Hey Todd, thanks a lot for this message. I luckily did not have any of these side effects when I was taking it. I was actually most concerned about the fact that benadryl blocks acetylcholine. I have not come across anything about GABA and benadryl??? Can you point me in the right direction there? I completely agree that homeopathic remedies are much preferable to any medicines!! And I certainly agree that we have to put in the effort to research what we are putting into our bodies. This is something I am seriously starting to pay a lot more attention to...

@@windowsNwaves I subbed to you which I rarely do but I want to support your message (I already have too much to look at in my notifications). Of course I’ve reviewed a lot of these medication injury videos for patients (especially protracted medication symptoms). Indeed we have seen the nightmares up close. There are no hard and fast rules within and between individuals because the body moves in what we experience in our limited capacity as “mysterious” ways. It’s a body thing though regardless of our intentions, beliefs, body awareness or even how long we hang onto thoughts and loops of thoughts. We can modify our personal experience but rarely do we speed it up. Help is coming though, we are going to get much smarter thanks to all of you who are sharing your personal journeys and listening to and helping others in various ways. The medical industry moves way too slow of course but then there are the rest of us who are bridging many areas of health in terms of honoring the process of each person and each person’s process in their body. We may have some templates but really it’s all about 1:1 ratios (recovering person to practitioner) and no approach that is formulaic works thus far. That’s when ego gets in the way (meaning fear). The homeopathics we use are from a company out of Canada. There’s one that I would say is worth investigating: Brain-Neurexx. Sometimes when those in full blown withdrawal or those having huge symptomatic protracted reactions to just about everything, will try something that actually works for them but they cannot tell for sure if it’s good or bad. We work with that person to help them understand if they are moving toward the goal of regulation and we relie on that person as to the speed that’s best for them - at that time, on that day or in that moment. This interaction between health “care givers” and those in recovery from medication(s) (or other neuro toxic injuries) builds a more and more truthful “encyclopedia” of usable and reliable knowledge - when there is hands on and as much useful information as possible is included. I’ll get into some weeds: as we age we produce less bile acids. What does the pharmaceutical industry offer? Antacids. When we are having a histamine reaction, the body is needing more available histamine that is why it’s calling for it. Now we may not want more histamine but the body is requiring it and blocking it does not resolve the issue - other than in actual emergencies. What do we do when we do not want allergy symptoms that are not life threatening? We give the body an antihistamine - in some cases. What does that do? Histamine may release the GABA neurons, paradoxically. GABA also acts against histamine, generally. Sounds like combat. These two actions can potentiate disregulation in the CNS that is due to the introduction of the synthetic antihistamine which causes interference or CNS dysregulation which the body cannot easily or quickly undo. Even worse are the Benzo drugs for obvious reasons. Now I’m not saying that this is definitive. Like you, we have to see what our patients present while using our medical detective skills as we go. But you can see that just by my extending a bit of theory to the research how we can begin to perhaps have a tiny sense as to WHY some go off the rails when others do not. And this is just an almost infinitesimal peak at the neurological events surrounding these chemical drugs and the subsequent chemical actions. When we experiment as recoverers from medication injury (or any chemical + neural toxicity) the results are mostly random even if it brings consistent results. But mostly the results are not consistent, sustained, and we would not shout out “eureka” to the world. With that said, every tidbit of information is critical to finding out what is really occurring. Being on board with the body’s real capacity to heal itself, supporting it where we can is the work ahead. As you well know (unfortunately) recovery is about as bad as human existence can get. So all hands on deck. There are homeopathics for both GABA and histamine which can help with regulating the excitation and calming of the CNS. I just put someone on this combo after decades of antihistamine use and subsequent migraines that occur with anything containing even trace amounts of glutamate (except as foods: animal meats, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs and other whole foods). Glutamate often increases as GABA decreases. Too much glutamate is a huge problem in the world of autoimmunity and act as kindling for those in benzo withdrawal. I truly hope this helps inspire those who are “experimenting” with what works. Be careful but do read up and let your mind and body inform you more than ever before. We need your personal input. And if you come across those who know something in health care about your situation, work with them alongside you as you travel your unique and personal journey. The more that people are informed about these drugs and the more that people heal more efficaciously from them, the better off we’ll all be. We have further to go than when we started! But that’s okay, sometimes puzzles come together very quickly, just as sometimes healing reaches a cumulative point that puts us over the top.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Very careless on the part of your doctor, both in prescribing it and then telling you to just get off of it like that!!! They should have put you on a tapering schedule. My first suggestion would be to read this www.benzoinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Ashton-Manual.pdf The tapering programs may not be relevant but there is an extensive glossary of symptoms, including tips on how to deal with them. There is also guidance on what to avoid, what not to consume etc. The good news is that you were not taking them for years. As difficult as it may be right now, you will get through this.

