Quest

[baroquep]

Quest, You are obviously sensitized to the effects Effexor (among other things) and if you increase your dose all the way up to 37.5 the anxiety and agitation will also increase and the reason we are advising you to go lower.   Any new drug that you start at this point is going to have the same result.  The higher the dose, the more anxiety, depression etc.  

 

The size of the beads at this point is irrelevant, if you are able to stabilize on Effexor, once the number of beads has been determined, you might then want to have your prescription compounded going forward so you don't have to worry about the size of the beads.  

 

MammaP has advised to you to go down to 5 or 6 beads, and I would follow that advice.  I advised reducing two beads a week as I was trying to get you to decrease a bit slower as you are having so much difficulty and didn't want to add to your burden.  MammaP has first hand experience with reinstating Effexor and initially took too high a dose at 5 beads and was able to stabilize on 4 beads and eventually get off of Effexor completely.  So you can either reduce to 5 or 6 beads starting tomorrow and if you aren't comfortable doing that, you might want to reduce down a little faster, say a bead every four days so you can at least test your reaction before removing another bead.  Any way you look at it, we are all (Alto, MammaP, me) after the same result, with you stabilizing on 5 or 6 beads in hopes of reducing the anxiety.

 

Reinstating at a low dose reduces the risk of severe adverse reactions:

• Experiencing withdrawal may have sensitized you to drugs and a larger dose will cause an adverse reaction.
• Your receptors may have adjusted somewhat (upregulated) during the time you were tapering or had withdrawal symptoms.
• Adverse reactions tend to be dosage-related: The higher the dose, the worse the reaction.

Edited October 1, 2017 by baroquep

[Quest]

1 hour ago, baroquep said:

Quest, You are obviously sensitized to the effects Effexor (among other things) and if you increase your dose all the way up to 37.5 the anxiety and agitation will also increase and the reason we are advising you to go lower.   Any new drug that you start at this point is going to have the same result.  The higher the dose, the more anxiety, depression etc.  

 

The size of the beads at this point is irrelevant, if you are able to stabilize on Effexor, once the number of beads has been determined, you might then want to have your prescription compounded going forward so you don't have to worry about the size of the beads.  

 

MammaP has advised to you to go down to 5 or 6 beads, and I would follow that advice.  I advised reducing two beads a week as I was trying to get you to decrease a bit slower as you are having so much difficulty and didn't want to add to your burden.  MammaP has first hand experience with reinstating Effexor and initially took too high a dose at 5 beads and was able to stabilize on 4 beads and eventually get off of Effexor completely.  So you can either reduce to 5 or 6 beads starting tomorrow and if you aren't comfortable doing that, you might want to reduce down a little faster, say a bead every four days so you can at least test your reaction before removing another bead.  Any way you look at it, we are all (Alto, MammaP, me) after the same result, with you stabilizing on 5 or 6 beads in hopes of reducing the anxiety.

 

Reinstating at a low dose reduces the risk of severe adverse reactions:

• Experiencing withdrawal may have sensitized you to drugs and a larger dose will cause an adverse reaction.
• Your receptors may have adjusted somewhat (upregulated) during the time you were tapering or had withdrawal symptoms.
• Adverse reactions tend to be dosage-related: The higher the dose, the worse the reaction.

I know, I want the anxiety to decrease too, I actually had a good three hrs last night.  I think I am most scared about the depression, I am so terrified of the suicidal thoughts coming back.  There has to be a way to feel better than this.  Not sleeping is adding monumentally....

[baroquep]

That you have had a break from the anxiety, particularly three good hours, indicates to me that you just may be heading in the right direction.  As you might have already guessed, I tend to take an extremely conservative approach to withdrawing from Effexor as I have found it to be extraordinarily potent and I just don't mess around with it anymore.  Do very much understand that the lack of sleep is certainly added to your difficulties, particularly as your body/mind are not able to get a much needed break from all the turmoil and have the opportunity to rejuvenate and heal.  Sleep was a big issue for me initially but, honestly, until I accepted that this was my new normal, at least for the time being, there just wasn't anything I could do about it except make the best of it. The suicidal thoughts can be distressing and all I can say is change the channel and tell yourself that this is withdrawal speaking and find a way to distract yourself, that was the only way I found that helped me.  I believe that you will start to feel a lot better as you get lower on your dose and will eventually stabilize and everything else will just naturally fall into place.  Hoping you get a little sleep tonight, a good day tomorrow and a nice long break from the anxiety.  Hang in there.    

