Frogie: how to taper off Lexapro and Xanax?

[Frogie]

18 minutes ago, Downbutnotout said:

Aw, thank you Frogie. You know, you choked me up, almost. I have that emotionless thing going. I actually felt a bit of emotion when I was with my aunt. The poor thing has dementia and was looking for her suitcase so she can go home to her mother. She also wants to get her job back at the newspaper where she worked 60 years ago. 

I didn't want to make you cry. You have said very kind things to me and tears roll down my face. It's sad to see your Aunt like that. I went through the exact same thing with my grandma. It was horrible.

[Downbutnotout]

i really do like you Frogie. I hope your creepy crawly thing goes away. I would give anything to be able to cry. Laugh too. I’m still on 50 mg of trazadone and 5 beads if effexor. My husband hates the trazadone. He thinks it’s making me anxious snd emotionless. I guess I have to wait to taper it. He’s wanting to blame the drugs on my problems. he keeps telling me to get rid of the trazadone. For years I did refuse to take it and was up 24/7 with the Effexor. I knew it made me “ feel too good”. I had no idea  it was an antidepressant. Nobody told me. I thought it was a sleeping pill. 

[Frogie]

Just now, Downbutnotout said:

i really do like you Frogie. I hope your creepy crawly thing goes away. I would give anything to be able to cry. Laugh too. I’m still on 50 mg of trazadone and 5 beads if effexor. My husband hates the trazadone. He thinks it’s making me anxious snd emotionless. I guess I have to wait to taper it. He’s wanting to blame the drugs on my problems. he keeps telling me to get rid of the trazadone. For years I did refuse to take it and was up 24/7 with the Effexor. I knew it made me “ feel too good”. I had no idea  it was an antidepressant. Nobody told me. I thought it was a sleeping pill. 

I really like you too D. So far, I haven't had the creepy crawly thing in my knees for a couple of days. It's the Phenergran that I was taking for nausea. It never did it up until recently. I hope I don't get it again. It's just awful. I have never been on Trazodone.  I would wait a LOOONG time before you taper anything. It sounds like things are finally starting to work. I don't want to burst your bubble, but don't do all the wrong things I did. I went off Gabapentin, Lamictal and Valium all one after another without waiting. Then I cut my Lexapro in 1/2. I went through h**l for a year, maybe longer. I still had problems last summer, and all that happened in 2015. Just stay put. You may not feel good right now, but you will eventually. I was told by a mod, don't touch your meds until you are completely symptom free for 30 days. So, if you are symptom free for 15 days then have symptoms, you start over to day 1.  Believe me it works. I hope I don't get nauseous from tapering. That's usually my symptom within 3-4 days because I can't take my anti nausea med anymore. I asked my fiancé to stop at the store on the way home and get me some Dramamine. Scallywag told me to try that a long tine ago. So I'm going to have it in the house just in case. I'm sure I've bored you now. You have a good evening. . Take care, Frogie xx

[Downbutnotout]

You’re right. I know they would tell me the same thing. My dtr just told me I have to learn to manage my depression. My kids figure it’s not going away. They don’t understand why I just don’t give into drug therapy. They think I should listen to the medical professionals. I was going to try to attend religious services tonight to keep fighting today. I have like 20 minutes to push myself out the door. I don’t know if I can do it. I better change my clothes. I look not so cute. 

[Frogie]

Just now, Downbutnotout said:

You’re right. I know they would tell me the same thing. My dtr just told me I have to learn to manage my depression. My kids figure it’s not going away. They don’t understand why I just don’t give into drug therapy. They think I should listen to the medical professionals. I was going to try to attend religious services tonight to keep fighting today. I have like 20 minutes to push myself out the door. I don’t know if I can do it. I better change my clothes. I look not so cute. 

That's a decision only you can make about the meds. But I would back you at any choice you made. That's what friends do. At least you got out today and got dressed. I never got dressed today or left the house. Have a good time at church. Say a huge prayer for me. Take care, Frogie xx

[Gridley]

"Can I still do every 30 days?"  Sorry, Frogie, I don't understand your question.

[Frogie]

7 minutes ago, Gridley said:

"Can I still do every 30 days?"  Sorry, Frogie, I don't understand your question.

I'm sorry I should have been clearer. I meant can I still taper every 30 days? You said to go slower on smaller doses. Thanks!

