One thing that helps me is making sure I don't go to bed hungry. I didn't get around to eating dinner last night and I paid for it with terrible insomnia. Being hungry at night really fuels my anxiety and catastrophic thinking. So I finally forced myself to get up and made some eggs and then I was able to sleep.
The one thing that has gotten me through this is the love of my cats who would feed them in the morning if I where not here. And the other is my late mother's voice in head guiding me through even though she is gone I still think she would be so proud of how strong I have been in all of this.
I know. I loss my mom last year. My dog passed just before my mom. I have special needs son, and grands. Helping each other and caring for the Most High God's creations I believe is the way it should work. The more I can keep my mind off how I feel, the better. Peace and Blessings on your journey.
this comment hit a soft spot. my family has always felt like the presence of my grandpa/other deceased relatives was around and honestly they might be, theres been times where things happened that didnt seem like coincidences, and times ive been saved. my grandpa unfortunately passed away from stomach cancer and my stomach is the biggest problem I am experiencing so thats why it hits home to me. I also wonder if they are proud of me.. now im in tears. thanks for this beautiful comment.
I survived 6 years PAWS🎉 Man what a ride🇦🇺😗 Angie my gut is still out of wack 😢 I think my gut is like a desert and needs help to replenish the good bacteria. 😞 Thanks for your help all these years ❤️🙏🏻🇦🇺
I'm many years protracted (as you know) and, even though I've heard most of this stuff at one time or another, it's very nice to hear it again. Thank you. ❤️
I’m so glad you said it took you ten years to come off everything, as it’s taken me that long & a bit more to come off diazepam “which I will be completely free of next month “September “ 🙏🤞it’s been a long road, even tapering when going through different health issues, I was determined to be free & get me back finally 🌻😊 good luck to everyone, stay strong & keep the faith
You're the person I think about when I feel weak, you're very smart and without your videos I would of felt very alone. I come from a very military background and I just felt like you were my most valuable and relatable help, I sent everyone your videos.
Angie has been one of my becon of hope as I am recovering from my nightmare.. You are providing hope for people like me. We belong to a club I wish I was never aparrt from. It is what it is and we have to deal with it. Thank You
Angie, what you say towards the end of this video, “the reality of the situation is that you will heal from this” that bit has helped me so much. I literally have a screen recording just of that little bit to help me when I am having a horrible time. I get so stuck in believing the lies, believing this is the end and that healing will never happen. I worry about all of the million things in my head that could possibly go wrong, but we you said also 99.99% of what you thought never came true. And so far neither has what I fear. Thank God. Because it is horrible. I began tapering a year ago from 2.5 mg Xanax plus 4 mg Valium. As of now I am down to 0.85 mg Xanax and no Valium. It is horrific but your videos have helped me a lot. I just had to come back and say thank you! Please don’t stop helping people. We truly need it so badly
@@kmkeenan There are probably many hundreds of thousands in the US ALONE who have done that. I am full of Rage. That they had so little concern for patient welfare. They have known about this Suffering for more than 60 years. I have a Special Reason to be Enraged. They permanently and Severely Disfigured me.
We love you too Angie dear. Travis & I just listened to this. So much great stuff here that I will use. You were really kind to pack in a lot of helpful information here, & it felt like a big "hopeful hug". Definitely a great video to come back and relisten to again & again. You are definitely doing such a great job in the support groups that you offer, and your coaching too. I can't thank you enough for how much you have helped me... I have a hummingbird feeder right outside my window in my "chill" spot. I have small tree braches in a pot where the hummingbirds sit and take a break. They are only about 3 feet away, so I feel like I am literally hanging out amongst them. So beautiful. So calming.
