If you are well enough to be following the news, you know that Sony scrubbed the release of the movie The Interview. That had Twitter lighting up like a Christmas tree. Now George Clooney has a story circulating about a petition he and his agent Bryan Lourd circulated among top people in film, TV, records and other areas to garner support.
I find it interesting how one main story can generate other stories that grab headline attention.
Well, we have a story. Benzodiazepines cause brain damage. It was documented 30 years ago. And of course there are our stories: lives disrupted, lived ruined and lives ended because of a medication we were prescribed to take.
I can’t understand how there are millions of us around the world suffering from some degree of benzo damage, yet Twitter isn’t lighting up like a Christmas tree about it. Perhaps it is because many of us feel ashamed that we were taking an anti-anxiety drug. Perhaps we are ashamed that we (through no fault of our own) became physically dependant on them. Some of us are ashamed of the symptoms we must endure as our brains heal from the damage: the psychosis, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, anxiety, terror, fatigue and the inability to function as normal human beings. Not to mention the enduring bone and muscle pain that keeps many of us sidelined.
I wish we had George Clooney’s public relations firm handling our story. I wish that some big media company would expose the dangers of benzos so that doctors would be informed to stop prescribing them for more than a few days, and that people would be educated to not take them.
I wish the benzo story was finally told and that everyone was aware of the dangers in taking them, and understood the heroic effort it takes for some of us to reclaim our brains and our lives from the damage they do.
Oh, wow!! So well said, Jenn. I pray that day is coming when everyone will realize the damage done by benzos! I have two more tapers from
diazepam after being switched from klonopin and then done by the middle of January. Let the real healing begin!! I hope to be doing something with this pain we’ve been through like you are doing. Thanks!
I don’t understand either why a class action lawsuit hasn’t occurred already with so many people affected. It’s pathetic. But Jenn, kudos to you for doing something out-there and aggressive to promote knowledge. Your trip will wake up many to the iatrogenic danger of drugs.
I am ashamed even though I know it is not my fault. I am about 2 months out from an 18month tapering plan. When I am well (I am determined to get my life back- although it will be different) I may “come out”. If I could save one person or make one Dr. think before he pulls out the prescriptipon pad it would be worth it
AGREE!! Will do ur survey anothr time as i have 2 go 2 the othr adrss u wrote. Had anothr death in the family. My aunt n my uncle during the summer..now been overwhelmd..but will push self a lil to the funeral again..which helps some..now go off to job(as i dream n hope what i truely like 1 day n still dont complain) of very short shift n as mundane as it is n life in w/ds here..want to cry my gen but..YES i wish i knew how broadcast this drawnout process..Thank U n all.
Too much $ involved
The benzo story Is being told through the likes of you and me and many others…. http://www.AdvocateForSocialReform.com See The Benzo Blunder. Blessings, Marjorie
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As you know my family and I have been a part of the movie business for over 40 years and I can tell you that almost every star we have known has been on Benzos or ADs or uppers and downers as they called them at least part of their lives as well as alcohol and cocaine. They make taking prescribed drugs as a fun and safe thing to take in most movies they produce. And do they are acceptable to them.
And you are correct, most of us are ashamed of becoming addicted and we are thought of as mental cases. We are required to report all of this to doctors, insurances and police records…it has become a stigma for us all. People treat us differently if they know. Sad but true.
But the reason none of this will ever change is money. These drugs make billions for the entire medical community And pharmacuetical companies. This is the bottom line.