Richard1 Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 (edited) So I was taking 75mg from Nov 2020, then suddenly stopped in March 11th. In those months I had some very odd, frightening situations which were around the time I missed a few days doses. Then after March 11, on March 13 it kicked in again. However, its not yet gone totally. Its quite frightening. My head is/was spinning, I felt very lightheaded and like im constantly half way to losing consciousness, cant keep a thought in my head before it vanishes to be replaced by another, memory problems, shaking/tremors, intense fear/panic that comes seemingly from nowhere, problems with disassociation, nasty intrusive thoughts. Basically it feels like my head is just 'off'. Something is not right! And I hate it. It feels like the control and thought center of the brain is just stumbling around drunk. Im trying to lay down and concentrate and it just cant be done reliably. My mind is running around all over the place. Its been 3 weeks now, and the bodily symptoms have almost entirely gone. I did have some very bad and consistent lightheaded feelings for about 19 days once the symptoms first started. That seems to be going now finally, but I want my mind to be clearer! I want to feel like myself again and not this confused, disorientated way cause its obv stopping me from being able to experience myself and actually get on with life. Edited April 3, 2021 by Gridley Venlafaxine 75mg Nov 2020 - March 2021 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 3, 2021 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 3, 2021 (edited) Welcome to SA, Richard1. To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. The symptoms you experienced were due to withdrawal from the drug. It's very encouraging that your physical symptoms are almost gone and the your other symptoms are improving. The symptoms you continue to experience are also due to withdrawal and will disappear with time. They aren't permanent. Unfortunately, there's no way to predict how long it will take for you to return to normal. The fact that your other symptoms have faded or are improving is a good sign. So that you have a better idea of what you experienced and are experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal and the healing process. What is withdrawal syndrome. Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur. These explain the healing process really well. Brain Remodelling Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that are single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements). This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, ask questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. Edited April 3, 2021 by Gridley Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of May 2: 6.1mg Taper is 92% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
Richard1 Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 46 minutes ago, Gridley said: Welcome to SA, Richard1. To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. The symptoms you experienced were due to withdrawal from the drug. It's very encouraging that your physical symptoms are almost gone and the your other symptoms are improving. The symptoms you continue to experience are also due to withdrawal and will disappear with time. They aren't permanent. Unfortunately, there's no way to predict how long it will take for you to return to normal. The fact that your other symptoms have faded or are improving is a good sign. So that you have a better idea of what you experienced and are experiencing, here is some information on withdrawal and the healing process. What is withdrawal syndrome. Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur. These explain the healing process really well. Brain Remodelling Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that are single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements). This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, ask questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. Thanks! I hope to make this place my new home while going through this. Every day on average is better than the last bit i just want this all to be over. I think I'm past the worst of it though. These last 3 weeks have felt like a fever dream which i have been trapped in. I wish i would have tapered. Too late now though, I'm over the 'hump' and the end of these symptoms can't be more than a few more weeks away. Doing my best to keep calm. Venlafaxine 75mg Nov 2020 - March 2021 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus arbor Posted April 4, 2021 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 4, 2021 Hi @Richard1--Here is a site that may be useful for the crazy electrical feelings that can happen especially early in w/d. What is withdrawal syndrome?There are many existing topics on SA. To find them you can use an internet search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term. Here is another topic you might want to refer to. about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms In the Forum section under Self care there are lots of tips for chilling. I hope they are useful to you. Thinking of you, Arbor Zoloft: 1995 - 2015 Prozac: 2015 - 2018 (tapered from 40mg x day on July 31 to 30mg on August 31 to 20mg on September 31 to 10mg October 31 to 0mg on December 15, 2018 Gabapentin: 2016 to 2019 (tapered from 300mg x day to 150mg on August 31, 2019 to 75mg on September 15 to 50mg on September 31 to 25ishmg on October 15 to 0mg on December 1, 2019 Enalapril: 2010 - 2019 Lipitor: 2017 -2017 Metformin: 2000 - 2020 Liothyronine: 2007 - 2019 Levothyroxine: 2000 - 2022 Link to comment
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