Professor Malcolm H. Lader says it well:
It is more difficult to withdraw people from benzodiazepines than it is from heroin.
For this reason we need to say NO to benzodiazepines for anxiety (and other conditions)!
Benzodiazepines are a class of psychoactive drugs that work by enhancing the effect of the calming neurotransmitter GABA, and are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, pain, muscle spasms and a range of other conditions. They are widely prescribed, particularly among elderly patients and may even be used off-label with children with autism.
Use of this medication is very controversial. We know long term use leads to tolerance, dependence, and many adverse psychological effects and even physical effects. Short term use is generally considered safe but even using them for 2 – 4 weeks can lead to problems for certain individuals.
In this presentation I’ll be providing an overview of benzodiazepines; when they are used; who they are prescribed to; details about tolerance, dependence, and the many adverse effects; how to taper, including nutritional support during the taper; what to do instead of saying yes to a benzodiazepine prescription in the first place; and additional resources.
This will be a webinar for Hawthorn University and will be on Tuesday Sept 15 at 4pm PST. Register for the webinar here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.
I’d love questions/feedback/comments/your benzodiazepine experiences and topics you’d like me to address during this presentation.
This looks like it’s going to be an information-packed webinar! Looking forward to it – thanks for this Trudy!
Thanks Julie and yes information-packed – it’s so important to get this information out there!
I have been on Ativan for ten years now prescribed for anxiety disorder I’m slowly tapering but it’s going to a long process
Katrina
The slow taper is good! I hope you can join us on the webinar
I suffered from severe anxiety among other things, after the death of my husband. My physician prescribed a benzodiazepine. I took them and was so thankful to have some relief from my mental/emotional/physical state that I took them faithfully as prescribed. At some point in the not so distant future I began to have breakthrough anxiety. I took the benzo as prescribed, just as I had all along, but my anxiety was getting worse. I would be very anxious and extremely uncomfortable before it was time for my next dose. I was having such a rough time I talked to my physician about it. The fix? I went home with a written script instructing my pharmacy to give me double the strength I had been taking. I was relieved to find that the new, higher dose seemed to be the answer. Once again, I found relief. But it was short lived. I began having more breakthrough anxiety again. My physician’s remedy? Let’s continue the benzo I was taking at double strength and another benzo in addition. To cut to the chase, benzodiazepines are addicting. The body gets used to the dose you are taking and then it starts giving you “breakthrough anxiety” to urge you to take more. I started looking into this with the help from my sister and learned all about something called the “Rebound effect”. Many innocent people suffering from anxiety were led down the same path as me. I finally decided I needed to stop taking benzodiazepines of my suffering was never going to end. I have taken strong pain medication over prolonged periods and never became addicted. Benzodiazepines are wicked. The withdrawal symptoms your body experiences while detoxing are a thousand times wicked. I thought I had anxiety before I started benzo treatment. That was a walk in the park compared to the anxiety you experience while suffering the withdrawal. I experienced horrible insomnia for more than a year. My nerves were on fire. All of my nerves simultaneously tried to abandon ship; they felt like they were going to rip through my skin. I was edgy, cranky, tired, gained weight, experienced worsened PMS, more frequent headaches, and I could go on and on. I am not one to share my personal stories in forums such as this. In fact I never have. But I decided that if my nightmare can save even one innocent person from experiencing the living hell I went through for 2+ years, I had to share. Today I am benzo free and I am able to manage my anxiety and insomnia pretty well with mind calming recordings playing through my earbuds. Paul Bauer “Clear Mnd” and Holosync Dive and Holisync Immersion available through Learning Strategies. Also Ison Method for sleep. I believe it was provided for soldiers deployed in war zones to help them relax and sleep when destruction was all around them. These recordings have been lifesavers for me. I wish you all a successful journey toward a healthy and happy life!
Jeanette
Thank you for sharing your benzo journey here even though you don’t share on forums like this. Even though I’ve heard stories about more and more meds being prescribed, I’m still always shocked!
It will be stories like yours (and the facts I’ll be presenting) that will provide insights for those who may be considering taking a benzo, those in the midst of it of their own “living hell” and hopefully doctors who are not aware of the problems these medications cause.
You said it so well: “Benzodiazepines are wicked. The withdrawal symptoms your body experiences while detoxing are a thousand times wicked.”
