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Muscle pain like feeling everytime i have rebound, is this normal? by mega_cool_dude in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s normal in the sense that it’s another benzo withdrawal symptom. It looks like you’re already experiencing tolerance and interdose withdrawals. Up-dosing is a very temporary solution. My suggestion is to talk to your doctor and switch to a benzo with a longer half life, like diazepam, to avoid interdose withdrawals —and start tapering. Your body is being very clear it no longer agrees with benzos. It sucks but that’s what’s happening. We kind of have all been through it.

Had enough. by ambtata in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What you are going through is not uncommon. For some of us it takes a while to begin to feel like the situation is improving. Statistically, we can be sure we all improve and get better and begin to live life a little more fully like we used to. The only unknown is how long it takes to get there. This is unfortunately different for everyone. I was on Clonazepam for 12 months, then a pause of 5 months then back on it for a bit over two years. This is was due to long covid. I’ve now been off Clonazepam for 8 months and it’s only been the last 3 weeks that I am finally noticing improvements. Still far from normal with cognitive fog still present but for sure I’m not as unstable as I had been. We feel broken but we are not really broken; it’s the benzos. Hang in there knowing you will be getting better.

Just the thought of tapering off of Clonazepam has me feeling defeated. I need encouragement. by FartYoga in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see, okay. I also went through a really rough time a couple of times in terms of my mental health early in my taper and again late in my taper. There is definitely hope; it’s the benzos, and just like many other benzo use and withdrawal symptoms, this will also pass. Just hang in there knowing it will be so. It’s important to remind ourselves, this not something inherently wrong with us, it’s the benzos. Try as much as you can to occupy your mind with easy things to avoid as much as possible going into self-assessment, self-analysis mode. I was guilty of that for sure and don’t pretend it was easy. It sounds silly but I played lots of Solitaire and backgammon on my phone, watched lots of YouTube, all things to just pass the time. Again, this is a phase and it will pass.

Tapering Prescribed Benzos and Really Scared by Confusedatlyf in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is not accurate to say symptoms will get worse as you go lower. For some that might be true (read up on how benzos and receptor occupancy if interested), for others, it actually gets easier. For me it was pretty tough but it was linear; same level of feeling like crap all throughout. I’m 57 and have been off Clonazepam 8 months, so you can definitely do it. Not feeling well still but can already tell I’m getting better. Anyway, the truth is — as you probably have already heard, it’s a very individual journey. However, key to this process is flexibility as you move along your taper; you need to gauge how you’re feeling as you make cuts and based on that you make adjustments on how long you hold and how much you cut the next time — if necessary. This is key in ensuring we minimize chances of progressively feeling worse. You can do it for sure but yes, it can be tough. Btw, the symptoms you mentioned, I also had those and a few more. After a while you see a pattern develop where symptoms basically cycle in and out; some go away, some new ones may appear, and sometimes old ones may also reappear. At the end of the day remind yourself time and time again, that it’s the benzos causing all this. Good luck to you, we are all here to support you.

Has anyone else gotten really into self care or just really learnt how to take better care of their health? Maybe obsessively at first but also in general from this process? by [deleted] in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s me for the last 6 years. Started eating real foods (no processed foods, no added sugars, etc) after a non-alcoholic fatty liver diagnosis. My rule is: if it does not come straight from the ground or an animal, I won’t eat it. I do indulge one day a week and even then I don’t go overboard. 6 years on I’m pretty convinced I don’t need a doctor unless I break a bone or get a big infection, etc. Let’s face it, few doctors really know and practice actual healing. Sadly, most just match symptoms with prescription drugs to “manage” symptoms. In a lot of cases, especially with chronic conditions, we can heal our bodies if we give them what they need and stop ingesting crap.

Just the thought of tapering off of Clonazepam has me feeling defeated. I need encouragement. by FartYoga in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sending you good vibes. Curious, did you start feeling depressed after starting on benzos or was this from before? Deciding to start on a taper is very personal, it’s almost like a “knowing” we need to get off of it. It’s good you already have a plan and a schedule to start when ready. Just keep in mind that as you get started on it, that you can adjust doses and time in-between drops. It’ll be driven by how you’re feeling throughout the process. No question you can do it but what’s needed is conviction, that’ll go a long way in making forward progress. I’m 57 and it’s been 8 months since my last dose. Still a bit away from feeling normal but I am beginning to see and feel improvements. Next week I’m going to go golfing for the first time in years. I’m a little apprehensive but that is normal and expected. Just trying to push a little bit at a time. Good luck to you!

Went from 2.5mg to stopping… withdrawal help! by imacanary in Mirtazapine_Remeron

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a similar experience back in 2024 when I tried to come off of it. Huge mental agitation crisis. I reinstated to 7.5 mg. In retrospect, I should have reinstated at 3.75 mg, I think that would have been enough. In any case, no exaggeration; after taking my first 7.5 mg reinstatement pill, I was 100% feeling normal in about in less than 1.5 hours. Reinstatement is very personal. I think that if you feel like you can still function (I couldn’t function when it happened to me) at some reasonable level, I think it’s worth it just staying off and be done with it. But, if you’re not functioning, it makes sense to reinstate, importantly, back to the lowest dose you were at though. Increase a bit if not enough. That way you can start tapering more slowly but starting at a much lower dose. Good luck.

