I just found your channel. I appreciate you and your knowledge. I’m 62 and was prescribed Klonopin 30 years ago after being diagnosed with MS. I took 1mg. As prescribed each night. Here’s the kicker…2 years ago I changed neurologist and was told I did NOT have MS! All these flare ups I have been having were due to being intolerant to the Klonopin. Just typing this makes me so angry. I have just finished a 14 month taper off. I look back now and realize after my own research that it was in fact the medication causing the depression, anxiety, panic, etc. I did not have any of these symptoms before I started the Klonopin. So now, I’m trying to get my life back after being sick and intolerant after 30 years thinking it was MS. I would like to add, I feel robbed of more than half my life. If it wasn’t for the grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior I couldn’t have successfully tapered off. I now pray for healing not just for myself but everyone that has been affected by these drugs. Thank you for this video and may God richly bless you.
Glad ur trying but u prolly took benzos to help anxiety and they help but after a while it destroys gaba reception and it can take year or two to feel better
@@scottjohnson2401 no, not prescribed for anxiety. Never had a problem with anxiety unti I became tolerant to it. I understand all too well about the Gaba receptors as I’ve educated myself and done tons of research. It’s a shame what these meds do to our bodies and minds. The healing after a safe taper is a journey in itself. Time and perseverance are what it takes.
I’m tapering off clonazepam (called klonopan in U.S.) - .05mg p/day .. for close to 35 yrs. now 😮 I was diagnosed w/ mood disorder - started on it & then 600mg of lithium p/day … spent my life learning, healing & growing. All this time, now that I’ve DEALT with my dysfunctional/ trauma childhood & early adulthood … turns out I didn’t have a mood disorder, I was just trying to cope with a LOT of life shit. I WILL say, the clonazepam & lithium MAY have helped me as I persevered & did the ‘work’ throughout my life - took 2 decades for me to finally feel peace. Two decades to learn to set healthy boundaries w/ family & HOLD them. As I have, family has done a 180* .. they see & know they can’t manipulate me anymore in THEIR insecurities… because if that relationships are mended, should have been healed. It’s a beautiful thing. That said … most don’t do this deep healing work. All at my current Drs. suggestion & unwavering support I’ve been off the lithium for 6yrs., I’ve SLOWLY (like 18 mos.) tapered from .05mg to .25mg. After a break while going through a lot - moving my Mom to long term care & getting her settled etc …- I’m NOW working on tapering down & OFF. I’m giving myself another year to 18 mos. I have a digital scale that weighs to .ooo, so I can accurately weigh from weight of pill (.08g) all the way down to .01g ! I’m going down in .01 increments & taking at least 2 mos. For each. My goal is to live as normal/ happy as possible life as possible while I taper. I bought empty gel capsules online & weigh out my cut pills (now at .07g) for a few weeks at a time, putting the correct amt. in each gel capsule. (I don’t crush, but some do I apparently) So far, after a month now, I’ve only had a couple of times of feeling resistance/uncomfortable/headache or whatever … I have a cup of herbal tea, have a bath. & ask my husband to be gentle .. ❤ I’m grateful for this opportunity & this journey to FINALLY take total control of my life
In 1992 I was hospitalized and diagnosed with severe panic disorder and agoraphobia, I was prescribed xanax. Fast forward a few years and my doctor was prescribing 6mgs a day. In 2014 I began to very slowly lower my daily dose because I knew doctors were learning about long-term effects and hesitating to prescribe benzos especially in such high doses. I feel very fortunate that by the time I had to come off of xanax completely, I'd already started the process on my own. After nearly 28 years, I really didn't suffer from withdrawal except for the odd brain zaps that eventually went away.
@freddumee I should also recommend going to a Dr. Explain your situation and he/she will probably subscribe gabapentin at an initial high dose the slowly get it down to about 100mg-500mg.
@@jane-cn6nd the doctor prescribing them dropped me as a patient and my new PCP wouldn’t prescribe them. I wanted off of them so I just tapered my last script. I didn’t know how serious withdrawal was at the time. I quickly couldn’t walk and had no way to get to a doctor. I thought I could just push through it but that’s when I realized I’m in for a lengthy painful recovery period.
If you can try smoking indica cannabis it helps with intense withdrawal symptoms. No smoking hybrid or sativa they cause anxiety. Indica is meant for sleeping and relaxing. I would get flower over vape and also indica edible brownie in a high dose can help. I would get a medical weed card.
I am going through it right now. I took 12 mg Lorazepam every day for 5 years. I started tarpering off july 2023 . Oct 31. i took my last pill. Now after nearly 7 months i believe seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I had (and have) every withdrawelsymptom except Deliriium and grand mal seizures. I have done everything on my own and at home. It is hell on earth. But now i can see my personalty and my emotions coming back. Most of the time i believe i will be normal again. I am sorry for my bad languageskills, i am not a native speaker.
Do you have a support system? It makes this process so much easier. I have done this for the 3rd time and although physically it was heck, psychologically it wasn't too bad. Today I have 1 months time since my last dose. The other thing that helped me was intense physical exercise. I am past the physical part and am now beating the psychological part using friends & exercise. I have to admit that my fiancee has been an integral part of my recovery. She has shown me that a good life is possible.
I don’t believe that. Dementia is not caused by benzodiazepines. I have a grandma with Alzheimer’s and she’s never taken a benzo, my mom takes Valium and if anything, it slows her down. Bentos do not eat our memories
The Ashton Manual is a wonderful guide to use to get off of benzodiazepines. It can take 6 months to a year...to come off successfully. It's a long process.
I wasn't aware that a person could even experience dangerous withdrawals from these medications. I was visiting my aunt and ran out of Xanax. I was due to return home in about 4 days so I didn't worry about going without for a few days. I had been prescribed Xanax for anxiety and panic attacks about 7 years prior. Anyway, after the second day of not taking any medicine, I was sitting on the couch and talking to my aunt. She told me that it looked like my eyes rolled back in my head, I fell forward and started seizing. She was terrified and called 911. I came to, and I remember shoving my aunt away from me. I was confused, and didn't know where I was, or who she was. At the hospital, the doctor asked me what medications I was on and if I had stopped taking anything recently, and I was also asked about alcohol use. These days I no longer take any benzodiazipines. I use a number of Mindfulness techniques to better manage my symptoms of anxiety, and its been years since I have had a panic attack. Thank you for making this video. I'm sure there are people taking this medication that are unaware of what can happen by abruptly stopping it, like I did.
Did you just stay off of them at that point ? Or did you go back on and taper. There is currently a shortage of ativan where I live, no pharmacies have them. I'm on day four and scared. I don't know when I am out of danger window for possible seizure. That scares me the most. I'm very uncomfortable..lots of anxiety, severe Insominia, nauseous, no appetite and bowel issues. All of them except for insomnia are better tonight than last night. Mine comes in waves. At least u don't remember having it. That's kinda a blessing. Imagine knowing what was happening the whole time?
@@JD-mw9ul I learned Mindfulness techniques while I was in treatment. I was so impressed with how well these techniques managed my depression and anxiety, I decided to create my own exercises and workbooks for people struggling with similar issues. You should check them out. They are a lifesaver!
Dr. Kim, after almost 29 years of nightly benzos (and Flexeril) i learned how bad they are for your brain, asked my doctor if i could stop. She simply said, "okay, stop." I went into a hellish many months long of horrible debilitating withdrawal, by myself in my apartment (retired senior). I tried to reach her and she wouldn't answer, then finally got a text saying to call for appt. No way could i have driven to office or sat quietly or still in waiting room. Wanted to go to ER, was afraid they would give me benzos and I'd have to start all over again, and couldnt drive to get there anyway. Nearly six months later, i was able to drive to my doctor's office, tried to discuss withdrawal with her; she just rolled her eyes and changed the subject. Seemed to think i was lying or exaggerating. I saw her once more the following week for lab results, tried to speak about it again, she again rolled her eyes and changed subject. Never saw her again.
Ugh. I am so sorry that this was your experience in healthcare. I’m just astonished how there is still a knowledge gap amongst many medical clinicians to this day about the potential dangers of withdrawal from benzodiazepines
OMG 😱 That is terrible. The whole thing is, we’re so vulnerable & at the mercy of the Drs. They often don’t understand the true feeling of the discomfits & symptoms . I’m grateful to have a compassionate dr. Who has realized I am seriously committed but also wary of the symptoms … thankfully I’ve done my research - this learning about why & how the natural GABA decreases - this is invaluable info. I’m sorry this happened to you. It’s wrong. You were made to feel that you were a problem & it was your fault - this is unfair & untrue.