[Gridley]

How have you been feeling after each drop? And how long a hold after each drop?  It is about the same for the last 2-3 months or is it getting harder (more symptoms)?  I know it's hard to judge sometimes, what with all the other factors like external stressors.  But do the best you can in appraising your symptoms.  If you've been pretty steady, you could stay on the same schedule.  If not, you could hold longer or drop less (or both).  

[Frogie]

23 minutes ago, Gridley said:

How have you been feeling after each drop? And how long a hold after each drop?  It is about the same for the last 2-3 months or is it getting harder (more symptoms)?  I know it's hard to judge sometimes, what with all the other factors like external stressors.  But do the best you can in appraising your symptoms.  If you've been pretty steady, you could stay on the same schedule.  If not, you could hold longer or drop less (or both).  

I had a lot of stress over the holidays, so I didn't taper in December. But the other ones have been better, I think. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel the lower I get. I'm hoping I'll feel better getting this poison out of my system. I tapered today for the first time, so far so good. Usually I feel nauseous the first day. Who knows over the weekend, but I have Dramamine (scallywag told me about that a long time ago), and peppermint and chamomile tea. I should be good to go. Thanks for your help! Take care, Frogie xx

[manymoretodays]

8 hours ago, Frogie said:

I saw my country dr last month. He says I'm doing fine. I have an infiltrated liver. That's why I'm on 800IU Vitamin E. But I had a well known New York liver dr read my CT and he said I was fine. It was a little fatty, but I was fine. Almost everyone we know out here has this liver problem. Even my fiancé. We are all beginning to think its something Drs want you to have so they have something to treat. But my dr said I could taper as fast or slow as I felt comfortable with. He would continue to prescribe the Lexapro as long as I needed it. He is actually a really good dr for this. He hasn't pushed me but one time. I told him to back off and we now have an understanding. I'm wondering if my liver is not metabolizing all the meds also. 

 

8 hours ago, Frogie said:

I have no friends out here. Don't ask. If you aren't from here, or your family isn't from here, you don't belong here. I've tried for almost 5 years. So has my fiancé. He has acquaintances. I will be glad to go home where my friends and family are. Especially my granddaughter. I really think I will heal better. I have had long talks with my therapist about this and she agrees.

 

With my taper, I'm only asking for reassurance and a pat on the back once in a while. I've been through really rough times with it, so I know how my body reacts. I really think my body says it's time. I stopped the Vitamin E and feel great!

 

Your liver enzymes are all normal too?  That's weird........everyone out there has the same liver problem?  Yet you do or you don't have a problem?  Hard to follow.  

 

I was just thinking you should probably wait at least 5 mos. from your 50% inadvertent drop of Lexapro, to be on the safe side.........as you ARE on lower dosages now.  I'll respect your decision.  I did see you mention waiting until the end of the month to taper somewhere above..........so, I was surprised.   I don't know on the doctor really......most of the time they do not have any experience with tapers, other than what they have from the pharmaceutical companies.   He does sound good at reassuring you a bit and alleviating some of your worries.   And good on your therapist.  I surely hope it all works out as you guys have planned and is your healing then.  Wherever you go, that's where you are.  Great book, have you heard of it?  Helps with the mindful, here and now ness and general comfort wherever you might be.

 

Yes, that's a bummer on the friends/no friends there.  I'd seen you say that before a few times.  Hard, or it was for me, to be much of a friend during acute W/D, and then it all just got easier when I was able to stay open, and try new things and people, as well as when I stay diligent with my alternative practices.  I just want to encourage you to enjoy the NOW a bit and the journey you have chosen.  What happened to worsen your disability so you could not volunteer anymore?   Anyway.......enough on the questions, eh? 

 

Best Frogie.

 

mmt

 

 

Edited January 20, 2018 by manymoretodays

[Rosetta]

Hi Frogie,

 

How are you?  Akathisia in the knees, huh?  Do they move against your will or do they simply feel strange?  I'm sorry, I would read your thread, but 62 pages would be impossible for me to read.  I have some limitations because of dyskinesia/dystonia.  It's better sometimes and worse other times, but reading aggravates it.  Sometimes I take the chance.  Do you mind if I let you tell me a summary or you could direct me to one you told to someone else?  I see that right now nausea is the only thing that's of much bother to you and when you take meds for it you get aka in your knees.  I hope your taper has been easy.

 

You asked me what my aka was like.  This is probably more than you expected, but these are my thoughts about it:

 

My Akathisia was everywhere, I think, but most troubling was the aka in my mind.  My body didn't move without my permission, and I didn't "shake a leg" or pace.  I had control of my body.  I'm not able to describe it to some one who hasn't experienced, but the word vibration is sort of, kind of, maybe, but not really a description.  Electric is another word that doesn't quite fit.

 

That feeling of out of this world, nightmarish, torturous emotional misery from the Akathisia has disappeared now.  I was almost suicidal.  Maybe sometimes I was suicidal.  If I still have a slight degree of Akathisia it's something I can live with now.  So, I consider it gone.  However, I do have anxiety, and it can get pretty intense; I still have discomfort in my muscles, and I often feel that I have done physical activity all day when that's not at all true.  However, I don't get that yummy feeling of having done such activity.  I just feel tired and overwhelmed. 

 

Now, I wonder whether there is a continuum of Akathisia -- from very intense, suicidal aka down to slight aka that is hard to distinguish from the possibility of two separate WD symptoms converging: anxiety plus muscle tension/exhaustion.  The reason I wonder is there is a feeling in my arms and legs that comes on when I'm in a wave that is odd.  It defies description, too, but it's a bit like I over used the muscle, and instead of a "good tired" it's a "bad tired" feeling coupled with tight muscles and fatigue.  I get this in my arms less frequently, but in my legs a lot.  My joints ache, too, especially my knees and elbows.  

 

Then, I have dystonia, tingling and numbness on the right side of my body.  In addition to the more intense dystonia, I'm not sure if I have slight dystonia in my forearms and legs and that causes the feeling of over-used muscles, or if I have Akathisia to a very slight degree in my forearms and legs which causes the over-used muscle feeling or the third option: dyskenisia/dystonia and Akathisia are linked somehow (cause-effect, -- one causes the other or both are caused by the same faulty signal from the brain, or both are caused by the same neurotransmitter malfunction?)

 

What I crave and miss so much is that "good tired" feeling of having taken a long hike and all the good hormones are coursing through the system making one feel tired and happy.  That never happens to me now that I have WD.  I wonder if it's been gone a long time -- long before I stopped taking the meds.  Is it because I can't exercise enough to get the good hormones pumping or because these good hormones aren't being released no matter how tired and overworked my muscles feel from a 20 minute walk?  The last time I jogged, I had unbearable cortisol anxiety.  So, now I walk only.

 

I look forward to hearing from you,

 

Rosetta

 

P.S. I perused your thread, and I see that you have had nausea 24/7 for years!!???!!!  I hope my first sentence above didn't upset you by the way I phrased my comments about nausea.  I'm sorry!  That's dreadful!

[Downbutnotout]

3 hours ago, Frogie said:

That's a decision only you can make about the meds. But I would back you at any choice you made. That's what friends do. At least you got out today and got dressed. I never got dressed today or left the house. Have a good time at church. Say a huge prayer for me. Take care, Frogie xx

Hey Frogie I said a prayer for both of us.  

[Frogie]

48 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

 

 

Your liver enzymes are all normal too?  That's weird........everyone out there has the same liver problem?  Yet you do or you don't have a problem?  Hard to follow.  

 

I was just thinking you should probably wait at least 5 mos. from your 50% inadvertent drop of Lexapro, to be on the safe side.........as you ARE on lower dosages now.  I'll respect your decision.  I did see you mention waiting until the end of the month to taper somewhere above..........so, I was surprised.   I don't know on the doctor really......most of the time they do not have any experience with tapers, other than what they have from the pharmaceutical companies.   He does sound good at reassuring you a bit and alleviating some of your worries.   And good on your therapist.  I surely hope it all works out as you guys have planned and is your healing then.  Wherever you go, that's where you are.  Great book, have you heard of it?  Helps with the mindful, here and now ness and general comfort wherever you might be.

 

Yes, that's a bummer on the friends/no friends there.  I'd seen you say that before a few times.  Hard, or it was for me, to be much of a friend during acute W/D, and then it all just got easier when I was able to stay open, and try new things and people, as well as when I stay diligent with my alternative practices.  I just want to encourage you to enjoy the NOW a bit and the journey you have chosen.  What happened to worsen your disability so you could not volunteer anymore?   Anyway.......enough on the questions, eh? 

 

Best Frogie.

 

mmt

 

 

My liver enzymes are fine, or they were in April at my physical. We don't understand it. My fiancé has it, his brother and other people. They found mine through an ultrasound then a CT. My dr thinks I'm of course tapering too slow, but I told him about this site (I don't know if he looked at it I told him to), and explained I wanted to taper 10% a month and why. He totally supported me. I about fell off my chair in his office. He said he would write the prescription as long as I needed it and wished me luck. I appreciate you respecting my decision to taper. I just decided that I was feeling fine after I figured out what caused my akasthisia, I would go ahead and taper. Usually I feel it the first day, and I haven't felt anything. I feel fine. So cross your fingers that I'm going to be ok. I did get some Dramamine just in case. We are supposed to get a big snow storm starting tomorrow and I didn't want to be sick and all the stores closed.

 

When I signed up to volunteer I was supposed to work in the office, filing things like that. They put me in the thrift store instead. I can't carry heavy things, hang clothes, lift, things like that. I have degenerated disk disease in my back and neuropathy in my hand and foot. I told them, but they said they needed people in the thrift store. I'm not going to be injured more just to volunteer.

 

Did I answer everything? If not ask again. I'll answer you.

 

Thanks for supporting me.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

22 minutes ago, Downbutnotout said:

Hey Frogie I said a prayer for both of us.  

Thanks, I appreciate that.

[Frogie]

31 minutes ago, Rosetta said:

Hi Frogie,

 

How are you?  Akathisia in the knees, huh?  Do they move against your will or do they simply feel strange?  I'm sorry, I would read your thread, but 62 pages would be impossible for me to read.  I have some limitations because of dyskinesia/dystonia.  It's better sometimes and worse other times, but reading aggravates it.  Sometimes I take the chance.  Do you mind if I let you tell me a summary or you could direct me to one you told to someone else?  I see that right now nausea is the only thing that's of much bother to you and when you take meds for it you get aka in your knees.  I hope your taper has been easy.

 

You asked me what my aka was like.  This is probably more than you expected, but these are my thoughts about it:

 

My Akathisia was everywhere, I think, but most troubling was the aka in my mind.  My body didn't move without my permission, and I didn't "shake a leg" or pace.  I had control of my body.  I'm not able to describe it to some one who hasn't experienced, but the word vibration is sort of, kind of, maybe, but not really a description.  Electric is another word that doesn't quite fit.

 

That feeling of out of this world, nightmarish, torturous emotional misery from the Akathisia has disappeared now.  I was almost suicidal.  Maybe sometimes I was suicidal.  If I still have a slight degree of Akathisia it's something I can live with now.  So, I consider it gone.  However, I do have anxiety, and it can get pretty intense; I still have discomfort in my muscles, and I often feel that I have done physical activity all day when that's not at all true.  However, I don't get that yummy feeling of having done such activity.  I just feel tired and overwhelmed. 

 

Now, I wonder whether there is a continuum of Akathisia -- from very intense, suicidal aka down to slight aka that is hard to distinguish from the possibility of two separate WD symptoms converging: anxiety plus muscle tension/exhaustion.  The reason I wonder is there is a feeling in my arms and legs that comes on when I'm in a wave that is odd.  It defies description, too, but it's a bit like I over used the muscle, and instead of a "good tired" it's a "bad tired" feeling coupled with tight muscles and fatigue.  I get this in my arms less frequently, but in my legs a lot.  My joints ache, too, especially my knees and elbows.  

 

Then, I have dystonia, tingling and numbness on the right side of my body.  In addition to the more intense dystonia, I'm not sure if I have slight dystonia in my forearms and legs and that causes the feeling of over-used muscles, or if I have Akathisia to a very slight degree in my forearms and legs which causes the over-used muscle feeling or the third option: dyskenisia/dystonia and Akathisia are linked somehow (cause-effect, -- one causes the other or both are caused by the same faulty signal from the brain, or both are caused by the same neurotransmitter malfunction?)

 

What I crave and miss so much is that "good tired" feeling of having taken a long hike and all the good hormones are coursing through the system making one feel tired and happy.  That never happens to me now that I have WD.  I wonder if it's been gone a long time -- long before I stopped taking the meds.  Is it because I can't exercise enough to get the good hormones pumping or because these good hormones aren't being released no matter how tired and overworked my muscles feel from a 20 minute walk?  The last time I jogged, I had unbearable cortisol anxiety.  So, now I walk only.

 

I look forward to hearing from you,

 

Rosetta

I need to read this carefully. Unfortunately, I have a headache and can't concentrate. I promise I will answer you when I can see what I'm writing. I'm going to the eye dr Monday. Hopefully they will be able to fix my glasses so I can see better, I have a problem with the tv even. I'm sure you understand. But look forward to answering you and getting information from you on this.

