Survivor1: sleeping after trazodone (and benzo)

[Glosmom]

Hi Survivor!  I second your recommendation.  Steroids completely debilitated my 20 year old  daughter (at the time she is now 22 years old). She took them for hives (for 8 days) and she became psychotic and did not recover after 7 months so we put her on risperidone and now we are in antipsychotic tapering hell.  The side effects of medications are not even discussed with patients....but those are the things that can change lives forever!  Hope you continue to feel better.  My daughter hopefully will recover once we get her off this antipsychotic but we have been dealing with the fall out for 2 and 1/2 years.

Best Wishes to You! glosmom

[Survivor1]

 

2 hours ago, Glosmom said:

Steroids completely debilitated my 20 year old  daughter

 

Hello Glosmom,  thanks so much for sharing your daughter's experience.  I just read your thread and I am so sorry for what your daughter is going through.  

 

It truly is unbelievable that steroids are prescribed with such frequency especially since it is widely acknowledged in the medical community that there is such a thing as steroid WD.  They even come in tapering packs!  When I got the shot I specifically asked for side effects, as I now know better than to put something in my mouth without asking questions.  I was told "insomnia".  Well, I got that and so much more.

 

I have connected with a community of people online who have similar steroid stories, and sadly most of them have been put on ADs, APs, and benzos to cope with the side effects.  And these drugs don't even help!  Now they are in the position of your daughter, having to taper these awful drugs.  If I weren't on Trazodone already, I probably would have added something too.

 

Thank you for your good wishes, and I hope for the best for your daughter too.  I keep telling myself "it has to get better".  It will.  

 

Take care.

 

 

[Waiting12]

I’m so glad you feel you are emerging from your setback! I’ve been wondering how you were doing. Did it get worse for you before it got better? I’m 2 months into my setback from the antibiotics and this week has been the absolute scariest and worst yet. Glad you are back to being functional. Only up from here. We must avoid any meds that can affect the nervous system. 

[Survivor1]

Hi @Waiting12,  so sorry you are going through this.  I believe you have a double whammy - the antibiotic and the dental anesthesia.  

 

I can only imagine what you are going through.   For me there was no let up for about 3 months. I only started seeing relief two weeks ago.  So I suspect you may have to endure for a while until you get some relief.  I see that you had a few short windows. That is very encouraging.  You are two months out, so quite a while has elapsed which means relief may be around the corner.  I sure wish that for you. 

 

I am still just stacking the days.  I fear that is the only thing to do.

 

Best wishes.

[WiggleIt]

Dear Survivor,

Wow, you have been through the wringer!  Still, though, the fact that you have recently gotten relief is excellent and a definite beacon of hope.  Until I came to SA, I was very naive about prescription side effects.  I took antibiotics if necessary like normal.  I got vaccinated as child with no troubles, etc., and I got adult vaccines that were required for college with no trouble.

But, man oh man, did stuff change when psych meds destabilized my body!  I can't tolerate anything anymore, not even Ibuprofen or vitamin supplements.  If I take anything like that, it flares up my dystonia.

I do everything I can to avoid getting sick now, because I don't want to be put in a position where I need antibiotics and end up with severe, unrelenting dystonia again.  That's really my life goal: avoiding dystonia flares at all costs!

[Carmie]

Hi Survivor, 

 

I’m really sorry you’ve had such an intense three months, but I’m so happy to hear you’re slowly getting a bit better. It’s the most amazing feeling when the window starts to open a little after you’ve been riding a long wave. Come on window, open a little wider! 

 

That’s so horrible what the steroid shot did to you, one shot, just goes to show how potent they are. Being in withdrawal already wouldn’t have helped. I’m scared to take anything. I took anti-inflammatories once n got such severe stomach pain that I ended up in hospital. It was supposed to reduce inflammation but it caused inflammation. Paradoxical indeed! 

 

Take care and I hope your window keeps widening.

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

[Survivor1]

6 hours ago, WiggleIt said:

I do everything I can to avoid getting sick now, because I don't want to be put in a position where I need antibiotics

 

hi WiggleIt, I absolutely understand.  I still haven't gotten my flu shot because I do not know if it is safe for me or not.  I'm waiting for another month then maybe take the plunge.  

 

I read your last post in your thread. That is interesting about the hair loss etc being on one side of the body only.  The body is such a complex vehicle.  And I am so happy you are able to feel small pleasures.  Take care of yourself.

