☼ RachelSusan: Zoloft - on, off and reinstated

[Finnishgirl]

53 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

@Finnishgirl I think you will do fine. Yes you have had different medications but if you do what you are planning, a very slow taper, you should be alright. 

 

I am now following you. I look forward to watching you taper when the time is right for you and hearing what you have to say about how you are feeling.

Thank you sweet RachelSusan, you are so kind and warm-hearted ❤️ Let's keep in touch!

[RachelSusan]

@FinnishgirlAbsolutely, let's keep in touch.

[manymoretodays]

Because you're feeling better, I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol ☼ to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

 

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually!

 

Please see this topic:  How to write your success story

[manymoretodays]

Hi there RachelSusan,

And congratulations on being free of the Zoloft(sertraline) now since January!!!

Awesome.

And many thanks for being you, and doing what you do here.....much appreciated.

Do update with your own stuff every now and then too.  Please.

 

Thankyou.  I have dubbed you with the sunshine symbol today.  Hugs.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[RachelSusan]

@manymoretodays hello, and thank you for the sun symbol.  It means a lot to me. 

 

Yes, I will continue to update. Here is the update for today.

 

I am doing well, however I am taking medications for a chronic illness. Sometimes when I am forced to change those medications I feel the symptoms of withdrawal return.  Now when I say I feel the symptoms, it does not mean it is withdrawal as some of those medication changes can mimic withdrawal symptoms. All it means is that I don't know.  I had a medication change last week and some of those symptoms returned.  I rode it out. I remembered all I learned here, distract with lots of television shows, relaxation and meditation. Warm baths with epsom salt.  Yesterday the symptoms started to go away and it feels like perhaps they are completely gone today, I'm not sure, it is still early in the day.  I put my story out here for all that have done a nice slow taper and then those dreaded symptoms come back.  The first thing I did by the way was panic,  because I believed I was in for weeks or months of agony. Then I was able to calm myself and say that I don't really know what's going on, and I don't know for how long. As I said, today is the first really good day, so while you gave me the sun for overall recovery you now know that it was very appropriate to for you to give it to me on this very day.  May I still keep the sun even though I had this week setback?

 

I am not sure why but the return of those symptoms embarrassed me. I guess I felt so proud of myself for doing so well and while these symptoms are beyond my control I want to be able to say it's been perfect. So it is not been perfect but it has been good for a long period of time.

 

Additionally, when I am going to change medication I try to talk to my doctors about my history with Zoloft so that we can incorporate my medical history into my current medication taking.  Sad to say that at best the doctor recognizes what I am saying but doesn't really know what to do with that information, sometimes they have a hard time believing I am so sensitive to changes, but my body is now hyper sensitive to certain medication changes.

 

But over all, things are good. 

Edited November 13, 2022 by RachelSusan
spelling

[manymoretodays]

Ooooh, and yes, of course you keep the Sun symbol now.

We know that set-backs happen after the last dose is taken RachelSusan.  We do.

Sometimes too......it's that we are so much more sensitized to, well......everything.........for awhile after we have stopped the drug or drugs.  It just is that way for many.  You even said that yourself.  You are brilliant!

 

And I don't know for sure.......but it's possible that when you do need to medicate with non-psychoactive or psychiatric drugs for your chronic condition........that you might even react a bit more to them now then you used to.

 

And this too, will get better.

 

Oh sweetie, of course you.....have.....earned......your......sunshine........  Seriously.  You did the best taper and by the book and I am so very proud of you.  And thankful as you continue to give back here so much.

 

And yah, the symptoms of today, are a lot like the WD symptoms you used to experience.  Again, this will get better too, in time.

 

So beaming sunshine healing your way.  Enjoy.

 

The Waves and Windows of life now, after your Zoloft.  That's all that's going on.

Be well.

Edited November 13, 2022 by manymoretodays

[LarryS]

@RachelSusan  Congratulations on finally receiving your sun star.

 

Looking forward to your Zoloft tapering success story.

 

Hoping your recent feeling better days continue.

[RachelSusan]

@LarrySHi Larry,

Thank you for stopping by.  I was thrilled to receive my sun star. You are getting down to the low numbers on your taper.  Good for you. I hope you are feeling good.

[RachelSusan]

It turned out the uptick of symptoms mentioned a week ago were not from a medication change but rather from a Gabapentin taper. I am going to open a new thread for that, unless mods want it here. Thanks in advance for any help or support that can be sent my way.

