I'm glad to hear breathing helps @creative_writer - for me, when people used to tell me to BREATHE, I felt like throwing something at them... I think in my head I was thinking "I have such huge problems, and the only thing you tell me to do it breathe?!" I used to get very angry, hence I am careful when I tell people to try breathing.
I guess I never understood the power of breathing until the science was explained to me. That's why I can now tell others to ..... BREATHE... LOL
As for differences in recovery - everyone has their own story to tell. There is no right or wrong way - it is your story. Sometimes, things go very well for a while, then it feels like 1 step forward and 10 steps back. Be gentle and kind to yourself to know many have experienced this - yet the unpleasantness WILL pass.
Sitting with you tonight @creative_writer ,
tyme