Hello @tarheel, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have no experience with tapering off of benzodiazepines but did find some articles that may provide some helpful information.
It just occurred to me that my awful tinnitus could be caused or exacerbated not by getting off benzos but simply by the stress of dealing with staying safe during the Covid 19 crisis. While we all deal with this change in our lives in different ways, the bottom line is that the cumulative effect of distancing, lack of social interaction, lack of normalcy, is naturally stressful. Stress is one of the causes of tinnitus or, at least, it makes it worse. Perhaps this is my problem? I definitely feel stressed every day, and I guess this builds up as the weeks, months go by. What does anyone think?
It just occurred to me that my awful tinnitus could be caused or exacerbated not by getting off benzos but simply by the stress of dealing with staying safe during the Covid 19 crisis. While we all deal with this change in our lives in different ways, the bottom line is that the cumulative effect of distancing, lack of social interaction, lack of normalcy, is naturally stressful. Stress is one of the causes of tinnitus or, at least, it makes it worse. Perhaps this is my problem? I definitely feel stressed every day, and I guess this builds up as the weeks, months go by. What does anyone think?
like a puppy chasing it's own tail, what's causing the stress? Stress is causing the stress, on and on. Creates havoc on your whole body and gets in the way of finding anything that may be causing the stress, whew.
It just occurred to me that my awful tinnitus could be caused or exacerbated not by getting off benzos but simply by the stress of dealing with staying safe during the Covid 19 crisis. While we all deal with this change in our lives in different ways, the bottom line is that the cumulative effect of distancing, lack of social interaction, lack of normalcy, is naturally stressful. Stress is one of the causes of tinnitus or, at least, it makes it worse. Perhaps this is my problem? I definitely feel stressed every day, and I guess this builds up as the weeks, months go by. What does anyone think?
@tarheel I don't think it is caused by stress ,I've had mine all my live I'm77 now so if stressed caused it I must have been stressed all my life . My ENT told me they don't know what causes it .
Hello @tarheel, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I have no experience with tapering off of benzodiazepines but did find some articles that may provide some helpful information.
John, I am tapering slowly off a benzo from 4 a day to now 1/2 daily. I called the prescriber and told him that I was having abdominal pain. He told me that this was not ! from decreasing the dosage. It was my former GI problem.
(My gastroenterologist warned me that ab pain may happen if I titrated too quickly from Clonazapam .)
The “prescriber” said this was not true! The pain was caused by GI (gluten) pain. ( I learned that I was allergic to wheat (celiac disease) and this wonderful young gastroenterologist diagnosed it and I have a gluten free diet ... no pain..UNTIL this titration from Clon.
I have no GI problems, except the cramping caused by decreasing the Clonazapam.
Harumph! Who said life would be easy.
My GI’s secretary called unexpectedly two weeks ago. She is scheduling an annual follow up appointments with her patients. God bless her.
Never give up!
He always sends an 😇
John, I am tapering slowly off a benzo from 4 a day to now 1/2 daily. I called the prescriber and told him that I was having abdominal pain. He told me that this was not ! from decreasing the dosage. It was my former GI problem.
(My gastroenterologist warned me that ab pain may happen if I titrated too quickly from Clonazapam .)
The “prescriber” said this was not true! The pain was caused by GI (gluten) pain. ( I learned that I was allergic to wheat (celiac disease) and this wonderful young gastroenterologist diagnosed it and I have a gluten free diet ... no pain..UNTIL this titration from Clon.
I have no GI problems, except the cramping caused by decreasing the Clonazapam.
Harumph! Who said life would be easy.
My GI’s secretary called unexpectedly two weeks ago. She is scheduling an annual follow up appointments with her patients. God bless her.
Never give up!
He always sends an 😇
——and Dr. will not confirm that stomach cramps are caused by taking less of the med Clonazapam each day! Maintains that I had cramping earlier. Yes! I did .
....when the gastroenterologist confirmed that I had celiac disease. Sent for testing: I was allergic to wheat and have been “wheat(gluten) free“ since diagnosed. Cramping stopped!!
Now I have pain from Clon withdrawal....cramping.
The pharmacognosist confirmed that decreasing my prescription can indeed cause cramping. He gave me the literature from this pharmaceutical! Why did I not read it when I received the prescription??!!
- CRAMPS on withdrawal from this med that causes changes in mood and memory!
Always read the literature that comes with your prescription. Get a second opinion. I have never sued anyone, but I am tempted... malpractice, irreparable harm.
