PoisonPills: Effexor XR and Seroquel Nightmare

[PoisonPills]

Hello Everyone

Just introducing myself to you all. Im completely new to this kind of thing, so bear with my training wheels! Hope I've posted this in the right spot....

Hoping to find information, support, validation and shared experiences here. Have hit a seriously low point on my journey, and feeling (almost) ready to admit defeat. I would so appreciate any insights, experiences or information you can share. So far I have found the site very informative and a source of great comfort in a strange kind of way - it has certainly helped me feel a little less alone, and alot more validated. Here's a little about me and my Effexor XR/Seroquel NIGHTMARE.

Cheers

PoisonPills

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Drugged with Prozac by mother/family doctor in 1984 aged 14 for being moody, emotional, angry and depressive. Never been the same. Decades of trialling on/off medications followed including Zoloft, Paxil, Lithium, Cipramil, Celexa, Lexapro, Seroquel and others to treat "anxiety/depression". None of which I tolerated. Significant memory loss from those years. Eventually lived medication free until events 9 years ago pushed me into severe anxiety/depression, and I returned to ADs. Big mistake. Have spent the last 8 years in the care (and I use that term loosely) of a psychiatrist who prescribed Effexor XR (doses ranging from 37.5mg to 300mg) with Seroquel (doses ranging from 25mg to 500mg) as a stabiliser. He routinely raised/lowered large dosages causing significant and incapacitating side effects - although often delayed - and therefore dismissed by psychiatrist as "imagination". I did have some improvement for a while. But as time progressed, I began to decline significantly; experience symptoms more intensely; and developed additional features/characteristics over the years including speech disruption (ie forgetting words/what Im saying literally mid-sentence); an electrical brain zap sensation; suicidal feelings; severe panic/anxiety/agorophobia/terror/dread; obsessiveness; light/sound sensitivity; skin flushing and staying red; difficulty regulating/controlling internal body temperature (sweats/shivers); complete inability to cope with stress/change/low resilience; spontaneous uncontrollable rage; paranoia; fantasising; excessive and spontaneous crying episodes; mood swings; tics/twitches; extreme fatigue; inability to function in daily life; food sensitivities; digestive/absorption problems; shocking sleep disturbance/nightmares and mania. It wasn't until I started researching and looking for my own answers that the "picture" of my collective symptoms and their causes began to emerge. The psychiatrist treating me later admitted he thought I was "faking" in order to get disability, and added that he thought I was too "open to suggestion" and being "influenced" by what I was reading/researching on the subject. He rubbished all the information I brought to him. When openly confronted with my extreme level of decline under his care, he nonchalantly replied, "I don't have all the answers". No longer being treated by said psychiatrist. To this day, I STILL have no clear diagnosis; or reason as to why I was drugged so extensively (or so long). When pressured, psychiatrist stated I had a vague "anxiety/depressive" illness with only some features of "personality disorder" and "bipolar disorder" due to mania/mood swings (which, incidentally, I never experienced prior to being drugged with SSRI's). My life has been utterly decimated by this experience. I remain unable to function in daily life, or maintain relationships, let alone work. I am literally staring down the barrel of homelessness at present. My medical team has utterly failed me, and I despair at the lack of local sources of support who will validate my experience.

 

TAPERING HISTORY

Began reducing Effexor from 225mg mid 2013. Got Effexor down to 75mg. Seroquel down to 25mg without much difficulty. Tapered in 75mg intervals over 4-8 weeks with a few uncomfortable but manageable side effects. Then reduced Effexor dosage to 37.5mg and held for 3 weeks, with problems emerging. Forced to "cold turkey" due to financial reasons. Hit with shocking (some instant/some delayed) discontinuation symptoms, and remain completely incapacitated. Its been 5 weeks since 11 February 2014. Symptoms include speech disruption; brain zap; suicidal feelings; panic/anxiety/agorophobia/terror/dread; obsessiveness; light/sound sensitivity; impaired ability to cope with stress/change; spontaneous uncontrollable rage; paranoia; fantasising; excessive and unexplainable crying episodes; mood swings; extreme fatigue; food sensitivities; digestive/absorption problems; shocking sleep disturbance/nightmares and mania. Seroquel now back up to between 100mg and 500mg a night due to anxiety and severe sleep disturbance. Recently commenced taking Organic Cold Pressed Flaxseed Oil; Magnesium (2000mg daily) and B Complex/Vitamin C but too early to tell if they are beneficial, although I have noticed significantly less muscle tension.

[Aria]

Poison pills,

Oh my your drug journey sounds like mine. Questioning why I kept keeping worse and varying diagnosis that were later found to be completely wrong (drug induced). This is wonderful site and the will have more info on tapering (I cold turkey-ed off Seroquel--no no, don't do that). I came off all my psych drugs and am happy I did.

[PoisonPills]

Hello Aria. Im thrilled to hear you survived and managed to get off the psych drugs. I hope I can get there too. Baby steps, right? Got my targets set on getting off the Seroquel next, but need to stabilise the Effexor withdrawal symptoms first. Sheesh, talk about intense. O_o

[bubble]

Hello PoisonPills,

 

I just want to let you know that I have read your incredible story  (that's unfortunately not so uncommon).

 

I'm happy for you that you have found this site which I have found extremely knowledgeable and supportive. Compliments for writing down your story so clearly.

 

Somebody more experienced will be here soon to offer you advice on what would be the best course of action. I see that you have already been reading the topic on the forum which I personally found very useful as well as stories of other fellow sufferers. 

 

The key things in successfully coming off of these harmful substances are patience and time. 

 

Cold-turkeying is very, very bad as Aria said. Unfortunately, the withdrawal symptoms don't wear off if you tough it out but become even worse.

 

I went off 2.5 mg of my drug and the worst hell started only 40 days after. 

 

I wish I had read some of the texts from the links below which I warmly recommend: 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/603-what-is-antidepressant-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

Welcome!

 

bubble

[Altostrata]

Welcome, PoisonPills.

 

I'm so sorry you've gone through this. It sounds like you had autonomic destabilization from drug changes while you were on the drugs.

 

Is there a way you can get generic Effexor? Perhaps from a free clinic or emergency room?

 

Reinstating even a small amount, such as 5mg, may help the withdrawal symptoms. Hopefully, you can stabilize and taper from there.

 

For information about titrating Effexor http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/

 

For information about fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

[PoisonPills]

Bubble & Altostrata

 

THANK YOU so much for the welcome and the input/insights <3

 

My addled brain is doing its sorry best to absorb and order the vast amount of FAB information available here, in an attempt to better manage my withdrawal hell. Without question, I need to slow/stabilise my symptoms. I did my best to be sensible and moderate in my approach to cessation of medication, and NEVER would've dropped from 37.5 to Zero of EffexorXR under normal circumstances. But what's done is done, and all I can do at this point is pick up the pieces as best I can; make like a mad scientist; and lab rat myself until I find the right solution in order to regain even a measure of functionality in life.

 

Hindsight is a very valuable tool - and after 5 weeks cold turkey off a 37.5mg dose of EffexorXR - I can definitely relate to the "waves and windows" scenario. Also note (thanks Bubble), that my symptoms really do seem to be intensifying rather than easing as time goes on - especially anxiety/dread, mania/mood swings and sleep disturbance. That pendulum is flappin' in the breeze baby. I do have concerns about reinstatement - even at such a low dose as 5mg - due to the hit/miss in terms of efficacy and potential risk of nosediving further - but willing to try ANYTHING at this point.

 

Alto - when you say "generic", do you mean "no name brand"? Or "instant release"? In Australia, the "Regular" or "Instant Release" version of Effexor was discontinued more than a year ago and is no longer available here. I have spoken to a series of compounding pharmacies who have advised that they "may be able to" prepare a 5mg dose using "fillers" to make it a bit more "instant release", but they would still be using the drug in its "slow release" form. Cost is a significant prohibitor for me at present, so going through a compounding pharmacy may be out of the question. I will most likely have to "bead" myself. That said, I am still left with access to only the XR form of Effexor, and not entirely sure what to do from here. Should I use the XR and bead out a 5mg dose myself?

 

PP

[Altostrata]

Yes, use the XR type and bead it out yourself, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/

 

Even 5 beads might help. I would try this first.

 

"Generic" means no-name (or not the famous names) and is usually cheaper.

[bubble]

You sound so reasonable and logical that I have every confidence you will beat this...

 

Take your time with all this information, it's realyl a lot all at once A small confidence: Alto is great and when she says something we all listen

 

I understand financila difficulties (although we live in a poor country where if you need a drug you get it for free! remnants of socialism that people take for granted).