Edited November 20, 2022 by RachelSusan
spelling

[RachelSusan]

Gabapentin Taper suddenly symptomatic

 

Hello, long time user and contributor of this site, having successfully tapered off Zoloft now find myself in a world of hurt with a Gabapentin taper.

Finished Zoloft taper Jan 1, 2022 and in April of this year, I started to taper 900mg of Gabapentin, which I was put on in 2016 to combat the symptoms of the Zoloft taper. I thought the taper was going well but In hindsight I think I might have started having symptoms of the Gabapentin taper in August. I was on other medications for a health issue and those medications (steroids) were being changed from August until November which led me to believe it was not the Gabapentin.

On November 7 of 2022 I tapered to 425mg a day (11%) of the Gabapentin and on November 11 the storm hit. At first, I thought it was the steroids but as the symptoms developed, I came to believe it was the gabapentin. Two or three days after the symptoms started, I upped dosed to 500 mg a day. Two days after that I up dosed to 600mg a day and waited eight more days and up dosed to 675mg a day. I think going to 675mg might have helped but it hasn’t been long enough to know for sure as that was yesterday. I take 3 times a day, 8 hours apart. So now it is 225 mg 3 time a day.  I had been mixing powder from capsules to enable me to get to the smaller doses.

The symptoms are: Light headed and dizzy, trembling or what I call tremors (mainly internal but some shaking hands when reaching for something), headache to end all headaches, loss of appetite, cold clammy and sweating at same time, insomnia and burning skin. The tremors get worse when I physically lay down. The symptoms are severe and almost chronic but once in a while I do get an hour or two thrown in when the symptoms will go down to moderate or mild. Epsom salt baths help for a moment. Found out during Zoloft taper magnesium did not work for me. I have a daily journal started should it be needed.

Mods, I feel bad about taking up your time because I know how busy you all are and I am a veteran, I feel I shouldn't be in this position, but I am and I could really use your help and support.

I am not sure if my old signature from Zoloft will be used or if I will get a chance to submit a new signature. In case I don't get that opportunity, the information is below.

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475 (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%)

Medications and supplements: Prednisone 5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily, Azithromycin 250mg 3 times a week, Fish oil, vitamin D, Calcium.

Edited November 20, 2022 by manymoretodays
added title

[manymoretodays]

Hi there RachelSusan,

And oh darn, on the Gabapentin and on me as well, I did not realize you were on another psychotropic medication......(I'll have to check on sun symbol.....I think it is reserved for when off all psychotropics.....just not sure......and oof, if I do reverse it........do not let it hinder your success on tapering Zoloft, and doing it right as well)  I also should have seen the Gabapentin, as it is in your signature.......so I am so sorry for jumping too soon, I believe with the sun symbol, again.......I will check.  Success stories too, are reserved at this time, for those who are off all psychotropics, psychoactive medications, and are feeling free of WD symptoms.  There is an explanation of the criteria, in that forum.  Again, not  to limit your feeling of success on being now off the Zoloft......it is still a success and you are still a sunshine person......just not officially.  Darn it, darn me.......unfortunately I am human and make mistakes.  I do so apologize though.  Waah.

 

I've merged your new topic/Introduction because it is very much a part of your current topic.....or the whole of your tapering journey.  We do like just one Introduction topic per member, and all relevant medications do very much matter, and are part of this Introduction.

 

5 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

but In hindsight I think I might have started having symptoms of the Gabapentin taper in August. I was on other medications for a health issue and those medications (steroids) were being changed from August until November which led me to believe it was not the Gabapentin.

On November 7 of 2022 I tapered to 425mg a day (11%) of the Gabapentin and on November 11 the storm hit. At first, I thought it was the steroids but as the symptoms developed, I came to believe it was the gabapentin. Two or three days after the symptoms started, I upped dosed to 500 mg a day. Two days after that I up dosed to 600mg a day and waited eight more days and up dosed to 675mg a day. I think going to 675mg might have helped but it hasn’t been long enough to know for sure as that was yesterday. I take 3 times a day, 8 hours apart. So now it is 225 mg 3 time a day.  I had been mixing powder from capsules to enable me to get to the smaller doses.

 

Okay, and I am seeing your tapers, mostly at 10%, some greater and then none are less than 10%.

And then the steroids(Prednisone) and Azithromycin.  Do you have a date for the last Prednisone change?  Also when the inhaler was started?  When Azithromycin started, and when finished?  

