A class action lawsuit is needed.

This is justice!!! Thank you for paving the way... There should be a class action..

Kathi Donald was lucky in the sense that she had come from a medical profession. She had enough money for lawsuits and found the right persons to represent her. What about poor people? There is no chance for them.

Hi Josef.....recently in Australia the government changed the laws around prescribing Alazopram. They did this without consideration or consultation with my doctor or myself. I was cut from Alazopram that was prescribed to me officially by my GP 13 years ago at the beginning of January 2023. I received no support from Government or my GP.....they left me hanging and I ended up in hospital.

I have so little faith in our medical system these days!! Dr. Josef thank you for what you are doing!

Me too, the 6 year taper was horror. 9 yrs and still very fragile and limited on what I can do. God help us all!! I know many of us Want a lawsuit.

Thank you all for watching and commenting on the video. In a week I'll have Kathi's lawyer on. Please ask any questions in a reply to this thread and I'll try get him to answer them in the interview

Been on benzodiazepines for 26 years and feel no hope of a normal life. When I complained of problems, they added antidepressants and over the years they tried over 25 other psych drugs and finally said I had “treatment resistant depression” and needed ECT. That’s when I started trying to taper and learn more. Now I’m really messed up and have been trying to get off Klonopin and lexapro since 2017. I’m suffering. All those years they told me I had a problem, I was actually suffering withdrawals because they would stop and start new drugs whenever I complained of issues. My body is alive. Nothing else about me is alive. They have destroyed me.

The brain is your life!!!!!! You don’t mess with it!!!!!!

We need to begin using the term “drug injured”. Too many doctors prescribe these drugs than call / put on their medical records “drug abusers.”

This upsets me so much!!! I've seen this happen to my own father. It ruined him!!!

I was in bed for three years due to a cold turkey withdrawal from Klonopin. It weakened my heart and my liver was damaged. I couldn’t do anything at all. It was terrible and it ruined my life.

Finally I’m so grateful Kathi had the strength to fight for herself and for us all. The strength to alone, handle the gaslighting , invalidation, the secondary trauma, which is almost as unbearable as the symptoms. Thank you

I have been on for 40 years. I withdrew myself from 4 a day to 2 a day. I have some permanent neuro issues. I did it because I saw what the government was doing. I can't and have no intention of going further. I am 62 years old and was told and experienced the withdraw will kill me. I wasn't warned until 15 years into iy. I have never abused it. I am completely normal on what I take. I started watching these videos am more than pissed off at doctors not warning and the government not wanting to allow doctors to write a prescription needed. I would love to sue everyone involved in this. I am thankful that my primarily doctor writing while I search for another psychiatrist. The doctors keep retiring or quitting. I am so tired of the bull crap. I can't live through withdrawal.

Melissa Jackson 0 seconds ago Thank God you were able to find a lawyer, and win your case! You have definitely paved the way for all of those who are suffering and who are within the time limit to do something about it. Unfortunately I’m out of that timeline. Everything that you said I feel like you are speaking for myself as I am a dental hygienist and I love my job and I worked hard to get my degree and this doctor stole it from me. She stole my entire life! Not one doctor could honestly figure out what was wrong with me even after all the testing with results that were normal, yet psychiatrist would keep labeling me with all kinds of disorders that I’ve never had in my life! You talking about being hyper sensitive with your nervous system and the lights and sounds and even the news and that is a real issue! Trying to get through a grocery store and having to look down at the ground while pushing a basket and a half the time just leaving your basket there because you just can’t do it. Not watching the news because the stress is too much and it’s embarrassing for people like my father to say seriously you don’t watch the news that I just have to tell him no I have told you I can’t handle it and they just don’t get it If they haven’t been through it, …they may try to compare something they have been through, but it is nothing at all compared to the hell that we have suffered!! I sit here and cry, as I listen to everything you say, and just wanted to scream! I always wonder what would my life be like if I would have never gone for a check up because my blood pressure was slightly high and my primary care physician put me on Xanax twice a day because she said she felt I was stressed from dental school and having three children which one has spina bifida & is a paraplegic. My primary care physician told me Xanax was safe. Said Her husband takes it and her grandmother takes it and as long as I don’t abuse it I’m fine.. this all started in 1998. I have waited so long for the day to hear that someone has actually won and that lawyers have actually taken a case of benzodiazepine induced neurological damage as a real thing and that you won!! There definitely needs to be a class action lawsuit! Thank you for sharing. I know it is so hard.. I shared before one time on a local news interview that I wasn’t even prepared for, and I look like a babbling idiot. The labeling has to stop. This has to be recognized as a diagnosis. Again, I am so incredibly happy to hear that somebody won and I hope there will be many more!

