Azor88

Did the mods remove this IAMA?

This IAMA could have served to raise awareness for serious health issues....

Benzodiazepine withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal are deadly as they can induce cyclic Grand mal seizures. Seizures usually are not deadly, but these can be.

When I was checked into a hospital, about 4 years ago, I was put on phenobaribtol to prevent seizures. An old buddy of mine had a seizure while driving and crashed his car.

But, it's not seizures that make benzodiazepine withdrawal soo bad. It's what it does to ones mental state.

They are anti-anxiety drugs, therefor the withdrawal is filled with anxiety.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome has a different seeverity for those who experience it.

It's like you have general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder all at the same time. Imagine panic attacks, sometimes, multiple panic attacks a day. I'm talking complete mental breakdowns. Meanwhile, you ain't sleeping. Like, 2-3 hours a night for weeks at a time. Delusions and hallucinations can occure. At somepoint you eventually isolate and fall into major depression. The entire time your brain is cloudy and foggy, incapable of thinking, writing, and speaking how you uses to. You are a shell of who you were. Suicidal Ideations are not uncommon. And I havnt even touched upon the physical symptoms...

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome can easily get worse before it gets better.

Never cold turkey off of a benzodiazepine. Shit can wreck you.

Did you get panic attacks or insomnia during your withdrawal? How would you describe the weening process, easy or hard? Did you crossover and use valium in the taper? How would you describe your recovery one year out, back to 100%? How's current mood and anxiety on a daily basis? Are you on any other medications, like ssri's?