Upnorth: reinstating

[Upnorth]

@Frogie 

Do you think I could take the odd dose of ativan as a "rescue " when things are bad?  Or does it need to be taken at scheduled intervals?

[Frogie]

@Upnorth

 

You could take a rescue dose. Just don’t take it 3-4 days a week.

 

Can you not find another dr?

[Upnorth]

10 hours ago, Frogie said:

@Upnorth

 

You could take a rescue dose. Just don’t take it 3-4 days a week.

 

Can you not find another dr?

@Frogie  @Altostrata

I will be meeting a new pc  Dr on the 21st.  Hoping to get her to agree to a long term benzo treatment, as much as I don't want to go down that road.  I need to do something, the chemical induced anxiety and lack of sleep are brutal.  I think the reinstatement of zoloft has had a stimulating effect .  I'm not functioning very well,  every day normal stuff is overwhelming. Lots of dark, scary thoughts and having trouble with bowel movements.  So frustrated that this has consumed me  like this.  I have no support,  other than the sa site. 

[Altostrata]

20 hours ago, Upnorth said:

If I start the benzo,  would I just hold on the current zoloft amount? 

 

Yes, because you'd want to change only one drug at a time.

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata @Frogie.

Wednesday April 6th. 

9:00pm-- nauseous, agitated. Air hunger.

10:15pm -- take 3.0mg zoloft. 1 slice of toast. . Nauseous,  mild headache. Dizzy. 

11:30pm -- headache, take 1-325mg aspirin. Peanut butter toast.muscle tension, nauseous. 

Thursday April 7th. .

2:30am -- nausea is a bit better. Muscle tension.  Right eye lid twitching. 

3:45am -- wake up on couch and go to bed. Take 50mg anti nausea. 

6:30am -- not sleeping, .wake up with cortisol spike. Restless, agitated. 

9:30am-- get up and take 1-325mg aspirin. Get ice pack and back to bed. Muscle tension,  some nausea. 

12:30pm -- get up, not really sleeping.  Take 50mg  anti nausea. 1 cup coffee. Agitated.  Feel like I can't breath.  Nauseous. 

2:15pm -- bowl of oatmeal. Mag 150mg, vit c 250mg.ginger pill. Probiotic.  Nauseous, dizzy, unstable, heart rate up. 

4:30pm -- nauseous, take 50mg anti nausea, dizzy, heart rate up.

6:00pm -- bowl of soup for supper. Mag 250mg, Probiotic, ginger pill.. nauseous, air hunger, dizzy. 

8:00pm -- nausea is a bit better. Dizzy, air hunger, ab muscles tense. 

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata @Frogie. 

Bad day.  Next to no sleep last night.  Nausea is bad and really agitated.  Brain feels scrambled. Air hunger.    Any suggestions?

 

[Frogie]

@Upnorth

 

You could try some ginger, ginger ale or even peppermint and see if that might help. Sorry you’re feeling so bad.

[Upnorth]

1 hour ago, Frogie said:

@Upnorth

 

You could try some ginger, ginger ale or even peppermint and see if that might help. Sorry you’re feeling so bad.

Thanks @Frogie I've been sitting on the couch drinking ginger ale and eating mints.  Really been having some horrible days lately.  Just wish I would stabilize and get a break.

[Frogie]

@Upnorth

 

I hope you do soon also.

[Altostrata]

Me, too.

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata @Frogie  

Thursday April 7th. 

10:15pm --  take 3.0mg zoloft. 2 slices toast.  Agitated, muscle tension, air hunger. 

11:30pm -- heart rate is up a bit. Nauseous,  muscle tension, air hunger. 

Friday April 8th. .

12:30am --  heart rate still up. Muscle tension,  agitated. 

2:00am-- agitated, nauseous. 

4:30am --  wake up on couch, 50mg anti nausea, go to bed. 

5:30am -- not sleeping,  toss and turn. 

7:00am --- cortisol spike, awake most of the night. 

10:00am-- headache,  get up and take 1-325 aspirin,  ice pack, back to bed. 

