New User: 4 months out... Still struggling

[[jo...]]

My name is Cody.  I will make a long story really short.  Started using Xanax for anxiety as prescribed by my doctor.  Started having interdose withdrawals at around month 5.  Did a rapid taper at month 6.  Withdrawal symptoms included tachycardia, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, and im sure there were others.  At 4 months out I'm still pretty debilitated.  It seems like I'm so sensitive to everything.  Just going up the stairs can be an unpleasant experience. I do feel more stable in month 5 but sometimes I feel like some things are worse.  Can be really discouraging at times but I keep hearing that healing is not linear.  I came to the group for encouragement and support.  Hope everyone is enjoying their day or at least trying to.

[[ba...]]

Welcome to BenzoBuddies

 

Healing from CT/ fast tapering can take 6 months to 2 years, it is quite variable. You have already put in several months off the drug. Even though you are in distress, that is quite an acccomplishment.

 

This is a time to start finding activities and experiences which help calm your nervous system down, as well as support, perhaps from a psychologist (they don't prescribe medication, so are more focused on therapies which allow you to accept and cope with your situation.)

 

You need to start gathering coping mechanisms. One very effective and easy one is simply deep breathing. And, you need to know your going to come out of this: you will. Mindfullness is good. And distraction is crucial. When you are engaged in a mental and or/physical activity, your not so focusd on how you feel. Get up and leave the room your in. Go outside. Start doing something. within reason, you don't think you can. When you are in a state of depletion, go to bed. You can't give to others when you are depleted, You have to build your strength back up. Practice self care, from allowing yourself to remove all stimulation to engaging in a sport. Find as many coping mechanisms as you can, no matter how silly. I sometimes write on my arm in sharpie, "temporary," or "healing." I have a cuff that says "Keep &%#$@ going."

 

By using coping techniques, you are not only calming down your system, but developing what can become a lifelong tool box for coping with painful and distressing situations.

 

There are some good books on the topic, as well as online lectures and meditations. Heather Ashton has a serious of lectures. She is very effective at validating the pain, then expressing that it is normal, and not be frightened by it.

 

Here are some helpful links:

 

rapid wd/ct http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=53153.0

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=133.0

 

This is a list of withdraw symptoms:

https://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha03.htm#4

 

In the forums pertinent to your circumstances, you will find other buddies going through their own cold turkey and protracted withdraw. You are not yet at the place where protracted withdraw is in play, but if it does happen, there is member support for it. This is a good place to ask questions, and receive guidance.

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies, you have come to a safe, confidential informative support group, and we are happy to have you as a member.

 

Please take some time to Create a Signature. This will help other members understand your history so they will be better able to support you. Go to the top of the page and select Profile, then choose Forum Profile, insert drug history/timelines into the text box and click Change Profile.

 

We look forward to reading more from you over the forthcoming days and weeks.

 

Take care,

 

 

BB Team

[[jo...]]

I'm just curious.  Can a person all of a sudden start feeling a lot better.  I'm pretty sure I'm in a wave right now.  I dunno, it gets confusing at times.  Just wondering since I'm 4 months out and still feeling really bad if I can expect to have a really long process or If there is a possibility it could get better soon.  Either way I'm prepared to continue this journey...... although healing sooner than later is a nice thought.

[[ba...]]

Healing is not linear. It gets better, then gets worse, eventually, you have longer periods of feeling better, and may be that way for some time. Then, you could get a bad wave when you thought you were past them.

 

Your healing time is unique to you, we can't predict it.

 

This board is a good place to ask these questions:

 

rapid wd/ct http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=53153.0

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=133.0

 

 

[[Sa...]]

Cody,

 

I’m happy to hear you are feeling better.  Hopefully, you are healed.  Don’t lose hope if you begin having waves (symptoms) again.  Be thankful for better!! 

 

SaraSue 

[[La...]]

Congratulations on getting off these awful drugs!  Hang in there- things do get better!

[[Fp...]]

Im 7 months off and for me it has been an up and down process with the overall trend of improvement month to month. Someone on here wrote to look at healing in terms of months not days. Your symptoms may vary greatly from day to day, but for most improvements are more obvious from month to month. I keep a daily journal and track my feelings and symptoms on a daily basis. Im able to look back and see the improvements Ive made even though I don't always feel like Im improving. Take care. FP