[Quest]

2 minutes ago, baroquep said:

That you have had a break from the anxiety, particularly three good hours, indicates to me that you just may be heading in the right direction.  As you might have already guessed, I tend to take an extremely conservative approach to withdrawing from Effexor as I have found it to be extraordinarily potent and I just don't mess around with it anymore.  Do very much understand that the lack of sleep is certainly added to your difficulties, particularly as your body/mind are not able to get a much needed break from all the turmoil and have the opportunity to rejuvenate and heal.  Sleep was a big issue for me initially but, honestly, until I accepted that this was my new normal, at least for the time being, there just wasn't anything I could do about it except make the best of it. The suicidal thoughts can be distressing and all I can say is change the channel and tell yourself that this is withdrawal speaking and find a way to distract yourself, that was the only way I found that helped me.  I believe that you will start to feel a lot better as you get lower on your dose and will eventually stabilize and everything else will just naturally fall into place.  Hoping you get a little sleep tonight, a good day tomorrow and a nice long break from the anxiety.  Hang in there.    

Thank you, you are very compassionate~. 

[Quest]

14 hours ago, Quest said:

Thank you, you are very compassionate~. 

 

14 hours ago, Quest said:

Thank you, you are very compassionate~. 

09-29/17

 

Am:

1:00 -awake, bad headache, totally drenched, night sweats

2:00 -toss and turn, trying to watch thoughts anxiety4/10 

4:00 - up and down through night, bathroom, water

4:30 - anxiety heightens 5/10

5:00 - tired, but awake

5:30 - laying here

6:00 - ate half banana 

7:00 - reading, trying to distract

8:00 - anxiety6/10 still have headache, not as bad as when i awoke, sore calf muscles, nausea

8:30 - smoothie, 500 mgs of garlic, 1300 mgs of salmon oil

9:00 - went downtown

11:30 - ate some leftover chicken, honeydew melon

 

Pm:

 

12:30 - anxiety 7/10, mind wont stop 

1:30 - going outside

3:00 - anxiety 6/10,  my mind will not stop, racing

3:30-went for another walk

4:30 - anxiety7/10, complete brain fog, weak legs, depression on outskirts of mind

Made myself eat some coleslaw, piece of ham, left side of my chest started twitching

5:00 -trying to eat hamburger and a bit of pasta

5:30 -nausea, anxiety 7/10

6:00 - supper cleanup, parrots

7:30 - anxiety 6/10, depression

9:00 - exhausted, bed, time to lay down

9:30 - 3.75 mgs of immovane

11:00 - must have dozed off, last I seen of clock

11:30 -_____________________________________________________

 

09-30/17

 

Am:

12:30 - awake

1:30 - anxiety5/10

2:00 - laying here

2:30 - hot cold, so tired

3:00 - got up, roamed, went on ipad

3:30 - took 200 mgs of magnesium, hoping to calm and be able to rest

4:30 - trying to lay and be calm

5:30 - awake anxiety5/10

6:30 - busy, ruminating thoughts anxiety 6/10

9:00 - ate some oatmeal, made up capsule

10:00 - took 11 balls of effexor xr

11:30 - apple

 

Pm:

 

12:00 - anxiety 7/10, bobble head, nausea

12:30 - blood feels like its on fire

2:00 - ate some eggs with veg, spoonful of yogurt

3:30 - lower anxiety 6/10, major brain fog, sore muscles, blood still on boil

5:00 -absolutely exhausted

6:00 - supper, parrots,dogs.  Anxiety is ok,4/10. Mood not so black, lifted?

6:30 - I am  3/10 anxiety head fog clearer

7:30 - anxiety is good, head ok, feel ok?  

8:00 - cleaned parrot cages finally, 5 of them!

8:30 - still ok....... So am THANKFUL at this moment for this break

9:00 - bed time routine, can actually talk to my son and hear him

9:30 - 3.75 mg of immovane

11:00 - think I must have dozed

11:30 - _____________________________________________________

 

10-01/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - 

12:30 - awake, 5/10 anxiety

3:30 - still laying here, drank water, bathroom, wandered,anxiety

5:00 - cold and tired anxiety

6:00 - bananna

7:00 - trying to find mindfulness meditations, 

7:30 - up, dogs

9:00 - smoothie, anxiety 4/10

 

11:30- weak, burning blood again, anxiety 5/10

 

Pm:

 

12:30 - no appetite, brain fog, cant concentrate , force myself to eat apple,

2:30 -downtown, very tired, sore neck

3:00 - anxiety4/10

4:30 - anxiety spike7/10 celery piece of cheese

5:30 -making supper, 

6:00 - dogs, parrots

6:30 - anxiety 5/10

7:00 - going for a walk

8:00 - tired, very tired

9:00 - going to bed 

9:30 - 1/2 of an immovane 3.75 mg

11:00 - 

 

_____________________________________________________

 

10-02/17

 

Am:

 

12:30 - awake

1:00 -anxiety ,toss and turn, cold

2:00 - up and down, anxiety ramping up, so tired

3:30 - really awake now, try to close my eyes and adrenaline jolts me 

4:30 - up and down, very cold drinking water, going  to bathroom

5:00 - eat a banana

6:00 - trying to breathe, have a hard time getting through 3 rounds of square breathing

7:00 - anxiety 6/10 already

9:00 - anxiety7/10, ruminating thoughts, 

9:30 -

 

did not sleep, very anxious,  do you think this is because I reduced by 2 balls the last 2 days?  What is happening?  I have to take something in half an hr.  Do I just bite the bullet and go to 6 balls?  Completely at a loss~

 

[baroquep]

Yes, bite the bullet and  try the six balls.

