success Hibari: tapering Remeron and want to start tapering Lamictal

[Hibari]

39 minutes ago, Merrymary said:

Hi Hibari, 

 

I have been following your tread for the last six months...I am sorry you are feeling bad...tapering is so hard.

 

I am tapering klonopin, down to 0,6  and  I have started to taper very slowly mirtazapine in april. Down to 5,8 from 7,5.

 

I know I shouldn't be tapering both...but Mirtazapine makes me feel like a zombie...and every morning I am non fonctional because I feel so drugged when I wake up...Does the drugged feeling lessened and at what dosage? 

 

Hope you feel better soon!

Hi Merrymary,

 

I empathize with how you feel on Mirtazapine.   It is more sedating at the lower doses.   I think but I can't really remember clearly right now that when I got under 2mgs I didn't feel as sedated.  The way I handled it was to get up, if I could a little earlier to help me work through the fog.  I also was drinking coffee at that time but I found green tea to be a much better choice for me.  It seemed to clear my head.   

 

So the drugged feeling may continue for awhile but that doesn't mean anything is wrong.  Mirt is prescribed as sleep aid and appetite stimulant as well as used to treat depression. (that part didn't work for me at all).   

 

 

 

[Hibari]

40 minutes ago, Merrymary said:

Ho yes, and also...I can't nap...is this normal and as I go down I will be able to nap again?

From my experience there is a rebound affect on sleep from getting off Mirtazapine.  Even before I started taking it I was a very good sleeper and then after I got off of it, I had some rebound insomnia.  

I know people who can nap after they heal a bit from Mirt.   So it may take some time for your sleep and napping to come back but I believe they can. 

 

My own napping is not good due to my Lamictal wd and the inner anxiety.  

 

Wishing you well. 

[Merrymary]

Thank you so much...I will try green tea because coffee is not a good choice in benzo withdrawal...and never was for me!!!

 

So much brain fog...can't wait to feel like a clear head someday!!!

 

 

[Hibari]

I hear you!  I just had a little cold green tea and it helped a tiny bit with my head fog. But no more or else I won't sleep.  

[Hibari]

Warning: Not an upbeat post

 

So, its another tough beginning to the day and I wondering if I'm doing something wrong?.   I haven't stabilized on my 8.8mgs of Lamictal since my dog died a little over a month ago and the news my husband is to have surgery this week.  I also did make the switch to crushing my tablets and take 3.8 in power form and 1 5 mgs tablet last Wednesday.   Does it take about a week to get used to that method of delivery?  

 

While I did have one partially good day on Saturday, meaning I work up without the fear and terror, for the most part I'm so sick.  These days are very hard for me and I feel scared about stabilizing.   The only good thing is I'm not depressed, I'm very clear about that.  I'm just so physically tense and scared.  I feel so ill and yet can't relax and of course no appetite.   Forcing myself to drink smoothies to get the calories in because I know I'm losing weight.  

 

I said to God this morning, Please lift this awful feeling.  I also said I now so appreciate life, please know that I want to be in life.  I'm a different person from before I started to taper and what I want and how I want to live is so much simpler.  That's okay with me, I accept it-I just want the chance to feel what life has to offer now. 

[SkyBlue]

 

Hello, Hibari,

 

Thanks for the warning. : ) You're allowed to post non-upbeat posts. <<< >>>>

 

You are under a lot of stress. You are in withdrawal, which is beyond stressful, to say the very least. And these additional stressors are adding to that.

28 minutes ago, Hibari said:

I haven't stabilized on my 8.8mgs of Lamictal since my dog died a little over a month ago and the news my husband is to have surgery this week.  I also did make the switch to crushing my tablets and take 3.8 in power form and 1 5 mgs tablet last Wednesday.   Does it take about a week to get used to that method of delivery?  

 

Yes, making any switch (tablets to liquid; name brand to generic, etc.) should be considered a "dosage event" and almost like a dosage change in itself. So yes, it might take a week or so to get used to a different method of delivery. This may vary. 

