Fatigue

[[be...]]

I’ve been tapering down from 1 mg K over the past year, but the fatigue doesn’t seem to improve. If anything, I feel more weak and have less energy than ever before. I am now down to 0.17 mg so why do I still experience this crushing lethargy and muscle weakness?

 

 

 

 

[[Be...]]

Fatigue was a significant symptom for me as I tapered off of clonazepam and it became most pronounced once I went below about 0.2 mg.  It stayed with me for several months post withdrawal.  I think it was at about the one year mark post withdrawal that fatigue was no longer present as a symptom.  I am now at two years benzo free and do not feel any fatigue. 

[[gi...]]

Fatigue will be there for a while, but it'll start improving once your CNS begins to heal.

[[be...]]

It helps to know that eventually the fatigue improves, although it can take a very long time even after jumping.

 

One thing that I hate is when I go to doctors for advice and they dismiss the benzo. The say that my fatigue is not related to benzo, because I am on such a low dose that it’s not significant...

 

 

[[an...]]

Venlafaxine (Effexor) helped me in this regard. I still can't get out of my apartment when days have passed and I have been cold-turkey of any benzo, but a balance of low dosages of Lorazepam (Ativan) and Venlafaxine (Effexor) helped me not only be a little more active and happy (even if the happiness was "fake" as I still think it is), it also helped me a lot to sleep.

Something I never heard anyone talking about is literature; when I'm anxious I can't do anything except lie in bed and read a good book to calm down. In particular I like politics/philosophy literature, but I guess any flavor will do. There are even books that has the potential to elevate my mood like The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy and make me forget about the withdrawal.

[[be...]]

I wish I could read, but the fatigue affects me to such a degree that I can’t even focus on reading. I am also slowly tapering Prozac, but so far not much relief.

[[gi...]]

It helps to know that eventually the fatigue improves, although it can take a very long time even after jumping.

 

One thing that I hate is when I go to doctors for advice and they dismiss the benzo. The say that my fatigue is not related to benzo, because I am on such a low dose that it’s not significant...

 

I wouldn't listen to doctors in that regard, they don't know squad about it.  Your fatigue is related to what benzo has done to your body, and not what dosage you are on right now.  Even when you will no longer be on a benzo and it will not be detectable in your blood, the fatigue will be there for a while (sorry) because of the havoc that benzo had reeked on your body.  Until these doctors take-in and register this scientific fact, there's no point discussing this issue with them, it will only cause you aggravation.  Chin up and march on 

[[be...]]

The reason I’m checking with doctors is to rule out any physical problem that could explain the fatigue. So far they can’t find anything, so they refer me to a pdoc... hmmm well, I’ve been there, done that, so no thank you!

[[Kr...]]

Fatigue has been one of my main symptoms since tolerance withdrawal and definitely throughout my taper. I've had all the blood and hormone tests done to rule things out. My doctor even sent me to a cardiologist because my heart was racing when I would simply walk upstairs (and I was a runner before this).  I just can't exert myself and have come to accept that it might be a long time before this improves. Hang in there . The success stories really keep me hopeful that we will heal.

[[be...]]

Does fatigue usually last this long? How long has fatigue lasted for others?

[[gi...]]

The reason I’m checking with doctors is to rule out any physical problem that could explain the fatigue. So far they can’t find anything, so they refer me to a pdoc... hmmm well, I’ve been there, done that, so no thank you!

 

I see.  In that case, a thorough blood panel should put your mind at ease.  If it comes out normal, then you shouldn't worry.  Fatigue is a very common withdrawal symptom, just keep that in mind.

[[Es...]]

I’ve been tapering down from 1 mg K over the past year, but the fatigue doesn’t seem to improve. If anything, I feel more weak and have less energy than ever before. I am now down to 0.17 mg so why do I still experience this crushing lethargy and muscle weakness?

 

For me fatigue started with ADs 15 yrs ago. Took many different ADs and it was always a problem. Before ADs, I was on benzos only. For many yrs. Had no fatigue whatsoever. I tapered ADs twice and the fatigue disappeared. But the AD taper worsened my mental condition a lot.

[[an...]]

I turn off all the lights (I only left on sleeping mode my desktop computer) and use a year old Kindle to read ebooks (some downloaded freely, some bought very cheap on Amazon) -NOT a cellphone; I can see how it can be difficult to focus specially reading normal books.

Reading also helps my mind think about something when I'm actually trying to sleep and I close my eyes- helps me distract from the "waves" I sometimes see when withdrawing, you surely know what I mean.

Another thing no one ever mentions is taking green tea, is very popular in Japan, it has little amounts of L- Theanine and GABA (not sure what kind of the later, but I do know it is true to some extenct).