Terrible doctor! I hope you reported her, you could have died! Thank God your'e okay, I almost did die. It was hell for mr. Maybe someday, I will be able to let people know what I went through. Some, I can't remember and my family wont tell me. It had to be really bad, for them not to tell me.
Benzo withdrawal was one of the worst experiences I've ever had. I was unsuccessful for years, until I tried CBD... CBD took away the miserable withdrawal symptoms and I was able to stop taking Clonazepam.
One more thing... I'm NOT afraid of anything or anyone... We all breathe the same air. But this Benzo life... I'm terrified, absolutely scared to death!
Woah. This is such an amazing and ACURATE video. Thanks for sharing the facts. I feel so validated, I went through a benzo withdrawal and had both withdrawl seizures and withdrawl psychosis. I felt like the psychosis was my fault because I wasn't disciplined enough to just get through it. Thanks for sharing the info about withdrawls!! You present it so well. Scientific, clear and yet full of care and love ❤️ Video idea! Venlafaxine withdrawl I have also experienced this in a severe way and I think it would help a lot of people who decide to come off or switch meds to hear you discuss the facts😊
Gosh, I hope others did not try to insinuate that you having withdrawal psychosis was somehow your fault or some kind of sign of your will power. That’s our brain being totally imbalanced with too many excitatory signals in withdrawal. So glad that is behind you. And yes…. Ouch…. Venlafaxine withdrawal is nasty. Venlafaxine and Paroxetine in my experience are the toughest to get off of relative to the other antidepressants, there’s a timing relationship; the faster the levels drop the rougher the withdrawal typically; where ones like Fluoxetine, although withdrawals can still happen, definitely lower acuity for most people as it takes 4-5 weeks to self-taper out of your body vs a few days like the one you took.
There are 100s of symptoms. The supervised detox is still abruptly stopping the patient and shouldn’t be done. I never abused my doctors abruptly stopped me once the warning went on the box in 2020. Now I’ve been suffering for over 6 years. I lost everything my mind body function family home pets my soul. Now I’ve got anhedonia bad and can’t get my brain to work right. This all started in 2010 when prescribed lexapro and clonopazam for insomnia 12 years I took the medication as prescribed.
Try smoking medical weed. Indica strain is meant for relaxing the nervous system. If you live a state that permits weed try getting a medical card. Medical weed is strong and can help with withdrawal symptoms.
You typing this 3 months ago, really shows how strong and far you’ve came. I’m currently tapering off benzos, it’s not easy but you’re strength is second to none and I gain more hope and faith. Nothing but the best my friend!
Holy shit… this is insane! I’ve read so many comments talking about getting prescriptions taken away abruptly due to changing doctors or ignorant doctors cutting everyone off since it’s addictive. That is so evil I can’t put my frustration into words. I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Stay strong and healthy. See a therapist. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and when you break out you’ll have done something 99.9999% of people couldn’t do. You’re incredibly strong mentally.
@@jrman413 I'm doing well. I did a 3 month taper from .25 mg. My dose fluctuated between .25 and 1mg during the years I was on it. It was pretty smooth compared to other times I tried to quit. Listening to your body and going at your own rate is the key to getting off this. Don't set a timeline and just take it day by day. I was shaving little pieces off using a scale, so it made it a lot easier to deal with withdrawals.
I was put on benzos at 15 and now 13 years later after quitting drinking, fentanyl, cigarettes, I still have not been able to go through the full withdrawal process and still take 2mg a day of clonazepam. Thank you for the education
@@thehauntgr6051 I would have the odd binge here and there, doing 60-70-80mg, and that was on and off over the years. But, then I basically started throwing them down my throat by the handful for about two years solid, and that was usually two strips (so 14) of yellow 5mg, then another 2, and I'd do that for a few days. Plus, I had a full scale heroin addiction at the time too. I was impossible to be around. I'd be aggressive, I'd lose stuff, I'd have accidents, fall over, walk into things, I was nearly hit by a bus twice, fell down a flight of stairs, that kind of thing. I cut down to 50mg a day before doing a controlled 6 week detox and that was it. I was a nervous wreck after I stopped the detox and I've never really recovered...not properly.
I did withdraw from Dr prescribed clonopin cold Turkey. I was under Dr’s care when going off them. Pure hell and zero sleep for 2 weeks. Sweats, shakes, diarrhea & bad coordination. It took along time to get back to function normally.
Thank you for taking the time to help us that are going through this journey, the explanation of withdrawal affecting GABA and GLUTAMATE imbalance was very helpful along with the three stages and explanation of what happens.
Xanax withdrawal was hell. I took the lowest dose for 4 months and built a tolerance. My doctor said I could either increase the dose or frequency, or stop taking it completely. I didn't want to do the dance of increasing the dose every so often so I decided to come off of it. I heard coming off of 0.25mg would be nothing. WRONG. It was a week of hell followed by 2 more less but still tough weeks. I'm glad I persevered though and am doing much better 2 and a half months later.
It would be grateful if you can make a video about the Dissociative Disorder in the future. I have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder like 2 years ago. But, seems like those psychiatrists don't really even know much about it and there is only a tiny bit information about this disorder neither on the books nor the internet. i have been diagnosed as I found that I was in a mysterious places or even an amusement park every time I suddenly became conscious again on my way to work.The psychiatrist just said that it's caused by stress and the body psychological defense system has been activated. I am looking forward to this video. Thx!
Ok, will add it to my to do list. Dissociative Disorder is an interesting and fascinating phenomenon; very distressing for patients. A lot of our society and even clinicians often think patients are doing things “on purpose” or “for attention” which is not the case. In a sense, you can think of dissociation as an unconscious process that is a primal defense mechanism, when our mind/body is desperate to protect ourself from intense psychological or physical pain; which is way textbooks for psych 101 will discuss things like “depersonalization” and out of body experiences during traumas like assault. There are many forms of dissociation ranging from “blacking out” while awake, having your 5 senses and sense of time distorted, and having derealization or depersonalization. Very interesting stuff
@@AndrewKimMDhow do you know its not attention seeking behavior? Psychiatrists are pretty united in that it's not a real thing... if we are talking about what was called mpd...
13 days today I quit cold turkey, from Ativan, no taper and no doctors to guide me, only the great Lord thank him. I’m starting to get my normal sleep back.
We have to treat all of our patients and those under our counsel with a balanced approach: physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual health are all crucial. God Bless in all your work and thank you for what you do for others. I hope that you find moments of peace and rejuvenation when the opportunities arise, so that you can continue your work with a full tank of energy and a full heart.
I was put on Benzodiazepines way back when I was a teen. Now I am in my 70s. But I will say it did wonders for me. I had, and still have some issues with bad obsessive compulsive disorder, slight Torettes, and horrible anxiety, Back when I was a teen, it helped a lot getting through school. I still take a small amount at bedtime to help me sleep, .5 mg. In the past I was put on as high as 2 mg. Getting off altogether does create a lot of anxiety, and slowly I'm trying to cut it out all together. Had it not been for Valium back then, I doubt I would have even gotten through school, and been able to work. People, doctors, and the government, are too hasty, to condemn certain drugs that actually do good. Sure you can get addicted to lots of different medications, but for me it's been a blessing.
Day 11 of no Valium. Symptoms really didn’t kick up until about day eight without it. I’m currently on a phenobarbital taper, but I’m still miserable. Today the pressure in my head feels so huge however the internal tremor is starting to subside thank God, because that was driving me nuts. But this headache or head pressure that I have today is horrid . Also has subsided today compared to yesterday aching muscle feeling, that went away ❤
Thank you for being so honoust, as many Docters are not. The withdrawal of benzodines was littially 20 times harder, than to stop with alcohol, as a result to calm from years of extreme side effects psychofarmaseuticals, The psychofarmacals and the extreme side effects completely destroyed my life, from childhood on.
In Australia, it is almost impossible to have benzodiazepine prescribed. At least to young people. There are still legacy people in their 80s that have been on them for 20+ years, but unless you are at risk of sever alcohol withdrawals, doctors refuse them. There is really no point getting people addicted to something that does nothing to treat the underlying issue, unless you want to make lots of money... oh wait...
Im almost two months clean from Xanax alcohol cocaine weed and opioids and it’s hell it doesn’t get any better it feels like idk what to do I’m going insane
Hello im a 22 years old girl I need help seriously i been taking ativan everyday for a year to sleep due to panic disorder and abusive physical problems with my ex ive been trying tk cut my pill into halves then quarters i started 2nd day eithout it and i felt hot flashes and rhought i was paranoid i and my heart to 140 i dont have any more prescribed ativan ! Im scared to die really i was at the bathroom gloor having hot flashes and felt like i wasnt in the reality please god give me strength i want to get out of this please please i dont want to die if you read this mr andrew whats ur advice on this?