 

As you may know, cortisol spikes are very common in withdrawal. It is our hyperaroused nervous system. There is a thread on it, https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/17471-waking-with-panic-or-anxiety-managing-cortisol-spikes/

 

 

What are you able to do right now to take care of yourself? Even to distract, for a short while? Are you able to handle magnesium? That can be calming. Keep praying and hang in there and stay strong. Keep us updated.

 

[Hibari]

Hi SkyBlue,  

 

Trying to distract myself by walking and playing spider solitaire.  Walked over to my office to wait on a delivery.  

 

I'm very sad about all of this and am trying to stay as strong as possible.  

 

 

[brassmonkey]

Hi Hibari--  I'm answering your PM here so that you will have a more accessible answer.  

 

I'm sorry to hear about the major upsets you've had in the last month.  Either one of them is enough to throw someone for a loop, let alone having them happen while tapering.  Tapering off of ADs is a very slow motion balancing act. Make a small change and wait weeks to regain your balance.  All the while life is throwing bricks at you making it all the harder to stay on the high wire.  The big problem is that any little change in the drugs can take a long time to show any affects and making changes too soon only makes things worse.  Especially if life is out of balance in the first place.

 

Making a small updose to help calm severe symptoms can be a workable idea, but it is dependent on the symptoms being only from the drugs.  An updose to mitigate life's problems ususally doesn't work to well.  What it does do is restart the clock on stabilization, so it will be even longer before you can continue to taper.  As a person decreases their dose the body starts to adjust and frequently doesn't like having more drugs thrown at it.  The body has become sensitive to the drug and fights against the increase. If the body is also stressed by outside problems the effect can be even worse.

 

Doing a small updose might help take the edge off of your symptoms, but I think that much of the current problem is stress/anxiety related and using coping tools will yield better results.  Life has throw several very heavy bricks at you and there is nothing that can unthrow them.  Acceptance of the situation and doing what is needed to be done to get through the next several weeks or months is going to go a long way to calming things down.  The out of control feeling caused by events can be very frightening and cause a of secondary panic/anxiety,  It is up to you to control that secondary panic as best as you can and move on.

 

Brassmonkey

[Hibari]

6 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi Hibari--  I'm answering your PM here so that you will have a more accessible answer.  

 

I'm sorry to hear about the major upsets you've had in the last month.  Either one of them is enough to throw someone for a loop, let alone having them happen while tapering.  Tapering off of ADs is a very slow motion balancing act. Make a small change and wait weeks to regain your balance.  All the while life is throwing bricks at you making it all the harder to stay on the high wire.  The big problem is that any little change in the drugs can take a long time to show any affects and making changes too soon only makes things worse.  Especially if life is out of balance in the first place.

 

Making a small updose to help calm severe symptoms can be a workable idea, but it is dependent on the symptoms being only from the drugs.  An updose to mitigate life's problems ususally doesn't work to well.  What it does do is restart the clock on stabilization, so it will be even longer before you can continue to taper.  As a person decreases their dose the body starts to adjust and frequently doesn't like having more drugs thrown at it.  The body has become sensitive to the drug and fights against the increase. If the body is also stressed by outside problems the effect can be even worse.

 

Doing a small updose might help take the edge off of your symptoms, but I think that much of the current problem is stress/anxiety related and using coping tools will yield better results.  Life has throw several very heavy bricks at you and there is nothing that can unthrow them.  Acceptance of the situation and doing what is needed to be done to get through the next several weeks or months is going to go a long way to calming things down.  The out of control feeling caused by events can be very frightening and cause a of secondary panic/anxiety,  It is up to you to control that secondary panic as best as you can and move on.

 

Brassmonkey

Thank you Brass, as always I appreciate the detail of your answers to me.   The interesting thing with me is my mind is very clear and at the same time, my body is very triggered by withdrawal, grief and stress.   I try and do things to calm down and in fact, worked for about 3 hours today even though I hadn't slept all night and was so tired and wired.  I forced myself to work in order to "drain off" some of the mental energy and physical tension.  It was tough, I have no appetite and was out of it but no one seemed to comment directly on it.  

 

Like many here, it's the awful physical symptoms that I want relief from right now.   I don't feel depressed, just very scared, with waves of adrenaline and that horrible inner tension.   I will try to hold on for awhile longer before considering an up-dose.   

 

Tomorrow is my husbands surgery and while I know he has his own anxiety about it, he actually is quite solid in his belief that it will go well.   I feel it will as well, I just pray for some sleep tonight.

 

Thank you again. 

[Frogie]

Hi Hibari:

 

I just wanted you to know you and your husband will be in my prayers for his surgery tomorrow.

 

Let me know how he does.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Hibari]

1 hour ago, Frogie said:

Hi Hibari:

 

I just wanted you to know you and your husband will be in my prayers for his surgery tomorrow.

 

Let me know how he does.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

Thank you Frogie, I so appreciate you keeping us in your prayers. 

 

I will post here how it went. 

 

Hibari 

[brassmonkey]

xx x xx  all fingers crossed for DH.

[wantrelief]

Hi Hibari,

 

I haven't posted on your thread before but have been reading your posts.  I am so sorry you have been under so much stress recently and it is causing these awful symptoms.  I hope everything goes smoothly with your husband's surgery tomorrow and am hopeful once that is behind you, you will start to feel some relief.

 

I am in awe of your having tapered two meds and to have gotten so far down on your third one.....that is such a huge accomplishment!

 

I'll be thinking about you, 

WR

 

[Hibari]

11 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

xx x xx  all fingers crossed for DH.

Thank you so much. 

[Hibari]

21 hours ago, wantrelief said:

Hi Hibari,

 

I haven't posted on your thread before but have been reading your posts.  I am so sorry you have been under so much stress recently and it is causing these awful symptoms.  I hope everything goes smoothly with your husband's surgery tomorrow and am hopeful once that is behind you, you will start to feel some relief.

 

I am in awe of your having tapered two meds and to have gotten so far down on your third one.....that is such a huge accomplishment!

 

I'll be thinking about you, 

WR

 

Thank you wantrelief.   Today is an easier day, I took some magnesium last night and was able to sleep.  I'm going to keep using it for the next few nights to see if continues to help.  It was a godsend last night.

 

My husband's surgery went smoothly and he is now home and relaxing. 

 

It's so interesting, to hear your words.  While I have been feeling like a failure for tapering this last med too quickly, to hear you say that I made a huge accomplishment makes me feel good.  Thank you. 🙂

[Hibari]

My husband's surgery went smoothy and he is now recuperating at home. 

 

I also got some sleep last night and it made a difference for me today.   I ended up taking magnesium before bed and then little pieces of it when I woke up during the night. 

Going to keep going with it. 

 

Thank you for all the good wishes. 

[wantrelief]

I am so happy to hear your husband's surgery went smoothly and he is doing well....that is very good news!

 

Also wonderful news you were able to sleep; I am so glad the magnesium worked for you.

 

9 minutes ago, Hibari said:

It's so interesting, to hear your words.  While I have been feeling like a failure for tapering this last med too quickly, to hear you say that I made a huge accomplishment makes me feel good. 

It is so interesting how we see ourselves....I am sorry to hear you have been feeling like a failure -  I look at what you have accomplished and wonder how I am ever going to get to where you are.  You should be proud of how far you've come in your journey.

[Frogie]

12 hours ago, Hibari said:

My husband's surgery went smoothy and he is now recuperating at home. 

 

I also got some sleep last night and it made a difference for me today.   I ended up taking magnesium before bed and then little pieces of it when I woke up during the night. 

Going to keep going with it. 

 

Thank you for all the good wishes. 

I'm so glad your husband's surgery went well.

 

Hopefully you can relax a little now.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Hibari]

1 hour ago, Frogie said:

I'm so glad your husband's surgery went well.

 

Hopefully you can relax a little now.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

Thank you Frogie.  Back to having another tough day but maybe it was the time waiting and then bringing my husband home. The magnesium did not work last night.  This up and down os maddening.  

 

Sorry to dump.  I really appreciate your support.  

 

Hibari. 

[Frogie]

16 minutes ago, Hibari said:

Thank you Frogie.  Back to having another tough day but maybe it was the time waiting and then bringing my husband home. The magnesium did not work last night.  This up and down os maddening.  

 

Sorry to dump.  I really appreciate your support.  

 

Hibari. 

So sorry to hear that Hibari. I hope your day gets a little easier as it goes on. I've tried magnesium a few times, but I didn't feel it did anything for me. But I might not have given it enough time to do anything. I hear a lot of people on here have wonderful results. Maybe keep trying it and see if it helps. It can't hurt. But I'm not a dr or mod. The mods are wonderful on here and can help you with that.

 

The ups and downs are maddening. I know how you feel. But you are on your last medication. Lucky you. I am not done with the lexapro taper and then I have Xanax. But I'm feeling great the lower I get on the lexapro taper.

 

You are not dumping on me at all. I'm here for support also as we have the dogs in common and the WD. Brownie will be gone 4 months  on the 9th of September, so I might be coming to you for support.

 

Again, I'm so happy for your husbands great results with the surgery.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

[Hibari]

52 minutes ago, Frogie said:

So sorry to hear that Hibari. I hope your day gets a little easier as it goes on. I've tried magnesium a few times, but I didn't feel it did anything for me. But I might not have given it enough time to do anything. I hear a lot of people on here have wonderful results. Maybe keep trying it and see if it helps. It can't hurt. But I'm not a dr or mod. The mods are wonderful on here and can help you with that.

 

The ups and downs are maddening. I know how you feel. But you are on your last medication. Lucky you. I am not done with the lexapro taper and then I have Xanax. But I'm feeling great the lower I get on the lexapro taper.

 

You are not dumping on me at all. I'm here for support also as we have the dogs in common and the WD. Brownie will be gone 4 months  on the 9th of September, so I might be coming to you for support.

 

Again, I'm so happy for your husbands great results with the surgery.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

I'm so glad you are feeling good on your Lexapro taper, that is such a nice feeling.  

 

I understand the significance of September for Brownie and I feel for you.   I cried yesterday over Jordy while I was waiting to go pick my husband up.  Still miss him terribly and will probably cry again today. I also keep running into people who express their sympathy and while it's nice that they remember him, it makes me tear up.   Has that happened to you? 

 

Trying to get out of the house today to run some errands. 

[Hibari]

I have made the decision that I need to make a small updose.  My physical symptoms these past 5 days  have driven me to the point of wanting to go to the emergency room where I would probably be medicated and sent home. Even before this recent period I was not in a completely stable place.  

 

I can't function like this anymore, it is debilitating to me physically and mentally.  And even if it sets my timeline back for tapering, I have to accept that.  I have to continue working and I am barely able to at this time.  

 

My plan is to go from my current dose of 8.8mgs to 10mgs.  That is an initial increase of 1.2 mgs.  That will move away from having to do any complicated  measuring. 

 

If any moderators feel that updose  amount is off in some way, I'm  open to your input.  

 

Thank you.

 

Hibari. 

 

 

[Hibari]

So I did an up dose 3 days ago from 8.8mgs to 10mgs.   This was after an up and down period during late August and a very bad stretch of days where I was close to going to the emergency room due to the insomnia, anxiety, panic, no appetite racing thoughts and sheer despair.    I even took a .50mg of Xanax to make it through one very bad afternoon.  

 

So, after 3 nights here is my question based on reading some other threads on up dosing.   I read that if the up dose causes symptoms, then you should drop back down.   Do you drop back down to your original starting point or to a lesser up dose?   I'm asking because I'm slightly confused about my body's response. 

 

If there is a window to dropping down again, I want to catch it.  I'm sorry if I am being so overly focused but I'm trying to stay out of trouble.   I know it's not good to bounce around with doses but I know you all understand the fear of getting stuck in places with your mind and body that you don't want. 

 

9/4/18 Tuesday-Wednesday  Take 10mgs at night:   I feel easier mentally and physically initially but then another anxious night with no sleep.  Headache and nausea in the morning, some  anxiety till the afternoon.  Feeling tired and spacey.

9/5/18 Wednesday-Thursday  Take 10mgs at night:   Horrible night of no sleep, sweating, adrenaline surges.   Feel scared and sick the next day with headache and nausea.   Very tired and wired throughout the day.  No appetite and feeling scared.   Go to acupuncture and feel so much better after the treatment.  Feel like a normal person for the rest of the evening.  

9/6/18  Thursday-Friday  Take 10mgs at night:   After sleeping some hours, I wake up today with headache and nausea but okay mood-wise.  Some anxiety.   Anxiety about feeling nausea and headachy.  I give the acupuncture treatment lots of credit for helping me feel better today. 

 

Thank you to anyone who can give me input on this. 

[Hibari]

So I think my updose was too high even at 1.2 mgs.  I probably should have gonenuonless but was not thinking clearly from a very bad stretch of days. 

 

Have horrible nausea, headache, insomnia and internal agitation on this 4th night of 10mgs.  Only 1 night of ok sleep after accuputure. 

 

My question to a moderator is

Should I drop back to my original dose of 8.8mgs or make a smaller drop to something like 9.50mgs?  

 

I know of takes about 4 days to reach a certain amount of meds in the system and I am entering that 4th day not feeling well.   

 

Thank you.  

 

Hibari. 

 

 

[wantrelief]

Hi Hibari - I am really sorry you are feeling lousy from the updose......I really wish you could catch a break. I am hoping a moderator will give you some guidance.  Thinking about you - WR.

[Hibari]

Thank you WR for stopping by.   I ended up coming down a bit on the updose, which hasn't really helped much except to keep me from feeling as depressed as I was in the higher amount.  

 

I have been very upset over my recent choices around trying to ease my wd symptoms. It was too hard to stay at the dose I was at with how slammed my nervous system has been with personal loss and stress but I probably could have made a smaller updose and may have gotten relief.  It's hard to say and all I can do now is try to stabilize at this new dose. I'm tying to kind to myself and feed my brain with hope.  

 

I appreciate you thinking of me. 

[Hibari]

Finally got some sleep last night after 3 days of no sleep and a stretch of about 5 days before that. 

I was in a manic state from the up-dose and I can see why people are then medicated because of this horrible reaction to medication.   Its such a terrible cycle.

 

I feel sedated and more depressed,  or maybe just emotionally cut off on the up-dose, and of course that makes me sad.   My plan is to hold here till I am really stable and then start down again.  I am hoping that the small up-dose hasn't set me back too much. 

[wantrelief]

1 hour ago, Hibari said:

Finally got some sleep last night after 3 days of no sleep and a stretch of about 5 days before that. 

I was in a manic state from the up-dose and I can see why people are then medicated because of this horrible reaction to medication.   Its such a terrible cycle.

 

I feel sedated and more depressed,  or maybe just emotionally cut off on the up-dose, and of course that makes me sad.   My plan is to hold here till I am really stable and then start down again.  I am hoping that the small up-dose hasn't set me back too much. 

I am so glad you were able to finally get some sleep, Hibari.....hopefully that is a good sign you will stabilize soon on the lower dose.  

[Hibari]

I do think that is a good sign and I am holding it in my mind eye that I am stabilizing.  

[manymoretodays]

Hi Hibari,

Great thought......your last post ^.

 

So sorry that it has taken me so long to get here.  To your introduction.

Good that you got some sleep.

And don't be so hard on yourself.

 

Have you considered any cognitive type therapy or ever done such?  It's not a weakness to want to express feelings somewhere safe.  Sometimes a stranger or a professional is great to do that with.  That sounds weird......a stranger.....  I think I mean someone face to face.    I mean you may now be feeling things that were sort of blocked up by the medications........I don't know.  And then recent stuff that you have had to deal with.  It's hard.  Add on W/D and it's even harder.

 

When is the last time you had your thyroid levels checked?  Just in case.  The stress can throw so much off sometimes. 

 

So 9.50 mg now of your Lamictal.  Day 5.  

And that's your only medication now(other than the bioidentical and Armour Thyroid).  I mean that is huge in itself! 

And I'll see when you post more quickly, now that I've posted here.  I'm on follow in other words.    Happy to help. 

 

Do you use any magnesium or fish oil?  I'll link you, probably again........yet, I really think that they have helped me in the long haul of W/D.

 

King of supplements: Omega-3's

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocked

 

Where you have mentioned feeling "manic" , they can be calming.  To both the body and mind.  And then you felt low or "depressed".  The fish oil might help even things out.  And I most definitely find the magnesium to be calming.  I do the baths and just buy epsom salts cheaply locally.  I sometimes use mag citrate diluted in water, if I'm feeling worked up and can't get a bath.  Just pick one or the other to try first so you can know how you tolerate it.  Keep some notes on paper or a calendar to reference.

 

Are you doing any gentle exercise?

 

Oh.....my other thought is.........is there anyway you could take a bit of time just for yourself?  Like maybe go visit someone and take a little time off work.  You have had a lot of stress.  Just a thought.  Maybe a friend could check in on your dear hubs?

 

Okay, all for now. 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

Edited September 13, 2018 by manymoretodays
additional on supplements

[Hibari]

10 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Hi Hibari,

Great thought......your last post ^.

 

So sorry that it has taken me so long to get here.  To your introduction.

Good that you got some sleep.

And don't be so hard on yourself.

 

Have you considered any cognitive type therapy or ever done such?  It's not a weakness to want to express feelings somewhere safe.  Sometimes a stranger or a professional is great to do that with.  That sounds weird......a stranger.....  I think I mean someone face to face.    I mean you may now be feeling things that were sort of blocked up by the medications........I don't know.  And then recent stuff that you have had to deal with.  It's hard.  Add on W/D and it's even harder.

 

When is the last time you had your thyroid levels checked?  Just in case.  The stress can throw so much off sometimes. 

 

So 9.50 mg now of your Lamictal.  Day 5.  

And that's your only medication now(other than the bioidentical and Armour Thyroid).  I mean that is huge in itself! 

And I'll see when you post more quickly, now that I've posted here.  I'm on follow in other words.    Happy to help. 

 

Do you use any magnesium or fish oil?  I'll link you, probably again........yet, I really think that they have helped me in the long haul of W/D.

 

King of supplements: Omega-3's

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocked

 

Where you have mentioned feeling "manic" , they can be calming.  To both the body and mind.  And then you felt low or "depressed".  The fish oil might help even things out.  And I most definitely find the magnesium to be calming.  I do the baths and just buy epsom salts cheaply locally.  I sometimes use mag citrate diluted in water, if I'm feeling worked up and can't get a bath.  Just pick one or the other to try first so you can know how you tolerate it.  Keep some notes on paper or a calendar to reference.

 

Are you doing any gentle exercise?

 

Oh.....my other thought is.........is there anyway you could take a bit of time just for yourself?  Like maybe go visit someone and take a little time off work.  You have had a lot of stress.  Just a thought.  Maybe a friend could check in on your dear hubs?

 

Okay, all for now. 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

Thank you MMT for looking at my thread and responding. 

 

I actually have just gone back into therapy and have a good feeling about the person.  She is kind and supportive regarding meds, grief, etc. 

 

I had my thyroid checked about 4 months ago and it was a little confusing.    I think my doctor thought my thyroid was high but in doing my own research, It actually may be a tad low.   I'm hesitant to change anything at this point so will continue with my current dose.

 

Yes, now at 9.5 and I feel even this is too high an up-dose.  I had asked for guidance on how much to go up and then had to make a choice based on the amount of distress I was in.   I couldn't hold on where I was any longer.  Here's what happened. 

• I was on 8.8 since June 21st and was not stable but probably was moving towards it and planning to hold 4-6 months. 
• On July 22nd, , my dog unexpectedly passed away, which broke my heart and shook my nervous system. 
• In late August, my husband was told he had to have immediate surgery for a cancerous tumor, another hit to my system (he had the tumor removed, no other evidence of cancer and no need for treatment). 
• I was feeling so unstable that I thought I was not being precise enough in my measuring of my meds (I was dry cutting dissoluble tablets).  I ask for advice on this, got some and switch to chopping up my medication into powder.  I was told to look at this almost like a cut as I was changing my deliver method of my meds.
• After picking up my husband from surgery,  the following day I went into an acute state of withdrawal for about 5 days, and considered going to the emergency room (for what, who knows).  No sleep and at one point I even took .50 of Xanax, which helped temporarily.  Hadn't taken a benzo since I stopped in September 2014.
• After 6 days for horrific symptoms and insomnia, I decided to up-dose. 
• I updosed 1.2 mgs, which brought me to 10mgs.   It was too much,  I had increased physical wd symptoms plus an increase in depression and despair. 
• After 4 days, I dropped down to 9.5 and felt some relief of those symptoms but now feel sedated, weepy and stuck.   I don't think it would be wise to drop down again but I am open to suggestion.
• I plan to hold here if I can till the side affects of Lamictal wear off. 

 

I have started using magnesium and do find it helpful.  Using it mainly for sleep and then use L-Theanine for anxiety during the day. 

I've tried fish oil in the past but in made me a little hyper.  I'm going to wait and see how I feel when I stabilize. 

 

I used to walk a lot with my dog.  Once he passed that stopped and I am now forcing myself to walk everywhere again (I live in a city).

 

I don't work that much and we are going away this weekend, where hopefully I can relax more.  Unfortunately, it does remind me of my dog very strongly. 

 

I don't mean to sound like a victim but I do feel sad about the circumstances above.  Of course, it can be the med increase as well.   Going to acupuncture today, which has been very helpful in the past. 

 

[Hibari]

Okay, I have a feeling I know the answer I will get but want to ask it any way. 

 

I recently up-dosed from 8.8 to 10mgs and realized it was too much.  Had deep depression, manic reaction, and wild emotions.  

Decided after 4 days to drop to 9.5mgs.  

 

Having done that, I am still very sedated, weepy and depressed.  Have been at this dose for 5 days.

 

I wanted to try and come down just a bit to move me out of this state.   Would coming down to 9.2mgs be too much after 5 days?

 

Here is the time line:

Was at 8.8mgs from June 21-9/8 but was in excruciating wd from the third week in August to Sept. 4th. 

9/4/18  Go from 8.8-10mgs  Very bad reaction, depression, manic, insomnia, crying.

9/8/18  Drop to 9.50  Depression, very sad, insomnia, bad headache, and nausea.

9/13/18  Considering dropping t o 9.2mgs. 

 

Is it too late to drop down?

 

[ChessieCat]

It takes about 4 days for the dose to get to full level in the blood and longer for it to register in the brain, so your brain my still be reacting to the updose and it may take a bit longer it to register the reduction.  The decision about whether to reduce more is something only you can decide.  Whatever you decide, you need to stick with it and give your brain a chance to catch up.

 

Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

[Hibari]

Thank you Chessie.  I made the choice to drop from 9.5 to 9.4.  I was feeling SI for the first time ever plus deep depression and walking around in a stupor.  I had to take an action. 

 

So, the result was the the depression lifted somewhat, the anxiety returned and the nausea and headache were less.  Not a miracle but a small shift, which is what I wanted. I plan to stay here now for a long while and let this reduction settle.  

 

These past few months have been extraordinarily stressful and I know my choices have been clunky and emotional.  I just felt I could not ride though deep feelings of depression and the SI that the updose caused.  

 

Thanks for commenting on my thread.  

[ChessieCat]

You're welcome.  I hope things settle down quickly.

 

I suggest you keeps daily notes on paper.  This way you will be able to check back and be more objective.

 

Edited September 14, 2018 by ChessieCat

[Hibari]

I have started tracking my days.

 

No sleep again and a day of deep sadness, off and on crying and an inability to relax.  Was out with my husband and then tried to rest bit could not. Watched tv to distract myself from my fearful thoughts.  

 

Made myself take a long walk to try and drain off my energy.  

 

I have taken magnesium and drinking a calming tea to try and sleep.  I am anxious about taking my medication because it is making  me wired every night.  

 

I keep asking God to help lift these symptoms.  No response so far.  

 

One of the hardest periods of wd I have ever been in.