FireflyFyte: Latuda withdrawal

[FireflyFyte]

8 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

8.5 hours of even patchy sleep is not bad for withdrawal. This should go away in a few days. I would not be anxious to updose.

 

Thank you, Alto, I will keep this in mind.

 

I also realized I did a 25 minute weights session yesterday which may have contributed. Going to aim for yoga tonight and see if I fall asleep, and stay asleep, better this evening.

[FireflyFyte]

Had a much more normal night of sleep last night where I fell asleep to a sleep meditation and stayed asleep for the majority of the night. I will have to see if I struggle to sleep the next time I do a weights session and see if they are connected. 

[Embi]

Hey FfF, how’s the sleep? I hope you’ve levelled out a bit more since your reduction

[FireflyFyte]

22 hours ago, Embi said:

Hey FfF, how’s the sleep? I hope you’ve levelled out a bit more since your reduction

 

Thank you for checking in, Embi. My sleep has returned so really can't complain. Will stay on my current dose for another week and make my next drop on Sunday.

[UncleLeroy]

Just popping over here to check on your progress FfF, looks like you're getting along again. Happy to see your sleep is better,

Hugs

[FireflyFyte]

29 minutes ago, UncleLeroy said:

Just popping over here to check on your progress FfF, looks like you're getting along again. Happy to see your sleep is better,

Hugs

 

Thank you for popping in! Had some slight issues falling asleep last night but nothing of concern. Trying to learn to not let small blips cause unneeded anxiety.

 

How is your husband doing with his taper? Still going smoothly?

[FireflyFyte]

Have a lot of stress in my life at the moment as I just had an offer accepted on a house so need to prepare to sell my home and everything that comes along with it. 

 

In addition, don't feel like I am performing at my best at my job with my ADHD being left untreated. I am worried about how my next review will go.

 

Sleep, at least, has mostly returned to normal so am getting 8 - 8 1/2 hours on average even after doing a weights session earlier in the day. I have gained a bit more weight so am hoping I can keep up my exercise to get it back down a little.

 

I am moving to a different state so am worried that I might need a new psychiatrist and what that might mean for getting my medication regularly. Just another worry circling my brain at the moment.

[littlebird]

3 hours ago, FireflyFyte said:

Trying to learn to not let small blips cause unneeded anxiety.

 

Oh yeah, big time on this too! I was sleepy last night and panicked that I'd messed up dosage... then realized it was close to bedtime and maybe I was naturally sleepy. Hard not to be hyper-vigilant with symptoms! Hope you're having a lovely day and getting some spring sunshine.

[UncleLeroy]

4 hours ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

How is your husband doing with his taper? Still going smoothly

He's doing fine so far, no WD symptoms at all yet...it's the end of the first month still so... we'll see what next month brings. Hoping for the best of course. Thanks for asking.

Take care!!!

[UncleLeroy]

3 hours ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

I am moving to a different state so am worried that I might need a new psychiatrist and what that might mean for getting my medication regularly. Just another worry circling my brain at the moment.

Can you call and ask your current one if they will be able to prescribe after you move at least until you can find another? 

[FireflyFyte]

2 hours ago, littlebird said:

Oh yeah, big time on this too! I was sleepy last night and panicked that I'd messed up dosage... then realized it was close to bedtime and maybe I was naturally sleepy. Hard not to be hyper-vigilant with symptoms! Hope you're having a lovely day and getting some spring sunshine.

 

Thank you 💜 It's cloudy here today but still got the pups out for a much needed walk.

 

I think with everything we have been through withdrawal wise, our brains are quick to panic. I am trying to rewire that response so I don't have an immediate, negative reaction but instead can (somewhat) calmly assess the situation. It's a slow process.

 

1 hour ago, UncleLeroy said:

He's doing fine so far, no WD symptoms at all yet...it's the end of the first month still so... we'll see what next month brings. Hoping for the best of course. Thanks for asking.

Take care!!!

 

I am really glad to hear it! Always happy to see others who are doing well while tapering Olanzapine.

 

1 hour ago, UncleLeroy said:

Can you call and ask your current one if they will be able to prescribe after you move at least until you can find another? 

 

I am going to email her and find out if I can still do remote sessions as long as they are in my office (which is still in my current state) and continue seeing her. If not, she already has my medication on 90 day refills so can try to get them refilled right before I move.

[Altostrata]

On 4/18/2023 at 4:48 PM, FireflyFyte said:

In addition, don't feel like I am performing at my best at my job with my ADHD being left untreated.

 

I don't believe ADHD can be diagnosed in someone who is taking a bunch of drugs that can cause foggy brain, particularly gabapentin 3 times a day, and may also be suffering withdrawal symptoms off and on.

 

With all you're dealing with, it's normal to worry about work performance. Please do your best not to worry. 

 

On 4/18/2023 at 4:48 PM, FireflyFyte said:

I am moving to a different state so am worried that I might need a new psychiatrist and what that might mean for getting my medication regularly. Just another worry circling my brain at the moment.

 

Your drug regimen is complex, but any doctor can prescribe these drugs, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist. You might be able to find a sympathetic primary care physician. Or perhaps your current prescriber would renew your prescriptions for a time.

[FireflyFyte]

On 4/21/2023 at 7:42 PM, Altostrata said:

I don't believe ADHD can be diagnosed in someone who is taking a bunch of drugs that can cause foggy brain, particularly gabapentin 3 times a day, and may also be suffering withdrawal symptoms off and on.

 

I was diagnosed when I wasn't on any medication.

 

On 4/21/2023 at 7:42 PM, Altostrata said:

Your drug regimen is complex, but any doctor can prescribe these drugs, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist. You might be able to find a sympathetic primary care physician. Or perhaps your current prescriber would renew your prescriptions for a time.

 

Thank you. Am going to email my psychiatrist and see if she can continue to prescribe.

[FireflyFyte]

Made another drop last night so am now down to 1.76mg of Olanzapine.

 

Not much else to report at the moment, which, I am not complaining about.

 

I am still gaining weight (now up 20 pounds) so am now tracking calories and trying to eat more mindfully to see if I can lose a little bit of weight.

[Altostrata]

You are currently taking stupefying drugs at high dosages. Under these circumstances, saying your ADHD, if truly pre-existing, is not being treated. If ADHD is indeed a problem, the drugs you are currently taking are exaggerating it -- exactly the opposite of treating ADHD.

 

ADHD cannot be treated with your current drug cocktail, and adding ADHD drugs to it would make your problem and maybe your health worse.

[FireflyFyte]

34 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

ADHD cannot be treated with your current drug cocktail, and adding ADHD drugs to it would make your problem and maybe your health worse.

 

I am not planning on adding any further drugs to my current cocktail but I still have concerns about my ADHD and work performance. I'm doing what I can to safely drop down in my medications in hopes that it will help with some of my brain fog, etc.

[Altostrata]

19 minutes ago, FireflyFyte said:

I'm doing what I can to safely drop down in my medications in hopes that it will help with some of my brain fog, etc.

 

This probably will happen. The amount of gabapentin you're taking would stop a horse.

[FireflyFyte]

Unintentionally, I forgot to take my midday dose of Gabapentin for the last two days and haven't felt any ill effects. Part of me wants to stick to dosing every 12 hours and only taking 600mg/day versus 900mg/day but am also well aware that I might be tempting fate here.

 

Otherwise, don't have anything to report. I'll make my next drop of Olanzapine on Sunday to 1.64mg.

[Altostrata]

What times o'clock did you take your drugs, with their dosages, leaving out the skipped dose?

[FireflyFyte]

3 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

What times o'clock did you take your drugs, with their dosages, leaving out the skipped dose?

 

7:30 AM: Gabapentin (300mg)

9:30 AM: Prozac (40mg)

7:00 PM: Olanzapine (1.74mg)

9:00 PM: Gabapentin (300mg)

 

I usually take my mid-day dose around 2/3 PM.

[Altostrata]

My guess is that if you don't feel any odd effects by tomorrow, you might be able to leave it out. You're taking a lot of drugs.

 

Please keep notes about your symptom pattern for the next 24 hours. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right.

[FireflyFyte]

Log from May 5, 2023 -

 

• 7:30 AM: Wake up, feel exhausted despite sleeping 8+ hours
• 7:35 AM: Gabapentin (300mg)
• 8:15 AM: Breakfast (think bar and coffee)
• 9:10 AM: Slightly raised anxiety (2/10)
• 9:45 AM: Prozac (40mg)
• 11:30 AM: Lunch (almonds and cheese)
• 12:40 PM: Walk the pups (20 minutes)
• 1:05 PM: Mild headache (1/10)
• 5:30 PM: Dinner (sushi)
• 7:30 PM: Gabapentin (300mg)
• 8:15 PM: Felt like I wanted to cry but couldn't, mild depression (2/10)
• 9:30 PM: Olanzapine (1.74mg)
• 10:30 PM: Fell asleep without issue

[Altostrata]

That looks promising but I might postpone the olanzapine decrease for a bit to allow the gabapentin change to settle out.

[FireflyFyte]

4 hours ago, Altostrata said:

That looks promising but I might postpone the olanzapine decrease for a bit to allow the gabapentin change to settle out.

 

Made the Olanzapine drop last night, would have made sense to hold.

 

I'll monitor and maybe hold here for an additional week or two if needed. So far, have had some GI upset but otherwise no significant effects from dropping down in the Gabapentin.

[FireflyFyte]

Gratefully, haven't dealt with any effects from dropping my Gabapentin dose aside from some mild, but tolerable, GI upset.

 

I am still exhausted despite sleeping well for 8+ hours and am consuming more caffeine that I should in order to get through the work day. Thankfully, caffeine does not seem to excite any withdrawal symptoms at this stage. I am well aware that I might need to eliminate it the further I get along with my tapers.

 

Debating about holding once I reach 1mg of Olanzapine and possibly try to drop down to 400mg/day of Gabapentin. I'm not sure which medication, if not both, are contributing to my exhaustion.

 

In the last few weeks, I have started running and am slowly building up my stamina. This type of exercise does not appear to cause any increase in symptoms so will continue as long as my body can handle it as I would really like to lose 10-15 pounds of the almost 20 pounds I have gained.

 

Next drop of the Olanzapine will be on Sunday down to 1.56mg.

[Thorin]

4 hours ago, FireflyFyte said:

Gratefully, haven't dealt with any effects from dropping my Gabapentin dose aside from some mild, but tolerable, GI upset.

 

I am still exhausted despite sleeping well for 8+ hours and am consuming more caffeine that I should in order to get through the work day. Thankfully, caffeine does not seem to excite any withdrawal symptoms at this stage. I am well aware that I might need to eliminate it the further I get along with my tapers.

 

Debating about holding once I reach 1mg of Olanzapine and possibly try to drop down to 400mg/day of Gabapentin. I'm not sure which medication, if not both, are contributing to my exhaustion.

 

In the last few weeks, I have started running and am slowly building up my stamina. This type of exercise does not appear to cause any increase in symptoms so will continue as long as my body can handle it as I would really like to lose 10-15 pounds of the almost 20 pounds I have gained.

 

Next drop of the Olanzapine will be on Sunday down to 1.56mg.

Glad they hear you’re doing reasonably well FfF. It’s hard when you’re tired all the time though isn’t it. I’ve found the running can help a bit with that.

[Altostrata]

18 hours ago, FireflyFyte said:

Debating about holding once I reach 1mg of Olanzapine and possibly try to drop down to 400mg/day of Gabapentin

 

Both are probably contributing to fatigue. Suggest you work on tapering the gabapentin after stabilizing on your current olanzapine dose.

[FireflyFyte]

15 hours ago, Thorin said:

It’s hard when you’re tired all the time though isn’t it. I’ve found the running can help a bit with that.

 

It is difficult and don't enjoy relying on caffeine but have to get through the work day, you know?

 

I am only up to under half a mile for running but am slowly building up to longer distances. How long have you been running?

[FireflyFyte]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

Both are probably contributing to fatigue. Suggest you work on tapering the gabapentin after stabilizing on your current olanzapine dose.

 

I just went down to 600mg of Gabapentin from 900mg so I think I am going to continue focusing on the Olanzapine for now given how much it affects. 

[Thorin]

16 hours ago, FireflyFyte said:

 

It is difficult and don't enjoy relying on caffeine but have to get through the work day, you know?

 

I am only up to under half a mile for running but am slowly building up to longer distances. How long have you been running?

I haven’t been running long and the route I take is only 2km (1.24 miles) am I nearly always end up in Woking for just a little bit of it. But I’m getting stronger and faster. I take my dog. He loves it.

[FireflyFyte]

On 5/18/2023 at 2:08 AM, Thorin said:

I haven’t been running long and the route I take is only 2km (1.24 miles) am I nearly always end up in Woking for just a little bit of it. But I’m getting stronger and faster. I take my dog. He loves it.

 

I bet he does! 1.25 miles is nothing to sneeze at. I can only make it a little over 0.50 miles at the moment.

[FireflyFyte]

Made my next drop of Olanzapine yesterday so am currently at 1.56mg. As long as I can keep making 5% drops every two weeks, I should be down to 1mg in August. Fingers crossed 🤞

 

I am still dealing with some GI upset and while it's annoying, it is manageable. I think it is related to my drop in Gabapentin as I discovered it is a common withdrawal symptom for that drug. 

[FireflyFyte]

For the last three nights, I have struggled to fall asleep which stirred up feelings of anxiety related to insomnia. I relied on breathing exercises and guided sleep mediation to try and manage the worry and did end up falling asleep.

 

I will continue to monitor this symptom and might hold a little longer at 1.56mg of Olanzapine if it continues. 

[FireflyFyte]

Made another drop last night in Olanzapine so am down to 1.48mg.

 

Sleep has returned to normal and am regularly getting 8 hours of sleep.

 

GI issues are still intermittent but manageable. I'm not sure if it is related to the Gaba drop or the Olanzapine taper as both can cause stomach problems.

 

Anxiety is up a little but am in the process of moving so am thinking it is more situational versus being withdrawal related. I will see if it settles once I am fully moved.

[Carmie]

Well done on another drop @FireflyFyte👏

 

That’s so great you’re sleeping so well. 
 

All the best with your move, it’s such a big job moving. 
 

Sending hugs🤗

[FireflyFyte]

On 6/11/2023 at 12:15 AM, Carmie said:

That’s so great you’re sleeping so well. 
 

All the best with your move, it’s such a big job moving. 
 

Sending hugs🤗

 

Thank you for stopping by, Carmie. The worst of the move is over so now it's just a continued adventure to get unpacked.