Congrats on being benzo free and thanks for sharing your lifesaving calming recordings. I’ll check them out and share as a resource for others.
Since you say “I am able to manage my anxiety and insomnia pretty well”, perhaps looking at some nutritional support will take it to the next level so be sure to listen to the webinar
Many thanks for such a great approach and I am sure the webinar presentation will be very informative. Do also take a look at this link for Professor Ashton’s manual on how to withdraw from Benzos using a Valium taper.
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm
The professor has made a lifetime study of this kind of over-prescribed drug and the dangers and effects of it and how to withdraw without pain. Caroline Goldsmith Psychologist Ireland
Caroline
Thanks for sharing the link – I will be covering the Ashton protocol in my presentation. I know Professor Ashton is not in favor of nutritional support/nutrients and will be including this too.
I’d love to hear from you and your interest in this area? Do you work with people trying to withdraw from benzos and what have you seen work well? what doesn’t work well?
Also, when I interviewed Dr. Catherine Pittman she shared how she found that her patients that were taking benzos didn’t do as well during therapy. Have you found this too? what symptoms have you heard patients complain about?
PS I took a quick peek at your site and loved the article on autism/aspergers in girls vs boys and the social aspect http://waterfordpsychology.com/uncategorized/gap-closing-female-male-ratios-autism/
Hello Trudy
I am a clinical psychologist in private practice in Ireland. I have found that the Ashton method of the valium taper and nutritional support is very helpful for patients when withdrawing from benzos especially omega oils. I do come across many people on them as they are vastly over prescribed in Ireland. They are given as a quick fix usually but the patients tend to then get endless repeat prescriptions and think they have to keep taking them. Some of my work would be with Adults also with Aspergers who suffer from anxiety and suicide ideation (especially the men) I find that working with them through their anxiety with CBT is very effective, then when the anxiety is down enough they often want to do a withdrawal from benzos. I try and get them to link in with their psychiatrist to taper down. Your work is very interesting and I would like to be kept up with your updates so I will tune in again. Thanks
Caroline Goldsmith
Caroline
Thanks for sharing this. What a pity about the over-prescribing and endless repeat prescriptions. It’s great to hear you find CBT and the omegas help. Keep up the good work you’re doing!
Re your comment about suicide ideation in your male clients – have you come across the the term histadelia and the folate connection? I write about it here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/methylation-and-anxiety-histadelia-and-histapenia/. High histamine/histadelia is more common in males and suicide ideation is common in this group. Also, histamine imbalances and pyroluria are common in ASD.
In my early 60’s, I was suffering from severe depression, insomnia, PTSD etc. Prescribed .5mg of ativan. Was able to sleep. but then I needed 1.0 and finally 1.5 to sleep. When that stopped working, I asked for more. Fortunately, my shrink refused. So I had insomnia and felt hung over in the morning.
I was used to it. Then years later shrink advised that new research linked ativan to dementia and I should get off. Started the taper, chipping off tiny bits every 2 weeks ago. With support from an alternative physician and the benzo buddies web site that I found in one of Trudy’s newsletters, I am only one tiny cut from freedom from ativan.
I got Trazodone for sleep (I swear next year they’ll find some pressing reason to get off that) and I sleep better than before, am not hung over and am less depressed!! I think the ativan was making me more depressed. Iwas stressed about each cut, “will I sleep?” ” How will I feel?” but I can’t say it was terrible, probably because I did it so-o-o
slowly. Intentionally because I know I’m very sensitive to drugs. It will be 10 mos to taper off.
Hi Judith
Thanks for sharing your story – the need for more and more is very common. You’re very fortunate your doctor said no and then advised you to get off because of the increased risk of dementia.
I’m so pleased you heard about benzobuddies from one of my newsletters and found the support you needed. I’m also glad you mention 10 months so others who read this can see how slow the taper needs to be. I wish you success with the final tapering of ativan!
