12-18 month support

[[ci...]]

HH, focus just on your breathing, nothing else. That helps me. You'll be OK, it will pass, hon.

[[No...]]

HH ... ride your breath all the way to your destination ... if you can - smile a little ... you can shoot me later ... for now, a little smile ...

[[He...]]

I think I wasn't breathing enough because my rib cage and stomach is so clenched. Trying to focus on my breathing.

[[No...]]

HH ... that's what we do when we get hit with panic ... your intentional breathing will gradually open things up for you ... go slow ... you are doing just fine ...

[[je...]]

HH- yes focus on your breathing. I inhale for 3 counts, hold, and then slowly release for a 4 count. Stay strong, jenny

[[No...]]

HH ... panic is a hormone rush ... it will pass soon ... all perfectly okay ... nothing to worry about ... you are safe ... and you are doing fine ... ride your breath ...

[[Gr...]]

Thanks everyone!

I still can't believe it, I've not had any sign of healing or improvement in this area and I had pretty much given up hope that it would ever improve. I woke up today a little scared that it would be back to my normal not being able to breathe, but I'm happy to report I can still get a deep breath. I know it may not last, so I'm just enjoying it. This should all give us hope, that literally over night our sx  can leave or change. Love, jenny 

 

Jenny, was that the cement chest?  I am very happy for you

[[Gr...]]

Hi HH- you are just having a rough month, and I guarantee your baseline is gonna shoot up after this wave is over. I have heard so much healing from your posts over the last year, so there is no need for you to doubt any healing. I also think once school starts back up it will be good for you to get back into your normal routine, I see this in myself too. Your gonna get through this, you are stronger than you think. Big hugs, jenny 

 

HH, Jenny is right, getting back into a routine.  The holidays and everyone home this week was rough.

[[Gr...]]

Holy panic attack, Batman. This physical anxiety is horrible.

 

I'm still in the car, probably 45 mins to go, and I am quietly sitting in the front seat feeling like I'm dying.

 

My heart beat is all over the place, I'm pretty sure it's skipping beats, my abdomen is tightly clenched, I'm shaking, my hands are sweating.

 

I hate this.

 

HH, I am so sorry you are going through this.  My thoughts and prayers are with you

[[je...]]

Thanks everyone!

I still can't believe it, I've not had any sign of healing or improvement in this area and I had pretty much given up hope that it would ever improve. I woke up today a little scared that it would be back to my normal not being able to breathe, but I'm happy to report I can still get a deep breath. I know it may not last, so I'm just enjoying it. This should all give us hope, that literally over night our sx  can leave or change. Love, jenny 

 

Jenny, was that the cement chest?  I am very happy for you

 

 

 

Yes, feels like a tight band around my lungs and I could only get air to a certain point but not a deep breath. When I was in tolerance l was told I had asthma, but the inhalers never worked for me so Im hoping it was just from the benzos. Also, I have POTS so that affects the breathing too.

[[li...]]

HH I am so sorry that you are feeling this way. I pray that you feel better real soon. You are healing HH -- you just have had a bad month but your baseline will definitely improve. I had an 8 week wave 2 months ago and no more than 1 week wave since. My baseline is improving with each wave that passes. 

 

I miss you all and pray for rapid healing for all.

 

God bless you all. We are all healing!

 

Life

[[pe...]]

How ya doing, HH?

Hoping your focus on breath got you through. Thinking of you!!

 

Good to see you, Life!

[[He...]]

Ok, I didn't die.    I made it through the games, but now we are headed back home. My panic is rising again, I can feel my torso getting super tight. I'm trying to control my breathing, but not being too successful yet.  :'(

 

I don't understand why my panic has gotten SO bad all of a sudden.  :'(

 

3 hours in the car. I don't think I can handle it.

[[So...]]

HH, you've got me and all of us right there with you.  We understand how you feel!

[[dr...]]

HH-don't defeat yourself by saying you don't thnk you can make it. That is the benzo brain trying to beat you.  Keep the window cracked for fresh air.

 

 

I had a tough night waking up w panc about my heart.  I had some chest tightness and arm pain. I e hadtis before and went to the ER and it was nothing.  I meditated and said its just the benzo BS trying to scare me.  Why is our night stuff so bad and scary?

 

I did my walk this AM. Anxiety and panic staying with me but I did it.  My new mantra is "its benzo lies".  Kept saying that and "I've had this sooo many times before and even though I feel like I'm dying I'm not"

 

Was supposed to go to dinner tonight but my head was just not right. I meditated again and could have pushed myself but i decided to cxl. My gf understood and didmt mind.  I'm going to pick up the same dinner as takeout   Tonight I felt I push myself hard enough and I feel weird so go easy on myself. This can and usually changes on a dime.

 

This last month has been hard

[[63...]]

HH,

 

I'm here for you too...

 

You know what? As scary and intense this experience is, you will get through this. The panic will go, will be long gone, and you will still be here, still standing. That strength that has carried you this far, and you have come so very far HH, will carry you through this too. Dont worry so much about controlling the breath, just watch it without trying to control it. -R.

[[mr...]]

Ok, I didn't die.    I made it through the games, but now we are headed back home. My panic is rising again, I can feel my torso getting super tight. I'm trying to control my breathing, but not being too successful yet.  :'(

 

I don't understand why my panic has gotten SO bad all of a sudden.  :'(

 

3 hours in the car. I don't think I can handle it.

 

HH,

 

STOP fearing the panic. WELCOME it. Look forward to its ride. Find some things enjoyable about it. Get some belly laughs during it, enjoying it, finding parts of it entertaining, etc. Tell your hunny, in a funny way, the ride is beginning, lol!! Get him/your family to laugh too. Etc.

