Ninabird: Effexor withdrawal?

[Ninabird]

@Moonpie

You are such a wonderful person. Thank you so much for being so supportive. 

 

Ninabird

[Ninabird]

35 minutes ago, Greatful said:

Where oh where is our rational brain

This made me smile. I imagined a "Where's Waldo" puzzle but instead replacing Waldo with our WD brain. 

 

@Greatful How have you been doing? I think of you often and follow your kind and supportive posts. You are a very kind person. 

 

 

[Greatful]

@Ninabird  I am moving along  trying to getting off the lex too  I am on liquid so I can do slow daily cuts.

I'm on my 7th day of my daily .02ml cut for 15 days and then I will hold.  Up and down, you know the drill,

but so far doing okay.  I spent several days reading success stories.  I try to stay away from the long recovery ones though. 🙄  I want to focus  on the fact that not everyone takes years. We only get to see the horror stories and the worst pain on SA. There has to be positive and less traumatic recoveries too.

 We are all individual and will heal at our own time, that being said, I hope that it will not take years😁.....

Power of positive thinking LOL

 

Somehow we need to find a way to dig down deep and stay the course.  Really if other people can heal from this why can't we.

 

Remind me of this when I am in the huge wave and can't find a positive thing to think or feel. 🙄

 This to shall pass🌞

[Ninabird]

@Greatful

I try to stay away from the long ones too. I know lots of souls are out here hurting and I try to reach out whenever I can. It does help to reach out to others, at least for me it does. There are times when I just need to focus on my moment. 

 

I had no idea that you could cut daily. How is that going? I know you mentioned up and down ut overall. How did you know that this way was the right way for you? 

 

I will be there right next to you reminding you that this will pass....IF that time comes. Good to hear from you. Ill be praying for you. 

[Ninabird]

5 hours ago, Frogie said:

Are you doing any better?

Hello there Frogie. Yes, the wacky feeling in my head cleared up. Wow....that was scary. I had to keep telling myself that this is my brain trying to heal. This will pass. 

I have had lighter symptoms that have allowed me to "haul ooty," and get caught up on work. Thank goodness I get to work from my home office! 

 

How are you?

 

Thank you for checking in on me. That was very caring of you. 🥰

[Ninabird]

@Frogie @brassmonkey Guys, I think I am making a mess of my taper. I calibrated the scale. Put the gel caps on the sale. Powered on so it read "0" then I added the crushed powder to 126. Closed the tablets then set aside and moved on to the next. Fast forward to the end..I turned off the scale and weighed ea capsule again and the numbers were way off. WTH! I am so confused. So, this time I put the crushed powder on the scale then filled the capsule. Which is more accurate? Thank you for your help. 

[brassmonkey]

It is more accurate to just weigh the powder and then put it into the capsule. The weight of the capsule really has nothing to do with the finished product. Just try to weigh out the same amount for each capsule.

 

Are you using a folded slip of paper to hold the powder on the scale? I found that folding a small postit note in half and then opening it up, placing that on the scale, zeroing the scale and then weighting the powder worked well. Makes it a lot easier to get the powder into the capsules. There will be a little powder stick to the note, so put so powder on the note and tap it off, then make your measurements. Keep the paper and reuse it next time.

 

There is going to be a little variation in the weight of the same capsule if you weigh it several times. It's just the nature of the scales and some variables like vibrations in the table, drafts in the room and such. Until you get down to the very small doses at the Endgame level the differences aren't enough to affect the dose.

 

Also, the entire process of tapering is based on averages. We are aiming to keep an average blood serum level of the drug over time. As the body uses up the drug we add more and try to balance a lot of different variables. So, if today's dose is a milligram short, tomorrows may be a milligram long and so on. The body will use up the drug at different rates from day to day also. So, it is all a balancing act that we actually have very little control over, we just try to keep things as consistent as possible.

[Ninabird]

3 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Are you using a folded slip of paper to hold the powder on the scale?

No, I was using the little cup it came with. I am going to use a post it note as you suggested because it was a lot easier than the method I was using. Today was my second drop. I went down to 9.50mg. I'm hoping this is smoother than the first....time will tell I suppose. 

Thank you for being so quick to respond. I really appreciate it. 

