whatshappening: Did I reinstate too late?

[whatshappening]

Hi Altostrata,

side note: I know that I have to keep the thread going to my original post but my concern is that my original subject has evolved and newer posts may no longer be related and I won't be able to get sufficient feedback.

 

Current issue: The heart pounding which has resolved and without the beta blockers, but my newest withdrawal symptoms are definite bladder issues (urgency to pee but not really and vice verse), frequency, bladder not relaxing and still contracting etc. I've seen a few other posts in which this is common. But haven't found many that show success stories if and when this resolves as well as some recommended suggestions from those that have experienced it.

[whatshappening]

Well all here I am again to discuss my latest withdrawal symptom during this very long drawn out tapering journey:  "Low Energy, Lethargicness, and muscle weakness"

 

By all means I don't want anyone to confuse this with depression because it is not, it is more physical. It feels like I'm doing my daily activities with a lot more required effort and as if I am moving through treacle. My muscles feel weighed down and appears to have no strength. When I do exercise, immediately after my body feels zapped of complete energy.

 

I exercise 4x/wk and consider myself to be healthy and fit. I eat the right nutrients and take additional supplements and most recent bloodwork is fine. So this only leads me to believe that it is withdrawal.

 

If anyone could Please point me to some resources or threads that could shed some light on these symptoms.

[Mike1972]

@whatshappening , how are you doing? 

Curious if you've had any changes in your muscle weakness/lethargy. (Hope so!)

[whatshappening]

15 minutes ago, Mike1972 said:

@whatshappening , how are you doing? 

Curious if you've had any changes in your muscle weakness/lethargy. (Hope so!)

Hi Mike,

 

Just a tad bit better but not a huge leap by any means.It just appears to be the latest of my withdrawal symptoms that I need to deal with.

 

But what I can be confident of is that all my symptoms have always been transient. They don't stick around for long and when I say long I mean no longer than 3-4 months.

[whatshappening]

Need some encouragement. Currently feeling helpless and questioning why am I putting myself through all this suffering just to get off this damn AD (Effexor XR)

 

It's been 1 1/2 years of crazy symptoms as I continue down this slow tapering journey. EAch symptom I get I'm constantly finding routes to deal with it and come to terms accepting them so that I don't give it power. Currently it's INSOMNIA. And it might be the worse of the symptoms thus far. I'm trying to stay positive and trying all kind of natural remedies and it seems the more I become desperate to find a remedy that works the worse the insomnia and fear of not getting sleep gets. And not getting sleep starts to set in a whole crap load of other symptoms. (anxiety, ocd, hallucinations, etc) And of course then I worry about how I can function to work if I can't sleep. 

 

 I'm down 3mg from 37.5mg and I'm soooo close. But I'm considering transitioning over to another AD that isn't so brutal as Effexor to get off of. 

[Lucy1983]

Hi whatshappening. You mention the "fear" of not getting enough sleep.  Do you think the fear of not knowing how long the insomnia is going to last is the worst part for now? The fear of the unknown is what gets me. If I knew the duration of each setback phase I could buckle down and plow through. But the fear of it never ending can sometimes be paralyzing.  What I do know and what I have to keep reminding myself of is "this too shall pass".  I find courage and strength in knowing that others here on SA have continued on and have found that they do get better.  I have hope! 

 

[whatshappening]

2 hours ago, Lucy1983 said:

Hi whatshappening. You mention the "fear" of not getting enough sleep.  Do you think the fear of not knowing how long the insomnia is going to last is the worst part for now? The fear of the unknown is what gets me. If I knew the duration of each setback phase I could buckle down and plow through. But the fear of it never ending can sometimes be paralyzing.  What I do know and what I have to keep reminding myself of is "this too shall pass".  I find courage and strength in knowing that others here on SA have continued on and have found that they do get better.  I have hope! 

