Offeverything27: Pssd healings

[Offeverything27]

I need to know that someone has got better from pssd. I came off methadone and Xanax, I had an amazing fiancé and went on Effexor to help with the withdrawal. My fiancé left me because I lost passion and my sex drive . So I came off six months ago and still it's not with me. I'm praying that someone will give me hope right now

[Nomoreheadmeds]

welcome 'offeverything27' Did your doctor suggest effexor to help with withdrawals ? If you put your medication history in your signature it will help readers of your posts.

I wish you well

[Petunia]

Welcome Offeverything,

I'm sorry that your fiancé left you because you were not well, that doesn't sound very amazing to me, nice people stick around and be understanding and supportive. I think you will find someone much better.

 

People do recover from PSSD, it can take a while, just like with other withdrawal symptoms. Is this the only symptom you have? How did you stop taking Effexor?

 

It would be great if you would put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Doing this helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

[Offeverything27]

Yeah I'll have to create a signature. I was prescribed 75mg of Effexor for a year after discontinuing methadone and Xanax. I took Effexor in 2006 and stopped in 2008, and my sexual side effects lifted. I never imagined they would stick. Can someone send me a link to a success story??

 

I weaned off Effexor over six months. I experience emotional blunting also

[Offeverything27]

Tonight I had hope and I lost the hope I had and feel nothing but the content that maybe death will bring me a feeling of sadness, which would be a blessing.

[Nomoreheadmeds]

hi 'offeverything27' , are you seeing a counselor or therapist at the moment ?

[Offeverything27]

Yes.

 

I had a breakthrough. I'm not sure why, or how. But I suspect that my emotions are going crazy right now because I took St. John's wort two days ago and yesterday morning .

 

This morning I woke up with extreme depression. A couple hours later I let it all out. I cried and cried and cried and cried and I'm still holding back tears.

 

I don't m is the last time I e cried! I'm sitting here watching maternity court having emotional connections. I almost can't believe I'm saying this. This morning I woke up and something felt off. I felt sad. But I didn't realize it

 

Two or three hours ago I started crying and crying. I feel like I let everything I've been hurrying out of myself! When it all went, I was filled with jitters, or anxiety in the pit of my stomach. Now I feel alive! For the first time in years! I'm remembering and realizing what was causing my sexual dysfunction. I couldn't relate with myself because I was holding so much in! But not purposely. Could it be because I took some St. John's wort two days ago??

 

I've been filled with emptiness for the longest time. I received emails about St. John's wort healing people with pssd

 

The way I feel right now is Exactly how I felt when I first went cold turkey from Effexor in 2008.

 

Then I went back on Effexor in 2010 and since even after stopping g Effexor I have t had an feelings whatsoever. My heart is racing. I'm not sure what to say except that I'm making connections that I forgot existed previously

[Offeverything27]

When I first took St. John's wort 600 mg I started having feelings but they went away. Then the next morning I took 600mg. Then I felt nothing again. Now today I feel very emotional. Is this because St. John's wort is proven to creating new synapses for serotonin and dopamine?? I feel like I know a lot about neuroscience and it makes perfect sense

 

Effexor works by desensitizing Sertonin synapses, allowing it to build up in your blood.

 

St. John's wort does the opposite, is sensitizes those areas that accept the serotonin. So this means I have enough serotonin, but my brain wouldn't absorb it due to the Ssri nature which is to desensitize it, not allowing it absorb in the brain, or be accepted by the Nuerons which is why you feel emotionless

 

Usually this reverses when most people quit but for some it doesn't

 

Did St. John's wort reverse the damage?? I have that feeling in my heart right now where my heart races

 

This is completely different from how I've been feeling.

[Offeverything27]

Again I' haven't taken any medications in almost 6 months. I've been off Xanax for 19 months.

[brassmonkey]

SJW is effectively an SSRI, it does not reverse the changes made to the brain by other ssris or snris.  At the very best is will just cover them up a little.  SJW also has it's own set of problems, such as quickly building to tolerance levels, it must be tapered and is know to cause PSSD.  When used in conjunction with other ssris it can cause serotonin syndrome. 

 

Would you please add a signature block outlining your history, it will really help us to help you. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

[Altostrata]

Hello, Off.

