Benzo Stories: Steph
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ส.ค. 2023
- Steph shares her story of benzodiazepine harm and healing for our #BenzoStories series
Want to share your story? www.benzoinfo.com/benzostories/
This video has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This video does not substitute professional medical advice, and no doctor-patient relationship is formed through the video. This video is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Are you looking for full-time volunteers? I spent the last 15 years fighting this war and I've decided that this year is the year I'm going to dedicate my life to this fight. Is there any way to help or contribute I'm curious how do we reach out? I'm a filmmaker and have been working on a lifelong documentary / multiple film projects to do with benzodiazepines.
@@OneDayAtATime365 💜🙏🏻
Thank you 🙏🏼Yes, if only BIND was known about & acknowledged by our Drs. I was tapered over 11 days off Oxazapam dose increased to 180mg daily after ten years of taking. The constant Terror feeling was & is still the worst symptom to survive, though there were many other symptoms. I had weekly visits to Dr tried on 9 other psyc meds (none helped) I thought I was loosing my mind. It was only after 26 months of this living hell I stumbled across this channel & medicating normal that I realised I have been trying to survive BIND. I now realise this is a time thing & all I have to hold on to is HOPE. I feel in certain ways, there is a direct correlation between the level of terror I feel & the level of cognitive impairment I experience. I am not as bad as I was, there has been improvement in some symptoms 🙏🏼
Corinnagrace what v are your symptoms?
Be thankful that's all that happened. Almost 2 years off xanax extended release and I've lost most my memories, hair, gums, and my body's literally drying out. I don't sweat my skin and hair just get so oily. I look like a gross monster. And it's getting worse everyday. If it wasn't for my 7yr daughter I wudn't be here now. Soon she'll be so embarrassed of me she won't want me around and that will be it for me
Hi Steph, thank you for sharing. So sorry for all the iatrogenic harm you have suffered at the hands of a medical community that remains wilfully ignorant of the problems it is causing. You have had to contend with so much, and I truly hope a complete recovery is yours before too much longer. I was also (like you) first prescribed benzos to mitigate adverse effects from another medication. I don't understand why they think it is okay to prescribe them for longer than the 2-4 weeks (including taper) that is recommended. or why they poly-drugged you with two benzos. It is horrendous, and the gaslighting that follows, even more so.
I took it less than 2 weeks and said no addicitve or habit forming meds and rhey seriously gave it anyway. I got fried on day 5.
Hi Sarah, sorry I’ve only just seen your comment. I really appreciate it. It’s actually made me tear up a little bit as it’s very understanding and kind of you to take the time to write out such a thoughtful response, so thank you. Sorry to hear that happened to you also. Are you doing better now? It really has been horrendous, and the thought of healing sometimes feels like a fairytale this far into it. But I try to remain hopeful.
Man, that's a fast taper. It took me 19.5 months to get off the Ashton equivalent of 17.5 mg diazepam. Wishing you all the best, Steph. Thanks for sharing your story!
It was but don’t forget I was only on around 6 months, so I felt I could go a little faster. Albeit, in hindsight I probably should have taken it slower. I just wanted off 😢 wishing you the best too. Thanks for your comment
Thank you for the inspirational words, Steph. 6 months off BDZ. Tingling in toes and fingers. Muscle spasms helped with magnesium.
Thank you for your comment. I hope you’re feeling better very soon. Speedy healing
Hi Steph - I'm also from Melbourne and currently enduring benzo withdrawal syndrome, 12.5 months off. Thankyou so much for sharing your story. I don't normally see other Melbournians in benzo-related spaces so hearing about your journey has made me feel less alone. I hope you experience more windows very soon
Yo! Greetings from your mate in Perth on a similar journey. Christ be with you.
I need some words of encouragement and if there is someone out there like me please reach out.
I have been on Ativan as needed for 15 years. 4 months ago, I decided to cold turkey because I wasnt taking them daily. I begun experiencing horrific acute symptoms including jolting awake, severe panic attacks and horrific existential fears. To be fair before meds my existential fears were deep. However during withdrawal I would often go into horrific psychosis. I had to reinstate. I can't sleep it's not working and I am still having horrific thoughts and agony. The existential dread is killing me. I dont think I could ever be off the benzo, I never want to feel or see the things it made me see and feel. It is a drug from the pits of hell and to think they are prescribed to dogs is also horrific.
