Canadian Eh? Pre and post withdrawal support

anyone still actively on here from Canada?

 

I need to know which specialists you are seeing, if you are in the Toronto area?

 

thanks,

WinnieDog

 

Hi Winnie,

 

Not from the Toronto area but I know Dr. David Juurlink is well aware of benzodiazepine withdrawal. He is a toxicologist that works at Sunnybrook. Not sure if he does appointments.

Thanks Data Guy

 

I've heard of Dr. Juurlink before, he's really good!

 

I got hooked up with Women's College Hospital with a program there.

they are helping me get off.

Unfortunately for me, I'm experiencing quite a bit of suffering, while still on the drug.

I've got a long taper ahead of me, and I'm already mostly bedridden.

 

I'd taken antibiotics in the spring, which sent my CNS and heart crazy - crazy anxiety from the antibiotics - of course no dr believes me.

that's what led me to taking zopiclone and then Ativan when I had all these weird HR increases.

 

I only figured it all out 2 months ago, but it was too late, I'm pretty sick and had to take a medical leave.

 

I hope and pray that I can make it through this for my girls.

 

Which area of the country are you, did you find any help at all?

 

My family Dr. just wants me to stay on it forever, because my anxiety disorder is getting worse.

I didn't have any anxiety before the antibiotics and certainly wasn't even taking the ativan for anxiety, it's all just wd.

 

Thanks,

WinnieDog

Hi WinnieDog... are you still around? What city are you in? I'm in Vaughan... I'm on Ativan and Zopiclone as well. Trying to taper but going through hell. I don't have a supportive doctor.. mine just thinks its my 'anxiety' returning. No way. Like you I got anxiety (not from antibiotics) but from fertility hormones and then these drugs and now withdrawal. What Doctor do you have at Women's College? ARe they actually helping you?

Hi SuperJess

 

I'm in the GTA, not far from you!!

 

I'm in a bad way right now, I'll try and respond tomorrow.

 

WCH is helping somewhat - way more supportive than my GP!

 

Take care and hang in there.

 

WinnnieDog

I’m Canadian (Ontario)

 

  I am in a terrible setback after being off these drugs for over 7 years. Never completely healed but did live at 90-95 percent for the last few years before this setback from hell.

What caused the setback, if it isn't a secret?

Hi WinnieDog... are you still around? What city are you in? I'm in Vaughan... I'm on Ativan and Zopiclone as well. Trying to taper but going through hell. I don't have a supportive doctor.. mine just thinks its my 'anxiety' returning. No way. Like you I got anxiety (not from antibiotics) but from fertility hormones and then these drugs and now withdrawal. What Doctor do you have at Women's College? ARe they actually helping you?

Hi Superjess,

I am responding on behalf of myself and Winniedog who is my friend.  She reached out to me a while back wanting to know more about the help I received from Women's College Hospital, whom I am still a patient of here in Toronto.  Winniedog is currently receiving help from WCH as you know.  You will want to connect with Allan Smart who is with the Substance Use Program through either the Rapid Access Addiction Clinic or through your doctor for the Substance Use Clinic. Going through Rapid Access means you can be seen right away, even though you have no issues with addiction.  Allan is very familiar with my case and Winniedog's, like yours, where we became physiologically dependent on our meds by following our doctor's prescription.  Winniedog is seeing Dr. Yu and she believes Dr. Yu would be a good fit for you.  In terms of help, really there is not much they can do for you or anyone suffering from Benzo/Z class withdrawal physically other than offer you Gabapentin to alleviate some of your symptoms.  Winnie, like myself, has chosen at the moment to try to abstain from this as it is yet another substance that can make you feel potentially awful if it does not agree with you, and which you will need to withdraw slowly from after your Benzo/Z Class withdrawl.  You would have to decide if that is the right choice for you or not.  Some people have gotten relief while others have gotten worse or had a very hard time getting off of it. Here is what Woman's College can do for you.  They can support you by helping you come up with a taper plan that is right for you, help you source out a Pharmacy to help with compounding if you choose to do a micro taper, they will monitor your health as you are going through the process of tapering and they will record all of your symptoms/issues along the way.  Both Winniedog and me see Allan.  He is an addictions counselor, (even though we do not have issues with addiction),  who has really helped me personally to deal with the emotional side of things like the shock that this even happened and the loss I felt of my everyday life, job, abilities etc. coming to a complete halt. Winnie believes Dr. Yu has moved to working every Tuesday, so if you can reach out and get in to see Allan next Tuesday he can hopefully help to get you on to see Dr. Yu that day.  Tell the secretary Anne you need to see Allan as he has knowledge of 2 other cases of people who are experiencing the same situation you are.  I finished my taper a year ago, and now that I am facing prolonged withdrawal symptoms, I continue to talk with him and be followed by Dr. Wyman who is my new doctor at WCH because my previous one left during the start of Covid last March. Winnie and I totally understand the frustration you feel when you shared that your primary care doctor is assuming it is your 'anxiety' getting worse.  Many doctors both of us have seen and whom we continue to deal with have no clue that what happened to us could even be possible.  I suffer from anxiety and like you, a lot of my symptoms were thought to just be anxiety related which used to drive me mad!  I knew having suffered with anxiety since the age of 17 that things were very different from what I had always experienced in my body and in my thinking. My body was in total hyperarousal and every function it was supposed to perform was affected in some way by the meds. My anxiety had reached the scariest heights I never dreamed it could reach! I'm so glad you have found Winniedog, and now me!  I live here in T.O. so am very close to you in proximity.  You may have to head in to WCH in person your first few visits but most likely they will be through the phone or virtually moving forward because of Covid.  Thinking of you and sending you supportive thoughts! Help is on the way!!!❤

Many thanks to Blacklablady for stepping in and helping out.!!! 

 

SuperJess:

 

Just so you know, in order to be seen by Dr. YU at WCH all you have to do is go sit in the waiting room for the RAAM clinic anywhere from 9-12 pm Mon-Fri.

 

I think Dr. Yu has moved her clinic days to Tuesday, but you can call the clinic and ask.

 

Then just go and sit and wait for her on her clinic day, make sure you tell the women at the desk that you want to see Allan as well.

 

That's all I did.

 

They will also want you to switch to Valium due to it's long life etc. I couldn't do this as I have a huge issue with histamine, so I'm still sticking with Ativan for now.

 

Good luck,

WinnieDog.

 

 

Thank you both Blacklablady and Winniedog you are my angels for responding. Can we connect offline? I'm not in a good place to physically go to WCH I barely leave my home..I will try calling and hopefully they can help over the phone. Is Dr. Yu a psychiatrist ?

Hi SuperJess:

 

I too barely leave my house, but I knew I had to get up the courage and the strength to get down to WCH.

 

They really need to see you in person the first time.

If you just go to the RAAM clinic anytime from 9 am to 12 pm, and just sit there, you will be seen.

If you have someone to go with you, they are allowed up for that clinic only.

After that it can be done over the phone.

 

Dr. Yu is a Dr, Dr. Henderson is their in house psychiatrist.

I see her next week Ivia zoom), it can take a few weeks to get into her - but faster than any other place.

 

Dr. Yu is young, but has been very helpful for me and is willing to listen to me when I tell her what I can and can't do etc.

For example I told her I couldn't move to Valium, as it blocks DAO and I have a histamine issue, she made me try the Valium as she said she'd never heard of that (she didn't even know what DAO was).

So I tried the Valium and broke out in hives after just one pill and was so itchy all day and frankly more anxious, that I said forget it, I'm not doing this. Which is too bad, as that probably would have been the best way off for me, it took away a lot of my symptoms.

