Nikki: hi, my rundown with ADs

[Nikki]

FYI

 

Yesterday morning I forgot to take Cipro, I felt so much better. Last night after I took Cipro the nausea came on, and an overall lousy feeling.

 

It is a whacky drug. However, it is getting rid of t he UTI.

 

 

If anyone here is taking or has to take antibiotics, please give me a holler. they really do have an adverse affect on how we feel. Including bad dreams. It should not be taken with Ibuprofen/Naprosin.

 

Thank you all for being here for me. It means alot to be able to come here and let it out.

Type and Cry. Your responses and the time you have taken to reply is so important and I can't wait to hear from you when the chips are down.

 

Love all of you.

[strawberry17]

Type and cry, yes I've done that one here Nikki.

You sound so so very run down. I know it's crass but there's only one way to go when you hit the bottom, you've got to start coming up. At least all that Christmas/New Year stuff is gone and out the way for another year and we can all concentrate on getting on with life.

[flower]

Nikki I type and cry alot too. Did you try the epsom salt bath?

[xDebbiejo]

Hi nikki

 

So sorry to hear about your daughter and the other issues you are experiencing at present.

 

Like was said earlier bad times don't last and just hope all gets better for you very soon

 

Debbie x

[Nikki]

This too shall pass is probably the best reminder that we do bounce back.

 

I am okay now.

 

I am looking to decrease my hours at TJ Maxx to one day per week (Mondays). My own business is doing well, building it still. So I only have time (energy) to do one day at TJMaxx if they go for it.

 

Like Strawberry said, I think most of us have felt the strain from the Holidays which are actually more like Hurricane Season

[xDebbiejo]

Hurricane season - for sure lol

 

So glad it's all over and really pleased to hear you are doing better

 

Debbie x

[Nikki]

Hi Debbiejo

 

So you feel the same way? I guess we all do.

 

I am going to be working at TJMaxx on Sundays and Mondays leaving Saturdays all to myself.

 

They told me they don't want me to leave. That was nice.

 

I joined Weight Watcher's Online (shared this in Off-Topic).

 

I was telling a friend that when I went on Paxil I started to gain weight. All these ssri's (maybe not Prozac) cause weight gain.

 

Hope 2013 brings out the new and improved Me

[xDebbiejo]

Hi nikki

 

That' is good to hear that they don't want you to leave!

Just hope you don't have to work with the controlling woman

 

All the best

 

Love Debbie x

[Nikki]

Folks...

 

Last night I dropped the dose of the Celexa and in the middle of the night, I started having WD symptoms (crazy dreams/insomnia/my brain in not connected to my skull/weird thoughts).

 

I got up reinstated the Celexa and decided not to do anything at this time.

 

I can never figure out if I need meds or if I would be okay without them. I know I've grown alot over the years. However there are issues that are anxiety/depression producing.

 

Weight

Money and my inability to manage it correctly. I need to tackle this problem which I have made a mess out of in the past.

 

Need to get car new tires and looked over to make sure it is in good running condition. My car is everything.

 

Need to go to the Dentist. Two loose caps which bruxism from ssri's causes.

 

Need to learn how to divide money on a weekly basis. Checking/Savings/Long Term Savings/started a small portfolio and would like to build on it.

 

Need to re-carpet stairs and tile bedrooms.

 

I am tackling the weight issue with success even though it has only been three days.

 

What would I do without all of you.....You are my friends, therapists, outlet, and excellent advisors :)

 

 

HUgs

[areyouthere]

Folks...

 

Last night I dropped the dose of the Celexa and in the middle of the night, I started having WD symptoms (crazy dreams/insomnia/my brain in not connected to my skull/weird thoughts).

 

I got up reinstated the Celexa and decided not to do anything at this time.

 

I can never figure out if I need meds or if I would be okay without them. I know I've grown alot over the years. However there are issues that are anxiety/depression producing.

 

Weight

Money and my inability to manage it correctly. I need to tackle this problem which I have made a mess out of in the past.

 

Need to get car new tires and looked over to make sure it is in good running condition. My car is everything.

 

Need to go to the Dentist. Two loose caps which bruxism from ssri's causes.

 

Need to learn how to divide money on a weekly basis. Checking/Savings/Long Term Savings/started a small portfolio and would like to build on it.

 

Need to re-carpet stairs and tile bedrooms.

 

I am tackling the weight issue with success even though it has only been three days.

 

What would I do without all of you.....You are my friends, therapists, outlet, and excellent advisors :)

 

 

HUgs

 

Nikki,

 

I understand and can relate to the above perfectly. And I applaud you for going with your gut, reinstating ( and not beating yourself up for it/ accepting it as " it is what it is") and then on top of that identifying your current life "irritations" and recognizing and celebrating forward motion on one... weight loss.

