Catina7: Effexor withdrawal / destabilized central nervous system

[LotusRising]

1 hour ago, Catina7 said:

Yes, I told her all those things (go me!)

Love it! I bet that wasn't easy to do, so good on you for advocating for yourself and all of us ❤️

 

1 hour ago, Catina7 said:

I was extremely pleased that she reacted very positively...score!

Maybe you found a good one! 

[BigCat]

Way to go!! 

[Catina7]

I just wanted to add that I took a high-potency vitamin D3/K2 supplement one day, and welllll..... I'll NEVER do that again!  It was so incredibly activating.  You learn from your mistakes, that's for sure.  

[Catina7]

February 1, 2024

 

Starting Dose:  37.5 mg

Average Bead Count per Capsule:  111

Rate of Reduction:  5% every month

Beads Removed Today:  11

Dose Taken:  33.8 mg

 

This past month was pretty much status quo as far as symptoms go, but I did feel an increase in my anxiety during the last week of January.  I feel like it's manageable, and I'm sleeping well, so I went ahead and reduced by another 5% today.  The only thing that really throws me for a loop is if I experience stress, which my system just can't handle.  I therefore have to keep my life as stress-free as possible, which thankfully I am able to do most of the time.

[pinkfairy]

1 hour ago, Catina7 said:

February 1, 2024

 

Starting Dose:  37.5 mg

Average Bead Count per Capsule:  111

Rate of Reduction:  5% every month

Beads Removed Today:  11

Dose Taken:  33.8 mg

 

This past month was pretty much status quo as far as symptoms go, but I did feel an increase in my anxiety during the last week of January.  I feel like it's manageable, and I'm sleeping well, so I went ahead and reduced by another 5% today.  The only thing that really throws me for a loop is if I experience stress, which my system just can't handle.  I therefore have to keep my life as stress-free as possible, which thankfully I am able to do most of the time.

I just want to say you're doing so well lovely. The not being able to handle stress will come back in time. I couldn't handle not any now i can handle so much more. One day you will look back at all this and think wow i did i climbed that mountain and the view was worth every tear falling and all the pain. xxx

[Catina7]

Update:  Unfortunately, my WD symptoms really cranked up a notch last night.  I slept well from 8 pm - 12:30 am and then woke up feeling extremely anxious and wired.  I laid there for about four hours trying to get back to sleep.  I think around 4:30 am I finally did get back to sleep and slept until about 6:15 am.  

 

It brought back some traumatic memories of my first tapering attempt, which ended in disaster, so I was trying to remain calm and not panic about it.    

 

I am going to see how the rest of the month goes, but if this trajectory continues I'm going to have to hold at my current dose until my nervous system settles down a bit.

[LostInCanada]

3 hours ago, Catina7 said:

if this trajectory continues I'm going to have to hold at my current dose until my nervous system settles down a bit.

Definitely a good idea. Maybe doing a smaller drop next time or using the idea behind the brass monkey slide method. Not sure how that works with beads. 

Your positive attitude and patience will go a long way at making this a success. You are doing great. 💯👍🙏

[medfreeoneday]

 

 

Hey Catina

So sorry to hear you're getting the cortisol spikes. Hopefully things will settle down over the next week or so. Sounds like you're doing everything right and listening to your body.

[Catina7]

36 minutes ago, medfreeoneday said:

 

 

Hey Catina

So sorry to hear you're getting the cortisol spikes. Hopefully things will settle down over the next week or so. Sounds like you're doing everything right and listening to your body.

 

Thank you!  I took a Benadryl last night and actually slept 12 peaceful hours so I'm VERY happy about that.  I do feel much better today.  Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.  

[littlebird]

1 hour ago, Catina7 said:

slept 12 peaceful hours so I'm VERY happy about that.

Nice!! 😎 Nothing like a good night's sleep to make the world seem brighter.

[Catina7]

26 minutes ago, littlebird said:

Nice!! 😎 Nothing like a good night's sleep to make the world seem brighter.

 

Thank you!  Sometimes when you feel terrible you think things will never improve.  

[Catina7]

I took half a Benadryl last night and slept fairly well.  However, in general my level of anxiety has skyrocketed since my last two 5% tapers.  I am really feeling it.  I have come to the conclusion that it might take me 10 years to get off this awful drug.  I'm going to need to slow down my tapers because I refuse to experience the horrors of what happened to me before when I tapered too fast.  If it takes me a decade before I'm free of this evil poison then so be it.  I told myself that as long as I can sleep then I can handle things, but now that it's starting to affect my being able to sleep (without the use of anything) it's a clear sign that I must slow things down.  The main goal is to remain stable and functional.  I know there are other members who have taken many, many years to successfully taper, and I think I'm going to be one of those people unfortunately.  I've been on psych drugs for over 30 years so it's going to take my brain a long time to learn how to function again without them. 

