Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted November 28, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 28, 2016 grandmaD, histamine-cortisol relationship isn't an subject I know anything about. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
O2bhappy Posted November 28, 2016 Share Posted November 28, 2016 grandmaD - I think it is good that you are "trying" to find a counselor. I know it can be difficult. When I was looking for a therapist it took me weeks because no one was accepting new patients. I am blessed with the one that I have found. Good luck trying to find one. I know that stress, worry and lack of sleep makes everything worse. Thank you for including me in your prayers. I have been really struggling lately. Today marks 15 months that I have been off Prozac. Instead of celebrating all I want to do is hurt myself. I have been feeling like this for a couple of weeks. I am not sure what is going on with me but it is very scary. Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
grandmaD Posted November 30, 2016 Author Share Posted November 30, 2016 WEEK 12 UPDATE 3.6-3.55mg DROP 2016 4 week 3.55mg HOLD 8 wk HOLD 12 wk HOLD Palpitations 4.6 4.0 5.0 3.3 Tired 4.6 5.0 5.5 5.0 Indigestion 1.0 1.0 0 1.0 Insomnia 4.0 3.8 2.0 2.5 Head bang 1.0 1.0 3.0 1.8 Good days .5 2.5 1.0 1.8 Rapid pulse 4.6 3.3 3.3 4.4 Bad days 1.6 .5 2.5 2.0 Anxiety 4.5 3.3 5.3 4.8 Head Vibes 1.8 2.3 1.3 2.3 Head Pres. 2.0 2.8 4.0 1.5 Headaches 1.3 1.5 2.0 2.0 Breathless 6.3 4.5 6.0 4.5 Tight chest 1.9 2.8 2.3 3.0 Sore head 3.1 1.9 2.8 3.0 Symptoms have been up and down, with a few improvements but no significant improvement overall, which is consistent with the 2014 and 2015 holds where I began to see some improvement in week 16 and significant improvement by week 20 and good improvement in week 24. So….hanging in there and trying to be patient! Other things that got worse included muscle weakness with aches and pains, especially burning leg pain and tingling. Also joint aches, shooting pains and sore bones. Ear ringing shot up to high and is extremely intense at times. Belly, guts, chest and ribcage aches and pains remain the same. Other minor symptoms remain the same at a mild level. 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
LexAnger Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 GrandmaD, what a fabulous tracking record you keep! We all trying so hard to find a trend and pattern over time and still oftentimes were left puzzled. Guess it's how our brains are healing. I hope you are getting some time for yourself to relax now. And I will continue praying for you. Hugs, Lex Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg，8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg， 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 5, 2016 Author Share Posted December 5, 2016 Thanks Lex, please keep praying, my son is still making suicide threats and inuendos. I have been very stressed out and not coping. Had a migraine all day yesterday. 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted December 5, 2016 Moderator Share Posted December 5, 2016 Haven't sent you hugs lately, so here's some (((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))) 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
LexAnger Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 Oh Dear GrandmaD, I so wish I can be there with you for the extra stress even I'm not great myself. Ppl say sharing sorrow will make it half on each shoulder. Does yours on know you are going through the tourture yourself, and you understand his situation and know it's the drug not himself? Both your son and you are in my prayer. Hugs, Lex Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg，8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg， 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
O2bhappy Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 grandmaD - I am sending prayers your way! Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
Athena Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 Sending you waves of healing energy and hope grandma D. Hang in there Athena 2000-2001: Effexor 2005-2012: Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, desipramin, Wellbutrin, mirtazepin, Lamictal, Remeron, Abilify, nortriptylin, Cipralex, Cymbalta, and others I don't remember. Really bad side effects to all. Sept-Nov 2012: Paxil 20mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Imovane 5mg Nov 2012: Paxil 20mg --> 10mg Dec 2012: Paxil 10mg-->0; 1 week later: HUGE WD symptoms. Started to get informed on the internet and back to 10mg Paxil. Dec 2012-Jan 2013: Paxil 10mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Imovane 2.5mg End Jan 2013: P 9mg, W 100mg, I 2.0mg Feb 2013: P 8mg, W 100mg, I 1.5mg April 2013: P 7mg, W 100mg, I 1.25mg May 2013: P 7mg, W 90mg, I 1mg June 2013: P 7mg, W 80mg, I 0mg July 1/2013: P 7, W 70 July 22/2013: P 7, W 60 Aug 2013: P 7, W 50 Sept 2013: P 6.1, W 50 Oct 2013: P up to 6.3, W 50 Nov 2013: P 6.2 to 5.9, W 50 Dec 2013: P 5.9, W 40 Jan 2014: P 5.3, W40 Feb 2014: P 5.3, W 30 March-April 2014: P 5.3, W 26 May 2014: P 5.3, W 20 June 2014: P 5.3 W 15 July 2014: P 5.3, W 14 Aug 2014: P 5.3, W up to 15 Sept 2014: P 5.3, W 14 Oct 2014: P 4.8, W 14 Nov 2014: P 4.3, W 14 Dec 2014-Jan 2015: P 3.9, W 14 Feb 2015: P 3.9, W 12 March 2015: P 3.6, W 12 April-May 2015: P 3.3, W 12 June 2015: P 3.3, W 10 July 2015: P 3.3, W 8 Aug-Sept 2015: P 3.3, W 6 Oct 2015: P 3.0, W 6 Nov 2015: P 2.7, W 6 Dec 2015: P 2.4, W 6 Jan-Feb 2016: P 2.4, W 5 March 2016: P 2.2, W 5 April 2016: P 2.2, W 4 May-June 2016: P 2.2, W 3 July 2016: P 2.2, W 2 Aug 2016: P 2.2, W 1 Sept 2016: P 2.2, W 0!! Oct 2016: P 2.0 Nov 2016-Jan 2017: P 1.8 Feb-Mar 2017: P 1.9 April-May 2017: P 1.8 June 2017: P 1.6 July-Dec 2017: P 1.5 Jan-April 2018: P 1.6 Others: Cytomel 25mcg (thyroid), vit. C, vit D, Omega-3 fish oil, Magnesium bisglycinate , Melatonin 1mg, 81mg Aspirin, Milk peptides, L-theanine, Valericalm tincture mix, scullcap tincture, Suan Zao Ren (jujube seeds) Link to comment
