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Positive Feedback Please - Who felt improvements as they tapered?


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Hi all,

 

I’ve read about a couple of people who felt improvements with some things or overall as they tapered.  Would love to hear more positive experiences about this.  Anyone out there notice things improving when tapering? 

 

A lot of us who are tapering would surely benefit by hearing some positive stuff you noticed as you tapered and began healing.  Thank you so much! 

 

Uni

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I've been having longer windows since I've got down to almost 5mg. I've been going incredibly slowly and still have bad times, in fact I'm worried that I am jinxing myself now by writing this!  But it is true that the windows are longer. Hope this is the kind of thing you wanted to hear....
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Thank you 4Gilly!  Yes, that’s great!!  I’m grateful to you for posting :smitten:  I feel we need a thread about the positives :).  I’m so happy to hear you’re getting longer windows, what a great sign of healing.  Congratulations on being at 5mg!  Also, I’m a believer that the more we focus on the good stuff, the more of it we will get.  Of course, this is still a process and it’s going to have it’s rough stuff.  But yes, this is what I’m talkin about!  Thank you  :smitten: I’m just over two weeks into my taper and really looking for positive experiences of others during theirs. 

 

For me, I have actually had some window days.  So new to the windows and waves thing. 

 

Anyone else felt improvements as they taper? 

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Oh, I'm glad!  I think you will do better if you have a positive outlook, but I've only seen that recently. When I was in the depths of depression, in and out of the psych ward and at home afterwards, I could not have a positive outlook. That would have been like trying to hold jelly (jello?) in my hands.

Also, many people have such terrible physical symptoms that positivity is almost impossible.

However, I think some people on here could contribute to your thread. I hope some of these people chime in.

Good Luck with your taper.

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Thank you 4Gilly!  Yes, I was one of those people at first.  During acute cold turkey.  I tried with everything in me to find positives and strength, but it broke me.  I was bedbound and unable to function at all.  That’s why I had to reinstate, updose and hold before beginning this taper.  Hoping for the best! 
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I felt improvements quite a lot in my excessively long taper, which took years - partly because I kept relapsing, but when I got down to very low doses I did indeed start to feel better.  One thing that held me back was fear of jumping - which was a psychological barrier really, the fear was in my mind and the actuality was not so bad. 
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hi all

 

when i started i did it all wrong and had the worst time but once i found BB and followed a tamper plan i soon was on the right path i am almost there touch wood LOL and can say i had extream pannic attacks its almost 3 months now NO panick attacks. symtoms are diffrat but alot better i am not house bound any more and going to work also started to get windows and waves but this is a sign of healng one thing i have learned thus far patience is key and acceptance not to fight and just go with the flow i think the best thing for me is tohave a positive outlook and it is hard at times but it does help.right now i am in a difficult wave but keep marching on is the way for me. hope this helps guys keep marching on

 

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Hi Unicorn  :) Great topic :thumbsup: I was on Xanax for 22 years. I crossed over to Valium (stepping as per Ashton's method). So far I have felt SO much better on V than when I was on X. I'm now down 40% of my original X dose, and it looks as though I'll be down ≈ 46.6% in a couple of days. I started my taper 18 March this year.

 

I know I have a good way to go and yet to experience what it feels like when I get down to very low doses. I'll cross that bridge then (if anything awful happens), but feeling pretty positive. 

 

Had some less than helpful life dramas too recently and I think I've handled them much better than I would have had I have still been on Xanax. If life gets you down know that "this too shall pass", and remember to just breath and relax into "it". Distraction and exercising the brain can never hurt either. Easier said than done sometimes  ;) Wishing you all the very best  :thumbsup: Harmonee  :hug:

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I did--I'm a control freak (one of the reasons I was put on benzos in the first place) and being on benzos made me feel more out of control (which led to more anxiety).  Each time I tapered, my cognitive ability seemed to get better, and I felt better/more in control.  So, yes, I absolutely felt better as I tapered.  I also think my crossover to valium was too high (from 1mg Xanax to 20mg Valium). I

probably could have started at 15mg Valium and been OK, even though that's not dose equivalent. Listen to your body, though--if you feel better, you are better.  Don't dwell on whether you will feel worse as you taper (as many on here do), because your mind will affect your body, and you WILL feel worse!