 

All these drugs are nasty so I woudl very warmly like to underline Alto's advice: Even 5 beads might help. I would try this first.

 

Wishing you all the best and will be happy to help you with my modest experience and support.

 

Also look forward to your updates. We are available here always so you will soon find than whenever experiencing any discomfort and 'reporting' it here people will offer lots of support and guidance from their experience.

 

best,

bubble

[PoisonPills]

Signature Updated.

 

Thank you both so much. I'm so grateful for the caring, support, information, guidance and shared experiences Ive experienced so far.

 

I really hope so Bubble. The last week or so has been so extreme and intense and exhausting. Anxiety is in overdrive.

I did LOL at your use of "reasonable" and "logical" hehehehehe. Im sooooo not feeling like that person lately!!

 

Started a 5 bead micro taper yesterday (thank you Alto). Feeling hopeful and determined for the first time in ages.

 

Keep you posted

 

PP

[Altostrata]

Do you mean you took 5 beads? Be sure and do this at the same time each day, and give it at least 4 days to see how it affects you.

[PoisonPills]

Yes, I took 5 beads. Will do as you suggest. Article on tapering Effexor was very helpful, but can barely think straight atm so hope I got the gist straight. Am using Pfizer's own "generic". Size/number of beads per capsule is a nightmare (as expected) - shards & bits of bead throughout too. Climbing the walls with anxiety/irritability atm so it's really doing my head in trying to count those suckers out and be mindful of sizing. Bit worried about the "guess-timate" factor as having to do it all by eye at this stage - not ideal I know...  Hoping I can get my hands on a set of digital scales at some point. Thanks again.

[bubble]

Signature Updated.

 

Thank you both so much. I'm so grateful for the caring, support, information, guidance and shared experiences Ive experienced so far.

 

I really hope so Bubble. The last week or so has been so extreme and intense and exhausting. Anxiety is in overdrive.

I did LOL at your use of "reasonable" and "logical" hehehehehe. Im sooooo not feeling like that person lately!!

 

Started a 5 bead micro taper yesterday (thank you Alto). Feeling hopeful and determined for the first time in ages.

 

Keep you posted

 

PP

 

 

I understand how you feel and that you don't feel reasonable and logical (I'm not a native speaker so I was struggling to find the right words so probably missed but not by far

 

I'm said this because I read a lot of starting emails by new members and they usually seem to be in more confusion and take long to understand things such as stability, etc.

 

And your signature looks very neat and clear I think it's important to let you know that although you are feeling awful and not yourself, you still function very well (at least with things that are important to you). So even under this turmoil there is strength, focus and great presence of mind in you. I feel like I had to draw your attention to that

 

I will be very happy to hear about your updates and be here for you. So feel free to report on anything that might be happening. We hear find it very beneficial to share with each other our fears and everything.

 

I hope you get at least some relief soon.

 

best,

 

bubble 

[Altostrata]

Please let us know how you're doing.

[Lexy]

Hi PoisonPills

 

I read your thread and hope to hear more from you.

How are you today?

[PoisonPills]

Hey Bubble Alto Lexy

 

Am I imagining this? I feel better!! Sooo much better.... IN 2 DAYS!!! Surely I'm imagining this? Last night I slept peacefully and uninterrupted for 5 hours. 5 HOURS!! I haven't done that in months. No nightmares. No getting shocked awake with weird breathing and terrors. Went walking in the morning for the first time in weeks too. Felt so good. Feel a little more on an even kiel, and feel I have a little more clarity of thought. I even managed to go out in public today and socialise. OMfreakinG... it's been ages. Sending molto gratitude Alto

 

Only "new" effects Ive noticed are -

Stomach cramps around the liver area - unlike anything I've had before - like a gnawing/twisting/stabbing sensation - weird. Started just hours after I took the first dose of 5 beads.

 

Still alot of internal anxiety and a bit hyper (although not manic & climbing the walls & agorophobic & fear/dread).

Still get waves of emotion/weepy in response to imagined scenarios - but not as bad.

Stress tolerance/resilience still feels impaired (ie, I trip into virtual hysteria at shocks/stressors) - although better than before.

Still got the morning anxiety "rush" on awaking, followed by what feels like a kind of "dump".

