Carrie: A Nurse's Experience with Xanax, Valium and Withdrawal

[@BenzoBrains]

Carrie was a real trooper through some audio issues but I'm so glad she persevered because her story is a prime example of how this can happen to anyone at any time!

[@garysimone4977]

@@JuanitaLRLya so right

[@kurtaaron9478]

Thanks for posting this interview Jocelyn. Keep up the great work.

[@benzodiazepineawarenesswit6079]

Another fantastic interview! I could relate to everything Carrie said. I took a long time to heal also and even later on after I accepted where I was more healing came. The body does heal!!!

[@beautifulangel32]

I loved this interview Carrie was so informative and spot on I’d love to see and hear more from her?

[@krisrachbucher1299]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! What an encouraging and delightful interview. It brings hope and reality to me in my journey. I appreciate all of your videos!

[@josettezeno6242]

I’m so inspired by this interview. I felt so ashamed and am still struggling with that feeling

[@GMHG777]

Carrie's story is so much like all of ours in one way or another but she has such a great way of telling all of us there is hope, just like you Jocelyn. Feels like I will never be "normal" or "well" again, I only hope I can get to a place like the both of you where I can reach out and help. i am just not capable of doing that at this point yet. You two are awesome !!! The I'm still here part really resonated and made me want to cry at the same time, trouble is my brain is so dead I usually can't cry much no matter how much I try :o(

[@KathleenMottinger]

I'm in my 80s and 4 months off 30 + yrs of klonopin. Don't have much hope right now.

[@GMHG777]

@@KathleenMottinger if i had been you I would have never gone off them at your age unless you were experiencing kindling or aic bad tolerance withdrawal you had no other choice the damage risk in stopping would be too much on your brain and nervous system imo. Did someone force you off of them ?

[@KathleenMottinger]

@@GMHG777 no I wasn't forced. I had very bad tolerance symptoms for years and my doctors didn't mention that these meds that they prescribed were the cause. They could only say go to the gym. They also wanted me to only taper for three weeks. I tapered forb7 months

[@GMHG777]

@@KathleenMottinger 3 weeks for 40 years yep that makes total sense … these Drs (some of whom are on the poisons themselves) know zero about the dangers of these poisons and want to stay willfully ignorant quite frankly, they along with Big Pharma are murderers !

[@KathleenMottinger]

The 7 months was terrible so didn't want to stretch it out further. My 120 days totally off have been terrible also. I'm so done with doctors. Maybe I won't last to see the end of this suffering but at least I now know what has been wrong for so many years.

[@AverilTaylor-lf3mr]

Thank you both for that very encouraging talk and video. Almost 4 years off but noticing my body getting stronger despite the sensations and inability to exercise.

[@josettezeno6242]

I have a BA in creative writing and MS in education, now back in school studying acupuncture, which has helped alleviating my benzo withdrawals. I’m going through hell with these withdrawals. I took a clonozapam from a friend who was mentally ill, and it destroyed my life. My journey to getting off of it, was pure hell and still is. I’m suffering chronic migraines and lots of anxiety, irritability and anger. But I fought like a beast to come out of this . I suffered a miscarriage 2 years ago, it destroyed my friendships and family. This has been so painful. And no one supported me in this journey. My family and partner abused me even more The amount of negativity I attracted was insane. This disrupted my energy. I lost sleep for years and still struggle with insomnia. I’m watching this now after not being able to sleep last night. I thought I was going to lose my mind, but I’m overcoming with acupuncture and self love. And I will seek therapy this week

[@metakokalj1207]

take care, dear. Can you explain more in detail how can acupuncture help? Probably the same with acupressure? Whick points?

[@josettezeno6242]

@@metakokalj1207 acupuncture raises the levels of endorphins (happy hormone), which is the body’s natural painkillers , reduces inflammation, balances your hormones and unblocks trauma and stagnant energy. With acupuncture, you’re manipulating energy . It’s basically rerouting your energy. It is very important that you also find a really good acupuncturist because it’s an energy exchange. Acupuncturists are healers, and they not only insert needles but they are also sending healing energy to your body. In my case, ashipoints worked well to reduce and eliminate migraines headaches.

[@metakokalj1207]

@@josettezeno6242 Josette, I had an acupunture session 3 years ago for chronical bloating stomach, but somehow it made my old symptoms come back again (insomnia, tinnitus). The acupuncturist was a Chinese doctor and he was probably working excessively on my system, because he was using like 20-30 needles and the sessions for me were always really painful. so probably not a good therapists.