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Hello!

A positive decision has been leaving behind the benzo poison! Even if  I am struggling and suffering a lot in my taper, my great joy is that in a matter of few months I will be off of this drug...after 40 years.

 

Little by little my mind is clearer. More morning windows...

My brain is learning again on what is the normal and natural sleeping process. Now my dreams are vivid and very emotional...

That's the positive side of my recovery!!

I like this thread...

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I needed to read that. Thank you Unicorn. I guess I am in a wave. My symptoms are worst and scary. After seeing my shrink last night I am Upping the dose and starting his taper today. I fear it is still not enough. I have t had any good days. It’s so scary. I wish I had the right guidance. I guess I will have to be he one to figure that out.

Thank you for this thread

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When I was taking a lot of benzos, I was having constant panic attacks, heart racing, digestive problems, wasn't sleeping very much at all. When I started tapering, I noticed most of my symptoms went away except insomnia. I still don't feel refreshed when I wake up and don't feel groggy like I'm supposed to, but I'm sleeping about every other day. My brain still feels like there is no need for sleep, but it shuts down enough to keep me alive.
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Stacey,

 

That's pretty good--for a while there you weren't sleeping at all.  And congratulations on jumping!

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Stacey,

 

That's pretty good--for a while there you weren't sleeping at all.  And congratulations on jumping!

 

Thanks. Yeah..sleep has definitely been an issue. I didn't sleep last night at all. My symptoms seem to be fading but my mind has a hard time shutting down at night and lay there hurting and burning all night from adrenaline surges.

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Rodolpho, so glad to read that you are doing better. It gives us hope. please keep updating. we need the encouragement
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Wow, this is all great feedback!  Thank you all for contributing here.  It means so much and gives great hope.  I’m sure a lot of others will benefit from reading positive tapering experiences :smitten:

 

kes, that’s great you felt improvements during your taper and you took it slow.  How cool that you felt better the lower you got and that it wasn’t bad once you jumped!  Congratulations!  Thank you for sharing.  Some days I’m very hopeful and others, like today when in a wave (probably from the c/t) it seems daunting and scary.  This gives us hope!  :yippee:

 

jang how awesome, no panic attacks for 3 months!  What a great sign of healing.  Thank you for sharing about your experience and how it’s going for you.  I hope you get longer and longer windows.  I’m looking forward to my next window, too.  :)

 

Harmonee, I’m a long term user, too.  Your experience gives such great hope!  Congratulations on being at over 40% your original dose, wow!  It must feel so good.  I’m glad the Ashton method c/o to V is working for you!  I’m trying to do mine directly from Klonopin, staying hopeful and as positive as I can.  It’s good to know there are options and different ways to accomplish the goal of getting off of these benzos.  Thank you!  I understand about the life dramas, ohhh they can be so challenging while working so hard inside ourselves to heal.  Hope things mellow out for you :hug:

 

gogogaba, that’s so interesting that these things can make the original issues we took them for worse.  So great that this got better as you tapered!  Thank you for sharing.  I’ve wondered if crossing over would be easier, but I’m on Klonopin so just trying to do direct.  So glad the Valium switch worked for you.  I agree, the more we dwell (hard not to sometimes) the scarier it can be.  That’s why I felt compelled to start this thread.  The more positive feedback and experience from others, the better!  :)

 

Rodolfo, wow you are amazing!  After 40 years, what courage you have!  Congratulations on being so close to done and for all of the positive things you’re noticing.  Thank you so much for posting and sharing with us, it’s truly inspiring to know we can all do it!  I’ve often doubted that after 24 years on K I could actually do it and be a success, but I’m goin for it.  Albeit slowly.  That’s great you’re having more morning windows, your mind is clearer and your sleep is returning to normal.  All great signs of much healing taking place.  :thumbsup:

 

Bella Girl, I’m so glad this thread is helpful for you, too.  I’m sorry you’re in a wave.  I am, too.  I choose to believe that we won’t suffer all the way down, and will have some positives along the way.  Being realistic, of course there are those times, but it’s such a relief to be reminded that others have seen improvements along the way.  I started out believing it would be nothing but bad all the way, like no way out...  but there is evidence from these posts that it’s nit always the case.  I hope you get a window soon :hug:  Glad you’re here.  Thank you!