Not feeling depressive/suicidal, or anywhere near.

Still on a huge emotional rollercoaster, but slightly better control. Was able to bring myself back to centre with breathing, visualisation and relaxation today for the first time in a very long time.

 

Side Issue... Im wondering if another piece of my mental health puzzle came into focus yesterday... I was reading through stuff on the site and noticed Duromine (hyper stimulant?) mentioned somewhere. Just months before I had a total (unexplained) breakdown in 1991 (age 21), I was prescribed Duromine 30mg for weight loss. At the same time I was also taking Zoloft. Coincidence? I'm starting to wonder... Any info/insights on that one?

 

 

Bubble - thank you so much for all your words of encouragement and validation. Your AWESOMENESS is showing

 

Am deeply touched by the concern and care for my wellbeing that all of you have shown. Gratitude <3

[Petunia]

Hi PP,

I've been following your story and I'm so glad that you have started to feel better.  As others have said, stay on 5 beads for a minimum of 4 days and then re-evaluate,  the reinstatement seems to be working for you.

 

Are you still getting the stomach cramps?

 

It may have been one of my posts you were reading in relation to duromine and an SSRI.  I was on 40mg of duromine for over a year at the same time I was on Lexapro.  There is a major drug interaction between them, which I wasn't told about.  In hindsight I can see clearly how that mistake effected me.  I'd had a complete personality change, was doing things I never would have considered previously and now I'm thinking that it has probably contributed to my general nervous system destabilization.

 

But after getting off Lexapro, I subsequently got diagnosed with adult ADD and started on the stimulant drug merry-go-round.

 

You are probably going to do much better than me, it looks like you are, when I tried to reinstate, I immediately felt worse.

 

Do keep us updated

 

Petu.

[Petunia]

Drug interaction between phentermine (duromine) and zoloft

 

Major

 

Talk to your doctor before using sertraline together with phentermine. Sertraline may increase the effects of phentermine, and side effects such as jitteriness, nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, and racing thoughts have been reported....

 

http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1851-0,2057-1348

[Rhiannon]

Hi PP, welcome!

 

Sounds like the small reinstatement has helped. Now, what usually happens next is, people hit another bad spell and then they start worrying, maybe they should take more, maybe they should take less, etc. The reinstatement will cushion the worst of the withdrawal "free fall" but you will still continue to have ups and downs, better days and worse days. This is normal. This is typical. On the bad days you will fear that you're going to be like this forever, but you won't. Try to just observe and let go.

 

It's okay to add a bead or two if you feel you want to, but it's best not to keep tweaking the meds up and down; try to find a dose you think is sustainable, and then just stick with it and hang in there and ride out the weather good and bad. It will probably take some months for you to really stabilize.

 

Please don't change doses from one day to the next, as Alto says that's like playing ping-pong with your brain. It will make withdrawal symptoms worse and it will be impossible to stabilize.

 

I highly recommend keeping a daily journal of symptoms, ranking them on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 as your worst and 1 as no symptoms. Just jot it down each day in a book or something. This is because our brains, on meds and during withdrawal, are not very good at subjectively observing and comparing our symptoms from one day or week to the next, and it can be hard for us to see the patterns unfold. The journal will give you some concrete information/data to keep track of. Once you begin to taper, eventually, you can use the journal to track cuts as well as symptoms.

 

Given your chaotic, extensive history and the length of time on meds, plus how young you were when first started on them (before your brain was mature), I would highly recommend taking at least six months* to stabilize on your current doses before beginning to taper, and then when you do, starting with very small cuts of 5% or less until you see how it's going to affect you. There's no hurry--you have the rest of your life ahead of you, and only one brain, so take good care of it! :-)

 

*nothing wrong with taking longer, too! 

[Rhiannon]

Oh and oh yes, I highly recommend for you to read Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker. You will find it very validating, and it also will help you understand why psychiatrists and doctors are so ignorant and misled and misleading about these drugs.

[PoisonPills]

Petu!!! OMG I just read the drug interraction link you sent...Tears. I have tears. Of relief. Of rage. Of grief. What on earth was my doctor thinking!?! The Prozac at 14 was bad enough. That changed me. But the breakdown at 21 was a devastation I have never recovered from. And never understood how or why it happened. It didn't make sense. Everything I was died at that point. Every gentle, creative, vibrant shred of me just evaporated and never came back. It took everything I was. And everything that mattered. Dear God. I'm stunned I'm still alive. Thank you for sharing that with me. Thank you!!!!

