Laineyk: back for another shot of antidepressant freedom

[laineyk]

thanks for all the info on gluten free....question is HOW LONG????? before I start to feel better?

 

Today has been really bad for anxiety/depression...shaking all over and fall out crying twice already!?!

 

I have been on the zoloftb 50mg for 5 weeks now going into 6 weeks and although I have felt somewhat better, definately not where I need to be. When I have a day like today it makes me really worried

 

This is only day two with the gluten/dairy free so I dont expect to feel anything just yet but want some relief. will be seeing a gastroenterologist this Tues.

 

 

so what do you think about absorbing the zoloft? do you think that being gluten insensitive could be causing the zoloft not to work as well?

 

and is it time to think of increasing?

[Karma]

Some people notice that symptoms like bloating, gas, excess mucous and the like start to dissipate rapidly when switching to a gluten free/dairy free diet, but as I mentioned continued consumption of gluten when one is gluten intolerant causes damage to your intestines and it will take some time for that to heal. I wouldn't expect anxiety and depression to improve quickly with the diet change. But, you should see improvement with that over time. Even within 6 weeks you should notice some difference in how you feel.

 

I've never seen any information indicating that the damage done to the intestines effects the efficacy of medications. There was a group in London Ontario that was going to study this back in 2006, but I haven't found their study findings.

 

I came upon this pdf when trying to research to see if I could find anything indicating that the assimilation of medication could be affected by gluten intolerance http://www.celiaccentral.org/SiteData/docs/PsychImpac/9f9149f1f70d5eac/PsychImpactWebinarFinal.pdf. She indicates that certain nutrients may not be absorbed, but doesn't mention any medications.

 

What are your current symptoms at 50 mg Zoloft? You said you have had some improvement ... what symptoms have improved? You bounced around quite a bit at the beginning of the year and it may take a little longer to stabilize on 50 mg Zoloft.

 

BTW - you might want to read the book Dangerous Grains, by James Braly and Ron Hoggan.

 

Karma

[Meimeiquest]

I think it took me 4-5 weeks to feel better. It takes about 4 days to recover now if I screw up. If I understand correctly, gluten intolerance is much less serious than celiac disease.

[SaveMooses]

Hi Lainey! Sorry to hear you had a rough day today. That does tend to make you worry, but just remember to stay the course! Don't mess with dosages on anything until you stabilize. Like Alto and everyone else who has been replying, you have to stabilize first. That means all of those shakes and crying and things you have been going through need to come to a dull roar. It takes time, just remember that when you are going through that, that you just have to hang in there! The fact that some aspects have improved leads me to believe you are on the right path. I agree, a very rocky path, but the right direction! May God hold you and your family in His loving arms during this transition. Thinking about you often and rooting for you over here! Xoxo!

[laineyk]

Hi...today is better then yesterday PRAISE GOD!!!!!

 

my symptoms from the zoloft are still the same, but now I have to wonder if its the gluten that is making this reinstatement take so long.

 

I still have anxiety off & on but not as bad as in the beginning and I have had some "good days" I feel headachey most of the time along with gastro issues, lately have been feeling just "unwell" malaise, tired, cant focus on anything for too long...brain fog. neck hurts everyday...ugh

 

I do not plan on touching the dose of zoloft yet, I see p/doc on Wed. and I will not let her talk me into anything but staying the course, my question is still and has been, what if I am on it for 8 weeks and still do not have full relief?

 

yesterday was so bad that I just wanted to jump off the nearest cliff (not seriously, belief in God would never allow me to harm myself) but I tell you there are days that I cant imagine going another day

 

Thanks all of you for your concern

[Meimeiquest]

Hi Lainey,

 

I'm speaking to myself too...none of us knows what 8 weeks from now will be like. Does the phrase "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" ring a bell ? Again to me, the best way we can prepare for the future is live wholeheartedly today. When I talk to my mom about giant issues she always says, "but you know the one next thing to do, don't you?" Off my soapbox...sometime in the last 3 days I was posting about how afraid I am...Meimeiquest

[peggy]

Lainey, i get into the 'what if' game too - i have to keep pulling myself back and try, try, try not to go down that path. I think if you are having some better days then that is an indication that the reinstatement is working, albeit slower than you would like. There are many people that have to wait longer than 8 weeks for full relief, but i would suspect that if you are feeling some relief that full relief will eventually come.

 

I am in the same boat atm - feeling glimmers of relief, still not completely solid but definitely not as wobbly.

[Karma]

Hi Lainey

 

The symptoms you mention are highly correlated with the affects of gluten intolerance or celiac disease. If I were you I would stay the course with the GF diet and hold your Zoloft dosage.

 

I highly encourage you to read labels. For example, did you know the Twizzlers have wheat flour in them? Wheat flour is in places you wouldn't imagine. When I first started out, I assumed that I could eat the chicken sandwich at Chili's without the bun ... nope, it is marinated and has gluten in it. Chili's fries ... fried in a fryer where breaded items are fried and therefore, they are cross-contaminated.

 

While gluten intolerance generally means mild discomfort when consuming gluten and celiac disease is an autoimmune disease ... I suspect that if you had a blood test that resulted in this diagnosis that you actually have celiac disease. It certainly won't hurt you to religiously avoid gluten at this point in time and it will probably help the malaise and aches to go away.

 

Karma

[laineyk]

went and saw my gastroenterologist today, he had blood taken, tomorrow I go for sonogram, next week I go for HIDA scan of gallbladder and then week after that endoscopy!!!!!!

 

 

OUCH!!!! Only by Gods grace will I get through all of this, I am a basket case, such a hypochodriac and worry wart....but I have to find out for sure what is causing this much pain and gas.

 

I guess I will have to stay the course with same dose of zoloft, now is NOT the time for me to be stirring any pot.

 

BTW have I told you all how much I LOVE you for caring? well I do. God bless you

[tezza]

Hi Lainey,

 

I'm sorry you're still suffering with the pain and gas. Have they ruled out Diverticular Disease? When I first found out that I had that, my symptoms were pain and gas. It can be very painful but gallstones can too. My gallbladder was removed.

 

I hope the gastroenterologist finds out what's causing it soon.

 

Love,

Tezza

[basildev]

Bless you too Lainey.

 

I hope you find out what's wrong very soon.

 

Of course being in withdrawal makes everything 10 times worse and we're more likely to obsess and ruminate over our physical problems, which often exacerbates the issues at hand.

 

I often get a bit obsessive when in withdrawal - obsessive about my health and about my withdrawal symptoms.

 

I think it's pretty common.

 

May you be well

 

xxx

[laineyk]

sonogram showed nothing today so one step down...next week HIDAcan

 

I see the p/doc today and she will want me to increase the zoloft since its been 6 weeks but I am NOT going to increase, not a good time to do anything with my stomach problems...going to wait a bit longer

[laineyk]

so just got back from p/doc and as I surmised, she definately wants me to increase to 75mgs...I have decided to wait 2 more weeks before doing so

 

any thoughts?

 

I figure right now with all the procedures I have to go through I am in no shape for an increase just yet

[Altostrata]

Your doctor is treating withdrawal symptoms as though they were a psychiatric illness -- continually increasing medication.

 

You can go that way if you wish, Lainey. But if you want to minimize drugs and maybe go off them some day, I would stick with 50mg to let your system stabilize. 6 weeks is not an unusual amount of time to start to feel the benefit of reinstatement.

 

Any doctor can prescribe Zoloft. Is there a reason you want to work with a psychiatrist?

[laineyk]

no not at all, I could just go to my GP and she would prescribe the med too. Years ago last time I went back on the zoloft over 6 years ago, I had to go to 100mgs before I felt relief. stayed on that dose for about a year and then was able to drop back to 50mgs where I had been for the last 6 years

 

so I wonder if thats whats happening this time?

 

Alstro, you honestly think that staying at this same dose can/will stabilize me eventually? I figured if I wasnt feeling significantly better by 8 weeks it would be time to make a change

[peggy]

are you feeling any better lainey?

[Altostrata]

Lainey, here's some of your history from this topic:

I actually have felt worse the last week being on 75mgs (if thats possible)...

 

so I am going to start journaling my road to recovery

 

Today I went to 50mgs after taking 62.5 for 2 days

 

I will remain on this dose for 6-8 weeks and will see where I am at then

 

symptoms are as follows: 1. ANXIETY BAD

2. dizziness

3. headaches & neck tension

4. stomach problems

5. dry eye and blurred vision

6. head is in a fog

7. sensitive to noise & light

....

 

Lainey, stay on 50mg for at least 3-4 weeks.

 

No, your past dosage does not "count."

 

You cannot tell if this reinstatement is going to work or not. You have to see how your symptoms change.

 

Please do not let your anxiety persuade you to jump around any more in dosage.

 

Day 19...not to bad today even though I slept lousy and had a million night sweats. Yesterday on the other hand was bad all day!!!! It was constant anxiety non stop and trembling etc.

 

its weird how one day you can feel a little better and then the next BAM!!!! in your face

....

 

thanks Alto I read them and iot was very educating

 

Now update I had a fabulous late afternoon evening yesterday. went to my daughters for dinner and even helped cook....It was like a miracle, but today not so good?! ....

 

Hi...today is better then yesterday PRAISE GOD!!!!!

 

my symptoms from the zoloft are still the same, but now I have to wonder if its the gluten that is making this reinstatement take so long.

 

I still have anxiety off & on but not as bad as in the beginning and I have had some "good days" I feel headachey most of the time along with gastro issues, lately have been feeling just "unwell" malaise, tired, cant focus on anything for too long...brain fog. neck hurts everyday...ugh....

 

Lainey, what it looks like to me is that you are doing better on the 50mg reinstatement but you are impatient with the waves and windows that are typical of stabilizing after a bad withdrawal. Many people have trouble with this. We start to feel better, then we are frustrated when a wave of symptoms hits again.

 

This kind of anxiety has made you bounce around in dosages before. How are you feeling compared with February 15 (above)?

 

Can you remember how you felt on 75mg? That was the first part of February. You said it made you feel worse.

 

I don't know if more Zoloft would help or not. More is not necessarily better. Sometimes it takes months for someone's nervous system to stabilize after a bad withdrawal and reinstating.

 

You need to make the decision about what's right for you. One way to do this is to try a little more Zoloft for, say, a week, to see how it affects you. You have to have discipline to do this, and I hope you don't mind me saying, discipline has not been your strong suit.

[laineyk]

thanks Alstro, I just wish I had someone to make the decisions for me. I am quitting the p/doc, shes leaving for extended leave of absence and the one that I saw before has abruptly left?!? so I see that the turnover in this place is ridiculous

 

I am going to seek further testing on other things because I feel so weird in my head hard to describe...but just not right.

 

I pray my HIDA scan comes back good I can not fathom having surgery & staying in a hospital right now...ugh

 

today has been a rather bad day but to answer your question as to how I feel compared to Feb. ...hmmmmmm...I guess a bit better, Im not crawling out of my skin in the mornings anymore, so thats an improvement.

 

but I feel soooooo sluggish yet anxious too at times & with this stomach situation it makes it worse. been Gluten free for 5 days now & thought as of yesterday stomach was feeling a little better, but today its bad again

 

what to do what to do

[basildev]

Many people have trouble with this. We start to feel better, then we are frustrated when a wave of symptoms hits again.

 

Lainey, this is me to at T - I've been holding at the same dose for about as long as you. Some days are great, then I fall in a hole the very next day. It takes all my strength and resolve just to stay put and not try to 'fix' the situation by mucking around with my dosage.

 

Sometimes it takes months for someone's nervous system to stabilize after a bad withdrawal and reinstating.

 

It's taking a long time for me too. This is a really scary place to be. I understand and I hope you feel better soon.

 

xx

[laineyk]

hi all, havent been around because my grand daughter was born Easter morning & I had my 20month old grandson here since yesterday. its been busy and tireing but I did it.

 

as far as reinstatement is going, I am better but by FAR not where I need to be. this is week 7 and I told myself I will wait till week 8 before increasing.

 

I also am at end of 1st week gluten /dairy free and my stomach is finally settling down, so thats a HUGE improvment..but still feel very weird in my head and anxiety is still there off & on.

 

today I am trying to take my 1 mg klonopin in only 2 doses...so last night I took .5mg at 10:00 pm going to try and take .5mgs at 10:00am today and pray that will suffice for the day until tonight.

 

yesterday morning I woke with body twitches (thats what I call them) when my whole body kinda jumps out of no where...while still in bed trying to doze???? strange

 

trying to hold to the plan has been very difficult and my mind says "you need more of the drug" but you all tell me "NO" so its a battle

[Meimeiquest]

Many people have WD symptoms going off gluten. It's really a big deal. I would read all the stuff about gut health at beyondmeds.com. Best!

[laineyk]

thanks I will

[Altostrata]

Don't be in a hurry, sounds like your reinstatement is working. More is not necessarily better.

 

We all wish someone else would make our decisions for us.

[laineyk]

starting to feel as if I am the one that has taken the longest to RI

[basildev]

you're not Lainey,

 

I've been trying to stabilise for nearly 6 weeks.

 

I'm not where I want to be either. But sticking to it.

[laineyk]

Basildev, Its been almost 8 weeks for me.....when will you call it quits? I am going in for endoscopy next Tuesday to find out whats wrong with my gut. I do know I am gluten/cassien sensitive and have been off both for over a week, has helped some

 

wondering if gut issues have hindered my RI

[basildev]

Lainey, I definitely think the gut issues have slowed down your healing process.

 

Remember that when you're in wd, any changes to diet, (that includes a change to your eating/diet and supplements) can cause an adverse reaction. Even a new exercise regime can upset the apple cart.

 

I believe I slowed down my healing by dropping 1 mg after 2 weeks of a steady 20mg. Therefore, I effectively wiped out any gains I had made before then. I also think mucking around with supplements didn't help me.

 

In any case I'm at the highest dose so there's nowhere for me to go.

 

As far as I'm concerned it takes as long as it takes.

 

You're in a bit of a different boat to me because you have the option of going higher.

[basildev]

PS:

 

Go have a look at Flower's progress. Her reinstatement was coming along slowly until she gave up diet drinks. Now she's struggling again because she's dealing with another kind of 'withdrawal' in addition to her medication problems.

 

I think that could be happening with you too

 

xx

[laineyk]

thanks....but I really dont want to increase...I just want off

[laineyk]

so endoscopy showed that my stomach lining is BLOOD RED!!!! very inflamed, but thank God no cancer or ulcers, took biopsy for H-pylori, but Dr said this could be because of stress and anxiety!!!

 

What the heck am I going to do? if its not H-pylori, than I HAVE to find a way to destress because my mucous membranes in my gut are so inflamed that its causing prob;ems with my absorbing nutriennts and meinerals essential for life

 

I see p/doc next week & although 4 weeks ago they told me to increase my dose of zoloft I havent.

 

I am in such a dilema over whether to figure that the RI really didnt bring me back to normal and ditch the RI or just keep trudging on at 50 mgs for what????another month???that would be three months!!!!

 

 

Oh my...and I truely am wasting away...went from 189 to 148Lbs

[laineyk]

NOTE: This message was originally posted under 'Symptoms and self-care' and was titled "What are your symptoms?" ~Jemima

 

 

mine are :

ANXIETY

 

depression

headaches

 

weird fullness feeling in my head

 

can not concentrate

 

crying jags

 

dizzy

 

ears and eyes sensitive

 

twitching and numbness

 

and now I find that I am not only gluten sensitive but because of having endoscopy this last Tuesday I either have H-pylori or my stomach mucosa has been ruined by stress

lining is blood red, very inflamed

 

lost 30 some odd lbs...no appetite

 

agoraphobia

 

CRAP>>>I cant keep going on like this

 

My RI is going into its 9th week, everyone here said 8 weeks...well now what? go up? go down? stay miserable?

 

of course dr wants me to increase both zoloft and klonopin, I will NOT increase the klonopin but what do I do? this RI doesnt seem to be working

 

everyone here who RI sucsefully did it withing 8 weeks or less

 

I am so scared! I am going to make an appt with neurologist because my head just feels so weird...can it be from this poison?

[laineyk]

I think that I am going to make appt with cardiologist, neurologist and ENT so I can be sure that this is all due to freakin zoloft

 

I am a HUGE hypochondriac and the way I feel is scaring the bajeebies out of me

[Narcissus]

I don't think a successful reinstatement necessarily means going back to 'normal'. This is too much to expect if you've been seriously destabilized, and judging from your symptoms it sounds like you have. I see that you tried going up to 75 and 100 mgs, did that help at all? If not, than upping your dose probably won't help.

 

I would stay where you are if I were you. I know it feels like forever, but two months is really not all that long all things considered. I reinstated six months ago and still haven't stabilized.

 

Remember that by jumping around you're just adding to the time it'll take to heal.

 

Your weight loss, however, is concerning me. Has it stopped or are you continuing to lose weight?

[basildev]

pgd is right, Lainey.

 

It can take a long time.

 

Hang in there:)

[laineyk]

my weight loss is totally due to my gut issues. I had endoscopy a week ago still waiting on biopsie report for H-pylori, but if I don't have H then my stomach lining has been inflamed all due to stress

 

last couple days I have felt more lethargic and weak...???

 

I am trying to lower my dose of clonazepam because I feel that I have built a tolerance to it and its just causing more depression....but who knows

 

 

you say that its been 6 months and u r still not stabilised? why bother anymore?

 

Im at the point that I will probably start weaning off all this crap

 

tonight I am taking a yoga class that my daughters BF is the instructor (is that what you call them?) HE IS MODELING THE WHOLE SESSION FOR ME, "de-stress"

 

hope it helps because nothing else has as of yet

[Sparrow]

I am trying to lower my dose of clonazepam because I feel that I have built a tolerance to it and its just causing more depression....but who knows

 

Not a good move for a person trying to stabilize. This could undo any progress you've made over the past few months.

 

Alto said it before, I'll say it again: if you want to feel better, you need to stop messing around with your dosages.

 

Sparrow