Advice re: what is helpful & what to avoid

[[tu...]]

Went off Ambien (after taking 5-10 mg daily for 6 months) 6 weeks ago this Friday.  Have had both windows and waves in the last 6 weeks.  The last couple of weeks the dizziness has returned off and on.  The last day or two this symptom along with some pretty intense anxiety has surfaced as well.  It makes me feel so scared and discouraged.  I know we are to expect it, but it really makes you feel doubtful about your recovery.  Also feeling so inadequate in most areas of my life.  I miss how vibrant and capable I was soooo much.  I need a window to remember how it feels to be me.

 

Anyway, I would love to hear what is helpful to others when the waves hit.  Also, what I could avoid (I hear a lot about B vitamins and wonder if they really are a hindrance or helpful as they are supposed to aid the cns).

 

Information always makes me feel like I am back in the driver's seat and more in control.  Would love some helpful information.  Reassurance would be great as well.

 

Thanks!

[[pi...]]

Turtlegirl,

 

I'm sorry you are feeling discouraged right now, this process can be really challenging.  When I was in a wave I just needed lots of distractions from the pain and such.  I watched movies, did crossword puzzles, drew and read books. These things worked for me as well as just living each moment with the goal to get to the next and the next.

 

I do think a lot of people say that the B vitamins rev up their sxs.  I dropped all supplements early on in tapering and just take magnesium for muscle issues.

 

Never doubt that you will recover, it will happen.  I also found it so inspiring to read the success stories.  You are still the person you were before, perhaps retreated slightly into your "shell" while your body heals. You were only on ambien for a short time so you could be turning that corner at any time.

 

BTW sugar can also ramp up anxiety as well so a clean healthy diet is always a good idea.

 

Just hang in there, you are doing great and time will heal and you will  embrace life with enthusiasum again.

 

Hugs,

 

pianogirl 

[[Sc...]]

Hello Turtlegirl, and congrats on being off of Ambien for 6 weeks!!!

 

A lot of the healing process and "what works and what doesn't work" is only found out through trial and error.  What works for one person, may not work for another.  I myself have gone off of all supplements, BUT I eat extremely healthy, focusing on grains, some fish, vegetables and fruit.  I had to cut out dairy and red meat for personal reasons (aggravated my IBS), and I feel better for doing it.  I have stayed away from coffee (which consisted of the Starbucks Frappucino-like drinks), too much sugar (I try to do my own baking so I can control the type and quantity of sugar I eat). 

 

I drink plenty of water and recently began drinking a 1/2 squeezed lemon in warm water as it can help with digestions (benzos were not kind to my GI system).  I also enjoy some teas - chamomile, green tea and ginger tea.  Again, this is what has worked for me.

 

Some people say the B vitamins can really rev up side effects, which proved to be true for me.  Others have issues w/ fish oils - I just eat fish once in awhile to get the "real thing" in me.  Some find that Magnesium is a great thing to take as it naturally calms the system.  I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback here from others. 

 

The most important thing I can suggest, is to not obsess or let yourself get stressed over what to take or not to take.  If something bothers you and you can see the direct link, then take a break from it.  Eating healthy is #1 (in my opinion), but I still have treats.  The occasional chocolate bar or piece of cake doesn't harm me.  Everything in moderation seems to work well for me.  If my daughter has a birthday and I eat the leftover cake for 3 days...then I begin to see a problem, but I know now to just not get caught doing that.  And if I ignore the signs and keep on going, then I may pay for it for a day or 2...but then everything improves again. 

 

Congrats again.  You will feel "vibrant" again - this is coming back to me and it feels great.  We all do heal over time.  It can just take more time than we'd like.  But you will get there. 

 

All my best,

Schatje

[[Mi...]]

Turtlegirl, I  can so relate to formerly being so vibrant and capable and am now reduced to this pitiful hand wringing clingy pathetic shell of my former self.  I am sending positive energy your way as you just did for me, energy for healing and strength to face the rest of our recovery.  We WILL get our mojo back.  I will soon be back out there masterminding all the social activities, traveling, reading good literature, volunteering and generally being a pain in the arse with all my energy and plans.  And you will too.  But not right now.

