3 hours ago, Bernadette said:

@cherrysquid I can definitely relate to the mornings being the toughest when I was tappering. They are changeling and absolutely no fun, but you have shown so much strength and better days are ahead. You are a true fighter. Hope your day is better

Sending you all the love @Bernadette ❤️

Still wavey but it's settled down a lot. My threshold for stress has certainly risen, which is a plus. Also today I had a moment where I felt totally normal. No symptoms or anything, but feeling normal after so long felt weird. It's so hard to describe lol was almost like my brain now doesn't trust "normal"

Hope you are all doing good :)

14 hours ago, cherrysquid said:

Still wavey but it's settled down a lot. My threshold for stress has certainly risen, which is a plus. Also today I had a moment where I felt totally normal. No symptoms or anything, but feeling normal after so long felt weird. It's so hard to describe lol was almost like my brain now doesn't trust "normal"

Hope you are all doing good :)

You're doing great @cherrysquid, these little windows such good signs, hope things keep heading in the right direction. That feeling of unease, try to put it to one side, the nervous system needs to feel safe, it is naturally on high alert atm, if you can float over it and notice it without giving it too much attention I think this can help loads. Basically don't confirm the fear xxx

How’s it going Sarah?

On 8/29/2026 at 11:52 AM, cherrysquid said:

Still wavey but it's settled down a lot. My threshold for stress has certainly risen, which is a plus. Also today I had a moment where I felt totally normal. No symptoms or anything, but feeling normal after so long felt weird. It's so hard to describe lol was almost like my brain now doesn't trust "normal"

Hope you are all doing good :)

I've had those moments when I felt totally normal and thought wow this is gotta be the end of this suffering. But those are the times we hold on to tight, because this is what we get to look forward to. @cherrysquid , you are doing great and more windows are just in the horizon.

8 hours ago, Bernadette said:

I've had those moments when I felt totally normal and thought wow this is gotta be the end of this suffering. But those are the times we hold on to tight, because this is what we get to look forward to. @cherrysquid , you are doing great and more windows are just in the horizon.

Thanks @Bernadette ❤️ im getting there slowly. How've you been? Good i hope! Hope your stomach issues have calmed down

@cherrysquid , my stomach issues are tense at times but then settle and then they start back up. Now the stomach issues has thrown me into a wave, a lot of chest tension/tightness/squeezing all the above and very physically uncomfortable, almost feels like I've been through back to acute in some ways, I haven't felt this bad since The beginning of January. This is week 4 dealing with this so hopefully it resolves soon. Just time and patience is all wr can do and techniques to minimize discomfort. I always remind myself now, the bigger the wave the bigger the window, just shows I have more healing to be done. God bless and hope things continue to improve.

48 minutes ago, Bernadette said:

@cherrysquid , my stomach issues are tense at times but then settle and then they start back up. Now the stomach issues has thrown me into a wave, a lot of chest tension/tightness/squeezing all the above and very physically uncomfortable, almost feels like I've been through back to acute in some ways, I haven't felt this bad since The beginning of January. This is week 4 dealing with this so hopefully it resolves soon. Just time and patience is all wr can do and techniques to minimize discomfort. I always remind myself now, the bigger the wave the bigger the window, just shows I have more healing to be done. God bless and hope things continue to improve.

Thinking of you xx

Random update: Went on a three mile walk yesterday and did some of my dissertation so expected today to be rough. It hasn't been the best but not as bad as i thought it'd be. Deffo an uptick in symptoms but nothing too bad (yet, see how tomorrow is).

Symptoms changing around again. Morning sweats once again gone and the insulin thing seems to be fading.

Mainly just the weird random nerve vibrations and random flickers of anxiety and dread for no reason. And I get tired really easy. If I could nap without anxiety id sleep all day sometimes 😂

Keeping on, staying positive. Feeling less stressed now ive accepted im poorly- got my sick notes. Got my appointment with my preferred GP on the 15th, about taking nervous breakdown off my record and drug injury on. My mam has shown a lot of understanding and was proud I managed the 3 mile walk with her. She explained my aunty asked her to ask me to help her decorate and my mam explained to her I cant commit to things yet as I still have good days and bad. That brings me comfort although I wish I could help my aunty. But a win is a win.

