HAa: tapering Effexor and buspirone

[HAa]

6 hours ago, Allreadygone said:

intrusve thoughts,depression,anxiety,Depersonalization,inner restlessness,less sleep although it’s been bad since Effexor 25 yrs ago @HAa

 It could have been me you are describing.

I am on hold untill I settle down. 

Doing workout and winterswimming every day even if I am not up to it. It gives me a brake. We have to find our way @Allreadygone

Good night and a huge hug

[HAa]

Sorry Answered the qustion twice. 

[HAa]

@Altostrata 

Yes I stoped oxapax 25.10. at 10am

And yes I have been less anxious. 

I am hopefull 

[Allreadygone]

Thx for gettin back as u know this is a lonely battle no one understands it feels good to hear from others on the path to heal our injured CNSs. @HAa Alto is awesome she is really helping others.Im on hold for now too after the mess that I got myself into.I work out everyday as well no matter what,work 40hrs as well while goin thru severe anguish,just wanna survive for my family.Big hug to u as well,goodnight

[HAa]

18 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Have you stopped taking oxapax? If so, how has your symptom pattern changed since you stopped?

@Altostrata Yes. I stopped taking Oxapax - Have not taken any for 4 days inkl today.

The last 3 days have been bearable. Today anxiety has been skyrocketing.

 

[manymoretodays]

It submitted HAa.

I got rid of the extra duplicate postings that came through.

Edited October 29, 2018 by manymoretodays

[HAa]

@Shep @Altostrata

 

29.10

6.30am Got up - some unease and mindracing. Calmed myself

8am Breakfast Buspiron 3mg efexor 75mg, lamotrigin 100mg magnesium oil spray

10am Winter swimming and sauna - Some unease and mindracing 

11am Volunteer work - restless unease mindracing

12am Lunch emorions and mind in turmoil

2pm Home - crying mindracing no rest Anxiety is skyrocking

4pm Friens visites Massage and talk, Crying cant contain myself. After massage - little less anxious mind still racing. Worried that I never will get a grip.

5pm Dinner Buspiron 3,5mg Lamotrigin 100mg magnesium oil spray Fich oil 1 tbsp

6pm Writing my notes - calm while I concentrate on the task

 

I am unsure if I should put your  name in when I post my daily notes?

[HAa]

19 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

It submitted HAa.

I got rid of the extra duplicate postings that came through.

Thank you 

[Altostrata]

Thanks, HAa. Seems like you're sleeping okay?

 

Would it be possible to move your morning buspirone to noon, by taking it an hour later each day? You are taking 3 drugs at once in the morning, we can't tell what's doing what.

 

Please keep daily notes while you're doing this.

[HAa]

I will move rhe buspiron to noon

and continiue my daily notes here.

And yes I am sleeping ok I wake early but that is ok.

[HAa]

11 hours ago, HAa said:

I will move rhe buspiron to noon

I forgot to move Buspiron this morning

 

13 hours ago, HAa said:

@Shep @Altostrata

 

29.10

6.30am Got up - some unease and mindracing. Calmed myself

8am Breakfast Buspiron 3mg efexor 75mg, lamotrigin 100mg magnesium oil spray

10am Winter swimming and sauna - Some unease and mindracing 

11am Volunteer work - restless unease mindracing

12am Lunch emorions and mind in turmoil

2pm Home - crying mindracing no rest Anxiety is skyrocking

4pm Friens visites Massage and talk, Crying cant contain myself. After massage - little less anxious mind still racing. Worried that I never will get a grip.

5pm Dinner Buspiron 3,5mg Lamotrigin 100mg magnesium oil spray Fich oil 1 tbsp

6pm Writing my notes - calm while I concentrate on the task

 

I am unsure if I should put your  name in when I post my daily notes?

6pm Visiting friends - some calm

9.30pm  Home - some mindracing - unease  

12pm To bed

 

30.10.

4.30am Awake for 1/2 hour - Mindracing, terror, cant calm down - to bed - could not fall asleep again, mindracing, crying, 

5.30am Got up, can't calm down ekstreme anxiety, mindracing, crying, walking restless around, in and out of the garden, burning sensation in upper legs, terrified 

6.45am Breakfast Buspiron 3mg, effexor 75mg, lamotrigin 100mg anxiety continues, mindracing, sad hopelessness - Thinking on how I continue to build negativ neuroplastisity

7.15am Writing notes, thinking of the people I know, and who care and love me - calmed somewhat down. What's to become of me  - will I ever succeed in finding peace

@Altostrata @Shep

 

[HAa]

I forgot where i find my Signature so i can update on current medication. @Shep og someone can you tell me how?