[@mamabear6169]

are you still having insomnia? have you tried tapping? How is your recovery going?

[@ellenborish1371]

Great interview! So many truths!!

[@lauram8489]

Thank you for sharing, Carrie. I took klonopin over the span of a year (not every day) in a small dose as needed and the doctor thought I was crazy when I said I was having withdrawal symptoms. This was 20 years ago. She said my dose was too small. I know what I experienced and your experience validated mine. Psychiatrists should know better than to invalidate a patient's experience. It was hellish coming off and I did it over a period of several months. I did not have good resources or support to help me. My brain sometimes felt "fried" and I remember feeling electrical zaps. I had horrid panic attacks that were worse than anything I experienced before I went on this drug. Even now, 20 YEARS later, I feel like I was injured by this and I try to block it out of my mind and not talk about it. I threw away the notebook that I recorded my withdrawal experience because I just didn't want to think about the pain I went through. Doctors have caused me more harm than good.

[@miriamtamari829]

I e

[@eddiedonato8173]

I want to thank BenzoBrains! I finish my taper 3 weeks ago. I was on 1mg of Ativan for 4 months. Took 8 weeks to Taper off. Not perfect but doing well.

[@mikel4526]

stay clean.

[@BenzoBrains]

That's awesome! Thanks so much for sharing 😊

[@michaelthomas7328]

How did you taper , down to 0.5 or switch drugs?

[@sean13]

Great video, thanks ! I've been tapering for 19 months now after just a few moths of low dose, as needed benzo use. What an absolute nightmare it has been and continues to be. I've been in Cambodia and Thailand for the duration....benzos are over the counter in Cambodia and very easy to get in Thailand. I have done this entirely on my own without a doctor or counselor, etc. I've lost most of the long-term friends I've had for so many years.....I feel like I've lost most of my own life. I have to say that I'm ok with it now for some reason. It's proven to me that the best of friendships can crumble and that people are not as reliable or beautiful as they might seem. I had no idea that this was going to happen. I was caught off guard and had to research to understand what was happening to me. I went mad...absolutely crazy and full of anxiety too. I was basically alone in Cambodia and had to really fight every minute of every hour to survive and not take my own life. It's a very long story. I'm in Cambodia now.....and people are dealing with the isolation that this virus situation has caused....and I"ve been isolated for so very long. I wish you the best and it's great to see you looking so healthy and alive again !! YOu did it ! One day I'll jump. I'm at just 0.14 mg a day of clonazepam....but it still effects me greatly when I reduce just a little bit.

[@marinalina6348]

me too, except im ativan, and the friends thing is very hard. the one "friend" i told, called me a druggie and refuses to talk to me about it or takes shots, rubbing it in my face that its self induced and not a real illness like she has.

[@michaelthomas7328]

Did you leave a western country? I've been at 1mg lorazepam a day down from 5 of them or 50mg diazepam, 2mg of clonazepam a day when I got hold of that. I thought 1mg wouldn't make much difference but it's a horrible situation. Now I see why diazepam comes in 2mg tablets.

[@metakokalj1207]

God bless you, fellow sufferer.

[@sweetmountainbaby]

I was never allowed to do a proper taper ,a few weeks and forced off ,I have unbearable excruciating debilitating crippling severe pain 34 months ,do we all heal with no windows from pain

[@BenzoBrains]

I know others went through a really long time with no windows. I myself still deal with pain but not at the level it once was and its intermittent now for the most part.

[@morningwithgracie7870]

@@BenzoBrains jocelyn pls need your help im struggling with clonazepam kindled it.. Im in tolerance withrawal over a year already.. I tried water tapering but it developed stomach issues.. Pls need your advise and help..

[@latisharedfernharris7584]

😭😭😪 Omg dont say that I was CT in July and 9 months later that's my worst sx still , the pain it feels like death.. God please take this pain. It had destroyed me I've lost everything marriage, home. family, health life .. This was so cruel

[@sweetmountainbaby]

@@latisharedfernharris7584 I’m so very sorry ,I’m very blessed to have my sweet husband that resigned to take care of me, four years in hell ,I wish you the best

[@sweetmountainbaby]

@@BenzoBrains hi I’m still no better physically but cognitive functioning is good,four brutal years

[@michelebergman4336]

The NONSTOP pounding headache FOR MONTHS IN A ROW like your brain is going to EXPLODE IS UNBEARABLE!!!!