 

She's been willing to prescribe me the liquid form of Ativan, and trying different things, she even called around for compounding pharmacies near me on her lunch hour.

 

I can PM you Allan's phone number, I believe Dr. Yu's clinic days are now Tuesday, so just go sit there in the morning and you will see her.

 

Good luck and please, please just go there, it's hard and scary, but the best thing is that you are being followed by people who want to get you off these drugs safely!

 

WinnieDog

SuperJess

 

I just sent you a PM with the phone number for the clinic at WCH.

If you go to WCH tomorrow, ask to be seen by Allan Smart.

Hope you got it.

 

WinnieDog

WinnieDog

Hi there,

This is a long shot since the last post was in 2020, but is anyone around? I’m looking for help in Ottawa and wondering if anyone has any leads on getting a benzo wise dr willing to help with a slow taper.

I’ll try and get back to you tomorrow!

 

But there is a good pharmacist at Nutrichem in Ottawa that does deprescribing.

He understands it.

Forget his name though.

 

You can also go to RAAM clinics that are run in every city

 

They don’t know much, but can prescribe and follow Ashton manual to help you off.

 

Winnie

Thanks so much, Winnie. If you happen to find the name that would be great.

It doesn’t seem to have RAAM clinic near Montreal unfortunately… :'(

Oh yeah, RAAM’s are only in Ontario

 

You can call Nutrichem in Ottawa

Dr Adam Livingston - 613-721-3669

He is a deprescribing pharmacist

 

He can tell you what prescription to ask for your dr

And you can do it that way.

 

Sorry, I don’t know anyone in Montreal!

 

Good luck

Winnie

Oh yeah, RAAM’s are only in Ontario

 

You can call Nutrichem in Ottawa

Dr Adam Livingston - 613-721-3669

He is a deprescribing pharmacist

 

He can tell you what prescription to ask for your dr

And you can do it that way.

 

Sorry, I don’t know anyone in Montreal!

 

Good luck

Winnie

 

I’m actually in Ottawa, so this is great. Thanks!

There is a RAAM clinic at the Royal in Ottawa

 

https://www.theroyal.ca/news/royals-raam-clinic-has-new-digital-front-door-and-its-wide-open

 

I’d try there over Nutrichem.

 

Depends on your situation and if you want to be followed by a dr

 

They may not be the best or know the new research on benzos, but you’re followed by a dr, who may know a bit more than your family dr.

 

Good luck.

Winnie

 

Hi folks.

 

Any suggestions for a good Dr in BC? My 70yo Mother had to reinstate Benzo after jumping off Klonopin 3 years ago (she was on it for 30 years).

 

Her current doctor tapered her too fast and she is currently going through massive withdrawals. She gets to see a pysch every two months and they want her to hold at .5 mg for two months before she starts a liquid taper.

 

Her symptoms this round are much worse then her original taper journey and trying to find some local doctors that can better support her. 

Anyone on this forum from southern Ontario and in their 20s/30s? How is your withdrawal going ... I am from Toronto, in my third year living with chronic insomnia. I am keen to hear your stories. 

I am resurrecting this thread as i am hoping there are some Canadians still here.

 

Desperately trying to locate a benzo educated doctor in the Ontario  area.

 

I'm trying to work out a proper taper plan with my current physician but not getting the educated help needed. Hes trying to taper me off  X far too rapid and its causing a lot of unwanted and horrible withdrawal symptoms.  Ive only begun getting serious with this taper a couple months ago. Ive managed to taper down to 3mg so far , from about 5mg. but i think its a bit too fast ,as im having some of the worst withdrawals right now. Im ok for a bit, but then things start to get a tad to intense. Im dry micro tapering, breaking tabs into halves then quarters, etc. Its not the best accuracy and im starting to get discouraged. 

 

Are there any GP's or Psychiatrists in the KW area that anyone is aware of who are benzo educated,  especially with proper tapering? Ive done an extensive search online and made a several phone calls but to no avail.

