Five (5) facts about benzodiazepine withdrawal (you need to know)

[[ne...]]

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can be debilitating. The limbic system in the brain kicks into overdrive. Symptoms such as extreme fatigue, depression, and panic are common. How can you support yourself during the months-years long process of detox from benzos? Five (5) facts and considerations here. With a section at the end for your questions and comments.

Benzos overexcite our minds and bodies

 

Before we talk about what you can do to support yourself when going through benzodiazepine withdrawal, let’s review how benzos affect the brain.

 

There are two opposing systems in the brain: the glutamate and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) systems. Think of glutamate as the gas pedal: it excites things into action. GABA, on the other hand, puts on the brakes. Benzodiazepines damage GABA receptors so that glutamate is free to run rampant, overly exciting everything in our bodies.

 

Without enough working GABA receptors to calm down the excitement from glutamate, our central nervous system goes into overdrive. The limbic system, the region of the brain responsible for flight, fight or freeze kicks into action around the clock. We experience:

 

    fear

    terror

    debilitating panic

 

Derealization and depersonalization are common withdrawal symptoms, as well. Severe depression, crushing fatigue, weakness, dizziness, burning skin, and a host of other debilitating symptoms can occur from taking a benzodiazepine.

We’re still learning about benzo withdrawal

 

It’s true that not everyone taking a benzo will experience a horrific withdrawal. Genetic mutations are the suspected culprits that cause the drug to mangle some brains but not others. However, the exact pathway of damage is not yet known.

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What we do know about the experience of detoxing from benzo withdrawal comes from the collective stories of people who have survived it. The Internet is helping collect information about withdrawal and to disseminate more accurate facts to help people better navigate benzo withdrawal.

Five (5) benzodiazepine withdrawal facts

 

Here are five (5) of the facts that everyone taking a benzodiazepine should know:

 

1.  Going to a doctor who is not benzo-wise can make you worse.

 

Most doctors are not very well educated about the dangers of benzos or the withdrawal process and symptoms. It is important that you educate yourself by studying the Ashton Manual, the gold standard to date for getting off a benzo. You may want to join one of the new online benzo communities run by benzo survivors that are springing up in response to the global need for help and guidance in benzo withdrawal.

 

Rehabs and detox centers are not the place to go to stop taking a benzo. Both taper patients off very quickly, which shocks the brain so to speak. This can result in a more symptomatic and longer withdrawal.

 

TIP 1: Consult with a medical doctor with experience in benzodiazepine withdrawal.

 

2.  Time is the only thing that heals.

 

There are no pills, potions, or lotions that speed up the healing process or make it go away. Some things can take the edge off, however. Many of those things come with a steep price tag of their own to pay when you want to stop taking them. It may be better to gut out withdrawal without adding insult to injury.

 

Many drugs, vitamins and supplements make us worse, not better. Compiling the stories of so many that have gone though withdrawal we now know that vitamin D, vitamin B and magnesium often rev up our symptoms. Further, herbs and supplements that work on GABA receptors should be avoided. Kava Kava, Valerian, Phenibut, and Chamomille are known to cause problems.

 

Medical marijuana usually makes people have an increase in symptoms. Anxiety, depersonalization, derealization, fear, paranoia and panic can result from smoking or eating edibles. CBD, (cannabidiol) is a marijuana compound that does not cause a high. It is not psychoactive like THC. CBD has been shown to reduce seizures and pain. However, some people in benzo withdrawal react negatively to it. It is best to avoid the use of medical marijuana in benzo withdrawal.

 

Many naturopaths, acupuncturists and functional medicine doctors like to prescribe vitamins and supplements. You must do your homework before you agree to take any thing no matter how natural or organic it may be. Not sure how to find out if what you want to take is known to cause problems? Join one of the many online benzo groups and ask other members. Remember, we can’t rely on doctors (yet) because they are not educated about benzo withdrawal. They mean well, however, the often harm instead of help.

 

TIP 2: Avoid the following vitamins and supplements:

 

    Chamomille

    Kava Kava

    Magnesium

    Medical marijuana

    Phenibut

    Valerian

    Vitamin B

    Vitamin D

    Any herbs and supplements that work on GABA receptors

 

3.  Watch what you eat. Food can trigger an avalanche of symptoms.

 

It’s not just drugs, vitamins, herbs or supplements that can cause an unbearable spike in benzo symptoms. Food can trigger very uncomfortable reactions as well. Many people going through benzo withdrawal become food sensitive. I couldn’t eat garbanzo beans without an increase in symptoms. Salmon revved up my symptoms too. Cane sugar and honey can increase withdrawal symptoms.

 

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) needs to be avoided. It is an excitotoxin. Food additives, colorings, preservatives and artificial sugars can increase withdrawal symptoms. Sugar substitutes such a xylitol have been known to cause severe gastro problems. Caffeine and alcohol also make us much worse and should be avoided.