You’re here commenting, you read my ezine so you know me and the work I do, so it would be remiss of me not to say something about Trazodone. I encourage you to look for the root cause for the insomnia and depression and consider getting off Trazodone in the future. Ask your doctor about Trazodone and increased orthostatic hypotension (a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down) and falls in older adults (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15811171)
I’ll be talking about root causes and nutritional solutions in the webinar
Hi I’m a 28 year old female who was diognosed at a young age with an anxiety disorder I have used Ativan as an emergency a few times in the passed but never on a regular basis so I have never had the same issues as a lot of you but since about this last July my anxiety all of a sudden went through the roof no warning or known trigger for months I havent felt like myself and I was just recently prescribed lorazapam for when the attacks come on but also a daily pill of co-citalorpam.I have only taken 1 pill of the lorazapam last night because I was freaking out but never took the co-citalorpam .I’m just trying to figure out what this drug is like I don’t know too much about it and I’m looking for some info about the drug and also how to keep the attacks away..thanks
TT
I’m sorry to hear about your anxiety attacks.
If I was working with you I’d look into natural approaches and start with the basics – real whole food, quality animal protein, no gluten, no caffeine, no sugar and have you do the amino acid questionnaire (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/) and consider trials of GABA or tryptophan. There are many causes of anxiety so this is just a start.
Citalopram/Celexa is an SSRI and Ativan/lorazapam is a benzodiazepine. It’s possible that prior use of Ativan could be a factor in your recent increase in anxiety. I am really opposed to benzo use for this reason.
I was prescribed Xanax for IBS, the doctor said the Xanax would ease the nerves in my gut. I took them as prescribed for about two to three years but stopped cold turkey. I was ok but had ongoing health issues and a new doc prescribed Lorazepam because I was having panic attacks and night terrors, no doubt from the discontinuation of the Xanax, but I didn’t realize that then. After starting the Lorazepam, I had strange things happen, I would get lost while driving in my own city, I just couldn’t map it in my head. I lost the ability to differentiate people’s faces, including my own. I forgot how to use the restroom, comb my hair, and many other basics. I couldn’t remember if I was right or left handed. The pain in my body was unmanageable and there was a point where I thought I would need a wheel chair, I was not out of my thirties when this all started. Doctors diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, hashimotos, and clinical depression. I was made to believe that I was chronically ill and that mind set, leaves absolutely zero room for hope, especially for a person who truly loves life and wants to live it with the best possible health. In 2010 I had urgent back surgery that resulted in nerve damage, nothing helped the pain, so my doc told me to increase the Lorazepam that I had been taking ‘as needed’. I was taking 4 mg per day and seemed like I was lost very soon after, I felt like a zombie or a coma patient who could hear and see life happening around her but couldn’t participate. I lost my feelings for life, all of them. When I finally realized that the med was causing this, I tried to stop on my own, people said to go slow but I didn’t really grasp what that meant. I threw myself into a lonely, agoraphobic state and became more and more disconnected and had a severe loss of cognition. I finally found a FB support group in October of 2013, that helped me with a taper schedule and I took my last dose on April 30, 2015. In Feb of this year, I had to go on short term disability at my job of seven years and have now just been approved for long term. It breaks my heart. I tried so hard at my job but I just couldn’t manage preparing million dollar software contracts, and healing. I still have cognitive issues but I think it’s starting to get a little better after four months off the poison. I’m still agoraphobic but I know that will change someday soon. I’m told that I will heal completely and that it could take up to a year before the damage to my brain is fully reversed. I am extremely hopeful and carry with me a highly positive outlook. I’m going to be ok and I will always share what I’ve been through, in the hopes that others might benefit somehow. Thank you for giving us a platform to share. <3
Thank YOU for sharing your heart-breaking but uplifting and hopeful journey here (and on the facebook post) – wow – I had to step away from the computer after reading it.
You will be ok! look how far you’ve come. Just sharing this message in the hope of helping others is healing too. I wish you much more healing in the months to come
If you haven’t already done so I encourage you to look into amino acids like GABA, tryptophan, the B vitamin niacinamide for the agoraphobia and nutrients like bacopa and others for cognitive issues. I blogged about pseudo-dementia and some nutrients here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/nutrients-for-dementia-benzodiazepine-withdrawal/ I know many folks who have been on benzos/are currently taking benzos are super-sensitive to supps but sharing just in case.
