08/01/2026- ups and downs, better some days , mornings just little better....

Well, I woke up 4am with thoughts, but went back to sleep and woke up around 640am. I went for a 7am breakfast with my wife to a little place I love to go that early...

Then, I worked around home. Felt better again, and I won't complain....

Same ups and downs and main symptom is feeling hot and Texas hot weather doesn't help....

Overall, a lot better than yesterday.....

08/3/2026- recovery process continues..

Yesterday was good...I felt little pressure on chest for a little bit in the Morning. All day felt like no enjoyment, but calmer. I got to spend time playing pool with my son in the evenings....

This morning, I woke up around 430am, but went back to sleep until 530am. I woke up with little mild burning sensation on parts of left arm and right chest area. I stood up and it was gone. Morning so far same mild bothering symptoms. The burning sensation is what bothers the most. As morning passes by, it gets better as usual.

In 20 months journey, mornings are little better than the beginning of the journey, but it's still not there. Also, a background fear sensation. It's there but its like hiding....Always my ups and downs.

Let see how I end up this morning.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we will all heal.

2 hours ago, Raymond said:

In 20 months journey, mornings are little better than the beginning of the journey, but it's still not there. Also, a background fear sensation. It's there but its like hiding....Always my ups and downs.

Let see how I end up this morning.

I think its the natural morning cortisol spike we all get to wake us up. Its magnified in WD and recovery. I still get a twinge on some mornings but it doesn't take long to get some perspective back.

39 minutes ago, mstimc60 said:

I think its the natural morning cortisol spike we all get to wake us up. Its magnified in WD and recovery. I still get a twinge on some mornings but it doesn't take long to get some perspective back.

This is something that it's very very very slowly improving like a snail.....it's ups and down with me...

2 hours ago, Raymond said:

This is something that it's very very very slowly improving like a snail.....it's ups and down with me...

Afternoon update...

Felling ok as usual.....

No major issues so far ..

Doctor appointment.....

Well, today is my appointment with new doctor as my old doctor moved. I made the appointment so I can have more prescriptions. unfortunately, I won't be telling my doctor about my tapering. I need him to give me the 20 mg, so I can continue lowering correctly. I'm not planning to talk about this journey. I just need my prescriptions and that's it.

If he turns to be aware about this journey, then, I might open up in the future.

Let see how it goes. I still have enough supply for like another year.

13 hours ago, Raymond said:

Doctor appointment.....

Well, today is my appointment with new doctor as my old doctor moved. I made the appointment so I can have more prescriptions. unfortunately, I won't be telling my doctor about my tapering. I need him to give me the 20 mg, so I can continue lowering correctly. I'm not planning to talk about this journey. I just need my prescriptions and that's it.

If he turns to be aware about this journey, then, I might open up in the future.

Let see how it goes. I still have enough supply for like another year.

A wise man IMO.

08/04/2026- cortisol spike again, brain crawling sensation...

Yesterday was an ok day. I had mostly issues concentrating at work. I managed to do some work only.

I went to the doctor and have my new prescription. One thing that is being great since I taper my medication is my blood pressure. It is perfect despite the terrible symptoms. While on 20mg, my blood pressure was always little high. After I started to come off the medication, it went back to normal and it's being like this. Definitely, this medication caused issues.

I went to sleep around 10pm as I was tired. I woke up one time during the night and then at 520am as usual with cortisol spike and brain crawling sensation. It went away the minute I opened my eyes. I noticed that when this happens, I have to stand up for few minutes before going back to bed. It seems that the cortisol is due to my last week reduction. It should go away as well and back to normal. In the meantime, I just need to hold.

Well, let see how the morning goes as my body starts to wake up. Time and patience that's all I can do for now and hope that in the next couple of months, I start to feel even better.

God is in our journey.

Symptoms

Cortisol spike, feeling hot, background fear sensation between 520am to 9am as usual.

7 hours ago, Raymond said:

08/04/2026- cortisol spike again, brain crawling sensation...

Yesterday was an ok day. I had mostly issues concentrating at work. I managed to do some work only.

I went to the doctor and have my new prescription. One thing that is being great since I taper my medication is my blood pressure. It is perfect despite the terrible symptoms. While on 20mg, my blood pressure was always little high. After I started to come off the medication, it went back to normal and it's being like this. Definitely, this medication caused issues.

I went to sleep around 10pm as I was tired. I woke up one time during the night and then at 520am as usual with cortisol spike and brain crawling sensation. It went away the minute I opened my eyes. I noticed that when this happens, I have to stand up for few minutes before going back to bed. It seems that the cortisol is due to my last week reduction. It should go away as well and back to normal. In the meantime, I just need to hold.

Well, let see how the morning goes as my body starts to wake up. Time and patience that's all I can do for now and hope that in the next couple of months, I start to feel even better.

God is in our journey.

Symptoms

Cortisol spike, feeling hot, background fear sensation between 520am to 9am as usual.

Afternoon update.....

Better concentration and minor issues as usual...

6 hours ago, Raymond said:

Afternoon update.....

