The flatline has me worried

I'm with you man imagine being 19 in the flatline stage

 

I flatlined for maybe one-two weeks and that's enough. Flatlinning is a terrible feeling, it caused ED and emotionally I was depressed. I don't know how to prevent it, but I think the whole flatline thing is a combination of mental and physical changes. I intend to help cure flatlinning by working out at the gym and getting the right amount of sleep. I find when I'm feeling strong physically everything falls in order.
FYI - I'm married and I'm having sex with my wife. The goal for me was never to give up sex, it was to not PMO, eliminate looking at porn, and cut way back on MO. So far so good.

 

Hi Newman. Here's a link about post-acute withdrawal that addresses your 2-year timeline and what can be expected.
http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/post-acute-withdrawal.htm
I'm also 41 and married. I'm on Day 122 of no porn, no fapping, only O with my wife. Of my 122 days, I'd guess I only experienced maybe 20-30 days of "flatline". Of course everyone is different depending on levels of addiction and current situation. I'd rate my level of addiction when I started as very serious.
I've had fantastic success. It seems to continually get better and better in a snowball effect of healthy benefits. I have no plans to return to porn or M, which probably sounds crazy to someone just starting out here. But my beliefs about porn and M changed once I got away from it for awhile and could see it for what it really is -- a non-effective coping strategy for stress/depression/anxiety/boredom/etc...
There are a million reasons to hang onto your fap habit. None of them are valid. I hope you give it a chance and get to make major improvements in your life. As you say, you've already been numbing your emotions for years because of PMO, why be afraid of some flatlining during reboot? I think it's more likely the real emotions returning that you're afraid of. That's why you got addicted to PMO in the first place - to avoid negative feelings. Reboot is about learning to deal with negative emotions like a healthy adult. You can do it. I promise. It's weird and scary at first. But it quickly improves and you'll feel so much better. Best of luck and success on your journey!

 

I have experienced flatline for a little over 2 months. Thankfully I am over that now but it's not unnormal if it comes back so I am keeping myself focused instead of complecent. You should not fear the flatline, the flatline will play with your mind. I thought I will be one of those guys who did 2 years flatlining too. You mind is very negative during flatlines but these are all based on fear not reality.

Stay positive even when this is not possible and live in the moment. Don't think about the benefits or cures but go with the flow and live in the moment this is key.

Also, if you have ED during flatlines, there a lot of other ways to pleasure your wife. Maybe expand the comfort zone a little a give her pleasure in new ways maybe. Being honest to your wife about what you are doing is helpful too. So she can understand you and will respect your ups and downs more.

I know it feels like impossible sometimes but try to seek solutions instead of complaining. But I understand your feelings and worries man I really do.

 

Yes. There are many different approaches to recovery from PMO addiction, and in my specific case I have abstained from porn and masturbation while continuing to have sex and orgasm with my wife. It's been documented that my type of approach is said to likely extend the length of the reboot, but I'm ok with that. I don't have a deadline. Reboot doesn't really have a finish line - it's a process of learning to live life without porn and masturbation. Some people choose to only reboot from porn only, and some to both porn and masturbation. I have never had an problems with ED - I've read that men with that issue may want to abstain from regular sex for a certain length of time for that but I can't advise or speak on that since I just don't know much about it.

Yourbrainonporn.com has all kinds of valuable info on rebooting and the science behind it. I think you'll find answers to just about any questions you may have there.

One thing I have noticed first hand is something called the Chaser Effect. It's essentially the strong urges for PMO that follow after regular sex with your SO. In my experience it lasts from 1-3 days and can be pretty strong.

Hope this helps!