Thankyou so much for this video..and so glad I found you. The testimonials have done so much for my healing process. Jusr to know I'm not actually going crazy or alone is helping me so much❤
I know your name but not sure how. I just came across your video today and it helped me so much. When you said to be present and just think about how to get through the day it really hit home. It also helped when you mentioned to break your day down. How to get to lunch, dinner and what ever you need to do that day. I just hit my 1 year mark and it's been so rough. All I was seeing was the future of not wanting to do another year like this. I also have a horrible living situation and I'm so frozen I can't move to pack and get out. I really needed to hear that today because I'm not present at all. Thanks for your whole message. I'll be watching for more. 🧡
Sooo agree! Nothing beats being in nature! That’s where I need nothing & no one & feel completely well in joy, in this beautiful park preserve when I can walk there! It’s calming because I make sure I’m literally, grounded = (feet on the grass for electron flow from Earth up through the feet to replenish) & there are lots of wild animals, beautiful flowers to see & a brook to listen to & put my feet in...it’s the BEST MEDICINE for me! I wish I lived closer! I’m grateful to get there when I can actually walk there! ☀️🌳🌲🦌🌳🦝🌿 - Cynthia
Thank you for another great video, thank you for stating you had no windows as neither do I and the belief in the community is that you have windows that will get longer and waves shorter, you have given me hope that without windows I will still recover. Wishing us all a speedy recovery, x
“I do what I wanna do.” With no car, affordable housing, I don’t even know how that could be possible...I’m 60 this Summer & on “the system.” Im trying not to hate every minute of it. As you’ve said, “What we resist, persists.” Im so glad for you, Angie! You’re the strongest person I know! 💎♥️- Cynthia
My psychiatrist is tapering because of his license. Having that in the back of my mind makes me angry. I been on Xanax for 15 years as prescribed . I'm on 1.25 a day. I tapered .25 mg within the past 2 months. I had to decrease .50 extended release to .25 rapid release. I also take 1 mg of extended release in evening . But we are tapering morning dose first. I have bipolar , depression , anxiety and trauma . I'm also on other meds to keep me stable. My dr tried telling me I shouldn't feel withdraw and I was awful. Brain burning, muscle twitching , vision problems etc... I'm angry drs telling me how I feel. So now he wants to change other meds. I refused, I'm willing to taper but it needs to be because of my health. I can't lose my job. I'm a dental hygienist and I need to work. I'm feeling good now so I know he is going to taper again in 2 weeks. I'm scared. I need to keep my job🙏🏻
Thanks Angie! I began my tapering journey nearly 7 years ago. There were only a few channels available, but they kept me sane. Though I'm not healed, I'm living life. I put movement into my healing process. I began walking 5 minutes twice a day and built up from there. Three years ago, I began to run and have met the nicest, most encouraging people. Find something to do: sports, books - something. I did not have windows either. I began to heal slowly, very slowly, but the healing process did begin. I would put smiley faces on my calendar, sometimes one for the morning and one for the afternoon. I need a visual reminder that every day did not suck - though it seemed so at the time. I have no idea when I will consider myself healed completely, but I'm back in life - and that's more than I can say while I took those horrible drugs. I took 4 mg of klonopin for 15 years, 3 mg of klonopin for 18 years, Effexor XR for 17 years and Topamax for 13 years. Keep going ~ Janet
Angie, do you have advice for cold turkey withdrawal, protracted? I'm 31 months out, doctor never mentioned tapering, told me to "okay, stop taking it" when I asked her if I could stop after taking as directed for 28-1/2 years. Haven't had another since. I basically hid from my children in my home for the next 5-6 months until it barely began to slightly improve for an occasional half hour. Hoping my anxiety lessens more and the racing thoughts calm down, my heart stops pounding, the body burning lessens, and my old personality returns. I'm generally a constantly irritable, pissed off zombie. Used to be sweet, loving, funny, patient. My grown kids just think I've turned into a major grump. I told them I think it's the benzo withdrawal and the reply was, "That HAS to be out of your system by now!" I've tried to explain, but they aren't interested, seem disinterested. Any advice to hurry this recovery along if its going to improve more than this? Is it? Thanks.
@@naomi8097 - Hi Naomi, I got outside and walked! This was such a slow, painful process. My family was of no help whatsoever and because of the drugs, I was isolated and withdrawn - I had no friends to speak of. I began walking 5 minutes a day, sometimes twice a day. I increased my mileage and length of time. Luckily, I live near a bike path, filled with walkers, runners and bikers. I made a rule that I would not take my phone or wear a watch. I made eye contact with everyone, smiled and eventually spoke with those I met. I ran my first half marathon two weeks ago! I'm working again and no one would ever suspect what an ordeal I've been through. This has been such a slow, hard journey, but life is better on the other side. Hang in there ~ Jan
Will be contacting you for a consult…..thanks for all the dedicated work you are doing to help all of us that are suffering so badly…you are a true survivor :)
This is such a helpful video. Thank you for sharing so much of your wisdom. 34 months off K for me. Seeing improvements but back in the throes of it the last few days. I shall watch this again and share with others. ❤😊
Very hopeful message, that if we just can pass the time, we will heal. I am 5 months off benzo, but struggling badly, symptoms are changing every day, but just managing and passing the time. For the last 15 days, some new symptoms that are very intense and
Thank you Angie. I'm SO glad I watched Medicating Normal and saw you and your story. I am brand new into the tapering world. You are an inspiration and a total beast! You are SO helpful with my thought processes and believing I can, and will absolutely do this! I look forward to learning more from you! Thank you, thank you 😊👍🏻
Wow what a change from the last video I watched of you,it’s night and day. I wish I had your fight. I’m a 65 quadriplegic I messaged you just recently. Trying to get off Klonapin but I’m such a coward the first sign of discomfort I medicate. My anxiety and depression from my disability is just overwhelming 24-7. I constantly worry about losing my current doctor who is turning 62 this year and I’m going to lose access to my medications of Subutex for severe pain and burning of the lower extremity’s and my Klonapin for anxiety and depression (constant) If I lose access to either one I’m in life threatening withdrawals!! Oh heard you have a website that you use as a tool to help people in my condition. Would love to connect with you someday. I’m sure you are very busy anyway take care of yourself you look wonderful. !!!!
