Cardiologist Discusses her Personal Experience with Benzodiazepine Withdrawal | Interview

[@lonnievisch6009]

RIP CHRISTY…

[@ericahunter3976]

What happened to her ? Oh my goodness

[@incognito595]

We miss you, Christy. ALL of us.

[@davelowe1977]

I was a dependent alcoholic and was detoxed over 4 days with chlordiazapoxide.Then 3 weeks later I detoxed from 30mg of valium that I was also dependent on over maybe 6 weeks. It was brutal but worth it. I've been sober for 9 years and 11 days.

[@Meh-wd]

Benzos can be invaluable in the very short term (weeks) and for alcohol withdrawal. No one is arguing that. Although, there are patients who report physical dependence developing quickly (week or 2 weeks) causing severe and long-enduring withdrawal syndromes thereafter.

[@davelowe1977]

@@Meh-wd In my opinion they should not be used in the community for longer than 5 days and only then for severe symptoms. If an otherwise well patient requires them for longer than that they should change something in their life instead. Drugs like that are not to be a crutch to maintain some unsustainable lifestyle. The exception is the inpatient setting (ie psych) where severe symptoms may persist.

[@sangeetalambh6389]

Dave Lowe how r u now my ffrd

[@davelowe1977]

@@sangeetalambh6389 Never been better. Nearly 10 years sober and every day is a joy. Everyone can do this if they really want to.

[@sangeetalambh6389]

@@davelowe1977 did ur dp fade or gone now frd ple ans I m 412 days sober now

[@blakejohnson8639]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Withdrawal was the hardest thing I’ve experienced. So glad to hear a physician talking about it!

[@sandywhat2429]

Keep spreading the word! I was on benzos for 40 years. Literally no Dr knew how to get me off of them alive. I was left for dead. I'm now 3 1/2 years off. Very injured from the withdrawal.

[@sandracairney6007]

Me too, left for dead. Thank god for neuroplasticity and KZbin educational videos. Chronic gastrointestinal problems, it feels like I might have kidney failure and I've nobody explaining what's going on. I'm hearing on here it's benzo withdrawal post acute symptoms. The anxiety is better than it was but still have to be alone all the time. Scary with the running to the toilet and fearing the no diagnosis, it's not diabetes, it's not cancer so I'm looked at like a hypochondriac. They just don't care about me at all.

[@sandywhat2429]

I'm very ill now with Complex medical issues. Benzo wd made me much worse.

[@kimmichaud7741]

Same here thirty years

[@sandywhat2429]

@@kimmichaud7741 ❤️❤️❤️

[@sandywhat2429]

@@sandracairney6007 ❤️❤️❤️

[@boplo1]

Thank you Christie. Christie died Mary5, 2024. From her obituary, “As a result of her personal experiences and advocacy for others going through the same, hundreds have testified of their appreciation and gratitude for the help they received from her. She overcame so much, but the damage caused by these medications was deep and ultimately cost her, her life.”😢

[@TartanArmy85]

Sorry to ask, how did she pass?

[@yalna3140]

​TartanArmy8s she mentioned cancer treatment in the video...

[@michaelsteimel9075]

​@@TartanArmy85 Ozone may (would) have saved here!!! Dr. KILL

[@billlittlejohn2331]

I realize just how fortunate I am. I'm a Vietnam veteran with PTSD I was prescribed kolopin for years. I never had adverse side effects and stopped talking it months ago. It was an incredible drug that helped me tremendously! I tapered off at it for about 30 days. No withdrawals of any kind. My PTSD is now all but gone. I do that a different med now. I know that it can cause problems for some but I was so blessed that it didn't affect me in that way. I pray for all who deal with things like this. God bless all who served and are dealing with what I did. I started going to a private doctor many years ago. The shrinks at the VA were really no help after about the first 25 years. I recommend that you do like wise. I went thru about 8 shrinks at the VA prior to that. Thanks. I hope all get better. Seek the Lord first. I guarantee you that will help so much! Big point! Talk it out no matter how difficult it might be! I did and that is what made the difference.

[@SAMEntalhealth]

A part of me believes a lot of people suffering from adverse reactions to benzos is psychosomatic. Because i know people over 60 who have been taking them for years, stop no problem. But once the huge outpouring of benzo withdrawal came out, people suddenly started having withdrawal.... just odd to me

[@thomasrehder613]

I guess you ain't watching the vidoe cause it's real just cause someone don't have withdrwals don't mean other don't

[@sharon8121]

​@@thomasrehder613exactly! To some people it allows them to live a normal life.

