Brenda's Story: Polypharmacy on Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines & Stimulants

[@MedicatingNormal]

If you like what we do and want more of it, consider buying us a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/MNFilm

[@georgiabessie]

Thank you for sharing your story! I’m currently in a slow benzo taper and am terrified of the withdrawal. Off antidepressant for 4 months now after 23 years.

[@shamilton6870]

She is lucky she had a physician to help her with her taper. In my case I got off an antidepressant, “mood stabilizer”, and a benzodiazepine (klonopin) all on my own. It was hell. No physician would help. Eight years later I still have some issues.

[@JM-kq7rn]

I hear you! Me too! 10 yrs on KLONOPIN and cold turkey. Nobody helped me. Walked around in withdrawal for 5 yrs not aware of it. Just knew something was wrong. Doctor kept adding meds. Was on four things, and weaned off 3 and last was KLONOPIN. Ruined my life. Been 3 years and still not right. 🤬😖. It’s criminal…

[@georgiabessie]

Physicians CANT help you. They have no clue about tapering off psychiatric meds. Only know how to order. Do it yourself or find a compound pharmacist.

[@paulaboynton8299]

Same. I have been on paroxetine for about 25 years. My highest dose was 40mg, I am currently taking 5mg/day. It has been a struggle. I’m doing this on my own. My primary care provider doesn’t really understand. She was instructing me to taper way too fast. I have to work, and I live alone, so I have to be able to function. I do not have the ability to stay in bed, although I’d like to. I have insomnia, very hard to negotiate that and keep my job. I am trying to stay positive and recognize the progress I’ve made. 5 mg is way less than 40, so that’s progress.

[@anatino]

@@paulaboynton8299 make sure you taper all the way under 1mg. Like 0.20mg. Paxil still covers receptors at 1mg. It is criminal. I’ve been the same as you. Just done with Benzo taper a month ago. I’m on Zoloft and Mirtazepine. I have zero tolerance to any stress. It sands me into a wave. Still got three more years to taper such a low dose.

[@JM-kq7rn]

@@paulaboynton8299 I was put on 60 mg of paroxetine at one point when they couldn’t tell me what was wrong! WHICH WAS KLONOPIN WITHDRAWAL! I had serotonin toxicity from paroxetine., and they decided to add seroquel to the mix! 🤬 Took long time to taper off..be safe

[@jbwetzstein]

God bless you, Brenda! I'm sorry for all you've gone through. You are exactly right: you WILL heal!

[@thedancingdivaofdaviestree2320]

Nicotine the same! I don't think so. I quit a terrible cigarette habit when I was 30, and only suffered one tiny mood swing and some terrible nic fits for 6 months, then it was all over. I had 167 of 200 withdrawal symptoms. I'd NEVER suffered from clinical depression until I got OFF 20 years of klonopin, which had disabled me. Despite that, I got my life back, and I'm thrilled, but what a Wild Ride it was. For example, I suffered 9 long months of thinking I had dementia, but thankfully it was just another benzo withdrawal symptom, and when my brain came back "online" it was better than ever. Someone said I got the upgrade!

[@MedicatingNormal]

Glad you are better!

[@thedancingdivaofdaviestree2320]

@@MedicatingNormal Still have numerous withdrawal symptoms, but many have resolved, including the seeming dementia. In spite of it, I'm 100 times better than when i was disabled by the medication. I've gone from crawling - my blood pressure was diagnosed as "incurably" low often - to dancing. Great film with great stories of many other people who lost the vitality of their lives to these meds - then got them back by quitting them, learning coping skills instead to face and deal with the old wounds and trauma that led us to take them. Thanks, MedicatingNormal for getting the information out!

[@traceyrychewhite1874]

Oh my gosh, I noticed that too! I say the same thing.

[@louise2171]

I'm on the other of her Dr Bohan tapered me off of benzodiazepines 8 years ago. I have a new life today

[@madelynhernandez7453]

Did you have any severe existential fears during withdrawal?...

[@cherylmoschitto_outwardsilence]

🙏🏻♥️

[@jackiegerspachhas4237]

I get the bad either sour or bitter.

[@MedicatingNormal]

taste?

[@kiwitraveller6451]

I am crying now because my son is having episodes which are happening more often now and he is giving up on taking the drugs and tapering and went really sick...no one to help only myself and his older brother...now we are back at the start with him taking klonopin and haloperidol...and sleeps nearly all day, does not want to do anything now...they are killing my son...🥲🥲🥲

[@JM-kq7rn]

So sorry to hear this 😭 prayers for you all!! My family watched me suffer for years 😢. I’m so , so sorry. God give you strength and help u all through this 🙏🥺

[@mariekejansen7658]

So sorry 😢

[@kiwitraveller6451]

@@JM-kq7rn thanks a mill JM...I am a believer but still it very hard when one is suffering and it spills over on the family...God Bless you too...💗🙏

[@emmaester5284]

Use high dose vit c-it helps with withdrawal -then start using coconut oil-it’s really good for the brain repair and ketogenic diet-I promise using these things are a lifesaver (for your son) xx

[@karenm9245]

SAME !!