 

I think that sometimes we just have to remove ourselves from what we want and allow ourselves to do what we can at the time ( and sometimes that is nothing) and celebrate that.

 

It's not giving up or giving in, it's accepting what is and that in itself is forward motion.

 

RU

[Nikki]

Thank you RU....

 

When I get moving and out the door and start working, I can put myself into the mind-set of:

 

 

Right now I am okay and have everything I need ~ I can attain my highest goals ~ I can do this

 

In the mornings as is the case for most of us, the revolving-door of my mind goes to work.

 

However, I do have goals, desire and ideas of where I would like to be and I wanted to be there yesterday

 

Today is Day 3 on Weight Watcher's and one of my customers this morning said she noticed that I don't look "as full"....LMAO

 

But I feel somewhat lighter and was happy to hear that anyway.

 

:huh: :huh: So let's think about this. How can I be losing some bulk and be on two AD's (Celexa and Imipramine). Imipramine is not a weight gainer and I can lose weight on that one. Celexa is one of those lovely ssri's that puts weight on.

 

Tony Robbins the motivational speaker has said that Green Vibrance will help with weight loss. I am putting it in V-8 once a day.

 

BTH....getting off of these medicines is such a colossal pain in the butt. It hits me where it hurts the most (anxiety/the blues/Neuro-emotions). Stinks

[flower]

How right you are Nikki

[Karma]

Hi Nikki

 

I reviewed your posts since before Christmas to now ... you should, too ... you've made tremendous progress .

 

I took Cipro a year ago last fall and believe that taking the drug is what threw me into withdrawals ... I really didn't have any withdrawals before that. I think the antibiotics were contributing to your feelings of anxiety and depression.

 

You can still lose weight while on antidepressants ... I lost 30 pounds ... unfortunately a change in the method of estrogen supplementation in October caused me to re-gain 7 pounds (of which 1 is definitely gone). But I'm going to figure out how to get rid of those additional pounds, too ... I digress ... the point is that you can lose weight while on ADs.

 

This probably isn't the time yet for another drop in your meds ... you are still too close to the challenges of the holidays, the flu, the infections ... can you see that? Give yourself a little more time and then you can try again.

 

Love and light,

Karma

[Nikki]

You darling girls, so nice to have you in my corner. When you need an ear, please let me know.

 

Cipro devastated me when I was WDing from Lexapro a few years ago. It can affected more than the bacteria it is supposed to fight. People who have kidney failure or decreased function can hallucinate.

 

I can totally believe what you are saying about that drug.

 

I am still working (7) days which will end in another week or so. I cherish my Saturdays for me to do as I please, which is rest.

 

Weight Watchers is a great online weight loss program. It is the way it is designed, so you have to and look forward to checking in.

 

The Law of Attraction says to imagine that you already have something. In this case a new improved Me in a smaller size.

 

When to drop the dose Mind boggling. It sure can bring on a case of the miseries.

 

I remember asking this question over at another site; "Isn't there an easier, softer way to get off these drugs?" And one of the girls there said, "If there were, there would be a line around the block to buy the solution." I fell out laughing.

 

I plan on staying on Imipramine to help me get off Celexa. God Bless those of you who can do two drugs at one time.....You are much stronger than you think ;)

 

Love you guys

[flower]

Nikki, what will your next decrease in dose be? Will you increase the imiprimine? Just curious,don't mean to be nosey.

[Nikki]

You are not being nosey.....at all.

 

We are here to help one another

 

If I increase the Imipramine I can drop Celexa by 5mgs. and not be terribly affected.

 

Without Imipramine I would have to drop in miniscule amounts.

 

Flower I worry about being off AD's altogether. I don't fully understand myself.

Most of the time I think I may have ups and downs as a result of the last few years. This is entirely possible.

 

And then I think I may have been adversely affected by AD's. You know, that they can leave us with anxiety/depression from using them for so many years. The complete opposite of what they were supposed to do

 

Maybe I do need something. Imipramine has been a somewhat mild ADfor me. SSRI's have always been "heavy artillery" compared to Imipramine.

 

Today I have been asking myself "What is it with me that happiness is missing from my life a great deal of the time?" I honestly don't know. Is this why I could use meds? Not sure. Is it how I am wired? Could be.

 

Happiness or the lack thereof should be a thread.

 

Thank you so much for checking in on my thread...