[@Anita-silver]

I could really connect with Carrie and her story and your back and forth with her. Is there anywhere I can read or hear more about her story?

[@BenzoBrains]

I'll ask her

[@christinedunn7944]

Thank you both for sharing, I am listening and nodding my head saying yes, yes this is exactly what I'm going through. I'm a single mum and I am alone every day, when my youngest goes to school. She also goes to her dads every second weekend. I feel so frightened being alone. The sheer chemical terror. I only wash my hair once a week. The shower is so hard. My goodness I had a bad back before but now the nerve pain is just awful. I feel so alone. I don't have the funds for regular massage, acupuncture. I am seeing a Chiropractor but I need to be careful as I have osteoporosis. My Chiropractor is great. I still tense up as I'm in so much pain and anxiety. I have survived two primary breast cancers and thyrotoxicosis. I wish in Australia that there was more support for benzo withdrawal. I am on two antidepressants as well. So after I finish this long taper I have to look at tapering those.

[@Laura-zw6kz]

Any advice on developing a helpful circle of professionals?? I’ve been in withdrawal from cold turkeying an antipsychotic for a year. I often look to benzo warriors for support because there’s not enough out there ab antipsychotic withdrawal (but a lot of the symptoms are the same.) The worst of this for me has been the dpdr. I have felt so disconnected from myself and others for a year. I had to drop out of college and move back home because of withdrawal. It happened when I was 19 and I’m 20 now.

[@garysimone4977]

Lâura....lets talk i to am wd from rẻmeron and its tough

[@mikel4526]

Pharma victims are the only people who truly understand this. We are the professionals.

[@garysimone4977]

@@mikel4526 hope all is well mike....ya right we ảe the êxperts

[@johnbartholomew1837]

Dude I stopped Xanax cold turkey 2mg about 20 pills a day and it literally took two full year's to get completely normal

[@Grace-cj5qw]

HI Jocelyn. Stay safe you and your family. God bless you.

[@BenzoBrains]

Thank you, you too.

[@kathydowns7559]

I reached tolerance at 23 years on Xanax and cold turkeyed apx 4 yrs ago and am still only about 80% healed. Grateful I was retired because there is No way I could hold down a job. Worse thing I have experienced in my life and think I have a touch of PTSD from the experience. Would not wish this on my worse enemy.😞

[@BenzoBrains]

Glad to hear you have come so far!

[@JuanitaLRL]

Kathy - You are almost there - Stay Positive. Hugs

[@WandaJ21]

I wished I was completely off. My withdrawal the other day made me feel suicidal . It’s horrific

[@pjjmsn]

I think diet is important too. Switching from whole-foods-plant-based to low-carb-animal-based did wonders for me. The sleep paralysis episodes stopped, and the joint pain disapeared, just to name a couple of things. Joslin, I believe you are on low carb, right?

[@BenzoBrains]

That's fantastic. I'm not low carb right now but it's definitely helped me so much

[@joez3706]

Animal based diets help no one 🙄

[@thek-man5079]

Amazing interview!

[@nitzaperez7173]

Does some people when they taper off Xanax might not get withdrawal, because I heard some people don't feel any withdrawal iam guessing those are the lucking one.

[@BenzoBrains]

Yes there is the lucky minority that doesn't experience withdrawal

[@ms_jadah]

I just bought kava kava.. and ive held it in my hand for hours now deciding whether or not to try it. I have severe abdominal and pelvic floor and bladder pain now ever since coming off my clonazepam 2 years ago... i know its adviced to stay away from during taper and withdrawal but like i said its been 2 years now so do u think its safe? Sorry i have no one else to ask literally no one and ive been researching all morning . I want to know your opinion.

[@PriyanthaKula]

Did you end up taking it? I was thinking of buying the same since it's plant based.

[@ms_jadah]

@@PriyanthaKulawow funny you comment this now! I have recently started using kava and I do fine with it it’s so subtle you don’t really feel anything from it at all and I’ve also been taking rhodiola rosea .

[@PriyanthaKula]

Awesome! thanks for sharing @@ms_jadah

[@teresaj7796]

I miss my Spiritually and joy. Thank you for sharing..I still struggling with diet. I can't think what i want to eat

[@leslieleslie5849]

Thank you for being vulnerable and honest ❤️ My husband is going through this and it is hard to understand but I see that it is not a choice. I just can not figure out how to help. Is there a support group for spouse?

