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This sort of information is invaluable, I only wish I’d found it years ago! It’s honestly mind boggling that the majority of doctors and even mental health specialists (in my personal experience) don’t have even a basic understanding how these things work and are still so willing to prescribe and abruptly stop these meds. Thanks so much for these, everything is so spot on, every video is like an epiphany for me.
I was a pharmacist for 8 years, & doctors are only coached up to 4 weeks of people being on this crap! Anything passed that or withdraw or protracted withdrawal doctors HAVE ON CLUE about any of that !
This is now 2023 I can honestly say that these no-good sorry good-for-nothing doctors absolutely do know that the withdrawal needs drugs lead to death someone ending their life all I can say is I wish the very very worst to happen to these doctors and their own bodies and minds they'll get what's coming to them after they have deliberately knowingly ignored these patients that they destroyed only wishing the worse for doctors that did this to their patients no empathy for doctors.
23 years on and off Xanax. Tapering off as we speak with terrible withdrawal. Heavy head and neck tremors, internal tremors, heart palpitations, panic attacks, terrible anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, muscle spasms, electric "shocks" or "brain zaps", itching, hyperacusis, hypersensitivity. The list is never ending. Stay away from Xanax.
I am so sorry. I cannot imagine. I honor you tapering off, but wonder if a doctor could assist you so that your withdrawal would not be so difficult. I know it takes time, but, I hope you feel better.
I hope you are doing better. I was prescribed xanax for nearly 12 years. Titrated off of it on my own using the Ashton manual. I had to move from Xanax to valium and then titrate from there. Check out the manual if you are still struggling.... I
Thank you for getting this information out there, Paige! These videos kill me, because I was prescribed a benzodiazepine in May 2021, despite all this information being out there about the negative effects. I'm nearing the end of a 19-month taper, and it has been a version of hell I never knew existed, even doing a slow taper off. These drugs should not be used outside of a clinical setting. As far as I can tell, they should not be prescribed, ever. I wish this information would have been more widely available when I started taking a benzo, because had I known the risks, I would have run the other direction. These videos are helping get the word out.
I really appreciate your comment, Josh. I am glad that you tapered slowly and are in the healing process. You are not alone. This is really a horrible situation that so many that suffered from anxiety or sleep issues are dealing with and sharing your story helps. Be kind and compassionate and patient with your mind and body as you heal and restore your balance. ❤️
Thank you for your response and your kind words, Paige. You don't know how much those of us who have been injured by this class of medication appreciate the work you and others like you do to raise awareness about this "silent" epidemic. So many are blissfully unaware of what havoc they could be wreaking on their bodies that just hasn't surfaced yet due to a long-term benzo prescription. The status quo must change.
@@jbwetzsteini take them for 30 years on and off with zero side effects, sometimes i take them for a month straight and then i dont take any for 1 month no withdrawal nothing....i guess you guys are just unlucky with your genetic response to it or whatever no clue.
I have experienced all above. I'm in my last month tapering clanazapam, in my 24 th month. I'm so proud of myself. Hardest thing I ever done but now see the gift in it. Bless you
That is amazing, Sandra. It is a very difficult thing to do...especially on your own. Wishing you the best through this last stretch. Thank you for commenting.
Me too- tapering off kl for many years. Down to 1 mg from 6. Its been so brutal but I am determined. Congrats Sandra! That is amazing. I want is so bad, to be free again. Sending you health and healing. Please stay in touch and let me know how you progress. I lack hope at times and perhaps we could support each others recovery.
When I was teen I was an outpatient in a clinic and they prescribed me Klonopin because I said "I get anxious sometimes". After I left the clinic my physician continued to prescribe it. Still on it 15 years later. It's ironic/sad how the 3 things that you say can help with anxiety actively prevent people from recovering as long as they're on benzos, yet it's up to the patient to do the research and make the decision to go off the medication, knowing the withdrawals will be terrible.
So many people with anxiety and panic and insomnia were prescribed these medications. I do believe that physicians thought it was harmless. It was not your fault...yet now you have a difficult decision to make that affects your health. Please research and get as much support as possible.
I just wanted to add your videos are more than a breath of fresh air. God bless you. Please continue to put out this information. The world needs it. ❤️
Benzo withdrawal has been happening since their creation, and I can't believe they're still being prescribed over 50 years later. I'm an RN that survived a hellish withdrawal after only two months of daily doses. The acute withdrawal lasted about 6 weeks - the Ashton Manual helped me see how many of the symptoms I was experiencing were actually caused by withdrawal. It's now 8 months later, and I feel healing is still taking place. As an RN, I was put in a position to administer and advocate for the safety of drugs like this one - when they just aren't. After my experiences with pharmaceuticals, I find myself antithetical to this pill-driven profession. It's caused me to seek out how to be a healer outside "the System." Herbalism, naturopathy, etc.
I admire that you are taking what happened to you, and you are using that experience to help educate others. I have tried to do the same from the suffering I have seen in others that have been hurt by these medications. Anytime someone speaks up, of course they are criticized. But, it is still important to share your experience.
Can u please help me...ive been on Benzos for about a year. I am an Rn as well and the pandemic really has taken a toll on my mental and physical health. I want off these drugs please
@@nancyguzman4685 Google the Ashton Manual. It works, though I made my own withdrawal plan - it was based on this manual. Stanford university uses this manual (I was told after-the-fact).
I've used benzos for over 6 years they have been a life saver. I only take them when I need them though maybe once or twice a month sometimes more or less depending in life stressors
Thanks Paige for giving so much on your channel. My issue is Idiopathic insomnia and no doctor has ever taken me serious on this one. I need help to fall asleep, then I sleep well. I have never felt the "sleepy" feeling when you want to go to bed. So I rely in a low dose of clonazepam (0.125) every night. I am 60 and have been taking it for like 22 years. I know therapy won't help. I am also autistic, without an official diagnosis.
This is a problem fueled HEAVILY by primary care providers (PCPs). I work in psychiatry, and few of my colleagues prescribe BZDs--only during short inpatient stays (mostly for panic), for alcohol withdrawal, and PRN with a limited script. The field of thought with many mental health providers is to avoid these medications at all costs, unless it is medically indicated...and often times it is. I wish these would be taken off the market for use related to anxiety or sleep outside of the hospital setting
I agree pcp's should not prescribe this but only as a last resort from psychiatrists. For some people they work wonders and take them lifetime. This medication works wonders for Ibs after everything else failed. Nobody would be bitching about benzos if they were easy to come off of.
Last Month went to a psychiatrist for the first time for my Anxiety. She gave me this Clonazepam prescription and told me to take as needed only. Well, i haven't take it yet . Gladly came across with this channel and made me grateful that i haven't started taking the meds. I don't want to put myself in a bad situation due to some medicines .
It's a curse to have been born to the individual suffering from mental disorders like anxiety & ocd. It's been 20 years since I've felt happy & joyful.
Paige, thank you for your deep research and knowledge. My daughter was prescribed Xanax, Ativan, Ambian and more for anxiety. Though benzodiazepines as you said are SUPPOSED to be short term, she ended up on them for at least 4 years that I know of. She became addicted to the Ativan and the longer she took it the worse her symptoms got….loss of sleep, impulsive spending, OCD, multiple suicide attempts….the list goes on. She did weekly talk therapy and psychotherapy. She lost her car and home and connection to family as time went by. Yes, she knew she was addicted but her Physicians Assistant who knew she was addicted kept prescribing the Ambien, Ativan and more. I watched my daughter as I had known her, slowly slip away. Sadly, she took her own life in November of 2018. Please keep warning people of the dangers of benzodiazepines because the dangers are real!! Lastly, thank you for this video. I has helped me with the guilt that I have sometimes that there is something I should have been able to do to help her.
Oh Marie. I can’t imagine the grief and loss and helplessness you have felt. I am so very sorry. I have witnessed people suffering on the medications and in withdrawal as well. Some people struggle for years trying to withdrawal. I am sure your daughter tried the best she could but just couldn’t continue to battle. Sending you a hug as a parent myself. Hopefully you sharing her story will help others. 🙏❤️
My friend was given Gabapentin to help him withdraw off clonazapam. It took him 1 yr. I’m so proud of him. He said it was terrible Stopping Gabapentin was not difficult I feel so concerned for people battling benzo dependency
kayla hi, my friend said that coming off clonazapam was hell but the gabapentin eased the anxiety. Gabapentin was not hard to stop. I hope you are weaning super slow like .25 a month or if it takes longer 2 months. There are people who really do need it though. Every one has a different level of anxiety . Wishing you all the best
I was prescribed clonazepam when I started doing anxiety attacks. They were chemically induced by marijuana, I was a chronic user for 15 years and all of a sudden I had anxiety almost all day!! now I'm terrified to smoke again...im pretty sure more factors were in play in my anxiety but I've always been skeptical of pharmaceutical drugs and after seeing this video I am so glad that I was scared to even take one of those. I just push through my attacks and I never touch the bottle...dodged a bullet!!! I had also heard that a famous clinical psychologist (jordan peterson) had to bring himself in detox because he was taking clonazepam. I need to have this conversation with my therapist. Thank you!!!
Unfortunately, so many people are given these medications when they have high anxiety or panic. I hope that the research becomes more well known of just how problematic and harmful they can be if taken more than a few weeks. I am glad you dodged that bullet too. Thanks for commenting because I am sure that many can relate to you.
I was prescribed Ativan for insomnia caused by menopause 16 years ago. I only took 40 mg per year. Five years later I was diagnosed with GAD and panic disorder. Next five years was a nightmare of antidepressants and psych meds that I couldn't tolerate or made me suicidal. NO ONE, of all the ER doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, and my own doctor, never told me Ativan could be the cause. I quit everything Jan/15. Had a seizure. Was given a one month taper plan which failed as the first two weeks got me totally dependent upon it. It took joining a benzo group to find out what had been happening to me. Now six years off and still having 12 hour panic attacks. It's like there is an alien inside me conducting experiments on my brain and body. I wasn't ill, but now I am. What you said about therapy not helping benzo patients is right on. I did intensive single and group therapy on a variety of focuses...the strategies and things learned help me on my good days. Fifteen years of terror due to Ativan. I was a school teacher and avid gardener and now I can barely get out of bed. I can't take much more. Six years off all drugs and still the brain and CNS have not healed. Thank you for this video.
Hi Aileen. I am so sorry to learn about what happened to you. You have shown tremendous strength in your efforts to heal. You are important and your story can help others. Thank you for sharing. 🙏❤️
Most comments here are innocent people put on benzos by uncaring doctors. As I’m trying to taper, do exposure therapy, see a psychotherapist, etc. you’re saying “nothing will me effective” if you’re on benzos and taking away any hope I might have for getting better. Your “I’m so sorry 😢” comment replies don’t provide me any solace. Now delete my comment saying you have no empathy, Paige!
If I had to make a scale with anxiety being 10. “Normal” at a 5. And “sedated” or numb at 0. Clonazepam takes me from a constant 10 to a 5. I can think clearly and understand information. I don’t feel tired or sleepy. I just feel normal, not like I’m on anything. I’ve been on it “as needed” for 10 years now. I can go 3 days…a week…without needing it. Or sometimes I’ll need to take it twice in a day. I just never go over 1mg. So I don’t understand any of this. 🤷🏻♀️
Hi Jackie. The dangers of using this medication occur with continued daily use. If you are not using it daily, then this may not be something that applies to you. I am a therapist and have noticed that clients taking these medications daily have not improved with therapy, versus clients that are not taking them.
Thank you for these informations.The most of doctors don't recognise when someone hit tolerance !! They don't understand how benzodiazepines are dangerous and harmful! It is a big problem all around the world ! I would never recommend to take benzodiazepines more than 2 weeks. God bless you !
Yes the tolerance is hell you don’t realize it if you don’t know drugs etc etc which I didn’t - took after doc prescribed when husband passed away -- and not a buzz or high jus settle the nerves Alittle didn’t abuse took as directed some days not at all then boom 13/14 yrs later tolerance was like what is this ?? Knew it wasn’t working felt horrible - was in a weird withdrawal but didn’t want to up dose no way and now I’ve learned that wouldn’t of helped anyway -- what a mess doc doesn’t tell you this when given -- I thought well in 60’s no harm no foul will stay on tillo death no biggy well wake-up call no such thing -- didn’t know about withdrawal or tolerance best thing don’t ever take a pill until you know what it is what it will do and so on we didn’t hv google when went on and as time went on didn’t even bother looking it up 🤢🤢🔥 So message take nothing till you know 🔥🔥 This is a Hell you never want to visit 5 months off 🔥🔥🙏
I'm with you except for your support for antidepressant use. I had almost as a bad of a withdrawal from a tricyclic as I did from Ativan. During my time taking the tricyclic, I became more anxious and depressed and could not connect with people as I used to. I felt numb. I stopped dreaming during sleep for a two year period. The only reason I took it was to help me sleep, and now that I'm off I feel l'm able to engage in life in a whole new and meaningful way. I can engage with people, and I can take in beautiful scenery like I hadn't been able to. Dr. Breggin talks about how he sees some psychotropics as chemical lobotomizers. There should be more talk about psychotropic-mediaction related brain injury.
I am so sorry to hear what you went through. There is so much unknown about all of these medications. Thank you for sharing your experience to help inform others that may have experienced something similar.
Ryan, I 100% agree with you and Dr. Breggin. I had an ignorant counselor when I was going through an emotionally painful divorce. She encouraged me to go to a Shrink (I didn't want to), but she kept pushing me. "Somehow" I ended up on 3 different "medications" for my "Divorce Symptoms" I was totally naïve and in a vulnerable state. This Shrink poly drugged me with 2mg Ativan each night, 2 doses of Cymbalta a day, and also a stimulant (Armodafinil) for the mornings! The shrink said this was a "smart pill". What a load of BS. This is what Dr. Breggin calls poly-drug SPELLBINDING prescribing. The patients (victims) have no clue what they are getting themselves into. Of course I was also prescribed an anti-nausea pill to top it all off and keep all the magic pills down. I still can't believe I actually trusted this guy and put that poison in my body! I am now 5 months off all pharmaceuticals, and finally starting to feel like my old self again. I was told these pills were great and would help me. They almost killed me. My symptoms from the drugs are too many to mention. The psychiatric industry is corrupt and filled with deadly misinformation. I want to get the message out to others before they go down this rabbit hole, BEWARE!!!!
@@john6185 thank you for sharing your story! I'm happy that the more psychiatry victims that accumulate, the more stories like ours circulate. More and more people are understanding that these drugs are not what pharmaceutical-industry-brainwashed MD's say they are ... it takes personal experience putting this poison in your body to understand what it really is.
Thank You for acknowledging and helping to bring awareness of these drugs!!! They caused me a lot of pain and illness,especially after I stopped and I just didn't know any better when taking them.....
I don't think it's people's fault I had no idea about rebound anxiety or the withdrawal from them , they should come with a very big warning on them explaining things
I think it’s different for everyone. I was doing terrible with anxiety & PTSD, trying different med options. It was until I got prescribed with a benzo that my life changed!! I understand the risks, especially with dependency and withdrawals, along other issues, but everyone is different, and few clients cannot speak for many others. I’ve been on them 6 years only as needed, never had the urge to take more than prescribed, and never been dependent. Ever. These with my therapy completely gave me my life back. Never had no issues, even anything, everything improved for me. Again, everyone is different. I believe as long as a client has a good plan with their psychiatrist/therapist/dr and healthy check ups then I don’t think it’s bad.
Yes, every person with anxiety loves the effects of taking a benzo, it immediately relieves the anxiety. Unfortunately, if used daily, there will most likely be negative side effects as you grow older. If you are only taking on occasion and not daily, you may not have any issues at all. It sounds like you are doing very well right now and I wish you the best in your future as well.
There is significant evidence that benzodiazepines cause tolerance to the anticonvulsant & hypnotic effects but not the anxiolytic and sedative effects ESPECIALLY when it comes to the longer acting benzodiazepines like clonazepam, diazepam and chlordiazepoxide. Depression does seem to be a significant issue with long term use of benzodiazepines, however antidepressants also cause tolerance, withdrawal and can worsen depression. I've been on clonazepam for years and I have had great success with therapy even while being on a benzodiazepine so I think that to look at this issue through a black and white perspective is not helpful. Some develop tolerance and do not benefit from therapy while on benzodiazepines. Others do not have these issues. My grandma was on alprazolam 1mg for 15 years and never had any worsening anxiety, depression etc. I think it comes down to some people relying on the benzos vs. some using them as a tool to help during therapy. Also the dosage is important. If you're on 3mg of clonazepam a day and doing psychotherapy then yes, i could see the memory issues becoming an issue. If you're on .25mg of clonazepam a day, then there shouldn't be a large enough dose to cause memory issues. I tried almost every antidepressant out there and none of them helped at all and simply gave me terrible side effects and coming off of them was a nightmare even with a slow taper. I came off of clonazepam once 2mg a day with a slow taper over a year and withdrawal side effects were minimum. The only antidepressant that seemed to give any relief was mirtazapine but the weight gain was awful and coming off of it was hell. I think many psychiatrists are seeing the issue of benzos the same way they tell their patients not to think of things. They see benzos as black and white. They're bad unless taken short term 100% of the time. Thats simply not true. I know it's not true because i look at my grandma as a perfect example of someone who took even a short acting benzo long term and she never complained of having any issues. I even asked her directly if she has any issues from her Xanax and she said "Not really, it just makes me kind of sleepy when i first take it." This is after 15 years of daily usage.
I have been on Ativan for just about 3 years now. In the beginning of taking it, I absolutely needed it in the beginning. Now my anxiety has gotten worse. I pretty much have agoraphobia. After researching and researching and listening to other people's experiences, I decided myself to taper off 3 months ago, and the past 3 months that I tapered myself down to has been pure hell as of January 1st. After 3 months on the same dose, I've lowered my dose again and my mind is becoming more clear now of how this drug has made me waste a couple years of my life when I thought it was me that was getting worse when it was actually this drug. It makes me very very upset!