 

It was really nice to meet you and look forward to talking more.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[JS11]

Hey Frogie,

 

See that you are approaching some darn low numbers.  Just wanted to say, "You go girl!"  I am rooting for you and do so hope it is a gentle taper indeed.

 

xoxo,

JS and Tigger

Cats rule, dogs drool!

[Rosetta]

31 minutes ago, Frogie said:

I need to read this carefully. Unfortunately, I have a headache and can't concentrate. I promise I will answer you when I can see what I'm writing. I'm going to the eye dr Monday. Hopefully they will be able to fix my glasses so I can see better, I have a problem with the tv even. I'm sure you understand. But look forward to answering you and getting information from you on this.

 

Of course, Frogie, I do understand.  I hope you can get the vision issue sorted out.  I've had similar problems; I think they are WD related, but I have tried to fix my glasses.  Good luck

[Frogie]

12 hours ago, Rosetta said:

 

Of course, Frogie, I do understand.  I hope you can get the vision issue sorted out.  I've had similar problems; I think they are WD related, but I have tried to fix my glasses.  Good luck

Thanks for understanding. I really appreciate it. I promise I will get back to you.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[kesh]

16 hours ago, Rosetta said:

Now, I wonder whether there is a continuum of Akathisia -- from very intense, suicidal aka down to slight aka that is hard to distinguish from the possibility of two separate WD symptoms converging: anxiety plus muscle tension/exhaustion. 

 

(Sorry to butt in on your thread froggie)

 

I wonder about where akathisia ends and other things begin. I guess because I haven't had suicide level aka for a month so my aka feels more like a long lasting, extreme and unprovoked version of healthy levels of restlessness. Rather than omg kill me now levels.

 

Anxiety and aka I think work as a team, and I have felt each individually too so can recognise when they are both saying hello together.

[Rosetta]

5 minutes ago, kesh said:

Anxiety and aka I think work as a team, and I have felt each individually too so can recognise when they are both saying hello together.

 

Ah, how interesting, Kesh!

[Frogie]

3 hours ago, Longestroadhome said:

I was meant to find the thread about the person I read with withdrawal nausea but I couldn’t find it. I didn’t forget you, just wanted to find the link. I guess when I stop looking I will find it!

I'm that person. I've had nausea since I started tapering.

 

Good luck!

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

2 hours ago, Longestroadhome said:

No, it wasn’t you.... it was another thread! Not a lexapro user

Oh ok, but I'm known as the nausea person on here lol...

[Frogie]

I have had a bad couple of weeks. What could go wrong has gone wrong.

 

I've cried a lot. I don't know why. Maybe my taper. I had nausea a couple of days, but today my stomach almost feels like it's burning a little.

 

I have these brown mole looking bumps under my breasts and on my stomach. Have had them for a couple of weeks. They itch like no tomorrow. I have scratched a couple of them until they bleed. My fiancé kept telling me to go to the dr and I wouldn't because I didn't want him to tell me it's cancer. Now how I would get cancer there, I have no idea, but Health Anxiety does that to you. I just had a mammogram in November and was fine. So, I finally gave in and went yesterday. The dr gave it some long name, I can't remember or pronounce it, but it's not cancer. So he prescribed some cream and wants me to tape flannel or a piece of cotton tshirt there to keep it dry. He said I should be ok in a week or so.  I'm embarrassed to even be talking about it. 

 

My TSH level has been high for a year or so. But the rest of my thyroid numbers are fine. So we've been watching it. I had my blood drawn yesterday, but won't know until Monday. I've been reading articles about how Lexapro can mess with your TSH level. The dr mentioned meds yesterday, and I had to remind him that we are watching my TSH because of the Lexapro. I don't want to go on thyroid meds. I did once for 2 days and it made me really sick. Any idea on anything natural if I do have to do something?

 

Then I was supposed to get my eyes checked Monday. Well, we had a blizzard Sunday and Monday. It shut down the highway and a bunch of businesses. We couldn't even get our four wheel drive out because of the drifts. I've been staying off of here because reading my iPad is giving me headaches and the tv is blurry. My glasses aren't right. I see trapazoids. You aren't supposed to see trapazoids wearing glasses. That's what I get for going to one of those places where you get your eyes checked and glasses in an hour. So I'm scheduled for this coming Monday, and will have it done right. But spend about 5 times as much. But I'll be able to see. And get to talk again. Does anyone know about bifocals? Or progressive lenses? Any information would be greatly appreciated!  I was really glad to see snow though. It's winter, not supposed to be in the 60's and 70's. We are supposed to have snow!