Hi Angie amazing help everything you said,and the others I've got hope even if I'm still waiting on my Detox bed from methadone and valium and I'm topping up on street meds to but please tell me I won't die in withdrawals even if I've done this 7 times already but this time I'm really scared but thanks for doing what u do God bless and yes HOPE
Eek- detox is not usually a good thing for long-term users/ physiologically dependent people: www.madinamerica.com/2022/11/detox-facilities-psych-wards/
I am 4 months off, and it seemed to me that fear feeling is almost gone, but tonight, I had horrible dream, and I got up shaking trembling with extreme fear. Since then , this fearful, nervous, anxious feel is not going away. I am so scared, is there any chemical imbalance going on in my mind in sleep also? Is it common in benzo withdrawal? If it is an imbalance, then will it go away with time?
As you say that we all heal as time passes, if we are breathing, we are healing. This is so hopeful that I pass every minute with positivity, but some says that if you will not do this, follow this, or learn this, you can struck in stage one of recovery phase. Do you think that we need to do something else to fix this other than passing time with mindfulness, keeping our hope alive with a positive mindset?
It's very encouraging to know that if we pass the time, healing will happen anyway. But in this brutal process of withdrawal, we develop anxiety with fear, phobias, some continues useless thoughts coming to mind, and they are very difficult to cope up. Will they also go with time?
Thank you so much for this video, I watch it every time I feel suicidal. Does the emotional blunting ever go away? My anxiety, dpdr, headaches, and intrusive thoughts have gone away completely or mostly subsided, and my libido has fully returned, but I am unable to feel joy, excitement, love, etc. I've had like 4 windows total where they've come back a few hours and its felt like heaven. Please tell me its not permanent like people on PSSD forums say. I'm 18 months post cold turkey of Sertraline, and had a major setback with weed 11 months ago.
Ok be right next to you once I get a Dr to taper me off in Florida!! Or I'll CT off a high dose and not make it I'm so scared!!! But if I make it I'm gonna make it my life's purpose to help. Even if it's just a few thousand or hundred people
How the heck does someone do this when it's not just benzos, I had debilitating stuff going on physically before benzos, it's why I was put on them eventually, the 2 together has sent me over and I'm in a critical place mentally and physically, traumatized by Drs and hospitals and everything backfiring tried at this point, look 70 lbs, gi not working, connective tissue disorder, severely malnourished, caregiver (ex spouse now) left me in all this, stuck in toxic non supportive environment, in almost constant terror now and the neuro emotions you've mentioned are severe, I feel I have no control over my brain/mind anymore, Idk what is coming from what at this point, no coaches or anyone talk about any pre-existing health issues on top of this that were/are debilitating and life threatening on their own and then add benzo hell which has got me in a place it doesn't look like I'm going to make it, dr said this isnt sustainable, severe ptsd and trauma from all this, need help
Lots of people have pre-existing issues. We all have the same problem: you have to heal yourself from all of it. If you wait on western medicine to heal you, you will die first.
@@AngiePeacockMSW some things in life require emergency medicine, each benzo coach I've talked to has turned me away and doesn't know what to do with me, I'm sicker than anyone in the benzo communities I've come across, even Geraldine burns didn't know what to do with my situation
@@sweetvictory3100 I have disabilities too, that I live with. I'm sorry you have other issues too. Thank god the benzo part will heal I cope with my other stuff in my own way.
Angie thanks for the video. I was forced onto 75mg Seroquel when I first complained about the issues I was experiencing with my 15mg Valium prescription (plus 30mg Mirtazapine). I’m now down to 8mg and struggling massively. I don’t think I will heal because of these other drugs. I have constant debilitating dizziness along with so many other symptoms. Scared to continue my taper.
The most annoying thing for me is that a few years into medication I started smoking. It's been about two years now and even though i'm in withdrawal I still can't give it up. It's soulcrushingly depressing. I am trying nicotine patches right now though.
How long did the morning anxiety doom stuff last for you? I’m also insane at my period time I had pmdd before all this med stuff since I was 14. Do you have problems at your period?
Yes the week before my period my SI and intrusive thoughts were way worse and I felt worse overall. That lasted a few years. My morning doom stuff slowly wore off over many years. I’m a ct and severe case so my timeline won’t be the same as yours. Try not to compare to me. If you’ve had problems with your period since being a teen look into how to fix those - probably something metabolic going on and lifestyle changes can improve that part. Always look for the root cause and try to fix that.