I think it is really quite possible that all of these additions and changes to the antibiotic(ABX) and steroids most likely set current symptoms into motion.

 

And now you've updosed a ton from your started dose of 425 mg.  Hmmm.  Why?  Maybe it was the steroids affecting your decision making??  

 

Why don't you post a couple days RS, of NOTES......so it is clearer.  Get the date at the top and then times throughout a 24 hour period to the left.  On the right post your drugs, all of them, medical and psychoactive, by name, and dose.  Also on the right post symptoms as they occur.  Some will rate them 1 to 10 if frequent symptoms and then changing intensities.  Describe symptoms somewhere.  Also post sleep on the right.  Any supplements taken, name and dose.

 

This should help make clearer if you do need another change in the Gabapentin.  Meantime HOLD tight.  And I am sorry, so sorry to hear of your present difficulties too......the WD symptoms.  Buggars.

 

Okay, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

No worries on asking for our help now RS.   Or to look at your situation/case now.  Please, no worries!  I am in and out still, doing some traveling and family stuff.  Odd connections too, at times.....my laptop and internet.  Other staff will stop by though soon.  Be well, as well as you can today........gratitudes for all you do for others RS.

Edited November 20, 2022 by manymoretodays

[j1290]

Hey there, RachelSusan!  

 

Sounds like you're really going through it right now.   I know last year when I had to reinstate and my symptoms didn't improve, my brain went straight to panic and catastrophizing.   However, it's much easier for me to be rational about someone else.  So if you'll allow me to be a bit invasive but with good intent, looking at the evidence, at your signature here, what I'm seeing is a detailed report of how you navigated the very challenging course of getting off of Zoloft.  Based on that, those facts, I have to think you're going to find your way to get off of Gabapentin.  If this were a football game your team would have favored by like 24 points, the outcome never in question.   

 

As a guy who has messy hair at work because I wear a headache hat(almost lost my job because of headaches), I can relate to how debilitating these symptoms can be.  I'm sorry to hear you're having them, and I'm really glad that you spoke up.  I think it's really easy to get isolated in our unique battle to get off of these drugs.  

 

Hang in there, stay strong, and please post often!

 

 

[RachelSusan]

@manymoretodays

First off, thank you Manymoredays.  I know you are traveling so I especially appreciate your time. No worries about the sunshine symbol or anything else; I think the most important thing is to get me stable. I have not done a success story so no worries there.

In answer to your questions:

My prednisone changes occurred August through November. The use of prednisone is reactive to my breathing changes. The doctor changes things often. He will go from 5 mg daily up to 10mg daily for two weeks, then to an every other day pattern of 5mg and 10mg. If I don't get any relief we start this pattern all over again. This happen frequently during the time I stated. The very last change was Nov 2, he took me down to 5mg every day. The steroid changes in the past have mimicked very mild withdrawal symptoms so sometimes it is hard for me to know what is going on. This particular inhaler started approx. two years ago and has not changed. The azithromycin, started about three years ago and has not changed. The anti-biotic is not taken for infection, it us used as part of the treatment process and is consistent. That is 250mg three days a week.

Yes, I up dosed a lot on the Gabapentin. I wish I could blame the prednisone.  More like withdrawal guided my thinking. I was trying to get some relief.  I am now in day 10 of withdrawal. As I type this, I am actually having a small window, but as usual, I don't have great expectations it will last. I will not make any changes, I will stop and wait for suggestions. .  My records are posted below. My use of medications and supplements are consistent, I will review with my cloudy brain and try my best to make sure it is accurate.

I now have a feeling that I might have actually been in withdrawal from the Gabapentin back in August but I wasn't aware of it because of the prednisone changes, but I don't really know.  Also I have been using Epsom salt baths all along but just started tracking it today in my daily notes. It does bring me short term relief.

 

Nov 16

Slept total of 5 hours and 55 minutes

Woke up off and on all night – full body tremors moderate, tremors still with me.

6:45 a.m. Gabapentin 200mg

8:00 am chills & tremors continue

9:30 breakfast

9:30 a.m. 5mg prednisone, vitamin e, calcium and fish oil

9:30 a.m. tremors & chills subsided, but feel lightheaded, dizzy, woozy, stomach ache, nauseous, got worse while sitting, seemed better while moving around

10:45 a.m. Cortisol inhaler

12:30 p.m. clammy, sweating and dizzy, feel shaky. Dizzy or light headed, feeling drunk, hard to think clearly. Nausea

12:45 p.m. Lunch.

1:20 p.m. still feeling awful.

