Ninabird: Effexor withdrawal?

[Ninabird]

4 hours ago, Shep said:

 

If you had the anxiety before adding in the extra benzo, than it's likely not tolerance. If it were tolerance, adding in the extra benzo would have decreased your symptoms. 

Frogie said the same thing. 😊

[Ninabird]

@Shep

Any sage advice on how to calm my system? On how to get through this increase of symptoms? I’ve had really great support from wonderful friends on this site. They are a blessing. You’ve helped so many and been through this storm yourself, I was just curious if you had suggestions that could help me make it through this? ❤️🙏🏻

Nina

[Ninabird]

Do you recommend resistance training or light cardio? 

[Ninabird]

6 hours ago, Shep said:

grabbed this from your signature. This likely has more to do with the upticks in anxiety you've had since the first of the year.

Prozac was tapered in July of 2021 I was then put on Lexapro in August of 2021 I started at 10 mg and went up to 25mg ( all hell started to break loose in January of 2022.) Fast tapered down to 10mg in 6 weeks in February 2022. Dr added 30? Mg of Effexor in February for 4 or 6 weeks then had me switch over to 30mg of Cymbalta. 
No other changes were made for over 4 months when I started to resume my taper in June/July of 2022. I did the BMS which proved to be too much ( and I tried the liquid Lex and had a bad time w it) and had to hold again for a month or two. 
Added the afternoon Klonopin in January of 2023. 
Tolerated 7 drops of .001mgpw every 5-6 days. On the 6th drop I added vitamin d w K and within a week I’m not sure if that’s what threw me in a wave or if a wave was inevitable. I was in a horrific wave for nearly 9 days. Since then it seems my symptoms are ramped up 10 fold. Some days are easier than others. The 2 hours before I take my evening Klonopin are absolute misery. I’m thankful it’s not every night but I’d say 4 out of the 7? On a good week. 
 

Im sorry for the date confusion. My memory and my ability to detail my drug history is blurry. 

I hope you are well! 🌼🌻🌺🌸

Nina

[brassmonkey]

Would you please add your supplement history to your signature. It looks like there may be some interaction. All those changes would indicate a good long hod is in order to let things stabilize. It will be a rocky boat while it is going on, but it will happen.

[Shep]

20 hours ago, Ninabird said:

Thank you so much, Shep for responding. I appreciate it so much. In your opinion, how long should I hold? 
♥️Nina

 

Here is a good guide on when it's safe to taper, referred to as Withdrawal Normal: 

 

Withdrawal Normal

 

20 hours ago, Ninabird said:

Is hypersensitivity and kindling permanent? Will my system eventually calm down? Will I eventually be able to resume my tapering?

 

No, it's not permanent. You may want to check out information on neuroplasticity:  

 

Neuroplasticity video (2 minutes)

 

Healing from antidepressants. How to speed up the recovery process video (5 minutes)

 

And just like there are positives to neuroplasticity, be careful of going into spirals of catastrophic thinking, as that can also re-wire the brain. 

 

Norman Doidge - The Dark Side of Neuroplasticity video (2 minutes)

 

Some ways of not going down the dark side of neuroplasticity:

 

Dealing With Emotional Spirals

 

"Change the channel" -- dealing with cognitive symptoms

 

20 hours ago, Ninabird said:

Any sage advice on how to calm my system?

 

Your thread is 20 pages long. You may want to re-read it so we're not duplicating what's already here. 

 

20 hours ago, Ninabird said:

Do you recommend resistance training or light cardio? 

 

Please use the search feature. You can find threads on many things yourself without having to wait for a moderator to respond. 

 

How to Do a Site Search on Surviving Antidepressants

 

Part of our recovery involves being able to take charge of our own health and become a good advocate for ourselves. Learning to research is a part of that process. 

 

 

[Ninabird]

4 hours ago, Shep said:

 

Here is a good guide on when it's safe to taper, referred to as Withdrawal Normal: 

 

Withdrawal Normal

 

 

No, it's not permanent. You may want to check out information on neuroplasticity:  

 

Neuroplasticity video (2 minutes)

 

Healing from antidepressants. How to speed up the recovery process video (5 minutes)

 

And just like there are positives to neuroplasticity, be careful of going into spirals of catastrophic thinking, as that can also re-wire the brain. 

