Benzotired

This episode is dedicated to the love of my life 💙Frank💙.

In this indefinite last episode of Benzotired: I reflect on nearly two years of podcasting and share how significantly I've healed since my withdrawal.

As I've healed, I have been doing what I always wanted to do: live life. After facing certain doom and magically survive, I am a different person because of this journey.

As I resumed my new life with the reality of Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND), I realized I wanted to focus on other things than podcasting, like writing my Dutch book about my experience and enjoying the simple things in life.

In this episode I will discuss the revising of Benzotired in 2024. I re-recorded episode #1 in which I broadly share my journey up till 2024.

As far as the future goes for Benzotired: I will keep the door open to possibly return one day.

To all my listeners across the world: thank you so much for tuning in and your kind words. May life treat you with kindness.

Yours truly,

Naftal Benisty 💜

Visit the website https://benzotired.jimdosite.com/ for the most recent news and updates for Benzotired.

For the best resources surrounding benzodiazepines, visit: www.benzoinfo.com

In this (second-to-last indefinite) (bonus) episode: I speak with Nicole Lamberson, a Physician Assistant (P.A.) about benzo lingo: explaining and discussing language we use in the Benzo harmed community.

Nicole is the Medical Director of the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) and is incredibly engaged in the Benzo harmed community. Recently she featured on the French-Canadian journalism program Enquête "Prescription Nightmare".

Nicole featured on episode #29 of Benzotired where she shares her personal story. Find Nicole's bio at Benzodiazepine Information Coalition: https://www.benzoinfo.com/nicole-lamberson/

Coaching by Nicole: https://app.paperbell.com/checkout/packages?provider_id=47721

📧: [email protected]

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:23) Physical dependence / addiction

(00:15:27) Withdrawal & tolerance

(00:19:03) Holding & adverse effects

(00:21:24) Cold turkey / abruptly stopping

(00:24:30) Akathisia / agitation

(00:27:08) Updosing & reinstatement

(00:35:00) (Long) holding

(00:41:42) Paradoxical reactions

(00:44:05) Kindling

(00:47:07) Equivalencies

(00:51:13) DPDR

(00:54:58) Benzo belly / muscle tension

(00:57:50) Benzo brain / cognition / memory

(00:59:06) Benzodiazepine Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND)

(01:02:11) Neuro emotion

(01:06:03) Waves & windows

(01:07:50) Gaslighting

(01:09:25) Levels of BIND / functionality

(01:15:57) Symptom free

(01:17:03) Generics & brand names

(01:22:30) Explaining prescribers, debate and outro

May 13th, 2024

This episode is dedicated to Fronçois Chapet*🇨🇦 ✝️

In this (bonus) episode: I team up with my friend Emma Saunders to discuss tinnitus. Emma and I got prescribed Benzodiazepines to deal with our tinnitus. In episode #3 of Benzotired we touch on our tinnitus briefly. Emma got tinnitus from Covid-19 and I got tinnitus from Lyme and/or the Doxycycline treatment.

In this episode we discuss tinnitus in general. How can people cope? How did Emma and I cope with it? Where can people go? We also connect tinnitus with the (mis)prescribing of Benzodiazepines and it's subsequent withdrawal.

Find general information on tinnitus @ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus

*Fronçois Chapet was featured on the French-Canadian journalism program by Enquête

🇫🇷: https://youtu.be/cJcNIEH0rPc?si=EUs5DaF2oYNuidwQ

🇺🇸: https://youtu.be/ZBi33wQUfVI?si=cH96-YhBd7RA8Jeu

Find the resources Emma mentioned:

Julian Cowan Hill for tinnitus @ https://juliancowanhill.co.uk/ 🇬🇧

& Joey Remeyni @ https://www.seekingbalance.com.au/ 🇦🇺

For coaching considering Benzodiazepines, polypharmacy, tinnitus and more, check out Emma Saunders @ www.beatingthebenzo.com

April 19th, 2024

In this episode: I catch up with Haeley (featured on episode 10). Haeley briefly shares her Benzo story and how she has being doing after her last appearance on Benzotired.

Haeley started to implement liquid compounded Diazepam / Valium at 15 milligrams and has microtapered down to 9 milligrams ever since.

Haeley and her husband Tom launched a (non-Benzo related) podcast: Talking Ship, which can be found at Spotify and most other podcast platforms (it's so fun, check it out!).