I hope you’ll join us on the webinar – I’ll be discussing the aminos (I like individual aminos rather than combos), the pseudo-dementia nutrients and other non-supplement approaches that may help
Thank you. I need some hope for getting xanax out of my system. I have been on it for close to 15 years for insomnia. In the past several year I’ve noticed how forgetful I’ve become and my zest for living is gone. A friend suggested I have a hair analysis done. That showed a heavy metal build up in my brain. I soon started eliminating temazapam out of my system. It was my personal form of hell. (I had been on trazadone earlier for several years and that seized to be effective). So, along, with the temazapam my doctor put me on Xanax for insomnia. How I regret this now, but at the time I was raising a family by myself and had a very demanding job. I just needed sleep. If I’d only known then what I know now. I am praying for some relief for the insomnia, but, today mainly for a way to eliminate this ungodly drug XANAX out of my life forever. Thank you. MS
Mary
Unfortunately many people start taking benzodiazepines (Xanax and temazapam – in case folks reading this aren’t sure) because they are desperate and they do initially work very well for insomnia (and anxiety).
I’m sorry to hear what you have been through.
Insomnia can have many causes – low serotonin, low GABA, high cortisol, sugar/caffeine, low blood sugar, gluten and other food sensitivities, SIBO, parasites etc. We want to address the root cause.
Sadly the benzos can start to make the insomnia worse – due to tolerance and during withdrawal.
Prescribed diazepam for 36 years. Withdrew 9 years ago and have been benzo free ever since. What I went through were three years of complete hell, both mental and physical. I am recovered but have residual neurological problems and never feel truly well. I feel I was robbed of my adult life.
Andrea, I am so sorry. I, too, am really looking for some hope here. This spring my ND told me there was nothing more she could do for me as far as eliminating the xanax. So, I’ve been reading as much as I possibly can. Personally, I can’t go on this way any longer. I exercise several times a week, watch my diet, take many supplements, drink lots of water, have started on a magnesium regime before bedtime(epsom salts baths, spray mag on feet, mag supplements) and then the xanax right before I shut off my light. Otherwise, I lay there with heart palpatations until morning. I am hoping there are some answers out there for me. Thanks for listening. I will pray for your continued health, also.
Mary, your story is heartbreaking! You can get off of the Xanax. You just have to go really slowly. I started by cutting my dose into two portions rather than one. So instead of just first thing in the morning I was taking an am and a pm dose. From there I would cut just my am or pm dose by a fraction. I was advised to crush the pill and make eight equal portions then to remove 1/8 and hold at that dose for a couple weeks. Then I’d do the same to the morning dose. I was never good at crushing and was afraid to waste the precious poison. So I would take my .5 mg pill or 1 mg pill and try to cut accordingly. It was never exact which doesn’t work for some people. My anxiety always spiked after about three or four days of the new amount but it settled again. I take many many supplements which again doesn’t work for everyone but the best one I think that supports me is glutamine. Now that the drugs are gone out of my system and I’m focused on naturally healing my ravaged brain and body I can take herbs that would possibly not be good to take with ssris, benzos or other medications. There are so many natural options once these poisons are cleared out. Best of luck to you. You can do it. Be patient with yourself!
Jill
Thanks for your lovely words of encouragement for Mary. I think it’s wonderful for those in the midst of a taper to hear what others have been through. We must just remember that we are all different/unique so need to find what will work for us (I know you know this – just clarifying for others who may read this).
I’m so pleased you are getting some relief with glutamine. Thanks too for the mention about supps not working for everyone.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. I have had a rough couple of days. I will continue to try to eradicate this poison from my system. Your positive words have given me a glimmer of hope. Thanks, Mary
Absolutely Trudy. If there’s anything I’ve learned it’s that we all have different tolerance levels for drugs, pain, supplements, etc. as I was typing this to encourage Mary that it can be done I was thinking it sounded to diagnostic…sorry for that! Glad it encouraged you Mary. You can do it!
Andrea
Thanks for sharing here. Wow, 36 years and then 3 years to quit – I am so sorry to hear the hell you went through
I am so pleased you are recovered and wish you continued healing so you can get rid of the residual neurological problems.
I am an OB nurse, so treatment for anxiety is very limited to my patients. I feel terrible for them because hormonal changes can really exacerbate anxiety and if mom has had previous bad OB history or a high-risk pregnancy, the genuine worry can get out of control. Most are treated with SSRIs, which can be helpful up to a point. Baby can have some withdrawal symptoms from them at delivery, so is VERY important that they tell their OB nurse they are on medication so they can be prepared in case the baby needs some assistance. Treatment with benzos are totally contra-indicated in pregnancy, but we do have moms that self-medicate. Again, is very important they tell their nurse and other health care providers so their baby can me monitored. Some of those babies may need medicines to help with withdrawl symptoms. We are concerned for those moms because they need appropriate evaluation and treatment for their anxiety. My question would be -are there studies re use of amino acids in pregnancy and with breastfeeding? I know some herbals are ok for breastfeeding – Like St Johns Wort is used widely in Europe and is ok.