Better concentration and minor issues as usual...

Minor is good! Well done Raymond 👏👊

Edited August 5Aug 5 by Fullhealing

08/05/2026- recovery process continues...

Yesterday was between ok to good. Few minor issues in the morning with the anxiety and burning or feeling hot sensation. Then, between 3pm to 5pm, I started to feel like the left side headache was coming back. It came back for a little bit, but it also went away within an hour.

Most of the day, I felt like someone pulling my muscles in different areas and specially in the shoulder and neck area.

I went to sleep around 1030pm. I woke up for a second around 1:30am and went to sleep until 530am. My cortisol spike was lower than yesterday. Then, I just stayed in bed.

Despite of my continuing symptoms, one thing I have noticed is that I am drawn back to spend time in silence. Before medication, I loved to spend time just staying still and silence. During my almost 21 months on this journey, I couldn't be in silence. I had to create this plan where I need to listen to music, watch tv, etc to coupe with my symptoms and journey. In the last week, I have been drawn to do the opposite and just be in silence. I drive and no desire to listen to music and just drive and see what's around me. I don't know if this is spiritual or something, but I haven't had this silence desire in months....

I will say that this is another good improvement so far. Some areas improved while other areas just continue to be back and forth. Definitely, healing is not linear. One step forward and three step backwards....

In the name of Jesus Christ, we will all heal. Patience, acceptance and float.

08/06/2026- recovery process... cortisol spike, blah morning until like 9am...

I continue to have blah mornings. Some days better than others. I usually gets better as morning moves on .

Yesterday, I went to sleep around 11pm and slept until 5am again. I woke up and stayed in bed just doing my morning routine while getting ready to work.

My stomach feels mild hot.

Back ache specifically in the lower area.

Hot and mild burning sensation on chest and back area

Tinnitus again

Lack of motivation

Tired in the afternoon.

Left side headache on and off, but not to appoint where it bothers. It just annoying..

Overall, mild symptoms and I feels like I'm going backwards, but less intense every time, I feel this way....

Holding my dose for a little while again....

I which dose 9 consecutives weeks where I felt great comes back soon....

In the name of Jesus Christ, we will heal...

1 hour ago, Raymond said:

08/06/2026- recovery process... cortisol spike, blah morning until like 9am...

I continue to have blah mornings. Some days better than others. I usually gets better as morning moves on .

Yesterday, I went to sleep around 11pm and slept until 5am again. I woke up and stayed in bed just doing my morning routine while getting ready to work.

My stomach feels mild hot.

Back ache specifically in the lower area.

Hot and mild burning sensation on chest and back area

Tinnitus again

Lack of motivation

Tired in the afternoon.

Left side headache on and off, but not to appoint where it bothers. It just annoying..

Overall, mild symptoms and I feels like I'm going backwards, but less intense every time, I feel this way....

Holding my dose for a little while again....

I which dose 9 consecutives weeks where I felt great comes back soon....

In the name of Jesus Christ, we will heal...

I'm sorry for the step back, Raymond. It's likely to happen after cutting.

I'm glad at least it's not drastic and I know that a little further on you'll jump over it like you always do so well.

You are coping amazingly, keep going 👊

You might be having a minor setback but you're handling it with the right attitude, @Raymond . You know all waves lead to a new window!

Edited August 6Aug 6 by mstimc60

4 hours ago, Raymond said:

08/06/2026- recovery process... cortisol spike, blah morning until like 9am...

I continue to have blah mornings. Some days better than others. I usually gets better as morning moves on .

Yesterday, I went to sleep around 11pm and slept until 5am again. I woke up and stayed in bed just doing my morning routine while getting ready to work.

My stomach feels mild hot.

Back ache specifically in the lower area.

Hot and mild burning sensation on chest and back area

Tinnitus again

Lack of motivation

Tired in the afternoon.

Left side headache on and off, but not to appoint where it bothers. It just annoying..

Overall, mild symptoms and I feels like I'm going backwards, but less intense every time, I feel this way....

Holding my dose for a little while again....

I which dose 9 consecutives weeks where I felt great comes back soon....

In the name of Jesus Christ, we will heal...

Afternoon update....

I think I'm in the peak WD after my drop dose last week. Burning sensation mostly in chest and stomach area. Lack of concentration today. Feeling hot on my back as well...

Small work fear sensation again.

Let's keep going forward......

1 hour ago, Raymond said:

Afternoon update....

I think I'm in the peak WD after my drop dose last week. Burning sensation mostly in chest and stomach area. Lack of concentration today. Feeling hot on my back as well...

Small work fear sensation again.

Let's keep going forward......

So sorry Raymond, as you noted, the system is wild atm which makes sense, hang in there, it will balance out hopefully very soon 🙏

14 hours ago, Raymond said:

Afternoon update....

I think I'm in the peak WD after my drop dose last week. Burning sensation mostly in chest and stomach area. Lack of concentration today. Feeling hot on my back as well...

Small work fear sensation again.

Let's keep going forward......

