Benzo Stories: Jess Zanotti

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I found Jesus when I was in the thick of it. I know it sounds generic but finding a connection with the Creator was the biggest help.

The extent of damage done to your body/being by these drugs/our medical system, met by your ability over time to endure, perservere, accept, overcome and come out the other side is truly mind-blowing. I'm so sorry for the torment you suffered and so appreciative of your testament to survival with good character and spirit intact. Thank you for your living proof. I hope things continue to improve for you.

7 years tomorrow, with no clear end in sight. Thank you for sharing, you give me hope..

Congratulations! ❤ You did in good time. Was prescribed clonazepam 2mg for 17 years for nausea and stomach pain, now off for 10 months and feeling much better.

You have helped me so much. I am 2 months off my year long taper. I needed to hear everything you had to say, very validating. Your voice is much needed. Happy you are doing so well.❤Lots of love to you!

Thank you, Jess. Your testimony is encouraging. You are brave and I am proud of you. I am in the midst of withdrawing now. It has recently gotten a little easier. Holding onto hope. Doing the positive things I know to do as I listen, learn, grow. I am 60 years old.

After my Dr convinced me to take Xanax extended release I started sleeping a lot and kept having to increase the dose because my anxiety kept getting worse. Then my insurance wud only pay for the generic. My Dr really started increasing the dose because my anxiety skyrocketed. That's when I read that prolonged benzo use can lead to dementia. I was so angry with my Dr I switched Dr's and weaned off. Since then I lost most of my memories, especially long term memories. Most of my hair fell out and isn't growing back. The worst is that my body is literally drying out. I don't sweat my skin is SO oily. My gums have receded so much I'm in excruciating pain. I don't know how this stuff can still be on the market or why nobody has sued the makers yet.

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm 29 months off cold turkey. Your experience definitely resonates with the healing journey that I am on. Best wishes to you and everyone that is going through this same process.

Thank you, thank you, Jess for sharing. I feel so alone. 6 months off benzos and struggling with tingling (toes, fingers, lips), pain in joints, depersonalisation, sensitivity to light etc. Thank you for reminding me that healing is not linear. Much love.

I've been on K for 15years and I am probably jumping off next month. This journey has been incredibly hard and I thank you for bringing us knowledge and wisdom. We will need that and I wish everyone good luck on their journeys. We will heal!

I applaud you on your healing journey along with good advice. Stay well!

I already commented. I just want to say that I hope you know that God loves you and that you are beautiful and precious. Peace be with you, in Christ Jesus. ❤

Hey girl, you are amazing! I don’t usually make comments but after the second time I watched this video I decided I should. This is so very helpful to me for I am in the thick of it. This has been and still is a living hell! I’ve been trying to get my work going again and I get slammed by a bad case of Covid. Of course that flares up everything else! What you say about how the healing is not on a certain linear time schedule is so true. Another big one for me is how so many people think I’m exaggerating or they just flat out don’t believe me. I’m so glad you put this video out. Yours and other videos have been very helpful to me! Thank you so much and God bless you!

I never had any of these symptoms until the Xanax stopped working after 25 years. The bad symptoms only began when I started tapering. It’s been a nightmare. Absolutely amazing you continued to work after going cold turkey. A lot can continue to work if doing a proper taper.

I'm so happy for you that you've made it through this harrowing experience and that you give hope to others dealing with this ordeal.❤

She is gorgeous

You got this, Jess. Thank you for sharing your story. Never heard of movement meditation. I will search about this. I am another one in the path of getting off benzos... I have been cutting off this terrible med for 6 months, having many withdraw symptoms (tolerable, but still annoying). I hope to completely be off of benzos by the end of this year (2023). Had been on benzos for 11 years, prescribed for Vertigo (did help with that), but gave me many many many other mental disorders. Xo

Why doesnt anyone talk about the other horrific symptoms. Some of us are more severe, havimg psychotic breaks, dissociation severely upon waking up. Not sleeping, jolting awake, screaming, running out, getting naked from the agony. And more horrific things that have to do with perception, thougts, feelimgs and even mental images.

I do not know your whole story, just scrolling through videos, but can plainly see how much better you are. All you say here is true to the core! Let’s just just say I have experience with addiction, this is how I know what you are saying is true, fact even! Feeling brighter is such a good feeling. You have had a hell of a time it sounds, but look at you now! There’s no stopping you! I wish you all the best of everything now and always.