[PoisonPills]

And yes, still have stomach cramps....

[PoisonPills]

Hi Rhi

Thanks - sound advice. I instinctively felt that I would need to stay on this 5 bead dose for quite some time. Im in no rush. Ive lost 30 years of my life to these drugs, and I'll be damned if they get one more day outta me. I'm playing to win. Whatever it takes. I'm a skilled rollercoaster rider too hehehe. Fully expect peaks and troughs, windows and waves. So grateful you're all here for me. I have been keeping an observation journal to note down my experiences/symptoms. As you say, it helps keep track of what's happening. Will start to 'rank' symptoms though - good idea!! I find reading back over my notes from "good" days a bit of a motivator. It reminds me that "this too shall pass"... even when I feel like I'm not going to make it. Thanks also for the reading list recommendation. Will track down a copy. Thanks so much Rhi!!

[mammaP]

Unbelievable isn't it? Just 5 little beads! I reinstated and held at 4 beads for 7 months.

There were windows when I felt amazing and could have stayed there forever, but also

waves that were so strong and devastating I thought they would never end. 

I was amazed at how quickly I felt better after reinstating and feel so sad for the people

who didn't find this site with all the wonderful information in time, they sre suffering awful

withdrawal. 

 

I hope you continue to feel much better for a long time. 

[PoisonPills]

I know right?! Really amazed (and grateful) at how quickly I felt relief. Steeling myself for the onslaught to come. But youre never really prepared are you? It is really heartening to hear/read the stories of others who are dealing with (and healing from) the fallout caused by Effexor. Thanks for sharing mammaP

[Altostrata]

Good to hear you're doing better, pp.

 

Are you taking the B complex at the same time you take the Effexor? You might stop that for a bit.

 

Not sure about the liver symptoms. Do you feel them in your back? Did you have them when you started taking Effexor before?

[PoisonPills]

Thanks Alto I take the Effexor late afternoon. Take Vits B and C in morning generally. Should I cease taking them for a while? Or just be mindful of timing? No pain in the back. Havent experienced this type of pain before. It is occassional/intermittent. But not severe - more like uncomfortable.

[Altostrata]

Liver pain would be toward the back.

 

When you took Effexor before, did you have stomach upset?

[PoisonPills]

That's difficult to answer fully as I had my gallbladder removed some 9 years ago and have had digestive disturbance/upset stomach and bowel discomfort ever since. I was prescribed Effexor around that same time so it is difficult to know which was the culprit. What I can say for sure is that this pain/discomfort is very different from what I have previously experienced.

[Altostrata]

Try taking the Effexor XR with food.

[PoisonPills]

Will do.

[PoisonPills]

Quick update...

 

Day 3 of 5 bead reinstatement (16/4/2014), was smashed with intense fatigue and body aches. It's Day 4 and symptoms still present.

Actually napped for a few hours in the day - which I haven't done in over a year.

Still feeling better mentally though. Thoughts more ordered. Feel more in control. Better able to self care (hygiene, eating well).

Still have stomach cramping but it has lessened. (Took Effexor with food yesterday, thx for the tip Alto).

 

PP

[bubble]

I would say you are doing great. Unfortunately it may take months to  stabilise (which also doesn't mean that the symptoms will go away, just that they will become more bearable).

 

A very important lesson for me was to learn that there is no right dose for me but that it is staying at one dose that is important since this brings stability and stability is what heals.

 

(unless there are adverse effects). 

 

Going up and down in the search of the 'right' dose is the very thing that makes matters worse. 

 

It's very encouraging to see when people learn that little detail quickly and from example of other people rather than taking months (or years) and experiment with their brains. 

 

I use the period of holding to explore new coping strategies, learn about supplements, etc. or just read other people's stories. Anything to help myself not to obssess about symptoms and dosages.

 

How are things with your housing situation?

 

best,

 

bubble

[mammaP]

Glad you are feeling better PP.  I love your avatar, it makes me smile every time I see it! 

[PoisonPills]

Thanks bubble. I was a bit concerned that the sudden onset of intense fatigue/body aches/blocked nose might have been some kind of adverse effect. It just smashed into me like a freight train around 2pm on Day 3. But today is Day 5 and I am doing a bit better. Managed some exercise and sunshine. Awesome balm to a tired aching body.

