Ninabird: Effexor withdrawal?

[Ninabird]

9 minutes ago, Ariel said:

 

At the same time, you are working with a PNP whom you trust. It sounds like the PNP's recommendation to date differs from what the SA moderators would suggest.

We had a care plan before Altostratas recommendation. My PNP has been on sabbatical for three weeks. I meet w her today to talk about what Alto suggests and to  decide what to do. It is a huge decision. I respect the mods tremendously. I would not be on this site if I didn’t trust them. My PNP is also on this site and is open to SA suggestions. 

[Ninabird]

14 minutes ago, Ariel said:

Deciding to hold and to not make any further decisions for the time being is also a very important decision one might make. I wonder whether deciding to hold and temporarily hold off on further decisions might be like a little vacation for your mind right now. It can be really exhausting to keep thinking and thinking and thinking about What To Do. What would it feel like to say, I'm going to give myself X amount of time to not think about What To Do and to Not Make Any New Decisions  -- ? I don't know about you but for me, even just typing that I feel relieved!

It is a big decision to make but that is why I came to this site. The combined knowledge and experience was paramount to me. I am not dismissing Altos advice. Her advice sounds well thought out and makes sense to me. That’s why I was taken aback by the last post from her. I understand that many have gone against their advice and have gotten worse only to come back and promise to finally take their advice…. This wasn’t the case. 
 

You are so kind to take the time to post your thoughtful letter to me. I hope you are doing well @Ariel Congratulations on your new mod status. It’s well deserved. Your compassion and thoughtfulness for what others are going through is a blessing to read. 
 

NB 🌺

[Ariel]

@Ninabird

On a personal note, my major ongoing PAWS is due to going off of Lexapro incorrectly. That drug is a BEAST. I cannot warn people enough. 

Knowing what I know today I would tiptoe around that thing and hold as long as humanly possible before even thinking about an attempt to resume a world-record slow taper. Frankly I wish escitalopram were taken off the market; it's not safe, especially not as prescribed. 

Please be careful. <3

[Ninabird]

27 minutes ago, Ariel said:

@Ninabird

On a personal note, my major ongoing PAWS is due to going off of Lexapro incorrectly. That drug is a BEAST. I cannot warn people enough. 

Knowing what I know today I would tiptoe around that thing and hold as long as humanly possible before even thinking about an attempt to resume a world-record slow taper. Frankly I wish escitalopram were taken off the market; it's not safe, especially not as prescribed. 

Please be careful. ❤️

PAWS must be absolutely horrid. I can’t even imagine. 
Spoke w my PNP. We are going with Altostrata suggestion to wean down to 20mg of Duoloxetine. Hold for a while then slowly taper the Lexapro. ALL antidepressants are BEASTS. I have found Effexor to be the king of the beasts. 
Wishing you peace and strength through your PAWS. Stay well. 🌺🙏🏻❤️

[Ariel]

Thank you for the kind wishes @Ninabird

Good luck with the wean, wishing you a gentle taper <3

[Ninabird]

I’ll do great! 🙏🏻🥰🌺❤️

[Altostrata]

We do not provide free peer support to enable a drug switch -- that's what you pay your prescriber for.

[Ninabird]

12 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

We do not provide free peer support to enable a drug switch -- that's what you pay your prescriber for.

What are you talking about? I have done no such thing. I am offended by your accusation. 
 

I am trying to to get off AD’s and the Benzo. How am I looking to you ma’am to do a “drug switch?!” I’m looking for help w WD and how to safely taper off of my AD’s. Are you upset because I conferred with my PNP about your suggestion to lower the dose of Duoloxetine? Why wouldn’t I follow up with her? She has to write my scripts. That is how I got myself into WD in the first place… by not asking questions. I did nothing wrong. NOTHING. 

 

I appreciate your help. Thank you for your time. 
 

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

Although I explained it numerous times, you refused to understand you were also have an adverse reaction to Cymbalta and resisted decreasing it because you intended to continue it. I object to my time being exploited for this purpose.

