Hi everybody,
I'm here after a long time not entering to BL or reading any posts about this situation we're all suffering.
Long story short: I had one pill of untested MDMA 15 months ago. Yes, only one pill, mixed with tons of alcohol during the day, some weed and a couple of lines of coke. It was the first time in my life doing any pills, and I did it with two well experienced friends. They took the same dose and didn't have any problems after, so first of all remember each body/brain can react very differently to the same drug.
Two days after that night, I started to have all the symptoms that most of you already know: anxiety for no reason, panic, head pressure, daily headaches, floaters, depression, derealization, obsession about brain damage, etc. I can tell you all, that at some point after several months with no improvement I lost faith in any other life but the hell I was living in. I seriously thought I was in an irreversible process that ruined my soul, my brain and my life for being dumb and try a drug without any information before about the risks. I was observing how I was feeling every day while life around me was normal and continued. The feeling of no progress was killing me. Some people here posted the "6 month mark" as a big step for recovery, others set that bar shorter and others longer. In my case, 6 months after I was clearly still messed up. As many of you I went to doctors looking for answers and nothing came clear. The only thing I heard that made sense somehow is that this reaction is an allergy, and that my body/brain was very sensitive to certain substances. I've met people that has got into bad brain/body reactions after, for example, taking an anti-biotic and having an allergic reaction (some of them with REAL damage forever). I'm not saying this is the answer or the reason why this happens to certain people, I'm just saying this is the only explanation I heard from a doctor that can make sense. That doctor also said "it will take time but you'll recover, just don't do it again if you know these are the consequences and your reaction". Well, after 15 months I can say he was right.
The big change started a couple of months ago (so a bit after one year from day D), and it was right after what I thought it was going back to the hole. After some weeks with most of the symptoms gone but some more present (specially the headaches and that awful feeling in the mornings after waking up), everything started to change for good. I've been already 2 months pretty much back to "normal" or at least as much as I can remember how it was to be normal. To me, the main indicator of that recovery is the fact that I don't think about this anymore, and I don't feel I can't enjoy because of this. I also think that most of us have become obsessed with this situation, so that part along with the real problem makes everything even harder.
Now, for whoever want it, this is my recipe to help recover:
- Don't ever take MDMA or ecstasy again (probably this applies to people with a bad first trip). If it's bad for you, doing it again is a HUGE risk.
- Stay away from reading the internet looking for a solution. You already know everything that can be said. You'll become addicted to the problem itself.
- Be patience. I know how hard it is, but YOU WILL BE BACK AND RECOVERED. It might take longer than you think tho.
- In my case, supplements only made everything harder to read and confused me even more. If thats your case, don't take anything. They did nothing for me.
- Limit drugs to weed (preferably indica) and alcohol if it makes you feel ok. Also notice they won't feel the same for a long time (for me, alcohol was like back to my teenage and happy weed was igniting anxiety).
- If you get depressed, take the ride and hang on. Cry, listen to music, go to the street, do whatever it takes but always remember: Things get better, I SWEAR.
- Exercise: I hate the gym, but sports are a great way to work out, socialized and forget about this crap for a while. Exercise is a great way to burn adrenaline and get you tired.
Again, this is what has worked for me so far and after a loooong time. I'm not saying there aren't faster or better ways for others, this is only my experience.
I've learned the leasson and it has been hard, very hard. But remember, even when life is very hard or challenging, there's a way out. YOU WILL RECOVER FULLY, faster or slower, but you will. The fastest you take this obsession out of your mind, the fastest you brain will start healing faster, and one day you'll be writing your last post here and the nightmare will be over.
Last, I want to truly thank everyone here that is helpful, patience, informative and nice enough to use the right words when others come with desperation looking for answers. Probably we all need to be here first to not feel alone and get some hope, and for that this the right place.
Peace to everybody and FIGHT to recover your life. I promise you will and this horrible experience will only make you stronger.
Wishing you all the fastest and best recovery!
Fidelio