It gets better. First 8 weeks suck. Second 8 weeks is better. By the end of the 3rd 8 weeks you are feeling normalized, recover from training better and, if you were smart about it, your body is ready to go with no injuries. i know. That is 24 weeks. If your goal is to recover completely then that time length is realistic for full recovery. If you plan to get back on then you will not fully recover between cycles.