Myth 1: You have to have an addictive personality
to become hooked on a benzo.
I shared my benzo withdrawal story with a new friend of mine, who come to find out, is on a benzo. She said, “Thank God, I don’t have an addictive personality, so I won’t have any problems when I want to come off.” I did my best to gently explain to her the ways benzodiazepines work on the brain and the damage they can cause, making a reduction in dose bordering on inhumane suffering. I told her that people couldn’t get off the drugs, not because they are addicts, but because they are chemically dependent. She replied that her doctor told her that unless she was prone to addiction, the drugs were safe to take. “Besides,” she said, “I only take one every other night so that I won’t get hooked.” I explained that even PRN use could cause dependency, but I could tell that she wasn’t open to hearing the truth about these drugs. She was content to rely on her doctor’s advice, which in most instances, is wise. But not so with benzos. Most doctors are uneducated about benzos. Educate yourself. Google benzo withdrawal. Read people’s stories about their withdrawal experience. Discover for yourself the truth about these medications.
Myth 2: Going to rehab is the safest
way to get off a benzo.
If you had a problem stopping alcohol, pain meds, or street drugs, rehab is usually a safe way to get clean. Not so with benzos. A rehab or detox center is one of the worst options for getting off of a benzo. They taper patients off way too quickly. Rehabs and detox centers also are notorious for adding more medications that can harm us in benzo withdrawal. The best way to get off a benzo is to make gradual (not more than 10%) reductions in your dose. Some people require a year or more to taper off of their medication. Many people who go to detox or rehab, come home with so many debilitating and unbearable symptoms that they either reinstate or end their lives.
Myth 3 and 4: Slow tapers and long holds guarantee
an easy withdrawal experience.
We all wish that this were true! A slow taper does help to minimize withdrawal symptoms, but it is by no means a guarantee that you won’t experience withdrawal symptoms. Some people have symptoms no matter how small a cut they make. Another myth that goes hand in hand with this one is that if you hold your dose long enough you’ll “stabilize.” That isn’t always the case, sadly. Tolerance is a very real phenomenon. (Dr. Ashton, a leading expert on benzo withdrawal) recommends that for people who are extremely ill from their benzo that they get off as quickly as it is safe to do so instead of holding.
Myth 5: Reinstatement ensures that a second slower taper will be less symptomatic.
Many people are so overwhelmed by their benzo withdrawal symptoms that they reinstate in hopes that they can have a “do-over” and get it right the second time around. Dr. Ashton’s research found that reinstatement after four weeks after discontinuation rarely worked in the long run. Like many things in benzo withdrawal, we don’t know why, Symptoms may be reduced at first, but tolerance usually rears its head within a few weeks and what gains you’ve won go right out the window. You can become just as sick as you were when you reinstated. Plus, getting back down off the drug can now cause even more symptoms due to the phenomenon of “kindling.” It’s best to taper slowly to avoid as many symptoms as you can, and once off, stay off!
Myth 6: There are medications to stop withdrawal symptoms.
There are no medications (or supplements or vitamins) that stop withdrawal symptoms. (Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist has been thought to stop withdrawal symptoms, but it is not a permanent cure.) Many of us seek out help as we are so desperate for our suffering to stop. However, the only true cure for benzo withdrawal is time. The brain heals itself. Our best stance is to do nothing that interferes with our recovery. We must avoid alcohol and drugs or herbs that work on GABA receptors. Even vitamins such as D, B, and magnesium have been known to flare our symptoms. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and other medications can often make us worse. Some people have reported that they have gotten some relief from medical marijuana, while others report that it sent them into a horrible wave of symptoms.
Myth 7: Once healed, it’s safe to take another
benzo in the future.
Once you have recovered from benzo withdrawal, it is best to avoid taking another benzo at any time in the future. Too many people have reported that they took a pill or two for a scary flight, or an emotional upset, only to be thrown back into withdrawal. It’s not worth the risk. I wear a medical alert bracelet that states I cannot be administered a benzodiazepine. I never take it off.
Myth 8: You will have the same recovery schedule as
someone who was on the same benzo and dose.
Every brain is different so no two benzo recovery stories are the same. What determines your recovery is your unique DNA and your ability to weather the adversity that comes with withdrawal. Never compare your recovery to someone else’s recovery. You’ll either scare yourself that yours will take as long as theirs or you’ll be disappointed that theirs was shorter than yours. Focus only on the day you are in and don’t worry about what’s up ahead. You’ll face and cope with whatever comes your way.
Myth 9: You’ll have PTSD from your withdrawal experience
Although this may be a possibility, I’ve not spoken to anyone who feels that they haven’t been able to put their withdrawal experience behind them. True, while you are still recovering, it can feel as if you will bever be able to let go and forget, however, as your GABA receptors heal from the damage the benzo caused, you’ll see that there is very little, if anything, you will need to do to walk away and not look back. I had a very traumatic cold-turkey withdrawal, and I don’t feel haunted by it. I rarely think about it. I’m so grateful for my recovery and my new life that I don’t look back. The chances are good that you won’t look back either! You won’t be traumatized forever. You are definitely not “ruined” forever because you experienced benzo withdrawal.