I tore many tendons and ligaments due to muscle weakness induced by benzodiazepines. I’m mostly bedridden now.

My situation is very different from hers yet incredibly similar. I wouldn't want to be part of a lawsuit, it seems like it would be traumatizing, but so glad she got through it! I love her strength & hope she heals ❤

Kathi you are a true warrior and self advocate . You should be so proud of yourself . I am also a fellow nurse and I'm so proud of your " bullheadedness "and fortitude in the mist of this intense long term struggle . I hope you will heal and be able to work again one day . CONGRATS on your settlement and setting a precedence

There was a book called, "I'm dancing as fast as I can" published 20-30 years ago. It was about a woman's withdrawal from Valium. She almost died.

Thank you so much for sharing. 💜 I was on Klonopin for 23 years. Thursday I will be 64 years old. I've been free of that poison for almost 3 years and I'm still struggling, still healing. I'm thankful for the groups. But it's just so sad because it's like the blind leading the blind. There doesn't seem to be an easy answer to get complete healing, although people do heal and I hope I do, too and all of us. ❤️ Everyday is truly a struggle as you know. I heard you mention the pain where you had injuries. That happened to me. It was horrific. the pain was out of this world. I can't believe I survived that pain. It was awful, out of this world. During my years in the groups there were those who did take their own lives ☹️ I certainly could relate to everything you said. I think it would be awesome if you became a coach but that's totally up to you lol I would have a coach but hey I'm a poor woman lol Thanks once again ♥️

Your work in helping people with benzos is commendable my friemd!!

Thank you so much Kathie!! I am almost 3 year off Klonopin which was also prescribed to me for sleep after my husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer! Took for 18 months. Withdrawal took away my life, my will to live, my occupation. It even robbed me of the grieving process after losing my husband to the cancer. We all deserve to file a class action lawsuit!! I have spent a fortune trying to recover and am still suffering!

I was on diazepam for 20 years for spasm after spinal injury and surgery. Withdrawal is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. It caused psychotic terror of the whole of reality with all five senses, whole body contracture, dementia-like cognitive issues and frantic compulsive hyperphagia. 2 years later I am still very ill, withdrawal has also caused Mast Cell Activation syndrome which has left me having severe reactions to all food, household chemicals, soaps etc. I still have the hyperphagia. It has destroyed my body, all my muscles wasted within weeks of first tapering. At one point I made an exit bag the symptoms were so bad. I have lost all internal sensation from my body. I had 160 horrific symptoms. 6 ppl I knew in WD killed themselves so far.

Psychiatry ruined my life and now I'm suffering and need help

Thank you so much for sharing. After almost five years, I still have trouble with a restaurant bill when there are two or more persons on the bill…adding a proper tip is still problematic. Sharing your story has helped me because I traveled from doctor to doctor hoping to learn what was causing my empty frontal lobe and inabilities to function properly. God bless you. I thank God every day for getting me through the holocaust of ativan.

We need that time frame changed. I had no idea what was wrong for years despite seeing doctor after doctor begging for help.

Well done! Very interesting how her therapist and psychiatrist adjusted their initial opinions to protect the original prescribing doctor.

The docs do NOT want to admit of symptoms of withdraw

Kathi is clearly very wealthy making 6 figures a year and had the means to get a lawyer and sue. What about those of us who were put on benzos as kids and harmed before we could earn a living or start our life? Many benzo harmed patients live below poverty level and will never have the money to sue or get justice. Many of us never got to even build a life because of what this drug did to us. Where is our justice? Who will fight for us?

Help! Lawyer desperately needed! I've been on X half my life! 30 yrs! Prescribed by one practice in those years. I was forced to change doctors due to a move. The med was no longer prescribed by my new doctor, I always took as prescribed. No educated professional to help me. This is criminal! I'm tapering myself and my life has been stolen from me. An array of debilitating symptoms including heart issues and neurological issues, no underlying illness. I don't leave my house, in bed most of the time for months! Suicidal thoughts? Yes!!!! I need a lawyer. I'm in NC if anyone out there can help me receive justice.

There are so many of us. Its impossible to get anything, even be heard.

Congratulations on your win! I gave a question. I'm going through benzo withdrawal and tapering. How did you go to doctor appointments and testing etc. I cannot go anywhere. I have fear and panic. I can't stand in line, I can't carry on a conversation without panicking. It's horrible. I cannot sleep either. Pure misery. I'm a year into tapering this poison medication. Thank you for listening to me.

