Nicole Lamberson on Benzodiazepine Protracted Withdrawal and Iatrogenic Injury

[@stevenhines5550]

It's all of the above. Everybody is different. I think the problem is mostly the doctor's callousness toward the actual suffering of their patients. Doctors really think they are a special class of people who are allowed to float above humanity and only talk to each other. I was gratified to hear Suboxone and SSRIs included in the conversation. The SSRI struggle was horrible - first I had to have multiple contentious conversations with my provider about self-direction and autonomy. Physicians do NOT appreciate it when their patients carefully and persistently advocate for themselves. I think people should bear in mind that it is often helpful to bring a competent advocate along to appointments. Physicians are less inclined to resort to bullying their patients when someone else is present and representing your interests.

[@janedoe6704]

Definintely agree with bringing someone along with you to the dr visit.

[@bfaith2102]

Truth truth truth truth truth ❤

[@douglasshaw1320]

Doc said the SSRI was not addicting or habit forming... then I missed 3 days doses...

[@isabellenelson6540]

I don’t know about this !! My husband is a chiropractic physician and specialist in neuro fonctionnal problems .. Doctors are hating when he’s asking precise, and clever questions .. and they are hating when someone knows their field .. of superiority!!

[@makemoneynow8690]

Yes, but I have seen doctors refusing to have any "advocates" including parents or spouses allowed in the conference room. They want to be able to bully and not be questioned.

[@aprilhassell1747]

Doctors actually say you need this the rest of your life. Im teaching my son to question doctors and not think doctors are Gods.

[@Thatsbannanas-d8c]

The power of these pills, is outlandish. So it’s not a life sentence. Check out your sons electrolytes, yeast infections, and rest is so very important.

[@aprilhassell1747]

@@Thatsbannanas-d8c my son is three. Im letting him listen to his body and show how it heals most things with time and letting his tears out.

[@shan4145]

👏🦋💎💖exactly they are not gods they still are practicing doctors there so much to learn

[@lolafernandez8538]

I'm so relieved to hear this podcast. I just made four years off of benzodiazepines, remeron, and a host of other medications. I'm still dealing with ahkisathasia, to date have not been able to find one doctor in person that even believes me. I had been on and off prescribed benzos for forty years and gotten off them with no problem every time before but had never taken them for over one year at a time. This last time I took at least one pill daily for thirteen years, and my doctor said I'd be on them for life when I wanted to get off them. So I just quit all medications on my own.....wow, the past four years of my life have been the hardest, most inhumane, and most brutal of my entire life with zero support from any medical community. How I'm still alive is only by the grace of god. Thank you so much for the time you are investing to help people get off these medications. I look forward to being healed enough to help others also. Bless you!!

[@doeboy1103]

Good job! I am proud of you❤

[@albertmarnell9976]

