Withdrawal Symptoms | When to expect, when to subside?

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum, but not new to the fight; 20 year user been trying to quit for 2 years. Usually I make it to around a month/month a half without pornography & masturbation and then I relapse. Up until that time, my withdrawal symptoms tend to be as follows:

Days 1-14 | Heavy anxiety, heavy brain fog, heavy fatigue during the day (particularly heavy in the morning), insomnia or at least very broken sleep pattern, unregenerate sleep, dry eyes, stomach upset in the mornings, joint pains

Days 15-30 | Light anxiety, light brain fog, light fatigue during the day (still heavy in the morning), sleep becomes a bit easier but still don't wake up feeling refreshed, stomach no longer upset, minor joint pains

Day 31-45 | intermittent and very light bouts of anxiety, very little fatigue during the day, but still heavy fatigue in the morning

Day 46> | unknown


To be honest, the worst withdrawal symptom is the morning fatigue which feels like a hangover. What have you guys experienced as far as withdrawal symptoms (particularly the morning fatigue/sickness part)? Please respond with incremental descriptions if at all possible.

up to 46 days my cravings are big but just around 46 they are INSANE. cravings are worst for me because they single handedly kill my reboot. all the panic attacks, insomnia, brain fog, anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger, boredom, numbness, fatigue, poor sleep, nightmares, running nose, cold sweats, shaking, nervousness, 0 motivation for anything etc. it all helps me stay off the porn, i feel so bad that porn is last thing on my mind until the craving comes, cravings murder me every time.

nobody knows what will happen to you and it was long time since i did 46+ days so i cant tell you what was my story but for sure the more you go without it, it gets better. its individual, maybe you experience some of the symptoms from day 1-14 but still overall you will get better and better over time.

why you relapse after 46 days?

Hi Nikola,

I tend to relapse around 6 weeks because I become falsely self-confident thinking that I've made it beyond the probationary period and am in a sense home free. Then a day of tiredness in which my will is weak inevitably comes around, along with a craving to look at something salacious (usually non-pornographic images/video). Little by little, my conscience gets darker and more deceived, soon after this I take a peek at a xxx website and it usually is over from there. Cravings become irresistible once I've seen a little raw flesh.

As for your symptoms, are you saying you're still experiencing

panic attacks, insomnia, brain fog, anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger, boredom, numbness, fatigue, poor sleep, nightmares, running nose, cold sweats, shaking, nervousness

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at 46 days?

As for your symptoms, are you saying you're still experiencing
Quote
panic attacks, insomnia, brain fog, anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger, boredom, numbness, fatigue, poor sleep, nightmares, running nose, cold sweats, shaking, nervousness
at 46 days?

Click to expand...

no im not saying that. i said i dont remember how it is at 46 except the insane craving that knocked me down. after 100 relapses its hard to remember or track all the symptoms, when they appear when they disappear and how long they last because its little different timeline every time.

Hello

Am here following your PM. This is my recovery timeline.

Days 0-3. Despairing, suicidal thoughts; hormone levels all over the place; tearful; anxious. Horrible feelings of shame and remorse. Dopamine withdrawal. Little temptation due to revulsion about current state.

Days 4-6. Starting to get better. ED receding. But still feelings of shame and remorse. Starting to fight the feelings, make positive decisions. Sex life starting to recover. Sleepless nights.

Week 2: A better week. Praying lots, making good decisions, starting to enjoy life. ED has gone; sleeping a little better. Temptation starting to return.

Week 3: Some pretty intense dreams - both racy dreams, and also disturbing ones. Temptation present on a daily basis. But getting stronger. Like a rocket escaping the pull of gravity.

Week 4: Dreams still continuing. Some feelings of guilt continuing, but the temptation is under control. Real sense of achievement for getting to four weeks

Week 5-6: Things are pretty steady. Temptation is mild and occasional; sex life is good; confidence is building. Still a sense of remorse.

Week 7-8: a couple of fairly tricky days. So important not to become complacent in this battle! Nevertheless, things have continued to progress well.

Month 3: again, it's important for me to safeguard against complacency. However, things are on the level. Can feel the impact on all areas of my life.

I'm now halfway through month 4.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE!

1. Faith has been a huge factor in my recovery. I have dug into God to save me from despair (and I mean, deep despair. Suicidal thoughts, the whole works). But also I have been studying hard, delighting myself in God rather than indulging myself in lust.
2. Facebook has been pretty much off limit during my recovery. I'm no longer posting on Facebook - I keep my account open as (a) I use Messenger for keeping in touch with people and (b) I use a Facebook group to promote a regular social event I organise. I also gave up posting on an online music community. I found that I was getting sucked in to a cycle of validation and people-pleasing on both sites.
3. Family life is a massive motivation to me. I am doing this because I love my family, I love my wife and I do not want to ruin / waste my life. I feel like I have bought myself another chance.

You also asked about:
- Brain fog - I've never really had this although I guess that the depression / anxiety is part of this.
- Physical pains - again, never really had these, though I have had some prolonged periods of fatigue / sleeplessness
- Flatline - I've never experienced this either. It usually takes me about 3-4 days to regain my libido.