 

I have contributed all that I will to this conversation.

[Ninabird]

20 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Although I explained it numerous times, you refused to understand you were also have an adverse reaction to Cymbalta and resisted decreasing it because you intended to continue it. I object to my time being exploited for this purpose.

 

I have contributed all that I will to this conversation.

With all due respect. You are wrong. Some answers to your questions came after other posts. I never said I wouldn’t decrease Duoloxetine.I never refused to acknowledge that I was having adverse reaction to Duoloxetine. You said to decrease to 20mg then go and start the Lex taper. That is my plan. 
I mentioned that the original plan at the time was to start w Lexapro, then Klonopin then Duoloxetine. 
It was a simple misunderstanding.
 

[Ninabird]

@getofflex

@Shep I made a big error today. Just when I was stabilising I took my Duoloxetine at 11 instead of 12. Did I just set myself back???? 

[getofflex]

I don't think so.  One hour, for one day, won't make much of a difference.  

[Ninabird]

2 minutes ago, getofflex said:

I don't think so.  One hour, for one day, won't make much of a difference.  

Thank you getofflex. 

[Ninabird]

I am thankful for the last 4 days of feeling much better. I started lowering my dose of Cymbalta last week. I’m slowly removing a bead at a time. Seeking additional support and guidance from Cymbalta Hurts More ( which Altostrata suggested) this is going to take quite a long time to go from 30 to 20mg but slow and steady are preferred over fast and painful. 
Today I feel like I have a mild headache, my eyes are pink and tired, anxiety is a 3 and I’m a little weepy. Safe to say I’m back in a wave. 
ih well… the window was bliss while it lasted. 

[Greatful]

@Ninabird

Way to go, get off these nasty drugs...See the Your Drug Might Be Your Problem.

That book really can motivate in getting off the drugs..

Are you taking 1 bead out day?  Just like me I am cutting .02ml a day of my Lexapro to get to my 10% cut. Sadly we still have to go through some WD with it, but if the drugs are half the problem hopefully  half of your WD/symptoms  will diminish as you go down.  Does that make sense LOL 

less adr affect but still WD 😒

 

One day at a time, you can get through this♥️

[dantesjourney]

@Ninabird

I am sorry for the way It started your week; in my expirience monday are always bad.

A base mondate, It Is not necessarely the beginning of a wave.

D

[Ninabird]

On 6/10/2022 at 2:23 PM, getofflex said:

I don't think so.  One hour, for one day, won't make much of a difference.  

Thank you getofflex. 

[Ninabird]

@Shep @brassmonkey @getofflex @Frogie

 

Hi everyone. I spoke w admin on Cymbalta hurts more. They feel that I should resume tapering off of Lexapro first and not Cymbalta. They feel the Cym could be helping w the Effexor CT & to taper Cym after  the Lex has been out of my system for a few months. When I’m done with the Cym then I’ll tackle the Klonopin. 
 

I’ll be chatting w my PNP to fill her in as she is very supportive. 
 

How should I start the taper? I tried liquid a few weeks ago and had a bad reaction. I didn’t do a slow transition though. I went directly to liquid. I don’t know if I’m ready to risk the same reaction even if I go slow as it took over two weeks to stabilise and was miserable  every moment. 
 

I have a scale. I can make my own liquid but I will need help as I’m not very good at math at all. Especially not the way my mind is right now. 
 

Thank you for any help you can provide. 🌺❤️🌺🙏🏻🌺🙏🏻🌺🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻🌺

 

Ninabird

[brassmonkey]

Because of the large reduction earlier this year and the number of drug changes in the past six months I would hold where you are for another few weeks just to get good and stable. then I would suggest a standard Brassmonkey Slide for the taper using the dry cutting method. That would be 2.5% a week for 4 weeks and an additional 2 week hold. We have been getting very good results with this. 

 

How is the 10mgai Lex delivered? One Pill?