Myth 10: It’s always best to cross over to a diazepam to taper
There are pros and cons to moving over to diazepam to taper. If you are on a short acting benzo such as Xanax, a gentle move over to a longer acting benzo might be helpful. You’ll be less prone to interdose withdrawals. Diazepam comes in small doses which make tapering easier than the other benzos. However, many people can’t tolerate the move over to diazepam as it doesn’t work on some of the sub-receptors that the new benzos work on. Diazepam is notorious for causing severe depression in many people. It’s a personal choice which benzo you decide to taper from. There is no right or wrong; it is only what works best for you.
Myth 11: A few good days means that withdrawal is behind you.
Oh, how I wish this were always true! When we have days (or hours) when we are symptom-free, or notably better, we call that being in a “window.” When we experience worsening/new symptoms we refer to that as being in a “wave.” Recovery from the damage caused by a benzo is not linear. It is up and down and sideways! We can experience a few good days and then be slammed again back into the pit of withdrawal. It’s frustrating that our healing is so unpredictable. It takes a great deal of emotional energy to ride out the waves. The good news is that eventually they fade away and we are left with good days! You’ll know when you can say that you feel that withdrawal is behind you and you no longer fear or anticipate waves.
Myth12: A low dose or short time on
equals a pain-free withdrawal
No one is sure what causes a benzodiazepine to damage one brain so badly and not harm another. All we know is that withdrawal is not always tied to how much of the drug you took, or the length of time you took it. People have reported severe withdrawals from ten days of prescribed use. Others have reported little to no withdrawal symptoms after years on the drug. The best rule of thumb is to respect these drugs and to get off of them as safely as possible. Don’t assume that because you were only on for a few weeks means you can be cavalier about your tapering process. On the other hand, don’t assume that just because you were on for a long time means that you will suffer horribly. You may get off without too much wear and tear as many have. Not everyone experiences withdrawal symptoms. But everyone should use caution getting off of their benzo.
The bottom line is that you must educate yourself about benzo withdrawal so that you can successfully and safely get off of your benzo. Please don’t trust the advice of anyone who isn’t educated about benzos and the recovery process, including doctors and other medical professionals. There is a great deal of information to be found on websites that are dedicated to benzo awareness and education. Please don’t fall prey to the myths about benzos and benzo withdrawal. Educate yourself. Be safe. Take good care of yourself, please.
What other myth about benzos can you think of to add to this list to educate people? Please leave your comment and join in the conversation.
Is it bad to taper my gabapentin well I’m holding my Valium? I’m down from 12 1/2 mg of Valium to 4.8 mg. And it is very depressing to me and has been since the beginning. But the gabapentin is also a depressant and I was on A lot more last fall and tapered that down to over 200. And then this summer I’ve been on a little over 200 and in the last about eight weeks I’ve tapered slowly down to 40 mg. Do you offer tapering ideas or help? is it bad to hold my diazepam this long?
No one can say if holding your dose is a good or bad thing. Only you can decide if it’s working for you to hold or not. Some people like to taper the drugs they are on at the same time. Others want to taper one at a time. There is no right or wrong way. Again, it is what is best for you that is important. I can’t offer tapering advice other than to suggest you read Dr. Heather Ashton’s manual and not cut more than 10% at a time. That’s the current “best practice” in the benzo withdrawal community. I wish you the best on your recovery!
Dear Jennifer, thank you so much for the posts you’re put out recently! They have been so helpful and supportive as I go through withdrawal. Unfortunately, I can’t provide a new myth since I’m still in the middle of the torture known as withdrawal. Dan
Excellent article!!!!
I am a long term opiate user because of an injury. I am on disability and cannot stop my pain medication (vicodin 10/325) because of severe pain issues. I recently weaned myself off xanax and valium which I was on for stress for many years, a low dose. I am in the 5th. month or so of being off these two drugs and am experiencing severe depression as my main symptom, along with others of course, but the depression is worst. My question is will my being on my pain killers affect my withdrawal from the valium? I am so scared that because of being of vicodin I am not going to recover from the valium symptoms (I was not depressed while just on vicodin, only when I weaned off the xanax and valium). I of course have withdrawals when my vicodin wears off, but that is normal and expected. I was nerver depressed like this before so I attribute that to the valium withdrawal. Any input on being on an opiate and detoxing from a benzo would be appreciated.
Myth 12: Educating oneself is key to a successful withdrawal
While knowing the facts certainly matters,I found out that in my case beyond a point the gathering of facts does more harm than good.
