ElaineM: Need advice on fluxotine withdrawal

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineMbig pharma made us guinea pigs the minute we took the meds... unpaid ones at that. At least we have a damage control team here. And no profit motive.👍

[ElaineM]

Do you think going back on meds for like 1.5 years and then coming off slower next time would do any good?

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM I honestly don't. The thing is your system is sensitized now from the cold turkey "taper". Going on another drug or upping this dose could really be a disaster. I know when I first stopped my med and reinstated the 5mg, it wasn't giving me quick results so I thought 10mg would be better. I was so wrong...I couldn't stop dry heaving, couldn't walk, couldn't stand up straight... These drugs aren't logical in the way they work and our bodies just weren't meant to take them long-term. I've read how many on here tried to switch drugs or raise the dosage and suffered for it or had an adverse drug reaction. I know none of us would have picked this to be our situation. All we can do is heal. Is your husband supportive? It's going to get better.

[ElaineM]

ye he is🙌🏻🙌🏻 thanks for the encouragement! Would you recommend upping to two milligrams because I still haven’t done that?

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM I am so glad he is. Some don't have a supportive partner... I couldn't imagine how tough that would be. If it was me,  I would wait it out. I can't believe for me what a difference a couple months makes. If you decide to go up, I would probably do 1.25 mg/ 1.5 mg max. There is still so much strength in those small doses. 👍

[ElaineM]

In a way that’s kinda a relief to know that going back on meds won’t fix it. I so desperately don’t want to be on them. I don’t feel like I have as bad of symptoms as a lot of people on here and maybe that’s because I’m young (22) and healthy and was only ever on one drug. I think prozac so also one one the “easier” ones to come off of. I am thankful🙌🏻 but they still doesn’t mean it’s easy😂 Really appreciate your help?! 

 

Have you had any experience going to a natural doctor? Is it worth it or is it just a waste of money as these things take time? 

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM there is a whole section on supplements and brands not to waste your money on under self care I believe. That section has so many tips and things people have spent money on. Some things work for some, not for others or become paradoxical. It seems only 2 supplements, the mag and omega 3 seem to benefit the majority. I think naturopaths can be good generally but again they have no experience dealing with withdrawals. I would put the money toward fresh fruits and vegetables, organic if you can. Organic milk, eggs, meat if you can afford it. It is hard to be patient but allow and steady is the best for your body.

[ElaineM]

also did not mean to say she for my husband. He is definitely a he🙈

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineMlol...well I assumed he initially. Glad he is supportive 🙏

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineMI was in the 20 minute edit timeframe so I changed mine

[ElaineM]

I was trying to figure out why you said she and then I realized it was because I said it😂

[ElaineM]

Ugh my sleep got even worse… Is this normal?!

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineMunfortunately yes. You may be experiencing waves and windows or just rotten withdrawal symptoms. The waves and windows are signs of healing but it still isn't fun.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/#:~:text=The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

[ElaineM]

it seems like some of my worst sleep stuff yet though. it’s been 7 nights ago since i’ve got a good nights rest. I’m exausted.

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM what time do you take your methylfolate and multi vitamin. B vitamins are stimulating and interfere with sleep. Take them first thing in the morning. Same with vitamin D, it has to be taken in the morning.👍 Did you change the melatonin dosage?

[ElaineM]

I don’t take methyl folate anymore and my other vitamins I generally take morning or early afternoon! I tried less melatonin (didn’t work) so i tried more. 

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM it’s best to move them to early morning if you can. 

[ElaineM]

Do you think I should up my reinstatement dose now. Still sleeping so bad!

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM @manymoretodays it has been 2 months since your reinstatement. I am not sure what to advise. Maybe manymoretodays can weigh in. 

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineMOn a good night how many hours total do you get? What about a bad night? Is it still mostly anxiety related to plans the next day? Do you go to bed about the same time every night? What time do you take your melatonin? I find one hour before bed is ideal for me. Have you tried a cup of camomile/lavender tea before bed? It has calming properties. 

[ElaineM]

my sleep has been broken so it’s kinda hard to know how much I get😂 on bad nights I’m pretty sure I sleep some but I go to sleep and wake up without knowing it if that makes sense. Like I know I slept because I don’t remember being awake that whole time, but I don’t remember sleeping at all. on the bad night, I eventually generally go to sleep towards the early morning and get 3 to 5 hours then just depending. 

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM how often is a bad night. Are there more good than bad? So had to know if a bit of an up dose will hurt or harm. Do you think the reinstatement helped at all?

[ElaineM]

Well lately bad nights have been about every night. 

The first reinstatement seemed to help right at first but I don’t know if it ever did tons. I also started magnesium and being consistent with fish oil about that time to!

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineMyou could try 1.25 mg and if you feel any bad reaction just go back to 1mg. Maybe it will be a help. Prozac is so tricky because it has a long half life so it takes some time to show the full effect. It makes tapering tricky too because a cut doesn’t always present symptoms right away.

[ElaineM]

Last night I tried upping the dose of a special magnesium that is supposed to help calm your brain (magnesium glycinate relaxes your muscles and that was what I was taking, but i’m currently trying both), and I slept better so going to try that again tonight! I for sure need my brain calmed not just my muscles😅

[LostInCanada]

I have a tea called Yogi Restful sleep. It is very calming.

[ElaineM]

hmm good to know! Thanks!

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM it’s just crazy that we are on this rollercoaster. I know some on here add mag to water and sip it all day to stay calm.

[ElaineM]

It certainly isn’t fun! I actually take Amare happy juice to help with mood and anxiety. Not sure if you have ever heard about it!! But people have amazing results from it. It is all natural and full of good stuff including probiotics (a lot of problems start in the gut). I actually sell it but I got in trouble once for talking about it on here (I didn’t know that was a rule). During the day I do great and my anxiety is better since starting that. But I can struggle at night due to the sleep thing! the new magnesium I am taking is magnesium l-threonate (they call it neuromag). the specific brand is designs for health, but not sure if that matters. 

[LostInCanada]

@ElaineM I never heard of it. It has caffeine in it but if it helps you great. I also did not do well taking l-theanine but I am fine drinking decaf black tea. Anything that works is a bonus.

[ElaineM]

there is a caffeine free option! I’m curious why you couldn’t do l-theanine?

[LostInCanada]

the l-theanine made me just feel sick in my stomach and generally unwell.

[manymoretodays]

Hi all,

And ElaineM it is a tough one, as you are in your first trimester.  Was your first pregnancy sleep deprived in the first trimester?  Tis different, as you were on a whopper Prozac dose then I know........and so, different factors now with this pregnancy.

 

Have you been consistent with the 1 mg Prozac, taken same dose at the same time now since April 24th?  It's totally okay I think, to updose just a little bit, as the 1 mg Prozac did seem to help......yet, could have been placebo effect....hard to know.  It does take longer to get to a steady state and I think you reported it helping almost immediately.  In any case it did not make things worse, as far as I can tell.  I might go with 1.5 mg, if otherwise you've been consistent with the 1 mg.  With daily reports, even some notes for us to view.  And give it a full week to 2 weeks, while eliminating all but the most gentle new additions.

notes like this: daily drug and symptom notes  Look at the sample note, don't worry too much about Glenmullen's symptom list right now, and then post them with the date, times to the left and everything else to the right.  Any drugs,supplements, ingestions of something new, by name and dose to the right.  Symptoms noted before and after the Prozac, to the right.  You could summarize your previous nights sleep, in the a.m. with your first time noted.  This always helps objectively.  And especially around any drug changes, for us to see, and you as well.

 

Other outside influences that would be stressing your fragile, vulnerable nervous system right now?  Things going on?  You are likely dys-regulated nervous system wise.  My own pregnancy was a long time ago, yet I recall, eat, sleep, work, be the good wife, etc.......no other rugrats to tend to, other than cats....... so different than your own now.

 

I think you have a very good chance of getting through this pregnancy and beyond without resorting to any total re-medication.  Or over supplementation.  Don't use too much magnesium, of all different types.  Stick to one in any 24 hour period.  Mostly you would experience diarrhea or more frequent stools with too much.  But less is more.  It honestly is.  You might be having cortisol awakenings at dawn or even pre-dawn.  Are you darkening your bedroom, staying off electronic devices, and easing into slumber?  Once awake, what do you do?  Can you add in soothing sounds or practices to get back to sleep?

 

Here's to more sleep.  Can you nap when your other little one does?  Do so, if you can.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

 

[ElaineM]

actually ever since I started taking 2 of that new magnesium at night I am sleeping pretty good. I still wake up in night but I can totally handle it. I am also taking magnesium glycinate but it isn’t affecting me negatively!

[LostInCanada]

5 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

actually ever since I started taking 2 of that new magnesium at night I am sleeping pretty good. I still wake up in night but I can totally handle it. I am also taking magnesium glycinate but it isn’t affecting me negatively!

That is great news... better than updosing ♥️

[ElaineM]

Yes!! I’m so thankful🙌🏻 I’m hoping it continues but it’s been three nights in a row!!