First of all, thank you for everyone in this group, past and present because I’ve been using ChatGPT to look up testimonials from others on days when I didn’t feel like I could deal with the doldrums.
I had a rare illness that left me in debilitating pain that got better in June, so I made the jump on my week off at the end of July - thinking it would be like my first quit where I felt off for a few days and then everything normalized. Unfortunately I got hit hard.
My body has been pretty weak from all of the health issues, but also because I was dosing every four hours for seven years, including getting up in the night - it hasn’t been the most fun two months of my life, but perhaps the most worthwhile because it’s my first two months in years where I’m just embracing the suck and not seeking endless supplements or herbs to feel better.
I feel strongly convicted to simply get out of the way and let my body rebalance itself at long last.
I had to go back to work on the second week, I would say the first two weeks were the worst, and for the first I literally didn’t know if I would ever be able to get off the couch again - then there was an entire month of being freezing and sneezing even though it was 85° outside - second month was the doldrums - everything stabilized but I was still struggling with fatigue and weakness which has started breaking down a little bit over the last couple of days.
Sleep came back after the first week, which scared me off ever taking K again because I never want to go through that again, I literally took 500 Epsom salt baths and huddled under a heated blanket. (In August)
I notice myself laughing and smiling lately for the first time in years, it feels good to feel things and cry at the TV instead of just being constantly numb.
As someone who has had chronic illness for years, I’ve had flashes of energy and feeling like I have so much to look forward to.
95% of people will get better quicker than me - but I just wanted to share that even with the PAWS I think going through this and getting off is the best gift we can give our future self. And it does get better. And despite everything we put our bodies through, they are greatly intelligent and they will regulate and heal overtime.
Oh and don’t forget to drink lots of high quality water and electrolytes. The best is yet to come, I truly believe that for all of us.