Benzos featured on SiriusXM April 10

Dr. Paul Christo, world renowned pain specialist from Johns Hopkins, will discuss the problems with benzodiazepines on his show April 10th at 5 PM (EST) on Sirius XM/Family Talk 131.  His show "Aches and Gains" has 280,000 subscribers, many of whom are medical professionals.  More on him here:  https://paulchristomd.com/media-kit/

 

This broadcast and podcast will cover benzodiazepine dependence, withdrawal, the ongoing benzodiazepine injury syndrome, and pain management for injury due to the use of benzos.  This broadcast will feature interviews with benzodiazepine expert Dr. Steven Wright and benzodiazepine injury sufferer Carrie Silvernail, both from the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices.  Please spread the word, and tune in.

 

It will be available online and in podcast form at a later date.

 

Edit to add podcasts available now.

 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part I - Dr. Paul Christo MD

https://paulchristomd.com/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-part-i/

 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part II - Dr. Paul Christo MD

https://paulchristomd.com/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-part-ii/

 

 

Thank you for the heads up, Manuelito.  I’ve marked my calendar.  Here’s the description of the show from https://paulchristomd.com/:

 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part I

 

It’s been called the benzodiazepine injury syndrome. Patients who stop using benzodiazepines may not go through a simple, acute withdrawal process. Instead, 10-15% of patients may experience a new, unexplained illness, leading to severe and disabling symptoms. Carrie Silvernail, our first guest shares her five and a half year battle with this protracted withdrawal syndrome. It forced her into retirement, produced migrating body pain, and lead to intense phonophobia among a host of other symptoms. Then, a leading specialist in the field, Dr. Steven Wright uncovers the details of this hidden syndrome while recommending measures for prevention and treatment.

 

The recording will be posted after the show airs on Sirius XM Channel 131 at 5pm on Saturday [April 10]

 

Let us know what was discussed. 

And if anyone can post a link here for us to listen to after it airs, that would be much appreciated.

I don't have time to listen to it, but would like someone to let us know what they say if they talk about benzo w/d and protracted w/d and possible damage.

Interesting and great to see the word getting out about benzo damage.  I like the term "benzo injury"  much better that benzo w/d.  I was finished with w/d the first month.  I am glad Dr. Wright clarified.

 

Lapis, do you know where they came up with the 10-15% of people who take for long periods may experience this injury?  Where do they get this stat?  No citations I know of.  I have a feeling the percentage is higher....always wondered if a study has been done or in process. 

 

I don't know where to find the link to podcast.  I listened on Saturday.

Hi DoveLuv,

I didn't get to hear the broadcast, unfortunately, so I'm at a bit of a disadvantage in terms of understanding the context. And no, I have no idea where they would get such a figure. Truthfully, I don't think there's an accurate way to get that figure, since so much of this information is not recorded. I'm guessing they're just making an estimate.

I can't listen to it and wonder if someone can tell me what else they said on the program?

"In conclusion, the results of this meta-analytic study are important in that they corroborate the mounting evidence that a range of neuropsychological functions are impaired as a result of long-term benzodiazepine use, and that these are likely to persist even following withdrawal. Furthermore, the findings highlight the problems associated with long-term benzodiazepine therapy as well as the important clinical implications of these results. More specifically, it is clear that the residual neuropsychological sequelae must be considered when making treatment decisions for these patients."

 

https://academic.oup.com/acn/article/33/7/901/4734935

And those studies don't even mention those of us who have physical effects of long-term benzodiazepine use. That's just the cognitive stuff. Most of us around here represent undocumented numbers of people who have long-term issues from long-term benzo use.

I didn't hear it, but I do know that Carrie Silvernail is an active member on here.

 

What amazing courage to be doing what she did by going public and helping others.

 

So wish I could meet her and her husband one day!

 

 

I checked the website to see if I could see the post-show recording, but I couldn't find it. Maybe he'll put it up after Part 2 airs.

Hello, Lapis2.

 

The podcast of the show is now available but finding it is a tad tricky.

 

(1) Go to Radio Show Recordings at:

 

https://paulchristomd.com/recordings/

 

(2) Locate the “Most Recent Shows” section.

 

(3) Click the “+” sign to the right. A drop-down menu will appear.

 

(4) Select Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part I. 

 

n.b. At this time, the content of Part II is identical to that of Part I.

Hello, Lapis2.

 

The podcast of the show is now available but finding it is a tad tricky.

 

(1) Go to Radio Show Recordings at:

 

https://paulchristomd.com/recordings/

 

(2) Locate the “Most Recent Shows” section.

 

(3) Click the “+” sign to the right. A drop-down menu will appear.

 

(4) Select Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part I. 

 

n.b. At this time, the content of Part II is identical to that of Part I.

 

Hi Libertas,

Thank you! Is there a thing to click on in order to actually hear the recording of the show? I found that page, but I just didn't see where I could hear what happened. Perhaps I'm missing it.

Hi, Lapis2.

 

Hmm ... on an iPad, a standard audio controller appears underneath the graphic for the show, but only if you access the podcast via the Radio Show Recordings link above.  To play the audio, I just clicked the forward-facing arrow icon.

Libertas, just now I was able to listen to both Parts I & II.