——and Dr. will not confirm that stomach cramps are caused by taking less of the med Clonazapam each day! Maintains that I had cramping earlier. Yes! I did .
....when the gastroenterologist confirmed that I had celiac disease. Sent for testing: I was allergic to wheat and have been “wheat(gluten) free“ since diagnosed. Cramping stopped!!
Now I have pain from Clon withdrawal....cramping.
The pharmacognosist confirmed that decreasing my prescription can indeed cause cramping. He gave me the literature from this pharmaceutical! Why did I not read it when I received the prescription??!!
- CRAMPS on withdrawal from this med that causes changes in mood and memory!
Always read the literature that comes with your prescription. Get a second opinion. I have never sued anyone, but I am tempted... malpractice, irreparable harm.
I’ve tried to sue. Was never able to get an attorney to take my case. I’m in Missouri. Doctors love to put us on these meds and then wash their hands when you or they decide you need to taper. They don’t have a clue and don’t really care.
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I have not seen an audiologist yet because of the closure of most offices. My GP has no idea whether its related.
Your doctor will never admit it’s related to your withdrawal. It’s a very common complaint with benzo withdrawal.
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1 ReactionIt just occurred to me that my awful tinnitus could be caused or exacerbated not by getting off benzos but simply by the stress of dealing with staying safe during the Covid 19 crisis. While we all deal with this change in our lives in different ways, the bottom line is that the cumulative effect of distancing, lack of social interaction, lack of normalcy, is naturally stressful. Stress is one of the causes of tinnitus or, at least, it makes it worse. Perhaps this is my problem? I definitely feel stressed every day, and I guess this builds up as the weeks, months go by. What does anyone think?
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Hug
1 Reaction@tarheel, I think stress can definitely play a part. Here are a few articles on stess and tinnitis.
Tinnitus and stress | British Tinnitus Association: https://www.tinnitus.org.uk/tinnitus-and-stress
Tinnitus and stress: https://www.hear-it.org/Tinnitus-and-stress
People with tinnitus process emotions differently from their peers, researchers report:
-- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140625184901.htm
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1 Reactionlike a puppy chasing it's own tail, what's causing the stress? Stress is causing the stress, on and on. Creates havoc on your whole body and gets in the way of finding anything that may be causing the stress, whew.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@tarheel I don't think it is caused by stress ,I've had mine all my live I'm77 now so if stressed caused it I must have been stressed all my life . My ENT told me they don't know what causes it .
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsJohn, I am tapering slowly off a benzo from 4 a day to now 1/2 daily. I called the prescriber and told him that I was having abdominal pain. He told me that this was not ! from decreasing the dosage. It was my former GI problem.
(My gastroenterologist warned me that ab pain may happen if I titrated too quickly from Clonazapam .)
The “prescriber” said this was not true! The pain was caused by GI (gluten) pain. ( I learned that I was allergic to wheat (celiac disease) and this wonderful young gastroenterologist diagnosed it and I have a gluten free diet ... no pain..UNTIL this titration from Clon.
I have no GI problems, except the cramping caused by decreasing the Clonazapam.
Harumph! Who said life would be easy.
My GI’s secretary called unexpectedly two weeks ago. She is scheduling an annual follow up appointments with her patients. God bless her.
Never give up!
He always sends an 😇
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@helenfrances, That sounds like good news. Happy to hear you have GI doctor and his staff working to help you. Never give up is right!
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1 Reaction——and Dr. will not confirm that stomach cramps are caused by taking less of the med Clonazapam each day! Maintains that I had cramping earlier. Yes! I did .
....when the gastroenterologist confirmed that I had celiac disease. Sent for testing: I was allergic to wheat and have been “wheat(gluten) free“ since diagnosed. Cramping stopped!!
Now I have pain from Clon withdrawal....cramping.
The pharmacognosist confirmed that decreasing my prescription can indeed cause cramping. He gave me the literature from this pharmaceutical! Why did I not read it when I received the prescription??!!
- CRAMPS on withdrawal from this med that causes changes in mood and memory!
Always read the literature that comes with your prescription. Get a second opinion. I have never sued anyone, but I am tempted... malpractice, irreparable harm.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI’ve tried to sue. Was never able to get an attorney to take my case. I’m in Missouri. Doctors love to put us on these meds and then wash their hands when you or they decide you need to taper. They don’t have a clue and don’t really care.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction