Catina7: Effexor withdrawal / destabilized central nervous system

[FeralCatman]

9 hours ago, j1290 said:

Eventually I decided if I'm going to feel uncomfortable no matter what, I'd rather at least be on a lower dose.  I figured this was my new WD normal and started tapering.  Now almost a year later I'm on a much lower dose and feeling way better than where I started.  

I have hit this very same point myself at the moment and it seems like while on this other medication I'm about as healed as I can get and my thought process is the same. If this is how it is and this is my new withdrawal normal I might as well get down to a lower dose and hopefully eliminate a few more health issues that I'm dealing with. It is absolutely scary as hell but at the same time it's the logical thing to do. This of course is not advice but I thought you'd like to know you are definitely not alone in being frightened by this whole process, I would say that's the one symptom we all have in common so hang in there and you'll know when the right time comes along. You're doing good and seem to have a good feel for where you are at so just hang in there. 😉✌️😺😺

 

10 hours ago, j1290 said:

I've accepted i'm the crazy uncle and it really doesn't matter one bit.  

 

Very funny you said this because this has jokingly been my nickname for years in my brother's family. I've never taken it hard I always laugh about it 😁

[Catina7]

@j1290 Thank you for your thoughtful responses!  You are such a great support to everyone despite your own struggles.  I hope you know that you are very much appreciated.

 

Catina ❤️

[Catina7]

I've spent the whole day suffering with awful anxiety and a panicky feeling.  I feel revved up like I'm being chased by a wild beast.  I'm still recovering from 4.5 hours of socializing on Thursday.  My nervous system feels so damaged.  I can't handle even the slightest bit of stress.  If I don't talk to a single soul, don't have any outside stressors, and sit here in front of my computer doing nothing I can feel okay most of the time.  But life can't be like that 100% of the time, can it?  I just have to keep on implementing non-drug therapies to help myself, which I honestly haven't done much of today.  I can do better.  I do have on some relaxing music with ocean waves in the background.  I love all the channels they have on YouTube for that.  And I am grateful that I don't have any nausea today.  But this anxiety....goodness gracious!  I told my husband that if he could feel what I feel it would bring him to his knees.  

 

I will continue to soldier on, hoping that I will heal enough one day where I can begin tapering again.  I'm afraid to taper down any more because I know the anxiety and panic will just get worse and worse and I don't think I could survive it.

 

I hope everyone gets through the night okay.  Tomorrow is a brand new day!  🌼

[FeralCatman]

47 minutes ago, Catina7 said:

I've spent the whole day suffering with awful anxiety and a panicky feeling.  I feel revved up like I'm being chased by a wild beast.  I'm still recovering from 4.5 hours of socializing on Thursday.  My nervous system feels so damaged.  I can't handle even the slightest bit of stress.  If I don't talk to a single soul, don't have any outside stressors, and sit here in front of my computer doing nothing I can feel okay most of the time.  But life can't be like that 100% of the time, can it?  I just have to keep on implementing non-drug therapies to help myself, which I honestly haven't done much of today.  I can do better.  I do have on some relaxing music with ocean waves in the background.  I love all the channels they have on YouTube for that.  And I am grateful that I don't have any nausea today.  But this anxiety....goodness gracious!  I told my husband that if he could feel what I feel it would bring him to his knees.  

 

I will continue to soldier on, hoping that I will heal enough one day where I can begin tapering again.  I'm afraid to taper down any more because I know the anxiety and panic will just get worse and worse and I don't think I could survive it.

 

I hope everyone gets through the night okay.  Tomorrow is a brand new day!  🌼

I'm sure this is not any consolation but just know you were not alone today because my day was just about the same. Being flooded with cortisol all day really sucks. However I did have that nice surprise when I went to pick up my groceries so even in the misery there are good things coming out of it and the same thing will happen for you as it does for everyone else going through this. The one thing to remember is it's only a matter of time and if you are doing good self-care and have a decent diet then sooner or later it will happen. 😉✌️😺😺

[Catina7]

5 minutes ago, FeralCatman said:

the same thing will happen for you as it does for everyone else going through this.

 

I hope so!!!  Thank you for your kind words.

[j1290]

13 hours ago, FeralCatman said:

Very funny you said this because this has jokingly been my nickname for years in my brother's family.

All the best people are! 😂😁

 

13 hours ago, Catina7 said:

Catina ❤️

You're the best.  Hang tough!

[pinkfairy]

Hey lovely,

I just wanted to hop on and tell you to keep going it really does get better and better.