 

Norman Doidge - The Dark Side of Neuroplasticity video (2 minutes)

 

Some ways of not going down the dark side of neuroplasticity:

 

Dealing With Emotional Spirals

 

"Change the channel" -- dealing with cognitive symptoms

 

 

Your thread is 20 pages long. You may want to re-read it so we're not duplicating what's already here. 

 

 

Please use the search feature. You can find threads on many things yourself without having to wait for a moderator to respond. 

 

How to Do a Site Search on Surviving Antidepressants

 

Part of our recovery involves being able to take charge of our own health and become a good advocate for ourselves. Learning to research is a part of that process. 

 

 

Thank you, Shep

 

I will be reading the articles you attached. I appreciate your time. 
 

Nina

[LotusRising]

On 5/6/2023 at 8:19 AM, Ninabird said:

Do you recommend resistance training or light cardio? 

Unfortunately, the only way to know if your body will tolerate it, is to actually do it. Sucks, I know. Personally, I started off very slowly and was able to progress to weights and walking, but then started getting a LOT more fatigue. I've slowed right down to walking only again. If exercise is making symptoms worse, or you're not feeling energized by it, it's probably likely you need to back off. Do you currently have a routine?

[Ninabird]

1 hour ago, MedRN said:

ff. Do you currently have a routine?

Hi medrn, 

Right now I walk my dog a mile everyday. 
I used to be a gym rat before ADWD. 

[Ninabird]

20 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

 

Would you please add your supplement history to your signature. It looks like there may be some interaction

 

Yes,sir. 

[Ninabird]

20 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

. All those changes would indicate a good long hod is in order to let things stabilize. It will be a rocky boat while it is going on, but it will happen.

I’ll hold. Thank you, Brassmonkey. 

[Ninabird]

9 hours ago, Shep said:

Part of our recovery involves being able to take charge of our own health and become a good advocate for ourselves. Learning to research is a part of that process. 

I have done quite a bit of research in the site. Sometimes it’s challenging to find exactly what I’m looking for but I’ll keep at it. Thank you for your help, Shep. 
 

🌺🌸

[LotusRising]

3 hours ago, Ninabird said:

Right now I walk my dog a mile everyday. 
I used to be a gym rat before ADWD. 

Awesome. You'll be a gym rat again  It's just slow going getting back there. 

[Ninabird]

19 minutes ago, MedRN said:

Awesome. You'll be a gym rat again  It's just slow going getting back there. 

I’m going to start using my weighted body bars at home at first. See how I do. 
You are so sweet Medrn. 🌹

[Ninabird]

Having some really rough days. The emotional symptoms are proving to be truly challenging. I have to fight the urge to fall apart and cry daily. Yesterday I succeeded in not giving in to the strong desire to fall into a ball and weep. I have this strong anxiety buzz that is with me daily. It feels like a pressure cooker. Like at any moment it will explode. I busy myself w work or if I can’t focus on work, I’ll take a break and pick up things around the house. Nausea is a new symptom that started two weeks ago. It will usually last from morning to late afternoon. 
I fully understand that now that I’m holding my taper it will take a while to stabilise. Can anyone answer if the entire time I’m waiting will it feel like hell the whole time? 
I do research quite a bit on this site. It’s a great site and full of priceless information but to read others horror stories in the feeds while researching is so triggering. 
 

On a good note. I walked my dog yesterday and it was s beautiful day. She also got a good brushing. We sat outside and took in the beauty of the Spring day. I worked a bit too. 
 

I am blessed that I can still push through some really rough days and get some things accomplished work wise. It’s so important that I’m able to still work. I also work hard not to get to down on what I’m feeling inside all of the time. 
 

Sending ea and everyone of you heartfelt prayers of peace and love. 
 

Nina. 