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I'm not no. I am in many groups on Facebook though. So is everything I've experienced over the past couple years because of this med? I started to develop fears where I couldn't drive with people, couldn't go into stores, I couldn't have people in my home because I felt it was too claustrophobic, to now pretty much agoraphobia. I've always been an anxious person but the pretty much 3 years that I've been on this. I have not gotten better. I've become worse. It may have helped in the beginning when I absolutely needed it due to trauma, but now I'm thinking I've wasted a couple years of my life living in this misery because of this medication making me worse. Do you think this to be true too?
Even though you had hoped that taking this medication would have helped you, as you felt in the beginning, it often results in making your anxiety worse. In your case, it sounds like you developed agoraphobia. It is important to not beat yourself up for this, but instead have compassion for yourself. Think of your recovery as a process of recovery. It will likely be a slow process to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I am glad that you are in several support groups. I want you to know that I have clients that have been on these medications for 20-30 years and although recovery was slow, they are doing well off of the medications today. If you are at all interested, I will be offering an online treatment course for people with agoraphobia and panic disorder later this year. I specialize in treating people with anxiety disorders like agoraphobia, as well as ocd and health anxiety. If you would like me to send you more information when the course becomes available, please add your email to my newsletter or send me a message on PaigePradko.com.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy yes, I would love that. I will email you.. Will my fears lessen as I taper off this or will I be the same? I added my email to your newsletter 😊
Most people will report increased anxiety symptoms every time they lower a dose, and then the anxiety symptoms decrease as their brain and nervous system adjusts. I would expect a bit of an up and down experience of anxiety and possibly reframe that to mean that your body is adjusting, you are recovering and you can learn to tolerate the anxiety as you heal.
Doctors have had me on benzos for 30 yrs, I was being prescribed 4 milligrams a day but I realized this was making everything worse especially memory and learning issues, I’m now on .5 to 1 milligram a day trying to wean myself off slowly, I’m now 60 but I don’t ever think I can honestly get off of these totally because my brain is so used to them, I did go 30 days without any but I couldn’t function and I told my doctors, he said you should have never done that and put me back on so I blame these doctors that have had me on these for over 30 yrs but in the beginning I had such anxiety problems and sleeping problems that to me was a miracle drug, now I think my brain is completely rewired that at my age even if I tried to go off again that it would take so long for my brain to mend that it’s not worth it, so I feel stuck and don’t really know what to do because doctors just keep prescribing them!
It sounds like you have worked very hard to get to your reduced dose. That is a wonderful accomplishment. You may find some suggestions and information on micro dose reductions that can take people over a year to complete on benzobuddies.org.
Hello , Dear Paige I am very happy to meet you and see your valuable video . My mother has had Parkinson's for about 10 years , and for about 2 years she has been taking half a milligram of Clonazepam a day to relax her body . I see some of the problems you mentioned in her , but I don't know if it is due to Parkinson's or benzodiazepine use? It is strange to me that taking Clonazepam has more effect on her than taking the Parkinson's drug , Madopar (Levodopa and Benserazide)! Sometimes not eating or taking benzo late causes severe Parkinson's attacks . Of course , after taking benzo , she always gets sleepy and lately I feel that she understands my words less . Do you think it is better to stop using it? Is it necessary to replace it with something? On behalf of everyone who found this video helpful, thank you ❤🌹
Hi. I am so sorry that your mother has Parkinson’s and those challenges. It is not safe to suddenly stop any medication without the advice of her physicians. Benzodiazepines are often used to make a person more comfortable at the end of life. But, I am not experienced in the protocol of a person with Parkinson’s. I hope that you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your mother and her physician so that you can all make a choice that is best for her care.
Im 23 years old and I've been on Paroxetine and Xanax ever since I was 17. Paroxetine I do take everyday, however I can live fine without Xanax, I only keep with me at all times in case I have a panic attack... I get them pretty often so it REALLY helps me, it stops the attack and calms me down in a couple minutes. Luckily, I have been months without Xanax and I only get prescription when I go to the doctor to get my Paroxetine refill in around 6 months. I truly don't plan on stoping having the medication with me, nothing seems to work but that, but I also know that those drugs can REALLY make you addicted so I dont abuse it WHATSOEVER. Its only something I have when NEEDED.
It sounds like you only take it as needed, and do not take it daily. The negative side effects of memory issues seem to be caused by long term, daily use.
I was on ativan for ten years. The prescribing doctor told me nothing about benzos and she didn't help when I asked to come off. I only tapered for three weeks and my central nervous system went into overdrive and that's putting it mildly. Anxiety hit me so badly that I couldn't function, I couldn't stop moving (akathisia),I couldn't stop shaking, I couldn't talk or think. I'm 19 months off and things are starting to improve. My central nervous system is still very delicate and I can't handle stress but I'm still here. My hope is that doctors stop prescribing benzodiazepines because I've seen so much suffering. It's not worth it. I've lost nearly two years of my life.
I am so sorry. That had to be absolutely horrible. I honestly do not think many medical providers understand what people go through when they are on these medications long term, and the hell they go through when they taper off of them. I admire you for trying your best to restore your health but wish that you had been given more support in tapering off, and more information before taking them to begin with. Thank you for sharing your story, because it may help others to be informed.
I know that you’re trying to help with negatives effects of benzodiazepines,,, I’ve had SVT and extreme anxiety since the age of 11. Now 52 male and have been on alprazolam for years and have never had to increase over 2mg a day max most usually less around 1-1.5 and I have never had SVT and /or panic attacks since . I just don’t worry about things like I used too and I did some cognitive therapy but I truly enjoy life and iam happy I can live again and have been on them for many years. I have a high IQ and also a graduate degree as well as running my own business for years. I just see all the doom and gloom associated with this medication if taken and it certainly has not been my case / responsibly. I may try to taper off just to see the difference but I would rather live the quality of life that I’ve been gifted because of these medications then live with all the doom and gloom /worry I used to ensue everyday . I don’t feel any sort of elation or release of my responsibilities when I take them. I do get however get a little hyper and or slightly edgy if I forget to take them for a couple of days but nothing sever or more then feeling like drinking two cups of coffee / I do know the dangers of possibilities of seizures with immediate cessation and difficulty with with withdrawals and I do like the Ashton method or water titration when I get ready to try . I do however believe-there is a positive between benzodiazepines and SVT as it must neutralize the extra receptor(s) that cause the ventricular tachycardia,,, Just has to be a correlation. So in summary I know they have helped my quality of life tremendously and possibly will have to pay the piper in my later years if iam blessed to have them but I believe there is too much negativity placed on these medications as an “all in one” scenario of being a prolific detriment to every individuals well being / iam living proof , although maybe rare that my quality of life for the 15 years + or so I’ve been taking them has substantially improved - thanks / James
I appreciate your comments and absolutely agree that these medications can help someone ease their anxiety to function in their daily life. I am not as concerned for people that use this medication occasionally when needed. It is the daily use that creates lasting consequences. I only began researching these medications because I saw a link in how they affected my clients. The most disturbing side effect is the memory loss, which may not develop until later years. I can acknowledge the benefit you have experienced and wish you well.
Michele Bergman well it’s either these or visits to the ER to get my heart restarted sometimes twice in one setting / you do the math ? But yes you must titrate of these when coming off never stop cold turkey
Michele Bergman that’s prolly true but actually SVT I basically have to many wires in my electrical system controlling my rhythm and benzos are the only thing that keeps them from happening it must shut down some of the part of the brain that controls electrical neurons / not one SVT episode since I’ve been on them ,,, kinda lesser of both evils or other option is a major heart surgery and pacemaker so I guess iam stuck with them :(
Your comment about a life balance is key. Good health and the right routine for you goes a long way. It minimizes the uncertainty in life that creates fear.
Everything you have said is what I have watched happen to my mom after the last 25 years of her being on klonopin. I have been by her side for a week helping her tapper off. It is so sad
My dad's doctors have been prescribing him lorazepam for _YEARS_ . He is 86. [He also shares it with my mother, by the way.] It was prescribed for insomnia, but I don't think it even helps much. My dad already suffered one bad fall with a fracture, and I also feel that the lorazepam has slowed his recovery and ability to walk as he used to. I now notice marked mental decline (short term memory problems, depression, increased anxiety, trouble speaking). What can a family member do when doctors keep prescribing such a harmful drug so recklessly???
Hi. It is indeed a problem if he has been prescribed these medications for years and is 86. I am not a physician, but believe it might be very difficult at this point for him to withdrawal and might even make matters worse. I would share what you are noticing and concerned about with him and his physicians. These are very difficult medications to withdrawal from if one has been taking them for years.
I was on 12mg of Diazepam and 0.25.mg of Xanax from 1995 to 2012. With A good psychiatrist and psychologist...with the addiction center. I got out of it. Mindfulness and yoga helped as well. Im clean now. Playing good soccer and good music.
I can say from experience that this is 100% true. When on them i wasnt getting better, instead i got worse!!! Only when i finally got off them (i chose cold turkey) did I see how much damage it was doing! My anxiety is 10x more manageable and i can say i will never ever take benzos ever again, nor wil i think that a pill can fix a life of trauma. Therapy saved my life.
I have been addicted to Bromazepam for quite a while now. I have had such a stressful life. I take 3mg in the morning and 3mg in the afternoon. I didn't want to start taking it but was going through physical problems due to such stress. I have had a diabetic daughter for more than 11 and a half years amongst other terrible problems. I have had a dysfunctional life. I'm now 56 with other health problems. I was addicted to Ativan when I was 12 due to 2 of my friends passing away. The Dr stopped it and I went into terrible withdrawal. I promised myself I would never become addicted again but had to take something to calm down. I need help. 😢
I just just told my doctor I was not going to take my ambien or Xanax anymore . I couldn’t function and kept forgetting things . I kept taking them before because they helped immediately and I liked that but It felt like when I was drinking to not have anxiety . And when I would stop taking them I had the worst withdrawals. Shaking sweating mood swings severe depression and suicidal thoughts irritability and severe anxiety attacks and the need to move and no sleep this went on for over a week it was terrible each time . I have been off these medications for about a month and I wish I could take them they felt great when I was on them but I just wasn’t me anymore and the people close to me noticed I just was not all there . My life felt apart .
It would be wonderful if we could take something that calmed our anxiety and panic and allowed us to sleep peacefully every night without side effects. Unfortunately, these medications if taken daily eventually will cause memory problems and other negative side effects. However, it is recommended to withdrawal from these medications very slowly under medical supervision. I think you are courageous for making the decision to go off of them. Please do so slowly and safely. It will take time for your nervous system and your GABA receptors to adjust. I wish you well and appreciate you sharing your story.❤️
I had No idea that xanex and klonopin were causing me SUCH harm. I just thought I was getting “ worse mentally”. And I didn’t understand WHY. I never thought that something given to me to HELP my panic actually made me soooo much worse! I would have a panic attack. Take it and feel so much better. Hours later the anxiety was back with a vengeance! Just thinking “ we’ll I’m not doing well “. Despite therapy. Antidepressants etc. I just thought I was a very sick person. One night I called my brother who is a recovering addict. But is also my best friend in the middle of the night. Blabbering. Making no sense. Scared out of my mind and acting really off the wall. Didn’t sleep all night. Thinking some really paranoid thoughts with no basis. Like that I had premonitions that someone was going to die. My brother was terrified and so was I. I was on my front lawn at 4 am talking crazy bc I didn’t know why I felt so bad - this was not just one night of taking them. I took them for a few weeks at night. Slept through them. Woke up very depressed. Started the cycle all over. This night I took a whole which I usually take a half and stayed away bc I was so scared. Scared of I don’t even know what. I finally told him what I took not thinking anything of it. “ I took klonopin for an anxiety attack and why isn’t it working”. He said omg we need to talk. That is the devil. He came to me. Thankfully I did not go to a hospital bc he understood what my problem was. We had a huge talk and I eventually got off them. The best morning all I did was cry and cry and cry and felt like I was in the worst depression. Me not knowing the dangers of these drugs and just trusted my doctor was clueless. I was usually a natural type girl and didn’t take medication but after a year of intense grief and loss I needed sonething. I wish I would have known this before I took them. But I trusted my doctor and at first it was a GOD send to me for my anxiety. I still don’t overly feel right but I feel a lot better. I wish I had someone like you to tell me this before I ruined months of my life thinking I was just crazy 😢and embarrassing myself and causing myself and my family so much pain. You are amazing thank you for posting
I am so sorry that you suffered so much. I hope that you can have compassion for yourself that you were doing what you thought was right. I don’t believe that physicians even understood the effects of the medications when taken daily over a period of time. Hopefully more word is getting out now and people will no longer be prescribed these medications for daily use unless deemed medically necessary.
I took Alprazolam for 27 years and it has terrible effects and can be almost impossible to get off. Always took the "recommended" dose and never more, but it really changes you and disables people! I was then asked to take ssri to get out of the benzodiazepines, but have had some terrible side effects from them. I really get anxiety and spasm when I don`t take benzos in a couple of days even though it is a small dosis. What do you recommend?
I am sorry that you are going through this. You are not alone. Many of my clients were prescribed this medication and took it as prescribed for years. Their negative side effects built up after years on the medications. I recommend medical management including the help from your physician to go off of these medications. If you are down to only needing a small dose every few days, you are doing very well. I recommend speaking to your doctor about continuing the trend of decreasing that dose. I wish you the very best.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC Yes don’t do it cold turkey don’t- I did I’m in 5th month cold turkey it was hell doc prescribed took as directed and didn’t know any better-- as I didn’t know hell would ensue if C/T well there is no going back but have researched and tapering through a doctor is only way to stay comfortable seen & heard people who did taper where much more successful so you need your doc to start--- the Ashton method is suppose t be really good at tapering good luck surprised you haven’t hit tolerance ? It will happen trust & believe no discrimination at all your lucky this long even if you upside won’t last long -- Good luck keep us posted 👍
Thomas Roedgaard hello. Try reducing benzodiazepines very very slowly like .25 lower every month or two. Don’t push yourself. Gabapentin is very helpful with withdrawal from benzodiazepines. All the best
I’m on my 48th month of tapering 5 mg alprazolom constantly decreasing by 10% each 30 days. I’ve been horribly damaged since 2013. I’m at .0300mg and wake up each day with horrible head pain and agoraphobia. I am not who I was. Hopefully I can stop my taper in March of 2021 and then hope for recovery. Benzos are straight from hell and should be eradicated. They ruin lives.
I was on benzos with ambien for 11 years.. my psychiatrist just keeps trying to throw more and more medications at me.. switching to new doctors.. I’m scared of psychiatrists now 😢 I’m still battling with thoughts of suicide and I just feel victimized. Attempted suicide again a few weeks ago
I am so sorry, Anya. I understand your mistrust of psychiatrists. You have to remember that they work for you. I am so sorry that you are battling with thoughts of suicide. I do not know how long that you have been off those medications, but it takes time to recover. Perhaps a support group and a therapist can add some extra layers of support for you. Your story is important and I hope you continue to share with others what you have been through. This can give to motivation to live to raise awareness.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC thank you, it means a lot. I am starting ketamine treatment soon so I really hope that helps with therapy... I appreciate your response
i was unaware of these side effects when i was given this prescription from my doctor to treat my panic disorder. though i did not make myself so dependent on it, but i felt that the effects of it is happeng now. dizziness, imbalance problem, insomia, and a new onset of irritation. thanks for the information. it helps me more how to fight anxiety now without the use of these drugs.
My wife has been on these for almost 25 years. She asks how can she come off safety? Withdrawal immediately causes seizures. I see she has almost all the negative side effects. She was told that she may not be able to ever.
Hi Ales. I am so sorry that your wife is faced with this. There is no easy solution. I do suggest going to benzobuddies.com for more information from others that have withdrawn from the medications and from those that are in the process of withdrawal. I always encourage people to gain as much information and support as they can before making a decision.
Doctor ! I am from Pakistan.i am shy, sensitive, unconfident and can not face socially and speak public since from my childhood. I feel panic attack shaking body, heart beating, sweating and not able to speak while in panic attack condition. My father also have same symptom maybe it is from genetic.I am taking colonazepam since 2009 almost 11 years . My schedule is 0.25mg in morning and at night 0.25mg daily. in 2016 suddenly in morning, i feel my body is tremor and shaking heart beating and pulse rate very high. I take colonazepam but not recover . Till now 2020 that time i am writing this comment i can not recover from this effects. Tremor, pulse rate very high whole body and heart beating, heat just like bounce . Please help me out this . I also can not trap off colonazepam beacuse i can not face the withdrawal symptoms. Please tell what can i do.
I am very sorry, but I cannot give advice on your specific situation. However, taking that medication makes it difficult for you to complete exposure therapy and improve your social anxiety. You may find methods to safely withdrawal, but you may also want to consult your physician. Any type of withdrawal must be done very slowly over months and sometimes years to avoid protracted withdrawal syndrome.
I only have been taking ativan for 2 months and it has practically destroyed my life!!!... I am currently on a taper. Suffering withdrawal, feel terrible. Suffer mostly from over sedation. Yesterday I had a very good day, as far as a withdrawal day, but today, -- not so good. One of the worst things I suffer from is extreme thirst. It makes me almost want to give up everything. Drinking milk, sipping it helps, as does chewing gum. Ativan also gave me hyponeutremia, which is low salt in the blood, so that drinking too much liquid is dangerous, can make seizures. I have PTSD. And, I was prescribed ativan. :( But, now the water is muddied. So, what do I do???... Just keep tapering ativan. Still, talk to my therapist, still fight the ativan, still hope that, yes, - YES... I will have a life after ativan!!!... I won't accept anything else!!!
Paige I'm struggling with feeling trapped or limited everyday sometimes I feel like im not here and can't think clearly, how do we detox this horrible pill?
I am so sorry that you are feeling that way. I am not a physician and cannot give medical advice about how to reduce your dose. But I do recommend that you connect with people on benzobuddies.org to learn more and work with your medical provider on formulating a plan. This is a slow process, but worth it.