[@Eggeh1]

@@SAMEntalhealthI agree. There’s many people who have received no withdrawal effects, even years after taking a benzodiazepine. They stopped, no noticeable withdrawal. With all this fear mongering about benzo withdrawal, I believe these symptoms people feel are usually experienced from what they read, more so in the mind. Yes, benzo withdrawal is REAL, but I do personally feel many people experience a more psychosomatic experience. I’ve been on Klonopin for 4 years, and I’ve stopped several times throughout the years without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, aside from rebound anxiety. As of today, I have taken it more often than previously, however it is a very helpful medication which has not caused me terrible withdrawals. There has been anti-depressants with worse withdrawals which I’ve experienced.

[@victorial8764]

Yes I love this from beginning to end. All true and you are so brave! Thank you for your work! I’m so happy you didn’t fall into any long term problems. My dad is a Vietnam vet and he has mild ptsd but since his stroke it came out big time. He won’t take the meds and the VA doctors aren’t that great. He’s been going through it at 75. He’s doing good though just lots of mood swings and jumpiness. He’s a pastor now and the Lord helps so much. ❤

[@katrinamenzies9398]

RIP Dr Christy Huff ❤

[@Ash-ty9nd]

What happened to her? So sad

[@katrinamenzies9398]

@@Ash-ty9nd her obituary is online

[@TartanArmy85]

How did she pass??

[@LisaKnappster]

I was prescribed Ativan, a benzomide, for insomnia. I went through numerous stressful times in my life and the doctor kept upping it. Eventually I thought I was losing my mind. I couldn't remember anything, my brain felt like a swirling tornado, I had vertigo, couldn't figure it out. I got No help from my doctor. Finally in figured it out on my own (thank you Google!) & the day I did, I threw the whole bottle away. It was around 2008. Terrible idea! I went through horrific withdrawal as bad as heroin withdrawal (or so I'm told) for 9 days. It was horrific. I don't think I'll ever be the same. There needs to be more awareness! Thank you for sharing.

[@ellaMel4632]

How long were you taking it and what dose . I want to stop Ativan after 8 months, have lots of side effects, and looking for safe way

[@marleneholik-ls9wr]

9 days?

[@paulchomiak1318]

Benzodiazepine Information Coalition is paramount if you are considering tapering off of benzos.. A lot of important information.. Thank you Dr. Huff for all of your work and spreading awareness..

[@maxpower1337]

My prayers are with All those who suffer with benzo suffering remember God loves you.

[@JacquiQ]

I am 2 years into my taper off after 10 years using them everyday. I was just told by the Dr when I started, that the end of the taper may be hard - ummm starting was horrendous ! I was given 5mg tablets of Valium to go home and cut, with no info given on how withdrawal may affect me. I should have been given 2 mg tabs right off the bat. Cutting is ridiculously inaccurate - I am not quite half way down from my original daily dose. Every cut has me in bed for a good week to 10 days with the most horrendous insane insomnia, plus other symptoms. I cut ev 2 weeks. I stop tapering Dec/Jan so I can at least have some time with my kids without being in wdl. It is hell. It really is hellish, completely isolating and say good bye to your life for a few years while you taper. I may have another year to go, or even longer to go IF I can even manage to get off completely. G*d help me. 🙏 Dr's do not have a clue abt Benzo wdl. Sorry, but they just don't.

[@susansheppard9614]

I went through the same trying to cut valium. Pointless coz it crumbles. I got onto custom doses compounded and it's great! BUT yes the lower the dose the HIGHER the percentage drop. 2yrs into taper and its now brutal at 0.50mg. Good luck!! It's hard:(

[@michelebergman4336]

Start taking it again!

[@JamesDodge-v7n]

What was your taper scheduled from diazepam? I have been on benzos 23 yrs. Got pulled off abruptly in 2022 and went through 4 mos of horror. No one believed me. Finally a nurse practitioner placed me on 20 mg valium per day. I am getting by daily but will never be the same.

[@Iliketurtlezz]

She died. Rip.

[@ioannrydberg1754]

same horrible experience with antidepressants.... and no psychiatrists nor any doctors believed me... Withdrawal (done according to psychiatrist's instructions) destroyed my life. I'm still struggling everyday with neurological damages 5 years later. There's a huge problem with those drugs. Doctors are not properly informed about adverse reactions and how to withdraw from psychiatric drugs, including psychiatrists. I also have POTS since 5 years... not functionnal anymore....it's awful to be destroyed like that then abandonned by the medical system.

[@ioannrydberg1754]

@@jennifermarlow. tanks for your comment. I do not have brain zaps but I have many other issues. I think I might also have a metabolic disorder... I have to fight exhaustion every day since this withdrawal... Sorry to hear you also have hard time with POTS. Take care too ! xx

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

I agree that doctors all to freely prescribe antidepressants to patients and assume they are not addictive. I also believe that benzo's are very valuable medications and people should not be forced off of them if they are working. I took Xanax for more than 30 years and slowly tapered off over many months. I am fine now, but couldn't have done it when I still felt I needed them. I also don't think I would have made it without the help of the medication at that time in my life.

