Alicecat

[Alicecat]

Hello,  I have tried to come off antidepressants in the past, but have never been able to do it. I even took Prozac while pregnant.  I have had a long road on antidepressants, I started at about twenty years old. I just turned fifty this week. I have been completely off for about 2 months.  I am about to cave, and go back on something. I have suddenly had some medical issues , sorta minor. I have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. It has not been treated yet, see doc next week. Symptoms are compounding with withdrawal. I am anxious, sad, angry. I have heart palpitations. Strangely, I have gained 6 pounds, and seem to be bloated fromeverything. The weight gain is embarrassing oh a big deal, cause I guessed those body issues from my early twenties are still there.  I am trying to walk, but damn I can still get crazy obsessed about weight. Pathetic.   So all in all, the getting off antidepressants is not going well. I welcome advice. Thank you, know one can understand who has not lived this.

 

1991 prozac

1994 wellbutrin

1996 Zoloft

2001 effexor

2002_ 2004 prozac

2004_2019 effexor

Weaned off 2019

[Sassenach]

Hi Alice

 

Welcome to SA.

 

This site is run by volunteer Administrators and Moderators who have all experienced or still going through withdrawal.

I am sorry to hear you are having such a tough time.

In due couse we will ask you to complete an introduction and drug signature, but for the moment can you please answer the following questions.

When did you complete your taper/wean.

How did you taper ie. 10%per month, quicker/slower?

What dose did you jump off?

Do you still have Effexor available?

Do you take any other meds or supplements?

6 hours ago, Alicecat said:

I have suddenly had some medical issues , sorta minor. I have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

When you are in withdrawal all medical symptoms are important.

 

6 hours ago, Alicecat said:

I am anxious, sad, angry. I have heart palpitations

As you probably know these are classic W/D symptoms.

 

6 hours ago, Alicecat said:

Pathetic.

No it's not, everything seems so much worse during W/D.

The following links will give you insight into the site ethos and harm reduction methodology.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/6632-the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable/

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/17909-are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take/

 

When we recieve your replies we will be able to advise you.

 

Sassenach

 

[Alicecat]

Hello. I completely weaned about 1month ago. I tapered down very slowly. About 3 month process. I opened capsule and just kept taking in less until I was down to about 4 beads.i did this very slowly. Effexor is still inhouse, but I am not taking any. I did try 5 htp supplement, supposed t o help mood. I was prescribed the lowest possible dose of effexor, I think 10 mg.  I dated at my teenage son, I would say verbal abuse. It may be time to consider going back on. I do not want to hurt anyone.

[Sassenach]

Hi Alice

 

Unfortunately 3 months is not a slow taper and as a result you now have withdrawal symptoms.

Please get back to me so we can advise you on a reinstatement dose.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU DO NOT REINSTATE AT THE FULL DOSE.

 

Sassenach

[Alicecat]

HellooHello. I completely weaned about 1month ago. I tapered down very slowly. About 3 month process. I opened capsule and just kept taking in less until I was down to about 4 beads.i did this very slowly. Effexor is still inhouse, but I am not taking any. I did try 5 htp supplement, supposed t o help mood. I was prescribed the lowest possible dose of effexor, I think 10 mg.  I dated at my teenage son, I would say verbal abuse. It may be time to consider going back on. I do not want to hurt anyone.      I started 5 htp. I feel sorta calmer, not raging.

[Alicecat]

I started htp and it is helping the rage.. is the a common used supplement?

[Alicecat]

Hello does anyone out there have graves disease?. I am recently dx and all symptoms seems overlap  together. I am in withdrawal frome effexor.  Experience mood swings ,agitation, racing heart.

[ChessieCat]

How was your diagnosis of Graves disease made?  What tests were done?

[Alicecat]

Topic title: Searching for face to face support

 

Is anyone in South Florida? I feel it would be helpful to have support in real time. I am having difficulties with the technical aspects of using this forum. It has helped me a lot, thank you all for providing this information. I hope there

 is someone who can meet in person.

 

Edited August 23, 2019 by ChessieCat
added topic title

[ChessieCat]

What sort of face to face support are you seeking?  Counselling, doctor, psychiatrist/psychologist, peer support, support group?

 

The following is applicable to both face to face and non face to face peer support:

 

On 6/26/2012 at 11:12 AM, Christiana said:

 

ADMIN NOTE: 

 

Please remember that everyone here has their struggles. Be considerate of your phone friend and mindful of the person's time and energy.

 

You may wish to begin with PMs (private messages).  If after some time you both are still happy with the contact, you could consider sharing phone numbers. You may wish to agree in advance about how often you want to talk, for how long, and at what times of day.

 

Please do not share your phone number if you know you are a person who has difficulty setting boundaries in relationships.

 

 

 

recommended-doctors-therapists-and-clinics

 

anyone-in-south-florida

 

There are links to other areas here:  check-in-topics-survivingantidepressantorg-members-near-you

 

peer-support-meet-up-groups

 

would-you-be-open-to-being-my-phone-friend

 

This member has a FB support group:  i-started-a-private-facebook-group-for-sa-members-only