My mom has all those negative side effects. She is 72 and been on lorazepam over 25 years. She takes 2mg every 6 hours. 3 per day. She has lost her heart and soul. Very sad. 😔
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. It is painful to see that happen in people we love. Unfortunately, your mom’s situation is all too common. People have been given these medications for so long that eventhough they are losing cognitive abilities, they feel like they cannot sleep or live without them. It makes me so sad. I am hoping that trying to get this information out to the public, we can prevent this from happening to people. Your poor mother did not have this information 25 years ago. I hope your comment will help to caution others. Thank you.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you very much. I hope that my post sends awareness to all dealing with this epidemic. Its horrible to all that have someone fall into the pharma loop. 💔
Hi I've been on Xanax for 16 yearsmy psychiatrist is trying to work with me to taper off I've tried all the ssris and snris if I got that correct when I first seen her I was taking 1 mg a day which was prescribed from a different doctor she lowered me down to 0.5 twice-daily now she is taking me completely off next month and have me to start buspar since all the other medications don't work if buspar doesn't help then she will put me on Klonopin I haven't felt myself normal since I was lowered the Xanax when I start Klonopin
I’ve been prescribed klonopin for acute anxiety 3 months ago. A very low dose of 0.25 mg works for me - I have got my life back. I personally am benzo phobic and want to get out of these meds but tried everything under the shelf including therapy, almost all anti depressants and hypnotherapy. My psychiatrist did mention that getting off them would not be a smooth ride but I’m on low dose and want to get off before I build tolerance. I am meanwhile also learning techniques to retrain my brain.
It’s better to take it in combination with other meds and have it prescribed by a higher qualified doctor, a neurologist in my case. I take Klonopin for tics. It helps to take breaks to not build a high tolerance. Tics can get worse, but anxiety is usually fine. Nothing to visit an ER for. It affects everyone differently. I never had seizers or anything stopping it. Exercise and other things help also “very important when taking benzos”. If it’s not for you don’t take it. It has helped me tremendously long term. Just don’t be going through a script in a week then people wouldn’t be having such bad side affects that everyone is mentioning.
I can’t watch this. I’ll worry and panic. I’m a holistic health coach and nutritionist. I love fitness and health. But sadly been on benzo - klonpion since age 16. And 32. And I’m housebound as of 2 years. I want to get off but it helps me so much :( ugh
I decided to try xan with a girlfriend a week ago. My introduction to this substance wasn’t very remarkable while on the drug, but became markedly noticeable when I stopped using. I had been taking several mgs per day with no previous exposure to benzodiazepines before. I didn’t know you can’t just quit them cold turkey and not expect to experience some withdrawal. Last night was the first night in a few days that I was able to fall asleep for more than a minute. It does get better the more you focus on exercise which has done loads for me. I started researching the topic of benzodiazepines to become more informed and more aware. I’ve been off them for almost a week and today is the best I’ve felt by far this week.
@@littlethoughts2405 it takes time to adapt to the new ways yet you have to accept the way the medicine treats you, Might be different experience individually, but eventually you must adapt and find the best ways your own way with the rivotril med, In lot of hardships lies a blessing' Ask if any doubts
@@littlethoughts2405 it feels crap, but you have to find the light in those....is there other way!!! Not for now you have to be the best out of it be kind do what your life holds for you, You have to adjust in every situations make some changes to your life style the food patterns the way of thinking and like so
@@Chonchonilolhi yes I've tried to stop the med the most days i could stay without was 4 to 5 days naturally, (i feel i can stop this med with some determination and hard work) after that i feel the unnaturallity kicking in and i have the urge to go the other side' the side which i have made a part of my life coping with this situation which is not good, till i mastered this way of life and going neutral
This is an important lesson/warning. Thank you for sharing. Benzodiazepines are amazingly dangerous and addictive if used over a month. My doctor prescribed me Ativan for over 15 years, and it was terribly difficult to withdrawal from its use. Near the end of my dependence, my withdrawal symptoms would set in as quick as 6 hours from the last dose and felt worse than the flu. Oddly enough, my doctor would not even help with a taper so I simply drove to the ER and asked them to help. It was a quick, yet painful detox over 6 days. (This was in mid-2018) The physical withdrawal symptoms persisted for about a month, and the social anxiety has lasted nearly 3 years. It’s my understanding that my brain needs to time to “re-wire”, and would appreciate any additional tips or recommendations to help with the prolonged emotional withdrawal symptoms, namely social anxiety. Mine is a cautionary tale for anyone whose doctor prescribes them Benzos more than 2 weeks.
Hi Matthew. Welcome to my TH-cam channel. What you did is amazing and frankly heroic. I have so much admiration for you. Yes, our brains can rewire at any time in our lives. It is difficult to work on social anxiety with covid restrictions, social distancing and mask wearing. But, you are not deterred by difficult things. Here is a playlist to help you with social exposures. The main points I want to share is to challenge yourself socially, even if you feel anxiety. We have to follow what we care about in life. Social connections make humans happy and we have all been disconnected lately. We will all feel anxious when we try to connect. That is normal. What we avoid our brain decides must be dangerous and therefore we feel anxiety. Don’t let that stop you....challenge yourself socially anyway. 😊❤️ th-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYrbyw3VXmL-oxFbffTJescE.html
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you! I will make plans to go golfing with a friend tomorrow and will continue to push myself socially. Appreciate your advice and all of your videos.
I'm 43, was very sick then and now. But I feel benzo, valium have made me much worse i have every thing mentioned above, and I feel I am getting worse by the year! I'm lowering the dose now. It's all I can do! Does it help now? No! not even at stupid high doses. I just lay there awake. I asked to be put on this stuff, begged for it almost. It was only thing that gave me relief. Now I find it was a curse Help!
Please research lowering your dose and inquire into help from your physician before you begin. It is quite dangerous to go taper off without micro dosing very slowly over many months. I wish you the best.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I ask for Lyrica to be added some months back, so I have to worry about DC'ing it as well I'm gonna talk to my psych. about this, but it's got to go slow, or I won't make it I think the addition of lyrica, pushed it over the edge I'm savvy about the Ashton method, I've had two seizures already from this crap... so I'm scared. What just happened to J Peterson, it's gonna get around now. New benzo "crisis"
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Nine months later, I search "long term benzo use" in you tube, get this video, think "wow" , and realize I have already been here and commented I'm on 10mg per 24 hours, I can't seem to get below that.
You are not alone, Rodney. Be kind to yourself, you are a human being and you have to make these adjustments in medications slowly and with plenty of support. I cannot imagine how many people around the world are in this position. I like the idea of micro dosing reductions, but, I advice everyone to seek medical management advice from their physicians. I have witnessed people recovering after being on these medications for almost 30 years, but, recovery seems to be very different for different people.
I have been taking Xanax for over six years now if I dont take it it is hard to breathe and my chest and arms hurt.I was diagnosed with Cancer six years ago where I was supposed to be dead by October 2015 so I lived and one month later my wife filed for divorce because she met someone at work so i went through a three year divorce where I lost everything due to the corruption in the court system.So now it gets worse so I take it more than twice a day.It seems that I get really sick if I dont take it and I have been to a counsellor but at the end of the day it feels like the Xanax is the only thing that is keeping me alive and functional.
There are those of us who got years of therapy before trying benzos like myself and was not effective at all. I live a life of drug free now, but life way worse without benzos.
Does klonopin cause depression? If I stop taking my 1mg for sleep I won't be able to sleep....so what can I take to sleep? have tried natural things like magnesium, valerian, camamille, etc......
There are many safer medications that physicians can prescribe to help you with sleep until you have titrated off of Klonopin. Some of these medications might be Clonidine or Trazodone or Remeron to name a few. Some of my clients also use supplements like GABA, magnesium, tryptophan and valerian as well.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I have tried Trazodone and Remeron and neither of them let me sleep....sometimes they worked and sometimes they didn't.....I wish they had worked....I would love to take GABA but can I take that while I am still on klonopin? because klonopin does something to the GABA receptors in the brain or I should say it "takes over" the GABA receptors in the brain.
I am sorry that you are having difficulty with sleep. I think that is the most common difficulty in going off of these meds. I have not read that taking GABA would be dangerous, but, it is best to ask your physician that question.
Great information Paige!! I am just beside myself with this detox. I'm super upset this is not even kidding. I feel like an animal that has been used for testing. This is not even a joke. I'm not happy about this at all. It's been a daily battle for 102 days. I want to get better. Is that even possible??
I am so sorry that you are going through such a difficult detox. Everyone is different and seem to vary in their recovery period and how their brain and body adjusts to withdrawal. Taking good care of yourself in all aspects of your life is the best that anyone can do. I admire you for doing everything within your power to be healthy. Thank you for sharing your story and hope your experience will help others.
Hi Paige. Thank you very much for your extraordinary content. Need to give you a positive feedback. That video plus ERP therapy plus Square breathing videos helped me stop clonezapen. I stopped this for almost 3 months after use by 18 years. Similarly do you think would be possible stop SSRIS meds for OCD after this period with exercises, ERP, good life style or that is something else? Doctors and research mention it is for entire Life but the effects are not so good. Thank you very much and congratulations for your fantastic channel
Hi Fabio. That is truly amazing that you were able to do that. It sounds like you are feeling well. Although I do have to say here that I do not recommend lowering a prescribed dose without medical management and most require to lower their dose over months and even years to avoid withdrawal symptoms. But, I am so happy that you are feeling well. SSRI’s have been shown to be effective for OCD especially when combined with therapy. However, it is a personal choice. I recommend discussing it with your medical provider and if you both decide to discontinue use, please lower your dose slowly as directed to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Your quality of life is most important. You could try a lower dose if that is recommended by your provider and then give yourself several weeks to notice how you are feeling. Again, I am so happy you are doing so well.🙏❤️
I was really shocked when I first read the research on benzodiazepines causing agoraphobia. I am so sorry you experienced this and are still struggling. I work with people with agoraphobia and I understand the complexities and triggers and avoidance behaviors. There is hope. I made a video filled with techniques to help people with agoraphobia, because it is difficult to find experienced therapists. I hope that video helps you. I wish you the best.
I have been on benzodiazepines since I was 14 years old. I am 67 now. I came through high school, straight A's. Same with life. Raised 2 sons 7 years apart, lost a daughter to crib death between boys. My nerve pills were a given. I have taken valium and xanax for 50 plus years. I am as sharp as a tack, but I have had 2 breakdowns. I believe they were withdrawal from xanax. Can you help me before I wind up in the looney bin?
I only do well, as I am kissing alot of ass to get my xanax. I see a 29 yr old shrink who doesn't even look at me!!! I know it will put my brain in jeopardy. Please don't look to me as a person who has succeeded. I do it a chapter at a time. The pills will end one of two ways. They will either destroy my brain or close my lid. Take care and pray!
I definitely know the risk, I'm only one 1mg of Klonopin a day and it takes all of my health anxiety away. I also am in therapy. Sometimes therapy is just not enough and SSRIs did nothing for my anxiety. I do hope one day I won't need Klonopin, but it did help give me my life back. I was in a place where my anxiety prevented me from doing anything. Klonopin gave me that little courage to do more and live
Hey, bit confused, can you really take this medicine for that long?? And have you had any permenant withdrawal affects or because of taking this medication?
@@Mr.Kumar1 yeah I have withdrawal. I self inject with NAD+ to minimize it. Withdrawal when it's bad is terrible sleep, anxiety,fatigue, massive headaches. Some other stuff too. I'm going for a 10k treatment eventually for more nad+ and some other stuff. I'm not messing around. High glutamate foods before bed make this 10x worse.
Ohhhh this comment was such a big motivation.... But..... I'm not on one drug... I'm on effexor, Clonazepam and Topiramate... I don't know which one to start weaning off first.... 😣😣😣😣
@@Mr.Kumar1 people take this their entire lives. Some have permanent side effects and some don't. Withdrawal seems to vary hugely from person to person. Likely due to duration and dose but I do know its just harder for some. One thing noone seems to talk about are the symptoms they had before taking it which is obviously going to play a role.
Hi Paige, top explanation about these drugs, i,ve been on valium for 3 years 50mg, i,ve been advised to taper now slowly, do you believe this can work?
Healing occurs eventually it just takes time. Everyone has to pay the Piper. Nad+, cold showers, exercise mostly cardio, lion's mane, a clean low carb paleo diet helps speed up healing and lowers the glutamate storm.
Those things definitely work… But what about those who can’t function and need help now There’s no luxury of time..if it’s effecting your career or relationships
@@PatrickA1 I suppose that’s probably true But career too right….you gotta balance the long term work with some instant steps forward…..no one has patience to wait for someone to heal these days….it’s kinda just a reality
Thank you so much. I was prescribed Klonopin for 20 years. I went into tolerance withdrawal and had the most horrendous symptoms. No doctor understood at all. I found support groups on FB and online. Without them I would not have known what to do. I tapered off over months but teh symptoms persist - they are better but teh healing is very very slow. I do have faith that I will heal. How could the medical providers have been so careless with my health.? If there are any lawyers watching tis, I hope they can see the next big scam ahead - much bigger than the Opioid problem
It does have many similarities to the opioid crisis. I do not believe that doctors understood the long term negative consequences or the problems with withdrawal. However, some physicians are beginning to understand. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any place or treatment to help people withdrawal safely and I am shocked that people are having to research and find ways to safely do this on their own. Even addiction centers want to speed the withdrawal process up which runs the risk of developing protracted withdrawal syndrome.
I’ve abused diazepam and temazepam for 2 years every single day apart from stopping for a week. The withdrawals are horrific at one point I’d be taking easy 200mg diazepam every day and the same with temazepam if not more. The tolerance builds up very quick. Stay away they are probably the worst drug on the planet to get addicted to i only wanted to get rid of this pain I feel every day of depression and horrible anxiety and this happens to me. So far I’m 3 days off them going cold turkey. 🙏
Shaun, I am not a physician, but, everything I have heard and read have indicated that it is very dangerous to go off of these medications cold turkey. Please seek help and taper off very slowly. I am so sorry for your suffering and hope that after a slow taper and healing process, you will feel well.
If the klonopin is causing depression then what can I take to sleep in its place? My mother died 1 year ago and I have been very depressed and I now find that I have Crohn's disease (most likely from the stress of losing her)....I have no other family.....I have tried Trazodone and it does not work for sleep .....now I am on budesonide (steroid) for the Crohn's disease and wonder if that is causing depression and I also take PremPro even though I am 78 years old.....the doctor said I had low estrogen and osteoporosis....HELP!!!!
I am so sorry Diane. I do not have any easy solutions or suggestions. It sounds like you have several medical issues and will have to work closely with your physicians for the healthiest options of treatment.
ETOH withdrawal patients are routinely given benzos to treat withdrawal symptoms. I've had these patients, and I would think, "okay, so we're just trading one addiction for another."
I have been on benzos off and on, mostly on since 1998. My girlfriend committed suicide when we were 18, not long after I became a firefighter. From what it’s been described to me, basically a perfect storm of “ptsd” and emotional exhaustion. I’ve been off the meds around 5 months now and, I’m back to waking up with panic attacks at night again. It’s a circle that sucks and I hate it. I am going to order the book you showed on the video and give it a read. Thank you for posting the video. I’ve been arguing with myself again on going back on medication, which I don’t want to do. I will try the book.
hi mate sorry to hear what you,ve been through, have you tried the taper approach, i,ve been on diazepam for 3 years now quite a high dose as well and i,ve been advised to taper, i hope it works!!
Coming from the viewpoint of having way too many physical chronic illnesses that have caused secondary mental health issues, I'm going to say this- all medication, including benzos have their place for use. However, also coming from the patient viewpoint- therapy is perhaps the best tool to use either alone or in conjunction with meds, including benzos. I do hope that you find what works for you, best of luck.
A benzo saved my life in severe alcohol withdrawal. Only needed it about a week and haven't drank since. We need to start taking responsibility for our own actions and stop blaming the drugs and or drug makers. BTW, I notice you "conveniently" forgot Librium for the alcohol withdrawal.
I am so happy it saved your life. This is not a video about withdrawal symptoms at all. This is a video from a therapist’s perspective and how my clients when taking benzos as prescribed were not getting better. I seem to have only noticed this impact on those taking the medications daily.
You can't control how a drug will effect you and when people aren't being told the long term consequences and what it's doing to them and how it's legit keeping them stuck. What you don't know can and does hurt you. I've been on them too and getting off them wasn't a walk in the park I'll tell you that. You took them for a week most people are on them and can't get off of them and it's really messed them up.
How can you come off of a benzo safely? I used to take clonazepam as needed, but since july of 2020, I've been taking it 1-2 times a day, everyday. My anxiety is super high and constant almost everyday and I even get derealization associated with my anxiety and panic
Hi Jordan. I am so sorry that you have such high anxiety and are already taking Klonopin. I cannot give medical advice, but, I am glad you are trying your best to learn about benzodiazepines. Here is a link that talks about withdrawal. I advise you to work with your physician to assist you if you plan to slowly withdrawal.www.benzo.org.uk/manual/
I've been taking diazepam 5mg at bedtime to help me sleep for about 15 years now and have had no problems. I used to drink a lot of alcohol and since using benzodiazepines, I've quit drinking. I would say that it is a miracle drug. Keep in mind that all meds affect different people differently.
It's just switching to another thing to cope with. You used alcohol and now you use diazepam. I don't say that to be an asshole or to shame you but the risks don't seem worth it at all. We've been taught to just stuff everything and take a pill for everything and like she explained in the video it makes any attempts at getting better impossible and just numbs you and keeps you stuck.
I, personally, do not think anything is harmful about using a benzodiazepine every once in awhile for anxiety or for example, to people afraid of flying. I would never recommend using them every day for any length of time. Eventhough they are approved to be used for a few weeks, it still creates difficulties and a withdrawal reaction when people stop. I am not a physician and am just giving my opinion and observations. 😊
@@PaigePradkoTherapy My son is 17 and been on Zoloft 1.5 years , Prozac 1.5 years, Mirtazapine only two weeks. The Mirtazapine has caused increased depression. His dr. is now wanting to take him off mirtazapine and try a benzodiazepine for anxiety and he's never been on one before. He is saying to take .5 mg twice a day for a week and if anxiety is controlled he will wean him off and try another anti-depressant.
started taking klonopin around 2017 and now i'm stilkl taking them the benzos have slowed down my brain and it's hard to focus i haven't been able to finish my final year engineering project because i am too unfocused and also terrified of my professors
I am so sorry. That must be so difficult and frustrating. Perhaps you can get some guidance from your doctor to wean down slightly to help you finish your project. It is a very slow process to wean off completely, but perhaps reducing your dose slightly will help your concentration. I hope you are able to finish your project.
