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25 years on benzos. Overnight “taper” in hospital from 1mg a day. Lucky to be alive.

I’ve been in severe bind for 26 months. No sleep, massive head pressure, dizziness so bad it makes me dry heave, twitching tight muscles, loud tinnitus, brain feels like it is on fire, blurry vision. I can’t stand it anymore. Kudo’s to those tough enough to fight thru. I’m done fighting.

Was Cold Turkey off Xanax by my prescriber " You seem better. Let's see how you do off of it". I experienced everything from cardiac arrhythmia to suicidal ideation. Literally emotional hell as well as suffering ❤Automatic Nervous System Damage as POTS Dysautonomia, for which there is no cure. Doctor reinstated Clonazepam. Lost my career, beloved pets, home, friends and joy. Now weaning from the Clonazepam in a very slow taper. Seven years on disability. Please keep working to bring this tragedy into public and medical light. ❤

I'm 23 months off of Ativan cold turkey. Mt first 11 months were filled with relentless terror and anxiety. A roller-coaster of waves and windows for the next 8 to 10 months. I had a pretty awesome window that lasted about a month in which I thought I was in the clear. It's all come bask so strong for the past few weeks. We need so much more research and data to get a clearer picture of the aftereffects of getting off the meds.

I am so thrilled that professionals are finally dealing with this unexpected reality of irresponsible prescribing..

I know your presenting the facts but in and of itself is incredibly depressing and creates a true feeling of hopelessness and despair...

Taken off clonazepam cold turkey in 2018, then reinstated and tapered for two months (because my psych wouldn't help me, so I had to use what I had left). Severe symptoms for two years. Luckily for me the symptoms started to go away after that, and today I am left with just a few. Benzo rage is real. The autonomic dysfunction is what I hope to see more study on and perhaps then we can find better ways to treat that dimension of effects.

I’m elderly and tapered klonopin 25 months taper 13 months off. The reason I started taper I hit tolerance. Staying on this poisin was not the answer

Thank you for your work. 18 months on (reluctantly); 6 month taper, nearly 3 years off a low dose of diazepam; I have suffered terribly from the adverse effects of meds taken as prescribed. One thing that I am so grateful for, which I don't believe would/could have happened without your work and those you've mentioned, is that I was finally granted medical insurance Cover for the condition 'Benzodiazepine Induced Neurological Dysfunction' (adverse effect of therapeutic medication). Although this accepted diagnosis sits in the absence of any real help, support or understanding from the medical model; i am so relieved that it is one less battle for recognition that I need to fight. As you say D, validation is so important to managing with this condition. Thank you both and all those working alongside you to mitigate this problem. Sarah Preece, NZ

Excellent presentation. As for myself, I remain skeptical of all prescription medications now, because doctors will get paid and retire one day, regardless if their patients get well, or more disabled from their treatment recommendations and prescriptions. This video should be shown in medical schools and residency.

I've joined complete discontinuation from lorazepam after 25 years. 4 mg a day. Now I've cognitive foctions completely impaired. Nobody ever told me anything. I hope to take back my memory and intelligence

good video..benzo withdrawl is the worst feeling someone can go through...the pillls make you feel good when your on them you feel like nothing can go wrong....but when u come off them and you go through it(withdrawl) you realize its not worth it at all..i was on 2mg of klonopin for like 6 or 7 months..i absolutely regret it

Really enjoyed this. 24 years on. 6-month taper. And 4 years post. Still deal with a few very irritating SXS. But I am happy I left these behind. I think that a low carb diet can help so much. Also forgive your prescriber or dealer.

Thank you so much for all you do. I appreciate you so much. I've been on high doses, 6mg's of Xanax, Ambien 10mgs and Prozac 80 mgs, since 1994 till present. 30 Years and even though I'm still on them, I go through interdose withdrawal every and I have so many of these symptoms you just listed.

I'm feeling bitter listening to this but I hope it helps someone. My doctor wouldn't listen to anything or read anything. Why would he? Denial is so much easier.

I did taper and later final withdrawal in a clinic in the last 14 months. In the same time i did a taper step during this process i had an infection (Corona, flu, it may also have been Benzo Flu...hard to tell). A lot of symptoms of BIND also matching with experiences from Long Covid sufferers...you cant tell the difference It's a breathtaking loneliness being in this nightmare.

Ty for all you do ❤ your saving so many lives ....

Thank you Cristy and D for all this great information you presented in this forum today.

I have BIND and it’s from short-term use. Still live with neuropathy, and even rekindled recently after being overworked.