12:30pm -- didn't really sleep to this point.  Get up and take 50mg anti nausea. 1 coffee.  Nauseous, agitated. 

2:00pm -- bowl of oatmeal, mag 150mg.  Vit c 250mg, ginger pill. Nauseous, air hunger. 

4:00pm -- take 50mg anti nausea. Nauseous, agitated, brain feels scrambled, air hunger. 

5:00pm -- same. Nausea is bad,  having a bit of an anxiety attack. Trying to calm down. 

6:30pm -- fish and chips for supper. Mag 250mg, probiotic, ginger pill. Nauseous, dizzy. 

8:30pm -- nauseous, agitated, air hunger, fatigued. 

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata @Frogie 

I've been rereading my notes and the  comments. I notice my daily symptoms don't change much. Is there something I missed that I should be doing?  I feel like my air hunger and agitation have increased .  Maybe it's just my desperation to get a break and stabilize. My thinking hasn't been too clear lately, sorry. 

[Frogie]

@Upnorth

 

Here is some information on "air hunger." The scientific term is dyspnea. We usually see it more with people withdrawing from benzodiazepines, but it's possible with other psych drugs, as well. 

 

Some tips for handling air hunger:

 

Managing Shortness of Breath video (5 minutes)

 

Managing an acute episode of shortness of breath video (6 minutes)

 

 

[Upnorth]

9 hours ago, Frogie said:

@Upnorth

 

Here is some information on "air hunger." The scientific term is dyspnea. We usually see it more with people withdrawing from benzodiazepines, but it's possible with other psych drugs, as well. 

 

Some tips for handling air hunger:

 

Managing Shortness of Breath video (5 minutes)

 

Managing an acute episode of shortness of breath video (6 minutes)

 

 

@Frogie thanks. 

I think it has something to do with the chemical induced anxiety . At times it feels like I'm being smothered.   I  am claustrophobic and the wd has hightened that a lot. 

[Frogie]

@Upnorth

 

I know that feeling all too well. I experience it too. 

 

I just tell myself that it will stop eventually. And take lots of deep breaths.

 

It will end.

[Upnorth]

@Frogie

I do that as well.  Never used to be an issue until wd.  Even when I was smoking,  if I had the smothered feeling, I could do deep breathing and settle down.  Doesn't seem to work now,  I feel I'm  in a hightened state all the time.  I know it's from the chemical imbalance but it still makes me anxious.  Vicious circle. 

[Frogie]

@Upnorth

 

It is a vicious circle. But just do self care and it will help. It has helped me. I still have it, but some days are much better than others. 

[Upnorth]

@Frogie @Altostrata

Do you think that if I tapered the zoloft that it would help ?

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata  @Frogie.

Friday April 8th. ..

10:00pm--  take 3.0mg zoloft. 2 slices toast. Nauseous, agitated, air hunger. 

11:30pm -- agitated, light sweating, air hunger.

     Saturday April 9th. .

1:30am -- nauseous, agitated. Air hunger. 

3:30am -- take 50mg anti nausea and go to bed. Moderate nausea. Muscle tens.  Ears achy. 

6:30am -- not sleeping, cortisol spike,  dark thoughts. Agitated. Slight headache. 

8:00am -- migraine,  get up and take 1 325 aspirin.  Get ice pack and back to bed. 

10:00am -- get up and change ice pack.  Nauseous, muscle tension. Air hunger. 

1:00pm -- take another aspirin. 50mg anti nausea. 

2:00pm --  get up,  bowel of oatmeal, mag 150mg, probiotic, vit c, ginger pill.  Headache is bad. Nauseous, dizzy, ears achy. 

2-5pm -- lay on couch. Headache still bad. Air hunger. Nauseous. 

5:00pm -- take another aspirin. Headache, nausea, ears achy. 

6:00pm -- fish and potato for supper. Mag 250 mg, probiotic, ginger pill. Nauseous, headache, muscle tension. Heart rate up a bit. 