1:45 p.m. Tremors subside a tiny bit. Don’t feel drunk, but still clammy and shaky.

2:45 Gabapentin 200mg

5:30 p.m. Still have mild tremors.

6:00 p.m. dinner

6:30 pm tremors going from mild to moderate

10 p.m. Gabapentin 200 mg

10:15 p.m. fell asleep. Awake off and on all night long. Tremors all night, severe

 

Nov 17

Slept 4 hours 35 mins

Woke up off and on all night – full body tremors moderate to severe, nausea, burning skin, chills. All still with me

6:30 a.m. Gabapentin 200mg

7:00 a.m. cold burning skin, sinus feels plugged

 

7:30 a.m. Tremors decreased a tiny bit

7:45 a.m. breakfast

7:45 a.m. prednisone 5 mg, fish oil, calcium, vitamin d

8:00 a.m. symptoms decreasing but feel woozy, still have headache, but less

10:00 a.m. Inhaler

10:30 a.m. still have tremors, feeling shaky, not as intense though

11:30 a.m. tremors returning, headache returns

2:00 p.m. slight window. Day continued to improve.

2:30 p.m. Gabapentin 200mg

6:00 pm dinner

Day ended up being better than expect

8:15 p.m. Gabapentin 200mg

8:30 p.m. fell asleep

Woke up with Tremors a few times

 

Nov 18

Slept 7 hours and 40 minutes

 

Light tremors off and on during night

5:30 a.m.  Woke up with severe tremors

5:30 a.m. Gabapentin 200 mg

6:30 a.m. Tremors receding, but still in background

7:00 a.m. Breakfast

7:00 a.m. Prednisone 5 mg 250mg Azithromycin, Vitamin D, Calcium

10:00 a.m. Inhaler

10:30 a.m. symptoms returning a little bit more but still mild, sweats, tremors

11:00 a.m. ride stationary bike, symptoms get a lot stronger - stopped half way through exercise

1:30 p.m. continued tremors and feeling shaky when I move around or become active

1:30 p.m. Gabapentin 200 mg

Afternoon – mild sporadic tremors continue.

7:30 pm   light tremors more predominate in shoulders, arms and upper torso, worse when laying down, better when sitting up

9:15 pm Gabapentin – tremors start as I drift off to sleep

Off and on rest of night, severe tremors, severe headache and burning skin.

 

Nov 19 4 hours 6 minutes sleep

 Upped dosage by 25 mg starting with lunch.  Tomorrow will be full day of 675 mg per day, 225 for each dosing.

12:30 pm Tremors, headache, burning skin off and on all night long

4:25 am Tremors worse when laying down.

5:15 am Gabapentin 200mg

6:00 am tremors continue, had them all night. Severe

9:00 a.m. Inhaler, prednisone 5mg, calcium, vitamin D, fish oil

9:00 a.m. breakfast

12:00p.m.  symptoms continue- feel shaky (moderate), internal tremors and headache ( both mild to moderate), unfortunately they are continuous.

1:15 p.m. Gabapentin 225mg - *** not a good choice??

1:15 p.m. lunch

4:25 p.m. – Feeling relief, symptoms almost gone

6:30 p.m. dinner

After dinner until bedtime symptoms are extremly low.

9:15 pm 225 mg of gabapentin

10 p.m. sleep

10:30 p.m. woke up, awful symptoms, fell asleep a few more times, off and on

 

Nov 20

slept 2 hours 10 minutes, then took nap at 6:30 am but didn’t have fitbit on, guessing at sleep, maybe an hour?

2:00 a.m. woke up – severe sweats, headache, internal tremors

2:30 a.m. Epsom salt warm water bath

3:00 a.m. symptoms came way down. Mild headache, Mild to moderate tremors. Wide awake though – didn’t sleep much

6 am Gabapentin 225mg

6 am – tremors increasing to moderate

6:30 am Fell back to sleep

7:30 a.m. woke up with moderate tremors, but no pain, no headache. Feeling calmer, less amped up.

9:00 a.m. breakfast

9:00 a.m. prednisone 5mg, fish oil, vitamin D

9:10 tremors dissipating

10:00 a.m. still feeling some symptoms but mild. No tremors, no sweats, but slightly clouded head, kind of like being drunk. Sinus pressure.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2022 by RachelSusan
Forgot to tag manymoredays

[RachelSusan]

@j1290 Thanks for the support. Stay tuned for updates. Yes the symptoms are debilitating right now and not something I thought I would ever have to live through again. For me they just seemed to come up so suddenly. I was doing great.  I know I will get through this. Especially with the support from the mods, people like you and all my good buddies.

