Help! Benzo Treatment Withdrawal

[Jack Mccarthy]

Guys, I'm trying to find the right neurologist (clinical interest) to help deal with the matter.

History: Hard tinnitus since 2007 stemming from a barotrauma injury while flying for work. Nuerologist specializing in tinnitus prescribed 4mg Klonopin/day.

Been taking for 8 years before tapering off during to issues with blurry/double vision.

Now down to 0.125mg/day but dealing the following:
eye pain/numbness/headaches & difficulty concentrating every day -
taking 1500mg Tylenol to deal with it....not good.

When taking the drug:
Blurry/double vision where I have great difficulty working and reading computer screen

When NOT taking the drug (to make seeing more manageable):
Edgey/tension & shakiness - maybe prelude to anxiety attack? dunno

I'm trying to take the drug at least every 2-3 days so I can see at work but it's been difficult

Went to psychiatrist who deals with it and initial meeting indicates he doesn't work with a Nuerologist and my condition MAY stem from physiological stress.

Before I go down the path 'its all in my head', I want to see the appropriate nuerologist who can look into my symptoms and make sure I don't have any brain damage.

Is this something for a regular nuerologist or does anyone recommend someone who might deal with pain/drugs?

Thoughts? My primary care physician thinks seeing a regular nuerologist is 'good enough'. I'd like to hear others opinions on the matter.

 

[Jack Mccarthy]

Guess I should've mentioned that the prescribing neurologist has moved overseas and there are no neurologists that specialize in tinnitus in my area.

 

[Bartek]

Hi,
You should take Valium instead of klonopin its longer lasting up to 200 hrs thats why its easier to withdraw with it. All withdrawal specialists recomend that path. For tension and shakines they use carbamazepine it halso helps to speed up the withdrawal proces. kolonopin works up to 50 hours so taking it every 2-3 days is only taking it when it stops working not a good path you go to withdrawforal every time every 2 days. Cant give you any advice with the blurry vison/double vison dont know anything about it. For more information read the "Ashton manual" its like a bible for benzo withdrawal.
ps. Sorry for my bad english
Wish you luck

 

[Jack Mccarthy]

Hi,
You should take Valium instead of klonopin its longer lasting up to 200 hrs thats why its easier to withdraw with it. All withdrawal specialists recomend that path. For tension and shakines they use carbamazepine it halso helps to speed up the withdrawal proces. kolonopin works up to 50 hours so taking it every 2-3 days is only taking it when it stops working not a good path you go to withdrawforal every time every 2 days. Cant give you any advice with the blurry vison/double vison dont know anything about it. For more information read the "Ashton manual" its like a bible for benzo withdrawal.
ps. Sorry for my bad english
Wish you luck

Thanks. I'm on 10-20mg of propranolol (beta blocker) to help with the anxiety like symptoms.

I still need to determine if this chronic severe headache is medication related or something worse neurologically.

My sense of smell is off, nasal cavity is numb, pain moving/focusing my eyes & headache that keeps me from concentrating and doing my work.

 

[fishbone]

I understand your pain. I was on a high amount of benzos myself and it was ruining my life. I figured out that my problems were due to the benzos and did everything in my power to get off them. It took me over 1+ year to taper and beat my addiction. While on and tapering off I had numbness in my limbs, eye issues, worst tinnitus, acid reflux and much more. It was horrific and i'm proud of myself to being strong enough to fight the most difficult obstacle....I have ever faced in my life.

A good slow taper is a good idea.

Tinnitus is beyond horrible, but benzos addiction is on another level of hell.

Wish you luck in your journey!

 

[Jessicaringading]

Valium helped me when I started tinnitus and vertigo four years ago, but the need for help with my anxiety trumped my symptoms due to withdrawal, so I went BACK on it (clonazepam)....I'm looking into tapering off slowly, due to a close friend recently having been hospitalized due to his withdrawals from the drug. I'll speak to his wife in greater detail about how he's doing now, see what meds they suggested and used whilst he was in hospital. This is THE WORST thing I've ever encountered, medically...and iv been through a TON. hang in there, guys! There is hope!!!

 

[Jomo]

Sorry to hear about your issues. Someone close to me uses both of these medications and i am worried everyday about them but they need the clonzapam for anxiety at work (2 mg). He doesnt take it everyday (prob 3 times a week) but he also uses the propranolol to help get sleep occasionally. I believe its only on the days he works but it has been a couple of years of this. I try to tell him to get off of them but they say they cant because they cant deal with their anxiety. I hate these drugs.

 

[Luman]

I used Xanax "as needed" from 2005-2009. I started using Klonapin in 2017 when tinnitus struck. I'm currently about seven weeks off the Klonapin, which has been very difficult even though I only took it about 32 times in total, over three and a half months from Sept. through Dec. 2017. I still have a number of symptoms as my central nervous system recovers and repairs itself. I do not expect to be healed and much better, before an estimated four to twelve months from now, if I'm lucky.

I found a lot of important information, on benzobuddies. There are very experienced people on that site, who know much more about this than doctors, including so-called drug experts. Good luck.

 

[fishbone]

I used Xanax "as needed" from 2005-2009. I'm currently about seven weeks off Klonapin, which has been very difficult even though I only took it about 30 times in total, over three and a half months from Sept. through Dec. 2017. I do not expect to be 100% better until an estimated four to twelve months from now, if I'm lucky.

I found a lot of important information, on benzobuddies. There are very experienced people on that site, who know much more about this than doctors, including so-called drug experts. Good luck.

As a former benzo user , all I can tell you is that it will take some time to start feeling ok. I was on a high amount and had a bad addiction and it was the biggest challenge i have ever faced in my life, getting off those horrible pills. All of us are different and our body chemistry is different, I had a horrible time on them and off them as well.

Keep remaining strong and just move forward.

 

[grate_biff]

I can only agree with what everyone have said.
OP, you where on quite high dose for a length of time and I am quite confident all your symptoms are benzo-withdrawal related. My guess, there is nothing wrong with your brain or physical health. Withdrawal will put your nervous-system in high gear and give you all kinds of symptoms. I´ve red and experienced them all.

Benzo, to me, is a miracle drug to alleviate T&H, but it´s just not sustainable due to tolerance, addiction and withdrawal. Your neurologist choose the easiest way out for you, short term, but unfortunately they never put any emphasis on the long term problems going this route. Internet is full of stories like this.

Like others have said, it is wise to taper off very slowly and switching to Diazepam(Valium) might be a good way to go. Good luck to you!

 

[Luman]

I've seen a number of accounts of people who have been on benzos, and developed tinnitus for the first time when they cut back or quit the drug(s).

 

[fishbone]

Even though I have had tinnitus for over 30 years, the benzos was more personal for me and the struggle I had while on them and getting off them. For me it was the best choice I ever made, to become aware that they were affecting my life and getting off them. I admire folks that want to taper and get off these pills, it's not easy and I am with you folks 100% supporting you.

The horror I faced while on them and through my taper was beyond horrible and it took all the courage in the world to get it done. Never give up folks, it may seem dark at times, but through hard work and courage things can change

After I beat my horrible addiction, I was supporting folks were scared and struggling with benzos. It was amazing helping them and now I help you folks on this site...

 

[vermillion]

Hello @Jack Mccarthy
Have you checked Ashton's Manual for tapering off?

 

[fishbone]

Hello @Jack Mccarthy
Have you checked Ashton's Manual for tapering off?

That manual wasn't 100% helpful, but non the less it was pretty helpful to me and other folks.

 

[Jomo]

would you guys say there is a diff in people who take benzos daily to people who take them a few times a week?

 

[bob bauer]

Do benzos cause tinnitus?

 

[Jack Mccarthy]

Guys, thanks for all your help! Current psychiatrist is saying that all my so called side effects/withdrawal symptoms are "neurosymptomatic" (basically underlying stress/anxiety are creating the issues and klonopin is a catalyst). Not sure if it's true but it sounds like you could say that of most any withdrawal/side effects.

Just when are withdrawal symptoms caused by the drug itself? Not sure. Biggest issue is just finding the ability to concentrate at work to do my job as my work progress has been greatly impacted for the last month or more.

Still need to look at that Benzo bible.