One ends up osessing about symptoms,while the fact remains that no withdrawal story is alike and going by others’ experiences invites both (mostly)negative and positive expectations that do not help.
I lived in India for the last 20 years,always on a high dose of Lorazepam. I never used the Internet before 2012 and knew very little of the way benzos work.
On a few occasions the med was not available and I had a bad time for several days,until I could find it again.
Over the last year I have started a gradual taper and I have all the information,but at times I wonder if it helps or not in the end.
People who have less bad experiences are less likely to leave any account,so most of the information one comes across is slanted in a negative way.
It works like an inverted placebo.
At times I really wonder if learning so much did any effective positive difference in the end. Perhaps knowing the basics would have been better. In my case,the presence of someone on my side most of the time,when I have little or no control on my own thoughts, would matter the most.
No website is a substitute for that.
Completely agree that there is no substitute for someone next to you who comforts you. Not even Skype can fill those big shoes. I disagree that myth 12 is education leads to a successful experience. Without becoming knowledgeable, people can die from benzo withdrawal. It’s better in my humble opinion to know the facts about withdrawal so one can make better decisions. Will the knowledge stop the symptoms? No, of course not, but it can help minimize the risk of becoming symptomatic. The stories of withdrawal on the web are, of course, the worst ones. It’s good to know that not everyone experiences a terrible withdrawal. I’ve never stated that to be true anywhere on my website.
I don’t believe that your pain meds will keep your GABA receptors from healing. Let’s see if anyone else chimes in on this subject.
Dr. Leigh,
Can you possibly comment on my post above? I would greatly appreciate any info on this subject and cannot find anything online even though I have searched in many different ways. Also, would welcome any comments from any knowledgeable person on the opiate/benzo topic, staying on the opiate and being off the benzo. Thanks.
Sorry, you must have responded while I was writing. Hopefully some others will chime in. Thanks.
What if a doctor administers a benzo for a medical procedure, like a colonoscopie for example? How do we protect ourselves from something like that? I am due one in 2017, I will ask what they give for sedation, but if it is a benzo I think I will skip the test, as I will be only one year off lorazepam.
Great list, Jennifer. When I was in withdrawal during taper, (moved from Ativan to Diazopam per Ashton method. 9 months taper. Now 3 months post ), I felt I had researched BWS to death. But I continued to learn more and more as my symptoms became more severe. I so agree that getting educated surrounding withdrawal and recovery is key to prepare (as much as one can) and helping survive. If nothing else, it helps alleviate some of the fear of what might happen. Also, preparing your loved ones too. Had anyone else been in my home the first month after ‘jumping off’, they would have taken me to the ER or psychiatric ward. Had my husband not been as prepared as he was, it would have been so much more horrible for both of us. I love your letter to caregivers and loved ones. It really helped.
Lissa
Alissa, you are so right about educating spouses and family. I have kept my wife informed about every detail and it has helped both of us with her able to understand what’s going on with me and her ability to give support through this “adventure”. Dan
Yes, Dan. Personally, I subscribe to the ‘knowledge is empowerment ‘ doctrine. I went, and go, through periods of researching and, then need to take a break. We are lucky that there is information out there to share with our loved ones, and that they can have a sense of security in helping us. It’s scary for all involved. Happy healing!
I was by no means attempting to make a case against education.
Only,warning against going too far,as I realized I had been doing for too long.
There is a point at which indiscriminate,saturation gathering of others’ cases does more harm than good.
Each experience of BDW is unique and to a large extent
unpredictable in its
developments.
Dr. Leigh introduces much needed caveats and words of caution at every steps.
That is the exception rather than the rule.
In my case,finding myself projected into a dark world,with its own vocabulary(Benzo Hell,Waves etc.),was not always helpful,on the contrary. It reinforced negative expectations and led me to obsess about
symptoms.
I would say,Read the Ashton Manual. Follow this very valuable website. Keep learning,but also,always keep an open mind.
And be aware at all times of a certain lack of balance in the testimonies you come across,they are not a fair representation of the entire spectrum.
You cannot really know what tomorrow has in store for you.
Yes, Luca. I so agree. I can’t begin to know how you felt and feel. We are all experiencing this differently. My suggestion is to do what research you can for your own comfort level. I felt better knowing what I may expect, so as to feel some sense of knowing what was more in common with others. You may feel differently. And all of that is so normal and okay. We are all the best judge of what is right for us. This is a difficult experience for all of us and our loved ones. For me, I am trying to not have my identity be all about benzo withdrawal, so I tend to come and go with research too. Happy healing!
I am glad Lissa that you not just understand what I wanted to say,but also can express it even more clearly.
…trying to not have one’s identity be all about benzo withdrawal.
That is what is vital,and when most difficult because of the sheer oppressive weight of troubles experienced,then all the more essential.
