BENZODIAZEPINES More Quotes: by Dr Terry Lynch

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for sharing. After reading some of the articles on the web, it's

probably a good idea to share these experiences.

I'm going through some kind of withdrawal hell right now. Just THINKING

causes a near panic attack, so I'll save the story for another time..

Blessings, jDoris

[Guest guest]

BENZODIAZEPINES

More Quotes: by Dr Terry Lynch

http://www.benzo.org.uk/kwotez.htm

" 1.5 million Xanax addicts are produced (in the U.S.) each year. " -

Steinberg, Medical Director of the Chemical Dependency Program at Greater

Baltimore Medical Center.

" The biggest drug-addiction problem in the world doesn't involve heroin, cocaine

or marijuana. In fact, it doesn't involve an illegal drug at all. The world's

biggest drug-addiction problem is posed by a group of drugs, the

benzodiazepines, which are widely prescribed by doctors and taken by countless

millions of perfectly ordinary people around the world... Drug-addiction experts

claim that getting people off the benzodiazepines is more difficult than getting

addicts off heroin... For several years now pressure-groups have been fighting

to help addicted individuals break free from their pharmacological chains. But

the fight has been a forlorn one. As fast as one individual breaks free from one

of the benzodiazepines another patient somewhere else becomes addicted. I

believe that the main reason for this is that doctors are addicted to

prescribing benzodiazepines just as much as patients are hooked on taking them.

I don't think that the problem can ever be solved by gentle persuasion or by

trying to wean patients off these drugs. I think that the only genuine long-term

solution is to be aware of these drugs and to avoid them like the plague. The

uses of the benzodiazepines are modest and relatively insignificant. We can do

without them. I don't think that the benzodiazepine problem will be solved until

patients around the world unite and make it clear that they are not prepared to

accept prescriptions for these dangerous products. " - Dr Vernon , Life

Without Tranquillisers, 1985.

" There is inappropriate prescribing going on, not always consciously, but there

are some doctors who know what they are doing and they are doing it for

financial reasons. Most of the people being given benzodiazepines should not be

on it and definitely shouldn't be on it longer than four weeks, but many are

taking it for years. " - Dr Ide Delargy, Irish College of General Practitioners,

Irish Examiner, May 21, 2001.

" Benzodiazepines cause a more significant withdrawal for the newborn baby than

either heroin or methadone. When a baby is withdrawing, they have a state of

irritability, they are hyper-responsive, which means that they tremor at the

slightest noise, even when quiet and they cry with a cry that is very

distinctive - it's much higher pitched and it's much more of a distressed cry as

if the baby is in discomfort. They basically are miserable, unsettled babies. " -

Dr on, Arrowe Park Hospital, Liverpool BBC Radio 4, Face The Facts,

March 16, 1999.

" The developing foetus can be congenitally malformed; it can have heart attacks

in the womb. We also know that the newborn baby born to somebody taking

benzodiazepines will have difficulty breathing and they would have floppy

muscles - what doctors call a 'floppy baby' and they may be unduly cold because

the temperature regulation, which is so important to a baby, is disrupted ...

Well I think if any doctor is prescribing benzodiazepines to a pregnant woman,

he should check his indemnification status because it is in fact illegal

prescribing. " - Kerwin, Professor of Psychopharmacology at the Maudesley

Hospital in London, BBC Radio 4, Face The Facts, March 16, 1999.

" Well I think that you'll know that this is nothing short of a national scandal

that many practitioners know about. There are very many patients in the UK, (I

think it was about 70,000 at the last count), who are 'stuck' on Valium. " -

Professor Kerwin, BBC Radio 4, 'You and Yours', October 27, 1999.

" When somebody comes into my office and says that they've been trying to stop

their lorazepam, my heart sinks because I know I shall have twice as much of a

problem as getting them off, say, Valium: the symptoms are more severe, they're

more persistent, more bizarre, and people are much more distressed by them ... I

feel that this compound should not now be prescribed because of the problems

which may arise in some patients. " - Professor Malcolm Lader, member of the

Committee on the Review of Medicines, Brass Tacks, BBC2, October 20, 1987.