[Ninabird]

I had to learn the hard way…. AGAIN. I ate 3 squares of dark chocolate last night and oh my goodness…. symptoms went “ 💥 !”

All day long I felt anxiety at a 10. Only now is it starting to calm down. I literally feel like every muscle in my body is in a knot. 
 

Did y’all know that dark chocolate has more caffeine than milk chocolate!? 😱

 

wishing you all a peaceful night. 

[guile2]

44 minutes ago, Ninabird said:

I had to learn the hard way…. AGAIN. I ate 3 squares of dark chocolate last night and oh my goodness…. symptoms went “ 💥 !”

All day long I felt anxiety at a 10. Only now is it starting to calm down. I literally feel like every muscle in my body is in a knot. 
 

Did y’all know that dark chocolate has more caffeine than milk chocolate!? 😱

 

wishing you all a peaceful night. 

Ive been having success with organic tulsi original tea from organic india on amazon for some slight med related anxiety relief. Its a noncaffeinated herbal tea. My new med injection(invega) gives me some anxiety. The tulsi tea also causes me a little tiredness and some slight confusion though that dissipates after about 2 hours. 

[Greatful]

@Ninabird   I can so relate to your struggles...I often get times of being overwhelmed, tense and feel like I am going to lose it, go crazy, I can't even run to escape it, giving into the need to cry is okay...Don't feel belittled by crying...It lets out the emotions and some tension.....Cry Cry Cry it's okay.....I go through horrible nausea from time to time...I think it mostly corresponds to when I cut.....The biggest, but yet the hardest thing to do is trust that this will pass and  to ride the symptoms.....I know how hard that is to do when you are in the middle of it, all thought's, reason go out the window.  It is so easy to  think this is the new me, I damaged my brain and I will never heal from this,  but we must trust that we can and will heal from this...Every second of everyday we are moving ever so so slowly to healing... There are many that have made this journey off of drugs and are living a full life.  

 

I can so relate to the trigging that happens when we read threads....It can come at us in all forms, sometimes in jealousy to someone healing faster, or anger at all the pain, confusion, fear we go through without much support from the outside world.... such a lonely time in our lives, the frustration that comes from reading the new into's and how the story can repeat it's self over and over again....When will the medical field accept that this happens and how much these drugs affect and change our brains and body,  how deflating this is can feel like when we read how much pain our withdrawal friends are in and how long this can go on.... how much it reflects our own pain.....Sometimes it is then time to take a break from SA and try to go about life as best as we can...Remember we are here for you when you need us.

 

Try to look for any improvement, small though it might be, it is there....Focus on what you can do for that day and moment in time... I find that what helps me through the day can change from day to day.....Take each day one at a time......You are doing a great job trying to stay positive and focused on getting through each day....Working can be a good distraction but also can be hard when you are not functioning very good.. Wow what accomplishment,  recognize each and everything that you were able to do...Everything big or small is a victory, another day of healing has taken place....

 

I find that organic Lavender essential oils help me with anxiety and panic...I rub it straight on my wrist....

 

That's enough of my babbling, I hope it makes even a little bit of sense and gives you a some  encouragement.....

[Ninabird]

I

[Ninabird]

@Greatful

You are so sweet, greatful. 
This process is a nightmare to say the least. 
Today is a new day and I pray that we all get some relief from our symptoms and are able to see the beauty in each moment. 
 

🙏🏻♥️🌺❤️

Nina

[benesh]

Hello @Greatful and @Ninabird,

Great words back and forth. I can not thank you enough Ninabird for your regular checkins. You are not alone.

I am on the sidelines watching and praying.

And dear dear Greatful what words of hope and comfort. Spoke to my weary heart. A loud sigh of relief. 

We decided to get a dog. Plan was of course pretaper, when we moved here, settled in a bit then we would find our furbaby. 3 Years later with isolation of  pandemic and  of tapering, we agreed time to say yes. So last Saturday we brought home our mini labradoodle. 
My sleep has been negatively impacted, need less to say tears and yukky thoughts are having a heyday.