 

I have been pretty depressed lately and have been sitting around eating BUT today I am going to get in a nice workout and be more kind to myself.  I will NOT let this defeat me!  

 

Sending love and warm healing thoughts to everyone!

 

Catina ❤️

[BigCat]

30 minutes ago, Catina7 said:

 I have come to the conclusion that it might take me 10 years to get off this awful drug.  I'm going to need to slow down my tapers because I refuse to experience the horrors of what happened to me before when I tapered too fast.  If it takes me a decade before I'm free of this evil poison then so be it. The main goal is to remain stable and functional.  I know there are other members who have taken many, many years to successfully taper, and I think I'm going to be one of those people unfortunately.  I've been on psych drugs for over 30 years so it's going to take my brain a long time to learn how to function again without them. 

 

I have been pretty depressed lately and have been sitting around eating BUT today I am going to get in a nice workout and be more kind to myself.  I will NOT let this defeat me!  

I am totally with you on this and share your dogged determination.  I am resolutely optimistic despite the horrors.  

[Catina7]

1 hour ago, BigCat said:

I am totally with you on this and share your dogged determination.  I am resolutely optimistic despite the horrors. 

 

Thank you!  We Effexor victims need to stick together!  I draw strength knowing that others like yourself are fighting the same battle and are determined to win! 

[Kaylaq]

As someone who just taper off Effexor, I appreciate your postings. The withdrawal has destroyed my life….looking for hope and the strength to hang on. 

[Catina7]

Hi @Kaylaq, I'd like to hear more about your experience with your taper and how things are now that you're off of it.  

[LostInCanada]

4 hours ago, Catina7 said:

I will NOT let this defeat me!  

Good for you. I am so sensitive as well and will be here for probably 10 years. But as long as you are moving forward it's a win. ❤️

[Catina7]

8 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

Good for you. I am so sensitive as well and will be here for probably 10 years. But as long as you are moving forward it's a win. ❤️

 

Thank you SO much for always chiming in on my thread and for your support...it means a lot!  xo

[Catina7]

I was able to sleep all night without any Benadryl, so I'm very encouraged by that.  I will just keep a watch on myself the rest of this month and see how things go.  I would love to be able to reduce by another 5% next month, but I realize that I might need to either reduce by a smaller amount (2.5%) or just hold longer before my next 5% drop.  My anxiety doesn't feel as strong as it did a short time ago, but it's still there of course...it's always there.

 

I'm in no rush to get off this drug, even though I hate being on it more than anything in the world.  I'm forced to play by its dirty rules.  I just have to keep envisioning myself when the shackles are finally gone and I am FREE!!!

Edited February 6 by Catina7

[LostInCanada]

3 hours ago, Catina7 said:

without any Benadryl

Good to hear. Benadryl went paradoxical on me for wasp stings so it's great if you don't have to overuse it.

 

3 hours ago, Catina7 said:

I'm forced to play by its dirty rules.  I just have to keep envisioning myself when the shackles are finally gone and I am FREE!!!

Well said! 

[FeralCatman]

8 hours ago, Catina7 said:

I was able to sleep all night without any Benadryl, so I'm very encouraged by that.  I will just keep a watch on myself the rest of this month and see how things go.  I would love to be able to reduce by another 5% next month, but I realize that I might need to either reduce by a smaller amount (2.5%) or just hold longer before my next 5% drop.  My anxiety doesn't feel as strong as it did a short time ago, but it's still there of course...it's always there.

 

I'm in no rush to get off this drug, even though I hate being on it more than anything in the world.  I'm forced to play by its dirty rules.  I just have to keep envisioning myself when the shackles are finally gone and I am FREE!!!

@Catina7What if you tried switching to 2.5% every 2 weeks for 5% a month perhaps that might be easier on your system.

[Catina7]

12 minutes ago, FeralCatman said:

@Catina7What if you tried switching to 2.5% every 2 weeks for 5% a month perhaps that might be easier on your system.

 

That's a very good suggestion.  I think I might just do that beginning next month.  😊

[2cats2272]

@Catina7 you’re doing so great! You’ll get there. You are going slow and listening to your body.. great work 🎉💜

[Catina7]

29 minutes ago, 2cats2272 said:

@Catina7 you’re doing so great! You’ll get there. You are going slow and listening to your body.. great work 🎉💜

 

Thank you so much @2cats2272;  I really appreciate your encouragement!  I hope you're doing alright.  

[2cats2272]

On 2/7/2024 at 11:56 AM, Catina7 said:

 

Thank you so much @2cats2272;  I really appreciate your encouragement!  I hope you're doing alright.  

I’m still doing well. Getting used to having emotions. I’m still cheering you on!! 

[Thorin]

On 2/7/2024 at 9:15 AM, FeralCatman said:

@Catina7What if you tried switching to 2.5% every 2 weeks for 5% a month perhaps that might be easier on your system.

This is a good idea. If I do too big a drop on my Benzo I pay for it. But if I spread a similar size drop over a month it’s achievable.

[Catina7]

March 1, 2024

 

Starting Dose:  37.5 mg

Average Bead Count per Capsule:  111

Rate of Reduction:  5% every month

Beads Removed Today:  16

Dose Taken:  32.1 mg

 

Today marks my third monthly taper of 5%.  Each month I've tapered, I've noticed that towards the end of the month I can feel my anxiety level go up.  I feel more revved up and it becomes more difficult to sleep.  Sometimes before bed I will take a scoop of Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder mixed w/ water along with 1/2-1 Benadryl.  For some reason I'm able to tolerate it, and it helps to calm me down to where I can sleep.  So far, the anxiety is the only WD symptom I deal with.  I'm grateful, but at the same time I don't want to get overconfident because I'm sure things will get harder as time goes on.  

 

For now I will continue to stay the course of my monthly 5% taper and see how it continues to go.  If I need to hold for a bit longer in the future then so be it.  

[Kaylaq]

Wishing you all the best on this next level of tapering!!  We are here for you…take it ever so slow…it was a few months later that my worse symptoms kicked in.  Get lots of healthy protein in your diet, it really helps! 
 

I send you strength, courage and love on your journey 👍🏼😍

[Catina7]

Thank you so much @Kaylaq!  😊

[BigCat]

3 hours ago, Catina7 said:

March 1, 2024

 

Starting Dose:  37.5 mg

Average Bead Count per Capsule:  111

Rate of Reduction:  5% every month

Beads Removed Today:  16

Dose Taken:  32.1 mg

 

Today marks my third monthly taper of 5%.  Each month I've tapered, I've noticed that towards the end of the month I can feel my anxiety level go up.  I feel more revved up and it becomes more difficult to sleep.  Sometimes before bed I will take a scoop of Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder mixed w/ water along with 1/2-1 Benadryl.  For some reason I'm able to tolerate it, and it helps to calm me down to where I can sleep.  So far, the anxiety is the only WD symptom I deal with.  I'm grateful, but at the same time I don't want to get overconfident because I'm sure things will get harder as time goes on.  

 

For now I will continue to stay the course of my monthly 5% taper and see how it continues to go.  If I need to hold for a bit longer in the future then so be it.  

You say that your anxiety goes up, but does it then recede over the following days? 

More power to you whatever you are managing! 

As @Kaylaq, with gentle endurance of hardship.  

Big hug. 

 

[N2deep]

Hi Catina, I've read a bunch of your thread and just wanted to wish you luck on your new tapers. FeralCatman's suggestion (2.5% per 2 weeks) sounds like a good one. You got this.

[Jaffa]

Very best wishes @Catina7. You are so brave . 🌸

[Catina7]

3 hours ago, BigCat said:

You say that your anxiety goes up, but does it then recede over the following days? 

More power to you whatever you are managing! 

As @Kaylaq, with gentle endurance of hardship.  

Big hug. 

 

 

At the end of January it went up and then back down not too long after that.  At the end of February (just a few days ago) it went up and now it's been up for a bit longer than it was the first month.  I hope it goes back down soon!

 

Thanks for your encouraging words!  

[Catina7]

3 hours ago, N2deep said:

Hi Catina, I've read a bunch of your thread and just wanted to wish you luck on your new tapers. FeralCatman's suggestion (2.5% per 2 weeks) sounds like a good one. You got this.

 

Thank you!  Yes, if the 5% seems to be too much then I will break it down more.  

[Catina7]

1 hour ago, Jaffa said:

Very best wishes @Catina7. You are so brave . 🌸

 

You are so sweet, thank you!  I'm only brave because of you guys! 

[Marsha]

Hey there Catina7. How's it going?