I am going to be tapering. Doctors must be learning because she will have me on a 2 year taper. I am not worried. And I look to hope to the future. It is will be alright.

I truly appreciate 🙏 this video!! I've been on klonopin for THIRTY YEARS now. What I REALLY WANT TO DO NOW is spread even more awareness. I have to! I'm so beyond angry at what this drug has taken from me. Taken from my life. I'm in complete shock that the majority of physicians and therapists I've seen over the years HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA HOW TO TAPER SOMEONE OFF. They don't even know much about benzos! I volunteered at a trauma hospital some years ago and met with the new CEO. I plan on writing him to discuss how I could go about spreading awareness to doctor's and nurses. I have no clue how to start but I just know that I have to and I will.

There's nothing worse than being so tense that you can't sleep properly..to be walking g around I an exhausted state, on top of having medical issues, I knew in my heart, there had to be a different way..the edibles helped me out GREATLY, but being a lifelong functioning addict, I was never one to exercise until I joined a gym 9 years ago..you push yourself and you sleep better. It's as simple as that. One word. EXCERCISE.

I was having these symptoms before being prescribed benzo use. GAD. Taking .25mg up to 3 times a day as needed, sometimes none at all. Relief is short lived and now on psychiatrist prescribed Valium. Anxiety sucks. It's now the game of which came first, the chicken or the egg. Definitely could use help, but I don't know where to even begin. Nobody seems to get it. Getting tired of the "Suck it up, buttercup" responses.

I can get horrible bouts of akathesia at night when I try to relax

This is so informative. Inspite of having so much documented proofs why are Doctors still prescribing it? They ruined lives and families forever

I feel this BIND is me, just not diagnosed with it. As an Epileptic they didn't know if my seizures were from withdrawals or Epilepsy 16 months, 2 Brain surgeries, 1 VNS - My brain, body, muscles were fried, I couldn't even walk.

DE Foster has a very warm voice. I'm so young at 25.

Thankyou so much for this. My husband is experiencing BIND and his addiction doctor had never heard of this!!! We explained his symptoms and I suggested it was from Benzo withdrawal and he said “oh no no benzo’s have a short half life, that withdrawal would be done after 7-ten days. I was shocked!!! So I had to continue trying convince my husband he wasn’t dying of cancer or something life limiting! He thought he was stuck forever. Now one month later he is finally starting too feel better and venturing out of the house for short periods.

Thankyou for your work guys, Im at the "acceptance" phase myself. I will reach out to you and others and try to contribute my efforts to help you where I can.

Thank you so much for posting this

Ive been treating protracted withdrawal over 3 years now with the last 6 months showing the best improvement . My most disabling symptom was -extreme- cognitive impairment, i couldnt form sentences or focus for even 2 seconds. Its a multi faceted and complex approach, healing the gut, eating well/restrictive, and taking neuroprotective nootropics that also promote neurogenesis. Lithium orotate is one. Im now healing my nervous system, my brain still isnt back to optimal wellnedd but that has only improved noticeably/the most on the last 2 months since new supplements. I feel hopeful ill get there. I was suicidal and so empty and devoid of serotonin , dopamine, and gaba i survived from sheer willpower. Finally getting somewhere and am working 25-30 hours now (i lost my job, relationships, sense of self sanity etc i thought i developed an autoimmune condition my fatigue and brainfog were so severe), being more social etc. I wasnt going to accept that my life was over.l and im finally getting it back.

God work 🙏🏽

Great information. Love the fact based survey. My concern is that the professionals conducting, evaluation and presenting the survey are patients themselves. This might cause bias. ( This perceived bias might discredit the surveys by non- patients medical proffesionals.) Thank you for your help!

Absolutely gorgeous 💗

I respect you all a ton a TON....BUT there are 1.2 million Drs in USA, GOD BLESS you trying to educate

Thanks

I v. Been on 2mg 3aday for 28yrs xanax in 2012 I ran out of mine I had seizures I went into acoma 2months paralyzed blind for 2months.in the hospital my legs were zapping like electrical zaps. I have people praying I will get off them .I cant be having withdrawls for many yrs .I need a miracle or I will die .I'm so scared

I got off of the Diazepam , Off the Benzo's , I still Use Hydrocodone . I am still suffering with Bind , But it's getting better . Walking Helps .

So all these channels just discuss what xyz drugs do to people but no one is doing anything about it. Dr's and prescribers need to be in PRISON

RIP Dr Christy Huff😢😢

Ppl say we heal. What heals? How do we heal if you lose vision? What do you wake up one day and automatically be able to see? Do you wake up after years of brain pressure and damage and pulsating and automatically not have it anymore? Do you wake up and not have balance issues anymore?