Happy healing:)
Is it normal to still have issues 25 months off?
Yes,for many people. WD can take a long time to recover from.
Dear Dr. Leigh,
Not sure where I should be posting this or if I should ask this in a “counselling” session, but is it possible for you to get me the answer to my question above about having the vicodin affect my recovery? I am going through a lot of mental and physical agony and the thought of having to discontinue my medication to recover from this valium withdrawal is so stressful it is impeding my recovery mentally and making me more depressed. It will be hell to try to come off these vicodin and I will be more depressed as well as physically in much pain, but I will wean off if it means I have to be in this valium withdrawal hell forever. I need to know if I will recover while on the vicodin. I do see some improvement after 5 months off with sleeping, but the depression stays, along with multiple other symptoms which I can live with if I know I am recovering. It is the thought that this vicodin is stopping my recovery that is making me crazy. How can I get an answer to this question? My doctor is not informed enough to help me and I can’t find the answer anywhere online. Can you help me with how I could find an answer to this? Thanks so much. Nancy
I am having a VERY difficult time sleeping. I use Benadryl which is great but one builds up a tolerance if used 3 days in succession and then you can’t use it for another 3 to 4 days. I’ve tried Melatonin, Chamomile, Dramamine, Warm milk all without success. Do you have any other suggestions for sleeping aids? Thank you so much – Peter
Same question as Peter. What about sleep?
Soooooo. I just found this blog/site Friday night (12/21/16). Thank heaven. I have been at my wits end. First my story. It is pretty long and I apologize, but I feel like I should tell my whole story since I did not understand the medications I was taking and it presents a more complete snapshot. I feel like my Benzo withdrawal has been particularly bad due to the length of time I was taking it and the many drugs and abrupt drug changes involved.
Monday, 12/12/16, my pain management doctor was concerned about my depression. She got me in with a therapist at her office the same day. It was recommended that I do in-patient hospitalization. I agreed and by the next day I was off to the hospital. When I checked in I was taking Citalopram 40mg/q.d. (5 yrs), Wellbutrin 300mg/bid (16 yrs), Ropineral .5mg/q.d. (4 yrs), Trazodone 50mg/q.d. (11 yrs), Clonazepam 2mg/q.d. (19 yrs) with a chaser of Adderall ER 40mg/q.d. (1.5 yrs). Just thinking of it exhausts me, let alone typing it.
At the hospital I saw a nurse practitioner for “psych.” She changed Cymbalta for Citalopram, lowered the Wellbutrin to 200mg (I’ve no idea why and I didn’t realize it until after I was released) and STOPPED Clonazepam. I questioned these changes, and boy oh boy, she did not like that! I expressed real concern about the removal of Clonazepam (I realize now that she probably thought I was addicted). I was first prescribed Clonazepam in 1990 after a sleep study (diagnosis: insomnia and nocturnal myoclonus now called RLS). I’ve had very bad insomnia since I was a teenager. I started at .25mg and over eight years it was increased (always by a doctor, psychiatrist or neurologist) to 2mg, where it stayed from 1998 until that day. I explained that every doctor I’ve seen over the years (doctor, psychiatrist or neurologist) always prescribed that I stay on the Clonazepam and added something new. They first added Mirapex, then Trazodone, then Trazodone and Requip. The following day I saw the same woman who added Geodon 20mg/bid. I asked about Geodon and was told it is an anti-psychotic. I told her I did not want to take an anti-psychotic and she brushed my concerns to the side. I asked about the Adderall that I had missed for two days. She told me I didn’t need it while I was there. When I protested she said, “We don’t need to see how well you are FOCUSING.” So very sarcastic. That night I requested a different doctor or nurse practitioner.
On the third day I met with a psychiatrist. I felt much better with her. And maybe it was because she was kinder & gentler and she was a doctor (which I realize now doesn’t mean much, good and bad doctors). I told her I was having a terrible time sleeping and I needed Adderall. She stopped the Trazodone and increased the Geodon to 20mg/bid with an additional 20mg/prn up to 40mg to help with sleep. She did agree that I didn’t need the Adderall and she said, “There are no withdrawal effects with Adderall.” I thought it was crazy and told her I had gone about a month without it once and I had withdrawal symptoms then. She wasn’t argumentative or sarcastic, but she did not give me an Rx for Adderall. And then it was the weekend. No “psych” appointments for two days.
Monday I met with the Psych Doctor and told her of my extreme insomnia. She asked if I had taken the additional 20mg of Geodon. Nope, I had forgotten that I was to do that. In fact, they gave me Trazodone 50mg on Friday and Saturday and 100mg on Sunday as a sleep aid. Not the greatest nursing staff. I thought the doctor wanted me to stop Trazodone and told the nurse on Friday night. She just told me it was still in my chart and I could have it. So, tra la la la, I went ahead and took it. Not the best hospital, in fact.