[@ioannrydberg1754]

@@Jerry-sr9kq you're lucky... the story is very different for me... before med I could function but it was difficult... now off my I can no more function (have a job, have a hobby, having family life) but on med it's even worse (bedbound)... so my conclusion is that many doctors are totally unaware of toxic effects from medications. They are unable to detect them.. and for the patient, unfortunately, when he's completely disabled, the verdict comes much too late... this was avoidable...

[@pmkainatasghar7078]

Did you ever fainted

[@yano391]

@@ioannrydberg1754 I was functionnal before antidepressants too... now I lost my life. Yes doctors are totally unaware of toxic effects !

[@rodolforios2830]

I caught myself. I thank GOD I stopped on time. I'm on day 3 of detox starting to feel better. Still pretty hard. I drank within a 2 week period 7 .25 mg. I noticed it wasn't helping for an anxiety episode I had on Monday. I woke up the next day feeling like an addict talking and fight my thoughts. I knew it was the medication. Its not fun these past 2 days I've gotten 2-3 hrs of sleep but I know I'm going to get better.

[@mvann5]

And what about all the people who taper off only to find they are worse off it, and seemingly permanently disabled? And worse the longer they are off? I know several people in this sad situation.

[@THXx1138]

That would be me. After losing any trust or faith in the medical establishment due to this injury I can't seek help anymore.

[@maxpower1337]

That's horrible but there is still hope.

[@midgemudd]

Thanks for sharing your story, very helpful 👍

[@nareshmishra-uh3vf]

Rip love 💗

[@Misfit-from-Zanti]

Passed out in PT five days ago. All I did was lay down and turn to my side. Have had no Klonopin since july2019. 2020 was awful and nobody was there and Dr s were just tired of me and 2020 was difficult for all of us. 2022 was looking good. Then Bam here I am hiding in my house again just so dizzy. I think pots may be the issue.

[@kevinburrell3359]

This shit is no joke..

[@cjw8817]

Christy just passed away 😢

[@sonjal.3704]

Was it related to the benzos?

[@tamaraspillis612]

Dr's. Thank you. Here is a question about deficiencies and receptor blocking. Calcium and Lead are known to have similar valence. Children with insufficient Ca can readily substitute uptake Pb. Is there any science about benzodiazpine and similar inappropriate receptor uptake and clearance because of essental nutrient, cofactor or endocrine deficiency?🤔🤕

[@ivywoods5926]

I'm 3 years off valium and still experiencing withdrawals, I was on them for 18yrs

[@rosenajia9939]

Dr. Huff, can you say more about how you shifted from Xanax to Valium? Did that take a long time?

[@bobthrasher8226]

Mom was on 1 mg benzo for 1 year - doc said to STOP. Big mistake. We then developed a simple plan to taper and got her off of it in a couple months.

[@SkinCareLuver]

Wow. 1 year. sorry to hear. Been on them for 14 years and I learned CBT helps a ton with getting off them. exposure therapy works the best. I can taper easily now..

[@peanutygoodness]

What do you do when you lose your health insurance and you’ve been taking 90 10mg Valium and 90 1mg Alprozolam each month?

[@michaelroberts1420]

On the other hand i was on 90 Valium a month for three years and stopped cold turkey. I was a little worried that i may experience withdrawals but non. I am not a drinker or other drug taker. It is terrible that some people experience these problems and i do feel for them. But once again i believe our chemistry and socialization can contribute.

[@shirleycathcart5502]

You were extremely unusual. Hard to comprehend.

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

@@shirleycathcart5502 actually, he's more of the rule when it comes to benzo's. Unfortunately, we are seeing a trend in medicine that See's addiction everywhere. Even though addiction is only in a small percentage of the population. Addiction and dependency are two completely different things.

[@nhopkins8266]

Wow. Ya it definitely is individual body chemistry and how individuals metabolize the drug. They need to identify the common denominator in ppl who get injured by each kind of psych med. That way they can do a test and know it’s safe for that person.

[@lisasmith814]

You must be "super human" with titanium gaba receptors.......

[@shirksa1]

How long did you taper off of the short acting benzo to the long acting? That could of really caused your taper over the few years you tapered hard because your Dr tapered off of that one fast.

[@philosophemcarpediem239]

I have generalized anxiety but I don’t take medications. I need to flight and I am afraid of flying, I am considering a benzo for the trip. I don’t know...

[@queenalberth2164]

Ill recommend you get through to this mate online

[@queenalberth2164]

Mycodre7

[@queenalberth2164]

Hes on instegram

[@Bhatmann]

Research anxiety and ketogenic diet.

[@Meh-wd]

Taking a one-off benzodiazepine for something like a flight is exactly how they are intended to be used-very intermittently.

