Success for Jackie

[WebDevElijah]

Just checking in as I know how helpful it can be to hear from those of us post-taper. I am currently 412 days off of 1mg Lor. I took it for 8 years and felt really ill for about 5 of those years. At the time, I was an avid long distance cyclist and backpacker. Doctors were no help. By the time I discovered the cause of my illnesses, I was unable to cycle or hike without feeling ill and suffering massive body pain during and afterward.

 

Overall I generally felt unwell. I finally figured out it was from interdose withdrawals and tolerance. I did the research and I successfully tapered off by liquid titration. I determined my reductions by the way I felt. If it was too much I waited, if I was doing well, I would speed it up. I used the schedule as a foundation, but we are all different, so I gave myself room to adjust as needed.

 

Once I walked off, it was bumpy at first as my brain readjusted. Windows and waves. It took a lot of patience and trust that I would heal. Today, I am feeling so much better and am slowly working my way back to the sports I love so much. I am following a healthy diet, dont drink alcohol and am working out daily to get back in shape. My husband and I adopted our cute puppy, Cody, who motivates me daily. In the picture below, we were on a 6-mile moderate hike yesterday, which felt great. What symptoms I have are fleeting and mild and I give them no power by focusing past them. For me, the things that were the most important were

 

1. Not allowing myself to be fooled into thinking I wasn’t going to heal by any symptoms I was still going through. Symptoms after tapering are common in our healing.

2. When I do too much, I back off, but keep pushing myself a little more each week. My healing and attitude has improved substantially as I get more fit.

3. Finally, I drink tons of water and follow good sleeping habits. The worst waves I had were times when I was dehydrated or lacked sleep.

4. Most of all, do not lose faith, the depression you may feel is part of this, don’t buy into it. I know how hard this is, but it really does end.

 

Wishing you a restorative new year. You are brave, and much, much stronger than you think. You WILL heal.

 

Took 1mg Ativan, for 8 yrs for sleep as prescribed. Liquid titrated (schedule set up by David Jones).