O2bhappy Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 grandmaD- I wanted to check in and see how you are doing/feeling. Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
LexAnger Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 I hope you are hanging in ok, GrandmaD. You both are in my daily prayer. Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg，8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg， 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 Oh Dear GrandmaD, I so wish I can be there with you for the extra stress even I'm not great myself. Ppl say sharing sorrow will make it half on each shoulder. Does yours on know you are going through the tourture yourself, and you understand his situation and know it's the drug not himself? Both your son and you are in my prayer. Hugs, Lex Just checking in quickly, so grateful for the support and prayers found here, may God bless you all and speed your healing! No, he does not know the stress and strain I have from w/d or the added anxiety from his issues. He never asks how anyone else is, all about him. No, he doesn't understand it is the drugs he is on - several different psych drugs and doesn't want to know. Unless he decides for himself he needs help and gets counselling, things will never change. This is heartbreaking. 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 Many thanks to you other guys for your love and support, it is so beautiful, especially after this absolutely horrendous few days with him and the the last 2 weeks with him sms to and fro, mostly love-sick for his wife, much anger, hostitlity and also towards me. I have not been coping and my anxiety has gone through the roof. I tried the serapax twice in one week for insomnia 5 nights a week for 4-5 hours a night, but I am not going to have to tough it out from now on. I discovered a few months ago it seemed to have a sort of kick back thing where after the one decent night and calm, the anxiety & insomnia went through the roof again. Of course it is hard to know if it just my anxiety come back or the serapax, but I am going to try chamomile and sleepytime teas again instead and just try get through it. In the meantime, I have had to pull out of contact with him. I can't do it. He is a mess and only he can fix himself and I can't be dragged down more by him as already as you guys know, is bad enough with w/d. The good thing is that we have probably been there during the most vulnerable few weeks after she kicked him out. He now has a job and has got accommodation as from tomorrow. He has got help from a welfare mob for a truck to move his stuff and they are buying him a new washing machine. I am not even certain he is grateful for all or any of this help. I just want to crawl in a hole and rest, rest, rest ..... 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
O2bhappy Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 grandmaD - Have you had any luck with the chamomile tea? That is one thing I haven't tried for sleep. How long before you go to bed do you drink it? I am sorry that you are having to deal with all this stress from your son. You certainly do not need this during withdrawal. I have read so many places that you should avoid stress during withdrawal. I am thinking how do you do that when you are in withdrawal and trying to deal with life. Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 16, 2016 Author Share Posted December 16, 2016 It is hard to tell! I did think it helped one night, but now I am having "sleepytime tea" as Hubby bought this one for me instead as I don't much like the taste of chamomile. This has chamomile in it, but spearmint as well which masks the flavour of the chamomile. I guess you just need to try it and see how you go. I drink it throughout the day and about an hour before bed. Your are so right, I don't need all this stress with my son. I thought it would be all over once he got his permanent accomodation but he is still not coping. It is true that if you can avoid stressors during w/d it makes it easier and I have been very privileged over the last 6 years of turtle tapering to be able to live quietly with very few outside stressors and I am sure that has helped. I made my life simpler on purpose and cut back contact with friends to only 2 regular ones. When other stressors come along and blow everything to extreme, I don't know what you can do! You still have to try and cope with yourself and do the best you can with that "other stress factor" without letting it get too much out of balance, I guess. No answers there, sorry! be nice to have a magic drug to take that would numb everything and be happy .....! 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
