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A point of view on Muscle Spasms


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Hello all,

I am almost 5 months in from going cold turkey from 10yr + Klonopin use. (In detox). Needless to say its been awful BUT getting better as time goes by. The one physical symptom which is now really bothering me is muscle spasms (or twitches?). The are generally in my lower back / legs- very unpleasant. Does anyone else have/ get these- did they eventually go?

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Hi, muscle spasms are a very common physical symptom, perhaps THE most common.  They are temporary, and happen because benzos are powerful muscle relaxants, and when discontinued there is a rebound effect.  For more about this, see the Ashton Manual, Chapter III, on muscle symptoms.

 

:thumbsup:

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Megan is right. This is a very common wd symptom. Time will heal it. How are you doing otherwise? If this is your only symptom, my friend, you are doing VERY well! 10 years on a benzo and going CT is recipe for disaster. Similar to my history.

east

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Hi all

Thanks for reassuring me that the spasms should eventually go. Its a massive relief.

 

Eastcoast62,  muscle spasms were my only physical symptom. And I've been through a few e.g. sleeplessness, hives, tintinnus . Mentally though I am not out of the woods- the crazy fear and panic of the first couple of months, moved to a mild depression and now feeling better but still have fearful episodes.

 

The good new is that the trajectory seems to be upwards...but these last few months have been the darkest in my life. I did CT on the advice of my prescribing doctor as I could not taper- I tried.

 

The point is that it will get better. Love to all

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
Yup. Muscle fasiculations. Like little twiches or even jerks over my whole body. This with the never ending tinnitus and the feeling of walking in a fun house are my constant companions. Hang in there. Drink water, force yourself to eat good meals.
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Here is a common list of Withdrawal Symptoms to put your mind at ease...

 

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE MANY REPORTED SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INDICATING YOU OR SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT MAY BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A BENZODIAZEPINE PRESCRIPTION:

MENTAL/COGNITIVE/BEHAVIORAL SIGNS.  You may or may not experience these symptoms.

 

    Aggressive Behavior

    Agitation/Irritability/Short Tempered/Rage Outbursts

    Agoraphobia

    Anhedonia

    Anxiety/Panic/Terror Attacks/Development of Various Fears and Phobias

    Apathy

    Cognitive Impairment/Fog

    Confusion

    Crying

    Depression

    Depersonalization

    Derealization

    Dysphoria

    Emotional Lability

    Feeling numb or like a “zombie on autopilot”/Feeling over-sedated

    Hallucinations

    Hearing Voices

    Impaired Judgment

    Intrusive thoughts/Excessive negative thinking and feelings of doom

    Irrational Thoughts and Behavior

    Loss of Creativity

    Mania

    Memory & Concentration Issues

    Monophobia

    Mood Swings

    Neurocognitive problems

    Obsessive compulsive or other “odd” behavior

    Paranoia

    Personality Changes

    Reckless Behavior

    Self-Harming Thoughts and Behavior

    Stress Intolerance

    Suicidal Ideation

 

PHYSICAL SIGNS

 

    Adrenaline Rushes

    Akathisia/Restlessness

    Allergies & Sensitivities increasing or developing

    Appetite changes

    Aura

    Blood Pressure Issues, fluctuations

    Cardiac Symptoms – Bradycardia (slow heart rate), Tachycardia (rapid heart rate), Heart Palpitations, Pounding heart

    Clenching jaw, especially during sleep (TMJ)

    Chills

    Increased susceptibility to illness, stress on the immune system

    Diminished Motor Skills – Clumsiness, Coordination Problems, Difficulty walking, Dropping things, Falling down

    Dizziness/Vertigo/Balance Issues (General vestibular disturbances)

    Drooling

    Dysautonomia Symptoms

    Dysphagia (swallowing difficulty)

    Earache

    Exhaustion

    Fainting

    Fasciculations (benign)

    Fatigue/Lethargy/Weakness

    Flu-Like Symptoms

    Frequent Urination

    Gastrointestinal Symptoms

    Grinding Teeth / TMJ problms

    Hair Loss

    Headaches

    Hearing loss or changes

    Hormonal Issues

    Hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound frequency)

    Inner Vibrating or Buzzing

    Intolerance to cold and heat

    Itching/Skin Rashes/Hives

    Joint Pain (And other joint issues)

    Lightheaded

    Loss of Coordination

    Malaise

    Menstrual Issues

    Migraine with or without aura

    Motion sickness susceptibility

    Muscle Symptoms – Clenching, Cramping, Loss of muscle tone, Over-or under-active muscle reflexes, Pain, Spasms, Squeezing, Stiffness, Tension, Twitching

    Nerve Pain

    Paresthesia – Tingling, tickling, prickling, numbness, burning of skin

    Perceptual disturbance (feeling of being on a boat, feelings of unreality, deja vu, etc.)

    Peripheral Neuropathy

    Photophobia

    Phonophobia

    Respiratory – Shortness of breath, Can’t get deep breath, Labored breathing, Over-breathing

    Sensitivity to light and sound

    Sensitivity to smells, including naturally occurring smells or chemicals such as fragrance

    Sensitivity to temperature, weather and pressure changes

    Shaking/Rigors/Tremors

    Sleep Issues – Excessive sleeping, Insomnia, Myoclonic jerks, Sleep paralysis, No dreaming, Vivid dreaming, Nightmares

    Slurred Speech

    Sweats

    Tachycardia between doses or in the morning, or generalized

    Tight Throat/Ball-in-throat sensation

    Tinnitus (Ringing or pulsatile effects in ears)

    Tremors

    Vision Issues – blurred vision, seeing spots, grainy visions, after-images, sensitivities

    Weight Loss

    Withdrawal symptoms that will intensify between doses or near dosing times

 

Source:  w-bad.org

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Rev, I think you are doing VERY well, for a cold turkey person. I am so glad for you. Keep up the good work and never give up. The pay offs are so enormous!

east

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Hi eastcoast62

Thanks for the encouragement. I suppose I am doing well- the mental panic/fear, the 'what am I doing here' & 'everyone is out to get me' has subsided quite a lot.

The muscle spasms continue and are intensely annoying but am grateful to know that they will pass.

Things that help me are daily exercise, a good family and friends support network, no drinking or other drugs and benzobuddies.

How are you doing?

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