Administrator Altostrata Posted July 19, 2012 Author Administrator Share Posted July 19, 2012 The Wikipedia article on cortisol has these suggestions (go to the article to see the footnotes): Factors generally reducing cortisol levels Magnesium supplementation decreases serum cortisol levels after aerobic exercise,[69][70] but not after resistance training.[71] Omega 3 fatty acids have a dose-dependent effect[72] in slightly reducing cortisol release influenced by mental stress,[73] suppressing the synthesis of interleukin-1 and -6 and enhancing the synthesis of interleukin-2; the former promotes higher CRH release. Omega 6 fatty acids, on the other hand, have an inverse effect on interleukin synthesis.[citation needed] Music therapy can reduce cortisol levels in certain situations.[74] Massage therapy can reduce cortisol.[75] Laughing, and the experience of humour, can lower cortisol levels.[76] Soy-derived phosphatidylserine interacts with cortisol; the correct dose, however, is unclear.[77][78] Black tea may hasten recovery from a high-cortisol condition.[79][80] Regular dancing has been shown to lead to significant decreases in salivary cortisol concentrations.[81] Factors generally increasing cortisol levels Caffeine may increase cortisol levels.[82] Sleep deprivation[83] Intense (high VO2 max) or prolonged physical exercise stimulates cortisol release to increase gluconeogenesis and maintain blood glucose.[84] Proper nutrition[85] and high-level conditioning[86] can help stabilize cortisol release. The Val/Val variation of the BDNF gene in men, and the Val/Met variation in women, are associated with increased salivary cortisol in a stressful situation.[87] Hypoestrogenism and melatonin supplementation increase cortisol levels in postmenopausal women.[88] Burnout is associated with higher cortisol levels.[89] Severe trauma or stressful events can elevate cortisol levels in the blood for prolonged periods.[90][91] Subcutaneous adipose tissue regenerates cortisol from cortisone.[92] Anorexia nervosa may be associated with increased cortisol levels.[93] The serotonin receptor gene 5HTR2C is associated with increased cortisol production in men.[94] Commuting increases cortisol levels relative to the length of the trip, its predictability and the amount of effort involved.[95] Stimuli associated with sexual intercourse can increase cortisol levels in gilts (a young female pig that has not produced her first litter).[96] Severe calorie restriction causes elevated baseline levels of cortisol.[97] This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted August 12, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 12, 2012 Hi everyone Seeking some collective wisdom here. Can anyone tell me if rhodiola I'd activating? I've heard it helps with stress but wondered if it was stimulating at all. I don't want it to interfere with my sleep (wi probably take it in the morning) Any advice/reflections on experience most appreciated Dalsaan Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 12, 2012 Author Administrator Share Posted August 12, 2012 Years ago, I had a very bad experience with rhodiola, did some research, and found in low doses it is a stimulant. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primrose Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I bought ashwagandha which addresses cortisol and banishes those horrible mornings. Look at the reviews on "planetary herbals ashwagandha" in amazon and you will see loads of happy customers. Same for L-theanine, I have that on the way. pregan taper 600mg down to 240mg, daily cuts since xmas valium, just over 75mg, tapering 0.1 a day, will keep this more udated, cos amounts going down i have borderline personality, chronic ptsd, and suspected adhd and substance misuse as a symptom, which i am addressing with help of medical staff, drugs agencies & mh sta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annej Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I bought ashwagandha which addresses cortisol and banishes those horrible mornings. Look at the reviews on "planetary herbals ashwagandha" in amazon and you will see loads of happy customers. Same for L-theanine, I have that on the way. There is a member on a benzo tapering forum who was not on any psychotropics and took ashwagandha who reports she experienced a severe withdrawal syndrome after coming off of it. I don't know whether or not she has recovered yet. My Intro2000-Effexor and KlonopinApril 2011- C/T Adderall, lithium, Seroquel, Lunesta; Pristiq and Klonopin cut by 1/2 due to med-induced "rapid cycling"May 2011- Pristiq/Lexapro bridge/taperJune, 2011- K cut to 0.5 mg (doctor)July 18, 2011 - Lexapro doneOctober 2011- K taper startedJan, 2012- Off K, Remeron started -bad ideaMarch 2012- Horrific Tardive Akathisa/TD (Dx: TA versus withdrawal akathisia secondary to K w/d)May 2012- Reinstatement of KCurrent Psych Meds: Klonopin 2 mg + Propanolol 15 mg and titrating upAs of June 2013: TA gone or suppressed - struggling with tolerance to benzos - beta blocker helping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarannamated Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I spoke too soon. Woke about an hour ago with heart pounding, hot (not sweaty). Still trying to calm down. I increased my hydrocortisone dose (Addison's disease/adrenal failure) last night so suspect that caused the change this morning. It does seem counterintuitive to be taking cortisol when I'm having cortisol mornings. Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
npanth Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I called it the "Paxil Alarm Clock". It didn't matter how late I went to sleep, I would wake up at 4-5AM. I would start out of bed with a pounding, irregular heartbeat, dread, and overwhelming anxiety. As I changed over to a slower tapering schedule, it slowly went away. I don't get it anymore, thankfully. I think I got it because of my too-fast taper last fall. Paxil/Paroxetine/Seroxat 2000 - 2011: 40mg/day 2017 0mg/day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted September 28, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 28, 2012 Reading this has reminded me of how absolutely bloody horrible those mornings were a few years ago, I would just literally not know where to put myself, had often not slept well either. I still get this but it's soooo much milder now and I am grateful for that. *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadia Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 I am really looking forward to being able to sleep normally and not wake with horrible anxiety. Two weeks of normal sleep in July was pure heaven. Oh, please come back to me! I've been curious to try ashwaganda... scared, too. Have not dared. '94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever. 1/13 Best I've ever felt. 3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows. 4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music321 Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 I am in the midst of prozac withdrawal symptoms. among other things, i wake in terror at about 3:30 every morning. So far as I can tell by looking online (and i might be wrong) this is a response to hightened levels or cortisol. However, a quick search of the net indicates that Prozac raises cortisol levels. if this is so, then withdrawal should lower levels, right? what do you think is going on here? various SSRI for years 20 mg Lyrica 2010 30 mg to 0 mg Prozac 2012 Reinstate 20 mg Prozac 2012 Drop to 19 mg Prozac 2013 Reinstate 20 mg Prozac 1 month later (2013) Gradual decrease of Prozac dosage starting in late summer of 2015, currently at 11.2 mg/day use of vitamin D3, fish oil, and magnesium at various times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music321 Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 i took it for 2 yrs, and went cold turkey various SSRI for years 20 mg Lyrica 2010 30 mg to 0 mg Prozac 2012 Reinstate 20 mg Prozac 2012 Drop to 19 mg Prozac 2013 Reinstate 20 mg Prozac 1 month later (2013) Gradual decrease of Prozac dosage starting in late summer of 2015, currently at 11.2 mg/day use of vitamin D3, fish oil, and magnesium at various times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shriraj Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 cold turkey..is not a good option .but however past is past..you said you are in the midst of withdrawal means that you feeling recovery..that is a gud news.now your answere for cortiasol level....if you feel that your symptoms are more severe in the morning and it gradually comes down throughout the day...and nearly vanishes at night..then there is a great possiblity that what you doubt is true ..you give me further details about your symptoms so that i can be more clear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 8, 2012 Author Administrator Share Posted October 8, 2012 Withdrawal syndrome raises cortisol to much higher levels. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted October 8, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 8, 2012 I am in the midst of prozac withdrawal symptoms. among other things, i wake in terror at about 3:30 every morning. So far as I can tell by looking online (and i might be wrong) this is a response to hightened levels or cortisol. However, a quick search of the net indicates that Prozac raises cortisol levels. if this is so, then withdrawal should lower levels, right? what do you think is going on here? This is due to elevated cortisol levels and it's a fairly common symptom during withdrawal from antidepressants. Often it results in severe insomnia, so the fact that you can sleep at all is a good sign. Here's an entire topic on the subject: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/33-early-morning-waking-with-panic-or-anxiety/ And there is a lot more information in this section, mostly under Sleep Problems: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/ Darkening my bedroom and wearing a sleep mask helped me quite a lot. Once I was able to get a decent night's sleep, a lot of other symptoms began to subside. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarannamated Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Just out of curiosity, how long ago did you go cold turkey? And when did the sleep trouble start? My cortisol is high and I have trouble sleeping... waking in the middle of the night. It used to be with terror (would also feel terror or extreme dread if I tried to nap), it has improved. I also CTed, btw, but after about 16 years of AD use. Nadia, How do you measure your cortisol levels? I think saliva strips have been mentioned, but thought I'd ask. Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadia Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I had my serum cortisol tested by a blood test at 8am. '94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever. 1/13 Best I've ever felt. 3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows. 4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music321 Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Day 28: Not waking in terror at 4 am; instead, waking with calm mind at 6 am. Libido: 5% Burning headaches much less in intensity, frequency, and duration Occasional dizzy spells still on 20 mg/day various SSRI for years 20 mg Lyrica 2010 30 mg to 0 mg Prozac 2012 Reinstate 20 mg Prozac 2012 Drop to 19 mg Prozac 2013 Reinstate 20 mg Prozac 1 month later (2013) Gradual decrease of Prozac dosage starting in late summer of 2015, currently at 11.2 mg/day use of vitamin D3, fish oil, and magnesium at various times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 21, 2012 Author Administrator Share Posted October 21, 2012 I am thinking long hours crunched up in front of the computer has affected me in a lot of ways that haven't been good, including crowding my internal organs, vagus nerve, and adrenals, besides poor circulation. Standing and stretching out seems a very good idea!!!! This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music321 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 To answer the question of a previous poster, I started having symptoms about 2 weeks after going cold turkey. I reinstated, and symptoms have lessened a LOT. I was in a metaphorical "hell" at the height of the withdrawal, now I'm just living a frustrating life I am trying to document this entire experience here so as to help others. I hope to continue to do so until I have recovered fully. In this way, when recovery is slow in coming for someone else, they will be able to look at this timeline of frustration, and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Update: 44 days since reinstating prozac. Don't wake up in terror. Do wake up about 75% of days at 4-5 am. I stay awake, and become tired again around 9 (when it's too late to go back to sleep). I regained libido about 10 days ago, and thought I was back to normal. However, the libido vanished completely within a day of getting it back, and has yet to return. Burning sensation is just as severe as always, just less frequent now. I tried drinking a cup of coffee, which caused a real marked increase in burning sensation. Today, I drank a quarter cup of coffee without adverse reactions. Best of luck to everyone! various SSRI for years 20 mg Lyrica 2010 30 mg to 0 mg Prozac 2012 Reinstate 20 mg Prozac 2012 Drop to 19 mg Prozac 2013 Reinstate 20 mg Prozac 1 month later (2013) Gradual decrease of Prozac dosage starting in late summer of 2015, currently at 11.2 mg/day use of vitamin D3, fish oil, and magnesium at various times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus Narcissus Posted December 13, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 13, 2012 I must say that I prefer cortisol mornings to cortisol nights. 3 Years 150 mgs Effexor 2 month taper down to zero 3 terrible weeks at zero Back up to 75 mgs 2 months at 75 6 or so months back to regular dose of 150 - was able to restabilize fine. 3 month taper back to zero 1 HORRENDOUS week at zero 2 days back up to 37.5 3 days back up to 75 One week at 150 - unable to stabilize. Back down to 75 mgs At 75 mgs (half original dose) and suffering withdrawal symptoms since October 2012. "It is a radical cure for all pessimism to become ill, to remain ill for a good while, and then grow well for a still longer period." - Nietzsche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarannamated Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 I must say that I prefer cortisol mornings to cortisol nights. How do you experience 'cortisol nights'? Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus Narcissus Posted December 13, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 13, 2012 I'm assuming that the arbitrary and totally unprecedented episodes of strain and anxiety that I've been having are cortisol related, and for me they alternate between mornings and nights. In the morning, I find that once I get past it I have the rest of the day to recover. This leaves me feeling more or less hopeful about my recovery at the end of the day. When they take place at night, however, I generally end the day feeling much more distraught. It tends to be at night that I reflect about the state of my life (or in this case my withdrawal), and so having episodes at night tinges my reflection with hopelessness, which then goes on to affect me for days afterwards. The episodes are getting less intense in general, but a miscalculated dose of Effexor set me reeling again recently. 3 Years 150 mgs Effexor 2 month taper down to zero 3 terrible weeks at zero Back up to 75 mgs 2 months at 75 6 or so months back to regular dose of 150 - was able to restabilize fine. 3 month taper back to zero 1 HORRENDOUS week at zero 2 days back up to 37.5 3 days back up to 75 One week at 150 - unable to stabilize. Back down to 75 mgs At 75 mgs (half original dose) and suffering withdrawal symptoms since October 2012. "It is a radical cure for all pessimism to become ill, to remain ill for a good while, and then grow well for a still longer period." - Nietzsche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sally3 Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I just wanted to add to the topic of the phosphotidylserine....I had read this post a while ago and ordered some Seriphos....I took it for 2-3 nights and noticed that it made me more depressed. I cannot absolutely say it was from the Seriphos but I stopped it. What I have found that is helping me, and it's only been a week is Vitamin C - I take 500 mg at night at bedtime and 750 mg during the day....I am sleeping better and wake with no cortisol rushes most of the time. Just one morning woke with my chest going like a jackhammer - and it eventually stopped after an hour or two. But the other days and it's been a little over a week, I've awakened very smoothly. What a blessing! Sally3 Have been on .125Klonopin for 17 years....was tapered off rapidly (3 weeks)from a 6 week updose of 1.50 K....went back on .125 K and tapered off there in 3 weeks - September 7 2010...horrible w/d sx. Have been suffering ever since, although do get windows.Was put on 20 mg Prozac back in 1993 also...no issues ever with the prozac. Was told last summer to get off the Prozac by a psychiatrist who thought that my benzo w/d was really due to the Prozac i.e., jitteriness, shaking, nervous, anxiety and depression. He wanted me off in 3 months. I started decreasing 1 mg per months - am now down to 9 mg Prozac....feel like I have been tapering incorrectly. Introductory Post: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2439-sally3-i-am-new-here/page-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 29, 2013 Author Administrator Share Posted January 29, 2013 Yes, I found citrus to be calming. You might want to try extended-release vitamin C as well. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno2016 Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Ok so i recently discovered grounding and feel as though it really helps me. Basically, you make bare contact with the Earth's service...thats it. You can even measure the electrical current in your body using something like a voltmeter and when you are grounded, it goes to zero. Anyways, i go to the park, take off my shoes, and walk around the fields barefoot. I then lay down for 20 min. Once I get up, I have a sense of well being. I feel relaxed, my mind is clear, and all in all I just am at peace. So, I have been doing this often and am finding it so helpful that I am going to get a grounding pad for sleep and hope lightning doesnt strike my home. I looked further into grounding and found some really interesting studies on the effects of grounding, including its effects on cortisol. So, I figured that using a grounding pad for sleep couple possibly help with the cortisol spikes associated with withdrawal syndrome. It could be worth a try my friends: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15650465 Here is a site with a list of studies and articles: http://www.groundology.com/scientific-research Various SSRIs/SNRIs 7- 1/2 years Went Cold Turkey from Celexa 2011, Stayed Off Psych Drug Free and Loving Life (over 6 years and counting) How I Stay Well: Diet, exercise, meditation, supplements, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 5, 2013 Author Administrator Share Posted February 5, 2013 I would think the benefit of grounding would be being out in nature and feeling that natural energy, fresh air, and peace. I'm more than a little skeptical that this can be packaged. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fefesmom Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Any ideas about dealing with early-morning awakening would be appreciated. I have no trouble falling asleep or going back to sleep after getting up to use the bathroom. But at about 3 a.m. I wake up and cannot go back to sleep. Have tried Trazodone (awful and stopped after two nights it didn't help at all) and Ambien (same thing - no help so I quit that too). Any suggestions??? Thanks, FM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Hello Fefes, this is what I am doing: I go to bed and watch TV until 12.30 or so;that means that in 5 and half hrs the nite will be over.In other words, try to make the night hrs shorter. Sleeping aids:Supplements: 1 hr before bed, Linden Flowers tea, Valerian Tincture, 100mg Phosphatydilserine. Med.0.25mg Xanax. I was on 0.50, now I´m down to 0.25 I need it.And I use a fan as a white noise aid Oh, and mid afternoon I take 225mg Magnesium. And A LOT of PATIENCE, HOPE and COURAGE. 4 years aprox. on 150mgs.Effexor for situational major depression.No AD before.Tapered 150-0mgs in 3 months. Tapered Quetiapine,Xanax in the last 18 months.NO med of any kind anymore.First 3 months off acute w/dProtracted w/d ever since.Symptoms:Anxiety,anhedonia,insomnia,tinnitus,PSSD 04/13/2014 Awful Relapse.Recovered fairly fast. 3 years and 4 months off. waves and windows.Very much recovered. November 2015,health issue.Setback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarannamated Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Hi Fefesmom. Are you waking up to go to the bathroom (ie. Is your bladder waking you?) ? Is this new? If so, are you drinking more fluids or doing anything differently? B EDIT: I just re-read your post and think i may have misunderstood. Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus tezza Posted March 2, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 2, 2013 Hi fefe, Have you ever tried magnesium? I think I left it off last night and woke up more. I'm so sorry this is happening now. Hopefully it's a bad wave and will level back out soon. I've seen posts about some who are using glycine and it seems to be helping Them. I plan to get some and try it, (I'll try just about anything that's presumed to be safe ) http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1644-tezza-risperdal-withdrawal/ Seroquel and Mirtazipine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fefesmom Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Thanks all! I was taking magnesium a while (long while) ago and will go back to it again. FM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 2, 2013 Author Administrator Share Posted March 2, 2013 This is such a good question, I made it its own topic. What we want when we wake in the wee hours is something that will gently help us get back to sleep and not trigger the alerting reaction. Things you might try when you wake up in the wee hours: Magnesium citrate or other absorbable form other than carbonate Fish oil Baby aspirin (take with food or fish oil to coat the stomach and protect it from the acid from the aspirin) Milk peptides (Lactium) -- very mild Glycine Magnesium glycinate -- combines magnesium and glycine Arginine (not too much! try maybe 5mg-10mg at first)* Homeopathic sleep remedies, such as Calms Forte* Holy basil* At first, try one at a time to see how each affects you, then mix and match. Use Search in this forum to find topics on each of these options. * Use occasionally, effect tends to wear off if used for nights in a row This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted March 2, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 2, 2013 thanks for that list Alto! I can see my bedside table littered with little bottles ready for the early morning wake up LOL Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted March 2, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 2, 2013 And remember the sleep mask. This was tripping me up for weeks until I realized I was waking in response to longer daylight hours. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiaK Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) I meditate...I wake up almost every morning at that time and generally am able to get back to sleep...sometimes it takes meditating for a good hour...I often also get up and do something for a bit before returning to bed to meditate...(I meditate lying down, but I do full on paying attn to what is going on in my body etc)The other thing I do and I really love them is listen to meditative sound CDs while I meditate...I uploaded them to share in a post I wrote about insomnia...I'll share the links here you can download them...I have found these really helpful...they're no longer available for sale so I figured I'd upload them.VERY IMPORTANT -- USE HEADPHONES See this post below: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3916-getting-back-to-sleep/?p=103339#entry103339 they're really fantastic and now they're free... Edited March 24, 2017 by ChessieCat * added note about link Everything Matters: Beyond Meds https://beyondmeds.com/ withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
compsports Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 And remember the sleep mask. This was tripping me up for weeks until I realized I was waking in response to longer daylight hours. Unfortunately, this not an option right now because I have to wear a full face mask for my pap therapy. But if I can switch to a nasal pillow mask (a whole other post), then I would definitely give this a shot. Glad it helped you. CS Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010 Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006 Finished taper on June 10, 2010 Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016 Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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