 

Benzo survivors usually try many different eating styles in order to feel better. Some try the GAPS diet, while others go Paleo. Some become strict vegans, while others just shun gluten. Diet is personal choice that only you can decide for yourself. Nothing to date speeds up the healing of the damaged GABA receptors, however, some diets do allow us to feel a bit better than others.

 

TIP 3: Find a diet that works for you. Look into GAPS, Paleo, vegan, or gluten-free diets. Avoid certain foods like:

 

    Alcohol

    Artificial sugars or sugar substitutes

    Caffeine

    Cane sugar

    Food additives, preservatives, or coloring

    Garbanzo beans

    Honey

    Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

    Salmon

 

4.  Don’t up dose or reinstate unless it is to save your life.

 

One of the worse pieces of advice people are given in benzo withdrawal is to take more of the drug if they are struggling while tapering, or to reinstate (go back on the drug) if they are off.

 

A process called “kindling” can take place once you have been exposed to a benzodiazepine. No one knows exactly what takes place in the brain to cause this phenomenon. However, we know that it exists. If you go down in dose then go up, getting back down can be even harder the second time. The brain has been “kindled.”

 

If you are off the drug, especially for more than four (4) weeks, going back on the drug can backfire. You may become tolerant to the dose you reinstate on, and up dosing will not bring relief. You may be far more symptomatic and tapering may be brutally hard.

 

TIP 4: Keep moving down in dose. Once off, stay off, unless you feel your life may be in danger.

 

5.  Chances are good your old anxiety will be history!

 

Many people who have navigated benzo withdrawal find that the original complaint that drove them to see their doctor is long gone after withdrawal ends. You may be frightened in the midst of withdrawal and feel that your old anxiety has returned. That is your damaged brain misfiring fear.

 

You’ll know when withdrawal ends if you still have your original anxiety. (you’ll be able to seek appropriate help if you feel you need to do so.) Once we are healed, many of us feel we are made of titanium. We’ve lived through hell on earth. Nothing much ruffles our feathers. Chances are good that you will feel this way, too.

 

TIP 5: No matter how much fear, anxiety and panic you have in withdrawal, know that once your brain heals, it will fade away. The amount of fear you feel in the depths of withdrawal is not the way you will feel the rest of your life.

Freedom from benzos is a new beginning

 

Benzo withdrawal is not a walk in the park for many. However, getting free from the drug increases your health and possibly your life span. For the millions who have gotten free, a whole new life awaits! Many are happier and far healthier than they were pre-benzo or on a benzo.

You can get free!

 

You can be whole, happy and healthy again.

 

http://prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/five-5-facts-about-benzodiazepine-withdrawal-you-need-to-know/

[[Kl...]]

All true! The author of this article is the one who helped me get off my pills. I love her. She's solid.

[Guest [ha...]]

I'm following this post for inspiration...I certainly need it...I so need a plan; want to be free of this med even if it brings tons of symptoms...just want off

[[Mi...]]

Although you make some good points, there are alot of issues here. Vitamin D is essential for all humans, no matter what state you're in. And there is no proof that vitamin D does anything to aggravate withdrawal, in fact, it has quite the opposite effect in most cases. 

As is the case for most of the suppliments you mention.

 

Also, there are alot of things that can help speed up the healing process.

[Guest [We...]]

Genetic mutations are the suspected culprits that cause the drug to mangle some brains but not others. However, the exact pathway of damage is not yet known.

 

What the actual f***? 

 

If you are off the drug, especially for more than four (4) weeks, going back on the drug can backfire. You may become tolerant to the dose you reinstate on, and up dosing will not bring relief. You may be far more symptomatic and tapering may be brutally hard.

 

That's EXACTLY what happened to me when I reinstated Xanax to taper off from benzodiazepines for good this year.

[[Be...]]

Yeah I'm calling BS on some of these so called facts. Some of the info listed on here is good but D3 are you kidding me? What are people supposed to stay locked indoors all day and avoid the sun. D3 is naturally produced by sunlight and quite important to supplement for those of us living in the Pacific Northwest and don't get much sun for 7 or 8 months out of the year. There are several other things listed to avoid that are not factual but opinions.

[[ld...]]

Hello nextime!

 

  Very interesting info and I agree with it. Many of us are different and as I have read the Ashton Manual many times it has been noted that our withdrawal and healing can be different for the individual. It is also known that a small amount of people never suffer or go through any difficult withdrawal and don't have any symptoms, but this is a small percentage of people. Most of us have a very difficult time with coming off benzos. My personal experience thus far is that I am 8 months out and have tried supplements, vitamins, etc. They do not help me, as a matter of fact they make my symptoms worse. I stay away from vitamin D, (the vitamin D our body makes from sunlight is not the problem, it is ingesting the capsule that causes me problems) I do not take vitamin B, magnesium or any other supplement and I have tried many to no avail. I stay away from Advil/Ibuprofen, it revs up my symptoms. Tylenol/Acetaminophin does not rev up my symptoms. I have tried the different teas and herbs and such, and they do nothing for me. I do pay attention to the MSG facts and believe it can have a negative effect on some people as we are all different. It has been shown that benzos have an effect on every major organ and system in the body including the stomach and digestion. I can see how food could effect some people; you know the olds saying "we are what we eat". This can hold true. Near the 6th month I started getting the waves and windows. The windows are great and when I would get one I felt totally recovered. This is when I went back to eating whatever I wanted with little to no problem, and now at a little over 8 months out I am feeling better and better and I know that I am healing and I will recover 100% and I know that you will too and all the others out there too. All of this stuff will just fade away and one day you will wake up and realize you are totally recovered. Whether we believe it or not, we will recover, it just takes time. Wishing everybody the best!!!