 

Hi Lucy1983,

thank you for your response. I've always had the fear of not getting enough sleep during times in my life when there has been anticipatory events that require me to be up at a certain time in the morning. But yes not knowing how long this current sleep issue is going to last is paralyzing. It also brings up the reminder and trauma of my last unsuccessful taper in 2016 before I joined SA.  I had 3 months of crippling no sleep nights until my body stabilized by going back up to my original dose and also adding mirtazapine for sleep. This is something I am trying to avoid and definitely don't want to add some other sleep aid to the mix.  But as I track 1,2,3...4 days of 1-3hrs or 0hrs of sleep it makes me more anxious. 

[Altostrata]

Effexor is indeed very difficult to go off. What has been your tapering schedule since November 2019? When did the sleep problems start?

[whatshappening]

50 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Effexor is indeed very difficult to go off. What has been your tapering schedule since November 2019? When did the sleep problems start?

Hi Alto,

Thank you for your response. Here is my tapering schedule since November 2019

 

11.29.19 - 8.5mg (2 wks)

12.16.19 - 8 mg (6 wks)

1.24.20 - 7.5mg (6 wks)

3.15.20 - 6.5mg (2 wks)

3.29.20 - 6 mgs (6 wks)

5.9.20  - 5.5 mgs (2 wks

5.23.20 - 5 mgs (5 wks)

6.29.20 - 4.5 mgs (> 2 wks)

7.10.20 - 4.25mgs (2 wks)

7.24.20 - 4 mgs ( 3.5 wks)

8.18.20 - 3.75mg (2 wks)

9.1.20 - 3.5 mgs (4 wks)

9.29.20 - 3 mgs (currently holding at this dose)

 

I've always had random 2-3 junky sleep nights within a month up until just reaching 4 mgs. In August I had about 7 days of funky sleep nights  with some that I attribute to a specific upcoming event so I didn't really count this as alarming. But in September is when it started to be more pronounced with 12  random nights with some being 3-4 nights linked together. But now that we are in October it's been every night since 10.1.20 that sleep has been difficult with 1-3 hours. 

 

The bead counts in the lower doses is really about a 1-2 bead difference. Hard to do the whole 10% of current dose if a single bead accounts for more than that.

 

Hoping you have some wonderful insight for me 😊🙏

 

 

[Altostrata]

As you know, we recommend that people stop tapering when withdrawal symptoms arise. At what point did the insomnia start?

 

On 8/25/2020 at 2:08 PM, whatshappening said:

But what I can be confident of is that all my symptoms have always been transient. They don't stick around for long and when I say long I mean no longer than 3-4 months.

 

3-4 months is too long. More than a few days of withdrawal symptoms after a decrease is a red flag that you're going too fast.

[whatshappening]

50 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

As you know, we recommend that people stop tapering when withdrawal symptoms arise. At what point did the insomnia start?

 

 

3-4 months is too long. More than a few days of withdrawal symptoms after a decrease is a red flag that you're going too fast.

Hi Alto,

 

Sorry I'm confused by your response. I answered your question about the insomnia and my tapering schedule in the previous post above. But as a quick recap, From last November 2019 (8.5mg) to current date (3mg) I've only made a 5 mg decrease over the course of a year.

 

My tapering really has been on target and slow and never had any problems until I reached 11mg (which is 1/3 of my original dose (37.5mg) . So despite a slow taper it just seems that anything under this amount I will have to endure withdrawal symptoms no matter if I hold, up dose etc and then wait it out.  

[Altostrata]

On 10/8/2020 at 1:25 AM, whatshappening said:

9.1.20 - 3.5 mgs (4 wks)

9.29.20 - 3 mgs (currently holding at this dose)

 

18 hours ago, whatshappening said:

But as a quick recap, From last November 2019 (8.5mg) to current date (3mg) I've only made a 5 mg decrease over the course of a year.

 

The mgs you refer to here are the milligrams of pill weight? Please report your tapering in milligrams of active ingredient, which is currently what?

 

From your signature:

Quote

Started getting withdrawal symptoms at 13 mg but have been persevering through.

