Doctorsrcrap: can't cry and frustrated

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata The feeling that my chest might cave in lessened. My mood went up for a few days. Maybe a very dirty window of a couple of days. 

Everything else has got worse again 

[Altostrata]

What do you mean by "Everything else has got worse again"?

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

The anxiety and panic 

Feeling of dread and doom

Intrusive thoughts 

Buzzing in my head 

Crying spells 

Restlessness 

[Shep]

14 hours ago, Doctorsrcrap said:

Maybe a very dirty window of a couple of days. 

 

While you are getting hit with a mixture, how would you rate your OVERALL experience? Is it easier to get through the day now or harder? Is your sleep more restorative or less restorative? 

 

Sometimes looking at your overall feeling and how easy or hard it is to cope can help sort it all out. 

[Altostrata]

I am feeling a little doubtful this is due to reduction of propranolol.

 

Please keep daily notes of times o’clock you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. We need to know how you feel before and after taking each drug, and your symptoms in between. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time o’clock on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right.

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Shep

I had a moment of a couple of days where things were easier and then things got worse again and I would say I'm struggling more than ever now. Normal situation for withdrawal I dont know. 

 

@Altostrata

I don't think its got much to do with the propranalol drop. I would of thought more likely thanks to catching covid if covid can make mental symptoms worse.

I can keep some notes for you but to be honest i haven't noticed any difference myself between before and after taking the propranalol 

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

Saturday
7am wake up akethsia anxiety feeling of doom

10am Apple and breakfast bar anxious restless.

10.30am propranolol

1pm lunch anxious restless

1.30pm walk to work panic and upset and nauseas

2.30pm start work
Struggle through work. Anxious. Fatigued. Breathless. 

7pm finish work. Anxious. Crying spell.

8pm dinner rice with chicken and lots of veg

9pm anxiety lessens in intensity slightly

10.30pm propranalol

11pm bed


Sunday
6am wake up akethsia and anxious

9am scrambled eggs. Anxious and restless

10.30am propranalol same symptoms

1.30pm roast dinner. Anxious. Dread. Restless. Upset stomach. Nauseas

3pm Anxiety. Upset. Akathsia. Fatigue.

4pm irritable anxious sore throat nauseas

5pm to 7pm anxiety akethsia blurred vision

7.30pm salmon and Turkey sandwiches

8pm. Irritable. Sore throat. Internal tension. Cortisol feeling (Its like i can feel a chemical feeling in my muscles or something it's hard to explain)

10.30 propranalol
Still have the internal tension chemical feeling. Upset. Feel weak.

10.45 bed

 

Every moment has head buzzing. No change ever 

[Shep]

@Doctorsrcrap Thanks for starting a drug and symptoms journal. 

 

How many hours are you sleeping at night? Please also add that information in your posts going forward. 

 

Also, please add the dose of propranalol you're taking in your daily notes. 

 

11 hours ago, Doctorsrcrap said:

Every moment has head buzzing. No change ever 

 

Did you notice a change after your most recent decrease? Did it get worse after December 19th when you went from 68 mg to 64 mg or did it stay the same? 

[Doctorsrcrap]

@ShepI think it pretty much stayed the same. 

I can't say whether I think things got worse because of the propranalol drop or because I got covid. I would probably say the buzzing in my head definatly got worse after I caught covid 

[Doctorsrcrap]

 

@Altostrata

@Shep

Monday
3am to 8am keep waking up

8am get up Akethsia Anxious

9am oats and fruit for breakfast head buzzing

10.30 propranalol 40mg

11.30 head buzzing. Stuffy feeling in head. Anxious. Fatigued.

12.30 anxious and upset

2.00 anxious. sore throat. Head still buzzing. Restless.

3pm mashed potatoes. Cold meat and cabbage.
Upset. Panic. Agitated. Buzzing head. Fatigue. Irritable. Sore throat.

4.30pm eat 2 oranges
Lower anxiety.
Buzzing in head.
Irritable.
Intrusive thoughts
Restless
Throat discomfort
Fatigued

6pm intrusive thoughts
          Buzzing head
          Restless
          Throat discomfort

7pm head buzzing
Restless
Irritable
Blurred vision
Intrusive thoughts

8pm
Irritable
Blurred vision
Restless
Head buzzing

8.30pm
Turkey sandwich
Nausea
Upset
Agitated

10pm
Anxious
Upset
Restless
Head buzzing
Sore throat
Irritable
Chemical feeling in the body

10.30 24mg propranalol

10.35 bed

[Altostrata]

On 12/24/2022 at 10:58 PM, Doctorsrcrap said:

I would of thought more likely thanks to catching covid if covid can make mental symptoms worse.