[@BenzoBrains]

Hi sorry there used to be but to my knowledge there aren't any currently. It might be worth it to join a couple of supporter groups though and ask around

[@chantelephone1]

Came here to ask the same thing

[@lindakujava7746]

I am tapering off xxanex, but im 71 yrs old and developed high blood pressure and sugar(im a diabetic) and the dr. gave me 2 b/p meds that has made me sick and i dont know what to do,, can you help me?

[@motishabbat5292]

What one should do when in paradoxical effect?

[@PebbleBeachLife]

Windows and waves. I was on Zolpidem for 20 years and decided to taper off. Luckily it's not directly a benzo, thought rebound insomnia was the only withdrawalI had. I was put on Xanor for 3 to 4 months but went nearly cold turkey over a span of few days. This I regret. One year later and I am still suffering the hardest rebound insomnia ever. Night times are the worst, I feel so agitated I want to claw my brains out. I can't have the conversations with God I once had, I feel annoyed or my brain goes blank, I'm acting out of character at work, constantly saying things I regret. Thankfully it's during the covid period and working from home but I constantly wish I didn't have to work. I didn't make the connection that it was withdrawal at all, I've always had a general feeling of unwellness so thought it was just that. Now I hear that some people go through withdrawals for 4 years and longer and I feel hopeless. I have windows and waves where I feel better and other days I feel like I'm back to square one. I often wish I would just die although I have a good life with hubby. Thankfully no children, I would not have made the sensory overload at all.

[@garysimone4977]

Mill .. I was on ambien for 2 yrs took last pill last sept 19...Question..how long does the rebound insomia last ?? .....thank you

[@sweetmountainbaby]

My pain Dr told me it doesn’t help pain , I took it for one panic attack just one as prescribed

[@pakaseebok3779]

Hey jocelyn ,what makes your pain issues .i hope u get some relief .♠️♥️

[@BenzoBrains]

It depends. Sometimes it's pelvic sometimes it's trigeminal neuralgia sometimes it's muscular or joint

[@WandaJ21]

I have no support system. In trying to taper off of zanax. No one knows . I began your water taper about 4 days ago. It’s working. But I don’t know how long I need to do this. I’m on the verge of quitting my job. I began my taper in feb. dr forced . I’m doing 1 mg in water 4 doses per day. After a while I will take out 1ml each week and then when my body can handle it drop my .5 x in water and taper that for a while. Lastly I have the low dose. Of lowest dose of zanax. .025 . How long should it take to jump off? Dr will not give me anymore. I have 25 pills of the .5 and 28!9f low dose x

[@BenzoBrains]

Sorry, I'm not sure I completely understand your strategy or your question . It sounds like you need a dr who's willing to taper you of in an appropriate way according to your needs. Is it possible for you to find another prescriber, a nurse practitioner, OBGYN, PA?

[@WandaJ21]

@@BenzoBrains I don’t know anyone . I am using your video as a guide. I have enough 1 mg zanax to taper with for a while . But doctor prescribed. 30 day supply of .5 and 30 day supply of the 0.25 zanax. I am stable at moment on the 1mg xanax dissolved and taking 4 doses per day. I’m just trying to follow your video on taper plan

[@Faydurr]

I was once heavily using Xanax for about 7-8 months that came from the street which scared me but got to the point they worked and tolerance for higher and higher and was taking 4-5 “2mg” bars a day “but who knows how many mg they actually were being street ones” And poor circumstances leads to almost cold turkey off that but would take tiny pieces at night and morning and even did as she mentioned I would grind down bits I had left and just dab my pinky and lick my finger and it was enough to mentally help me somewhat sleep and feel a bit better for an hour or two. But was still 2 weeks of hell. Told myself I’d never touch them again! But I had found a few while cleaning out a cabinet and thought eh one a night won’t hurt just with a couple. But then that lead to WD symptoms. So sadly again for the last 8-9months first few months was one a day then within the last two -three months it’s back to where I was at before. I desperately want to stop these. The waking up sweating before I take them and night terrors now n then I have a decent amount to taper myself off with help from my sister giving me x p. Day so I don’t know where they are. Basically.. What I’m asking here are anything or OTC medications to help the symptoms and without being able to switch to a longer lasting benzo u like the short acting I’m taking now. What’s a good safe taper plan going from 4-5/day and to wean down. I’ve done it before I know I can do it again. Just not sure how much to cut out p/day and for how long. But regardless I’ve been watching your videos and giving me hope again 🙏

