Donkatron: Coming off ADs after 15+yrs

[Donkatron]

Hello everyone

 

I've been on effexor for 15 years and then escitalopram then Wellbutrin. Now I'm tapered off and I'm feeling the darkest and most heinous thing I've ever experienced. Doctor told me I'd feel better in 2 months it's been 2.5 months and it feels like I've just been welcomed to hell. I'm happy I found this forum and I hope I can receive and give support when necessary.

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run forum of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.

You have come to the right place.  What symptoms are you currently having?  Have you seen any improvements at all in the past 2.5 months?  Unfortunately, it often takes a lot longer than 2 months to feel better after getting off these drugs.  But don't lose heart, eventually we do get better.  

 

Can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.   This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper so slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

 Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

What is Happening in Your Brain

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

Edited October 11, 2021 by getofflex

[Donkatron]

Hello everyone.

 

I've been feeling slightly better recently probably because I just got over a 1.5 month wave. I've been reading a lot of information on this site and it's helping tremendously. I haven't posted anything about my situation probably due to how difficult it's been finding words. I basically have a vocabulary of a 5 year old I even forgot the alphabet. I was upset about it for a bit then I started laughing because of how ridiculous it was. I've lost 30lbs since I stopped ADs due to zero appetite. I used to be very active with a lot of weight training now I can't even do a push up but I'm trying to stay positive and don't want to force anything. I was in my worst wave I've ever experienced and to top it off I got covid during it. I seriously thought I was going to die I've never felt such dissociation and panic. I've recovered from covid but now I have a hyper appetite, I can't stop eating has anyone else experienced this? I've already put on 10lbs in 2 weeks and I can't stop stuffing my face lol.