 

That's what they say about covid.

 

I cannot see that propranolol is doing you any good. Suggest you continue tapering at a rate you find comfortable and reduce the burden of an unnecessary drug.

 

Recommend that you learn coping skills for these symptoms, as they may be from covid and will take some time to go away.

 

Unless something dramatic happens, we don't need to see more daily notes.

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

Thank you very much. I will continue my taper. 

I'm just hoping that what im experiencing is left over effects from the Anti depressant use and withdrawal symptoms and that with time it will all be like a bad dream 

[Doctorsrcrap]

I have some questions.

I have anxiety everyday but they way it shows itself changes throughout the day. One minute it could be panic. The next a feeling of dread. The next internal turmoil. The next adrenline. The next restlessness. The next akethsia. You get the idea. Is the fact the way it changes itself throughout the day a common theme in withdrawal? 

Another wierd question and I cant find anyone else on here who has said this but has anyone noticed strong or an smell to thier urine during this process? I dont know if that's a thing or if its just me.

Thanks in advance 

[Shep]

2 hours ago, Doctorsrcrap said:

I have some questions.

I have anxiety everyday but they way it shows itself changes throughout the day. One minute it could be panic. The next a feeling of dread. The next internal turmoil. The next adrenline. The next restlessness. The next akethsia. You get the idea. Is the fact the way it changes itself throughout the day a common theme in withdrawal? 

Another wierd question and I cant find anyone else on here who has said this but has anyone noticed strong or an smell to thier urine during this process? I dont know if that's a thing or if its just me.

Thanks in advance 

 

How is your diet, Doctorsrcrap? Low blood sugar can affect these types of morphing anxiety-type symptoms and also, your diet plays a role in what is secreted in your urine. If you think you may have an underlying medical condition, please touch base with your doctor, since there are medical conditions that can cause this.  Also make sure you're drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated.

 

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Shep

Ive started a sugar free diet the last couple of months and eating healthier generally. 

I thought the fact that the anxiety changes itself might be common in withdrawal. 

I had a bunch of blood tests run in november. All normal 

[Altostrata]

A sore throat is not characteristic of withdrawal symptoms, but it is characteristic of covid-19 or other viral infections. A change in the sense of smell is related to covid.

 

You may also have some withdrawal symptoms, but it appears some of your symptoms are due to virus.

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

It's not like a traditional sore throat its more like discomfort. It's hard to explain. Almost like its caused by tension or something. I had it on and off whilst I was on the medication too

[Altostrata]

11 hours ago, Doctorsrcrap said:

I had it on and off whilst I was on the medication too

 

Then it could be a reaction to whatever you're taking.

 

Please clarify your signature, what drug have you been tapering since November 2022?

 

Are you taking venlafaxine in a capsule?

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

I stopped the venlafaxine on July 2022 at 25mg which it says in my signature. 

I'm not on an antidepressant anymore. That's 5 months at zero.

The only thing in tapering now is propranalol 

[Altostrata]

This has been a reaction to propranolol?

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

No i have taken propranalol for years. And as your advice im tapering it now. 

Wouldn't most of my problems be withdrawal related and effects from the antidepressants? 

Esp the anxiety panic bursting feeling. Upset feeling of doom and buzzing head. 

[Altostrata]

What drug is associated with your sore throat symptom?

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

I'm not sure what you are trying to get at. 

I think the throat problem comes from either tension or cortisol. I'm assuming either from withdrawal of antidepressant or from the effects they had on me whilst taking them 

[Altostrata]

On 12/31/2022 at 12:26 AM, Doctorsrcrap said:

It's not like a traditional sore throat its more like discomfort. It's hard to explain. Almost like its caused by tension or something. I had it on and off whilst I was on the medication too

 

What medication are you talking about here?

[Doctorsrcrap]

So I've experienced it on and off since last year when the doctors kept making switches in my medication. I think it was at its worst on venlafaxine. 

A bit like the fact it was impossible to cry on the medication too 

[NardilTime]

I got sore throats consistently for about a year after quitting Effexor fwiw 

[Altostrata]

14 hours ago, Doctorsrcrap said:

So I've experienced it on and off since last year when the doctors kept making switches in my medication. I think it was at its worst on venlafaxine. 

A bit like the fact it was impossible to cry on the medication too 

 

Are you still talking about the intermittent sore throat that's not sore? Could you explain more coherently? This has become impossible to follow.

 

If you're talking about the inability to cry, as discussed before, relative to the many, many adverse effects one might feel from psychiatric drugs, inability to cry is a very minor problem.