Thanks. I suffer from BIND and perimenopause. 4 years hell now. Will it ever end?? I cant walk ....

Some people developed histamine problems coming off these kind of drugs. I wish it was mentioned

I have a non-verbal autistic son (24 yrs old) who was on and off of multiple benzodiazepines for a decade. Psych and Neurological doctors prescribed. Recently off for first time. Because he is non-verbal have no idea how injured he is. Benzo belly seems to be one injury. Maybe seizures that were diagnosed as Epilepsy. Looking for help to figure it out.

Thank you for this great information. My question is do benzo side effects change over time? I’ve been on Xanax for over a year. Initially it would help calm me down but now it feels like the opposite. I get very anxious, I get air hunger, tachycardic, and just this increase sense of unease. These are all symptoms as soon as I take Xanax. What’s going on??

Hello! I have been reading the coalition's materials. Does anyone know if Dr. Christy Huff's POTS ever went away? I got POTS during my benzo withdrawal/long covid and would like to know if there is any hope for my POTS going away. Thank you!

What about slow taper with gabapentin and betablockers to mitigate withdrawal?

R.i.p. dr. Christy

Great podcast. Very informative. Thank you!

I would like to know who is doing research on this now? (D alluded to research) Do most people who experience serious problems have autoimmune disease? Some have NO support.. is there someway to get a help line going at the least? Is gabapentin/lyrica considered better than benzos if it helps functionality.

I need legal help on this topic. Any suggestions?

Stop The Smiles, please, on the descriptions of your videos! Who would smile when describing a drug(s) that Destroyed your life? Just stop it. I, for one, find it disturbing...we are lucky to be alive after this. Truly.

I had no one but my self during my withdrawal my family didn’t understand nor anyone I talked to it’s crazy

I Need Help! Has anyone had any relief using SSRI's? Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, etc...? This Is A Non Ending Nightmare! Doctors don't understand!!!

What happens if I continue to take 1mg of lorazepam per day? Will I have to keep updating the mg's to stay stable. I feel fine right now.

So glad I got my benzo scare early on. Started taking them as a teenager to drown out my problems till I woke up with a hospital band on my wrist. Had takin 3 bars drank 4 12% abv beers and smoked a shitload of bud. Benzos are straight up evil from what they’ll make seem okay to do to the crazy withdrawal. I remember being ten and my cousin couldn’t get her prescription filled for Xanax and had a crazy seizure the day she stopped having it. She had downed a handful of tramadol trying to calm the withdrawal probably beforehand but it was the benzos that caused the seizure. Now I just have zero desire for them they cause you to become a different person they’re on the level of heroine and meth. I’d say coke but honestly those three are even worse

Christy how long did you take the Xanax? Just 3 weeks at 0.25?

6 years off. In a setback now from antibiotics. Destroyed my life. Such a long time

Also, some off, are way worse than on the drugs. How do you know when to stay on vs. get off? Some get worse and worse the longer off... why would that be?

So, if u take benzos everyday for less than 2 wks, u won't get protracted withdrawals?

Of all the psychiatric medicines i took, the benzodiazepines where my favorite. Withdrawal from antidepressants or anti-psychotics is really the issue for me. Benzodiazepines where the easiest med to discontinue by comparison. I am skeptical that benzodiazepines is the issue. Looks to me like it's a convenient way for psychiatry to bad mourh a medication they want to abolish while distracting everyone from focusing on more serious drugs.

Looking for a place that will do the detox responsibly.

3 weeks of xanex at .25 ? I took the same for a couple months stopped cold Turkey with zero symptoms as it was such a low dose once a day sometimes I didn’t even take it every day.

How can I contact Jennifer Chouinard? I went through benzo withdrawal in 1995 and have had hot flashes and night sweats every day and every night since then. 🥵🤬🥶🤯

Are there advocates, who would come to with you to your Dr's appointment, to support you, as you approach your Dr regarding reducing slowly from high dosssage of Lorazapam...4 mg x twice/day. I am now 65 years old, and was prescribed Lorazapam when I was 23 or 24 years old. I'm very scared, I don't want to die, I would like to reduce to 2mg 2 times/day. I hope I will hear back from you, most grateful. Thank you for being there, and all the great work you are doing. For me, I think I need to use the reducing with water and weighing, as the person who was on the Lisa Ling program regarding Bezodiazapines. Cheers!

So what is BIND?

How soon on benzodiazepines can you develop BIND?