Sheryl
Thanks for posting here (and on FB). It’s great to hear from a nurse (and lovely to have you interested in this nutritional approach – we appreciate you and need more like you)
We need docs and NPs looking at nutritional approaches and we also need anxious/depressed women being aware that they have other options. I’d like to see women address mood issues and overall health BEFORE falling pregnant. It breaks my heart hearing about babies being affected by these meds and women with postpartum depression, anxiety and OCD.
Amino acids have not been studied in pregnancy or breast-feeding but surely they are better than meds? Here is a blog post nutrients and postpartum https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/nutritional-interventions-postpartum-depression-and-anxiety/
I did not know about St Johns wort being used widely in Europe during breastfeeding. Wonderful!
I’d like to see more on St Johns wort – I just grabbed these
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21053786
trials from German-speaking countries tend to report more favorable findings. A small number of studies suggest SJW is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although SJW is relatively well tolerated, it is prone to many important drug-drug interactions.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24535321
Data on the safety of Hypericum perforatum in pregnancy or lactation are reassuring, whereas efficacy was demonstrated only in nonpregnant individuals…
With the exception of ginger, there are no consistent data to support the use of any other herbal supplement during pregnancy.
Great reference for Postparum depression and anxiety: http://www.uppitysciencechick.com/Non-drug_treatments.pdf
Great, thanks – this is wonderful. I look forward to connecting with Dr Kathleen Kendall-Tackett
Hi Trudy,
This is a very important topic and I’m glad you will have the opportunity to participate in a webinar about it! In my experience as a clinical psychologist benzodiazepines do patients more harm than good. While it is appealing to think that a pill can quickly and effectively remove symptoms of anxiety, panic, and/or insomnia, the reality is that there are significant negative long-term consequences for most people who use these medications. It is not uncommon for me to have patients on multiple psychotropic medications, including benzos, due to symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, or other mental health issues. Patients can quickly become dependent on these medications, and they are often prescribed higher doses over time with diminishing returns. Some patients reach a point where they are not having symptom relief with the benzos, but they cannot function at all without them.
This issue is fresh in my mind because I have a 24-year-old male patient who is entering a rehab program next week due to addiction and substance use issues. The gateway drugs that led to these addiction issues for him were Ativan and Adderall prescribed to him since he was 14 years old. He now sees that these drugs have done a significant amount of damage, but we are having to admit him to a long-term treatment program to get off of these medications (and other substances) safely. I maintain that if prescribers fully informed patients of the risks involved with these medications most people would never start taking them. We need to do more to educate patients and practitioners about the realities of these medications, as well as safer alternatives.
I am now devoting a significant amount of time and attention to this issue not just for benzodiazepines, but psychiatric medications in general. Especially where children are concerned, parents and professionals needs to have appropriate facts about these drugs and understand the many non-medication options that are available. I’m writing about this and providing resources at my site http://www.DrBeurkens.com for anyone who is interested. Thanks, Trudy, for getting this information out to more people!
Dr Beurkens
Thanks so much for sharing your perspectives on this important topic! I really appreciate that you are now devoting a significant amount of time and attention to this issue not just for benzodiazepines, but psychiatric medications in general. As you say, it’s so important that we need to do more to educate patients and practitioners about the realities of these medications, as well as safer alternatives.
It’s hard to believe that benzos are so widely prescribed, considering how addictive they are, and ultimately, not only don’t work but cause great harm. Moreover, they were meant to be used short term only – no longer than 2 weeks! Fortunately, supplements can help mitigate the withdrawal effects, and I have developed some formulas specifically for this purpose. I use these daily in my practice to help people get off these meds, and restore their brain chemistry. For more information on how to do this, see my book, The Addicted Brain and How to Break Free. http://cassmd.com/books/the-addicted-brain/
Dr Cass
Thanks for weighing in here – it’s wonderful to hear this perspective from a psychiatrist and we love your integrative and holistic approach! We so appreciate the work you do helping folks get off their meds.