 

5 hours ago, Carmie said:

It’s the most amazing feeling when the window starts to open a little after you’ve been riding a long wave

 

Very true, Carmie.  And horrible when that wave hits after a few days of feeling decent.  Overall I am definitely improving.  

[Carmie]

Hi Survivor, 

 

Just checking in to see how you’re doing? Are you continuing to recover from that awful steroid shot?

 

Sending hugs🤗

[Survivor1]

Hi all,

 

It has been a while since I checked in and it is not because things were good.  Long story ...

 

At my last update, I was feeling some relief from the steroid shot, although far from stable.  During the WD I gave up caffeine and was drinking an herbal tea.  Turns out the tea had licorice root which mimics steroids!  I realized this end of Nov 2018 after three months' use and discontinued immediately.  I was thrown back to acute.  

 

In the meantime (since last summer) I was having to constantly clear my throat, with some mucus production, along with coughing.  I started noticing white spots in my throat I thought were ulcers, which would appear and disappear.  I attributed all of these to my SJS episode around the same time. Turns out the timing was just coincidence. The whole situation was leading to lung problems as the mucus was/is dripping into my airways (x-rays showed mild interstitial disease, etc.)  Could not figure it out.  Sputum tests came back normal.  

 

In the meantime, I was plodding along with the WD from the steroid/tea.  But the throat issues were worsening. Saw ENT and GI specialists, both thought my problems were related to acid reflux and wanted me to start PPI/H2 therapy.  I balked.  Both convinced me to undergo endoscopy to see if it is GERD.  I thought it best also and the endoscopy was done mid-Jan this year.  Thankfully results showed a healthy GI system with only mild gastritis (I attribute this to WD) and no GERD, but I was more flummoxed than ever.  I also mentally prepared for a worsening of my WD from the propofol, and that did happen.  At this point, WD is strong but tolerable, about 6/10.

 

In the past few weeks, the white spots started appearing again and sore throat and coughing episodes became more frequent. Still no tests were showing any inflammation.  Finally returned to the ENT who was getting slightly exasperated that I did not do the PPI/H2, since he thought my issues were from silent acid reflux (LPR).  In his defense, the symptoms are quite similar.  I mentioned the white spots and upon further examination he found the culprit: tonsil stones!  It turns out the tonsil stones were causing subclinical inflammation for the past 6 months and no tests could pick it up!  The stones kept "appearing and disappearing" because of the many crevices/folds in the tonsil tissues. That is why he did not see them before.  I even had a dentist look and he did not see anything!  I saw my PCP four times in the last 2 months for sore throat and sputum tests and I am sure she was thinking I was becoming a hypochondriac because no test was picking up anything.

 

The tonsil stones were removed by the ENT two days ago and the cough is gone!  Anyhow, here I am finally with answers, but now facing a hard decision.  I have developed a full blown staph infection, which the ENT said will likely happen.  I have to use an antibiotic while still wildly unstable. It should take care of both the staph and subclinical bronchitis.  I am terrified, needless-to-say.  But I must do it.  I am enjoying my 6/10 WD day today as tomorrow things may go to s**t when I begin the antibiotics.  

 

Wish me luck!

[Altostrata]

That is a remarkable story about the tonsil stones. Just goes to show -- you have to lead the doctors regarding your care.

 

You need to treat the staph infection. I would discuss all antibiotic options with the ENT and choose the least likely to be a problem. There may be no good choices and you have to take this one.

 

This may be a rough patch but you'll get through it.

 

Be sure to take a probiotic at a different time than the antibiotic to keep some bacterial activity going in your gut, this will give bad bacteria less of an opportunity.

[Survivor1]

Thank you Alto.  I will heed your advice about the probiotics. 

 

Remarkable story it is, would have been moreso if I had decided to do the PPI and be on a med that I do not need!!

 

Will report back when there is more to say.

[Frogie]

20 hours ago, Survivor1 said:

Thank you Alto.  I will heed your advice about the probiotics. 

 

Remarkable story it is, would have been moreso if I had decided to do the PPI and be on a med that I do not need!!

 

Will report back when there is more to say.

Wow Survivor!

 

What a fluke that you were finally able to find the tonsil stones. I’ve heard of them and they can be tricky to find. I’m glad you didn’t give up on your symptoms.

 

I hope you will start to feel better after the antibiotics. 

 

Keep us posted.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Survivor1]

Thank you @Frogie !

