DAY 80 CT "BENZO BELLY" NEED REASSURANCE?

Hi Everyone

 

Day 80 C/T from 15mg of Diazepam.

 

I need to get this out there it's the most bothersome symptom at present, The only way to describe this is the right upper abdomen feels swollen under the ribs i was thinking possibly my liver 🙈 freaking out big time because of it, i get aches and pains roundabout where i feel it's swollen and it radiates sometimes to the side and back, my gas smells awful (sorry) and i also have this tightness around the upper back also, I'll get the occasional itchiness also n that has me almost in panic attack! Because I can't tell if it's inflammation or simply wd and benzo belly!

 

Explosive diarrhea 5 days ago, then pale stools, now it's back to normal 🤦

 

Can someone pls share their experiences and does this sound like WD/benzo belly???

 

Thank you.

 

 

Yes - it all sounds very familiar with Benzo Belly. Sorry.  It is a stage of recovery -try to accept that and know these symptoms are actually signs of healing.

Yes - it all sounds very familiar with Benzo Belly. Sorry.  It is a stage of recovery -try to accept that and know these symptoms are actually signs of healing.

 

Thanks very much for the reply Leslie J

 

I really appreciate it

 

I'm sorry you've went through this but thank goodness that you've said it sounds familiar was beginning to lose the plot here, you're right Leslie I'll need to try and accept it nothing much else i can do in the midst of this pandemic..

 

I'll keep reminding myself like an affirmation that when it gets real rough that I'm healing.

 

Thanks again Leslie 😊.

I had benzo belly and lots of GI tract issues as well.  It is part of the recovery and healing journey.  No fun at all, but survivable.  You'll get past this as it is a common WD symptom. 

Yes it's a normal symptom and yes it eventually goes away. I had it for maybe 6 months.

Thank you very much TheWay and Viper for your replies..

 

I truly appreciate it, i was going to say you don't know how much of a weight you all have lifted but you probably do..

 

Really grateful..

 

Best wishes..

 

Thanks again 

BigBear - I got your PM but am not able to respond on that due to my account being limited.  I hear you in that it is hard to work with the professional medical community when they are not educated on Benzo tolerance and withdrawals.  But you have heard from the people here on how common this symptom is so either you accept that and let your gut heal or your continue to seek medical intervention.  It is your call.  Sorry I can not be more helpful.  Of course, eliminating any medical reason for the GI issues is important but after you do that.....  it is up to you to modify your diet to work with this horrible symptom until it heals.  Many people eliminate dairy and gluten for starters.  You need to find what works for you.  I ate a meal of rice, tumeric, eggs and broccoli (stir fry) for many months until I could handle anything else.  YOU got this!

BigBear - I got your PM but am not able to respond on that due to my account being limited.  I hear you in that it is hard to work with the professional medical community when they are not educated on Benzo tolerance and withdrawals.  But you have heard from the people here on how common this symptom is so either you accept that and let your gut heal or your continue to seek medical intervention.  It is your call.  Sorry I can not be more helpful.  Of course, eliminating any medical reason for the GI issues is important but after you do that.....  it is up to you to modify your diet to work with this horrible symptom until it heals.  Many people eliminate dairy and gluten for starters.  You need to find what works for you.  I ate a meal of rice, tumeric, eggs and broccoli (stir fry) for many months until I could handle anything else.  YOU got this!

 

Thanks very much Leslie for getting back to me..

 

Think I've been doing a bit of both, then swinging to a what if - the good thing is I'm noticing myself doing so and I'm able to talk myself from spiralling down a dark hole, I've been tested for H.pylori bacteria came back negative, I'm gonna get tested for coeliac etc food intolerances just too rule it out i think then I'll be able to heal knowing, it's not that i don't trust you guy's just for the peace of mind..

 

I'm going to cut out what you've mentioned Leslie see if i notice a difference, then i know what meals i eat with no fuss Mediterranean chicken with rice, chicken pie broccoli and carrots, fish potatoes and green beans..