No one should ever go cold turkey off of benzos. You could have a seizure, but more than likely will leave yourself with brain damage in the long term. You need to taper very very slowly. The first thing to do is see a doctor and ask them to switch you to valium which is a much longer acting benzo and therefore easier to reduce. I tapered with valium 10 mg pill and used a little scale to cut ten percent every two weeks. Along with the taper I took a raw b supplement, a full spectrum amino acid and inositol. All of these help heal the brain. Ten percent is actually considered a pretty quick withdrawal schedule. Many do the water taper method which you can find here on TH-cam.
Been prescribed them twice in my lifetime and they were great. Thankfully my doc won't prescribe them to me anymore because I know I would get hooked on them if I could get them easily.
I am a 62-year-old male who has taken Klonopin for 29 years. My current dose is 4 mg daily. I started out at 1 mg for anxiety disorder and panic attacks. It works for me, but my new psychiatrist is concerned, and is talking about weaning me off of them. Honestly, I am scared of withdrawal symptoms and the prospect of panic attacks coming back. Things are going well, so I am somewhat resistant to change. I've been through so much with Bipolar disorder and anxiety, I don't want to go back to the way I was before I was in treatment. I also take Prozac and Tegretol. The doctor says that they will do the same thing as Klonopin. Now, I'm confused and scared. What do I do?
I've been prescribed Xanax for about 5 years now. I am taking them every 6 hours without fail now. I honestly don't know if my body is just requiring them around the clock to get back to baseline... It's honestly terrible.
you are dependent...you need a slow , long taper and expert guidance. Join a support group like Benzo Warriors on facebook. these people educated me on all thing benzo related and saved my life...
Im trying to get off of Clonazapam im doen to a half in the morning but that took three months im trying to get doen to a half at night my doctor told me to go to a half at night but im doing the same at night just cutting my night pill with only a guarter off at night and keeping a scheldule for a month
I took Clonazepan for 14 years, 2mg every day. Last month I had to withdraw turkey because it was discontinued where I live. At the same time, I wanted to stop. It was hell, indeed. I don’t wish it for my worst enemy. My withdrawal was moderate, as described here by the Doctor. It’s been now 6 weeks since I stopped, and I’m feeling much better. I still have some waves of pressure in my head, tinnitus and blurred vision, but I can do most things such as going to the gym, driving, socializing and others, and I cannot deny that as time goes on, I get better and better. Hopping to get back to work next month.
I've been on Klonopin for 31 years for dilapadating panic and anxiety attacks, it was horrible, I lost my nursing job and have not worked since, I was on 8 mg for years then 6 mg and I got myself down to 3 mg for years and I'm on 1 year and am still on them now , they've tryed to get me off of them for a long time ,but I can't so Dr said I'll have to be on them for the rest of my life!!! The benzo withdrawal is horrible!!! I am 71 years old now, and even if I run out 2 Days without them ,I get crazy! numb lips, hands just all the stuff you get!!! R
Klonopin is the worst benzo. I joined Benzo warriors support group on facebook. A switch to a longer lasting benzo and then a water taper is what many people have to do to finally free themselves from this poisonous drug. 1mg of Klonopin is still a high dosage when compared to Valium equates to (10mg). Took me 6 months to get off 5mg.
Everyone of my doctors thinks im bsin cause (im 54 days off Klonopin) they think i should of been fine after 2 weeks lol ridiculous i still feel like im in acute .. pvcs,pots,hbp,severe anxiety,intrusive thoughts,nausea,gi issues and so much more smh
two weeks is the time when the drug has left your body. It takes 6-18 months for the gaba receptors to upload in your brain. The acute phase of withdrawal is 6-8 weeks and it is hell, I've been there. I joined Benzo Warriors on youtube, a community with the research, knowledge you need to navigate this journey. I hope you did a very slow, long taper plan and not ceased this drug within a couple of months...
i have been take 2ml of alprazolam every night for about a year and half. I was getting them off the streets so I'm about to stop. The whole reason i used them it would put me to sleep. I talk them about 10pm and wake up at 530am then go to work. I still have some what is the best way to ween off them.
on ambient and klonopin for almost 20 years...yes I'm dependent to say the least. I was told when first prescribed it was safe and no dependency issues. all that being said, I'm glad i'm on it. I don't drink or abuse drugs otherwise. its allowed me to function - btw I'm 57 years old if that matters
Doctors are being advised to take people off these drugs who have been on them for many years. Also, pharmacies are having difficulty in their supply. I was on a benzo for 10 years until I hit tolerance. ..they put me on a slow acting valium and also 3 anti-depressants...It took me many years to get off 4 psych drugs...This is the incompetence of Doctors stating that this drug is safe and does no harm. It is big news in the benzo world that this drug has harmed millions of people over decades...watch 'Mad in America' on youtube. There is a huge movement growing warning about these drugs , short term or long term - it does not matter as benzos are toxic
I learned from a pharmacist that when many drugs first come on the market they are not yet tested for all side effects. For example, when ambien first came out, I was told it was not addictive. Luckily, I soon learned it was highly addictive and quit immediately. It was considered “not addictive” at first because not enough studies on its addiction potential had yet been done.
A good professional advice from dr Kim. I am a senior citizen with a very long history of taking 0.5 mg xanax daily which now I have reduced it to 0.25 mg. Can I take it indefinitely and what could be it's effect on memory impairment and maintaing balane as I age..
I really don't understand why any REAL doctor would tell anyone that benzos aren't highly addictive! As ever doctor, nurse, smart person would know! When I was prescribed 2mg xanax 30 years, that's the first the doctor told me, be careful and only use them, when really needed. They helped so much, It was wonderful. Until I decided to quit., should have tapered off with my doctor because some days were so bad, I'd take the 2 mg. I had been down to 1mg for 3 weeks, then was going down to 0.5. I just couldn't do it myself. Anyway, 30 years ago everybody knew mothers little helpers and the others were super addictive!
I was on nitrazepam years ago for a legitimate medical reason and grew dependant on it. Man, when I went cold turkey the first time I had a seizure, body aches basically felt like death warmed up. Eventually a year or so later I gradually reduced the dosage and got off them. NEVER again! I am so glad I am off them.
I got a question Can the withdrawal symptoms differ from what benzo you are on.. I try to get off of Lorazepam which is short acting I got Diazepam in a short time before they gave me Lorazepam So i think could it maybe help me to switch back on Diazepam to then maybe taper off with less withdrawal symptoms?
Hi Doctor Andrew can Valium cause stomach pain ? I've been on it for a year daily but PRN as needed so every now and again before that. I just took 5mg and had an instant upset stomach and had to run to the toilet
You sound like a great doctor (psychiatrist I assume). Like you say, benzodiazepines are effective medications if taken sparingly but unfortunately they can be “too effective” for some. I’m tapering off of clonazepam after about 17 years of daily use. I’m down to 1.75mg daily from 4mg back in 2021 when I started decreasing and it’s becoming more difficult as I get lower. The mild symptoms you describe are exactly what I experience before my pills in the evening. I also used to drink heavily when I was younger, and I strongly feel that alcohol abusers are at much higher risk of abusing benzodiazepines (and opioids for that matter - I’ve been on a methadone maintenance program for over 15 years but that’s another story). You remind me a little bit of my doctor/psychiatrist!)
I agree for sure about your comment on that cross over between alcohol abuse and benzodiazepine abuse. I know I’m over simplifying it a bit, but our brains, to some degree almost interpret taking a benzodiazepine and a drink, in very similar ways. Both affect the GABA receptors and have similar reinforcing effects. And both could trigger a relapse/cravings for the other. I’m glad a lot of what you described seems to be behind you. Even though we don’t know each other, I really hope for much peace in the times ahead of you. Sounds like you have been through enough personal wars already.
@@AndrewKimMD interesting. i was put on Valium for a few months in 2015, i found the effect horrendous, i hated it. when i stopped taking it i craved alcohol for a couple of weeks, and i barely drink. i might have a drink or 2 every few months, tops. you just explained what happened.
So, my PCP has me on 2mg of Ezoplicone nightly, but he was thinking of switching me to Ativan, beceause of Lunesta losing its strength. Bad idea ? Thanks for your videos !
Dr. Kim, I had been taking 15 mg of Temazepam for about 5 years and now are tapering off with 7.5 mg. Is there an even smaller dose than 7.5 to continue tapering? Initially I was prescribed Temazepam for insomnia. I am 77 years old, I don’t consume alcohol and my health is very good except for the sleep issue. Thank you
I'm prescribed .5mg every day, once a day. I've never taken more than that in a day, and I've stayed at .5 mg for several years now and as a result, I can skip 2 or 3 days with no noticeable withdrawal.
MS survivor here, 1 year into oral prednisone and 6 months tapering period. One of many side effects of prednisone is insomnia, i was also into pregabalin for so long, during this period i was in and out of the ER, sometimes admitted due to pain or insomia. My doctor decided to prescribed clonazepam 0.25mg. This was in 2012..im. still taking clonazepam and it helped me to manage insomnia.
Dr. Kim: Good info (been there as well). NEW ONE: I'm 8yrs sober (from alcohol ... never did anything else). In attempting to get off of it, long ago, someone put me on, at first: Valium and I was on that a LONG time. When a subsequent doctor saw how long I was on it, they rushed to get me off (and, yes, it presented me withdrawal problems, but that story isn't relevant for this posting). They substituted some kind of prescribed antihistamine. I took it for a while, but never felt it helped much. And it was a bit expensive for me. So, I thought: Well, if this is just antihistamine, why not just take Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL ~ 50mg - 2 pills). I initially took it during the day - but then stopped and only took it to fall asleep. I have major issues in this area. And now, I've been taking ~ 50mg of Benadryl nearly nightly ... for around 7 or 8 years. THOUGHTS?
You're self-medicating because the substances you use blunt your emotions. Without them, you'd feel the full force of your emotions. For me, the answer has been to go for therapy and learn ways to regulate my emotions and manage stress and anxiety. DBT or CBT therapy are great for giving you the tools you need to cope without sedating your emotions😊
Can you develop tolerance and subsequent withdrawal symptoms from low dose (.5mg. per day max.) use over less than 3 weeks? (Totaling 7 or 8 mg. of the drug over that time.)
Near as I can tell this process can be drastically sped up. Using psychedelics, meditation, yoga, etc to intentionally heal I am 1.5 years off benzos and am feeling 100x better than at any time in my life. If I do still have any symptoms I don’t even notice. The first 6 months brought very little improvement but as soon as I started trying to heal I started getting better rapidly. I swear my brain has learned to do what benzos used to. I even have a movement disorder and I’m more physically capable than most people at this point! Good luck to everyone please don’t let this be a process that takes years to go through
@@elisaacello4821 I have to say though, in a previous life I had some experience with these types of drugs and when you're in the midst of withdrawals and you happen to get hold of some more - it truly is a godly sensation. So dangerous.
I've been taking Valium over 20 years now but my anxiety seems to be getting worse as the years go by. Can long term use make anxiety worse? My physician doesn't take time to help or doesn't want to? Anxiety has ruined my life to where í can't work anymore and I've had experience memory loss within the past 3 years
I stopped cold turkey after being on klonopin for years multiple times daily. I know now how dangerous that was. The withdrawal was absolutely awful. I refuse to take these type of meds anymore. Ever. I am on Zoloft at the lowest dose. But benzos, no way.
Is one 1mg a day bad? Been taking my prescribed dose as directed for going on 7 years. Sometimes I take it, other times I don’t. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but it’s definitely helped me with my GAD because before that, I was an overthinking, high stress and nervous wreck. And of course the occasional panic attacks that are no bueno. Maybe it’s different for others and it’ll take me days to have withdrawal symptoms, if any? 🤔🤷🏻♂️
If I can stop for days and not be taking them for days and not experience this, COULD that mean I’m not physically addicted? I never or rarely take these “not as prescribed” and I only get one as needed. By rarely I mean I have them for as needed but i might take one in morning and at night occasionally. Never every day or else I’d be out early which I never am. It’s a tough balancing act taking as prescribed and trying to avoid withdrawal situation, when they actually work.
Around a month ago I tapered off over 4 months under the guidance of my doctor. I took clonazepam for 8yrs. I started having some severe pins and needles, acid reflux, and more. My doctor told me to go back on it, only .5 mg. I still have the horrible pins and needles. Has anyone experienced continuing withdrawal symptoms even when they went back on the med?
This was by far too quick a taper...18 months is average...No wonder symptoms presented. Doctors really have no idea of safe tapering...I joined Benzo Warriors , a support group on facebook...these people have all the research and information on benzo harm. I tapered off 5 mg Valium and now I'm 13 months off ...it can be done and everyone heals.
I just found your channel. I appreciate you and your knowledge. I’m 62 and was prescribed Klonopin 30 years ago after being diagnosed with MS. I took 1mg. As prescribed each night. Here’s the kicker…2 years ago I changed neurologist and was told I did NOT have MS! All these flare ups I have been having were due to being intolerant to the Klonopin. Just typing this makes me so angry. I have just finished a 14 month taper off. I look back now and realize after my own research that it was in fact the medication causing the depression, anxiety, panic, etc. I did not have any of these symptoms before I started the Klonopin. So now, I’m trying to get my life back after being sick and intolerant after 30 years thinking it was MS. I would like to add, I feel robbed of more than half my life. If it wasn’t for the grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior I couldn’t have successfully tapered off. I now pray for healing not just for myself but everyone that has been affected by these drugs. Thank you for this video and may God richly bless you.
What type of taper did you and how did you taper?
Glad ur trying but u prolly took benzos to help anxiety and they help but after a while it destroys gaba reception and it can take year or two to feel better
@@scottjohnson2401 no, not prescribed for anxiety. Never had a problem with anxiety unti I became tolerant to it. I understand all too well about the Gaba receptors as I’ve educated myself and done tons of research. It’s a shame what these meds do to our bodies and minds. The healing after a safe taper is a journey in itself. Time and perseverance are what it takes.
I'd be trying to sue everyone 😂
I’m tapering off clonazepam (called klonopan in U.S.) - .05mg p/day .. for close to 35 yrs. now 😮 I was diagnosed w/ mood disorder - started on it & then 600mg of lithium p/day … spent my life learning, healing & growing. All this time, now that I’ve DEALT with my dysfunctional/ trauma childhood & early adulthood … turns out I didn’t have a mood disorder, I was just trying to cope with a LOT of life shit.
I WILL say, the clonazepam & lithium MAY have helped me as I persevered & did the ‘work’ throughout my life - took 2 decades for me to finally feel peace. Two decades to learn to set healthy boundaries w/ family & HOLD them. As I have, family has done a 180* .. they see & know they can’t manipulate me anymore in THEIR insecurities… because if that relationships are mended, should have been healed. It’s a beautiful thing.
That said … most don’t do this deep healing work.
All at my current Drs. suggestion & unwavering support I’ve been off the lithium for 6yrs., I’ve SLOWLY (like 18 mos.) tapered from .05mg to .25mg. After a break while going through a lot - moving my Mom to long term care & getting her settled etc …- I’m NOW working on tapering down & OFF.
I’m giving myself another year to 18 mos.
I have a digital scale that weighs to .ooo, so I can accurately weigh from weight of pill (.08g) all the way down to .01g ! I’m going down in .01 increments & taking at least 2 mos. For each. My goal is to live as normal/ happy as possible life as possible while I taper.
I bought empty gel capsules online & weigh out my cut pills (now at .07g) for a few weeks at a time, putting the correct amt. in each gel capsule. (I don’t crush, but some do I apparently) So far, after a month now, I’ve only had a couple of times of feeling resistance/uncomfortable/headache or whatever … I have a cup of herbal tea, have a bath. & ask my husband to be gentle .. ❤
I’m grateful for this opportunity & this journey to FINALLY take total control of my life
I withdrew from opiates, alcohol, and benzodiazepines all at the same time at a detox center in 2019. It was literally hell on earth.
How are you now
All 3 at once? Damn. I hope you’re in a better spot now and hopefully don’t have to do that again.
I’m surprised you are alive!!😮
How long did it take for you to recover?
@@jrman413 by day 30 I was feeling better but by day 90 I was feeling like a new normal person
In 1992 I was hospitalized and diagnosed with severe panic disorder and agoraphobia, I was prescribed xanax. Fast forward a few years and my doctor was prescribing 6mgs a day. In 2014 I began to very slowly lower my daily dose because I knew doctors were learning about long-term effects and hesitating to prescribe benzos especially in such high doses. I feel very fortunate that by the time I had to come off of xanax completely, I'd already started the process on my own. After nearly 28 years, I really didn't suffer from withdrawal except for the odd brain zaps that eventually went away.
Intense physical exrcise helped me. And I have a strong social support system.
We're u doing meth or cocaine b honest
I know exactly what you mean by brain zaps
Than you were extreme Lucky
@freddumee I should also recommend going to a Dr. Explain your situation and he/she will probably subscribe gabapentin at an initial high dose the slowly get it down to about 100mg-500mg.
Benzo withdrawal is pure torture for many including myself. It helped in the beginning, but after 20+ years and being abruptly taken off, it is hell.
Why were you taken off abruptly? That's incredibly dangerous.