Find Haeley's Instragram page about positive mindset on Benzo withdrawal, including a tutorial on a liquid taper at: https://www.instagram.com/benzowdpositivity/

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:24) Haeley's Benzo story in a nutshell

(00:06:21) Haeley's liquid (micro)taper

(00:18:03) Haeley's improvements & Talking Ship

(00:21:44) Medical malpractice & misdiagnosing

(00:25:47) Adverse effects & knowing Benzos

(00:32:00) Proper information

(00:37:20) Social media, affirmations and positivity

(00:41:54) Where to find Haeley & Outro

April 2nd, 2024

In memory of dr. Christy Huff ✝️.

In this (bonus) episode: I have an informal conversation about working with BIND (Benzodiazepine Induced Neurological Dysfunction) with my friends Emma Saunders 🇬🇧 (from beatingthebenzo.com) and Emma Hames 🇬🇧 (producer of the documentary Toxsick).

If you want to honor dr. Christy Huff and/or find more information, visit the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) website: www.benzoinfo.com

In this episode: Dr. Mark Horowitz, MBBS PhD has lived experience being harmed by antidepressants. He is the author of a handbook on how to safely stop psychiatric drugs called the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines.

It will be published in the UK and Europe on the 7th of March, 2024 and in the US on the 8th of April. It can be pre-ordered now from Amazon and other booksellers.

The handbook is written for psychiatrists, general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, or anyone involved in the care of people with mental health conditions, as well as interested members of the public (it may be the perfect gift for your prescriber) and outlines step-by-step instructions for how to safely stop all commonly used antidepressants, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoinds and z-drugs, with fast, moderate and slow schedules and how to modify these for an individual.

Find Mark Horowitz at: https://markhorowitz.org/

Find the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines at:

(UK) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maudsley-Guidelines-prescribing-Prescribing/dp/111982298X/ref=zg_bs_g_270948_sccl_17/258-8571171-9809403?psc=1

(US) https://www.amazon.com/Maudsley-Guidelines-prescribing-Prescribing/dp/111982298X/ref=zg_bs_g_689763011_sccl_7/134-0222162-4313846?psc=1

(AUS) https://www.amazon.com.au/Maudsley-Guidelines-prescribing-Prescribing/dp/111982298X/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d_sccl_2_5/357-7455695-6050950?pd_rd_w=WPhy3&content-id=amzn1.sym.9b72e657-c3e0-4a4d-84bc-ed83698040e5:amzn1.symc.72052e08-f310-431d-80e0-b172c323d1e5&pf_rd_p=9b72e657-c3e0-4a4d-84bc-ed83698040e5&pf_rd_r=AK5FC04MSQJ5M3CQ3NZS&pd_rd_wg=HJNkP&pd_rd_r=66c925f6-a548-498b-a799-a2a1891c9df0&pd_rd_i=111982298X&psc=1

I am joined by the lovely Emma Saunders from the #Unfiltered podcast and beatingthebenzo.com

(00:00:00) Introduction

(00:01:44) Mark's inspiration to write his book

(00:06:08) The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines

(00:09:10) The Ashton Manual, tapering speeds, risk factors and kindling

(00:20:22) Neuro imaging and GABA occupation

(00:22:15) Patient and doctor training

(00:27:09) Risks versus benefits of psych meds

(00:35:50) Addiction versus physical dependence

(00:37:48) (Long) holding and tolerance

(00:46:08) How Mark is currently doing & managing withdrawal effects

November 22nd, 2023

In this episode: Tijs Synaeve from Belgium. After the sudden passing of his father in 2005, Tijs suffered from anxiety attacks. Tijs self medicated with alcohol to try to cope. Upon seeing a psychiatrist, he was prescribed the Benzodiazepine Tranxène (Clorazepate), antidepressants and eventually a staggering 8 milligrams of Rivotril (Clonazepam).

Trough the years he had visited America and on his last visit, he stumbled upon the book "Blood Orange Night", inspiring him to want to come off Benzos.

He had tapered to 4.5 milligrams in a few years, but ended up in an inpatient treatment where he was tapered off Benzodiazepines and all other prescription drugs in four days during a ten-week treatment.

He survived, but one year later, he still has some symptoms. After coming off of Clonazepam, he started to do some research on Benzodiazepines. Realizing Benzodiazepines aren't as safe he was told, Tijs is spreading awareness in Belgium and his story is featured in some reputable Belgium newspapers.

November 13th, 2023

In this episode: Alison Canavan, a former international model from Ireland. An acclaimed international speaker, wellness coach, and mindfulness advocate.