People should be more vocal in demanding benzos if they have an anxiety disorder. My anxieties showed already when I was 4 years old and I had no help until I was 20. High school was hell. I went into verbal therapy with a Ph.D. and head of the psych department of a major university in New York. I also was traumatized by the torture of being a homosexual which was considered a crime punishable by hard labor in prison during the early years of my life. That is how old I am. I did not act on it in the 1960s or even when I was 20 years old in 1975. I tried to force myself to be straight. That did not work. You can not change an orientation. To this day homophobia is very strong but not as vilified but is still very vilified. Today in 2024 it is still legal in 50% of the states in the U.S. to not hire, rent to or give service to homosexual or LGBT people. Most Americans do not know this. It is a dirty secret of the United States. Most people especially the uneducated or phobic often use religion as a weapon and this is called the religious exception to treat someone badly because of who they are by nature. This is beyond disgusting. Most of you remember those religious kooks in Colorado that refused to make a cake with two grooms on it. They used the Bible as a weapon to justify their hate, phobia and ignorance. Why don't they have people fill out a questionnaire before they make a cake for people? The Bible says so many ridiculous things including stoning women and men to death for absurd reasons. Read the insane things written in Leviticus. I was in Christian schools for 12 years. By the time I was 16 the fantasy and superstition being taught really angered me. I'm an atheist 100%. They had me brainwashed as a child and young teen which should be illegal. Children should not be exposed to religion. If adults want to dabble in that at age 21 because they need fantasy and superstition to survive, that is their business. There is no god anymore than my deceased mother's spirit is living in my vacuum cleaner. Religion is dangerous, unwholesome and children and teenagers should not be exposed to it. Religion murders rational and logical thinking similar to the political system of the United States. My therapist became abusive as his personality disorder surfaced and his alcoholism progressed. This created even more anxiety and trauma. I filed a lawsuit for 10 million dollars when I was 40 years old and he died after I did my examination before trial. He finished himself off with alcohol mostly and who knows what. I received chump change from the malpractice insurance company and wonder if they paid off the people representing me. I will never know. Aware, perceptive and sensitive people are not hard wired to not feel and see things as they really are. Add life traumas and voila, you may need medication management for anxiety for a very long time if not for life. The realities of the randomness of this existence and the futility of it can not be denied by anyone that is aware and bright. Life is transitory and there is no purpose to human existence. When we die after a life of maintenance and struggle; we vanish and turn into the water and chemicals that make up the human body. People should work in a morgue and see what human life really is. Funerals are pretty compared to death and the decay after death of the human body. I don't understand why people have children. It is so selfish and cruel to put a new sentient being on this short horror show of life. Life is not beautiful. It is nothing but a struggle. Often children and young people think life is wonderful because their brains are not developed yet. Wait until you see your mother's mangled corpse because of an accidental death. My mother was very pretty when alive but after death she became an inanimate object with a smashed-in bloody skull from her fall down stairs in her home. Her head smashed on to a tile floor. Humans are shielded from the visual of death. It should be shown every day on the news instead of just telling the public that a person was killed. Show the body, the horror, the absurdity of existence so that people grow up and realize that this existence is short, ends badly and that while we are alive, we need to be kind to all other humans including the homeless which is another category of reality that people block out. There is no Santa Claus or god. Face reality. If you need a benzo because you have had and have a life of stress and trauma, see if a doctor can help you get through this life just a little easier. For those that do not have a stomach for the reality of life ending (which is most people), they should have what they need to function and suffer less.

[@karicoleman3548]

Thank you so much for talking about someone saying to you “it could be worse”. My doctor a couple of weeks ago said to me “Well, you still have your legs right?” I felt so diminished, so dismissed. Still do.

[@saythankyou111]

Awwww that’s some bedside manner 👀🇺🇸😟

[@Snowflake1374]

The worst is "it's your anxiety”. When electricity burns in the head and the nerv pain is terrible. Or when you’re completely numb. "Ah, you like to be in control. No, NO feelings at all fgs.

[@stuartbowenjr8393]

Nicole, you're awesome ❤

[@Pocketpowerplant]

💜Nicole thank you!

[@aprilhassell1747]

You are so amazing and inspiring.

[@pennybadgley7755]

Fantastic topic, I was on clonazepam for 20 years , it has been 3 years , I know I have damage in my mental and physical body , I blamed it on my menopause because I’m 58 years old and I’m also doing it my own spiritual journey and I’m kind of blaming it on anxiety of trauma so that’s the work that I’ve been doing and getting stronger and working out but I know for a fact it is contributing to a lot other than that I feel amazing

[@aliciameeks]

How did you get off of them. I can’t seem to get through withdrawal after taking them for 20 years

[@pennybadgley7755]

@@aliciameeks hi Alicia, I struggled a lot to get off of Clonazepam , Doctors or any professional did not tell me the seriousness of withdrawal these Pam’s benzo are to our body , if I missed one doze a day I was feeling it , over the years I never really thought anything of it , when I was ready I stopped, that’s when I realized how serious this is , 3 years ago I decided to wean down from 2-1 a day and stuck with it , even though that was tough , I believe the doctor gave me 15 tabs and when they were gone that was it , I started THC gummy’s to sleep , I only took them at night then I started microdose daily , I found the micro dozing with mushrooms helped my anxiety, concentration, all in small mg , it’s crazy how after stopping and realizing that I had to start strengthening my muscles, and my mental being , the dependency of this drug has been proven to be the hardest withdrawal from any opiate, heroin to get out of your body and retrain your body to heal , I still feel it , the funny thing is when your taking these medications you don’t feel high , you feel perfect normal , in my mind that’s when I said I’m going to stop it , I tried numerous times, and every time I tried I realized how hard it was , we all have a story on what we all go through, that’s the healing we need to hear and help each other on their recovery and healing ♥️, I am opened to discuss more , to help others in their journey. Have you tried to get off them ?

