lucyinthesky: Olanzapine/Seroquel & insomnia

[Igor1287]

Lucy, download program called diet organizer, start counting your calories. You want to be in a slight caloric deficit, this way you will accomplish two things, you will lose excess fat and hopefully, you will get more tired which will improve your sleep.

I wish you luck, I too have to taper this hellish drug.

[lucyinthesky]

Hi all, 

 

Update and question coming!

Update: I still haven't started tapering yet but I am doing really great (a yoga retreat helped a lot). Feeling very balanced emotionally and confident and "ready" to take on a slow taper. I feel like I have all the tools to tackle this in the most positive way possible. I am currently taking 2.5mg Zyprexa AND 50mg Seroquel. 

 

Question: I plan to first reduce my Olanzapine, by no more than 10% a month. my psych has found a pharmacy that make slow tapers from any dose to any dose, over any length of time. And she has given me free reign to dictate my own schedule(!)

As such, I must specify the start and end dose for a 28 day period, and they will make a gradual decline to the target dose within the period.

For example, the taper would start at 2.5mg and end on 2.25mg; in the 28 day period, the dose would be gradually reduced each day to get to the target dose. Each day is technically a different dose (although the variance would be very small at this level).

This is obviously different to the best practice outlined on this site, whereby you cut by 10% then hold for a month. So you go from 2.5mg one day to 2.25mg the next day.

Has anyone tried a slow declining taper (like the first way I just described), is this going to be worse than the regular cutting method?

 

PS - my psych thinks I'm a loon for being so cautious/slow with my proposed schedule but I held my ground.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Spideygsm]

Lucy:

 

My psych felt similar to yours. She wanted me to initially taper from 30mg to 20mg. I held my ground like you and went from 30mg to 27.5mg and I was bombed by withdrawal symptoms the first day I tapered. It was horrible. My psych recommended since the withdrawals were so bad to just do a more rapid taper to get off the Zyprexa. It sucked but overall I'm glad I did it.

 

I can tell you it still sucks. I'm back to only sleeping 1-2 hours a night and some nights zero. I'm also fighting some depression and anxiety but nothing like during the withdrawals. I don't think I can blame it all on Zyprexa because I got off Wellbrutrin too. It's nice not feeling so medicated all the time. I can deal with the insomnia. If I stay busy and doing something the tiredness isn't too bad.

 

Hang in there and deal with it. Even if it takes a year or two or even a few months. I wouldn't recommend a complete CT but I was glad I got off as quick as I did. Good luck and hope you feel better.

[Altostrata]

3 hours ago, Spideygsm said:

My psych recommended since the withdrawals were so bad to just do a more rapid taper to get off the Zyprexa. It sucked but overall I'm glad I did it.

 

Your psychiatrist got you off Zyprexa but set you up for months of sleeplessness. Not a trade-off we would recommend here. Personally, I think she made a mistake, but what's done is done.

[Spideygsm]

On 7/31/2018 at 12:25 PM, Altostrata said:

 

Your psychiatrist got you off Zyprexa but set you up for months of sleeplessness. Not a trade-off we would recommend here. Personally, I think she made a mistake, but what's done is done.

Alto,

 

I agree and disagree. Disagree: I had to get off Zyprexa as soon as possible because of very high liver panels (basically the start of liver disease) and diabetes. If I had the time I would have tapered much slower. I've been off Zyprexa for 4 months now. I had blood work done 2 weeks ago and amazingly, all of my blood levels are normal again. This was accomplished through diet and exercise. Since I've been off Zyprexa, I've lost 30 lbs, 

 

I AGREE with you. TOO FAST. My sleep seemed to get better but is pretty bad again (not quite as bad as during the withdrawal but still very uncomfortable). However, for me, the cost (insomnia, horrible withdrawal) does not outweigh the medical benefit I've gotten.

 

SA's recommendation is the best if a person has the time (which I didn't). I'm just glad I'm off Zyprexa. No matter how a person ends up getting off the drug, they're most likely gonna be better off. Do I still have issues? Yes. Every issue I had before taking Zyprexa is still there. Zyprexa cures nothing. It's nothing but a deadly bandaid. 

[Altostrata]

1 hour ago, Spideygsm said:

I had to get off Zyprexa as soon as possible because of very high liver panels (basically the start of liver disease) and diabetes.

 

You are correct, this is a good reason to go off relatively quickly. Sorry it turned out like this, but I'm happy to hear your liver panels went back to normal. I hope your doctor learned from this.

 

Thanks for your insights and attitude.

[lucyinthesky]

On 7/31/2018 at 4:53 PM, lucyinthesky said:

 

Question: I plan to first reduce my Olanzapine, by no more than 10% a month. my psych has found a pharmacy that make slow tapers from any dose to any dose, over any length of time. And she has given me free reign to dictate my own schedule(!)

As such, I must specify the start and end dose for a 28 day period, and they will make a gradual decline to the target dose within the period.

For example, the taper would start at 2.5mg and end on 2.25mg; in the 28 day period, the dose would be gradually reduced each day to get to the target dose. Each day is technically a different dose (although the variance would be very small at this level).

This is obviously different to the best practice outlined on this site, whereby you cut by 10% then hold for a month. So you go from 2.5mg one day to 2.25mg the next day.

Has anyone tried a slow declining taper (like the first way I just described), is this going to be worse than the regular cutting method?

 

PS - my psych thinks I'm a loon for being so cautious/slow with my proposed schedule but I held my ground.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Nobody actually answered my previous question, but I am here to provide an update....

 

I have my Zyprexa taper laid out for the month from the pharmacy that prepares tapering strips: the first 7 days are 2.5mg; the next 7 days after that are 2.4mg; the next 7 days after that are 2.3mg and the final 7 days are 2.2mg.

I was sleeping very well on 2.5mg, and only waking up once per night.

As soon as I made the cut to 2.4mg, I woke up 5-6 times, with an aggressive buzzing noise in my ears. I managed to get back to sleep each time. This got slightly better towards the end of the week on 2.4mg.

 

I am now 2 days into the next reduction to 2.3mg and it is not good. First night I couldn't sleep at all and I ended up taking a sleeping pill. Second night (last night) I couldn't sleep for ages but finally managed to get some sleep around 5am. However the loud buzzing/high pitched screeching in my ears was very loud throughout (waking and sleeping) and I woke up regularly when I did manage to sleep.

I am quite disheartened that even with these gradual declining steps my sleep is so disrupted. To my previous question, I am wondering if it would be better for me to do a slightly bigger cut (10%) and hold that for the month to adjust, rather than several smaller weekly cuts (that total 10% together over a month). 

My friends are telling me to go slower, but even with this schedule it's going to take me 2+ years to come off Zyprexa and then more years to come off Seroquel. I can't stand the thought of it taking any longer.  

[Spideygsm]

Lucy,

 

I try not to be too negative because I don't think people need negativity while getting off these drugs. All I'll say is it sucks. I had to do a very rapid taper because I got very bad side effects after being on Zyprexa for 15 years. Initially I tried a 10% reduction on my first drop from 30mg and experienced intense withdrawals and insomnia. My Doctor decided to do a rapid taper to get me off the drug. She told me upfront it was going to be unpleasant. I got through it but I'm still suffering today. It's been close to 6 months since my last dose of Zyprexa. I'll never touch the stuff again.

 

I had insomnia before I started Zyprexa. Zyprexa did NOT help me sleep. Kind of had the reverse effect. During the withdrawals, I tried sleeping pills (Ambien). They did not help. Insomnia appears to be something that we all have to deal with getting off Zyprexa. Seems like people get insomnia whether they CT, Rapid Taper, or slow taper. It's just part of the fun we get to go through. My sleep started to improve at about week 12-16 after my last dose but not great. Any improvement is a benefit. I also experienced really intense ringing in my ears as well as heard a low droning noise at night in my house.

 

I'm not an expert by any means. It just seemed like my body would eventually get what sleep it needed. It does suck but I live with it. The best thing I've found it to exercise early in the morning. I get in the pool at 5 am. You're not gonna feel like doing anything because you'll feel so tired. However, it wakes me up and I feel much better the rest of the day. I do feel completely burned out in the evening but I can get through the day as long as I keep doing something.

 

Hang in there. If all you're experiencing is insomnia then you're doing the right thing. I had many other withdrawal symptoms. It's going to be a long ride but you'll find out later on how much better you'll feel after you get completely off Zyprexa. The insomnia is uncomfortable but I can deal with it. Just know others (like myself) have gone through what you're going through right now and eventually you'll get through it. I personally believe it just takes very strong willpower, diet, and exercise. It's easy knowing all you have to do is take a pill and you'll feel better. It's not worth it. Zyprexa almost killed me. Good luck and feel free to message me if you want to know any details. 

[lucyinthesky]

On 8/21/2018 at 4:02 PM, Spideygsm said:

Lucy,

 

I try not to be too negative because I don't think people need negativity while getting off these drugs. All I'll say is it sucks. I had to do a very rapid taper because I got very bad side effects after being on Zyprexa for 15 years. Initially I tried a 10% reduction on my first drop from 30mg and experienced intense withdrawals and insomnia. My Doctor decided to do a rapid taper to get me off the drug. She told me upfront it was going to be unpleasant. I got through it but I'm still suffering today. It's been close to 6 months since my last dose of Zyprexa. I'll never touch the stuff again.

 

I had insomnia before I started Zyprexa. Zyprexa did NOT help me sleep. Kind of had the reverse effect. During the withdrawals, I tried sleeping pills (Ambien). They did not help. Insomnia appears to be something that we all have to deal with getting off Zyprexa. Seems like people get insomnia whether they CT, Rapid Taper, or slow taper. It's just part of the fun we get to go through. My sleep started to improve at about week 12-16 after my last dose but not great. Any improvement is a benefit. I also experienced really intense ringing in my ears as well as heard a low droning noise at night in my house.

 

I'm not an expert by any means. It just seemed like my body would eventually get what sleep it needed. It does suck but I live with it. The best thing I've found it to exercise early in the morning. I get in the pool at 5 am. You're not gonna feel like doing anything because you'll feel so tired. However, it wakes me up and I feel much better the rest of the day. I do feel completely burned out in the evening but I can get through the day as long as I keep doing something.

 

Hang in there. If all you're experiencing is insomnia then you're doing the right thing. I had many other withdrawal symptoms. It's going to be a long ride but you'll find out later on how much better you'll feel after you get completely off Zyprexa. The insomnia is uncomfortable but I can deal with it. Just know others (like myself) have gone through what you're going through right now and eventually you'll get through it. I personally believe it just takes very strong willpower, diet, and exercise. It's easy knowing all you have to do is take a pill and you'll feel better. It's not worth it. Zyprexa almost killed me. Good luck and feel free to message me if you want to know any details. 

 

Thanks for the support @Spideygsm. I hear you - it's gonna be sucky ride but will be worth it!

 

I am feeling more positive about things. After 10 days on 2.3mg, the sleep is improving a lot from the first few nights. I even had around 8 hours of restful sleep last night, only waking up twice with the crazy ear ringing. I went for a swim in the evening and I think that helped even more than yoga. 

 

Additionally, I am finding using crystals is helping me a lot(!). I'm using stones like Howlite, Aventurine, Blue Lace Agate and Amazonite (which is fab) to help me drift to sleep. These promote a really loving, calm and restful state of mind, and I definitely feel like they make me sleep deeper. Then when I wake up at 4am with aggressive energy and high heart rate, I use a grounding stone like Black Tourmaline or Hematite to help bring my energy down and get back to sleep. I just hold the stone in my hand.

[Spideygsm]

Lucy,

 

That's great news! Find anything that helps. I've it's crystals, swimming, yoga or anything, then do it. When my Doctor told me to exercise to get the endorphins going and I told her it made me feel better for a few hours, she said to try doing it in the morning and afternoon. Take any little benefit you find as a gift. If you sleep 8 hours only occasionally, look forward to it happening again. Be thankful for any relief you get. That's what I've been doing.

 

At one point I though C*D oil worked for me but it didn't. I stopped. Find the golden tickets and treasure them. I look forward everyday knowing even though I didn't sleep at all at night, I swim for an hour, it wakes me up, and I feel really good while swimming and until about noon.

 

I think Americans like me become complacent, lazy, and think all we have to do is to take a little pill to sleep, lose weight, get rid of stress and anxiety etc. I think you've brought forth some great points. Crystals work for you. There has to be something to Crystals because some civilizations have been using them since the beginning of time. I've learned a lot from SA. Herbals, Crystals, exersise, diet, all can play a big part in getting off these crazy medications that ruin lives.

 

Hang in there, you're making great progress, and I can't wait to hear when you're drug free. You're doing it the right way.

[Altostrata]

Lucy, you're using the tapering strips, correct?

 

Good to hear you stabilized on 2.3mg after 10 days. Perhaps for next month, a little less aggressive target? I know it's painfully slow, but it may keep you from having those pesky symptoms.

[lucyinthesky]

Yep, tapering strips! However I've now taken to asking the pharmacy to prepare a whole month at the same dose, and because it's made up of several tablets (e.g. a 2.3mg dose is actually 2 x 1mg, 1 x 0.2mg and 1 x 0.1mg) I'm tapering myself by removing 1 of the 0.1mg to make it 2.2mg. Just gives me more flexibility and ability to taper on my own schedule.

 

In other news, I am pleased to report that the last two reductions have been fairly painless. After a rocky start, I held at 2.3mg for just over a month (was traveling a lot) and my sleep stabilised quite nicely. To my surprise, when I reduced to 2.2mg my sleep was barely affected, so 10 days later I reduced to 2.1mg again and similarly had very little disturbance. Nothing like my first two reductions (to 2.4mg and 2.3mg).

 

Feeling positive!

 

Also I recommend the pharmacy that prepares the tapering strips - it's called Regenbook Apotheek https://www.regenboogapotheek.nl/  and I believe you can order it from other countries if you make an arrangement with your physician.

[lucyinthesky]

Again an update, still largely positive!

 

I've continued to make reductions with the tapering strips and am now down to 1.6mg Olanzapine (starting at 2.5mg). 

 

Currently, waking up a lot more than my previous cuts and its harder to get back to sleep so I suppose I will hold for a bit longer at 1.6.

 

All in all, pleased with my progress and feeling more confident about the transition.

 

 

[lucyinthesky]

Actually aside from the fact that my tapering is going relatively well, I do have one issue/question:

 

I usually take the Olanzapine around 8pm, and the Seroquel around 9pm. 

 

On the rare night where I have a social event (such as dinner with friends, going to a bar or networking with colleagues), I delay taking my medication because the Seroquel makes me super sedated 30mins after I take it: if I were to take it at the usual time, I wouldn't be able to socialise. So I tend to take it 1 hour before I go to bed, let's say on average at 11.30pm.

 

When I do this, I really really struggle to get normal sleep. It takes me several hours to fall asleep, I get a lot of muscle jerks/twitches that stop me from falling asleep, the sleep I do get is very light and noisy and the next day I feel awful. 

 

This is all leading me to socialise less and less, or to leave around 9pm and miss out on the majority of the event, because I hate the effect it is having on my sleep and energy the next day.

 

Has anyone else had this issue and what is the solution?

 

Additionally, I am concerned about an upcoming business trip I have where I am travelling to a different time zone and won't be able to take my medication at the same time as normal, but I need to be able to function 'as normal' to do my job.

 

It is worth noting that I do not consume any alcohol when I socialise (which is hard enough in itself!).

 

 

[ChessieCat]

Unfortunately many of the members have to make adjustments around their tapering/withdrawal.

 

You might find that the reason you have issues with sleep after you have been socialising is that your system is revved up (noise, lights, food, talking, excitement etc).  You might need to find a routine that you can do when you get home to try to calm your system.  Maybe a bath with magnesium or even just a foot soak with Magnesium, and listen to some calming music.

[Altostrata]

On 11/20/2018 at 6:22 AM, lucyinthesky said:

Again an update, still largely positive!

 

I've continued to make reductions with the tapering strips and am now down to 1.6mg Olanzapine (starting at 2.5mg). 

 

Currently, waking up a lot more than my previous cuts and its harder to get back to sleep so I suppose I will hold for a bit longer at 1.6.

 

All in all, pleased with my progress and feeling more confident about the transition.

 

 

 

Hi, Lucy. What is your rate of tapering olanzapine now? For your next round of tapering strips, I might request smaller decreases.

 

What time do you usually go to bed when you don't have a social event?

[lucyinthesky]

I go to bed around 10pm, usually falling asleep around 11 or 11.30.

 

I haven't been tapering more than 10% a month. Currently on 1.6mg and holding for a while.

 

I went into this with a vague sense that in five years, I'd be medication free. However, after reading more on here and doing the proper math, I now realise that this is wildly optimistic (given that I'm on Olanzapine and Seroquel). It's very disheartening. My social life is now almost non-existent and let's not even talk about my love life. I'm 30 now, I'm spending my thirties in withdrawal and I don't know how I can meet a partner, go on dates etc. let alone have a baby. I am sad I am wasting the last of my youth and fertility in this debilitating limbo. I realise this is the choice I have made but it's very difficult, especially when nobody really understands why such a slow taper is necessary. I am only 4 months into my taper and physically it hasn't been that difficult thus far, yet I am still struggling and wondering how I can keep this up for many more years. I really do admire the strength and grit of the community here who have to put up with far worse situations.

[Glosmom]

Hi lucyinthesky,  I am not going through withdrawals personally but am helping my daughter to do so; so feel free to disregard everything i am saying since i can not really know all of your pain and suffering.  However as someone who has gone through alot of pain and suffering in other ways and has gotten through to a better place. (for now...one day at a time ... i just want to offer some support in saying.....life does not always go they way we want, plan or envision.  It happens to most of us that way regardless of the state of what medications we are on or trying to get off of.  Trying to find the small joys in each and every day is the best way i have found to tackle what seems to be insurmountable timelines or barriers.  One day at a time, searching for what IS going well, what IS joyful, what CAN i be grateful for helps tremendously in changing our attitude about life and the future.   Not focusing on the future, but merely today, can decrease stress.   Not sure what your brain is able to focus on but if it can focus on music and movies....watch and listen to that which is soothing and more joyful than all the negativity that is out there.  30 is still very young and every year we learn new things about who we are and the meaning of life...even as we get older or really old. Don't beat yourself up for not being very social now....tell yourself...this is what my mind, body soul needs right now to heal.   You may find the taper can go faster than what you have imagined....you just don't know right now.  You have done a great job in getting down to 1.6 on the olanzapine.  That is good work!  I admire you for tackling this very difficult task of tapering and withdrawal. In my mind, all that are going through it or have gone through it are very, very strong people.  Be proud of how strong you are. You can do this!  Peace to you, glosmom

[Spideygsm]

Lucy

 

Hang in there girl. You’re doing Great! I started my Zyprexa rapid taper and withdrawl almost a year ago. I’m still suffering today. However, I feel better now than I did a year ago. What I like is I don’t feel like a drugged Zombie. I still don’t sleep and still experience withdrawl symptoms but they’re very slowly subsiding. You’re doing it the right!!!

 

I felt the worst after I got below 2.5mg then about 2 weeks after my last dose was probably the peak. I stopped completely after I got to 0.625mg. I don’t know the magic dose when you should completely stop. Only you’ll know. I think your body will let you know. I don’t know how your body will react when you finally stop after a long slow taper. Maybe a moderator can add input.

 

You’re doing the right thing. What you’re doing is heroic to share your story with others. Encouragement from others is definitely a huge help and being able to read others stories let’s people getting off these drugs an idea of what to expect. Don’t let your negative thinking discourage you. That’s the drugs messing with your brain too. 

 

Think happy!

 

 

[lucyinthesky]

@Glosmom and @Spideygsm thank you for your kind words. It is so lovely that you take time to reach out to people. And of course you are SO right - positive mindset makes such a difference. I need to focus on the possibility rather than the disability. I'm in for the long haul so I might as well learn make the best of things. 🤓

[Spideygsm]

Lucy,

 

What’s worked really well for me is to live life with short term goals. We all have to first admit that getting off mental health drugs is a huge undertaking. It can be painful, soul draining, and the person may feel outright horrible. It’s a giant task. It’s much easier to accomplish a giant task by breaking it into parts and working on completion piece by piece. If you try and do everything all at once, it seems like the task will never end and can be overwhelming. 

 

Keep it simple. Enjoy the positives. I sound like a spewing philosopher but not looking at the length of the journey ahead has helped me. Give yourself any little thing to look forward to each day. A coffee, meal, meet a friend, anything. 

 

Smile

[lucyinthesky]

Just wanted to post an update. I am still on the path of making relatively gradual reductions in my medication. I am now on 1.3mg and I am doing a lot better than I thought I would. The only adverse effects I experience are sleep related: at worst (after making a reduction), waking up a lot at night and not being able to get back to sleep; at best (2-3 weeks after making a reduction), waking up a lot at night but still getting a good 7-8 hours sleep.

 

All in all, I'm functioning pretty well and living a very normal and enjoyable life, considering. I've had to make changes: I stopped drinking alcohol, but this has actually been a huge blessing. I am also keeping my evenings very slow and free of external stimulus where possible, and I am exercising, meditating and following a healthy plant-based diet and drinking a lot of water.

 

I am also saying daily affirmations like: "I have endless inner strength that I am channeling toward healing and recovery" // "My body is capable of amazing transformation and every day I am getting better and better" and "I am filled with gratitude that I am able to transition off my medications". This was inspired after watching the Netflix documentary "Heal" which is all about the mind-body connection. If there's one thing people on this forum should watch, it is this documentary, it blew my mind!!!

 

So yes, compared to this time last year (when I was being ducked about with all different doses and medications, and was heavily depressed as a side effect of my medications), I am really doing very well. I honestly credit all of this to the information on this forum. I am so lucky to have found it.

 

Of course, I don't want to jinx it. I still have a long, long way to go. But I'm feeling hopeful and positive. I pray that others can find some encouragement in these words.

[Altostrata]

Thanks so much for that wonderful update, Lucy.

 

If you haven't tried them, lot of people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

Try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. They may improve your sleep.

 

[Carmie]

Hi lucyinthesky, 

 

How are you doing?💚

[lucyinthesky]

Hi @Carmie I am doing really well thank you!

 

I am down to 1.1mg Zyprexa. Oddly, the cuts seem to be going easier than they were in the beginning. I don't know if my body has adjusted to "withdrawal mode" maybe? I even went out dancing on Saturday night and went to bed at 2.30am and managed to sleep fine (before I would have insomnia whenever I deviated from my regular bed time).

 

I am actually in the best place I've been in (mentally) in a long time. I really credit this to my healthy diet and frequent exercise. I am drinking celery juice every morning, having a power-packed smoothie for breakfast, and am eating healthy and plant based for the rest of the day. I am working out daily (hot yoga and kick boxing). Watching the Netflix documentary "Heal" also helped me a lot, as it proved to me just how much the mind can influence the body's ability to heal. I've stopped telling myself I'm a sick / mentally ill person that needs to heal, and started telling myself I am healthy, with the ability to heal more every day. 

 

Of course, I am worried that this is fleeting and things will get worse; we know that healing isn't linear and I have previously had bouts of great health before that are suddenly followed by challenges ("two steps forward one step back").

 

I am actually booking a holiday to Bali in October. I feel like this is a bit risky as I am not confident I will still be in a good place then, but I think I'm going to chance it. Positive thinking right? 

I still have a long way to go. Once I am off Zyprexa, I will then need to taper Seroquel. I fear that is when things will get really tough as right now the 50mg of Seroquel is definitely helping me get to sleep. But I have to take things one step at a time.

 

How is your journey going?

 

[Carmie]

Hi lucyinthesky, 

 

What a great update, thanks for sharing. I hope you have lots of fun in Bali. My sister is going there this year too.

 

Wishing you all the best in your recovery journey.💚

[lucyinthesky]

Hello, small update - still slowly tapering and still going relatively well. Down to 1mg Olanzapine now. One thing that has recently thrown me a bit is that it seems every time I eat gluten for dinner, it really affects my sleep. I get a very heavy heart beat and slightly faster heart rate too. On the rare occasions I've had a really big dose of gluten (like eating a pizza) my throat feels like its closing up and its hard to breathe. It takes me ages to get to sleep.

 

One night I had pizza (before realising the link) and I didn't sleep at all, and I then had insomnia for 3-4 nights after wards too!

 

Obviously I am now avoiding gluten, but it only seems to affect me at night and its a very recent thing, I never had any issues before I started tapering. Has anyone else found withdrawal makes them more sensitive to gluten? I'm wondering if I should get a gluten intolerance test done at my Doctors but I'm "worried" it's going to come back negative and I'll be told it's all in my head... its definitely not!

[ChessieCat]

I've moved your topic to an existing topic which you can find here:

 

gluten-sensitivity-vs-celiac-disease-vs-gluten-intolerance

 

This link has lots of information:

 

Gluten Sensitivity Vs. Celiac Disease Vs. Gluten Intolerance By Monica Cassani

 

[lucyinthesky]

7 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

I've moved your topic to an existing topic which you can find here:

 

gluten-sensitivity-vs-celiac-disease-vs-gluten-intolerance

 

This link has lots of information:

 

Gluten Sensitivity Vs. Celiac Disease Vs. Gluten Intolerance By Monica Cassani

 

 

@ChessieCat thanks so much. this is what I was looking for. Didn't manage to find these threads when searching. You are a star. Will have a read now x

[hayduke]

Hi Lucy, wondering how your taper is going?

 

I'm approaching 1mg olanzapine down from 1.2 and would be interested to hear how you're getting on.

 

Cheers

[lucyinthesky]

On 12/2/2019 at 6:37 PM, hayduke said:

Hi Lucy, wondering how your taper is going?

 

I'm approaching 1mg olanzapine down from 1.2 and would be interested to hear how you're getting on.

 

Cheers

hey! 
 

how is it going?

 

I’ve lost track of the dates of my cuts but I’m currently on 0.8mg. I was supposed to go a bit faster, but around May I had a bit of a light mania triggered by some

philosophy  I studied in my yoga teacher training (super strange lol) so I up-dosed slightly which took me backwards. I’m also on a higher dose of Seroquel now (75mg) I’ve also been traveling a bit (Bali, thailand) so doing longer holds. 
 

with all that said, I find lite much easier now than when I started tapering. I’m surprised as I thought tapering would get harder at the lower doses. I’m less sensitive and have even started drinking again very occasionally. I have a hunch this is a mostly psychological factor as I’m obsessing less over my medication schedule and perceived side effects etc. 
 

Still have some periods of bad sleep, I don’t blame the tapering though. I think it’s just me. 
 

 I don’t know when I’ll be off meds. I’m getting a bit sick of it all, but I’m also proud of how far I’ve come. 
 

Feel free to reach out if you want to chat. 

[hayduke]

Thanks for the update, Lucy.

 

Adjusting the taper and doing holds to accommodate life in progress sounds better than putting life on hold and crash diving the taper.

 

Yoga's an interesting one.  I've been doing it for some years now, but found restorative yoga this year which is a life saver in the face of having to work as well.  Teaching sounds good!

 

I've just updosed a wee bit myself.  I've gone from 2.5mg in Feb to 1.2mg in November, so I think it's a good time to hang out here at 1.25 for a while now till things seem rock solid again.  Let my body catch up, and let the worst of the external stress pass.

 

Glad to hear you're doing well.  Travelling is the best 🙂

 

Cheers

[Wagen]

@lucyinthesky

 

Did your buzzing in head/ears resolve - Ive had in now for two months after stopping amitriptyline. It feels like very load electrical buzzing in my ears and head with intermittent tinnitus sounds in both ears. Im still taking mirtazapine and have horrible sleep problems. Could you please let me please know your experience. Thank you very much!

[Nicjk]

On 12/8/2019 at 5:25 PM, lucyinthesky said:

hey! 
 

how is it going?

 

I’ve lost track of the dates of my cuts but I’m currently on 0.8mg. I was supposed to go a bit faster, but around May I had a bit of a light mania triggered by some

philosophy  I studied in my yoga teacher training (super strange lol) so I up-dosed slightly which took me backwards. I’m also on a higher dose of Seroquel now (75mg) I’ve also been traveling a bit (Bali, thailand) so doing longer holds. 
 

with all that said, I find lite much easier now than when I started tapering. I’m surprised as I thought tapering would get harder at the lower doses. I’m less sensitive and have even started drinking again very occasionally. I have a hunch this is a mostly psychological factor as I’m obsessing less over my medication schedule and perceived side effects etc. 
 

Still have some periods of bad sleep, I don’t blame the tapering though. I think it’s just me. 
 

 I don’t know when I’ll be off meds. I’m getting a bit sick of it all, but I’m also proud of how far I’ve come. 
 

Feel free to reach out if you want to chat. 

Hi @lucyinthesky apologies if you see this twice. I replied to you on another thread but then was directed here. Are you off olanzapine yet? Did you experience 2 weeks of insomnia each time you reduced?