 

Do you mean 13mg of Effexor or 13mg of pill weight? Effexor can be very difficult to go off. It might have been a good idea to slow down when the withdrawal symptoms started, and taper even slower.

 

The alternatives for Effexor tapering are described here:

 

On 10/1/2016 at 6:35 AM, scallywag said:

• Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine)

 

Are you able to get immediate-release Effexor?

 

Please update your signature with information about how much you were taking in active ingredient, not pill weight, and month and year of event.

[whatshappening]

 

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

 

The mgs you refer to here are the milligrams of pill weight? Please report your tapering in milligrams of active ingredient, which is currently what?

 

From your signature:

 

Do you mean 13mg of Effexor or 13mg of pill weight? Effexor can be very difficult to go off. It might have been a good idea to slow down when the withdrawal symptoms started, and taper even slower.

 

The alternatives for Effexor tapering are described here:

 

 

Are you able to get immediate-release Effexor?

 

Please update your signature with information about how much you were taking in active ingredient, not pill weight, and month and year of event.

Hi Alto,

 

mgs = milligrams of the the actual dose that one would get as when prescribed by doctor. Such as when I first started Effexor XR 37.5mg.

 

I have been tapering using a scale. I have determined that the actual weight of my original dose of 37.5mg = 0.125 grams. To find out the gram weight of each bead I do the simple math of 0.125 ÷ 37.5mg = 0.00333 grams. I determine the weight of my next dose by multiplying 0.00333 to the milligram dose I would like to be on. So currently my dose of 3 milligrams that I am taking weighs 0.0009 grams. 

 

I'm not sure what other measurements I can determine aside from the actual gram weight of the doses I'm taking So not sure what you mean about milligrams of active ingredient. please advise.

 

I would be able to get immediate release but how would I make that transition with the XR dose I currently take?

 

Last question and important question: The insomnia didn't start till 3.5 mg. if I up-dose back to 4 mgs would it really make an impact? 4 mgs is basically only 3 beads more than the 9-10 beads I currently count for 3 mgs. 

 

    

 

 

[Altostrata]

According to the tapering schedule you posted, I can't tell when you reached 11mg Effexor. Your tapering schedule appears to refer to pill weight, not mg of active ingredient (Effexor).

 

I cannot make sense of information posted as pill weight. I'm not going to put in the time to do the math to figure out your actual dosage.

 

On 8/25/2020 at 2:08 PM, whatshappening said:

They don't stick around for long and when I say long I mean no longer than 3-4 months.

 

At what point did your withdrawal symptoms stick around for 3-4 months? You said it was at 13mg Effexor, which was when?

 

While you are tapering at a very slow rate, your nervous system gets to call the shots. You may be a person who needs to taper by a bead at a time -- after your nervous system settles down from the reductions you've made so far.

[whatshappening]

I would like to describe my tapering journey/schedule and symptoms that both presented themselves as well as got better:

 

7.01.17 -  I begin tapering from 37.5mg Effexor XR. with recommended reduction rate of 10% of current dose every 4-6 weeks. We will fast forward to 3.25.18 as I might have thrown out my 2017 tracking calendar.

 

3.25.18 - 26 mg     (No symptoms)

4.27.18 - 23.4 mg  (No symptoms)

5.20.18 - 21 mg     (No symptoms)

 

6.24.18 - 18.9 mg   

• Numb burning feet and tingling numb arms a few days through July and August so held on to this dose till 9.7.17

9.7.18 - 17 mg    (No symptoms)

10.13.18 - 15 mg  (No symptoms)

11.10.18 - 13.5 mg (No symptoms)

12.24.18 - 12 mg 

• achy legs 1x / shivers 2x / burning numb butt 1x/ backache 

2.10.19 - 11 mg 

• burning numb butt more present / Lower back pain persists/ some Anxiety / burning feet / diarrhea / energy surges at night / loss of appetite