 

Taking St. John's Wort or anything serotonergic is a good way to further destabilize a nervous system sensitized by withdrawal syndrome.

 

The effects are unpredictable. Your mileage may vary. See our discussions about St. John's Wort in the Symptoms forum.

[Futurerecovery]

By the way you're not the first person who said that St. John's Wort improved or even cured the PSSD.

Do you still take it? I also would like to know whether your symptoms got worse with withdrawal.

 

Do I understand correctly that your heart did not race anymore due to PSSD? I have the same symptom.

[Offeverything27]

St. John's wort I believed helped temporarily but it's obviously not a cure. I believe what I was experiencing were withdrawals from St. John sorts, and it brought up emotions In me and in other areas I've been struggling with. I' apologize if I misled anyone, I did research and was clinging g o to anything to give me hope

[Offeverything27]

I tried to take my life last week . I never had anyone tell me they got better from pssd and the feeling where you have no feelings. I'm very close again . I never got an email or anything suggesting this ever gets better. I never found a story on the Internet. I need someone please

[iull1k]

You should read this topic http://www.pssdforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=185&sid=095e2df356890755ab3fa8e1e780ebd7

[Offeverything27]

Just so everyone knows, Effexor damaged my brain. I want my brain researched when I'm dead, to see if they can find anything. Before I took it I was emotionally stAble, I was happy. I just had panic attacks. After Effexor I have no feelings. I have no sex drive because I have no human feelings. I wish I would have had ago east one response, but I guess there's a reason for it

[Theon]

I have read about people who recovered from loss of libido from ssri, also from people who didn't recover.

 

The fact that most that recovered don't bother to write it on the internet and most of those who didn't recover tend to write it on the internet makes me think that most of the people recover... It seems logical...

 

There are people who recover!! The time of recovery can be very very long but you will never know if you don't keep going.

 

There is something that I discovered reciently that moves me (not many things move me due to my emotional flatness) and that thing is cold showers, the water being the coldest it can be.

 

I take a cold shower (the coldest that comes out from the tap) for 3 minutes, it is sooo unpleasant that it moves me and it gets me out of my emotional flatness for some minutes because I REALLY REALLY REALLY WANT to get out of the shower. And I don't remember the last time I really really really wanted something so bad.

 

It can sound stupid but try it, nothing moves me more than wanting to get out of the cold water in the mornings, and it is a daily break from my emotional numbness

[Theon]

Actually cold showers increase testosterone and relieves depression according to some websites.. maybe it is not even that stupid, lol.

 

http://www.menprovement.com/benefits-of-cold-showers/

[Altostrata]

Offeverything, I merged your topics. Only one Intro topic to a member.

 

If you are feeling close to suicide, please contact your local suicide hotline. See Help for those who are feeling desperate or suicidal.

 

As this is an Internet forum, we cannot give you the immediate assistance you need.

 

Many people have recovered from PSSD. I have recovered myself. If you look around on the Web hard enough, you can find confirmation for any idea you want. To help yourself heal, please stop scaring yourself with worst case scenarios.

[andy013]

Offeverything, I don't understand when the PSSD began. Did you have the problem while you were taking the drug, or did it develop only once you stopped? Have you thought about going back on Effexor to see if it helps?

[KarenB]

Hello Offeverything,

 

I am currently tapering from Effexor - I've gone from 150mg down to about 133mg - and these last few weeks my emotions are starting to come back.  Mostly sadness and anger - which I feel is very appropriate .  I think that you couldn't stop your feelings coming back even if you wanted to.  The drugs got in the way, but nature will bring you back to where you should be.  It may be slow, but that's because it takes time to build a strong foundation - nature doesn't rush things. 

 

I like to imagine the healing happening in my brain and emotions - I believe a little bit of healing will be occuring somewhere in my brain at any given moment.  And I like to focus on the things I can do to to support that healing - cod-liver oil, vitamin e, gentle exercise, yoga, there are so many things.  Have a look at http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/ for heaps more ideas.

 

I hear your desparation - you are in a real hard place for sure, and I know that sometimes it feels hopeless.  It's more than anyone should have to deal with.  I've been in those places too.  I hope you keep pushing for healing - it does happen.  

 

Hugs,

Karen 

[Altostrata]

andy, that's a logical thought -- but it's not a good idea for anyone to go back on the drug to fix PSSD. Frequently, the drugs cause sexual dysfunction.

 

One goes back on a low dose to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

[andy013]

Yeah, reading again it seems like the problem developed while he was still on the drugs and failed to revert this time once he stopped.

[Offeverything27]

If your reading this, your probably in a similar situation. You began an anti depressant because you were sad and down and needed a pick me up for a tough time. Well, I understand. My father died a few years ago and I was young and went on an anti depressant called Effexor 75 mg.

 

I almost Immediately lost my Ed drive and emotions: which is how I believed it was supposed to work. My depression vanished. I felt like a sociopath; I lost the ability to feel

 

I weaned off once I decided it was affecting my life, over 8 months off 75 mg. I'm 5 months off and my passion hasn't come back. My sex drive and love has t come back. I tried to bang myself late September and my mother somehow found me and I was in the psych ward. I wish she never found me: my names Derek, I'm 27. I lost the love of my life. Her name is Danielle. I had to let her go knowing my love was gone. Apparently she took it really hard, but what can I do, pull her down with me? I want to see her find someone who's capable of love.

 

I was a tennis player for UT, I studied criminal justice. I had minor depression. I lost everything. Everything. I'm crying right now which I haven't done in a while, but it's not a good cry. It's me recognizing defeat. My feet vibrate, I can't sleep. I would donate my brain to help scientists understand and possibly help you people here. I would do anything to help anyone else left with this. With nothing and everything. It's a curse. I prayed thousands of prayers. No answers, so signs of hope. I find myself preparing for the afterlife. Whatever it may be, maybe I'll feel sadness when I'm gone. That would be better than feeling nothing trapped in my body. My mother is taking this hard, my family is confused. Here's this guy who can get with any women and get a great job but is lost. Well, I'm gone, how can I help them understand. How is me being like this helping anyone. At least when they can forget about me without being constantly reminded of what I am vs what I was just a couple years ago.

 

If there is a god why is t he helping us? Next time, no one will be able to save me. But I wish there was a way that someone could analyze my brain the help find a cure for you people.

 

At least then something good would come of this. I can't live with this pain. It's too dark and deep. It's not depression. It's a nothingness and there is t a word that describes it:

 

My name is Derek. I forever apologize to Danielle, to my mother, my family, my brother, my dog. I will always love you guys. I will always be looking for love again and I will never forget you

[Lexy]

Welcome

Please post your weaning process and any other drug history. This will help the moderators give you better advice.

 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/?hl=introductions

[bubble]

Offeverything, I merged your topics. Only one Intro topic to a member.

 

If you are feeling close to suicide, please contact your local suicide hotline. See Help for those who are feeling desperate or suicidal.

 

As this is an Internet forum, we cannot give you the immediate assistance you need.

 

Many people have recovered from PSSD. I have recovered myself. If you look around on the Web hard enough, you can find confirmation for any idea you want. To help yourself heal, please stop scaring yourself with worst case scenarios.

 

I'm afraid you have no choice but get a grip on yourself. Being destructive won't help anyone, the least of all you. Each and one of us here has felt or has been feeling for a long time like you now. This just means we have to try looking for what will make us feel better harder and accept our situation as something temporary that will pass. If we don't make it worse, with heroin and other things.

 

Posting like this doesn't help you or any of us who get support from this forum on our paths to healing. It made me quite upset so I hope you will respect this community and refrain from extreme negativism. I do understand how bad you are. I've felt like this for the first time at the age of 19. But this won't help you. I hope that you calm down and start addressing your situation in a constructive way.

 

What are the steps that you took after you received the message from Altostrata I copied above and other suggestions here?

 

Best,

Bubble

[brassmonkey]

I am truly sorry that you're in so much anguish Offeverything, and need to vent, but we have to think about the community at large and the contents of your post go beyond the bounds of good taste. So I have hidden it.  We cannot condone the use of street drugs or threats of suicide no matter how badly someone is suffering.  If you can come up with some concrete questions we will try and address them as best as we can.