8:00pm -- headache still, muscle tension, nausea is moderate, ears achy, heart rate is up a bit. 

 

 

[Altostrata]

Do you feel better or worse after taking Zoloft? How does it affect you?

 

This discussion is becoming circular.

[Upnorth]

5 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Do you feel better or worse after taking Zoloft? How does it affect you?

 

This discussion is becoming 

@Altostrata @Frogie 

I haven't noticed much improvement but I've had a lot of migraines lately so it's hard to tell if other symptoms are changing. 

Sorry, don't mean to be a pain. .

[Altostrata]

Still up to you.

On 3/31/2022 at 6:36 PM, Altostrata said:

Would you want to substitute perhaps 2mg citalopram or fluoxetine for 3mg Zoloft?

 

On 4/6/2022 at 5:28 PM, Altostrata said:

What do you want to do? You could start the benzo, you could reduce the Zoloft more, or you could not make any dosage changes.

 

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata @Frogie 

I don't know if you still want these reports. . There's very little change from day to day. 

      Saturday April 9th. .

9:30pm -- headaches still. Heart rate is up .ears achy, nausea moderate .

10:30pm --  take zoloft 3.0mg,  2 slices toast,  nausea is moderate. Muscle tension. Headache still bad. 

         Sunday April 10th. 

12:00am --   headache still bad, nauseous, ears ache, dizzy .

1:00am --' nausea bad. Headache bad. .

1-3 lay on couch with ice packs. 

3:30am -- take 50mg anti nausea,  go to bed. 

6:00am -- hardly sleeping,  cortisol spike. Restless. Intrusive thoughts. Doom and gloom. 

6-9:00am --' fragmented sleep, agitated, 

9:00am -- headache, take 1 325mg aspirin. Ice pack, back to bed.  Agitated, restless .

12:30pm -- get up.  1 coffee. Agitated, air hunger, feel like I can't breath. 

2:00pm -- heart rate is up. Ears achy, restless.  Taking 0.5 ativan. 

2:30pm -- bowl of oatmeal, mag 150mg, probiotic, vit c 250, ginger pill.  Nauseous, agitated 

5:00pm -- headache is a bit better. Nausea is moderate. Agitated, fatigue. 

7:00pm -- Chinese food for supper. Mag 250mg, probiotic.ginger pill, mild headache, mild nausea.  Agitated. 

9:00pm--  headache is mild, nausea is moderate, agitated, fatigued,  jaw sore .

 

[Frogie]

@Upnorth

 

If you don't think anything is changing, you could take @Altostrata suggestions above. 

 

Did you feel any difference when you were on a smaller dose of the Zoloft? When you took a benzo, did you feel any difference, even just the few times you took it?

 

This is a decision only you can make. 

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata @Frogie 

     Sunday April 10th 

10:30pm --  take 3.0mg zoloft. 2 slices toast.  Headache,  muscle tension 

Ears achy. 

      Monday April 11th 

12:30am -- headache still, agitated, fatigue, muscle tension. 

2:00am-- same 

3:45am-- take 50mg anti nausea,  go to bed, restless.

6:30am -- not really sleeping,  cortisol spike . Agitated. 

6:30-10:30am -- fragmented sleep, restless, mild headache, jaw muscles sore .

10:30am -- get up and take 1-325mg aspirin. Ice pack, back to bed. Nauseous. Air hunger. 

1:00pm --  get up and take 50mg anti nausea, 1 cup of coffee, sit on couch, nauseous. 

2:30pm --  bowl of oatmeal, mag 150mg, vit c 250mg, ginger pill. Nauseous, weak, agitated. 

4:30pm -- still nauseous, agitated, dizzy. Sitting on couch, drinking ginger ale. 

6:30pm -- left over Chinese food for supper. Mag 250mg, probiotic, ginger pill, nauseous, ab muscles tense. 

8:00pm -- nausea is moderate,fatigue, air hunger.

9:00 pm-- same. Feel like I can't breath, air hunger.

 

[Upnorth]

20 hours ago, Frogie said:

@Upnorth

 

If you don't think anything is changing, you could take @Altostrata suggestions above. 

