Benzotired

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/

In this episode: Melissa Bond, a narrative journalist, poet and matriarch to Salt Lake City’s Slam Scene. The Salt Lake Tribune and the New York Post have both done features on Bond's book Blood Orange Night, her memoir about becoming dependent upon and then withdrawing from Benzodiazepines. Blood Orange Night was published by Simon & Schuster in June 2022 and was selected by the New York Times as one of the best audiobooks of 2022. Bond has been featured on PBS Story in the Public Square, Radio West, the podcasts Risk!, Endeavors, Psychology Unplugged, The New York Times Podcast, RadioWest and Mom’s Don’t Have Time to Read Books.

When Melissa developed pathological insomnia, she was prescribed Ambien (Zolpidem) and later a staggering amount of Ativan (Lorazepam).

Melissa's interview on the Benzodiazepine Awareness Podcast (July 2022): https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wlnRMoHDR6ePsrEDW9qQI?si=JMyYTT-MQmiyvT4V-20bjw

Learn more at MelissaABond.com.

October 31st, 2023

In this episode: Jane Kotze from South Africa. Jane got prescribed several psychotropic drugs. The first drug she was precribed was Prozac (Fluoxetine) at 18 years old, after a 15 minute consultation with a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with a bipolar disorder and having a chemical imbalance. Over the years she was put on a staggering amount of different drugs, including Rivotril (Clonazapam), Seroquel (Quetiapine) and Cymbalta (Duloxetine) whilst drinking alcohol.

Jane has had an excruciating withdrawal, but she is determined to get off all the drugs and create awareness. Jane has written a poem she shares on the show.

This episode is a little different from others, seeing Jane's story didn't start with a Benzodiazepine, but none the less recognizable for many in the Benzodiazepine harmed community.

⚠️Be advised, this episode may be perceived triggering for some listeners ⚠️

You can find and contact Jane at: https://www.janehkotze.co.za , https://www.instagram.com/janehkotze/ and https://m.facebook.com/p/100063797985871/

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:33) Jane's poem

(00:18:55) Interview with Jane & outro

October 17th, 2023

In this episode: Nicole Lamberson, Physician Assistent. She has lived experience in that she is enduring protracted injury from prescribed psychiatric drug polypharmacy and an over-rapid withdrawal, that occured in a detox center, back in 2010. Nicole is involved in various withdrawal-related initiatives, including: she serves on the Medical Advisory Board of Benzodiazepine information Coalition, is an Associate at the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal, is a founding member of the Benzo Action Work Group of the Colorado Consortium, is co-founder of The Withdrawal Project and a team member at Inner Compass Initiative. She also does outreach, marketing and distribution for the documentary film, "Medicating Normal." Currently, she is a member of the patient panel tasked with assisting the American Society of Addiction Medicine on the development of Benzodiazepines deprescribing guidelines for the FDA.

Amongst the drugs Nicole was prescribed was: Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Zolpidem (Ambien), Mirtazepine (Remeron), mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall), Quatiapine (Seroquel), Gabapentin, Trazodone and Diazepam (Valium).

⚠️ Be advised, this episode may be perceived triggering for some people ⚠️.

Nicole can be contacted for withdrawal coaching through Witt-Doerring Psychiatry: https://wittdoerringpsychiatry.com/coach-nicole-lamberson/

October 16th, 2023

In this episode: Geraldine Burns has been a pioneer in helping to get the word out about the potential dangers of benzodiazepines.  In 1999 she started the first Internet support group for people wishing to withdraw from tranquilizers or already off and having problems.  She is dedicated to the responsible and informed use of this class of prescription drugs. She was instrumental in having Professor C. Heather Ashton, Professor Emeritus from the University of Newcastle write her manual “Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw” also known as The Ashton Manual.  This manual has now been translated into 13 other languages. In 2006, she launched the website BenzoBookReview.com.  It was started after she was given the rights by eleven internationally known authors of books that had been written on the subject of tranquilizers of which some were no longer being published.  She worked to have some of them revised and updated so we could bring the most up-to-date information on tranquilizers and sleeping pills to the public. Her advocacy work has been filmed from 2014 to 2020 for the documentary “As Prescribed”.  You can learn more about the documentary at www.asprescribedfilm.com.  It is a documentary film project about benzodiazepine dependency and discontinuation syndrome. On February 24, 2016, the first bill was filed in Massachusetts titled An Act Relative to Benzodiazepines and Non-Benzodiazepine Hypnotics. She worked closely with Representative Paul McMurtry to have this first of a kind bill filed in the United States.  Over the next few years, at five different sessions she and other Massachusetts benzo survivors testified in front of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use and Recovery.  After the third session, the bill was received favorably, but because of Covid, the bill did not go forward.  The 4th bill for the year 2021 was heard on November 8th which again did not go forward.  A 5th bill was just heard on October 2nd, 2023 and we are waiting for a favorable report. On January 13, 2018 she testified in front of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use and Recovery for Governor Baker’s Opioid Bill. In 2018 she and her son Attorney Garrett Burns launched her Podcast  “Benzodiazepine Awareness with Geraldine Burns”  which is also available on YouTube.