Excellent! Well done for speaking out.

Gosh. I would love to talk to her. I was an RN in California as well. Given benzos and antidepressant during covid. I have so much nerve pain. Had to leave the career I love and my babies are yearning for the old me to come back. Financially ruined and in so much pain. I want my old life back.

Congratulations Kathi ~ I believe this is the way forward for change. It's been a long story for me and now to late for any chance of compensation as far as I know. 20 years of Prescribed Benzo prescribing, including 4 years of horrific Inter-dose Withdrawal and now after a five and a half year slow taper, I am 3 and a half years off and still the waves and windows. Thank you DrJosef for having the courage to take up this cause and get the message out to the masses on Social Media.

Way to go kathi! Thank you for fighting for us

In addition to all the symptoms she talks about, I had auditory hallucinations, total insomnia, and suicidal ideation. I ended up right back on Klonopin and am still trying to get off them. 20 years now. 😭

Klonopin ruined my life. I’ll never be the same.

My life is totally ruined from klonopin from decades of taking it as prescribed …..I can no longer function ….I’ve had akathesia for over 6 years off the med ……

There needs to be a class action suit that recognizes the permanent damage caused by long term benzodiazepine usage. I was on the front line of the push to promote widespread prescribing of benzodiazepines. We were assured that they were safe.

I took myself off of Ativan then they tried to drug test me for years. Not sorry to disappoint them. They no longer had anything to hold over my head. They sure did know what they were doing to people.

A lawsuit is needed. I will support this cause.

So important to stop stigmatizing people who are doing their best to cope with their mental health challenges and who are taking medications and following doctors orders. Dependency is a consequence of treatment, not of being a druggie.

I’m going through this with Valium 😢I was off then had paws they placed me back on now I have to re taper but my nervous system is so sensitive it’s been 2 years since the first attempt I really can’t function

I have never understood how punitive judgements are not distributed to the overall group of adversely effected people with the same complaints, rather than disproportionately awarding a single person, or place the punitive judgements into a fund for future equitable distribution upon proving one"s case.

Thank you very much Kathy 🤗 big hug!

I was on Xanax for 10 years took 2 years for my brain to heal. I still have memory problems from taking banzos. My memory isn’t as good as it used to be.

Benzos destroyed me in 2018 lolololololololo. I called a few lawyers early on but I dint keep searching because it seemed pointless. heart palps, chest pain, head tightness, gut problems, akathisia, panic, breathlessness, brain fog, ear problems, muscle tightness, muscle weakness, insomnia, and more. I was a fit as a fiddle 28 year old when I when I stopped taking benzos, iv had big set backs that made me worse and am still very sick.

How can we get ahold of Kathi to discuss support in creating a lawsuit?

Thank you so very much ❤️ I’ve been thinking of doing this for past year. Hard to begin.

Please let there be a class action lawsuit 22 years on this poison

Shame on the medical professionals who don't believe us.

I was prescribed benzos years ago and it completely ruined my life. My memory is far gone and so many other things. I've stopped taking them a few years ago and i will never the same. Yeah it was my choice to take them but I was also not informed about the horrors that came along with taking them and when you stop. Between the doctors I've had giving me Rx after Rx bo questions asked and Big pharma i like many others didn't stand a chance

Congratulations that's amazing thing you done . More and more people in the future are going to come forward. Im blown away coming back on internet and seeing how fast this movement is going. Peter Breggins would be so happy 😊

This is amazing because benzos RUINED my life 😢i lost my mind, have a seziure disorder now, i totally relate plus some...How would i go about a lawsuit????

I would def want to take part in a class action lawsuit.

I hope she changes her career path into helping others avoid these injuries.

Oh how I can relate to her story. Thank you for sharing.

I was looking into neurofeedback before benzos and decided to do therapy first before doing something to attack my brain and my EEG showed burnout problems and tinnitus etc. But then the EEG made my dad so worried and those awful therapists recommended rivotril! Wtf.

It looks like a lot of people are asking for specifics. If you provide them can you please let us know? If someone manages to get a class action can they please alert those in the comment’s section. Thank you. 🌿

Thanks for this video. I have so much hope. I myself have a neurological injury from benzos. But watching people like this brings tears to my eyes. We will get through this. Hope and Jesus ❤❤❤

Great channel/episode

Was told by freeth & cartwright in 1990, it would Do me no good. I kept fighting and becoming massively worse. Nothing. I've lost my life, friends and careers. Tried many times elsewhere for help. Nothing. Now over 34 years, with 28 years off Benzos, And polly everything. I have Neuro Anatomical Brain Damage. It's a daily living hell. My CNS is in a bad way, I often shout, scream etc in absolute torture. There is no help. A very painful lonely life. Evil Dr's and Pharma.