I ended up in a ward in 2018 for 10 days luckily i didn't touch anything they offered. So i get that fear and where you are coming from.

You are doing fantastic and you will be free of these drugs that is a fact. I was frozen to the spot when i hit 4mg of the benzo i kept saying "i can't do it" i was actually crippled with fear from everything i had been through. 

But i finally got under that 4mg mark and i was away so i really do understand. But you are way more powerful than any WD. Every single symptom is your body healing, you may not think it but its working for you on such a deep profound level, all the tears all the anxiety is bringing you back on line to your self.

You have so got this we are all walking home to our North Star and the light will guide you all the way, even when you can't see the light its always there hidden behind the clouds just waiting to appear, when i couldn't tell you but it is there.

 

Sending you so much love

[Catina7]

9 minutes ago, pinkfairy said:

Hey lovely,

I just wanted to hop on and tell you to keep going it really does get better and better.

I ended up in a ward in 2018 for 10 days luckily i didn't touch anything they offered. So i get that fear and where you are coming from.

You are doing fantastic and you will be free of these drugs that is a fact. I was frozen to the spot when i hit 4mg of the benzo i kept saying "i can't do it" i was actually crippled with fear from everything i had been through. 

But i finally got under that 4mg mark and i was away so i really do understand. But you are way more powerful than any WD. Every single symptom is your body healing, you may not think it but its working for you on such a deep profound level, all the tears all the anxiety is bringing you back on line to your self.

You have so got this we are all walking home to our North Star and the light will guide you all the way, even when you can't see the light its always there hidden behind the clouds just waiting to appear, when i couldn't tell you but it is there.

 

Sending you so much love

 

Thank you my dear!  You are a beacon of light to others.  I want so badly to be free, and I know that with time I can do it.  

[pinkfairy]

38 minutes ago, Catina7 said:

 

Thank you my dear!  You are a beacon of light to others.  I want so badly to be free, and I know that with time I can do it.  

Hold that close to you because your time will come its a promise. 

Just keep being ever so gentle with yourself, your are doing the best that you can x

[Catina7]

I posted this in the section on diet but am copying it here in my own thread:

 

Okay, so I have come to the conclusion that for me I must keep myself out of ketosis.  My main symptom during withdrawal has been anxiety, and I am finding that the deeper I get into ketosis the worse my anxiety gets and then I have trouble sleeping.  Unfortunately, it's too activating for my system.  I'm really bummed about this because it really helps to keep my weight down, but at this point I'd rather gain a few pounds if it means I feel better.  

 

So I plan on doing a modified keto diet where it's still lower carb, but not so low that it puts me into ketosis.  I will have to continually monitor the situation by how I feel along with checking my urine using keto strips to make sure I'm not in ketosis.

 

It's really important that I figure this out because I cannot continue my journey off ADs if I am in a constant activated state due to ketosis.  Everyone needs to find out what works for their own body in regard to withdrawal.

 

I hope this information will help someone else who is struggling with the same thing. 

 

P.S.  The Outro website mentions the Mediterranean diet.  I might look into this as well.  https://learn.outro.com/c/resources/mediteranean-diet-tips

 

 

[AprilShowers]

The Scandinavian/Nordic diet is supposed to be very healthy too which might give you different flavours and meal options, plus it's rich in Omega 3s. 

[Catina7]

40 minutes ago, AprilShowers said:

The Scandinavian/Nordic diet is supposed to be very healthy too which might give you different flavours and meal options, plus it's rich in Omega 3s. 

 

Thank you!  I'll look into it... 👍

[2cats2272]

Hi @Catina7 I’m cheering you on every step of the way!

[Catina7]

7 minutes ago, 2cats2272 said:

Hi @Catina7 I’m cheering you on every step of the way!

 

You're so sweet, thank you!  I'm here cheering everyone else on haha!  What a horrible thing we all have to go through, but in the end it will make us more empathetic and compassionate people.  ❤️

[PortugueseSea]

On 7/23/2023 at 7:37 AM, Catina7 said:

I just have to keep on implementing non-drug therapies to help myself, which I honestly haven't done much of today.  I can do better.  I do have on some relaxing music with ocean waves in the background.  I love all the channels they have on YouTube for that.  And I am grateful that I don't have any nausea today.  But this anxiety....goodness gracious!  I told my husband that if he could feel what I feel it would bring him to his knees.  

I feel you, reading through how you have gone through is so inspiring! It is sometimes so lonely, the anxiety and the panic (akathisia?) can really bring us to our knees.

Yet, at the same time we are healing together. Plus, our brains have no structural problems, it just needs to figure out pathways and chemicals in there.