@@jane-cn6nd the doctor prescribing them dropped me as a patient and my new PCP wouldn’t prescribe them. I wanted off of them so I just tapered my last script. I didn’t know how serious withdrawal was at the time. I quickly couldn’t walk and had no way to get to a doctor. I thought I could just push through it but that’s when I realized I’m in for a lengthy painful recovery period.
@@MichaelJLink Damn, I'm sorry, you really shouldn't have had to go through that. It sounds terrifying.
Whom ever prescribed you them for 20 years was being is guilty of malpractise. It's far worse than heroin. Withdrawals can last up to a year.
If you can try smoking indica cannabis it helps with intense withdrawal symptoms. No smoking hybrid or sativa they cause anxiety. Indica is meant for sleeping and relaxing. I would get flower over vape and also indica edible brownie in a high dose can help. I would get a medical weed card.
I am going through it right now. I took 12 mg Lorazepam every day for 5 years. I started tarpering off july 2023 . Oct 31. i took my last pill. Now after nearly 7 months i believe seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I had (and have) every withdrawelsymptom except Deliriium and grand mal seizures. I have done everything on my own and at home. It is hell on earth. But now i can see my personalty and my emotions coming back. Most of the time i believe i will be normal again. I am sorry for my bad languageskills, i am not a native speaker.
12mg a day???? How'd you get that much?
Do you have a support system? It makes this process so much easier. I have done this for the 3rd time and although physically it was heck, psychologically it wasn't too bad. Today I have 1 months time since my last dose.
The other thing that helped me was intense physical exercise. I am past the physical part and am now beating the psychological part using friends & exercise. I have to admit that my fiancee has been an integral part of my recovery. She has shown me that a good life is possible.
Thank god you're coming back...
Do you think your cognition (intelligence) has gotten better since quitting?
@@tombaron5607 For me it has. That has more to do with dies in exercise in my experience.
My mother took Valium for most of her life. Today I believe it’s what caused her dementia
So tragic. 😢
Sorry to hear that. 😢 May god strengthen you during this difficult time.
I don’t believe that. Dementia is not caused by benzodiazepines. I have a grandma with Alzheimer’s and she’s never taken a benzo, my mom takes Valium and if anything, it slows her down. Bentos do not eat our memories
Same with my mother. I believe long-term use of Valium may have been a cause for her dementia 😔
Undoubtedly! @@CarolynK-1234
Thank you so much! I’m on the moderate withdrawal stage. Hopefully, it gets better and better everyday.
The Ashton Manual is a wonderful guide to use to get off of benzodiazepines. It can take 6 months to a year...to come off successfully. It's a long process.
We will get through this its the dizziness for me sucks
Same here. I hate the dizziness !
Can’t fall asleep 😩
I wasn't aware that a person could even experience dangerous withdrawals from these medications. I was visiting my aunt and ran out of Xanax. I was due to return home in about 4 days so I didn't worry about going without for a few days. I had been prescribed Xanax for anxiety and panic attacks about 7 years prior. Anyway, after the second day of not taking any medicine, I was sitting on the couch and talking to my aunt. She told me that it looked like my eyes rolled back in my head, I fell forward and started seizing. She was terrified and called 911. I came to, and I remember shoving my aunt away from me. I was confused, and didn't know where I was, or who she was. At the hospital, the doctor asked me what medications I was on and if I had stopped taking anything recently, and I was also asked about alcohol use. These days I no longer take any benzodiazipines. I use a number of Mindfulness techniques to better manage my symptoms of anxiety, and its been years since I have had a panic attack.
Thank you for making this video. I'm sure there are people taking this medication that are unaware of what can happen by abruptly stopping it, like I did.
Did you slow taper😊?
@@andersbunemann7169 no, I stopped abruptly because I was out of town and out of medication. That's why I had a seizure.
Did you just stay off of them at that point ? Or did you go back on and taper. There is currently a shortage of ativan where I live, no pharmacies have them. I'm on day four and scared. I don't know when I am out of danger window for possible seizure. That scares me the most. I'm very uncomfortable..lots of anxiety, severe Insominia, nauseous, no appetite and bowel issues. All of them except for insomnia are better tonight than last night. Mine comes in waves. At least u don't remember having it. That's kinda a blessing. Imagine knowing what was happening the whole time?
What mindfulness techniques?
@@JD-mw9ul I learned Mindfulness techniques while I was in treatment. I was so impressed with how well these techniques managed my depression and anxiety, I decided to create my own exercises and workbooks for people struggling with similar issues. You should check them out. They are a lifesaver!
Dr. Kim, after almost 29 years of nightly benzos (and Flexeril) i learned how bad they are for your brain, asked my doctor if i could stop. She simply said, "okay, stop." I went into a hellish many months long of horrible debilitating withdrawal, by myself in my apartment (retired senior). I tried to reach her and she wouldn't answer, then finally got a text saying to call for appt. No way could i have driven to office or sat quietly or still in waiting room. Wanted to go to ER, was afraid they would give me benzos and I'd have to start all over again, and couldnt drive to get there anyway.
Nearly six months later, i was able to drive to my doctor's office, tried to discuss withdrawal with her; she just rolled her eyes and changed the subject. Seemed to think i was lying or exaggerating. I saw her once more the following week for lab results, tried to speak about it again, she again rolled her eyes and changed subject. Never saw her again.
Ugh. I am so sorry that this was your experience in healthcare. I’m just astonished how there is still a knowledge gap amongst many medical clinicians to this day about the potential dangers of withdrawal from benzodiazepines
She should lose her license.
OMG 😱 That is terrible. The whole thing is, we’re so vulnerable & at the mercy of the Drs. They often don’t understand the true feeling of the discomfits & symptoms
. I’m grateful to have a compassionate dr. Who has realized I am seriously committed but also wary of the symptoms … thankfully I’ve done my research - this learning about why & how the natural GABA decreases - this is invaluable info.
I’m sorry this happened to you. It’s wrong. You were made to feel that you were a problem & it was your fault - this is unfair & untrue.
Change doctors
Terrible doctor! I hope you reported her, you could have died! Thank God your'e okay, I almost did die. It was hell for mr. Maybe someday, I will be able to let people know what I went through. Some, I can't remember and my family wont tell me. It had to be really bad, for them not to tell me.
Benzo withdrawal was one of the worst experiences I've ever had. I was unsuccessful for years, until I tried CBD... CBD took away the miserable withdrawal symptoms and I was able to stop taking Clonazepam.
How much CBD were you taking ? I have CBD SPRAY. But nothing works
Idk why people lie like this CBD isn't gonna do anything
@BLUEGENE13 I'm not a liar, it worked for me. I'm just telling my experience. It doesn't matter to me what you think.
@@uNoWho2222 stop lying
@@BLUEGENE13 hahaha, you're a joke
One more thing... I'm NOT afraid of anything or anyone... We all breathe the same air. But this Benzo life... I'm terrified, absolutely scared to death!
I am too. My doctor is weening me off klonopin and the rebound is torture
Woah. This is such an amazing and ACURATE video. Thanks for sharing the facts. I feel so validated, I went through a benzo withdrawal and had both withdrawl seizures and withdrawl psychosis. I felt like the psychosis was my fault because I wasn't disciplined enough to just get through it. Thanks for sharing the info about withdrawls!! You present it so well. Scientific, clear and yet full of care and love ❤️
Video idea! Venlafaxine withdrawl
I have also experienced this in a severe way and I think it would help a lot of people who decide to come off or switch meds to hear you discuss the facts😊
Gosh, I hope others did not try to insinuate that you having withdrawal psychosis was somehow your fault or some kind of sign of your will power. That’s our brain being totally imbalanced with too many excitatory signals in withdrawal. So glad that is behind you. And yes…. Ouch…. Venlafaxine withdrawal is nasty. Venlafaxine and Paroxetine in my experience are the toughest to get off of relative to the other antidepressants, there’s a timing relationship; the faster the levels drop the rougher the withdrawal typically; where ones like Fluoxetine, although withdrawals can still happen, definitely lower acuity for most people as it takes 4-5 weeks to self-taper out of your body vs a few days like the one you took.
Yes, please make a video about Venlafaxine withdrawal 🙏
OMG...I did not need to hear this. I'm on Venlafaxine!
There are 100s of symptoms. The supervised detox is still abruptly stopping the patient and shouldn’t be done. I never abused my doctors abruptly stopped me once the warning went on the box in 2020. Now I’ve been suffering for over 6 years. I lost everything my mind body function family home pets my soul. Now I’ve got anhedonia bad and can’t get my brain to work right. This all started in 2010 when prescribed lexapro and clonopazam for insomnia 12 years I took the medication as prescribed.