 

Good news to share (for a  change):  Called ENT who prescribed Cefdenir.  Was still semi-freaking out over the possible antibiotic use, so went in to PCP (again!) to do a throat swab.  Came out negative for Strep!  There is inflammation but no infection.  So I have been given reprieve for the moment.  Regarding the mild bronchial issues, I will wait and hopefully they will resolve on they own.  Yay!!

 

 

[Frogie]

15 minutes ago, Survivor1 said:

Thank you @Frogie !

 

Good news to share (for a  change):  Called ENT who prescribed Cefdenir.  Was still semi-freaking out over the possible antibiotic use, so went in to PCP (again!) to do a throat swab.  Came out negative for Strep!  There is inflammation but no infection.  So I have been given reprieve for the moment.  Regarding the mild bronchial issues, I will wait and hopefully they will resolve on they own.  Yay!!

 

 

Great news! I’m so happy for you 😊

[Carmie]

Hi Survivor, 

 

Nice to hear from you again. How wonderful they found out what was wrong. I’m so glad they were able to fix that problem for you, I’ve never heard of tonsil stones. The things we can get, hey. I’m glad you didn’t get a strep infection and don’t need antibiotics. Woohoo!

 

As regards your lung issues, I actually have lung problems and what helps with that are the enzymes serrapeptase and nattokinese. In combination they help with the mucus and getting rid of any gunk in the lungs. Serrapeptase is actually made by silkworms, and it’s what they use to crack through their hard cocoon. It can break down all sorts of things in the body, including scar tissue. I don’t know if it will affect your withdrawals, as we have to be careful with all supplements, but I’ve never had a problem with it. I’m still taking it now. I get mine from iherb.

 

Take care.💚

 

 

[Survivor1]

Hello @Carmie!  

 

Thanks for checking in on me.  I too never heard of tonsil stones - ya learn something everyday...They are caused by food debris, bacteria, mucus and the like getting caught in the many folds for the tonsils.  Over time, they calcify causing stones. Who knew?

 

I'm glad you mentioned those enzymes.  if my mucus problems continue, I will look into them.

 

How are you doing otherwise? I hope things are manageable for you.  I have not been keeping up because I have been too winded with withdrawal, my SJS episode fallout, and this throat thing.  Too much going on really.  Hopefully things will settle down soon. 

 

Best wishes.

[Survivor1]

Update:

 

While it is sure that my throat issues are not from an infection, they are from second-degree burns!  

 

When I had the tonsil stones removed, the ENT told me to gargle with hydrogen peroxide. Little did I know that it can be caustic to some people.  A few days ago I started to spit up blood and mouth tissue with the most horrific pain in my throat.  Went back to ENT who suspected the HP.  I stopped it two days ago, and have seen much improvement.  Bleeding is till there especially after I eat, so I am now on a liquid diet for the next few days.  The pain has subsided from a 10 to a 2, and no more spitting up tissue, so much improved.  The blood does scare me a little though ...  Aargh!

 

WD -  Interesting experience with propofol:  Had an endoscopy done 1 month ago.  For two days after, I had a complete remission of my withdrawal symptoms from the steroid use!  I felt fantastic.  Given the complete relief, I realized that the propofol was like a reinstatement, and knew that worse was to come.  Fast forward to today, and I am back to square one again.  I am trying to be stoic, but it is hard (also exacerbated by my throat problems).  I have been in WD from the steroid since Aug 2018 and have had several setbacks.  

 

I have also learned that when given anesthesia, doctors often would give a shot of steroid to prevent nausea.  I do not know if this was done to me, and I am too wiped to find out.  I am just trying to plod along hoping for no more derailments.

 

Throughout this I have lost most of my hair.  I had been losing hair before due to many discontinuations, but the steroid WD kicked it into high gear.  Am trying not to give this too much oxygen.

 

Anyway, this is it for now.  I hope that the next post will be more positive.   

[Waiting12]

Wow Survivor. You've really been through it. I admire your attitude in spite of it all. I'm glad you got to avoid the antibiotics and that you got your health issues squared away. I just wanted to pop in and say I have had chronic tonsil stones for years & I didn't have them before the ADs. I wonder if there is a connection? I've never thought about it before until I saw your post. Interesting...

 

What did the ENT do to remove them? I saw an ENT years back but he told me I was too old to get my tonsils out and to basically deal with it, but he never offered anything in terms of treatment other than recommending a waterpick (which I do use). I remove mine myself. Just wanted to say you aren't alone. Anyways, I hope you bounce back quickly from the propofol. Keep in touch!