[@kiona1816]

Look up the Ashton manual. There is also a website that can help you calculate a taper plan: benzo.alwaysdata.net you can do a liquid titration as well look it up there’s videos on here about how to do it so you don’t have to cut your pills into tiny pieces. Since you are taking a short acting med, make sure to break up your doses throughout the day. You can either slowly cut all the daily doses at once or taper off one dose at a time

[@kiona1816]

Good luck I am currently tapering off of etizolam. It’s nearly identical in chemical structure to benzos, just one chemical off. I was getting it online (not illegal in my state) sources from India have run dry they made it illegal to ship to the US sooo I was lucky to start my taper when I did, right before the ban and when I had plenty to taper with.

[@kiona1816]

This isn’t really otc (they do have a kava tea by the brand Yogi at Walmart but it’s not as strong as preparing it the traditional way) but kava as far as I know is safe to use while tapering. For sleep, either a hydroxyzine or trazadone prescription will help and they’re both non addictive. Benadryl or Unisom might help but for some it makes their restless legs worse. Pick up some L-Theanine and Valerian Root for sure they’re in the vitamin aisle and will help anxiety. Cbd also might help. I hope this helped some

[@Faydurr]

@@kiona1816 have never heard of etizolam but I’m sure it sounds close to what I’m taking. Only think I dislike is the fact anymore whatever you find you don’t really k ow how many actual Mg’s they are and what’s in them. So in the past when there was a dry spell I went through hell. But but sister just had a baby and swing my sister taper down and now having a niece I don’t want to be doing any of this anymore at all. The last few months anyway was just taking just to feel normal so there’s no point other than wasting money. But luckily I have a decent amount to taper down with and if I HAVE to can find more to keep tapering but thank you so much for the info. I’ve been taking magnesium which seems to help with the anxiety a bit but am looking for teas/ and like you said stuff you can find at a wal mart that will help. I think I’ve won the battle of saying screw it im taking more than I should. Just only a tiny piece when I need it. But what really gets me and gives me a hard time are hand and feet sweats every morning and night (mining’s and nights usually take a bit more to get me going and to sleep better and cut down each day taking only absolutely necessary. So I’ll try the tea for sure. But not knowing exact what I’m taking it’s hard to calculate dosages other than they’re 4 square’d bars just judging by that. All and all I can live through some discomfort but a hear or two ago when I was at 4-5 a day then cold turkey I never ever wanna go thru that again I felt insane and every minute felt like an hour for a week straight. Then just felt off for another few weeks. So I’m hoping by cutting down to now at 1 in the morning a quarter or two during the day and 1 and night and then in a few days go to 3/4 morning and nights and so one and so fourth. It won’t be a breeze I’m sure but has to be better than what I experienced last time (which I told myself never ever again) but I thought I could take one or two and be okay and stop but wasn’t the case. But now have a baby niece I wanna do this for and with comments like yours I’m hoping before too too long I’ll be in the clear. So thank you for your comments. And if you find anything else that helps or suggestions I’m happy to hear them. Again thank you

[@kiona1816]

@@Faydurr I understand I went cold turkey a few years ago and it was awful I didn’t sleep for days. At least this time you have a plan so it won’t be so hard on you. I hope it goes well and I can see how it’s hard to taper when you really don’t know how much is in each pill. I’ve taken the street xans before and it is kinda scary not knowing how much is really in it. They’re really expensive in my area so I never got into it but a few times. The etizolam I have is Indian pharma grade, in blister packs.

[@marinalina6348]

Ativan I short acting , valium is longer acting, is it worse for your brain to be on a longer acting one tho since it might delay the healing process?

[@BenzoBrains]

In my experience longer acting valium was harder on my liver. But had I tapered using Ativan I would have been dosing multiple times a day. So hard to say.

