Major difficulties 5 weeks off

[[ma...]]

Hi all, been away but back here once more!

I finished a taper 5 weeks ago from 5mg Valium. Taper took around 4 months. First 2-3 weeks were ok but last couple of weeks are a bit of a nightmare! If anyone can relate to this firstly I empathise but if there are any tactics to help deal with it I am all ears. 
The main problem is GI problems. Reflux and constipation along with severe bloating. I also feel cold a lot of the time, sometimes very hot, never just right! Just to add to this is extreme fatigue but not fatigue that sleeping helps with…I feel completely empty of energy and now my tinnitus is through the roof…

Saw a GI doc who diagnosed IBS (don’t they always) but he at least did an ultrasound and said that was all clear. I had a lots of tests last year as well and starting to get very wary of doctors in general now!

I hope you are keeping well but sometimes it helps to know that someone out there ‘gets it’ and is dealing with something similar!

[[Re...]]

@[ma...] GI issues are really uncomfortable yet common symptoms in benzodiazepine withdrawal. I have been dealing with horrible nausea, bloating, waves of diarrhea and acid reflux as well. I know how it is... 

As much as I believe that time heals these issues on its own, I think adjusting our diet to get over these symptoms might be really helpful. I personally cut back on dairy and fat, I eat smaller portions, I avoid too much sugar. I also added ginger and fennel tea in the morning that helped with the nausea. Regular exercise is known to be helpful when it comes to digestion issues, I do my walks every day. These helped me to cope with these symptoms initially until they got better through the natural healing process. 

Some members have success with kefir - it is a dairy product that contains microbes that promote a healthy gut, or different regimens. Keep in mind, that it is wise to try to maintain a balanced diet in general. You will find a lot of topics about this on the forum. 

I wish you well @[ma...]

 

[[En...]]

58 minutes ago, [[m...] said:

Hi all, been away but back here once more!

I finished a taper 5 weeks ago from 5mg Valium. Taper took around 4 months. First 2-3 weeks were ok but last couple of weeks are a bit of a nightmare! If anyone can relate to this firstly I empathise but if there are any tactics to help deal with it I am all ears. 
The main problem is GI problems. Reflux and constipation along with severe bloating. I also feel cold a lot of the time, sometimes very hot, never just right! Just to add to this is extreme fatigue but not fatigue that sleeping helps with…I feel completely empty of energy and now my tinnitus is through the roof…

Saw a GI doc who diagnosed IBS (don’t they always) but he at least did an ultrasound and said that was all clear. I had a lots of tests last year as well and starting to get very wary of doctors in general now!

I hope you are keeping well but sometimes it helps to know that someone out there ‘gets it’ and is dealing with something similar!

I have all the same symptoms you do. I have extreme fatigue that sleep does not help. That I would day is my worst symptom along with anxiety. I am 2 weeks off clonazepam. The first 2 weeks was ok for me too I thought I was through the worst of it. I also have GI issues with bloating gas and loose stool. I also have indigestion.  I have a headache or something like a headache at my temples. I went to bed early last night I was so tired but woke up still tired. I felt like I could have slept longer. 

We are all in this together. It seems we all get the same symptoms. We all have each other to help us through. It will pass and we will feel good again. The fact we had good days is a good sign. Some people suffer continuously. 

Hang in there you will feel better soon. We are both off the med now and are heading for healing. 

[[Bu...]]

Hi markuk

i was a gp in the uk for 15 years. From what you have told me - you are right, your symptoms are much more likely to be Benzo related than IBS. I think going on IBS style diets like low format or fibre may not be helpful. 
 

im also five weeks into withdrawal and have had major appetite issues. I’ve found it really hard to digest good when eating late in the evening - especially big meals with lots of protein. Also., for some reason chicken is a problem. Despite previously being vegetarian I’ve decided to just eat anything that keeps me alive. For some reason bacon is always good . Avoiding sugar and too much simple carb has helped. On awful days I’ve had a liquid diet with smoothies that aren’t too sweet. 
just experiment and know that you are not alone

[[je...]]

Did you have GI issues during tapering?

[[Go...]]

Hi @[ma...],

Im currently 2+ months into my klonopin taper and GI issues were my first withdrawal symptom. At first I didn’t even realize it was withdrawal related and started frantically trying to get an appointment with a GI specialist. I was vomiting/always nauseous, going back and forth between constipation and diarrhea, constant bloating. But nausea has been the worst. I went to the ER at one point after I started rapidly losing weight and they told me (without any testing) that it was probably GERD 🙄. I knew that wasn’t it and left with no answers. 

For me, I started eliminating acidic/spicy foods from my diet. I previously drank coffee daily and now I can no longer tolerate caffeine except sometimes in minimal amounts in tea. Increasing my fiber helped my constipation a lot. I eat oatmeal almost daily which always moves things along for me. I haven’t found anything helpful for the nausea, unfortunately. 

Sorry you’re struggling but you’re definitely not alone!

[[vo...]]

@[Go...] I'm not recommending a medication here, but can tell you I take ondansetron for nausea and it works great.

[[Go...]]

12 minutes ago, [[v...] said:

@[Go...] I'm not recommending a medication here, but can tell you I take ondansetron for nausea and it works great.

I’m familiar with ondansetron/zofran, but I’m not willing to really take any prescription medications at this point

[[vo...]]

25 minutes ago, [[G...] said:

I’m familiar with ondansetron/zofran, but I’m not willing to really take any prescription medications at this point

@[Go...] I understand. I can just only take so many of these withdrawal symptoms. They're just too much for me sometimes.

[[Go...]]