[Soup]

@RachelSusan I am so sorry you have had this setback so very sorry . I say setback because I know that you are strong and steadfast to get through this and will once again be helping others with your kind words . I hope this settles very quickly for you . Sending you healing hugs 

[Aveju]

I’m so sorry that you are going through a rough time.  I know you will get through this! 

[Altostrata]

Hello, @RachelSusan

 

It's also possible to have withdrawal from prednisone.

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/prednisone-withdrawal/expert-answers/faq-20057923

 

Was your prednisone dosage increased earlier in the spring, then decreased a month or so later? Please briefly summarize all your drug changes in chronological order May through November.

[RachelSusan]

@Altostrata Thanks for the link to Mayo. I  had what I felt was prednisone withdrawal a few years ago, even from a very slow decrease, but I don't really know for sure.  The symptoms are indeed very similar to what I am going through now but feel much more intense than what I recall from what I thought was the prednisone withdrawal. No changes with prednisone in spring, but lots of changes August through November. Below is information requested.

 

Drug changes in chronological order from May through November

Started with a base of 5mg a day of predisone

May 29, 2022 Gabapentin 800 to 700 mg (12.5%),

June 20, 2022 Gabapentin 700 to 650mg (8%),

July 20, 2022 Gabapentin 650 to 575 (12%),

August 20, 2022, Gabapentin 575 to 500 (13%), 

August through November  -  many prednisone changes which I did not keep track of. It was a revolving door of changes. At the beginning of August my base was 5 mg a day. We then went up and down between 10 mg a day every day and then switched to a pattern of every other day of 5mg then 10mg then 5 mg and so on. We went around and around like this during the months stated. Last change was: Nov 2. back to 5mg. I've been holding steady on the 5mg since the 2nd.

Sept 20, 2020 Gabapentin 500 to 475mg (5%)

Nov 2, 2022 Prednisone back down to 5mg

Nov 7, 2022 Gabapentin 475 to 425 mg  (11%)

All h*ll broke loose on Nov 11.

 

I forgot to mention decrease in appetite when corresponding with Manymoredays. Since Nov 11 I have lost 7 pounds.

 

Thanks for looking this over Altostrata. 

Edited November 20, 2022 by RachelSusan
added additional information

[RachelSusan]

@Aveju and @Soup

Thank you both for your best wishes. You know it is interesting that in spite of all I have learned on this site, and the years I have been here that when the withdrawal symptoms kicked in for me it became hard for me to be objective about what to do for myself. Very hard indeed.

[Altostrata]

23 minutes ago, RachelSusan said:

Sept 20, 2020 Gabapentin 500 to 475mg (5%)

Nov 2, 2022 Prednisone back down to 5mg

Nov 7, 2022 Gabapentin 475 to 425 mg  (11%)

All h*ll broke loose on Nov 11.

 

It's more likely to me the decrease in prednisone might be responsible for your symptoms.

 

You might go back to split doses of 500mg gabapentin for convenience, and hold all your doses stable for a while before any more drug changes.

[RachelSusan]

@Altostrata I will do as you suggest. Thank you.

[arbor]

Sending you healing wishes, dear @RachelSusan So sorry you're hurting.

Arbor

[RachelSusan]

@arbor Thank you very much. I really appreciate you stopping by.  It is indeed a bad situation for me right now so I appreciate the support.

Edited November 21, 2022 by RachelSusan

[Soup]

@RachelSusan just sending you good thoughts that things are settling down for you 🙏🏻 I am so sorry you have had this blip but I know you will get through it 

[RachelSusan]

@Soup What a pleasure to have you stop by.  This is actually the first day that the symptoms reduced a little.  As you well know, withdrawal of any sort can suck the soul right out of a person.

 

Soup, I don't know how you are doing.  I think about you and I hope you are managing to survive.

 

 

[Soup]

@RachelSusan well I am still here so I guess that is good but nothing has really changed I am afraid . Glad to hear of a little reduction . Just a note my daughter in law had to take prednisone for a short time 10 days and she had some withdrawal effects from it . The pharmacist tapered her but it still gave her some yuck for a bit . I hope each day gets a bit better for you and I am sorry this has happened 

[manymoretodays]

Hi RachelSusan,

How's it going with the back to 500 mg of Gabapentin?

I saw one doing better day above.  Yay.

