When The Beach Boys song Good Vibrations came out in 1966, I was only eight years old, but I understood it meant love and happiness—excitment. Aren’t most of seeking “good vibes” in life? Except that there aren’t good vibes in benzo withdrawal. Good vibrations that is. Real vibrations. The kind that move through our body and jangle our central nervous system and kick up our withdrawal symptoms.
I know, some of you will leave comments saying that vibrations don’t bother you. You’re able to vacuum, mow the lawn, or hold onto your Vitamixer as you watch your berries swirl themselves into a smoothie. I’m glad that whirring, shaking, rotating things don’t bother you. But, they bother a lot of us. And we do well to leave them alone.
I was just weeks shy of six years off my benzo when I had my setback. I was driving across the USA by myself. I pushed hard, driving 700 miles some days. The vibration of the car, plus the constant stimulation to my brain, set me up for a return of benzo withdrawal symptoms. I understand how crazy that sounds—ridicuosly unbelievable—that vibrations can put us into a wave or even a setback. (Heck, most of benzo withdrawal sounds unbeleiveable—that a little pill that can cause such bizarre symptoms!) But it’s true. Vibrations really can increase our symptoms.
Yesterday I used a random orbital hand sander to strip a small tabletop. I was aware that it might kick up a wave of symptoms, but I wanted the tabletop ready for new stain. (I’m refinishing a lot of secondhand furniture I bought for my new home.) Sure enough, this morning I woke up and had a definite increase in the symptoms I still have remaining from my setback. (Thankfully, those symptoms are only physical, which I can easily manage.) I won’t be using the sander again for a bit. I’ll let my central nervous system settle down before I work on any more furniture. Nor will I be using my weedwhacker or lawnmower any time soon. (And jackhammers are completely out of the question!)
What can we do if we’ve experienced an increase in symptoms from vibrations (or any other cause)? We rest. We reduce stimulation to the brain and body, and we allow our nervous system to calm down. We tell ourselves the truth—that our wave is temporary and that it will fade away. We don’t worry about the future. We stay grounded in the present moment. (I usually put on a Pandora station I’ve made called Healing Sounds and lie down for awhile. The music is soothing and helps me relax.) We do all the other things we know that help us heal—eat clean, avoid stress, avoid things that work on GABA, utilize good self-talk. etc.
One day we will be able to live our lives without the restrictions we have in benzo withdrawal. The receptors that were damaged by the benzo we took will repair themselves fully, and we won’t be prone to waves or setbacks. But until then, we take good care of ourselves— and, we do our best to avoid jangling our nerves with things that vibrate. No matter how many benzo withdrawal symptoms you have right now, know that you are healing. Even if you’re in a wave (or setback) from too much activity, stress, vibrations, a viral infection, heat, food, antibiotics, GABA agonists, or anything else that revs us up, know that you will recover. You won’t be in benzo withdrawal forever. It will end, and you’ll be amazed at how good life is after withdrawal. It really, really, is!
Hello dear Jen…so I’m praying for you right now. Just the word I needed to hear, as I’m in an emotional wave right now.. classic overdoing things, and desperately trying to get back into what I call a normal life… But the grief of losing my dad is coming up now, and one of my brothers is seriously ill. I find it hard to be kind to myself… Had to remind myself that I need a rest day each week. My dear daughter has 3 gorgeous girls and I help look after them, … Need to keep that simple. I m so sorry that your last post attracted controversy. You’re an amazing woman of God. Bless you this day. Love always, nicki x
Hi Jennnifer,
Just confirming that vibration stimulation is real! Even car trips as a passenger (plus airplane rides) rev me up so often, I need a holiday from the holiday! There is a church in our neighbourhood that recently had a thought provoking message on their reader board. It said, “God can turn your misery into ministry”. So glad you are allowing God to use your experiences to help and encourage others. May you have a blessed day!
I’m glad you said something, as I had never thought of this before. Once I looked back though I did notice an increase of symptoms after car trips, using a hair dryer, etc. Thank you for putting this out there. I recently was looking into a boat tour to celebrate my upcoming bithday but thought better of 1 1/2 hrs with a vibrating engine and passed. 6 yrs out and this happened to you? That is NOT encouraging 🙁
Hi Jen! I enjoy reading your posts! They are encouraging! However, I’m going thru an intense ssri withdrawal and benzo withdrawal. 6-7 years is a long time to be free and still have setbacks. It’s just hard believing we heal when there are setbacks even years out. Are your setback symptoms as intense as before? I’m sorry you are having setbacks still. Thank you for posting encouragement. I often get very discouraged about not healing. But, like you, my faith in the Lord is my hope.
I know it’s scary to hear that setbacks can happen so far out. But it’s important to know the truth and to be careful to avoid one. That doesn’t mean that you can’t live y9our life, it just means to be mindful of pushing too hard. And remember not everyone gets a setback. I don’t know why some of us do and other’s don’t. Live your life in the present moment. Don’t worry about the future. The future will come and take care of itself.
Don’t let my setback worry you. They don’t happen to everyone. Some of us take longer for complete healing to occur, even though we may feel well. I’m bouncing back from the setback and happy that I am as far along to recovery as I am. Glad you ditched the boat plans! Maybe best to do something on land. :). Congrats on your healing.
I can’t wait till one day I can just put this behind me…some days I can deal…others just tank me..I think you know Jen it’s my double vision and static vision but sometimes my head feels dizzy and my whole being is off…last summer went up a lighthouse got dizzy and wierd. The whole day was off…I think mine effected my vespular system because it also effected my posture…read a bit about it…ears vision balance and posture…it rocks my whole world…I also have been off 6 and half years…so crazy your right..but..it did get a lot better..some definetly take longer…I’ve been trying to educate others about this drug…some listen some don’t..they have no idea the hell before them…crazy that in this time in history they still don’t know and give this drug to people…once you go down this road you see the world a very different place and you can’t turn your back…anyway we do heal and it will happen in time..we need to hang in trust God and live the best you can each and every day… I hope it’s very soon..❤️
Thank you for this article on vibrations.My husband vaccumed for me the 2 story all open home two weeks ago. It set me off, and im still feeling this major set back.its a horrible feeling of your whole body and brain being set off. I was doing quite well at 18 months off. Even the washing machine now sets me off.
Hey Jen..sorry to hear this….I just heard this from someone else regarding their electric toothbrush…..we can never be too careful…..take good care and keep on healing….love ya…
It’s a strange thing. Why vibrations do this to us, I have no idea. But it sure does seem to be a trigger for many of us.
Hi Jennifer…I was wondering if Don Killian is doing better. I really hope so. I am sending my best to you and him.
Hi Jen
Next week I am traveling from India to Ithaca( New York ) . I am scared what will happen after 16 hrs in flight and 5 hrs road journey .
Do your best to take it as easy as you can. Drink a lot of water. Relax. Give yourself down time once you arrive at your destination so that you can relax and rest. You may be just fine. Not everyone has a problem with the vibrations of a plane. Fingers crossed!
Hi Jennifer, Im just wondering what your thought are on Gabapentin. Iv been on 3600mgs for 18yrs. I was also on diazepam for 25yrs, kindled by stop starting stop starting. I wzs cold turkeyd off diazepam 11mnths ago. and seem to be stuck in bzd wdl hell. Im desperately trying to come off gbpn as iv read it will prevent my gaba receptors upregulating. Is this true.
Im desperate.
I wish I knew the correct answer to your question. There is so much that is unknown about benzo withdrawal. Gabapentin can have its own withdrawal symptoms, so please be kind and gentle with yourself. You’ve been on both drugs for a long time. Patience. Be gentle with yourself, please.