 

I'll keep you posted on the progress and just incase someone else is in the same situation as me here's lots of threads in the one about the symptom/symptoms of bb's who've suffered similar WD..

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=94455.0

 

Thanks again Leslie J

 

Best wishes 

Hi Everyone

 

Day 80 C/T from 15mg of Diazepam.

 

I need to get this out there it's the most bothersome symptom at present, The only way to describe this is the right upper abdomen feels swollen under the ribs i was thinking possibly my liver 🙈 freaking out big time because of it, i get aches and pains roundabout where i feel it's swollen and it radiates sometimes to the side and back, my gas smells awful (sorry) and i also have this tightness around the upper back also, I'll get the occasional itchiness also n that has me almost in panic attack! Because I can't tell if it's inflammation or simply wd and benzo belly!

 

Explosive diarrhea 5 days ago, then pale stools, now it's back to normal 🤦

 

Can someone pls share their experiences and does this sound like WD/benzo belly???

 

This is my first time posting here in a while. I'm in a bad place right now too, though I'm not going CT, thankfully. Since you're at day 80 though, the worst of the physical symptoms might soon be behind you.

 

As for that pain under your right rib? I've had it! I know exactly (and I mean exactly) what you're talking about. I have been messing with my X dose lately and taking much more than I should have, then going back to normal (while continuing V). Strangely, that pain hasn't come about lately, but it has many times before. I, too, was worried it could be my liver. I also have had unusually pale stools before, on and off, but not constantly. Lately they've been back while I've been feeling sick (in & out of pre-withdrawal). I honestly believe it's the benzo w/d and nothing more.

 

Don't hyperbolize and worry you're dying from this, that or the other thing; that's the worst thing to do in this situation. I read about liver failure earlier, and now I've been up all night long, panicking and stomach going nuts.

 

As others have recommended, try as hard as you can to stay positive. Keep thinking about what life will be like without the poison drugs -- the richness and fullness of life.

 

My best wishes are with you. Stay strong, and remember, you're nearly there!

hi there, this is my first post, just found benzo buddies, and at last i dont feel alone!

ive been c.t 86 days now, i was on street valium 10mg at night for 18mths. i was not aware that it mite not all be what its ment to be.

i took it to sleep only, i then just stopped, thought it would be fine, i now know otherwise of course.

i wish i had done my homework before c.t. its been so bad, first mth was insane, but now its really bad, the belly pain is the worst!,and the anxiety is through the roof,

only now im starting to learn about withdrawal process.

ive been taking some zopiclone and sominex to try and sleep,not good.

my relationship is worse by the day, she dont or wont understand. "its all in your head" etc.

im really trying to plough through, had 2 visits to a&e first mth, also had ultra scan on belly as got so scared.

what have i done?  feel like a fool, feel like a different person, not good.but at last a little joy finding this sight!!

i often think of taking one again and it would all go away!!

before c.t i was so active in life ,work and play.

need to talk, hope this end soon.!!!!

 

 

Spartan - You are healing. Don't mess it up by taking another medication.  The GABA receptors in your gut need time to adjust (upregulate).  You have got this!  Others who have not been through this will not understand. Acceptance is key. 

Hi Spartan, I just joined. I made the mistake of quitting c/t twice off 1.5 Klonopin. I had uh the same digestive issues you did and they came at the worst times. IE visiting my relative in the hospital, work and a birthday party. I called it the colon countdown...you have 5, 4, 3, 2, GOOOOOO. lol

After I figured out what was wrong, I started back on 1mgK. I cant work in a depends and yes my coworkers got a whiff of the horrible gas that comes with it. How embarrassing. Couldn't even blame the office dog.

Anywho, you are not alone by any stretch. I too am so glad to have found this sight. I thought I was crazy and weak not being able to just quit. It's only a little tiny 1.5mg! Still not sure what "benzo belly" is. Fat or extended belly or constipation? Combo?