[@fishermc6pack]

I am super dubious how 3 weeks of alp produced the NEED for a three year taper Muscle damage from them? Damage? As a direct result of benzos? What I’m not invalidating your suffering Dr. Erin, thanks for sharing!

[@rickaanderson4835]

Same happened to me after one bottle. It basically melts your gaba receptors anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks.

[@fishermc6pack]

@@rickaanderson4835 I just can’t fathom anyone needing a three year taper after what statistically only produces withdrawals in one third of patients after FOUR weeks and any of them then proceeding to do a three year taper have only made themselves much more physically dependent. If you have muscle damage from three weeks of using a benzo, it’s unrelated to the benzo

[@rickaanderson4835]

@@fishermc6pack you simply can't function if you go too fast. If you need to hold your job or raise kids you have no choice but to let your body decide the pace.

[@rickaanderson4835]

@@fishermc6packso many of these stories out there to back it all up... kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3WXoKmed9CWnsk

[@rickaanderson4835]

@@fishermc6pack here is one of the most impressive explanations I've ever seen. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3_PimOXosakf6s

[@geraldgerald489]

I keep getting unsubscribed by KZbin.

[@KathleenMoore-fr5fm]

Where are the benzo informed doctors in Massachusetts?❤

[@kevk741]

Well.. I know a pain clinic and primary care doc in NH who both are benzo-harm aware, akathisia aware, etc. I’m not sure they want another one of me, but they certainly believe what happened to me. They followed me every month for over 10 years, so when I stopped and all hell broke loose, they knew I wasn’t kidding around. I just hope my pain clinic (Granite State Pain Management) will help more people with akathisia and BIND. I promise you I helped pave the way!

[@KathleenMoore-fr5fm]

@@kevk741 Thanks for helping pave the way!

[@yvonnesmith3103]

Was she taking other medications with diazapams bcos that would create huge issues

[@davidkruse4030]

Her story isn’t just benzo withdrawal. This is kind of bad backstory info.

[@THXx1138]

@@davidkruse4030 This is an injury, not withdrawal.

[@theresawebb8064]

Did ahe die from the damage caused from the benzos or from going OFF them like a massive heart attack? My cardio said i should of been on benzo yrs earlier when he did a scan and found cardiomyopathy from fainting and panic attacks thru the yrs .i take valium to reg my bp and angina symptoms i also have to have nitro on hand..so idk bout ever competely stopping these as it may cause heart attack .im in chronic pain was on hydros and valium for 5 months and my dr said new policy i had to chose which i neede worse, i said well i dont want to have sudden cardiac death like my dad and grandpa at a young age .my parents died at age 49 both of them so idk what to do about this...really id love to stop prescription and go all natural with solving all my issues.

[@michaelrogers1103]

On my own is all I have! My doctor doesn't even understand why I want to go through withdrawal when I can be off of it in 3 weeks 🤬

[@lindsayshannon4835]

I am completely bedridden from muscle pain, and tremors (almost feels like im being electrocuted). I was prescribed clonzepam for over 7 years and tapered fairly quickly, from 2 mg daily to nothing, dropping .5 a week over 4 weeks, I feel so weak and nauseous from constant pain, I would not wish this on anyone, my doctor is starting me on pain pills, i really hope i dont grow a dependence on those now... 😢

[@allencollins6031]

Same. It's hell.

[@mariocondello2353]

The myalgia is horrendous, I'm also getting panic attacks.

[@anxiety4life200]

My doctor is dumb so I won't be talking to him..ill be doing this on my own and documenting it.

[@Anthony-cp4xw]

How are you doing now?

[@paulespinoza1994]

I am 10 years sober from alcohol and opioids to be accurate off the pills for 7 years regardless I feel like a new man now. I work out religiously now along with proper breathing techniques, some meditation and for me listening to music has helped me get off and stay off these destructive substances! I will say you have taylor it to your needs and where you are in life there is no one way works for all. I will not lie it's very hard at the beginning and relapse is not uncommon so be realistic but the journey to become clean is worth it.

[@deedeew4040]

My physician knows I am tapering but she has no idea how benzo drugs affect you. It took me 18 months to taper from 2 mg to 1/32 and I was almost ready to stop and I fell and broke three bones. I was not able to sleep and increased the drug for three weeks and I did a fast taper and I had to go to ER. I have stabilized to .75 mg. I will give myself six to seven months getting off of this medication. Very slow. The last 1/2 mg I will get professional help but not from my Doctor, she knows nothing about tapering.

[@kimmichaud7741]

My dr is forcing me to stop my klonopin after 30.years of being on it I hate her so much she's cutting me down way too fast

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

How are you doing? I'm sorry, but that is so, so wrong in my opinion. It should be considered malpractice for a doctor to force a patient off a medication like this, that is working. People take blood pressure medications for a lifetime. Why is this any different?

