CAUTION: Major health risks associated with weaning down or totally stopping any benzodiazepine.
Mostly I want to bring this thread up again because of the seriousness of benzodiazepine withdrawal.
@joeylittle @Friday , and
@hodge have all mentioned seizures as a side effect of reducing or quitting benzos. I've had seizures due to this - a number of times - and it is extremely frightening, as well as dangerous. So to anyone reading this thread, - please please know that possible seizures are much more than an old wives' tale and you must be very careful. Some people are very reactive. I have a very high tolerance for most meds (i.e. sometimes I need higher doses than standard) but I have this hyperactive thing with benzos. I don't know. Everyone reacts to these kinds of things in different ways.
Once - this was inexcusable IMO - I had checked myself inpatient to keep myself safe from self-harm...this was a number of years ago..., and the intake doctor cut my benzo dose in half. I said, "I'll have a seizure" and he laughed at me. I forgot about it - I had other things on my mind! But two days later, I woke up in the "day room" at the hospital with my pants pulled partway down so the nurse could hit my hip with a shot of diazepam (valium) to stop the seizure.
I've experienced a grande mal seizure every few years since I've been on benzos. At least I know the cause so I haven't been diagnosed with epilepsy. But even when you know the ultimate cause, it's scary - and it is most definitely dangerous. - You could hit your head, and what would happen if you were driving a car, for example? All I can do is take the meds as carefully as I can.
When I had a stomach bug and couldn't keep anything down for something longer than 24 hours I insisted on the hospital to get IV meds, I was so scared of seizing. Having a grande male seizure is terrifying - it's terrifying to experience and it's terrifying to watch...and it wrecks your body and mind for some time afterwards.
So those are some of my experiences. Last week I ran out of xanax a couple of days early and I risked my psychiatrist's wrath (it IS a controlled substance) because I was so terrified of having a seizure.
Ok - to anyone who may be stopping benzodiazepines abruptly: possibly major side effects such as grande mal seizures. Anyone taking such meds - watch out as best as you possibly can.