" Physical and psychological dependence on tranquillisers can happen in an

alarmingly short space of time. You reach a stage where you can't cope without

tranquillisers and are terrified of trying to stop taking them... Suffering

withdrawal from tranquillisers is no joke, but it can be done. Those who have

gone through it say that it must be harder than coming off heroin. " - Dr Miriam

Stoppard.

" Amnesia is frequently a real side effect of the use of benzodiazepines and not

just a figment of the individual's imagination or a coincident symptom of

emotional disorder. "

" It is often inadvisable to prescribe benzodiazepines to a patient in an acute

crisis as the amnesic property of these compounds may not allow patient to make

an optimum response to the situation which they are facing. In cases of loss or

bereavement, the psychological adjustment to this trauma may be severely

inhibited by benzodiazepines and any tendency to denial could be reinforced. "

(p107)

" It is recognised that the use of benzodiazepines has been (and is still) far

too widespread and they are frequently prescribed for trivial and imprecise

indications. This has arisen from the belief that benzodiazepines were safe

compounds. "

" It is now acknowledged that the risks of benzodiazepines far outweigh the

benefits in many cases and we would recommend that benzodiazepines should not be

used in general for vague or mild disorders and should be prescribed for

short-term relief when the problem is (i) disabling (ii) severe or (iii)

subjecting the individual to unacceptable distress and even then should ideally

be prescribed for no more than one month. " (p108)

" The prescribing of benzodiazepines in cases of depression may have serious

consequences and many precipitate suicide. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines in

many cases may precipitate depression. " (p108) - Priest RG, Montgomery SA.

Benzodiazepines and Dependence: A College Statement. Bulletin of the Royal

College of Psychiatrists 1988;12:107-109.

" Thousands of people could not possibly invent the bizarre symptoms caused by

therapeutic use of benzodiazepines and reactions to their withdrawal. Many users

have to cope, not only with a frightening range of symptoms, but also with the

disbelief and hostility of their doctors and families. It is not uncommon for

patients to be " struck off " if they continue to complain about withdrawal

symptoms. Even when doctors are concerned and understanding about the problem,

they often have little knowledge of withdrawal procedure, even less about

treatment. The drugs newsletter on benzodiazepines issued in this region will

help them. Is anything being done elsewhere? " - Trickett S. Withdrawal from

Benzodiazepines. Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners 1983; 33:

608.

" We have much more difficulty getting people off Ativan than we do heroin,

mainly because with heroin ... within a couple of weeks they're off and then the

problem is staying off. But with Ativan it's much more prolonged and they take

up a lot more time in terms of treatment than do heroin users. " - Jim Corcoran,

Torbay Drug Addiction Team, Brass Tacks, BBC2, October 20, 1987.

" There's no scientific evidence to indicate that one particular tranquilliser is

worse than another ... To act just against one would he wrong because there is a

problem with the whole group. " - Professor Rawlins, member of the

Committee on the Safety of Medicines and chair of its Subcommittee on Safety,

Efficacy and Adverse Reactions, Brass Tacks, BBC2, October 20, 1987.

" We have enough data here that certain of the benzodiazepines [sedatives and

tranquilizers] are capable, after a single dose, of significantly disrupting

certain kinds of cognitive and/or intellectual functions. Furthermore, this

phenomenon outlasts the antianxiety effect of these drugs ... People are seeking

an easy way out, looking for shortcuts on a path of life that has none; in the

end not only will they be disappointed but they will end up by diminishing their

humanness, the essence that separates man from animals. " - Dr. Louis Gottschalk,

neuroscientist, University of California.

" Although vast quantities of minor tranquillisers have been prescribed it must

be stated that not all have been dispensed judiciously by some practitioners.