 

[flower]

I have 2 Aunts on Imipramine. I think they take it at night,does it help you sleep? I read it is less potent than the usual SSRI. Maybe it will be easier to taper after the Celexa is done? My Doc offered Buspar, I got it filled but I'm avoiding it. This is so hard without a buffer for the anxiety. I take atarax 10mgs sometimes or vistaril 50mgs if the anxiety cripples me. I haven't had to in a while. That's a good sign,lol. I wish you a peaceful day. I like the fact we watch out for each other.

[Nikki]

Flower my daughter takes Imipramine. I have taken it before and for me, it is easier to taper from than SSRI's.

 

The two meds that you mentioned: Atarax and Vistaril, what are they? I know what Buspar is.

 

I have Propranolol for anxiety and it works. It is a Beta Blocker, however I have noticed a rebounding depression which may be what's bugging me. It's happened before.

 

I take Imipramine at night, and yes it does help to promote sleep. My daughter takes it in the morning (100mgs.) and it does not cause a sedating effect for her.

 

I still cannot believe how hard it is to get off medication. I've taken Paxil, Lexapro and now Celexa. I could not get off Paxil, I had to cross over to Lexapro. Lexapro was horrible to get off of.

 

I believe there is a post-traumatic stress problem which leads to being terrified of WD.

 

Working hard (physically) is good for me on many levels. It is a marvelous distraction, it uses up all that stored energy which ultimately reduces anxiety. It helps with falling asleep too.

 

Hugs

[flower]

the atarax and vistaril are antihistamines. You must of been through terrible WDs, no wonder you are afraid. Paxil is wicked . Celexa is a nightmare for me. I'm still at 10mgs. How will you adjust your dose next? You are so brave.. I took Lexapro for 4 days and tripped my brains out. Went back on Celexa am stuck here for the duration.

[Nikki]

Yes, I just remembered what Vistaril is. I have taken it.

 

Flower it is nice posting with you. I just posted on my thread about "losing courage" because I know what is bothering me.

 

I have things to attend to and they are very costly, so I have been procrastinating on just about anything that has to do with money. So, of course I have anxiety.

 

It's not free-floating anxiety. It's because things are so expensive, so I don't deal with it, and the end result is anxiety.

 

No one is responsible for me, except me. No one to rescue me...I am single and need to be there for me all of the time, even when big bills are looming over my head. Dentist and Car.

 

When will I ever learn not to procrastinate over finances.

 

You are holding at 10mgs. Celexa? This stuff sucks. I may have to put off making any further drops in dose until after I get done with Dentist, Car, Ticket.

 

There is a prayer by Marianne Williamson in which she asks for helping by telling her Higher Power (God) that the situation she is in is where the sword pierces her heart. I am there and so are the members here. Dealing with WD and issues that life bring up can pierce our hearts.

 

Hugs

[flower]

Yes dear friend ,don't do anything to make it worse. Stay where you are. I have been in your shoes so many times I couldn't count. I seem to always pull through. When I retired I lost my eye care and dental. The eye Doc is expensive too. Let alone the deductibles everywhere else. And then there is the vet. I'm lucky to have retirement.. I'm not old enough for anything else. I thought about pleading crazy a few times but I've pulled through that too. I even fixed my own truck a time or two. Got an extra job besides working full time..Looking back I don't know how I did it. But I did and you will too.

[starlitegirlx]

Nikki, I'm sorry you have all this bill stuff with which to deal. It's such a stress inducer on top of the WD issues and other life issues. Probably not the most practical advice, but whatever things you can do to minimize your stress, they are well worth it.

 

I am 7 months out from an imiprimine taper and honestly, I think I'm quite lucky that I could never take the SSRIs. My body wholly rejected them as they made me have wild mood swings and become dangerous, even homicidal. The very helpful people here on the forum tell me to wait before I begin my K [klonopin] taper and to do a smaller K taper, but the only problem I had with my imipramine taper and stop was that I began taking K to mitigate some of the WD as the WD increases got higher since I was going by 5mg cuts and then 3mg cuts rather than titration. So the biggest issue I faced was due to lack of keeping a consistent percent cut in my taper and using the K erratically 'as needed' to counter the AD WD which then became AD WD mixed with K WD. In retrospect, coming of the imipramine was not nearly as difficult as what I've read here for people coming SSRIs. Makes me wish SSRIs were never invented. So while I'm not one to recommend taking one drug to come off another especially given my experience using K to come off imipramine, K was a much different and more dangerous drug, and honestly, I don't feel like I'm having any residual effects from the impiramine at this point. I suspect I would have had a far better and easier taper had I not used the K as I did. In your case, if the impiramine helps you taper more safely from the celexa, then it might be okay. I just wouldn't recommend a continued increase of the imipramine to help decrease the celexa since at some point tapering from the 'I' might be something you desire. But in the grand scheme of things, tapering from the 'I' for me was not an issue and of itself. If it hadn't been for my liberal use of K and cutting by mg instead of percents by using titration, I truly doubt I'd have had much of a problem at all.