You are so welcome, Trudy! I so appreciate your consistent message and clear explanations on how to know what to take, how to take it, why it works and how to keep your brain and body in top working order.
I missed your information session on say no to benzos wondering how I could see this. I just tried to go on lexapro and after 2days I went nuts so now I have Xanax to help me with anxiety not sure I should continue. I do have pyrolle and on b6 and zinc but still suffering very badly with anxiety and depression not sure where to go from here. Have tried Gabba and proxan but I felt a little strange. Your help would be appreciated.
Glenda
We’ll share the replay as soon as it’s ready – I encourage you to continue to look for alternatives to Xanax.
I don’t know what proxan is? the form and amount of GABA makes a difference – how much did you use and what type? and how do you score for low serotonin? also have you eliminated gluten/sugar/caffeine and eat for blood sugar control – this is foundational
Thank you so much for your reply I am getting so desperate I am getting very mixed up about what to do.
Proxan has 5-hydroxy tryptophan 100mg s adenosly methionine 100mg Di phenylalanine and other stuff in it you take 1 tablet a day it is a metagenics product. I am in Australia and this is the only way I have found to get the 5htp the Gabba I have is metagenics brand (gamma-aminobutyric Acid) and you take 1 teaspoon it is equal to 2.00g is equivalent to 250mg of Gabba I am extremely sensitive to any medications. I have cut down my sugar and gluten but I may have to go off it all together. I have been to lots of doctors and physc and they all say I have chronic aniexty and depression and I need to take antidepressants but they don’t agree with me they keeping telling me we will just have to try another type. I am sorry for my long story but I am sooooo desperate to get this under control.
Thank you again for your reply you really must genuinely care for others.
Glenda
I’d suggest talking to the practitioner who you purchased the Metagenics products from and ask about trying very small amounts and going up from there. Also ask about doing one at a time.
I prefer individual amino acids – that way you know the effects – when there is a combo it’s hard to know which product may be affecting you.
Gluten and sugar have to go. And then you may also need to explore all the possible nutritional/biochemical causes of anxiety/depression https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/60-nutritional-biochemical-causes-of-anxiety/
Hello I just finish watching this webinar regarding no to benzos. I am 39 years old male, was first diagnosed with panic attacks/anxiety when I was 18. Throughout my life I have been able to manage my anxiety without medication and just getting by life. Throughout the years, I have experienced events that have caused an increase anxiety which finally led me to take benzo’s and antidepressants. Antidepressants did not do anything for me so I got off those 2 years ago. Within the past two years I felt like I was back to my old self as far as managing my anxiety and just living life. However, Within the past month or so a certain trigger has caused me great deal of anxiety and worry which I’ve been seeing a psychologist for; unfortunately the therapy has not helped as of yet. During this time I was taking .5 mg of Xanax at night to help me sleep. I have not taken a Xanax in three days. Right now I’m just laying in bed with no energy and motivation. Could this be the withdrawal effect on Xanax even though I was on a small dosage and not been on Xanax for more than a few weeks? I’m just worried and confused the way that I’m feeling as I eat healthy based off my metabolic blood type, I don’t eat any sugar or drink caffeine, my vitamin D levels are in the optimal range. I read Julia Ross’s Mood Cure book and followed the protocol as best I could but still not see or feeling any improvement. I’ve been contemplating to go back to my old psychiatrist to be put on meds however just trying to not give up on the natural approach. I just need help and I’m not sure what to do at this point.
Alex
I am sorry to hear this. Benzodiazepines should never be stopped abruptly, even small doses. If you want to stop, please work with your doctor, educate yourself on the Ashton taper protocol and do a very slow taper.
Just be aware that the increased anxiety in the last month may in fact be from the Xanax.
You’re ahead of the game being on a good diet and not eating sugar or drinking caffeine. However there are many causes of anxiety that would need to be looked into – here are 60+ https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/60-nutritional-biochemical-causes-of-anxiety/
Thanks Trudy for your response. I came across your YouTube video on pyroluria regarding social anxiety and the connection. I forgot to add that I’ve suffered from social anxiety since I was about 18 years old which basically started all of my anxiety issues. I took your questionnaire on the Pyroluria and I have some of those symptoms. Would you suggest that I still get tested for Pyroluria or is it fine to start the protocol for supplementation? Again thanks for your time and I appreciate you responding; I will be sharing your blog with others as well.