[@marinalina6348]

@@BenzoBrains thanks for your reply, I have just been through a nightmare this week. I went in to see my dr last Fri bc I have developed neuralgia, which has always been there over my life, but since I dropped a level I was getting flareup jolts 30 times a day within the last 2 weeks. Doc thought it was another effects of withdrawal, and we discussed transitioning to diazepam, which would be roughly equivalent to what i had dropped down to at less than 1mg for the diazepam and .15 for the ativan. Well, its like the Diazepam said "hold my beer", and unleashed havoc on my brain. I was in a stupor since friday, sick to my stomache, could not eat, could not sleep, racing heart, racing thoughts, tremors, twitches and last night, massive panic attacks. I think I made a HUGE error in the equivalency and should have halved it or even gone to a quarter of what I took. I then researched that diazepam takes days to leave and can even build up in your tissues which I don't think ativan does based on my research. I am TERRIFIED of diazepam now, and I went to ER last night only to have them laugh in my face about the equivalency of the strength of the two poisons and how I was trying to taper off. They said I would have needed to take the whole bottle to have an OD. She also said all my symptoms were just anxiety, and what looks like withdrawal and that maybe I am better off with the pills for the anxiety. I'm scared, frustrated and and confused as to my next move on this. I am thinking of resuming the Ativan taper at .15 in a water titration for the next 50 days, but the thought of putting more of this crap into me is revolting. The thought of risking a seizure is terrifying and the dr also told me people only have seizures if they had a seizure disorder before they started the benzo, and to stop looing at dr youtube and dr google. I was doing sooo well, tapering down from ,75 to .15 over 4 months until the neuralgia started. Everyone truly does this alone.

[@metakokalj1207]

@@marinalina6348 Marina, wishing you all well. Im also in Ativan gruesome hell. I want to start taper off 1-0,8 mg dose. I lowered the dose three months ago and cannot stabilize anymore. And I am only taking the dose once per day, the rest in terrible agony. Could you suggest me how to divide the dosage to smaller during the day? I tried taking like 0,3 - 0,4 mg in the afternoon to later take the rest, but that dosage did not relieve any symptom (horrific head pressure, akathesia, heart pounding, blood pressure, cramps).

[@marinalina6348]

@@metakokalj1207 try to look into water titration methods. I bought a jewellers scale to cut my tabs down. I had bottles for 3 weeks at a time for each reduction. As soon as I felt stable enoigh I would drop again. I recommend looking at the Lovely Grind KZbin channel as well. It will be a tough tough journey 💪

[@metakokalj1207]

@@marinalina6348 Thanks, Marina. Ok, the method, but I dont know how to titrate my doses through the day. Because I used to take Ativan only once per day. But noh vaing terrible interdose withdrawal.

[@janishuegel5914]

What percentage is considered a gradual taper for 10+ years .5 prescribed Xanax ? I will be liquid Xanax taper in two weeks-after failed misinformed 1st try. Under doctor care

[@BenzoBrains]

Usually people start at a 10% per month reduction and then adjust from there

[@janishuegel5914]

My body hasn’t “stabilized” from first attempt…the nerves and waves of anxiety ugh.. what timeline should be expected…is this normal. It’s been 6 days since i had reijstate I want to be stabilized before I begin my gradual taper

[@janishuegel5914]

Also-when you say 10% a month is that gradual to 10% or start tapering 10% and wait a month before next taper OR Does that mean 025% each week building up to 10% Thanks so much So many questions - hoping to get more questions answered as I get closer to my taper time

[@yvonnedebeer9586]

Jocelyn, I want to ask, I'm in intolerance withdrawal, can I taper on the benzo that I'm on.. Or must I go over to Valium. I'm on O. 5 mg rivetrol at the moment. Thanks for your wonderful vidios and great help to the community.. You're a blessing to all of us. Lots of love

[@BenzoBrains]

Hi you can stay on the benzo you're on if you dose enough times a day to curb any potential intersose symptoms. Tolerance has more to do with needing to updos than needing a longer acting benzo, but either way you may start to feel better once you are tapering properly

[@yvonnedebeer9586]

@@BenzoBrains hi lovely Joslin, thank you for the feedback.. I appreciate it so much. I was thinking of that, I will definitely dose throughout the day for now and then switch to Valium...if my doctor is willing.. But we're working on educate her as well. 😂Enjoy a lovely day. God bless you. 🌹

[@mamabear6169]

Where do you find these support people?

[@BenzoBrains]

As in support groups? There are Facebook groups and some website forums listed here "Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Support - The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices" benzoreform.org/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-support/

[@PebbleBeachLife]

When going through withdrawal, cut out carbs/gluten, do Intermittent Fasting, take magnesium hot baths and melatonin for sleep, take a super food vegetable powder every day and listen to calming music.