@[vo...] I hear you. We all have to do whatever we can to get through it and it looks different for everyone. 

[[vo...]]

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

@[vo...] I hear you. We all have to do whatever we can to get through it and it looks different for everyone. 

Yes, I'm all too aware of that. That's why I rarely mention my symptoms...it's not a competition 

[[ma...]]

Huge thanks everyone for comments so far, it really helps to know you are not alone with this stuff! I don’t think I have ever felt so ill, and I am not a young guy anymore! The massive temptation to reinstate is always there but this time determined to stay the course…

Will add more comments later but thanks so far x

[[ma...]]

16 hours ago, [[j...] said:

Did you have GI issues during tapering?

Some, but mainly constipation...not reflux or pain...

[[ma...]]

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

@[ma...] GI issues are really uncomfortable yet common symptoms in benzodiazepine withdrawal. I have been dealing with horrible nausea, bloating, waves of diarrhea and acid reflux as well. I know how it is... 

As much as I believe that time heals these issues on its own, I think adjusting our diet to get over these symptoms might be really helpful. I personally cut back on dairy and fat, I eat smaller portions, I avoid too much sugar. I also added ginger and fennel tea in the morning that helped with the nausea. Regular exercise is known to be helpful when it comes to digestion issues, I do my walks every day. These helped me to cope with these symptoms initially until they got better through the natural healing process. 

Some members have success with kefir - it is a dairy product that contains microbes that promote a healthy gut, or different regimens. Keep in mind, that it is wise to try to maintain a balanced diet in general. You will find a lot of topics about this on the forum. 

I wish you well @[ma...]

Thanks for this @[Re...]. It helps a lot!

[[ma...]]

17 hours ago, [[B...] said:

Hi markuk

i was a gp in the uk for 15 years. From what you have told me - you are right, your symptoms are much more likely to be Benzo related than IBS. I think going on IBS style diets like low format or fibre may not be helpful. 
 

im also five weeks into withdrawal and have had major appetite issues. I’ve found it really hard to digest good when eating late in the evening - especially big meals with lots of protein. Also., for some reason chicken is a problem. Despite previously being vegetarian I’ve decided to just eat anything that keeps me alive. For some reason bacon is always good . Avoiding sugar and too much simple carb has helped. On awful days I’ve had a liquid diet with smoothies that aren’t too sweet. 
just experiment and know that you are not alone

Thank you - helps to know I am not alone...

[[ma...]]

21 hours ago, [[E...] said:

I have all the same symptoms you do. I have extreme fatigue that sleep does not help. That I would day is my worst symptom along with anxiety. I am 2 weeks off clonazepam. The first 2 weeks was ok for me too I thought I was through the worst of it. I also have GI issues with bloating gas and loose stool. I also have indigestion.  I have a headache or something like a headache at my temples. I went to bed early last night I was so tired but woke up still tired. I felt like I could have slept longer. 

We are all in this together. It seems we all get the same symptoms. We all have each other to help us through. It will pass and we will feel good again. The fact we had good days is a good sign. Some people suffer continuously. 

Hang in there you will feel better soon. We are both off the med now and are heading for healing. 

I think I am in the continuous camp just now. It was fine during the taper, and 2-3 weeks off, then BAM...

[[ma...]]

16 hours ago, [[G...] said:

Hi @[ma...],

Im currently 2+ months into my klonopin taper and GI issues were my first withdrawal symptom. At first I didn’t even realize it was withdrawal related and started frantically trying to get an appointment with a GI specialist. I was vomiting/always nauseous, going back and forth between constipation and diarrhea, constant bloating. But nausea has been the worst. I went to the ER at one point after I started rapidly losing weight and they told me (without any testing) that it was probably GERD 🙄. I knew that wasn’t it and left with no answers. 

For me, I started eliminating acidic/spicy foods from my diet. I previously drank coffee daily and now I can no longer tolerate caffeine except sometimes in minimal amounts in tea. Increasing my fiber helped my constipation a lot. I eat oatmeal almost daily which always moves things along for me. I haven’t found anything helpful for the nausea, unfortunately. 

Sorry you’re struggling but you’re definitely not alone!

Will try oatmeal going forward...sugar is bad for me and caffeine I am not sure about! I am so fatigued that coffee can at least get me going or I fear I would struggle to work...Its horrible!

[[Go...]]

4 hours ago, [[m...] said:

Will try oatmeal going forward...sugar is bad for me and caffeine I am not sure about! I am so fatigued that coffee can at least get me going or I fear I would struggle to work...Its horrible!

As far as coffee goes, I started drinking matcha (concentrated green tea) in its place if I need a boost or to help with headaches. Matcha is lower in caffeine than coffee and also considered less acidic. But while it’s lower in caffeine, it is better absorbed by the body and produces longer lasting energy without the crash and needing to re-up throughout the day. I have found that to be true for myself. Obviously like any dietary choice, it impacts everyone differently but I’ve “converted” 😂  a few of my friends to matcha and they all agree that they feel more energized and better overall than on coffee. Worth a shot??

[[...]]

On 14/07/2024 at 17:45, [[G...] said:

I’m familiar with ondansetron/zofran, but I’m not willing to really take any prescription medications at this point

I understand not wanting to take prescription medications. I learned from my daughter in law (who is a nurse practitioner in an obstetrics and gynecology practice) that they have found that a combination of vitamin B6 and doxylamine (Unisom) is quite effective controlling “morning sickness” during pregnancy. Of course the causes of the nausea during pregnancy and during withdrawal may be very different, but I am going to give these a try for my waves of nausea - inexpensive, non-prescription, and easy to take at very low doses. Good luck with your healing.