[baroquep]

Hi Quest, how are you doing today?  

[mammaP]

Also popped by to see how you are doing. Hope you are ok. Did you reduce any further? 

[Quest]

14 hours ago, baroquep said:

Hi Quest, how are you doing today?  

Baroquep, I am not well.  Extreme anxiety and no sleep.  I got maybe 1 hr.  I can't keep running like this.  My brain can not function.  Just keeps ruminating non stop.  This will be day 3 of 6 balls.  My inner restlessness is so bad I just can not sit still and this includes trying to lay down at night.  Beyond exhausted.  Seeing a dr. Today

[Quest]

5 hours ago, mammaP said:

Also popped by to see how you are doing. Hope you are ok. Did you reduce any further? 

No energy left.  The anxiety was very bad yesterday and I am turning neurotic in my head, almost cray feeling. Barely an hour of sleep.  Seeing a dr. Today

[baroquep]

HI Quest, I am so sorry to hear that reducing the dose didn't help.  Was really hoping that it was going to help with your anxiety but it looks like your CNS may have been so sensitized by So many changes that reinstatement with Effexor just isn't going to work for you.  I really wish there was more known about these drugs so that when destabilization happens, there was an antidote available to treat people.  Please let us know how things go at the doctor today.  

Edited October 4, 2017 by baroquep

[Littlegrandma]

5 hours ago, Quest said:

No energy left.  The anxiety was very bad yesterday and I am turning neurotic in my head, almost cray feeling. Barely an hour of sleep.  Seeing a dr. Today

i am sorry things didn't get better yet. Please let us know what the dr has to say.       Lg

[Quest]

2 hours ago, baroquep said:

HI Quest, I am so sorry to hear that reducing the dose didn't help.  Was really hoping that it was going to help with your anxiety but it looks like your CNS may have been so sensitized by So many changes that reinstatement with Effexor just isn't going to work for you.  I really wish there was more known about these drugs so that when destabilization happens, there was an antidote available to treat people.  Please let us know how things go at the doctor today.  

Is it possible to have akathisia?  My inner restlessness is so bad right now.  Stomach, legs arms totally trembling.. I'm nauseous, and anxiety is so bad.  Dr offered in this order.  Hospital, cipralec or Paxil,, or abilify as it seems effexor no longer works but that's because I am on too low a dose.  Then for sleep either trazadone, silenor, olanzapine which will help stabalize my mood anxiety and sleep.,.  What the heck am I to do?

[Quest]

Just now, Quest said:

Is it possible to have akathisia?  My inner restlessness is so bad right now.  Stomach, legs arms totally trembling.. I'm nauseous, and anxiety is so bad.  Dr offered in this order.  Hospital, cipralec or Paxil,, or abilify as it seems effexor no longer works but that's because I am on too low a dose.  Then for sleep either trazadone, silenor, olanzapine which will help stabalize my mood anxiety and sleep.,.  What the heck am I to do?

Is it too late to try anything?  I am beyond scared now

[Altostrata]

Hi, Quest. I am sorry you are still feeling so poorly.

 

I noticed when you reduced the Effexor, you stopped reporting brain fog right afterward. It seems you always have a lessening of symptoms in the afternoon (although you forgot to put your Effexor dose in for a couple of days on your symptom pattern list). This could be due to the tiny amount of Effexor finally taking effect, then it goes away. Otherwise, I cannot tell if reducing the Effexor helped or made your symptoms worse.

 

All we can do is try things and see what they do. Will your doctor write you a prescription for regular Effexor? You can make a liquid and take a small dose twice a day or even 3 times a day. What I'm thinking of is trying maybe 2mg twice a day at first.

 

Perhaps he or she can phone it in today.

 

 

 

 

[Quest]

30 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Hi, Quest. I am sorry you are still feeling so poorly.

 

I noticed when you reduced the Effexor, you stopped reporting brain fog right afterward. It seems you always have a lessening of symptoms in the afternoon (although you forgot to put your Effexor dose in for a couple of days on your symptom pattern list). This could be due to the tiny amount of Effexor finally taking effect, then it goes away. Otherwise, I cannot tell if reducing the Effexor helped or made your symptoms worse.

 

All we can do is try things and see what they do. Will your doctor write you a prescription for regular Effexor? You can make a liquid and take a small dose twice a day or even 3 times a day. What I'm thinking of is trying maybe 2mg twice a day at first.

 

Perhaps he or she can phone it in today.

 

 

 

 

Don't have regular effexor in Canada.  Every dr. I have seen says I am on a ridiculous dose and has told me to stop it and that I have done this to myself by coming off.  A part of me says stop the 6 balls and the immovane but I am pretty sure that will send me over the top.  I'm grasping at straws right now, literally seen two Drs. And one p-doc today.  One said paxil 10 mg, silenor6 mg, xanax.5. Stop effexor and immovane.  The other said 2 mgs of abilify. And the p- doc said 1.25 of olanzapine or 25. Mgs. of  Trazadone.  There is no answer and I can't do nothing right now, It feels like I'm losing my mind it is so fragmented.  But the utter fear of going to the hospital is worse.  Is it possible to stabalize on zyprexa and then wean slowly?  I have no clue what to do but I also know nothing isn't the answer either.  At this point 37.5 of effexor isn't going to work is it?  I will post my chart right now.

[Quest]

3 minutes ago, Quest said:

Don't have regular effexor in Canada.  Every dr. I have seen says I am on a ridiculous dose and has told me to stop it and that I have done this to myself by coming off.  A part of me says stop the 6 balls and the immovane but I am pretty sure that will send me over the top.  I'm grasping at straws right now, literally seen two Drs. And one p-doc today.  One said paxil 10 mg, silenor6 mg, xanax.5. Stop effexor and immovane.  The other said 2 mgs of abilify. And the p- doc said 1.25 of olanzapine or 25. Mgs. of  Trazadone.  There is no answer and I can't do nothing right now, It feels like I'm losing my mind it is so fragmented.  But the utter fear of going to the hospital is worse.  Is it possible to stabalize on zyprexa and then wean slowly?  I have no clue what to do but I also know nothing isn't the answer either.  At this point 37.5 of effexor isn't going to work is it?  I will post my chart right now.

10-02/17

 

Am:

 

12:30 - awake

1:00 -anxiety ,toss and turn, cold

2:00 - up and down, anxiety ramping up, so tired

3:30 - really awake now, try to close my eyes and adrenaline jolts me 

4:30 - up and down, very cold drinking water, going  to bathroom

5:00 - eat a banana

6:00 - trying to breathe, have a hard time getting through 3 rounds of square breathing

7:00 - anxiety 6/10 already

9:00 - anxiety7/10, ruminating thoughts, 

9:30 - 

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor

 

Pm:

 

12:00 - feeling pretty yucky, high anxiety 7/10, heart racing

12:30 - ate small piece of pizza and an apple

1:30 - trying to read, yeah right!

2:30 - high anxiety7/10

4:30 - make supper anxiety5/10

5:00 -cleaned up after supper, dogs and parrots

6:00 - so extremely tired at this point

7:30 - anxiety 4/10, headache, exhausted

8:00 - trying to sit down

9:00 - bed

9:30 - 3.75 mg of immovane

10:30 - trying to sleep

11:30 - _____________________________________________________

 

10-03/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - 

12:30 - 

1:00 -awake

2:00 - 

2:30 - very exhausted 

4:00 - can not even rest, inner storm

5:00 - anxiety, cortisol surges every time I close my eyes

5:30 - 7/10 anxiety

6:00 - ate a piece of banana

7:30 - have to start moving, very cold and tired

8:00 - oatmeal and blueberries

9:00 - very agitated, high anxiety

10:00 - had to go into town, 6 balls of effexor

11:00 - tired, nausea

 

Pm:

 

12:00 - high anxiety 7/10

1:00 -trying to read, have to do accounting for husband

3:30 - have to get groceries, very agitated, extremely tired

4:00 - anxiety6/10

5:00 -had some rice and pork

6:00 - clean up, dogs parrots

7:00 - anxiety5/10

8:00 - getting ready for bed

9:30 -  immovane

11:00 - dozed

11:30

_____________________________________________________

 

10-04/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - awake, no sleep, so very exhausted

2:00 - awake, toss and turn

3:30 - still up

4:00 - no sleep

7:00 - gave up, got up anxiety started at 4:30 am 7/10

7:30 - racing thoughts, mind will not stop

8:00 - 500 mgs of garlic, 1300 mgs of fish oil

9:00 - shower, smoothie anxiety 

10:00 -6 balls of effexor

11:00 - went downtown

11:30 - anxiety6/10

 

Pm:

 

1:00 -ate a cinnamon bun, apple

1:30 - so tired, eyes keep closing but startle awake, fast heartbeat and major chest twinges

2:30 - anxiety 7/10

3:00 -  made myself do laundry, mind in constant rumination

3:30 - horrid anxiety 8/10

4:30 - tried walking, so ill to my stomach with anxiety and worry

5:00 -

[AliG]

Quest. I'll check in with the other mods as to where we go from here.

 

Please stay calm and try not to feed into your fear. Acknowledge your thoughts and then let them float on by, like leaves down a river.