 

I've been having a lot of anxiety. It's all caused by all of this. But I'll be ok. I'm managing. I haven't seen my therapist since before Thanksgiving, I think I need to go talk to her.

 

So there is my update. I'm not ignoring anyone. Just going through a bad phase right now. Brownie is doing good. Eating like a little horse. I'm glad. I need to weigh her to see if she's gained any weight.

 

And to top things off, I just found one of my granddaughters Christmas presents on the shelf in my closet. Guess she will get it for Valentine's Day lol...

 

Thanks for listening to me complain, and hopefully someone out there can give me tips on my TSH, the bifocals and progressive lenses on my glasses.

 

Love and miss you all.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Junglechicken]

Welcome back Frogie!

 

Sorry that you've had a hellish time the last 2 weeks, I've had a bad time of it as well, so completely "get it".

 

At least the mole things were nothing to worry about....the body has all manner of ways of flagging up when it "ain't happy" 

 

Things can only get better.

 

TC,

JC xxx

 

P.S At least Brownie has her appetite back!! 

[Frogie]

Just now, Junglechicken said:

Welcome back Frogie!

 

Sorry that you've had a hellish time the last 2 weeks, I've had a bad time of it as well, so completely "get it".

 

At least the mole things were nothing to worry about....the body has all manner of ways of flagging up when it "ain't happy" 

 

Things can only get better.

 

TC,

JC xxx

Thanks JC:

 

I won't be on here much until I get my glasses, but wanted to let everyone to know I was still here.

 

Do you know anything about TSH?

 

Do you wear glasses? If you do, do you know anything about bifocals or progressive lenses?

 

I read your thread a little. I'm sorry you are going through all of this.

 

(((HUGS))) to you. You are so strong. I really admire you.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

PS. Good luck on the job interviews. No more "almost" crashes though lol...

[Junglechicken]

1 minute ago, Frogie said:

Thanks JC:

 

I won't be on here much until I get my glasses, but wanted to let everyone to know I was still here.

 

Do you know anything about TSH?

 

Do you wear glasses? If you do, do you know anything about bifocals or progressive lenses?

 

I read your thread a little. I'm sorry you are going through all of this.

 

(((HUGS))) to you. You are so strong. I really admire you.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

 

PS. Good luck on the job interviews. No more "almost" crashes though lol...

 

Thanks Frogie re: interview wishes! Yeah, the almost crashing thing was scary.

 

I don't know anything about TSH levels - can you google?  Doctors don't tell us very much do they?

 

I DO wear glasses, and have a mild astigmatism in both eyes which is genetic and age related; although it feels like its been getting worse - will have to get eyes re-tested next year (every 2 years).

 

You're strong too, and hugs right back!!!

 

TC,

JC xxx

[JustCallMeJane]

Hi Froggie,

 

Sorry to hear you're having a hell of a wave. I don't have bifocals, though I'm thinking I may have to get them soon. I wear reading glasses but am bad for leaving them on and walking around. That sends my Meniere's into a panic and I get dizzy. I've also been getting headaches from them, which is annoying because I got them only a couple of months ago. My husband has progressive lenses. He says the first few days/weeks can be a bugger, with your brain needing to learn or adjust to the focus between the two levels. The only complaint he had (my parents had them too, and same complaint) was that he has to tilt his head to get the proper lense. It isn't all the time, but occasionally the delineation is in a bad spot. 

[Frogie]

4 minutes ago, JustCallMeJane said:

Hi Froggie,

 

Sorry to hear you're having a hell of a wave. I don't have bifocals, though I'm thinking I may have to get them soon. I wear reading glasses but am bad for leaving them on and walking around. That sends my Meniere's into a panic and I get dizzy. I've also been getting headaches from them, which is annoying because I got them only a couple of months ago. My husband has progressive lenses. He says the first few days/weeks can be a bugger, with your brain needing to learn or adjust to the focus between the two levels. The only complaint he had (my parents had them too, and same complaint) was that he has to tilt his head to get the proper lense. It isn't all the time, but occasionally the delineation is in a bad spot. 