Good luck to you! Stay safe. I love that the W/D symptoms are similar to COVID. My anxiety really feeds off that s*it. LOL

thanks for comments

day 90

lots of shaking, strange tension round face, cant sleep till 5-6 am,with half zopiclone, moody ,anxious and gut pains.

i wish i had understood before c.t and tried to taper wit support.

i was also using street valium, i cant find any other experiances on here about the street pills??

i know it was wrong,but it was only to sleep

its cost me alot, i cant get to work, relationship,on and on.

dont know how long can stand this, i keep thinking about going back to get normal and then taper off with help?

i cant even smile anymore.

 

I would not reinstate.  It will only make things much, much worse.

 

If you made it 90 days, you can certainly keep going.

 

It slowly gets better over time.  It's going to be tough for awhile though. 

 

Eventually symptoms disappear and sleep returns.

 

I thought about reinstating and doing a slow taper.  So glad I didn't.

 

This is all temporary and ends one day.  Sleep returns.  It gets better

 

Time is the healer.  I would not reach for any pills for sleep, including zopiclone.

I have had Benzo belly even after I have healed. Please try fermented food. It has helped me so much with Bezo belly and digestion. I also avoid sugar, gluten and am on plant based raw diet(90%). Food is medicine.

 

The breakthrough fermented food was Rice Yogurt that I ferment myself.

 

You can heal!

thanks

but how do reinstating make it much worse?

would it not end symtoms and allow me to taper off properly later?

sorry for sounding weak

Spartan, the thing about benzo's is reinstatement now, you can't be sure it will help and you can't be sure it won't.

  You would have to give it a chance that might take weeks or months to know either way.

It would be awful to reinstate only to find out it doesn't work this time.  It's different for everyone.

Only you can decide, but it is a risk, one that can leave you tapering for a long time.  It's a big decision.  Good luck!!  Mary

 

 

 

mary

thanks, i do not have much understanding, which has made this all so more scary,

im finding so hard to cope, having to lie to mates etc about whats wrong with me.

my relationship destroyed in just 90 days.

i had the idear in my head that taking my old dose of 10mg anight and all the problems would go, as i only took at night to sleep.

then could come off another time ,when ready for it all, with more understanding.

can you explain more of what you ment please

thanks so much

mary

thanks, i do not have much understanding, which has made this all so more scary,

im finding so hard to cope, having to lie to mates etc about whats wrong with me.

my relationship destroyed in just 90 days.

i had the idear in my head that taking my old dose of 10mg anight and all the problems would go, as i only took at night to sleep.

then could come off another time ,when ready for it all, with more understanding.

can you explain more of what you ment please

thanks so much

 

Sometimes, and I honestly don't know why, but there are many people on here that have experienced it, the benzo you were taking will no longer work the way they did, and can actually cause you more problems.  There is a name for it, but it's like the benzo turns on your body.  My brain just went blank.

It may not happen to you, but it can and the only way you know is by trying.  By trying, you have to understand, it can take, days, weeks or even months to help you again.  Some people are lucky, and it helps right away, but some are not.  So you need to understand while you are thinking about it, you could have problems.  It's been 90 days, and I know you are miserable and scared, but continuing on through it , may be a better option.  Benzo's work differently on everyone.  So no one can say, reinstating will help or hurt.  Research on here as best you can.  You can look in the search engine under your avatar or go to the Post Withdrawal Recovery thread and ask a question.  Whatever you decide, you need as much information as possible to make the decision that is right for you.

Hope that helps.   

thanks mary

well not a simple as i thought to fix .

oh dear thats ablow, i will think hard, dont want more pain.

its so hard seeing my life destroyed in just 90 days. i only stopped as i ran out and thought i just stop, even first couple weeks i thought leave them ,i be fine in 2 more weeks...i was wrong again.

one day i want to fight, nx i want to go back.

i feel so mixed up, worried for next few mths, im turning down work, not eating, hurt belly

i know everyone different,

i hope i can hold out

thanks

Hi Spartan, Just checking back to see how you are doing. Still learning how to use the site.  Oh my Gosh, you sound like you are in misery!! Congratulations, even though you dont feel much like celebrating I'm sure. Well done, sir!

