A Medically Induced Hell on Earth

A condensed account and closing summary of testimony to Scottish Petitions on the subject of prescribed drug harm, detailing life-threatening experiences resulting from GP-prescribed combination benzodiazepines for sleep, and subsequent mismanagement by UK healthcare authorities.

My name is Andy. I am 42 years old and was prescribed high-dose combination benzodiazepines from approximately 2002 to 2012. I had been gradually reducing my dose and began becoming unwell in late 2011. Prior to this, I was fit, active, and practising Tai Chi.

I began experiencing unusual physical and perceptual symptoms which escalated rapidly and affected my entire body. I could not understand what was happening. My GP examined me and said I was fine. I briefly considered the medication as a cause due to long-term use, but dismissed it as I was still taking it. Increasing my dose only worsened symptoms.

I then found a lump in my testicle and feared cancer. At the same time, my condition deteriorated significantly. My senses became impaired; I experienced breathing difficulty, weakness, and numerous severe symptoms. I became overwhelmed with fear and confusion.

Symptoms included electric shock sensations, painful pins and needles, muscle spasms, musculoskeletal pain, severe gastrointestinal issues, and extreme sensory distortion across sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. I experienced hallucinations, severe head pain, and multiple abnormal sensations that were difficult to describe. I was experiencing all of this in a state of terror, with no understanding of the cause.

My family became alarmed. My GP visited, but I could not move. I believed I was dying.

In May 2012, two days before my 40th birthday, I was sectioned and admitted to hospital in Bristol with a diagnosis of mental illness.

At the time of admission, my long-term benzodiazepine use was not recognised or accounted for, and I subsequently experienced what I now understand to have been acute withdrawal.

This diagnosis was incorrect. My condition was physical, not psychiatric. A duty doctor who assessed me on arrival suspected toxicity but was ignored. The lead psychiatrist later acknowledged that my long-term benzodiazepine prescription explained my condition. A nurse apologised to me following my discharge. This is the only apology I have received.

For the duration of my admission, I was treated as mentally ill. I was pressured to take medication and threatened with IV therapy, ECT, and depot injections. I refused medication as I believed it would worsen my condition. I was unable to eat due to the severity of symptoms.

When the cause of my condition became apparent, I was not supported or investigated. I was effectively trapped in a system that would not recognise the physical nature of my illness. My repeated attempts to explain this were dismissed.

I remained in hospital for nearly two years. During this time, I lost my flat and possessions. I was discharged to my mother’s care, readmitted, and sectioned again. The situation continued.

Numerous tests were carried out. A testicular lump was benign. I was diagnosed with sinusitis and, at one point, pernicious anaemia, which was later contradicted. These findings were used to reinforce that I was imagining the remainder of my symptoms.

I repeatedly requested further investigation and attempted to access private healthcare but was refused and told it was not in my best interests.

In 2014, after nearly two years, I accessed a smartphone and researched my symptoms. I discovered benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, which closely matched my experience.

When I raised this with my psychiatrist, she stated she had been unaware of my long-term benzodiazepine prescription history and agreed this could explain my symptoms. She asked me to accompany her to the dispensary, drew a line through my medication chart, and said, “You won’t be needing these anymore.” No further investigation followed. Instead, discharge was initiated.

I continued to develop additional symptoms, including urological issues. Requests to see specialists were denied or misdirected. Even when other doctors recommended further investigation, this was not actioned without significant effort on my part.

I was told the hospital could not investigate physical issues and that I would need to see a GP. However, I could not access a GP while hospitalised, leaving me unable to obtain care.

I discharged myself in May 2014, after almost two years.

After discharge, I attempted to seek help but faced ongoing resistance. A GP refused to investigate anything related to benzodiazepines. Accessing specialists was extremely difficult. I encountered repeated barriers when trying to obtain my medical records.

I continue to suffer from persistent symptoms including memory loss, cognitive impairment, tinnitus, neurological disturbances, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, dermatological conditions, and urological symptoms.

Rectal bleeding, which had been ignored during hospitalisation, required investigation after discharge and resulted in the removal of three polyps.

Some clinicians acknowledged limitations in understanding benzodiazepine withdrawal, but no coordinated care or pathway existed. I was repeatedly told there was no service available to help.

I sought legal advice but was unable to pursue action due to cost. Attempts to contact experts and authorities resulted in little or no assistance.

I have been passed between services with no clear responsibility taken.

Closing Summary

In May 2012, I was sectioned and admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of mental illness despite presenting with severe and widespread physical symptoms.

At the time of admission, my long-term benzodiazepine use was not recognised or accounted for, and I subsequently experienced acute withdrawal.

This diagnosis was incorrect. My condition was not psychiatric in origin but physical. A duty doctor suspected toxicity at the time but was ignored. The lead psychiatrist later acknowledged that my benzodiazepine prescription explained my condition, and a nurse apologised to me following my discharge.

Despite this, I was detained for nearly two years, during which no meaningful investigation into the physical cause of my condition was undertaken. My repeated attempts to communicate this were dismissed, and I was subjected to inappropriate psychiatric management.

Even after the cause—benzodiazepine withdrawal—was identified, no coordinated medical response followed, and I was discharged without resolution or support.

I continue to experience long-term health consequences as a result.