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

Good advice

[@jolenereader5527]

How do I know if I have a benzo brain injury?

[@BenzoBrains]

If you try to get off and experience severe withdrawal longer than 4 weeks or are on them and are experiencing tolerance symptoms similar to withdrawal symptoms

[@nitzaperez7173]

I wonder the older you are the harder it is to wean off benzo, iam 56 years old it scare me so much.

[@BenzoBrains]

I know plenty of older people who have done it and been fine

[@nitzaperez7173]

@@BenzoBrains Thank you blessing.

[@robertstafford3449]

I was prescribed Xanax for 10 years I quit taking them without a taper which is very foolish I had a seizure I was just curious It's been a year-and-a-half and I still have souvenir depersonalization just curious this is ever going to straighten itself out

[@BenzoBrains]

I had DP off and on for a long time. For me personally, a ketogenic diet helped to finally clear that up

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

How are you now?

[@Mega13green]

How do I get better sleep?

[@thomasrehder3422]

Smile wish i could do that bunch of b.s

[@snafu22]

Yep same here.....Paroxysmal Supra Ventricular Tachycardia.....misdiagnosed as anxiety.....GP's are totally useless and blame a 236bpm heart rate on anxiety even after I pleaded that I didn't believe it was an "underlying mental illness". Day surgery resolved the SVT and here I am 30mths off all drugs later and still non functional and homebound from withdrawing from drugs I never needed for a condition I never had. And to add further insult to injury I'm invalidated by more doctors....three different doctors diagnosing three different "mental disorders" and they were ALL wrong and based on no objective data. Criminal low life bottom feeding parasites.

[@marinalina6348]

I have the svt issue too, did you have an ablation?

[@francinemartinez-cruz3335]

With this COVID 19 and the Drugs they are using it anyone in recovery was to get sick will the Hydroxychloroquine cause issues Please I would love to hear some knowledge on this drug

[@mikel4526]

Do not take any pharmaceuticals. It's really that simple.

[@kurtaaron9478]

@@mikel4526 No it's not that simple. Some medications are safe, lifesaving and necessary in certain situations. Broad brush statements like that are unnecessary and harmful.

[@mikel4526]

​@@kurtaaron9478 allow me to clarify. If you are already dealing with psychiatric poisoning, the safest thing to do is avoid ALL UNNECESSARY pharmaceuticals. People who have escaped Big Pharma understand my statement. Be strong and one day you will too.

[@kurtaaron9478]

@@mikel4526 I have escaped big pharma! I agree with you on psychiatric poisoning. I am also a benzo survivor friend. I'm in my 3rd year of withdrawal from numerous psychotropic drugs and I will never take them again. I went through a horrific protracted withdrawal coming off Klonopin, Lexapro and Trazodone. l am still suffering but I'm doing much better now and am back to work. I just disagree with your statement regarding all drugs.There are some drugs (for certain diseases) that are safe and sometimes necessary to save lives and ease suffering (cancer, etc). That's what I was referring to. I wasn't advocating for psychiatric drugs.

[@mikel4526]

@@kurtaaron9478 meh. Most pharmaceuticals are unnecessary and actually make the affliction worse in the long run. Obviously common sense needs to be applied to my statement.

[@donnabozman6909]

What Is going on in the brain as it is healing?

[@BenzoBrains]

Miracles. Other than that, given the lack of research it's anyone's guess

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

Probably the gaba receptors are trying to repair themselves. Amongst other neurotransmitters that were Hurt. Just like when you cut your arm. Or break a bone. The skin slowly grows back. Same thing with neurotransmitters I assume.

[@michelebergman4336]

Drinking Himalayan Salt Water was ONLY WAY I was able to Tapper! It balances blood sugar & Cortisol

[@thencarolinaman1934]

Can you please very briefly share your experience? I need help

[@michelebergman4336]

@@thencarolinaman1934 Go on You Tube & google SOLE WATER! It’s made with Pink Himalayan Salt & Water ! I drink it all day & night to lower Anxiety

[@thencarolinaman1934]

@@michelebergman4336 thank you so much

[@marinalina6348]

Does it affect your blood pressure??