Do you think ill heal while on two antiphycotics? Ive failed tapering them 3 times now the last time i micro tapered and i reached a low dose and shit hit the fan big time I became extremely physically and mentally unwell, i was delusional and crazy. I don’t think i can get off them at this stage. I 5 years off kolonopin
You will heal to a point from the benzo injury. I’ve come off multiple drugs myself and I never felt “myself” and whole again until off all. That’s my personal experience. As long are there are chemicals in your body messing with systems and chemistry, you’re only going to heal to a point.
Angie, is it possible to suffer on the mental side more than the physical side during withdrawal? I do have physical symptoms, but they’re not as agonizing and painful as the mental, cognitive, and psychological ones. My depression, anxiety and Anhedonia and cognitive impairment have reached levels that i didn’t know were possible for humans to experience. Many users who write about their success stories usually share how much they were tortured physically (A, sensory sensitivity, pain, burning, and weakness etc) but don’t go much into the depressive symptoms. My experience is mostly with Antidepressants not with benzos so i don’t know if that plays a role in the physical symptoms of other sufferers.
Many find that not helpful. Then they find they to taper off that later too. Be sure to always give informed consent. Research this yourself and ALWAYS read the fda pamphlet of any drug you are considering taking.
I'm doing the opposite of living as normally as possible and feel horrible about it. I can't. I'm hiding. I'm weak. I'm severely traumatized by c/t, stabilizing on small reinstatement after 8 months of torture, then tapering that slowly over 4 years, just to now crash again in January. I'm paralyzed with fear. Doing this again is way too much.
@@AngiePeacockMSW will this paralyzed by fear feeling go away? Also, I seem to not have the windows and waves pattern. I'm scared of being so traumatized that I won't even notice that it's getting better. Can this happen? Does it sound crazy? Thank you Angie for your livesaving work.
This shit sucks period I trusted my doctors now I end up in the er all the time I’m 8 months off and and in severe pain never had none of this shit before benzos I feel like it’s over the chest pains are to much
The bottom line is “ A Pill is NOT the answer to life’s problems “.
Bingo!
This lady is angel from God . .she is giving and caring . Trust her , listen to her
Angie is here doing the job that our "Doctors" should have! Criminal. But, We Love You Angie. Big, Big, Thanks!
One thing that helps me is making sure I don't go to bed hungry. I didn't get around to eating dinner last night and I paid for it with terrible insomnia. Being hungry at night really fuels my anxiety and catastrophic thinking. So I finally forced myself to get up and made some eggs and then I was able to sleep.
Absolutely. I have the same circumstance! Exactly what you said, because being hungry is Stressful! Do whatever you need to, to Reduce The Stress.
@incognito595 same with me. ❤
It’s so easy to catastrophize during this
The one thing that has gotten me through this is the love of my cats who would feed them in the morning if I where not here. And the other is my late mother's voice in head guiding me through even though she is gone I still think she would be so proud of how strong I have been in all of this.
I know. I loss my mom last year. My dog passed just before my mom. I have special needs son, and grands. Helping each other and caring for the Most High God's creations I believe is the way it should work. The more I can keep my mind off how I feel, the better.
Peace and Blessings on your journey.
@@ljsc1265 One day at a time one moment at a time we will get through this ❤️
this comment hit a soft spot. my family has always felt like the presence of my grandpa/other deceased relatives was around and honestly they might be, theres been times where things happened that didnt seem like coincidences, and times ive been saved. my grandpa unfortunately passed away from stomach cancer and my stomach is the biggest problem I am experiencing so thats why it hits home to me. I also wonder if they are proud of me.. now im in tears. thanks for this beautiful comment.
@@ItsSimplyAless You're very welcome our loved ones are the guardian angels that care for us above❤️
I survived 6 years PAWS🎉 Man what a ride🇦🇺😗 Angie my gut is still out of wack 😢 I think my gut is like a desert and needs help to replenish the good bacteria. 😞 Thanks for your help all these years ❤️🙏🏻🇦🇺
I'm many years protracted (as you know) and, even though I've heard most of this stuff at one time or another, it's very nice to hear it again. Thank you. ❤️
Thank you Angie. I need these reminders that there is hope and I AM healing .
I’m so glad you said it took you ten years to come off everything, as it’s taken me that long & a bit more to come off diazepam “which I will be completely free of next month “September “ 🙏🤞it’s been a long road, even tapering when going through different health issues, I was determined to be free & get me back finally 🌻😊 good luck to everyone, stay strong & keep the faith
Are you off now? How are you doing?
Wow! Congratulations! Huge feat! Thank you for the inspiration! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 - Cynthia
You're the person I think about when I feel weak, you're very smart and without your videos I would of felt very alone. I come from a very military background and I just felt like you were my most valuable and relatable help, I sent everyone your videos.
💜
Angie has been one of my becon of hope as I am recovering from my nightmare.. You are providing hope for people like me. We belong to a club I wish I was never aparrt from. It is what it is and we have to deal with it. Thank You
Learn to “suffer well.” I like that 🥰
THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR THIS LADY!