[@shan4145]

Thank you both this video is phenomenal.

[@Marie-w8w8c]

I got phenegran during a kidney stone (3 months into withdrawal) and it was also so blissful. Like a calm. It was my first moment to just breathe during acute. Zofran also gives that relief sometimes. Zofran also sometimes relieves my tinnitus (I found a research paper suggesting it helps others as well). But I’m so scared to take any of it too regularly 😵‍💫

[@kevk741]

47:40 “Not everyone is guaranteed a good life”. People have bad things happen but when medications cause things like decades of chronic akathisia and no one warns you it’s a crime, it’s not unfortunate. What you see isn’t everyone healing, you are seeing some people improving and others declining and dying? I know people a decade out looking at assisted death. I know Benzo moderators in power chairs and on respirators that had to take their own life after a decade of suffering. I know people like Stephen Bailey who was hurt in the 80s by a benzo and is suffering immensely 35 years later. Is he better? “Sure” but… not enough to forgive anyone. Certainly not enough to not deserve a settlement. ALS, even locked in syndrome doesn’t compare to drug induced chronic akathisia and tardive dystonia. You can’t go randomly causing that unless someone’s life was truly at stake.

[@allencollins6031]

Hell on earth.

[@naomimara3340]

Hi, I cant find anything about Stephen Bailey except one Quota post. Could you please give some link? Ty

[@paulabillanes5084]

I just spoke to my doctor today about putting me on Klonopin 10 years ago and she told me I could start taking Gaba supplements instead. Really?? Thanks (sarcasticly). 😢

[@doeboy1103]

I thought about assisted death when I was CT'd from 6 mgs. daily of Xanax. I'm not having those types of thoughts anymore, but it was truly a scary time. I am still not better. I believe that I will be one day.

[@allencollins6031]

@@doeboy1103 Its hard as hell. But it heals.

[@Systemlord30]

I started benzos when I was very young for the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome, but was told I had to come off at age 45. The withdraw messed me up I so bad I never recovered. I had to go on TRT for extremely low testosterone in the double digits, and type 2 diabetes. I never had either of these diagnosis before tapering off benzos. I don’t respond to any type 2 diabetes medicines, something goes wrong when I take them and I end up with potassium deficiency. I’m allergic to insulin.

[@nicolelambic]

Not medical advice, but have you tried keto or low carb for the DM Type 2?

[@leonidtodorovski635]

Go on watermelon diet for few days than keep fruit diet only for another couple of days you will recover

[@Jannietime1]

If I don't walk or do yoga in a day or something equally productive, I get in trouble with a depressed mood. 15 years off. Still in it.

[@janethomas78]

there are all kinds of people JUST LIKE HER

[@jamesrob8552]

Yeah that's not true. Benzos are extremely useful. They just shouldn't be taken daily. It's very risky and they don't work taken daily anyways.

[@Snowflake1374]

Its true, a lot of people like her. I am 1 year off SSRI long term use rapid taper. Sick and disabled. Still just surviving every day.

[@douglasshaw1320]

NO ONE should EVER take benzos!!

[@jamess3532]

No one should ever take benzo's everyday. Taking them occasionally in low doses is low risk.

[@GCT1990]

​@@jamess3532false that's worse. You're referring to "As needed" usage which puts you at a 72% increase of developing a nasty neurological condition called "Benzo Kindling". Regardless of how you take the benzo, it'll get you there's no if ands or butts but good try lol

[@Snowflake1374]

Or SSRI.

[@albertmarnell9976]

Police TASE Man For Jaywalking - A "Crime Against Society" Commissioner 'Psycho' Ryder Does NOTHING....YEAH...Life is so wonderful! I asked my 92 year old aunt before she died what she thought about life. She replied, "OH, It is a horror!"

[@makemoneynow8690]

My daughter cold turkey and was re-hospitalized 10 times in 6 years. We've finally learned how to taper her more slowly after reinstating - hopefully, this time we'll go slow enough (it's only been two months of detox this time - so far it's going well aside from occasional headaches).

[@Snowflake1374]

Tapered too fast and hospitalised 3 times this year.

[@allencollins6031]

You look well Nicole

[@shan4145]

Nicole lamberson! 💎🫂🦋👏👏👏💖

[@aprilhassell1747]

Love the 911 analogy

[@katrinaolson673]

What resources or help can someone get who was tapered too fast? Suffering since may

[@jouezmoi]

For me, phenergan caused paradoxical anxiety.

[@patm5086]

Valium did that to me. Felt like I was on acid

[@bfaith2102]

I have phenergan on my allergy list due to the same

[@jameswatson5501]

I was addicted to Benzos for six years. NAD with amino acids was the miracle that got me off Benzos.

[@sharonp6468]

NAD?

[@elbanner1]

I 'm Dutch. So to be sure , is she talking about Phenergan (promethazine, is a old antihistaminica with the side effect of being drowsy.).

[@stephencaudill2422]

you don't see this kind of overmedication in Europe and other countries, only in the U.S.

[@isabellenelson6540]

Not true … french are worses

[@Snowflake1374]

A lot in Scandinavia as well.

[@justdesi86]

Germany likes to medicate, too.

[@mariocondello2353]

I'm a huge fan of Reese Witherspoon.

[@emilyemily6316]

cold turkey withdrawal of both antidepressants and benzol's, by a hospital psych ward, after 11 years of daily use , as prescribed. Now, i have autoimmune disease, hashimotos, brain inflammation chronic , thyroid and pituitary are not working correctly. it has been 14 years post withdrawal. Migraines, visual migraines, slow digestion, vision issues, dizzy , swelling all over brain fog..all the time, no energy..chronic fatigue syndrome fibromyalgia. No, way out for me, now.

[@Geoplanetjane]

Regarding the histamine/food issue, how about getting thoroughly tested by a qualified allergist and put onto an appropriate program of desensitization? Is this something that someone in protracted withdrawal could or should do? I went through five years of testing and desensitization and am much more stable now with regard to environmental substances and foods that formerly made me quite ill. A person allergies do change over time and with the seasons and the desensitization programs also need to change. It was all quite revelatory.

[@huevosrancheros11]

Would you recommend reinstating after being off a benzo and antidepressant for 33 months if people are still having a difficult time?

[@MeghenFarley]

NO. It'll make it worse

[@HappyQuailsLC]

You should have tried the very low dose of Buprenorphine without the Naloxone. It is disappointing that the names are used interchangeably.

[@leonidtodorovski635]

Oh no those are bad very bad they are also antidepressants they can completely ruin your life pls come of them you would save your self lot of pain

[@allencollins6031]

Nicole, any thoughts on antibiotics with this?

[@keithmcvey4242]

I was cut off my xanax 6 months ago & now I'm having to get them off the street please let me know what to do been on them for years decades I'm having trouble memorie problem with draw not getting better it's getting worse now I have to worry about getting Fentanyl I'm about to just give up don't know what to do

[@keithmcvey4242]

Not a doubt in my mind that something is happening to me I'm afraid to go back to the DR because of the way they act. Hope KARMA it's them all for destroying my life. I'm getting older 57 next birthday if I got to feel like this don't know what is going to happen

[@El-wc5hl]

@@keithmcvey4242 Don't give up. I am in the same situation. There are things that can help a low taper. Magnesium biglycinate has helped me enormously, Lemon balm, passiflora. I hope you can get through this.

[@tubester4567]

@@keithmcvey4242 Try and switch to valium. Then taper off the valium. Its the best way. Stay away from fentynol

[@allencollins6031]

Ashton Manual

[@katrinaolson673]

What severe sufferimg do any of you have?

[@petahfelton252]

You all terrify me. I'm frightened I will never recover and have time with my husbanf

[@johndutton4860]

how do you know weather its neuotoxicity or mast cell ? i would think they would both present in the exact same manner ? i am on a benzo and i am in some what or a tolerance withdrawal ... but i ask the question because of a friend who is over 4 years post jump from a taper and she was diagnosed with mast cell activation . but she has all the problems you said that were nuerotoxicity even a rare one with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity she can not be around a ton of stuff or it causes extreme head pressure and massive flair up in symptoms ?