We will need to know the average weight of 10 pills and the strength as listed on the package. From there we can calculate the doses and reductions. The math is quite simple, and we can walk you through it.

 

Also, you will be needing a bunch of Size "0" or Size "1" gel caps.

[Ninabird]

56 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

 

How is the 10mgai Lex delivered?

I take pill form. 

[Ninabird]

57 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

Because of the large reduction earlier this year and the number of drug changes in the past six months I would hold where you are for another few weeks just to get good and stable.

Ok. I can do that. 

[Ninabird]

58 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

Brassmonkey Slide for the taper

Thst was my plan. It sounds much more gentle than 10% at once. What a great method. And many are able to tolerate the drops?! Great to hear. 

[Ninabird]

59 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

e will need to know the average weight of 10 pills and the strength as listed on the package.

Ok. I’ll weigh them shortly. 
I’ll order the capsules as well. Any suggestions as to what brand or are any fine?

 

Is making my own liquid an option? I’m open to that if it’s more precise?

[Ninabird]

@Shep @brassmonkey @getofflex @Frogie

 

Hi everyone. I spoke w admin on Cymbalta hurts more. They feel that I should resume tapering off of Lexapro first and not Cymbalta. They feel the Cym could be helping w the Effexor CT & to taper Cym after  the Lex has been out of my system for a few months. When I’m done with the Cym then I’ll tackle the Klonopin. 
 

I’ll be chatting w my PNP to fill her in as she is very supportive. 
 

How should I start the taper? I tried liquid a few weeks ago and had a bad reaction. I didn’t do a slow transition though. I went directly to liquid. I don’t know if I’m ready to risk the same reaction even if I go slow as it took over two weeks to stabilise and was miserable  every moment. 
 

I have a scale. I can make my own liquid but I will need help as I’m not very good at math at all. Especially not the way my mind is right now. 
 

Thank you for any help you can provide. 🌺❤️🌺🙏🏻🌺🙏🏻🌺🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻🌺

 

Ninabird

[Ninabird]

I’m having a tough day today. I finally broke down and have been crying. So much pain over the last year plus. It’s non-stop. Some days are easier than others but for the most part constant emotional and physical pain. No one knows when or if it will get easier. I still have to resume the Lexapro taper then Cymbalta then Klonopin. I wonder how on earth will I get through all of these? Feeling incredibly overwhelmed right now. 

[brassmonkey]

Making your own liquid could work well, we have directions elsewhere on the site. You just have to be sure to use isotonic saline instead of water. However, you just had a bad reaction to the commercial liquid, so it probably isn't the best way to go.

 

Using a liquid can be more accurate, but unless you are super sensitive to changes it won't matter until you get to the Endgame taper, and we can handle that when the time comes.

 

Any brand of gel caps will do. I just use the least expensive ones from Amazon.

 

Having a good cry is very helpful when the body is stressed, especially during ADWD. It can be a very long, frustrating and uncomfortable time and a good cry will help rebalance things. We can't really say when things will be all better, but from working with thousands of people I can defiantly say it will happen. Almost always, once the taper is established, some improvement will be seen every few months. 

[Greatful]

@Ninabird My heart goes out to you.  This is a very hard thing you are going through.  Cry cry cry let the emotions out. (my hubby encourages me to cry)

There is some release in it.  Let your self feel everything you are feeling. It's okay.

You have done a remarkable job getting this far. You show great courage. Be proud and acknowledge that have set a goal/course for yourself and are taking the steps to succeed.  

 

 You sound like me.  Looking at my drug problem 4 of them and I get

discouraged.😓

So let's just focus on getting off the Lexapro.  Reframe our thinking...who knows we might feel better and better as we get off the drugs...

 

Remember you are not alone...I know it sure feels like it sometimes.  We are here for you.♥️

 

 

 

 

[LotusRising]

@Ninabird

 

So sorry you're having such a rough day today.