On Tuesday I saw the psychiatrist and she asked if Geodon had helped me sleep. It hadn’t. So she increased it to 40mg/bid with an additional 20mg/prn up to 60mg/bid. I was released later that day. I asked about the Adderall once I was out. She said I could go back on it but I might want to try a different medication. What?! That drug doesn’t work quite right, well here try this drug. I was released on Tuesday but I couldn’t get my prescription because my insurance required Prior Authorization. I ended up buying a few meds at full price just so I can have the medicine (Cymbalta and Geodon). (I realize I haven’t taken the Geodon the last two nights. I hope that is okay. I just don’t want yet another med. It was very negligent of the hospital to not confirm that I’d be able to get my prescriptions before I left.
I started searching on the Internet about my drugs and my symptoms. Withdrawal? I was not addicted so how? I obviously had built up a tolerance to the Benzo over 19 years at 2mg and a total of 26 years! OMG! I mean, duh!! Now that I have found out why I’ve been so “sick” I am ashamed of myself for never questioning the Benzo Rx or all of the other drugs, for not even knowing how they worked and how they were affecting my poor little brain. I’ve been irresponsible and now I must pay.
I’ve been off Clonazepam for 13 days. My withdrawal so far has been wicked bad. And to make it worse I had no idea why I was feeling this way! I have literally had every side effect I found here and on the Internet in general. Question for you Jennifer. I am 59 now. Do you think I’ll be able to get off the Benzo? I’m sure I won’t start it back up (no matter how hard); but do you think my brain is irreparably damaged? Also, I don’t have any idea which meds I should keep taking, which may be adding to or exacerbating my symptoms.
For the ‘cherry on top’, my withdrawal symptoms got bad on Day 8 (had symptoms earlier but didn’t realize) and I have not been able to get a doctor’s appointment yet (holidays!). My doctor’s office said if you don’t feel well go to the ER room. I have been freaking out! So on Friday I went to a hospital ER room and the doctor just said, “What do you want me to do?” He said he couldn’t give me medicine to take home. I still didn’t know this was related to Benzo withdrawal so I didn’t know. I just knew I felt like crap. Friday night I was so scared that I was going to die from withdrawal. I still worry – a lot. I’ve called two other ERs; pointless because they can’t give you advice until you are there. I pray I can get in to see my doctor on Tuesday. I will appreciate any comments, advice or encouragement.
Has anyone been able to work during taper process?
How do you go through symptoms and not think you are dying or doomed?
Would upping my ssri be of benefit? (Presently 10mg cipralex a day)
Also, I was on .25mg of clonazepam for 3 months. Then went down to 3 quarters for 3 weeks. Then cut to half about 2.5weeks ago and am in bad distress… my question Is, how do I taper slower? These meds crumble Iif I try and break smaller than quarters.
My gp and psychiatrist are both on vacation until january 9 and I feel quite lost.
Dora
many people can work during a taper. Some cannot, but some can. The death/doom/gloom response is part of the process. We learn to soldier one through the feelings/thoughts. They are very common in benzo withdrawal. Many people don’t do well on an SSRI in withdrawal as they are so activating. Upping your dose would be up to you and your doctor, but know that an SSRI remodels your brain and you may have a withdrawal syndrome connected with it when you want to discontinue it. Staying on an SSRI long term can have its own health risks. Many people cross over to Valium so that they can taper more easily as it comes in small doses. IT can cause severe depression, however, and not everyone can cross over. You may need to do a liquid taper, (find info online or at benzobuddies.org) or as your doctor to compound your medication for you. Most people will only cut up to 10% of their dose, no more. Some, far less. Bigger cuts are harder on the brain and body. Hope this helps.
Unless your doc and Psychiatrist are benzo educated, they may not know the best course of action for you. They may suggest other medications that are not good to take in benzo withdrawal, so please do your due diligence. Learn as much as you can about these medications and the withdrawal process. All the best on your recovery.
Some people find that pain meds (opiates) can increase their withdrawal symptoms. I am not in a position to tell you if your withdrawal will be harder due to the pain meds. Some people have chronic pain. I am aware of that. Have you asked your question at benzobuddies.org?
Sleep is a real challenge for many in benzo withdrawal. Melatonin and antihistamines are the most commonly OTC sleep aids. Doctors like to prescribe Z drugs fro sleep, but they are “baby benzos” and should be avoided as they can hinder our recovery or create their own withdrawal syndrome. Also, antipsychotics should be avoided as well as they can create a worse situation for us in withdrawal. Please do your research before taking any drug for sleep. I know the insomnia is debilitating, but radical acceptance is oftentimes less damaging than taking a pill to sleep.