[@JIMMYJREVIEWS_thaiM-A-F-I-A]

Benzodiazepines inter-dose mimics mast cell I’ve Ben through it and let me tell you benzodiazepines are responsible of thousands of false diagnoses ! I have had retired doctors tell me they are completely aware benzodiazepines cause ALL THESE HORRIFIC wired symptoms that mimics OTHER DISEASES ! he also told me the dsm5 was FULL of benzodiazepine induced symptoms and the sad thing is DOCTORS WILL TREAT THE FALSE BENZO SYMPTOMS WITH THE ACTUAL MEDICINE TO FIX THE MIMICKING SYMPTOM ! best thing to do is for the cdc and the medical board to GET RIDD OF BENZODIAZEPINES ALL TOGETHER !

[@doeboy1103]

Sounds like me.

[@VladaldTrumptin]

Does anyone know how long you have to be taking this stuff in order to be affected? Thank you

[@mariocondello2353]

As little as a few months can cause problems.

[@MeghenFarley]

​@mariocondello2353 not even. Couple weeks

[@GCT1990]

Officially it's 9 days. There is a 1998 report in the The New England Journal of Medicine The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and American Psychology Association part of a meta analysis which showed that a individual only needs to take a benzodiazepine for up to 7-9 days before Dependence kicks in, once Dependence kicks you... You then run into neurotransmitters complications that could take years to recover from.

[@McStorch0]

Whoa. Phenergan is also listed as a med that causes Akathisia. I’m in a setback right now, primarily from zofran after a surgery. Ugh! Maybe people should be given informed consent from you on this.

[@Drleeds]

Thank you for pointing this out. Anyone can have a serious adverse reaction to any medication. People should only take medical advice from their doctors. I added a disclaimer to the video.

[@nicolelambic]

Hi, lots of things cause setbacks in people suffering from withdrawal syndromes. A protracted friend of mine just had one from Amoxicillin. Yet, sometimes people w/ infections in withdrawal might need Amoxicillin or other antibiotics. Sometimes, it's not possible to avoid every single thing. As Dr. Leeds mentioned, every medication has the potential to cause issues in some people. Everything is risk vs. benefit. Ideally, taking absolutely nothing ever is the best course (which is what I said in this video) -- yet, it's not realistic. Sometimes, people are severe and want to try things, or they can't go on without trying something. And sometimes, people will *need* to take something (like, if they have a very bad infection, etc.) At this point, everyone has to do their due diligence and the best risk vs. benefit assessment on potential options they can. Lastly, if you listen, when Phenergan was mentioned, I also said it has a long list of potential adverse effects. People should read those. That is informed consent.

[@nicolelambic]

P.S. I'm so sorry you are having akathisia and a setback. I know it's absolutely awful. Hang in there.

[@bfaith2102]

I knew Phenergan had this effect on me (akasthisia) but had no idea zofran could have that affect 😳 back to candied ginger I go, for constant nausea.

[@silvananicolau179]

@@nicolelambic Hi Nicole, please help me with nutrition to recover from my brain injury due to benzos, please

[@aprilhassell1747]

What about kava?

[@selenagomez12358]

Where can we watch this movie, please?

[@Katie-vy5rd]

You can Google it and pay have to pay 3 or 5 bucks to rent. That's how I found

[@JohnSmith-vz2gu]

There should be an exception for torture survivors the problems that occur because of the torture cannot be solved all That can be done this treatment

[@mja76]

Not at all like jail because I didn't commit any crime.

[@allencollins6031]

Poison to prison. Yep.

[@pennybadgley7755]

Micro dosing Lions main mushrooms are the answer to heal inside and out . ❤

[@xy-qy2yg]

That is bullshit. I am ayoung European asking for sick leave and Ialso got poisonwd instead

[@Thatsbannanas-d8c]

Ketamine, is a dissasociative drug. Thanks I’ll pass.

[@TheYogimind]

Reese?

[@Redbaron_sites]

These drugs have also had positive effects upon many lives, there are no effective substitutes. Are you advocating for patients going untreated? There are bad case outcomes in heart bypass, should we reconsider the process without a clear option? Most people do resort to medication only as a last option.Are you seriously suggesting we replace them with dance therapy? And Yoga? I assume we are speaking of serious conditions, not the loss of a favorite cat. One of these drigs improved the quality of my life , I am grateful, and have no bad consequences.

