CharlieBrown13: Reducing venlafaxine and escitalopram

[CharlieBrown13]

@Altostrataet all

 

Thanks to all who replied to my thread an sent so kind words, I appreciate that very much! 

 

I have a question concerning the olanzapin: I had the burning-of my body (and scalp) sensations in the days before stopping the ADs, then it subsided.
I’m not sure if it began again before or after I started olanzapine, now its almost always there. I know for sure that on the day they forced me to take 1.25 mg in the hospital it was very extreme.

Could it be possible that I have another adverse reaction, now against olanzapine? Since it’s also partly a serotonine receptor inhibitor?!

I know the burning sensation of the scalp from earlier times (15 years ago) when I took tramadol (a pain reliever), which also affects the serotonin balance.  
Shouldn't I try to taper off olanzapine after all? And if yes, how fast? I take it since 22.11.

Thank you!!

[Altostrata]

@CharlieBrown13, it's pretty obvious that you distrust the olanzapine.

 

The burning symptom could be from withdrawal.

 

What effects do you feel from olanzapine? Is this burning symptom better or worse at any particular times of day? What is your current dosing schedule? How's your sleep?

[CharlieBrown13]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

it's pretty obvious that you distrust the olanzapine.

That’s true, but I distrust every antidepressant or neurolepticum now. I just don’t want to make any more mistakes. Although the previous ones weren’t mine.

 

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

What effects do you feel from olanzapine? Is this burning symptom better or worse at any particular times of day? What is your current dosing schedule? How's your sleep?

Very little to none. The burning is more prominent in the mornings and late evenings, although it’s always there. I take olanzapin 0.25 in the morning, 0.15 in the afternoon (3 pm) and 0.2 in the evening (9 pm). Since yesterday the extra dose in the afternoon.

Last night I slept 3 hours, the nights before ca 6 hours.

 

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

The burning symptom could be from withdrawal.

Yes,  I know, I’m not the only one who has it, (although it seems to be more common in benzo-withdrawal)

[Altostrata]

It will take several days for the dosage change to take full effect.

 

You can expect a lot of fluctuation in your symptoms for quite a while.

 

It would be helpful to find out how you feel before and after taking each dose of olanzapine, and your sleep pattern. 

 

Please keep daily notes of times o’clock you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. We need to know how you feel before and after taking each drug, and your symptoms in between. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time o’clock on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right.

[CharlieBrown13]

This is how purgatory must be. I’m burning.   It's torture and nobody can do anything about it.

[JesusSavemefromWD]

13 minutes ago, CharlieBrown13 said:

This is how purgatory must be. I’m burning.   It's torture and nobody can do anything about it.

Yes indeed, and I am there with you as well but we both should remember that heaven follows purgatory …. I am praying to God for both of us not to be too long till then …. Stay strong 

[Altostrata]

@CharlieBrown13, it's one foot in front of the other for a while. If it's any help, others have trod this path:

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

"Is it always going to be like this?"

 

[Sleepless]

@CharlieBrown13

Hello, I’ve been reading your posts. Your story sounds like a repeat of mine.  I stopped an SSRI cold turkey after approximately 10 years of multiple medication changes.  You will have bumps in the road, but it will get better.  

[CharlieBrown13]

@Altostrata

I think I have developed akathasia. I have a massive restlessness, can’t sit still for a longer time, can’t sleep.

How should I taper off olanzapin? I took 0.45 mg/ till Wednesday, 0.6 mg on Thursday and 1.25 mg on Friday. The higher dose didn’t make me sleepy  or calmer but more agitated.

Its now the 23rd day I’m taking olanzapin.

[Altostrata]

35 minutes ago, CharlieBrown13 said:

1.25 mg on Friday

 

This probably was overdoing it. If I were you, I'd immediately go back to 0.60mg.

[CharlieBrown13]

Thank you!

[CharlieBrown13]

@Altostrata

- 7.00 Friday morning SI, very bad mood, massivste anxiety 

- couldn’t eat anything 

- a little better in the afternoon 

- Friday 9.00 pm 1.25 mg olanzapin 

-didn’t sleep due to inner restlessness,

 agitation and burning

- very bad morning, couldn’t eat, couldn’t do much, burning constantly, brain function difficult, SI, massive „chemical fear „ in abdomen

- a little better in the afternoon, burning

   subsides a little, brain clearer

- 7.pm ate some blueberries and bun

- Very sensitive to noises, triggers fear

-9 pm 0.5 olanzapin, tried to sleep

-9.30 feeling olanzapin „reaches

  bloodstream“

- 11.00 pm burning starts vehemently,

  sweating 

 

  maybe another night without sleep…

 

I think it’s the olanzapin that causes the burning.  
Should I taper it? And how fast?

Last week 0.45 till Thursday, then 0.6, 1.25 on Friday. All in all 3 weeks since started.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

[Greatful]

@CharlieBrown13Hi, You are going through a horrible horrible and scary journey right now.

Many of us have/are going through much of what you describe and even other ones, we feel your pain and feel hopeless in easing it.  I can totally relate the brain is not our anymore.

You will heal. finding patience and learning all you can about these drugs and the how the medical field views them can give you a sense of control back in your mind.

 

I find comfort in this story, my hubby reminds me to reread it when I lose the ability to function mentally and get scared of why my brain thinks of crazy things and I get overstimulated to noise and commotion. It is about a woman who recovered from benzos.  Altro equates it to all brains that have been affected by any drugs.... It will help you understand that your  brain is not working right and things are getting all confused in the different areas of the brain

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/10914-what-is-happening-in-your-brain/

 

Have you read any success stories?  So many will respond to you when you reach out to them.

KenA has gone through a lot and has the most inspiring and encouraging advice

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/22768-☼-kena-8-months-in-withdrawal-after-ct/

 

Again my heart goes out to you.❤️

Try and connect with other members. We are all in the same boat and have more empathy, compassion and can support you in many ways, talking, sharing coping skills, ect.❤️

 

 

[CharlieBrown13]

@Greatful

Thank you so so much for your lovely post with all the kind things you said! I will read the links, when I can.

My answer is unfortunately relatively short, even talking or thinking about my symptoms or those of others triggers this f**** fear. 
But I appreciate your kindness very much, I really do!

 

Love from Germany 💕

[Altostrata]

@CharlieBrown13 I am confused by your olanzapine dosing. Were you not taking olanzapine in very small doses three times a day?

 

Have you found your symptom pattern has improved since you increased olanzapine?

 

In your daily notes, we need to see how you feel before and after each dose. Did you not take a dose Friday morning?

 

Can you put an approximate time o'clock to the periods when you feel better?

 

Olanzapine may not be helping you to sleep because you're taking TOO MUCH olanzapine in your nighttime dose or because you're taking TOO MUCH olanzapine daily.

[Altostrata]

Hello, how are you, @CharlieBrown13?

[NoMoreLexapro]

@CharlieBrown13Hi there- how are you doing?  I've been reading your posts and wanted to check in and see how you are...

[Greatful]

@CharlieBrown13

I hope you are doing okay and holding in there.

We are worried about you.