O2bhappy Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 grandmaD - I bought the chamomile tea the other day so I will give that a try. I saw sleepytime tea and almost bought it. If I don't care for the chamomile tea I will give that a try. At this point it can't hurt. A magic pill would be nice but we know that doesn't exist. I thought Prozac was a magic pill but look where it got me. I have had periods of time during my withdrawal when it has been less and I am sure it helped. Having my golden retriever pass away two months ago has been very difficult and stress for me. I noticed after she passed away I went down hill. It started after she was diagnosed with cancer and my stress level was out of control. How can our bodies continue to stay in a constant state of anxiety? Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
LexAnger Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 GrandmaD, I'm sorry about your sons situation and you have to handle the stress while going through WD. I'm too very fortunate in the past years with zero outsider stressor but just lately started getting it from work and I know how much impact that can have. I am still pretty good handling the intense work stress, but feel quite difficult control my OCD about a very irrational new manager. What I found helps is to remind and reinforce the thought that I'm still Fighting for life, and nothing else really matters especailly those from work. Basically I try to lower my expectation of everything else to sedate my mind from reacting to stressful situation. So for you, I would think the number one thing is still your life and health. try to stick to the idea that you can only help your son AFTER you get your life back. And the thoughts that he is there waiting for your help could make you even stronger and heal faster! Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg，8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg， 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 I bought the chamomile tea the other day so I will give that a try. I saw sleepytime tea and almost bought it. If I don't care for the chamomile tea I will give that a try. At this point it can't hurt. Let me know if you think it helps. I might get the chamomile again to try again. I don't think the sleepytime helps. Having my golden retriever pass away two months ago has been very difficult and stress for me. I noticed after she passed away I went down hill. It started after she was diagnosed with cancer and my stress level was out of control. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. No doubt the grief from this will cause your anxiety to spike, but it is important to grieve. Our pets are our greatest companions and to lose them is like losing a best friend. My favourtie dog is the golden retriever! They are such beautiful dogs, and always look happy! How can our bodies continue to stay in a constant state of anxiety? Good question - I am going to ask this on a new thread in symptoms! 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 started getting it from work and I know how much impact that can have. I am still pretty good handling the intense work stress, but feel quite difficult control my OCD about a very irrational new manager. What I found helps is to remind and reinforce the thought that I'm still Fighting for life, and nothing else really matters especailly those from work. Basically I try to lower my expectation of everything else to sedate my mind from reacting to stressful situation. i agree, we have to lower our expectations, in fact I try to have NO EXPECTATIONS and that helps. I hope your situation at work improves for you soon. So for you, I would think the number one thing is still your life and health. try to stick to the idea that you can only help your son AFTER you get your life back. And the thoughts that he is there waiting for your help could make you even stronger and heal faster! Thanks LA, this is good advice. I keep thinking this - it is difficult balancing putting my health first and being there for him, especially these early days while he is vulnerable. We have offered to go up there again so he is not alone for Christmas, but that would be the last time until I get through this w/d. I haven't heard back from him , so it may not happen yet. 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 O2Bhappy I saw this when I posted the question about the anxiety affecting our bodies - it is about anger and thought it might help you: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/13492-dealing-with-emotional-spirals/ 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
O2bhappy Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 grandmaD - I have yet to try the tea. When it gets near bedtime I am too tired to make myself a cup. lol I will let you know how it goes once I have a cup. Thank you for your condolences. It has been very difficult since we lost her. I wonder if some of the anger that I am dealing with is actually part of grief. When we lost our first golden I was on Prozac. When I got really sad I just upped my dosage. I didn't deal with the hurt and emotions. Now it is raw and I am feeling everything. I know my grief will take time to get over. Its just difficult. It seems like I am just waiting to feel better to be happy again. How can I learn to be happy even when I don't feel well? I think that is one of the biggest problems that I struggle with. Thank you for the post about anger. I don't know how to control the constant neuroemotion of anger. That is what is frustrating me. Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
