2cats2272: Introduction

[2cats2272]

Just over 11 months off. Windows and waves are still happening. I’ve made huge progress when I look back to some months ago. Sleep has improved, I still have little appetite, my waves don’t seem to be as awful as they used to be. 
although I get impatient at times, I’m remaining hopeful. It’s like I have to learn that there are ups and downs in life. While on Effexor, nothing really bothered me. I was very numb to emotions. Now, I am very emotional and it’s new. Progressing and learning. 💜

[Catina7]

1 hour ago, 2cats2272 said:

I’ve made huge progress when I look back to some months ago.

 

I'm so happy to hear this @2cats2272!  I always say this, but your posts always give me hope about my own situation as I resumed my Effexor taper yesterday.  I'm sure your windows will get bigger and your waves smaller as time goes on.  I'm glad you're remaining hopeful.  Our wonderfully designed bodies know what to do to heal with time.  Keep up the great work!

 

Catina 😻

[medfreeoneday]

18 hours ago, 2cats2272 said:

Just over 11 months off. Windows and waves are still happening. I’ve made huge progress when I look back to some months ago. Sleep has improved, I still have little appetite, my waves don’t seem to be as awful as they used to be. 
although I get impatient at times, I’m remaining hopeful. It’s like I have to learn that there are ups and downs in life. While on Effexor, nothing really bothered me. I was very numb to emotions. Now, I am very emotional and it’s new. Progressing and learning. 💜

I'm so glad that you are making progress! Onward and upward!

[2cats2272]

Today is 1 year off Effexor. This last year had been like nothing I could have ever anticipated. I wasn’t prepared for the things I went through. I was told the same thing most of us are…. “You’ll feel flu like symptoms for a week or two”. 
well, one entire year later and I could never have thought I’d feel better. I am putting in the work. I still get waves. They’re relatively short lived and I hope it continues. 
I had my first ever appointment with a psychiatrist a couple weeks ago. I was shocked with what he said. He said I’m doing all the right things and he wouldn’t prescribe me anything (I wouldn’t have taken it anyhow). 
just know that what most people say is try. The biggest help is time. I’m sure all the other little things help too. 
I started therapy once withdrawal hit. I got regular massage and chiropractic adjustments. There were some really dark and tough times but if I could make it this far and can be a tiny ray of hope to anyone, I’m grateful for my journey. 
im fully expecting more waves but I feel better equipped to manage them. 

[Catina7]

Great news @2cats2272!  I'm very happy for the progress you've made.  You're more than a "tiny ray of hope" to me!  🥰

[medfreeoneday]

@2cats2272 Great news! So happy for you! 🥰

[bluemojav]

Really great to see you’re doing ok! Proud of you.

[2cats2272]

Hi guys! I’m still doing ok but the last week or so I have been riddled with rumination and intrusive thoughts. I’m thinking it’s part of the process but am looking for similar experiences.

my therapist also thinks it’s just working through things but frig. It’s really tough. 

[Kaylaq]

Hope this finds you in a “window day”  I’m just connecting with people who have been on Effexor for a long time…I’m curious to know why you decided to stop these meds,… I struggle with my decision… 

 

yes, the intense intrusive thoughts are the worse, I can handle most physical symptoms but the mind working against me is the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my entire life! 

[2cats2272]

@Kaylaq the only thing that made me decide to come off Effexor is I thought I was on it long enough. 
being off made me realize how emotionally blunted I was though. 
today is a bit better but still managing 

[Kaylaq]

Thank you for answering so quickly, 👍🏻🙏🏻😊  

[prozac2023]

good evening, I stopped because my body could no longer support any ssri. I couldn't sleep anymore, sweating, depression. my theory is that I developed tardy dysporia (see google tardiv dysphoria by riff el mallakh). I actually contacted this researcher. I had to stop quickly due to significant side effects after 13 and a half years on it.

I reduced over a month (from 150 to 0) and the first 2 months went rather well apart from the aggression, impatience and reproaches to my wife.

then the withdrawal devastated me: omnipresent intrusive thoughts, obsessive thoughts, major anxiety and panic attacks, excessive worry, depression, insomnia, lack of appetite, difficulty concentrating, thinking, apathy, feeling of unease with colleagues and at work, feeling of strangeness, questioning of my whole life (my choices, my lifestyle, my work). wherever I am, I feel bad. I often have the impression that the people around me at work perceive my discomfort and see that something is wrong. I find it difficult to bear each new difficulty. the stress invades me so much in the morning. I even thought I was falling into schisophrenia.

I've been at zero for 19 weeks and it's so difficult. I have often thought about taking it again but I remember that I also threw it very badly with the undesirable effects. I do not know what to do. the only thing that helps me is benadryl (12.5 mg for sleep) but I don't want to take it every day for addiction and dependence, and it acts a little on the sertonin (which can hinder the process healing). the plants sometimes knock me out and the next day I'm groggy. I also take fish oil and 250 mg of tryptophan.

 

I hope these intrusive thoughts will disappear. for my psychiatrist, it's the illness that is coming back (except that I didn't take them for depression but for anxiety). sometimes I tell myself that I am doomed.