Michelle Fuchs // Suffering, Surviving, & Our Paths to Recovery
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- čas přidán 1. 07. 2023
- #benzowithdrawal #healing #deprescribing
To learn more about Angie Peacock, MSW or to book a consultation or coaching session, visit: www.angiepeacock.com
Michelle’s psychiatric drug journey began unintentionally at the age of nine when a family doctor prescribed Amitriptyline off-label for muscle pain and headaches. When it was abruptly discontinued months later, she began to feel anxious and had difficulty concentrating. At age 11, after the sudden death of a classmate, the anxiety worsened and she began experiencing panic attacks. By age 12, she was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety and Panic Disorder and prescribed Xanax.
Her early teen years were spent coping with side effects, tolerance withdrawal and finally discontinuation symptoms. Despite frequent panic attacks, DP/DR, fatigue, bizarre physical sensations and food sensitivities she managed to hide most of her suffering. Then in 2001, after the birth of her first child, Michelle was diagnosed with Postpartum Anxiety and prescribed Lexapro. Initially the drug seemed helpful, but within a year she began experiencing strange and confusing health issues. Over the next 11 years, she was diagnosed with various physical ailments - IBS, Reactive Airway Disorder, Acid Reflux, LPR, SVT, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia, Benign PVC’s, Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome. She never suspected Lexapro could be the cause of her worsening health problems until late 2014 when she began having paradoxical reactions to the drug.
In February 2015, she was abruptly discontinued by a primary care doctor and prescribed 9 different medications over the next eight months. Each new drug rapidly and dramatically worsened her condition. By October 2015, she had developed POTS and a host of other severe neurological complications and could no longer stand or walk on her own. While hospitalized with severe symptoms, she found Matt Samet’s blog on Mad In America and started to connect the dots. Desperate to be free of the drugs that were harming her, she cold Turkey’d on Nov 15, 2015 and began the long road to recovery.
Michelle has spent the last 7.5 years recovering from Antidepressant and Benzodiazepine induced neurological injury. She is finally ready to share her story in hopes of raising awareness and helping others understand and navigate this incredibly difficult journey.
It's ok to just survive ❤
Thank you so so much, this is so relatable. Everything you say could have come out of my mouth. I am in the UK and in the last 2 weeks The Royal College of Psychiatrist have apologised to all of us having gone through or withdrawing from Antidepressants as they now recognise it is real. A small step but validation none the less. Just like you said Angie, I told my GP to listen as this will be big in the future and I want her to remember me when she doubted everything I said. I am in protracted withdrawal mostly from Antidepressants but Zopiclone and Diazepam was thrown in for good measure to get me over the 'hump'. You are both inspiring. Thank you so very very much. A speedy recovery to us all.
So inspiring and truthful. Gives us so much hope!!!❤
It is so unfair yes. 10 years lost of my life and still suffering. Plus other health issues not related to meds. Life so unfair. Hard to cope with all that.
Thank you Angie and Michelle. This was incredibly helpful. Much Love to You Both. 💓
Thank you, Michelle, for bravely sharing your story of hope, and Angie for another great and inspiring video. It is absolutely life giving to hear ppl say that they are living a good life now. The process can feel unbelievable so the validation and being understood is precious. I do believe we will heal. Doesn't have to be graceful, so true, Michelle. Hang in there, everyone.
This is such a good interview thank you so much!
So unbelievably similar to so many of our stories
Loved this video. So hopeful. Im so sorry that the protracted family gets abuse and feared. Im a short term poly drugged victim with debilitating symptoms and feel isolated too. Maybe someday a retreat for survivors would be a beautiful thing. Thank you for this interview.
Oh my goodness!! Thanks so much. I’m so happy your better Michelle You look so young 😊 Angie we love you. I’m in protracted. In San Diego. (Paula). I am going to have to book soon. I watch you on insta with RV Your hilarious and I don’t have my emotions back yet. Lol. Kisses to Raider. ❤
Thank you for giving us hope x
Angie thank you from my entire being... I need this video. It's so hard finding people with your symptoms hell I end up getting jealous alot because so many people just have the basics like anxiety, tingling, Blurred vision, insomnia, cognitive decline and depression meanwhile many of us are over here with extreme symptoms it kinda feeling isolating at time and Benzo buddies is a joke now, you're get 3 responses and 200+ views. I need this video I related so much to her symptoms 😭
This gives me hope.
Thanks
Thankyou , this interview was great . It’s given me so much hope . Happy Healing
Thank you for sharing your story of survival
Thank you for giving me hope while tapering off Valium 🙏 I still have a long way to go. I'm still scared of what's to come even though I have already been to benzo hell. How much longer can I stand this torment. 😢
Angie , you have been instrumental in helping me keep any shreds of sanity left after titrating myself off Paxil. I had NO clue what was happening to my body and mind. The akathisia and anxiety is getting better...going on 11 months clean! Its honestly been brutal, but totally worth it! ❤
Hi Angie and Michelle thank you for sharing! Your interview popped up in my feed at the perfect time. I’ve been struggling the past few days with some protracted withdrawal symptoms and I really needed to be with you and gain some strength to remember that this too will pass. This isn’t the way I will feel forever. This isn’t it. I am 17 mos off of Xanax after being on it for 14 yrs. And Angie you have helped me so much. I found you 6 mos after I started my recovery and you have given me so much help and hope❤ I want everyone who is struggling to know that you will get better in time. I am not completely recovered but I continue to fight every day. The battle is real and unless you have been through it you couldn’t possibly understand. Angie the community that you have built is helping so many people and you are always there for me when I need you with information and testimony and hope. It’s been really hard to share my story with people in my life. It’s just too much…they can’t possibly understand. Angie I’d love to share my story. I gain so much strength from other people’s stories. And my hope is to help other people too. Xoxo
I am on my withdrawal journey I am on 8th month without zyprexa. I am getting to another side. I had so many side effects especially movement problems racing heart sweats depression blurry vision brain zaps akathesia swollen face and retain waters I it is scary.