Hope youre all doing good. We'll get there...eventually.

@cherrysquid Glad you seem to be doing ok, great you got out for a walk and so lovely to have the support from your Mam. Good luck with the GP, I would love to know how that goes, things are very very slowly shifting in the UK I think. Very slowly.

14 minutes ago, Chippy said:

@cherrysquid Glad you seem to be doing ok, great you got out for a walk and so lovely to have the support from your Mam. Good luck with the GP, I would love to know how that goes, things are very very slowly shifting in the UK I think. Very slowly.

Im tempted to print out studies for her to look at and resources but im not sure how a doctors ego would take that lol shes nice but she also tried pushing propranolol on me saying she takes the highest dose for headaches and wouldnt offer me it if she thought it was bad for you - then in the same breath said SSRIs are like medicine if you were diabetic blah blah lol

Does anyone have experience in WD and taking Buscopan? I have a stomach spasming disorder and I felt it coming on a little earlier. Normally only get these episodes like 2 or 3 times a year and they last a week or so. I could manage without the medication i would rather but it can get pretty painful lol

12 hours ago, cherrysquid said:

Does anyone have experience in WD and taking Buscopan? I have a stomach spasming disorder and I felt it coming on a little earlier. Normally only get these episodes like 2 or 3 times a year and they last a week or so. I could manage without the medication i would rather but it can get pretty painful lol

Hey @cherrysquid looking it up Buscopan is not psycho active so it may well not cause you any issues, however my feelings are always stay away from medications where you can. xxx

34 minutes ago, Chippy said:

Hey @cherrysquid looking it up Buscopan is not psycho active so it may well not cause you any issues, however my feelings are always stay away from medications where you can. xxx

Thank you @Chippy xx yeah i think ill avoid it - if I can get through WD i can 100% get through some stomach pain 😂

Just now, cherrysquid said:

Thank you @Chippy xx yeah i think ill avoid it - if I can get through WD i can 100% get through some stomach pain 😂

It's true nothing can beat WD suffering! xxx

Ive realised eating more protein has really helped for me (my partner is almost vibrating from smugness and told-you-so's as hes been asking me to eat more meat for years) but I just dont like meat that much.

So ive went from being unable to cry, to holding back tears in the meat aisle while im looking at lamb legs and cut up ox hearts 😭😂

I guess thats good? Seem to be back to my weird, soft self in that regard. Its like things slowly come back online, then leave a little then come back. Its like your brain is a computer and has so many systems to fix, check, reset etc.

Anyway I'm just rambling as an update as I dont really have one, just plodding on lol. Excited to start that viking thing although we fire rubber tipped arrows at each other, sword fight and sling each other to the ground, so going to wait until my CNS is a bit more solid first but I cant waaaait lol.

12 hours ago, cherrysquid said:

Ive realised eating more protein has really helped for me

Good to read :)

12 hours ago, cherrysquid said:

ts like things slowly come back online, then leave a little then come back.

Seems to be the path of WD for most.

12 hours ago, cherrysquid said:

Anyway I'm just rambling as an update as I dont really have one, just plodding on lol.

To to hear CS x

12 hours ago, cherrysquid said:

Excited to start that viking thing although we fire rubber tipped arrows at each other, sword fight and sling each other to the ground, so going to wait until my CNS is a bit more solid first but I cant waaaait lol.