I'm really sorry to hear that Winston. I hope you are able to find some relief some way, somehow. Awful what these drugs are capable of.

Yep. This is a common problem...

Sorry to hear that mate. I hope you get some relief soon.

Thank you for the support and the kind words ❤️

I had a lot of nerve issues but did not experience what I would call whole body pain. That said,.everyone is affected differently and almost all of us are affected deeply in multiple ways...

@@windowsNwaves yeah my health has declined dontonthis created worce anxiety

@@user-bz4bn8dz9u I'm sorry to hear that mate. There is a good chance that better days are ahead now that you are off.

I hear you. July 13 will mark two years for me as well. Here's to both our healing journeys

<3

hey mate, I am so sorry you are still dealing with symptoms. You are right, we don't all heal and even when we do, it's not uniform or consistent in any sense. I hope that some way, somehow things will get better and you will find more relief in the future <3

Sorry mate can you translate that

@@windowsNwaves I used to benzo as long as 4 years...now dosis 0,25 Mg..I eat benzo 3x in a day...how the way to stop it?

@@naya-fadilla I can't give medical advice here. I would see a doctor that understands the harms of benzo withdrawal and get on a tapering schedule (although it sounds like you may already be tapering?). Have you read this: www.benzoinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Ashton-Manual.pdf

@@windowsNwaves first time i use benzo i 4 Mg in a day...but step by step i tapering until 0,25 mg..need 3 years to 0,25 mg

Oh I definitely think you are right. And it's not difficult to see why when you are experiencing these things. It almost becomes, how wouldn't you have PTSD after that?? I don't know anything about EMDR but I hope it goes well.

Hey Brenda, I assume you are talking about this newsletter: windowsandwaves.beehiiv.com/subscribe I am going to start posting there soon. Yes, we do have parrots! The rose ringed parakeet in this video is a type of parrot but we also have Senegal parrots which are really beautiful. I will try to get one on film soon. Hope you are doing ok ♥️

I'm so sorry. Did the akathisia start after getting off benzos or another psych drug?

I'm glad to hear the video resonates, but I'm so sorry she is going through this.

hey mate, I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with protracted withdrawal. It sounds ridiculous to say "hang in there" after all you've been through. But it is possible to come out the other side. I had plenty of doubts on my own healing journey. I really convinced myself that it would never happen. But it did. For me it was around the 9 month mark that I could see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Wow, thank you for that reassurance and kindness as I'm in the thick of it.. your story proves it's possible to heal.. it gives me hope. Actually, u were talking about the Benzo coalition site with the med list of things not to take.. and that really made me think .. I quit medical weed last month, but adhd meds are on the list, so I threw my stimulant meds down the toilet this morning.. more pain for the price of possible health and freedom 🙏 ✨️ 🙌 il take it. .. I had a blue bird 🐦 come to my window yesterday after I saw ur message.. i took it as a sign. Thank you. Stay strong and stay humble.

​@@denisguilbault298yeah, stimulants are not your friend during benzo wd. It took me a long time before i could even touch caffeine. Hey mate, I'd likw to indeed think that bird was a sign. Thanks for sharing that.

I tried cold exposure at one point but the adrenaline was too much for my nervous system at the time. That was when I still had a lot of other symptoms though. I could give it another go now

You are right about antibiotics. A lot of people never consider the possibility that an antibiotic might have consequences for our nervous system. There are a heap of antibiotics that can provoke kindling during benzo withdrawal!!

