Ulnar Nerve, muscle weakness and deep PAIN

[[be...]]

Hello everyone,

 

After only 3 months of short term use of klonopin, tapering too quickly and jumping off too soon, my main symptoms were huge migraines, brain zaps, cog fog that turned me into a slow 3 year old, and awful left sided pins and needles, weakness and numbness.

 

I am now 11 months off. I can gladly say that I feel that my brainpower is at about %80, the migraines are gone and I can share precious moments with my wife, toddler and friends. The left sided weakness has recovered sloooowwwwwly, but I can say I have revovered about 50% of my strength and its getting better.

 

However, a month ago, when celebrating the fact that I was 10 months off the K, my right shoulder, elbow and wrist started to hurt like hell. After a couple of weeks, the pain in the elbow has gotten worse, my pinky finger and the one next to it go almost completeley numb at different times during the day, and the right arm and hand feel weak, nervy and with deep pain.

 

Has anyone had problems with muscle weakness, pain or nerve issues on their arms during withdrawal?

 

Please share your story

 

 

[[Kl...]]

I've had nerve pain and muscle pain on my left leg through this process, seems to be subsiding but got hit again this morning. Also just over 11 months.

[[Mu...]]

I experience muscle weakness in my arms and legs pretty frequently. So sorry that you're dealing with this.

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I'm having extreme pain in my hips, knees & neck.  I live on my heating pad & activity is very limited.  I hope it's wd making existing sxs worse & that it will someday get better. 

[[Va...]]

Sounds a lot like thoracic outlet syndrome but may be healing from the benzo is causing it.  --V

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I've had same weakness in shoulder, arm, fingers/I still have it and it's constant. Had it checked out by a specialist who said it was Thorasic outlet syndrome and sent me for a MRI, it was normal so then he sent me for a CAT scan, normal, had other tests too, all normal, Dr. Was puzzled had no explanation. The pain and burning is awful most days.  I've read a lot of folks complaining about the same issue.  It's the Benzo as far as I'm concerned. 

[[be...]]

Hello Everyone,

 

Thank you for the support and all your replies.

 

Klungo: Don't you hate thinking that you have beaten a symptom and having it come back unexpectedly? I know I do.

 

Muddlefoot: I'm sorry about your pain too. No one should go through this. Ive noticed that a lot of people seem to be affected in their extremities. It never ceases to amaze me just how much damage can be caused by a prescribed substance.

 

HCH: I love my heat pad too. I wish I could do more to rest the affected arm, but I am the sole provider of my household and have to work with a darn mouse ALL day 5 days a week. It drives me crazy when the numbness and weakness strike!

 

Valley: Hey I'm curious. Did you deal with thoracic outlet syndrome  during withdrawal? I had every conceivable test for my left arm weakness and even the doctor had to admit it was benzos eventually. Now that it has switched to my right arm and shoulder, the doc started with an mri of the shoulder, and some tests on the wrist. He wants me to have a nerve conduction test but I'm giving it time as I'm tired of forking out tons of cash to be told everything is good.

 

Mena: Your story is so similar to mine. I went trough all tests I could think of and 3 specialists for the weakness,pain, nerviness and numbness on my left arm. Everything came out negative. The arm has recovered SLOOOOWWWWLYYY for the past 7 months. When I was celebrating that i have recovered about 50% and that I'm 11 months out since I jumped, I started with the pain on the right shoulder, elbow and wrist, plus the two finger numbness. My doc wants to go through a full testing round but I'm just so sick and tired of tests that I will hold on for at least a while.

 

I wish a speedy recovery for everyone!!

 

 

[[Kl...]]

Yeah it's not fun at all. I have had some really great windows this last month but so bad waves too. I actually feel this was the worst month for me in a while sx / wave wise, maybe since beginning of 8. This has to get easier soon right?

 

[[me...]]

I had quite a bit of problems with the Ulnar nerve. I would wake up in the middle of the night with numbness down the side of my arm and last 2 fingers, usually on the left, but sometimes on the right. It was really freaking me out. I thought I might lose feeling or get weakness.

 

My doctor pointed out a few things to look for, and I have pretty much solved it. I do strenuous physical labor--he encouraged me to not do this repetitively (take more breaks). I also get my husband to help more with heavy lifting and shoveling. He also suggested wearing elbow support sleeves (but I never got to that). I will do that as the weather cools.

 

The other thing he warned me about is leaning on my elbows. It turns out I do this CONSTANTLY when I am on the computer! I really have to work hard at finding a different comfortable position at the computer. I also position my arm with just a slight bend, cradled by the comforter, when I am in bed.