Klonopin/xanax and alcoholism ruined my life for over a decade . Im about 3+ months sober . Quit cold turkey (knowing what i know now, wasnt the smartest idea). I know it gets better but its like i go from 0 to 60 in any social situation. My highs are way higher but my lowers are rock bottom lows .
Wow. I believe you. One of my clients in the past was on a small dose. She had taught grade school math for many years, and suddenly could not remember how to do the math problems.
Mam,i used diazepam for 1 month for insomnia. But now i am facing so many issuea like poor concentration, social phobia, lack of confidence etc. Mam, please suggest me what should i do?
My suggestion is to work with your doctor on going off those medications. Your physician may have safer alternatives to help you with sleep problems. Wishing you the best.
I was addicted horrible. I turned into a person that I didn't recognize. I was mean and cruel. I am now benzo free. The withdrawals is hell. Double hell coming off Restoril, used for short term* insomnia. I was on it for 10 years.
What does one do if you have been on these drugs for over a year? I have found I am getting worse and becoming more tolerant of these drugs. I tried to wean myself off slowly, but the anxiety was so bad I had to continue taking them. I am in a Doctor's care and in counseling and I am not getting ,but worse.
Hi, interesting clip! But what you say here is to my experience not the case. I think it depends on person, biologi we have and our gens! I have been using clonazepam 1 mg/day for 20 years. And never needed to take higher dose. And it really help my gad. But then once again....if you are a person that have problems with tolerance it could be a disaster. But if you are a person that can handle it and use it the right way, and in the right purpose it could be a very good medicine. So once again.... It's probably more about what gens we have. I quitted antidepressants many years ago! And that if some medicine gave me withdrawal.
Same here, Peter. I Took clonazepam for many years for anxiety with good results until my doctor read the studies this individual references. The Veterans Administration has unilaterally decided that benzodiazepines are the enemy and won’t prescribe them anymore. In the video she indicated that none of the people on benzodiazepines were, “getting better.” I would propose that some of those people had likely plateaued, but their anxiety was in hand. I can only speak for myself - I could go through psychotherapy until I’m blue in the face, but my root anxiety is always going to be there, and after three years without clonazepam, I’m just tired of life. The depression and anxiety is crippling and SSRIs don’t cut it.
@@wakkaflakkadown another doctor maybe? I'm lucky that My doctor read properly about the medications. And he always support me and listen to me. I have always followed the prescribed dose, and as long I do that he will not take it away. And he trust me after so many years.
Informative……but one thing I noticed was you stated psychotherapy doesn’t help…..then later on you say psychotherapy can help. So I am a bit confused….if you could explain that to me it would be great and helpful!!! Thank you and look forward to your response.
Hi Gina. When taking the medications, one’s ability to consolidate new information into long term memory is negatively affected. This negatively affects one being able to learn new information and change behaviors discussed in therapy. Once one is titrating off the medications and following withdrawal, therapeutic support is helpful in healing as well as other support systems. I do not necessarily want to use absolutes here as of course there are so many variables involved.
Great video, excellent, accurate and responsible information - thank you. A major problem with eliminating benzodiazepines is that there aren't many safe and/or effective medications that can help significantly with anxiety that can be substituted. Yes, there are other medications such as anti-depressants that can also reduce anxiety, but if they worked well enough, benzodiazepines prescriptions would have ceased. Also, it can take a while for patients to find the best anti-depressant for them, and the right dosage for that matter too - which of course, is another risk for patients. You are correct that psychotherapy is highly effective, but some patients will need more than that. The medical profession have known of the dangers surrounding benzos for long enough and have had a lot of time to come up with a better medication. In the scheme of things, they aren't much safer than barbiturates. It's an area that still needs so much attention, time and research.
You are spot on if cbt therapy and talk therapy were so effective why bother with medication in the first place. I have tried every treatment out there including anti depressants vitamins and herbs and so called holistic care nothing works for my type of anxiety and so back to square one and the benzos again! What is a person to do??If the doctor would just give me a cyanide capsule and put me out of my misery I would be so happy 😊
Hi Paige I just wanted to recommend that you watch videos from the Medicating Normal. Your explanation of the subject is a very good and logical one, and I think that this might be interesting for you (and also for everyone else who read these comments).
Every person seems to have a different experience with withdrawal. It sounds like the more educated one becomes on completing a very gradual withdrawal, the better they do.
I tapered 1 mg of Ativan (and after begging my doctor) with a switch to valium as per the Ashton Manual over 8 months and I'm still suffering horribly 6 years off. I took it for insomnia occasionally and ended up with panic disorder. I'm convinced it's genetics. I wish someone would do a study to find out why some of us don't heal...at least not yet. How is your taper going?
@@aileenfulgens1909 I didn't do well at all on Valium so switched back to Klonopin to taper and it's going okay. It's possible you have Lyme disease as it seems that those who don't heal have a diagnosis of "fibromyalgia" or some other syndrome which is really Lyme.
Yes I absolutely agree that psychotherapy therapy is pretty much a waste of time when a person is drugged by a benzo and anesthetized. The patient WANTS them only because they haven't been told what the benzos are actually doing longterm. My experience? I was on benzos for 40 years. I am now OFF everything--, trying to recover from the horrific physical damage the withdrawal has done to me. I'm so glad I'm off. Contact me if you want more info.
Wow...40 years. You are a hero to have gotten yourself off of them after 40 years. I cannot imagine what you have been through and may possibly still be healing. Thank you for sharing.
I can most definitely agree with making long term use (anything over a month) basically entirely discouraged....BUT in some situations, what happened with opioids is now beginning to happen with benzos......I have a four figure ER bill because my bp hit 197/137 .... I had never had a panic attack that bad, and I had never had a severe headache, so I told myself "I am not stroking out tonight....today isn't the day I die or become a vegetable"......So I ask my pdoc for a one off PRN script of klonopin for panic attacks....He wouldn't have it......Not even the psychiatrist at MHMR RXs benzos.....But THEY DO ABSOLUTELY HELP ARREST A PANIC ATTACK and taken ONLY prn (like say a quanitity of 30-60 with no refills for at least a year) they are not that problematic unless abused.....Now I am in the situation where I have real physical causes for hypertension in addition to psychogenic.....WHen the big one hits I am afraid I will just tell myself "It's just a panic attack, but I can't have a milligram of klonopin because they are now basically verboten".....
I understand, I really do. I do not believe much harm can come from occasional use during a severe panic attack. However, sometimes people after taking one for panic can get into cycle where they panic after the Benzo wears off. Then, a cycle of continual use can begin to ward off the panic and high anxiety. I treat people how to manage panic in their bodies without relying on a drug. Learning how to calm your panic on your own is your safest bet. I have a few videos that may help you with stopping panic and you can find them on my playlist page if you are interested.
I took 10mg Valium for the first time yesterday. I got it as a prescription to help with my difficulty in breathing due to the extreme stress of having my daughter stolen from me by my ex-wife recently. Again. I've been through this before and we went through the family court several years ago. Things have been stable with a 50/50 custody arrangement. But recently, my ex broke the court orders and has made a bunch of false claims in an effort to claim full custody for herself. You can probably imagine how stressful this was, and I thought I was experiencing asthma symptoms, not being able to get enough oxygen. Turns out asthma medication had no effect and it was my "fight or flight" response demanding oxygen. One pill is all it took for things to go back to normal and I felt fine during the effects of the Valium. I was truly amazed. But after reading about the negative effects, I think I need to be super cautious. The prescription says: "Take ONE tablet up to THREE times daily under acute stress for maximum sparing use" I really don't want to get a tolerance for this. The pill did wonders for not only my breathing but also being able to focus on other things in life than my horrible circumstances. I have not taken a 2nd dose. But I think I should keep these pills handy for times when I have to deal with my ex or otherwise subject myself to severe stress. What I really want to know is how often I can take 10mg without building up any sort of dependency or tolerance.
I am so sorry that you are going through this stressful situation. Although I cannot give specific medical advice. Using a benzodiazepine occasionally when you are having a bad night is most likely not harmful. It is the chronic daily use that creates dependency and dangerous side effects. It sounds like you are not intending to use it daily. I wish you the best.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thanks. Yes I'm hoping to not need it daily. I might if I was in active court or mediation proceedings. But I've been through this before and usually it's very brief periods of high stress followed by weeks if not months of waiting.
Paige, can I ask your advice? I was on klonopin for a year and non prescriptive benzos for a year. Stopped in Sep 2018 for a year and a half trying to heal trauma and co dependency issues. Lost my children and now after not healing for 2 years I’ve had 5 detoxes in hospital this year for repressed anger. I’m in hospital now for a final detox where I’m on diazepam 15mg 4 times a day and then for the next 6 days I’ll be tapered down. I have therapists that want to help me (I’ve also stopped taking mirtazapine 15mg). From what I’ve told you I don’t know what it’s done to my brain and how long before the brain returns to normal after this detox before any real theraputic work can begin? Thank you so much x
Unfortunately, I have not seen any research that specifically answers your question. In my opinion, therapy can be helpful during and following the withdrawal process. I have worked with clients going through withdrawal and they need consistent support through the entire process. A therapist will notice weekly changes in your emotionality and cognitive abilities and can help you stabilize. Each person’s experience is unique and it is difficult to guess when you will be ready for deeper therapeutic work. However, if you were able to work with a therapist during withdrawal, they would certainly be a good judge of this. I wish you the best.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC thank you. I’m just asking if the past 6 months of drinking detox with Valium 6 times will take a long time to heal or is that a short thing? X
Ok for 12 yrs my doctor had me in alprazolam 1.5 mg he just told me this week he cannot give them anymore and I have to be off within 3 months . I want to get off them but I’m scared . There is no on who wants to help . He put me on 1 mg this week and said come back next mont . I’m having headaches and mild pain but how much worse will this get?
By the way thank you for your concerns for others. Helping others from a professional point of veiw. Many are aware of their concerns. But, many times their concerns are not valid by professionals ☹️ 🐛🦋🌺💖💕
Thank you. Giving benzodiazepines for long term treatment of anxiety disorders is a practice that has concerned me for years. It has been heartbreaking to see what these drugs have done to people. I knew I would get criticism, but, sometimes there are situations where we must speak up. My hope is that it informs people.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Even worst now, cause now on the Hawaiian islands. Your medical treatment is attach to your welfare benefits. If you don't comply with the doctors recommendations you lose your welfare benefits. Seems kinda ironic cause most people with mental health problems will automatically fail many recommendations just by having things jumbled in they're minds. Not even counting what the medications do ☹️
What do you do when you're off of the benzos for 9 or 10 months and you're in a complete fog? I can't sleep and my heart races all the time. I've been taking alprazolam since I was in my early twenties and only my mid-50s and they did give alprazolam out like it was candy. I don't know how to get out of this. I for sure would have never started it if I knew the side effects were so terrible on top of the pandemic. I now work from home because it takes everything I've got to go to the bank or a grocery store without feeling like I'm having a heart attack and a headaches and body aches are so extreme, sometimes I just don't want to wake up because I know what I'm going to go through. I don't wish this upon my worst enemies. I have no support whatsoever because my mom passed away 5 years ago and my dad passed away 6 years ago so I don't have friends because I don't want to get out. It has consumed me. Any suggestions?
I am so sorry that you are going through this. I have worked with several clients that have experienced these long withdrawal symptoms after taking benzodiazepines daily for years. Everyone seems to be slightly different in the recovery phase. Some clients reported symptoms like you are describing for a little over a year after withdrawal. Although certain symptoms seem to linger, overall they seem to improve with time. What you have just done is incredibly difficult and it will improve overtime. Keep reminding yourself that you are making progress even if it is frustratingly slow. Here are some resources that you may find helpful. Podcast - Benzodiazepine Awareness- Geraldine Burns Dr. Christy Huff - her story, 3 year taper - TH-cam Benzoinfo.com Kevinmd.com Benzobuddies.org
Thank you so much for the help. I've always been very active and I worked in accounting and lost my job basically because I couldn't do my job anymore so I will follow the instructions and hope you pray to God that this helps. I'm sorry but I think doctors should be held accountable for way back in the day when they weren't telling us how bad it was about coming off of them. It's like we slipped through the cracks of the system. They know a lot about opioids and never really looked into the benzos. We go to our doctor's hoping to pick and help but when I go to the doctor now, they basically just say well maybe you need to go into rehab and that's not really a resolution with my symptoms. Anyway thank you for responding so fast and I'll be following all of your videos.
I believe you are right in what you stated. Unfortunately, there are no resources in place to help people go through these withdrawals that can last over a year. The drug treatment centers are not equipped to help people like you. You were not doing a street drug, you were not an addict, you were taking a prescription medication as prescribed. I do believe that most doctors want to help their patients, but, had no idea of the long term consequences. However, the drug companies did know. They were the ones doing the research. Doctors are now just starting to understand the difficulties in withdrawal, but still there is no micro dosing protocol established and physicians are still recommending a withdrawal over several weeks instead of months. Just posting your experience is helpful to get the word out. Thank you.
Found your channel to be helpful without the eeeks your going to die from withdrawals...I have been on Alprazolam 0,5mg 3xday , my doctor left and now the new one said no. No to refill or anything about what/why .I heard cold turkey will kill me and that's how it has been left for me to do. I am 68 yrs. old and very stressed after fire, head on car accident and husband with failing organs at 55 yrs old. What advice can you help me with. I am hoping to go off without killing myself or my marriage.
I wish I could help you with withdrawal, but, I cannot give medical advice. Most people receive support and medical management from their physicians and withdrawal slowly over several months. If I were in your position, I would research how to safely taper down to prevent withdrawal symptoms and then ask my doctor for support in the withdrawal process. I wish you the best during and after this process.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you so much for your kindness. I do understand and have been trying to get the doctor to even call me back as of yet. Do you know of any health products that would help me with the whole experience I am about to have?
Maryann, you may want to visit a vitamin store and ask them for recommendations. Perhaps Vitamin B, Magnesium and GABA along with others. I would ask your physician for a safe medication that might help you with sleep. Not a sleeping pill medication, as those have similar warnings about memory issues, but there are some safe options that your doctor may suggest to help you sleep.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you, I already take those all you mentioned, not a whole lot honestly,I am not looking so much for sleep I need to be able to go about my day calm and not having chest pains, like I said my dr got the boot and new one I guess doesn't care to help me. Thank You for your time, I have subbed to your channel and am looking forward to seeing you everyday as I get through this while learning about many things you have to offer, it's rare and much appreciated.
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This sort of information is invaluable, I only wish I’d found it years ago! It’s honestly mind boggling that the majority of doctors and even mental health specialists (in my personal experience) don’t have even a basic understanding how these things work and are still so willing to prescribe and abruptly stop these meds. Thanks so much for these, everything is so spot on, every video is like an epiphany for me.
Thank you so much for your support and your comments. It means a lot to me.
Where’s the link?
I was a pharmacist for 8 years, & doctors are only coached up to 4 weeks of people being on this crap! Anything passed that or withdraw or protracted withdrawal doctors HAVE ON CLUE about any of that !
Obviously you had no quality doctors.
This is now 2023 I can honestly say that these no-good sorry good-for-nothing doctors absolutely do know that the withdrawal needs drugs lead to death someone ending their life all I can say is I wish the very very worst to happen to these doctors and their own bodies and minds they'll get what's coming to them after they have deliberately knowingly ignored these patients that they destroyed only wishing the worse for doctors that did this to their patients no empathy for doctors.
23 years on and off Xanax. Tapering off as we speak with terrible withdrawal. Heavy head and neck tremors, internal tremors, heart palpitations, panic attacks, terrible anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, muscle spasms, electric "shocks" or "brain zaps", itching, hyperacusis, hypersensitivity. The list is never ending. Stay away from Xanax.
I am so sorry. I cannot imagine. I honor you tapering off, but wonder if a doctor could assist you so that your withdrawal would not be so difficult. I know it takes time, but, I hope you feel better.
Honey I have been suffering from Valium and Xanax withdrawal for over 50 years. God bless
I hope you are doing better. I was prescribed xanax for nearly 12 years. Titrated off of it on my own using the Ashton manual. I had to move from Xanax to valium and then titrate from there. Check out the manual if you are still struggling.... I
@Paige Pradko oh sure, let's go back to the Dr, the ones who did this to us in the first place. Flippin murderers
@@carolcarroll7157 I’m scared, it takes 50 years to recover from this??
Thank you for getting this information out there, Paige! These videos kill me, because I was prescribed a benzodiazepine in May 2021, despite all this information being out there about the negative effects. I'm nearing the end of a 19-month taper, and it has been a version of hell I never knew existed, even doing a slow taper off. These drugs should not be used outside of a clinical setting. As far as I can tell, they should not be prescribed, ever. I wish this information would have been more widely available when I started taking a benzo, because had I known the risks, I would have run the other direction. These videos are helping get the word out.
I really appreciate your comment, Josh. I am glad that you tapered slowly and are in the healing process. You are not alone. This is really a horrible situation that so many that suffered from anxiety or sleep issues are dealing with and sharing your story helps. Be kind and compassionate and patient with your mind and body as you heal and restore your balance. ❤️
Thank you for your response and your kind words, Paige. You don't know how much those of us who have been injured by this class of medication appreciate the work you and others like you do to raise awareness about this "silent" epidemic. So many are blissfully unaware of what havoc they could be wreaking on their bodies that just hasn't surfaced yet due to a long-term benzo prescription. The status quo must change.
@@jbwetzsteini take them for 30 years on and off with zero side effects, sometimes i take them for a month straight and then i dont take any for 1 month no withdrawal nothing....i guess you guys are just unlucky with your genetic response to it or whatever no clue.
I have experienced all above. I'm in my last month tapering clanazapam, in my 24 th month. I'm so proud of myself. Hardest thing I ever done but now see the gift in it. Bless you
That is amazing, Sandra. It is a very difficult thing to do...especially on your own. Wishing you the best through this last stretch. Thank you for commenting.
God Bless 🙏🏾
Sandra Watt hope you are doing well.
Me too- tapering off kl for many years. Down to 1 mg from 6. Its been so brutal but I am determined. Congrats Sandra! That is amazing. I want is so bad, to be free again. Sending you health and healing. Please stay in touch and let me know how you progress. I lack hope at times and perhaps we could support each others recovery.
How much and for how long did you take clonazepam? Has it given any permenant problems so far??