Lastly, when I tried Prozac for a week (I know it's very little, but still), I didn't feel nothing, I wasn't better nor worse. I would suggest asking your doctor a SNRI instead of a SSRI.

 

Not to let you down, but I have tried withdrawing many times, some cold-turkey style, and never felt my fatigue getting better, it was always worse... I want to think everyone has a different metabolism, and I never could last a withdrawal for at least a month properly.

And I agree that your fatigue is not directly related to benzos, but to the addiction of them; in my mind those are different things.

 

Good luck, we'll need it.

[[Es...]]

I turn off all the lights (I only left on sleeping mode my desktop computer) and use a year old Kindle to read ebooks (some downloaded freely, some bought very cheap on Amazon) -NOT a cellphone; I can see how it can be difficult to focus specially reading normal books.

Reading also helps my mind think about something when I'm actually trying to sleep and I close my eyes- helps me distract from the "waves" I sometimes see when withdrawing, you surely know what I mean.

Another thing no one ever mentions is taking green tea, is very popular in Japan, it has little amounts of L- Theanine and GABA (not sure what kind of the later, but I do know it is true to some extenct).

Lastly, when I tried Prozac for a week (I know it's very little, but still), I didn't feel nothing, I wasn't better nor worse. I would suggest asking your doctor a SNRI instead of a SSRI.

 

Not to let you down, but I have tried withdrawing many times, some cold-turkey style, and never felt my fatigue getting better, it was always worse... I want to think everyone has a different metabolism, and I never could last a withdrawal for at least a month properly.

And I agree that your fatigue is not directly related to benzos, but to the addiction of them; in my mind those are different things.

 

Good luck, we'll need it.

 

Effexor XR is great for sleep. I used to take it for two yrs. Had to stop, cause it was bad for my skin. Caused acne. That was the only reason. I was off classic benzos on Effexor XR. Only on small amount of a z drug (Ambien). I don’t think Ambien is half as dangerous as classic benzos. But I could sleep without Ambien as well. Should be easy for you to taper Ativan. I did an Ambien CT for some time, while on Effexor XR. I felt the fatigue anyway. My cognitive functioning was quite good. Wish I could take it. Cannot, cause of my skin. Many ppl taking Effexor XR report skin problems. Found on the US sites. Pdocs don’t know about it, of course.

[[be...]]

I had bad fatigue for a long time. Well maybe not that long but it seemed so at the time. It went away and comes back sporadically, but to a lesser extent.

[[Wo...]]

Venlafaxine (Effexor) helped me in this regard. I still can't get out of my apartment when days have passed and I have been cold-turkey of any benzo, but a balance of low dosages of Lorazepam (Ativan) and Venlafaxine (Effexor) helped me not only be a little more active and happy (even if the happiness was "fake" as I still think it is), it also helped me a lot to sleep.

Something I never heard anyone talking about is literature; when I'm anxious I can't do anything except lie in bed and read a good book to calm down. In particular I like politics/philosophy literature, but I guess any flavor will do. There are even books that has the potential to elevate my mood like The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy and make me forget about the withdrawal.

 

Are you tapering the Ativan?

[[be...]]

I also found when I removed my TV from my bedroom that helped. I try to avoid the computer late at night as well.

[[Mo...]]

I was wondering the same thing today about the fatigue!  I could sleep all day and night at this point (during an intense wave).

[[kp...]]

My fatigue was gone until i started doing very very light exercise. It took alot of willpower to get up and do it, but it helped.

[[la...]]

Anokasion,

Are you suggesting the use of Effexor and Ativan to avoid fatigue? Ativan is a benzo. Not a good idea to suggest that here. And Effexor (SNRI) can affect people adversely. I personally feel support should be for non-medical routes. Am I wrong?cc,occc

[[kp...]]

Anokasion,

Are you suggesting the use of Effexor and Ativan to avoid fatigue? Ativan is a benzo. Not a good idea to suggest that here. And Effexor (SNRI) can affect people adversely. I personally feel support should be for non-medical routes. Am I wrong?cc,occc

 

Agreed 1000%

[[De...]]

Fatigue was one of the reasons I reinstated after my 8 month taper unfortunately I'm still exhausted 24/7

[[gi...]]

Anokasion,

Are you suggesting the use of Effexor and Ativan to avoid fatigue? Ativan is a benzo. Not a good idea to suggest that here. And Effexor (SNRI) can affect people adversely. I perso nally feel support should be for non-medical routes. Am I wrong?cc,occc

 

Agreed 1000%

 

I agree wholeheartedly!