Dr. Jennifer Leigh on Lisa Ling and Dr. Heather Ashton

Lisa Ling and Dr. Heather Ashton

by Jennifer Leigh | Oct 1, 2019

 

As you probably know by now, Lisa Ling’s expose on the dangers of benzodiazepines airs October 6th on CNN. The producer of Lisa’s show contacted me ages ago when the segment was being considered. I told him, please, above all else, believe the people you interview, and report the facts correctly. My fingers are crossed that the truth will be shown. A shout-out to all who participated. Your bravery in being vulnerable and sharing your experience is much appreciated. I can’t wait to watch!

 

If you share anything on social media about the show, know that you may receive comments that are from people who aren’t benzo educated. I have already replied to some comments on other people’s Facebook pages in an attempt to educate. Some of the things you may read will be that people abuse benzos and that is why there is a problem. Of course, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Other comments will be about how safe the drugs are if you take them as prescribed. You may find yourself getting revved up wanting to “set people straight.” Please tread carefully. It is not your job to educate people or to save people. Your number one top priority is to heal. When you are more recovered, of course, jump in and be an activist and help educate the world about benzos. But until you are more healed, please avoid the stress of getting into debates or arguments with anyone who doesn’t understand benzo withdrawal. It’s not worth the emotional upheaval. I know we all want others to understand the inhumane degree of suffering that benzo withdrawal can cause—we want people to respect what we’ve so courageously have had to endure. But again, it is not worth the stress involved to try to get people to know our plight. Besides, unless someone has experienced benzo withdrawal, they will never be able to fully comprehend the suffering. Best to save your breath (and adrenal glands!) and focus on your recovery instead of trying to explain your circumstances in detail to people who won’t be able to fathom it.

 

Remember, the show may be triggering for some of you, so please take good care of yourself. Reach out for support if you need to. We do heal. In time. Life becomes very sweet! I thought for sure I’d never get my life back, but I did. You will, too.

 

In other news in the benzo community, Dr. Heather Ashton passed away peacefully. This is hard news for us to bear, I know. We all owe such an enormous debt of gratitude to her. She was a very brave woman to expose the truth about benzos and to write the manual that has become the backbone of knowledge on how to withdraw from them and what to expect in the way of symptoms. Her work will live on in all of us who speak up about the dangers of these drugs. She set the foundation for us to stand upon and we build upon that foundation. My heart is heavy, mourning her loss, but my heart is also full of immense respect and gratitude for her dedication to the truth about benzodiazepines. May we all take comfort from one another at this time. May you rest in peace, Dr. Ashton, your work on earth is done. You did an amazing job, and we thank you!

What time is the show please.

Daisymae,

Its on CNN this Sunday October 6, at 10 pm. I believe that is across all time zones in the US.

Thanks for the post Terry.  Wise words to be 'mindful' of Sunday's episode. This is such an emotionally loaded subject for us.  Thanks Jennifer

As always, another very thoughtful piece by Jennifer.

Thanks for posting this Terry

 

Very good advice:

 

“But until you are more healed, please avoid the stress of getting into debates or arguments with anyone who doesn’t understand benzo withdrawal. It’s not worth the emotional upheaval. ”

You're welcome, DoveLuv and cs123!

 

Yes, I think she has very good advice. I find that I get revved up easily on this subject, and I have to pace myself. It's exciting but fraught with tension.

Ya, it is strange knowing that our painful world is going to be revealed to so many.  I have been yelling it from the roof tops for months, but nobody listened.  When I first discovered my dilemma, I was shocked so few knew.  I just resigned myself to the isolation and was glad to have BB.  Now I am blown away and feeling a nervous apprehension about 'being heard.'

 

Taking Jennifer's advice.  I have decided to watch it by myself.  I want to avoid any more triggers such as defending or having to explain the brutality of w/d.

Ya, it is strange knowing that our painful world is going to be revealed to so many.  I have been yelling it from the roof tops for months, but nobody listened.  When I first discovered my dilemma, I was shocked so few knew.  I just resigned myself to the isolation and was glad to have BB.  Now I am blown away and feeling a nervous apprehension about 'being heard.'

