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← Return to Protracted Benzo withdrawal
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I am in hell trying to get off pf diazepam prescribed for 20 years for spasm from spinal injury.
12 months of hell so far. Had to reinstate and am retapering.
Had no neuro or psych symptoms prior to withdrawal.
Muscle tightnessis horrible. Outer layer of muscle and collagen atrophied in first month off.
Constant hunger./ carb sugar cravings that cause severe panic
Altered sensation throughout body. Complete loss of internalsenstion including inability to feel full however much I eat.
Terror of everything including ordinary things in living space.
Severe hyperacusis - my own voice sounds like I am shouting down a distorted megaphone in to my own head.
Cognition terrible.
Dementia- like symptoms.
Weakness.
Breathlessness.
Heart beating very hard.
Inner vibrating.
Burning and chemical smell. Or everything smells too intense.
Can’t taste or feel food properly in mouth.
Constant hissing/fizzing/electrical feeling in head like a low level seizure.
World feels too ‘insubstantial’ objects feel too light and sort of physically ‘ghostly’ as if everything could just float away.
Can’t feel body properly.
Feeling like body is ‘melting’ pooling out across bed.
Feeling like brain is dissolving or ‘hollow’.
Hair falling out, going bald.
Food tastes rotten or wrong.
And loads more - utterly horrific. Not sure I will survive.
If I didn’t have food issues I would do Keto diet.
Replies to "I am in hell trying to get off pf diazepam prescribed for 20 years for spasm..."
You do not mention how much benzodiazepene you were taking. Did your doctor ask you to get off of the benzodiazepene? Is he gradually tapering you off? I was able to successfully get off of Klonopin but it did take a while and I did slowly taper off. I am sorry you are having such a bad time of it now, but if your doctor wants this it most likely is a good idea in the long run. Keep on and you can get through this if done slow.
@jossm, I want you to know that many of us that are trying to taper, are experiencing the hell that you are going through.I too have been on a benzo for several decades, and came to a point where I ended up in an emergency room twice! Have you let your doctor know what you are going through? Palpitations can make you think you are having a heart attack, been there, but confused about hair falling out. I would get to my GP as soon as possible, but we are here to help support you. Blessings Lorraine
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Hi, @jossm - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine going through all the symptoms you've mentioned with tapering off of diazepam is indeed hell, as you mentioned. I'd like to introduce you to a few members who may have some input for you, like @pankaj @hopeful123 @lorraine59 @hopeful33250 @johnhans @james88 @parus and others.
Here is some Mayo Clinic information on diazepam https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/diazepam-oral-route/description/drg-20072333.
@jossm - has your prescribing physician had any suggestions for you as you go through this tapering process, with all that you are going through?