 

Im 65 and i am not looking to be placed on any further medications,  such as antidepressants and SSRI's,  since all psych medications seem to be a huge issue with a lot of people. E.G... not being able to tolerate the effects of them or there is  difficulty trying to taper off these as well. Its getting pretty bad out there in the world wide web.

 

Im looking as well , for others who are tapering and / or whom have completed their taper off of benzos. I sure could use the company of fellow canucks,  not that this forum is lacking in any way shape or form, i just need ** closer to home ** contacts. 

Please rsvp, anyone. I am wearing myself thin right now and theres got to be a doctor close by that knows what theyre doing in this.

 

Thanks to everyone of you,and Bless this forum and those who contribute their time and patience with us all.❤🍁❤

I unfortunately don’t know of any help in KW.

I wish I could help.

I too would like to get this thread going again. There must be many Canadians in here?

I unfortunately don’t know of any help in KW.

I wish I could help.

I too would like to get this thread going again. There must be many Canadians in here?

 

Thanks Untetheredforever,

I think there are Canadians here too, just hoping we can keep this going.

Unfortunately I have researched and emailed, called and messaged many sites online trying to find a benzo educated doctor, and none are around. I mean we have plenty of doctors here in Canada, but there is a HUGE lack of knowledge about proper benzo tapering and withdrawal understanding.

I can only hope to try and change that with my present doctor until my next appointment. Im doing my best to be patient, but its hard. :\

Where abouts are you located, roughly? Dont need to be precise.

 

I unfortunately don’t know of any help in KW.

I wish I could help.

I too would like to get this thread going again. There must be many Canadians in here?

 

Thanks Untetheredforever,

I think there are Canadians here too, just hoping we can keep this going.

Unfortunately I have researched and emailed, called and messaged many sites online trying to find a benzo educated doctor, and none are around. I mean we have plenty of doctors here in Canada, but there is a HUGE lack of knowledge about proper benzo tapering and withdrawal understanding.

I can only hope to try and change that with my present doctor until my next appointment. Im doing my best to be patient, but its hard. :\

Where abouts are you located, roughly? Dont need to be precise.

 

 

I have had the exact same issue. I’ve emailed, called, and turned over every stone. I’ve looked for providers on the BIC list, Surviving Antidepressants forum, and various FB groups and got dead ends. My GP wants nothing to do with my taper as she doesn’t prescribe benzos (my original prescription was from

my psychiatrist who has since retired). I found a deprescribing pharmacist, but I feel nervous doing this without medical supervision. I’m in Eastern Ontario.

I feel bad that you dont have a GP who is willing to help you taper.

Mine is far too eager to get me off and tapering far too quickly. I shouldnt complain, but Im up in age now and its rather hard to do this.

If your east then there may be someone in the Ottawa area. I read past posts here noting that.

 

If you have a pharmacist who is willing to assist with the deprescribing, ask if he/she has read the Ashton Manual? I would try anything now at this point and with your own circumstance, maybe ask your GP to at least give you the benefit of the doubt and make your plea to at least look at the Ashton manual and show that you want to get off the benzo, but need support for it? Showing my own doctor that I admitted I needed to get off of my X was enough for him to at least budge some to ease my sufferings a wee bit.

Maybe we both just need to continue nudging our docs to help. They truly cannot deny help, since you are trying to get away from them as am i. They took an oath to Do No Harm.

 

Canadian doctors are too far behind in so many fields here. Like their heads are in the sand or snow.

 

Keep the faith fellow canuck...I'll be around for as long as I need to be. I know exactly how you feel , fear and anxiety wise.

I’m in a bad way right now and can’t help!

 

But go to your nearest RAAM clinic - Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic.

 

They are everywhere.

 

They don’t know much about the nastiness of withdrawal, but they will do an Ashton taper for you!

 

I’m not here much anymore.

 

Winnie