Alex
I don’t do pyroluria testing as it’s often false negative. I just use response to supplements
Thanks for sharing my blog!
I forgot to add I have had social anxiety since I was a teen and just started looking at the Pyroluria symptoms……wow!
Just an FYI: I attempted the Ashton protocol in order to taper Off of .05mg Clonopin, after six years. Unfortunately,It did not work for me. What does seem to be working, however is tapering down from Clonopin in VERY minute amounts. Almost off!
Mary
Congrats for being almost off and thanks for sharing.
Please clarify – I think you are saying the Ashton taper protocol was in amounts that were too high for you and using much smaller amounts (minute amounts) is better for you? If yes, this will be helpful for others to know and goes back to the premise that there is no one-size fits all for anything – food, supps and even tapers
It took me 12 weeks to taper off of Ativan. I almost thought I wasn’t going to make it. I felt suicidal, severely depressed, emotionally unstable, vision and hearing extremely acute, nauseated, angry, rage, memory loss, unable to concentrate, did I mention wanting to die? oh yeah, I did. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever gone through. The only thing that got me through was prayer and determination. No matter what, no matter how bad I thought things were or how bad I felt, no matter if I was having a panic attack or not….I would only take the amount of ativan I was supposed to take at the exact time I was supposed to take it. NOW, I have been ativan free for 6 weeks and I have never felt better. My mood is stable, no anxiety, I am happy, and when things get bad or I get stressed, I’m able to see the bigger picture and let things go. Nothing is really that big of a deal when you step back and focus on the bigger picture. For me, the bigger picture is Heaven. Earthly things are just that…earthly things. When I focus on Heaven, and realize my time on earth is short, I’m able to enjoy the goodness and let the bad things go. I’m also able to allow myself not to be perfect and be totally okay with it. Good luck to everyone. Just say no to benzos! I also DO NOT take any other medication. It can be done!
Megan
I’m sorry to hear you had to go thru this and how wonderful that you are doing so well now. Thanks too for inspiring others that this can be done.
I have been on clonaaepan. 1,5mg for four months and they have now stopped working. After everything I have read here on this blog I do not want to add. Any more to my dose. Is it safe to taper now even it has stopped working. My pharmacist can make clonasopan in liquid corm. Drop by drop.
Waiting anxiously for your comment. Thanks
Kirsten
I’m afraid I can’t offer medical advice on the blog but can share that a taper should always be done – and very slowly. I would suggest connecting with folks on http://www.benzobuddies.org if your doctor can’t help with this.
I’m withdrawing from Klonopin over here. I’ve been on it for over 20 years. I have major panic disorder and anxiety that started before the Klonopin. I was up to 4mg a day & hit tolerance. I am down to 2 mg a day and lowering at a slow rate (it took just over a year to get to 2mg) – I am lucky in that my withdrawal hasn’t been too awful. I also amp up the serotonin via l- tryptophan, 5- htp,- l theanine, etc (at night) to assist with sleep. Serotonin makes me very groggy. It is hit or miss with a full night of sleep though. Some nights I sleep very well and sometimes insomnia hits. I have found that cdp choline, phosphatidylserine, B vitamins, etc to help with cognition in the daytime. Sometimes I take tyrosine, etc for a dopamine boost. I consume a lot of green juices. Magnesium is important. Long term benzo use dampens the receptors, so a slow withdrawal is best. (From all that I’ve read) – i’m still functional, but I will never touch this medication again, once I’m off.
Tiffany
Thanks for sharing and glad to hear about the slow withdrawal. So pleased to hear the tryptophan, 5-HTP and theanine helps. Melatonin is well documented for helping with benzo withdrawal and the sleep issues many folks experience. Trialing GABA in place of theanine can often help too. We have to be careful with 5-HTP as it can raise cortisol in some instances and this can affect sleep.
Hi Trudy,
My name is Patrick. I have been on a benzo since I was about 15 and started having panic attacks. First it was Ativan, now I take Klonopin. I am almost 50 years old and I only recently heard the bad stories about people who were put on benzodiazepines. I was on 4 mg a day, but a number of years ago,maybe around 6, it seemed that 4mg wasn’t enough. I went into the hospital. Ultimately I ended up being on 5mg a day, and that is my dose today.