I sent this video to my talk therapist. He discontinued therapy because you said it’s ineffective. 😢
When I was teen I was an outpatient in a clinic and they prescribed me Klonopin because I said "I get anxious sometimes". After I left the clinic my physician continued to prescribe it. Still on it 15 years later. It's ironic/sad how the 3 things that you say can help with anxiety actively prevent people from recovering as long as they're on benzos, yet it's up to the patient to do the research and make the decision to go off the medication, knowing the withdrawals will be terrible.
So many people with anxiety and panic and insomnia were prescribed these medications. I do believe that physicians thought it was harmless. It was not your fault...yet now you have a difficult decision to make that affects your health. Please research and get as much support as possible.
I just wanted to add your videos are more than a breath of fresh air. God bless you. Please continue to put out this information. The world needs it. ❤️
Thank you, I appreciate it. ❤️
Benzo withdrawal has been happening since their creation, and I can't believe they're still being prescribed over 50 years later. I'm an RN that survived a hellish withdrawal after only two months of daily doses. The acute withdrawal lasted about 6 weeks - the Ashton Manual helped me see how many of the symptoms I was experiencing were actually caused by withdrawal. It's now 8 months later, and I feel healing is still taking place.
As an RN, I was put in a position to administer and advocate for the safety of drugs like this one - when they just aren't. After my experiences with pharmaceuticals, I find myself antithetical to this pill-driven profession. It's caused me to seek out how to be a healer outside "the System." Herbalism, naturopathy, etc.
I admire that you are taking what happened to you, and you are using that experience to help educate others. I have tried to do the same from the suffering I have seen in others that have been hurt by these medications. Anytime someone speaks up, of course they are criticized. But, it is still important to share your experience.
Can u please help me...ive been on Benzos for about a year. I am an Rn as well and the pandemic really has taken a toll on my mental and physical health. I want off these drugs please
@@nancyguzman4685 Google the Ashton Manual. It works, though I made my own withdrawal plan - it was based on this manual. Stanford university uses this manual (I was told after-the-fact).
I've used benzos for over 6 years they have been a life saver. I only take them when I need them though maybe once or twice a month sometimes more or less depending in life stressors
Thanks Paige for giving so much on your channel. My issue is Idiopathic insomnia and no doctor has ever taken me serious on this one. I need help to fall asleep, then I sleep well. I have never felt the "sleepy" feeling when you want to go to bed. So I rely in a low dose of clonazepam (0.125) every night. I am 60 and have been taking it for like 22 years. I know therapy won't help. I am also autistic, without an official diagnosis.
This is a problem fueled HEAVILY by primary care providers (PCPs). I work in psychiatry, and few of my colleagues prescribe BZDs--only during short inpatient stays (mostly for panic), for alcohol withdrawal, and PRN with a limited script. The field of thought with many mental health providers is to avoid these medications at all costs, unless it is medically indicated...and often times it is. I wish these would be taken off the market for use related to anxiety or sleep outside of the hospital setting
I agree pcp's should not prescribe this but only as a last resort from psychiatrists. For some people they work wonders and take them lifetime. This medication works wonders for Ibs after everything else failed. Nobody would be bitching about benzos if they were easy to come off of.
I wish they take you off the market
Last Month went to a psychiatrist for the first time for my Anxiety. She gave me this Clonazepam prescription and told me to take as needed only. Well, i haven't take it yet . Gladly came across with this channel and made me grateful that i haven't started taking the meds. I don't want to put myself in a bad situation due to some medicines .
Wish I’d seen this years ago. Currently tapering off klonopin. I just want myself back.
It's a curse to have been born to the individual suffering from mental disorders like anxiety & ocd. It's been 20 years since I've felt happy & joyful.
Good luck Gaming. I feel that I will never get well....been on these horrible drugs too long sadly.
Same
@@whisper2162 8 years on 1mg klonopin..horrible
@@whisper2162 me to high dose a day. 4mg
Paige, thank you for your deep research and knowledge. My daughter was prescribed Xanax, Ativan, Ambian and more for anxiety. Though benzodiazepines as you said are SUPPOSED to be short term, she ended up on them for at least 4 years that I know of. She became addicted to the Ativan and the longer she took it the worse her symptoms got….loss of sleep, impulsive spending, OCD, multiple suicide attempts….the list goes on. She did weekly talk therapy and psychotherapy. She lost her car and home and connection to family as time went by. Yes, she knew she was addicted but her Physicians Assistant who knew she was addicted kept prescribing the Ambien, Ativan and more. I watched my daughter as I had known her, slowly slip away. Sadly, she took her own life in November of 2018. Please keep warning people of the dangers of benzodiazepines because the dangers are real!! Lastly, thank you for this video. I has helped me with the guilt that I have sometimes that there is something I should have been able to do to help her.
Oh Marie. I can’t imagine the grief and loss and helplessness you have felt. I am so very sorry. I have witnessed people suffering on the medications and in withdrawal as well. Some people struggle for years trying to withdrawal. I am sure your daughter tried the best she could but just couldn’t continue to battle. Sending you a hug as a parent myself. Hopefully you sharing her story will help others. 🙏❤️
😭 it was the drugs shame on the those Dr I'm going through same thing.
My friend was given Gabapentin to help him withdraw off clonazapam. It took him 1 yr. I’m so proud of him. He said it was terrible Stopping Gabapentin was not difficult I feel so concerned for people battling benzo dependency
kayla hi, my friend said that coming off clonazapam was hell but the gabapentin eased the anxiety. Gabapentin was not hard to stop. I hope you are weaning super slow like .25 a month or if it takes longer 2 months. There are people who really do need it though. Every one has a different level of anxiety . Wishing you all the best
kayla way to go👍
I was prescribed clonazepam when I started doing anxiety attacks. They were chemically induced by marijuana, I was a chronic user for 15 years and all of a sudden I had anxiety almost all day!! now I'm terrified to smoke again...im pretty sure more factors were in play in my anxiety but I've always been skeptical of pharmaceutical drugs and after seeing this video I am so glad that I was scared to even take one of those. I just push through my attacks and I never touch the bottle...dodged a bullet!!! I had also heard that a famous clinical psychologist (jordan peterson) had to bring himself in detox because he was taking clonazepam.
I need to have this conversation with my therapist. Thank you!!!
Started having intrusive thoughts on the same day my anxiety started.....not a good mix
Unfortunately, so many people are given these medications when they have high anxiety or panic. I hope that the research becomes more well known of just how problematic and harmful they can be if taken more than a few weeks. I am glad you dodged that bullet too. Thanks for commenting because I am sure that many can relate to you.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I've discovered that camomille tea does wonders with anxiety. I drink one in the morning and one before bed. I love it!!!
I was prescribed Ativan for insomnia caused by menopause 16 years ago. I only took 40 mg per year. Five years later I was diagnosed with GAD and panic disorder. Next five years was a nightmare of antidepressants and psych meds that I couldn't tolerate or made me suicidal. NO ONE, of all the ER doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, and my own doctor, never told me Ativan could be the cause. I quit everything Jan/15. Had a seizure. Was given a one month taper plan which failed as the first two weeks got me totally dependent upon it. It took joining a benzo group to find out what had been happening to me. Now six years off and still having 12 hour panic attacks. It's like there is an alien inside me conducting experiments on my brain and body. I wasn't ill, but now I am. What you said about therapy not helping benzo patients is right on. I did intensive single and group therapy on a variety of focuses...the strategies and things learned help me on my good days. Fifteen years of terror due to Ativan. I was a school teacher and avid gardener and now I can barely get out of bed. I can't take much more. Six years off all drugs and still the brain and CNS have not healed. Thank you for this video.
Hi Aileen. I am so sorry to learn about what happened to you. You have shown tremendous strength in your efforts to heal. You are important and your story can help others. Thank you for sharing. 🙏❤️
Most comments here are innocent people put on benzos by uncaring doctors. As I’m trying to taper, do exposure therapy, see a psychotherapist, etc. you’re saying “nothing will me effective” if you’re on benzos and taking away any hope I might have for getting better. Your “I’m so sorry 😢” comment replies don’t provide me any solace. Now delete my comment saying you have no empathy, Paige!
If I had to make a scale with anxiety being 10. “Normal” at a 5. And “sedated” or numb at 0.
Clonazepam takes me from a constant 10 to a 5.
I can think clearly and understand information. I don’t feel tired or sleepy. I just feel normal, not like I’m on anything.
I’ve been on it “as needed” for 10 years now.
I can go 3 days…a week…without needing it. Or sometimes I’ll need to take it twice in a day. I just never go over 1mg.
So I don’t understand any of this. 🤷🏻♀️
Hi Jackie. The dangers of using this medication occur with continued daily use. If you are not using it daily, then this may not be something that applies to you. I am a therapist and have noticed that clients taking these medications daily have not improved with therapy, versus clients that are not taking them.
same here. signs of addiction usually happen within the first month. so dont scare yourself with this. some people have issues but many do not.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy the "dangers?" LOL, your 😕 confused. You ever see commercials about prescription drugs that come out? How about comment on those?
Thank you for these informations.The most of doctors don't recognise when someone hit tolerance !! They don't understand how benzodiazepines are dangerous and harmful! It is a big problem all around the world !
I would never recommend to take benzodiazepines more than 2 weeks.
God bless you !
Thank you for your comment and kind words. 😊
Yes the tolerance is hell you don’t realize it if you don’t know drugs etc etc which I didn’t - took after doc prescribed when husband passed away -- and not a buzz or high jus settle the nerves Alittle didn’t abuse took as directed some days not at all then boom 13/14 yrs later tolerance was like what is this ?? Knew it wasn’t working felt horrible - was in a weird withdrawal but didn’t want to up dose no way and now I’ve learned that wouldn’t of helped anyway -- what a mess doc doesn’t tell you this when given -- I thought well in 60’s no harm no foul will stay on tillo death no biggy well wake-up call no such thing -- didn’t know about withdrawal or tolerance best thing don’t ever take a pill until you know what it is what it will do and so on we didn’t hv google when went on and as time went on didn’t even bother looking it up 🤢🤢🔥 So message take nothing till you know 🔥🔥 This is a Hell you never want to visit 5 months off 🔥🔥🙏
Gianna2 Bella I’m sorry your husband. Good luck
I'm with you except for your support for antidepressant use. I had almost as a bad of a withdrawal from a tricyclic as I did from Ativan. During my time taking the tricyclic, I became more anxious and depressed and could not connect with people as I used to. I felt numb. I stopped dreaming during sleep for a two year period. The only reason I took it was to help me sleep, and now that I'm off I feel l'm able to engage in life in a whole new and meaningful way. I can engage with people, and I can take in beautiful scenery like I hadn't been able to. Dr. Breggin talks about how he sees some psychotropics as chemical lobotomizers. There should be more talk about psychotropic-mediaction related brain injury.
I am so sorry to hear what you went through. There is so much unknown about all of these medications. Thank you for sharing your experience to help inform others that may have experienced something similar.
Ryan, I 100% agree with you and Dr. Breggin. I had an ignorant counselor when I was going through an emotionally painful divorce. She encouraged me to go to a Shrink (I didn't want to), but she kept pushing me. "Somehow" I ended up on 3 different "medications" for my "Divorce Symptoms" I was totally naïve and in a vulnerable state. This Shrink poly drugged me with 2mg Ativan each night, 2 doses of Cymbalta a day, and also a stimulant (Armodafinil) for the mornings! The shrink said this was a "smart pill". What a load of BS. This is what Dr. Breggin calls poly-drug SPELLBINDING prescribing. The patients (victims) have no clue what they are getting themselves into. Of course I was also prescribed an anti-nausea pill to top it all off and keep all the magic pills down. I still can't believe I actually trusted this guy and put that poison in my body! I am now 5 months off all pharmaceuticals, and finally starting to feel like my old self again. I was told these pills were great and would help me. They almost killed me. My symptoms from the drugs are too many to mention. The psychiatric industry is corrupt and filled with deadly misinformation. I want to get the message out to others before they go down this rabbit hole, BEWARE!!!!
@@john6185 thank you for sharing your story! I'm happy that the more psychiatry victims that accumulate, the more stories like ours circulate. More and more people are understanding that these drugs are not what pharmaceutical-industry-brainwashed MD's say they are ... it takes personal experience putting this poison in your body to understand what it really is.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy can you mess up your heart rhythm from taking high dosages for too long?
@@cassadycampbell7233 what up piump
Thank You for acknowledging and helping to bring awareness of these drugs!!! They caused me a lot of pain and illness,especially after I stopped and I just didn't know any better when taking them.....
I don't think it's people's fault I had no idea about rebound anxiety or the withdrawal from them , they should come with a very big warning on them explaining things
Chad.... are you saying your anxiety was worse after getting off?
@@donnad6666 Anxiety was only one of numerous symptoms I experienced during my wd from Benzos
I think it’s different for everyone. I was doing terrible with anxiety & PTSD, trying different med options. It was until I got prescribed with a benzo that my life changed!! I understand the risks, especially with dependency and withdrawals, along other issues, but everyone is different, and few clients cannot speak for many others. I’ve been on them 6 years only as needed, never had the urge to take more than prescribed, and never been dependent. Ever. These with my therapy completely gave me my life back. Never had no issues, even anything, everything improved for me. Again, everyone is different. I believe as long as a client has a good plan with their psychiatrist/therapist/dr and healthy check ups then I don’t think it’s bad.
Yes, every person with anxiety loves the effects of taking a benzo, it immediately relieves the anxiety. Unfortunately, if used daily, there will most likely be negative side effects as you grow older. If you are only taking on occasion and not daily, you may not have any issues at all. It sounds like you are doing very well right now and I wish you the best in your future as well.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy not everyone..I have 2 family members taking ativan for 30 plus years still doing fine..everyone is different..
hey i really love the feeling of clonzepam i dont get perscribed but if i take clonzepam every 2 weeks will that kill me or am i okay?
There is significant evidence that benzodiazepines cause tolerance to the anticonvulsant & hypnotic effects but not the anxiolytic and sedative effects ESPECIALLY when it comes to the longer acting benzodiazepines like clonazepam, diazepam and chlordiazepoxide. Depression does seem to be a significant issue with long term use of benzodiazepines, however antidepressants also cause tolerance, withdrawal and can worsen depression. I've been on clonazepam for years and I have had great success with therapy even while being on a benzodiazepine so I think that to look at this issue through a black and white perspective is not helpful. Some develop tolerance and do not benefit from therapy while on benzodiazepines. Others do not have these issues. My grandma was on alprazolam 1mg for 15 years and never had any worsening anxiety, depression etc. I think it comes down to some people relying on the benzos vs. some using them as a tool to help during therapy. Also the dosage is important. If you're on 3mg of clonazepam a day and doing psychotherapy then yes, i could see the memory issues becoming an issue. If you're on .25mg of clonazepam a day, then there shouldn't be a large enough dose to cause memory issues.
I tried almost every antidepressant out there and none of them helped at all and simply gave me terrible side effects and coming off of them was a nightmare even with a slow taper. I came off of clonazepam once 2mg a day with a slow taper over a year and withdrawal side effects were minimum. The only antidepressant that seemed to give any relief was mirtazapine but the weight gain was awful and coming off of it was hell. I think many psychiatrists are seeing the issue of benzos the same way they tell their patients not to think of things. They see benzos as black and white. They're bad unless taken short term 100% of the time. Thats simply not true. I know it's not true because i look at my grandma as a perfect example of someone who took even a short acting benzo long term and she never complained of having any issues. I even asked her directly if she has any issues from her Xanax and she said "Not really, it just makes me kind of sleepy when i first take it." This is after 15 years of daily usage.
Thank you. I really appreciate your sharing your experience and perspective.
I love your insight into these drugs, It is great to see a doctor who has a vision!
I have been on Ativan for just about 3 years now. In the beginning of taking it, I absolutely needed it in the beginning. Now my anxiety has gotten worse. I pretty much have agoraphobia. After researching and researching and listening to other people's experiences, I decided myself to taper off 3 months ago, and the past 3 months that I tapered myself down to has been pure hell as of January 1st. After 3 months on the same dose, I've lowered my dose again and my mind is becoming more clear now of how this drug has made me waste a couple years of my life when I thought it was me that was getting worse when it was actually this drug. It makes me very very upset!
I am so sorry you are going through this, Jessica. Are you connected to benzobuddies.org? You are not alone.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I'm not no. I am in many groups on Facebook though. So is everything I've experienced over the past couple years because of this med? I started to develop fears where I couldn't drive with people, couldn't go into stores, I couldn't have people in my home because I felt it was too claustrophobic, to now pretty much agoraphobia. I've always been an anxious person but the pretty much 3 years that I've been on this. I have not gotten better. I've become worse. It may have helped in the beginning when I absolutely needed it due to trauma, but now I'm thinking I've wasted a couple years of my life living in this misery because of this medication making me worse. Do you think this to be true too?
Even though you had hoped that taking this medication would have helped you, as you felt in the beginning, it often results in making your anxiety worse. In your case, it sounds like you developed agoraphobia. It is important to not beat yourself up for this, but instead have compassion for yourself. Think of your recovery as a process of recovery. It will likely be a slow process to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I am glad that you are in several support groups. I want you to know that I have clients that have been on these medications for 20-30 years and although recovery was slow, they are doing well off of the medications today. If you are at all interested, I will be offering an online treatment course for people with agoraphobia and panic disorder later this year. I specialize in treating people with anxiety disorders like agoraphobia, as well as ocd and health anxiety. If you would like me to send you more information when the course becomes available, please add your email to my newsletter or send me a message on PaigePradko.com.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy yes, I would love that. I will email you.. Will my fears lessen as I taper off this or will I be the same? I added my email to your newsletter 😊
Most people will report increased anxiety symptoms every time they lower a dose, and then the anxiety symptoms decrease as their brain and nervous system adjusts. I would expect a bit of an up and down experience of anxiety and possibly reframe that to mean that your body is adjusting, you are recovering and you can learn to tolerate the anxiety as you heal.