God bless you Dr Leigh. Do you have any advice for me? I was having a successful ween 5% every two weeks from a 2 mg of clonazepam given for sleep. When I came to the end of my dose of 0.4 I had what they call a benzo crash. It was awful I don’t want to get into it. I did not reinstate the drug I only went up to 0.9 and I’ve been trying to hold 11 months of disability. My brain symptoms are horrific. We have not found any doctors that can stabilize me. We are seeing a benzo specialist next month perhaps I may have to up the dose and stabilize but I truly don’t want to do that yet I do not want to wean from such a Vulnetabke place being so disregulated. I was just wondering if going up in the dose would stabilize me. I should’ve reinstated back then. I just want your opinion I know I will need medical advice to back it up. I would appreciate it greatly as this has brought such grief to my children and my husband. Anyone who is undergoing benzos does not need any description. It’s a hell. And I’m not even weaning I’m just holding and I’ve wasted a lot of time listening to naturalpaths and other doctors. I await your response. Thank you so much.
I am so sorry that you are suffering. What we know about updosing (from the stories of so many people from around the world) is that it rarely works to eliminate withdrawal symptoms. There is a very real phenomenon called kindling that can occur, making each taper harder than the last one, with more symptoms. The sad facts are that most people don’t get off of their benzo without withdrawal symptoms. It would have been best to stay at .4 and hold for a bit but then bite the bullet and keep going down very slowly. I did what you did. I updosed back to .9 mgs and the taper after that was too hard. I ended up jumping from .625. That’s not the way to do it! I am not an MD so I can’t give medical advice, but I can share with you the common knowledge from the benzo community who has lived through withdrawal, that it is best to keep going with your taper and to accept the symptoms and distract from them as much as possible. If you are waiting for a time when you are symptom-free to taper again, that time may not come. Tolerance withdrawal can happen, especially after one updoses. Most doctors are uneducated about benzo withdrawal and give poor advice. I’ve even known doctors who market themselves as benzo withdrawal specialists updose a patient to double their original dose, causing an even harder taper and adding many, many months of suffering to their lives. There are no pills or potions or procedures that shorten the length of time it takes to recover from the damage a benzo causes. There is nothing that can stop the symptoms. Some drugs can dampen the symptoms a little bit but those drugs have their own withdrawal one must face. And some increase benzo withdrawal symptoms. Most people feel it is best to get down without taking other meds, and to practice extreme self-care. Eat healthy. Rest. Gentle exercise. Gratitude. Distraction. Creativity. Find ways to have purpose and help others when you can. The road back to health is long and winding, and lonely at times. But we do arrive at a much better place, in time. I wish you all the best as you heal. I hope you can begin to taper and not increase your dose. That decision could backfire on you, sorry to say. But you do what you think you need to do. We will all support you.
You know what my benzo medical therapist has told me sane advice for months because she went through this and has brought over 1000 people to healing by coaching them but I kept waiting to stabilize because this was after a crash. 11 months went by and great suffering. I am totally disabled and I have the weirdest bring symptoms. Is this common? I’m sorry I have to ask you another question. If you tell me that these weird, always changing bring symptoms are common through this process then I will just continue weaning. Thank you so much for your advice I truly appreciate it and I know it comes from your expertise. I will keep you posted. I just didn’t want to undergo any more disability that’s why I was trying to hold and stabilize but is truly a hell and because I had a great ween before I’m thinking all I need is to up the dose. You have to admit that if I would’ve reinstated right away I would’ve been in a different place today. Most people after crash reinstate and taper slower. If you can answer these concerns I would greatly appreciate it.
Many people who cold turkey and reinstate very quickly often stabilize and can do a slow taper. They may have withdrawal symptoms, but they will usually be far less than those of a cold turkey. But those who don’t reinstate right away can often find themselves in hot water if they reinstate and try to get back down. They may have a hard time and tolerance can occur fairly quickly. If you are talking about updosing from having symptoms from a taper, some people will have a harder time getting back down after they updose. Every brain is different, of course, so no one can accurately predict if you updose if you will have a harder time getting down or not. But you should be at least made aware that that can happen so you can make your own decision. Not everyone will have benzo withdrawal symptoms no matter how fast they taper, and so doctors who work with them don’t understand the hardship the person who is symptomatic is having. I worked with a handful of “benzo specialists” here in San Francisco and none of them truly understood withdrawal. It is common to become disabled in withdrawal. I was bedridden for many, many, months, unable to do much of anything. My brain didn’t work well at all! It is fairly common to be able to do a taper with very little symptoms only to be hit hard at the lower doses. So your “crash” isn’t all that unusual, sad to say. I wish you the best on your recovery. I know you can get off and heal! Millions of us have.