 

After going cold turkey off the 37.5mg Effexor and crashing over the subsequent 5 weeks; then feeling so much better after 5 teeny magic beads; I am determined to stay at this dose for the next 6 months. My GP and PDoc did enough experimenting on me thank you very much and now I know better, so am happy with that. The most important thing for me is getting stable enough so that I am functional and can work again. I'm always going to obsess a little about symptoms/dosages hehehe that's just me!!, but I hear ya. I have found reading the stories of others, and the information here very useful and validating indeed.

 

Currently dealing with alot of anger and regret and grief over lost years, but am dealing with that through sessions with my art/creative/holistic therapist, and my own creative journeying. (Although we are being careful not to open up the unconscious mind too much whilst in such a sensitive state. She's aware of my withdrawal syndrome and we are adapting sessions accordingly).

 

Housing situation on the other hand, is still crappy. I have a roof over my head until 19 March. Ive explored every option available, but to no avail yet. Crossing my fingers. Wouldnt be the first time Ive been homeless. Ive lived in my car, and in emergency accommodation shelters before as a result of mental health issues (that I am now convinced were the result of fallout from SNRIs/SSRIs). Im only getting minimal assistance from community agencies, and really wouldnt be eating at all if it wasn't for my dear friends. It wouldnt be fair to stay with them in my current state - although they have offered me a spot on the couch if it comes to that - but it is not sustainable or fair to ask them to endure that, especially when Im in such a state. Anyway, I have a few things in the pipeline, so hoping that things will pan out. It really is a ridiculous amount of stress to be under though.

 

And getting back to work isn't as easy as it sounds either... I worked for 8 years in disability/dual diagnosis, and was assaulted in 3 separate workplace incidents in 2012/2013 after legislative changes meant clients had to immediately cease psychiatric medication. (Yet more silent victims of withdrawal). I watched good and wonderful people I had worked with for years change overnight into anxious, self harming, violent, crazed individuals who were completely out of control. Such a horrendous loss of dignity for them. It broke my heart to watch it. Those violent events traumatised me physically and emotionally very badly too, and I still cannot return to disability work for that reason. Anyway, my employer was so unsupportive. And when my GP and PDoc cranked up my dosages of Effexor and Seroquel overnight, I went into freefall too, just like my clients. Eventually my insurance was cut, and I lived off my life savings until it was all gone. I've sold pretty much everything I own. And here I am, after a career in service to others, eeking out survival on welfare and handouts and about to lose the roof over my head. Nice one!! NOT. As I said... a ridiculous amount of stress to be under. And stress is a major trigger for symptoms for me. Major. Trying to get work in a field other than one's area of expertise at age 43 and without a recent work history is next to impossible. It is the most gruelling and soul crushing experience. I have so much to offer an employer, but I just cannot work full time or under stressful circumstances. And I cannot return to disability work. Not yet anyway. I went back to study but that just wasnt sustainable in my condition; and couldnt find suitable part time work to keep me going. Anyway, enough about my crazy life. I'm still kickin as they say. And I'm not dead yet. Where there is life, there is hope.  

 

 

 

I would say you are doing great. Unfortunately it may take months to  stabilise (which also doesn't mean that the symptoms will go away, just that they will become more bearable).

 

A very important lesson for me was to learn that there is no right dose for me but that it is staying at one dose that is important since this brings stability and stability is what heals.

 

(unless there are adverse effects). 

 

Going up and down in the search of the 'right' dose is the very thing that makes matters worse. 

 

It's very encouraging to see when people learn that little detail quickly and from example of other people rather than taking months (or years) and experiment with their brains. 

 

I use the period of holding to explore new coping strategies, learn about supplements, etc. or just read other people's stories. Anything to help myself not to obssess about symptoms and dosages.

 

How are things with your housing situation?

 

best,

 

bubble

[PoisonPills]

Thank you!!

Hammy is THA BOMB mammaP ;-)

Hyperactive rabid squirrel. That's how I feel most days hehehehe

 

Glad you are feeling better PP.  I love your avatar, it makes me smile every time I see it! 

[PoisonPills]

Can anyone tell me how to delete my account?

I have searched the Help files and my Profile settings but can't locate any information.

Thanks in advance.