[Ninabird]

🙏 Day one of second taper. I've got this!! 👊

I christened the day with a trip to our yummy farmers market. I love living in the Central Valley where I am surrounded by the farms that grow all this yumminess. Then a trip to Costco and Home Goods followed by a few hours of work in my home office. 

 

I know I have MANY more drops to go but I just want to say thank you to all who have held my virtual hand the last few ,months. You sweet people make all the difference in this storm. Sending y'all a big hug. Stay well friends. 

 

 

[Moonpie]

Love you Ninabird! You've got this!

[Frogie]

@Ninabird

 

Costo? Fun, we have a Sam's and I don't like it nearly as well. I love Home Goods. I think I could own that store lol... and the Farmer's Market? We have a sad one here where I live and just haven't made it to the other one in the next city over yet this season.

 

It sounds like you are doing really well.

 

You've got this! 

[Ninabird]

On 7/10/2022 at 5:52 AM, Frogie said:

t sounds like you are doing really well.

Hi Frogie,

I love going to the farmers market. I try not to miss it.

 

Today I was feeling ok. I am starting to feel a little sad, ears ringing loudly, weird mental sensation, anxiety (3) a little bit of head pain and my head feels heavy. I am on my...4th day of my second taper. So far it hasn't been awful but this afternoon I am starting to feel some symptoms. Hopefully they won't get worse and I will be able to make my 3rd drop this Sat. If not, I will hold until it calms down. Doing my best to accept that this might take a very long time. I am ok with that as long as I am able to still function and work. 

I am starting to think I may be experiencing tolerance from my .50mg of Klonopin. I can feel WD like symptoms about 1.5 hours before my scheduled dose. This isn't good. I am holding off a few days to see if it eases up. I would hate to update on the klonopin ut I don't want to go through tolerance withdrawal (not sure if that is what it's called) I have a zoom with my PNP this Friday to discuss the next drop and the klonopin. 

 

How are you doing? 

[Frogie]

@Ninabird

 

Those are normal wd symptoms. Usually you will feel them 4-7 days after a taper and then they will hopefully level off. If they don't hold a few more days before tapering again.

 

Be careful when you talk to the dr about the Klonopin because most don't know how to taper you off and they will suggest cut it in 1/2 for a week, then cut that in 1/2 for a week and stop. You need to taper Klonopin just as you do the Lexpro. 

 

I just want you to be aware of this as most dr's don't know tapering. They take you off way to fast or tell you have to be on it for life. There is no inbetween with them. You would be blessed to find one that does understand the steps you need to take.

 

Please keep me updated. Hang in there you will stabilize.

[Ninabird]

@frogie

 

That was my plan with the taper. So far the second drop  is not as tough as the first. I understand every drop could be different. I think it will take some time for me to get used to the after effects of a drop. 

 

I will be very cautious about tapering the Klonopin when the time comes.I will go very slow.  I tapered off of it several years ago and I did it on my own. It went well. Very mild symptoms.

 

I have a wonderful PNP. She is on this regularly. She told me she is learning a lot! She is 100% behind me on my slow taper of Lexapro. Next we will tackle the Cymbalta then the Klonopin. I wish I could taper the Klonopin at the same time as the Lexapro but she said it is best to do one med at a time. 

 

Have a great day!

[Frogie]

@Ninabird

 

Sounds like your NPN is learning a lot from this site. And she is behind you. You are very lucky!

 

You want to taper the Klonopin last because it is a brake and everything else is an accelerator. Accelerators go before brakes. 

 

I'm so glad you are tapering slowly and listening to your body. That is a very smart taper.

 

 

[Ninabird]

2 minutes ago, Frogie said:

You want to taper the Klonopin last because it is a brake and everything else is an accelerator

I agree ut I am afraid I will have to go up .25mg on the klonopin because I think I am experiencing tolerance withdrawals. I may have no choice. If you have ever experienced tolerance on a Benzo, it's  hell. 

[Frogie]

@Ninabird

 

I took 3-4 mg of Xanax for 20+ years. I started on 1 mg and it just kept going up and up, so yes I know exactly how you feel. It is no fun at all.

 

You could try taking it 3 times a day and see if that helps, 8 hours apart before having to increase. I hate to see anyone having to go up on a benzo.