 

If you're referring to the emotional numbing that is a common effect of antidepressants, that should slowly go away as you reduce the drugs and recover from their effect -- as discussed before.

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostratadon't worry about it 

[Doctorsrcrap]

6 month update 

So Sunday will mark 6 months since I quit all antidepressants and I had really hoped by this point I would be seeing improvement. Sadly this is not the case. I feel truly awful. 

 

Symptoms: Akathesia 

If that's what it is? I feel so restless inside myself its impossible to relax. It's like I'm full of distress inside my chest and I just want to reach inside myself and pull it out of me. I just want to get out of my body. I never knew something could feel so torturous. I honestly dont know how to handle it as the torture is jist inhumane. 

 

Anxiety/panic

 

Throat discomfort: I believe this comes from all the tension inside of me and no way to release it 

 

Insomnia: Impossible to sleep when in so much distress 

 

Chest and back pain: I imagine from tension 

 

Head buzzing; Jist feels like a permenant electric current going on inside my head 

 

Inability to cry: I am in distress most of the time but still can not cry which is horrible when it seems like crying would at least be cathartic. 

 

Nausea 

 

Weird sensation in one arm and one foot 

 

Intrusive thoughts 

 

I have no idea if piles is something that is known to happen in withdrawal but that's happening and is agony and I am more constipated than usual. 

 

To be honest i am losing all hope that this is possible to get through as every day just feels like torture. If you have the strength please pray for me

 

[NardilTime]

“If you’re going through hell, keep going”

- Winston Churchill 

 

This will pass. You’re on the right track. Read the success stories and see how many people didn’t feel any real relief in the first six months but eventually got better. I didn’t feel any real relief for the first 8 months. 

[Altostrata]

If these symptoms started while you were jiggering venlafaxine since June 2022, they are most likely from venlafaxine, and most likely withdrawal syndrome.

 

Are you drinking enough water? Dehydration is a cause of constipation.

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

Some of these symptoms started before venlafaxine during the frequent changes in medication the doctors made. And now they have got worse and some are new symptoms since stopping altogether. I imagine I became in withdrawal during the frequent changes in medication. Either way the drugs somewhere along the line have got to be to blame. 

Yes I'm drinking enough water. I am also doing 45 min walk 3 or 4 times a week. I have cut out processed foods and sugar. Eating more fruit and veg. Making my own green smoothes in the mornings. Having the occasional cold showers. 

Trying my best

[Altostrata]

I'm sorry you're having these post-discontinuation effects.

 

Many people find these to be helpful:

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

You might try a low dose of one at a time to see what it does for you.

[Doctorsrcrap]

@Altostrata

Thank you. 

Can I ask? If someone is suffering from akethsia is there anything in particular they should avoid? Or is magnesium and omega 3 safe for that? 

Also is omega 3 effective taken on its own or does it have to be taken with vitamin e? 

[Altostrata]

On 9/30/2022 at 4:19 AM, Doctorsrcrap said:

Week 10

Still feel upset and like i cant release it. Occasionally cry. 

Tired and fatigued 

Nauseas 

Waves of panic

Strange feeling in my foot

 

On 10/1/2022 at 9:36 AM, Doctorsrcrap said:

Thank you.

I have no interest in reinstating. I think ive come to terms with that. 

What i find frustrating is since sertraline icr had this need to cry but can't and it's never gone away but now I'm not on any I feel even more upset. I just dont know what's normal I guess

 

On 11/16/2022 at 1:05 AM, Doctorsrcrap said:

@Altostrata

I had the feeling of everything being stuck inside whilst I was on the tablets but the last 2 weeks it has become worse and really strong. 

It doesnt occur at any particular time of day its random but mainly if i need to do something.

However I am never relaxed. I cycle throughout the day between non stop anxiety, this bursting feeling, adrenaline rushes, waves of panic, crushing feeling on the chest, restlessness, dark thoughts etc. 

 

The previous 2 weeks was constant fight and flight mode of basically 24 7 panic and insomnia. 

 

I still have tinnitus, the occasional upset stomach, periods a bit out of sync but not major and I sometimes feel light headed. 

 

I hope this makes sense. What do you think? 

 

The symptoms you've described in the prior 8 pages of this topic did not include akathisia. 

 

The symptom pattern you described on November 16 is protracted withdrawal syndrome. It does not look like akathisia.

 

You've declined reinstatement several times. Have you tried fish oil and magnesium?

 

Do you have longstanding problems with anxiety and catastrophizing?

[NardilTime]

I don’t want to speak out of turn but I think it is often difficult to describe akathisia when you’ve got it. I spent years trying to explain what I was feeling to doctors and those close to me and nobody ever thought it was anything other than anxiety.