It is very hopeful. I cling to that on bad days!

[pinkfairy]

On 7/27/2023 at 10:15 PM, Catina7 said:

 

You're so sweet, thank you!  I'm here cheering everyone else on haha!  What a horrible thing we all have to go through, but in the end it will make us more empathetic and compassionate people.  ❤️

Just checking in hope you're managing and today is smooth seas.x

[Catina7]

4 hours ago, pinkfairy said:

Just checking in hope you're managing and today is smooth seas.x

 

Hi @pinkfairy!  How thoughtful of you.  I'm doing okay.  I have some anxiety today after socializing a bit, but I'm going to take it easy the rest of the day.  I hope you are doing well yourself!  

[Catina7]

Quick Update and Minor Vent Session:  I'm hanging in there okay.  My entire nervous system feels so ravaged and over sensitive.  I met with my therapist yesterday.  I hadn't seen her in a month so there was a lot of catching up to do and I did a lot of talking; as a result, my anxiety shot through the roof!  My nervous system just can't handle the slightest bit of stress....and having to talk a lot is very stressful for me.  It's really hard for me to interact with people or socialize in any way for more than a few minutes being in this withdrawal state.  I feel so alone and isolated sometimes and wonder how I'm going to handle trying to taper down any further.  I'm petrified of going through what I went through before when I had a horrible crash.  I hope doing a very slow conservative taper will work for me b/c I desperately want to be free from these drugs. 

 

I hope everyone else is hanging in there okay today.  Thinking of all of you on this site gives me a feeling of camaraderie and helps to keep me going!   

[Catina7]

Well, I discovered why my anxiety and insomnia have been worse lately in addition to my husband's BP shooting sky high this morning.  Last Thursday I bought what I thought was Hazelnut Decaf coffee.  Well, that's what the outside of the bag said anyway.  Turns out that someone from the company put regular caffeinated coffee inside by mistake (at least I hope it was a mistake and not some cruel joke).  Yup, can you believe it?!  

 

So I sent the company a FB message this morning explaining what happened as well as a message to the store where I bought it.  I told the company that I couldn't buy their coffee anymore b/c I can't trust what's inside.  It's crazy how jacked up caffeine can make us!  At least we pinpointed why my husband and I have been having problems lately.  Mystery solved!

[2cats2272]

I’m sorry @Catina7 but am glad you figured it out. I’m so nervous getting decaf coffee when I’m out. I’ve also been drinking chai tea latte thinking it was caffeine free. It’s not🤦‍♀️.

 

[Catina7]

28 minutes ago, 2cats2272 said:

I’ve also been drinking chai tea latte thinking it was caffeine free. It’s not🤦‍♀️

 

Nooooo!!!!  Sorry... 😵‍💫

[AprilShowers]

19 hours ago, Catina7 said:

Well, I discovered why my anxiety and insomnia have been worse lately in addition to my husband's BP shooting sky high this morning.  Last Thursday I bought what I thought was Hazelnut Decaf coffee.  Well, that's what the outside of the bag said anyway.  Turns out that someone from the company put regular caffeinated coffee inside by mistake (at least I hope it was a mistake and not some cruel joke).  Yup, can you believe it?!  

 

So I sent the company a FB message this morning explaining what happened as well as a message to the store where I bought it.  I told the company that I couldn't buy their coffee anymore b/c I can't trust what's inside.  It's crazy how jacked up caffeine can make us!  At least we pinpointed why my husband and I have been having problems lately.  Mystery solved!

Oh my goodness! That's so remiss of them! I'm so sorry that harmed you but glad you got to the bottom of it (before you got to the bottom of the pack and endured way more distress). I hope you find a more reliable supplier and they make things right and your symptoms ease off soon. I'm very lucky I don't seem to be affected at all by caffeine, but having your anxiety spiked by something external is horrible, especially before you know what's causing it. 

As for feeling alone with anxiety, it's really hard I know, I have to isolate myself too just to get through the day sometimes and it can be a blessing and a curse because we do need support and to be out in the community for that feeling of wellbeing and belonging so it's a balance I guess, but I hope for you that a slow taper, holding when you need to stabilise will prevent you having long term dysregulation and things will improve over time. Hang in there. 

 

[Catina7]

7 hours ago, AprilShowers said:

Hang in there

 

Thank you for your response @AprilShowers.  You hang in there as well.  Hang tight, hang left, hang right (I just literally made up that little ditty right now lol!) 😃

[j1290]

1 hour ago, Catina7 said:

Hang tight, hang left, hang right (I just literally made up that little ditty right now lol!) 😃

haha I love it!  