Have fun! xxx

Had my GP appointment with the nice doctor who listens - she was over the moon to see me smiling. Last I saw her I was in the midst of it with extremely high SI and apparently wouldn't even look at her. She said it's like I am a new woman. I was like "No, this is normal me before WD" lol

Anyway, she listened and agreed to put that code @Chippy provided for me for the protracted withdrawal to be put on my medical record and take nervous breakdown off. She also is trying to get me referred to the deprescribing clinic as Chippy also suggested for my sicknotes. I told her I am terrified of medication now since this and she really took that in and even wrote things down to look into she even gave me a hug at the end.

So I count this as a victory. We're getting there guys.

❤️so happy for you. Hope your smile will stay forever

3 minutes ago, Saar8srl said:

❤️so happy for you. Hope your smile will stay forever

Thank you, beautiful <3 we will all get there eventually.

2 hours ago, cherrysquid said:

Had my GP appointment with the nice doctor who listens - she was over the moon to see me smiling. Last I saw her I was in the midst of it with extremely high SI and apparently wouldn't even look at her. She said it's like I am a new woman. I was like "No, this is normal me before WD" lol

Anyway, she listened and agreed to put that code @Chippy provided for me for the protracted withdrawal to be put on my medical record and take nervous breakdown off. She also is trying to get me referred to the deprescribing clinic as Chippy also suggested for my sicknotes. I told her I am terrified of medication now since this and she really took that in and even wrote things down to look into she even gave me a hug at the end.

So I count this as a victory. We're getting there guys.

Ahh this is so exciting!!! I love that she listened to you and took you seriously. That must feel so validating!! So happy for you 😊💜🤩

@cherrysquid this is great news! There are some GPs out there listening at least here in the UK. From what I understand the majority of the ones who don't are olde skool! As the new doctors come online and the older ones retire fingers crossed more will understand and less will be harmed. A victory for sure! x

On 9/15/2026 at 12:29 PM, cherrysquid said:

Anyway, she listened and agreed to put that code @Chippy provided for me for the protracted withdrawal to be put on my medical record and take nervous breakdown off. She also is trying to get me referred to the deprescribing clinic as Chippy also suggested for my sicknotes. I told her I am terrified of medication now since this and she really took that in and even wrote things down to look into she even gave me a hug at the end.

So I count this as a victory. We're getting there guys.

Hey @cherrysquid :),

I just want to chime in and say hello. Great to hear that you might go to deprescribing clinic. That would be awesome to go to a place where you get space to taper and recover from wd and paws.

'She said it's like I am a new woman. I was like "No, this is normal me before WD" lol' I love that part of the story, it really made me laugh 😂😊.

Question: Do you think one can put protracted withdrawal on a medical record even if it was a few years ago, like in 2020 / 2021? I would like to do this as this would also help to create more awareness for the serious harm of what getting of these meds can mean and do to one.

Hope you will go to the clinic and keep us updated about how it goes ❤️ 🙂

Edited September 17Sep 17 by Glimmery

4 hours ago, Glimmery said:

Hey @cherrysquid :),

I just want to chime in and say hello. Great to hear that you might go to deprescribing clinic. That would be awesome to go to a place where you get space to taper and recover from wd and paws.

'She said it's like I am a new woman. I was like "No, this is normal me before WD" lol' I love that part of the story, it really made me laugh 😂😊.

Question: Do you think one can put protracted withdrawal on a medical record even if it was a few years ago, like in 2020 / 2021? I would like to do this as this would also help to create more awareness for the serious harm of what getting of these meds can mean and do to one.

Hope you will go to the clinic and keep us updated about how it goes ❤️ 🙂

Hello!

I probably won't go - i might but its mainly to support the fact (officially) that I was damaged from these drugs and currently cant work. The waiting list is pretty long. I would use the clinic but from what I have read, I am probably going to need to go slower and lower than they'll make me go.

You should be able to have it on your record especially if youre still suffering now - protracted means a longer time so it makes sense. Depends where youre from, what the doctor is like who you see etc. Its a game, unfortunately, trying to get the system to support you, at times.

Hope youre doing well :)

Edited September 18Sep 18 by cherrysquid

@cherrysquid does this mean you are stable enough to start to taper? 🤩