 

Taking Jennifer's advice.  I have decided to watch it by myself.  I want to avoid any more triggers such as defending or having to explain the brutality of w/d.

 

It's kind of hard, though, reading some of Lisa Ling's instagram posts. There's the "I take them as prescribed" mantra that we read all the time from those still on the benzos. They're ignorant and afraid that the benzos will be taken away from them or that they'll be pressured to taper off.

 

I don't think anyone from my family will watch the CNN program. It makes me angry, but what can I do? They've all had to deal with my excessive anxiety, etc., and they want no part of it anymore.  :'(

The Lisa Ling show is on at 8 pm on CNN mountain time. We don’t all live on the east coast.

 

I live in the mountain time zone, and recorded the first episode which was on porn addiction.

 

I’m not sure that this Lisa Ling episode will help anything. It’s an hour long, and has commercials I think.

 

We need those medical professionals educated and I’m not sure that this is the way to to do that.

 

If we want medical professionals educated, it really will take time. People going into medical schools and giving classes on Benzos, withdrawl sx, and how long it takes for many.

 

The BIC has on their website what medical professionals need to know. I’ve saved that, and will post it after the show. And I hear that the “leaked episode” says that it’s the next opioid crisis.

 

I’ve heard that so much, I’m tired of hearing/reading it. Opioids are addicting and much more easily gotten off but for the cravings they cause.

 

And Benzos not abused cause dependence. I’m sitting here, and I do not crave my clonazepam a bit. But I sure want off of it because I am suffering with pain, some cog fog, and my eyes bother me.

 

And here’s an interesting twist which seems to get limit acknowledgement here on BB.

 

I have been switched from one generic of clonazepam 6 times now. I’d be off and probably doing ok by now if that hadn’t happened. What a mess this whole thing is.

 

I’m watching this show on Sunday, and I do not think it’s going to help much. I’ll keep an open mind, but it’s the medical establishment that needs to understand this. Get a big team of educators into those medical schools with a thorough class on benzodiazepines.

Yep Terry..and the benzo user's voices will be loud.  That's the trap I got into...and Dr's get into.  I functioned well on them for quite awhile.  The doc was happy and never made a peep other than upping the dose a couple times. 

There are probably thousands terrified that their benzos may be taken away.  This is not good either.  Sure hope the medical community can get their shit together and agree about slow tapers and how to deal with this neuro injury. 

  This whole thing is such a nightmare.

Yes, Doveluv. It should have been dealt with a long time ago, but doctors just continued to prescribe benzos month after month, year after year. It's built up into a huge issue now.

 

Of course people on benzos are going to be afraid that they'll have the benzos taken away, but it was shown in the documentary how dangerous it is to just c/t someone off. Doctors had better understand this.

I hope the changes this documentary brings about will be good, lasting ones, but I'm nervous, too.

40 new people registered for BB in Introductions October 7 after the Lisa Ling documentary aired. And the day has barely begun.

Good job sofa, I was wondering about the numbers impact on the site.  Will you keep tabs on this??  Thanks

Hi Dove,

 

I PM’d Challis and asked if there was anything we could do to help.  The number of new people so far today is 50 now.  Colin is working the Introductions too.  Badsocref came back and is helping.  Pamster, Challis, PG and Magrita are champions and responding immediately to the Intros. 

 

So far so good as far as Intros.  It takes awhile for new members to settle in.  They are at all different stages of the process, so I don’t know where they will finally land.  Maybe if we members stay a bit more active on the forum for awhile, we can help out with questions we see posted.  We need to take care of ourselves too, of course.

 

Sofa

Thanks Sofa...I actually had to take a little break after Sunday's show.  Impact was quite intense on my CNS.  I keep an eye on the c/t thread.  Looks like they are handling intros.  I imagine the tapering boards are pretty busy.  Crazy time!!

Does anyone know how many new people registered on B.B. since Sunday?