Doctors have had me on benzos for 30 yrs, I was being prescribed 4 milligrams a day but I realized this was making everything worse especially memory and learning issues, I’m now on .5 to 1 milligram a day trying to wean myself off slowly, I’m now 60 but I don’t ever think I can honestly get off of these totally because my brain is so used to them, I did go 30 days without any but I couldn’t function and I told my doctors, he said you should have never done that and put me back on so I blame these doctors that have had me on these for over 30 yrs but in the beginning I had such anxiety problems and sleeping problems that to me was a miracle drug, now I think my brain is completely rewired that at my age even if I tried to go off again that it would take so long for my brain to mend that it’s not worth it, so I feel stuck and don’t really know what to do because doctors just keep prescribing them!
It sounds like you have worked very hard to get to your reduced dose. That is a wonderful accomplishment. You may find some suggestions and information on micro dose reductions that can take people over a year to complete on benzobuddies.org.
Read the Ashton manual and taper off
Hello , Dear Paige
I am very happy to meet you and see your valuable video . My mother has had Parkinson's for about 10 years , and for about 2 years she has been taking half a milligram of Clonazepam a day to relax her body . I see some of the problems you mentioned in her , but I don't know if it is due to Parkinson's or benzodiazepine use? It is strange to me that taking Clonazepam has more effect on her than taking the Parkinson's drug , Madopar (Levodopa and Benserazide)! Sometimes not eating or taking benzo late causes severe Parkinson's attacks . Of course , after taking benzo , she always gets sleepy and lately I feel that she understands my words less . Do you think it is better to stop using it? Is it necessary to replace it with something?
On behalf of everyone who found this video helpful, thank you ❤🌹
Hi. I am so sorry that your mother has Parkinson’s and those challenges. It is not safe to suddenly stop any medication without the advice of her physicians. Benzodiazepines are often used to make a person more comfortable at the end of life. But, I am not experienced in the protocol of a person with Parkinson’s. I hope that you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your mother and her physician so that you can all make a choice that is best for her care.
Im 23 years old and I've been on Paroxetine and Xanax ever since I was 17. Paroxetine I do take everyday, however I can live fine without Xanax, I only keep with me at all times in case I have a panic attack... I get them pretty often so it REALLY helps me, it stops the attack and calms me down in a couple minutes. Luckily, I have been months without Xanax and I only get prescription when I go to the doctor to get my Paroxetine refill in around 6 months. I truly don't plan on stoping having the medication with me, nothing seems to work but that, but I also know that those drugs can REALLY make you addicted so I dont abuse it WHATSOEVER. Its only something I have when NEEDED.
It sounds like you only take it as needed, and do not take it daily. The negative side effects of memory issues seem to be caused by long term, daily use.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy does bad effects only occur when used daily in long term??
Yes, but the problem is still there and even worse when and if you ever try to leave them.
I was on ativan for ten years. The prescribing doctor told me nothing about benzos and she didn't help when I asked to come off. I only tapered for three weeks and my central nervous system went into overdrive and that's putting it mildly. Anxiety hit me so badly that I couldn't function, I couldn't stop moving (akathisia),I couldn't stop shaking, I couldn't talk or think. I'm 19 months off and things are starting to improve. My central nervous system is still very delicate and I can't handle stress but I'm still here. My hope is that doctors stop prescribing benzodiazepines because I've seen so much suffering. It's not worth it. I've lost nearly two years of my life.
I am so sorry. That had to be absolutely horrible. I honestly do not think many medical providers understand what people go through when they are on these medications long term, and the hell they go through when they taper off of them. I admire you for trying your best to restore your health but wish that you had been given more support in tapering off, and more information before taking them to begin with. Thank you for sharing your story, because it may help others to be informed.
I know that you’re trying to help with negatives effects of benzodiazepines,,, I’ve had SVT and extreme anxiety since the age of 11. Now 52 male and have been on alprazolam for years and have never had to increase over 2mg a day max most usually less around 1-1.5 and I have never had SVT and /or panic attacks since . I just don’t worry about things like I used too and I did some cognitive therapy but I truly enjoy life and iam happy I can live again and have been on them for many years. I have a high IQ and also a graduate degree as well as running my own business for years. I just see all the doom and gloom associated with this medication if taken and it certainly has not been my case / responsibly. I may try to taper off just to see the difference but I would rather live the quality of life that I’ve been gifted because of these medications then live with all the doom and gloom /worry I used to ensue everyday . I don’t feel any sort of elation or release of my responsibilities when I take them. I do get however get a little hyper and or slightly edgy if I forget to take them for a couple of days but nothing sever or more then feeling like drinking two cups of coffee / I do know the dangers of possibilities of seizures with immediate cessation and difficulty with with withdrawals and I do like the Ashton method or water titration when I get ready to try . I do however believe-there is a positive between benzodiazepines and SVT as it must neutralize the extra receptor(s) that cause the ventricular tachycardia,,, Just has to be a correlation. So in summary I know they have helped my quality of life tremendously and possibly will have to pay the piper in my later years if iam blessed to have them but I believe there is too much negativity placed on these medications as an “all in one” scenario of being a prolific detriment to every individuals well being / iam living proof , although maybe rare that my quality of life for the 15 years + or so I’ve been taking them has substantially improved - thanks / James
I appreciate your comments and absolutely agree that these medications can help someone ease their anxiety to function in their daily life. I am not as concerned for people that use this medication occasionally when needed. It is the daily use that creates lasting consequences. I only began researching these medications because I saw a link in how they affected my clients. The most disturbing side effect is the memory loss, which may not develop until later years. I can acknowledge the benefit you have experienced and wish you well.
Michele Bergman well it’s either these or visits to the ER to get my heart restarted sometimes twice in one setting / you do the math ? But yes you must titrate of these when coming off never stop cold turkey
Michele Bergman that’s prolly true but actually SVT I basically have to many wires in my electrical system controlling my rhythm and benzos are the only thing that keeps them from happening it must shut down some of the part of the brain that controls electrical neurons / not one SVT episode since I’ve been on them ,,, kinda lesser of both evils or other option is a major heart surgery and pacemaker so I guess iam stuck with them :(
Oh and I don’t have anxiety it’s strictly for my heart
Your comment about a life balance is key. Good health and the right routine for you goes a long way. It minimizes the uncertainty in life that creates fear.
Everything you have said is what I have watched happen to my mom after the last 25 years of her being on klonopin. I have been by her side for a week helping her tapper off. It is so sad
I am so sorry to hear that, Matt.
Thank you
Research The ASHTON Method if she’s still going through this.
My dad's doctors have been prescribing him lorazepam for _YEARS_ . He is 86. [He also shares it with my mother, by the way.] It was prescribed for insomnia, but I don't think it even helps much. My dad already suffered one bad fall with a fracture, and I also feel that the lorazepam has slowed his recovery and ability to walk as he used to. I now notice marked mental decline (short term memory problems, depression, increased anxiety, trouble speaking). What can a family member do when doctors keep prescribing such a harmful drug so recklessly???
Hi. It is indeed a problem if he has been prescribed these medications for years and is 86. I am not a physician, but believe it might be very difficult at this point for him to withdrawal and might even make matters worse. I would share what you are noticing and concerned about with him and his physicians. These are very difficult medications to withdrawal from if one has been taking them for years.
I was on 12mg of Diazepam and 0.25.mg of Xanax from 1995 to 2012. With A good psychiatrist and psychologist...with the addiction center. I got out of it. Mindfulness and yoga helped as well. Im clean now. Playing good soccer and good music.
Thank you for giving people hope, Freddy. I am so happy that you are doing well. 🙏❤️
@@PaigePradkoTherapyThank you .. We can all do it. These benzodiazepine are dangerous.
I can say from experience that this is 100% true. When on them i wasnt getting better, instead i got worse!!! Only when i finally got off them (i chose cold turkey) did I see how much damage it was doing! My anxiety is 10x more manageable and i can say i will never ever take benzos ever again, nor wil i think that a pill can fix a life of trauma. Therapy saved my life.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. You are courageous.
Exactly that what I was saying to everyone. I need Therapy not drugs therapy not drugs. Listened to my husband my life is over.
Been on various benzazapines over 20 years, it's effective and safe. Keep your opinion to the 12 step people.
Glad you haven’t had problems.
I have been addicted to Bromazepam for quite a while now. I have had such a stressful life. I take 3mg in the morning and 3mg in the afternoon. I didn't want to start taking it but was going through physical problems due to such stress. I have had a diabetic daughter for more than 11 and a half years amongst other terrible problems. I have had a dysfunctional life. I'm now 56 with other health problems. I was addicted to Ativan when I was 12 due to 2 of my friends passing away. The Dr stopped it and I went into terrible withdrawal. I promised myself I would never become addicted again but had to take something to calm down. I need help. 😢
I just just told my doctor I was not going to take my ambien or Xanax anymore . I couldn’t function and kept forgetting things . I kept taking them before because they helped immediately and I liked that but It felt like when I was drinking to not have anxiety . And when I would stop taking them I had the worst withdrawals. Shaking sweating mood swings severe depression and suicidal thoughts irritability and severe anxiety attacks and the need to move and no sleep this went on for over a week it was terrible each time . I have been off these medications for about a month and I wish I could take them they felt great when I was on them but I just wasn’t me anymore and the people close to me noticed I just was not all there . My life felt apart .
It would be wonderful if we could take something that calmed our anxiety and panic and allowed us to sleep peacefully every night without side effects. Unfortunately, these medications if taken daily eventually will cause memory problems and other negative side effects. However, it is recommended to withdrawal from these medications very slowly under medical supervision. I think you are courageous for making the decision to go off of them. Please do so slowly and safely. It will take time for your nervous system and your GABA receptors to adjust. I wish you well and appreciate you sharing your story.❤️
I had No idea that xanex and klonopin were causing me SUCH harm. I just thought I was getting “ worse mentally”. And I didn’t understand WHY. I never thought that something given to me to HELP my panic actually made me soooo much worse! I would have a panic attack. Take it and feel so much better. Hours later the anxiety was back with a vengeance! Just thinking “ we’ll I’m not doing well “. Despite therapy. Antidepressants etc. I just thought I was a very sick person. One night I called my brother who is a recovering addict. But is also my best friend in the middle of the night. Blabbering. Making no sense. Scared out of my mind and acting really off the wall. Didn’t sleep all night. Thinking some really paranoid thoughts with no basis. Like that I had premonitions that someone was going to die. My brother was terrified and so was I. I was on my front lawn at 4 am talking crazy bc I didn’t know why I felt so bad - this was not just one night of taking them. I took them for a few weeks at night. Slept through them. Woke up very depressed. Started the cycle all over. This night I took a whole which I usually take a half and stayed away bc I was so scared. Scared of I don’t even know what. I finally told him what I took not thinking anything of it. “ I took klonopin for an anxiety attack and why isn’t it working”. He said omg we need to talk. That is the devil. He came to me. Thankfully I did not go to a hospital bc he understood what my problem was. We had a huge talk and I eventually got off them. The best morning all I did was cry and cry and cry and felt like I was in the worst depression. Me not knowing the dangers of these drugs and just trusted my doctor was clueless. I was usually a natural type girl and didn’t take medication but after a year of intense grief and loss I needed sonething. I wish I would have known this before I took them. But I trusted my doctor and at first it was a GOD send to me for my anxiety. I still don’t overly feel right but I feel a lot better. I wish I had someone like you to tell me this before I ruined months of my life thinking I was just crazy 😢and embarrassing myself and causing myself and my family so much pain. You are amazing thank you for posting
I am so sorry that you suffered so much. I hope that you can have compassion for yourself that you were doing what you thought was right. I don’t believe that physicians even understood the effects of the medications when taken daily over a period of time. Hopefully more word is getting out now and people will no longer be prescribed these medications for daily use unless deemed medically necessary.
I took Alprazolam for 27 years and it has terrible effects and can be almost impossible to get off. Always took the "recommended" dose and never more, but it really changes you and disables people!
I was then asked to take ssri to get out of the benzodiazepines, but have had some terrible side effects from them. I really get anxiety and spasm when I don`t take benzos in a couple of days even though it is a small dosis. What do you recommend?
I am sorry that you are going through this. You are not alone. Many of my clients were prescribed this medication and took it as prescribed for years. Their negative side effects built up after years on the medications. I recommend medical management including the help from your physician to go off of these medications. If you are down to only needing a small dose every few days, you are doing very well. I recommend speaking to your doctor about continuing the trend of decreasing that dose. I wish you the very best.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC Yes don’t do it cold turkey don’t- I did I’m in 5th month cold turkey it was hell doc prescribed took as directed and didn’t know any better-- as I didn’t know hell would ensue if C/T well there is no going back but have researched and tapering through a doctor is only way to stay comfortable seen & heard people who did taper where much more successful so you need your doc to start--- the Ashton method is suppose t be really good at tapering good luck surprised you haven’t hit tolerance ? It will happen trust & believe no discrimination at all your lucky this long even if you upside won’t last long -- Good luck keep us posted 👍
Thomas Roedgaard hello. Try reducing benzodiazepines very very slowly like .25 lower every month or two. Don’t push yourself. Gabapentin is very helpful with withdrawal from benzodiazepines. All the best
A P isn’t Gabapentin hard to get off as well ?
@@AP-nx6xo gabapentin is hard to quit too! i stopped cold turkey and had a seizure .
I’m on my 48th month of tapering 5 mg alprazolom constantly decreasing by 10% each 30 days. I’ve been horribly damaged since 2013. I’m at .0300mg and wake up each day with horrible head pain and agoraphobia. I am not who I was. Hopefully I can stop my taper in March of 2021 and then hope for recovery. Benzos are straight from hell and should be eradicated. They ruin lives.
I am so sorry. I am hoping you have full recovery. Thank you for sharing your story.
How are you now?
I was on benzos with ambien for 11 years.. my psychiatrist just keeps trying to throw more and more medications at me.. switching to new doctors.. I’m scared of psychiatrists now 😢 I’m still battling with thoughts of suicide and I just feel victimized. Attempted suicide again a few weeks ago
I am so sorry, Anya. I understand your mistrust of psychiatrists. You have to remember that they work for you. I am so sorry that you are battling with thoughts of suicide. I do not know how long that you have been off those medications, but it takes time to recover. Perhaps a support group and a therapist can add some extra layers of support for you. Your story is important and I hope you continue to share with others what you have been through. This can give to motivation to live to raise awareness.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC thank you, it means a lot. I am starting ketamine treatment soon so I really hope that helps with therapy... I appreciate your response
Let me know how it goes, Anya. Hoping the treatment helps your depression.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC ❤️
i was unaware of these side effects when i was given this prescription from my doctor to treat my panic disorder. though i did not make myself so dependent on it, but i felt that the effects of it is happeng now. dizziness, imbalance problem, insomia, and a new onset of irritation. thanks for the information. it helps me more how to fight anxiety now without the use of these drugs.
Good for you for researching these medications … as having that knowledge will help you in the long run.
mothers little helper...sad but true
😥
My wife has been on these for almost 25 years. She asks how can she come off safety? Withdrawal immediately causes seizures. I see she has almost all the negative side effects. She was told that she may not be able to ever.
Hi Ales. I am so sorry that your wife is faced with this. There is no easy solution. I do suggest going to benzobuddies.com for more information from others that have withdrawn from the medications and from those that are in the process of withdrawal. I always encourage people to gain as much information and support as they can before making a decision.
I took temezepam for 12 years. Menopausal insomnia. It’s horrible, I can’t sleep. I’m trying to taper off. Pray for me.
Doctor ! I am from Pakistan.i am shy, sensitive, unconfident and can not face socially and speak public since from my childhood. I feel panic attack shaking body, heart beating, sweating and not able to speak while in panic attack condition. My father also have same symptom maybe it is from genetic.I am taking colonazepam since 2009 almost 11 years . My schedule is 0.25mg in morning and at night 0.25mg daily. in 2016 suddenly in morning, i feel my body is tremor and shaking heart beating and pulse rate very high. I take colonazepam but not recover . Till now 2020 that time i am writing this comment i can not recover from this effects. Tremor, pulse rate very high whole body and heart beating, heat just like bounce . Please help me out this . I also can not trap off colonazepam beacuse i can not face the withdrawal symptoms. Please tell what can i do.
I am very sorry, but I cannot give advice on your specific situation. However, taking that medication makes it difficult for you to complete exposure therapy and improve your social anxiety. You may find methods to safely withdrawal, but you may also want to consult your physician. Any type of withdrawal must be done very slowly over months and sometimes years to avoid protracted withdrawal syndrome.
I knew someone on benzos for years. Real paranoid about everything. Scary
I only have been taking ativan for 2 months and it has practically destroyed my life!!!... I am currently on a taper. Suffering withdrawal, feel terrible. Suffer mostly from over sedation. Yesterday I had a very good day, as far as a withdrawal day, but today, -- not so good. One of the worst things I suffer from is extreme thirst. It makes me almost want to give up everything. Drinking milk, sipping it helps, as does chewing gum. Ativan also gave me hyponeutremia, which is low salt in the blood, so that drinking too much liquid is dangerous, can make seizures. I have PTSD. And, I was prescribed ativan. :( But, now the water is muddied. So, what do I do???... Just keep tapering ativan. Still, talk to my therapist, still fight the ativan, still hope that, yes, - YES... I will have a life after ativan!!!... I won't accept anything else!!!
Best of luck to you, Suzanne. Hope you feel better.
Basically, any antidepressant will lower sodium in your blood.
Paige I'm struggling with feeling trapped or limited everyday sometimes I feel like im not here and can't think clearly, how do we detox this horrible pill?
I am so sorry that you are feeling that way. I am not a physician and cannot give medical advice about how to reduce your dose. But I do recommend that you connect with people on benzobuddies.org to learn more and work with your medical provider on formulating a plan. This is a slow process, but worth it.
My mom has all those negative side effects. She is 72 and been on lorazepam over 25 years. She takes 2mg every 6 hours. 3 per day.
She has lost her heart and soul. Very sad. 😔
I am so sorry to hear about your mom. It is painful to see that happen in people we love. Unfortunately, your mom’s situation is all too common. People have been given these medications for so long that eventhough they are losing cognitive abilities, they feel like they cannot sleep or live without them. It makes me so sad. I am hoping that trying to get this information out to the public, we can prevent this from happening to people. Your poor mother did not have this information 25 years ago. I hope your comment will help to caution others. Thank you.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy thank you very much. I hope that my post sends awareness to all dealing with this epidemic. Its horrible to all that have someone fall into the pharma loop.