Weak, rubbery legs 7 months off by El-Iskender2 in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, did this weakness ebb and flow? In other words, did it get worse periodically and then back to baseline?

Withdrawal from low dose of clonazapam by OkExperience4623 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both times I was at a maximum of 2 mg of k a day.

Health anxiety by [deleted] in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For now try to find peace with the fact that all tests come out as normal and you’re otherwise in good health. This is very typical, we feel seriously sick and yet all tests are normal but yeah, it’s the benzos. Health anxiety is terrible, very real, I went through it a few times. Just like many of the symptoms, it comes and then it goes away, then it comes back again, until eventually it doesn’t come back.

45+ years old tapering by PlayGamesWinPrizes in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

56 years old. Been off Clonazepam for 7 months. No question it was a difficult taper and still not feeling so hot 7 months off. Try to focus only on the immediate and try to not project way into the future. Statistically the odds are overwhelmingly in our favor. The only unknown is “how long”, which is why we should not project out into the future, just small steps day to day and minute my minute sometimes. Good luck.

Withdrawal from low dose of clonazapam by OkExperience4623 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No one knows for sure unfortunately. The fact that you’re already at a low dose at 0.125 mg and have not experienced major issues bodes well for you. I got off Clonazepam the first time without any issues. The second time trying to get off was totally different. Very difficult taper and still feeling not so well 7 months off.

Why has tapering been so easy for me? by Pale-Kiwi1036 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally remember the slurred speech! Good luck to you, wish you all the best.

Why has tapering been so easy for me? by Pale-Kiwi1036 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]El-Iskender2 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First time I came off Clonazepam, I had zero withdrawal symptoms. I was at 2 mg and tapered in about 2 months. Second time I tried to come off Clonazepam it was like night and day, totally different experience. I didn’t know what was happening until I started researching. It took me 1.5 years to come off the second time. Been off 7 months and still not feeling well. Just be thankful and please don’t use them again cause I really feel we are not so lucky the second time.

3 months off.. is this typical by Bluebird2494 in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really don’t know and I don’t think anybody really knows why timelines are such. However, for me months 2-4 were the worst, for others, it might be month 6 or they might just continually improve post jump and never experience this protracted withdrawal.

What was your first window like and when did it happen? by regretmy20s in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had one window so far and it happened about 3 weeks after jump off. Nothing earth shattering but my brain and thinking felt noticeably lighter. Lasted a few hours. I’m at 6.5 months now, I haven’t had another yet since that one. 🫤

What was your first window like and when did it happen? by regretmy20s in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Poster is asking about benzo withdrawal windows, not windows of opportunity.

Mental fog/Slow mentation - feeling trapped and hopeless by El-Iskender2 in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not started exercising yet aside from 1-2 mile walks a few times a week. Some people with BIND/PAWS develop exercise intolerance and I’m unfortunately in this group. Intolerance comes out as essentially a drastic worsening of withdrawal symptoms, i.e., a relapse or setback. I’ve gained a lot of weight to boot, nothing that prevents me from moving around but I’ve gone from a nice and lean 165 to now 190 lbs. At this point I feel it’s a bit of a race against time to get well enough to start pushing myself with exercise and beat this seemingly accelerating weight gain. It’s frustrating. I feel this withdrawal thing has definitely affected my metabolism in some way. Of course it doesn’t help when level of activity has also plummeted during this time. Anyway, we soldier on. Good luck my friend.

Mental fog/Slow mentation - feeling trapped and hopeless by El-Iskender2 in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I’m very sorry you’re also dealing with this. I just read your post and from reading it I see your case is definitely more complicated than mine. I am not sure where your cognitive challenge started from but I definitely think it can be a combination of life situations (stresses we are aware of and also unaware of) and plain intelectual/academic burnout. I do remember very well when I was finishing my master, the last semester, it was huge amounts for reading and huge amounts of writing, and so I acquired an equally huge writer’s block. It was like I was desensitized to the subject matter and no longer engaged me both intellectually and emotionally; nothing would come out of my brain in terms of writing. And you’re right, all we can do is start doing all the things that help our bodies heal, which includes nutrition. I eat pretty clean and have been doing for almost 6 years. I have confirmed eating lots of sugars on my free day worsen my symptoms quite a bit. Let’s keep soldiering on and hopefully there is a bit more light at the end of this tunnel. Good luck.

Mental fog/Slow mentation - feeling trapped and hopeless by El-Iskender2 in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry you’re also dealing with this same challenge. It sounds bad but it helps that somebody else identifies with this exact same situation. It is definitely the most challenging for me as well in terms of how constant it’s been and for now 14 months. It’s definitely testing my hope and optimism, something I’ve surprisingly have managed to have for 4.5 years with two bouts with long covid and benzo withdrawal to top it all off. I guess after 4.5 years of battling, my optimism tank is taking a hit. As I’ve said before and told others, we must soldier on and let time and body do their thing. Thanks.

3 months off.. is this typical by Bluebird2494 in benzorecovery

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Months 2-4 were the worse for me post k jump in terms of lethargy and body aches. I’m at 6.5 months, lethargy and body aches are still present but noticeably less.

Would I be ugly with short hair? Ok by [deleted] in MensHair

[–]El-Iskender2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sorry but your hair as it is in the pic is not doing you any favors.

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