Feel paralyzed, numbness, hard to walk!

[[ns...]]

I'm having a lot of strange symptoms for awhile now.

I'm not wishing this on anyone, but has anyone had numbness to a point of almost feeling paralyzed? From my waste down to my feet, I have been numb for months. Lately it's getting harder to walk or even stand. This numbness also feels like it's inside of me, in my abdomen, bowel, under my sternum and ribs with a tremor, making it difficult to breathe sometimes. 

Idk if this is normal for withdrawal, but hoping someone can tell me if you've had this or heard of almost full body numbness.

The stinging we all get seems to be connected with this but not always. Could it be anxiety doing this?

I get anxiety from the standing and walking because im shaking, that causes the squeezing in my arms and thighs, upper back and shoulder blades but it's different from the numbness.

When I take my little dose of lorazepam, "which i almost jumped off of yesterday" my throat, lips and tongue get numb and my voice gets raspy! My voice box feels almost paralyzed if that makes sense. 

This goes on for 4 hrs after every dose!

I push myself to move everyday and to walk  a short distance.

We went shopping today, I barely made it, but pushed through it. Had panic attacks all the way. Tried another store for new shoes, had to leave, I couldn't stand up anymore!

Sitting in the car is so painful in my lower back and butt!

Been waiting for a referral for ortho and neuro for My back for a month, have a neuro appointment in 2 weeks. No ortho yet. Found out yesterday my new doctor left! So there's that!

Maybe it's just withdrawal and the muscles are in spasms so bad there squeezing my nerves and causing this numbness. 

I haven't heard of this on BB but maybe someone here has seen a post or something, Maybe you've had these symptoms, i hope not!L but I'd love to talk to u if u have please.

This is very uncomfortable and scares me, not much ever scares me, but this is un nerving.

I'm hoping someone has some answer, I really don't want to go to er.

Thanks for reading 

Ns

 

 

 

 

[[Ru...]]

@[ns...]I am sorry you are going through so much. I wish I had something to contribute. Just want to show you some moral support.

I struggle with severe muscle spasms and neuropathy/numbing,. They are all enhanced due to the taper. They were not, however, brought on by the taper. They were pre-existing conditions that the taper has made worse.

I hope things ease up for you!

[[Ma...]]

Oh dear. Benzos are muscle relaxers by default so I would imagine since you’ve been so successful in tapering so low, this is a side effect.

Many have recommended warm baths with Epson salts. I’m sure that would provide relief. Hot tea, like peppermint or chamomile-if you can tolerate them-will also help relax your body. Or try some ice packs or heating pad. Tylenol.

Can you try squeezing your calves, holding then release and so on up your body? It’s a muscle relaxation technique.

Remember your breathing and all of the other coping skills for anxiety/panic that you’ve cultivated these many months.

I’m sending you comfort and courage! 🌸❤️‍🩹

Edited March 15 by [Ma...]

[[ns...]]

59 minutes ago, [[R...] said:

@[ns...]I am sorry you are going through so much. I wish I had something to contribute. Just want to show you some moral support.

I struggle with severe muscle spasms and neuropathy/numbing,. They are all enhanced due to the taper. They were not, however, brought on by the taper. They were pre-existing conditions that the taper has made worse.

I hope things ease up for you!

Rubi01,

Thank you for your support.

I do have pre existing sciatica and a lumbar disc issue that I've never had an mri for.

I wondered if that could be what's going on, i mentioned in my post im waiting for appointments, these are for my back and brain mri.

 Hopefully the neurologist will get the mri done of my back as well, Even still, not much can be done right now.

I've never had this degree of pain, and no numbness, but makes perfect sense and I'm glad you brought it up, tapering definitely enhances pre existing conditions.

It's like a confirmation even though I know you're not a doctor lol, but thank u!

Tension and muscle spasms that hit the weakest link on our bodies is miserable and I know many suffer from this.

Hard to believe that these little tiny doses are causing so much misery. I had a reaction to them and have been tapering them since the reaction, it hasn't been easy but thankfully I'm almost there.

It's not easy for anyone i know, and I'm sorry your having these terrible symptoms. 

Thank u! 

And you did contribute more than u know Rubi01. 

Understanding what we're experiencing makes it so much easier. Sometimes, 2 heads are better than one!

hard to see clear when your in the thick of it for sure!

For me, I've always had to have answers to everything! In withdrawal, i don't think there is one answer, only many, and all different for each of us.

Thanks again, I'm feeling much better now since being home and even better now since reading your reply.

Hubby made dinner and we're relaxing!

Take care 

Ns

 

 

[[ns...]]

1 hour ago, [[M...] said:

Oh dear. Benzos are muscle relaxers by default so I would imagine since you’ve been so successful in tapering so low, this is a side effect.

