Benzodiazepines and tapering side effects

Posted by tarheel @tarheel, Jun 7, 2020

Difficulty dealing with tinnitus and other issues

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Addiction & Recovery Support Group.

@johnbishop

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.

Helping Patients Taper from Benzodiazepines (PDF): https://www.pbm.va.gov/PBM/AcademicDetailingService/Documents/Academic_Detailing_Educational_Material_Catalog/59_PTSD_NCPTSD_Provider_Helping_Patients_Taper_BZD.pdf

American Family Physician -- Tapering Patients Off of Benzodiazepines: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/1101/p606.html

There is another discussion on Connect that you may find helpful -- Valium (diazepam) Taper: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/valium-taper/

Are you able to share a little more about the symptoms causing you the most problems?

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Hello I have been on zopiden 10 mg for 15 years i also take ambian for anxiety can I come off of the zopiden and how

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@hyundaipro

Hello I have been on zopiden 10 mg for 15 years i also take ambian for anxiety can I come off of the zopiden and how

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Hi @hyundaipro, Do you take the Zopiden to help you sleep? This is something you should really discuss with your doctor.

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@sears

Please be more specific. Many on here can give you some great advice.

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Has anyone experienced headaches when tapering off of Clonazapam?

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I’m glad I saw this discussion! I have significant hearing loss and wear two hearing aids. I have been on 0.5mg Xanax for years at bedtime along with Alexa pro in the am. In May I had a bad Vertigo attack and thought it was a heart attack. After EMS eliminated thatI wrote it off to a Panic attack. Several months later I had asymmetrical Tinnitus and saw my ENT/audiologist but no Tinnitus that day and hearing was unchanged from previous audiograms. Sporadic tinnitus events and then nothing for several months. Tinnitus returned several weeks ago and now constant. Most recently experienced Hyperacuasis (sp?) and constant Tinnitus in a Left ear. Repeat audiogram yesterday showed -25db loss and reduced comprehension and reduced tonal response at lower frequencies. I also take daily 5mg Cialis. ENT thinks it may be Menieres with Acuisis but rejects Cialis and Xanax though Tinnitus as a side effect is listed for Cialis. He is scheduling an MRI and I am eliminating my Cialis.

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@mwsa1945

I’m glad I saw this discussion! I have significant hearing loss and wear two hearing aids. I have been on 0.5mg Xanax for years at bedtime along with Alexa pro in the am. In May I had a bad Vertigo attack and thought it was a heart attack. After EMS eliminated thatI wrote it off to a Panic attack. Several months later I had asymmetrical Tinnitus and saw my ENT/audiologist but no Tinnitus that day and hearing was unchanged from previous audiograms. Sporadic tinnitus events and then nothing for several months. Tinnitus returned several weeks ago and now constant. Most recently experienced Hyperacuasis (sp?) and constant Tinnitus in a Left ear. Repeat audiogram yesterday showed -25db loss and reduced comprehension and reduced tonal response at lower frequencies. I also take daily 5mg Cialis. ENT thinks it may be Menieres with Acuisis but rejects Cialis and Xanax though Tinnitus as a side effect is listed for Cialis. He is scheduling an MRI and I am eliminating my Cialis.

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@mwsa1945, it is not uncommon for tinnitus to be listed as a possible side effect for some medications. You may wish to join the discussions in the Hearing Loss group here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/hearing-loss/

The members of the Hearing Loss group are supportive and incredibly knowledgeable. I encourage you to follow the group. Here are some discussions I think you'll be interested in:
- Hearing Loss: Come introduce yourself and connect with othershttps://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hearing-loss-come-introduce-yourself-and-connect-with-others/
- Tinnitus and Ototoxicity from Antibiotic. Please help? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tinnitus-and-ototoxicity-from-antibiotic-please-help/
- Meniere's Disease https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/menieres-disease-2/
- How do I chose the right Hearing Aids for hearing loss & tinnitus?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hearing-aid-selection/

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@helenfrances

Has anyone experienced headaches when tapering off of Clonazapam?

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@helenfrances, you can talk with other members who have experience with tapering off of clonazapam (Klonopin) in this discussion:

- Klonopin taper https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/klonopin-taper/

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There have been numerous discussions on Mayo Connect around the tapering of benzodiazepines. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines is notoriously difficult and it is recommended that each person have an individualized taper plan with their provider, along with nonmedical treatments such as psychotherapy.

I would like to share with you a link to the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, a website that provides answers to many of the questions members are asking.

https://www.benzoinfo.com/benzodiazepine-tapering-strategies/

The Benzodiazepine Information Coalition is a non-profit organization led by patients and medical professionals that educates about the potential adverse effects of benzodiazepines taken as prescribed and facilitate access to appropriate medical care. Read more here: https://www.benzoinfo.com/about/#aboutus

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@mwsa1945

I’m glad I saw this discussion! I have significant hearing loss and wear two hearing aids. I have been on 0.5mg Xanax for years at bedtime along with Alexa pro in the am. In May I had a bad Vertigo attack and thought it was a heart attack. After EMS eliminated thatI wrote it off to a Panic attack. Several months later I had asymmetrical Tinnitus and saw my ENT/audiologist but no Tinnitus that day and hearing was unchanged from previous audiograms. Sporadic tinnitus events and then nothing for several months. Tinnitus returned several weeks ago and now constant. Most recently experienced Hyperacuasis (sp?) and constant Tinnitus in a Left ear. Repeat audiogram yesterday showed -25db loss and reduced comprehension and reduced tonal response at lower frequencies. I also take daily 5mg Cialis. ENT thinks it may be Menieres with Acuisis but rejects Cialis and Xanax though Tinnitus as a side effect is listed for Cialis. He is scheduling an MRI and I am eliminating my Cialis.

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OMG...I had to look twice...I thought I wrote this...it is exactly what I did (vertigo/heart attack/panic attack after EMS visit) and what I am now experiencing (asymmetrical tinnitus and hyperacusis)...both tinnitus and hyeracusus are episodic and I went on an elimination routine for my meds and diet with no relationship that I could identify...my ENT says that coffee, alcohol and dehydration play a significant role but it doesn’t seem to be that way for me...still searching but I wonder if stress could play a big role...

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@mwsa1945

OMG...I had to look twice...I thought I wrote this...it is exactly what I did (vertigo/heart attack/panic attack after EMS visit) and what I am now experiencing (asymmetrical tinnitus and hyperacusis)...both tinnitus and hyeracusus are episodic and I went on an elimination routine for my meds and diet with no relationship that I could identify...my ENT says that coffee, alcohol and dehydration play a significant role but it doesn’t seem to be that way for me...still searching but I wonder if stress could play a big role...

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LOL...I did write it several months ago and had forgotten...sorry to bother you...

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@mwsa1945

OMG...I had to look twice...I thought I wrote this...it is exactly what I did (vertigo/heart attack/panic attack after EMS visit) and what I am now experiencing (asymmetrical tinnitus and hyperacusis)...both tinnitus and hyeracusus are episodic and I went on an elimination routine for my meds and diet with no relationship that I could identify...my ENT says that coffee, alcohol and dehydration play a significant role but it doesn’t seem to be that way for me...still searching but I wonder if stress could play a big role...

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@mwsa1945
Hi, my wife has had ongoing tinnitus for decades. I am not sure she has hyperacusis. But I do know that a variety of specific things make her tinnitus worse. It could be any particular thing, but not necessarily the things that most people refer to such as coffee, alcohol, etc. Certain supplements have done it. A tea she drinks for headaches makes it worse (but it's a tradeoff since it does help her headaches) and other things as well. One thing she has taken for 8 years that has helped her is called Clear Tinnitus. It doesn't always help, but often does. She takes 3 per day, spread over the day. (Amazon has it -of course). Just FYI. Best, Hank

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