How to Plan Your Psychiatric Drug Taper

[@terence3769]

What I really find astonishing is that you are truly one of the only KZbin channels who still regularly posts relevant content and tips on withdrawals from medications. The way you present it is pleasant to listen to and re-assuring, it lets me and allot of other people know that they are not in this alone, that there are actually people with knowledge on the subject that know you WILL heal eventually, when I listen to you I am listening to hope, to faith. I truly am grateful for what you do. If I hadn't found your channel I wouldn't be down from 3mg of klonopin a day to 0.75 right now. We can all get through this, remember. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@valeriefromoregon]

I was on .25 of klonopin for the last two years now watching his videos I’m down to .125 daily. Trying to jump off but it’s not happening yet .. it’s a bit hard as I’ve been on a low dose klonopin since 1995.

[@drironmom6815]

As an “unconventional” physician I have many patients who come to me to get off medications so I find this extremely helpful. Sure isn’t available on mainstream medical literature. I celebrate the tattle-tale letters from insurance companies telling me my patients aren’t filling their prescriptions. 💪🏻

[@HopefulEmpath]

Insurance companies do that?

[@drironmom6815]

@@HopefulEmpath yes! They send letters saying “your patient John Doe, DOB … has not filled their prescription for (brand) antidepressant since (date)” I guess they are hoping I will scold them and make them take their antidepressants, or statin, or whatever

[@HopefulEmpath]

@@drironmom6815 Thank you for the reply. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

[@Q1776Q]

I am just so glad that my benzodiazepine brain damaged years in hell are over..... Praise GOD!!!

[@CarolinaBuenad]

How many years you use? If I can ask and how long is your healing?

[@Q1776Q]

@@CarolinaBuenad Me...2 weeks of 1MG of Ativan per day ...as soon as I started cutting down ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE....I tapered for about 2.5 years..I started feeling better about 4 or 5 months after my taper ended...now at about 5 years later I am 100% healed.

[@terence3769]

I'm so fucking happy for you! It is so terrible, I'm still in it after a relapse, tapered myself down from 3mg of klonopin for a year to 0.75 right now, was off of them for 8 months then became a little bitch again so started taking them not because I needed them but because I started missing the effect. I'm definitely both dependent and addicted to them. Whenever shit goes wrong in my life my head will make an excuse to go back even after the withdrawals are over.

[@terence3769]

@CarolineBuenad Yeah curious about that aswell!

[@Lisa-s7x]

Amen sister 🙏🏼

[@bhadresh1135]

We should also focus on all possible coping strategies ...like CBT,mindfulness and self compassion,acceptance...Even if u go very slowly there are always some symptoms..Distractions ..remain connected to people if possible really helpful..sometimes there is also fear of symptoms even you are tapering on right way..Journey is long so enjoy life whenever u get good moments

[@xy-qy2yg]

I was put on this because I sought out CBT and self hypnosis :(

[@Meg_I_am]

Boy, Dr. Josef, you hit it out of the ballpark with this video! I don't know how many hours I have spent watching KZbin videos in an attempt to determine how to taper. This one, together with your: The BEST Tapering Speed...(to AVOID Withdrawal) should be required viewing for everybody considering tapering AND their care provider. Thank you for your most valuable service!

[@never2hard2startfresh]

My daughter did a "cold turkey" off her psych meds after a very harrowing 4 month hospitalization. It has been 4 weeks since she took them, and she's been pacing constantly, has lost her appetite (and a lot of weight), and had enormous difficulty getting any sleep. I am trying to support her decision, she is unwilling to taper gradually, but most of all I DON'T want her to be re-hospitalized. I hope we can find a practitioner who can help us, we have excellent health insurance, but the system is set up to force medications according to bogus DSM diagnoses, and my daughter has been injured by decades of this pattern of treatment, and has lost all trust of physicians at thispoint. Thank you for your very helpful and enlightening videos, it fuels the hope of restoration of health in the end.

[@Marie-ts8rp]

Try a CBD oil w out added THC. Under .03% THC

[@kennethpastore5178]

Have you talked to an outpatient 0:48 😮 only doctor there are several great doctors available in NYC See what you can find by googling as they not only talk to you but will send you the needed medication every month I love just staying a home tapering easily without much stress at all😊

[@grummelameise]

thats what is to be expected. is she still in misery?

[@kathleenpimentel9218]

Don't give up. You are her lifeline. Remember, this road is narrow. Patience and prayer.

[@cryptokamz8308]

Tell her to taper worst descion a made was cold turkey and suffering 4 years latter still it can cause permant damge coming off like that please if you can tell her to taper so she doesnt damge her any more than it needs to

[@mm7365]

I was taken cold turkey Ativan after being on it 10 plus years. It was pure heal and my Dr refused to help me. It has been just over a year and I am still suffering and isolating. Trying to get off a benzo but brain zaps and returned depression is unbearable.

[@christinemclatchie]

That’s just horrible! I can’t believe that our own Drs can’t or won’t assist with this shocking thing that is a life altering experience… I sincerely pray to God that you find the help you need 🙏 I know I’m going to need help, and my first point of contact will be Jesus. He set me free in an instant from alcohol addiction, whilst I was at a NYE party. I cried out to Him in the toilet, being blind drunk, and the next morning when I went home, I was able to tip hundreds and hundreds of $ of spirits down the sink. I did not touch a drink for over 20 or so years, but when I did have one at my 50th surprise birthday party, I didn’t need it… I am a non drinker and don’t like alcohol or it’s effects. May the Lord free you from these chains that bind you, and may you know the peace that only He can bring 🙏

[@HopefulEmpath]

I am so sorry you’re going through this. I had brain zaps with Cymbalta self taper. Doctor wouldn’t help me at all. Twelve years later I still have weekly zaps but nothing like every 15-20 seconds when I was tapering. Now looking into a diazepam taper, afraid to start. 10mg/day since 2000!

[@grummelameise]

tip for quitting medication: lower your dose by a tiny amount each week - if you are reaching the low and, dont quit yet, but create intervalls: one day, you take your meds, the next day, you pause. after a time, you elongate the pauses, until you are comfortable not taking it at all. if withdrawal becomes unbearable, you take a little dose, but stay the course. i tried two times to quit cold turkey, i couldnt do it.

[@HopefulEmpath]

Thank you!

[@curtiscollins2174]

Ask God for help when tapering. Don't try to taper during stressful times. Must stay away from stress when tapering. Humble opinion.

[@osis1k]

I simply love your work Dr. Josef

[@ryebreadnocrust]

Can you do a video on intrusive thoughts? It’s been one of the scariest and toughest symptoms I’ve had from the start of my taper

[@mamaggear]

Thank you so much for your help and guidance 😊

[@tewaldemike2305]

That’s great advice. Are you able to do same lecture about Antipsychotic medication tapering. Thank you for your help

[@Only1Megs]

That would be awesome 🎉

[@davidsplan4409]

I will always watch your channel and thank you for helpful information.

[@joetesmer9071]

Thank you Dr. Josef!

[@valeriefromoregon]

I was on klonopin 4 days and couldn’t go off without withdrawal symptoms. I’m still on it since 1995. Currently on .125 mg .

[@christinemclatchie]

That’s just shocking!! I hate what Big Pharma has gotten away with!

[@KoalaBeer.]

Omg that’s a long time ..ask this doc

[@gregrhodes9139]

I've been in benzo withdrawal for almost 4 years. I did it cold turkey. It's amazing that there's so much put into tapering. *tears* Thank you.