grandmaD Posted December 30, 2016 Author Share Posted December 30, 2016 16 week UPDATE According to holds from past 2 years, I would begin to see some improvement in week 16, but this time just about every symptom is worse with several being the worst ever, for example palpitations (mod-hi all the time) rapid pulse (100’s all day instead of mornings) tight chest and breathlessness (all the time) and insomnia (up to 4 hours a night). Also worse was tiredness, guts ache, head banging, headaches and sore heads and dizziness. Only 1 improvement and that was for head pressure. This bad result was certainly due to my own stress being exacerbated by a suicidal son who has been sending me suicide texts regularly since Nov. 22nd. He overdosed again Dec. 21st. He is out of hospital but texted me again Christmas morning saying he needed “to take more tablets next time.” Thankfully I had turned my phone off that night and Christmas day and didn’t get the message until that night when we got home. I told him straight not to send me anymore of these texts, deciding it was time to put myself and my health first. I am wondering if my emotions are beginning to return also, causing them to be way out of balance, with anger, frustration and sadness so I found that a bit weird not having experienced these for a long, long time. I noticed I withdrew to my batcave also which is probably DR/DP and at times felt numb and had dead brain a lot also. Another thing that happened was I cried! I probably have not cried for 20 years, well, not really cried, but I shed a bit of a tear and should have a cried a lot about what was going on. 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
LexAnger Posted December 30, 2016 Share Posted December 30, 2016 First of all, so sorry about the situation your son is in. Don't know what to say but pray for him Interesting observation. Head pressure is a sure WD symptom for me too. All others except for insomnia are more from the dru fog side effects for me-- meaning they improve when I drop dose. I'm not suggesting anything though, as I remember last time I guessed the same, but you eventually felt better with long hold. The More I journey, the more confusing I found the whole thing. I guess there are overlapping symptoms from both WD and side effects, plus the difference among individuals. what is your thought? Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg，8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg， 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted December 30, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 30, 2016 Hi grandmaD, I just caught up with your thread. I'm so so sorry about what your son is going through and its impact on you. I can't imagine how difficult that would be for someone not tapering and in withdrawal, so the added stress for you must be devastating. Thank you for your support on my thread, in spite of what you're going through yourself. Wish there was more I could do apart from encourage you to take care of yourself and send (((hugs))) 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
O2bhappy Posted December 30, 2016 Share Posted December 30, 2016 grandmaD - You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!!! Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
ladybug Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 Gran, I am so sorry to hear this. I wish I knew of some way to help. I'm sending you love and prayers as always. a.k.a JMarie Paxil since Mar.1998 2006-2007:40-20mg 2009: 20mg to 14mg 2010: 14mg to 10.5mg 2011: 10.5 to 7.6mg 2012: 7.5 to 6.8mg 2013: 6.7-6.3mg 2014: 6.2mg-5.8mg 2015: 5.7 to 5.15mg 2016: 5.1-4.6mg 1/19/17: 4.5mg 3/17/17: 4.4mg 6/15/17: 4.35mg 8/10/17: 4.3mg 1/29/18: 4.1mg 5/07/18: 4.0mg 7/31/18: 3.9mg Link to comment
grandmaD Posted January 7, 2017 Author Share Posted January 7, 2017 Thank you so much to you all for your kind words, your thoughts and your much needed prayers! I am more than happy to say that at long last the chronic fatigue has gone and I have more energy which is great. That was for 2 days in a row! That is amazing!! I have not experienced that sort of thing for perhaps years - in fact before my gall surgery which was 2 years ago. That is another good thing - I have just started to be able to eat more and am putting weight on again, quite rapidly, in fact which is scarey! During those 2 days I noticed my head was WAY DIFFERENT - I never know how to describe this, except to say "I can see more clearly" and can think better and am more alert. I had motivation and initiative. I even THOUGHT about getting back to doing my quilting, (but didn’t get that far) something I have not done since before the gall surgery. Instead, I decided to start cleaning/clearing out drawers and cupboards. I went for a longer walk than usual (30mins) and did some watering on day 2 of feeling good. I had A HUGE MIGRAINE for the next 2 DAYS!! Obviously I overdid it, so that's a warning to me! What I forgot to mention about those heads being so far out different, is because I ALWAYS have something going on with my head! Either a headache, or pressure head or a buzzing head or sore head or the head banging sensation. To not have ANY of those is what is so drastically incredibly amazing! 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