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

Just wanted to add, I was on Xanax for 35 years. I slowly tapered off over many months and am doing fine now. If you don't want to come off of your medication, I would look for another doctor in the meantime. I know it's hard but some doctors just suck !!

[@kimmichaud7741]

@@Jerry-sr9kq I agree Jerry she ended up.putting me back on at half the dose I was on I'm doing OK so far she's eventually going to cut my current dose again but she put me on half because the withdrawal was so bad

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

@@kimmichaud7741 good, I'm glad. You'll be okay, just take it slow. Good luck!!

[@kimmichaud7741]

@@Jerry-sr9kq thanks

[@davidarundel6187]

My first GP prescribed diazipam for me , over 20 years back . 5 tablets totaling 35mgs . Had reactions that lasted longer than should have , so cut doseage to 1 tab per day with UpTo , 3x5mg , in seriously disturbing times ; my GP , knew what flappy lipps , the landlords staff have and the troubles generated . He also prescribed Opiates , initially with paracetamol - I'm now reactive to paracetamol after 20 years & they've been dumped . The new GP , has no clues about my underlying health condition , and has been forced to educate himself , as the practice has about 7 others with the same condition . Diazipam & Opiates , I don't have a problem stopping , it's starting the opiates, when winter starts to hit , diazipam controls severe spasams , brought on by a veruca , which the current GP , has suggested surgery for a live sample of what's generating it - they may as well remove the whole nail & potentially spread a viral cancer :- NOT .

[@uyoebyik]

No

[@beckythornton6470]

What??

[@methylbenzodiazepine]

2mg of Ativan about 3 times a week, then cold Turkey. Most intense withdrawal ever. Benzodiazepines are for emergency rooms only

[@hnewman9296]

Hi, I was on 2mg a day month on month off for a year. My worst symptoms have been memory loss and severe headaches. Did you experience those symptoms too. Also how are you doing now?

[@methylbenzodiazepine]

@@hnewman9296 my memory loss was temporary. I remember shaking and not being able to sleep. No headaches. But I have been sober 8 years now. I never looked back.

[@lindsayshannon4835]

How long until the worst physical symptoms subside? This is absolutely hellish!

[@methylbenzodiazepine]

@@lindsayshannon4835 I remember they mostly went away after 3 days. Fasting can accelerate recovery.

[@lululove6175]

Her recovery…so weird watching this. This seems so bizarre….25 mg X. Makes me not want to taper.

[@MikaSerbian]

Im using 20-30mg valium for sleep just to get 4hr of sleep

[@racheldahliamusic]

I was on 10mg a day and I'm in absolute neurological SHOCK. 2 months in.

[@MikaSerbian]

@@racheldahliamusic i did detox from it 3 months ago,now with different medsi sleep great 7-9 hr daily and my life changed completely,my mood everything is better,it took me a month to detox from valium with slow tapper but it was worth,never again.

[@davidkruse4030]

This story makes no sense. She was on .25mg of Xanax and had to cross over to Valium? And then is took 3 years to taper? I am sorry but this lady should have tapered the Xanax. I have to call bull on her dose.

[@lululove6175]

Same. Don’t get it….i don’t even get info from BIC. It’s all bullshit.

[@Dan28Jam]

Very unprofessional and irresponsible to post. Anyone who counts 80 symptoms clearly has an anxiety disorder. This is the worst type of patient for anyone. I couldn’t even listen to her ridiculousness. 3 weeks on, over 3 years getting off. Anyone struggling with benzo withdrawal, understand this woman has an obvious personality disorder. Do not think for one second, this is or will be your reality. Stay strong and listen to positive people. Attention seekers and Debbie downers will not help. This video is shameful.

[@THXx1138]

Obviously you know absolutely nothing about benzo injury.

[@racheldahliamusic]

Get lost! YOU ARE A PART OF THIS PROBLEMATIC MESS

[@stevietalk1]

This is the reality for many. Not all but many. Drs.are so irresponsible with knowledge of the multitude of possible symptoms that they taper people too quickly. MANY people have interdisciplinary withdrawal, &/or tolerance … go to Dr. for new, never b4 symptoms & Dr. Gives them ANOTHER med. for THISE symptoms that are CAUSED by the original benzo … and so it goes. Check out Dr. Jennifer Leigh, Mark Horowitz, Dr. Michael Bohan … Check out the newly published ‘The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines’

[@BrandonReid-j6u]

I agree with your statement, this whole interview is absurd and steals hope from anyone here for some information and hope

[@SAMEntalhealth]

This basically means addicts of benzos are doomed for life?

[@stevietalk1]

We are NOT addicts! Our bodies are DEPENDANT- Benzo’s alter our GABA receptors & Central Nervous System ..slow tapers help to give the body an opportunity to slowly adapt on lower amounts. Only 2% of people abuse Benzo’s & they are already abusing other meds. 98% take the Benzo as prescribed.

