Can Your Brain Heal From Long Term Benzodiazepine Use?

[@PolarPT]

7 months clean of benzo’s after years of prescribed every day, twice a day, use. If you are reading this and just recently stopped taking your benzo - I/WE know how you feel. I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that life is great even 7 months down the line, but I will truthfully tell you it is immensely better than what you are currently going through. I know normal people tell you to hang in there etc.. and they just can’t comprehend how you feel or thin. But I do comprehend it. And when I say it does it get better, you should believe it. The WDs are by far the most gruesome, painful days I’ve ever experienced. Army vet etc.. nothing compares to benzo WD. You are enough and you will get better. I struggle every day but I also progress every day. One day, we will all be back to who we used to be, even if it seems so far away. Cause damn, it does still for me by a million. But my 1 ounce of determination/motivation I didn’t have 7 months ago is vaguely in my being somewhere. Pushing me slowly every day. I’m a realist and I’m the realest. So are you. Love you all.

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

Thank you for your service , an thank you for putting this on here. Sometimes It's good to read a story of progress rather then hopelessness. It helps give me hope. Godbless.

[@tinastanley4444]

Thank you for your service and telling the horror of benzo withdrawal. I'm only 2 months in withdrawal. Was cut off cold turkey. You know the agony. God bless you my friend. Regards Tina

[@tinastanley4444]

Love you too

[@tinastanley4444]

​@@dustygatrell-ru7tgyou are right. It's good to hear positivity, hope. God bless you.

[@discdoggie]

i was on 4 mg a day for 19 months in 2003 and 1 mg at night for sleep in 2023 for a year. i never felt any withdrawal like people talk about And i DO know addiction; i was addicted to heroin in the 90s. i miss sleeping like a baby as i did while taking xanax and valium, but none of the horrible side effects i read on videos like these i also take offense at the camp who scream “i tOoK oNlY aS pReScRiBeD!” like they are a victim rather than a willing participant in their own drug use. MANY of these employed in the medical and mental health professions In this day and age, even lay people understand there are risks jn any medication, even “taken only as prescribed.” Stop passing off accountability

[@Skoopyghost]

I had alcohol, weed(many other substances I don't remember), but benzos are the ones that made I realize that a dealer is more humane than psychiatry as a profession.

[@stephencaudill2422]

I'm a drug and alcohol counselor, I agree with this, benzo's are worse than fentanyl wrt long term withdrawal, and I disagree that the brain can heal from long term benzo's

[@petermonis4616]

Most certainly my man, they just put you on in and then abruptly stop it, it's bad, mostly advers reaction to benzo use in general... Should be taken as sugar, or coffee, not the best thing for you but there is no difference in that it's only your choice if you are going to drink tea/coffee with sugar in it or not

[@Davesboxingchat]

Currently in withdrawal from a mammoth dosage and taper...3 weeks since my last one. Currently right in the middle of HELL on earth....can't hold a thought, a memory, permanent flight or fight, panic attacks, lack of sleep and complete lack of appetite. Thank god for my dogs or I think I wouldn't have even made it this far. 💯 anyone else that this resonates with...you aren't alone if that helps anybody!

[@ummehabibaa5880]

Why did your doctor taper you off in the first place?

[@Davesboxingchat]

@@ummehabibaa5880 because I was taking a huge amount from the black market to keep up with my tolerance stupidly.

[@Cruella_DG]

Hang in there.. I promise it does get better. It just takes time. I know it feels like hell now. Sending you my support ❤

[@deemariewright3981]

A quality CBD oil is well known to help prevent seizures (doesn’t have THC or cause a high). Keep checking BP & ask doctor for Clonidine to help keep BP under control. Once you’re in this state it’s difficult to try to talk with anyone to explain what is going on. You described it well.

[@paulbillington8290]

@@Davesboxingchat how much were you taking mate, i,m in 60mgs of valium street bought and have been for 3 years, want to start a slow taper, is that the same as you?

[@WihelminaVonMiners]

I took doctor prescribed Klonopin for over ten years, I quit taking them 9 yrs ago and still have issues. My anxiety has never returned to a normal base level and I still can’t get past the agoraphobia the withdrawal caused. This drug not only created new issues but worsened the ones I originally started taking it for. For those that are currently struggling, it does get better and you will heal so keep going and never give up.

[@Aces8236]

I'm very confused by your situation. You said your pretty much worse off now than before your started, but then say it gets better and you will heal. So are you actually better after 9 years off it?

[@MegaLatie]

@@Aces8236 don't listen to these people they scare you! after 9 years off the benzo and then still have a problem then this is not due to the benzo but something else .. I am 17 months benzo free and cured don't be afraid of these people! you will heal this person has issue because of something else and not sick after 9 years because of benzo this is not right!

[@oldtc3615]

@@Aces8236 I understood the original statement as kind of what happened to myself. Original anxiety, normal but burdensome. I was working way too much. Medicated with a benzo and eventually everything got way worse, years later no longer functional. Stop using benzo and doing better than being at the worst but years later still not back to the levels before the drug was started. It's unknown if we will eventually get a full recovery but people have even after such a long time.

[@joshuacaron5397]

Confusing your statement reads your anxiety got worse

[@poornimasharma7145]

Just start focusing on breathing and do meditation. All will be fine soon

[@mariannelabanane2589]

it takes at least 3 to 12, sometimes 24, 48 months for the brain to fully get back to normal. It's a long time ...

[@blakejohnson8639]

@@mariannelabanane2589 at 72 months and in extreme hell.

[@mariannelabanane2589]

@@blakejohnson8639 Poor you. I am sorry to hear that. What drug did you withdraw from? Did you withdraw very fast? :( Have you checked for an Ayurvedic Doctor. Some can help with those issues I think.

[@mariannelabanane2589]

@@blakejohnson8639 Do you have akathisia?

[@carajones6904]

Even is you take .25 Xanax one time for a doctor appointment? My doctor prescribed me it

[@sweetmountainbaby]

@@blakejohnson8639So sorry. I’m 7 plus years in HELL FROM PAIN

[@mariocondello2353]

He's spot on with the time frame. I'm at about 13 months alcohol and benzo free but still having withdrawal issues like muscle pain and tinnitus. I'm hoping at 18 - 24 months it will feel like it was all a bad dream.

[@jrman413]

how are you now?

[@fittyleben9680]

I’m at 13 months now and these are the issues I still deal with. It’s not debilitating, just annoying. And it’s not 24/7 either. Life is WAY better today and full healing is in sight I believe.

[@laurenwallace861]

@@fittyleben9680this gives me hope!!

[@deemariewright3981]

Cardiologist prescribed benzo for two years then during an office visit says his prescribing license is revoked and he’s sorry but can’t write the benzo anymore. So, just like that within 18 to 24 hours I was sick beyond sick, then worse to the point I couldn’t even talk to tell anyone what had happened. I’m not young either. Yes, sudden stop of benzo, such as alprazolam will put your BP minimum between 170 -220 systolic, heart rate 120/minute & over, cause no sleep for minimum 8-12 days, seizures and strokes. This is what doctors fail to tell you. I couldn’t help but notice when this doctor in the video began naming symptoms he seemed to lower his voice and kinda trail off there at the end as he said ‘seizures’…….’strokes’…. That’s certainly not the time to go quiet on two of the major withdrawal symptoms that can either kill you or change one’s life forever for the worst. One of my three very dear, close girlfriends who was ten years my senior went to her regular doctor appointment they put her to see this ignorant NP who had just started working at her doctor’s office & the NP just decided my friend didn’t need the alprazolam so she was just suddenly taken off alprazolam (Xanax) that they had had her on for many years. She had two strokes & it had affected her mind where she was just docile and could be talked easily into anything, like a child and it also greatly affected her memory. (She’s deceased now from the C-jab & Remdesivir 🤬). Dr. Heather Ashton in the UK did some awesome studies on benzodiazepines and why they must be dealt with more seriously with more education of what’s going on re: withdrawing from this medication. She’s deceased now at 90 y.o. Below is a link and you can find KZbin videos with her teaching about this. I think she founded several clinics just for tapering from benzodiazepines. www.benzoinfo.com/ashtonmanual/ There’s loads of information Dr. Ashton put out on the Internet about this subject matter.