Yep I don’t even really have a reason to get off I just had too!! So damn hard.. my life is on stand still.
Angie, what you say towards the end of this video, “the reality of the situation is that you will heal from this” that bit has helped me so much. I literally have a screen recording just of that little bit to help me when I am having a horrible time. I get so stuck in believing the lies, believing this is the end and that healing will never happen. I worry about all of the million things in my head that could possibly go wrong, but we you said also 99.99% of what you thought never came true. And so far neither has what I fear. Thank God. Because it is horrible. I began tapering a year ago from 2.5 mg Xanax plus 4 mg Valium. As of now I am down to 0.85 mg Xanax and no Valium. It is horrific but your videos have helped me a lot. I just had to come back and say thank you! Please don’t stop helping people. We truly need it so badly
You’re so welcome and I’m so glad I could help even in a small way. I’ll be making a meditation video (a few actually) very very soon!
@@Rollwithit699 what an irresponsible doctor. I'm sorry that happened to you.
@@kmkeenan There are probably many hundreds of thousands in the US ALONE who have done that. I am full of Rage. That they had so little concern for patient welfare. They have known about this Suffering for more than 60 years. I have a Special Reason to be Enraged. They permanently and Severely Disfigured me.
We love you too Angie dear. Travis & I just listened to this. So much great stuff here that I will use. You were really kind to pack in a lot of helpful information here, & it felt like a big "hopeful hug". Definitely a great video to come back and relisten to again & again. You are definitely doing such a great job in the support groups that you offer, and your coaching too. I can't thank you enough for how much you have helped me... I have a hummingbird feeder right outside my window in my "chill" spot. I have small tree braches in a pot where the hummingbirds sit and take a break. They are only about 3 feet away, so I feel like I am literally hanging out amongst them. So beautiful. So calming.
I've discovered relaxation with hummingbirds too! I'm up to 6 feeders. 😂
Thankyou so much for this video..and so glad I found you. The testimonials have done so much for my healing process. Jusr to know I'm not actually going crazy or alone is helping me so much❤
I know your name but not sure how. I just came across your video today and it helped me so much. When you said to be present and just think about how to get through the day it really hit home. It also helped when you mentioned to break your day down. How to get to lunch, dinner and what ever you need to do that day.
I just hit my 1 year mark and it's been so rough. All I was seeing was the future of not wanting to do another year like this. I also have a horrible living situation and I'm so frozen I can't move to pack and get out.
I really needed to hear that today because I'm not present at all. Thanks for your whole message. I'll be watching for more. 🧡
Sooo agree! Nothing beats being in nature! That’s where I need nothing & no one & feel completely well in joy, in this beautiful park preserve when I can walk there! It’s calming because I make sure I’m literally, grounded = (feet on the grass for electron flow from Earth up through the feet to replenish) & there are lots of wild animals, beautiful flowers to see & a brook to listen to & put my feet in...it’s the BEST MEDICINE for me! I wish I lived closer! I’m grateful to get there when I can actually walk there! ☀️🌳🌲🦌🌳🦝🌿 - Cynthia
The view of the video gave me a sense of peace, I can relate
Thank you for another great video, thank you for stating you had no windows as neither do I and the belief in the community is that you have windows that will get longer and waves shorter, you have given me hope that without windows I will still recover. Wishing us all a speedy recovery, x
Your words are so important,so important!!!!
Great that you’ve been so booked! Great for you & for those you counsel! ♥️
Thank you so much for the great info !
God work 🙏🏽
“I do what I wanna do.” With no car, affordable housing, I don’t even know how that could be possible...I’m 60 this Summer & on “the system.” Im trying not to hate every minute of it. As you’ve said, “What we resist, persists.” Im so glad for you, Angie! You’re the strongest person I know! 💎♥️- Cynthia
I am watching this for the third time...amazing
This is literally my lifeline
Put it on repeat and do not entertain any other thoughts than these!
My psychiatrist is tapering because of his license. Having that in the back of my mind makes me angry. I been on Xanax for 15 years as prescribed . I'm on 1.25 a day. I tapered .25 mg within the past 2 months. I had to decrease .50 extended release to .25 rapid release. I also take 1 mg of extended release in evening . But we are tapering morning dose first. I have bipolar , depression , anxiety and trauma . I'm also on other meds to keep me stable. My dr tried telling me I shouldn't feel withdraw and I was awful. Brain burning, muscle twitching , vision problems etc... I'm angry drs telling me how I feel. So now he wants to change other meds. I refused, I'm willing to taper but it needs to be because of my health. I can't lose my job. I'm a dental hygienist and I need to work. I'm feeling good now so I know he is going to taper again in 2 weeks. I'm scared. I need to keep my job🙏🏻
You look FABULOUS! What a long journey, and yet...here you are! You’re amazingly resilient!