 

Stacey, you’ve come such a long way with all the symptoms you were experiencing.  I know from reading on here how you’ve been having the sleep issue, but I’m so glad it’s returning to you.  So glad your symptoms are fading!  Congratulations on your healing progress and for being off!  Thank you for sharing your improvements  :smitten:

 

Hopefully we can keep this going!  I know it will help a lot of people.  It helps me a great deal.  Thank you again, everyone.

 

Love,  Uni

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wow, this is all great feedback!  Thank you all for contributing here.  It means so much and gives great hope.  I’m sure a lot of others will benefit from reading positive tapering experiences :smitten:

I really think people need to read positive posts too. We all need hope and encouragement  :thumbsup:

 

kes, that’s great you felt improvements during your taper and you took it slow.  How cool that you felt better the lower you got and that it wasn’t bad once you jumped!  Congratulations! 
That is such great feedback to everyone on BB!!

 

jang how awesome, no panic attacks for 3 months!  What a great sign of healing.
  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

Harmonee, I’m glad the Ashton method c/o to V is working for you!  I’m trying to do mine directly from Klonopin, staying hopeful and as positive as I can.  It’s good to know there are options and different ways to accomplish the goal of getting off of these benzos.
Too right! Not "one size fits all" with Benzos, that's for sure!

 

gogogaba, I agree, the more we dwell (hard not to sometimes) the scarier it can be.  That’s why I felt compelled to start this thread.  The more positive feedback and experience from others, the better!  :)
  So true! The mind can be a powerful master, so I'm working on taking the power back. Lol, don't always win the battles, though intending to win the war  ;) Gogogaba, I was feeling the same way (that Valium 20:1 was too high for me at c/o). A great BB buddy suggested 16:1 after c/o and it worked really well. Nothing more true than to listen closely to the body. When you think about it, it's formed us from conception, it regulates us, keeps our vital organs in sync, we  breath without conscious thought, and it's healed us in sickness. I reckon it really knows what it's doing  :thumbsup:

 

Rodolfo, wow you are amazing!  After 40 years, what courage you have!  Congratulations on being so close to done and for all of the positive things you’re noticing.
  :clap: :clap: :clap::yippee:

 

Bella Girl, I’m so glad this thread is helpful for you, too.  I started out believing it would be nothing but bad all the way, like no way out...  but there is evidence from these posts that it’s not always the case.
  :thumbsup:

 

Stacey, you’ve come such a long way....So glad your symptoms are fading!  Congratulations on your healing progress and for being off!
  :clap: :clap: :clap: Brilliant  :thumbsup::smitten:

 

Great post Uni!! Great to read such fabulous stories!! Very uplifting :smitten: Harmonee

 

 

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Thanks for all the nice words of encouragement you sent me!

We are all in the same boat, just wishing to arrive to firm land....at our own rhythm, with our fears, our limitations and achievements.

And having one clear goal: to totally get rid of this poison...

All my best to you!

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The more positive stories the better.  I’m glad you’re all here and finding this thread helpful ❤️

 

I corresponded with one of the healed members yesterday through PM.  She said it go so much better the further she got down in dose.  Many symptoms and sxs started getting better and going away as she went along. 

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As I taper off Valium I'm finding I have a bit more energy and am making more of an effort to socialise.

 

A positive big step for me today was I went to a large shopping centre on my own, was ok and actually enjoyed it. I've not done this in 6 years as I used to be too anxious to be somewhere like that.

 

Another positive is that I regularly exercise and it's making a positive difference in that I've lost weight and am getting fitter.

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My wife did a slow symptom based taper off 2 1/2 mg K and absolutely felt better the lower she got.  She held many times and didn’t cut her dose until her symptoms resolved.  No acute period after her last dose and she’s doing more and more everyday.  She went back to the gym for hard cardio work one month ago. 

 

You can feel better at the lower doses!  :)

 

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Fantastic thread!  :thumbsup:

 

On my window days, I sometimes feel better than I did when I was taking Valium. I've been making a real effort to read more, socialize more, get outside more, exercise, eat better, etc.

 

Those efforts are paying off! It's not a straight line, and it's hard more days than not...but it's still improvement and I'll take it.

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