I did not seek professional help. I connected with as many people as I could online as I knew no one in real life that could even begin to comprehend what I was going through. Keep in mind, my access to professional help here in this part of West Africa is limited. For 3 months of use, I would be confident you will get through the woods. Each day is a step in the right direction even if it doesn't feel like it. I don't know what your dosage or meds were but it is unlikely that you have permanently altered anything re: your brain. Hang on to those windows, they are gonna start getting longer.

@@windowsNwaves thank you for your response and encouragement. At the highest I was on 20 mg clorazepate=15 mg valium=1 mg xanax

Glad you got something from it. Wishing you all the best in your healing. Definitely take your time with the taper.

MCAS, cognitive issues, memory loss, occasional panic, enough anxiety but would not necessarily consider a symptom at this point. Still have some nerve issues and weird things like hypnic jerks/sleep starts and air hunger.

@@windowsNwaves After long did chemical anxiety and nerve pains take to clear?

@@isaacm159 6 months was the most brutal stretch, after 9 months is where I started to see more sustained relief

Oh that is wonderful! When I am in Senegal, I am also right by the ocean and a lagoon.It is a great combination for birds. Would love to hear more about the birds there! Thank you for the encouragement and kind words. The newsletter signup is here windowsandwaves.beehiiv.com/subscribe

On July 13th it will be two years. How have you been lately? Any windows?

"nobody understands except people who've been through it." 100%

@@windowsNwavesEven psychiatrists don’t know better.They should.

@@regineheine5707 they most definitely should

Cheers, Jim. I was a bit flustered in this video. Although, I was much better during the video than I was during the preceding night!

Hey Jim, I am so glad to hear you are having a good day. I hope you continue to have more of those than bad and that things continue to move in the right direction. I am originally from Ohio so I certainly recognize some of those birds you mentioned ;) Sure like hearing about your feeders and local birdlife! And yes, you are 100% right about getting out in nature. It is a healing balm. Haha, I am not wanted. Or not that I know of. I first came to West Africa in 2005 as a study abroad. In 2010 I took a trip back and it just became permanent. One thing led to another etc. I was originally motivated to come to the region for music reasons, but then got interested in many other things. These days I am a part owner in a floundering hotel/restaurant in Bamako, Mali and run scooter tours based out of Senegal. My wife is Malian and we have two kids together. Thanks for your kind words, Jim. I'm glad to hear the videos are calming.

@@windowsNwaves I studied a broad in college. (or two) I am experiencing a weird behavior these days. I used to be able to type fairly well. Now I am transposing letters as I type. It's really frustrating as I have to proofread everything very carefully now. Ah, well. While you were gone America has turned into instagram. If you are around insta types, you may be a victim of something like a crime or at the least, disrespect. I think I'm going to move to Kentucky or Tennessee within the next year. It's very hot here this week. I need to put out some water bowls for the birds and animals. Today is another good day. I noticed I still have a version of benzo belly where it cramps up when I'm cooking. I used to salivate like Pavlov's dog while cooking. That was weird. Do you have any symptoms like that? In closing I'd like to say I have zero use for our medical system. All they know to do is dispense pills. To the point while I was in a rehab center a year ago May, they prescribed Trazadone to make me sleep. I said, "Kiss my ass, I'm not taking anything." You ever need help from the states, contact me. Jim

@@jimferrill1790 Hey Jim, that's kind of you. I appreciate it. I know what you mean about instagram. Thankfully there is a bit less of that culture over here. We end up using social media a fair bit for our travel and hotel business, but I really wish we could get away from it entirely. I did not experience many gastro symptoms during wd. There was a period during the first 3 weeks where my guts were off, but it dissipated and I never experienced a persistent "benzo belly" or anything like that. I am incredibly grateful for that as I know it's a symptom that many people struggle with and I know it can be relentless in some cases. It's heartening to hear that you are off pills even if you haven't fully healed yet. You have the right attitude. Getting in that lane is half the battle. Where are you moving from?

