How long does seizure risk last during cold turkey?

[[Ga...]]

I've seen answers ranging anywhere from 1 week max, to 2-3 weeks, to months after beginning withdrawal. Has anyone come across any scientific studies that give an answer, or some suggestion? <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7841856">All</a> the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21815323">studies</a> I've <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3427560">found</a> regarding benzodiazepine seizures are either behind expensive subscription paywalls, or are otherwise unaccessible. In general, there doesn't seem to be a lot of information regarding the actual occurrence and commonality of fatal withdrawal symptoms associated with cold turkey withdrawal, such as seizures.

 

Dr. Ashton's FAQ does mention that fatal or dangerous symptoms are "rare" or "uncommon", but doesn't provide any statistics to give doctors and users a better understanding of their risk. This seems like an oversight to me. In alcohol withdrawal, for example, every legitimate medical authority will tell you to taper or otherwise detox under the supervision of a doctor. This is good advice, of course, since alcohol withdrawal can kill, just as benzodiazepine withdrawal can, but it is clearly noted that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0047840/">fatal symptoms of alcohol withdrawal occur in >5% of all patients</a> who experience withdrawal symptoms. Further, we know that risk of death from alcohol withdrawal only occurs, or at the very least is at its greatest height, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0047840/">between four and seven days</a> after last consumption of alcohol. Where is the information for this regarding benzodiazepines? While I absolutely agree with the medically accepted preference for tapering when it comes to benzodiazepine detox, I think such statistics would be helpful to those whose anxiety, which is likely already at unbearable levels, is simply fed by the ominous risk of deadly withdrawal symptoms.

 

Has anyone found any evidence that might allow some insight? What about anecdotal experiences? What other risk factors (type of benzodiazepine, history of seizures, use of other drugs, etc.) might play into one of these symptoms occurring? While benzodiazepine withdrawal should always be considered a serious matter, how many of us are actually at any real risk of dying from it?

[[be...]]

People do not die from five week, low dose use.  The chance of a seizure from five weeks use is so miniscule i don't know if it could ever be measured.  When seen, and still very uncommon, they typically occur in high dose, long term users, and usually is the first few days.  I personally have done three cold turkey detoxes. My last was from a dose 20 times as high as yours, after a decade of use. I did not have any seizures, nor did I see anyone else at these facilites. However, what is fairly common in withdrawal is to have increased health anxiety.

 

 

[[Da...]]

I talked to my psychiatrist about seizures, there was a girl on here that said she had them everyday, I said you need to go to the ER, she said her doctor calls them panic attacks.

 

From what my doctor said they are extremely rare and happen within the first 48 hours for people suddenly coming off a large dose. They only typically happen in the first 48 hours. They are similar but no as common as what happens to alcoholics, they stop drinking when they are drunk and then start shaking and possibly a seizure Once they make through a few days the chance goes way down.

 

We have a tendency to worry about medical problems because of Xanax WD, so you will see a lot about it on this forum. But you don't really see anyone it is occurring for, if it is it probably some other problem.

[[Ga...]]

People do not die from five week, low dose use.  The chance of a seizure from five weeks use is so miniscule i don't know if it could ever be measured.  When seen, and still very uncommon, they typically occur in high dose, long term users, and usually is the first few days.  I personally have done three cold turkey detoxes. My last was from a dose 20 times as high as yours, after a decade of use. I did not have any seizures, nor did I see anyone else at these facilites. However, what is fairly common in withdrawal is to have increased health anxiety.

 

Haha, well I certainly have that. I was thinking about this more from a general interest perspective. I was shocked by the lack of literature regarding withdrawal seizures for benzos. I had no idea they were less common than alcohol withdrawal-induced seizures-- everything I'd read seemed to suggest they'd be MORE common.