[@WTB_Acts]

I always get close to being off of them. But Klonopin helps me so much. Even with my coping skills. Sometimes life is just too hard without the extra help. I'm currently only 0.625 a day. Antidepressants just made my anxiety worse with side effects as well. I'll always try to taper. It's just difficult when Benzos truly help me. I never abuse them or take more than I need. Unless I'm having a Terrible day where coping skills won't work

[@beannamated]

Is it possible that you get #akathisia from the antidepressants, especially serotonergic ones? SSRIs ARE awful drugs and - I believe - will be shown to be worse than benzos in many ways in the future. My beliefs about these drugs are evolving over the decades. I used to sell an anticonvulsant used in psychiatry and had no idea of any of this back then. Exhausting all non pharmacologic methods first is most important. Getting thorough testing for vitamins and minerals as well as functional medicine testing for hormones and all things endocrine should be done before starting drugs OR tapering because they affect the endocrine system dramatically (especially adrenals). I'm no longer convinced that tapering to 0 should be the goal for everyone. It's the changes that often cause problems. You're on a very low dose, IMO, so don't beat yourself up. I feel like I sensed some self judgment in your comment. I didn't mean to be intrusive. ❤

[@beabeauty]

I understand it’s difficult. I’m on No Benzo now ( I already suffered through that withdrawal yrs ago but just trying to get off Effexor is very tough. I hope and pray someday I won’t need it just to keep going. Because I have had anhedonia for 1-2 yrs now.

[@christinemclatchie]

@@beabeauty Can I ask what that condition is? I must come off Lexapro (as well as Benzo’s and Suboxone) and it all sounds just terrible. But I must do this, as my brain just doesn’t function like it should.

[@MistyRane]

Very informative. Thanks

[@brightwithspirit]

Thanks for all this info and support. I just wish someone would explain what protracted means. xo

[@catmando268]

How to know the difference between disease returning and withdrawal symptoms?

[@JamesDurcan]

Dude! Thank you for this, working on getting off Sert. At 200 now- so a journey ahead!

[@MyraMabry]

Wait I don’t get it, so if I was tapering benzos, and was feeling potential withdrawals and was to go back up a dose for the benzo withdrawal but didn’t notice any difference in my symptoms or my symptoms worsened, then that could mean I have a withdrawal injury/ brain damage instead of regular withdrawal? Is that right?

[@beannamated]

Good question.

[@bluestrings8829]

Yes, removing the drug at that point is the best option. You've most likely taken that drug too long at that point. Drugs stop working after so long.

[@markpalavosvrahotes5575]

Last November I cold Turkey off an 8 mg a day Klonopin addiction. Went into detox on day 9 into the withdrawal because I could not sleep at all or eat. There they gave me some meds that supposedly would help but they were like placebos. I also could not sleep or eat 3 days into the detox center and I had taste derealization and loss of balance. When I got some of the acute symptoms went away but I did have insomnia for a couple of more weeks but now I sleep like a baby. Still have some anxiety though. Good video Dr. Josef.

[@strider1237]

Can I ask how long were you on the 8mg Klonopin? I was on 4mg Lorazepam for 8 years and was switched to 2mg Klonopin. I'm currently tapering and am down to 1.25mg and am having a lot of trouble with sleeping and depression. I may be staying at my current dose too long but each reduction just sucks the life out of me.

[@markpalavosvrahotes5575]

@@strider1237 Nearly a decade. Too damn long.

[@mooseloose123moose3]

@@markpalavosvrahotes5575what did you do too get over those symptoms? Did you do anything or eat anything or just power through it?

[@renzsalazar9488]

You just have insomnia for couple weeks? Do you take any other sleep medication?

[@markpalavosvrahotes5575]

@@renzsalazar9488 Trazadone.

[@Mirador1020]

I was on 0.5mg klonopin for about 4 months, came off way too fast due to terrible medical advice. Developed appalling tinnitus. Reinstated at 0.5mg, tinnitus went way down, and then tapered off at what I thought was a reasonably slow pace (Ashton method), tinnitus gradually came back but was manageable. Down to 0.18mg in November, crashed really hard for a couple of weeks. Thought I'd stabilised in mid-December, 4 weeks after the last cut but since then my tinnitus has progressively got much worse to the point it's really difficult to manage. Was wondering if I should updose but I understand from your videos that it seems the damage is already done so the only thing I can do is hold for a while and then continue to taper off gradually? (and by the way, thanks so much for these videos, they're so informative)

[@KoalaBeer.]