[Ninabird]

8 minutes ago, Frogie said:

ou could try taking it 3 times a day

How would I do that on .50mg? I take.25mg at 6:30 am and the other .25mg at 6:30 in the pm. I will try anything if it keeps me from going up in dose. 

I just took 40? Klonopin to my Pharmacy to get incinerated. My RX is for 1mg a day but I take .50mg. They were starting to stack up so I took them in. No reason to have a cache.

[Greatful]

@Ninabird

I am sorry that you get to have the fun of being on several drugs and then having to worry about what is causing what.  Is it Withdrawal from the cut or inner dose withdrawal from the Klonopin.  How in the world can these doctors do this to us.

 

I am so happy to see your NPN is willing to learn about Withdrawal and hopefully the negative side of these drugs.  I would be curious what her thoughts were about all the pain that the members are going through. 

 Hopefully she can help educate her peers.   

 

Maybe she would be okay if you shared some links with her

 

 

 

You got this Ninabird.♥️

 

 

[Frogie]

2 minutes ago, Ninabird said:

How would I do that on .50mg?

You would take 0.1667 mg every 8 hours. 

 

You would have to crush and weigh them and put them in gel caps.

 

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

 

This gives you an explanation on how it can be done. I did for the 1st year or so with my Lexapro taper.

[Ninabird]

Hi sweet Grateful. She truly is a wonderful Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I have had so many AWFUL Psychiatrists and she is a breath of fresh air. I actually feel safe in her care which is priceless. 

She has commented on the amount of suffering she reads. She also has commented on how much incredibly information is on this site. She tells me over and over again how she will e with me every step of the way and how we will go slow and be very cautious about symptoms. She wants me to be able to function and live while going through this. 

 

How are you doing? 

[Ninabird]

1 minute ago, Frogie said:

You would take 0.1667 mg every 8 hours. 

Would I have withdrawal from not taking the full amount every 12 hours? 

[Ninabird]

@Frogie

OOOOOPS. I forgot to say thank you. 

[Frogie]

1 minute ago, Ninabird said:

Would I have withdrawal from not taking the full amount every 12 hours? 

You probably would not because you would be taking it 3 times a day instead of 2 times a day. You might feel a few bumps until your body got used to it, but I would guess it wouldn't be too back.

 

You are welcome😊

[Ninabird]

Hello everyone! 

Today is day 5 of my second dose drop. It hasn't been as shaky as the first drop. 

Yesterday was a decent day. I got a lot of work done. I also got a mile walk in with the dogs in the morning with 10 minutes on my stationary bike. I also squeezed in another mile in the evening with the dogs and another 10 minutes on the bike. I mowed the lawn, blew the grass clippings, spread some grass seeds on two bare spots on my lawn, watered the shrubs and roses. I raked the back yard too. I felt absolutely fine after. As a matter of fact I almost felt good. Today I walked the dogs and we went a little further...1.25 miles and I spent 10 minutes on the bike. I usually feel anxiety until 12 and today it was the same. It just felt good to feel like I could physically do more than just walking with my dogs. Before this nightmare I ran long distance. WD has stolen so much from me. I guess I want to take back my joy of being physically productive and exercising. I missssss running. I misssss lifting weights. I misssss my strong body. If I handle the physical exertion well is there any harm building my miles up or time on the bike? I'm not going to train for an ultra or anything but I sure would like to do more than I have been. 

 

Big hugs to you all. 

Ninabird

[Bestill]

@Ninabird I feel so much of what you are saying about the exercise.  My mind misses it so much but my body isn’t ready for it.  It will all come in time.  A month ago I couldn’t do so much without wanting to die after.  Today I walked 3 miles with the dog and did 25 minutes of Pilates.  I have been working in the yard and tearing up carpet and pulling staples from our stairs that I have been biting at the bits to get done for a year but couldn’t.  It will all come little by little.

 

it makes me happy that you are doing better with this next drop.  If I can offer any advice and I need to remind myself daily, is to keep slow.  Don’t keep doing so much because it may catch up to you.  Speaking from experience.  You know your body.  Hope your good days continue.

 

bestill ❤️

[Ninabird]

Hi @Bestill

 

I love to hear that you are doing Pilates and walking. Stretching is something I do every day. I am naturally on the go. I am always doing something. WD has me in a lower gear. I will be very careful and listen to my body.