Try smoking medical weed. Indica strain is meant for relaxing the nervous system. If you live a state that permits weed try getting a medical card. Medical weed is strong and can help with withdrawal symptoms.
Detox ruined my life.
You typing this 3 months ago, really shows how strong and far you’ve came. I’m currently tapering off benzos, it’s not easy but you’re strength is second to none and I gain more hope and faith. Nothing but the best my friend!
Holy shit… this is insane! I’ve read so many comments talking about getting prescriptions taken away abruptly due to changing doctors or ignorant doctors cutting everyone off since it’s addictive. That is so evil I can’t put my frustration into words. I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Stay strong and healthy. See a therapist. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and when you break out you’ll have done something 99.9999% of people couldn’t do. You’re incredibly strong mentally.
Successfully weened off of clonazepam. I was on it for 17 years. It wasn’t easy. Great accomplishment.
Not easy to do! Hope you are well! Thanks for sharing some hope for those who want to get off these safely.
We’re you on it everyday?
Congrats.....I just finished my taper two weeks ago after 23 years on clonazepam.
@@shanekunde7302 How are you now? How long did you taper?
@@jrman413 I'm doing well. I did a 3 month taper from .25 mg. My dose fluctuated between .25 and 1mg during the years I was on it. It was pretty smooth compared to other times I tried to quit. Listening to your body and going at your own rate is the key to getting off this. Don't set a timeline and just take it day by day. I was shaving little pieces off using a scale, so it made it a lot easier to deal with withdrawals.
I was put on benzos at 15 and now 13 years later after quitting drinking, fentanyl, cigarettes, I still have not been able to go through the full withdrawal process and still take 2mg a day of clonazepam. Thank you for the education
Thank you for telling the truth about these evil drugs.
YES TELLING THE TRUTH- WITHDRAWAL IS A NIGHTMARE! TRY NOT TO USE THEM
...
Believe me, the long term effects of benzo detox are awful.
I believe you. I'm in this s*it. 😠
@@mattlewski4605
I feel for you, I really do.
I suffered after I came off that shit.
@@thehauntgr6051
I would have the odd binge here and there, doing 60-70-80mg, and that was on and off over the years.
But, then I basically started throwing them down my throat by the handful for about two years solid, and that was usually two strips (so 14) of yellow 5mg, then another 2, and I'd do that for a few days.
Plus, I had a full scale heroin addiction at the time too.
I was impossible to be around.
I'd be aggressive, I'd lose stuff, I'd have accidents, fall over, walk into things, I was nearly hit by a bus twice, fell down a flight of stairs, that kind of thing.
I cut down to 50mg a day before doing a controlled 6 week detox and that was it.
I was a nervous wreck after I stopped the detox and I've never really recovered...not properly.
So you are basically screwed when your on them and screwed when your off them
@@fonzarellyplay370
Well, I'd rather be on them...but, in reality, it's down to how each individual copes
very informative, especially the explanation of withdrawal affecting GABA and GLUTAMATE imbalance after withdrawing.
I did withdraw from Dr prescribed clonopin cold Turkey. I was under Dr’s care when going off them. Pure hell and zero sleep for 2 weeks. Sweats, shakes, diarrhea & bad coordination. It took along time to get back to function normally.
How long were you on them for and were you taking them daily?
Thank you for taking the time to help us that are going through this journey, the explanation of withdrawal affecting GABA and GLUTAMATE imbalance was very helpful along with the three stages and explanation of what happens.
No problem. Thanks for the feedback and for checking out the video. Glad there were some useful takeaways.
Thankyou for the informative information 😊
This is the best explanation I have ever heard. Thank you.
Severe withdrawal is horrible. I've been there....
Can we have a video about antidepressant withdrawals? Or antipsychotic withdrawal? That would be awesome
I will put it on my ever growing to do list. Will do.
@@AndrewKimMD thank you 😉
Your explanation is extraordinarily clear and i've been researching benzo withdrawal for six months. Thankyouj
Xanax withdrawal was hell. I took the lowest dose for 4 months and built a tolerance. My doctor said I could either increase the dose or frequency, or stop taking it completely. I didn't want to do the dance of increasing the dose every so often so I decided to come off of it. I heard coming off of 0.25mg would be nothing. WRONG. It was a week of hell followed by 2 more less but still tough weeks. I'm glad I persevered though and am doing much better 2 and a half months later.
I'd rather die then go through that again
Me too !!
Even Satan thinks the withdrawal symptoms are a bit too much
Awesome explanation.
Excellent video. Thanks as always Dr. Kim. Best!!
Was on xanax for 40 years - I encourage everyone to get off benzos asap!!
It would be grateful if you can make a video about the Dissociative Disorder in the future. I have been diagnosed with a dissociative disorder like 2 years ago. But, seems like those psychiatrists don't really even know much about it and there is only a tiny bit information about this disorder neither on the books nor the internet. i have been diagnosed as I found that I was in a mysterious places or even an amusement park every time I suddenly became conscious again on my way to work.The psychiatrist just said that it's caused by stress and the body psychological defense system has been activated. I am looking forward to this video. Thx!
Ok, will add it to my to do list. Dissociative Disorder is an interesting and fascinating phenomenon; very distressing for patients. A lot of our society and even clinicians often think patients are doing things “on purpose” or “for attention” which is not the case. In a sense, you can think of dissociation as an unconscious process that is a primal defense mechanism, when our mind/body is desperate to protect ourself from intense psychological or physical pain; which is way textbooks for psych 101 will discuss things like “depersonalization” and out of body experiences during traumas like assault. There are many forms of dissociation ranging from “blacking out” while awake, having your 5 senses and sense of time distorted, and having derealization or depersonalization. Very interesting stuff
@@AndrewKimMDhow do you know its not attention seeking behavior? Psychiatrists are pretty united in that it's not a real thing... if we are talking about what was called mpd...
13 days today I quit cold turkey, from Ativan, no taper and no doctors to guide me, only the great Lord thank him. I’m starting to get my normal sleep back.
Stay strong with God +
Lorazepam was the nastiest drug i have ever taken . Withdrawals are worse than hell , still dealing with it .
Very clear and helpful! Excellent for my personal training in counseling and pastoral care.
We have to treat all of our patients and those under our counsel with a balanced approach: physical, emotional/mental, and spiritual health are all crucial. God Bless in all your work and thank you for what you do for others. I hope that you find moments of peace and rejuvenation when the opportunities arise, so that you can continue your work with a full tank of energy and a full heart.
Does magnesium glycinate help with withdrawal,
I was put on Benzodiazepines way back when I was a teen. Now I am in my 70s. But I will say it did wonders for me. I had, and still have some issues with bad obsessive compulsive disorder, slight Torettes, and horrible anxiety, Back when I was a teen, it helped a lot getting through school. I still take a small amount at bedtime to help me sleep, .5 mg. In the past I was put on as high as 2 mg. Getting off altogether does create a lot of anxiety, and slowly I'm trying to cut it out all together. Had it not been for Valium back then, I doubt I would have even gotten through school, and been able to work. People, doctors, and the government, are too hasty, to condemn certain drugs that actually do good. Sure you can get addicted to lots of different medications, but for me it's been a blessing.
Me Too! They gave me Life for years. I withdrew in about 8 months..wasn’t too bad. 😊❤
For every one person that needs it there are 50 it destroys 🤷♂️
Can I ask if you are doing fine on your Meds why do you stop or Taper.. If it's not debilitating you ?
Day 11 of no Valium.
Symptoms really didn’t kick up until about day eight without it. I’m currently on a phenobarbital taper, but I’m still miserable. Today the pressure in my head feels so huge however the internal tremor is starting to subside thank God, because that was driving me nuts. But this headache or head pressure that I have today is horrid . Also has subsided today compared to yesterday aching muscle feeling, that went away ❤
Thank you for being so honoust, as many Docters are not. The withdrawal of benzodines was littially 20 times harder, than to stop with alcohol, as a result to calm from years of extreme side effects psychofarmaseuticals, The psychofarmacals and the extreme side effects completely destroyed my life, from childhood on.
In Australia, it is almost impossible to have benzodiazepine prescribed. At least to young people. There are still legacy people in their 80s that have been on them for 20+ years, but unless you are at risk of sever alcohol withdrawals, doctors refuse them. There is really no point getting people addicted to something that does nothing to treat the underlying issue, unless you want to make lots of money... oh wait...
I wish they did that here 🇺🇸
It’s an anesthetic.
😡 😢
Guess you guys are immune to PTSD from being robbed at gunpoint
All about money in US. They could care less about anyone's health here!
I got prescribed in Australia for seizures, but they didnt help. So im quitting.