Many have recommended warm baths with Epson salts. I’m sure that would provide relief. Hot tea, like peppermint or chamomile-if you can tolerate them-will also help relax your body. Or try some ice packs or heating pad. Tylenol.

Can you try squeezing your calves, holding then release and so on up your body? It’s a muscle relaxation technique.

Remember your breathing and all of the other coping skills for anxiety/panic that you’ve cultivated these many months.

I’m sending you comfort and courage! 🌸❤️‍🩹

Mary1, thank you for your reply. 

Thank u for all.the suggestions but I can't use any of the except the heating pad now. I do have a tens unit but it seems to make things more intense. 

I love tea, but peppermint is a diuretic and  I have hyponatremia. 

Chamomile is good for me sometimes, i might give it a try tonight.

I have tried it all, I promise you and for the life of me i cannot understand why so much affects all of us differently since withdrawal. 

I mean there were antibiotics I couldn't use before. Certain foods, but this, I never!

I was prescribed cipro 4x in my lifetime, I have to be honest, it crossed my mind when I learned of the few people whove been injured and debilitated by those horrid drugs.

I'm sure I would have known by now, but i haven't really been my old self for yrs.

Not looking back though, it's pointless.

Time to move forward and onward. Race to the top, heal and start living! I miss my 9 grandchildren and I'm going to see them this yr no matter what!

Time to make chocolate chip cookies and have a sleep over with a fun movie with them. I already bought the chips, chocolate just went up! 

I am prepared! Lol

Thanks again Mary1, you are a breath of fresh air and I pray your healing is swift!

Take care, have  gentle relaxing good nights sleep!

Night

Ns

[[Ru...]]

@[ns...] I have a had slew of health issues for the last tens years including being diagnosed with breast cancer, going through chemo and a double mastectomy all in 2020. A recurrence, radiation and another four surgeries through spring 2023. I was able to get through that and remain optimistic. I'm really doing my best to remain positive with this taper and looking forward to the days when I'm completely off.

Looking to the future with your grandchildren sounds lovely. That is key...looking forward and doing your best to make those things happen. I don't have grandchildren yet. I look forward to when the day comes. For now, I look forward to traveling!

I hope you were able to get some rest!

 

[[ns...]]

3 hours ago, [[R...] said:

@[ns...] I have a had slew of health issues for the last tens years including being diagnosed with breast cancer, going through chemo and a double mastectomy all in 2020. A recurrence, radiation and another four surgeries through spring 2023. I was able to get through that and remain optimistic. I'm really doing my best to remain positive with this taper and looking forward to the days when I'm completely off.

Looking to the future with your grandchildren sounds lovely. That is key...looking forward and doing your best to make those things happen. I don't have grandchildren yet. I look forward to when the day comes. For now, I look forward to traveling!

I hope you were able to get some rest!

Hi Rubi01, 

Goodness you've had your share!

I'm so sorry for what you've been through! 

Your optimistic and that infectious!

Your story is an amazing life of courage and strength and I'm not to sure I could do.

We really don't realize how much strength we have and what we can endure until we're faced with a tough challenge. You've obviously realized this. Good for you!

I dont know many that could go thru as much and then to be faced with taper from benzo! I know you'll do great!

Tapering has been a  challenge for me but you’ve already experienced so much more, and im sure Youll jump ahead of this thing and finish it in no time!

You sound so positive and that's so great!

How long have you been tapering?

How are your symptoms?

Your comments to me yesterday were a great help. Pre existing conditions are definitely giving me a hard time.

I hope one day, you have a full dozen grandchildren to share your life with, they are definitely the biggest joy of my life and I miss them!

But as I said, I will see them this yr. 

I hardly know 2 of my great grandchildren and the older ones are growing up without me and thats really hard for me, but, we will catch up!

BB has been a great help to me during my taper and I don't know how I'd have gotten thru this without all the buddies here.

There's always someone around, so keep that in mind.

I'm here quite alot, so your welcome to message me anytime you feel a need to talk. There are many here who have so much more experience though than me, and I'm sure that between many of us, you'll find a diverse wealth of information. 

 Talk to you again I'm sure

Take care

Ns

[[Ru...]]

5 minutes ago, [[n...] said:

Hi Rubi01, 

Goodness you've had your share!

I'm so sorry for what you've been through! 

Your optimistic and that infectious!

Your story is an amazing life of courage and strength and I'm not to sure I could do.

We really don't realize how much strength we have and what we can endure until we're faced with a tough challenge. You've obviously realized this. Good for you!

I dont know many that could go thru as much and then to be faced with taper from benzo! I know you'll do great!

Tapering has been a  challenge for me but you’ve already experienced so much more, and im sure Youll jump ahead of this thing and finish it in no time!

You sound so positive and that's so great!

How long have you been tapering?

How are your symptoms?

Your comments to me yesterday were a great help. Pre existing conditions are definitely giving me a hard time.

