Has anyone been able to work during withdrawals?

[[La...]]

I have only just started tapering. I think all the reading I have done has terrified me. When people refer to it as a "death of the soul", and say that it is harder to quit than heroin, it's literally terrifying.

[[bu...]]

Suggestion:

 

Stop reading all the BB horror stories, and focus on recovery! > :

[[Kl...]]

I worked but had days I had to call in sick. I don't know how I managed to be honest but it pushed my healing forward since I was forced to participate in life. I don't think it is good to shelter yourself away as this will create depression and heighten anxiety when you do attempt to go back to the real world.

[[bu...]]

Anyone who says benzos are harder to quit than heroin never saw anyone go through heroin withdrawal.

[[He...]]

I just started too.  And I was terrified.  I've made 4 cuts...small but I did it.  I feel dizzy and spacey most all the time. But I am functioning.  Best advice anyone gave me...STOP READING THE HORROR STORIES..... go slow.  Just keep telling yourself its withdrawal...... I don't have a crystal ball...but so far I am handling it.  And believe me ...I was a mess when I started.  Also hit tolerance.

[[bb...]]

I am working full time and some days are very hard. But I try to keep my chin up and push through the days. Sometimes I fall to pieces when I get home, but I'm making it. I try to keep my eye on the prize! Going to work makes me feel better than sitting at home. Weekends are really hard for me right now for some reason. No structure, maybe? Idk  Hang in there friend...

[[...]]

Working full time. I echo what the other poster said about weekends, they are often harder for me. The structure of work gives me something to concentrate on and that really helps when you are going through this. I think two things you absolutely have to keep in mind:

- everyone reacts to benzos and benzo withdrawal differently. It's not going to be fun, but you can't assume it will incapacitate you.

- you are much, much stronger than you give yourself credit for. I think that applies to just about everyone.

 

Good luck.

[[tw...]]

Yes, I've worked the entire time. Never missed a day except for when I was in the ER for perceived heart issue 4 weeks AFTER I jumped. I haven't had any problems at all functioning during my taper, and I was making quick cuts as well. (as you can see - the ultimate result was that it wasn't successful, so I'm back in the saddle and going SUPER SLOW.)

 

As long as I go slow, I'm pretty okay. I have had a couple "crazy days" where I was barely able to function, but not many. And luckily - I work a desk job and don't have a lot of interface, but I HAVE been in a couple meetings where I feel a bit "out of it." I don't know that i could function as well with a physically demanding or heavy contact with people type job.

 

Don't be scared. You can do it! Lots of people have. Don't focus on the negative stories, but they also help because you know what you MAY expect. But don't worry about it. I found often that if you WORRY about something, it will almost manifest itself.

 

It's by no means easy, but take your time, listen to you mind/body and it will go WAY smoother for you!

[[bb...]]

mrn -- I like those 2 things you mentioned. I think we all are much, much stronger than we give ourselves credit for. I am one of those. I don't give myself much credit. I need to remember this always. It takes a strong SOB to get through this! I AM strong and I WILL do this! You are very inspirational! Thank you.

[[Th...]]

I have a small online jewelry business and I've been able to keep up part time only because I can pick my hours. Every taper is unique so don't worry yourself. My first taper was fast and I didn't have half the side effects as this 3rd time. So many factors play in. Remember the ones that have an easy time won't be on these boards. You are going to get a disproportionate amount of misery posts. Read a few success stories to balance it out 😚

[[Ca...]]

I think having a normal job, but with some flexibility would be a positive influence on recovery... -But of course this doesnt go for everyone...

Obviously i couldnt go back to selling motorbikes looking like a smashed crab from a motorbike accident... but that structure discussed above is powerful...

somehow i functioned much better late last year when C14 broke both his arms and i had to stay in the hospital with him... not sure how long i could have kept it up, but i hadnt had a normal job in 7yrs...

As for my farm... chaos rules... Its mainly timber production here so i get a lot of lee way, and can contract out... -but its way too easy to put things off, and the little stuff builds up to choke me...

Then it just feeds itself, and on a good day, I dont know where to start...

 

So i would give some sort of structured work the thumbs up, if at all possible... -But idealy with communication and flexability to avoid some stress...

[[Ta...]]

Until recently, working was a challenge, but I could manage. During the last few weeks, I've used some sick time. I'll tell you what I tell myself: this struggle is temporary, and things WILL get better.

[[Ge...]]

I have been tapering, loosely at first and then more regimented for 11 months.  I have not missed any work except for vacation day, but I have worked from home during my worst days.  Sometimes it's brutal, sometimes not so bad either way I persist because I am not willing to give up everything.  Go slow and keep your symptoms as manageable as possible. Fight to stay positive.  Good luck!

 

[[no...]]

I work in DoD contracts as a sales rep... my job is to talk to people all day long. It's a battle especially after a week or so making a cut. Things feel weird, interactions feel more heightened...but so far I've been making it through... just keep plugging away, go slow, and dont push it. It's a long process. Good luck to you!

[[er...]]

Anyone who says benzos are harder to quit than heroin never saw anyone go through heroin withdrawal.

 

The people who are saying that have quit both, so they are the ones who know best.  For example, Stevie Nicks has said that withdrawing from benzos was worse than withdrawing from cocaine or heroin.  This is actually common knowledge, so I have to wonder if you just use your opinions as "facts"?

[[Ca...]]

Anyone who says benzos are harder to quit than heroin never saw anyone go through heroin withdrawal.

 

The people who are saying that have quit both, so they are the ones who know best.  For example, Stevie Nicks has said that withdrawing from benzos was worse than withdrawing from cocaine or heroin.  This is actually common knowledge, so I have to wonder if you just use your opinions as "facts"?

Hmmmm... i was going to stay out of this one...

I suspect we might be talking apples and oranges...

For someone to stop a weekend or a few times a week, more recreational type habbit, which fits with polydruging, (maybe im wrong, but the poster did say they had come off this, this and this...), is a whole different thing to someone going c/t from years of over a gram/day of H... I have seen it, and it aint pretty, for a few weeks, there was nothing human left...

 

On the other hand, how can a few extreme weeks compare to the often, or potential years or hell from a benzo dependancy, with all its finely interwoven hooks in every aspect of body and mind... again dependant to some extent on time on med and dose, and reasons for being on a benzo...

 

I will say that coming off 470mg/d of oxycontin, often said to be as addictive as H, was no walk in the park, and i was on for 7yrs and finished with a c/t..

But I cant compare it to what i am going through with benzos, its just so different, a whole different hell of its own...

 

And the point is probably not which is worse for whome, but how do we get through and beyond, in the best and safest way, with the least pain...

 

Fwiw, -I have also nursed a child through a Death Adder (snake) bite, (thank God it was a predomantly dry bite with little venom), when the flying Drs couldnt land due to a cyclone... and i can see little overall difference to the worst of a c/t off either drug... maybe thats impart due to the fact i had a real bad morning...??

 

[[...]]

I work in DoD contracts as a sales rep... my job is to talk to people all day long. It's a battle especially after a week or so making a cut. Things feel weird, interactions feel more heightened...but so far I've been making it through... just keep plugging away, go slow, and dont push it. It's a long process. Good luck to you!

 

You're a hero. I'm trying to imagine having to go out there and put on a smiley, sales-ready face while feeling all this shit inside me.

[[Be...]]

I've worked full time both times I've come off clonazepam. It was tough at times and I needed a lot of breaks. I was lucky enough that my job allowed me to do so.

All in all going to work was not fun, but, gave me a reason to eat, drink, wash and stop feeling sorry for myself.

[[no...]]

I work in DoD contracts as a sales rep... my job is to talk to people all day long. It's a battle especially after a week or so making a cut. Things feel weird, interactions feel more heightened...but so far I've been making it through... just keep plugging away, go slow, and dont push it. It's a long process. Good luck to you!

 

You're a hero. I'm trying to imagine having to go out there and put on a smiley, sales-ready face while feeling all this shit inside me.

 

I'm no hero at all. Personally,  I've always been a more transactional person (might be from being sedated all the time..) so even in my job, I don't have much emotion invested. Since I have 0 emotions, I learned how to fake a smile and fake my social interactions enough for people to follow along. Sounds terrible, but I am emotionally blunted.  Turn on auto-pilot and go.. It's weird for me, I have MORE panic attacks at my home than I do ever at work.

 

The TOUGHEST part of being all "sales-ey" is hiding the physical symptoms, extreme weight loss, bags under the eyes (insomnia), shakes, sweats, etc.

 

My advice is to turn on robo mode (if you can) and just keep your head down and stay busy (DISTRACTION.) Make your cuts small enough so that you don't have debilitating effects, its a balancing act that we need to just keep adjusting. Eat healthy, take vitamins, and keep pounding away.

 

Keep us updated.

 

[[Ca...]]

Yup "death of the soul" is right. I have found this site to be a life saver. I otherwise wouldn't have known what the hell was going on with me. Please take care and hang in there.

[[bl...]]

I have been working since starting tapering and I believe that keeping things in your life as normal as possible is key I am also doing a doctorate and have young twins but this all stops me focusing on symptoms. I did overdo it a couple of weeks ago so have started working at home for the odd half day and saying no and delegating a bit more plus making space to do one thing I enjoy every day. I have only had one day off work but that was because my children had chicken pox. But my withdrawals are mild to moderate I was not able to work when they were severe though I did try my taper is symptom based and I make small cuts when I feel OK after at least 21 days between cuts it's working so far.

[[Bl...]]

This is currently my third taper.  It gets harder every time.  At this point in my life, I dont have the option of not working so I had to formulate a very slow taper plan to minimize withdrawal symptoms.  I am currently able to work even though the symptoms can be difficult at times.oddly enough, I find that work when I actually feel the best because I am not focusing on the symptoms.

 

God bless,

[[bb...]]

Blackjack,

This is my third time as well and it is horrid. I work full time as well and it is so hard most of the time. I am seriously considering slowing down and even going less %. I am just so tired of feeling sick. It is very discouraging. There has got to be a better way.....

[[Th...]]

Blackjack,

This is my third time as well and it is horrid. I work full time as well and it is so hard most of the time. I am seriously considering slowing down and even going less %. I am just so tired of feeling sick. It is very discouraging. There has got to be a better way.....

 

Remember you are stronger than you give yourself credit for! When you told me you were working with this being your third time you became my new hero. I thought "that beautiful dragonfly is strong!" All of you inspire me. Like several have mentioned I think slow is the best way to maintain functionality. Yes it takes longer but the symptoms are more manageable. My husband tells me how strong I am and I think the depression won't let me see it. I know I will see it on the other side. Eye on the prize!

 

Twins and a full time job! Wow, just wow!

[[bb...]]

Third,

You are wonderful to say that about me! You are so sweet! I am planning on holding for a bit to give my brain a rest. I am so super sensitive! Hopefully that will give me hope and strength to carry on the taper but I will be going I think at around 5% this next time. I know its not a race but I want this stuff gone! I need to wrap my head around throwing the calendar out. That is hard for me.

 

OK - so I don't have twins, but I do work full time. Maybe you got me mixed up with someone else 

 

How are you doing?