AliG Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 I'm so sorry to hear about your son. I understand and can empathize. On a brighter note, it sounds like you are having a window of sorts and it must be a great relief not to have those head symptoms after suffering with them for so long. Be careful not to overdo it as it's so common to want to dive back into those things you have perhaps let slide or not done for a while, and then fall in a heap as a result .Try to pace yourself and not push too hard. It can be a precarious balance at times but achievable with a little care. In the meantime enjoy your window ! Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
O2bhappy Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 grandmaD - I am so happy to hear that you are getting some relief. I hope it continues. I am sorry to hear that you got a migraine. I can't imagine how happy you were to get some much needed relief. I am sure I would have overdone it. You continue to be in my prayers. Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
grandmaD Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 I'm so sorry to hear about your son. I understand and can empathize. On a brighter note, it sounds like you are having a window of sorts and it must be a great relief not to have those head symptoms after suffering with them for so long. Be careful not to overdo it as it's so common to want to dive back into those things you have perhaps let slide or not done for a while, and then fall in a heap as a result .Try to pace yourself and not push too hard. It can be a precarious balance at times but achievable with a little care. In the meantime enjoy your window ! Thanks Ali for your empathy! Your advice is duly noted and good advice at that! I have taken it easier the last few days! 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
grandmaD Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 grandmaD - I am so happy to hear that you are getting some relief. I hope it continues. I am sorry to hear that you got a migraine. I can't imagine how happy you were to get some much needed relief. I am sure I would have overdone it. You continue to be in my prayers. I continue to pray for you also and hope you get some hope soon! It was a shock to the system for the migraine because I've not had one for some time now, so that too, is an improvement. I have had more headaches but sometimes they are just mild or moderate and some days I have woken up with a headache that just went away after I got up - now that's something I've NEVER experienced in my life before! It is absolutely amazing how when you feel crap it is like "I will be like this forever, there is no hope, I can't see a way out, and so on" and then you have a good day with a good head and you think "there might be hope after all, maybe there is a way out, I might get there yet!" Amazing how you can lose both these kind of thoughts overnight depending on how you are that day! 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
LexAnger Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 Copying over the response to you in my thread ========================================== Funny. We missed each other by visiting each other's thread Now find you back home so delighted hearing the terrific news! I'm so so happy for you about the very needed window!! You deserve it so much! This is a great sign and I know how energizing it is after such a long heavy haul! Our perception can be so different when in a nice clear window like this. I often find myself quite aggressive ( in terms of thinking life and what I can and want to do, totally forgot about who I am when in a wave). I even doubt the activities you did in those two days are the cause of the closing of the window, I most probably how the brain readjust and readjust for a more stable status. So it will come back again! Try not to worry about the weight, I doubt it will continue like that. May more big, wider, clearer windows come along your way!! Big long hugs, Lex Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg，8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg， 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
O2bhappy Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 grandmaD - I hope that your headaches continue to improve. After being on Prozac for several years I started getting constant headaches. I was popping medicine everyday to get rid of them. Once I stopped Prozac my headaches went away. Since being off Prozac I have had maybe 5 headaches. Such an improvement. It is amazing how your thought process can change depending on how you feel. I think that is a big reason why I have become so negative. Feeling bad equals negative thoughts. My mindset is if I feel good then I am happy and if I feel bad then I am unhappy. Not a good thought process to have. I hope that you continue to see improvements. It is awful to suffer for so long. You do not deserve it!!! Discontinued Fluoxetine cold turkey after taking it for 12 years. Stopped taking Fluoxetine in August 2015. My current withdrawal symptoms: Itchy skin, smell hallucination, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety. Synthroid for hypothyroidism. Link to comment