2yrs I jumped off cold turkey that dose , been 2yrs now swapped to Valium. You’ll be ok wasnt fun but glad rid of it 😮. P.s don’t jump though I had too

[@sreechandra22]

@mirador1020 I am also in similar situation with Klonopin. Have been on 0.25 mg klonopin for about 6 months plus and tapered off in last one month. My tinnitus spiked a lot. How are you doing with Tinnitus? Did the tone reduce now?

[@sreechandra22]

@mirador1020 I am also in similar situation with Klonopin. Have been on 0.25 mg klonopin for about 6 months plus and tapered off in last one month. My tinnitus spiked a lot immediately after stopping Klonopin. How are you doing with Tinnitus? Did the tone reduce now as it seems like it is been one year since you posted comment

[@Ann-l7x]

There should be a law that Big Pharma and prescribing doctors should financially support patients whilst they try and get off drugs that are known to cause this intense level of dependence Big Pharma should make tapering strips and liqiud formulations available, free of charge, to patients trying to get off their drugs and provide counselling during the withdrawal period. We suffer the side effects, then we suffer withdrawals - Big Pharma and doctors are the only ones who gain from our suffering.

[@MARCIA.ZZZZZZ]

Thank goodness for you. I have to go now but I'm coming back to watch. Sounds like there's hope.

[@sawtoothiandi]

thank you 🙏

[@FrancisDocherty]

Thanks for your advice. I am tapering Olanzapine from 7.5mg daily and also Escitalopram from 20mg daily.

[@lindasulistya9937]

how is it now?

[@lilysix]

Help. I’m stuck at 60mg Duluxotine. I was at 120 and tapered from that to 90 and then from 90 to 60. The drug itself gives me extraparamydal symptoms and I’ve been stuck on it for 3 years. No one would help me taper. Now with extra symptoms that come up I’m scared to drop from 60 right to 30! But given its form I don’t know any other way. I’m so so sick and so scared to do it alone and everyone seems to think nothing of me dropping that much. But full body paralysis and seizures aren’t fun to knowingly walk into.

[@hannahrosa5485]

Gabapntin for 25 years. Just started tapering. I feel grumpy. My doctor is on board so I hope this works.

[@237above]

@dr josef can you add time stamps in the description for the 5 things?

[@Liz-Biz]

Is Tegretol included in any of these categories of meds you are speaking about?

[@bhadresh1135]

last 10 to 20 per taper really difficult..

[@scotscub76]

I dropped my mirtazapine slowly got down to 3.75mg. Really bad withdrawal kicked in and i panicked. I stupidly bumped it back up to 7.5mg which is where Id started and my anxiety got worse. I havent been able to get on a plane since. Im hoping when i get off I can heal. It's hell people, dont do it. Kindling is real please listen to this guys advice.

[@Dewalt1957]

Could you please tell me why I'm so so tired and weak. I first noticed my hands were to weak to lift a pan. Then later on doing my taper my whole body is weak and I'm so tired all the time.

[@Snowflake1374]

Same.

[@abloemsma384]

Should you recommend the Ashton schedule to get off benzodiazepines?

[@nadi67]

What is a protracted withdrawal injury? Does that go away?

[@KoalaBeer.]

I hope after years

[@grummelameise]

well, its hard to say. one thing i am sure about, is that ssri gave me insuline resistance (along with the lifestyle i had... ). then there is the thing with organ damage. search for: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Inhibit Insulin Secretion and Action in Pancreatic β Cells* thats why most people get fat. I did as well. took me 4 years to feel fit again. disclaimer: your question is about withdrawal damage - i dont think there is damage in that. its just horrible. but that is my own experience.

