“As a woman who’s lived with severe chronic pain for 35 years, I was shocked to learn that Klonopin, the medication hundreds of thousands and I take for relief of that pain, could threaten our lives. We’ve just learned it can cause Alzheimer’s. We women in pain already lead lives that are turned upside down – lives that were once full and rich are now plagued by the fatigue, depression, social isolation and career loss triggered by constant pain. Now our minds and memories might join this cascade of loss. Losing my ballet career to pain that left me bedridden for a decade catapulted me into starting the nonprofit For Grace where we promote better care and wellness for women in pain. It’s critical that we make our community aware of this devastating side effect of benzodiazepines. Alzheimer’s is the last place any of us can afford to go.”
Cynthia Toussaint
