Mental vs. Physical Symptoms

[Guest [He...]]

Hello BB's!  I was wondering if anyone noticed that their mental symptoms of w/d (obsessive/racing thoughts) seemed to ease up faster than the physical symptoms?  I'm only a few weeks into my taper (have made two 10% cuts) and I'm noticing that my mental symptoms are easing a bit more than the physical symptoms.  Of course the physical symptoms sometimes can bring me down because they keep me from doing things I would like to do but I've noticed that I'm not feeling quite so "crazy" as I was before.  It could be that the relaxation techniques, trying to use more positive self talk, and counseling are helping but I was wondering if anyone else has/had experienced this as well.  I know that I will probably encounter setbacks along the way in my mental states but just looking for a small thread of hope to hang onto since the mental w/d is so much more difficult for me than the actual physical symptoms I'm experiencing. 

[[be...]]

My physical symptoms were short lived after my detox, but my mental symptoms were around for quite few months.

[[Er...]]

My symptoms are mostly physical and they seem to be lingering around longer than the mental symptoms.  I think the only reason I still have mental symptoms is because of the physical symptoms.  The physical symptoms cause health anxiety and obsessive thoughts in me.  If the physical symptoms went away, the mental symptoms would follow.

[[sg...]]

so far ive had mainly physical symptoms and to be honest i prefer it that way, but i deal with daily anxiety caused by depression and ocd anyway so i probaby wouldnt know! x

[Guest [He...]]

Thanks for sharing your experiences.  It seems it is different for everyone so I will have to go with the flow of my own recovery.  Sometimes the guilt I have over allowing myself to become "addicted" to a drug is debilitating.  I have been so careful throughout my adult life (I'm 55 now) to not abuse drugs or alcohol and I'm now embarrassed and ashamed that I now think of myself as a drug addict.  :'(  I let a family member talk me into taking Xanax on a daily basis (she does still) to deal with my anxiety and panic attacks without really researching the potential tolerance and addiction.  She didn't do this intentionally and I don't blame her but I somehow need to overcome the guilt and shame that plagues me daily. 

[[Ao...]]

Hi

 

My symptoms are mostly physical now. Muscle and nerve pain on my left side but if I am really tired or stressed the pain can migrate to other areas. It always settles back to my left back buttock and leg. Paresthesia also.

 

The mental symptoms appeared to lessen early this year after I was about 6 months off the benzo. It has gotten considerably better since I am nearly off Seroquel. Mental symptoms are always worse when pain increases as I can't get to do things or get out as much. A catch 22 situation.

 

Unfortunately I still contend with the unrelenting physical pain. If this was to disappear.  Gosh ... it would be great. 

 

[Guest [He...]]

Hope you get some relief soon Aoibherose!  I get what you mean when you say that the physical symptoms can have a impact on mood and motivation. I struggle with this dilemma quite a bit right now. My mind says go take a walk or go to the ceramic studio and work on something to distract me but it takes all the energy I have to pull myself up and do it. I so want to have my life back but I know it is going to take time. Patience is not my strong suit!! 

[[Ao...]]

Healing Soul

 

Yes it is difficult . So much so that I too need to push myself to get out and walk . I do do it though. I have from the start of this. I have been very afraid that my body would become too deconditioned - muscles etc. There are days that I just cannot accept that this is what has happened . But it has, and I must strive to get to where I once was.

 

Try to not be too hard on yourself , I know this is really difficult to put into practice.  But, maybe there are lessons for us to learn in all this. Maybe , we needed to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the world. I know that I rushed around a bit too much and I was always a 'doer'... especially for everyone else.

 

Maybe your time is now. I hope so .

 

My very best to you.

[Guest [He...]]

Thanks Aoibherose!  I believe all things happen for a reason and even though this is probably the most difficult thing I've ever had to do (and I've endured chemo for breast cancer 7 yrs. ago), I need to believe that at the end of this nightmare, I will look back and be able to clearly see that reason.  Best of luck to you!  I'm so grateful for this support group. 

[[Ch...]]

Thanks for sharing your experiences.  It seems it is different for everyone so I will have to go with the flow of my own recovery.  Sometimes the guilt I have over allowing myself to become "addicted" to a drug is debilitating.  I have been so careful throughout my adult life (I'm 55 now) to not abuse drugs or alcohol and I'm now embarrassed and ashamed that I now think of myself as a drug addict.  :'(  I let a family member talk me into taking Xanax on a daily basis (she does still) to deal with my anxiety and panic attacks without really researching the potential tolerance and addiction.  She didn't do this intentionally and I don't blame her but I somehow need to overcome the guilt and shame that plagues me daily.

 

 

After reading this, I had a flashback to the first sentences of my blog:

 

Are you kidding? In my wildest dreams I didn't think I'd ever be writing a blog about drug dependency addiction.  It's been very difficult to come to terms with accepting the term "addiction", but comforting to be among the many wonderful and caring people on this forum who unknowingly became casualties of prescription medication as well.

I've been thinking about starting a blog to support and be supported by others tapering only Xanax, because it seems like there aren't many of us. That being said, anyone is welcome to join in.  Misery loves company,right? 

 

My physician gave me the option awhile ago to crossover to Klonopin/Valium and I opted not to.  I couldn't wrap my mind around the idea of starting another benzo after the struggle I've had with this one.  Now that I understand the difference between short-acting and long-acting benzodiazepines, maybe I'd have made a different decision, but right or wrong, I'm too far along to change my mind now.

 

I have tolerable withdrawal symptoms, mostly sensitivity to light, sound and to a lesser degree, touch.  Insomnia.  A tiny tremor in my left thumb at times, but it used to be in both hands not long ago, so...improvement there already.  I have an almost perpetual low grade headache and some reluctance to leave the house because it's physically uncomfortable.  Higher level thinking skills are not up to par but didn't start until I started to taper, so I absolutely believe it's part of withdrawal, nothing more than temporary brain damage. (gasp) Yes, I said it, brain damage.  It's temporary.  My GABA receptors are ticked off right now, but time will heal them, too.

 

Considering the length of time I've taken Xanax and before that, Restoril (Temazepam), the side effects are not bad.  This should be comforting to others tapering Xanax.  I have a 30 year history of benzodiazepines in one form or another.

 

I'm going to post my personal history next.  It's not a pretty story, but it's my story.  (Xanax thread buddies, no need to read it again  )

 

Challis

 

And I'm long over any guilt over this, believe me.  It was a doctor's prescription, not a street habit or recreational use.  I took it because I had an excellent doctor and trusted he would only give me something if he thought it would help me.  I'm very sure he had no idea what would happen over the long run.  Neither did I, neither did you.

 

But angst-ing is part of withdrawal, no doubt about it.  We all angst over things during this process.

 

Maybe just give one try at pushing yourself to take that walk or go to the studio... the tiredness you feel is simply that...a feeling of tiredness.  You are still as healthy as you were, it just doesn't feel like it.