[@cryptokamz8308]

@@nadi67 it's like withdrawals but they last for months to even your whole life I've heard me personally took about 2 years to feel better and then that only lasted for a year and I took either a nausea pill or antibiotic and it basically brought all the side effects back for the last year and a half

[@bubbamanandkids2974]

Gives hope that some doctors look deeper into understanding the cons of med and how important close monitoring is. I wish he could.be my psyciatrist. Im hurting so much and lost trust in doctors. After 30 yeats of struggling. Doctors still dont gave me stable or on something consistant. Help!

[@ktjoonbug]

Can you do one on the SSRIs? I will give into

[@Gorillax-i9b]

My psychiatrist never helped me taper

[@kristeandreatujague7016]

Can you talk about Mitochondrial damage? Thank you!

[@tatie7604]

Could we talk about healing from all this? It is so depressing to not have hope of healing.

[@grummelameise]

yeah, thats absolutely real. took me four years to feel fit again. its incredible damaging, but you dont see or feel it, you just get worse and worse. its partly because ssri induce insuline resistance.

[@mist4926]

for 5mg of escitalopram i was told to just stop it. or i could try every other day, then every 3 days. will it still cause problems ive been on for three yrs for heart transplant

[@ZaimBegic-qb6rk]

So if i have used diazepam 5mg for over 2 weeks i can become dependent?

[@KoalaBeer.]

No

[@opeyemiyusuf8965]

Yes

[@ZaimBegic-qb6rk]

@@opeyemiyusuf8965 ive been taken it for 6 plus years but not everyday sometimes i didnt touch it for a year or so. I took it at 22 years old not prescribed. But lately these couple months i been on it not every single day but maybe 2-3 times a week. I dont know but symtoms but i feel more anxious and sleep issues lately and my brain is weird

[@ZaimBegic-qb6rk]

@@opeyemiyusuf8965 Ive been on 4 different ssri on lexapro i quit cold turkey after 6months. Ive tried 3 different adhd medication sometimes i take (concerta) im just lost and my mental is shit:(

[@abelluciano]

Is ok to hard workout while tapering?

[@lindasulistya9937]

which medication i shall remove first, risperidone or lorazepam?

[@balajisivaramakrishna7534]

It's very important other wise too much dangerous comes

[@viviyumslemon]

6 days into my 7th klonopin cut and now it's hitting me so hard omg

[@viviyumslemon]

74 days in.... from 1mg a day to currently 0.575mg a day over 2 doses (first cut was too big but good after that)

[@MileHiGuy95]

Please give a withdrawal plan for finasteride because it can cause PFS which is identical to PSSD

[@NancyPena-jx3fc]

Dr josef Im from the Philippines and i was struggling with rivotril withdrawal can you help me please 😢

[@NickB1121]

I know Kratom is NOT nearly as serious as Benzos......but is there a protocol for tapering off from kratom?

[@kata6966]

Thank you for all of your posts. What are your thoughts on tapering Clozapine/Clozaril? Is it the same approach as you would do an anti-depressant?

[@kata6966]

We are currently on 65mg and no other drugs.

[@mariannegana8192]

Were any of you able to work during this process ?? I know some people can’t and thats for years any thoughts on this ?

[@beannamated]

Do you do brain scans or endocrine testing before starting tapers? These drugs excavate the adrenals and deplete so many nutrients, it seems logical to get the body as strong as possible prior to embarking on a taper.

[@Russianmallu666]

I am Currently taking Klonopin 1 mg along with multiple antidepressants my medicines for depression is not effective can I take wellbutrin i also want to taper Benzodiazipines is there any issues to taper Benzodiazipines while using wellbutrin

[@i.ehrenfest349]

Wait - if someone gets interdose withdrawal, switching to Valium is a good idea? But Valium is also a benzo. Is it less subject to interdose withdrawal?

[@grummelameise]

no.

[@001sequoia]

I dont understand the reinstatement piece of this...

[@tewaldemike2305]

Can I space out 1mg of risperidone twice a day. ?

[@lindasulistya9937]

do you try to taper risperidone?