 

Since I have started working on these things, it is much, much better!

[[be...]]

Yeah it's not fun at all. I have had some really great windows this last month but so bad waves too. I actually feel this was the worst month for me in a while sx / wave wise, maybe since beginning of 8. This has to get easier soon right?

 

God, I sure hope so. 

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Meowie, this could be an eureka moment. I am a graphic designer and spend hours a day leaning on my elbows while I work. Let me ask you something, did you get Ulnar problems after withdrawal? Or did you have them before? It seems to me that my arm nerves are so much more sensitive now. I never got this kind of paions before the whole benzo ordeal.

[[nh...]]

why woulod you think its thoracic outlook syndrome? did you have pain in the actually shoulder muslce too and weakness and numbness in left arm? i also have alot of main where the neck cervical spine and thoracic spine meet in that hump area its really bad

[[me...]]

Oh lordy, don't get me started on nerve pain. I am suffering from a terrible neuropathic dental pain that I am sure is from withdrawal of one thing or another. Along with incontinence and other nerve related stuff. Otherwise really I'm not that unhealthy!

 

I hope this will be helpful for you. All we can do is take care of ourselves as best we can and hope for the capacity to heal.

[[ka...]]

I hate to say it but I was excited to see you mention the ulnar nerve as I've not seen anyone else with that complaint. My outer two fingers on my left hand were numb for a month. With intermittent pain going up the outer side of my arm. It only happens occasionally now. ALL of my symptoms were left sides. This crap is crazy.

[[be...]]

I hate to say it but I was excited to see you mention the ulnar nerve as I've not seen anyone else with that complaint. My outer two fingers on my left hand were numb for a month. With intermittent pain going up the outer side of my arm. It only happens occasionally now. ALL of my symptoms were left sides. This crap is crazy.

 

Haha, I know what you mean. Some of the symptoms are so specific that finding that someone else has the same symptom is a relief. Im glad you have almost beat that crappy numbness feeling.

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Benzo joe,  my symptoms mirror your and have gotten significantly worse since I jumped 6 weeks ago.  I was wondering how your doing?    Happy New Year!

[[bl...]]

I have this too but primarily in hand/fingers. Was on right side only. Now left. It went away and now is back since thanksgiving. I find it hard to do simple things as obviously we need our hands for everything. And I write all day long so.... ugh. Tho not carpal tunnel. Checked. I hope this one goes away. Worst s/x as far as I’m concerned. Makes me hell of anxious. Hope you all get some relief.

[[be...]]

Benzo joe,  my symptoms mirror your and have gotten significantly worse since I jumped 6 weeks ago.  I was wondering how your doing?    Happy New Year!

 

Happy New Year to you as well!

 

Thankfully I can say my left hand and arm have recovered about %80 total. (14 months since jumping, this was awful the first 8 months after the jump)

 

After my original post I did a couple of things that helped my right hand/arm: I started using a hand/wrist brace to sleep, and bought an ergonomic mouse to use at work. It helped a lot. So much in fact that for about 3 months, the pain, weakness and numbness mostly disappeared. I only had occasional episodes when overusing my arm.

 

Sadly, a couple of weeks ago, I lifted a couple of heavy objects, built a bicycle that required more strength than what I thought was needed and had a lot of work at the office so the symptoms came back again. 

 

The symptoms are not as intense as the original wave, but it has been at least two weeks of wrist, neck, shoulder and elbow pain, plus occasional numbness of the pinky and ring finger.

 

As bluepill said,  it's one of the worst symptoms, as the hands are needed to do almost everything.

 

Hopefully, we will all be recovering soon.

 

 

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Thanks Benzojoe, I’m so glad your doing well! You have  become my beacon.  I’m 7 weeks free, so

I do realize I have a long way to go, reading your posts are a tremendous comfort and hope.

God Bless You.

[[be...]]

Thanks Benzojoe, I’m so glad your doing well! You have  become my beacon.  I’m 7 weeks free, so

I do realize I have a long way to go, reading your posts are a tremendous comfort and hope.

God Bless You.

 

Glad I could help somehow. It's always good to know we are not alone in this process. 

[[bl...]]

Yes, thanks BenzoJoe. It does help--and gives hope...

[[Ag...]]

I know it's been 3 years, but I am now struggling with the same thing.

 

I hope you are doing better, and If any of you still use the forum, I'd appreciate to hear how you're doing today!

Cheers!  :smitten: