Introduction

[[Li...]]

Hello,

I am a young woman from Holland and i am desperate. Writing this email is awful. I experience horror feelings for over a year. My dr. says I have anxiety and stress. In my blood they can't find anything. Tomorrow I have a MRI scan of my head. I don't know if I experience withdrawal symptoms from taking Alprazolam. I took 1 mg a day, now i reduced to 0,5 mg. When I reduced the symptoms became stronger and stronger. For over a year now I can't work, and my life is most of the time at home. When I do my best I sometimes can go out, but not in stores or something my head goes crazy..

My symptoms:

-Weird feeling in head when i am trying to concentrate, focus. Just like it is unable to do. My neck has big pressure when i am doing this. I only want to lie down dan on the couch and I am exhausted. It already there with simple things like making food or I want to see how the oven works. This is most horror feeling i experience.

-racing thoughts and body when waking up. Feels like a care drove over me. My muscle ache so much and I feel exhausted.

-When I do my walk outside for over 1 hour after my muscles feel so sore. Like restless legs. It is a itchy pain not normal muscle pain.

-I have difficulty with speeking and finding words.

-When i am upset and want to make my point in a discussion it doesn't work, my neck wil swollen en wil get thight and breathing gets difficult.

-my hands are stiff and my earts hurt.

-i have weird dreams, sometimes I scratch myself in my sleep, sometimes body parts are sleeping when I wake up en It is so scaring.

-My eyes burn a lot and I am unable to get sharp.

-When I walk into a store a strange feeling is there because of all the incentives. Diner in a restaurants seems to go right, I don't know why.

When I am drinking a glas of wine a feel a sort of relieve, but this can't be the solution.

Please, please If you recognize something please answer, I was a young, active beautiful woman, but now I feel like a 92 year old...I don't know how long I can take this. If I hear your stories maybe there is a relief.

Lots of love from Holland!

[[ma...]]

Hi  Lianne   Welcome to Benzobuddies

 

 

We are glad you found us, your going to be ok, it will get better.  I am so sorry you’re having a rough time right now, it will get easier with time.  A slow taper can help minimize withdrawal effects,  It is generally recommended to taper no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days.  Are you familiar with the  Ashton Manual , it is an excellent resource for information about these medications and gives a lot of information about withdrawal/tapering. 

 

Here is a link to the manual: Ashton Manual

 

We have a great community here of knowledgeable and friendly people who understand this process.  They will be willing to share their experience with you.  Feel free to ask questions so that members can respond

 

Here are some helpful links:

 

Withdrawal Support

 

General Taper Plans

 

If you would be so kind as to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice this link will show you how to”Create a signature”

 

Welcome aboard

 

Magrita

 

 

Edit: change username

 

[[De...]]

Hello Lianne,

 

Welcome to the forum from me too 

 

I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering so much. The cut you made in October last year was a large cut, a 50% drop which is a much greater cut than what is recommended. This will almost certainky be the reason why you are feeling such strong withdrawal effects. Most members here follow Dr Ashton's protocol for tapering which involves making cuts of no more than 10% of their current dosage every 2 weeks, most could not tolerate a 50% cut. The strong symptoms will hopefully ease soon as your body adjusts to the lower dosage but when you feel ready to make another cut I wouuld make a much smaller one if I were you, within the guidelines that you've been given. Tapering slowly and carefully is advised to ensure that the withdrawal effects are kept to a minimum.

 

All of the symptoms you are describing sound withdrawal related and most are quite common but if you would like feedback about these or any other symptoms please feel free to post questions on The Withdrawal Support Board, Magrita has given you a link to it.

 

I'm glad you found us and I do hope you are feeling much better very soon.

 

Debbie

 

 

 

 

 

Edit: change username

 

[[Bi...]]

Hello Lianne,

 

Welcome to the forum from me too.

 

I was in the same shape you are in last January, I just wanted to die. After almost 12 months with benzo buddies, I am halfway through my taper and feel so, so much better.

 

Benzo buddies is a life saver.

 

You have come to the right place. Follow Magrita's links and you are on your way. Be sure to read some success stories, they really hlep with your frame of mind.

 

You are going to do this Lianne, if I can, you can too,

 

best of luck,

BBF

 

 

 

Edit: change username

 

[[Li...]]

BBF  :smitten:

[[Cl...]]

Hi Lianne,

My symptoms were very similar to yours on last November- December, I still have some. Like you, I was unable to go to shops for more than 2 years. With the help of Benzobuddies I am improving a lot. I also did a rapid Taper at the begining.

I am sure that you are going to feel much better.

I wish you all the best!

 

 

 

 

Edit: change username

 

[[Ci...]]

Howdy .  I have went thru and am going thru several of the things ya said and you know what?  It's all going to be ok.  These withdrawl symptoms will pass and it will get better.  Just remmeber to hang in there and win the fight and you will be much better for it in the end.  Sometimes it feels like you might have to give up or give in because it's to much.  To much pain, to many weird feelings, to many wierd tingles and zaps but if you can think about how good you may have felt before you started taking this poison that can help you remember that a life where you can still feel "normal" is out there waiting for you.  Go get it