Exercise Really Revs Up My Symptoms

[[Ho...]]

It has just really started to occur to me that exercise really sets me backwards, but not until the next day.

 

I was told by my doc to exercise a lot in order to build up my endorphins, but I think it is causing more problems than doing nothing at all. If I exercise on the treadmill, even at what I consider a medium level, for 20 minutes or more I always have a bad following day.

 

I've played tennis a couple of times and each time I'm terrible the next day.

 

Can anybody relate to this?

 

Bill

[[li...]]

I've read about the concept of 'building up endorphins' in opiate withdrawal.

 

No clue why that would work for 'benzo withdrawal'.

 

Just go for what works ?

 

Intense exercise isn't good for me either.

[[Ho...]]

She suggested that it would help and I was really up for doing anything that would help.

 

I also saw this in the Ashton Manual.

 

31. SHOULD I EXERCISE DURING BENZODIAZEPINE WITHDRAWAL?

 

Yes. Aerobic exercise has consistently been found in studies to reduce both anxiety and depression. Some people believe that aerobic exercise may even shorten the course of withdrawal.

 

Strenuous aerobic exercise is often difficult for people in withdrawal, as it causes an influx of adrenaline that can heighten withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, people have reported experiencing panic attacks after intensive exercise. Where you are unable to engage in vigorous exercise, it is recommended that you engage in as much low impact aerobic exercise as possible. Brisk walking is a good form of aerobic exercise that some people have reported as having an immediate, calming effect. Relatively non-strenuous swimming is also a good option.

 

 

[[pi...]]

I have had an up and down experience with exercise. When I first jumped off I felt pretty good so I started playing tennis again.  About 1 month off all my muscles seized up, they finally discovered that they weren't getting any of that muscle relaxing valium any more.

 

In August I slowly started bike riding and worked up to biking 3-4 times a week up to 15 miles. In late October I started having dizzy boaty feelings and muscle spasms so I quit.

 

I am just starting up an exercise program again, slowly just 15 to 20 minutes a day.  I previously had a personal trainer for 5 years so I have enough experience to make my own plan.  I feel I need to start building my muscle tone back again since I had cervical surgery and shoulder surgery while on benzos and lost a lot of my strength and tone.

 

pianogirl

 

[[to...]]

YES!  Same exact thing, i just posted a similar thread.  Sometimes though the muscle/nerve pains start during and after, but sometimes they start a day later.  So annoying because the exercise does help my mood but makes my physical symptoms worse.

 

I was a VERY active person before and worked with weights too.

[[De...]]

I have noticed that it makes me feel better in one way to do some exercise, and also ups the anxiety!  Seems like there is no winning.

 

I started my taper of lorazepam a month ago.  I am at 1/4 3X day.  I was curious Bill what going cold turkey was like?  Thanks.

[[Ho...]]

Thanks guys,

 

pianogirl...I think that's what I'll try, start slowly just 15 to 20 minutes a day of walking on my treadmill.

 

tonnii...I was very active also. I played hockey & tennis twice a week, squash once a week, plus running. the only things I've done since last October is run a few times and I've played tennis 6 times. Each time I did these things I paid heavily for the next few days. Are you off benzos now, and if so, how long?

 

DesertWoman...You'll probably find this hard to believe, but I've only taken 11, 1mg. ativans in my life. My MD gave them to me last October because my neighbor got a new dog that was barking outside by my window all night long. I took the 11 pills over a three week period and was feeling very "OFF". I looked them up online and the symptoms I was starting to experience were listed there, so I quit. I've been sick ever since. I've had maybe 7 windows and things don't seem to be getting any better, that's why I'd like to at least work out.

 

Bill

[[to...]]

Hey Bill,

 

Not off yet.  It has been a long slow process for me.  I was down to a .25 mill a day, I was feeling so good emotionaly then was hit with some scary arm muscle spasms.  They scared me so much that I went back up to 2 to 3 mills a day for about a month. 

 

This is HELL.  I miss working out so much and being out and active.

 

 

[[Ho...]]

I hear you tonnii. me too.

[[to...]]

Are you tappering now?

[[De...]]

"DesertWoman...You'll probably find this hard to believe, but I've only taken 11, 1mg. ativans in my life. My MD gave them to me last October because my neighbor got a new dog that was barking outside by my window all night long. I took the 11 pills over a three week period and was feeling very "OFF". I looked them up online and the symptoms I was starting to experience were listed there, so I quit. I've been sick ever since. I've had maybe 7 windows and things don't seem to be getting any better, that's why I'd like to at least work out."

 

Oh wow - that's amazing.  And I thought I was very sensitive to drugs!  I've been on 1mg for 8 years.  Did ok for years, then started having tolerance withdrawal sypmtoms a couple years ago, so trying to get off of them asap!  Hope you see good stuff soon.  Thanks

 

 

[[Ho...]]

No tonnii, I c/t'd last October.

 

Thanks for the well wishes DesertWoman.