5 replies to this topic

[Ramona80]

I am not sure which forum to post this in, but I wonder if it could be pinned somewhere. I painted in my house this past summer, and it gave me a big setback. 

 

At first I was painting with VOC-free paint, and nothing happened. Then I moved on to using a paint that contained VOC's, and I got a setback where my symptoms were as bad as when I first got off Cymbalta. 

 

I have found from reading online that my withdrawal symptoms closely mimic those many people have reported from benzo withdrawal. On a hunch I searched to see if people in benzo withdrawal had had setbacks from painting, and yes, there are people who reported that.

 

There are people who had only a few days or weeks of worsened symptoms. In my case, it was like an actual setback. It gradually has gotten better, very slowly, but 6-7 months later I am still having some symptoms that are worse now than before I painted.

 

I did paint in an unventilated area, and it was 1 day with minimal exposure, and then 2 days with much more exposure. 

From what I read, the theory is that while your nervous system is unstable (from withdrawals) breathing toxins can worsen the state you're in. 

 

I just wanted to share this in hopes that it might prevent this from happening to others.

[fishinghat]

Good to hear from you Ramona. I am sorry though for your set back. Yes, any kind of central nervous system depressant can cause a setback. It has been known to occur with any type of solvent, pain killers, even anaesthetics. Research has shown that people are vulnerable to these type of secondary relapses for up to 2 years or more after a withdrawal.

 

PS. -  Hint, where a respirator when working with solvents.

[Wagtail]

I am not sure which forum to post this in, but I wonder if it could be pinned somewhere. I painted in my house this past summer, and it gave me a big setback. 
 
At first I was painting with VOC-free paint, and nothing happened. Then I moved on to using a paint that contained VOC's, and I got a setback where my symptoms were as bad as when I first got off Cymbalta. 
 
I have found from reading online that my withdrawal symptoms closely mimic those many people have reported from benzo withdrawal. On a hunch I searched to see if people in benzo withdrawal had had setbacks from painting, and yes, there are people who reported that.
 
There are people who had only a few days or weeks of worsened symptoms. In my case, it was like an actual setback. It gradually has gotten better, very slowly, but 6-7 months later I am still having some symptoms that are worse now than before I painted.
 
I did paint in an unventilated area, and it was 1 day with minimal exposure, and then 2 days with much more exposure. 
From what I read, the theory is that while your nervous system is unstable (from withdrawals) breathing toxins can worsen the state you're in. 
 
I just wanted to share this in hopes that it might prevent this from happening to others.

[Wagtail]

Ramona , I am almost 4 yrs off Cymbalta & I still react to any form of chemical fumes even perfumes. I can't put petrol in my car or be outside if someone is mowing their lawns or using whipper snipers .
Going to the hairdressers is a gamble , if they are using bleach or perming solution I can barely walk the next day .
The problem is ,that by the time I've inhaled the fumes it's too late . It's already in my system.
There are fumes everywhere & very hard to avoid , the only positive is , @ least I know the reason I'm sick & can push forward ....
Definitely NO PAINT anywhere when I'm around ..

[sk8mom]

wow.... I had no idea about this....

[LS1978]

Thank you for posting this.