Sorry Raymon, such a trooper, this will pass, awful whilst it's happening. Hopefully you can learn the pattern and it will help you understand for future drops.

08/07/2026- better than yesterday...

Yesterday was another little ok with same old symptoms. I felt mostly with lack of motivation, few burning sensation, and mild headache again. Everything got better in the afternoon.

I went to sleep around 11pm and slept straight through until 6am when I just woke up with few thoughts, mild hot sensation, etc, but a lot better than yesterday.

Concentration is a lot better today. I'm able to speed up at my work since yesterday I just couldn't read much or understand what I was reading. ..

Overall, my WD seems to improve little quickly so far.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we will heal...

3 hours ago, Raymond said:

08/07/2026- better than yesterday...

Yesterday was another little ok with same old symptoms. I felt mostly with lack of motivation, few burning sensation, and mild headache again. Everything got better in the afternoon.

I went to sleep around 11pm and slept straight through until 6am when I just woke up with few thoughts, mild hot sensation, etc, but a lot better than yesterday.

Concentration is a lot better today. I'm able to speed up at my work since yesterday I afternoon just couldn't read much or understand what I was reading. ..

Overall, my WD seems to improve little quickly so far.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we will heal...

Afternoon update...

A lot better than yesterday so far ....

10 hours ago, Raymond said:

Afternoon update...

A lot better than yesterday so far ....

😃

08/08/2026- after 20 months journey, I slept until 7am.... 🙂

Yesterday was a good and better day than previous days.

I went to sleep around 11pm and woke up at 5am just fora second and felt asleep again until 7am with no cortisol or intrusive thoughts....

I also felt my energy back and the desire to do a lot of things around my house. I will definitely take the energy and accomplish the things I have left behind due to the lack of motivation....

Great day today so far with just the minor usual issues....energy back on business...

2 hours ago, Raymond said:

08/08/2026- after 20 months journey, I slept until 7am.... 🙂

Yesterday was a good and better day than previous days.

I went to sleep around 11pm and woke up at 5am just fora second and felt asleep again until 7am with no cortisol or intrusive thoughts....

I also felt my energy back and the desire to do a lot of things around my house. I will definitely take the energy and accomplish the things I have left behind due to the lack of motivation....

Great day today so far with just the minor usual issues....energy back on business...

Wonderful news Raymond, very happy for you, please do squeeze every moment of relief to the fullest!

2 hours ago, Raymond said:

I also felt my energy back and the desire to do a lot of things around my house. I will definitely take the energy and accomplish the things I have left behind due to the lack of motivation....

That's how I knew I was recovering, too! I'm a woodworker and the first time I went into my garage workshop after coming out of WD, it was such a day of joy. Hope you have many more to come!

This is absolutely wonderful news @Raymond , isn't it great when the system settles down. So glad your able to get a few things done. Enjoy this moment to the fullest and many more to come. 😆

08/10/2026- 21 months journey,better with ups and downs..

Yesterday was a good day. It wasn't like the day before where I felt like doing a lot of things, but it was less than great and more than good. Somewhere between. I had pretty much same symptoms but less intense. Mostly, muscle stuffiness in few areas. I was able to go and visit a friend and enjoy a dinner after all this time avoiding people. It's crazy how can the body make us avoid social events. It was great to be able to visit and not feel any social panic as I was during the beginning of this journey. I was able to catch up with a lot of things

This morning I woke up around 440am, but went back to as usual until 6am to get ready to work. As I was in bed, I felt this tiredness of deep breathing but at the same time little head pressure and body anxiety. The hot sensation seems to be lower and able to feel the cold of my AC.

I just continue feeling like someone pulling my muscles on my arm, neck, and shoulder but less intense. It's like I'm a Muppet and someone pulling the strings. My motivation seems little better but it also one of dose on and off symptoms. It seems that intensive is lessen a little bit. Many of my symptoms seems to improve quickly when they come. I also enjoy things without the feeling of enjoyment, but it's ok. It will eventually come back.

I'm at month 21 now on this journey. I can't believe that I was at .0750g when I started and now on .0700g reduction as of today which it is about 4.63mg from 5mg. Although it's being slow, I am able to manage and drops are not causing major issues. It still bothers me and it doesn't matter the intensity of WD, I want to feel normal again. Yet, I'm still believe that the body takes longer to feel more normal. I have read stories and many have improved more after even two years and half. Looong! Recovery process.

Yet, I'm glad that my terrible first months of this journey are over. I will say, I'm on normal WD stage. I can tell you that even though I'm still struggling, I feel a lot better than when I was on medication. While on medication on 20mg, my blood pressure was like 140/84-87. After I decided to reduce and be on this journey it's being like 120/74-77. This is an improvement and I still can't believe that doctors don't associate medication with high blood pressure.... unbelievable!!!!!!

I am taking life for granted and every moment is a gift from God.

I also realized that I'm not getting angry any more for even small things.

Let's continue this journey and hope someday, I feel more normal while coming off this medication.

God still heals and we will heal on his time...in Jesus name... Amen...