💔
Hi I've been on Xanax for 16 yearsmy psychiatrist is trying to work with me to taper off I've tried all the ssris and snris if I got that correct when I first seen her I was taking 1 mg a day which was prescribed from a different doctor she lowered me down to 0.5 twice-daily now she is taking me completely off next month and have me to start buspar since all the other medications don't work if buspar doesn't help then she will put me on Klonopin I haven't felt myself normal since I was lowered the Xanax when I start Klonopin
So being taken off one thing being put on another Klonopin isn't that just as bad
I’ve been prescribed klonopin for acute anxiety 3 months ago. A very low dose of 0.25 mg works for me - I have got my life back. I personally am benzo phobic and want to get out of these meds but tried everything under the shelf including therapy, almost all anti depressants and hypnotherapy. My psychiatrist did mention that getting off them would not be a smooth ride but I’m on low dose and want to get off before I build tolerance. I am meanwhile also learning techniques to retrain my brain.
Thank you so much for making this video. I wish it would have been the first to come up on my search.
You’re welcome 🙏
It’s better to take it in combination with other meds and have it prescribed by a higher qualified doctor, a neurologist in my case. I take Klonopin for tics. It helps to take breaks to not build a high tolerance. Tics can get worse, but anxiety is usually fine. Nothing to visit an ER for. It affects everyone differently. I never had seizers or anything stopping it. Exercise and other things help also “very important when taking benzos”. If it’s not for you don’t take it. It has helped me tremendously long term. Just don’t be going through a script in a week then people wouldn’t be having such bad side affects that everyone is mentioning.
Thanks Isaiah. Glad it helps with your tics.
I can’t watch this. I’ll worry and panic. I’m a holistic health coach and nutritionist. I love fitness and health. But sadly been on benzo - klonpion since age 16. And 32. And I’m housebound as of 2 years. I want to get off but it helps me so much :( ugh
HOLLY Dolly holistic health coach and nutritionist taking Klonopin? Isn’t that kinda like what you call it... calling the kettle black? Or no?
I decided to try xan with a girlfriend a week ago. My introduction to this substance wasn’t very remarkable while on the drug, but became markedly noticeable when I stopped using. I had been taking several mgs per day with no previous exposure to benzodiazepines before. I didn’t know you can’t just quit them cold turkey and not expect to experience some withdrawal. Last night was the first night in a few days that I was able to fall asleep for more than a minute. It does get better the more you focus on exercise which has done loads for me. I started researching the topic of benzodiazepines to become more informed and more aware. I’ve been off them for almost a week and today is the best I’ve felt by far this week.
Glad that you are staying informed and that you were not on these meds for too long.
How are you now?
What you say makes absolute sense. Social support, exercise, good nutrition etc etc is a far superior substitute than running for the ‘quick-fix’
Great presentation. I utilized it with an Online Class that I teach at UMASS this evening!
Oh my...I feel honored. Thank you for sharing.
I've been taking this medicine for 20 years now... any questions anyone😄😎
How do you feel
@@littlethoughts2405 it takes time to adapt to the new ways yet you have to accept the way the medicine treats you,
Might be different experience individually, but eventually you must adapt and find the best ways your own way with the rivotril med,
In lot of hardships lies a blessing'
Ask if any doubts
@@littlethoughts2405 it feels crap, but you have to find the light in those....is there other way!!! Not for now you have to be the best out of it be kind do what your life holds for you,
You have to adjust in every situations make some changes to your life style the food patterns the way of thinking and like so
have u ever tried to stop it
@@Chonchonilolhi yes I've tried to stop the med the most days i could stay without was 4 to 5 days naturally, (i feel i can stop this med with some determination and hard work) after that i feel the unnaturallity kicking in and i have the urge to go the other side' the side which i have made a part of my life coping with this situation which is not good, till i mastered this way of life and going neutral
This is an important lesson/warning. Thank you for sharing. Benzodiazepines are amazingly dangerous and addictive if used over a month. My doctor prescribed me Ativan for over 15 years, and it was terribly difficult to withdrawal from its use. Near the end of my dependence, my withdrawal symptoms would set in as quick as 6 hours from the last dose and felt worse than the flu. Oddly enough, my doctor would not even help with a taper so I simply drove to the ER and asked them to help. It was a quick, yet painful detox over 6 days. (This was in mid-2018) The physical withdrawal symptoms persisted for about a month, and the social anxiety has lasted nearly 3 years. It’s my understanding that my brain needs to time to “re-wire”, and would appreciate any additional tips or recommendations to help with the prolonged emotional withdrawal symptoms, namely social anxiety. Mine is a cautionary tale for anyone whose doctor prescribes them Benzos more than 2 weeks.
Hi Matthew. Welcome to my TH-cam channel. What you did is amazing and frankly heroic. I have so much admiration for you. Yes, our brains can rewire at any time in our lives. It is difficult to work on social anxiety with covid restrictions, social distancing and mask wearing. But, you are not deterred by difficult things. Here is a playlist to help you with social exposures. The main points I want to share is to challenge yourself socially, even if you feel anxiety. We have to follow what we care about in life. Social connections make humans happy and we have all been disconnected lately. We will all feel anxious when we try to connect. That is normal. What we avoid our brain decides must be dangerous and therefore we feel anxiety. Don’t let that stop you....challenge yourself socially anyway. 😊❤️ th-cam.com/play/PL1lUhuKpYUYrbyw3VXmL-oxFbffTJescE.html
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you! I will make plans to go golfing with a friend tomorrow and will continue to push myself socially. Appreciate your advice and all of your videos.
That’s great....way to go!
I’ve been on 1mg for 30 years I can’t take it no more I want off.I just know there’s no way out.
I'm 43, was very sick then and now. But I feel benzo, valium have made me much worse
i have every thing mentioned above, and I feel I am getting worse by the year!
I'm lowering the dose now. It's all I can do!
Does it help now? No! not even at stupid high doses. I just lay there awake.
I asked to be put on this stuff, begged for it almost. It was only thing that gave me relief. Now I find it was a curse
Help!
Please research lowering your dose and inquire into help from your physician before you begin. It is quite dangerous to go taper off without micro dosing very slowly over many months. I wish you the best.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I ask for Lyrica to be added some months back, so I have to worry about DC'ing it as well
I'm gonna talk to my psych. about this, but it's got to go slow, or I won't make it
I think the addition of lyrica, pushed it over the edge
I'm savvy about the Ashton method, I've had two seizures already from this crap... so I'm scared.
What just happened to J Peterson, it's gonna get around now. New benzo "crisis"
Yes, I agree.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Nine months later, I search "long term benzo use" in you tube, get this video, think "wow" , and realize I have already been here and commented
I'm on 10mg per 24 hours, I can't seem to get below that.
You are not alone, Rodney. Be kind to yourself, you are a human being and you have to make these adjustments in medications slowly and with plenty of support. I cannot imagine how many people around the world are in this position. I like the idea of micro dosing reductions, but, I advice everyone to seek medical management advice from their physicians. I have witnessed people recovering after being on these medications for almost 30 years, but, recovery seems to be very different for different people.
I have been taking Xanax for over six years now if I dont take it it is hard to breathe and my chest and arms hurt.I was diagnosed with Cancer six years ago where I was supposed to be dead by October 2015 so I lived and one month later my wife filed for divorce because she met someone at work so i went through a three year divorce where I lost everything due to the corruption in the court system.So now it gets worse so I take it more than twice a day.It seems that I get really sick if I dont take it and I have been to a counsellor but at the end of the day it feels like the Xanax is the only thing that is keeping me alive and functional.
You have been through several traumas, Anthony. I am so sorry. I can understand wanting to get relief. I wish you the best.
We need more of you in our health system.
th-cam.com/video/uwpHWix22UU/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much for this video! I' m going to show this to my therapist.
Wonderful!
There are those of us who got years of therapy before trying benzos like myself and was not effective at all. I live a life of drug free now, but life way worse without benzos.
So what is your benzo protocol
Does klonopin cause depression? If I stop taking my 1mg for sleep I won't be able to sleep....so what can I take to sleep? have tried natural things like magnesium, valerian, camamille, etc......
There are many safer medications that physicians can prescribe to help you with sleep until you have titrated off of Klonopin. Some of these medications might be Clonidine or Trazodone or Remeron to name a few. Some of my clients also use supplements like GABA, magnesium, tryptophan and valerian as well.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy I have tried Trazodone and Remeron and neither of them let me sleep....sometimes they worked and sometimes they didn't.....I wish they had worked....I would love to take GABA but can I take that while I am still on klonopin? because klonopin does something to the GABA receptors in the brain or I should say it "takes over" the GABA receptors in the brain.
I am sorry that you are having difficulty with sleep. I think that is the most common difficulty in going off of these meds. I have not read that taking GABA would be dangerous, but, it is best to ask your physician that question.
Great information Paige!! I am just beside myself with this detox. I'm super upset this is not even kidding. I feel like an animal that has been used for testing. This is not even a joke. I'm not happy about this at all. It's been a daily battle for 102 days. I want to get better. Is that even possible??
I am so sorry that you are going through such a difficult detox. Everyone is different and seem to vary in their recovery period and how their brain and body adjusts to withdrawal. Taking good care of yourself in all aspects of your life is the best that anyone can do. I admire you for doing everything within your power to be healthy. Thank you for sharing your story and hope your experience will help others.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy You have been the best support that I could ever ask for. I think a TED talk should be your next venue. ♥️
Hi Paige. Thank you very much for your extraordinary content. Need to give you a positive feedback. That video plus ERP therapy plus Square breathing videos helped me stop clonezapen. I stopped this for almost 3 months after use by 18 years. Similarly do you think would be possible stop SSRIS meds for OCD after this period with exercises, ERP, good life style or that is something else? Doctors and research mention it is for entire Life but the effects are not so good. Thank you very much and congratulations for your fantastic channel
Hi Fabio. That is truly amazing that you were able to do that. It sounds like you are feeling well. Although I do have to say here that I do not recommend lowering a prescribed dose without medical management and most require to lower their dose over months and even years to avoid withdrawal symptoms. But, I am so happy that you are feeling well. SSRI’s have been shown to be effective for OCD especially when combined with therapy. However, it is a personal choice. I recommend discussing it with your medical provider and if you both decide to discontinue use, please lower your dose slowly as directed to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Your quality of life is most important. You could try a lower dose if that is recommended by your provider and then give yourself several weeks to notice how you are feeling. Again, I am so happy you are doing so well.🙏❤️
What about benzos causes agoraphobia? While I was on then I developed it, now still almost 2 years off I have it and can’t handle outside stimuli.
I was really shocked when I first read the research on benzodiazepines causing agoraphobia. I am so sorry you experienced this and are still struggling. I work with people with agoraphobia and I understand the complexities and triggers and avoidance behaviors. There is hope. I made a video filled with techniques to help people with agoraphobia, because it is difficult to find experienced therapists. I hope that video helps you. I wish you the best.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC I wil check the video out now! Thank you.
I now have agoraphobia as well after several years of a benzo.
I have been on benzodiazepines since I was 14 years old. I am 67 now. I came through high school, straight A's. Same with life. Raised 2 sons 7 years apart, lost a daughter to crib death between boys. My nerve pills were a given. I have taken valium and xanax for 50 plus years. I am as sharp as a tack, but I have had 2 breakdowns. I believe they were withdrawal from xanax. Can you help me before I wind up in the looney bin?
It sounds like you are doing pretty well. 😊
I only do well, as I am kissing alot of ass to get my xanax. I see a 29 yr old shrink who doesn't even look at me!!! I know it will put my brain in jeopardy. Please don't look to me as a person who has succeeded. I do it a chapter at a time. The pills will end one of two ways. They will either destroy my brain or close my lid. Take care and pray!
I definitely know the risk, I'm only one 1mg of Klonopin a day and it takes all of my health anxiety away. I also am in therapy. Sometimes therapy is just not enough and SSRIs did nothing for my anxiety. I do hope one day I won't need Klonopin, but it did help give me my life back. I was in a place where my anxiety prevented me from doing anything. Klonopin gave me that little courage to do more and live
I understand. You are not alone. Thank you for sharing.
Been on 0.25 to 0.5 daily clonazepam for 3 years. Now I'm on day 105 and at 0.055. Jumping off at 0.025 I estimate another 2 months let's do this!
Hey, bit confused, can you really take this medicine for that long?? And have you had any permenant withdrawal affects or because of taking this medication?
@@Mr.Kumar1 yeah I have withdrawal. I self inject with NAD+ to minimize it. Withdrawal when it's bad is terrible sleep, anxiety,fatigue, massive headaches. Some other stuff too. I'm going for a 10k treatment eventually for more nad+ and some other stuff. I'm not messing around. High glutamate foods before bed make this 10x worse.
Ohhhh this comment was such a big motivation.... But..... I'm not on one drug... I'm on effexor, Clonazepam and Topiramate... I don't know which one to start weaning off first.... 😣😣😣😣
Excellent work Patrick
@@Mr.Kumar1 people take this their entire lives. Some have permanent side effects and some don't. Withdrawal seems to vary hugely from person to person. Likely due to duration and dose but I do know its just harder for some. One thing noone seems to talk about are the symptoms they had before taking it which is obviously going to play a role.
Hi Paige, top explanation about these drugs, i,ve been on valium for 3 years 50mg, i,ve been advised to taper now slowly, do you believe this can work?
Hi Paul. Yes, I believe that tapering slowly will work. But, I always advise people to work with their medical providers on a plan.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Ok Paige thank you
Healing occurs eventually it just takes time. Everyone has to pay the Piper. Nad+, cold showers, exercise mostly cardio, lion's mane, a clean low carb paleo diet helps speed up healing and lowers the glutamate storm.
Those things definitely work…
But what about those who can’t function and need help now
There’s no luxury of time..if it’s effecting your career or relationships
@@robertalust5466 If it's affecting your relationship then the person never loved you to begin with.
@@PatrickA1 I suppose that’s probably true
But career too right….you gotta balance the long term work with some instant steps forward…..no one has patience to wait for someone to heal these days….it’s kinda just a reality
@@robertalust5466 try not to depend on others. You can try to get temporary disability..
🙏
Thank you so much. I was prescribed Klonopin for 20 years. I went into tolerance withdrawal and had the most horrendous symptoms. No doctor understood at all. I found support groups on FB and online. Without them I would not have known what to do. I tapered off over months but teh symptoms persist - they are better but teh healing is very very slow. I do have faith that I will heal. How could the medical providers have been so careless with my health.? If there are any lawyers watching tis, I hope they can see the next big scam ahead - much bigger than the Opioid problem
It does have many similarities to the opioid crisis. I do not believe that doctors understood the long term negative consequences or the problems with withdrawal. However, some physicians are beginning to understand. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any place or treatment to help people withdrawal safely and I am shocked that people are having to research and find ways to safely do this on their own. Even addiction centers want to speed the withdrawal process up which runs the risk of developing protracted withdrawal syndrome.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy yes for sure
I’ve abused diazepam and temazepam for 2 years every single day apart from stopping for a week. The withdrawals are horrific at one point I’d be taking easy 200mg diazepam every day and the same with temazepam if not more. The tolerance builds up very quick. Stay away they are probably the worst drug on the planet to get addicted to i only wanted to get rid of this pain I feel every day of depression and horrible anxiety and this happens to me. So far I’m 3 days off them going cold turkey. 🙏
Shaun, I am not a physician, but, everything I have heard and read have indicated that it is very dangerous to go off of these medications cold turkey. Please seek help and taper off very slowly. I am so sorry for your suffering and hope that after a slow taper and healing process, you will feel well.
If the klonopin is causing depression then what can I take to sleep in its place? My mother died 1 year ago and I have been very depressed and I now find that I have Crohn's disease (most likely from the stress of losing her)....I have no other family.....I have tried Trazodone and it does not work for sleep .....now I am on budesonide (steroid) for the Crohn's disease and wonder if that is causing depression and I also take PremPro even though I am 78 years old.....the doctor said I had low estrogen and osteoporosis....HELP!!!!
I am so sorry Diane. I do not have any easy solutions or suggestions. It sounds like you have several medical issues and will have to work closely with your physicians for the healthiest options of treatment.
ETOH withdrawal patients are routinely given benzos to treat withdrawal symptoms. I've had these patients, and I would think, "okay, so we're just trading one addiction for another."
Exactly. I have had the same thoughts.
Benzos short term 4 days... save lives for people getting off of alcohol .
@@erichorwitz5680 It does in the short term, but long term It's trading DTs for Akathisia and much more.
@@erichorwitz5680 how are you now ?
I have been on benzos off and on, mostly on since 1998. My girlfriend committed suicide when we were 18, not long after I became a firefighter. From what it’s been described to me, basically a perfect storm of “ptsd” and emotional exhaustion. I’ve been off the meds around 5 months now and, I’m back to waking up with panic attacks at night again. It’s a circle that sucks and I hate it. I am going to order the book you showed on the video and give it a read. Thank you for posting the video. I’ve been arguing with myself again on going back on medication, which I don’t want to do. I will try the book.
I am so sorry that you had that terrible trauma in your life. I cannot imagine. It sounds like you are trying your best to heal.
hi mate sorry to hear what you,ve been through, have you tried the taper approach, i,ve been on diazepam for 3 years now quite a high dose as well and i,ve been advised to taper, i hope it works!!
Coming from the viewpoint of having way too many physical chronic illnesses that have caused secondary mental health issues, I'm going to say this- all medication, including benzos have their place for use. However, also coming from the patient viewpoint- therapy is perhaps the best tool to use either alone or in conjunction with meds, including benzos.
I do hope that you find what works for you, best of luck.
A benzo saved my life in severe alcohol withdrawal. Only needed it about a week and haven't drank since. We need to start taking responsibility for our own actions and stop blaming the drugs and or drug makers. BTW, I notice you "conveniently" forgot Librium for the alcohol withdrawal.
I am so happy it saved your life. This is not a video about withdrawal symptoms at all. This is a video from a therapist’s perspective and how my clients when taking benzos as prescribed were not getting better. I seem to have only noticed this impact on those taking the medications daily.
You can't control how a drug will effect you and when people aren't being told the long term consequences and what it's doing to them and how it's legit keeping them stuck. What you don't know can and does hurt you. I've been on them too and getting off them wasn't a walk in the park I'll tell you that. You took them for a week most people are on them and can't get off of them and it's really messed them up.
