Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi I am trying to gather statistics on withdrawal signs and symptoms from benzodiazepines. I am interested in learning of other people's experiences especially from those people who were prescribed this drug . Thank you
0 likes, 9 replies
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mary89842 jenny30641
Posted
Hey... I've been on Ativan between 1mg-2 a day for 5 months now. After a month, I had to stop, not recommended but had no choice. After that short time, I had burning feet, adrenaline attacs, paranoia, panic attacks on and off, twitching and vibrating and lots of shaking. I ended up back on.... last month I was trying to ween and got myself down to .75-1mg a day without too many issues, BUT not long after I wake, maybe a few hours, id get foggy brain and weird vision... lasted mostly until i took my dose midday, and of cause shakes some. Sometimes a head feeling I can't explain, and also off balance and sometimes lightheaded. I'm back up to my normal amount because they suggest I stay on them while waiting and starting therapy and im agreeable, even though I really dont like depending on these.... I do feel interdose withdrawl...nervous again and same eye and head stuff, sometimes feel like I want to collapse.
I MUST say... the med doesnt fully take evrything away some of the time and I do believe I have physical issues not found yet.. (42 yrs old female). Sometimes when I take 1mg, I get drowsy and calm, but some of the symptoms remain, feels like a bandaid so i dont end up in the hospital panicking.... I have some strange dreams too but not bad. Because I dont go a long time without it in my system, I'm guessing my symptoms are vry minor because I still have in my bloodstream, but just wanted to drop by and tell you how I feel. Mostly head fog, drunk off balance, lightheaded spells... and a jerky feeling I cant explain.
jenny30641 mary89842
Posted
Hello Thank you very much indeed for this very comprehensive response. I can relate to all of this. I will get back to you if I may.
May I ssk why this drug was prescribed? Were u warned about side effects long weaning off process an d wd signs and symptoms? Have u heard of Ashton manual?
Can I ask you what type of therapy you are waiting for and if the prescriber is tapering you off the benzodiazepine as per Ashtons guidance?
There is a questionnaire on the benzodiazepine information coalition
Thank you
mary89842 jenny30641
Posted
Jenny, yes... I've been totally informed and know The Ashton Manual. They do not perscribe Xanax there, Klonopin doesnt seem to help me and the SSRI's fail.... CBT I believe.
Lollipop2 jenny30641
Posted
Hello. May I kindly ask why, & for who, you are gathering stats on Benzo's.
Thank you
jenny30641
Posted
intend to send to NHS England.
annie1963 jenny30641
Posted
Hi Jenny,
I was on Benzos for about 2 years. They were initially prescribed for burning in my feet. I had been to every type of doc and had every type of test and it was determined that the burning was a psychological reaction to stress (PTSD). I was prescribed 1mg Xanax 3 times a day. The effects were fantastic at first. It took away the burning and I felt very calm. I seldom took the full dose, usually only 2 a day. But I filled the scripts anyway. Over time I noticed anxiety if I went too long without a dose. I had intermittent blurred vision and ringing in my ears. Severe short term memory loss. I had several panic attacks with pain in my chest and ended up in the ER. Near the end of the two years, I went to the psychiatrist for a follow up and they had changed docs. She told me that she would no longer prescribe it for me. The only reason she gave was the rise in deaths from overdose. I had taken it for almost two years!! But it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened.
As I said before I seldom took the full dose, so I had quite a large supply of pills. So I decided that day, when I left, that I was going to stop taking it. I got online and searched for everything I could find about the overdose epidemic, side effects when stopping, and the best way to do it. I found the Ashton Manual and many resources. I tapered slowly over 4 months and took the last one January 24, 2018. It was a 4th of a dose. I waited.. I had no disastrous side effects like some people do. I guess I was just lucky. I still have the burning in my feet, but I have learned to control it with some cognitive therapy I learned from a counselor. When I have anxiety or panic attacks I breathe through them. They are only feelings that will go away. I hope this helps with your research. Too many doctors are just yanking their patients off and not considering the withdrawal effects.
jenny30641
Posted
Thank you very much for your reply.
I am glad that you did not have a very bad time in with drawing. Sadly this is an exception.
Thanks once again.
chelsea54783 jenny30641
Posted
hi i have been on 5mg of valium every morning for the past 10 weeks, i didnt this morning and then i started having dizzyness, confusion, agitation, shaking etc so i took a 2mg 3 hours ago, i just dont know how im going to be able to taper off with ease im worried!
denise30288 jenny30641
Posted
i have had this medication over 20 years, to come off is like you feel you will die , its awfull