Your situation sounds a lot like mine. I had been on Ativan and other benzos for nearly 20 years as needed. My doctor tapered me in about two weeks… far too quickly as well. I will say the first year was the worst and magnesium and low dose propranolol helped the most. Also avoiding high histamine foods. I promise you it does get better!
I’m so sorry this happened to you. You’re in the very worst of it now. Keep going it will get better. Just live minute to minute if you have to. I promise it will ease up. Sending you strength and healing vibes.
How are you doing now?
I saw your story your not alone I have been on xanax with my suboxone for 7 years very high high doses of xanax and I'm sitting here writing you now scared to death I can't sleep at all I'm basically freaking out I'm tapering myself off by taking 4 peaches a day that's extremely low fir me which is terrible I know I'm used to taking the blue ones 8 to 10 a day I have went to detox left after 36 hours it was hell I was so sick it's killing me literally I can't do anything at this point and I'm not even off them I don't know what to do at this point I need to be a mom I find myself hiding so Noone sees me but my heart feels like I'm having a stroke I can't eat hell I can't even shower I feel so hopeless your not alone it's a God dam nightmare thinking of you to ❤
Congratulations on your progress! Thanks for sharing.
I’m 55 months off and still have symptoms but I am a lot better than I was! Am working on agoraphobia and food phobia.
Was there a time period where things markedly improved for you?
😢 Jesus Christ Jackie... 55months? My heart truly goes out to you.
I've lost ALL hope it seems of EVER getting off these friggin things.
It's been decades...
The seizures last time cos I went hardcore cold T.
Scared the crap out of is.
REALLY scared me. Brain scans. And all the rest of it.
But..... I'm super happy you have got over the hard part.
The first time I've heard another mention food phobia!! It's the nerves getting the better isn't it....
But, take care & WELL DONE. 👏🏼💪🏼🙏🏼
To start someone on this high of a dose of any benzo is criminal.
These videos make coming off of them worse, but this is one of the better ones. get that they are warning people to not take them, but for those of us who are on them, it's definitely a little nerve wracking. I'll finally reach a day where I can stop. But where I am at in life right now. They help bring down the wall that once stopped me for doing things. Therapy and coping skills only did so much for me.
Thanks for your comment. I think it’s more about sharing our stories as we have been harmed. Everyone is different, and you must do what is right for you and your body. Just remember, they more than likely once helped all of us in the beginning, but it did not stay that way. It’s also important to remember, that some people are able to taper off without severe symptoms, so just because this happened to me doesn’t guarantee it will also be your experience.
@@harmedbuthealing I do feel for you. I wasn't trying to come off as rude or anything. I just know I haven't built a tolerance to Klonopins effects just yet. I'm on 0.75 once a day. My goal is to hold on this dose or even lower. I feel for anyone that has been hurt by this medication.
👏 Well done Steph, for even TRYING a taper after your first attempt with the "help" from your Doc.
I desperately need to try a self administrated taper from Valium.
As have used for years & my last shot at stopping them with no taper, just STOPPED...
Weren't available!! So I ended up in Hospital for nearly a week after suffering 3 Grand Mal seizures over the course of 3days, the last one i was seizing for a straight 15-20mins!!
They were concerned to say the least!! Never again... Hell!
So i still use Benzoes as & when needed. But aren't from GP! argh so I have no way if knowing doses. So a taper is outa the question.
I've been taking on & off for over 10years..
But good luck. 🙏
But 2odd months with NOTHING!! Make's me feel sick.
I WILL succeed.
And so will we ALL who have been put in this position...
Take care, Luke. England
Thanks for your comment. I think a taper still sounds possible in your case. Not ideal if it isn’t from a GP, but I imagine way around it. Wishing you all the best
Hi. 18 months on 1.5mg clonazepam. 4 year taper.. gruesome. 2.5 years since last dose of taper. Still struggling. Finally making a bit of progress in the last 4 weeks. The most toxic medication ever? Interesting that you mentioned fear of peoples faces. I have this. Never heard anyone else mention that. Would be interested in more detail on that issue. P.