@@windowsNwaves I live in Northwest Indiana and need to move south from here. It really isn't rural enough where you can form your own community within your own property so to speak. I say this as a person who really doesn't have the patience for my neighbors. They are constantly causing some kind of disturbance. That's what I mean when I say I want to form my own community. I wish I was on about 50 acres with a barn rather than living on a golf course. This can and will be remedied. First world problems I know. I am experiencing benzo belly in a brave and unique way. Instead of salivating like a dog with a bell ringing, I now have diaphragm cramps when I am cooking. Also when I arise in the morning especially. The top of my inner ab muscles just cramp to the point I have to stretch them out if I can. Super painful. I enjoyed the vid where you spoke about walking being a soothing balm to the mind. I forget what you called it but you nailed it. I went for a walk after I watched that. Soothing. I have no idea where you get your speaking voice and demeanor but it certainly is calming. When I was in the depths of wd I could not watch any violence or excitement. I was watching (when I could stomach the boob toob) shows that were reality and very calm. Like Full Custom Metal. A car show with another very calm guy, Ian Rousell. Today is another good day and I'm going to the beach. It's 20 minutes away by car. I can bring my dog and let him run in the water. He loves it. I do too. To think last September I thought I was never going to be able to do things like this ever again. And now I'm fully capable. What a miracle. Been watching some yootoobs and finding some recover-ers are having symptoms return with a vengeance later on after they had passed them early in their recoveries. I am a bit worried I may relapse. Not with pills, but in my own recovery. If it happens, it happens though. Not much we can do about it. Thank you for the videos. They really are great. The editing is spot on and everything about them is enjoyable. Jim

Hey Jim you made me laugh today ! When you asked him if he was wanted haha! Good question though. I love his videos too, I think he’s AWSOME and I love the birds.

It may feel like it, but it's possible that your brain is not in fact permanently damaged. I know that feeling that you are talking about, though -- no emotion, dead inside. That was the feeling that drove me to get off benzos.

Yes, i don’t think it’s permanent, but if you do decide to stop taking them, try to do it slowly. I was on benzos for over two decades and I’ve been tapering for 3 years and i went from 3mg of klonopin a day to now taking .5 but some days .75 now. I think I will need to decrease in smaller increments to go lower than .5mg. I was just lucky that I had a doctor that warned me about decreasing too fast. I really didn’t understand how serious it could be. It still makes me angry that people aren’t informed enough about these things

1000% this

So sorry to hear that. DP/DR was one of the worst symptoms for me. Has it happened less over time / seen any improvement?

@@windowsNwaves I've seen a little improvement. But it's happening so slowly that it's hard to tell sometimes. Some days I see tiny improvements some days it's just the Same. Just can't wait to be back in reality again.

@@dustygatrell-ru7tg yeah, the undetectable progress is maddening. Trust me, though, it's there, it's happening.

Hi there, please send me an email at lifeafterbenzos@gmail.com

@@windowsNwaves I'm doing it now thanks

Glad to hear that <3

Sorry to hear this mate. But glad you are tapering. Take your time.

Same, me too! How long you'd been on it (after reinstated)? And how long youve been off the drugs? Im suffering persistent withdrawal symptoms aft reinstated

For me personally, it happened after 6 months . But everyone is different. How long have you had it?

Comforting that the tinnitus went away for you. I'm almost 6 months off (short term user) so I'm praying it goes away soon...I want to experience silence once again!

@@kritikos8877 hoping that happens for you soon. you will definitely have a newfound appreciation for silence when it happens!

I think I responded but let me know if it didn't work

@@windowsNwaves absolutely you replied haha I kinda got confused there The list of foods, very helpful ! Skin sensitivity for me is so severe stinging itching biting. Along with that is a stuffed up nose, coughing is all linked somehow. Every hair follicle on my head is itchy. Who knows it’s all so insane. But eating the right foods I’ll be extra cautious of what I eat. Yes also stressful stuff. Take care and God Bless!