[@Rollwithit699]

Was prescribed Xanax in '92 for anxiety and sleep problems. Always took as directed. They switched me to Klonopin after 6 years but they gave to me foe 28 years, 6 months total. That's when I happened to hear a video of Jordan Peterson talking about his experience with withdrawal from klonopin. It scared me so much I immediately spoke to my doc asking to stop. She said "okay". No advice or offer to taper and I assumed she would know, so didn't question it. Cold turkey withdrawal was so nightmarish for over a year and still is bad at times, but it was the worst in the first 5-6 months. I was very uncertain if I would survive it. Couldn't make sense when I spoke, very confused, extreme panic, hyperventilation, heart pounding, insomnia and nightmares when I'd finally drift off. Trembling, crying (I usually rarely cry), sweating, freezing, itching, couldn't sit still, burning, cramping, trouble swallowing, pain in body and joints. Couldn't reach my doctor and receptionists were unconcerned. Texted on the office portal with no response, etc. That started in December 2020. I've improved but personality is different now. I'm more serious,, laugh rarely, easily pissed off. Have been diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy, ADHD, Asperger's and paroxymal ventricular tachycardia since withdrawal. Not sure if all are due to the cold turkey withdrawal...very possibly.

[@Thisisalt5465]

​@@Rollwithit699how's your tachycardia now

[@bwarm1989]

Why didn’t you go to the ER were you unsure of what was happening after stopping the benzo? I’m surprised he didn’t refer you to another doctor

[@jdssurf]

you could have gone to any medical facility and they would have helped you with this

[@Angie-c4z]

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I only used benzos for a month and cold turkeyed thinking I'd be fine. 21.5 months later improving but still having issues. As for the C jab OR ANY OTHER INCLUDING THE FLU ONE NEEDS TO BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. My friends and Neighbours are sicker than ever, some passed away and I lost my best friend too. A 49 yo friend of a friend passed away 15 days after. Flu shot, 29 yo I know miscarried after two C shots then diagnosed with heart murmur. I could go on. I trust no doctors ANYMORE.

[@stephiis8882]

I remember I tried to get my doctor to prescribe them to me years ago and she said no. I can't thank her more for that now. Much love to everyone going through this right now. I just learned about the hell on earth that is benzo withdrawal. Never thought anything could suck more than fentanyl withdrawal... but I was mistaken.

[@jaypalnitkar4400]

Lucky to find a good doctor.

[@icedcoffee8561]

Funny how people are controlled, there's so much bad stigma around benzos, yet they're not bad on your liver, no negative long term health effects. You'd do more damage taking Tylenol every day.

[@nhopkins8266]

@@icedcoffee8561you’re kidding right?

[@ericdelbrugge2005]

@@icedcoffee8561look up akathisia….then come back here. Better yet read some about Christine narloch….that’ll fix you.

[@SteveLai-q6s]

@@icedcoffee8561 My Benzo Tolerance is actually killing me right now. It has given me Hypertension after 16 years of use and my Blood Pressure is breaking 200/110. i am actually dying. I was originally on Ativan and my BP was 247/147 and this was happening everyday until my wife who is a BSN RN decided it must be Benzodiazepine Tolerance. I switched painfully, with seizures, to Diazepam to start a Taper after 14 years and my BP dropped to 150-140/90. However, I do believe I am building a Tolerance to Diazepam or I have Underlying Hypertension Problems as my BP is 150's/ 110 and I could die at any moment as the Diastole is too high! Stay away from Benzos as many people react differently to them. In my case I am hypersensitive to them and I do not think I will be around much longer. I have BIND and i can not escape this as no one knows how to save me. I will probably end myself as it is a living God Dammed Hell. I can tell you all that this MD is NOT fully aware of the multitude of symptoms and types of Protracted Withdraws this stuff does to people differently! That means he is NO EXPERT! Ask to find a Tapering Expert MD who does this for a Living and has done this for years!! I have and they told me there is a chance I might have to take a Low Dose of Benzos until I pass on. Remember, Tapering will be DIFFERENT for EVERYONE! Most about 60% will make it, but 40% will NOT! I am that 40% who will not!

[@kimmiann5690]

After being prescribed for over a decade, I stopped for a few years. The end of year 3 was almost as bad as the acute. Tremors, tachycardia, sweating, insomnia.. it never went away. I was in therapy the whole time but had to do it over telehealth because the agoraphobia was so bad. I'm currently down to 2mg of klonopin 2×/daily and it took years to get comfortable on this dose. I had a shitty doc who asked if I wanted something that'd work immediately or build up in my system over months. I wanted instant relief. It's panic. I keep trying to function on lower doses and some days I get by on one klonopin, but it's not comfortable. I hate the doc who did this to me. I was young and had no idea he was writing for xanax because I didn't know what alprazolam was, nor did I know how addictive it is. Hopefully I'll be able to stop altogether, but today isn't that day unfortunately. This month does mark 5 years of opioid sobriety so at least I have that. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@JustBHonest]

How are you now!

[@tylerwill5250]

Sorry…but if you’re old enough to be rx’d benzos, you’re old enough to research the chemical name in a google search….

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

Fir anybody going threw benzo withdrawal , just know that your brain is healing. It might take a long time but you WILL get better. I'm currently withdrawing from benzos fir 5 in half months now. I'm still suffering but it's gotten a tiny bit better. Your brain will lie and say this is just how you are, but it's NOT. No human in the history of time is feeling like benzi withdrawal just from being themselves. Keep your hopes strong because that will get you threw this nightmare. Is God not much bigger then some withdrawals? Remember your just gonna be a much stronger person when you heal and hardly nothing will bother you anymore after going threw this my bro went threw benzo withdrawals years back an he healed. He's doing good now. Matter of fact he said he felt better then he ever has after he healed.

[@opeyemiyusuf8965]

How are you now my friend

[@macintoshimann9892]

Even with PTSD and a movement disorder and chronic pain... my life is so much better just 1.5 years without benzos. The first 6 months were kinda rough but finding tools like meditation and yoga ended up giving me a better quality of life than before I was on the drugs. First thing every morning I’m glad I woke up cuz I got a daily hike and it’s gonna be blissful. The big personality changes for the best have made the experience so different from the hellish protracted withdrawal I was scared of. I honestly believe meditation really sped up the recovery process.

[@icedcoffee8561]

I'm curious why you would quit, I've heard some people say it stopped working for them. The earliest I've heard this happening is age 65, lots of people seem to not have this issue until age 85. I've been on for 6 years 2-3mg per day and have been great cognitively and physically.

[@macintoshimann9892]

@@icedcoffee8561 maybe its cuz i started them in my early 20s but benzos made every single symptom I was taking them for worse in a matter of months. Felt like they gave me a whole new condition to fight against too.

[@eliffvegunes]

​@@icedcoffee8561it doesn't harm me cognitively, in fact I'm much better now and do a lot of things that I couldn't before.. But doctors want me to give up benzo.. I'm on 10 mg nervium..

[@Jannietime1]

I can’t even tell the truth about how long I’m off and still injured because it will upset people in the throes of withdrawal. I’m a ton better but still the injury dominates my life. Fuck benzo’s straight to hell. I always took as prescribed and was not an addict. I’m so sorry for everyone in it.

[@susanwelch9087]

Same here. Didn't want to scare people. I am loads better than I was in acute and the first 18 months, but still struggle with crushing fatigue and a couple other things. It gets better at a glacial pace. Hope you reach 100% recovery. Hope we all do.

[@icedcoffee8561]

​@@susanwelch9087 why don't people post how long they were on em for so I can get statistics from comments lol I've been 2-3mg for 6 years, no issues. Most people I see having issues with benzos are 65-85 years old and took them for 20-40 years... not many substances you can take for 20-40 years without issues.