[Quest]

20 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Hi, Quest. I am sorry you are still feeling so poorly.

 

I noticed when you reduced the Effexor, you stopped reporting brain fog right afterward. It seems you always have a lessening of symptoms in the afternoon (although you forgot to put your Effexor dose in for a couple of days on your symptom pattern list). This could be due to the tiny amount of Effexor finally taking effect, then it goes away. Otherwise, I cannot tell if reducing the Effexor helped or made your symptoms worse.

 

All we can do is try things and see what they do. Will your doctor write you a prescription for regular Effexor? You can make a liquid and take a small dose twice a day or even 3 times a day. What I'm thinking of is trying maybe 2mg twice a day at first.

 

Perhaps he or she can phone it in today.

 

 

 

 

Do I just quit the 6 balls now?  Do I quarter the zoplicone and come down per week?Do you think I would be better off everything?  

[bubble]

I'm really sorry things are so very hard.

 

I haven't posted lately because I didn't know what to say. I believed you would stabilize on 13 balls and I thought I saw some signs of that. 

 

None of us is in your head and it's hard to really see if you are getting better or worse from your symptom log even if it is so detailed.

 

But would you say you got worse after you stopped reducing, especially after dropping to 6 balls? Your symptom log would indicate that but we are not in your head. At one point, if I remember it correctly, after dropping to 11 balls you felt better than at 13. 

 

However, if further reducing made you worse, why do you think that reducing even further and stopping entirely would make you in any way better?

 

I'm not proposing any course of action. Just thinking out loud to help you make a decision...

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

Right now, are you feeling better, worse, or the same on 6 beads rather than 15 beads of Effexor?

 

On 10/4/2017 at 3:59 PM, Quest said:

Don't have regular effexor in Canada.  Every dr. I have seen says I am on a ridiculous dose and has told me to stop it and that I have done this to myself by coming off.  A part of me says stop the 6 balls and the immovane but I am pretty sure that will send me over the top.  I'm grasping at straws right now, literally seen two Drs. And one p-doc today.  One said paxil 10 mg, silenor6 mg, xanax.5. Stop effexor and immovane.  The other said 2 mgs of abilify. And the p- doc said 1.25 of olanzapine or 25. Mgs. of  Trazadone.  There is no answer and I can't do nothing right now, It feels like I'm losing my mind it is so fragmented.  But the utter fear of going to the hospital is worse.  Is it possible to stabalize on zyprexa and then wean slowly?  I have no clue what to do but I also know nothing isn't the answer either.  At this point 37.5 of effexor isn't going to work is it?  I will post my chart right now.

 

^All of these suggestions are for extreme psychiatric conditions. Did you say anything to the doctors to make them think you were an extreme psychiatric case?

 

Unless you want to be treated like an extreme psychiatric case -- for example, someone who's on 3 psychiatric drugs or taking an antipsychotic -- I strongly suggest you be as calm as possible when talking to a doctor.

[Quest]

42 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Right now, are you feeling better, worse, or the same on 6 beads rather than 15 beads of Effexor?

 

 

^All of these suggestions are for extreme psychiatric conditions. Did you say anything to the doctors to make them think you were an extreme psychiatric case?

 

Unless you want to be treated like an extreme psychiatric case -- for example, someone who's on 3 psychiatric drugs or taking an antipsychotic -- I strongly suggest you be as calm as possible when talking to a doctor.

Probably how I was presenting, extremely anxious.  This is what they suggested for sleep and anxiety and depression.  Paxil to replace effexor, silenor to replace zoplicone and the xanax to calm anxiety while starting the paxil.  The psychiatrist says to take zyprexa to calm anxiety and for sleep, then go from there.    As for how I feel I think the anxiety is more prominent and not so heavily depressed.  As for the abilify, a dr. I used to consider my family dr. Said that if effexor isn't working you have to try something in a different class.  Abilify should cover it with trazadone for sleep...  it's very obvious that I am not sleeping as I have huge bags under my eyes and have lost about 15 pounds.  Almost every dr. I've seen has said seroquel for sleep.  I told them my anxiety is non stop and I wasn't sleeping, and I was feeling depressed, that's why I went, for help. I don't know what to do or how to handle this, I wish I did....

 

 

 

 

[Quest]

On 2017-10-04 at 4:21 AM, mammaP said:

Also popped by to see how you are doing. Hope you are ok. Did you reduce any further? 

Mammap, I am still on 6 balls of effexor, do you have any suggestions on how to reduce this amount?  They do not weigh on my scale at all I have been on this effexor again since Sept. 4/17.  How do I get off of this at this point?  Please, any help would be appreciated.  

[baroquep]

Hi Quest, how have you been feeling since being on 6 balls of Effexor?  any better, any worse?  Did you find that you feel better than when you were on 11 balls?