 

[pinkfairy]

23 hours ago, Catina7 said:

 

Thank you for your response @AprilShowers.  You hang in there as well.  Hang tight, hang left, hang right (I just literally made up that little ditty right now lol!) 😃

You are a poet and you didn't even no it .

Hope you're managing you lovely soul you

[Catina7]

12 minutes ago, pinkfairy said:

You are a poet and you didn't even no it .

Hope you're managing you lovely soul you

 

Right...I guess I am hahaha!  😂

[NotQuiteMyself]

Oh my goodness, Catina! I’m new on here and navigating my way around the site, but I’ve just been reading most of your posts out to my husband saying “who does this sound like?”.

 

I’ve always felt that no-one understands, but this site is full of hundreds/ thousands? who do.

 

There is so much to learn from your thread and your experiences have been more harrowing than mine, but so much resonated with me.

 

Socialising! There are some people I mix with who are judgmental and totally lacking in empathy and my WD has made me flaky in the extreme. I’m so fed up with trying to explain why I’ve cancelled ‘yet again’. I’m tired of trying to wriggle out of nights out. My lovely family: I look forward so much to seeing them but I stress that I’ll hit a wave and it will all go wrong. Like you, I often have to take a time-out when the over-stimulation becomes too much for me. I love to see them all and I don’t want to miss a moment, but at the same time I can’t wait for them to leave. 
 

Over-stimulation/being wired/the jitters! Why oh why did my doctors put me on Lexapro and Effexor? They are so stimulating. My history is one of insomnia and never being able to switch off and relax - what were they thinking? When I first took Lexapro/escitalopram I felt like the Duracell bunny. Great, I thought, I feel so alive, I’ve got so much energy…and then it was bedtime…. I lost a tooth and broke a front one from bruxism, my cuticles are shredded, but then you know what it’s like.

 

So of course, although I’m off all ADs since last August ( 2022) the side-effects are now WD effects. I just want to switch off! I’ve told my husband that what I really want sometimes is a general anaesthetic.
 

Your story is so inspiring and I wish you the very best on your next taper next year. 

 

 

[Catina7]

1 hour ago, NotQuiteMyself said:

Oh my goodness, Catina! I’m new on here and navigating my way around the site, but I’ve just been reading most of your posts out to my husband saying “who does this sound like?”.

 

I’ve always felt that no-one understands, but this site is full of hundreds/ thousands? who do.

 

There is so much to learn from your thread and your experiences have been more harrowing than mine, but so much resonated with me.

 

Socialising! There are some people I mix with who are judgmental and totally lacking in empathy and my WD has made me flaky in the extreme. I’m so fed up with trying to explain why I’ve cancelled ‘yet again’. I’m tired of trying to wriggle out of nights out. My lovely family: I look forward so much to seeing them but I stress that I’ll hit a wave and it will all go wrong. Like you, I often have to take a time-out when the over-stimulation becomes too much for me. I love to see them all and I don’t want to miss a moment, but at the same time I can’t wait for them to leave. 
 

Over-stimulation/being wired/the jitters! Why oh why did my doctors put me on Lexapro and Effexor? They are so stimulating. My history is one of insomnia and never being able to switch off and relax - what were they thinking? When I first took Lexapro/escitalopram I felt like the Duracell bunny. Great, I thought, I feel so alive, I’ve got so much energy…and then it was bedtime…. I lost a tooth and broke a front one from bruxism, my cuticles are shredded, but then you know what it’s like.

 

So of course, although I’m off all ADs since last August ( 2022) the side-effects are now WD effects. I just want to switch off! I’ve told my husband that what I really want sometimes is a general anaesthetic.
 

Your story is so inspiring and I wish you the very best on your next taper next year. 

 

 

 

Welcome to the site @NotQuiteMyself!  You're in good company here that's for sure.  I'm so glad that my experiences have helped you feel not so alone.  It works both ways b/c reading through yours helps ME feel not so alone.  We're all in this together.

 

Congratulations for getting off your ADs...what a huge feat!  I'm jealous (hehe), especially knowing you were able to get off Effexor.  At least you can recover without the drugs working against you...and in time you WILL heal.

 

Yeah, the socializing part is really tough.  Having to interact with people in a withdrawal state is just too much.  Thankfully most of my friends and family are pretty understanding, although how can they "get it" 100%?  It can be a very lonely and isolating experience and my heart goes out to you.  That's one reason why I love this site - I can feel connected to people yet I don't have to talk and exert too much energy.  It's been a lifesaver.

