mochabean: 34 year old female trying to get back to regular life

[mochabean]

Hello. This will be all over the place because I'm currently in the middle of fending off a panic attack. My dosages may not be super accurate but I can try to correct them later.

 

I was put on Paxil when I was 10 and over the last few years noticed it didn't help with anxiety. It staved off most panic attacks though. I decided to try to go down on it with my gp a few years back. I was on 40 mg. Made it to 30 mg but had panic attacks so went back to 40. Was like that for a few years until I made an appt with a nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatric medicine.

 

She immediately put me on Buspar with Paxil to help me get off Paxil. Buspar did nothing so I got off it and went on Lexapro. Lexapro gave me nosebleeds and made me sleepy but no panic attacks. Still wanted to try something new that didn't give me bad side effects so I was given effexor. Was on Effexor and Lexapro 10 mg. Got off Paxil completely then and then finally got off Lexapro but then I was put on 75 Effexor for a week. I was okay aside from feeling super anxious and the internet said that was normal for effexor. 

 

Last Monday I had a terrible panic attack and took propanolol which I was prescribed. Since then I've had a lot of loose bms and I got an appt with my nurse practitioner who said it might be serotonin syndrome. I never got the other symptoms of that so idk how right she was but I feel bad right now. Effexor just isn't right for me I think. I got a genesight test that said Paxil wasn't effective for me but effexor was.

 

I'm honestly scared I will never be like I used to. idk if I'm having withdrawals from Paxil this much later or the Lexapro. But my np keeps suggesting I change meds. I can't keep doing that.

 

I also don't want to become reliant on klonopin which she prescribed me.

 

I want a psychiatrist but it's so hard to find one who takes my insurance. I need someone who will listen and taper slowly.

 

Added note: my np said you can't get withdrawal symptoms if you cross taper. Is that true?

 

Thanks for reading this!

 

 

 

 

 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  It sounds like your doctor has had you on quite a drug carousel.  Your symptoms are probably from your nervous system being destabilized by all the drug changes.  What drugs are you on now, and at what dosages? 

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature 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.  Use this format:

 

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Etcetera

 

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 important 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 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

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

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

 

When I know more details about your drug history, I will try to offer some suggestions.