Thank you JustCallMeJane:

 

I really appreciate the information you gave me. I don't know what to do. Lots of questions for the eye dr, which I'm sure she won't appreciate.  But when you spend that much money, you want it right. I tried my fiancés glasses on, and of course his prescription isn't right, but I wanted to get an idea of the bifocals. His line is right in the middle of his eyes. I couldn't do that. He said it's really hard to use them. They sit on the office desk. I have an astigmatism (so the dr I went to said), but who knows. I went back twice because my glasses weren't right and ended up with 4 prescriptions! Two for reading (which I can't use because they are blurry and I see trapazoids), and 2 for driving and they are blurry. I'm so confused. I'm getting headaches too.

 

Thanks for caring. I don't think I've ever been in a wave. Not like this. It's awful. 

 

Nice to to meet you. Hope we can talk again. After I get my glasses and don't have headaches. But I do check in here and there.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Scorpio]

Hi frogie

so sorry you have been having such a nasty wave, it’s horrible isn’t it. At least you have your snow to comfort you. 

Britain is still in the grip of four different flu viruses, the country is facing unprecedented demand on Doctors and hospitals. I think I’ve had two of them now and still struggling with a bad wave joining in again today. I long for spring and summer when flu is an ancient memory. 

 

‘’I wear varifocal glasses, is that what you call progressive?  I’ve worn them for about 10 years and have astigmatism in both eyes. I have absolutely no problem with them.  I would say you have to pay for good lenses and that the lenses are large enough so that you have a decent area for long/short sight. 

 

If you want any more info just shout   Hope you feel better very soon. 

[Frogie]

3 minutes ago, Scorpio said:

Hi frogie

so sorry you have been having such a nasty wave, it’s horrible isn’t it. At least you have your snow to comfort you. 

Britain is still in the grip of four different flu viruses, the country is facing unprecedented demand on Doctors and hospitals. I think I’ve had two of them now and still struggling with a bad wave joining in again today. I long for spring and summer when flu is an ancient memory. 

 

‘’I wear varifocal glasses, is that what you call progressive?  I’ve worn them for about 10 years and have astigmatism in both eyes. I have absolutely no problem with them.  I would say you have to pay for good lenses and that the lenses are large enough so that you have a decent area for long/short sight. 

 

If you want any more info just shout   Hope you feel better very soon. 

Thanks Scorpio:

 

I'll check out the varifocal lenses. It might be what we call progressive. I learned a lesson in glasses. You get what you pay for. I'll never go to one of those places again that you have your eyes checked and get your glasses in an hour. The er at that place told me I have astigmatism in both my eyes and I have to get used to seeing trapazoids. Nope, don't think so.

 

I'm sorry you still have the flu and in a wave. I was at the dr yesterday, and 2 people had been verified with influenza b while I was there. I thought great, I hope they stayed away from me. There was a lady just hacking away in the waiting room. I hope she wasn't one of them.

 

You take care and feel better soon.

 

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

2 hours ago, Junglechicken said:

 

Thanks Frogie re: interview wishes! Yeah, the almost crashing thing was scary.

 

I don't know anything about TSH levels - can you google?  Doctors don't tell us very much do they?

 

I DO wear glasses, and have a mild astigmatism in both eyes which is genetic and age related; although it feels like its been getting worse - will have to get eyes re-tested next year (every 2 years).

 

You're strong too, and hugs right back!!!

 

TC,

JC xxx

I googled TSH, but couldn't find much. My dr just said, if it was still high we would have to talk about meds. I told him no, everything else with my thyroid was fine. And I read where Lexapro can mess with your TSH levels. I'll probably have a fight on my hands lol...

 

They said I have astigmatism in both my eyes, that's why I see trapazoids and I have to get used to it. They have no clue. I'll finally be able to see and not have headaches! I think it takes about 2 weeks for them to come in though.

 

Thanks for the information.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Frogie]

On January 19, 2018 at 7:06 PM, Rosetta said:

Hi Frogie,

 

How are you?  Akathisia in the knees, huh?  Do they move against your will or do they simply feel strange?  I'm sorry, I would read your thread, but 62 pages would be impossible for me to read.  I have some limitations because of dyskinesia/dystonia.  It's better sometimes and worse other times, but reading aggravates it.  Sometimes I take the chance.  Do you mind if I let you tell me a summary or you could direct me to one you told to someone else?  I see that right now nausea is the only thing that's of much bother to you and when you take meds for it you get aka in your knees.  I hope your taper has been easy.