3.6.19 - 13 mg 

• Some stabilizing needed for first week after updose but No symptoms after

4.1.19 - 13 mg         

• despite hold - heavy achy legs and chalves, numb fingers, numb butt return, some Anxiety and irritation. So decide to continue with tapering as scheduled since being symptom free only lasted 1 month 
• no back pain

5.18.19 - 12 mg 

• left hand tasks / left leg walking sensory seems slightly dulled / While typing I was always skipping over letters on the keyboard Tongue tied / Pain all over, Lethargic
• numb burning butt and achy calves lessen

 

6.12.19 - 11 mg  

• left hand task sensory still slightly dulled / headaches /  Nausea / Lethargic
• left leg walking sensory better 

 

7.7.19 - 11 mg  

• achy calves return / Inner vibrations / Insomnia 8x / body jolts at night / Diarrhea / achy forearms  and Pain / some Anxiety

 

8.22.19 - 10 mg  

• (restless calves / sore muscle pain / Insomnia 5x / body jolts at night / Diarrhea ) 
• No Anxiety / Insomnia reduced

 

Sept month - 10 mg  

• Anxiety 1x / Insomnia 3x / Diarrhea / heart pounding not racing / energy surges 
• Insomina reduced and separate symptoms above reported only 9x out of the month

 

10.4.19 - 9 mg   

• Anxiety 2x / Insomnia 11x / heart pounding not racing / energy surges and jolts 
• No diarrhea. No restless or achy calves, no burning butt, no. Left side sensory better

 

11.29.19 - 8.5 mg   

• Anxiety 3x / Insomnia 9x / heart pounding not racing / energy surges and jolts / some pain during orgasm

 

12.16.19 - 8 mg   

•  Insomnia 2x only / heart pounding not racing 1x only / left side sensory loss back again but not anything alarming / some pain during orgasm
• Sleep in Steady / Basically a good month

 

1.27.20 - 7.5 mg   

•  Insomnia 2x only / left side sensory loss still / some pins at the bottom of feet and energy surge 1x at night but not anything alarming / pain still during orgasm / some bladder issues start up.
• Sleep is steady / No heart pounding and racing / No major energy surges / No anxiety / Basically a good month

 

2.3.20 - 7 mg   

•  Insomnia 2x only / Bladder Issues remain  and become pressing (frequency, urgency, irritation) / pain still during orgasm / Diarrhea
• Sleep is steady /No body jolt or energy surges / starting to get a nice feeling to touch or anything tactile at bottoms of my feet.

 

3.15.20 - 6.5 mg   

•  Insomnia 3x only /  Diarrhea / headaches
• Sleep is steady / orgasms now are not painful / Bladder issues resolve after accupuncture appt /  Basically a good month

 

April month - 6 mg   

•  Insomnia 3x only / headaches
• Sleep is steady /No diarrhea / Basically a good month

 

5.9.20 - 5.5 mg

•  Insomnia 1x only 
• Great Month

5.23.20 - 5 mg      

6.29.20 - 4.5 mg   

•  Insomnia 3x only / headaches / Lethargic and Low Energy start / Sore back
• Sleep is steady /left side sensory is good / orgasms still remain pain free

 

7.10.20 - 4.25 mg   

7.24.20 - 4 mg   

•  Insomnia 2x only / Lethargic and Low Energy start / left leg walking sensory seems slightly dulled again / slight emergence of some earlier symptoms but nothing alarming or anything that sticks around for long.
• Sleep is steady /Lethargic and energy gets better at the end of the month / no more widespread pain.

 

8.18.20 - 3.75 mg   

•  Insomnia 7x  / inner vibrations and body jerks / some bladder sensitivity but not much
•  No more Lethargic No  more low energy / no more widespread pain / legs and calves don't feel heavy anymore

 

• Sleep is steady /Lethargic and energy gets better at the end of the month / no more widespread pain.

 

9.1.20 - 3.5 mg   

•  Insomnia 12x  / body&brain energy surges / diarrhea
• still getting some sleep at least even while difficult. 