[@joez3706]

😲

[@miscgloryofficial4527]

I saw a post on carbamazepine on reddit benzo that said it enables even 'cold turkey' benzo withdrawal - I cannot find anything on that on youtube only on the normal internet. the only issue i saw was that the advised dose was 400mg of carbamazepine per day whennormal dosages for its ordinary use are appx 50mg. the guy who did the post said its standard issue for UK benzo withdrawal patients...love some anecdotal stories on it....anyone can shed some light on this ????

[@BenzoBrains]

That's basically what you would do to cold turkey off and not die from a seizure. That doesn't mean you won't have a stroke or any withdrawal symptoms, or not end up having seizures afterwards once the treatment is done. If you're the kind of person who can get off fast and not have lasting effects then might as well just do a normal taper and you won't feel too bad anyway. But if you're one of those who is injured (prone to severe withdrawals), you'll still feel the effects of the rapid taper/cold turkey for months or years even though you're technically off the benzo. Either way a sensible taper is your best option as opposed to adding in more meds and possibly injuring yourself more. There are no quick fixes or magical get out of jail free pills. If there were then we wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place with benzos right? Live and learn my friend.❤

[@miscgloryofficial4527]

@@BenzoBrains oh ok I see. Thank you for clearing that up. Really appreciate your videos! No one would know you’d had any issues behind that beautiful smile in all your videos lol. Blessings to you 🙏 🙏❤️✝️

[@MrPeterISABELLA]

How long was she on the xanax? And what dose?

[@Babatha100]

Make sure you take a look at www.moongladepress.com and a link for Repairing the Bezo Blunder/ A Mosaic of Recovery to see The International Benzodiazepine Symposium we held here in Bend, Oregon in 2017.

[@garysimone4977]

Wait.....taking only a few times a month and got messed up wow !!!!!!!!

[@mikel4526]

very common.

[@garysimone4977]

@@mikel4526 really ???....i never realized that just taking 2-3x a month you can get this sick ??? Mike did this happen to you

[@mikel4526]

@@garysimone4977 you've been in these forums for awhile. Why are you still in denial?

[@garysimone4977]

@@mikel4526 denial what do you mean

[@mikel4526]

@@garysimone4977 you read the stories everyday. You are well aware that it only takes one pill to cause years of misery. Constantly doubting the story teller is a form of denial. Convincing oneself that "only taking it a few times per month is safe" is a form of denial. Especially for someone so active in these forums.

[@michelebergman4336]

Jocelyn PLS don’t Laugh & Smile so much ! It makes it seem like it’s FUNNY TO U & ITS LIFE OR DEATH for us!!

[@joemcgrath6453]

What?

[@animafunz]

6 years off permanent brain damage never returned normal

[@mikel4526]

It's not uncommon. These pills were designed to be a weapon.

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

You ever get better?

[@1summerflower]

❤

[@mikel4526]

Am I in the shower or in a Pink Floyd video? - Warriors know wzup.

[@lynnmarie6058]

How long were you on xanax and how much? I want off of these things so bad

[@BenzoBrains]

I'm sorry I don't remember how long she was on Xanac but it wasn't long. I was on my benzo for 3 years

[@michelebergman4336]

What about keeping your DIGNITY when u look like a homeless drug addict & u gain 30 lbs & loss all muscle mass & skin on face & body start sagging like a 90 year old???

[@michelebergman4336]

Recovering from the Trauma even after 5 years off Drug is. Not EVIDENT!

[@michelebergman4336]

Everybody WONT! I have 3 friends that Killed themselves From Benzo OVERLOAD

[@michelebergman4336]

NO GOOD FOR ME CAME FROM THIS! I have been Tortured for 10 YEARS

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

You ok now?

[@mackenziedog1872]

44 years of valium 60mg per day. Can't find anyone whose knowledgeable

[@BenzoBrains]

as in a dr? benzoinfo.com has a list of benzo wise practitioners. Maybe this will help you find one in your area?

[@waynegrow]

Shiiiiieeeeeeet. That's heavy duty. Good luck 🤞.

[@rawmilkmike]

It's a safe bet the hip is related to carbohydrate intake. Everyone should do their best to eliminate carbs from their diet. There is absolutely no such thing as healthy fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are recommended by the same people who prescribed your benzos.

[@mikel4526]

The corona pills will destroy lives.

[@mikel4526]

crickets.

[@debsattam1]

Well let me say you women's can be more hormonal but they can never be as much emotional as a guy.

[@rickxlee9676]

That's because men hold it in to breaking point, a bit like a pressure cooker.