 

I've been in a particularly bad wave of symptoms and find crying to be a great way to release the emotions that get stuck inside, so I say cry away! Sometimes it's about getting through the day, but other times, it's getting through each minute and each hour of the day. 

 

The physical and mental pain can be tough to cope with, but you CAN do it and you will find the strength.

 

As brassmonkey mentioned, improvements will come. Hang in there 💕

 

 

[Chlo]

1 hour ago, Ninabird said:

@Shep @brassmonkey @getofflex @Frogie

 

Hi everyone. I spoke w admin on Cymbalta hurts more. They feel that I should resume tapering off of Lexapro first and not Cymbalta. They feel the Cym could be helping w the Effexor CT & to taper Cym after  the Lex has been out of my system for a few months. When I’m done with the Cym then I’ll tackle the Klonopin. 
 

I’ll be chatting w my PNP to fill her in as she is very supportive. 
 

How should I start the taper? I tried liquid a few weeks ago and had a bad reaction. I didn’t do a slow transition though. I went directly to liquid. I don’t know if I’m ready to risk the same reaction even if I go slow as it took over two weeks to stabilise and was miserable  every moment. 
 

I have a scale. I can make my own liquid but I will need help as I’m not very good at math at all. Especially not the way my mind is right now. 
 

Thank you for any help you can provide. 🌺❤️🌺🙏🏻🌺🙏🏻🌺🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻🌺

 

Ninabird

I love you sweetheart, you've got this!! Your always encouraging me and I look up to you for this. Tell John to step up his support game today. I am praying for strength, courage, and peace cover you. The more we think about a decision or next step we need to take, the anxiety rears its ugly head, but we have the authority to kick its a$$ and stomp it into the ground. Cry out and scream if you need to. A good cry always helps release those endorphins. 

We are all in this boat together and we will not let eachother sink, we are eachothers life preservers....most of all the big man upstairs will uphold you with his mighty right hand. 

*Big tight hugs*

Video chat me when u feel up to it ❤️

[Ninabird]

1 hour ago, brassmonkey said:

Making your own liquid could work well, we have directions elsewhere on the site. You just have to be sure to use isotonic saline instead of water. However, you just had a bad reaction to the commercial liquid, so it probably isn't the best way to go.

 

Using a liquid can be more accurate, but unless you are super sensitive to changes it won't matter until you get to the Endgame taper, and we can handle that when the time comes.

 

Any brand of gel caps will do. I just use the least expensive ones from Amazon.

 

Having a good cry is very helpful when the body is stressed, especially during ADWD. It can be a very long, frustrating and uncomfortable time and a good cry will help rebalance things. We can't really say when things will be all better, but from working with thousands of people I can defiantly say it will happen. Almost always, once the taper is established, some improvement will be seen every few months. 

Ok, I’m going to TRY not to cry while tying this. Darn blurry vision from WD is hard enough to see without eyes full of tears. 🤪

I agree w you on the staying on the pill form. Liquid was a beast and I’d like to keep this as steady as possible. I bought a pill crusher, veggie capsules and I have 3 scales already. 
 

Thank you for the pep talk. I have been toughing it out and pushing through some really brutal days. When I fell and went through 4 months of agonising sciatica pain ( no pain pills were ever taken, even after my surgery) I still pushed through. Today I made the mistake of looking at the mountain ahead and fell apart at the reality of it all. I try so hard not to tally up my hurts if the last few years. When I have done that in the past it kicks me in the ass and I melt into a pity pile of tears and the “why me?!” I now chalk my past up to it just being life. Today was different. It’s like there was a part of me inside weeping and I gave in. I’m listening to you and will allow myself to cry instead of fighting it off.

Reading your comment on how improvements will be felt once the taper is established gives me hope. When a person is going through this awful time, HOPE is a glimmering beacon that sees us through some dark times. 🌺

 

I appreciate you, your support and your time. 
 

much respect,

Ninabird

[Ninabird]

1 hour ago, MedRN said:

@Ninabird

 

So sorry you're having such a rough day today.