I am taking to mind/ heart be gentle and make room for this adjustment. Easy does it.Present focus. Breathe.

so glad I read this thread today. 
Finally feeling encouraged!

Blessings and love,

Benesh

 

[Ninabird]

@benesh

Sweet Benesh, always so glad when you pop by. 
A new puppy is a big adjustment for anyone! I pray that you all transition well and that you enjoy all the puppy kisses. I’m so happy for you! 
How have you been? Thank you for bringing a smile to my face today. 
 

🌹🌺🌸
Nina
 

[Ninabird]

@Altostrata

What you have created here is a life line for many. You have created, hope, support, knowledge, community and compassion here. Your pain brought about a website that has helped thousands. What a legacy to leave behind you. 
Much respect to you, Alto. MUCH. 

[Greatful]

@Ninabird @benesh  
 this sure is not easy.  I can almost bet it can  bring any one to their knees....

Sadly my dog passed away  in March.  Right now we are doing doggie daycare for my son and his wife's dog until next Tuesday.  So I get a little bit of doggie love.  Brought her to a dog park today.  One day we may get another dog..

Hang in there girls. One day at a time🌞 

[Altostrata]

Thanks, @Ninabird!

[Ninabird]

🥰 It’s so nice when symptoms ease up! Yesterday from 2- bedtime my symptoms eased up by 50%! When I was at my desk, I leaned back in my chair, smiled and thanked God for mercy. When I took my dog for a walk, I nearly cried because I could see more clear, I could enjoy watching the trees sway in the breeze and not to mention the smell of Spring in the air. 
Later in the evening I sat outside and took it all in. The cool air, the sounds, the ripples on the pool surface. Going through ADWD makes me acutely aware of how I haven taken so much for granted. 
Right now, life may hurt but one day, it won’t any longer. Until then I will make every attempt to enjoy life and all that it entails. 

[Ninabird]

After a day of heavy symptoms I was dreading going to dinner my w boyfriend. I wasn’t feeling up to going. Anxiety was doing its little number on me and I couldn’t tell which way it was heading so, I went. I had a fantastic time. We laughed and talked all through dinner then shopping after. I got flowers from him for Mother’s Day which I thought was very thoughtful. I would have missed an entire night of having fun if I gave into my feelings. I still had anxiety but I had it while living life. I’m so glad I went. 🌺🌸

I know there will days that will stop me in my tacks but I’m still going to do my best to keep living and not hiding away on my bad days. 
I pray you all sleep well and have a great Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there. 
A lot of love. Be well, 

Nina
 

[Ninabird]

Woah! Woke to a pretty intense wave on steroids. I put on my big girl pants and took my dog for her walk, started a load of laundry and headed for church. It’s been a loooong time since I clock watched the entire service because I felt so awful. 
It helped crying to my beautiful friend in Texas. It helped to cry some. When waves hit like this, I’ll admit it scares me and makes me feel like I’m getting worse. I’m exhausted over trying to figure out what could have possibly thrown me into such a gnarly wave. When you have had so many drug changes and are still on two other drugs, it gets my mind spinning. 
spinning is NOT a good thing. So like the farmer in the movie Babe, I repeat to myself, “That’ll do pig, that’ll do!” If you’ve seen the beloved children’s movie, you’ll get the meaning. 🤪
I know this will pass. The waves always pass. ⏰They always feel like it’s the worst one yet. 
Today I’m going to get out and get a second dose of church. Spend time around people who are smiling and joy filled. Maybe later I’ll make a fruit salad with some mint and grab a book and read for an hour or two. When it cools off ( it’s in the 90’s!) I’ll hopefully be feeling better and will go for a long walk by myself and give thanks for getting through another day. 
 

Wishing you all big hugs, genuine smiles and an easy ADWD day. 
 