Im almost two months clean from Xanax alcohol cocaine weed and opioids and it’s hell it doesn’t get any better it feels like idk what to do I’m going insane
Hello im a 22 years old girl
I need help seriously i been taking ativan everyday for a year to sleep due to panic disorder and abusive physical problems with my ex ive been trying tk cut my pill into halves then quarters i started 2nd day eithout it and i felt hot flashes and rhought i was paranoid i and my heart to 140 i dont have any more prescribed ativan ! Im scared to die really i was at the bathroom gloor having hot flashes and felt like i wasnt in the reality please god give me strength i want to get out of this please please i dont want to die if you read this mr andrew whats ur advice on this?
Go to hospital, Dr's office and local community mental health authorities. Ask them to tell you everything. And what to do.
I'm going through klonopin withdrawal cold Turkey after 4 years literally hell on earth I'm having Bloodpressure spikes and 150 hr
No one should ever go cold turkey off of benzos. You could have a seizure, but more than likely will leave yourself with brain damage in the long term. You need to taper very very slowly. The first thing to do is see a doctor and ask them to switch you to valium which is a much longer acting benzo and therefore easier to reduce. I tapered with valium 10 mg pill and used a little scale to cut ten percent every two weeks. Along with the taper I took a raw b supplement, a full spectrum amino acid and inositol. All of these help heal the brain. Ten percent is actually considered a pretty quick withdrawal schedule. Many do the water taper method which you can find here on TH-cam.
Imagine a world where Doctors just don’t care. They prescribe your demise. What a nightmare
That's pretty much where we're at..
Been prescribed them twice in my lifetime and they were great. Thankfully my doc won't prescribe them to me anymore because I know I would get hooked on them if I could get them easily.
I stopped cold turkey 6 weeks ago ....2mg klonopin everyday for 7 years ...im goin thru it man
How are you holding up now?
Amitriptyline (Elavil)- helps a great deal (I'm not a doctor, it helped my withdrawals tremendously when my doctor gave it to me for my withdrawals)
I hope you are doing better 🙏 same here
I am a 62-year-old male who has taken Klonopin for 29 years. My current dose is 4 mg daily. I started out at 1 mg for anxiety disorder and panic attacks. It works for me, but my new psychiatrist is concerned, and is talking about weaning me off of them. Honestly, I am scared of withdrawal symptoms and the prospect of panic attacks coming back. Things are going well, so I am somewhat resistant to change. I've been through so much with Bipolar disorder and anxiety, I don't want to go back to the way I was before I was in treatment. I also take Prozac and Tegretol. The doctor says that they will do the same thing as Klonopin. Now, I'm confused and scared. What do I do?
hi, I really like your content. Could you do a video on PMDD please?
Excellent explanation of everything you spoke about!
I've been prescribed Xanax for about 5 years now. I am taking them every 6 hours without fail now. I honestly don't know if my body is just requiring them around the clock to get back to baseline... It's honestly terrible.
you are dependent...you need a slow , long taper and expert guidance. Join a support group like Benzo Warriors on facebook. these people educated me on all thing benzo related and saved my life...
How about a video to what helps detox because the withdrawal is horrific. Thank you for the video this was very well done.
The Ashton method is the best way to come off them
Please explain...😊
Dr. Kim, for some symptoms like anxiety and insomnia, can patients take antidepressants to treat during benzo withdrawals?
DO not add MORE DRUGS!!!
been on 10mg of diaz for 5 years for sleep, tried cold turkey, has anyone had really bad legs, can hardly walk...will it ease
Im trying to get off of Clonazapam im doen to a half in the morning but that took three months im trying to get doen to a half at night my doctor told me to go to a half at night but im doing the same at night just cutting my night pill with only a guarter off at night and keeping a scheldule for a month
I took Clonazepan for 14 years, 2mg every day. Last month I had to withdraw turkey because it was discontinued where I live. At the same time, I wanted to stop. It was hell, indeed. I don’t wish it for my worst enemy. My withdrawal was moderate, as described here by the Doctor. It’s been now 6 weeks since I stopped, and I’m feeling much better. I still have some waves of pressure in my head, tinnitus and blurred vision, but I can do most things such as going to the gym, driving, socializing and others, and I cannot deny that as time goes on, I get better and better. Hopping to get back to work next month.
Just finished my taper 2 weeks ago. I was on Clonazepam for 23 years.
How did you do it ? How do you feel?
@@amyburns7818 I tapered off in about 3 months. I feel pretty good for the most part. Still have some lingering withdrawal effects.
I am also interested in hearing how you did it?
I've been on Klonopin for 31 years for dilapadating panic and anxiety attacks, it was horrible, I lost my nursing job and have not worked since, I was on 8 mg for years then 6 mg and I got myself down to 3 mg for years and I'm on 1 year and am still on them now , they've tryed to get me off of them for a long time ,but I can't so Dr said I'll have to be on them for the rest of my life!!! The benzo withdrawal is horrible!!! I am 71 years old now, and even if I run out 2 Days without them ,I get crazy! numb lips, hands just all the stuff you get!!!
R
How old were you when you stopped working?I am 31 and quit last year due to CPTSD.
Klonopin is the worst benzo. I joined Benzo warriors support group on facebook. A switch to a longer lasting benzo and then a water taper is what many people have to do to finally free themselves from this poisonous drug. 1mg of Klonopin is still a high dosage when compared to Valium equates to (10mg). Took me 6 months to get off 5mg.
Dr. Kim this is a very informative video. I was unaware these medications could cause these types of withdrawal symptoms.
1. You didn’t mention how it can be one year two year of a very slow taper to get off of it without having those serious side effects.
Everyone of my doctors thinks im bsin cause (im 54 days off Klonopin) they think i should of been fine after 2 weeks lol ridiculous i still feel like im in acute .. pvcs,pots,hbp,severe anxiety,intrusive thoughts,nausea,gi issues and so much more smh
two weeks is the time when the drug has left your body. It takes 6-18 months for the gaba receptors to upload in your brain. The acute phase of withdrawal is 6-8 weeks and it is hell, I've been there. I joined Benzo Warriors on youtube, a community with the research, knowledge you need to navigate this journey. I hope you did a very slow, long taper plan and not ceased this drug within a couple of months...
i have been take 2ml of alprazolam every night for about a year and half. I was getting them off the streets so I'm about to stop. The whole reason i used them it would put me to sleep. I talk them about 10pm and wake up at 530am then go to work. I still have some what is the best way to ween off them.
Would i need to taper if i used 6-8 mg xanax for 3.5 weeks? Or just stop? I did take 4mp klonopin, 2mg today and 2mg tomorrow and then done
What is the advice if you're bipolar and there are several meds mixed in and the risk of an episode
Excellent
on ambient and klonopin for almost 20 years...yes I'm dependent to say the least. I was told when first prescribed it was safe and no dependency issues. all that being said, I'm glad i'm on it. I don't drink or abuse drugs otherwise. its allowed me to function - btw I'm 57 years old if that matters
How many mg of each drug do you take in a day?
Doctors are being advised to take people off these drugs who have been on them for many years. Also, pharmacies are having difficulty in their supply. I was on a benzo for 10 years until I hit tolerance. ..they put me on a slow acting valium and also 3 anti-depressants...It took me many years to get off 4 psych drugs...This is the incompetence of Doctors stating that this drug is safe and does no harm. It is big news in the benzo world that this drug has harmed millions of people over decades...watch 'Mad in America' on youtube. There is a huge movement growing warning about these drugs , short term or long term - it does not matter as benzos are toxic
I learned from a pharmacist that when many drugs first come on the market they are not yet tested for all side effects. For example, when ambien first came out, I was told it was not addictive. Luckily, I soon learned it was highly addictive and quit immediately. It was considered “not addictive” at first because not enough studies on its addiction potential had yet been done.
A good professional advice from dr Kim.
I am a senior citizen with a very long history of taking 0.5 mg xanax daily which now I have reduced it to 0.25 mg. Can I take it indefinitely and what could be it's effect on memory impairment and maintaing balane as I age..
I really don't understand why any REAL doctor would tell anyone that benzos aren't highly addictive! As ever doctor, nurse, smart person would know! When I was prescribed 2mg xanax 30 years, that's the first the doctor told me, be careful and only use them, when really needed. They helped so much, It was wonderful. Until I decided to quit., should have tapered off with my doctor because some days were so bad, I'd take the 2 mg. I had been down to 1mg for 3 weeks, then was going down to 0.5. I just couldn't do it myself. Anyway, 30 years ago everybody knew mothers little helpers and the others were super addictive!
Is there a similar risk with hypnotic benzodiazepines, such as zolipidem and zopiclone?
Yes
I was on nitrazepam years ago for a legitimate medical reason and grew dependant on it.