[@aremedyproject9569]

Sounds like coming off Effexor.

[@dogfoot1874]

I've been taking pristiq (basically effexor) for 3 years and want to stop taking it. Could you tell me your experience of what I could expect?

[@Oceanskye11]

@@dogfoot1874 Everyone’s chemistry is different so there’s no way of knowing who will get hit with withdrawal symptoms & who won’t. Drs will prob hand you a 6 week taper plan. They know nothing about tapering off these drugs. Do your own research & taper off slowly. Lead your own symptom led taper. While tapering, if you reach a point where you’re getting rough symptoms, hold your dose for a bit before removing any more. When you feel stable, then resume taper. You must give your brain time to catch up w/the reductions/cuts. There are support groups online, FB & others , that can help you formulate a taper. Hope you’re one of the lucky ones who can taper off easy w/no symptoms. All the best.

[@theresawebb8064]

I'm allergic to effecor took one pill and my eyes bout swelled shut allergic to gabapentin to swells me terrible it was for my fibro. Then they gave me cymbalta felt like massive flu for a month so that won't work for my fibro either, nothing works for my major depressive disorder, I've probably tried a dozen meds over the yrs so I have to just live with that and I'm on Valium by a cardio Dr suggestion for damage done to my heart from panic so idk IF I should ever stop the Valium , my dad and grandpa both died suddenly from heart trouble, the Valium keeps my BP, normal BP meds alone will not, so idk what to do .I really wanna go all natural stuff if I could do that but idk

[@rbwbehrmann]

Maybe have more compassion for the people labeled addicts

[@Em-mr6wu]

Can't even finish watching this drivel.

[@rickaanderson4835]

Unfortunately its almost impossible to understand Benzos unless you've been there. I can see why you think its babble.

[@hawaiiangunner]

Wait a minute....... due to a cervical injury and fusion surgery I've had to take diazepam 15 mg several times a day for years. I've never had one withdrawal at all. Nor did I have any symptoms of withdrawal. I'm sure some people do but I think it is nowhere near as big a problem as it's being made out to be.

[@UserHunca]

Benzodiazepines are extremely hard to quit. I’ve been working on it for years. Some people have serious issues; some don’t.

[@hawaiiangunner]

@@UserHunca I was on it for 3yrs strait. One year off then 2 more years. Just stopped again 2 months ago. Not one withdrawal or symptom of withdrawal. I didn't do a taper down phase I just stopped one day.

[@user-dg7sy8cz3b]

With all due respect You’re very very wrong. Discounting this reality is precisely how the medical industry continues to deny any responsibility or liability from these drugs. Congratulations, your still in the majority, so at least you have that going for you. Good luck with your injury. And if you’ve been prescribed gabapentin, lyrica, and or opioids , the clock is ticking.

[@hawaiiangunner]

@@user-dg7sy8cz3b Gabapentin, morphine, Dilaudid, Norco. Nothing at all. Not one side effect not one withdraw. All stopped within one day.

[@andhewonders]

@@hawaiiangunner I was the same, I was given mogadon and valium at the age of 10, and took them for 11 years, then just stopped one day no issues, I know other people addicted though.

[@NibsNiven]

IMO this woman is too naive to be a good cardiologist, or any scientific discipline for that matter.

[@rbwbehrmann]

Addiction and physical dependence is the same thing!!! You just like to label the people using the drugs illegally as addicts but it’s the same thing. They are going through the exact same thing as you are. They just aren’t treated as good as the people lucky enough to have the doctors to help them rather than being forced to go cold turkey

[@JCatBIC]

Physical dependence is different from addiction. In case you were unaware, prescribed people are not usually treated well going through cessation. Their harm is largely denied. I do agree forcing someone physically dependent off of benzodiazepines in any circumstance, even if they are also addicted to the benzodiazepine, is wrong. It's wrong because physical dependence creates withdrawal, which can lead to suffering and long term withdrawal syndromes, which can then lead to permanent neurological damage.

[@Oceanskye11]

@@JCatBIC I wonder at what point does protracted w/d become permanent neurological damage. Am 4 years+ off Klonopin after a very long liquid micro taper and still have sxs. Not near as bad as the hell when tapering off but still very challenging & life altering. Neuropathy in legs, chronic fatigue, can’t sleep more than 4 hours a night, some agoraphobia & anxiety-never had these issues b4 taking Klonopin. Drs just want to give me antidepressants but I refuse them. It’s a tragedy that there’s just no medical care to speak of for those who suffer while tapering off or in long term protracted.