Love your videos!
Very helpful! Thank you!
Thanks Angie! 😊
Thank you, Angie. ❤
Thanks Angie, these videos help me sooooo much . Please keep posting it gets me through the day .
Thank you, needed this today
Thanks for the encouragement ❤
I love this video. Thank you Angie!
thank you Angie. so appreciate your work. xxx
You are a wonderful human being!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!
Thank you Angie ❤
Thank you for the hope ❤️
Thanks. I listen to this video almost daily.
Thanks Angie! I began my tapering journey nearly 7 years ago. There were only a few channels available, but they kept me sane. Though I'm not healed, I'm living life. I put movement into my healing process. I began walking 5 minutes twice a day and built up from there. Three years ago, I began to run and have met the nicest, most encouraging people. Find something to do: sports, books - something. I did not have windows either. I began to heal slowly, very slowly, but the healing process did begin. I would put smiley faces on my calendar, sometimes one for the morning and one for the afternoon. I need a visual reminder that every day did not suck - though it seemed so at the time. I have no idea when I will consider myself healed completely, but I'm back in life - and that's more than I can say while I took those horrible drugs. I took 4 mg of klonopin for 15 years, 3 mg of klonopin for 18 years, Effexor XR for 17 years and Topamax for 13 years. Keep going ~ Janet
Yay! Thank you for sharing hope for others to see! So happy for you.
Angie, do you have advice for cold turkey withdrawal, protracted?
I'm 31 months out, doctor never mentioned tapering, told me to "okay, stop taking it" when I asked her if I could stop after taking as directed for 28-1/2 years. Haven't had another since. I basically hid from my children in my home for the next 5-6 months until it barely began to slightly improve for an occasional half hour.
Hoping my anxiety lessens more and the racing thoughts calm down, my heart stops pounding, the body burning lessens, and my old personality returns. I'm generally a constantly irritable, pissed off zombie. Used to be sweet, loving, funny, patient.
My grown kids just think I've turned into a major grump. I told them I think it's the benzo withdrawal and the reply was, "That HAS to be out of your system by now!" I've tried to explain, but they aren't interested, seem disinterested.
Any advice to hurry this recovery along if its going to improve more than this? Is it?
Thanks.
Thank you your comment helped me too .
Janet what all did you do to heal? When did you notice you were healing?
@@naomi8097 - Hi Naomi, I got outside and walked! This was such a slow, painful process. My family was of no help whatsoever and because of the drugs, I was isolated and withdrawn - I had no friends to speak of. I began walking 5 minutes a day, sometimes twice a day. I increased my mileage and length of time. Luckily, I live near a bike path, filled with walkers, runners and bikers. I made a rule that I would not take my phone or wear a watch. I made eye contact with everyone, smiled and eventually spoke with those I met. I ran my first half marathon two weeks ago! I'm working again and no one would ever suspect what an ordeal I've been through. This has been such a slow, hard journey, but life is better on the other side. Hang in there ~ Jan
Very very wise words ❤
You do such a wonderful job, Angie!
Thank you Thank you Thank you🙏
Angie is an amazing coach.
Your truly God sent
Good message Angie
Thanks so much for your kindness ❤
I love you so much. I’m so grateful for your help and wisdom.
Very, very helpful and much needed. Thank you Angie. ❤❤❤
Excellent recap of last nights group. Thank you Angie.❤
✌🏻thank you.
Will be contacting you for a consult…..thanks for all the dedicated work you are doing to help all of us that are suffering so badly…you are a true survivor :)
This is such a helpful video. Thank you for sharing so much of your wisdom. 34 months off K for me. Seeing improvements but back in the throes of it the last few days. I shall watch this again and share with others. ❤😊
What is K?😊
Thank you for sharing great tips on navigating this journey.
Love this Angie . Thanks
So glad!
Ty 💜
Very hopeful message, that if we just can pass the time, we will heal.
I am 5 months off benzo, but struggling badly, symptoms are changing every day, but just managing and passing the time. For the last 15 days, some new symptoms that are very intense and
Thank you Angie. I'm SO glad I watched Medicating Normal and saw you and your story. I am brand new into the tapering world. You are an inspiration and a total beast! You are SO helpful with my thought processes and believing I can, and will absolutely do this! I look forward to learning more from you! Thank you, thank you 😊👍🏻
6 yrs off klonipin. Still agonizing pain fear. Etc. Of course i will subscribe. ❤ love all who are in this benzo withdrawal torture. ❤
This was the most helpful video I’ve watched yet, thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful!
