I was reading the Ashton Manual after finding a couple of posts in the Vitamins Forum. For some reason she doesn't seem to think that taking supplements is a good idea generally.

http://www.benzo.org.uk/ashsupp11.htm#suppl

I was surprised but then again I have no personal experience with benzodiazepine withdrawal. I certainly wouldn't do it cold turkey!

Hello, Mark,

Not unlike most other benzo users, I no longer have faith in the psychiatric community. I am lucky to have a wonderful PCP who is helping me along. I have heard that the first 30 days are the roughest. If you go on to YouTube and type in keywords such as "benzodiazepine withdrawal", you will see some pretty scary and disturbing videos. I saw one last night that made me want to cry – it was an older woman who was cold turkeying off Klonopin. The video was not long at all, but it was heartbreaking to see. I have been following our young woman's videos and she is about two weeks into her cold turkey. Below is a link to her latest video, which she just recently uploaded.

https://youtu.be/4gewkLQCuN8

Lara, you are correct about supplements. I believe the safest ones to take during withdrawal are vitamins D3 and C.

Ali,

I highly recommend staying away from horror stories in videos like that and online forums. Everyone's neurobiology is different and you may be able to beat this thing easier than you would expect. By watching those videos you're basically putting it in your head that you're gonna have as rough a time as those people if not worse. It might not be conscious but you are introducing these thoughts to your subconscious at the very least.

The Internet is a great resource but you have to remember that you really don't know the person on the other end of the communication and what else they are going through. Could be multiple drug withdrawals, brain injury, poor nutrition, other mental or physical illnesses. Who knows. All you can control is your situation. That's why I asked how far you made it in your taper because this can give you a good indication of your condition and how bad the full withdrawal will be. Use it as a measuring stick and try to separate the anxiety due to anticipation from the actual withdrawal symptoms themselves. I know this can be rather difficult. Anxiety is a powerful disruption in the brain.

Also, in general, people who have bad experiences are more likely to post on the Internet than those that have good experiences. I see this as a general rule of thumb when using the net.

And definitely don't cold turkey after years of steady use! This puts you at risk for seizures.

Just some friendly words of advice.

Danny,

Thank you for the advice. I do try to avoid horror stories, as I am aware that everyone heals differently. I have been doing research on cold turkey-ing because tapering slowly is not working.

Ali,

Keep in mind that those who are cold turkey withdrawing from benzos who are not having horror stories do no usually publish to YouTube. Only the worst cases make it.

I have found a need to do research to find a good psychiatrist. I've had 3 good ones over 32 years and a few that I canceled after the first appointment. My last good one would show me the chemical process/interaction on his table and how the supplement I was taking was not interacting with the med. He actually researched my supplement regimen. I dropped my last because he was just a pill pusher and did not take an interest.

You might benefit from getting some blood work done to check for deficiencies. B-12, folate, D-3, mag and some others are very important to support the brain's ability to function properly. It might be worth getting these things in proper balance before starting to withdraw again.

Ashton and others poo-poo using supplements to help withdraw but I have not seen anybody comment about supplements prior to withdrawing. Some meds deplete essential substances so getting them back up to proper levels would be well worth it in my book.

IMO.

Mark, you rock! I just had four vials of blood taken and everything looks OK, thank God. I plan on getting some things into place before I start my rapid withdrawal plan. I just took a screenshot of your recommendations for blood work. I will get this done before I do anything too drastic.

You have been so kind to me. I cannot thank you enough!

Love and Light,
Ali

Ali,

Benzos can be very difficult for some to withdraw from. I would suggest looking up A place called Point Of Return as they are very skilled at helping people with this issue.

Bud

Thanks, Bud,

I have already looked into POR and read more bad testimonials than good. Rehab is not an option for me. I will not leave my little girl. Also, rehabs for benzos are not recommended unless you are at a low dose. I am still at 25 mLs.