Man, when I went cold turkey the first time I had a seizure, body aches basically felt like death warmed up.
Eventually a year or so later I gradually reduced the dosage and got off them.
NEVER again! I am so glad I am off them.
Congrats on getting free from Nitrazepam. God bless, and thanks for being an inspiration ❤
Dr. could you possibly do a Video on Lyrica.
Yes, i would like to know more of Lyrica too…
What kind of taper schedule do you recommend for tapering long-time compliant patients [no abuse] off of klonopin? Asking generically.
What about SSRI withdrawal? Is there a video fir that. It can be just as bad as benzo withdrawal.
Yes. Im sick severe and disabled 13 months off year off. Long term use almost Cold turkey.
I got a question
Can the withdrawal symptoms differ from what benzo you are on..
I try to get off of Lorazepam which is short acting
I got Diazepam in a short time before they gave me Lorazepam
So i think could it maybe help me to switch back on Diazepam to then maybe taper off with less withdrawal symptoms?
Hi Doctor Andrew can Valium cause stomach pain ? I've been on it for a year daily but PRN as needed so every now and again before that. I just took 5mg and had an instant upset stomach and had to run to the toilet
You sound like a great doctor (psychiatrist I assume). Like you say, benzodiazepines are effective medications if taken sparingly but unfortunately they can be “too effective” for some. I’m tapering off of clonazepam after about 17 years of daily use. I’m down to 1.75mg daily from 4mg back in 2021 when I started decreasing and it’s becoming more difficult as I get lower. The mild symptoms you describe are exactly what I experience before my pills in the evening. I also used to drink heavily when I was younger, and I strongly feel that alcohol abusers are at much higher risk of abusing benzodiazepines (and opioids for that matter - I’ve been on a methadone maintenance program for over 15 years but that’s another story). You remind me a little bit of my doctor/psychiatrist!)
I agree for sure about your comment on that cross over between alcohol abuse and benzodiazepine abuse. I know I’m over simplifying it a bit, but our brains, to some degree almost interpret taking a benzodiazepine and a drink, in very similar ways. Both affect the GABA receptors and have similar reinforcing effects. And both could trigger a relapse/cravings for the other. I’m glad a lot of what you described seems to be behind you. Even though we don’t know each other, I really hope for much peace in the times ahead of you. Sounds like you have been through enough personal wars already.
@@AndrewKimMD interesting. i was put on Valium for a few months in 2015, i found the effect horrendous, i hated it. when i stopped taking it i craved alcohol for a couple of weeks, and i barely drink. i might have a drink or 2 every few months, tops. you just explained what happened.
These meds should never be prescribed for daily use. Only for use in critical situations. Coming off these drugs after daily use is literally torture.
Well said. I love this video ♥️👊🏽
So, my PCP has me on 2mg of Ezoplicone nightly, but he was thinking of switching me to Ativan, beceause of Lunesta losing its strength. Bad idea ? Thanks for your videos !
Dr. Kim, I had been taking 15 mg of Temazepam for about 5 years and now are tapering off with 7.5 mg. Is there an even smaller dose than 7.5 to continue tapering? Initially I was prescribed Temazepam for insomnia. I am 77 years old, I don’t consume alcohol and my health is very good except for the sleep issue. Thank you
I'm prescribed .5mg every day, once a day. I've never taken more than that in a day, and I've stayed at .5 mg for several years now and as a result, I can skip 2 or 3 days with no noticeable withdrawal.
MS survivor here, 1 year into oral prednisone and 6 months tapering period. One of many side effects of prednisone is insomnia, i was also into pregabalin for so long, during this period i was in and out of the ER, sometimes admitted due to pain or insomia. My doctor decided to prescribed clonazepam 0.25mg. This was in 2012..im. still taking clonazepam and it helped me to manage insomnia.
Dr. Kim: Good info (been there as well). NEW ONE: I'm 8yrs sober (from alcohol ... never did anything else). In attempting to get off of it, long ago, someone put me on, at first: Valium and I was on that a LONG time. When a subsequent doctor saw how long I was on it, they rushed to get me off (and, yes, it presented me withdrawal problems, but that story isn't relevant for this posting). They substituted some kind of prescribed antihistamine. I took it for a while, but never felt it helped much. And it was a bit expensive for me. So, I thought: Well, if this is just antihistamine, why not just take Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCL ~ 50mg - 2 pills). I initially took it during the day - but then stopped and only took it to fall asleep. I have major issues in this area. And now, I've been taking ~ 50mg of Benadryl nearly nightly ... for around 7 or 8 years. THOUGHTS?
You're self-medicating because the substances you use blunt your emotions. Without them, you'd feel the full force of your emotions. For me, the answer has been to go for therapy and learn ways to regulate my emotions and manage stress and anxiety. DBT or CBT therapy are great for giving you the tools you need to cope without sedating your emotions😊
@@juliemauger6183 Thanks a lot for the into.
What is considered a high enough dose?
Do u have one on antidepressant withdrawal going through it now plus Benzodiazepine im in servere wd right now over a year😢.
Can you develop tolerance and subsequent withdrawal symptoms from low dose (.5mg. per day max.) use over less than 3 weeks? (Totaling 7 or 8 mg. of the drug over that time.)
Been on it for 6weeks with 0.5mg but there are days i dont take them. Do i need to do taper?
Near as I can tell this process can be drastically sped up. Using psychedelics, meditation, yoga, etc to intentionally heal I am 1.5 years off benzos and am feeling 100x better than at any time in my life. If I do still have any symptoms I don’t even notice. The first 6 months brought very little improvement but as soon as I started trying to heal I started getting better rapidly. I swear my brain has learned to do what benzos used to. I even have a movement disorder and I’m more physically capable than most people at this point! Good luck to everyone please don’t let this be a process that takes years to go through
Did you use psychedelics during your taper?
@@Kimmy_has I did not use them until many months off benzos when it was all PAWS symptoms
What a state to get yourself into. I know these types of medications have their uses but my god - look what we've created.
EXACTLY 👍
@@elisaacello4821 I have to say though, in a previous life I had some experience with these types of drugs and when you're in the midst of withdrawals and you happen to get hold of some more - it truly is a godly sensation.
So dangerous.
I've been taking Valium over 20 years now but my anxiety seems to be getting worse as the years go by.
Can long term use make anxiety worse?
My physician doesn't take time to help or doesn't want to?
Anxiety has ruined my life to where í can't work anymore and I've had experience memory loss within the past 3 years
Excellent video!
I stopped cold turkey after being on klonopin for years multiple times daily. I know now how dangerous that was. The withdrawal was absolutely awful. I refuse to take these type of meds anymore. Ever. I am on Zoloft at the lowest dose. But benzos, no way.
could you use alcohol to taper off benzos just like you use benzos to withdraw from alcohol? since they both effect gaba
Alcohol is too fast acting... never use meds with short half life to taper!
@@kungfreddie well if you are at home and just perma drink could it work ? in theory.
I finally heard a TH-cam doctor say don’t bother withdrawing from benzos. Life is too short to lose seven years.
Is one 1mg a day bad? Been taking my prescribed dose as directed for going on 7 years. Sometimes I take it, other times I don’t. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but it’s definitely helped me with my GAD because before that, I was an overthinking, high stress and nervous wreck. And of course the occasional panic attacks that are no bueno. Maybe it’s different for others and it’ll take me days to have withdrawal symptoms, if any? 🤔🤷🏻♂️
Is there a chance to successfully come of Zolpedam while still Hyperthyroid and on Methimazole?
If I can stop for days and not be taking them for days and not experience this, COULD that mean I’m not physically addicted? I never or rarely take these “not as prescribed” and I only get one as needed. By rarely I mean I have them for as needed but i might take one in morning and at night occasionally. Never every day or else I’d be out early which I never am. It’s a tough balancing act taking as prescribed and trying to avoid withdrawal situation, when they actually work.
Can I sue the doctor that abruptly stopped me gave me stroke seizures and suffering?
Around a month ago I tapered off over 4 months under the guidance of my doctor. I took clonazepam for 8yrs. I started having some severe pins and needles, acid reflux, and more. My doctor told me to go back on it, only .5 mg. I still have the horrible pins and needles. Has anyone experienced continuing withdrawal symptoms even when they went back on the med?
This was by far too quick a taper...18 months is average...No wonder symptoms presented. Doctors really have no idea of safe tapering...I joined Benzo Warriors , a support group on facebook...these people have all the research and information on benzo harm. I tapered off 5 mg Valium and now I'm 13 months off ...it can be done and everyone heals.
Ok when you do i liquid taper from any benzos why aren’t doctors upfront with what you can expect and withdrawls symptoms.