@@AngiePeacockMSW I’m still early in my journey, so looking forward to more from you ❤️
Wow what a change from the last video I watched of you,it’s night and day. I wish I had your fight. I’m a 65 quadriplegic I messaged you just recently. Trying to get off Klonapin but I’m such a coward the first sign of discomfort I medicate. My anxiety and depression from my disability is just overwhelming 24-7. I constantly worry about losing my current doctor who is turning 62 this year and I’m going to lose access to my medications of Subutex for severe pain and burning of the lower extremity’s and my Klonapin for anxiety and depression (constant) If I lose access to either one I’m in life threatening withdrawals!! Oh heard you have a website that you use as a tool to help people in my condition. Would love to connect with you someday. I’m sure you are very busy anyway take care of yourself you look wonderful. !!!!
Hi Angie amazing help everything you said,and the others I've got hope even if I'm still waiting on my Detox bed from methadone and valium and I'm topping up on street meds to but please tell me I won't die in withdrawals even if I've done this 7 times already but this time I'm really scared but thanks for doing what u do God bless and yes HOPE
Eek- detox is not usually a good thing for long-term users/ physiologically dependent people: www.madinamerica.com/2022/11/detox-facilities-psych-wards/
I am 4 months off, and it seemed to me that fear feeling is almost gone, but tonight, I had horrible dream, and I got up shaking trembling with extreme fear. Since then , this fearful, nervous, anxious feel is not going away.
I am so scared, is there any chemical imbalance going on in my mind in sleep also?
Is it common in benzo withdrawal?
If it is an imbalance, then will it go away with time?
Yes this is all common in benzo wd. It will go away as your body keeps healing. It’s very intense, I know.
@@AngiePeacockMSW thanks, for giving me hope that it will go away as we heal.🙏
As you say that we all heal as time passes, if we are breathing, we are healing. This is so hopeful that I pass every minute with positivity, but some says that if you will not do this, follow this, or learn this, you can struck in stage one of recovery phase.
Do you think that we need to do something else to fix this other than passing time with mindfulness, keeping our hope alive with a positive mindset?
It's very encouraging to know that if we pass the time, healing will happen anyway. But in this brutal process of withdrawal, we develop anxiety with fear, phobias, some continues useless thoughts coming to mind, and they are very difficult to cope up. Will they also go with time?
Yes of course!!
Angie what if we cannot find success stories? Where would we find them
Not with the dreaded "A" word anyway
There’s plenty on MISSD’s website, including my own. Also try benzo buddies and Reddit.
benzo buddies has a whole section of success stories. I printed out my favourite and put them in a folder to read when I’m feeling hopeless
@@harmedbuthealing Thank you 🙏
Hi Angie you are a lovely brave person.
I would appreciate if someone would guide on tapering from Clozapine( ant-psychotics)
❤🙏
Thank you. I adore you! Needed this so much. Going into year five of severe protracted withdrawal. Ugh. Can't give up.
Don’t give up. Also, I have a protracted withdrawal support Circle. To join it: www.Angiepeacock.com
Thank you so much for this video, I watch it every time I feel suicidal. Does the emotional blunting ever go away? My anxiety, dpdr, headaches, and intrusive thoughts have gone away completely or mostly subsided, and my libido has fully returned, but I am unable to feel joy, excitement, love, etc. I've had like 4 windows total where they've come back a few hours and its felt like heaven. Please tell me its not permanent like people on PSSD forums say. I'm 18 months post cold turkey of Sertraline, and had a major setback with weed 11 months ago.
Yes it absolutely does go away! I had that myself!!
Ok be right next to you once I get a Dr to taper me off in Florida!! Or I'll CT off a high dose and not make it I'm so scared!!! But if I make it I'm gonna make it my life's purpose to help. Even if it's just a few thousand or hundred people
Check out @levelheadedmind on CZcams. She’s a benzo wise prescriber in Florida. I interviewed her a few weeks ago on my channel!
How the heck does someone do this when it's not just benzos, I had debilitating stuff going on physically before benzos, it's why I was put on them eventually, the 2 together has sent me over and I'm in a critical place mentally and physically, traumatized by Drs and hospitals and everything backfiring tried at this point, look 70 lbs, gi not working, connective tissue disorder, severely malnourished, caregiver (ex spouse now) left me in all this, stuck in toxic non supportive environment, in almost constant terror now and the neuro emotions you've mentioned are severe, I feel I have no control over my brain/mind anymore, Idk what is coming from what at this point, no coaches or anyone talk about any pre-existing health issues on top of this that were/are debilitating and life threatening on their own and then add benzo hell which has got me in a place it doesn't look like I'm going to make it, dr said this isnt sustainable, severe ptsd and trauma from all this, need help
Lots of people have pre-existing issues. We all have the same problem: you have to heal yourself from all of it. If you wait on western medicine to heal you, you will die first.
@@AngiePeacockMSW if I could heal myself I would be God, this isn't just benzos like I said
@@AngiePeacockMSW some things in life require emergency medicine, each benzo coach I've talked to has turned me away and doesn't know what to do with me, I'm sicker than anyone in the benzo communities I've come across, even Geraldine burns didn't know what to do with my situation
@@sweetvictory3100 I have disabilities too, that I live with. I'm sorry you have other issues too. Thank god the benzo part will heal I cope with my other stuff in my own way.
It's my mental injury and I'll embrace it if I want to.
Angie thanks for the video. I was forced onto 75mg Seroquel when I first complained about the issues I was experiencing with my 15mg Valium prescription (plus 30mg Mirtazapine). I’m now down to 8mg and struggling massively. I don’t think I will heal because of these other drugs. I have constant debilitating dizziness along with so many other symptoms. Scared to continue my taper.
Please try some of the tools in the video to help you get through this!
Thank you!
The most annoying thing for me is that a few years into medication I started smoking. It's been about two years now and even though i'm in withdrawal I still can't give it up. It's soulcrushingly depressing. I am trying nicotine patches right now though.
Keep trying! I had to read this book and it was the final thing that helped me quit: amzn.to/43TLzBv
Can you show us you’re dog Angie? Is it a new dog? You had that beautiful dark dog with a grey sweet face..
Sure! I'll bring him in the next video.
👍☺️
How long did the morning anxiety doom stuff last for you? I’m also insane at my period time I had pmdd before all this med stuff since I was 14. Do you have problems at your period?
Yes the week before my period my SI and intrusive thoughts were way worse and I felt worse overall. That lasted a few years. My morning doom stuff slowly wore off over many years. I’m a ct and severe case so my timeline won’t be the same as yours. Try not to compare to me. If you’ve had problems with your period since being a teen look into how to fix those - probably something metabolic going on and lifestyle changes can improve that part. Always look for the root cause and try to fix that.
Awaiting a health diagnosis 9 months after 22 years of ssri use. Kicked my anxiety into hyperdrive. I cannot stop thinking and cant stay still.
I’m so sorry! You will heal!
@@AngiePeacockMSW thanks Angie. Appreciate you.
Good morning Angie,
I’m wonder why the word Sleep is not mentioned more in any of the videos I’ve watched? Isn’t this the biggest issue?
I have a whole video on sleep: czcams.com/video/i_hIEwmG_G8/video.htmlsi=eVUfLZxiBqq2ji4M
Do you think ill heal while on two antiphycotics? Ive failed tapering them 3 times now the last time i micro tapered and i reached a low dose and shit hit the fan big time I became extremely physically and mentally unwell, i was delusional and crazy. I don’t think i can get off them at this stage. I 5 years off kolonopin
You will heal to a point from the benzo injury. I’ve come off multiple drugs myself and I never felt “myself” and whole again until off all. That’s my personal experience. As long are there are chemicals in your body messing with systems and chemistry, you’re only going to heal to a point.
How do we get into the tapering circle ? Do you have be having sessions with you ? ty
All sessions are listed on my website: calendly.com/apeacockconsulting
Angie, is it possible to suffer on the mental side more than the physical side during withdrawal? I do have physical symptoms, but they’re not as agonizing and painful as the mental, cognitive, and psychological ones. My depression, anxiety and Anhedonia and cognitive impairment have reached levels that i didn’t know were possible for humans to experience. Many users who write about their success stories usually share how much they were tortured physically (A, sensory sensitivity, pain, burning, and weakness etc) but don’t go much into the depressive symptoms. My experience is mostly with Antidepressants not with benzos so i don’t know if that plays a role in the physical symptoms of other sufferers.
Yes in fact my mental were my worst too. They do go away. It takes some time for some of us but it will go!
I really hope so. I’m in immense pain..
What are your thoughts on LDN for CFS caused by CNS damage?
Never seen it work! Many have to taper that too and then that stalls their healing.
Is it good idea to take antidepressant for benzo withdrawals?
Many find that not helpful. Then they find they to taper off that later too. Be sure to always give informed consent. Research this yourself and ALWAYS read the fda pamphlet of any drug you are considering taking.
I'm doing the opposite of living as normally as possible and feel horrible about it. I can't. I'm hiding. I'm weak. I'm severely traumatized by c/t, stabilizing on small reinstatement after 8 months of torture, then tapering that slowly over 4 years, just to now crash again in January. I'm paralyzed with fear. Doing this again is way too much.
There’s no right way to do except to stay alive sometimes. And that’s okay. You did what you had to do to survive.
@@AngiePeacockMSW will this paralyzed by fear feeling go away? Also, I seem to not have the windows and waves pattern. I'm scared of being so traumatized that I won't even notice that it's getting better. Can this happen? Does it sound crazy? Thank you Angie for your livesaving work.
This shit sucks period I trusted my doctors now I end up in the er all the time I’m 8 months off and and in severe pain never had none of this shit before benzos I feel like it’s over the chest pains are to much
Sooo much conflicting advice!
In what way?
@@AngiePeacockMSW from doctors and well meaning people.