 

You asked me what my aka was like.  This is probably more than you expected, but these are my thoughts about it:

 

My Akathisia was everywhere, I think, but most troubling was the aka in my mind.  My body didn't move without my permission, and I didn't "shake a leg" or pace.  I had control of my body.  I'm not able to describe it to some one who hasn't experienced, but the word vibration is sort of, kind of, maybe, but not really a description.  Electric is another word that doesn't quite fit.

 

That feeling of out of this world, nightmarish, torturous emotional misery from the Akathisia has disappeared now.  I was almost suicidal.  Maybe sometimes I was suicidal.  If I still have a slight degree of Akathisia it's something I can live with now.  So, I consider it gone.  However, I do have anxiety, and it can get pretty intense; I still have discomfort in my muscles, and I often feel that I have done physical activity all day when that's not at all true.  However, I don't get that yummy feeling of having done such activity.  I just feel tired and overwhelmed. 

 

Now, I wonder whether there is a continuum of Akathisia -- from very intense, suicidal aka down to slight aka that is hard to distinguish from the possibility of two separate WD symptoms converging: anxiety plus muscle tension/exhaustion.  The reason I wonder is there is a feeling in my arms and legs that comes on when I'm in a wave that is odd.  It defies description, too, but it's a bit like I over used the muscle, and instead of a "good tired" it's a "bad tired" feeling coupled with tight muscles and fatigue.  I get this in my arms less frequently, but in my legs a lot.  My joints ache, too, especially my knees and elbows.  

 

Then, I have dystonia, tingling and numbness on the right side of my body.  In addition to the more intense dystonia, I'm not sure if I have slight dystonia in my forearms and legs and that causes the feeling of over-used muscles, or if I have Akathisia to a very slight degree in my forearms and legs which causes the over-used muscle feeling or the third option: dyskenisia/dystonia and Akathisia are linked somehow (cause-effect, -- one causes the other or both are caused by the same faulty signal from the brain, or both are caused by the same neurotransmitter malfunction?)

 

What I crave and miss so much is that "good tired" feeling of having taken a long hike and all the good hormones are coursing through the system making one feel tired and happy.  That never happens to me now that I have WD.  I wonder if it's been gone a long time -- long before I stopped taking the meds.  Is it because I can't exercise enough to get the good hormones pumping or because these good hormones aren't being released no matter how tired and overworked my muscles feel from a 20 minute walk?  The last time I jogged, I had unbearable cortisol anxiety.  So, now I walk only.

 

I look forward to hearing from you,

 

Rosetta

 

P.S. I perused your thread, and I see that you have had nausea 24/7 for years!!???!!!  I hope my first sentence above didn't upset you by the way I phrased my comments about nausea.  I'm sorry!  That's dreadful!

I haven't forgotten you. I just can't stay on long enough to read and answer you politely and correctly.

 

But I promise I will.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Scorpio]

Fingers crossed they didn’t infect you. 

 

As you are seeing a good optician he will advise you on the lenses and benefits of varifocals. They make life very easy as you can drive, read, walk, without switching to different pairs. 

 

‘’Thanks for the well wishes frogie and you also I wish much better soon. Once you get your glasses sorted, and those annoying lumps/bumps dried out life will get better. Good to hear brownie is doing well. 

[Frogie]

2 minutes ago, Scorpio said:

Fingers crossed they didn’t infect you. 

 

As you are seeing a good optician he will advise you on the lenses and benefits of varifocals. They make life very easy as you can drive, read, walk, without switching to different pairs. 

 

‘’Thanks for the well wishes frogie and you also I wish much better soon. Once you get your glasses sorted, and those annoying lumps/bumps dried out life will get better. Good to hear brownie is doing well. 

I hope I didn't get infected, that's all I need. My sister in law was diagnosed with influenza b. We told her we hoped she felt better but weren't going near her.

 

Thats what I want. One pair of glasses that I can read, walk, drive and everything else I need in a pair of glasses.

 

I don't know what those bumps are, but glad it's not cancer. When you have Health Anxiety that's all you think about.

 

Get well soon.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Rosetta]

It's okay, Frogie.  Don't worry about it.  Take care of yourself first.  I hope you have a good day. --Rosetta

[Frogie]

23 minutes ago, Rosetta said:

It's okay, Frogie.  Don't worry about it.  Take care of yourself first.  I hope you have a good day. --Rosetta

Thanks for understanding. 

 

Take care,

Frogie xx