#RECOVERY UPDATE#
Hello everyone, and happy 2024! As we welcome the new year, I find myself reflecting on this day one year ago when I discontinued my injections after receiving a total of ten. Many of you are familiar with my journey of recovery, some are new here, and others might be in the process of ending their treatment today or tomorrow. I want to share that while the road to recovery is lengthy, it does get better. You can expect to regain about 90% of your previous wellness, although reaching 100% recovery depends on the number of injections you've had. Typically, those who've had fewer injections might fully recover within a year or two.
Today marks the one-year anniversary of my last injection. This experience has been both a blessing and a challenge. The treatment was crucial in stabilizing my condition – I haven't needed hospitalization in one year and eight months. Yet, the side effects were incredibly tough. I endured nights of intense sweating, excessively long periods of sleep, and a constant, overwhelming feeling of doom. The physical symptoms were just as daunting, including tingling sensations, anhedonia, akathisia, and significant sexual dysfunction. But throughout this, I held onto hope.
A year ago, at 27, I refused to accept a diminished quality of life. Despite the emotional blunting and loss of interest in many aspects of life, I found solace in small things, like nicotine vaping. I stayed clear of drugs, especially weed, due to my susceptibility.
Gradually, I reduced my dosage from 100mg monthly, eventually stopping altogether and switching to pills. However, I'm currently not on any antipsychotic medications. One year medication-free, I feel about 90% recovered. It's like rediscovering my former self. Interestingly, the more we recover, the less we frequent forums like this. But I returned to offer hope to those who need it.
The injections helped me immensely, but the side effects made life unbearable at times. Now, looking back, I'm content with my 90% recovery. After enduring ten injections, I feared a lifelong struggle, but recovery is possible, usually within 12 months.
To those still on their journey, remember that these injections can be both a blessing and a curse. They're effective against delusions and psychosis but should ideally be a short-term solution. I wish everyone a steady recovery and hope you'll return to share your success stories. Stay strong, live on, and remember, I'm not a doctor – just someone who's lived through it.