[Altostrata]

Please move the buspirone by an hour later each day, nothing dramatic.

[ChessieCat]

Here's the link which goes straight to your own drug signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[HAa]

Thank you

 

I am in so much emotional pain. Yesterday and tiday it is even worse. I am scared frightened cant calm me down.

Changing channels, writing gardening, doing housework, sitting and trying to let it pass. Sad hopelessness  

[HAa]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

Please move the buspirone by an hour later each day, nothing dramatic.

Yes. I was planning to today. I just forgot. 

 

It has been really bad this morning. Hope I can let it pass. 

Not knowing what causes it is making it worse. Is it the underlying feelings for what I was treates with AD for or is it withdraw symptoms. 

The last one will fade. The first one I will have to learn how to endure and that is what is worring me. 

My old copingstrategies dont work any more. I am trying to install new ones. I an nit very succesfuld at the moment. And as it has increased during the last 6 - 7 years drasticly during the last 2,5 years I am running out of hope. 

Sorry to say this out laud. 

[Shep]

2 hours ago, HAa said:

Not knowing what causes it is making it worse.

 

On 10/28/2018 at 5:45 PM, HAa said:

Yes I stoped oxapax 25.10. at 10am

 

You may be going through oxapax withdrawal. Hopefully it won't be that bad, as you weren't a daily user for long, but even with periodic use, it may be a rough go for a bit. 

 

Do as much self care as you can.

 

Please add that you stopped the Oxapax on October 25, 2018, in your signature. 

[HAa]

Hmmm Cant save the signature even if there only is 10 lines. any suggestions? Oh sorry I got it with the signature

@Shep

[Altostrata]

HAa, you cannot build negative neuroplasticity, don't worry about that!

 

You may be experiencing Oxapax withdrawal. Can you hold on for a few days?

 

Can you get magnesium supplements, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

This may help anxiety.

 

This may not be a good time to move the buspirone later. Does it help at all?

[HAa]

19 hours ago, Altostrata said:

HAa, you cannot build negative neuroplasticity, don't worry about that!

 

19 hours ago, Altostrata said:

You may be experiencing Oxapax withdrawal. Can you hold on for a few days?

 

Can you get magnesium supplements, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

This may help anxiety.

 

This may not be a good time to move the buspirone later. Does it help at all?

I will wait to move the buspiron till later and see it the anxiety is getting less after a while.

 

I do take magnesium oil as spray as I agree with it better this way.

But I will check the link you send 

 

Negative patterns in the brain -

Rick Hansson says the we constanly is changing oir brain - for the better or the worse 😞

 

[manymoretodays]

Hi HAa,

Yes, thank goodness sometimes that we are constantly changing the patterns in our brain.  Try not to focus on worse scenarios. 

I read that.......what you said about Rick Hansson saying........as just meaning that there are lot's of flucuations, while our brains change.

......and it seems a bit weird I bet.......but during this tough stuff now.........try and believe that it's healing going on.  That's what a lot of us did or do.  It CAN make a difference.

And don't stop now with your daily notes.  I see you got about 1/2 way through them yesterday.......October 30.

Sending gentle hugs, comfort, and peaceful calming thoughts.  I'll add a link on emotional spirals for you to look at when you might feel able.

Dealing with emotional spirals

And here are some more links to coping that ChessieCat left for you in September.  ChessieCat's post with links to anxiety coping ideas/skills

Alot of members find some relief with "weighted blankets".......and for the near future you could just try some heavy blankets or quilts when you are feeling overwhelmed with the restlessness.  Take a look at the links on anxiety there.  Claire Weekes may be helpful to listen to, there's an audio or you could youtube her as well.......alternately find someone else on audio with a soothing voice.......that may help.

And yes.......I believe you will find peace and comfort and hope again.  I did.  Keep up the faith, in yourself as well as whatever guides you personally. 

Rooting for you HAa.......we all are.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

[HAa]

@manymoretodays

Thank you for your comforting words and hugs. I will look at the links and try to be patient. 

[HAa]

31.10.

5.45am Got up - anxiety - cold calm me down

7.30 Breakfast

9am Buspiron 3mg efexor 75 mg lamotrigin 100mg fish oil - Calm

10pm therapy - calm

13.30 Lunch

16pm Speach on depression Poul Videbaek ( leading Psyciatrist in Denmark) Terrible negative perspective - Left after one hour

Got stuck in his predictions on depressions turning cronic... Worried, anxiety building up- Cant let the thoughts go

6pm Went rowing - calm down

7pm Dinner in the club

8.30pm Buspiron 3,5mg Lamotrigin 100mg

11pm Mag spray To bed

 

1.11. 

6.30am Got up - Mindracing - anxieus and worried of what Poul Videbaek said. Cant let go of it. Why is his oppinion so much more true to me than holding on to what you all here have experience on?

7.30am Breakfast 

8am Buspiron 3mg Efexor 75mg Lamotrigin 100mg Fishoil Mag spay. - Anxiety and tension continue - Trying to let the thoughts alone and turn my attention rest on the here and now. Tension is building up

11.30pm Kajakclub Rowing.  Some ease

12pm Lunch, Mag spray 

1-3pm Vollunteer work - unease tension

4pm Home At ease

5pm Yoga. Crying unease anxius

6.30pm Dinner buspiron 3,5mg Lamotrigin Mag spray 

9pm Relaxed and at ease

10.30pm To bed Mag spray

[Altostrata]

It looks like you may be having some waves and windows from going off oxazepam, but you're doing okay.

 

See The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization 

[HAa]

@Altostrata I can see my pattern  fit on withdrawal symptoms. BUT this is what I have had of symptom pattern before I started tapering in august 2017.

Over the years I was getting worse and more anxiety and allmost everyday useually with some relife around 10pm.

That is why I decided to come of the meds in the first place.

So I cant say I belive the symptoms will fade, so that I can continiue to taper. The only symptoms that fade after I have tapered or any changes in meds like splitting the dosis of Lamotrigin, is that the sleep is getting better and the odd feelings in my legs go away. 

It is so hopeless

 

2.11.

5.30am Woke with extreem anxiety and mindracing. Breakfast. Cant calm me down. 

6.45 Buspiron 3mg Efexor 75mg Lamotrigin 100mg Mag spray Fishoil. - Symptoms continiue. Dont know how to get through another day like this

 

[Altostrata]

As we've explained many times, when you take a benzo like Oxapax often, you can get exaggerated symptoms of anxiety when it wears off. This is an effect of benzo dependency.

 

Despite your negative attitude, you have seen these improvements so far:

 

12 hours ago, HAa said:

The only symptoms that fade after I have tapered or any changes in meds like splitting the dosis of Lamotrigin, is that the sleep is getting better and the odd feelings in my legs go away. 

 

So it is not hopeless.

 

How about taking buspirone when you wake up between 5-6 a.m.? This might help those early morning symptoms.

 

I see your drug schedule varies from day to day, by several hours. This can cause symptoms. Please keep to a more regular drug schedule. Please continue to post your daily notes.

[HAa]

On 11/2/2018 at 6:55 AM, HAa said:

@Altostrata I can see my pattern  fit on withdrawal symptoms. BUT this is what I have had of symptom pattern before I started tapering in august 2017.

Over the years I was getting worse and more anxiety and allmost everyday useually with some relife around 10pm.

That is why I decided to come of the meds in the first place.

So I cant say I belive the symptoms will fade, so that I can continiue to taper. The only symptoms that fade after I have tapered or any changes in meds like splitting the dosis of Lamotrigin, is that the sleep is getting better and the odd feelings in my legs go away. 

It is so hopeless

 

2.11.

5.30am Woke with extreem anxiety and mindracing. Breakfast. Cant calm me down. 

6.45am Buspiron 3mg Efexor 75mg Lamotrigin 100mg Mag spray Fishoil. - Symptoms continiue. Dont know how to get through another day like this

10am A walk by the see

12am lunch

2pm fysioterapie -  Clapping massage -  calm

5pm Workout

7pm dinner - Buspiron 3,5mg Lamotrigin 100mg Mag spray

10.30pm To bed

 

3.11.

6.45 Got up  Some mindracing. - calmed me down

7am. Breakfast - Buspiron 3mg effexor 75 mg Lamotrigin 100mg Fish oil

9.30 Burning sensations i upper legs - and snurring 

12am Lunch Symptoms continiue

2pm Nausea  - tirred - pain

6pm Dinner. Buspiron 3,5mg lamotrigin 100mg Mag spray

10.30pm to bed - nausea vomitting

 

4.11.

1- 4am. Dierria  Nausea Vomiting stomach pain Mindracing - getting lost in my thoughts . Sleeping on off 

6.30am Got up Nausea Mindracing   Cant contain myself. Running around. Tired but cant rest, burning in upper legs and snurring 

6.45am 7,5mg oxapax - Fell asleep

8am Tea - vomiting nausea tired mindracing - symptoms continiue

10am Nausea Water and Banana. Buspiron 3mg Efexor 75 mg Lamotrigin 100mg

11-noon Sympt continiue 

Noon To bed 

 

 

 

[Shep]

4 hours ago, HAa said:

6.45am 7,5mg oxapax - Fell asleep

 

Please add the dates that you use oxapax into your signature.

 

Account - Settings - Create or Edit Your Signature

 

Do you feel that the Oxapax helped at all? From what you wrote, it doesn't sound like it did, so you may be better off avoiding it. This will save you from having to taper off another difficult drug. 

 

Are you able to use peppermint or ginger tea for the nausea? 

 

[HAa]

Hi Shep

I have taking oxa only once since 25.th okt. I wondered if the vomiting was due to abstinent. Don't think it was. ...

I have had gingertea. Will try pepermint tea tomorrow. Sipping cola seems to help a little. 

The nausea is less this evening. And I have been able to eat a little. 

[Altostrata]

What is "snurring"?

 

The diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are new, are you ill? Or maybe you ate something bad? It's best not to take Oxapax.

 

We need a few more days of your symptom pattern to see if you're recovered from stopping Oxapax.

 

Do your Effexor XR capsules contain many tiny beads or a few large beads?

 

 

[HAa]

I think I was sick. Thought it was WD from oxapax. Dont think it was. 

Effexor capsule contains 240 beads.

 

[Altostrata]

Yes, I think you were sick, it wasn't the drugs.

 

Looking back at your daily notes, I see your drug schedule is a little erratic. It's very important to take your drugs at the same time each day.

 

Also, lamotrigine might work better if you take the doses 12 hours apart. I suggested taking the morning buspirone earlier, to help with the morning anxiety and to see what it does apart from the Effexor.

 

For example:

 

5.45am Get up.

6:00 a.m. 3mg buspirone

9:00 a.m. 75mg Effexor,  75 mg lamotrigine

9:00 p.m. 3.5mg buspirone, 100mg lamotrigine

 

Is this a drug schedule you can keep every day? This is important.

[HAa]

Do you suggest I should reduce lamotrigin to 75mg mornings or should I take the 100mgx2 as usually just on diffent times as you wrote?

 

I  can follow drug schedule. Hopefully I soon will begin again to sleep in and not have to wake up this early. This have been going on for a couple of months.

I will make an effort to be more accurate on taking the meds at the fixed hours. 

Thank you

 

4.11. 

2pm Nausea tired mindracing

3pm walk by the sea- cant feel my body. 

6pm Dinner - Less nausea Buspiron 3,5mg Lamotrigin100mg 

8pm At ease 

 

[Altostrata]

My mistake. It should be 100mg lamotrigine:

 

5.45am Get up.

6:00 a.m. 3mg buspirone

9:00 a.m. 75mg Effexor,  100 mg lamotrigine

9:00 p.m. 3.5mg buspirone, 100mg lamotrigine

[HAa]

Would it be ok to take the pm buspiron 3,5mg at 6pm? I am supposed to take it together with food. And that way it allso will be taken alone and with 12 hours apart

[HAa]

Could I take lamotrigin and buspiron at 6am and 6 pm?

Or is there a specific reason  why you suggest I take  buspiron alone in the early morning and buspiron and lamotrigin at 9pm?

 

To day I cant get my mind of the state I am in. Ruminating worrying. I tried to just let it be, tried to go for a walk, doing volunteer work. All the same I have this tension, restlessness and want to cry. My mind is racing, and I want to run away, but I know that isn't possible. I get up, sit down. Write, read, lay down and I am so stuck in my head. Hyperaroused and triggers everywhere. When I see a person, I think. " She has an ordinary life, my life just meaningless and empty".  And then I get caught up in that, and the next and the next. No rest at all. 

 

Snurre = pins and needles