 

9.29.20 to current date 10.9.20 - 3 mg

•  Insomnia every night since / inner vibrations from my chest area / body energy surges / body jolts / OCD and ruminating thoughts / weepiness / agitation / hot flashes
• even though sleep is crap every night I still am thankful that I can get anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours. I am thankful for the following that I've noticed have improved or have been transient during the course of this tapering journey

 

• Improved:
• No more pounding racing heart
• No more Bladder Issues
• No more painful orgasms
• No Lethargic or Low Energy
• No widespread pain
• No burning numb butt
• No burning ankles or feet
• No backache
• Nice tactile feelings at the bottom of my feet (feels good to walk on carpet etc)
• Feels good as I pet my cats now. Like my senses are coming alive again.

 

• Transient (come some months and go away other months):
• Diarrhea
• body jolts
• energy surges
• insomnia
• left handed tasks /left leg walking sensory (for the most part it's resolved though)
• Anxiety
• inner vibrations
•  

[Altostrata]

So for the last 10 days, you've been getting 1-3 hours of sleep?

 

When did withdrawal symptoms start lasting for more than a few days after a decrease?

[whatshappening]

9 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

So for the last 10 days, you've been getting 1-3 hours of sleep?

 

When did withdrawal symptoms start lasting for more than a few days after a decrease?

yes 1 - 3 hours is correct. 3 hours is best case. Last night it was maybe 1.5 hours. 

 

That's a hard question to answer. It's been a blurry mess of symptoms on my calendar since hitting 5 mgs. I basically press through with the next taper it if I can endure the symptoms. But this insomnia might be the holding point for me.

[Altostrata]

As I said, we advise people to stop tapering when withdrawal symptoms last more than a few days.

 

If I were you, I might go back to 5mg and stay there until your sleep improves.

[whatshappening]

Just now, Altostrata said:

As I said, we advise people to stop tapering when withdrawal symptoms last more than a few days.

 

If I were you, I might go back to 5mg and stay there until your sleep improves.

Okay Alto. My doctor wants to put me on Sonata for temporary relief ...thoughts?

[Altostrata]

We're not enthusiastic about adding drugs for withdrawal symptoms. Sonata may not work very well and you may become dependent on it, too.

[whatshappening]

1 minute ago, Altostrata said:

We're not enthusiastic about adding drugs for withdrawal symptoms. Sonata may not work very well and you may become dependent on it, too.

hmmm...I will forgo on the sonata and try to see if up-dosing resolves my sleep problem. did I mention I'm in perimenopause as well?

[whatshappening]

I honestly don't know how I'm functioning right now. It's been a consistent month of sleep deprivation. I try to remain optimistic but how long can someone go on with 1-3 hours of sleep a night? I find myself trying everything I can (meditation, sleep audios, melatonin, wine, lavender oil) When I can't absolutely get back to sleep I go out for walks and read and then that will work the first night and the the next it doesn't. When one thing works I have hope it will be like that the next and then it doesn't and it makes me sad 😔. I understand about not placing pressure on myself and accepting and for the most part it was like that in the beginning but helloo it's now 1 month. Each day that goes on like this I think what the heck? Need some positive hope and real experience feedback from anyone. 

[whatshappening]

On 10/16/2020 at 4:36 AM, apace41 said:

From a supplement standpoint, some people see benefit with magnesium and VERY SMALL doses of melatonin, taken at sunset to help reset the circadian cycle. 

I take magnesium glyceniate currently about 30 minutes before laying down around 12:30. I also have a glass of wine at the end of my day when all can be still and this is usually around 10pm. In your suggestion about melatonin, I'm not sure what time I should take it.

 

I don't know if I can give up the wine as it has been something I have at that time of night every night even way before this rough patch of sleep. It has been the only thing that makes me relaxed at the end of the day and drowsy enough to close my eyes even if it's only for 1-2 hours. No amount of tea or supplements makes me sleepy enough in that way. But I would like to include the melatonin but not sure of when to take it around the wine time.