Have you contacted a Doctor or addiction specialist? ( not that we're addicts but a professional that knows about becoming physically dependent on a drug?) I went c/t on Klonopin 1.5mg twice. First time I though the W/D was because I was drinking heavily. So I quit drinking and went back on the Klonopin full time. NO problems.  Except for the quitting drinking was horrid. A lot like stopping K but lasted for only 7 days not 2 years.

Second time, I thought I was feeling much better and just quit. I deteriorated rapidly.  I was in hell. It is a living nightmare where you are now. I'm so sorry to know you are feeling that way. From people who understand it is a mental prison of fear and and anxiety with the bonus of horrid physical symptoms. Speaking of which, did the s*hits go away? . I would like to share what happened when I did go back on the K and when I stayed off of it for a few months after C/T. It is different for everyone, here is my experience(s) if you care to read.

And I would like to preface this by writing; 90 days is terrific. What a triumph! I hope you are feeling good about this win and rewarding yourself. No matter what you decide, it is the right decision for you, hands down. No one is judging you here, you are safe, and we have all been through it.

If you are leaning towards sticking it out and not going back on the benzos,  I learned later the GABA receptor is the same for benzos and alcohol hence the cravings for alcohol if you are having any. Never drank like that before in my life. Please do not make that mistake. Same with caffeine.

Cut to a few days after Cold Turkey off Klonopin.. I found if I could eat at all; tiny meals ( I mean bites) 6-8 a day, eggs tons of eggs for some reason. Rice, yogurt, applesauce, some fruits...berries in the yogurt, occasional chicken breast. I found processed anything made me feel worse. Vitamins/supplement worse, too much carbs and sugar oh, look out toilet and your brain explodes. Too much food same feeling. Water water water water. Cant handle tea. Sips of Vitamin water with b vitamins, sips of  whatever you want just dont go overboard. And more water water water. Exercise, if possible, is a Godsend. I ripped my Achilles so that ended.  I make myself get out of bed once an hour and walk around if I'm having a super bad day. Bathroom trips count. Any exercise counts. Try to eat. Try not to scream when I wake up. Everything you are feeling now. A lot more to say that has probably been said a thousand times but to get to the point I went back on Klonopin 1.5 after 60 days. I folded. I caved. I lost. I bit the big one. I quit. But i feel there are quitters and people who quit while they're ahead. My relationships, work and life were all headed south. I was about to lose it all. I still feel weak minded to this day but I also still have a roof over my head and I have since started tapering slowly and with a Doctors help.Do I think alot about if I had just stuck with it I would probably be close to healed by now, yes. It is very hard to accept some days.

On a positive note I wanted you to know it is your decision and I know you will make the right one. I am down to .5 a day, attempting to stabilize my doses and take things one day at a time. I still have bad days and W/D symptoms like mad that about take me down but not like when I went C/T.

Good luck to you Spartan. Keep in touch. I would like to know how you are doing. I soon may have to make the decision to go C/T again. My doctor is retiring. Take care and stay safe.

I had loads of pale stools - yellow and even grey. It all resolved itself on its own . Just the body going back to its normal place and through that temporarily fires out symptoms xx

thanks people.

killianne-- thanks for your take on quitting.

you certainly been through it, really hope you get there!

i think it mite be aday to day what to do.

today i got up for a change,positive , got my pal to fix my exercise machine, no pains etc,

went to park with dog in sun,lovely, thought you know what i will fight this.

then as soon as got home, bad stumach ,throat hurt,etc. i thought it had give me aleast one day and night off.

sad, i was fine for 18mths taking them, even though it was street valium. could do anything, after c.t i had tests done and liver,kidneys etc fine, so drug had not done physical damage.

since then i been doctors few times ,none had any understanding gave me zopicone to sleep, i quit them last week,not got money for rehab or proper people.  found no help, i had ultra scan (OK), feel i need camara tube down throat when hospitals doing again, as convinced myself i got ulcer, as stumach pains are unbealivable,. thinking will i ever have a beer again, as it hurts to drink?