I do my third drop this Saturday if all goes well. 

 

It is so good to hear from you! Are you renovating your home? In a former life I was a contractor.  

 

[Bestill]

Before Covid hit we re did all of the flooring in our house but the stairs.  We weren’t sure on what we wanted to do.  Then Covid hit and it became an art project for the kids.  Each stair case became a master piece and kept the kids busy.  Then it just never got done and I got sick and it’s just been staring at me.  It’s a great conversation piece when friend stop by but it’s time.

 

 

[Ninabird]

Boy oh boy....My mind does not want to focus on work. We are having a battle between the both of us. I am forcing myself to focus on work. Ears are ringing loudly today too. I have some mild burning in my head. I love tapering its so much friggin' fun. 😡

Let's see, lets add something positive before I log out and get back to work. I had a nice 1 mile walk with the dogs today. I had a delicious bowl of steel cut oats for breakfast. I am still functioning. Third drop this Saturday. I will be so excited to say "I am down to 9.25mg!!!" A little less junk in my system. Yipee!!!

[Moonpie]

You are making progress! Still working, able to eat, take care of your home and animals, be sociable and excise.  While uncomfortable your symptoms are not interfering with functioning! All positives!  You are doing great!

[Ninabird]

1 hour ago, Moonpie said:

You are doing great!

BIIIIIG hugs to you my sweet @Moonpie

[Ninabird]

Happy Sunday everyone. Yesterday I did my third drop. O am now down to 9.26mg of Effexor from 10mg. Yesterday was a really uncomfortable day. I can handle the ringing in my ears. It is the mental part that is so flipping uncomfortable and scary. I had a touch of Dp, light rush-like anxiety symptoms all day, hard to concentrate, sometimes my words get jumbled, I felt sad intermittently, very blah throughout the day. 

I know most say that your body doesn't recognize the drop for 3 to 4 days after but has anyone noticed an immediate reaction the first day? 

 

NOTE: I did have to go to the dentist on Friday. I broke a part of my molar on Thursday. Luckily they can save the tooth. I had all of the presswork done on Friday and the temporary crown put on. I was wondering if the stress of the dentist could have caused the rough day on Saturday. Aside from anxiety over the dentist I felt fine on Friday. 

 

I hope and pray that you all have a peacoefilled day mixed in with some delicious belly laughs. 

 

Love and much respect,

Nina Bird

[brassmonkey]

The body usually takes 3-4 days to stabilize after a reduction, and that is when many people will start to see a difference. But it is not uncommon for people to feel a dose change in a matter of hours. It can vary from reduction to reduction and can be anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks.

[Ninabird]

@brassmonkey

Thank you for responding. Today I feel like I am all over the place. Fine one minute, the next anxiety, then it goes away and I feel sad then its head pressure and headman. Making an hourly attempt at staying positive. This whole process sucks. I absolutely hate that there are moments when I question how I will get through this taper. I have so far to go. But I remind myself to take one small bite at a time. 

I long for the day where a drop in dose won't feel like I got mule kicked in the head.

 

[Ninabird]

I’m having a pretty tough day. Anxiety woke me an hour earlier than normal. I’m feeling very jittery, anxiety high (7) ears ringing, fidgety, head pain and sadness. I’m on my third day of my third decrease. I’m starting to wonder if 2.5% is too big of a dose drop for me or if the third week is the toughest out of the 6? Sorry guys I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on w me. I know many of you have read similar posts over and over. I’m just scared. I have so far to go and if this is how I feel at the beginning I need to rally my brain into accepting that this hell will be our new normal for a while. 
That last sentence brought me to tears. 

[Greatful]

@Ninabird I'm there with you.  All  we can do is hang on to the day and make it to our pillow at night.  You have been doing cuts so you are bound to hit some upticks in your symptoms.  I know, I know it doesn't seem to matter if we just had some better days, the memory of them goes back in the far recess in our brain, and we go  into the abyss of fear again.  Try and not get caught up in the thoughts they will only get negative and can bring on a spiral of panic.  

Take a deep breath and know that you are really okay right now. It's just your thoughts that make you think otherwise.   Mantra for today,  " I am okay right now" 

♥️