I hope one day, you have a full dozen grandchildren to share your life with, they are definitely the biggest joy of my life and I miss them!

But as I said, I will see them this yr. 

I hardly know 2 of my great grandchildren and the older ones are growing up without me and thats really hard for me, but, we will catch up!

BB has been a great help to me during my taper and I don't know how I'd have gotten thru this without all the buddies here.

There's always someone around, so keep that in mind.

I'm here quite alot, so your welcome to message me anytime you feel a need to talk. There are many here who have so much more experience though than me, and I'm sure that between many of us, you'll find a diverse wealth of information. 

 Talk to you again I'm sure

Take care

Ns

@[ns...] thank you for your sweet words! I learned that I didn't have a choice but to be strong. I was diagnosed with bc the day my state shutdown due to covid, so I was on my own with my child who was in college full-time and an ailing mother. No way I could put it on them and giving up was not an option.

I've had two brain MRIs since 2021. Luckily they've come back clear.

I pray you get some relief from the sciatica and spine pain.

I've been on up to 1 mg clonazepam daily for ten years. I tapered off twice, but needed to reinstate in 2020 when dx'd. A little over a month ago I decided to go ct without discussing with my doctor. A week later I was here as I thought I was going to die. Never again. Based on some great advice I received here and after a scolding from my doctor, I reinstated at .5 mg daily. Two weeks later I went down an eighth and last week another eighth, so currently at .4375 and doing ok. I find that day six/seven after my cuts are the worst days, but they are not horrible. Tachycardia, muscle aches and headaches are what I'm dealing with. 

What dose are you currently on? 

I have found BB to be so informative and helpful. It's people such as yourself and the Mods and several others I've interacted with that have been so supportive and nonjudgmental. I just recently started participating and posting. There are so many people suffering from this awful drug, and if there is anything I can to help someone else feel supported, then why not.

I'd love a dozen grandchildren, lol. 

The same goes to you, please feel free to message me as well.

I hope you have a great day!

[[ns...]]

39 minutes ago, [[R...] said:

@[ns...] thank you for your sweet words! I learned that I didn't have a choice but to be strong. I was diagnosed with bc the day my state shutdown due to covid, so I was on my own with my child who was in college full-time and an ailing mother. No way I could put it on them and giving up was not an option.

I've had two brain MRIs since 2021. Luckily they've come back clear.

I pray you get some relief from the sciatica and spine pain.

I've been on up to 1 mg clonazepam daily for ten years. I tapered off twice, but needed to reinstate in 2020 when dx'd. A little over a month ago I decided to go ct without discussing with my doctor. A week later I was here as I thought I was going to die. Never again. Based on some great advice I received here and after a scolding from my doctor, I reinstated at .5 mg daily. Two weeks later I went down an eighth and last week another eighth, so currently at .4375 and doing ok. I find that day six/seven after my cuts are the worst days, but they are not horrible. Tachycardia, muscle aches and headaches are what I'm dealing with. 

What dose are you currently on? 

I have found BB to be so informative and helpful. It's people such as yourself and the Mods and several others I've interacted with that have been so supportive and nonjudgmental. I just recently started participating and posting. There are so many people suffering from this awful drug, and if there is anything I can to help someone else feel supported, then why not.

I'd love a dozen grandchildren, lol. 

The same goes to you, please feel free to message me as well.

I hope you have a great day!

Rubi01, 

I'm so sorry! Covid lock downs definitely caused many problems for many, those needing medical care were no exception. I couldn't see my doctor and couldn't get a specialist or test done, a time I will never forget!

I very much enjoy helping people here when I can, i.look forward to when I can get out in the world and help others in need! I love giving, it gives me so much joy and I miss being out there. The world is a mess and I feel a great need to contribute. 

Being in this withdrawal process keeps me locked down so to speak and im not liking that very much, im sure theres a reason for everything but im getting anxious lol.

I'm at .08 headed for that .05 to jump. I almost did it 2 days ago but chickened out! Lol

I had a paradoxical reaction to the lorazapam and had to taper it. Tapering a drug that makes you sick has been a challenge for sure.

That's why I asked about the numbness yesterday. When I take the little dose my mouth and throat got numb, it's very strange.  Along with tachycardia, panic abd extreme anxiety And then the waste down numbness to go with it.

I think My symptoms are actually better without it but I'm not sure yet.

Jumping off this horrid drug is a scary thought for me as I went thru a forced fast taper almost 4 yrs ago. It was a nightmare for Me and the symptoms now are pretty much the same. 

So will it be worse is the question, just not in a hurry to find out.

Staying on the drug is hard, so how will it be going off? 

I guess ill know the answer soon enough!

When it rains it pours it seems and you've seen a lot of rain in your life for sure.

Seems like it's been raining all my life but I look for the sun to shine soon!

Yes I'm having a good day and I hope you do too!

Blessings to you sweet lady!

Ns