i did not stop taking the valium (10MG) anight for any real reason except one day i could not be bothered going to buy some, and it just led from there, as first few days were ok, i carried on, but never expected this, my life destroyed in a mere 91 days.

and like you i in deep trouble with work, relationship over, etc etc,.

and so every day i will think should i go back,feel normal for while,earn money etc, then taper and find help, be totally perpaired.

i dont want to sound weak or loser as so many on b.b fighting everyday too, just dont know, i dont know if taking again will hurt me pysical or mentally,  i also on other hand think im wasting 3 mths of pain, but im more worried about going under in nx couple of mths with job ,flat, etc etc...

its such a hard call to make.

always fought advirsity, but this is a different LEAUGE.

peace & love.

Hi Spartan, A different league is a great way to put it. I've been though all kinds of pain life dishes out to everyone. I never in a million years thought an itsy bitsy, teeny weeny 1.5 dose of ANYTHING could take me down like this did. WTH??? I feel so weak! And embarrassed and ashamed I could let this happen to me. I just needed some relief for a little while from a painful divorce and a couple other nasty things. A psychiatrists gave me the pills. I dont trust anyone and i didn't even blink or research the pills putting all of my faith in this guy. He told me I might be on these the rest of my life. Like diabetes or high blood pressure. Didn't think much about it. Just took them and felt better soooo much better. Then it wore off and I just kept taking them thinking they were the reason I felt better.

Good job getting out of bed and playing with your pup pup. Its the small victories. And yeah, just when you think you're having a good day, good ole benzo slaps you down. Its like that crappy good for nothing cousin no one wants to show up at the party. lol They show up, put everyone in a bad mood, eat all the food, hit on your girl and then throw up in your planter on the way out. Thanks. Thats benzo w/D. I just dont understand how it can take over your mind and cause so much fear and dread and have such a HUGE variety of symptoms. I went to my doc to and had a full on thorough go over. CHECK EVERYTHING, I'm dying. Nope, your cholesterol is a bit high. WHAT?? no no no no no I'm dying doc..DYING. check it again. I read where you went to work like this. Me too. I'm usually smiling and funny and in a great mood.It was like invasion of the body snatchers. My boss told me I looked pale and sweaty and to go home. Come back when I felt better. Little did I know that could take 2 freaking years!! Screw drinking, I was a mess trying to drive. Way more a menace to society than a drunk driver any day.Sorry I am prattling on so much. I cant talk to anyone about this crap because it seems so far fetched. If I hadn't gone or still going through this I'm not sure I would believe anyone if they told me all of the symptoms that change by the second. Uhhhhhh sure. Yeah, 2 years. uh-huh....think you're dying....yep sure thing. Uhg. It is so frustrating! Or my friend that take the occasional Xanax when they're freaking out or flying cant believe anything bad could come out of such a great drug. Well, thanks for reading if you did. lol I'm wide awake. I tried to cross over Klonopin to Valium to finish my taper and my body didnt seem to like to Valium si I stopped taking it. I updosed on my K to keep me sane. So my doctor and I will discuss a good schedule to taper just K. I see why they call them "rescue" doses.

Anywho, I truly hope you can salvage your relationship and some of what you've lost during the past 90 days. I am terribly sorry. Not only do you already feel like crap physically and mentally and are going though a personal hell but life doubled down on you. You don't deserve that and I hope you know it. Keep up the good work for you, make decisions for you and whats best for YOU. I'm not sure where you live or what street Valium is? Are the dealers mixing a bunch of crap together like crack? Is it just someones prescription? It is illegal? If we felt better I would say hold our heads high. I can barely get mine off the pillow. lol Go outside again tomorrow, your body and pup pup will thank you. I very much appreciate this distraction, I was out of my mind tonight, quitting the Valium and trying not to take too much K. Have you done cold turkey before? Do you live alone or do you have someone to talk to? Does your dog stick to you when you get up because she knows something is wrong? I hope what ever you decide, it brings you peace.  Stay safe:)