[Offeverything27]

I just keep pushing myself, going to work, the gym: the I wake up with the gut wrenching feeling of being alone, realizing how important love was to me, how important dreams were to me and how they kept me happy. Realizing now that I feel cold, I can't sleep. My feet vibrate.

 

My x is out there and she needs me, and I'm trapped. I don't get the warm feeling I used to when I would cuddle up with someone, or before you sleep.

 

It's demoralizing. I can't and won't live like this. It's too painful. I haven't heard Anyone who said they got better from this. I read stories of people feeling good after a couple months.

 

Deep down I'm screaming to get out, I'm trapped. I can't expect Anyone to understand

 

This is t depression it's physical. Why can't I feel that warm feeling anymore ?

[dalsaan]

Maybe you are pushing too hard, we need to create conditions that soothe our nervous system and encourage it to stabilise and rebalance. Can you take some time away from work and back off the gym stuff. I'm not talking give up all exercise buy strenuous activity can put pressure on your nervous system

 

Are you taking any supplements?

[Offeverything27]

No more of this. I'm out .

[johnson]

Hi,

 

I don't know if this will help you in anyway but maybe I can tell you a bit about my story.

 

I'm 33 years old and still live at home with my parents. I haven't had a girlfriend in years, and just when things finally started to look up I got PSSD and a bunch of other symptoms from taking 5HTP.

 

Life has been a struggle for me all the way back since the start of high school(anxiety, depression, etc) to now. I've been through hell and back many times. I've been off my pills for almost 3 years now but still have to deal with PSSD and headaches on a daily basis. I have made some improvements as far as recovery(read my signature), and have goals that I am starting to work on and will accomplish while I recover no matter how hard it may be.

 

I guess what I'm saying is don't quit. I haven't and it's been almost 3 years since my nightmare began. You have to find a reason to keep going and keep pushing(at times it's very hard especially when seeing others in life pass by me while I still struggle).

You could recover a lot sooner than me.

 

Here's a quote from Martin Luther King.

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

[Offeverything27]

You have pssd from anti depressants?? For three years with no recovery? Do you not understand I'm suicidal?? Was that supposed to offer me hope? It sounds like you have it tough Johnson and I applaud you for waiting it out as long as you have, but this life is t for me anymore. It was hard before but now it's just ******* ridiculous . Death will be a step up for me. I'm not even being 1% sarcastic . I can't do it

[Offeverything27]

And the problem with pssd is it prevents you from moving forward. If your suggesting that waiting it out with no improvements is moving forward well I guess it depends how you look at life. I had dreams, of having kids with my fiancé, buying a house and I was going to make a nice doc house for my dog rocky. My dreams have vanished. Gone. Maybe I'm a severe case, where I can't even cry. Just two years ago I would cry watching movies or thinking about something sad. If my mother died I wouldn't be able to cry. I'm incapable of feeling any emotions. I can't feel calm, or warm and fuzzy. I can't feel excitement, fatigue, anything. My life was good before this and I'm grateful for that. Maybe I was lucky to have had a good life for 25 years. I'm not going to live the rest of my life waiting and waiting for absolutely nothing . It would have been nice to hear from someone who got better but the universe throws me a ******* story of a guy with pssd after three years like that's supposed to help me. This world is *****.

Edited October 15, 2015 by brassmonkey
Cleaned up language, this is a family friendly site.

[brassmonkey]

I edited your previous post to clean up the language.  I understand that you are very angry and frustrated, we've all been there.  But this site is accessible to minors and we have to keep our posts to a certain level of civility.

 

We really can't make any suggestions with out knowing how you got here.  Please fill out a signature block so we can see what is going on with out having to wade through the entire thread to get information.  Once we know this we can make some concrete suggestions and advice.

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

[Offeverything27]

I was sick from Xanax withdrawal so I went on Effexor for 8 months . After I came off my sex drive is still gone emotions are gone . Can't sleep.

 

If your sad right now about your situation, just be grateful you can feel sad. Be grateful for anxiety. I can't even feel that anymore .

 

I

[Offeverything27]

It's been 5 months brass monkey. Did you have pssd? Can you tell me of someone who recovered? Or was able to feel emotions again?