[Littlegrandma]

How are you doing Quest? 🤞🏻Lg

[Quest]

8 hours ago, baroquep said:

Hi Quest, how have you been feeling since being on 6 balls of Effexor?  any better, any worse?  Did you find that you feel better than when you were on 11 balls?

My sleep has worsened, didnt even get one hour last night.  I think i feel ok today.  The last week was pretty bad anxiety but i went to 12 beads to six.  I will post my schedule after supper.

[Quest]

10 minutes ago, Quest said:

My sleep has worsened, didnt even get one hour last night.  I think i feel ok today.  The last week was pretty bad anxiety but i went to 12 beads to six.  I will post my schedule after supper.

My naturopathic Dr. Suggested a product called neuropas to help with the wd. Symptoms, have you heard of this?  It has 60 mgs of st. Johns wort herb top, valerian root 28 mgs., passionflower herb top 32 mgs. Per tablet.  Maybe it could help with the anxiety? Sleep?

[Quest]

55 minutes ago, Littlegrandma said:

How are you doing Quest? 🤞🏻Lg

Changed three beds today, only took me an hour and a half.  Now I get to do laundry😳how are you?  I see you had a nice visit today.  Trying to snow here, oh joy winter....

[ChessieCat]

26 minutes ago, Quest said:

My naturopathic Dr. Suggested a product called neuropas to help with the wd. Symptoms, have you heard of this?  It has 60 mgs of st. Johns wort herb top, valerian root 28 mgs., passionflower herb top 32 mgs. Per tablet.

 

If it was me I would definitely not be taking what the naturopath has suggested.  Firstly, it is a combination and if you react you won't know what you have reacted to and secondly see st-johns-wort-hypericum-perforatum

 

And thirdly, I suggest that you stop trying to find a solution in a pill because it most cases it is not helpful and can cause issues and delay healing.  Withdrawal comes with discomfort.  Learning to accept this definitely helps.  We need to learn to get through the tough times and give our brain time and the environment it needs to heal so you should Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

[Littlegrandma]

1 hour ago, Quest said:

Changed three beds today, only took me an hour and a half.  Now I get to do laundry😳how are you?  I see you had a nice visit today.  Trying to snow here, oh joy winter....

I am glad you're feeling better. 

We are having crazy warm weather for oct. love it! Got outside for a bit after I did my laundry. Fun. 

 Slight trembling today. eyes sore. And d/p d/r.  But all in all, better. 

   Hope tomorrow is even better for all of us!!         Lg

  

[Quest]

57 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

If it was me I would definitely not be taking what the naturopath has suggested.  Firstly, it is a combination and if you react you won't know what you have reacted to and secondly see st-johns-wort-hypericum-perforatum

 

And thirdly, I suggest that you stop trying to find a solution in a pill because it most cases it is not helpful and can cause issues and delay healing.  Withdrawal comes with discomfort.  Learning to accept this definitely helps.  We need to learn to get through the tough times and give our brain time and the environment it needs to heal so you should Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

Thanks for the st. John's wort info.  It is hard not to search for something to help, especially for sleep.  I, like everyone want to be whole again and I can feel desperation seep in when there isn't any break. 

[Quest]

11 hours ago, baroquep said:

Hi Quest, how have you been feeling since being on 6 balls of Effexor?  any better, any worse?  Did you find that you feel better than when you were on 11 balls?

10-04/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - awake, no sleep, so very exhausted

2:00 - awake, toss and turn

3:30 - still up

4:00 - no sleep

7:00 - gave up, got up anxiety started at 4:30 am 7/10

7:30 - racing thoughts, mind will not stop

8:00 - 500 mgs of garlic, 1300 mgs of fish oil

9:00 - shower, smoothie anxiety 

10:00 -6 balls of effexor

11:00 - went downtown

11:30 - anxiety6/10

 

Pm:

 

1:00 -ate a cinnamon bun, apple

1:30 - so tired, eyes keep closing but startle awake, fast heartbeat and major chest twinges

2:30 - anxiety 7/10

3:00 -  made myself do laundry, mind in constant rumination

3:30 - horrid anxiety 8/10

4:30 - tried walking, so ill to my stomach with anxiety and worry

5:00 -tried to eat soup

7:00 - anxiety 6/10

7:30 - so very tired

9:45-3.75 of immovane

_____________________________________________________

 

10-05/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - really?  UP

5:00 - anxiety!

6:30 - can not think straight, beyond tired and ill

7:30 - 

8:00 - banana

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor, anxiety 7/10

 

Pm:

 

12:00 - made 2 eggs with veg, forced myself to eat, had a cookie for calories

2:00 - 7/10 anxiety, ruminating thoughts, worry about everything! 

3:30 - still bad anxiety, making stomach sick

5:00 -ate a pbj, all I could take, with some honeydew melon

6:30 - did dogs and birds

7:30 - anxiety has eased, about 4/10

8:00 - took 200 magnesium and a probiotic

9:00 - want sleep so bad

9:45- 3.75 immovane

11:30- tossed and turned, might have dozed for an hr.

_____________________________________________________

 

10-06/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - awake, laying here.  Anxiety

2:30 - still up

4:00 - changed beds a few times,ate  a banana

5:00 - trying to close eyes, jolt open

5:30 - anxiety 6/10

6:30 - awake and up, trying to distract and read

7:00 - anxiety 5/10

8:00 - 1300 mgs salmon oil. 500 mgs of garlic

8:30 - ate blueberry smoothie, doing laundry

9:00 - anxiety6.5/10

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor

11:00 - blurry vision again

11:30 - 

 

Pm:

 

12:30 - made myself eat some rice and a bit of pork chop for protein

1:30 - anxiety 5/10, made myself vacuum,so needed it...

3:00 - going for a shower, how hard can this be? Hands tingling, ears have been bothering me, feel like they are going to explode.  Anxiety 6/10

3:30 - high anxiety, 7/10, depressed

5:00 -small piece of steak, carrots, cookie

6:00 - birds, dogs

7:00 - anxiety 4/10

8:00 - restless, so exhausted

8:30 - apple,cheese, pepperoni

9:30 - 3.75 mg of immovane

11:00 - dozed

 

_____________________________________________________

 

10-07-17

Am:

12:00 - 

12:30 - awake

1:00 -up and down

1:30 - totally awake, so tired

4:30 - finally dozed off

5:00 - jolted awake

5:30 - feel terrible, high anxiety,

7:00 - laying here feeling yuck, anxiety is high, 

8:30 - trying to read to distract

9:00 - have to eat 

9:30 - 

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor

11:30- groceries, anxiety, can't even decide what to make for supper!

Pm:

 

12:00 - chicken salad sandwich 1/2

12:30 - high anxiety 6/10

2:30 - trying to insulate windows, depression, anxiety

3:30 - 9/10 anxiety

4:00 - so exhausted, and tired, sick feeling

6:00 - have to make supper

7:00 - had a bath

7:30 - 200 mgs of magnesium, probiotic

8:30 - Sore throat, cold coming on from being so run down

9:30 - 3.75 of immovane

11:30-still no sleep 

 

 

_____________________________________________________

 

10-08/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - restless, low anxiety, exhausted

2:30 - stir awake

5:30 - huge cortisol spike, anxiety 7/10, despair

8:30 - banana, 1300 mgs of fish oil, 500 mgs of effexor, very tired, eyes feel like sand, anxiety 4/10

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor

10:30 - feels like I'm moving g in slow motion

11:00 - smoothie

11:30 - trying to change beds, how can this take so long?

 

Pm:

 

12:00 - some hamburger with veg.

1:00 -anxiety 5/10

1:30 - daughter came over, she is happy, I wish I could feel and enjoy her life with her😢

3:00 - anxiety 6/10. I am very tired.

4:30 - anxiety 5/10

5:00 -making a small turkey roast and potatoes.  Husband goes back to work in 2 days.

5:30 -bad cold on top of my tired..... Oh to sleep~

6:00 - supper, feed the animals

[ChessieCat]

13 minutes ago, Quest said:

It is hard not to search for something to help, especially for sleep.  I, like everyone want to be whole again and I can feel desperation seep in when there isn't any break. 

 

Yes, I can understand that you can feel desperate.  Recently AliG tried valerian and she experienced side effects from it.  Side effects include confusion, delirium, inability to concentrate, excitability, drowsiness and brain fog to name just a few.

 

GiaK found that something which she took previously and it had worked eventually turned on her and caused problems.

[Quest]

46 minutes ago, Quest said:

10-04/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - awake, no sleep, so very exhausted

2:00 - awake, toss and turn

3:30 - still up

4:00 - no sleep

7:00 - gave up, got up anxiety started at 4:30 am 7/10

7:30 - racing thoughts, mind will not stop

8:00 - 500 mgs of garlic, 1300 mgs of fish oil

9:00 - shower, smoothie anxiety 

10:00 -6 balls of effexor

11:00 - went downtown

11:30 - anxiety6/10

 

Pm:

 

1:00 -ate a cinnamon bun, apple

1:30 - so tired, eyes keep closing but startle awake, fast heartbeat and major chest twinges

2:30 - anxiety 7/10

3:00 -  made myself do laundry, mind in constant rumination

3:30 - horrid anxiety 8/10

4:30 - tried walking, so ill to my stomach with anxiety and worry

5:00 -tried to eat soup

7:00 - anxiety 6/10

7:30 - so very tired

9:45-3.75 of immovane

_____________________________________________________

 

10-05/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - really?  UP

5:00 - anxiety!

6:30 - can not think straight, beyond tired and ill

7:30 - 

8:00 - banana

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor, anxiety 7/10

 

Pm:

 

12:00 - made 2 eggs with veg, forced myself to eat, had a cookie for calories

2:00 - 7/10 anxiety, ruminating thoughts, worry about everything! 

3:30 - still bad anxiety, making stomach sick

5:00 -ate a pbj, all I could take, with some honeydew melon

6:30 - did dogs and birds

7:30 - anxiety has eased, about 4/10

8:00 - took 200 magnesium and a probiotic

9:00 - want sleep so bad

9:45- 3.75 immovane

11:30- tossed and turned, might have dozed for an hr.

_____________________________________________________

 

10-06/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - awake, laying here.  Anxiety

2:30 - still up

4:00 - changed beds a few times,ate  a banana

5:00 - trying to close eyes, jolt open

5:30 - anxiety 6/10

6:30 - awake and up, trying to distract and read

7:00 - anxiety 5/10

8:00 - 1300 mgs salmon oil. 500 mgs of garlic

8:30 - ate blueberry smoothie, doing laundry

9:00 - anxiety6.5/10

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor

11:00 - blurry vision again

11:30 - 

 

Pm:

 

12:30 - made myself eat some rice and a bit of pork chop for protein

1:30 - anxiety 5/10, made myself vacuum,so needed it...

3:00 - going for a shower, how hard can this be? Hands tingling, ears have been bothering me, feel like they are going to explode.  Anxiety 6/10

3:30 - high anxiety, 7/10, depressed

5:00 -small piece of steak, carrots, cookie

6:00 - birds, dogs

7:00 - anxiety 4/10

8:00 - restless, so exhausted

8:30 - apple,cheese, pepperoni

9:30 - 3.75 mg of immovane

11:00 - dozed

 

_____________________________________________________

 

10-07-17

Am:

12:00 - 

12:30 - awake

1:00 -up and down

1:30 - totally awake, so tired

4:30 - finally dozed off

5:00 - jolted awake

5:30 - feel terrible, high anxiety,

7:00 - laying here feeling yuck, anxiety is high, 

8:30 - trying to read to distract

9:00 - have to eat 

9:30 - 

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor

11:30- groceries, anxiety, can't even decide what to make for supper!

Pm:

 

12:00 - chicken salad sandwich 1/2

12:30 - high anxiety 6/10

2:30 - trying to insulate windows, depression, anxiety

3:30 - 9/10 anxiety

4:00 - so exhausted, and tired, sick feeling

6:00 - have to make supper

7:00 - had a bath

7:30 - 200 mgs of magnesium, probiotic

8:30 - Sore throat, cold coming on from being so run down

9:30 - 3.75 of immovane

11:30-still no sleep 

 

 

_____________________________________________________

 

10-08/17

 

Am:

 

12:00 - restless, low anxiety, exhausted

2:30 - stir awake

5:30 - huge cortisol spike, anxiety 7/10, despair

8:30 - banana, 1300 mgs of fish oil, 500 mgs of effexor, very tired, eyes feel like sand, anxiety 4/10

10:00 - 6 balls of effexor

10:30 - feels like I'm moving g in slow motion

11:00 - smoothie

11:30 - trying to change beds, how can this take so long?

 

Pm:

 

12:00 - some hamburger with veg.

1:00 -anxiety 5/10

1:30 - daughter came over, she is happy, I wish I could feel and enjoy her life with her😢

3:00 - anxiety 6/10. I am very tired.

4:30 - anxiety 5/10

5:00 -making a small turkey roast and potatoes.  Husband goes back to work in 2 days.

5:30 -bad cold on top of my tired..... Oh to sleep~

6:00 - supper, feed the animals

Baroquep, sometimes I think these symptoms I am having come from that ,month of remeron too, especially all the not being able to eat and constant loss of weight.  I've always experienced low appetite when starting or up dosing effexor but never to this extent.  Feels like my stomach is meeting my back ribs.  In the evening sometimes crave the sugar.  Even when I was on an apparently low dose of 7.5 mgs for a month this affects you.... It made me very tired but never put me to sleep.  This i assume is not helping my sleep either and I get itchy at night in weird spots.  Wonder if I will ever figure this out.  When you've time let me know if you think I should go down more.  Thank you for all your time and I hope you are having a nice Thanksgiving weekend And are feeling well.

[Quest]

50 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Yes, I can understand that you can feel desperate.  Recently AliG tried valerian and she experienced side effects from it.  Side effects include confusion, delirium, inability to concentrate, excitability, drowsiness and brain fog to name just a few.

 

GiaK found that something which she took previously and it had worked eventually turned on her and caused problems.

Oh, I am sorry to hear that. You just want something natural to work!  I still have cbd oil 20:1 that I used to come off immovane last March and have often wanted to try it again to see if it gave the same effect.  Everything is such a toss up at this point for everyone~. 

[ChessieCat]

6 minutes ago, Quest said:

You just want something natural to work!

 

Time IS natural.  We feel that we need to do something.  Waiting IS doing.