[Nikki]

So glad you shared this. I like the part where you said about ssri's never being invented.

 

WD is WD, however for me, ssri's are worse. Right now I have no idea what I am going to do about the Celexa.

 

I have a # of questions to ask myself:

 

Am I just pre-disposed to anxiety/depression?

Did the medicine help?

 

Are they helping now - or - am I just coping with life and it stinks?

 

Why do I want to get off Celexa?

 

I know for sure that WD affected me deeply. It scared the daylights out of me to feel so out of control.

 

It robbed me of 2 years of living a normal life. It was daily suffering.

 

And it may have led to more anxiety.

 

 

The complaint department stuff......I still have the UTI. I told that dumb-ass doctor I needed Keflex and she said not. I went to the minute clinic yesterday and the nurse wanted to give me Keflex, but there is a protocol of drugs that must be used first. Insanity, so I am on Levaquin and I feel lousy. From the UTI and from Levaquin. It's very strong stuff.

 

I am just so full of unhappiness and have been for a long time. Sux being me

[Nikki]

I have a question:

 

Last night I went to a beautiful wedding, very opulent, it was in a Henry Flagler's Home in Palm Beach which has been a Museum for many years. My friend's daughter got married. Lovely family.

 

Okay okay I had a glass of champagne, and two glasses of wine. Forget Weight Watchers, I ate like I was going to the Electric Chair. Not good.

 

I just finished Levaquin. Still have a UTI.

 

My friends have a wonderful marriage and are so good to their kids. I get choked up because it does remind me of how bad parent my daughter's father is. Extreme verbal abuse.

 

When I came home my daughter was crying to her boyfriend about more of her father's verbal abuse. It was very sad. She is seeing a counselor, and even attended a group meeting for people whose lives have been affected by an alcoholic.

 

When I went to bed. I was having anxiety while sleeping. It went on for hours.

 

Alcohol + Levaquin = anxiety?????? Coupled with wedding and daughter. I was on Cipro before Levaquin.

 

Have chills at night - from UTI?

 

Have a new Script for Keflex which works.

 

One of the ladies here had a bad experience with quinolones?

[Skyler]

Alcohol + Levaquin = anxiety?????? Coupled with wedding and daughter. I was on Cipro before Levaquin.

Alcohol can cause WD symptoms to spike for all psychotropics (antidepressants, benzos, or anticonvulsants). We need to stay well clear of alcohol while we are neurosensitized. WD symptoms can escalate for two days, sometimes longer after only one or two drinks. I cannot drink... period.

[starlitegirlx]

 

Alcohol + Levaquin = anxiety?????? Coupled with wedding and daughter. I was on Cipro before Levaquin.

I don't know about Levaquin (antibiotic class) but cross over effects do occur with all psychotropics. Alcohol causes WD symptoms to spike. We need to stay well clear of alcohol while we are neurosensitized. I find WD escalates for at least two days, sometimes longer after just one or two drinks.

 

Sugar is also a trigger for me as well as heavy starches like bread.

[areyouthere]

I cannot drink... period. We need to stay well clear of alcohol while we are neurosensitized.

 

+1 to this.

 

Nikki.... you had an extraordinary amount of "traumas" ... external stressors and those regarding brain chemistry bombarding you in a short amount of time. Please be kind to yourself and your body and take care of you

in the best way that you can for awhile. Do those things that you know from experience will work to calm yourself down and don't willingly or purposely do those things that work against you.

 

Balance is key i thnk. I'm sorry that these things have happened.

 

RU

[Karma]

Hi Nikki

 

You are having a difficult run of it right now, I'm sorry. I know that it is hard to avoid alcohol at special events especially when we feel we been depriving ourselves. But now you know how alcohol can exacerbate withdrawal symptoms.

 

Regarding your daughter, I can't imagine how difficult it is to watch her struggle with her father's verbal abuse. All you can do is be supportive and encourage her to work with her counselor and continue to seek support for those in similar situations. We can't change the hand we are dealt, but we can chose how we will respond to it.

 

I checked Drugs.com Drug Interaction Checker and there is no indication that keflex interacts with celexa, but do a Google search for "Keflex and Celexa" and you will find some information. It appears that this combination can increase your level of anxiety, but everyone is different and not everyone has that reaction.