Overcoming mental health struggles and addictions, Alison found healing and transformed herself into a source of inspiration.

Named one of the Top 8 Transformational Coaches in the US by USA Today in 2021, Alison is a UCLA trained Mindfulness Facilitator from The Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior. She is a Master NLP Practitioner, HeartMath facilitator, Nutritional coach, Raw Foods Master, Meditation and Breathwork teacher and the award-winning author of Minding Mum: It’s Time to Take Care of You – the world’s first 360 self-care book for mums focusing on health and wellbeing post birth.

Alison was first prescribed Xanax for anxiety when she was 16. The doses gradually increased when she moved to America to pursue her modelling career. For many years, Alison struggled with alcoholism and anxiety. Eventually, she decided to wean herself off of alcohol, Xanax, Lexapro (Escitalopram) and recreational drugs.

Alison describes her transformational journey and we discuss mental health among other things.

Find Alison at: https://alisoncanavan.com/

November 7th, 2023

In this (special) episode: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a Consultant Cardiologist at York Teaching Hospital in York, United Kingdom. He also represents general medicine on the patient safety group and is a HYMS tutor and has been awarded 2 clinical excellence awards.

Dr. Gupta was so kind to take the time to answer my questions and shares his views on his profession and the healthcare system.

On behalf of the Benzodiazepine-harmed community, I invited dr. Gupta. As the Ashton Manual is widely recognized, appreciated and embraced, we can't deny it is over twenty years old and there are more developments and views within the community.

In the Ashton Manual, the (short acting) beta blocker Propranolol is mentioned as a possible tool for those who suffer heart palpitations in Benzodiazepine withdrawal. Professor Ashton mentions in her renowned manual that dependency does occur when taking a beta blocker daily and requires a taper. Information on how to taper, adverse effects and possible dangers aren't well researched.

Personally I had a really difficult time coming off of Propranolol and had severe withdrawal symptoms. Dr. Christy Huff, also a Cardiologist and has lived-experience on the matter, was so kind to join me in episode #36 where we discussed the topic; it is one of the most listened to episodes of Benzotired.

I have a close friend within the Benzo-harmed community, who is going through a severe Propranolol withdrawal. The friend and I have done research on cases having difficulties coming off of beta blockers and have found some disturbing reports. As of present I cannot share too much, but I can share that we want to raise awareness on the possible negative outcomes of beta blockers.

Please do not stop your beta blocker abruptly and consult a medical professional if you have any questions about your prescription.

Find dr. Sanjay Gupta at: https://yorkcardiology.co.uk/

(00:00) Intro & about dr. Sanjay Gupta

(01:00) Concerns regarding beta blockers

(02:20) Interview dr. Sanjay Gupta & outro

November 7th, 2023

In this episode: Holly Hardman, Director/Producer of the documentary As Prescribed. Her personal episode is featured on Benzotired episode #20. Holly speaks openly about making the film and using it for Benzodiazepine harm awareness and change.

Holly Hardman entered the media field as a researcher and worked for Rolling Stone, PBS, and Twentieth Century Fox in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, Hardman began writing, directing, and producing short films. She also developed CFS/ME and was prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam) as part of her healing regimen. She recovered from CFS, but was encouraged by her doctor to continue taking Klonopin. Having recovered from CFS, and in response to the political climate at the time, Hardman shifted to the documentary form, directing and producing her first documentary feature Good People Go to Hell, Saved People Go to Heaven (IDFA 2012). Hardman has been a guest speaker at universities and museums. Looking back Hardman recalls living with ongoing and unpredictable disability starting in the early 2000s. After growing concerned about taking Klonopin long-term, she discovered that her mystery symptoms were all due to the adverse effects of Klonopin. She began a 22-month-taper off the drug. While tapering, she began research on a benzodiazepine-focused documentary, and, after finding Matt Samet's Death Grip and content remnants from Geraldine Burns' Yahoo group, she reached out to both about appearing in a new documentary with the working title As Prescribed. As Prescribed, began production in 2014 and filmed over a period of six years. The benzodiazepine community was in great part responsible for helping the film to reach completion -- with generous donations, cooperation, moral support, and open-hearted participation. As Prescribed premiered at Sheffield DocFest (UK) and the Berkshire International Film Festival (US) in June 2022. The Video Project launched the film to the educational/institutional market in October 2023. The film will be available on streamers in spring 2024.

Find more information at: https://www.asprescribedfilm.com/