Pressure in forehead, brain numbness, FATIGUE, muscle weakness

[[Ti...]]

These sx just hit me this week. They all started together and are sticking ttogether. Also face feels tingly and head still feels numb-like brain is numb and insomnia came back with a vengeance. Anyone experiencing this?  Has it improved?

[[wa...]]

I have it all and I am five months off.  Some days it is better some days worse.

[[Ti...]]

Wow 5 months? Overall do you see any improvements over that time?

[[Sc...]]

The pressure, fatigue and muscle weakness are all gone now for me...they were gone early in the game once my taper ended.  I never got hit much with insomnia during my taper.  IF I did, it would last a week and then would improve again.  Then at 4 months off, I began to have problems with it.  It's been an issue since (off/on) but not as bad as some get it.  And I get enough sleep to function okay. 

 

Hang in there.  The s/x differ from person to person, and whereas Waterpolo had these feelings till 5 months, I had them only weeks after my last dose and then they went away.  And they weren't constant during my taper either. 

 

Thinking of you...all the best,

Schatje

[[Ti...]]

Thank you Schajte. Did you ever get flu sx too?  How are the GI sx today?

[[ch...]]

Hi Tina,

 

I had all of those sx early in my CT from ativan. I would generally wake up with all of them, with muscle weakness (heavy limbs especially in my chest area) increasing as the day went by. The pressure that lasted all day thankfully disappeared after a week or two, and were not a consistent "everyday" kind of thing during that time. Now I will occasionally get these sx in my evenings but it is a rare occurance at 7 weeks out.

 

Wishing you well,

Chantillie

 

[[Ti...]]

Thanks for responding Chantille! Glad it's improving for you.

[[ha...]]

Tina, you are right at the end of your taper and I know it can be really rough.... The end of my taper was definitely the worse for me, it was torturous... Now I am almost 10 days off and feel a little more stabilized all around, I'm definitely not feeling great but I can see little improvements.

[[wa...]]

It actually got worse, then it has gotten a little bit better.

[[Ti...]]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone!  Do you find your mental/cognitive skills suffered as well when you had these symptoms?  I don't know what to call it--fogginess, DR maybe?  Awful short-term memory too.

[[Ti...]]

Bump

[[pi...]]

Tina,

 

These are very common sxs and I have had them as well, except for the insomnia which I have gratefully been spared.  I still get facial tightness, feeling like my eyes and cheeks are being pulled.  Unpleasant for sure but as scary as it is, I thought I might be having a stroke, it is harmless.  These benzos are such potent muscle relaxers that it takes a long time for the muscles to learn to relax naturally.  Try some gentle stretching and I also use heat.

 

Hugs,

 

pianogirl 

[[Ti...]]

PianoGirl--Did you have the crushing fatigue that feels like you can't walk more than from one room to the other before being exhausted or completely out of breath?  I am 33 and feel like I'm 90.  I am concerned that this is turning more into w/d and that the stress in my body is triggering something else--like CFS or something autoimmune.  I literally can't get my head off the pillow or stand up straight b/c I'm so exhausted.  Total muscle exhaustion.  I don't read too much about this here...And it never lets up.  Every day, all day.  Started up just last week after awful benzo flu, brain numbness feelings that lasted a week.  That has let up, and now left with this...

 

Thank you for responding!

[[pi...]]

Hi Tina,

 

Yes I know exactly how you feel, a real deep fatigue.  More tired that you ever felt possible. I have read many others having this so you are really not alone.  Its easy to worry about other diseases and conditions, I did that as well.  I also had a lot of tests to see if something else was going on, but nothing was.

 

Its all part of withdrawal.  This process is so hard on every part of your system. Although you hear a lot of fear about permanent damage, it won't happen, your body will heal and your energy will return.  There are so many days that I have the same energy level I had pre benzos.  Then I tend to overdo it and get payback the next day.  Just rest as much as you can and only do what is comfortable. Hmmm I should practice what I preach.

 

So many different and awful symptoms I know, but you will heal.

 

Hugs,

 

pianogirl 

[[Ti...]]