Class action suit needed for all psych drugs!

I needed help to sleep & was put on 1mg X at night by a doctor in Laguna Niguel. Tried to taper off 8 years later but due to stress & withdrawal am still on. same dose 32 years later. I’m not functional. EMDR says chronic PTSD. I too lost my career at a multidisciplinary group. Now in FL & don’t think attorneys are as good as CA. I need help.

This what happened to so many people and you loose yourself and I had know idea what was supposed to help with sleep and anxiety issues, I wish I could have had someone to help me when a psychiatrist nurse cold turkey there own patient off of 1mg Xanax 3 x daily after server trauma. Having my 2 year old son passed away of a very painful pediatric cancer. I have never had anyone under stand what exactly all of the same withdrawal symptoms, 3 weeks without sleep exactly what happened to myself, never been back to work every since., and yes being told that that this was a real serious issue and it's been a struggle ever since. My poor family has had no idea nor did I what was going on. So glad to see someone tell there truth and getting herself heard. Godbless

Much Appreciation for this important video !!! I'm finding my way out of benzo withdrawal hell, 40 years of prescriptions ! Titrated myself not knowing I would suffer from Major neurological Crash ! I'm 5' 3" was 120 lbs & benzo's stopped working for sleep, one dr. suggested I just take more ! That didn't set right with me & I tried titrating myself best I knew how. I ended up Unaware that I plummeted 40 lbs & my memory was totally messed up ! Insomnia was a constant curse as well. I lost my Wonderful career as a Dental hygienist for pets. Im still struggling to get sleep & heal my brain.

Wow so fortunate to get some justice. I was injured by dr hutton's TMS permanently in 2018 and he injures people to this day for profit.

Wow, just wow! I’m so very proud of her! I am not a benzo patient but I believe my father died from this and I would give anything in the world to get him back and be able to get him the correct treatment. Shame on the FDA? I think? I’m not sure who to blame?

I was on Klonopin. Got switched to Librium. Went cold turkey because of CDC opioid prescribing guidelines. Spent months seeing specialist for all the bizarre symptoms. Multiple trips to ER for chest pain. It wasn't until Nov when I hadn't slept in 3 days I restarted the Librium. My PMD had a meltdown. I began tapering myself. I bought a scale and empty capsules from Amazon. Took my last brnzo in March of 2018. I had protracted withdrawals until January 2019 when I was symptom free. I am happy and healthy but dtill have chronic pain.

I was on Xanax for seventeen years and have been off of it for about nine months. I'm not well.

That's all well , but not everyone has that kinda money to pursue a class act suit.

i was cutoff from benzos also by my doctor a couple years ago. they could have done it gradually but no just one last script for 30 pills

I been on since I was 17 yrs. Old and I am now 42 years old. Memory issues, and now my life is out of control.

I was dismissed as an alcoholic.. I have hemochromatosis and it was showing up as alcoholic use in the blood tests. I was discontinued cold turkey just before COVID and had nobody to help me. Just kept getting told I need to stop my drinking. I almost died in 2021. Drs still don't get it and are blowing me off. I'm getting treated for the hemochromatosis now but still having bad symptoms from the benzos. Everyday is a challenge. Every time I get a new Dr they only seem to read what they want in my record. I can tell by the way I'm treated after the 2nd visit. Help

I really would like to know the name of your law firm that handled your case as I would like to contact them. I was prescribed Ambien for 15 years. I was given lorazapam when I went into tolerance from ambien. So reckless. I am now 14 months off of everything and still suffering.

I can hear my heart pumping...it's worse than just a heartbeat 😢

I stayed going to the gym when I was prescribed pins. Maybe thats why I never had as severe as withdrawal as this woman. Take care of you body everyone. Three years clean and back to normal except the sweaty palms.

Her list of symptoms were very similar to to those of my family: attempting stop th Rx, cold turkey, or down dosing in too large of increments (withdrawal aka tolerance) 1) tingling or electrical zap in legs. 2) leg weakness. 3) stumble or falling , balance. 4) tinnitus 5) brain zaps, electric zings. 6) vacant gaps sensation in brain, pumkin head sensations 7) memory loss, recent convos need repeating, difficulty holding even short convo 8) severe fatigue, inertia, lack of movement, laying still to svoid symptoms flaring 9) new or severe sensitivity to light, normal household sound. 10) inability to tolerate computer or device screens (light?) 11) sleep disruption, varies, cant fall asleep, cant stay asleep for 4 hours or more, night wakings, interrupted sleep. 12) gorcery stores, gstherings become overwhelming, cant tolerate, sensory overload at former. Normal tasks, avoid groups, loud or normal sounds, etc. 13) difficulty doing normal work tasks, need time off, weeks, not a day or two. 14) time zone difference, basic math challenges 15) cognitive changes, general and physical input from body like depth perception altered 16) see 11 minutes mark.

