Benzo breakthrough
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources

Window? Luck?

11/5/2016

3 Comments

 
I had a small window today. Boy, it came just in time. I had to take neurontin 3x yesterday to manage my pain. The main symptoms are unbearable prickling, burning, throat burning, terror, akathesia and inner restlessness, GI problems and the rest. Boring, I know but just checking in. I listened to Joe Dispenza again who reminded me to take the focus off my symptoms, do something different, help the brain learn something different---every day. Whether that means taking a shower, getting dressed, sitting in your garden if you have one.... I went on a walk. It was nice. I was tired. I wasn't myself but I did it. Prickling is back. I haven't taken any new meds. I am being a resistant patient. My doctor warned me yesterday that by not taking the neurontin I am at risk for some kind of RSD because the brain learns a pattern it cannot unlearn. I get that. So I know many people are anti meds but he felt more kindling happens when you DON'T treat the pain. Different perspective. Honestly the pain was THAT BAD yesterday and the day before I considered the hospital. I was literally writhing in pain. This is so weird. I have another appointment on Monday and he will check all of my immunological issues. I know I should write about something more interesting.  I needed this window SO badly today. It gave me a glimpse of me. Yes, I was burning and prickly and seriously shell shocked. But I walked, A wonderful friend did my hair and now I am going to hit the sack.... always the most challenging part of the evening.

This experience has brought me farther from some friends and colleagues but also much much closer with others. Closer to the point where they feel like family. For that I am grateful. And for my partner. He has been an amazing rock, despite our differences, he has been a ROCK. A true hero in this fight too. Kiss, hug, cherish your partners. I am very self involved when in so much physical pain. I cannot think straight. I cannot think about anything except my own body that I am fighting a war with. I choose to manifest something different today. I was posting on the boards like a freaking lunatic but today I made a commitment to stop. When I feel better it isn't that hard. But we have to train our bodies AWAY from the obsession with them and our symptoms. Reading stores, sharing symptoms helps until it harms. Very hard to put into practice when I felt I was in acute. Let's see how this week goes. If I can gain some ground or need to add a new medication. I commit to trying to stretch and meditate tomorrow. Remind my body of who it is and what it used to be capable of doing. I was always a fit, active girl... now its just been survival. Every day is closer to healing. I am honestly NOT so sure I am healing while on the medication, in fact I don' think I am despite what people say online. But... I am one step closer and I need to get there.....
3 Comments
Jen
11/6/2016 02:17:48 pm

Hello:) I just came across your blog. Thank you for sharing. I too am struggling to get off of a benzo. It was prescribed for antibiotic induced insomnia/poisoning-Ceftin. I've only been taking Ativan regularly .5 2x daily for the past 16 days, previously I took it once every other night starting at the beginning of October, (So total overall a month or so totel) then just stopped and tried to replace it with Ambien because it was making me feel sad, but the Ambien was way too strong and didn't help me sleep long and made me out of it the next day and the sadness didn't really go away. I've tapered down to 2.5 ambien from 10mg or 12.5 CR while taking the Ativan regularly. The sadness went away when I started taking the Ativan regularly at first and I got my appetite back. I was looking to taper from the Ativan and I came across the Ashton Manual which recommends switching over to a long acting Benzo such as Valium to taper more slowly and steadily because Ativan has a short half life and I'm experiencing in between withdraw symptoms such as sore muscles, headache. Also, it is starting to make me feel depressed during the day again as on the 12th day of regular use because I felt so good I didn't take my morning dose, then I had a panic attack in the afternoon and sadness set in again (induced by stress in my environment). I took a half, but then went back to the .5 that night. When I take it at night I'm fine and go to sleep and feel good, but when I wake up wham, I feel sad. I was wondering if you are using the Ashten Manual as guidance and since you are tapering from Valium, from what I understand, what is your opinion on switching over to it to taper? I too have kids and have been successful in my career. I can't believe I feel dependent in such a short time. Any help or suggestions about crossing over the Valium to taper slowly? The thing that feels strange is that tapering seem like it will last longer than I've been taking it.

Reply
BR link
11/6/2016 07:16:08 pm

Hi
Thanks for writing. Yes I did an even slower taper than Ashton. Micro daily taper. But...alas i think damage was done during my cold turkey. I was doing ok and functional until several weeks ago. I hear what you are saying--it has only been two weeks for you.. Valium is a good one to taper from for sure. I would try that. I totally understand--but go slow. I did not and now am in trouble it seems. My system was compromised to begin with however and I am sure you will be ok. check out benzobuddies for additional help but don't get scared by all the posts there. good luck

Reply
Jen
11/6/2016 07:20:43 pm

Thank you so much! Your words of encouragement mean a lot:)




Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Someone who found themselves accidentally dependent and suffered an iatrogenic injury from medications that were prescribed. Sharing experience, strength and hope with others.  This is written as a person on this winding path and NOT as a professional. Please contact a licensed professional for any medical/psychological care or advice. This is NOT a substitute for medical or psychological care. What is written here reflects my own personal experience ONLY.

    Archives

    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    Categories

    All
    AKATHISIA
    Beauty
    BENZO BUDDIES
    Benzo Withdrawal
    DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
    Death
    Distraction
    Dopamine Rush
    EXERCISE
    FAMILY
    FUN
    GRATITUDE
    HEALING
    HELP
    Isolation
    Kundalini Awakening
    LAUGHTER
    Life
    LONELINESS
    Neural Retraining
    NUTRITION
    Parenting
    Positivity
    Recovery
    Relationships
    RETRAINING THE BRAIN
    TRAUMA
    Travel

    RSS Feed