 

Did you feel any difference when you were on a smaller dose of the Zoloft? When you took a benzo, did you feel any difference, even just the few times you took it?

 

This is a decision only you can make. 

@Frogie 

 Not sure about the zoloft. I think it may have had a stimulating effect. 

Been rereading my notes and  I know when I up dosed past 3.0mg,  I experienced sweating spells. 

I noticed that I was a bit calmer with the 0.5 ativan yesterday. 

I apologize ladies,  my mind feels scrambled lately and the air hunger is creating more anxiety. 

Just feeling sick. 

[Altostrata]

If you're not making any changes, you don't have to post daily notes. Let us know of any significant changes in symptom pattern.

 

On the other hand, if you're going to add a benzo to your routine, please continue to post daily notes.

[Upnorth]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

If you're not making any changes, you don't have to post daily notes. Let us know of any significant changes in symptom pattern.

 

On the other hand, if you're going to add a benzo to your routine, please continue to post daily notes.

Okay,  not sure what to do. My thinking is all messed up. 

[Upnorth]

       @Altostrata  @Frogie     Monday April 11th 

10:15 pm -- take 3.0mg zoloft.  2 slices toast.  Nausea is moderate. Air hunger. Muscle tension. 

        Tuesday April 12th 

12:15 am -- nausea is moderate, ab muscle tension, air hunger.

12:45am -- cheddar sandwich. 

2:00am - - agitated, lay on couch , moderate  nausea. 

4:30am -- wake up on couch, take 50mg anti nausea and go to bed .

4:30-9:30am -- fragmented sleep, restless. 

9:30-12:00-- trying to get more sleep. Agitated,dark  intrusive thoughts. 

12:30pm --  get up and take 50mg anti nausea.  Air hunger, agitated. 

2:00pm-- bowl of oatmeal, mag 150mg , vitamin c, probiotic. Nauseous, agitated. 

3:30pm -- nausea is bad at the moment.  feel like I can't breath. 

5:30pm -- chicken and baked fries for supper. Mag 250mg, probiotic. 2 ginger pills. Nauseous, heart rate up. 

7:30pm -- air hunger, nauseous, agitated. Frustrated. 

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata @Frogie  

This might be a dumb question.  

 Any idea why the symptoms are worse during the day.  The air hunger and nausea are terrible.  Usually late evening it settles down a bit.  Is this because the cortisol drops later in the day. ?

[Altostrata]

People often find their symptoms lessen in the evening. Or, it could be the Zoloft taking effect, peak plasma occurs in 4-8 hours.

[Upnorth]

Air hunger and nausea are bad today.  Wish I could get a break. 

Lots of dark thoughts. 

[Upnorth]

@Altostrata @Frogie

Air hunger and nausea still bad.  Feel like I can't breath. Muscle tension.Heart rate is up a bit.  Is this anxiety?  Some mild sweating tonight. Not much sleep last night, restless, fragmented. 

[Frogie]

@Upnorth

 

It sounds like all the signs and symptoms of anxiety.

 

Did you ever start a benzo?

 

Did you feel worse or better going from 3 to 3.5 mg Zoloft?

[Altostrata]

@Upnorth please tag me only when something, such as your drug schedule, changes. Until then, my answer will be the same as what I've posting over the last several pages.

[Upnorth]

16 hours ago, Frogie said:

@Upnorth

 

It sounds like all the signs and symptoms of anxiety.

 

Did you ever start a benzo?

 

Did you feel worse or better going from 3 to 3.5 mg Zoloft?

@Frogie

When I went from 3 to 3.5 zoloft, I experienced lots of sweating spells. Also seemed more agitated . now holding at 3mg and the sweating is mostly gone. 

I agree,  I think it is the chemical induced anxiety. Just been somewhat scary lately, especially the air hunger. I feel like I'm trapped in a bubble of fear lately and don't know why. 

I did take 0.5 mg ativan at 2pm,  seem to be a bit better this evening.