☼ Wildflower0214 Effexor WD and PTSD

[luv2knit]

Yep! I'm with you there!

[Wildflower0214]

I left my purse at McDonalds and then didn't go back for a while and a staff member brought it to me the next time I was there. didn't even know it was gone. She said it had been there for about a week. Lol

[luv2knit]

Yeah, I've done some pretty stupid stuff--and I forget words that I use all the time.

[Wildflower0214]

This happened to me a few weeks ago. Had burning sensation, which actually makes me feel cold, got in hot shower. Then, tried to urinate and its like whatever muscle is responsible for contracting just didnt work. I could not empty my bladder completely. And, the last time this happened it was adjacent to a hot shower for burning sensation.

 

Who knows. Weird. I guess I'm going with....my nerves are so fried I forget how to pee at times. But, grateful to God it passes.

[luv2knit]

Not being able to empty your bladder is definitely nervous system. I had that in the beginning of my Transverse Myelitis. There's a lot that's going on in WD that is similar--to the point I have wondered if it is a TM flare. Even though I was paralyzed in all four limbs and couldn't walk or move my hands, this (WD) has me more freaked out than that... Sad...

[Wildflower0214]

Not being able to empty your bladder is definitely nervous system. I had that in the beginning of my Transverse Myelitis. There's a lot that's going on in WD that is similar--to the point I have wondered if it is a TM flare. Even though I was paralyzed in all four limbs and couldn't walk or move my hands, this (WD) has me more freaked out than that... Sad...

I cannot imagine what you went through with that. I'm so sorry. Ya, the bladder thing sucks. And, WD is very frightening. It's indescribable. It's caused problems for me with my family. They are just now believing me. My mom has to come and live with me. And she is exhausted and says she needs a break. I can't be alone very often, but can't handle being out with her that much especially right now. She tried to take me to Walmart today, and I told her no. We got to the parking lot and I told her I couldnt do it. I think she wants to get a cna, but we don't have money for that, and I don't want someone I dont know in my house. I cannot believe I'm thinking of having to get someone to sit with me.. Two years ago I was in a professional position, and had a life. Now I need a cna because I can't be alone for long periods. It's scary.

[luv2knit]

Yeah. I quit work right before our daughter was born. She will be 21 Wednesday. Between CFS and TM, I never went back. Also, our daughter has autonomic nerve damage from an antibiotic she was given over 4 years ago, and she needs me, even though she moved out and is living with her fiance. She can't work either. I also can't be by myself, so my husband has been working from home. Don't know how long he can do that, but I'm grateful. I know he's not ready to retire yet, even though he could.

[luv2knit]

We got in Walmart about a week ago, and I couldn't find my daughter or husband. I came the closest to passing out I ever have. I try to only go when I'm not at my worst, but it takes nothing to stress me out and change that. I think my daughter thinks I'm trying to compete with her and her problems. She has no clue, and I feel terrible because I'm not really there for her.

[Wildflower0214]

Yeah. I quit work right before our daughter was born. She will be 21 Wednesday. Between CFS and TM, I never went back. Also, our daughter has autonomic nerve damage from an antibiotic she was given over 4 years ago, and she needs me, even though she moved out and is living with her fiance. She can't work either. I also can't be by myself, so my husband has been working from home. Don't know how long he can do that, but I'm grateful. I know he's not ready to retire yet, even though he could.

Im so sorry to hear about your daughter. Has she improved any at all? I know, family are hard to deal with. I'm glad to hear your husband is compassionate.

[Wildflower0214]

We got in Walmart about a week ago, and I couldn't find my daughter or husband. I came the closest to passing out I ever have. I try to only go when I'm not at my worst, but it takes nothing to stress me out and change that. I think my daughter thinks I'm trying to compete with her and her problems. She has no clue, and I feel terrible because I'm not really there for her.

That has happened to me. I can be ok, then I lose my mom in there and just freak out. And I to tell her that she is stressing me out and just answer the phone when I call to find her, and then she yells at me. And I'm already irritable and I just want to scream obscenities! Because, if for one minute she had to walk in my shoes she would never say another word!!!

 

Have you tried explaining it to your daughter? What is her reaction?

[luv2knit]

Yeah, I've tried to talk to my daughter. We've always been really close. I think she thinks there's nothing wrong with me, and I'm just trying to be the center of attention. (I overheard something I wasn't supposed to hear.) I think it made more of an impression when her dad talked to her. He looked up the akathisia, and realized what I'm going through. He's also seen the way my hands shake (not as much now). I don't know what he told her, but I think she sort of gets it now.

[Wildflower0214]

There is a youtube video that helped with my family. It's called "antidepressant withdrawal: 10 most common symptoms" it's s two part video. Maybe ten minutes long. It's worth watching.

 

I'm sorry she has responded that way. That must be hurtful.

[luv2knit]

Thanks, I'll look into it. I'm sure she is hurt as well. She's been the center of attention with her problems for over 4 years. I wish she hadn't been so determined to move out, because when she has problems, she's under our insurance, and we are the ones who will take care of her. This causes me a lot of worry too. Fortunately they are less than a mile away from us.

[Wildflower0214]

I'm sorry. The worry is not helping u get better. Has she improved at all? I hope she comes to a place of compassion for your situation. Maybe, eventually this will bring you closer together in the long run.

[luv2knit]

She actually got better for about 18 months, and then got worse again. It's just the nature of the damage from this particular group of antibiotics. I think she sort of understands since her dad explained it to her, but that doesn't make it any better that I can't always be there when/if she needs something.

[Wildflower0214]

How did u sleep with the bladder thing. I can't sleep right now because of it. Feel like I have to pee

[luv2knit]

It's been so long now, I honestly don't remember. I think at that point, the bladder was a minor thing, and I was so exhausted I do remember it being an issue, though. If you are just not emptying, though, I remember my neurologist telling me to press down on my abdomen while going, and it would help empty.

[Wildflower0214]

Ended up in ER. Catheter. But now home and no catheter. And same problem. Feel like I need to go all of the time and can't empty my bladder. In at my wits end. I need a miracle. This ha happened before and God really stepped in, and lightened the load. I'm having to restrict fluids, and I get dehydrated easily. My electrolytes get off easily and this sensationi s robbing me if sleep. God help me.

[luv2knit]

Why are you having to restrict fluids? I've had issues peeing in WD too, but I just drink more water, and it seems to get better. I've been dehydrated a lot too. I'll pray that this gets better for you soon. Sorry you're going through this

[Wildflower0214]

Because, I cant empty my bladder all the way. Please pray.

[luv2knit]

Definitely--already have, and will continue!

[Wildflower0214]

Thank u

[Wildflower0214]

Back in hospital. Can't empty bladder. Refused meds. Catheter.

 

Does this happen to people?

[luv2knit]

Idk, but I am praying for you!!

[btdt]

Not being able to empty your bladder is definitely nervous system. I had that in the beginning of my Transverse Myelitis. There's a lot that's going on in WD that is similar--to the point I have wondered if it is a TM flare. Even though I was paralyzed in all four limbs and couldn't walk or move my hands, this (WD) has me more freaked out than that... Sad...

I am curious when you had the TM in relation to when you took the zoloft and what of the CFS  in relation to the Zoloft?  

[btdt]

Why are you having to restrict fluids? I've had issues peeing in WD too, but I just drink more water, and it seems to get better. I've been dehydrated a lot too. I'll pray that this gets better for you soon. Sorry you're going through this 

I had continual bladder infections...or that is what I was treated for.  I have had varying symptoms from not being able to control my bladder to not being able to empty my bladder to pain infections. 

One thing that continually came up in  my urine test were mast cells and blood. 

If I went for a urine test today it would likely show the same thing.  Oddly enough there was once a chat about this on topix I think the title was something about odd smelling urine.... the thread is gone now but it was up for years and countless people posted to it....saying they had the same sort of troubles with he bladder or kidneys. 

I am constantly feeling swollen now have been this way the last few years. Tho i have had one kidney infection identified this summer by a clinic doctor the emerg doc I ended up seeing was questioning his dx who the hell knows.  It would make sense that the nerves of the body are impaired and struggling to do their job best they can hoping for healing is about all I do here till the next thing comes up. I always feel my kidneys are not working well or correctly... I can't say what about them is off but I have never gone back to be normal in this area. 

I still can have loss of control either way as in just going when I don't mean to or not being able to go.  

[luv2knit]

btdt, sorry, I am just now seeing this.  I was put on Zoloft for CFS 20 years ago, when my daughter was 11 months old.  No anxiety, depression, etc.--just CFS.  I had suffered from CFS about 15 years at that point.  It helped some--to the point that I no longer fell asleep while driving, and my bad days were more like my good days had been before Zoloft.  I remember being very hesitant to go on an antidepressant, because I was not depressed--and my doctor knew that--but "studies had been done"... etc.  If I knew anything about these drugs at all, I would have never agreed to it!!  The onset of my TM was about 4 1/2 years after being put on Zoloft.  Strange... I was sitting in the hospital paralyzed in all four limbs, and my neurologist dropped the ball on approving my prescriptions, and I was without my Zoloft for almost a week.  Not the best time to remove me (unintentionally) from that, but there was so much else going on.

[luv2knit]

btdt--What did they treat you with for your bladder infections?  Cipro is a common antibiotic used for bladder infections, and it is the antibiotic that caused autonomic nerve damage in my daughter 4 1/2 years ago.  As it turned out, she didn't even have a bladder infection.  This class of antibiotics, called Fluoroquinolones, is really nasty (Cipro, Levaquin, and Avelox), and causes nerve damage on its own.  It can also cause kidney problems, and problems with every other system in the body.  There are two black box warnings (spontaneous tendon rupture and exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis), and most recently, a label change warning for peripheral neuropathy (possibly permanent, and with as little as one dose).  For some reason, though, doctors ignore this, and continue to prescribe these drugs for simple infections like URI and UTI.  I am a member of about 6 or 7 FB groups for Fluoroquinolone Toxicity, in an effort to help my daughter through this.

[btdt]

Oddly enough I was dx with CFS after my two wk run in with prozac for leg pain.  I had a severe protracted adverse reaction ... dx as CFS at about 2 years after prozac use.  I could never sleep never never never.  I had reached a point at time of CFS dx of being upright 2 hours a day but sleeping never I was in a state of altered existence not alive but not dead.  No energy no sleep and  a lot of pain. That is how I experienced CFS I was put into a pain clinic and given ...drum roll please another antidepressant... one like Effexor but a tricylic called hmm can't think of the name of it. Amitrityline was the name.  I could sleep with it but could not see... trade off they called it I was in bed by 8 pm dizzy most of the day but I could sleep... they called that treatment later they added zoloft then switched me to zoloft ... lots of energy on that but I wanted to drive my car into the cement guard rail a lot and kill everyone in the car including me... so that was a bad side effect... made me so FAT!!! I gained 45 pounds... near the end of using it.  Odd lot of energy and weight gain going together maybe it was mixing the two drugs. A quick run in with paxil made me crazy... so they countered that with the antipsychotic resperidol... I could not get up even to feed myself and weighed in at 100 pounds and a size 4 after that... came effexor..to which celexa was eventually added. . long old life isn't it. 

Some days I am amazed I lived thru all that. 

There is one post I made on here about celexa causing symptoms of CFS so I always like to check when I see anyone else had the dx. For me it seemed to come after having the prozac. Since nobody knows what causes it and it did start to hit at the same time as these ssri drugs it made me wonder.  Jury is still out I guess.

peace hope your well...

There is talk about SSRI drugs affecting the immune system I have read it for years but can never find much on this.  I know people have problems with inflammation when they go off them and I do too... was wondering if that was what was going on with my kidneys and the mast cells all being there.  As usual I have more questions than answers.  I think the entire health industry is built that way to be sure it is more ? than answers.  

ok I am done peace to you

[luv2knit]

Oddly enough I was dx with CFS after my two wk run in with prozac for leg pain.  I had a severe protracted adverse reaction ... dx as CFS at about 2 years after prozac use.  I could never sleep never never never.  I had reached a point at time of CFS dx of being upright 2 hours a day but sleeping never I was in a state of altered existence not alive but not dead.  No energy no sleep and  a lot of pain. That is how I experienced CFS I was put into a pain clinic and given ...drum roll please another antidepressant... one like Effexor but a tricylic called hmm can't think of the name of it. Amitrityline was the name.  I could sleep with it but could not see... trade off they called it I was in bed by 8 pm dizzy most of the day but I could sleep... they called that treatment later they added zoloft then switched me to zoloft ... lots of energy on that but I wanted to drive my car into the cement guard rail a lot and kill everyone in the car including me... so that was a bad side effect... made me so FAT!!! I gained 45 pounds... near the end of using it.  Odd lot of energy and weight gain going together maybe it was mixing the two drugs. A quick run in with paxil made me crazy... so they countered that with the antipsychotic resperidol... I could not get up even to feed myself and weighed in at 100 pounds and a size 4 after that... came effexor..to which celexa was eventually added. . long old life isn't it. 

Some days I am amazed I lived thru all that. 

There is one post I made on here about celexa causing symptoms of CFS so I always like to check when I see anyone else had the dx. For me it seemed to come after having the prozac. Since nobody knows what causes it and it did start to hit at the same time as these ssri drugs it made me wonder.  Jury is still out I guess.

peace hope your well...

There is talk about SSRI drugs affecting the immune system I have read it for years but can never find much on this.  I know people have problems with inflammation when they go off them and I do too... was wondering if that was what was going on with my kidneys and the mast cells all being there.  As usual I have more questions than answers.  I think the entire health industry is built that way to be sure it is more ? than answers.  

ok I am done peace to you

Yes, I guess they were bound and determined to put me on an antidepressant for my CFS, because years before, they had put me on Amitriptyline as well.  That one did nothing, and when we moved out of state, I didn't have a doctor, so I went off that one cold turkey.  Just recently found out that's not a good idea either.  I thought my depression during that brief period of time was because of the move and missing my family:(

[Wildflower0214]

Thoughts and prayers appreciated. Urine retention and hospital 2x in 2 days. Going to call urologist tmm.

[luv2knit]

So sorry Still praying. Hope you get some answers soon.

[Wildflower0214]

Thank you. Praying for u

[luv2knit]

Thank you.

[Wildflower0214]

This may be too much info. Well, they did ct scan and said I am unbelievably constipated (never had this problem before WD) they said it is pressing on bladder and that may have caused it. I drank one magnesium citrate and went some. Drank another, it's the next day and...nothing. So, we will see.

[luv2knit]

Yes, I have had this issue as well. I have to keep something in my stomach every few hours, even though I don't feel like eating, so last thing at night and first thing in the morning, I eat a few bites of high fiber cereal (usually Total). It seems to help some.