Dr Josef we need you back home here in Ozz ❤

I’m a nurse too. And I didn’t investigate this medication given to me. I am now doing a slow taper. I’ve lost my job that I fought to get for four years. I was given no warning at all on dependence. I’m a nurse. I’m not a doctor nor a pharmacist.

I wonder if i can sue because valium caused me to attempt suicide and throguh that im severly disabled. Ive never had any sort of suicidal attemps or behavior prior to meds, in my entire life.

Im terrified my doctor just stopped prescribing my Kolonopin today. I was told to go to the ER if i had withdrawal symptoms.

I'm so jealous listening to this.

I’m on Ativan after losing my son and mother 3 weeks apart. I’m not on an antidepressant because it’s considered situational. Without Ativan I’d die. I need it and dont want to ever get off it. Everyone is different. It’s been a life saver for me. I guess it all depends on if you have a paradoxal reaction to benzodiazepines. I have tinnitus and it actually helps soften the sound

I think I was damaged from tramadol also. Is there anything I can do to heal.

Im going through it now an listening to her makes. Me so angry I'm in a SNF and can't even talk to anyone about it they dropped me to low to fast ever though I'm back on regular dose ok it was too late.

These are all my symptoms from X for 10 years and a ten day detox. Looking for support in PA.

Took me two years to taper off after being on this poison for 2 years. I did it with the help of weed. But then i had to taper off that. The symptoms were insane, small seizures jolts all night preventing me from sleeping. Suicidal thoughts. Unreal what we all went through.

I have a question if k pins help when with anxiety what is wrong with continuing to take them as long as you don't go up to ridiculously high dosage like if you stayed with point 5 once day. I am so damaged from opioids I feel I can't exist without them.

I experienced the same symptoms, as side effects of lamogtrine. Eg balance, time-disorientation, spatial-disorientation, depth perception, visual disturbance, noise, light, tactile dysfunction, forgetfulness, cognitive decline, problem with math and words. Is there a way I could get a write-up of Kathi's story? Is it on a website perhaps.

I did 15 days, same story. Same ignorance in medical field and emergency benzo withdrawal. I want to sue for malpractice. I am having seizures. Cancer, Emphysema from Long haul Covid. I'm actively dying from insomnia and withdrawl as I type this. No one takes me seriously. I have benzo injury.

I contemplated doing the same but I was in the midst of benzo withdrawal and no precedent that I could find for malpractice. My doctor likened benzos to "Pez" when prescribing them....not exactly informed consent.

How do I file a lawsuit for the negative effects of antipsychotics. I have been experiencing dizziness & vertigo for 10 months.

Can we report our injuries to the FDA? I also would like to report my doctor. He's not following the FDA regulations and he knows I'm experiencing domestic violence and now I'm in serious danger.

Ive been on Klonopin 1mg / 4 times a day for over a year. Just found out my job insurance does not cover mental health and my meds are about to run out. I am scared to death! My doctor wouldn't even see me because apparently my insurance did not pay for any of my visits and now I am in vollections for about a thousand dollars. If I miss one more day of work I will be fired. I can't afford my rent, want yo cancel my insurance so that I can apply for insurance thru the government. I am at a loss and am afraid I will end up having a seizure. I don't know what to do. I live alone, my parents are deceased. I am completely overwhelmed! And advice would be greatly appreciated! Is it okay to go to the er for klonopin withdrawals if it gets too bad?

COVID ? How many if any MRNA vaccinations are also involved & why is this not being discussed?

I wanted to sue my prescriber but due to the injury I received from Clonazepam withdrawal that left me with Compartment syndrome in my legs. I tried to tapper but the more you tapper the more psychotic I became. During one of these episodes I took the entire bottle and dialed 911. Due to the fact I was at a motel in a town that I wasn't familiar with they didn't find me for three days. By that time the damage was done. I was in the Hospital for months. I think they gave me a reversal drug in the ER that helps remove the Clonazepam from my system.

This feels so familiar!

What is the name of the case so we can quote it/research if we are lawyers?