25 yrs of abuse benzos - among others

Question

I have a question, have a friend who abused many of the benzo drugs among others, not to mention at the same time for over 25 years. Has also used alcohol with them, and up to if not more 60 pills a day. She was weened off them in a short period, and after a couple months being off them she has developed seizures, jelly legs, and agoraphobia. Along with a fuzziness in her thinking and loss of common sense Her drs believe this has nothing to do with the 25 yrs of abuse. Her seizures are an unknown cause, and continues to have them being on a seizure med. Any advise to on what to do since her drs are doing nothing with this.

coffeesprout · Answer

Thank you for your info.  I was trying to remember if it was 2-3 months of the weaning period.  Far to short to me for the time she has taken these different benzos.  I have found some info with professor Ashton prior to coming to this site.  My friend is doing no checking further about this unfortunately, she just says she follows her doctors, and they say no benzo possibility.  So thank you for seeing what I see.  The search continues.  Thank You.

clean_in_ks · Answer

Welcome to the forum!
Was your friend given a taper/weaning schedule FROM a doctor?  How short of a period is "short"?  And was the doctor made aware of the massive mix of benzos, alcohol and other drugs she was taking?

All the things you describe are CLASSIC benzo w/drawals symptoms.  25 yrs of use takes a very long...slow....supervised taper.  If she was abusing a mix of benzos at the quantity you described.....and weaned too quickly.....she needs help now.  Continuing to have seizures is SERIOUS.....she needs to communicate that her current anti-seizure med isn't working and seek a dr that is VERY familiar with benzo w/drawals, particularly after long use.

I found a couple of internet sites that helped me to learn A LOT about benzos and w/drawal from them as they are so different than opiates.  Look for the Professor Ashton Trials and also b e n z o b u d d i e s.....there is a wealth of information there.
Hope that helps some.....please get your friend to see a dr asap....and if her current drs think this has nothing to do with her benzo history......find a dr that is more experienced w/benzo use/abuse/withdrawal.
Take care~