[Gridley]

3 hours ago, whatshappening said:

I'm not sure what time I should take it

Apace41, one of our moderators who is a veteran of the sleep struggles, says "some see benefit with magnesium and VERY SMALL doses of melatonin, taken at sunset to help reset the circadian cycle."   We recommend starting with a dose like 0.25mg.  I take .3mg around sunset.  You can get .3mg melatonin from Amazon at this link.  

 

(available on Amazon

[whatshappening]

1 hour ago, Gridley said:

Apace41, one of our moderators who is a veteran of the sleep struggles, says "some see benefit with magnesium and VERY SMALL doses of melatonin, taken at sunset to help reset the circadian cycle."   We recommend starting with a dose like 0.25mg.  I take .3mg around sunset.  You can get .3mg melatonin from Amazon at this link.  

 

(available on Amazon

I’m a relatively late recliner meaning 12 midnight is the earliest I lay down. Is sunset too early? I’ve read conflicting reports to take 2-3 hrs before retiring for the evening.

[Gridley]

2 minutes ago, whatshappening said:

Is sunset too early? I’ve read conflicting reports to take 2-3 hrs before retiring for the evening.

There are many opinions on this.  I'd suggest you try both times and see which works better for you.

[ChessieCat]

7 minutes ago, whatshappening said:

I’m a relatively late recliner meaning 12 midnight is the earliest I lay down. Is sunset too early? I’ve read conflicting reports to take 2-3 hrs before retiring for the evening.

 

You might find it better/easier to gradually bring your bed time earlier by about 1/2 hour.  You could do 1/2 hour earlier for 3-7 nights and then another 1/2 hour for the next 3-7 nights.

[whatshappening]

Am I intolerance or just protected withdrawal. Does it make sense to even stay on the low dose im on just for the sake of minimizing unpleasant symptoms currently? Am I prolonging my suffering for many more months to come? 

[getofflex]

20 hours ago, whatshappening said:

I honestly don't know how I'm functioning right now. It's been a consistent month of sleep deprivation. I try to remain optimistic but how long can someone go on with 1-3 hours of sleep a night? I find myself trying everything I can (meditation, sleep audios, melatonin, wine, lavender oil) When I can't absolutely get back to sleep I go out for walks and read and then that will work the first night and the the next it doesn't. When one thing works I have hope it will be like that the next and then it doesn't and it makes me sad 😔. I understand about not placing pressure on myself and accepting and for the most part it was like that in the beginning but helloo it's now 1 month. Each day that goes on like this I think what the heck? Need some positive hope and real experience feedback from anyone. 

I want to give you some hope.  I had terrible sleep for a long time because I was tapering off of Lexapro way too fast, per my doctor.  ThankGod, I found this forum, and discovered I should be tapering at a much slower rate, which I am now doing.  Now, I am able to sleep 7 to 8 hours on the good nights, and about 4-6 hours on the bad nights.  Once in a while, occasionally I will have a completely sleepless night.  But I have been bombarded by many stress factors in the past several months, so that accounts for a lot it.  The secret is time and patience.  It takes a long time for the brain to heal from these drugs, and the withdrawal.  I personally found it best to accept the fact that I could not sleep, and just live with it as best I could. I know it sucks, but it's part of WD.  I'll be praying for you.  Jennifer

[whatshappening]

9 minutes ago, getofflex said:

I want to give you some hope.  I had terrible sleep for a long time because I was tapering off of Lexapro way too fast, per my doctor.  ThankGod, I found this forum, and discovered I should be tapering at a much slower rate, which I am now doing.  Now, I am able to sleep 7 to 8 hours on the good nights, and about 4-6 hours on the bad nights.  Once in a while, occasionally I will have a completely sleepless night.  But I have been bombarded by many stress factors in the past several months, so that accounts for a lot it.  The secret is time and patience.  It takes a long time for the brain to heal from these drugs, and the withdrawal.  I personally found it best to accept the fact that I could not sleep, and just live with it as best I could. I know it sucks, but it's part of WD.  I'll be praying for you.  Jennifer

hi thanks for your response. It’s been 3 nights now with 1 hr of light sleep. My taperings have been Uber slow And cant believe it’s getting worse since I haven’t made any additional  cut and actually updosed a week ago by just a .5 mg. Seriously considering going up more but don’t want to find myself in this mess again when I reach the same dose I’m on right now. I don’t know what to do. 