I am sorry about the spelling mistakes. I cannot concentrate. I meant I have the weirdest brain symptoms and I was wondering if this is common? I feel my brain is being mangled in different ways and then I’m gonna die from it. no anxiety. Why didn’t I ever feel this five years on the drug? Why didn’t I feel it during my withdrawal as I had a great withdrawal until I crashed at the end? I only felt these weird brain symptoms after my crash and it’s been 11 months and that is why I am considering upping the dose because I was stable before and I was having a great ween. I truly believe in my heart if I would’ve reinstated when I crashed I would truly been a different place and I would be weaning off again from a place of stability and I would’ve gone slower and it would’ve been successful because my withdrawing off a benzo was not terrible it was only terrible after the crash. I want you read this carefully because I’m not experiencing with drawl symptoms. My brain has felt this way since I crashed so perhaps my case is different? Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much and I’m sure we will all get through this hell. 🙏😘❤️
Wow. I’m glad I found you. I’m so stupid. I was down to 0.4 I should’ve just bit the bullet and continued on but The crash was hard honey. I was having psychotic episodes, I was seeing the devil, I was shaking, I couldn’t hear noises, my brain felt it was on fire worse than now, I’m not in that place anymore but my brain totally feels weird 24 seven and agony the keeps me disabled and it’s been 11 months. At least if I was suffering while weaning down that would be OK . These doctors confused me and they told me that I should not wean down until I stabilize a little bit. The doctors here in Toronto do not have a clue I’m telling you. You and my medical therapist who has helped over 8000 people have given similar advice. So the show must go on. I just didn’t want to be disabled the rest of the way. Oh well. Thank you again for taking the time. It’s people like you who have gone through this and are helping others that the world needs. Your vocation is one of the most important ones and I hope that we can eventually band this drug off the market or at the very least make it mainstream awareness. When I recover I will definitely make it my mission. Thank you again and may God bless you in every area of your life.
Thank you for your kind words. I emailed you, so check your inbox. Ig you need any support, let me know. I know you’ll get well, in time. Taper slowly and listen to your body. Glad you’ve got some good help there. I know of one Canadian doc who is very benzo wise! He won’t prescribe other meds and he is very kind to his patients. I hope that is who you are working with. All the best.
Elise, I have read your replies today and it has made me sad for you. I will pray for you. Your questions about the brain being affected sound familiar. From the first day of withdrawal my brain has been the most affected. Lack of concentration, strong detachment from reality and the list goes on. I’ve read that many of us who are going through this great struggle have issues with our minds. We are so fortunate to have Jennifer for our support. Dan
I totally agree with Luca , reading all the horror stories makes things worse , reading about other peoples symptons has created more for me , no doubt , all I was looking for was help , a way out and now I read about a new sympton and guess what , I get it , it sticks in your mind and you obsess about it
(Dave, I edited out your last sentence. Let’s not use the word “retarded” to describe our symptoms. Thank you!)
Dave, I agree. I was okay before, but lately I have been having the same experience. This whole thing is such a mess.
Geok – Singapore
I need advice, I was on Valium for almost 10years (8years on 5mg the rest of the 2years on 10mg) I taper to 5mg myself for a couple of days then to 2.5mg, while I was on 2.5mg for the 3rd day I couldn’t control my tears, every mins to me is like torture, I suffered depression, intense anxiety, panick attack to the worst was to have sucide thought, everyday to me seem meaningless. I met my psychiatrist after 7th days of misery (benzo withdrawal symptoms) he given me a schedule to follow: valium 5mg (5weeks) 4mg (5weeks) 3mg (5weeks) 2mg (5weeks) 1mg (5weeks) then gone. I am now only on 2nd week of 5mg. I taper myself on taking 5mg alternate day. I keep myself physically strong by swimming and jogging daily. Exercise helps me from lessen my anxiety (at least compare to the first week of horrifying encounter) I feel better. Just wonder while the psychiatrist having a tapering schedule for me, is it ok for me to further taper myself? I.e 5mg every alternate day or once every 2days? I lost my job as I couldn’t function on the 2nd week of withdrawal symptoms, now I have my love ones accompany on my benzo free journey and I disclipined myself on daily exercise.
Does having sex with your partner help when in withdrawals? Will an orgasm and letting those natural hormones plus heightened and peak. Is that helpful and healthy to do during withdrawals from 6mg. A day for 20 years of kolopin and now tapered to .50 2x a day. Each taper has been at 25% instead of 10% and no Valium crossover. T
Some people have reported that having an orgasm revved up their symptoms. You’d have to decide for yourself if having sex was helpful to you or if it revving things up for you. All the best to you as you taper off.