[@katiecarter3301]

I came to your clinic August of 2018 in Richmond Va as I was told a rapid detox was safe. It was the worst mistake I have ever made next to taking the benzos. The Flumazenil detox fried my nervous system ten times worse and I am 5.5 years into protracted withdrawal still with dozen of symptoms. I’ve lost the last 5 years being the mom I always dreamed of to our son and my life. It’s given me ptsd and ruined my life. I’ve eaten super healthy and gone by the book of what and what not to do. We spent an additional $40,000 on stem cells that still didn’t fix the damage. Never do a detox and always slow taper and listen to your body! Don’t make the same mistake that I did.

[@alanmac8807]

5.5 years I've been suffering from protracted withdrawal doctor said I should've stated feeling better after 12 - 14 months but I'm still no better than day one it's kinda heartbreaking to hear that it can last that long and all because I took Xanax thinking it was fun and games

[@icedcoffee8561]

It's crazy to me that they're doing detox for this. I knew not to detox or cold turkey from benzos, I thought this is something we all learned at high-school parties, doctors can't even get it right.

[@kamartaj]

Have you tried valproic acid?

[@alanmac8807]

@@kamartaj I'll try anything seems it's never gonna end

[@AnthonyOkafor-gn4bx]

Thank you for the knowledge. I wanted to go for detox, but cannot anymore after I got ur message. Benzo has destroyed my youthful age. I feel like to die. I tried to taper but found myself in a very painful and zombie situation. I later went back again on in. Tapering pain is worst than hell.

[@Carolina_girl86]

I don’t understand why the brain damage started for me as soon as I was ripped off klonopin. I was thriving and living my best life when I was on klonopin even before I was on it. So how is it two days after the doc ripped me off cold turkey my brain felt out of whack (seventeen months now and no let up)? Constant pressure, throbbing, pulsating sensation, it’s impacting my vision, my thought process, my love for life. It’s dumbed down my whole being. I can no longer drive, take care of myself or my son. Been bedridden since June 17, 2022.

[@shubhajittrfdr654]

What was your dosage ?

[@Carolina_girl86]

@@shubhajittrfdr654 1 mg

[@nrx9gaguser]

​@@shubhajittrfdr654If you're asking this for your own sake, It depends on your body, you can get crippled with a lower dose than hers.

[@JustBHonest]

How are you doing know. Let's talk I'm doing the same shit. It has gotten better

[@Carolina_girl86]

@@JustBHonest not gotten any better. Had like 4 minutes last Monday where it cleared up for the first time ever but it started right back. Tomorrow is April 1 and it will be 22 months for me. What’s gotten better?

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

I keep comming back to this video. I need to reasure myself i will heal.

[@MultiFixman]

same im 2.5 years off of xanax

[@thecolemaninstituteforaddi6234]

Glad that it helps, Dusty. Hang in there. Best wishes!

[@Chromedome-ss6mg]

You will bro. Iv been through it. Don't get scared listening to other ppl problems. I was a heavy addict and it gets much better than you might think reading fear comments. Some of it is psychological and not real. Don't worry.

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

@@Chromedome-ss6mg appreciate the reply man. Godbless.

[@Susan-qd4yu]

13 months off Klonopin after 12 years prescribed - coming out of withdrawal slowly but surely. Exercise, eating healthy and staying sober. Hard, but the Benzos made me a vacant fool.

[@annstar2793]

Nice to hear something positive- you CAN recover from BZO !!!!

[@MrTimjd123]

A hospital cold turkey ed her off Benzos. It put her into such a bad withdrawal she was on life support for 15 days, and spent 2 years to get somewhat of a normal life back. When went to the hospital to simply ask what her recovery will be off them, as soon as I mentioned Benzo, they had security walk me out the front door even though i was polite and just asking for some advice.

[@deemariewright3981]

It’s just criminal in many cases how the ppl who should help a person with this but rather they further put the person in danger of losing their lives or becoming permanently brain damaged. Most ppl listen to the doctors and trust them not expecting to have the medical system turn on them and treat them as criminals.

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

That's messed up. They get huge kickbacks from benzos. They'll take peoples suffering am cash It in before they admit to there crimes .

[@LostAccs]

@@deemariewright3981 just cursed them again

[@Chromedome-ss6mg]

Iv had the same experiences. I hate these asshole drs.

[@TheSevyn7up]

I was cut off benzos cold Turkey and am still suffering so bad I don’t know what to do

[@blakejohnson8639]

I’ve been off benzos for four years and am still in withdrawal hell. Can’t sleep. Pretty sure I permanently messed my brain up. Weight gain, headaches, major fatigue, insomnia, depression.

[@coolfish420]

I've been off for about 4 years as well. I feel like a raw nerve most days, but it still feels worth it in the end. When I feel the symptoms you mention, I try to remember that I just need to find new ways to deal with them since i used the benzos to paper over everything. Getting off of them is the hardest part; you already did it! I don't know you but I'm proud of you and I know you can keep going.

[@Buhofree]

Do you try with CBD?

[@thebrilliantbrittany]

Go do hyperbaric oxygen therapy & see a functional medicine doctor. It’ll help.

[@BJtheMountaineerguy]

Blake did you taper off or come off fast?

[@thorsteinheinz4719]

What kind of benzo did you take? How many mg? How long you been on benzo?

[@SVR1968]

Good video, I’ve been off Benzodiazepines for nearly three months (I was on them for just over two years), and I feel much better. I got off Benzodiazepines by the slow taper method.

[@thecolemaninstituteforaddi6234]

Thanks for your feedback, SR 1968, and thank you for sharing your story.

[@jessed3648]

​@@thecolemaninstituteforaddi6234im still on 1mg of clonazepam per day, i was on 4mg for 10 years, now im at 1mg. I think i have séquelles from it, im mad at the Dr who prescribe me those pills for so long on top of my méthadone, lyrica & sinequan. The psychiatre told her twice to taper me down but she didnt listen, i taper down on my own and now i have a new dr who help me a lot but its hell to try to taper that last 1mg, i did little by little but i was not fonctionnal. The Dr in Montreal who put me on thoses pills died from her cancer and i dont feel sorry for her, she did the same thing whit a lot of patients. Now im on 30mg of méthadone and 25mg of seroquel plus that F@ckin clonazepam 1mg. Im gonna do it o.25 mg at the time on the long term but i have a lot of bad séquelles from it. I kik méthadone 2 yrs ago and i relapse few month ago, its hard to stay sober whit those benzos. Im HIV since 2003, i was not supposed to lived that long but 15yrs ago the trithérapie was better and there was no need to let me all those meds. Some Dr are Quacks in Canada because they can not be charged whit anything 99% of the time

[@HELLnnan]

Let me know one thing, sir. What happend with you after that? How did you feel? I wanna know if you see life in a different way now. I really wanna know what changes. I'm about to start a 10% taper each 2 weeks. Peace and God bless you.

[@jessed3648]

@@HELLnnan its a good plan to taper 10% every 2weeks but if you rrally dont feel well at some point you can stay on the same dose for a while and continue taper when you feel better. Remember, its not a rush, you dont compete whit anyone. Like i did, i stop taper at 1mg for a while and im ready to lower at 0.75 now. Good luck and it worth it. It dépend on what dose you took and for a long you been taken them, i suggest to go in a support group and talk face 2 face whit ppl who when thru that.

[@HELLnnan]

@@jessed3648 Thanks, Jesse. I'm taking 1mg everyday and I'll try decreasing 10% every 2 weeks too. Thanks for the words

[@heathercloete7450]

Yes it can. Yes it done take a long time. How do I know? I have been sober and clean since October 2011. By Gods grace

[@mydnytmover]

So why even do you go to a doctor?

[@fittyleben7571]

did you fully heal?

