Steve61: Dosulepin withdrawal

[Steve61]

I’ve been on Dosulepin 75mgs for about 25 years. It was a game changer for me in the beginning. I am an alcoholic and I had been clean and sober for about 5 years but feeling very depressed. I saw a psychiatrist who diagnosed me as  suffering from clinical depression. I was prescribed Dosulepin 75 msg and I have been on them ever since. They allowed me to work, buy a house, live with my partner etc. All the normal things that I couldn’t do.

 

I’m 61 now and retired and am in the process of tapering off. The drawback of the dosulepin for me was excessive tiredness, aches and pains and even suicidal thoughts. These didn’t start occurring until about 10 years ago.

 

Anyway, I’ve gone from 3x25 msg per night to 3 one night, 2 the next then 2 every night. So far so good. Then I dropped to 2 one night and one the next and it got really hard .. My sleeping was all over the place. Once I was awake , I coukd not get back to sleep even if I’d  only had 3 or 4 hours. My anxiety levels were up but most worryingly my mood was low. I was worried that my depression was returning.

 

I stuck this out for 3 weeks but decided then to go back up to 2 x 25 mgs per night. I have now been back on this dose for about 2 weeks. I started the taper in the middle of March, so it will soon be 3 months with a 33% reduction.   My anxiety levels are still quite high and I am obsessing and worrying about certain things but since I have been back up to 50mgs per night , I am sleeping better.  This is much harder than I thought it would be.  The benefits of cutting down are - more energy, need less sleep, less aches and pains and not as lethargic. I am on no other medication.

 

Steve

 

Edited August 26, 2018 by ChessieCat
added para breaks change font size

[SkyBlue]

 

Hello Steve, 

 

It sounds like you are having withdrawal from too-fast tapering.

 

We've found that people do best when reducing a maximum of 10% of their current dosage per month: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

Depending on the date when you last reduced your dosage, it may be possible to go back up in dose and taper at a slower rate for a chance to minimize withdrawal symptoms. You've been on the drug for quite a while, and it is worth spending the time to come off as safely as possible. 

 

To help us out, Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly? Instructions here: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/12364-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/ 

 

This is your own Introduction topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.
 

Welcome to SA.

[Steve61]

So the anxiety is still bad. Any advice ? Am I okay to stay where I am for a while, at 50 mgs per night ? 

How can I possibly reduce by 10 % when I take 2 x 25 mgs pills  ?  This really is harder than I expected.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Steve.

 

Since the 50mg seems to be helping, I would give it more of a chance. How has your sleep pattern and other symptoms changed in the last week?

 

Alternating dosages is a terrible way to go off drugs. Quite frequently, people come here having triggered withdrawal symptoms with that method. Slow and steady wins the race.

 

Do you take dosulepin capsules or tablets? A liquid form is easiest for gradual tapering, but there are other methods.

 

About dosulepin liquid:

 

On 7/17/2017 at 4:34 AM, mammaP said:

I did some research and dothiepin is rapidly absorbed which makes it suitable for making a liquid with water. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2693-how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1425-compounding-pharmacies-us-uk-and-elsewhere/

 

Quote

Rosemont Pharmaceuticals (Tel 0113 244 1999)
These prepare large batches (so may be cheaper) for:
Amitriptyline 10mg/5ml, 25mg/5ml, 50mg/5ml
Lofepramine 70mg/5ml
Mirtazapine 15mg/1ml
Venlafaxine 75mg/5ml
Sertraline 50mg/5ml
Dosulepin 25mg/5ml, 75mg/5ml

 

 

[Steve61]

Thanks for the replies and the help that you are giving to me. It really is proving harder than I expected. My GP really does not understand ! Anyway, my sleep has improved dramatically these last 2 nights. I have gone to sleep quickly and slept nearly 7 hours. I am more than happy with that. My anxiety/stress levels are still quite high. This manifests itself , physically, with a knot in my stomach. I then tend to focus or obsess on something that drives me mad. Normally a person who does or says something that annoys me and I struggle to let it go. I also have trouble concentrating,. I have a foggy brain. I do think that there is an improvement since going back up to 50 mgs a night though.

 

The things I miss - being able to just nod off to sleep whenever I wanted. This was very relaxing.  I also used to get an excited feeling in my stomach (like butterflies) when I thought of doing something that I enjoy. That has gone now. I presume that was the drug doing it’s job on my brain.  

 

On the plus side - much more energy to do things. Far less aches and pains in my joints and muscles. I can exercise without feeling as if I nearly killed myself ! 

 

I am on capsules. 2 x 25 mgs a night at the moment. I have never heard of the liquid form. If and when I am ready to taper again I will do it more sensibly but I am not ready for that yet. 

 

Steve

[Steve61]

Right, I have been on 50 mgs for quite a few weeks and am ready to taper again. I really need advice. I take 2 x 25 mgs capsules a night. I have opened a capsule and it is a powder in there. Please can you help or advise me on what to do next.

 

Thank you

Steve

[Steve61]

Tapered down using  the liquid method. Reduced to 45 mgs now. 11 days into the new taper and withdrawals are quite severe again for such a small reduction.. Sledp disruption, anxiety and anger levels raised. I’ve got a new one as well - sensitivity to noise. Next door neighbours driving me mad , never noticed them before. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Steve

[Steve61]

2 weeks into another taper and I am down to 40 mgs a night. It seem to be a bit harder when I taper to a new dosage. I suppose that is to be expected. My current withdrawal symptoms include - anxiety, restlessness, sensitivity to noise, sleep disruptions, dizziness,brain fog, memory loss. On a positive note, these symptoms are bearable. I am determined to get off these drugs. I want to know what it is like to be drug free. I get glimpses now, when I have more energy, I am more alert, less aches and pains.I feel more free , somehow. I am trying to learn as much as possible about withdrawals and also about anxiety which is my main problem and was the main reason that I went onto the drug in the first place. This site has been invaluable. I am learning about ways to cope with my anxiety and relieve it. Meditation, exercise, supplements etc.  

 

I tried the supplement Curcumin with Piperine the other day and I had some of the worst anxiety that I have had in a long time. It did not agree with me at all. This was a real disappointment after reading such glowing reports about it. I tried MSM a while ago and had a similar reaction. I am thinking that it may be an intolerance to sulphur?? I don’t know but I do know that I seem to be very, very sensitive to supplements of any kind. I will try Omega3 next and keep my fingers crossed. 

 

Steve

l

[ChessieCat]

Claire Weekes suffered from anxiety.  She learned and taught ways to cope.  There are lots of youtube videos.

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes

This is also Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

 

Edited August 26, 2018 by ChessieCat

[Steve61]

Thanks, Chessie, I will take a look.  I feel that I am in the right place at the moment. An open mind to explore different ways of dealing with this. I’ve spent so many years accepting that this is how I am - a chemical imbalance and I need medication.... I don’t believe that any more and a lot of that is down to you people. Thank you. 

59 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

Claire Weekes suffered from anxiety.  She learned and taught ways to cope.  There are lots of youtube videos.

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes

This is also Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

 

 

[Carmie]

Hi Steve, 

 

Just wanted to say wishing you all the best on your tapering. Slow n steady does it. If you find that it gets too much after each taper just hold the taper for a little longer. The holds are just as important as the tapering. 

 

This site only recommends two supplements as you probably know, magnesium n fish oil. Just start with one at a time n start with low doses n work your way up n see how you go. Some people have even had problems with these supplements but a lot seem to benefit from them. I haven’t taken them as yet but hope to in the future.

 

Yes, I read lots of stories like yours where people take other supplements during withdrawals n it makes the withdrawals so much worse. Better safe than sorry. 

 

Take care, sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

[Steve61]

3 hours ago, Carmie said:

Hi Steve, 

 

Just wanted to say wishing you all the best on your tapering. Slow n steady does it. If you find that it gets too much after each taper just hold the taper for a little longer. The holds are just as important as the tapering. 

 

This site only recommends two supplements as you probably know, magnesium n fish oil. Just start with one at a time n start with low doses n work your way up n see how you go. Some people have even had problems with these supplements but a lot seem to benefit from them. I haven’t taken them as yet but hope to in the future.

 

Yes, I read lots of stories like yours where people take other supplements during withdrawals n it makes the withdrawals so much worse. Better safe than sorry. 

 

Take care, sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

Carmie,, thanks for the support and encouragement. I’m feeling quite a bit better now, the Curcumin definitely gave me severe anxiety but it must be leaving my system now. I didn’t know that this site only recommends magnesium and fish oil. Thank you  for advising me. I’ve got a feeling that my reaction has something to do with sulphur. I don’t know if this is a common reaction but I shall stay clear of it in the future.

 

Good luck in the last parts of your taper. You will soon be drug free. What an achievement!!!!!

 

Steve

[Carmie]

19 minutes ago, Steve61 said:

Carmie,, thanks for the support and encouragement. I’m feeling quite a bit better now, the Curcumin definitely gave me severe anxiety but it must be leaving my system now. I didn’t know that this site only recommends magnesium and fish oil. Thank you  for advising me. I’ve got a feeling that my reaction has something to do with sulphur. I don’t know if this is a common reaction but I shall stay clear of it in the future.

 

Good luck in the last parts of your taper. You will soon be drug free. What an achievement!!!!!

 

Steve

 

Hi again Steve, 

 

Glad you’re feeling better n I wish you all the best with the rest of your tapering. 

 

Yes, I’ve heard sulphur can cause problems with some people, though I don’t remember the details. 

 

I hope that fish oil n magnesium help. I will probably start taking them in the next couple of months, haven’t done so as yet. I’ll start off slowly with one n then up the dosage slowly n then start on the other the same way. There’s a lot of information on this site about magnesium n fish oil. Just google survivingantidepressants n then the supplement. I want to go back to acupuncture too. 

 

I can only taper really small amounts n getting off 7.5mg will take me longer than getting down from 300 mg to 7.5mg. It’s taken many years to taper n it looks like it might take another ten years or so. I’m going to microtaper. 

 

The smaller the dose the tinier the tapering amounts. I will get there in the end though n so will you. Slow n steady does it! 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

[Steve61]

8 minutes ago, Carmie said:

 

Hi again Steve, 

 

Glad you’re feeling better n I wish you all the best with the rest of your tapering. 

 

Yes, I’ve heard sulphur can cause problems with some people, though I don’t remember the details. 

 

I hope that fish oil n magnesium help. I will probably start taking them in the next couple of months, haven’t done so as yet. I’ll start off slowly with one n then up the dosage slowly n then start on the other the same way. There’s a lot of information on this site about magnesium n fish oil. Just google survivingantidepressants n then the supplement. I want to go back to acupuncture too. 

 

I can only taper really small amounts n getting off 7.5mg will take me longer than getting down from 300 mg to 7.5mg. It’s taken many years to taper n it looks like it might take another ten years or so. I’m going to microtaper. 

 

The smaller the dose the tinier the tapering amounts. I will get there in the end though n so will you. Slow n steady does it! 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

It’s all a learning process for me Carmie. I’ve accepted that I have a chemical imbalance, I need drugs, for so long. All my life really.i don’t believe that now. I started on tranquillisers as a child !!!!  I’m 61 now.  The ad’s for the last 25 years. I believe that I am very sensitised to supplements , so I have to be careful. I am going to try Omega3 next . If that causes any problems, I shall just give up on the supplements for the time being.

 

300 mgs to 7.5 mgs is a huge difference and a massive achievement. You will get there. I will get there. We can do this !!!!!

 

Steve

[Carmie]

1 minute ago, Steve61 said:

It’s all a learning process for me Carmie. I’ve accepted that I have a chemical imbalance, I need drugs, for so long. All my life really.i don’t believe that now. I started on tranquillisers as a child !!!!  I’m 61 now.  The ad’s for the last 25 years. I believe that I am very sensitised to supplements , so I have to be careful. I am going to try Omega3 next . If that causes any problems, I shall just give up on the supplements for the time being.

 

300 mgs to 7.5 mgs is a huge difference and a massive achievement. You will get there. I will get there. We can do this !!!!!

 

Steve

 

Yes, the good old chemical imbalance myth🙄Steve, 

 

If you have trouble with fish oil or magnesium don’t worry about them, I haven’t used them so far, but I will definitely try them some time in the future. 

 

Im so sorry you’ve been on these meds pretty much all your life. My med taking started with chronic pain n then it was downhill from there. 

 

Keep us all updated on your tapering. You can use your thread as a journal too that you can later look back on. It’s quite therapeutic journaling as well.

 

Take care n yes, we will definitely get there in the end💚

 

 

 

 

[Steve61]

Okay, I seem to have stabilised on my new dosage. I’m sleeping far better and not quite as anxious. The Curcumin was a mistake !!!! I have started on the Omega 3 . This is the 3rd day. I seem to be able to tolerate it ,although I haven’t noticed any benefits yet. 

 

I get windows and waves  in the same day !!  I was having a great window yesterday, went to the cinema and really enjoyed it. Came home last night and my mood just completely changed. I think that my biggest symptom of the withdrawals (apart from general anxiety) is sensitivity to noise. I seem to hear a pin drop from my neighbours !!!! I watch the tv and hear theirs in the background.My partner can’t hear it so I presume it’s me. I took the advice to try ear plugs last night and that eased it considerably. I can still hear my own tv so the ear plugs could turn out to be a great benefit . 

 

Other withdrawal symptoms include :-

breathing difficulties, my chest seems to tighten up.

heart palpitations.

obsessive thoughts and worries.

sleep disruption.

exhaustion (at times )

bursts of nervous energy (at times)

social anxiety seems worse than it usually is although I have always suffered with this.

 

I start a new meditation class next week . Really looking forward to that. I’m reading a book that was recommended called How to rewire your anxious brain. I’m just generally trying to find out as much as possible about different ways of coping without the drugs. One day I will be drug free. I am determined to know what it is like.

 

Steve

 

 

[pinkfairy]

Hi Steve just popping by too say hello 

you will have to let me know how the book goes 

 

I see your from the uk too...

 

xxxx

[pinkfairy]

Ps there’s a really good book called dare 

 

all about anxiety panic attacks etc it’s sucess rate is extremely high if followed 

xxxx

[Steve61]

Thanks for the info and the support PF. Much appreciated.

 

I’ve been taking Omega3for about a week now. I’ve found that it boosts my energy ( and libido !)  but I’m also more jittery and my brain is more active , if that makes sense. I’m basically worrying more, thinking more. I’m definitely more anxious. So, I’m finding advantages and disadvantages to taking it. Will I become more tolerant to it if I stick with it ?I don’t know what to do. I definitely do not need the extra anxiety

 

Steve

[pinkfairy]

Your welcome Steve 

 

one of the mods will know about this.Hope your managing as best as you can 

xxxx

[Steve61]

Well going through a bad wave at the moment. Worrying, obsessively about things that I know logically should not cause me this much distress. Aching joints, lethargy, sensitivity to noise,high anxiety. I don’t know if it’s anything to do with the Omega3 or whether I am just looking for something to pin it on.  I stopped the Omega3 a couple of days ago so hopefully if it is that I should stabilise soon. If not then it is just me going through withdrawals from my ad’s. We will see. I am just so grateful to have found this site. I would have thought that I was going mad without it.

 

Steve

[Steve61]

The wave continues.  Palpitations, heart feels as if it’s in my mouth, trouble breathing, aches and pains ,fatigue, high anxiety and that sensitivity to noise !! Drives me mad. It’s my 5th day off the Omega3 which sort of leads me to believe it’s not that. I don’t know, this is hard.

[Steve61]

Well this is definitely the worst wave that I have experienced since starting my taper. Anxiety is through the roof ! It’s been pretty constant now for nearly 2weeks. I mostly feel it , physically, in my stomach. It just keeps churning , over and over, like a million butterflies in there. Even when I practice my meditation and manage to calm myself there is always something there, like a knot in my stomach. My brain is constantly fogged and dizzy. Aches and pains and exhaustion seem to change each day. I never know what Im going to get. The sensitivity to noise is driving me crazy. At night I have to wear earplugs to watch my tv because I can hear next doors and that sends my anxiety and anger soaring. I have palpitations nearly all the time, a feeling that my heart is in my mouth.

 

I don’t think that I could do this if I was working. I think that any stress would be unbearable. I have a funeral to attend tomorrow and I will see people that I haven’t seen in a long, long time.Its causing me a lot of anxiety. Social anxiety has always been a massive problem for me. I can’t blame that on wd but wd makes everything seem a 1000 times more intense .

 

Steve

[Carmie]

12 minutes ago, Steve61 said:

Well this is definitely the worst wave that I have experienced since starting my taper. Anxiety is through the roof ! It’s been pretty constant now for nearly 2weeks. I mostly feel it , physically, in my stomach. It just keeps churning , over and over, like a million butterflies in there. Even when I practice my meditation and manage to calm myself there is always something there, like a knot in my stomach. My brain is constantly fogged and dizzy. Aches and pains and exhaustion seem to change each day. I never know what Im going to get. The sensitivity to noise is driving me crazy. At night I have to wear earplugs to watch my tv because I can hear next doors and that sends my anxiety and anger soaring. I have palpitations nearly all the time, a feeling that my heart is in my mouth.

 

I don’t think that I could do this if I was working. I think that any stress would be unbearable. I have a funeral to attend tomorrow and I will see people that I haven’t seen in a long, long time.Its causing me a lot of anxiety. Social anxiety has always been a massive problem for me. I can’t blame that on wd but wd makes everything seem a 1000 times more intense .

 

Steve

 

Hi Steve, 

 

Im so sorry you’re going through such a massive wave, it’s certainly a hard journey we have to endure. Yes, the withdrawals can make everything else a million times worse. I don’t have social anxiety myself but that must be awful. When I’m in waves though I don’t feel like being around people. I have lots of hobbies I like to do then but I still do spend some time with friends even in waves. 

 

Do you think if you held a little bit longer during tapering it might help a bit? I’m not sure but it’s all trial and error. Maybe when you stabilise again after this taper, hold for an extra week or so and see how that goes if you like. 

 

Just remember Steve that you will stabilise again, we always do. I know when I’ve been in major waves it feels like I will never stabilise again but I always have. 

 

Just take an hour at a time or a minute at a time and find distractions to help you get through the dark times. I’ve got a million and one of them. When you get to the end of each day give yourself a pat on the back. Yay, one day closer to recovery. 

 

Wishing you all the best💚

 

 

[Steve61]

 

9 minutes ago, Carmie said:

 

Hi Steve, 

 

Im so sorry you’re going through such a massive wave, it’s certainly a hard journey we have to endure. Yes, the withdrawals can make everything else a million times worse. I don’t have social anxiety myself but that must be awful. When I’m in waves though I don’t feel like being around people. I have lots of hobbies I like to do then but I still do spend some time with friends even in waves. 

 

Do you think if you held a little bit longer during tapering it might help a bit? I’m not sure but it’s all trial and error. Maybe when you stabilise again after this taper, hold for an extra week or so and see how that goes if you like. 

 

Just remember Steve that you will stabilise again, we always do. I know when I’ve been in major waves it feels like I will never stabilise again but I always have. 

 

Just take an hour at a time or a minute at a time and find distractions to help you get through the dark times. I’ve got a million and one of them. When you get to the end of each day give yourself a pat on the back. Yay, one day closer to recovery. 

 

Wishing you all the best💚

 

 

Thank you for the support , Carmie.I appreciate it. I will take your advice about tapering. I should taper again this week but I am going to put it off until I stabilise again.  This wave coincides with me trying different supplements. I don’t know if it is a coincidence or not but I shall not be taking any more for a while. Better to be safe than sorry. It’s such a long journey but I know there aren’t any short cuts.

 

Steve

[Carmie]

1 minute ago, Steve61 said:

 

Thank you for the support , Carmie.I appreciate it. I will take your advice about tapering. I should taper again this week but I am going to put it off until I stabilise again.  This wave coincides with me trying different supplements. I don’t know if it is a coincidence or not but I shall not be taking any more for a while. Better to be safe than sorry. It’s such a long journey but I know there aren’t any short cuts.

 

Steve

 

Hi again Steve, 

 

Never taper if you haven’t stabilised properly. Don’t go by a calendar, go by how your body feels. You won’t get off the meds any quicker if you go by a calendar because your waves will be worse and you will have to hold longer anyway. There are definitely no shortcuts. 

 

Please this time shen you have felt that you have stabilised give it another week after that before you start tapering again. Give your body a bit of a rest. 

 

Supplements can make the withdrawals worse. I’ve read lots of stories on here about people taking certain supplements and crashing because of them. The only two supplements recommended on here are fish oil and magnesium. Start with only one and on a low dose and then slowly go up and then try the other one. I haven’t taken them as yet. 

 

Some people can still have sensitivities to these too but heaps of people have found them to be great. 

 

I hope you stabilise soon. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

[Steve61]

14 minutes ago, Carmie said:

 

Hi again Steve, 

 

Never taper if you haven’t stabilised properly. Don’t go by a calendar, go by how your body feels. You won’t get off the meds any quicker if you go by a calendar because your waves will be worse and you will have to hold longer anyway. There are definitely no shortcuts. 

 

Please this time shen you have felt that you have stabilised give it another week after that before you start tapering again. Give your body a bit of a rest. 

 

Supplements can make the withdrawals worse. I’ve read lots of stories on here about people taking certain supplements and crashing because of them. The only two supplements recommended on here are fish oil and magnesium. Start with only one and on a low dose and then slowly go up and then try the other one. I haven’t taken them as yet. 

 

Some people can still have sensitivities to these too but heaps of people have found them to be great. 

 

I hope you stabilise soon. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

Omega3 was the supplement that I took recently. That is why I am so disappointed. I had read so many good things about it and lots of people in here take it but for me it coincided with this latest wave and high anxiety. So I wait now to stabilise again and meanwhile, push on with my meditation.

 

Take care

Steve

[Carmie]

I’m so sorry the omega three affected you so much Steve, 

 

We can be so sensitive to absolutely anything. I noticed some other people were sensitive to fish oil on here too but others had no problems. I haven’t tried it as yet as I mentioned. Who knows if I can tolerate it or not. 

 

Again, I’m really sorry you’re going through such a bad wave. I’ve had lots of waves today but have had some windows inbetween. 

 

Hope you stabilise soon xx

[Steve61]

Thanks Carmie. You have been very helpful to me and a great example of patience in tapering. I wish you well in the rest of your taper and one day, God willing,  we will be drug free !!!

 

Good luck

Steve

[Carmie]

2 minutes ago, Steve61 said:

Thanks Carmie. You have been very helpful to me and a great example of patience in tapering. I wish you well in the rest of your taper and one day, God willing,  we will be drug free !!!

 

Good luck

Steve

 

Thanks Steve, 

 

Yes, we will be drug free one of these days. Wishing you all the best too xx

[Steve61]

My social anxiety has been through the roof for the last few days. I went to the funeral of an old friend yesterday. It caused me me enormous anxiety because I knew that there would be lots of people there who I hadn’t seen in a long, long time. I also knew that it would be a full house, which it was, with standing room only at the crematorium. Tha wake afterwards was crowded and there was a lot of drinking taking place. I’m an alcoholic so I cannot use that drug to ease my anxiety. Anyway, I faced it and got through it and the strange part about it is that the vast majority of my anxiety has taken place before and after the event. During the funeral and wake I coped fairly well. Today I feel like absolute **** !!!! As if I have been through some traumatic event. 

 

My big hope in all all of this is meditation. I believe that if I can practice meditation and become calmer in general that it will transfer to all areas of my life including events like yesterday. That’s my hope anyway.

 

Steve

[Steve61]

Feeling calmer today. Felt a bit better yesterday, so hopefully , I am stabilising. Whether it was just a wave because of my wd or whether it was because of my taking Omega3, I’m not sure ??   I’m just glad it’s passing. It’s lasted about 2 weeks. Non stop anxiety. I will try the Omega3 again someday. It really boosted my interest in sex. Normally I have no interest at all. It was a strange feeling, ultra anxious and yet getting aroused. The 2 feelings do not normally go together , for me.  Anyway, just glad to feel calmer.

 

Steve

[ChessieCat]

On 9/15/2018 at 7:51 PM, Steve61 said:

Anyway, I faced it and got through it and the strange part about it is that the vast majority of my anxiety has taken place before and after the event. During the funeral and wake I coped fairly well.

 

That's not unusual.  The lead up is anticipatory anxiety.  The after is because you've been in a stressful situation.  And of course your are grieving.  Treat yourself gently.

 

Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)
 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes
 

Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help ...

[Steve61]

15 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

That's not unusual.  The lead up is anticipatory anxiety.  The after is because you've been in a stressful situation.  And of course your are grieving.  Treat yourself gently.

 

Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)
 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes
 

Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help ...

Thanks Chessie

[Sunnyday]

On 9/18/2018 at 11:33 AM, Steve61 said:

Feeling calmer today. Felt a bit better yesterday, so hopefully , I am stabilising. Whether it was just a wave because of my wd or whether it was because of my taking Omega3, I’m not sure ??   I’m just glad it’s passing. It’s lasted about 2 weeks. Non stop anxiety. I will try the Omega3 again someday. It really boosted my interest in sex. Normally I have no interest at all. It was a strange feeling, ultra anxious and yet getting aroused. The 2 feelings do not normally go together , for me.  Anyway, just glad to feel calmer.

 

Steve

Hi again Steve. Happy to hear you're feeling better. It's very hard to know what causes what sometimes during the withdrawal, and I've also noticed that a lot of feelings, and combinations of feelings are very strange and doesn't always make sense.

I think trying to accept the situation for what it is and just try to go with the flow, while keeping in mind that it will all go away in time makes it more bearable. It's a simple mindset but easy to forget during our worst moments, so it can be good to write down something like that and look at if it gets really bad. Just a suggestion that has helped me.

 

Take care!

 

Ps. I finally started meditating again because of what you told me. Sometimes we need to be reminded of why we're doing something, and when you mentioned treating the social anxiety with it that was very motivating to me. So really thank you for that reminder.

[Steve61]

3 hours ago, Sunnyday said:

Hi again Steve. Happy to hear you're feeling better. It's very hard to know what causes what sometimes during the withdrawal, and I've also noticed that a lot of feelings, and combinations of feelings are very strange and doesn't always make sense.

I think trying to accept the situation for what it is and just try to go with the flow, while keeping in mind that it will all go away in time makes it more bearable. It's a simple mindset but easy to forget during our worst moments, so it can be good to write down something like that and look at if it gets really bad. Just a suggestion that has helped me.

 

Take care!

 

Ps. I finally started meditating again because of what you told me. Sometimes we need to be reminded of why we're doing something, and when you mentioned treating the social anxiety with it that was very motivating to me. So really thank you for that reminder.

Thanks for dropping by, Sunny. Encouragement and support are always welcome and I am grateful for yours. I agree, reminders are always helpful and acceptance is one of the keys to wd for me (when I remember !). I’m going to have to suffer wd symptoms and not fighting them is so much easier. The problem is that when the wd’s are really bad, logic and sense can go out of the window and everything that the wd’s are telling me becomes so real. The paranoia especially. 

 

Good luck with the meditation. It’s my class tomorrow, I’m looking forward to that.

 

Steve