jjwarf: struggling with post acute withdrawal

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

oh honey I was just thinking if you. I’m sure this is a combination of withdrawal, hormone, and shock. Just hold on your taper it may just take your body tone to adjust with the hormone surge. 
 

message me if you need to talk. Hold on love!! 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

thank you! I think you're right. The hormone surge combined with everything else has really done a number on me. I sure hope this passes.

[FireflyFyte]

39 minutes ago, Kelsears said:

I’m sure this is a combination of withdrawal, hormone, and shock. Just hold on your taper it may just take your body tone to adjust with the hormone surge. 

 

I think this is great advice. I would second holding on your taper for now given the amount of changes your body is currently experiencing.

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

Im glad you’re reaching out to your therapist. It’s ok to not feel overjoyed right now. It’s so much to take in. But just remember you and baby will be ok. 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

checking in on you hun, how are you doing? 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

hey, thank you for checking in on me. I am doing better this morning. The last week has been really hard but I’m trying to embrace this moment of peace. I talked to my medication prescriber and she agreed that we shouldn’t make any changes for a while so I can give myself time to be more stable and get used to the influx of hormones.

 

how are you?

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

i agree with her. Hold in there mama you got this. 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

checking in hun, how you doing? 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

you are so kind. I am doing ok, hanging in there. I’m sitting at the hospital currently. I started bleeding and am trying to get my hcg levels checked to see if I am miscarrying. It’s hard but I’m making it through.

 

how are you holding up?

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

oh hun!!!!! I’m so sorry that scary.  Please keep me updated. With my second i hemorrhaged at 8 weeks and he’s now going to be 6 and perfectly healthy. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

im so sorry you experienced that but I am glad you have a healthy six year old! Did you hemorrhage a lot when that happened? I was spotting the other day and it stopped but then started again today and is much worse.

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

I bleed a ton. I thought for sure even the ER doctor thought I miscarried. But then sonogram found a heart beat. My placenta had lifted and cause the hemorrhage.  

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

how you doing hun? 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

I am ok. I am actively miscarrying and just ready for it to be over. My hcg levels have been dropping so hopefully it’s a good sign that my body can handle this on its own. I am sad over the loss of the possibility of a little one. I do feel more emotionally stable now that all of the pregnancy hormones are leaving.

 

Today is my sons fourth birthday so I’m trying to be present for him which is actually a good distraction.

 

how are you?

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

oh honey I’m so so sorry. I’m glad you’re feeling better though. Oh my heart hurts for you. Happy birthday to your son. 
 

im doing good! my kiddos are sick with influenza A. So been nursing them back to health. Just glad I’m not in a wave while they’re sick. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

thank you.

im sorry your kiddos are sick! It’s never easy to take care of them but im so glad you’re not in a wave either! Hopefully they feel better soon and you stay well

[jjwarf]

Just wanted to check in. I’m feeling more stable today than I have in a while. I haven’t made any cuts for a few weeks.

 

 My prescriber wants me to switch back to Zoloft from Prozac. I have awful headaches nearly every day and it started not too long after I switched to Prozac. Does anyone have any experience or advice about this? I’m nervous to make another change but also desperate for relief from these headaches.

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf 

 

how you doing hun? 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

hey! I’m doing a lot better today. I was scared and still don’t know if it was the right decision but I switched back to Zoloft from Prozac. It’s an equivalent dose- the 5mg of Prozac I was on to 12.5 of Zoloft. I haven’t had a headache in 3 days. I really hope that was the issue. At least now I have some pretty solid evidence that it’s a medication issue and not brain cancer or something. I just hope the switch back doesn’t disrupt my nervous system. I’m going to give it at least a few weeks before I make any cuts.

 

how are you?

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

ohhhh I so hope this helps and goes easily for you. 
 

im good! We have the flu going through the house right now so that’s not fun. But over all I feel like I’ve had some big healing happening. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

im sorry you guys have the flu but I am soooo happy you are healing!! Gosh that warms my heart. 

[jjwarf]

Wanted to provide an update here:

After switching back to Zoloft from Prozac the headaches went away for close about 10 days or so. The last few days they have been ramping back up. I think it's because Prozac stays in your system for a long time. I read that low serotonin causes vasodilation which can lead to migraines.

 

I just don't know what to do. Should I give up and go back on a full dose or just hold and not make any changes for a while? These headaches are awful and I feel like I cannot function.

[FireflyFyte]

4 hours ago, jjwarf said:

After switching back to Zoloft from Prozac the headaches went away for close about 10 days or so.

 

Can you update your signature to reflect these changes? What dose of Zoloft are you on at the moment?

[jjwarf]

@FireflyFyte Yes, I just updated it.

[FireflyFyte]

6 hours ago, jjwarf said:

I just don't know what to do. Should I give up and go back on a full dose or just hold and not make any changes for a while?

 

I would suggest holding for awhile to see if the headaches ease.

 

Have you talked to a doctor to check for any other possible causes of these headaches?

[jjwarf]

@FireflyFyte

 

I agree about holding. Maybe they will get better if I stabilize.

 

I have spoken to my primary care doctor about the headaches. She thinks they’re migraines and prescribed a migraine medication, nurtec. It helps sometimes but not always. Maybe I should go back and talk to her again?

[jjwarf]

I haven't had any headaches since I posted a few days ago. I also feel more like myself than I have in months. The headaches could have been related to my cycle starting. I feel hopeful that maybe things are getting better. 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf that’s so great to hear. 

[jjwarf]

The headaches have been creeping back in over the last few days and have gotten pretty bad. I read online that it takes up to a month for Prozac to completely leave your system and also that low serotonin has been linked to headaches/migraines. Apparently serotonin is a vasoconstrictor and so when it decreases vasodilation occurs causing headaches. I'm wondering if the headache culprit has been low serotonin the whole time. I'm scheduling another appointment with my primary care doctor just to get another opinion.

 

My anxiety is flaring back up. Thank God it hasn't gotten as bad as it has before.

 

I don't know what to do. I know I just made a big change switching back to Zoloft but I feel like I can't function like this. Im just frustrated and wondering when it will ever get better. It feels hopeless. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears How are you doing?

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

hi hun! I’m doing well been in a 2 month window which feels great. 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

im so sorry you’re struggling. I definitely think your body adjusting to the medication change. 
 

Are you drinking electrolytes? I know with all this if I’m not full hydrated drinking at least 90oz of water a day with electrolytes I get terrible headaches, heart palpitations, and vertigo. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears gosh that sounds wonderful! I am glad you have had such a long window! Are you still tapering or holding?

 

I haven't been drinking electrolytes. What do you drink to get them? How long did your headaches last? It's so hard to sit still and not change anything even though I know that the changes ultimately make things worse. 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

um taper both Ativan and Zoloft. 
 

I drink the sugar free liquid Iv. You can also just add a couple grains of Celtic sea salt to your water. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears Ok, I'm ordering some Celtic Sea Salt now and am going to increase my water intake. Thank you

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf 

 

I wish I had more suggestions for you.  Hang in there hun.