[@CrippyCream45]

Klonopin is the worst. I ran out one week because I thought it was a great idea to take more tabs for a few college presentations to ease the anxiety. But I felt exactly the same on more mgs. When the bottle was empty the room started spinning, dry mouth, hands shaking, cold sweats, could barely speak, 3 days no sleep, couldn’t eat, the list goes on. I was so desperate that I reached out to a dealer for oxy which helped ease my symptoms only slightly. I got my refill from the pharmacy and moved on like nothing happened. I’m on 1mg per day now which is half the dose I used to take. I still want off this nightmare medicine and these success stories are giving me hope.

[@Carolina_girl86]

So no one experiences the constant brain pulsating and throbbing pressure 24/7 like something is squeezing your brain at every second of the day??

[@mangoxxtango]

I do have those. I had zero idea these symptoms were caused by benzos in the first place.

[@Carolina_girl86]

@@mangoxxtango it only makes sense to me that it’s caused by benzos. It came on exactly two days after I was ripped off klonopin 18 months ago and hasn’t stopped since.

[@blakejohnson8639]

@@Carolina_girl86 I definitely do. I just had my third MRI done and two CT scans done. They can’t find anything but it is relentless. My head throbs all the time. Worse at night when it is quiet. So much pressure in my head. I’m almost 6 years off benzos. I had no idea this hell could last this long. What do you do about it?

[@Carolina_girl86]

@@blakejohnson8639 my lumbar puncture revealed a lot of pressure in my head, but my Ct scan did not. It’s strange how an MRI can’t see your head is constantly pulsating, pressure and cracking when you turn it side to side and up and down. I can look in the mirror and see that.

[@Carolina_girl86]

@@blakejohnson8639 that’s scary. I’m not going another four years (it’ll be 6 years for me in 4 years) feeling like this!! It’s been over 2 years now I’ve felt like this every day straight for over 26 months with no let up. My lumbar puncture I got back in December showed major pressure in my head and they said they tried to lower it, but didn’t. My MRI better be able to detect something.

[@meagiesmuse2334]

33 years of benzos prescribed for muscle spasms that threw me off my feet. 24 mos. of tapered withdrawal. Been totally off for 5 years and 3 mos., but still having non-stop anxiety with tachycardia, as if my GABA receptors have not healed at all. I have gone from no sleep at all to about 5 hours of broken sleep per night, by taking many supplements to help, so there is some improvement. I've become a hermit.

[@DNV-bc5od]

How are you now?

[@meagiesmuse2334]

@@DNV-bc5od- Some nights I sleep maybe one hour more, but am worse overall, since I am being weaned from the drug that stabilized my blood pressure and overstimulation response, as it is now considered to be a "bad" drug.

[@jacksoncurtain9612]

3 years on benzos and stopped 19 months ago. I'm still healing i think and dreaming of that day when I'll be fully in the moment again and alert like i was before starting them in 2019. Zinc helped me get through detox and taper and i still take 15mg daily. My sleep is great and my anxiety is manageable daily. I cut caffiene way down and don't use alcohol our drugs if any kind. Healing has become a lifestyle of its own. Good luck! You can stop it you want to. It starts with getting in a longer acting benzo and tapering very slowly.

[@diefilmkitchenjohannessand2173]

How are you now?

[@Engnieermuhammadali]

I am also thinking of taper off.

[@Engnieermuhammadali]

I am on Clonazepam 1mg for 1 and half year

[@BarryMann]

3 months off after 1yr of use. Came off too fast (5 weeks). I was in a terrible state 3 months ago but doing a lot better now. Sleep like a baby. All physical symptoms gone apart from trembling/shaking in my right hand. Very low stress tolerance. Most people heal within 90-180 days. All over the internet there are threads like this one.

[@jrman413]

Lucky you healing this fast

[@laurenwallace861]

How are you today @BarryMann

[@BarryMann]

@@laurenwallace861 6 months off tomorrow, in fact, and 90% done. Most people heal inside 180 days , the rest are outliers that often gather on Facebook groups

[@Hggfcgghg]

I don’t remember a lot about my experience with benzodiazepines but I know I was in a dark place. I regret taking them. If I didn’t find Jesus I wouldn’t be alive now

[@lynnehall5125]

Same here❤

[@susansaffioti2111]

The Holy Spirit is powerful

[@Hggfcgghg]

@@susansaffioti2111 He is

[@JoeySkate24]

Can someone please shed some positive light in all this? Im scared of the comments and im not even tapering due to fear. Do we get better as time passes when we quit? I mean wtf... I am doubting that healing exists with those horror comments. One comment says it took 7 months but im way better now, i read another one it says im 10 years in and still suffering immensely. Wtf is going on? Help?

[@vladik19971000]

The people who healed maybe have not that much tendency to search those videos and comment them, so here you see a concentration of people who are still battling it. Don’t forget that healing is not only coming off benzodiazepines and that’s it, let’s wait for it to end. Change your diet, physical activity, engaging in social activities etc etc help you go trough all this. It’s a process, in the end you will heal, believe me, but don’t enter in this state where you constantly ask yourself “am I better” “why I’m still not good” “when will it end?” That will just make this process longer

[@vladik19971000]

Brain plasticity is a real thing

[@JoeySkate24]

@@vladik19971000 thank you so much! Very helpful concepts!!!! Thank you

[@kendrakinard7580]

I’m scared too . The Ashton Method is what I believe in . There’s a rehab in Cali called oro recovery

[@susannahockeyn1674]

You can 100% heal from all nightmare symptoms . Small steps and one day at the time you will get there . When I started to be stronger to leave the house I started to sit in church alone each day . I could not see how. ..But with time somehow ...and when I finally had cerro meditation in my body something started to change . You can have perfect peace after those medications . I never thought it was possible. But somehow with Gods hand I got out of there . God bless you 💚I hope you already are better 🙏

[@petermonis4616]

U should not stop taking it, not abruptly but rather not at all, and there would be literally 0 problems but society is too contious about benzos, not that much about nicotine, alkohol, sugar or coffee... We are always talking about how bad the withdrawal is, dementia risk (not proven)and similar mild bs compared to living life without it in many cases, but what if the people who should be prescribed reasonable dose of benzos hm should never really stop taking it? Seems like more reasonable approach, being dependant on substance would not be that rare in todays society

[@SweetTea_73]

Going to meetings? I’ve been on Benzodiazepines for 20 years disabled with severe anxiety and panic disorder and I can’t find ‘a meeting’ to save my life!

[@TheTurtleTribalNation]

Oh gee what meetings ? How are you now ?

[@wlcwalshlifecounseling4581]

Ditto! Can’t find a support group meeting and I’ve been looking for for years. Unbelievable that there’s not a support group for this.

[@andrewfrancis1338]

It is literally hell on earth. My klonopin dose was small (I got off heroin 10 years ago and would prefer it), but a low dose of klonopin for 5 years getting off is hell. I moved and forgot my script 4 days before refill along with Zoloft Remeron and my bp. My dr filled the latter 3 but (also I lost my insurance hence why I moved), would not perceive the klonopin and wrote in buspar busbar not sure the name but huspriorione, and I’m going through more agony than opiate withdrawal. I was able to just take 1 a day not the second dose, but a couple days after I ran out, nobody told me… my dr just refused to write even a taper or anything. Right now I’ve found alcohol numbs the symptoms but I work in a restaurant, when I’m at work my hands don’t cooperate with my brain there’s some type of disconnect. Idk what’s happening I’m terrified.

[@LessWordsMoreMusic]

I’ve been trying to find some answers. I’ve been off benzos for almost 5 months and I don’t feel normal. Watching this video helps me understand it will be a long road of recovery.

[@tesko_1]

18 months clean and I feel as anxious as always. My brain simply cannot relax or feel 'happiness' - instead it will produce strange, brief flashbacks to ancient dreams from my my youth (I will be doing something mundane and then I suddenly remember a dream I had 20+ years ago) What helps is mindfulness, meditation, wim hoff breathing, yoga and straight up praying for help. Never ever ever take benzos.