[Survivor1]

Hi @Waiting12 ,

 

Very nice to hear from you!  Tonsil stones and AD... interesting indeed!  I too never had them in my life, so maybe there is a connection?  I know that withdrawal causes dry mouth very often, certainly does with me, and maybe the lack of saliva causes "mouth things" to accrete instead of being washed away?  Who knows?

 

The ENT did a small incision in my tonsils, and scooped it out.  Sometimes one can do it by oneself, like you did, but there is always the possibility of pushing it further in, so an ENT is recommended.  Anyway I went to him because I did not even know of tonsil stones.  He actually recommended a tonsillectomy if I continue to have them, but I am not going down that road. (Not sure why yours said you are too old, apparently it is done all the time to people of all ages.)  It is actually a painful procedure with a long recovery time, besides I am not going to have any more drugs affect my CNS, unless absolutely necessary.  I think I will invest in a waterpik too as there is now a "hole" in my mouth where he removed it.

 

I have recovered from the mouth burns, so now I have only good old WD to worry about.  I am very spent over this experience, now having to deal with the effects of the propofol.  And it is intense.  The only thing that is keeping me going is that I am able to muster at least 5 hours of sleep at night, or else I'd be a basket case.

 

How are you doing?  I hope you are seeing some improvement in the setbacks you have had?  I sure hope so.  And thank you for visiting my thread!

 

 

 

[Carmie]

Hi Survivor, 

 

Glad to hear you’ve recovered from your mouth burns. Is your throat okay? So you “only” have withdrawals to think about now.😃 I don’t think the word only quite covers it.😃 You must be so emotionally exhausted with all the health ordeals you’ve had recently. I hope you’re giving yourself some self care and rest. I’m glad to hear you’re getting some sleep.

 

Take care💚

[Survivor1]

Hello @Carmie ,

 

It is always good to hear from you.  My mouth issues seem resolved for now, let's hope nothing else happens in the near future!  While it has been an exhausting time, I am trying to fake it till I make it. There's no other way.  So onward I go!

 

I see from your thread that despite your challenges, you are coping reasonably ok.  So glad for you.  And that weighted blanket sounds like a really good idea. A while back, ChessieCat had suggested I get one, but I hesitated because it gets unbelievably hot in Texas.  Maybe I may go for it this time, if things get bleaker.

 

Take care of your self, and thanks for checking in on me!

[Carmie]

I’m all for the fake it until you make it way of thinking Survivor, 

 

One foot in front of the other, one step at a time until we finally make it to our destination of being free of withdrawal symptoms.

 

Yes, I love my weighted blanket, so glad I bought it. It’s really hot here in Queensland but I have airconditioning in the bedroom, thus I can still use it in summer. I feel very snug in it. I’ve wanted to buy one for ages and I finally got around to doing it. I’d highly recommend one. Kristine bought one but couldn’t use it because she has burning skin, but most people that have bought them have liked them.

 

Take care💚

[Carmie]

Hi Survivor, 

 

Just popping in to see how you’re doing.💚

[Survivor1]

Hi @Carmie ,

 

Thanks for popping by.  I am hanging in there, some moments are OK some not, so kind of a mixed bag.  I fear that I still haven't peaked in my reaction to the propofol as today was quite a bit worse than the past.  Am trying not to analyze things too much, it is what it is, and I must move forward.  

 

I see from your thread that you are having some challenges.  So sorry for all the upheavals.  WD is bad enough, you don't need other stressors on top of that.  I hope you pull through soon.  Just crawl under that beautiful weighted blanket and get some much needed comfort.

 

Take care.

[Carmie]

Hi Survivor, 

 

I liked your it is what it is attitude. It made me smile. Sometimes we can really overanalyse everything. These days when I get new symptoms, or when my symptoms go up, down, up, down, I just go: “It’s withdrawals, nothing more, nothing less.” 

 

Extra stress in life can certainly ramp up symptoms, but there are always going to be stressors in life. We all have to learn to deal with them. We have a cry, we get back up and so on. 

 

Yes, I looooove my weighted blanket!! I also have a really soft soft toy dog.🐶😃 I’m in my 50’s but I’m a little kid at heart. I’ve named him Puddles because I love water💦💦💦

 

Take care, Sending hugs🤗

 

Edited February 24, 2019 by Carmie
Typo

[Survivor1]

12 hours ago, Carmie said:

I also have a really soft soft toy dog.🐶😃 I’m in my 50’s but I’m a little kid at heart. I’ve named him Puddles because I love water💦💦💦

 

Funny ... I have a real, live one and lately he's been having so many accidents in the house that I've started calling him Puddles (truly!).  Probably really confusing him as to which name to answer to now, lol.