 

Thanks for commenting on my thread, and I hope we can encourage each other as time goes on!  Keep hangin' tough, you'll get through this!  😘

[Catina7]

Random Thought:

 

I guess you know you're healing & stabilizing when you run into two people you know in the grocery store and stop to chat and engage in small talk (oh boy! 😫), and you don't have a massive anxiety attack that takes the entire day to recover from.  

[BigCat]

8 hours ago, NotQuiteMyself said:

Oh my goodness, Catina! I’m new on here and navigating my way around the site, but I’ve just been reading most of your posts out to my husband saying “who does this sound like?”.

 

I’ve always felt that no-one understands, but this site is full of hundreds/ thousands? who do.

 

There is so much to learn from your thread and your experiences have been more harrowing than mine, but so much resonated with me.

 

Socialising! There are some people I mix with who are judgmental and totally lacking in empathy and my WD has made me flaky in the extreme. I’m so fed up with trying to explain why I’ve cancelled ‘yet again’. I’m tired of trying to wriggle out of nights out. My lovely family: I look forward so much to seeing them but I stress that I’ll hit a wave and it will all go wrong. Like you, I often have to take a time-out when the over-stimulation becomes too much for me. I love to see them all and I don’t want to miss a moment, but at the same time I can’t wait for them to leave. 
 

Over-stimulation/being wired/the jitters! Why oh why did my doctors put me on Lexapro and Effexor? They are so stimulating. My history is one of insomnia and never being able to switch off and relax - what were they thinking? When I first took Lexapro/escitalopram I felt like the Duracell bunny. Great, I thought, I feel so alive, I’ve got so much energy…and then it was bedtime…. I lost a tooth and broke a front one from bruxism, my cuticles are shredded, but then you know what it’s like.

 

So of course, although I’m off all ADs since last August ( 2022) the side-effects are now WD effects. I just want to switch off! I’ve told my husband that what I really want sometimes is a general anaesthetic.
 

Your story is so inspiring and I wish you the very best on your next taper next year. 

 

 

Sounds familiar.  

Off to the dentist tomorrow to see about my teeth grinding and painful jaw. 

Overstimulation?  If anything it has worsened over the years as I didn't used to be anxious.  Now I am hypervigilant with high startle response.  You are not alone.  

We will see each other through this.  I am new here and have found it so supportive.  

Best wishes. 

[BigCat]

@Catina7 @NotQuiteMyself 

I identify with so much of what you have posted.  

Thanks. 

[Catina7]

19 minutes ago, BigCat said:

Overstimulation?  If anything it has worsened over the years as I didn't used to be anxious.  Now I am hypervigilant with high startle response.  You are not alone.

 

You are on a very high dose of Venlafaxine.  It could be that the drug is making you that way as it can be very stimulating.  Just a thought...

[BigCat]

19 minutes ago, Catina7 said:

 

You are on a very high dose of Venlafaxine.  It could be that the drug is making you that way as it can be very stimulating.  Just a thought...

Reduction from 300 to 250 going OK so far.  

High dose?  You are absolutely correct, but from this side of "the consulting table" not unusual... and I swallowed it. 

No wonder I am wired yet hollowed out inside (is that a thing?)

I think a lot of my health associated colleagues just trust the system and eat up the meds, including those who prescribe them. 

Things need to change. 

Glad to be here.  

[j1290]

6 hours ago, Catina7 said:

and you don't have a massive anxiety attack that takes the entire day to recover from. 

Man, IYKYK.  Congratulations on the W!   

 

5 hours ago, BigCat said:

High dose?  You are quite correct, but from this side of "the consulting table" not unusual..

Hi @BigCat!  California rocket gave me a chuckle.  I was on 300mg of Venlafaxine and 450mg of Bupropion myself.   And I'm in California 😆

 

Good luck on your taper!

[Catina7]

10 minutes ago, j1290 said:

Man, IYKYK.  Congratulations on the W!   

 

You're funny.  Sometimes I need to Google your acronyms because I am just...lost LOL!  Appreciate your support though!  😁

[NotQuiteMyself]

13 hours ago, BigCat said:

Off to the dentist tomorrow to see about my teeth grinding and painful jaw. 

I sympathise. I have another cracked tooth which the dentist is keeping an eye on. The jaw thing was unbelievable and was combined with earache and sinus pain. It also gave me reflux which I’ve still got a year after stopping the meds. The drug that just keeps on giving.

Nice to meet you, I’ve felt so much better about everything since finding this group and am on day 5 of a ‘window’, the longest ever.