And.....let's leave the sunshine as an omen that you'll soon be back to recovery shining through.  I'm told it is just a sign of recovering nicely.  And......you will be.......again.

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[RachelSusan]

@manymoretodaysThank for your checking on me. I appreciate your time and kindness.

 

The actual list of symptoms remain the same as when the reaction first hit on Nov 11 but with nausea and sound sensitivity added. The good news is that the symptoms seem to be coming a little less frequently with two very distinct windows during the day, at the same time every day.

On 11/20/2022 at 3:46 AM, RachelSusan said:

The symptoms are: Light headed and dizzy, trembling or what I call tremors (mainly internal but some shaking hands when reaching for something), headache to end all headaches, loss of appetite, cold clammy and sweating at same time, insomnia and burning skin.

Mainly I have the symptoms during the late afternoon and again overnight.  The last few days I have averaged about five and a half hours of sleep a night, which is a small improvement.

 

I plan to just hold as long as it takes. Not much choice for anything else.  Hopefully either the severity of the symptoms or the frequency of the symptoms will continue to lessen.

 

Thank you again for your kindness.  I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate you reaching out to me.

[manymoretodays]

Hi RachelSusan,

2 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

The actual list of symptoms remain the same as when the reaction first hit on Nov 11 but with nausea and sound sensitivity added. The good news is that the symptoms seem to be coming a little less frequently with two very distinct windows during the day, at the same time every day.

 

Have you ever had nauseau and sound sensitivity on the Gabapentin?  Just wondering if that increase back up , might have led to those ? side effects.  Do your notes show anything there? 

 

Or, it could be related to the prednisone WD.  Symptoms can be variable in WD.

 

And.........less frequent symptoms and 2 distinct windows is improvement, right?

 

So that is good.  Improvement I will take. 

Are you eating more?  Was your weight loss related to your not eating enough?  Have you gained back some of your weight?

 

I'd just HOLD steady now, if it were me.  Some improvement is great RS.

Let's do the easy improvement dance today, shall we?  And eat and continue to give thanks.

Okay, thank you for the update.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

[RachelSusan]

@manymoretodays Never had nausea or sound sensitivity on Gabapentin and it doesn't seem to be related to raising the dose. Did have it during my withdrawal from antidepressants though, so I am very familiar with the feeling of it. Weight loss is directly related to loss of appetite.  Since I started off with a few extra pounds I can't say I am displeased with loosing it, but how I how I lost it is certainly a problem, not worth it!!!!! Still have a loss of appetite so I have not gained it back.

 

As for the prednisone, after the up and down and all around by the doctor I ended up on a slightly higher dose than I started with.

 

It's hard to say what is what. I do know the rule though, never make more than one drug change at a time, if at all possible. I wish I had not made that last Gabapentin cut at the tail end of the prednisone changes. In my mind the two drugs were not connected. Wrong!!!! The entire body is connected. Live and learn. Sometimes I am a slow learner though.

 

And yes, I will take any improvement.

 

Thank you again.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 26, 2022 by RachelSusan
Added clarification

[Soup]

@RachelSusan so glad to hear of your windows and some lessening of symptoms . I hope each day slowly gets a bit better for you . 

[RachelSusan]

@Soup Thank you for your good thoughts. As all of us know on this site, improvement is way too slow.  The amount of suffering that goes on is horrible. You are going through your own suffering as well. I hope for the best for both of us. Thank you again for stopping by.

 

[RachelSusan]

Update:

Symptoms are still intense and I seem to have them around 5 a.m. for about an hour and then again between the hours of about 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. every day. My symptoms are physically painful. They include tremors, sweats, headache, burning skin, and nausea. The insomnia is still around but I no longer have intense symptoms at night, which I am thankful for. I know improvement will come, and believe I see some improvement now, but it is painful to live through those hours.  I am aware that some of you have had the symptoms continuously and have had them for months and years at a time, so my sympathies are defiantly with you.

[Soup]

@RachelSusan I am so sorry you are experiencing this . I hope it settles very soon for you . I know how awful it is 

[j1290]

@RachelSusan  Hang in there, RS!   I really hope your symptoms begin to resolve soon.   I'm glad to hear you at least get some hours of respite.   I know it's entirely too slow but I hope each day gets a little better for you!!

 

[RachelSusan]

@j1290 Thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate your support. You are right, it is very slow.

 

I follow your goings on so I know how you are feeling. You have got this taper down to a science. I remain impressed.