Symptoms: Brain zaps, cognitive impairment, suicidal ideation, severe anxiety/panic, muscle/joint pain
I have been trying to get off benzodiazepines for years without success. My psychiatrist has told me that, given my low dose, it would be acceptable to remain on them long-term. However, I am not comfortable with that. I've noticed a decline in my cognitive function, my problem-solving ability feels slower, and overall I don't feel as sharp as I used to.
I exercise, don't drink alcohol or use recreational drugs, and I maintain a clean, whole-food diet without gluten, dairy, or sugar. Despite this, I feel mentally impaired, and it's concerning.
Each time I attempt to taper off the medication, I experience severe panic attacks. These episodes are intense enough that I've called an ambulance multiple times, genuinely believing I was having a heart attack. The sense of impending doom is overwhelming, and I feel like I'm going to die. Because of this, I've had to resume the medication.
At this point, I feel stuck. I want to discontinue these medications, but I don't feel adequately supported or guided by the professionals I've worked with.