Benzodiazepines can be Fatal if prescribed for insomnia

[kendbal]

Chronic insomnia was my only comorbidity in 2010 and EKG’s very normal. Physicians began treating my insomnia with benzodiazepines without advising me of the risks. I was sleeping better and didn’t realize that I was slowly becoming addicted. Several years later I developed a widening QRS and an elongated QT on my EKG’s. However not one physician or specialist stopped prescribing benzodiazepines for my insomnia. In 2019, I suffered heart failure, in 2020, 1 st degree block, 2021, 2nd degree block, in 2022 , a 3rd degree block and in 2023, a complete heart block requiring a pacemaker. Through all this, not the family physicians, internists, cardiologists or other specialists would stop prescribing benzodiazepines for my insomnia. After the pacemaker surgery, I start taking medical courses online at Harvard University and realized what doctors were doing. I began reducing the dosages slowly and confronted my physicians. Unfortunately the damage was done and physicians in Canada are protected by the Canadian medical Protection Agency, against medical negligence, which is funded by the taxpayer. What a wake up call for me how the Canadian Provincial and Federal Governments treat their citizens. Just look at any news media channel or internet on what is happening in Canada right now and you will understand

[SlothOnSpeed]

Interesting. In my part of the world you have to be half dead to get a Benzo.

[Sheffield55 in reply to SlothOnSpeed]

😄😄

[MoretonCross]

Hoping things change very much for the better in Canada as soon as possible 🙏🇨🇦

[fishonabike]

In the UK benzodiazepine prescription by National Health Service doctors is strictly limited. They are usually only prescribed for short-term use and this has been the situation for around 20 years.

I am sorry to hear that you are suffering the results of a more relaxed attitude to benzodiazepine prescribing and that there is nothing you can do about it.

I hope this will serve as a lesson to all about doing your own checks on medication.

[kendbal in reply to fishonabike]

after I stopped taking them (withdrawal was very difficult) my heart palpitations became less frequent, syncope and fainting stopped,

[fishonabike in reply to kendbal]

unfotunately UK current affairs coverage is dominated by home news, the US agenda and other in that order - so we hear little of what goes on in Canada unless we look for it or have regular contact with Canadians - maybe the recent resignation of Trudeau should alert more of us that all is not well?

from another forum i have gathered that healthcare is "variable" and the reports i hear are not encouraging - but it is often the case that we only hear about what goes wrong and the rest goes quietly unreported.

I am very sorry to hear of the struggle you have had due to outdated practices, i would certainly expect better from a modern health care system.I hope you are feeling better now. Maybe you can use your experience and knowledge to support a group which does something about prescription medication addiction in Canada or more locally (your home city or state?

[Blueskywindynight]

I doubt very much the Benzo caused your heart damage which one were you taking and at what dose and for hoe long ?

[kendbal in reply to Blueskywindynight]

50ml at bedtime for 11 years, after I stopped taking bentos, palpitations decreased, dizziness and syncope stopped.