with them, THANKYOU very much!

[@NAMASTEONELOVE]

Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@AdamSolt59]

What I like, is that even though you're very beautiful, professional, knowledgeable you are not stuck on yourself, really down to earth, willing to help us people out there. God Bless you in your continued recovery !

[@BenzoBrains]

@@AdamSolt59 thank you

[@lovecook6382]

I want to be myself again too. I have to get off of Gabapentin first. I will try tappering and hope to off. Where is this support group?

[@BenzoBrains]

Some benzo support groups are listed here benzoreform.org/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-support/

[@kelbearmama]

Do you have a video of the physical and mental symptoms you dealt and still deal with? I’ve been switched to Ativan from Xanax and I have full anxiety disorder and so many physical issues that Im afraid to leave the house. One because my body doesn’t want to cooperate and my mind is full of crazy thoughts and actually just a mess. Thankful I found your page!

[@lauriina85]

Warriorbride, your message is old but I have also that fear leaving home. Even taking trash out is awful. I was living a healthy active social life before I was prescriped a big amount of benzo. Two tapers went badly wrong too quickly. Did you suffer "brain lock", like your brain doesn't function normally and can't understand a simple thing and become overwhelmed of any normal things and can't understand that people can do normal things and live their lives normally? I suffer it all day. I feel depersonalization and derealisation and disconnected from people and enviroment and my loved ones and feel like I'm in a different reality from other people. I can't anymore go even for walk. I go to store and get food with my mom. I can't cook. Now over three months doing Ashton manual, have tapered from 60 mg to 27,5 mg of diazepam. Have ten months to taper. I don't get windows. This has been going on for 1,5 years. I was over year ago in bad withdrawl symptoms of oxazepam and doctor did crossover to diazepam 10 mg and I had relief and had sleep and normal mornings, could exercise (that I love) be with my partner and mom and other people. My brain lock went away for few weeks but taper was too quick and went badly wrong. Since then I have had again brain lock. I have horror waking ups like you feel you die in that second and can't take one day anymore like this and then want to die. I'm isolated. I have many loved ones but can't be with anybody because I just tell my hell all the time to my loved ones and feel like I'm in a different reality from other people. Did you have any similar problems? Hope you are well. Thank you if you can answer.

[@1o1carolina53]

You're stunning. Check Dr Joe Dispenza

[@zacshreve7862]

Thanks

[@BenzoBrains]

+zac shreve You're welcome :)

[@MIKEPURCELL24]

Thank you

[@BenzoBrains]

You're welcome :)

[@prueann342]

Thank you for sharing! 💙

[@vickyaguilar7201]

Thank you Joslin. Your great!!!!!

[@vickyaguilar7201]

I am down to 2 mg of diazepam. Feeling great!!!! I hope you will peruse your lawsuit. And hope you accomplish it!!!! I feel much better. And thank you for your information!!!! Lol. Thank you Cali girl😎

[@vaneramirez5235]

Hello my friend ! I need to speak with you urgently . Thanks

[@Smileyouralive]

I need help im.on 0.5 mg ativan and get interiores withdrawal. I dont know how to cut it so I dont feel the withdrawal. Can someone help?

[@BenzoBrains]

Here is my tapering playlist. You can cut or water titrate which may be easier with such a small pill. Are you prescribed half a mg or are you cutting to get that dose? kzbin.info/aero/PLiYfSj-zJmteBF9Zi99liC3H-PxzB2NkP

[@bestrong4ever342]

No my catscans didn't show anything I'm still on them My doc did tell me that long term use can cause Alzheimer's Would have been nice if she told me that 10 years ago How do u know that the meds caused the anxiety I thought that the benzos would help with that Which they don't help They just numb u

[@BenzoBrains]

+Zo ever (zo4ever) According to Ashton benzos down regulate GABA receptors which are a major component of your stress/fight or flight mechanism. So while they may help initially, eventually they disable you, making you less capable of dealing with anxiety. The study with Alzheimer's was for people 65 and over. I don't think we really have any idea what the long term effects are on those who take benzos and get off while they're younger. My hope is that I won't develop Alzheimer's, although to be honest, many of my symptoms during the past year and a half have been eerily similar to someone with that illness.

[@decemberdarling6058]

I was prescribed 2mg ativan to take before bed about 11 days ago. Have been taking it every night but I have to get off it. My plan is to cut. .5mg a week for the next month. Is this an acceptable taper for short term use? I'm on day 1 of the taper and already have pins and needles all over my body.

[@BenzoBrains]

Whatever works for you is what's right. If your only symptom is pins and needles then I'd say it's working and to keep going. If you find you start to get worse, stop tapering, watch all my videos on my tapering playlist and develop a new withdrawal strategy.

[@gingertiggercat]

I take both.

[@BenzoBrains]

+gingertiggercat Are you doing ok or are you looking to get off?

[@gingertiggercat]

I'm good, I don't need to come off them....yet.

[@gingertiggercat]

what anti-depressant were you on? I use Ambien for sleep on a night and Ativan for anxiety during the day. I'm also on Quetiapine, Lofepramine, Buspirone, Nefopam, Amitryptaline, Oxynorm and Buprenorphine patches.

[@bestrong4ever342]

No haven't tried liquid titration I'll check your link out Are u from uk

[@craigh3322]

I am very happy to have found this channel, I cant believe I am even in this situation just as you have been. Ambien and Ativan seemed like the answer to issues of sleep and anxeity, but now I dont know if I am worse than before I started taking them. Thanks for being a resource of experience as I have no answers right now.

[@sharon8121]

I feel they help but I wound up in a mental facility and lost my home over his! Government contracted health plans should not step in! We all should be informed but not used as cash cows

[@a13drw]

Do you think you got any premature wrinkles from this stress.

[@manjakwiej2986]

I am a woman of 63 years of age I have been on some form of bens for forty years 🌸at this point I’m on 4 mg of adivan a day I started being percribed at age 17 help

[@BenzoBrains]

There are many women your age and older who have been on benzos a long time and gotten off successfully. If you haven't watched my videos on tapering that's the best place to start. Also, below each of my videos if you tap or click on the upside down triangle off to the right you'll see a drop down menu with links to lots of great support resources. Here's the link to my playlist of tapering videos kzbin.info/aero/PLiYfSj-zJmteBF9Zi99liC3H-PxzB2NkP

[@heathersauerbrey5225]

Does anyone know of a support group or reliable doctor in minnesota?

[@Rogue_Trooper970]

Turns out I'm having a paradoxical reaction to lorazepam and it's killing me. Is it safe to do a direct crossover to Valium? I'be asked on benzobuddies and was told to fast taper or c/t.

[@BenzoBrains]

Leslie RocheThis question may be better asked on a facebook support group. It's possible that switching to valium could help and beginning a taper could also kick you out of it. A lot of people mistake paradoxical for interdose withdrawals or tolerance. If it's tolerance it should kick you out of that. If it's interdose then it's advised to break up your dose so your taking it 4-5 times a day (with Ativan) and see if that helps. The valium has a longer half life so you could dose an equivalent amount 2 to even 3 times a day and see if it's actually interdose you were experiencing. Many people feel worse after dosing but that's not necessarily a sign of paradoxical especially if you're already cutting. It's hard to know without knowing your full history with benzos. Either way a cold turkey is a bad idea.

[@bestrong4ever342]

Benzos are so hard to get off i think because u develop a tolerance, and start to feel better but next thing you know Its really hard to taper im trying myself

[@BenzoBrains]

+Zo ever (zo4ever) Have you already checked out my video on tapering or others on liquid titration? If you haven't read the Ashton Manual at www.benzo.org.uk please do that before trying to taper on your own. There are great benzo support groups online and on facebook that can really help you to get through this successfully.

[@almamedrano7238]

I am in Ambien hell. Thanks

[@misstiffany614]

+Alma Medrano me too

[@BenzoBrains]

+Tiffany Nicole There is a valium equivalency for Ambien. this means you can cross over to valium which has a longer half life and use that to taper off of. Please check out the Ashton Manual at benzo.org.uk to see how to do this.

[@misstiffany614]

littlemissperfect i told my doctor that and she said i could just quit ambien in 2 weeks. time for another doctor i guess

[@red_rogue73]

Many if not most doctors don't view patients as anymore human than a guinea pig. Social darwinists, closet eugenecists. They play with people and dehumanize us. I'm no sceptic on this issue, 5 days cold turkey off (a benzo) put me in a place of madness.

[@lexusrc3507]

Women are weak! No wonder Hillary lost! Trump 2020!✊🏻