I am presently making a formal complaint to the GMC. A Psychiatrist has recently sectioned someone I know. They abruptly withdrew them from diazepam. After three weeks this person was literally crawling the walls, hallucinating it became life threatening!!! I found on the royal college of psychiatrists website under benzodiazepines which will include zopiclone also NICE guidelines state abrupt withdrawal is dangerous and should be done at the patients own pace. We eventually managed to get it reinstated.
I wish you all the best with your complaint.
Thanks. Any help would be appreciated!
I am not sure how I can help. I don't know the procedures for complaining to the GMC. Not sure if someone can complain on behalf of a friend. Just know that benzodiazepines should be tapered gradually, not withdrawn abruptly. Have you read the Ashton manual - written by Professor Healther Ashton - foremost expert in benzo withdrawal. Just Google Heather Ashton manual and you will find it.
Yes I have many years ago, I have also spoken to Heather Ashton in the past. it's the Ashton manual that NICE provides a link to. I am not doing this as a friend, I am doing it with their legal
consent. I have managed to get them discharged now. We are going to stabilize first then take it from there.
I wish you the best of luck. I have been bedridden for 30 months after completing a three month taper from nitrazepam. It has been absolute hell. Improving though.
Just had a thought. There is a meeting at the BMA in a couple of days to discuss prescribed drug dependence. Chair of BMA, Baroness Hollins is quite keen to see something done about the issue. Are you aware of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Prescribed Drug Dependence and the work of Council for Evidence Based Psychiatry? If you want you could forward an account of what has happened to the BMA. If you message me I will give you the email address to write to.
Hi Fiona
Firstly I too am bedridden as are other people I know (we all had the same GP) one of these came off abruptly others and I didn't. 3 months sounds too quick to me? Could I first ask how much were you taking and for how long?
I have an email written to the BMA but not sent yet . The meeting is tomorrow, what do you suggest I do?
I was on nitrazepam for 40 years for myoclonic epilepsy. My GP suggested I stop taking it so I tapered over 3 months Had no symptoms at all so thought all was well. No reason to slow down or stop. Next 6 months weren't too bad then bang I was hit with a barrage of physical symptoms. Been in bed mostly since then. Have I met you already on Benzo Buddies or on Facebook by any chance? You will recognise my story if we have met already.
I would send it off. Is to George Roycroft? He is pretty good at replyiing promptly I have to say so he must check his emails regularly.
Hi Fiona No sorry you haven't but I would be happy to meet you I am in the south west where are you? I do believe you are in withdrawl as it can take years.
Have sent you a message with more details.
Sorry havmt had chance but I will asap
Even if your email is too late for tomorrow's meeting, there wil be other meetings. It is just good to given the BMA as much evidence as possible that benzodiazepine withdrawal is a problem. Maybe they know that already.