My breathing literally gave out on me completely today!! Not exaggerating!! Im just not breathing properly n extreme air hunger so my body is telling me I'm not breathing At hospital!! I kindled so many times n drank after so my wd symptoms so much worse. I feel like a fish out of water all day today . N my nose is full of pressure n like airy concrete so breathing into my nose is uncomfortable n breathing into back of throat into a brick. Then the pressure n brick closing off my air way in nostrils!! Worst symptom for me!!

D I would love to he on your podcast

is it that people have "healed" or that there is acceptance of permanent damage?

Been on xanax for40 yrs need help to tapering

Anybody have urination problems coming off this drug?

Until you all get before congress, we are peeing in the wind...

RIP Chrissy.

The doctors are doing what they know to do. They were not taught this.

Should Benzo’s follow the path of Quaaludes in the USA?

It sounds like someone is chocking you while you are speaking

But that’s how I felt before benzodiazepines... every day that’s how I felt.

Name the dam doctor who Rx you all.Why we don't say who Rx is nuts ... thank you for all you do...ya got more patience then me

Need to add one to the physical symptoms. Blood sugar issues! I know a TON of people, myself included, who have had horrible times with stabilizing their blood sugar. Mine spikes with the smallest amt of food some days, and it drops quickly and gives me extreme weakness and shakiness. So many of us have to eat every 1-2 hours or so in order to avoid these awful symptoms. Mine comes in waves--sometimes it's fine and then suddenly I have to eat keto for days. Idk when or even if it will ever improve. Wish there was more awareness about this.

Don't forget drooling. Horrific. They all knew.

💔💔💔💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏🙏💔💔💔💔💔💔

Zarar sorry 8 years

I don't understand... People shouldn't be taking these longer than a week or two. If you're on these years then expect things to go sideways.

Those sound like symptoms prior to taking a Presland benzodiazepines. I am going on a benzo’s since over 25 years yes under Dr. Care supervision… Making excuses for your behaviour and blaming the drug. Of course they were draw symptoms were her ranges. I’m still experiencing it because I’m still weaning off the medication. I was on extremely high dose of 210 to 12 mg per day for 10 years not cool but yes my doctors did not know Tish they withdraw symptoms and connected it. I don’t know if they are aware of the situation because of the withdrawal. Of course, they wanted me off, but it was my decision.

a three year taper from .25mg!? I find that hard to believe. That sounds nuts. She must be really really sensitive to this medication

Wish ya spent less time on what ya called it to focusing on the message / warning on NOT to get involved in these drugs

I've know folk who struggled with benos. After the 1st two young Cornell freshman jumped to their deaths from a suspension bridge into a deep gorge I felt anger. I talked with them both 2 days before their jumps. They were crying and felt hopeless...for God's sake I would have given them my Xanax. Why is it your type demonize Rx drugs which do help, yet shovel Rx Geodon & Latuda? I've been on Xanax for30 years, no adverse effects...so?

You did not lose your career because of your benzo use. You & “the good doctor” have an agenda.

Wonder how much you all made off Christy huff death still sickens me just knowing this benzos coalition took her death and is trying to make money off it there have been many before her

I think the doctor’s psychosis pre-dates her benzodiazepine use. Doctor: your agenda is showing.

