amclisham Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Have been a member of site for 4 years, however never posted. I was in a lot of ways getting on with life again. However, re-emergence of most troublesome symptom back in mid Nov, sleep disturbance. Awake all night and sleeping throught the day. No problem with actual number of hours. Its just like the first 2 years post venlafaxine all over again. However quite a few of the symptoms that I had in the 4 years prior to this episode of skewed sleep appear to be going into remission. Increased appetite coupled with weight loss. I put on a significant amount of weight 3yrs post withdrawal coupled with decreased appetite. Appear to be getting the beginnings of a sex drive back, that started to go on holiday at the 3 year mark also. My sporting performance, I am a very accomplished runner and kayaker has improved in some respects since the sleep problem re-emerged major league in November. 7 years and 6 months post withdrawal of venlafaxine. Anybody got any thoughts on my current situation, it's a little stressful and my quality of life has taken a bit of a nose dive, however nothing I havent dealt with before, but would have preferred not to deal with again. Citlopram 20mg, Feb 07-June07 ofr work related stress, bad withdrawal after taper 225mg Venlafaxine July 07-July08 and never been right since Diagnosis of Major Depression Oct 07, declared erronous 2011 following investigation by Government Body into my case, mismanagement and incompetence on part of Doctor also admitted to myself following this investigation Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted January 14, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 14, 2016 Welcome amclisham, I'm glad you decided to post and share your story. Congratulations on 7+ years antidepressant free It sounds like you have recovered significantly. Because of your history, and the amount of time you've been drug free, its difficult to know if your current sleep disruption is related to protracted withdrawal, or something else. Have you taken any other medications since stopping venlafaxine in 2008? Are you taking any medications now? Can you think of anything else which may have disrupted your sleep cycle? Have you experienced and increase of any kind of stress lately? Thank you for filling in your signature, it makes it easier for us to see your situation at a glance. Petunia. I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Fresh Posted January 14, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 14, 2016 Congrats. on starting your own thread Amclisham , though I'm sorry about the circumstances. I'm wondering if you ingested anything (or stopped taking something) unusual last November that may have triggered your symptoms: herbs/spices , medications , diet soda (aspartame), supplements? Are you having other symptoms besides the sleep disturbance (and the consequences of that)? Any unusual thought patterns or behaviours? You say your sporting performance has improved since the sleep disturbance started - are you feeling generally more racy or energized? It may be that the sleep disturbance is a perfectly normal response to stress. Millions of people get it. It will be helpful to have more information. bw , Fresh . 1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg 2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months. July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months. Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg. October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive. March 2016 , 21mg Link to comment
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