Such misuse is indicative of physicians who unwisely accede to the demands of

patients or who supplant sound clinical judgement for expediency. The disregard

of these doctors for the potential abuse of minor tranquillisers and for the

welfare of their patients is further manifested by their prescribing large

quantities with no restrictions on refills and with no insistence that the

patient return at regular intervals for evaluation of the response to or the

need for the medication... these practices not only warrant condemnation but

invite drug abuse. Clearly the abuse of some psychoactive drugs may call for the

indictment of the physician and pharmacist rather than the drugs. " - Ayd

MD, editor of the International Drug Therapy Newsletter in: 'Discoveries in

Biological Psychiatry', 1970.

" Going to a psychiatrist has become one of the most dangerous things a person

can do. " - Breggin, MD.

" Psychiatry is probably the single most destructive force that has affected

American Society. " - Dr. Szasz, Lifetime Fellow, American Psychiatric

Association.

" Organized Medicine is now as much a part of the American government as

Organized Religion had been of the government in fifteenth-century Spain. " -

Szasz, MD.

" Adverse drug reactions (defined as unintended effects of substances used in the

prevention diagnosis or treatment of disease) are common. They are responsible

for 3-5% of hospital admissions, occur in 10-20% of hospital inpatients, and

have recently been reported in 40% of patients receiving drugs in general

practice. " - M. Rawlins, Adverse reactions to drugs, Brit Med J, 21 March 1981,

282,974-976.

" Doctors who treat the symptom tend to give a prescription; doctors who treat

the patient are more likely to offer guidance. " - J Apley 1978.

" Physicians pour drugs of which they know little to cure diseases of which they

know less, into humans of whom they know nothing. " - Voltaire (1694-1778).

" A physician is a person that treats a patient until they die, their money is

all gone, or they are cured by nature. " - René Descartes, 1596-1650.

" The level of science in psychiatry lies between astrology and witchcraft. " -

Anon.

" Psychiatry is to medicine what astrology is to astronomy. " - Leonard Roy .

" Mystification is the psychiatrist's defense against the danger of being found

out. " - Leonard Roy

" The only difference between a drug addict and the rest of society is the

drug. " - Krivanek, 1988.

" Doctors have throughout time made fortunes on killing their patients with their

cures. The difference in psychiatry is that it is the death of the soul. " - R.D.

Laing, MD.

" Medical research has made such progress, that there are practically no healthy

people any more. " - Aldous Huxley.

" Mankind has so far survived all major catastrophes. It will also survive modern

medicine. " - Gerhard Kocher.

" Half the modern drugs could well be thrown out the window, except that the

birds might eat them. " - Henry Fisher.

" I am dying with the aid of too many doctors. " - the Great.

" Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined. " -

Goldwyn.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr Terry Lynch

Limerick-based Dr Terry Lynch, author of the controversial book Beyond Prozac

says that, after media attention to the side effects of a benzodiazepine called

Ativan in the late 1980s, a doctor he knew actually publicly apologised to his

patients for prescribing benzodiazepines. He also says antidepressants, which

are replacing benzodiazepines as the new panacea, are equally addictive and that

the core of the problem is that doctors are " preoccupied " with finding a " drug "

solution to mental distress:

" If people are suspected of having a biochemical problems, like a thyroid

problem, or are suspected of having diabetes, they are given a blood test. But

thousands of people are diagnosed as having a biochemical disorder of the brain

every week, without any test to prove it.

" Doctors say these drugs correct a chemical imbalance but having studied the

medical evidence, there is little proof of that. These drugs certainly change

how a person feels. The older types of tranquillisers tend to sedate, while the

more recent products stimulate the patients.

" A substantial number of people - I would say 20-30% - feel absolutely awful

while they are on them.

" The medical profession says that antidepressants are 70% effective, but I don't

believe that.

" Quite a number of people may get better on medication, but quite a number who

are not on drugs get better as well.

" There have been five or six groups of drugs which were introduced in the past

and were not supposed to be addictive. Those include alcohol, opium,

barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines and, now I fear, anti-depressants.