 

I hear you about being a kid at heart.  I make no apologies for being like that myself, it makes life so much more enjoyable ...

[Rachellynn]

We have two dogs that we could name puddles too!🙊💦☔️

[Survivor1]

16 hours ago, Rachellynn said:

We have two dogs that we could name puddles too!🙊💦☔️

 

😀

[Hopefull]

Ho Survivor1, 

Thank you for your kind words and hang in there.  Take care,  Hipefull.

[Carmie]

On 2/25/2019 at 8:59 AM, Survivor1 said:

 

Funny ... I have a real, live one and lately he's been having so many accidents in the house that I've started calling him Puddles (truly!).  Probably really confusing him as to which name to answer to now, lol.

 

I hear you about being a kid at heart.  I make no apologies for being like that myself, it makes life so much more enjoyable ...

 

That’s so funny Survivor, 

 

How is Puddles doing? We have a cat, so no puddles except in the litter box. 😁

 

How have you been doing?💚

[Survivor1]

Update:

 

It's been a while since I was on this forum and it was on purpose.  I was waiting until hopefully I stabilized from the steroid shot I had in Aug 2018.  Sadly, I am far from stabilization.

 

For those following my thread, a year ago this month I had a steroid shot.  Sheer agony ensued, with complete abatement of symptoms from anesthesia 5 months later (Jan 2019) during an endoscopy.  I believe this brief "reinstatement" kindled me because it just became terrible after that (since I couldn't be hooked up to propofol 24/7).  I won't bore everyone with all the symptoms, but suffice it to say I had over 50*.  It is now a year since that shot and 7 months since the propofol, and only last month I began to get some windows occasionally.  Things finally seem to be going in the right direction.  

 

Then three weeks ago I developed severe sinusitis, with bloody nasal discharge and cough.  No choice but to go on antibiotics.  I asked for doxycycline, as so many seem to have a negative reaction to augmentin  (the first line treatment for sinusitis).  I could tolerate only 8 of the 10-day regimen.  The sinusitis seem mostly over, but I still have mild symptoms; I am hoping my body will fight the remaining bacteria on its own.  Unfortunately, I am now officially in a massive wave from the doxy.  (I will post in the antibiotics thread more details of my experience.)

 

So here I am just going day by day, hoping that sometime this century I will get stable enough to start the journey off trazodone.

 

 

* I want to give a few details about a cluster of symptoms that were caused by the Steroid WD that were new to me; I was actually unsure that they were even WD.

 

1) Blood pressure skyrocketed.  There were episodes of over 160/110.  I was terrified of a stroke.  Luckily I eventually found several anecdotes from others going thru steroid WD and they complained of the same thing, and eventually stabilized.  I hung on.  Just before the doxy, I was measuring a more normal 135/80 (I did not have bp issues pre-WD, my normal is 116/70 ish).  Today I checked again and I was getting 150/90 - thanks doxycycline.

2) Elevated blood sugar - measured 110 and over.  My pre-WD normal is 80.  Before the doxy I was trending 100, so was definitely getting better. 

3) Very productive cough (unrelated to sinusitis).  This completely went away after the "reinstatement" with propofol.  Returned and still fighting it, but less intensity.  My doctor wanted to put me on steroids (as sputum analysis showed inflammation), but I declined.  I'm sure this would have been effective, but once I realized I was dealing with Wd, I did not want to have another drug to taper.

4) Diagnosed with pulmonary venous hypertension! This shocked me.  It meant my heart was not functioning properly, causing a strain on my lungs.  Again after the propofol, it went away, proving that it was from Wd.  And again it has returned, I am now experiencing swollen ankles from it.  I am not doing anything about it.  I know when I stabilize, it will be gone. I just hope in the meantime no damage is done.  

 

(Thank you @RachelSusan for your guidance earlier this year, I hope you are doing well.)

 

Best wishes to all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RachelSusan]

Welcome back Survivor1,

 

I am very sorry to hear that you are not feeling well and have these medical conditions. Pulmonary venous hypertension is serious.  I seem to recall that you were getting those middle of the night or early morning jerks awake.  Are you still getting those as well?

 

I am still tapering, it's taking forever. I can do about 5% every five or six weeks.  Sometimes I get symptoms but they are mild. I am not complaining at all. Compared to what you are going through, and what others of this site and even what I have gone through in the past I am most grateful for every bit of health I have right now.