 

The only thing that works for me during my symptomatic times is distraction.  I find that if I just pitch myself into something, my symptoms don't bother me as much.  It can be something as simple as watching an engaging movie, looking at decorating magazines and daydreaming of redoing my kitchen, or playing mindless online games.

 

As for the B vitamins, I am undecided about them.  I take a multi vitamin and off and on during this mess have taken a B complex, inositol and bioten.  I can't honestly say that I have made a connection between taking them and feeling worse versus not taking them and feeling better.  So I continue to take them whenever I think of it, but not every day.  I do think the B deficiency we all face during withdrawal has a lot to do with the hair, skin and nails issue.

 

I have been caffeine, sugar and alcohol free during this mess and I think that helps.  One night I did have 2 glasses of wine and boy could I feel it the next day when a big old gnarly wave hit.  I drink 8 glasses of water a day and whether or not that helps, going to the bathroom constantly distracts me.  LOL.

 

Turtlegirl, lets just strap on our six shooters and hang on for the ride.  We will get to full recovery and then we both can go over to the success board and post and be thankful that we have regained our old selves.

 

MiniMinnie

[[tu...]]

MiniMinnie:  Thanks for the helpful words - they helped me today!  I know you can relate and I love your attitude (it's contagious).  I went and did (forced myself) 30 minutes on my eliptical and watched Bliss' youtube words of encouragement (if you haven't seen it you might benefit from it).  I am feeling a bit better.  You know what I liked most about your post?  I liked your list of what you are looking forward to doing when you feel better.  I think that is so proactive and helpful, so I am going to do the same.  When I feel better I look forward to driving downtown and buying myself a very fashion forward outfit for the coming warmer months (and looking put together and amazing in it), having an iced coffee with mom, taking my daughter to the pool and feeling relaxed and happy in the sunshine, getting on a ladder and cleaning my windows (inside and out), riding my bike to the grocery store and utilizing the cute basket on the front like I always imagined I would when I bought it last spring, feeling like the old me . . . confident, beautiful inside and out, social, contributing in all the ways that matter to me.  Living my life to the absolute fullest!!!

[[Mi...]]

Turtlegirl, good for you for getting on that elliptical.  I can just see you in that cute new outfit sipping iced coffee on the patio of some cool bistro.  Also riding the bike with the cute basket to the grocery store and picking up fresh croissants and strawberries for breakfast.  Wash those windows, make them sparkle!  A real metaphor for healing!  Go to the pool with your daughter and drink in the sunshine and the smell of Hawaiian Tropic or Banana Boat sunblock.  Your ideas have inspired me too.  I need a new cute outfit for summer too.  I'm thinking a sundress with cute strappy wedges and sparkly earrings.  Something with shells or beach glass.  OH!  I must go and get a pedicure with a summery/beachy color to set off the new summer sandals. I'm thinking a bright screaming CORAL.  Maybe go get a new haircut and have some blonde summer streaks.  Then I'll be all set to take my cute self out to San Francisco and visit my family there.  I'll take along a good inspiring book to read on the 6 hour flight.  YES YES!  We will be back to our old selves soon and we can look forward to all these things that feed the soul and spirit.  Onward!

 

MiniMinnie

[[...]]

Turtlegirl,

 

What I find that helps me is taking multivitamins, omega 3, and B vitamins that are in a 5 hour energy.  Granted that has caffeine, but I am able to handle caffeine.  I only take 1/2 a shot first thing in the morning.  I think all of those things really help me.  Plus I work out  5 days a week and that really helps. 

 

I too can't wait to feel like I used to.  I have however improved greatly just in the last couple of months.  I think I suffer from a bit of seasonal depression.  Now that spring is here I am so much more lively!  I love being outside.  The only thing that I don't really do anymore is doing things at night.  I shy away from anything at night for some reason.  I just get scared that if I am too active at night that I won't sleep.

 

Congrats on being free of ambien.  I am slowly but surely on my way there too!