grandmaD Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 Thanks guys, so good to hear from you again. It is certainly the most awful process anyone has to endure, I am sure, short of torture, but there are times it even feels like that! I'm glad your headaches went away O2Bhappy. I also got headaches when on Paxil full dose for donkeys years and 5 doctors told me it wasn't the paxil! They have gradually decreased with w/d but I guess the ones I get now are result of w/d. I did notice they ramped up during the recent stress with my son. How is the constant anger going? that must be hard. I am only experiencing emotions recently and find it rather overwhelming, especially with my son which caused me great anger, huge grief to and fro and frustration and it's very distressing living with these emotions as they also ramped up my anxiety/palpitationsinsomnia/breathlessnes. It is very hard to feel happy when you are emotionally drained and in pain. All we can do is keep pushing on and not give up. I remember when I saw turtle by the road and when a car went whooshing past, he pulled his head and that's what God told me to do when things bad - pull my head, arms and legs in and WAIT till it passes! It is the waiting that can be so LONG and being patient, but more than that I have had to learn to persevere and to ENDURE! 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
grandmaD Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 Just had 3 good-head days in a row! Head pressure is back today but managed vacuuming. I will take 3 days in a row anytime! I have noticed for some time now that I am coping better with housework, so that's an added plus. We did an hour trip to the city this week, during one of those good-head days. In the past, I could only go to 1 place for maximum 30mins, this time I went to 2 places for 30mins each and then had lunch out with friends and coped pretty well! After that though, I was totally whacked and I had my hour nap in the car and recuperated sufficiently to get through the afternoon. I stopped taking fish oil years ago due to indigestion, guts aches and gall stones and then gall surgery. It has been 2 years snow since surgery and I have had a lot less chest/stomach and belly aches just recently. So 2 months ago I started back on ¼ teaspoon fish oil once a week and gradually built it up to now to every 2 or 3rd day. I am wondering if that has had something to do with my head issues improving. I was telling a friend yesterday and she told me that fish oil thins the blood so that your brain gets more oxygen. I never knew that! Of course there are many variables, it could be the hold that helped too and/or the lack of contact with my son. 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
grandmaD Posted January 9, 2017 Author Share Posted January 9, 2017 My head is is not as good as it was, but head pressure mild. Been waking up again with headache on one side but tends to go away once I am up, just leaving a sort of dull head. I have been reading again about how good magnesium is and have tried it many, many times but unsuccessfully so decided to give it another try. I began with a small amount of Epsom salts in a bath. While I still woke every 2 hours, I was able to get back to sleep okay and sleep longer than usual. Next day the leg ache/cramping seemed worse, so not sure if it just felt like that after improving briefly from the bath. I also started back on the magnesium tablets I have using 1/4 and crushing it and putting in water and sipping over the last 3 days. It looks like my guts still doesn't like it! I have been crook again with belly discomfit, aching chest, aching around my middle and pain on the lower right side of belly. I also have had an ache around to my back/ribcage on the right side. I have had that on and off since before gall surgery and I am still not sure if it is digestion causing that or it is osteo. Anyway, I have further diluted the magnesium with another litre today and finish it and then give it a break again. I have also decided to do another drop. The hold no doubt did help, but results for the last 8 weeks didn't show any improvement, but I am convinced that was due to the added stress of my son. It was good I guess that I did hold, as I would have been a whole lot worse. The drops will have to be .05 from now to maintain a 2.5% taper, so I'm hoping the smaller drop will also be beneficial. 1995-2007 20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain. Years of up and down doses 2008 Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!) 2009 20mg Aropax. Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!) 2010 10mg. 10% taper. Lasted 4 months. Crashed again 2011 5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!) 2012 2.5% taper. 6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable) 2013 5% taper. Big mistake. 5.5mg – 4.6mg (even worserer) 2014 2.5% taper. 4.9mg – 4.5mg; 2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg 2016 2.5% taper. 3.9mg Feb 3.8 Mar 3.7 May 3.6 Jul 3.5 2017 2.5% taper. Jan 3.4; Mar 3.35; Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9; 2018 2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3 2019 Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1; Link to comment
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