Some rubbish in the myths about the time frame for reinstatement there is no evidence that your receptors magically change after 4 weeks. I successfully reinstated 6 months after cold turkey hell. I am now on my 3rd taper not deliberately but it took me 11 weeks to stabilise then back at work and am whilst tapering. Most people say reinstatement doesn’t work because they give themselves a random timeframe then taper while unstable instead of giving it the time needed. Obviously these people will.say don’t reinstate. Ashton is hopelessly out of date and uses the medical model I would be embarrassed to take something so old to my gp – the nice guidelines and British national formulary are far more up to date and advocate patient led tapering. Even Ashton said of your taper is not successful the first time you can always try again. And stop scaremongering about vitamins these don’t interact with benzos this is encouraging malnutrition and paranoia the main things to avoid are booze and other psychotic meds. I eat what I like and drink tea and have the odd coke symptoms arise randomly and should get be linked to whatever you have just eaten. oh and kindling is not evidenced for benzodiazepines I am s biochenist abd have scrutinised all the evidence more scaremongering. Seems to be used for bad symptoms and people may say oh I’m kindled and doomed rather than looking at and addressing their tapers which may be too rapid. But what do I know lol. This is just one persons narrative based on a particularly bad experience. I have worked through 3 tapers now it is possible.
Dear Jane, the four-week rule of thumb is based on information shared with from many people over a great deal of time. It’s a general suggestion that reinstating after four weeks may not work for everyone. Not everyone who reinstates stabilizes as you did at 11 weeks. The Ashton Manual is a guide and many people don’t follow it to the letter as they listen to their body. Most of us who help others in benzo withdrawal suggest following your own path based on your unique reaction to withdrawal, using the AM as a good support. Yes, Ashton did say that if you fail a taper, you can try again. That doesn’t mean that the second time will be easier, it just means to not give up. Try again.
When you tell me to stop scaremongering, I feel frustrated. I work very hard to help people and to have that help insulted isn’t appreciated. I am not saying to avoid a healthy diet that offers complete nutrition. I am saying that some vitamins and supplements have been shown to rev up people in benzo withdrawal. Countless people have reported bad reactions to magnesium, vitamin D, B and fish oil, to name a few. Does this mean that everyone will have an increase in symptoms? Of course not. There is no one size fits all with benzo withdrawal. However, it is best to warn people that they may have a bad reaction so that they can decide for themselves if they want to risk that or not. Wouldn’t it have been nice had our doctors informed us of the risks of taking a benzo?
Kindling is a very real phenomenon in benzo withdrawal. It doesn’t mean that someone is doomed, it simply means that they have an increase in symptoms. They will still go on to heal. Kindling doesn’t mean that people are doing too fast of a taper. I will not change what I share with people that is based on the experience of so many people from around the world. I wish you all the best on your taper and recovery.
Hello Jennifer, your reply really hit home for me. Several of things that you warn of I have used with no negative reaction. I understood that I was different and felt remorse for those it did affect but I did not fully understand. Well, recently I learned of a supplement on the Facebook benzo withdrawal support group, that was beneficial for some, and no real negative feedback. I immediately started using it. After about a week I was in a giant, frightening wave. Extremely fog brained, confused, anxious and some others. Now I fully understand that what negativity affects some may not affect another. I stopped taking it two days ago and I’m feeling a little better. I’ll give it some more time and see. Dan
I was previously on 10mg diazepam for years and now taper down to 3mg but I got to add on Seroquel (25mg) to help with sleep issue. Has anyone or please give me some advices is adding Seroquel during tapering process ok? My withdrawal symptoms lessen compared to the initial stage, whileas still having some I.e anxiety, heart palpitations (esp at nite), easily agitated and non stop worrying on personal health as I feel having the feeling I might die of heart attack or something.
Would taking homeopathic medicine, e.i. Rescue Remedy, help to alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms?
No. It’s not been shown to help and if I’m not mistaken, it has alcohol in it which isn’t good. Alcohol works on GABA.
I just found your website and realized that what I am going through is benzo withdrawal. My doctors have been clueless about my total body numbness. Have had cervical MRI and brain MRI all showing nothing abnormal. Finally my husband and I put it together that my symptoms started right after I had finished weaning off of clonozepam which I had been on for 14 years for burning mouth syndrome (would not suggest this treatment for anyone!!) My neurologist currently has me on Gabapentin for the restless legs that developed from what I now know is withdrawal. Should I be on this drug or should I stop it? Does it affect the GABA receptors? Is there anything you can do for the benzo withdrawal symptoms or do you just have to suffer through it?
Jan, I am so sorry that you are suffering from withdrawal. I used to be fairly vocal about my thoughts on other medications, but I am backing away from sharing them as I used to. Everyone has to find their way through withdrawal as best as they can. Do your research on any drug an MD wants to prescribe. Check to see if it has a withdrawal syndrome. Talk to others in withdrawal (BenzoBuddies.org is a good place for asking questions) and see what their experiences were like on and getting off drugs prescribed for benzo withdrawal. Then, make a decision for yourself as to what you think is best for you. There aren’t any drugs that cure withdrawal or hasten the recovery process. At least not to my knowledge. Even flumazenil, which is given by IV, only staves off symptoms for a short time. I wish there was something everyone could take to feel better. But it is only time that truly heals us.