 

It is a long and ugly road recovery road we walk.  I hope that these problems go away for you.

 

RS

 

[SOcean]

On 2/17/2017 at 4:25 PM, Happy2Heal said:

 

 

hi Survivor,

I was skimming thru your thread and saw you mention the jerks you are experiencing. I don't know if this will help you at all but when I first started to taper off of lexapro (in fact, every time I've tried to taper off it!) I have experienced those muscle spasms and jerks

for me, they were mostly my legs, they would suddenly go flying up in the air! they happened mostly at night (and I always took the lexapro in the morning)

I did have an occasional spasm during the day but usually only if I was laying or sitting still.

 

the funny thing is, they were worse on one side of my body and initially I assumed that they were caused by my spinal stenosis! I didn't know that the stenosis I have can not cause those kinds of dramatic jerks until about a year later, when I saw an ortho doc and told him about them.

 

so most of the time, I thought there were from a known physical problem and so while they did make it harder to get to sleep, they did not scare me or cause me any anxiety at all.

 

and they disappeared when I got down to lower doses. I have not had those jerks or spasms since er, last summer, I guess?

I did recently have some painful spasms in my right ear, so it really caught my attention when you mentioned the same thing in one ear.

 

This is all just to reassure you that as awful as they are, those jerks and spasms ARE going to end, and hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

wishing you speedy healing!

I've been off prozac for 6 months and I still have it. I also have the ear spasms. Hope it ends. 

[Survivor1]

Update:

 

I really don't know where to begin but suffice to say that I have been rocked by several setbacks from "regular" drugs.  When I posted last I has just completed a course of doxycycline that led to a reaction from hell.  Fast forward to Feb 2020, I developed WD-induced fever (as I had no infection), and took two doses of Tylenol.  Well, here I am, roiling under another setback from that.

 

Since I had the steroid shot in Aug 2018, I have had a reaction to anesthesia, a course of augmentin, then doxycycline, now Tylenol, all back to back.  I am trying to keep the faith but it is hard.  I sometimes worry about contracting Covid and not being able to tolerate any antibiotics or fever reducers.  I will not go into details about these setbacks, but I can say that the experience has been worse than any drug discontinuance I have had in the past.  

 

The one thing I have going for me is that because I am now so experienced with WD, I do not panic.  Also, the incredible fatigue, coupled with the Trazodone, is giving me at least 6 hours (broken) sleep, so that helps a lot.  I know this will be over, if I only could keep myself away from ANY drug.

 

The three worst symptoms were/are off-the-charts anxiety and body aches and mornings so toxic that I would have preferred not waking up.  Thankfully,  the body aches and morning toxicity have improved.  Main coping techniques are telling myself that this has to end sometime, and even at times dissociating myself from the experience, like it is happening to someone else.  Massive amounts of acceptance help too, as I no longer try to look for improvements, but go with whatever the day brings.  I do not keep notes anymore, just hope that one day I wake up all healed (like everyone else, I suppose).

 

I hope everyone is doing the best they can with whatever hand they have been dealt.  It really has to get better.

[cmm1180]

I have the same issue at the moment. I took a small piece of tylenol after 2 years of nothing at all in my system. Now my symptoms are worse than the original withdrawal. I cannot even begin to explain the anxiety and mental torture. 

[Survivor1]

23 hours ago, cmm1180 said:

I have the same issue at the moment. I took a small piece of tylenol after 2 years of nothing at all in my system. Now my symptoms are worse than the original withdrawal. I cannot even begin to explain the anxiety and mental torture. 

 

Scary.  Sorry you are going thru this as well.  What is your drug usage background? Were you "recovered" before the Tylenol?

 

My theory is that if you are in any way unstable from any drug discontinuance, you may likely suffer reactions to "regular" drugs. I was unstable from taking steroids; antibiotics and now Tylenol have dramatically worsened my situation.  There is no doubt that Tylenol caused this worsening.  I hope that when I do stabilize (who knows when), I will be able take these drugs again.  

 

To give you some hope, I get the occasional window now - 5 months after Tylenol.  Considering I was not in a good place even before the Tylenol, this is a good sign.  I used to have mornings so toxic, it was unbearable, now I wakeup "only" with a racing heart and fatigue.  I have also connected with someone who had a similar reaction to Aspirin, and she too recovered from it.  

 

This may take a while to get over, but you will get out of it.