" We have been very slow to recognise the addictive nature of drugs. In the past,

it has taken 20 to 25 years for doctors to accept that certain drugs are

addictive. There was medical proof, but doctors didn't really want to explore

that.

" Over the past 50 to 60 years, the medical profession has decided to treat those

sort of problems as an illness. The starting point decides the way of treatment.

If it is an illness, it is treated with a drug. But if it were classified as

something else, then other forms of treatment would be used.

" I feel that a lot of what is being called mental illness is an experience -

human distress.

" If people aren't sleeping well, for example, there are ways of dealing with

that other than a pill. I am in favour of more therapy-based treatment. A

fundamental problem in medicine is that we doctors don't believe in that

approach. The value of therapy is grossly underestimated. Doctors are suffering

from a case of tunnel vision. "

Medicines

" The issues involved in the over-prescription of medicines are very serious and

a more radical approach may have to be taken in the future.

" The direction of health care doesn't come from the Department of Health; it

comes from doctors because they are the ones who decide which treatments are

valuable and which are not.

" Patients need to be listened to and heard and they need time. But if patients

were given that time, doctors would make less money. "

Dr Terry Lynch is a GP who practises in Dooradoyle, Co Limerick, Ireland.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

,

I've found these sites on benzodiazapines really interesting.

Back in the late 70's I was given Valium for muscles spasms, and took 2.5mg

to 5mg 3 times a day until '85, so it was about 6-7 years. At first

sporadically, then for the last couple or so years all the time.

After seeing my genetic doctor, he referred me to a rheumatologist at the

university hospital. When I asked him what could be done about my muscle

spasms, he said he absolutely would not refill the Valium. I let him know

loud and clear that isn't what I wanted, I wanted something to do for the

spasms. So when the prescription ran out, I went cold turkey off of it. I

called the office, and asked what I could do about the severe neck spasms

and pain that I had developed, and was literally advised to " take two

aspirins and call the office back on Monday if you still have it. " !!

Later that afternoon I took my two daughters to the grocery store, despite

the most horrible migraine I had ever had, and proceeded to have a grand mal

seizure in the check out line of the store.

Not one doctor has admitted that it was to do with going cold turkey off of

Valium. Mostly it's said that I had the seizure during a severe migraine.

After the seizure, I was left with the sporadic inability to think of the

correct word for common every day items. This part has gotten much better

over the years, but reading through the list of symptoms that have been

experienced by members of the list.

I know that I went through withdrawal for a long time after stopping it.

What some people think of the term " addiction " is that the person is

psychologically desiring the drug. I had no desire what-so-ever for it. All

I wanted was muscle spasm relief. I didn't care if I got it through PT or

any other means. but what I got instead was the physical withdrawal off of

it. I had no idea that it was addicting.

I've lowered the dose, and stopped doses of many other medications thought

to be physically and " psychologically " addicting with nowhere near the

problems that I had with Valium. (very few if any problems)

For what it's worth, my advise to some one that has it prescribed- is if

possible to not start taking it, and if you have and decide to go off,

please go very slow. It wasn't much fun to have the seizure, and now I'm

left with taking medication for seizures more than likely for the rest of my

life.

cindyh

~~

Subject: BENZODIAZEPINES More Quotes: by Dr Terry Lynch

> BENZODIAZEPINES

> More Quotes: by Dr Terry Lynch

>

> http://www.benzo.org.uk/kwotez.htm

[Guest guest]

,

The informations on this 'B' class of drug is information everyone should be

advised of by EVERY DOCTOR!!!! before they are prescibed, and then taken by us.

I feel indescribably upset, and angry for the fact that you developed a seizure

disorder, and now require medicaiton because of someone's ignorance.....

I am presently going through the let's get off this " Benzoadiazepine

roller-coaster from 'Hell' ride " ......and I can actually still find my sense of

humour.....lol......SOMETIMES.

Take Very Good Care of Yourself,

(a fellow 'victim')

J:o)hn