Taper/Withdraw and swelling face/premature aging

Hello, first, sorry if this topic seems shallow, lol.

 

Since some time in my tapering, I have noticed that there's parts of my face that are swollen or that wrinkles are appearing, especially nostril lines appearing.

I know (from a nurse I know) that psy-meds like benzos can make part of the face swell slightly, especially on the upper-cheeks (sorry for my english) just beside the nose.

 

I also noticed I just look uglier than before, is it normal? Physical or psychological?

 

thank you

Hi,

 

I know what you're talking about.. I think I've aged about 10 years in this process, or it's like my age finally caught up with me.. I'm only 47, and i used to look about 35 before this.. I've got some puffiness around my eyes, definitely a few wrinkles (especially in my forehead) and overall I am bloated now.. so my face is 'swollen' and i have some benzo belly, in addition to some weight gain (from depression in tapering and w/d).. I am not nearly as happy with my appearance now, and can only hope to get most of it back once i start to practice good habits again.  I'm 75 days off of clonezepam now, and i'm just starting to be able to think constructively - for so long i could only practice self-destructive things while tapering, etc. it's baby-steps for sure.  anyhow, i'd advise just trying to take as good as possible about your body while going through this - i didn't cause i just didn't care if i died when i was tapering, etc. YOU are going to want YOUR body back, when you start to feel better! : )  Keep up the good fight!  Praying helps me a lot.. - Eric

hi everyone here,

 

just wanted to have an update from you, did it go away? and if yes, how soon?

 

i am shocked how my face changed, and i really hate this, especially when i look at my pictures 1 year ago, when i did not look like an alcoholic yet.

i'm at 6,5 months now.

I’m glad I’m not the only one.  I look like a completely different person.  It’s like I woke up one morning and I had aged 20 years.  My face is sagging, wrinkles galore.  Maybe I just never realized before because I was so medicated.  It’s definitely a downer.  I’m super hypercritical of everything right now. 

Maybe I just never realized before because I was so medicated.

 

this was my thought too before i've found my pics from a year ago - and was shocked, face can't change that fast, no. and then found this topic - it's definitely physical. i really wonder, when will my face come back. i kinda feel i don't wanna go out anymore.

I wonder if it's not the stress of this whole thing -- along with the physical wildness that is created in the body. 

I'm counting on looking better when I'm not so stressed! 

But that'll be in about two years..... 

SS

Glad you started this post.  I was even thinking of Botox in one area, something I would have never ever considered before...

Or breaking all my mirrors