 

On a personal note, for long-term users, I take exception to parts of this sentence from the written description about the broadcast: "Instead, 10-15% of patients may experience a new, unexplained illness, leading to severe and disabling symptoms." Of the people I know, closer to 100% of long-term users experience severe and disabling symptoms upon discontinuation or tapering of their dosage. Furthermore, these symptoms or experiences are not new but have existed ever since benzodiazepines and barbiturates have been available for use. I do find this broadcast to be more accurate than others that I have listened to in describing and labeling the severe and disabling symptoms as "Benzodiazepine Injury Syndrome". I would recommend the broadcast to others and I extend my thanks to Manuelito for providing the heads up and others who have made listening to the broadcast possible.

 

Hello, Lapis2.

 

The podcast of the show is now available but finding it is a tad tricky.

 

(1) Go to Radio Show Recordings at:

 

https://paulchristomd.com/recordings/

 

(2) Locate the “Most Recent Shows” section.

 

(3) Click the “+” sign to the right. A drop-down menu will appear.

 

(4) Select Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part I. 

 

n.b. At this time, the content of Part II is identical to that of Part I.

 

Libertas,

 

Thank you for posting this info.

Hi, Lapis2.

 

Hmm ... on an iPad, a standard audio controller appears underneath the graphic for the show, but only if you access the podcast via the Radio Show Recordings link above.  To play the audio, I just clicked the forward-facing arrow icon.

 

Hi Libertas,

I'm wondering if there's an issue because I'm in Canada. Maybe it's unavailable to me here. Or maybe I don't have some type of access on my computer that I need in order to listen to this recording. Very frustrating! I was hoping to listen to it.

Lapis,

 

I was able to follow the instructions and listen on my computer here in Canada.

It worked perfectly for me, so must be something on your computer blocking it.

 

Winnie

sunshine75: You’re welcome.

 

Fi Addendum: Your comments are appreciated.

 

WinnieDog: Thanks for letting us know you were able to access the podcasts ok.

 

Lapis2: Here’s hoping the following updated links and content work for you:

 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part I - Dr. Paul Christo MD

https://paulchristomd.com/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-part-i/

 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part II - Dr. Paul Christo MD

https://paulchristomd.com/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-part-ii/

 

sunshine75: You’re welcome.

 

Fi Addendum: Your comments are appreciated.

 

WinnieDog: Thanks for letting us know you were able to access the podcasts ok.

 

Lapis2: Here’s hoping the following updated links and content work for you:

 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part I - Dr. Paul Christo MD

https://paulchristomd.com/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-part-i/

 

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome, Part II - Dr. Paul Christo MD

https://paulchristomd.com/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-part-ii/

 

 

YES! Thank you so much, Libertas! I can now see the bar where the recording is, with the right-facing arrow. I will have a listen.

Dr. Christo provided us with easier links to these 2 podcasts on benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome:

 

Part I:  https://paulchristomd.com/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-part-i/

 

Part II:  https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpaulchristomd.com%2Fbenzodiazepine-withdrawal-syndrome-part-ii%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cpchristo%40jhmi.edu%7C0dada0e70f1344d9631808d900df23f4%7C9fa4f438b1e6473b803f86f8aedf0dec%7C0%7C0%7C637541780651850009%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=iYv79msSlMulSxjr8FVKVL1XKi8hWcByjg%2BsZymUwKc%3D&reserved=0

 

I don't know why one link is so long, but they both work.

 

The source cited for the 10-15% suffering BZ injury syndrome is:

Ashton CH. Protracted withdrawal from benzodiazepines: the Post-Withdrawal Syndrome. Psychiatric Annals. 1995;25(3):174-9.

Here's a link to the article:  https://benzo.org.uk/pha-1.htm

The reality is that there have not been any scientifically rigorous studies that validate that number in the general population.

I've finally been able to listen to parts 1 and 2 of the radio show. Interesting, but for me, there was little new information. Also, the editing of the program was very strange. To me, it sounded as if he had pre-recorded the interviews with the guests, and then he re-did his own portion to make it sound more slick. The result was an awkward and unnatural sounding interaction.

 

I do enjoy hearing from Dr. Steven Wright, though. He reiterated (which he has done before) that most sufferers from benzodiazepine injury are not addicted, but, rather, physiologically dependent on the medication due to its mode of action in the central nervous system. Also, he mentioned flumazenil, and it seemed like he was saying it could be helpful in some cases. I feel like I need to re-listen to that part to clarify what he said. I really appreciate that Dr. Wright has taken on this subject with such interest and that he truly does "get it". We need more medical professionals like him in our corner.

 

I wonder how many listeners this program has and how Dr. Christo reaches his desired audience. Does anyone know?

 

Manuelito, thanks for putting in the source of that "10 to 15%" estimate. A 1995 article from Dr. Ashton is obviously very old and likely inaccurate. Again, I just think it's impossible to get a clear picture of how many are currently affected.

Did they talk about benzo nerve damage on the podcasts and how some people are protracted and not doing well at all?

Did they talk about benzo nerve damage on the podcasts and how some people are protracted and not doing well at all?

 

Why not listen to them, Becks? They're only about 25 minutes each. You can see how the info is presented and what speaks to you and your particular situation. There are two guests -- someone who is affected, as well as a doctor. Definitely worth listening to.