18 months - balance disorder

[[...]]

Hello.

Greetings from Poland. Forgive my English. I am using the translator.

It's been over 18 months. So far I've only read. The forum saved my life and mind. I wanted to register only after writing a success story. However, I need support. I'm having an 18th month crisis. I hoped it would all be over by now.

I took benzos in three rounds

-2 months,

- 1.5 year break,

- 6 weeks,

- 3 months break

- 7 months.

What am I struggling with? The two main symptoms are movement disorders and often a stiff neck and back. In the 17th month it started to get better. I had hope that the imbalance would go away. But now for over a month it has become very bad. When I get out of bed in the morning, I can barely move. It's like a mix of walking on a trampoline with dizziness from your neck and tense leg muscles. Feeling like I'm about to fall. For 1.5 years I managed to ignore the symptoms related to the movement disorder, they came and went. But now it makes me very worried.

Did you have it this late? Do you have it? Has it passed anyone?

Interestingly, when I walk on uneven surfaces such as forest or snow, it is not strong. When I go down to a flat area (sidewalk, street), my body seems to go crazy. I had a 3 hour walk in the forest. When I got out onto the paved road, I thought I had landed on Mars. I felt like I was walking on a sponge. In addition, I had the impression that sometimes I was small and sometimes tall.

Phew, that's it.

I need a boost of hope.

[[Co...]]

Hello @[...]. Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

The 'movement disorder' - can you be more specific? Some people do suffer 'myoclonic jerks' upon withdrawal of benzodiazepines, particularly when trying to get to sleep. This will usually correct itself over time.

I too suffered from stiff neck and leg muscles during withdrawal or for some time afterwards. (I would find myself curled up in the foetal position when I'd wake.) It eventually resolved itself. In my experience, the problem with stiff necks is that the problem can become self-perpetuating. I suggest using a heating pad or hot water bottle several times a day (the easiest way might be to sit on the sofa (or sit up in bed) and sandwich the heating pad or hot water bottle between your neck and some pillows). This might well help relax the muscles allowing them heal.

I also found that strictly avoiding alcohol helped resolve the neurological effects. I went though several cycles of gradually feeling worse and worse, to the point where I'd stop socialising for about six months before I felt able to socialise again. When I'd socialise, I was not drinking regularly or in large amounts. Generally, there might be a few weeks between drinking alcohol, and then, just a few drinks. Unlike with a hangover, alcohol seemed to make me gradually worse, but with no direct correlation between drinking and worsening symptoms. Only after a few cycles of this (over a few years) did I suspect the cause and stopped drinking alcohol. I never cycled like this again.

Some other members have reported similar experiences with alcohol. So, if you do drink alcohol, it might be worth you not drinking for an extended period to see if this resolves some of your symptoms.

Unfortunately, some people just take longer to heal. But hopefully one or both of my suggestions above will help you. I expect other members will be along to add their suggestions too. You might also consider joining the 'Long Haulers' group.

Main menu => Browse => Groups => Long Haulers => Join group.

Take care.

[[...]]

Hi. Thank you for replying.

Movement disorders. They only appear when I walk. When I lie or sit, everything is fine. When I walk, I feel like I'm walking on a soft surface - like a sponge, a trampoline. Sometimes I feel like I'm too short, sometimes I feel like I'm too tall. And also the feeling of falling due to a stiff neck.

This is strange because it only appears on a flat surface.

Until now, my neck would sometimes stiffen while sitting, and it usually became noticeable after about 10 minutes while walking. The tension was bearable. Now it is very strong.

I haven't drank alcohol for over 20 years. I'm on a good diet.

I took benzos for a short time, I didn't think it would be so bad after 18 months. Maybe it's the so-called last brutal wave?

[[Pa...]]

I know what you are describing. I get a feeling on my right side like I’m lopsided or awkward. It went away for quite a while but came back again. I believe it’s neurological. hopefully as we heal, it will go away for a good. 

[[Nu...]]

I struggled -- and still do -- with balance and perceptual disorders. I felt like I was walking on a boat. I would also trip and fall while walking on flat, indoor, tiled floor. Walking up three small steps? I had to have a hand rail. Reaching to grab a glass off the table? I'd knock it over. It's improved post jump off, but still there for sure. This is quite well documented in the literature. We never know for sure, but if this hasn't been a big issue for you and is only during this wave, then we should probably expect it will recede. Not sure if this is what you're referencing, but seems like it's similar.

[[re...]]

Your last  relationship with benzos for 7 months is a decent run with these types of meds. Did you taper? What benzo and how much per day were you taking during those 7 months? I think you will get better doing cerebellum exercises. Like try and stand up on one foot with your eyes open if you can. Then close your eyes and count to 10-20 seconds. If you are able to do that after practicing then you will be very well on your way. Also do you do any biking. This is huge for balance and coordination issues. just make sure you are doing it like around the block at first until you get a bit better then you can go on the roads or whatever. 

It is a shame what this stuff can do to so many unsuspecting souls.