3-6 Month Support Group

[[jo...]]

Just trying to build some support for myself and people who are at the 3-6 month mark.  Let's support each other.  Where is everyone at?  What has gotten better/worse?  What is working or not working for you?

[[Ma...]]

I crossed over to 7.5 mg Valium from 15 mg Temazepam in October 2018.  Tapered pretty much on an Ashton schedule and took my last dose on February 20, 2019.  I have three main symptoms -- bad insomnia (I average 3.5 hours os sleep a night), burning nerve ending pain in my feet, hands, forearms, torso, and sometimes my face, and deep feelings of despair a lot of the time.  I am maintaining a decent amount of exercise every day either walking or riding my bike. I try to eat pretty well -- no alcohol, caffeine, very little added sugar.  I also meditate regularly.  I am discouraged not to have made much progress in the 3.5 months since my taper ended.  I am lucky to still have my job, but feel less effective at work the more and more tired I get from lack of sleep.

 

My greatest supports are my wife and son, and reading success stories on BB.  Reading the stories of so many others ejo write that they had symptoms similar to mind and that they are now doing really well gives me hope we then I am really struggling to stay positive.

 

 

[[Re...]]

I’m about 4 and a half months off.

[[Lu...]]

Just trying to build some support for myself and people who are at the 3-6 month mark.  Let's support each other.  Where is everyone at?  What has gotten better/worse?  What is working or not working for you?

 

Hi all, I’m benzo free since December, so I’m 5 months now... my symptoms: the worse: desperzonalization, bad insomnia, anxiety, head presure, some days I have photophobia and dizziness...

[[Do...]]

Just finishing up 6th month from a c/t.  Month 5 was more incremental healing.  Slow improvements.  Month 6 was Really good for a few days....then....boom, slamdunk, you are done for 5 days.  Strange and extreme.  When it's good, I am relieved.  But always dreading the possibility of getting slammed again.  A whole lot of improvement with the dp/dr about gone. Better sleep that is not so toxic.  I can actually nap for short periods. Still have wicked mornings with nausea and headaches.  Have been living life a little more but easily get over sensitized.  I am driving but hate high speeds.  Way too much to process.  I still plan my day to minimize stress as much as possible.  Some days its not possible and I face a wave following or during event.  That is how life works now.  But at least I am living again!  Best to all. 

[[Sa...]]

Dove, so happy to see you have marked improvement.

 

Sara

 

 

[[...]]

Three months off. Incapacitating fatigue and weakness. Itching too. I have mild sleep apnea as well. Withdrawal made me diabetic.

 

My first month off I was able to exercise. Not so anymore. Hoping month four is kinder.

[[Do...]]

Sila..Month 3 was rough for me.  Don't like to think about it too much.  Month 4 I came out of acute.  I could walk and vertigo decreased.  Pain decreased from shocks and muscle issues.  It's important too notice the small improvements and jot them down.  I would celebrate small gains with big kudos to myself.  I was never a self talker or had a need to tell myself how well I was doing.  But now is the time!  Hang in there and keep believing.  Your body knows what to do.

 

Sara..How ya doing?  Ya didn't mention your progress.  I know it's been hell for ya.  I'll check in.

[[Sa...]]

Dove, my Progress:  my current 40 sxs are a little less in intensity (except for muscle spasms from neck to toes).  I’m happy for improvement in month 6 post CT.  Improvement keeps me going.  Being a little less numb ... I’m feeling things I think I was lucky were numb. 

 

SaraSue 

[[...]]

Thanks, Dove. It helps a bit to read your experience. I hope you’re doing well!

 

sila

[[Cu...]]

Almost 4 months out.  In constant pain...neuropathy everywhere & raging trigger points throughout left thigh. 

All w/d sxs in signature line.  What's troubling is that they're not lessening, but, rather, increasing in intensity, last several weeks.

I'm getting more hours of sleep per 24 hr. cycle (about 8-10) but it's not restful.  I believe it's just my body not being able to remain awake through so much pain. 

I had years of fibromyalgia before benzo.  I was prescribed klonopin for it, 2nd round w/a physiatrist (pain medicine specialist) & physical therapy.  I had the presence of mind @ that point that I researched & threw that rx out.  I was worse off some years later when different doctor prescribed the ativan.

 

While I have done the self-talk & much patting on the back throughout solo dry-cut taper of roughly 10 months, my w/d sxs are sxs I'd had before being on ativan, combined, now, w/the benzo-related w/d sxs of jelly legs, DP/DR, dizziness.  I'm in a bad way & part of me does think that the only reason I was able to function w/any quality of life at all was due to the ativan.  Until, the tolerance w/d began, bringing agoraphobia & depression for 2 years prior to forced taper.  Neither of those ever present before.  For me, this was always related to physical pain. 

From what I've been able to glean from others' who have reached other side & have a better quality of life, if whatever sxs you're having weren't present before this mess, then they'll gradually dissipate & even leave.  I don't believe that's going to be the case for me & I'm feeling very hopeless & don't know where to turn anymore.  I'm tired of reading & researching; don't have any faith at all in doctors by this point & I'm in so much crippling pain, I don't see how I can even stretch myself, while knowing that would help.  I practically bathe in aspercreme w/lidocaine.  It's extra dispiriting to think that even if this dissipates enough, what does that mean?  Another 6 mo. stint w/trigger point injections & physical therapy?  And, round & round for years?  Where's the quality of life in that?  I've been there/done that when I was stronger & more able.  I'm not functioning.  Even if I do work up some level of energy & desire to see a doctor, I'll be looking for a P.A. (physician assistant, rather than MD) home visit.

 

I'm sorry to post such a bummer.  Have nowhere else to turn, at this time, to at least expel some of this from my consciousness. 

Congratulations everyone who is healing.  When you're feeling it's not going fast enough for you, read my entry. 

 

 

[[Do...]]

My heart goes out to you cuz.  Ya have 4 months behind you with the poison out of your system.  Hang on.  I did not have your level of physical pain after the first 3 months.  Nor did I have it before w/d.  Reading others stories, I believe you will improve.  Wish I could send you relief.

[[Cu...]]

Thanks. 

[[Ev...]]

Hey friends,

 

Im about 3.5 months out and I believe myself to be healing. I have good days and bad days but the good days are starting to get more frequent. My doctor described the recovery pattern as a sawtooth (think of a jagged saw) in terms of the ups and downs, and for me its the perfect metaphor. I feel great for a few days and then terrible, but the good days give me hope. The mental sxs have and continue to be the worst for me, however I feel like for me, the taper process was worse than post jump. Taper was the absolute worst 8 months of my life.  Im just so darn thankful to have that poison out of my body. The good days give me hope that I will feel normal again one day, its just going to take a combo of hard work and time. Sending everyone good vibes today! Healing is happening!

 

 

[[Ev...]]

How is everyone doing? Checking in the group!?

[[We...]]

Cuz...Have you been tested for the Epstein-Barr Virus?  Just a thought.

 

You're in my prayers.  All of you, as always.