[@JCatBIC]

@@Oceanskye11 I don't know. I always have hope people will improve over time, I've seen it, but when people are suffering years post-cessation, what's the difference? I'm in the same boat. I will be off 2 years in June, and some things are less, but other things are more, and I don't see much in terms of healing.

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

@@JCatBIC people are kept on all kinds of medications for basically a lifetime, I don't understand the need to taper a long term patients off of benzo's. Especially when a lot of people will be worse, off of the medication.

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

@@Oceanskye11 but yet, a person can drink themselves to death without a doctor's prescription.

[@barnaclebro5008]

Cmon. Bull I think this lady's been doing a lot more than her prescription. I think she got caught up at work tested positive pinch came up with a good excuse

[@rickaanderson4835]

Not true... search my benzo story on you tube. You will soon see the nightmare many more have lived.

[@markhuntermd]

How long can I safely use Benzos? A few weeks. Why can’t I use Benzo’s longer than that? With continued use they cause key areas of the brain to wither away; cause memory loss; sleep disturbances; and the inability to ‘lift’ the emotional challenges of day-to-day living. Symbolically: you could say that over time, with continued use of Benzo’s, your brain will need a wheel chair to get around! As a direct result, long term Benzo users find themselves being prescribed yet more and more benzos’; and when that fails, patients will often add alcohol and/or narcotics in an attempt to support their sagging mental structure.1 What is the purpose of Benzos? To anesthetize your brain from pain - Just like an aspirin or opium does for a headache, or musculoskeletal pain. If it’s so dangerous, why do physicians prescribe it for longer periods of time? Because they are really great for business! Drugs in the USA are over-priced - sometimes as much as several thousands of percent higher than the international generic drug equivalent - and that means big profits for the pharmaceutical companies! As you will note, government regulators are the same men that work for the pharmaceutical companies for which they are charged to protect us! Just think of all the additional medications and medical procedures that could be required after taking long-term benzo’s! It’s all great for business, but not for the patient. With continual use, you find your physician prescribing yet more and more benzo’s,2 and later Z-drugs to help you sleep, (Z-drugs like Ambien also erode brain matter), and so on. The longer you are on Benzo’s, the more disabled you become, all of which guarantees that you become a life-time patient! In fact, following an analysis of around 50 dead celebrities, from Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson, it was discovered that long-term Benzo use led to their death!3 But I thought the doctor was trying to promote good mental health? Well, an uninformed physician might actually think he is trying to help. Many physicians just want to use your body like Energy Chattel. If it’s so dangerous, why haven’t I heard of this problem before? The rest of the world has been warned and has been instructed to avoid longer term use. Many countries like the UK, Germany, Holland, and others have long-standing policies against the long-term use of Benzos. US drug industry regulators also work for the very same corporations they are supposed to protect us from - As a direct result, USA medicine is ranked 72nd overall,4 and has the world’s most expensive pharmaceutical costs. For instance, in the USA the Benzo Xanax is priced 600,000% higher than the International Generic Drug Equivalent (alprazolam). So as you can see from the corporate share-holders point of view, it’s really great for business to keep you laid-out on Benzos! So, what is the actual cause of the mental health disorders they are treating? Science has deployed a whole collection of brand-new brain imaging methods to answer that question. These devices have allowed science to actually see inside of the brain and monitor its level of activity. Using these new imaging techniques scientists have discovered that key parts of the brain among patients with depression and anxiety are weak & underactive: Specific modules of the brain have simply withered away! It is little wonder the patient has a really tough time lifting the emotional requirements of daily life. It was appreciation of this fact that created a new paradigm shift in the understanding & treatment of these disorders: to strengthen the organic structures of the brain as if it were a muscle. Footnotes: 1 Jones CM, et al., Alcohol involvement in opioid pain reliever and benzodiazepine drug abuse-related emergency department visits and drug-related deaths - United States, 2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014 Oct 10;63(40):881-5. 2 Morgan WW, Abuse liability of barbiturates and other sedative-hypnotics. Adv Alcohol Subst Abuse. 1990;9(1-2):67-82. 3 Ask for a free copy of my medical text, Treatment for Disorders of Affect, Anxiety, Attention, Addiction & Compulsion. See chapter 3, starting page 6 onward for analysis of coroner reports. 4 Medicine in the USA is ranked 72nd overall - Miles behind Cuba: To top off crappy health care, the US Medical industry is essentially an Insurance Company gulag financed by the Wall Street banking terrorist. www.commonwealthfund.org/Publications/Fund-Reports/2008/Jul/Why-Not-the-Best--Results-from-the-National-Scorecard-on-U-S--Health-System-Performance--2008.aspx Yes, Stephen Paddock Was Prescribed Valium. And it very well could have led to his shooting spree! themindunleashed.com/2017/10/yes-stephen-paddock-prescribed-valium-no-might-not-explain-massacring-59-people.html

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

That's just nonsense doc! I used 4 mg of Xanax for 35 years. I slowly tapered off over many months a year ago, and am doing fine. I myself and many others have used benzo's for years without any adverse effects other than they work. Doctors today are way too worried about addiction in my personal opinion. You cause more suffering trying to get a patient off of them than just continuing the medication like you would a blood pressure medication. Please stop already, I thought doctors were supposed to prevent suffering??

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

But, we can drink ourselves to death without a doctor's prescription, but God forbid we need something like a benzo? Right doc?

[@Jerry-sr9kq]

When I read bunk like this, that's when I truly distrust doctors the most!! The celebrities you listed were taking much stronger drugs than just a regular benzo like Valium or Xanax.

[@markhuntermd]

@@Jerry-sr9kq Here is an interesting fact: When rat researchers want to do memory studies, they diminish rat brain memory with benzo's. Rat researchers in Russia use alcohol on rats to achieve the same thing! According to the philosophers of the ages, Gluttony - the over consumption of anything including water - is going to have a bad outcome. Short term benzo use, and short term alcohol use is benign. However, their excessive long terms effects both include, among other things, diminished brain function. There are however, excellent drugs that actually BUILD whole-new neuronetworks - And thereby resolve a great number of mental diseases. This class is called, Nootropics. Most of the world, (except the Americans) have access to the following excellent nootropic drugs: Minaprine (Cantor), Nomifensine (Merital), Amineptine (Survector), Tianeptine (Stablon or Coaxil or Tatinol), Mirtazapine (Remeron), among others. US medicine is all about money. And solving the underlying cause of problems - such as diminished brain tissue - is not used by the Americans. In the USA you will be made worse with benzo's, alcohol, opioids, and SSRIs. Meanwhile, Goldman Sach’s - the majority shareholder of big pharma firms - warns Big Pharma not to make drugs that are too effective - Those would be bad for business! BTW: Goldman Sach’s did received trillions in USA Tax Payer bailout money! That is how they came to become a major shareholder of the Publically Traded Big Pharma monopoly! So Goldman Sach’s calls the shots for USA healthcare! www.cnbc.com/2018/04/11/goldman-asks-is-curing-patients-a-sustainable-business-model.html Goldman Sachs asks in biotech research report: ‘Is curing patients a sustainable business model?’ Goldman Sach’s - the majority shareholder of big pharma firms - warns Big Pharma not to make drugs that are too effective - Those would be bad for business! www.cnbc.com/2018/04/11/goldman-asks-is-curing-patients-a-sustainable-business-model.html?__source=sharebar%7Cfacebook&par=sharebar&fbclid=IwAR0XCffdUmp4HPnYKqFZUfTCLWRwGN4J-8-ZokgJKUhNwf5Z7HVYVwQo6Ow

[@markhuntermd]

@@Jerry-sr9kq Here is an interesting fact: When rat researchers want to do memory studies, they diminish rat brain memory with benzo's. Rat researchers in Russia use alcohol on rats to achieve the same thing! According to the philosophers of the ages, Gluttony - the over consumption of anything including water - is going to have a bad outcome. Short term benzo use, and short term alcohol use is benign. However, their excessive long terms effects both include, among other things, diminished brain function. There are however, excellent drugs that actually BUILD whole-new neuronetworks - And thereby resolve a great number of mental diseases. This class is called, Nootropics. Most of the world, (except the Americans) have access to the following excellent nootropic drugs: Minaprine (Cantor), Nomifensine (Merital), Amineptine (Survector), Tianeptine (Stablon or Coaxil or Tatinol), Mirtazapine (Remeron), among others. US medicine is all about money. And solving the underlying cause of problems - such as diminished brain tissue - is not used by the Americans. In the USA you will be made worse with benzo's, alcohol, opioids, and SSRIs. Meanwhile, Goldman Sach’s - the majority shareholder of big pharma firms - warns Big Pharma not to make drugs that are too effective - Those would be bad for business! BTW: Goldman Sach’s did received trillions in USA Tax Payer bailout money! That is how they came to become a major shareholder of the Publically Traded Big Pharma monopoly! So Goldman Sach’s calls the shots for USA healthcare! www.cnbc.com/2018/04/11/goldman-asks-is-curing-patients-a-sustainable-business-model.html Goldman Sachs asks in biotech research report: ‘Is curing patients a sustainable business model?’ Goldman Sach’s - the majority shareholder of big pharma firms - warns Big Pharma not to make drugs that are too effective - Those would be bad for business! www.cnbc.com/2018/04/11/goldman-asks-is-curing-patients-a-sustainable-business-model.html?__source=sharebar%7Cfacebook&par=sharebar&fbclid=IwAR0XCffdUmp4HPnYKqFZUfTCLWRwGN4J-8-ZokgJKUhNwf5Z7HVYVwQo6Ow