[@nicolelambic]

Most people do not resort to meds only as a last option. 1/5 adults are on a psychiatric medication in the US, that's a lot of people. And, yes, they're Rx'ed for all kinds of things that they aren't needed for. That's the reality of today.

[@publiozinj4882]

You're going to go through withdrawal eventually.

[@Redbaron_sites]

@@publiozinj4882 I didn't go through anything unpleasant upon ceasing, and the benefits far outweighed any withdrawal. It gave me back the quality of life I had when younger. Your side of the issue is adamant to project a one size fits all approach. By the Way, are you a physician? What study can you point to showing massive instances of withdrawal? Please give link to a study by a respected hospital or university, not some independent groups with no vetting.

[@GCT1990]

​@@Redbaron_sitesno they don't. You're problem is that you believe Benzodiazepines are treatment based classifications of medications... They're not, in fact Canada and The US are the only countries that use benzodiazepines long term, why? Because most know that benzos are for short term usage only and for emergency usage... You for whatever reason got it in your head that you can use these long term, they're a neurotoxin which even the creator Leo H Sternbach recognized that patients should not use these longer then 2-4 weeks max. The FDA updated their 3rd black box warning for a reason and simply because you didn't experience bad effects when you came off doesn't mean the harm isn't done yet. You could be on these going on 20 years and one day experience life changing effects. In fact all organizations dealing with benzos all say the same thing, No more the 2-4 weeks max due to serious neurological decline.

[@Snowflake1374]

Yes. Until something happens. I had an adverse reaction after 16 years. Taper and coming off is Hell. If you are unlucky and are one to suffer.

[@gareth3857]

Some people need them you want all people off them you are selfish

[@albertmarnell9976]

Benzo hysteria is an obsession. Drugs such as clonazepam can help people function better instead of this fear of what they need. Long term use of clonazepam can be a good thing. People have to learn this instead of this phobia of benzos. Some people need to be on benzos for life.

[@sherryshaw2088]

Interesting pov. What are you basing this on?

[@albertmarnell9976]

The life experience of many! I'm basing it on observed reality. This vilification of a great medication is a fad, myth and it plays into the OCD of those that are vulnerable to OCD. I have the proof and it is mine. I own it! This is KZbin which is nothing but suppressed information. KZbin is the opposite of reality. If a person wants to come off a benzo, then let them do it. Leave those that benefit from benzos alone. The vilification of benzos is a big business. It is Miasma Theory!!! @@sherryshaw2088

[@albertmarnell9976]

Stop vilifying benzos! Some people should be on them for life. Benzo phobia is Miasma Theory. Anyone that sees reality too clearly may need benzos for life. They see reality; not a sanitized horseshit view of life. If people want to get off of them, let them but leave others alone. Benzos are a great medication! Many people are on different medications for life and if they stop them they DIE!!!@@sherryshaw2088

[@MBT372]

My mom has been on different benzos for panick attacks and gad for over 40 years and at the age of 88 she’s still in great health.

[@albertmarnell9976]

I'm glad that people are starting to debunk this money making Miasma Theory about benzos. They are the greatest medication in the world for many people and long term use does not mean a problem! A whole industry of getting people off of them to make money has been built. It is creating needless fear and most people advocating discontinuance are charlatans when it comes to the topic @@MBT372

[@Corey-iw4ot]

Flush free nicain is good

[@gareth3857]

Got bored of moaning about opioids now it's benzos wot next

[@GCT1990]

.... Um... Whatever drug harms people 🙄 thight that was obvious lol do you need a road map on how to spell your name next? Like how far are you willing to go with silly shit?

[@Snowflake1374]

SSRI. And its real horrible stuff. If you suffer from it.

[@dlvox5222]

The problem with all these people is they decided to keep increasing their dose and want to blame the doctors. Basically drug abuse. They know they were chasing euphoria at some point.

[@healing4605]

They cannot increase their dose without the doctor's prescription, except for those doing street drugs. It seems most people were not even warned about the problems by their doctors.