I'm very satisfied with the help I have had for more than half my life to control my CP related involuntary movements, related pain and convulsions. I wouldn't be able to function without the support of clonazepam (which is IMHO just for neurological issues). buprenorphine and ordinary painkillers you can also get without prescription. I don't understand why buprenorphine isn't the first choice if opioids are to be given for some time, especially together with other substances.. I'm trying to figure out how to get more selective or partially active related substances with less side effects, like the need for coffee due to the tiredness from ordinary benzodiazepines.. The withdrawals could be treated with many other substances. But imidazenil seems to be pretty good for those who can't just 'taper'. The long duration of the various reactions to withdrawal is likely to be possible to ease with a more balanced approach. I can't quit totally due to an error done by the maternity ward when newly born. I had severe jaundice (bilirubinemia), which for some reason wasn't treated, and some of it was penetrating into my lower brain nuclei, and made my movements a mess (athetosis, akhatesia etc) that I have only had help with a few relaxants to control (in addition to physiotherapy and other exercises). If benzoctamine had still been available when I studied pharmacology and toxicology, I would have recourse to a more selective type of drug, back then, but it lost in the competition with diazepam about 40 years ago. Although it was better for many purposes... Well, I hope the pharmaceutical company system will become less dependent on bribing of the various medical authorities. I have never thought they were great (I was a toxicology adviser for various governmental agencies over here, and I wasn't impressed by the authorities, although we never accepted more expensive gifts than pens and paper notebooks; but it seems like the system has deteriorated since I worked with the regulation and health- and environmental risk assessment of chemicals for agribusiness etc. I've been shocked by the covid mRNA/DNA vaccine scandals (knowing how long time the testing takes and the novelty of using synthetic vaccines, and other drugs from Pfizer (e.g Lyrica and Neurontin, which is really grasping for straws) and other big pharma corporation crafts, like Xanax alprazolam and the Oxycodone rebranding, which was developed for making panic attacks and pain, respectively, into a way to get people hooked on some of the worst compounds in the trade! I wonder how much they paid the FDA for allowing the sale of such substances in oral preparations, and not just for use in hospitals and veterinary medicine?? I'm all for the availability of these drugs, but it's obvious that ordinary medical doctors and patients either don't understand how to find the information on drugs (Although the packets and boxes usually have a lot of different warnings and information on possible side effects etc. But, I think it's always necessary to evaluate the need before and afterwards, regularly and regardless of the drugs. Patients should be cautious to ! Just because I have to use a few grams of paracetamol each day, I also take the antidote N-acetyl-cystein rather regularly... It is definitely difficult to find the right solutions to a medical problem, but most kind of substances should be available for medical use, and some for safer intoxication than alcohol. But, I don't think anyone but oneself can be responsible for what we do, as long as we know it is a risk/benefit evaluation process behind, but we are having a great responsibility for ourselves and whatever we do to our bodies. The current medical system, don't even think of changing diet or exercise instead of tablets. I think many people who have great problems like panic attacks, should have a paper bag in their pocket or bag instead of Xanax, and breathe their own air in and out of the bag some times, so they increase the CO2 in their blood. It's often the best way to handle panic attacks! Cancer drugs are still the worst drugs, because most cancers are easily treated with removing most sugar and starch foods from the diet .. And anxiety and insomnia isn't a medical problem, really. But, I understand that some times you need a quick and dirty solution. Lorazepam or zolpidem is not things you should take very often, but it's safer occasionally, than getting drunk on alcohol! I don't know what is best, but I'm educated to know how to figure out what may be dangerous from a compound, even do laboratory studies on animals. The only way I could find a way to treat myself, I had to use myself as guinea-pig. If I didn't know that there are many safer alternatives that should be available, I'd have been satisfied with clonazepam 6 mg/day. If you need strong painkillers like opioids for some time, I think buprenorphine is the easiest to stop using. I'm using 1.6 mg/day. That's less than one of the weakest Subutex/oxone tablets. Have a good day! I hope that imidazenil, pagaclone, abecarnil and benzoctamine etc will be markedet for those who are needing some help with getting off the older benzos. If you know some sources, please let me know ! Or else I need to make them!

I would love to hear more about the effects of Lorezepam on sexual functioning in men…is there a correlation between ED in men and benzo use? That’s been my experience, but since I can’t find any info on it, I don’t know if my issue is directly due to benzo use…the docs whom I’ve seen for this problem have been uniformly useless bc they just don’t know (when I think they of all people should know).

Another question: Benzodiazepines are poison no question, but I haven’t heard of another med that works for controlling anxiety…people wouldn’t be taking this stuff if there were effective alternatives, but none of the other AD’s have worked for me…

I have a comment about the treatment of xylazine addiction. There are drugs for humans that can be used to taper from xylazine. Clonidine, tizanidine and dexmethomidine are useful because they have about the same mechanism of action. They are also alpha-2 agonists and at least the two first ones are available as tablets. Fentanyl is best tapered with Suboxone tapes..

This might explain some of the crazy behavior by the homeless (and other people) because tons and tons of people take "benzos". My own experience with a "benzo" was using Librium to get off off alcohol. I was prescribed a huge dose, of course, and was given not even a hint that I would do anything but keep renewing the Rx and keep on the big dose. But I took it upon myself to taper down and did so, over 2 weeks and after the first week and a half, I didn't need the Librium at all not even one pill, and needless to say not the alcohol. It was very helpful and cheap at $6 for the prescription which, being in the US, is why I think it can't be obtained any more unless you're wealthy which I am not. Of course I got in trouble with the booze again, and by then I could not get Librium. But they sure wanted me to go to an expensive "rehab" with a 95% failure rate! I did the "sip and suffer" routine and got off of alcohol on my own. Benzos, and alcohol, scare the hell out of me now. Alcohol is miserable to taper off of but I understand benzos are much harder. www.sipandsuffer.com gives an idea of how to use alcohol to get off of alcohol, but for something like Xanax, it's got to be tons harder.