I am still having all these sx. Been every day for 2 months now. I am still tapering so hopefully that is the reason and I will eventually be over this. No 100% windows ever. Sometimes partial windows at night.

[[Be...]]

I am so with you, girl. I can do more than you, but I never escape the fatigue and dizziness and head pressure now. I just unloaded some things from the car and was putting them in the fridge. It's pretty much all I can do. Now I have to relax for a while. I find that I also get a brief window at night, not 100%, but close to normal. I so look forward to that time and I hope I am not jinxing myself by saying it because it means so much to me that I can feel relatively normal sometimes.

[[Ti...]]

Benzo3-Hope we both get our energy back one of these days!!

[[Be...]]

Yeah. I keep pushing forward for that thought, and my family - especially my two kids.

[[Ca...]]

Tina,

I have everything that u described.  I started having a hard time walking (exhausting) for 2 yrs while in tolerance wd.  I had every test in the book.  brain mri nerve conduction tests, blood work etc...and all test results said I was a healthy girl.  That's when I started my xanax taper.  Maybe went too fast bcas i had already been sick for 2 yrs. (4 mo taper) I seem to b one of the more dibilitated people(from benzos)...so I dont want u to get nervous but I am STILL feeling weak,dizzy,unsteady after 6 mos free, this cruel symptom is still holding on.  I am bedbound.  We r all so different, no telling how long these sx's last with any1.  Ijust wanted u not to worry that u have a deadly dx.  (although it's always a gd idea to get medically cleared as i did.) BUT these sx's r quite common although u r right...not a lot of talk.  and to answer ur question YES brain fog, depression and other psych issues do accompany this weakness/unsteadiness/fatigue.  Heal quick, Candy

[[Ti...]]

Candy-thank you for responding. I hope or lifts for you soon. I pray this is not a long term problem for any of us. I have two very young children, my life is just beginning with them. I want my busy, active life back! I also have to lay down a lot fr exhaustion. Have you noticed any improvements at all in 6 months??

 

Hugs,

Tina

[[sa...]]

Hi Tina,

 

I'm sure the exhaustion has to do with the severe insomnia and akithesia you had earlier.  You're body is just worn down and needs rest and time to heal.  It's also a good idea to eat small protein/complex carb meals every two hours when you're like this to help give the adrenals a break.  Rest, plenty of water, and healthy food are what heals.  You will get better.  Even people with true CFS can heal, so you can too.  This is withdrawal and it will be over someday. 

[[Ca...]]

Tina,

I have four kids. My youngest is 10. Good thing u didn't take this drug for longer. I am actually going on 7 mos. my psych sx's r not as bad generally speaking. Although they wax & wane. It's tough to psychologically feel better but not able to physically carry on with my life. Today I have to take my daughter to her first gymnastics class & pretend to b ok. (I don't want my kids to worry) At least teacher's conferences r over. I only missed one (forgot to go. Benzo brain imagine THAT?) I most certainly hope the physical sx's disappear quick for u. Others on here can identify with the muscle weakness but it must pass becas, like u said, there isn't too much mention of this on here. I hope u r quick to write ur success story. X candy

[[da...]]

Hi Tina

My doctor has told me that fatigue is very common for people who are withdrawing from benzos. Also, I received an email from someone who works with people who are withdrawing and he said:

"Chronic fatigue is common".

As you now, I'm suffering from it as well - so we are definitely not alone!

I'm no expert but I wouldn't expect it to get better until you are off them completely. My condition became slowly worse as I took less. I do think that I have started to improve after just over 2 months off the stuff.

Best wishes from england (where it is still raining =.=)

David

[[Ti...]]

Sagemom-thank you for the encouragement. I really appreciate it!

 

Candy-Glad your psych sx at least are improving! Sounds like you have a great attitude about it.

 

David-I think you are right that it won't improve until I am off. I hope it doesn't get too much worse. So glad you are noticing improvements 2 months out.

 

Take care,

Tina

[[Ti...]]

I am dealing with this again. Ugh. My brain just feels so heavy, numb and tired. I can barely focus and feel like I am drugged-which is strange since I have been lowering the dose all these months. I am holding at 1.23 Valium right now.

 

Tina