After the birth of her second child, something didn't feel quite right and Geraldine was prescribed Ativan (Lorazepam). Despite Geraldine's concerns about the drug, she was told she needed to take Ativan for the rest of her life. As time progressed Geraldine discovered there was a medical issue unaddressed. In an age before the Ashton Manual and the internet, she tapered her Benzodiazepine. As she wanted to spread awareness, she got in touch with professor Heather Ashton, who sent her the first three chapters of her now famous manual.

Find Geraldine's podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/benzodiazepine-awareness-with-geraldine-burns/id1358022441

The Massachusetts Benzodiazepine Bill testimonials: https://youtu.be/WZ2Ut-U5TBA?si=LVsczd_teYnjYgsX

In this episode: Angie Peacock was prescribed Benzodiazepines and other psych meds after suffering from PTSD for many years. Angie tapered her benzodiazepine the last of all her meds and suffered severe withdrawal. She was featured on the documentary film "Medicating Normal". During her journey, she has become an advocate for the drug harmed community and currently offers her services for people coming off and recovering from Benzos and other psych meds.

Find Angie @: https://www.apeacockconsulting.com

August 1st, 2023

In this episode: Amy Barnett, a hairstylist from Chicago, Illinois. Amy got prescribed several Benzodiazepines twenty years ago for anxiety. She had been taking Valium (Diazepam) when needed. After that prescription, she was prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam), Xanax (Alprazolam) and other drugs. Amy shares her story of underlying trauma and the many traumas and gaslighting she endured when getting ill on Benzos by many doctors. Amy cold turkeyed for her pregnancy. Amy managed to come off of Benzodiazepines in 2015. Amy was futured in Lisa Ling's "The Benzo Crisis". Find Amy at her Instagram page: https://instagram.com/amybarnett7261?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

July 26th, 2023

In this episode: Chris Paige, Master of Social Work (MSW), has been a licensed clinical social worker for over 20 years. He is the founder and executive director for the institute of akathasia. Chris was prescribed Ciprofloxacine (Cipro) for a prostate infection for a long time. After a second time being prescribed Klonopin (Clonazepam), he was tapered at a detox in five days and was prescribed other psychiatric meds. Chris suffered akathasia for three years. After his recovery he founded the institute for akathasia and coaches people dealing with Benzo withdrawal, including loved ones involved. Chris and I discuss topics like stabilizing and more. Chris will soon be working with dr. Witt from Witt-Doerring Psychiatry.

Find Chris at: chrispaigelcsw.com and akathisiainstitute.org .

In this episode: Mieke Janssens from Belgium. Mieke got exposed to Benzodiazepines through alternative ways; the party scene and online. Mieke used Benzos initially to sleep, but later on used them to be sedated. Mieke used high dosages of Lendormin (Brotizolam) and Dormicum (Midazolam / Versed / Hypnovel) whilst on opiods for back problems. When she experienced severe symptoms and interdose withdrawal, she contacted her doctor who switched her to 90 milligrams of Valium (Diazepam). Mieke shares her entire journey, including her taper and jump, which was about 2.5 months ago. When she realized there was a lack of proper guidance on how to safely taper in her country, she decided on being a coach to help using her lived experience.

Find Mieke @ https://www.backtobalance-coaching.be/

If you are English speaking, you can send Mieke an e-mail: [email protected]