Very late symptom appearance. Is that normal?

[[Al...]]

Hi everyone! 
I started taking Frontin 0,25 mg daily about 3 years ago, i'm an orthodontist, my college told me  maybe that could help me sleep better, so i made the prescription to myself, and started taking it. It helped me a lot, the only problem was, i was getting used to it so i pumped up the dosage, up until i took 2mg every evening. I was in a really bad relationship, she reminded me of my mother who abused me mentally for 16 years(she commited suicide and i know it's harsh to say but everyone's life was easier after that, my brother and my sister was relieved as well, she did that because she lost controll of us, we started to see through her technices and behavior), she did the same things over and over again.

After i had the courage to break this relationship up, i still took 2mg daily, until i found someone who really made me happy, and i made her happy too, fortunately up until this day.

When the relationship started (2023 8th august) i immediately quit, i just did not feel the need to take them anymore, and life was happy, for 5 months, 18th of january 2024.
i had an extreme pain going from my neck to the back of my skull, i did not know what was going on, started panicking, my blood pressure rose, my legs were trembling, could barely hold me, they took me to the ER, told me everything was fine, they don't know what happened, for a week i felt like an absolute mess, i panicked all day, my stomach acid was through the roof, heart palpitations, muscle spasms, everywhere in my back and neck and shoulders, terrible headaches. The slightest stress situation made my heart beat like mad and my neck and head felt like i was making eye contact with medusa.
 

my doctor told me it's probably just immense stress, and i need to relax, however i had to go back to work after 1 week, it helped me on the long run, had to think about other things than what's happening to me, and if i'm dying or not.

went to  multiple specialists(cardiologist, rheumatologist) did an ultrasound on all of my intestintes, everything is perfectly healthy.

so i went with the anxeity diagnosis and the stress.
i'm going on massages, and started yoga, it was extremely hard, since my muscles just felt flacid, and powerless.

 

it's 26th of may now and my symptoms almost dissapeared, i only feel a slight neck stiffness now, and  sometimes small electric like shocks in my extremities, and sometimes when i'm excited(yes, in a sexual way) my vision is blurry and i feel dizzy.

What do you think? Did Anyone experience this the way i did? Could this be the benzo withdrawal?

 

Thank you for reading this, i hope you all be healthy and happy soon! 

 

 

[[Re...]]

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

I am really sorry for what you are going through, I can relate to all of these sensations. 

Unfortunately, it does happen that withdrawal symptoms appear months later, yes, it is not uncommon. Moreover, benzodiazepine withdrawal has a unique waves and windows pattern (link). During a wave our symptoms are more intense, new ones may appear for a while, during a window we might feel almost symptom free. Quite often there is no clear reason for a wave or a window happening. 

There is no reason to feel discouraged! However uncomfortable they are they do tend to get better with time and eventually you will feel fine again! I can not tell you how long that is going to take. It is very promising that you were able to go to work, distraction is one of the most important coping mechanisms I believe.

Please, let us know how we can support you, 

We are glad you found us!

RR

 

[[...]]

@[Al...], hi!)

i'm not  sure of whether it's caused directly by benzo withdrawal but, guess, it must be related to it. Your nervous system isn't at its best yet and any stress, even the one you didn't pay attention to, could bring about the hyper reaction. Perhaps it was the extreme pain that induced the hyper reaction and the pain might have had smth to do with a stress or just a spasm. It happens.

Anyway, you shouldn't be worried too much. You've noticed for yourself you're getting better and you'll continue this way. I had about similar situation once prior to this benzo experience. Dizziness, short of breath, extreme exhaustion, bp jumps, insomnia, etc.The condition was caused by a long term stress. I was scared no end but started getting better as soon as a doctor told me "Oh, it's just your nerves. It'll settle down by itself." I believed and it did.

Wish you happiness and health!)

 

[[Al...]]

Hello everyone!

Thank you for your kind words, now that i have an idea about what's happening to me i already feel relieved, this was the first night in months since i could sleep for 8 hours straight. Sometimes all you need is some reassurance, that' you'll be okay. I'm going to post updates about my health and mental status so maybe i can help others who experience the same!

I wish everyone a happy life and fast recovery!