@@brendamalone3880 Hey Brenda I strongly strongly strongly recommend trying an elimination diet, even if only for a week. It's not easy but you may find that some of the foods you are eating could be holding back or even preventing your healing. My MCAS has gotten better over time and I can now eat more things than I could in the beginning, but I don't know where I would be now if I didn't get clued into it. The congestion and itchiness are prime histamine intolerance or MCAS candidates. The neurological symptoms are the snake in the grass that you would never associate with diet or histamine -- in short, we don't think of these things as being able to affect our brain chemistry. But it seems they are actually all connected. This is a good read: www.happywithouthistamine.com/anxiety-and-histamine/

I take magnesium in the form of magnesium threonate. That work?

That's a good way, if you can get it that long. There's a much easier way, replacement therapy. But, what is used cannot be used to a new addiction, or better yet, not addictive at all. I have many methods of this tactic. Anyone who wants help , I can an will.

hi there. Antihistamines are generally not addictive, but you can build up a tolerance to them which can lead to you upping the dosage. Unfortuantely, some of the "drowsy side effect' antihistamines are anticholinergic drugs. Research on those is not promising : www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-anticholinergic-drugs-like-benadryl-linked-increased-dementia-risk-201501287667 That said -- while you should of course talk to a doctor and I am not one -- taking benadryl for a couple of months probably helped me keep my sanity and I would have likely never slept during that time without it.

Only take 1 when you can't sleep. There's absolutely no reason to take more. That helped me a lot getting sleep around a month after, I couldn't sleep no matter what though for 3 weeks. Not a single minute. I'm at month 16, took valium 17 years. Tight neck n chest, tinnitus, occasional akathasia. Napping is a BAD idea. I swear!!!!

@@windowsNwaves What about melatonine ?

Completely understandable!!!

Exactly. ❤

Hey Brenda, I have not made this video yet. But I will. I was doing better since that day, but not good yesterday. Was triggered by stress due to a situation with the tax office here that is out of our control and could be the end of the business. Feeling a bit better this morning. Went for a walk. Thanks for asking <3 How about you?

This is the 1st time I've come across your FB page. It sounds like you've stopped the benzos. Congratulations, that's a huge achievement. As we know, benzos blunt your emotions, so you are not developing coping strategies whilst on the benzos, you're simply numbing the symptoms. Have you tried any therapies to give you the skills to cope with things from panic attacks and mood fluctuations to insomnia? Edit: plus building skills to tolerate any distress you experience such as the stress you're currently going through with your business and the tax office? I ask because I've just completed a series of therapy sessions which focuses on DBT, a skills based therapy which teaches you to tolerate stress better and regulate your moods etc. I have found the course to be very helpful. It's early days yet and I'm currently tapering off Benzos after using them for about 40 years.

@@windowsNwaves Thanks for your reply, it’s always so appreciated. As for me, it’s there always! It never gives me a break. I’ve had windows, not that many. Being honest when you think it can’t get any worse lol it does! I try to stay hopeful and positive. But you know you just get so dam tired of being in one wave back to back. I hope you don’t lose your business !! Wow what would you and your family do? I’ll be praying for you guys and for you to keep healing. What a freakin thing we are going through. So good to talk to you. Stay strong God bless you ❤️

@@brendamalone3880 thanks a lot Brenda, that is very kind of you. I am not sure exactly what we will do yet. We are looking at our options. I hope you get a break from these waves soon. I will be praying for you too.

@@juliemauger6183 Hi thanks for sharing this. I am familiar with CBT but not DBT. It seems DBT is like CBT but modified for people like us!! I am digging into to it. Thanks! I have adopted other tactics and therapies, yes. Walking and birding have been up at the top of the list. I have also tried meditation and breathing techniques, and the latter have been particularly helpful. Also, looking into physical causes of anxiety linked to diet etc -- especially now that I have MCAS. Taking certain supplements and avoiding certain foods have had a major impact.

Digestive symptoms were probably only symptoms I did not have. *touching wood* But I know that is a very common symptom for many.

I certainly think it's worth it for a lot of people to try an elimination diet even if not specifically for histamine, just to kind of do a reset and see if there is a physical cause for some of the things happening. Doing that changed everything for me. This is a good list as far as histamine goes: jodiettenberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/low-histamine-mcas-diet.jpg