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Incredible resources & help . I don’t want to sound overly critical but apart from a minimum conversion with my unreliable GP no other health providers are interested in Sydney. If you know - tell me . I’ve tried . But 2.5 mg Diaz & ⬇️ Hint meditation & music , exercise helps .

[@ginakendrick2581]

I watched your video but I don't live in any of the states that where you can help me by phone I don't know what to do there's no psychiatrist in the area that I live in my doctor is completely unhelpful I have a practice of doctors that keep coming and going they allowed me to stay on this I can't get off by myself

[@Gorillax-i9b]

Paykriyatris are killing me

[@GregtheGrey6969]

It took me 18 months to tapper down from opiates.

[@amberfullerton5196]

Can you experience inter dose withdrawal from wellbutrin XL? I feel awful each morning before I take it. I'm currently figuring out how to taper but i'm kinda confused because i think this enteric coated tab only comes in 150 mg. Will i need to cut the pill? I want to taper 10% every 30 days(over about 9 months) Waiting to hear back from my prescriber.

[@ktjoonbug]

Please message me about my experience. degree in biochemistry already. I am wanting to continue on in this field to expose this.

[@55tmilam]

I am getting ready to taper off opms golds ( very strong kratom that mimics opiates) if anyone out there has any experience or advice. I quit the actual opiates relatively easy while quitting these pills cause severe restless legs and insomnia. TIA

[@kathrynrealhealthtalk910]

😭😭🙏

[@jasonjones3159]

No taper is guaranteed. Best to stay n the benzodiazepines, or at oeast not reduce below a certain point.

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Nicotine 🤬 vapes . After I knocked them on the head the v taper is more focused.

[@annie711000]

Is it good to get rid of the vapes?

[@annie711000]

Meaning while tapering

[@strider1237]

I currently am vaping... Is your benzo taper easier being off nicotine?

[@colettejaques2559]

​@@strider1237no

[@jolenereader1610]

I found this video incredibly helpful. I think I need to stall on my clonazepam and start working on the Lamictal.

[@DEFCON400]

If only your program didn’t cost 55 fucking thousand dollars!

[@xy-qy2yg]

I used 5 days and I got severe severe brain damage so the 2 weeks stuff is bullshit.

[@beannamated]

I know someone who took Zoloft for less than a week and the damage was severe and lasted years. I agree that everyone is VERY different. I wish we knew why.

[@xy-qy2yg]

@@beannamated but they did heal??

[@xy-qy2yg]

I know I would have healed the cortisone damage in a matter of weeks/months, I could feel it, but my family never gave me a chance because they were impatient

[@xy-qy2yg]

Stupid CBT therapy center.

[@colettejaques2559]

Not brain damage in 2 weeks of taking it

[@0hhwhoisshe]

I was prescribed Xanax 1mg by the Dr for 7 days due to panic attacks and anxiety, , i took o, 5mg for 5 days then I took 0, 25mg for 2 days then I stopped. I decide to stop it since I know how dangerous are they are, but yoo, the insomnia I got was so severe,, but now I am on day 7,,i wont take that medication anymore,,

[@Gorillax-i9b]

Save my life give me a discharge mental health act 2017 india,is it a joke ?

[@Ignacio_Kingsley]

Dr. - you need to explore ketamine as a potential aid for protracted withdrawal. Have you looked into this at all? It supposedly helps regrow the CNS could be beneficial for PAWS

[@hey956]

holy shit, i did not know that! What about ketamine wd?

[@Ignacio_Kingsley]

@@hey956 ketamine has been approved for treating depression and other mental health issues. It doesn’t have a withdrawal.

[@aaronloring7790]

Benzo withdrawal Is 1000x worse than ssri withdrawal er detox . I've been down that road so when I speak it's all from going through it personally. to be honest it's not as bad as ppl are complaining it is.. there's many ways you can get off them fairly easily.. I took them for about 10 years and it maybe took a couple months to feel better. Once your off them your brain will be thanking you trust me on this. If anyone wants real talk help message me.. these Dr's don't know shit, they haven't been through it themselves because they know the real dangers of them.