 

    ldm27

[[Ma...]]

GENETIC MUTATIONS.      Is the author referring to the mthfr defective genes?

[[fo...]]

Hello,

 

I have a question. The post says to avoid foods that affect the GABA system, does l-theanine fall under it as well? Can it be safely taken after 2-3 weeks of being off (I am 3 weeks into my relapse of having gone off clonazepam.)

 

Thanks.

[[Ca...]]

Hi,

What an incredible article. Thanks so much for posting this..

Brittany

[[on...]]

thanks Next time- very helpful and reassuring!

[[fe...]]

Great article. Some disagreed on the supplement issue. I take lots of supplements, mostly vit D and fish oil. We all realize it's an individual thing. I can't get out in the sun because I had melanoma..

[[ne...]]

Hello,

 

I have a question. The post says to avoid foods that affect the GABA system, does l-theanine fall under it as well? Can it be safely taken after 2-3 weeks of being off (I am 3 weeks into my relapse of having gone off clonazepam.)

 

Thanks.

 

THEANINE: Could be a highly useful ANXIOLYTIC, since it DOES NOT function as a GABA RECEPTOR AGONIST but UPREGULATES THE PRODUCTION OF GABA within the brain, functions as a GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST, and enhances ALPHA-WAVE production within the brain.

L-theanine is a unique amino acid present almost exclusively in the tea plant. It possesses neuroprotective, mood-enhancing, and relaxation properties.

 

 

Supplements:

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=166856.msg2228195#msg2228195

[[fo...]]

THEANINE: Could be a highly useful ANXIOLYTIC, since it DOES NOT function as a GABA RECEPTOR AGONIST but UPREGULATES THE PRODUCTION OF GABA within the brain, functions as a GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST, and enhances ALPHA-WAVE production within the brain.

L-theanine is a unique amino acid present almost exclusively in the tea plant. It possesses neuroprotective, mood-enhancing, and relaxation properties.

 

 

Supplements:

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=166856.msg2228195#msg2228195

 

Thank you very much for clearing that up. 

[[Gr...]]

A lot of good information here.  Thank you!

[[Vi...]]

I think is up to each one of us. Is depend on how long you stoped benzo and how sensitive you are  for any of the suplement.

I could not use any of the suplement in acute time but now I feel magnesium and camomile tea is relax me.

Is try and error. We just have to try what is working for us or not.

 

[[wa...]]

I agree that it is just trial and error.  One day D reves me - another day or another brand does not.  A day after magnesium I can feel "poisoned" but a week later - nothing.  Sometimes just good diet is the best one can do.  even that can be challenging.  I think more will be revealed about MTHWR mutations and w/d.  WBB

[[Ke...]]

Why on earth are doctors not up to speed on benzo withdrawals and the life sucking symptoms people are experiencing,so much suffering could have been prevented? it seems crazy to me that doctors still don't recognise benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome?? Surely by now they shouldn't be prescribed so easily or widely available on the internet. Big companies dealing high doses of misery!! Shameful

[[jx...]]

Nicotine should be avoided too.

[[1o...]]

The one supplement I cannot avoid is magnesium because it helps regulate my heartbeat. It skips and jerks without it which causes MORE anxiety attacks. So far it is not a problem, but a blessing. If I had not found magnesium to help with these heart skips, jumps, etc and seen a doctor. I would have stayed with the benzo forever.

[[ne...]]

It is so funny on the supplements and symptoms.  For days now I've been taking around 600 mg of L-Theanine. Today, only 150 as I felt 600 was too much.  Symptoms or too much supplements....the $64,000 question.

 

I will take L-Theanine again in the morning.

[[re...]]

Why on earth are doctors not up to speed on benzo withdrawals and the life sucking symptoms people are experiencing,so much suffering could have been prevented? it seems crazy to me that doctors still don't recognise benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome?? Surely by now they shouldn't be prescribed so easily or widely available on the internet. Big companies dealing high doses of misery!! Shameful

Amen to that Kenzi  Reindeer

[[Sp...]]

I agree, really shameful!

[[Mi...]]

GENETIC MUTATIONS.      Is the author referring to the mthfr defective genes?

 

He might be referring to Epigenetics  ... which can be changed by environmental factors, including drugs. See:

 

http://www.whatisepigenetics.com/fundamentals/