Interesting
Thanks for the video, wishing u the best.
Thank you so much
Healing to you. God Bless.
Hey steph congratulations on your progress
Thank you so much
@@harmedbuthealinghow are you now friend
It's been a month since off benzos. I tried Xabax withdrawal, it was Hell and ended up in the hospital. I was given Librium and Hydroxyzine and I was much better. I began to taper off Librium after 18 months and it is infinitesimally easier than tapering off Xanax. However I still am a bit fidgety and irritable. I have been able to sleep well the entire time. Hopefully I won't have any more symptoms after six weeks.
Is Librium only for Xanax or other benzos too
Finished my taper a little over three years ago. You’ll definitely heal!!! Thank you for sharing your story. You’re very brave. Best of luck to you. ❤
Thank you so much! How long did it take you to start feeling better? At 27 months I’m still waiting. Glad to hear you’re doing better. All the best ❤
@@harmedbuthealing Hard to say, as symptoms would come and go. I was on Klonopin for 27 years … I still have mild, transient tinnitus, but SO MUCH better. All in all, I feel much better than I have in many years. ❤️
You also could still need to heal from the damage from Flagyl. Have you looked into what Flagyl does? It depletes all your vitamin b1 vitamin. Flagyl toxicity and benzo withdrawal look similar! I hope you are feeling better!
@@harmedbuthealing
How long did you taper for? @@PAHinCHGO
I experienced the same thing
And I was prescribed fladgyl 4 times every time made it so much worse
I've struggled to put to words the intensity of lonliness, sheer terror, physical discormfort and derealisation I experienced
The dr decided it was in my best interest best to sever the relationship after that..
I’m so sorry to read this. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I know exactly how you feel. You’re not alone and I’m sorry this happened to you as well ❤
Now 30 month's off shaking and cramping legs and feet and abdomen, 18 hours a Day.
Anyone else with these symptoms?
This almost seems like a disease more than a medication. SO many people are saying they have been years without and are still experiencing withdrawals and that’s SO scary!!!
18 months off. My spine amd nerves are damaged one side of the body and bedridden. I am ending it 😢
Thank you for sharing you story. I don’t understand the correlation between antibiotics and benzodiazepines withdrawal? Im currently weaning.
Look it up on TH-cam, for some people, including myself, Fluoroquinolones have devastating side effects. My life is over after taking Cipro.
your gut produces most of your serotonin. When you take antibiotics it wipes out your biome and can cause some set backs. I definitely took a big hit when I had an ear infection.
The flouroquinolone antibiotics displace the benzo from the gaba a receptor putting the person in withdrawal they compete for the same site. Hence people get floxed on that family of antibiotics. It's very dangerous.
@@thesaint9276Benzos target gaba not serotonin.
Me either.
I have all the excate same symptoms, the depersonalization and derealization. Also I keep having brain zapps. Tapering off of kolonopin.
Hi Steph my names Kate I’m from Newy NSW.
Goodluck mate. X
Hi Kate. Thanks for your comment! Nice to chat to other Aussies. All the best ❤
Thanks for sharing! How do you support someone who is going through this?
Thanks for your comment. This process can be really hard on the carers and support people. I think reading up on BIND and knowing as much as there is to know is really helpful. Patience, empathy, and kindness go a long way. Reassurance that this is not permanent, as well as help doing day to day things like cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping. Most of all, remember to take care of your own needs and be kind to yourself. You need to be in a good place yourself to be able to support someone through this. Take breaks when you need and remember self care.
What happened on flagyl?
To anyone seeing this, I was rapid detoxed off benzos after 7 years of chronic, unsupervised use.
I had a rough first couple months especially because I had a neurological problem from a car accident which was never identified but it included a whole movement disorder.
At about the 6 month mark I got into meditation and it really rewired my brain. I did some work with psychedelics and by the one year mark I was getting over not only benzo withdrawal but chronic pain and the movement disorder and the left/right confusion I’ve had since my accident is even getting better!
Our brains have all the answers! Seriously, there is no reason for years of symptoms do the work during withdrawal and you will heal very fast!
29 months off now still tinitus still broken sleep 6 hours take metapralol succinate 75 mg and ivabradine for fast heart rate
A benzo shouldn't be prescribed for sleep.