[@javlynblue2024]

A 40 Lb suppository should be developed for pusher of this stuff.

[@baileystruss7319]

3 yrs for me and i was only on a small dose for a few months. Respiratory dyskinesia among 12 other horrible symptoms..including neuropathy.

[@annalucy89]

I've been sober now for a little over 2 months, have had a few relapses after getting a few years sober but I am on both Suboxone and stupidly also been using Benzo's simply because of my horrible anxiety and panic attack disorder and just like with the Suboxone you're kind just stuck on it. The withdrawals are horrible of course but I've gotten through them, the worst part is that my anxiety is still there. I'm still getting regular panic attacks and anxiety every single day, I don't want to put any of those SSRI's in my system or get stuck on yet another drug but I also have no idea what to do about my anxiety and how I can ever live a normal and fulfilling life without drugs or feeling miserable....

[@markhughes6803]

Hi how’s tricks now ?

[@brettwilson7680]

Your story sounds very similar to mine. I was actually cut off by a doctor when he found out I was taking subs through another doc. Went through acute Xanax withdrawal that spun me into a full blown phychotic break. The same word was pulsing in my head for two months straight, it was terrifying and pure torture to the highest level possible. I didn't sleep during all this, which made the phychosis ten times worse. It really was hell. I am glad I endured all that, didn't think I would live. Still on subs, but dosed down to crumbs. Can't afford another relapse, stuff is just extremely deadly out there these days.. How long have you been on subs and what was your opiate of choice?

[@billj4525]

I'm sorry you're going through that. It's always possible to get off any medication, but the difficulty is beyond insane for things like long term high dose opiates and/or benzos. When you have anxiety and/or depression before hand it's even harder. Trying to work on mental health and learning to deal with it without the drugs is the goal. Now doing it successfully is another story. I hope you're able to achieve your goals though, and have no doubt you can, good luck.

[@tinalapoint9294]

Try hydrxozine 10 mg it's an anahistomine, works 4 anxiety

[@lorigraham4651]

health food store, L-theanine and gaba chewables help with anxiety. I'm so sorry you are going through this! 🙏🌾

[@evanlowden6553]

About 16 months off. Keep posting the knowledge, people are scared.

[@thecolemaninstituteforaddi6234]

Congratulations, Evan. Thanks for your feedback. Best wishes!

[@jrman413]

how are you?

[@evanlowden6553]

@@jrman413 30 months off. Getting there.

[@AntiANXIETYtips]

11 months ago I had a seizure because my doc told me to just stop taking 2mg ativan after a week long taper. It has taken me 11 months of a slow diazepam taper. After months of waking up feelint like I was on fire

[@ChooseCompassion]

What about someone who’s been on them for three decades and are now in their mid 60s. Is it possible that TMS treatments can help with the detox and how realistic is it for a patient like this to ever fully recover. Or is it better to keep them in your system after half a lifetime? Thank you!

[@brettwilson7680]

People on them for decades, my psychiatrist once said should never stop taking benzos. Even on a taper plan.

[@margehernandez9220]

I agree. I’m 67 yrs and was told to taper. I winded up having a stroke. I’ll keep taking it for the rest of my life then. My dose is .5mg now but I’ve been on clonazepam for 17 yrs.

[@brettwilson7680]

@@margehernandez9220 honestly, at this stage of the game the best option is to stay on it. You could try to taper down but the next decade or two would just be suffering, why waste the last 2 or 3 decades of life?

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

Keep them in your system .

[@naomimara3340]

​@@margehernandez9220 Dear Marge, sorry to hear this. Could you be more specific, please? Stroke was from rapid or slow taper? How can you tell it was Benzo? I'm currently tappering after cca 20y, now on 0.25mg Clonazepam (have been holding for 2.5 months this dose). I'm worried about my heart, developed arythmia (probably from Benzo withd, but not 100% sure) and very hight HR. Next heart appointment in 2 months. How can I know I'm in danger? Edit: I'm not in danger, heart all ok.👍 I've been on Clonazepam for 20y, cca 2mg/d, almost done tapering that lasted few months. It's possible without suffering. (3 things I things were crucial during: 1. I didn't work/no external stress 2.brain-healthy diet and supplements/herbs/spices 3.I maintained my sleep (!!) If your suffering is unbearable even if your doing it right (slow), please research microdosing (amanita Muscaria and other Psychedelics)

[@Carolina_girl86]

I have neuron damage as a result of being taken off too abruptly, not from taking them every day, but from stopping them.

[@lostangel4373]

I have been on xanax for 22+ years. I decided to come off. In a month I've gone from 4mg to .75. The next week or so I'll completely stop. My doctor thinks I'm at 3.5. I'm going through hell but I made this hell and I have to go to the other side. Going to try weed for the anxiety and the end of xanax. Hopefully I can escape this demon.

[@walsh5238]

😮 wow. That is a rapid taper. In a month you went from 4 mg to .75? That is super fast taper. I would imagine you’d have major anxiety And other symptoms from that fast taper. Wow.

[@francesmorris3413]

I hope your alright lostangel

[@brettwilson7680]

I would talk to someone else. Depending on your age, you may never want to quit Xanax after taking it for 22 years. That is an incredible feat. Whatever you do follow the Ashton Manuel to a T. Don't smoke weed or substitute anything else during this process. If you want to get better your not ever going to just go down to .75mg than quit. I wish it were that simple. Being on it for 22 years, you may be looking at a 5 year taper, to be honest I don't know the exact length of time the ashton manuel will require. It all depends on length of time and dosage taken. Its a process, do it the right way or you will end up like me suffering from a phychotic break from cold turkey withdrawal and you will be bat shit crazy for a year like I was. I saw 6 demons cast a spell of insanity on me night 3 of withdrawal. I woke up from a lucid nightmare and the nightmare was now reality because I was awake. I saw 6 demons in circle around my bed chanting this evil chant, spell of insanity over and over again until it penetrated me to the core of my soul. Needless to say their spell of insanity worked very effectively for the next year. I had to get exorcisms and lots of stuff. It was beyond pure torment. I believe it was a serious demonic attack when I was at my most vulnerable. Nobody can understand unless they endured something similar.

[@jessikatkins1173]

@@brettwilson7680 That's scary cause I believe in that stuff.

[@alanmac8807]

Been there the hardest part is laying in bed at night can't sleep if you do you have the most bizarre dreams I went cold Turkey after abusing Xanax for years took a good 7 days before I slept a full night but still not back to normal after 11 months no motivation severe mood swings no interest in things that once brought joy to my life starting to wonder if I will ever return to normal

[@dino9071]

After ten years of benzos my Dr retired during my ten years the clinic posted signs no controlled drugs please don't ask your Dr this only had sn effect after he left the new Dr wouldn't even taper me off i think this is medical negligence.

[@PinkScorpion333]

I can't deal w withdrawal anymore. The EXTREME air hunger is so scary n causes me to panic!! Feels like im suffocating to death. At hospital now for air hunger . I also vibrate n it causes pain in my ribs. Ik that sounds crazy!! Also have depersonalization...brutal. my first two withdrawals from k i didnt have air hunger or vibrating pain. This is tortue. The pain from my vibrating feels like torture! I sick of living like this .

[@IanBlease-y5b]

At 71 im in bad tolerance withdrawal. No idea what to do other than suffer. It's appalling

[@KathleenMottinger]

It's very hard but I believe it's do able. I'm 83 and took klonopin for almost 40 years. Off for 6 months after a 7 month taper and believe I will make it. My Bible helps a lot.

[@IanBlease-y5b]

@@KathleenMottinger Thanks for the information, appreciated 👍

[@kennethpastore5178]

Aston .. Manuel read now

[@kendrakinard7580]

Drs don’t typically recommend at your age to stop . I personally wouldn’t if I were age as long as you are abusing it .

[@IanBlease-y5b]

@@kendrakinard7580 I never abused it, the dose was increased only for a month during a highly stressful time for me.

[@decarlocalloway01]

My GABA system is broken then. Zero chance I can operate without them.

[@HeatherJones-v8h]

I was on Benzos for 9 years . Now that om back home i cant get the meds. The withdrawal is so hard. With the sweats ,shakes, headaches, insomnia sweating and fear going on i cant function . Drs wont help me detox so its all on me. My BP is all over . I just want relief from this. Its only been a month so far..

[@Engnieermuhammadali]

I m also on Clonazepam 1mg for 1 and half year

[@Default6476]

I'm 7 months off and the bp is a major major issue for me nothing's seems to be helping... I was on them for 4 years

[@DunderHead.5000]

Why go off of it quickly and deal with the major withdrawal and long-term withdrawal symptoms? Why not taper off super slowly for two years and have mild withdrawal (mild for Benzo's is still hard core) insteading of going off quickly and dealing with major withdrawal for the next one to three years?

[@Rollwithit699]

Yes, would love to have done that had I known! Took benzos as directed, but for 28 years before I finally heard Jordan Peterson on a KZbin video explaining the dangers of benzos. I was really worried, spoke to my doctor immediately telling her I wanted to stop, that JP reported increased Alzheimers risk and brain damage in those taking them over four WEEKS! My doctor simply replied, "Yes, you can stop." No advice or offer to taper was discussed. I stopped and never took another. Withdrawal was insane, horrific. I'm 26 months out with chronic heart pounding anxiety and a permanent ventricular arrhythmia I didn't have before.

[@dustygatrell-ru7tg]

Some people have no choice. There doctor CT them . Or in my case I went to jail an they stopped them abruptly. When I got out I asked my doctor to put me back on them but he wouldn't.

[@CallMeX881]

​@@Rollwithit699 yep, me too, JP probably saved my life (im 30) been taking benzo for 3 years now, im in 2nd week tappering. its hell but im glad i knew about them

[@amirakallini]

You have to take magnesium and B12 B1 B9 and fish oil when you tapering to heal your Nervous system

[@2002films]

Take the vitamins in the middle of tapering or when you stop the benzos ?

[@TheTurtleTribalNation]

Non fortified nutritional yeast and garden of life b12 have to be careful what b12 not the cyclo one the methyl b 12 .

[@jeffzest8393]

It’s not the use but getting off the drug. Docs need to learn this and keep patients on meds if requested. Being stern when first give patients Rx is different ballgame than one who has been on for years to yet dcs do not differentiate.

[@Dylmacjr]

Had a seizure from benzo and fetty withdrawal broke my spine insomnia psychosis loss of appetite

[@michaeljecassidy]

i was on benzos for 14 years straight. Failed to get off twice due to tapering too fast. Third time, a 20 week taper, worked fine with little side effects. Once I was off them, I was just fine. No problems at all. These days I take a benzo once or twice a month for RLS. For anxiety, use beta blockers. All I can say is, I guess everyone is different. I would go back on benzos again if my anxiety got really bad. No problem.

[@samertallauze]

I take it for years now. I know side effects but I have no other option, I live with pain everyday. I appreciate you care and I support you. I feel chest pain when I don’t take it too

[@eliffvegunes]

Do the doctors prescribe it? I have difficulty in this issue.

[@IsaiahMatthewBourgard]

The point in a medication is to keep taking it. Just stopping this medication causes issues if you take it for issues.

[@zachalukos4795]

I would pushback on this. Sometimes drugs cover the root cause of an issue and I believe this to be the case in certain instances with drugs prescribes by psychiatrists. We want an easy fix and I wanted one for sure and now I'm mindfully struggling through a benzo taper. Over 220 days to go from .5 to .25. The stress is annoying and I can feel it extra, but I believe it will only get better because I am going as slow as possible (at least in mind). So if we stop cold turkey, that is an issue, but if we decide to slowly taper, maybe it'll help.

[@rw1381]

I've been on 3mg Klonipin 20 mg for 23 years. I was pulled of Nov 2019 cold turkey for no reason. I lost memory/consciousness. My father found me in a hospital after I had auditory/Visual hallucinations. I forgot my trade when I realized i was alive 4 months later. I am now on mental disability. Secluded from humanity. On my dosage. And now kicked off again I have 3 months to figure out what to do. My uncle was on the same dosage of Klonipin 32 years. He was ripped off cold turkey in April and had heart arythmia and died in 6 days. I tried reducing to 2.75mg a day. 2 weeks ago for 8 days. I had Suicidal thought. I forgot my address. Everything started to get dark. I threatened a person in the nowhereness I live alone in the woods. I had to go back to 3. I don't knownwhat will happen. I just know they are stripping people off this medicine cold turkey rapid because dementia.... well I don't care about that. I care about living and trying to live a somewhat peaceful life. But at the same time they are prescribing my niece Xanax who is 14. Alot of hypocrisy..I feel I've been run through their games and thrown in the trash. Now my niece is a new one to get on these destroy her then trash her out. Noone addresses these psychiatrist and how they destroy and murder people who need help. Thank you for the video.

[@rw1381]

20mg of Valium

[@katrinamenzies9398]

Yes big pharma depopulation

[@salmanriaz5530]

Please go very very slowly Taper over 2 to 3 years But you have to bear the pain I am 4 years out and still in pain but hopefully will recover 1 day

[@CBT5777]

@@salmanriaz5530 I went to rehab for 23 days. I'm 13 months sober after 14 years dependance. It sucked but im doing good now. People don't have to taper.

[@latapanritvichai1667]

pls do meditation everyday and try to be yr habit it 's really helpful. pls try to think about present everytime, not past and future

[@MakingItHappenMWC]

Any idea if the dosage matters? I'm on .5mg of Clonanzapam now for a few months. Down from 3mg when I started 5 years ago. I have about a year left to get down to zero. At .5mg tho, I have good days where I feel like I'm back to normal, then blamo. The side effects hit me and I'm off for a few days. Then I'll have a good day, then a few bad days. Not sure if it's my body getting used to this dosage and recovering or what. I plan on starting a 10% taper next month until I'm completely off. I'm hoping once I'm off the sides are not as harsh.

[@lelafo]

Just got outta a pyschward clean off klonopin for 3 months and feel like shit good luck

[@MakingItHappenMWC]

@@lelafo i upped my dose haha. 6 months of these side affects were bs. now im level again. benzos r the devil.

[@lelafo]

@@MakingItHappenMWC dawg I know what you mean being in a pyschward tho was the best / worst experience of my life , finally got off benzos cuz they forced me too. buncha bs workers but when I got out I was taking 0mgs of ANY substance (cigs are my new savior tho)

[@brettwilson7680]

Just keep doing the Ashton Manuel and you should be fine. It's the cold turkey withdrawals that will cripple you for a long time. Many people sadly choose suicide because they believe the torment never ends.

[@paulbillington8290]

@@lelafo how long were you on klonopin?

[@Raydluow]

I may or may not have been taking 5 bars a day for about a year. I have ptsd and other things i wont get into, and may or may not have stopped cold turkey. My alleged withdrawl may or may not have lasted around 5 weeks. This alleged withdrawl may or may not have been quite hellish.

[@daisyombura-njoroge5635]

Well what I am gathering is that most of these. Moment are people who are going through hellish withdrawal, because they stop abruptly. You brain is looking for dopamine. You have to slowly decrease doses until you no longer need it. It and yes it takes counseling, prayer, positive and encouraging community. Do the work to get better. Exercise do all the healthy things and you’ll be fine. You shouldn’t do it alone. I am still going through it . Used to be a lot worse, cause I wasn’t listening to my doctor. You’ll know a good doctor from a bad one. They’re supposed to support you.

[@curtiscollins2174]

Very well done sir..

[@darkdeepdepressed]

Why does it take so long for your brain to get through post acute withdrawal syndrome?

[@gaylecheung3087]

Pencil diazepam for 30 years now winning off for the last three years of basically waiting off since I’ve been on it but seriously waiting off for two years every side effect imaginable add 10 times the worst to it now I’m just going through digestive and oesophagus symptoms extreme belching, abdominal pain, regurgitation Pain? Etc.