 

Ridicule that rat bastard (not your hubby, I mean the panic... ). I hit a point where I was SO OVER IT - so OVER being afraid, that I was willing to just frickin' GO with my flesh whining, screaming, & kicking. Panic, be damned!

 

F*** you, panic. F*** you. Go get 'em, girl.

 

Mrs.

[[He...]]

Thanks my friends! And LOL Mrs!!

 

I'm not to full blown panic, and I'm hopeful to stave it off. By controlling my breathing I just mean to make sure I AM....my whole torso gets so tight and I think I tend to hold it.

 

You're right, Drew, I WILL make through this.

Deep breaths.

[[mr...]]

HH,

 

I had to resurrect an old post, just to remind you/me/us that we ALL HEAL.

 

Pay attention especially to Ian Singleton's words. His personal story and recovery from benzo-induced anxiety is amazing.

 

Love to you

 

Mrs.

 

Hi Lisa

 

First things first: breathe. A nice deep, slow breath.

 

Okay, regarding everyone's healing:

I have pondered this as well. And researched it

 

There are three withdrawal advisors located at this site: http://cepuk.org/withdrawal-advisers/  They provide interviews with them that answer commonly asked questions about withdrawling from medications (benzos & otherwise). Now, credibility is something that is very important to me regarding information. Baylissa Frederick, one of the withdrawal advisors, has been working with people in post withdrawal since her own recovery in 2006. She mentions that she's dealt with over 6,000 people, mostly those who are protracted (we are not--thank you Lord!). She said that every one that she's spoke to has recovered -- ALL of them.

 

Ian Singleton (my personal favorite!) has been a withdrawal specialist for the Bristol Tranquilizer Project for over twenty years, since his own (protracted) recovery. They work with over 300 persons in post withdrawal per year (times twenty years = 6,000+ individuals). He says EVERY SINGLE ONE has recovered. EVERY time.

 

Melanie Davis is the Manager of Camden's REST Project for over twenty years. (Which means, again, experience with a LOT of people in post withdrawal.) She says, as well, that she's never seen anyone not recover in all her experience.

 

If you watch the interviews, you will hear them say it for yourself.

 

Ian also has his recovery story on the website (here: http://cepuk.org/recovery-stories/  he's the last one if you scroll all the way to the right) -- he says it again in there that we ALL recover.

 

For me, it speaks credibility that they have worked with tens of thousands (collectively), all at different organizations, and the all three individually say the same thing: we all heal. I know when reading of those of us in the "heat" of the battle, and hear their doubts and fears expressed, it is tempting to hear those things and think incorrectly and/or irrationally about recovery. I constantly have to keep this in mind, and also protect myself from things that tempt me in the wrong directions. When one is in the heat of it, their perspective may be temporarily limited to it. Does that make sense? (I hope!)

 

Lisa, these are just things I'm working on applying in my life They may or may not pertain or relate to your situation. In my personal but humble opinion: you're doing just fine You're in your sixth month, which is commonly known for a "bugger" of a month for many in withdrawal Also, you've had "windows" along the way -- this is a very good thing Currently, the past couple weeks have been a tough wave where I've had times of doubts in healing. But ya know? They're just not true. Simple as that I've just been taking an "observer" position in my mind -- sorta hop up on a bar stool in my mind and just calmly observe -- like, "Oh OK, there's that thought. There's this thought -- that's nice. Interesting." Etc. I "welcome" the wrong thoughts in and just allow them to "be". Dr. Claire Weekes talks about this (welcoming and accepting, etc). There are four audio clips of hers found here that are "streamable": http://www.junior-anxiety-depression-exchange.org.uk/Relax.html If you scroll down a bit, they are labeled "How To Recover From Anxiety". I found them helpful That, and her accent is cute and makes me giggle

 

Anyways, I hope there is something in this that has at least encouraged you some I'm not one to offer advice, of course -- these are just some things that have helped me along my journey I hope you're feeling better by the time you're reading this -- I'm believing it to happen! Take care buddy, you are healing

 

Mrs.

[[He...]]

Oh Mrs,

How do you always know what to post? I was just coming on to ask if you all really think I'm healing. I was needing reassurance and you had it ready for me.

Thank you!

[[mr...]]

Oh Mrs,

How do you always know what to post? I was just coming on to ask if you all really think I'm healing. I was needing reassurance and you had it ready for me.

Thank you!

 

I think we may be in similar spots sometimes I gotta keep my arsenal loaded & ready to combat them dumb benzo lies!...guns loaded, barrels a-blazin' at all times...

 

Mrs.

[[He...]]

The one thing I keep coming back to is that I NEVER had anxiety like this before. Ever. That must mean this is all withdrawal, and if it's withdrawal I will heal. It's just a matter of making it through. That's what the experts and those who have healed all say, right?

 

God, I am so tired of feeling the need to cry all over this thread. I'm sorry....I'm sure you guys are tired of hearing me. This past month has just absolutely pulled the rug out from under me.

 

Made it back home without another panic attack.  One more victory in this war.

 

[[No...]]

HH ... how are you doing? ... and nobody is tired of hearing anybody ... that's why we are here ... take what we need, give what we can ...

 

[[dr...]]

Hey Mrs.  Great video by Ian.  I had a weird brain night with the feelin that " I'll be stuck like this" and I just kept watching the videos. 

 

It's really helpful for us to see we mostly have all  the same symptoms with slight variations.  Makes it easier to realize we will heal. 

 

Tough day but it's in the books.

[[No...]]

Drew ... yep ... another day in the books ...

 

I got a little sleep ... mostly broken ... mostly rolling with this on again off again anxiety feelings ... early here on the east coast ... maybe I can get some more rest ...