 

I took Cipro a year ago last fall to get rid of a UTI and that is what I believe threw me into withdrawals. However, it appears that you have a really severe UTI and need to do something to get that resolved. Just don't make any changes to your Celexa dose and perhaps you can get through it.

 

Love and light,

Karma

[Skyler]

Hi again Nikki.. I hope my post above did not sound 'holier than thou' The last time I had alcohol was at my 65th BD celebration.. 3 mos gone. I had a couple of stiff belts and paid the price for at least two weeks. So for sure I understand the temptation. Thing is, alcohol is a powerful and fast acting psychotropic, so we give our systems a good WD kick when we cave and have that drink.

 

Hug at ya...

Skyler

[Nikki]

Than you for sharing. The alcohol, Levquin, Cipro and Celexa is not a good mix. It most certainly had to lead to the anxiety during sleep issue last night.

 

I rarely drink and when I do it is a glass or two or wine, never hard stuff which turns my stomach.

 

Karma It Was You that had the awful reaction to Cipro. Karma when I was tapering Lexapro - Cipro used to send me down the drain during WD.

 

When not dropping a dose I am actually okay. Levaquin which is another quinalone is another story. It is very potent, more so than Cipro. I really think it affected me in not such a good way.

 

I think, the UTI is over. If it is not I do have Keflex. It is an old drug and I tolerate it well.

 

I have not decreased Celexa since late August. Afraid to....just hate feeling WD.

 

I think I may stop the vitamins and just stick with my V-8 and Green Vibrance and Magnesium.

I do well with Probiotics.

 

I was always a sensitive person with medications, but ad's vamp that up and possibly permanently.

[flower]

Nikki, what will be your next drop of the Celexa?

[Nikki]

I hope I didn't sound like a drunk I rarely have a drink.

 

I still have the friggin UTI and I am now on Keflex. God please let this work.

 

Thank you responding.

 

Flower I have no idea when I will make another drop. Truth is I wake with fear each morning and tapering may exacerbate that.

 

Was doing some spiritual readings this morning....Melody Beattie and Marianne williamson. Very helpful. Journaled on it and put it in a God Box which I keep in my desk.

 

Instead of praying for abundance, I might be better of praying for peace-of-mind as my core issue and then ask for abundance.

 

A mantra from Deepak Chopra to use daily when things get hectic is:

 

Peace, Harmony, Laughter, Love I add abundance to it.

 

I am seeking to make myself financially solvent, but for years, peace-of-mind and happiness/contentment has eluded me.

 

We should start a thread on Happiness/Contentment/Peace and how to get there

 

Hugs

[xDebbiejo]

Of course you DON'T sound like a drunk

 

I don't drink much either, I too, had a couple of wines at my friends 50th b'day meal, they were pretty large glasses.

I think I just kind of go with the flow , but I really wish I did not drink as the depression the next day was awful.

 

I know this and don't always like to go out as people always are offering drinks! I need willpower, even 1 drink makes me feel tired and lethargic.

 

I think it a great idea for a thread on peace happiness and harmony, I'm always looking on YouTube for nice motivational positive things to listen to.

 

It's been snowing for a few days where I live all the schools a d colleges are closed as no one can travel very easily.

I can't believe why they didn't gritt or salt the roads as its so dangerous and caused traffic stand still.

 

So because of the above I've been in on the Internet looking for good things to listen to.

 

I once had a book called "The Happiness Prescription" been looking for that too but don't seem to be able to find it. I remember it to be quite good.

 

Debbie x

[Nikki]

Debbiejo

 

I am a big fan of Deepak Chopra and was looking at his site. Good books and CD's. Check it out.

 

Marianne Williamson is having a free online seminiar. I'll post the link here.

 

Like her alot too.

 

Hugs

[Barbarannamated]

Nikki,

Check out Robert Augustus Masters on Facebook. I wonder what your reaction will be. He is not about happinesss or motivation but allowing ourselves to experience what IS, even in the dark times. I'm probably not explaining that well, but when I'm really struggling, i find him peaceful.

 

I used to enjoy margaritas but too strong now.

[Skyler]

Nikki,

Check out Robert Augustus Masters on Facebook. I wonder what your reaction will be. He is not about happinesss or motivation but allowing ourselves to experience what IS, even in the dark times. I'm probably not explaining that well, but when I'm really struggling, i find him peaceful.

 

I used to enjoy margaritas but too strong now.

 

Here here.. I checked him out. Some real pluses there. We need to face the pain, what is is. Delve into the dark as well as the light, hug what we fear.

 

Nikki... I hope your UTI is improving and responding to the Keflex.

 

Skyler