Cannot read, severely memory impairment, very poor concentration and focus

18 months? Is that 18 months no P or no P, M or O?

 

During my time, I did no P, no O and no M. I repeat, no porn, no masturbating and no orgasm.

 

The return of memory has been gradual, it gets better but it’s slow.

 

I had brain fog as well as nasty i nsomnia, tremors, memory issues and anxiety. After 6 weeks the tremors and brain fog cleared, as well as the anxiety and insomnia, but 10 days or so the insomnia and anxiety came back as bad or worse. This is definitely a roller coaster ride, and different for everyone. Just remember that every roller coaster stops and you get to be you, again.

 

Shout out to Big Lebowski. Read his posts, they are much longer, in depth and eloquent. I only use my phone now. I have seen a laptop screen for about 1 hour in the last 2 months, to work on some of my photography. Staying away from the big scredn helps me quite a bit, triggers and all...

 

Do you still have the cognitive issues?

 

None. Clearer than before. Also, I never had ED, before or after quitting. On the downside, I have been to the ER 4 times with heart attack-like symptoms, only to find out all tests, ekg, bloodwork, are perfect. For me, anxiety and insomnia are absolutely horrid. If the CIA could figure out how to bottle what I have, they would never need to waterboard again.

 

Man, I can really empathise with the insomnia. I had that shit for years and couldn’t pinpoint why I was getting it growing up.

With my withdrawals I’ve noticed a pattern where the insomnia is usually one of the first symptoms to go and it has gone for the most part and I can fall into somewhat of a deep sleep, I only seem to get it very rarely now.

Hang in there bud and it will soon pass.

 

My psychotherapist does a lot of work with people in withdrawal, and said she sees a lot of guys hit 8 weeks and get slammed all over again. I got my "second wave" of withdrawals right around 56 days. Hmmmm. 7x8=56. Crap. At least I'm "normal"...ish.

 

Great. How long was your addiction?

 

I got to two months and then relapsed, I forgot why though, I think I ate some garlic or something or I was feeling stressed and anxious. But I was wondering how I could let myself fall after two months

 

Only serious for 3 years or so, but saw it all my life, fton age 12 on...

I also cut out gaming, online shopping, facebook etc. No computer save 1 hour, in the last 2 months

 

Lucky you , I got serious for nine months and hard these symptoms persist for eighteen months. I am "healed" now. I discussed that I my topic. But you have to watch out, these symptoms can be very tricky. One week you are fine, then the other weeks are flatlines (though in my case it was constant). Good to hear your recovery.

 

You pmo for 9 months then get withdrawals for 18 months?

 

Yes. Heavily for nine months. Average of four hours per day. It can sting you quicker than expected.

 

I was doing 6+ pmo a day for 4 years but the last year was when I was watching and open tabs for hours, on weekends I’d watch night to morning. I think I am in for an intense and long reboot, 2 years minimum

 

Sorry to hear about that. Totally sucks. I don't know if I'd trade all of my anxiety for flatline or not. All of what we're dealing with blows.

 

It seems to me that these effects, regardless of one's addiction years, takes one to three years to go away.

 

It does sound like everyone goes through the withdrawals for 1-3 years, you’re right

 

As long as I can get somewhat functional by 90 to 120 days. I can hack this, I just want a little less anxiety and insomnia. No more trips to the ER, Please.