How can you come off of a benzo safely? I used to take clonazepam as needed, but since july of 2020, I've been taking it 1-2 times a day, everyday. My anxiety is super high and constant almost everyday and I even get derealization associated with my anxiety and panic
Hi Jordan. I am so sorry that you have such high anxiety and are already taking Klonopin. I cannot give medical advice, but, I am glad you are trying your best to learn about benzodiazepines. Here is a link that talks about withdrawal. I advise you to work with your physician to assist you if you plan to slowly withdrawal.www.benzo.org.uk/manual/
I've been taking diazepam 5mg at bedtime to help me sleep for about 15 years now and have had no problems. I used to drink a lot of alcohol and since using benzodiazepines, I've quit drinking. I would say that it is a miracle drug. Keep in mind that all meds affect different people differently.
Thank you for your comment
It's just switching to another thing to cope with. You used alcohol and now you use diazepam. I don't say that to be an asshole or to shame you but the risks don't seem worth it at all. We've been taught to just stuff everything and take a pill for everything and like she explained in the video it makes any attempts at getting better impossible and just numbs you and keeps you stuck.
@victor1Charlie. It's a horrible drug. Pure evil hell
If used short term to treat anxiety would you recommending using a benzodiazepine?
I, personally, do not think anything is harmful about using a benzodiazepine every once in awhile for anxiety or for example, to people afraid of flying. I would never recommend using them every day for any length of time. Eventhough they are approved to be used for a few weeks, it still creates difficulties and a withdrawal reaction when people stop. I am not a physician and am just giving my opinion and observations. 😊
@@PaigePradkoTherapy My son is 17 and been on Zoloft 1.5 years , Prozac 1.5 years, Mirtazapine only two weeks. The Mirtazapine has caused increased depression. His dr. is now wanting to take him off mirtazapine and try a benzodiazepine for anxiety and he's never been on one before. He is saying to take .5 mg twice a day for a week and if anxiety is controlled he will wean him off and try another anti-depressant.
started taking klonopin around 2017 and now i'm stilkl taking them the benzos have slowed down my brain and it's hard to focus i haven't been able to finish my final year engineering project because i am too unfocused and also terrified of my professors
i also have memory loss and and well i can't even find the right words to make sense today
I am so sorry. That must be so difficult and frustrating. Perhaps you can get some guidance from your doctor to wean down slightly to help you finish your project. It is a very slow process to wean off completely, but perhaps reducing your dose slightly will help your concentration. I hope you are able to finish your project.
Klonopin/xanax and alcoholism ruined my life for over a decade . Im about 3+ months sober . Quit cold turkey (knowing what i know now, wasnt the smartest idea). I know it gets better but its like i go from 0 to 60 in any social situation. My highs are way higher but my lowers are rock bottom lows .
It may take awhile for your nervous system to balance. Hope you feel better.
i increased my clanzapam from half a tablet to a whole tablet and the next day i forgot my phone password.
Wow. I believe you. One of my clients in the past was on a small dose. She had taught grade school math for many years, and suddenly could not remember how to do the math problems.
Benzo has bad effects on memory.
Mam,i used diazepam for 1 month for insomnia. But now i am facing so many issuea like poor concentration, social phobia, lack of confidence etc. Mam, please suggest me what should i do?
My suggestion is to work with your doctor on going off those medications. Your physician may have safer alternatives to help you with sleep problems. Wishing you the best.
I was addicted horrible. I turned into a person that I didn't recognize. I was mean and cruel. I am now benzo free. The withdrawals is hell. Double hell coming off Restoril, used for short term* insomnia. I was on it for 10 years.
Trey Cee did u feel extreme fatigue and feet sweating
What does one do if you have been on these drugs for over a year? I have found I am getting worse and becoming more tolerant of these drugs. I tried to wean myself off slowly, but the anxiety was so bad I had to continue taking them. I am in a Doctor's care and in counseling and I am not getting ,but worse.
Hi Laura. Please go to benzoinfo.com for good information on benzodiazepines.
Hi, interesting clip! But what you say here is to my experience not the case. I think it depends on person, biologi we have and our gens! I have been using clonazepam 1 mg/day for 20 years. And never needed to take higher dose. And it really help my gad. But then once again....if you are a person that have problems with tolerance it could be a disaster. But if you are a person that can handle it and use it the right way, and in the right purpose it could be a very good medicine. So once again.... It's probably more about what gens we have. I quitted antidepressants many years ago! And that if some medicine gave me withdrawal.
It s true . but ppl like you are probably the exception not the rule.
agreed ! so many people are rightly prescribed benzos and are absolutely fine. more people should be talking about the harm from SSRIs
Same here, Peter. I Took clonazepam for many years for anxiety with good results until my doctor read the studies this individual references. The Veterans Administration has unilaterally decided that benzodiazepines are the enemy and won’t prescribe them anymore. In the video she indicated that none of the people on benzodiazepines were, “getting better.” I would propose that some of those people had likely plateaued, but their anxiety was in hand. I can only speak for myself - I could go through psychotherapy until I’m blue in the face, but my root anxiety is always going to be there, and after three years without clonazepam, I’m just tired of life. The depression and anxiety is crippling and SSRIs don’t cut it.
@@wakkaflakkadown another doctor maybe? I'm lucky that My doctor read properly about the medications. And he always support me and listen to me. I have always followed the prescribed dose, and as long I do that he will not take it away. And he trust me after so many years.
I apologize for missing your comment. I am happy that your experience has been positive.
Informative……but one thing I noticed was you stated psychotherapy doesn’t help…..then later on you say psychotherapy can help. So I am a bit confused….if you could explain that to me it would be great and helpful!!! Thank you and look forward to your response.
Hi Gina. When taking the medications, one’s ability to consolidate new information into long term memory is negatively affected. This negatively affects one being able to learn new information and change behaviors discussed in therapy. Once one is titrating off the medications and following withdrawal, therapeutic support is helpful in healing as well as other support systems. I do not necessarily want to use absolutes here as of course there are so many variables involved.
Great video, excellent, accurate and responsible information - thank you.
A major problem with eliminating benzodiazepines is that there aren't many safe and/or effective medications that can help significantly with anxiety that can be substituted. Yes, there are other medications such as anti-depressants that can also reduce anxiety, but if they worked well enough, benzodiazepines prescriptions would have ceased. Also, it can take a while for patients to find the best anti-depressant for them, and the right dosage for that matter too - which of course, is another risk for patients. You are correct that psychotherapy is highly effective, but some patients will need more than that.
The medical profession have known of the dangers surrounding benzos for long enough and have had a lot of time to come up with a better medication. In the scheme of things, they aren't much safer than barbiturates. It's an area that still needs so much attention, time and research.
I agree.
You are spot on if cbt therapy and talk therapy were so effective why bother with medication in the first place. I have tried every treatment out there including anti depressants vitamins and herbs and so called holistic care nothing works for my type of anxiety and so back to square one and the benzos again!
What is a person to do??If the doctor would just give me a cyanide capsule and put me out of my misery I would be so happy 😊
Hi Paige
I just wanted to recommend that you watch videos from the Medicating Normal. Your explanation of the subject is a very good and logical one, and I think that this might be interesting for you (and also for everyone else who read these comments).
Thank you. I appreciate it. 🙏❤️
Thank you for your videos. I'm switching from Klonopin to Valium in order to taper. Does the chemical anxiety ever get better?
Every person seems to have a different experience with withdrawal. It sounds like the more educated one becomes on completing a very gradual withdrawal, the better they do.
I tapered 1 mg of Ativan (and after begging my doctor) with a switch to valium as per the Ashton Manual over 8 months and I'm still suffering horribly 6 years off. I took it for insomnia occasionally and ended up with panic disorder. I'm convinced it's genetics. I wish someone would do a study to find out why some of us don't heal...at least not yet. How is your taper going?
@@aileenfulgens1909 I didn't do well at all on Valium so switched back to Klonopin to taper and it's going okay. It's possible you have Lyme disease as it seems that those who don't heal have a diagnosis of "fibromyalgia" or some other syndrome which is really Lyme.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you
Yes I absolutely agree that psychotherapy therapy is pretty much a waste of time when a person is drugged by a benzo and anesthetized.
The patient WANTS them only because they haven't been told what the benzos are actually doing longterm.
My experience? I was on benzos for 40 years. I am now OFF everything--, trying to recover from the horrific physical damage the withdrawal has done to me.
I'm so glad I'm off.
Contact me if you want more info.
Wow...40 years. You are a hero to have gotten yourself off of them after 40 years. I cannot imagine what you have been through and may possibly still be healing. Thank you for sharing.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Its been an ongoing living nightmare.
I hope to survive and advocate about this
Good for you. I admire you for wanting to help others.
I can most definitely agree with making long term use (anything over a month) basically entirely discouraged....BUT in some situations, what happened with opioids is now beginning to happen with benzos......I have a four figure ER bill because my bp hit 197/137 .... I had never had a panic attack that bad, and I had never had a severe headache, so I told myself "I am not stroking out tonight....today isn't the day I die or become a vegetable"......So I ask my pdoc for a one off PRN script of klonopin for panic attacks....He wouldn't have it......Not even the psychiatrist at MHMR RXs benzos.....But THEY DO ABSOLUTELY HELP ARREST A PANIC ATTACK and taken ONLY prn (like say a quanitity of 30-60 with no refills for at least a year) they are not that problematic unless abused.....Now I am in the situation where I have real physical causes for hypertension in addition to psychogenic.....WHen the big one hits I am afraid I will just tell myself "It's just a panic attack, but I can't have a milligram of klonopin because they are now basically verboten".....
I understand, I really do. I do not believe much harm can come from occasional use during a severe panic attack. However, sometimes people after taking one for panic can get into cycle where they panic after the Benzo wears off. Then, a cycle of continual use can begin to ward off the panic and high anxiety. I treat people how to manage panic in their bodies without relying on a drug. Learning how to calm your panic on your own is your safest bet. I have a few videos that may help you with stopping panic and you can find them on my playlist page if you are interested.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you. Honestly, you somehow remind me of Tara Brach, the Buddhist therapist...
I took 10mg Valium for the first time yesterday. I got it as a prescription to help with my difficulty in breathing due to the extreme stress of having my daughter stolen from me by my ex-wife recently. Again. I've been through this before and we went through the family court several years ago. Things have been stable with a 50/50 custody arrangement. But recently, my ex broke the court orders and has made a bunch of false claims in an effort to claim full custody for herself. You can probably imagine how stressful this was, and I thought I was experiencing asthma symptoms, not being able to get enough oxygen. Turns out asthma medication had no effect and it was my "fight or flight" response demanding oxygen.
One pill is all it took for things to go back to normal and I felt fine during the effects of the Valium. I was truly amazed. But after reading about the negative effects, I think I need to be super cautious. The prescription says: "Take ONE tablet up to THREE times daily under acute stress for maximum sparing use"
I really don't want to get a tolerance for this. The pill did wonders for not only my breathing but also being able to focus on other things in life than my horrible circumstances. I have not taken a 2nd dose. But I think I should keep these pills handy for times when I have to deal with my ex or otherwise subject myself to severe stress. What I really want to know is how often I can take 10mg without building up any sort of dependency or tolerance.
I am so sorry that you are going through this stressful situation. Although I cannot give specific medical advice. Using a benzodiazepine occasionally when you are having a bad night is most likely not harmful. It is the chronic daily use that creates dependency and dangerous side effects. It sounds like you are not intending to use it daily. I wish you the best.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thanks. Yes I'm hoping to not need it daily. I might if I was in active court or mediation proceedings. But I've been through this before and usually it's very brief periods of high stress followed by weeks if not months of waiting.
AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. REXAX,SLOW BREATH. WAIT. LAST RESORT.
YOU CAN STOP IF IT IS ONLY A MONTH. CHECK MANY DRS. SEE DR.
HEATHER ASHTON ON LINE.
@@MsScruffy4 why all caps? Also I'm not sure what you are saying.
Paige, can I ask your advice? I was on klonopin for a year and non prescriptive benzos for a year. Stopped in Sep 2018 for a year and a half trying to heal trauma and co dependency issues. Lost my children and now after not healing for 2 years I’ve had 5 detoxes in hospital this year for repressed anger. I’m in hospital now for a final detox where I’m on diazepam 15mg 4 times a day and then for the next 6 days I’ll be tapered down. I have therapists that want to help me (I’ve also stopped taking mirtazapine 15mg). From what I’ve told you I don’t know what it’s done to my brain and how long before the brain returns to normal after this detox before any real theraputic work can begin? Thank you so much x
Unfortunately, I have not seen any research that specifically answers your question. In my opinion, therapy can be helpful during and following the withdrawal process. I have worked with clients going through withdrawal and they need consistent support through the entire process. A therapist will notice weekly changes in your emotionality and cognitive abilities and can help you stabilize. Each person’s experience is unique and it is difficult to guess when you will be ready for deeper therapeutic work. However, if you were able to work with a therapist during withdrawal, they would certainly be a good judge of this. I wish you the best.
Paige Pradko LPC NCC thank you. I’m just asking if the past 6 months of drinking detox with Valium 6 times will take a long time to heal or is that a short thing? X
Ok for 12 yrs my doctor had me in alprazolam 1.5 mg he just told me this week he cannot give them anymore and I have to be off within 3 months . I want to get off them but I’m scared . There is no on who wants to help . He put me on 1 mg this week and said come back next mont . I’m having headaches and mild pain but how much worse will this get?
By the way thank you for your concerns for others. Helping others from a professional point of veiw. Many are aware of their concerns. But, many times their concerns are not valid by professionals ☹️ 🐛🦋🌺💖💕
Thank you. Giving benzodiazepines for long term treatment of anxiety disorders is a practice that has concerned me for years. It has been heartbreaking to see what these drugs have done to people. I knew I would get criticism, but, sometimes there are situations where we must speak up. My hope is that it informs people.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Even worst now, cause now on the Hawaiian islands. Your medical treatment is attach to your welfare benefits. If you don't comply with the doctors recommendations you lose your welfare benefits. Seems kinda ironic cause most people with mental health problems will automatically fail many recommendations just by having things jumbled in they're minds. Not even counting what the medications do ☹️
What do you do when you're off of the benzos for 9 or 10 months and you're in a complete fog? I can't sleep and my heart races all the time. I've been taking alprazolam since I was in my early twenties and only my mid-50s and they did give alprazolam out like it was candy. I don't know how to get out of this. I for sure would have never started it if I knew the side effects were so terrible on top of the pandemic. I now work from home because it takes everything I've got to go to the bank or a grocery store without feeling like I'm having a heart attack and a headaches and body aches are so extreme, sometimes I just don't want to wake up because I know what I'm going to go through. I don't wish this upon my worst enemies. I have no support whatsoever because my mom passed away 5 years ago and my dad passed away 6 years ago so I don't have friends because I don't want to get out. It has consumed me. Any suggestions?
I am so sorry that you are going through this. I have worked with several clients that have experienced these long withdrawal symptoms after taking benzodiazepines daily for years. Everyone seems to be slightly different in the recovery phase. Some clients reported symptoms like you are describing for a little over a year after withdrawal. Although certain symptoms seem to linger, overall they seem to improve with time. What you have just done is incredibly difficult and it will improve overtime. Keep reminding yourself that you are making progress even if it is frustratingly slow. Here are some resources that you may find helpful. Podcast - Benzodiazepine Awareness- Geraldine Burns
Dr. Christy Huff - her story, 3 year taper - TH-cam
Benzoinfo.com
Kevinmd.com
Benzobuddies.org
Thank you so much for the help. I've always been very active and I worked in accounting and lost my job basically because I couldn't do my job anymore so I will follow the instructions and hope you pray to God that this helps. I'm sorry but I think doctors should be held accountable for way back in the day when they weren't telling us how bad it was about coming off of them. It's like we slipped through the cracks of the system. They know a lot about opioids and never really looked into the benzos. We go to our doctor's hoping to pick and help but when I go to the doctor now, they basically just say well maybe you need to go into rehab and that's not really a resolution with my symptoms. Anyway thank you for responding so fast and I'll be following all of your videos.
I believe you are right in what you stated. Unfortunately, there are no resources in place to help people go through these withdrawals that can last over a year. The drug treatment centers are not equipped to help people like you. You were not doing a street drug, you were not an addict, you were taking a prescription medication as prescribed. I do believe that most doctors want to help their patients, but, had no idea of the long term consequences. However, the drug companies did know. They were the ones doing the research. Doctors are now just starting to understand the difficulties in withdrawal, but still there is no micro dosing protocol established and physicians are still recommending a withdrawal over several weeks instead of months. Just posting your experience is helpful to get the word out. Thank you.
Found your channel to be helpful without the eeeks your going to die from withdrawals...I have been on Alprazolam 0,5mg 3xday , my doctor left and now the new one said no. No to refill or anything about what/why .I heard cold turkey will kill me and that's how it has been left for me to do. I am 68 yrs. old and very stressed after fire, head on car accident and husband with failing organs at 55 yrs old. What advice can you help me with. I am hoping to go off without killing myself or my marriage.
I wish I could help you with withdrawal, but, I cannot give medical advice. Most people receive support and medical management from their physicians and withdrawal slowly over several months. If I were in your position, I would research how to safely taper down to prevent withdrawal symptoms and then ask my doctor for support in the withdrawal process. I wish you the best during and after this process.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you so much for your kindness. I do understand and have been trying to get the doctor to even call me back as of yet. Do you know of any health products that would help me with the whole experience I am about to have?
Maryann, you may want to visit a vitamin store and ask them for recommendations. Perhaps Vitamin B, Magnesium and GABA along with others. I would ask your physician for a safe medication that might help you with sleep. Not a sleeping pill medication, as those have similar warnings about memory issues, but there are some safe options that your doctor may suggest to help you sleep.
@@PaigePradkoTherapy Thank you, I already take those all you mentioned, not a whole lot honestly,I am not looking so much for sleep I need to be able to go about my day calm and not having chest pains, like I said my dr got the boot and new one I guess doesn't care to help me. Thank You for your time, I have subbed to your channel and am looking forward to seeing you everyday as I get through this while learning about many things you have to offer, it's rare and much appreciated.