I don’t know if it is too late for me, or even possible, that I could find something to replace the Klonopin. I guess your seminar was in 2015, judging from the comments. It is 2020 now. I have started to notice that I cannot focus on things like reading, and other problems are emerging. Please advise if you read this.
Patrick
Sorry to hear about your struggles which sadly are very common. And it’s never too late!
I have my clients get nutritionally stable BEFORE starting any medication taper (with their doctor’s approval of course) and this prevents many of the adverse effects. This means eating real food, no gluten, no caffeine, no sugar, quality animal protein, eating for blood sugar control and addressing gut health, the adrenals etc (everything I cover in my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” – more here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html). And then we use the amino acids during the taper (all with the doctor’s approval and monitoring).
I have found that GABA and/or theanine and tryptophan and/or 5-HTP help a great deal. We may also include melatonin, niacinamide, adrenal supportive nutrients and other protocols based on each person’s unique needs.
However as you’ve read here there are a subset of individuals (about 30%) who do have a much more difficult time tapering benzos than others, even with nutritional support.
It’s very common for benzos to work less well as the years go by and actually start to cause more severe anxiety, memory issues and muscle pain (and many other distressing symptoms). Benzo Information Coalition is an excellent resource https://www.benzoinfo.com/
A safe place for someone to start on their own is with basic dietary changes that may have contributed to the initial anxiety that led to a benzo prescription – like junk food, gluten/sugar/caffeine, blood sugar imbalance, poor gut health etc.
Apologies for the delay in your comment approval and my response. We had a computer glitch where a large number of comments were hidden from view in a spam folder. It mostly affected new folks who were commenting for the first time but it’s hopefully resolved now.
St.Johns Wort helped with benzos withdrawal 🙂
Thanks for sharing – glad to hear!
It is not my experience – there is article about it here: Herbal detox – Benzodiazepine withdrawal treatment with the help of St. John’s Wort? (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31472310/) They say hyperforin in SJW inhibits re-uptake of GABA(and serotonin). SJW is calming my anxiety.
Monika
Thanks for clarifying. The link was removed because it’s a suspicious site but the pubmed link is above. Thanks for sharing and glad to hear SJW is calming your anxiety. Do you have the low GABA physical-tension type of anxiety or low serotonin worry-type anxiety? And are you using a benzodiazepine (which one) and discussing tapering with your doctor?
Hi Trudy 🙂 In recent years, I have had problems with anxiety and sleep. About three years ago, I started taking benzodiazepines alternately. I use them once every 3-4 days, so not daily. 0.25 mg of clonopine or 1.5-2.2mg bromazepam. For the past year, I’ve only slept better at the days I took benzo. I went to a psychiatrist for the first time and she gave me antidepressants, escitalopram in the morning and mirtazapine in the evening. Terrible anxiety came and escitalopram disrupted my “sleep” and worsened anxiety, I ended up with escit. after 10 days and I ould like to stop mirtazapine too. I am currently taking 300MG SJW (0.4perc.of hypericine) in the morning and 7.5mg(low dose) mirtazapine at bedtime. Huge anxieties after stopping escitalopram but when I took SJW I was much better within an hour. An hour after SJW, I took 500mg of niacine hexa. and 400mg GABA. I tried GABA with Niacine h. before, but didnt see so huge improvement as with SJW. I want to start with DLPA. But I don’t know how to schedule a tappering schedule, as I only took low doses once every 3 days. I would like to stop Mirt an increase daily dose of SJW and GABA. Plus Niacine hex. , Vit C, DLPA . Thank you very much for your warnings about benzos and SSRI…
Hi Trudy,
Wondering if you offer consultations to people as I’m on clonazepam for 7 months now for anxiety and would like to get your knowledge to help me get off of them. It seems my histamine is high and the anxiety is really bad. I reached out to point of return for help in getting off and they put me on their protocol of whey and other things and a long list of things I cannot have. Really need someone with ur experience to guide me out of this if possible
Thanks much
Thomas
Thomas
I have a long waiting list at the moment but you’re welcome to sign up here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/services/
Until then feel free check out my book The Antianxiety Food Solution https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ and at least start to make the dietary changes. I have all my clients get nutritionally stable before we discuss tapering with their doctor