Be well, 

Nina-Chrissy

 

[Ninabird]

Need some help, please. 
@shep @brassmonkey

Boy oh boy, the last week has been pretty intense in re to symptoms. It’s even hard to tell you exactly what I’m feeling. If I had to describe it, I feel like there is this deep emotional intensity that feels like sadness, anxiety, confusion, lack of motivation. A few times a day I feel like I’ll emotionally buckle. It so intense. 
I do push through my day but this last week I feel like it’s a different kind of pushing?! 
I am currently holding on tapering. I think I’m on day 14. I understand that stabilisation will take some time. I welcome the time in order to feel better. My questions are is it typical to feel worse when stabilising? Should I be concerned over how I’m feeling? As time goes by, will I start to feel better in some way? 
Shep and BM, I do have moments in my day where I feel less intensity. Yesterday, for example was absolutely awful until around 2pm. Then the rest of the day was much better. I didn’t even have the craving for my 6:30pm Klonopin that I usually have. I have hope that I won’t get worse and that I will indeed be able to resume my taper at some point and I’ll one day be off of these meds. 
Shep, I try not to do too much reading on here. I ask very specific questions and stick to reading that post. Too much reading of some feeds is very triggering. But I wanted you to know that I am listening to you about taking charge of my own care by doing the research. 
I am trying to post positively most times because I want to focus more on the good times than the bad. This morning just has me thrown for a loop. 
Thank you both so very much for taking the time to read my post. 
 

Nina 🌺🌸

[Greatful]

@Ninabird Hang in there Ninabird.  You are doing a great job trying to your way out of this....Sadly this is a moving target....Up and down all the time....What all are you doing to support yourself besides pushing yourself to do things?

Remember to be kind to yourself.  Is your boyfriend supportive?  

You are stronger then you think.

🌞

 

[Ninabird]

9 minutes ago, Greatful said:

Sadly this is a moving target....Up and down all the time..

This is new, the intensity of wanting to just scream and cry because of the sensations. 

[Ninabird]

9 minutes ago, Greatful said:

Is your boyfriend supportive? 

Our relationship is 6 months new. I share with him. He hasn't gone through this so he really doesn't understand. I now share more with my therapist, my PNP and a few supportive friends. 

[Ninabird]

11 minutes ago, Greatful said:

What all are you doing to support yourself besides pushing yourself to do things

Mainly throw myself into work. It is hard to right now with the way I am feeling but I force myself to get some work done daily. I walk my dog once a day. I try to journal. I pray a lot. 

[Ninabird]

16 minutes ago, Greatful said:

Sadly this is a moving target....Up and down all the time.

Chloe tells me that it is just WD. What I am confused over is why is it feeling like the symptoms are getting so much worse. The mornings and early afternoon are really awful right now. I am holding my taper in order to hopefully stabilize. I understand it might take a while but like I said, it seems like the symptoms are getting much worse. Is this all part of stabilizing? 

[Greatful]

@Ninabird  I wish I could say what is what. But no one really can... It's a wait and see how things go without a change for a few weeks....I know how hard and scary the waiting is....The days are long when it goes on and on.  Remember Ninabird you just talked about some good times on Friday and Saturday.....Sounds like some windows and waves maybe?   Can you look back on your thread and see if you had some of these symptoms before that maybe went away and are coming back again.

 

I breezed through your into again....You sure have gone through a lot....MY heart goes out to you....So much drug jumping and now you are poly drugged and still trying to get through it....Man I hate these drugs....

I see you were on Trazadone too.  How long were you on it?  Doctors do not seem to understand that starting and stopping drugs can worsen things....Makes me angry...Dig down deep Ninabird, focus and you will find your way out of this mess.

 

It sounds like you are doing what you can with physical activity....Molly (my therapist) told me  to ask yourself what can I do today....ie take shower, make lunch, put some laundry going....For you it's been doing some work, walking your dog. Be proud of these accomplishments...

 

Do you meditate?  Molly gently pushed me back into it.....I started one called Love All Your Parts.... It's one from the Mindful Movement  on you tube  https://youtu.be/XroRbeeeQQI This one helps me recognize kindness/love  towards myself....They have a ton that might be helpful if your interested....

 

Hugs and encouragement🤗🌞

 

 

 

[Ninabird]

6 minutes ago, Greatful said:

e poly drugged

What is poly drugged?