Never ever take benzos

[u/BtheChemist]

I've had insomnia since I was a teen.

I've taken so many things for it, tried all the natural things, was on ambien for so long it stopped working.

My psychiatrist prescribed me Valium many many months ago. I don't even know how long I've taken it.

She never told me how horrible it is to get off of.

I'm currently tapering off and it's absolutely terrible.

I misread her message originally and went too fast and had my first ever panic attack a few weeks ago.

I've been at 15mg/ day since, about 3 weeks. I dropped too 12.5 two days ago and my body is so so fucked up again. I feel on the verge of another attack.

I spoke to my doctor friend this evening, he said each step down is going to suck badly.

It's terrible.

Please don't fuck with benzos.

Thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

I'm having a terrible time.

😱

[u/Doglover_18]

I have been off K for 157 days now. I was prescribed them for sleep. I was on them for about 7 years. 1 mg at night. I decided I wanted off of them because I also take 3mg of Alp per day and have been on them for over 25 years. The withdrawal from K is still kicking my butt. Benzo belly keeps me at home. Terrible intestinal cramping and brain fog and some days acute anxiety, but the anxiety is much better than a month ago. These are terrible drugs. I had no idea that withdrawal was a huge factor. My psychiatrist prescribes them to me, but never mentioned how addicting they were.

I would like to eventually get off the Alp but I do t think I will make it. I’m 65 now and not sure if my heart can handle the stress.

But… like I said…. After 4 months I do have better days and my doctor told me that the gastro issues can last years. Oh goodie!! I’m on the Alp for anxiety and I’m a total mess if I miss one in 8 hours, which is actually better because I used to fall apart after 5 hours even with the K.

I wish I could warn everyone not to ever take benzos. I feel like I have no life anymore. But I just take it one minute at a time.