The most frustrating aspect of benzo withdrawal

I am careful here to use the word frustrating. I am not talking about the WORST part of benzo withdrawal in terms of a specific symptom. This is more about the overall healing process and why the uneven and sometimes undetectable progress is so maddening.
DISCLAIMER: this is not medical advice and I am not a doctor or a health professional. If you are making any decisions related to your health, consult a doctor or a health professional beforehand.

[@rounderone8437]

Thank you for the accurate, clearly-expressed description of the recovery process. You described me exactly. Seven years since I cold-turkeyed Xanax. For the first few years, I passed through the "Am I ever going to get better?" stage, where a wave after a great window would bring me to tears. The fear of being trapped in this hell required all the mental strength I had to get by. But then, everything flipped. As I continued to improve, I understood the process and came to terms with it. A wave was just a temporary stumbling block, and the windows were in control. Today I am about 95% better, and should soon be 100%. Have faith in eventual complete healing. Stay smart about the process. Understand what is going on. Stay tough. The hell with those waves. We aren't going to let these stupid drugs beat us.

[@lonnievisch6009]

PS3. What a beautiful place you are at!

[@brendamalone3880]

Thank you!! Sure hits home.

[@windowsNwaves]

Sorry to hear it hits home, Brenda, as that means you are dealing with a lot. Thanks for the support

[@minty2455]

WW !! Thanks!! This was greatly appreciated. I’m going on 3 years. But I was on 35 years. Dr rapid taper off klonopin & Zoloft I can’t wait for that feeling you’re talking about. Hopefully my mind will straighten out. Birds are my favorite. Did you have agoraphobia? I’m struggling with that. ( video?). We’ll take care! You are a great coach 🌊😎 p

[@windowsNwaves]

Yes, I've definitely dealt with agoraphobia. Agoraphobia and health anxiety were two of my biggest issues before I started taking benzos in the first place. I've gotten better with both post wd, but especially in the last 6 months. I will make a video. Glad you appreciated this one. Thanks for the kind words and for watching.

[@cheryllryan8440]

What the hell...mine just did the same thing after 38 years and that was it. No explanation no nothing.....

[@user-fn3tw7wp1z]

Bad agoraphobia was on 17 years off 2 years still having problems

[@windowsNwaves]

@@user-fn3tw7wp1z have you seen some improvement in these two years?

[@michaeljlink]

I'll be off Xanax for 2 years in July... I enjoy your videos. Always helps to hear from others going through this.

[@windowsNwaves]

Hi Michael, this July will also mark my 2 years off. July 13th. I was on ativan. Good to hear from you. Thanks for the comment.

[@ashleychristie5023]

How’s your healing timeline been? Any windows yet?

[@michaeljlink]

@@ashleychristie5023 I was getting better last year and then got hit by a wave. I'm mostly physical muscle problems and fatigue. I did 8 months of physical therapy on my neck, shoulder and bicep and i'm still having problems with them. I just have to keep exercising them. I'm lucky my mental state has been great through this. I credit the keto/carnivore diet for the mental clarity.

[@Dji2stellar-C]

Really good to see your healing journey bud,so happy for you that your life’s so mutch better,.I’m on the taper,still got 3 months at least to go,.sitting at 8mg Diaz split 4 times a day,..I’m waking up feeling ok,.my doses is making me feel worse,.I skipped my morning 1 today and still felt ok and took my noon 1 early,.I went white as a sheet and feel low,.did you experience this at all

[@windowsNwaves]

Definitely had times where I went white as a sheet and felt low. I hope it has passed for you now. Wishing you strength on your journey.

[@lonnievisch6009]

I so agree! You cannot convince youreself in a wave that it’s going to be oke. That a window will come. Omg waves are so hard..f( woman Europe now 46 month off AD) thank you for you’re videos. Ps AD is just as bad in protracted❤

[@windowsNwaves]

Yep, exactly. You think the wave is permanent. Thank you for watching. What is AD? I hope not akathisia

[@lonnievisch6009]

@@windowsNwaves antidepressants…

[@windowsNwaves]

@@lonnievisch6009 ah. you are right, I should have 100% said psych drugs. Funny that the drugs that are supposed to be helping us can do the most harm...

[@lonnievisch6009]

Ps2. Do you have akathisia? You are walking a good pace

[@windowsNwaves]

I dealt with akathisia during withdrawal, but I *thankfully* did not experience it after the 3 month mark. It is - for me - the worst state we can find ourselves in as human beings.

[@minty2455]

Are you from Canada? Seems you have an accent. 😅

[@windowsNwaves]

American but I have been living overseas for a long time now and I think I have picked up bits of different accents from other expats 😅