[@freshtoast3879]

Why does the brain heal so much quickly after alcohol use compared to benzo use?

[@RussConstant-g9b]

Very interesting

[@susansheppard9614]

Great question. I've been off alcohol 16yrs and the withdrawals were nothing compared to valium. I'm 19 months into a diaz taper off just 2.5mg & my withdrawals are worse not better. Just brutal!

[@freshtoast3879]

@@susansheppard9614 I wonder what causes it..both are working on GABA receptors.. so.. what's the difference?

[@susansheppard9614]

@freshtoast3879 I assume alcohol leaves system rather quick. Benzos much longer tighter binding also stored in fatty tissue. Benzo also more chemically man made. For the purpose of not letting go. Truly evil stuff.

[@magnustrygg5632]

I think I never will heal. I’m almost 10 years off and I’m still living in hell. Every night my skin is burning and it feels like I’m connected to some electric grid. In periods when this problem is worse I can’t sleep bc I have the feeling that I need to pee every 15 minutes. A lot of brain fog still. But some terrible stuff is gone tho. No more vision, hearing and smelling delusions. No more slime and bugs crawling over my body. No more pain in my teeth. And I can sleep much better. Don’t quit cold turkey. I did that and I’m surprised that I survived what came of it.

[@MegaLatie]

stop scaring people!! It doesn't say anywhere that benzo causes permanent damage. I think you were on benzo for a very long time and are old with underlying complaints!! we are cured I stopped cold turkey after 2 years of irregular use... now after 2 years of benzo free I am 100 percent cured! I feel better than ever!

[@kendrakinard7580]

I be would just get back on them if that was me .

[@nickhefke4019]

I'm curious as someone who has been on benzos for 13 years, is there ever a situation where long-term benzos are good?

[@vivavita3769]

Yes, benzos can be good. My mother stopped beating us once she got on them.

[@greaserbubtheoriginal7923]

33 year on 3mg off clonazepam my panic attacks were so bad i could not function i have been married over 25 years have a son and a good job but it not all gravey forget full ness being tired all the time and now cognitive issues starting but would not change a thing thats how bad my panic attacks were i can tell you i no what is like to die god bless

[@Engnieermuhammadali]

​@@greaserbubtheoriginal7923I am on Clonazepam 1mg.

[@Lmao-z4l]

Six years clean off of Klonopin that I was on for 20 years for sleep never abused it the first two years I had every symptom you could think of I couldn’t work after six years. I would say I’m 90% better still have some symptoms but manageable.

[@susiequsie1980]

So encouraging! Thanku

[@thecolemaninstituteforaddi6234]

You’re welcome. If you have other topics you would like us to cover, please let us know!

[@susiequsie1980]

@@thecolemaninstituteforaddi6234well I'm a mom and this is my first time taking Suboxone while being pregnant. It would have been nice if there was more information about pregnancy and subox. Well fast forward till today I'm still taking subox and breastfeeding and of course seeing my doctors and my baby is doing great she was healthy at birth although because of my use of Suboxone I had to stay an extra 5 days. Anywho I'm rambling it's just nice to have info for the mommies out there. Thanks for all you do

[@RioWilliams-vj9or]

That's good to hear I'm 40 years old and have been taking them prescribed since I was 18 Diazapam that is anywhere from 150mg a day now down to 10 mg but I do worry I've permanently messed myself up .

[@APZeus3]

Just a very curious question , is it still as damaging and bad for the brain if it’s NOT taken daily , what if it’s recreational use , once a week etc Does it still take the brain to heal and are they still messing the brain up I know I sound very dumb and stupid but just can’t get to get this answer

[@TheTurtleTribalNation]

I wouldn’t do it . Starting and stopping something like that has the potential to cause damage . It takes 3 days to become addicted to Xanax . Please understand this comes from personal experience. Just stay away from it . These supplements that can help you way better than this crap . I take those now . If you’re interested write me back . Hope this helps

[@lynettetamblyn165]

I was on massive doses, got off them, went onto Rivitrol, were pretty useless, anxiety and depression highs and lows, so Im back on 2mg Adco Alzam twice daily. It helps, Im done fighting this. Im 63, have had terrible trauma, and dont need to keep getting triggered. Ps, somedays I take less, but Im not going through more withdrawal trauma, whilst facing life trauma. Sorry, but Ive made peace with it .....either its pills, or alcohol.

[@skyvoid9720]

Hi doctor could you please give some help....When you stop the BENZOS is it okay to continue with vitamins? Or they will still damage the neurotransmitters and actually make everything worse???? Just asking cause you said that the brain stood functioning for 24 months that it takes to go back to normal. Well I wait for your answer. A good doctor helps people get better, they don't try to get them addicted.

[@annstar2793]

You probably got your answer, but I have learned there are quite a few vitamins and supplements you can’t take because the withdrawal symptoms will get worse. And everyone is slightly different.

[@jimhatch1726]

Wow I'm 64 and have been on almost all antidepressants and benzos since I was in my 30's.I understand brain lock or brain freeze. I have been through High Anxiety and deep Depressions off and on during my life.Seems like I was doing okay .I never took more medication than my doctor prescribed. I tapered 0.25 mg of my Klonapin a few months ago.I'm talking 3\4 th mg of klonapin at night + 150 mg. Of Welbrutrin ( Bupropion) HCL ER (XL) ) what ever that means. and 5 mg.of lexapro. I'm not doing well and don't know what to do ???

[@chestnutmair1]

7 years off and I still have trouble. Long covid and perimenopause added to the insanity. I was only on a short time and low dose

[@thecolemaninstituteforaddi6234]

Thank you for sharing your story, Mary. Sorry to hear about the challenges. Best wishes!

[@chupacabra304]

Hey Mary, curious how long a “short time” is, I’m five months into xanax and have tapered from 4mg to .75 and it’s starting to get difficult Just wondering what timeframe you were on for . Thank you for sharing

[@chestnutmair1]

@@chupacabra304 You are doing good! Just listen to your brain. The lower the doseage the harder it does get. Go as low and slow as you can. The point is to not go up in doseage. Be gentle on yourself and when you drop make sure you wait a bit to stablize. I think the Ashton manual says 10% per month. If you need to stay longer do so. Drop when you are ready. No faster than 2 weeks at a time. Give your brain time to stablize at each reduction. Sending healing and love your way! You got this!

[@MaiNguyen-ee3lv]

I was on 0.25 mg Ativan for 4 weeks, sometimes every night, sometimes on and off. I tapered it with my doctor guide: 2 weeks 0.25 mg/ night, and 2 weeks 0.25 mg every other night then stopped completely. Now I still have terrible withdrawal symptoms after 4 weeks off. Anyone can tell me when I can feel better. Thank you very much.

[@baileystruss7319]

Same with me. Only .25 - .5 of kp for 3 months. Now 3rd year of hell.

[@Underhills]

I've got permanent tremors, muscle dystonia and different movement disorders after over 20 years on and off Xanax. In additio to a plethora of other side effects. Stay away. Don't let my story become yours.

[@craiglupton1638]

I'm currently reducing my daily dose of Clonazepam.I was on 6mg day but I've reduced it to 2mg per day and my next step is to reduce by 0.5mg. The tablets are scoréd into quarters so I'm going to try reducing a quarter of a pill at a time. I'm currently on a waiting list to do a medically assisted detox as an in patient at a unit in hospital where they said they will taper me off with diazepam and when I get down to a low dose they're going to give me a symptomatic detox. But all this is going to be done in 6to7 weeks which I think is far too quick and I'm dreading it.

[@Highlander9740]

Xanax for seventeen years. Clean for eight months now. It gets better, but still not well.