 

I've been in a particularly bad wave of symptoms and find crying to be a great way to release the emotions that get stuck inside, so I say cry away! Sometimes it's about getting through the day, but other times, it's getting through each minute and each hour of the day. 

 

The physical and mental pain can be tough to cope with, but you CAN do it and you will find the strength.

 

As brassmonkey mentioned, improvements will come. Hang in there 💕

 

 

@MedRN

THANK YOU…. I so need to hear kind words today. The support here is so wonderful. Strangers holding up strangers but united in compassion for what we are all going through. 
 

Im going to allow myself to cry more. I had the misconception that if I cried I would throw myself into depression. If I pushed through every bad day I would build strength. Wrong. My paper house fell down today. I cried like I haven’t cried in a long time. 
 

Big hugs to you for writing on my thread. 
 

ninabird 🌺❤️
 

 

[Ninabird]

1 hour ago, Chlo said:

I love you sweetheart, you've got this!! Your always encouraging me and I look up to you for this. Tell John to step up his support game today. I am praying for strength, courage, and peace cover you. The more we think about a decision or next step we need to take, the anxiety rears its ugly head, but we have the authority to kick its a$$ and stomp it into the ground. Cry out and scream if you need to. A good cry always helps release those endorphins. 

We are all in this boat together and we will not let eachother sink, we are eachothers life preservers....most of all the big man upstairs will uphold you with his mighty right hand. 

*Big tight hugs*

Video chat me when u feel up to it ❤️

@Chlo @Moonpie

I sure do love you guys. Thank you for being such loving and wonderfully supportive women. I’m glad I can be there for the both of you as well. 
 

🙏🏻 Ninabird

[Ninabird]

1 hour ago, Greatful said:

@Ninabird My heart goes out to you.  This is a very hard thing you are going through.  Cry cry cry let the emotions out. (my hubby encourages me to cry)

There is some release in it.  Let your self feel everything you are feeling. It's okay.

You have done a remarkable job getting this far. You show great courage. Be proud and acknowledge that have set a goal/course for yourself and are taking the steps to succeed.  

 

 You sound like me.  Looking at my drug problem 4 of them and I get

discouraged.😓

So let's just focus on getting off the Lexapro.  Reframe our thinking...who knows we might feel better and better as we get off the drugs...

 

Remember you are not alone...I know it sure feels like it sometimes.  We are here for you.♥️

 

 

 

 

Oh @Greatful

i wish I could hug you. You have the absolute best heart. Thank you for your encouraging words. 
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Moonpie]

@Ninabird  Love you too!!!  Thank you for being one of my encouragers!

[Ninabird]

6 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Almost always, once the taper is established, some improvement will be seen every few months.

Another member told me that when you get down to the smaller doses symptoms rev up and get worse? Is this accurate?

[Ninabird]

Today is my first 24 hours without sugar This is huge for me. I love my sweets, candy...I have my whole life. I was a gymnast throughout school and a long distance runner my adult life up until I developed anxiety a few years ago. I love sugar. I could easily burn the calories off no problem During WD I have gained weight from not exercising and continuing to eat like I have my entire life. Worst of all I believe that sugar has been ramping up all of my WD symptoms. After a really bad morning yesterday I made the choice to give up sugar for good. I won't be adding into my diet after WD. Sugar is too addictive to me. We can't be friends any longer. The older I get the kinder I need to be to my mental health and the body that God gave me. 

 

My therapist told me to start dreaming about the time when I will no longer be suffering from WD. In my dream I am 25lbs lighter, running on the pavement w good music leading the way. Sweat dripping off my chin and nose (yes, I love that!) and my lungs in sync with my body. I can see myself with a big smile on my face as I end my run and mentally high-fiving myself for a good run. I look forward to the day. Until then I will treat my body to all things it needs to help me get there and sugar isn't one of them.

 

Love to ea and every one of you.