Introduction OddRod

[OddRod]

OddRod Retired and disabled have been fighting health ishues 40 years brain fogs that put me out depression coming out of event

Depresion became severe 15,20 years ago started antidepressants starting with SSRI types, now venlafaxine 2,150mg in morning

Nothing stopped fogs, now believe conected to spine,mussels? Movement brings problems on.

Broke, stopped trying to figure it out.

In searching got on gabapentin got up to 900 mg now 400mg, fibromyaligia

When working (plumber) had a lot of pain was taking 800mg ibuprofen morning noon and night

norco every 6 hours (now 800mg ibuprofin morning and night, 1 norco in morning)

Last 4 years blood preshure meds also.

Stoping worrking slowly everything got a lot better.

Beleve reducing meds will help more.

Witch med better to start reducing gabapentin or venlafaxine sugestions welcome please.

[nz11]

Welcome oddRod,

i agree with you, reducing will help more.

 

My suggestion; gabapentin/neurontin ; cos:

1. If you have only recently started the gabapentin i'd go for getting off that first before it gets its PAWS and CLAWS in. imo

2. Gabapentin has a 1.3 billion dollar fine attached to it.

3.  "This [Gabapentin] drug has little or no legitimate use in psychiatry. Prescribers should avoid the use of neurontin " Breggin

 

Im sure you will get more suggestions and advice soon.

[Fresh]

Hi OddRod , welcome to the site. There's loads of information here to help you taper safely, and

you'll find support and advice as you go.

 

The topic on "Which Drug To Taper First" is here http://www.drugs.com...teractions.html.

Sometimes it's clear one drug is causing problems. You might consider tapering that drug first.

Any drug causing a serious life-threatening adverse effect should be discontinued as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor about this immediately.

 

"Accelerators" and "brakes"

If no one drug is clearly causing an adverse effect, "discontinue the more activating drugs first," I have been advised by a doctor who studies withdrawal syndromes and iatrogenic damage.

 

Antidepressants and ADHD drugs (most are amphetamine analogs) tend to be activating drugs, causing jitteriness, anxiety, or sleeplessness.

 

Benzodiazepines, the "Z" drugs for sleep, anticonvulsants (such as lamotrigine), Lyrica, gabapentin (Neurontin), and antipsychotics tend to be regulating or sedating drugs, causing drowsiness, sluggishness, or dopiness.

 

The two types of drugs can be thought of as "accelerators" and "brakes."

 

Many people have a sedating drug -- a brake -- added to an activating drug -- an accelerator -- to treat drug-induced anxiety or sleep problems.

 

In those cases, unless you are having clear adverse reactions from a particular drug, taper the antidepressant or stimulant first. Otherwise, you will experience activation from the other drug as you decrease the "brake."

 

"Brakes" may temper withdrawal symptoms

The most common and significant antidepressant withdrawal symptoms are nervous system activations (indicating a too-fast taper): hyper-alerting, sleeplessness, abnormal anxiety, agitation, etc.

 

Withdrawal sleeplessness is a symptom you want to avoid. It makes tapering much harder and post-withdrawal syndrome more difficult to recover from.

 

If you reduce the accelerator while taking a sedating drug, the sedating drug may help alleviate the activation of withdrawal. You may plan to taper the sedating drug later."

 

Could you put all your meds. into the interaction checker , and post any significant results here.

Brain fog isn't permanent and will most likely decrease as your amount of meds. do.

 

Best wishes , Fresh

[ChessieCat]

Hi OddRod and welcome to SA,

 

(Edit:  Phew, Fresh beat me to it, but my post is different, thankfully so not changing it)

 

Sorry to hear of the situation you are in.  Unfortunately, you are not the only one.  There are other members here are in similar situations.

 

It would be helpful for the mods if you could put your drug history in your signature.  The signature block shows up each time you post and makes it easier for people to see as a glance.  Please include drug name (include any you are taking) dates, doses and how you stopped taking) in your signature (Instructions to Put History in Signature).

 

You can use your Intro topic to ask questions and to journal your progress.

 

CC