[@opeyemiyusuf8965]

How are you doing now

[@goddesslv1]

Two months off completely but it was a long taper almost two years ,getting better but it’s still a journey

[@helenaltenburg4708]

On tamasapam and tramadol for 20 years for fibromyalgia. Clinic closed and no doctor will fill prescription. I've been cold turkey for 6 weeks. I'm 80 years old! Help

[@DenoDeno-n4z]

I used ativan for 2 years, know I am 27 months post taper and I feel ok I think I will be healed fully soon

[@marinadipisa]

I've been on lorazepam for 20 years. 4 mg a day. Now I finished tapering. My memory is very bad. I had test and I'm near mild cognitive impairement at 45. Nobody told me anything, and in the internet in italian language you'll find nothing. Can I slowly recover my cognitive fonctions? Is there any therapy? I was very brilliant

[@Tweakachu]

Oxygen therapy for the brain. Retired football and hockey players who sustained concussions swear by it.

[@DenoDeno-n4z]

There is nothing brilliant about taking 20 years of ativan hihi just a joke, i took ativan for 2 years and it took me 2 and a half years to heal, the ativan makes you brilliant actually it enlightens you, if you really took ativan I am sure you know what i mean by that

[@valeriemartinez3505]

Tapering slowly with gabapentin helped me lower to 1mg took gabapentin in the day and benzos at night, but I haven't been able to continue tapering , I am take 1mg Xanax and I hate them , please pray for me I'm in anguish , how could my mom recommend them to me , why was I so stupid too , I didn't know benzos withdrawals where so hard for me its severely chronic withdrawals 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@kathis6840]

I'm withdrawing from 10 mg of Ativan. I'm down to 1.5 mg

[@RHExperience103065]

Really when does it start I’m 10 yrs off of Xanax and still have symptoms of paws

[@Engnieermuhammadali]

I m also using respridone.... Clonazepam.....valproic acid....lamotrigine

[@patriciamercks3376]

Please help me. I am tapering off and am terrified of my last dose and not taking anymore. Pleas e tell me that it gets better and that I won't die !!!!

[@Engnieermuhammadali]

I am also thinking of taper off

[@TheTurtleTribalNation]

You won’t die . You are loved . How are you now ?

[@jeffzest8393]

So key is to take 18 months to two years to taper?

[@kendrakinard7580]

Look up Ashton Method

[@jeffzest8393]

@@kendrakinard7580still no guarantee. Plus, many cannot handle side effects of valium.

[@jeffreydennis3267]

I never slept again after discontinuing them. I never slept before I began taking them.

[@LeonNikkidude]

Is there a chance to come off my Zolpedam successfully while still on Methimazole?A complicated situation!

[@junkettarp8942]

Benzos are just terrible.

[@beyuwallace]

Yea look at all these comments. I get it does help relax but with major major consequences

[@LeonNikkidude]

I have benzo issue and I am also on Methimazole!How can I ever heal?

[@RoselinePeters-s3q]

Ibogaine treatment could help you break free from the habit..go look up dennis_allen_01 He is a good dealer ..he sells iboga capsules..they helped me overcome my heroine addiction..👌

[@wendylarman7204]

What is the theory behind having waves and windows - neurological dysfunction on and off?

[@brettwilson7680]

I don't know, I definitely know it's real. I'm exactly 1 year out from Xanax cold turkey withdrawals, I'm completely sober from everything in this time. Some days and even weeks now I can feel pretty good. Other days and weeks I feel phychotic symptoms hit me hard again. I get the same looping word all day. I have severe PTSD from the xanax withdrawal that is untreated. It was so incredibly traumatic what I endured and sometimes I wonder if I will ever get better fully.

[@MultiFixman]

@@brettwilson7680 im 2.5 years off and still have vision problems so you know it takes a looooong time to come back from xanax i think in about 2 more years i will recover from it fully but i feel like myself again so you know you wont be like that for the rest of you life i can drive my car again and do stuff again but i cant work yet becouse of the eye problems and shaky hands now i can drink water again as a normal person again but it took a long time until i could do that, i can watch one movie per day, back then i could not tolerate tv at all, no pc screen nothing but now i can so you can to but as i said it takes time keep fighting ok best regards Jeff i was on 6mg of xanax a day and cold turkey after 12 years.... i wish you good luck and we do recover

[@janetbangura1731]

benzos withdrawal can kill a person i advise a specific diet b4 reduction plus a check for chemical imbalances b4 any detox inorder to strengthen the body b4 cold turkey or tapering

[@outdoorswithwoodswoman8467]

1 year n a half off benzo's but now I can NOT sleep It takes hours to get to sleep and forget staying asleep any advice appreciated don't want the benzo demon ever again

[@stephenmorton8017]

Benzodiazepines represent the greatest mass poisoning event in the history of humanity. You must factor in neuroplasticity with age.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

The vax wins, hands down, benzos are next.

[@exiled1gaming]

Is .5mg nightly for 1 year enough to cause long term cognitive impairment? I feel mentally slow, unmotivated, unconfident, lazy etc. even after being off of it for 2 months, and the extreme sleep deprivation keeps making me want to start taking it again just to get a good night sleep. I desperately just want to go back to the person I used to be but I can't. Why is this stuff legal? I took recreational drugs for years and never encountered any that caused permanent issues, but then I go to a doctor and get prescribed something that ruined my life just to help me sleep? You have to be kidding me, why would people do that to another person? I would have been better off doing cocaine.

[@Engnieermuhammadali]

I am on 1mg Clonazepam and I am thinking of tamper off.

[@Default6476]

Are you kidding me bro i was on .5 for one year then .25 for 3 years I'm 7 month's off and it's horrible still

[@Engnieermuhammadali]

@@Default6476 plz can you explain what's happening to you now. Side effects??

[@Default6476]

@@Engnieermuhammadali Bloodpressure even though I look malnutritioned my body is not absorbing food I have trouble breathing whenever I get up from my bed blackout

[@Default6476]

@@Engnieermuhammadali dude you from Pakistan I'm from India... And one more thing I'm not that old 26 these pills are brutal

[@Noir-sr5bw]

Its been 26 months mine is so hard. Most drs dont get it its terible. I have dpdr no emotions chemical fesr and my head. Will it get better im s ared qll the time

[@cookcookkkkk]

you will heal

[@Noir-sr5bw]

Thank you im 33 months now still nit healed

[@DenoDeno-n4z]

It will heal fully and more then that you will be feeling like you are in heaven believe me

[@Noir-sr5bw]

Thank you it's 34 months it's bad. My head the dpdr. I need to stop smoking will that make it worse. Do you have ppl who csn help. I cznt function, work, meditate, watch tv

[@jimcatanzaro7808]

Melatonin helps with the withdrawals if anyone needs some relief

[@marksmith5468]

after yrs of taking halcion my dad is a mess. hes off it now. what can he take for anxiety thats not bad for him.

[@Monk_Life]

7 years clean...use keto to avoid major problems with sugar spikes...pray, hope, don't worry God's God you n He's not democrat or republican. There's a couple of videos on my page I made about my journey. Bless you all n I'm so sorry.

[@jakeolthof]

I pretty much quit xanax cold turkey on my own after 6 years with no withdrawals but if I am damaged after 2 years off them i don't seem to be getting any better. Anyone know if 2 years isn't enough time to feel better?

[@TheTurtleTribalNation]

What do you take now ? It’s taking me years but there are thjgns to help repair the brain damage no one tells anyone about . I am no dr and not recommending anything. All I can tell you is what I have done

[@drebaselius9160]

My wife has been on Klonopin for 15 years. She's constantly irritable and angry but won't seek help. What can I do?

[@daniellelangille9947]

❤ ive been on since 1995 😢 3a day , 2021 a new provider took just one away daily, but still feel withdrawal from 1benzo??? I'm also been on suboxone since july2007. Im in Northern Maine no "real" doctors these dayz. And I want to DIE Sir 😢 I been clean from street drugs for over 10yrs. Helpless in Maine.

[@sitindogmas]

in order to grow and get better, these "programs" can be a start but you need to get past the bullshit, you are not sick and you do not have a disease