[Altostrata]

If your sleep problems started when you reduced from 3.5 mgs to 3mg a few weeks ago you might go back to at least 3.5mg and hold for a while.

 

On 10/9/2020 at 4:17 PM, Altostrata said:

As I said, we advise people to stop tapering when withdrawal symptoms last more than a few days.

 

If I were you, I might go back to 5mg and stay there until your sleep improves.

 

There's not a mystery in this, we see it a lot, especially with Effexor and Paxil.

[whatshappening]

20 hours ago, Altostrata said:

If your sleep problems started when you reduced from 3.5 mgs to 3mg a few weeks ago you might go back to at least 3.5mg and hold for a while.

 

 

There's not a mystery in this, we see it a lot, especially with Effexor and Paxil.

I already went back up to 3.5mg 9 days ago and no improvements. I ended up decided to go to 4.5mg yesterday so I hope this enough. I don’t want to go up any further and waste 4 months of The work I did to get to 3mg. Feel like I failed myself. But tonight no sleep. I'm developing fear of sleep issues now since this has gone one for too long even while holding and updosing. This seems to be getting worse and not better. I am resound to take a sleeping pill for a night despite the fact I know better.

 

I’ve read some things on intolerance. What do you think about being intolerance at lower doses and maybe that’s the problem? Am I prolonging it by still being on the medication if indeed I am intolerance? Withdrawal symptoms or intolerance symptoms?

[Altostrata]

What is your sleep schedule?

 

Are you taking any other drugs?

[whatshappening]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

What is your sleep schedule?

 

Are you taking any other drugs?

Sleep schedule is nothing consistent at this point to report. No other drugs. Just effexor. 

[Altostrata]

What time do you go to bed and what time do you get up? Do you get any sleep at all?

 

What effect did you feel from 4.5mg?

[whatshappening]

Update:

 

After 10 days of an updose from 3 to 3.5mg sleep was still crappy and seem to get worse by day 7 with only 1.5 hours of sleep per night for 3 nights straight and literally 0 hrs on day 10. I was desperate and so decided to updose to 4.5mg to see what would happen. It's been 4 days so far and only on day 2 did I get maybe 4 hours of broken sleep but other than that it's back to 0 hrs or maybe 15-30 minutes if I drift off for a bit. 

 

I try to make myself super sleepy and then lay down but my brain goes into hyperalert after immediately closing my eyes and drifting off. I wake up alert and now frustrated that I've broken the sleepy trance window that I had. I feel like the pressure of the past 4 weeks and trying every possible natural remedy and recommendations have been wearing on me and has now set me into a fear of how each night is going to be. I lay there with sleep audios and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I feel sad but I think that I may have to end up resorting to finding a cross over medication to finally get off Effexor Xr as this is now my 2nd attempt to get off this drug and it appears that each time I get to the lowest dose possible, my sleep is greatly impacted to the point that other symptoms are exacerbated.

 

I hold on to hope but it's clear the updoses have not been working so now what? Don't sleep? lay there each night wondering if this is the night I'm going to get to sleep? I'm frustrated and feel like my efforts for the past 3 years of getting to a low dose and braving through other many symptoms has now been all a waste and only come to this wall again!

 

I wish I could have shared a successful outcome or at least seen some positive patterns with the updoses but it appears that it hasn't worked for my nervous system at this point. So only choice is to cross over if I don't want to stay on effexor any more. 

 

Sorry I'm rambling. It's 12:55am and lack of any concentration is making me delirious.