Today marks 1 year since my last dose!!

[[Co...]]

I can't believe I've come this far. It's been one year since my last dose!!

 

Over all I'm doing a lot better. No more tremor or tingling, my heart has occasional skipped beats but they're not nearly constant like they were a year ago. Brain zaps only come during severe waves, like last week. Almost all of my symptoms have cleared up, with the exception of waves. All summer long I felt pretty good!

 

My lingering symptoms are: POTS is the most disruptive. It has a mind of it's own and seems to get worse, then better on it's own. I can stand up for about 15 minutes and sit for about 45. Last year I couldn't do either for any length of time. I am going to physical therapy for it, but it's not helping much. Derealization comes and goes. It's not as severe as it was, but still very present. This too gets better and worse without warning and is seemingly not triggered by anything. Then there's the vertigo. That seems to be aggravated by loud noises, bright lights, the position of my head, and any audio or visual stimulation. It's usually accompanied by a vasovagal response like anxiety, a drop in blood pressure, and the POTS acts up if I'm standing or sitting.

 

I still can't work. I have a hearing with SSDI coming up so I'm praying it will work out well. My doctor says I might be dealing with the POTS for another 5 years, but I refuse to give in and just live with it. My other doctor says the vertigo is permenant due to an inner ear injury. I'm going to physical therapy for that too.

 

My social life is starting to make a come back. I've gone on a few dates. Nothing fancy, we just got ice cream or sat on the beach since I still can't tolerate a restaurant due to the stimulation.

 

I'm extremely sensitive to medication. Lidocaine sent me into a severe wave that lasted 2 months. Prilosec had strange side effects. I lost my appetite entirely, lost ten pounds, and had a strange nerve pain sensation that started in my legs and worked it's way up my spine, into my head, then dissipated after 2 weeks. I only took one pill! It sounds like a stretch, but after reading the possible side effects of prilosec, it looks like I had a bunch of them. Hell, ibuprofen makes me so dizzy that I can't stand up. Never had a problem pre-benzo. 

 

Over all, I'm doing so much better. Incompatible better. Last year I was hardly alive. Bow I can go out with mom, walk short distances, watch movies (at home), and go into stores. I'm nowhere near being able to work again. I can only wait and see what happens with the POTS and vertigo.

 

Keep going everyone!! It gets better!!

[[Re...]]

Happy Validay! You're one day behind me.

[[Mo...]]

What a hard journey it must have been, congratulation.

[[al...]]

Congratulations on your 1 year off benzos! That must be a huge psychological boost. Your update is reminding me that I just need to keep going and enjoy the good moments. 

[[Lo...]]

I can't believe I've come this far. It's been one year since my last dose!!

 

Over all I'm doing a lot better. No more tremor or tingling, my heart has occasional skipped beats but they're not nearly constant like they were a year ago. Brain zaps only come during severe waves, like last week. Almost all of my symptoms have cleared up, with the exception of waves. All summer long I felt pretty good!

 

My lingering symptoms are: POTS is the most disruptive. It has a mind of it's own and seems to get worse, then better on it's own. I can stand up for about 15 minutes and sit for about 45. Last year I couldn't do either for any length of time. I am going to physical therapy for it, but it's not helping much. Derealization comes and goes. It's not as severe as it was, but still very present. This too gets better and worse without warning and is seemingly not triggered by anything. Then there's the vertigo. That seems to be aggravated by loud noises, bright lights, the position of my head, and any audio or visual stimulation. It's usually accompanied by a vasovagal response like anxiety, a drop in blood pressure, and the POTS acts up if I'm standing or sitting.

 

I still can't work. I have a hearing with SSDI coming up so I'm praying it will work out well. My doctor says I might be dealing with the POTS for another 5 years, but I refuse to give in and just live with it. My other doctor says the vertigo is permenant due to an inner ear injury. I'm going to physical therapy for that too.

 

My social life is starting to make a come back. I've gone on a few dates. Nothing fancy, we just got ice cream or sat on the beach since I still can't tolerate a restaurant due to the stimulation.

 

I'm extremely sensitive to medication. Lidocaine sent me into a severe wave that lasted 2 months. Prilosec had strange side effects. I lost my appetite entirely, lost ten pounds, and had a strange nerve pain sensation that started in my legs and worked it's way up my spine, into my head, then dissipated after 2 weeks. I only took one pill! It sounds like a stretch, but after reading the possible side effects of prilosec, it looks like I had a bunch of them. Hell, ibuprofen makes me so dizzy that I can't stand up. Never had a problem pre-benzo. 

 

Over all, I'm doing so much better. Incompatible better. Last year I was hardly alive. Bow I can go out with mom, walk short distances, watch movies (at home), and go into stores. I'm nowhere near being able to work again. I can only wait and see what happens with the POTS and vertigo.

 

Keep going everyone!! It gets better!!

 

You're truly an inspiration!!! Keep going!  Congrats!

[[je...]]

Hi coaster! Congrats, I'm right behind you almost at 1 year. The POTS is my most troubling sx  right now too. Let's hope we can beat it, by this time next year so happy for you...

[[pe...]]

Congrats!  I'm right behind you too!  The best is yet to come! 

[[Ba...]]

Congrats mate! You're an inspiration to someone like me at the start of their journey. Delighted for you.

[[Co...]]

Thanks everyone!! Remember, every day we are benzo free is a whole day of healing and a day closer to being alive again. It gets better!!

[[ma...]]

Hi Coasterguy

We were both near the end around the  same time, so I remember your posts well.

I am really glad to hear that things are getting better!

All the best magga 

[[Gr...]]

Hi Coaster

 

Congratulations on one year.  I remember watching your Youtube video before I even got on BB.  You were and are an inspiration.  You have a great positive attitude.  I'm looking forward to your success story.

 

Green