☼ gentlehermione: life after ADs

[gentlehermione]

@Carmie

 

Thanks for checking in 😀

 

Coming up to 18 months post ADs and feeling better - no dizziness, fewer palpitations, more energy. I'm still experiencing paresthesia in my fingertips and toes but it tends to come and go and is a lot less intense than previously.

 

All things considered, I'm starting to feel I will one day be able to put this horrible chapter of my life behind me 😊

[puthappinessfirst]

Dang, you are a warrior! Cut off from Effexor and Cymbalta and you live to tell the tale. AND you are doing great! 

 

I really needed this today. So glad you are doing so well ❤️ 

[Carmie]

6 hours ago, gentlehermione said:

@Carmie

 

Thanks for checking in 😀

 

Coming up to 18 months post ADs and feeling better - no dizziness, fewer palpitations, more energy. I'm still experiencing paresthesia in my fingertips and toes but it tends to come and go and is a lot less intense than previously.

 

All things considered, I'm starting to feel I will one day be able to put this horrible chapter of my life behind me 😊

 

Hi gentlehermoine, 

 

I’m really happy you’re doing so well. How wonderful when we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.☀️☀️☀️

 

Sending hugs🤗

[Carmie]

Because you're feeling better, I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol ☼ to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

 

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually!

[FindRest]

@gentlehermione Hi, gh! Just finished reading your thread and wanted you to know that it is an inspiration to me. 
 

How are you doing now? Hoping you’re off living your best life yet!

[gentlehermione]

@FindRest Today marks exactly 30 months since I CTed off Cymbalta and I had been feeling so much better for the past few months  - probably about 85% healed. I had even started to write my success story!

Unfortunately, atm, I seem to be in a wave. A friend passed away ten days ago and I believe this is what triggered it. He was my age (60) and died of a sudden cardiac arrest... I have been overwhelmed by emotions.

I'm very flattered that you find my thread an inspiration!

Wishing you all the best on your journey towards recovery 🥰

 

[FindRest]

I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. That has to hit extra hard since you too suffered from an SCA. My condolences. 
 

Congratulations on your 30-month anniversary! You give me hope! How ironic is it that I came across your story today?!  I’ll be excited to read your success story. 

[Longroadhome]

On 10/5/2018 at 8:54 PM, powerback said:

It took me ages to give in and learn to rest ,I pushed it too far but still enjoy lighter walks .

Peace.

 

[gentlehermione]

@Longroadhome

 

Yes, learning when to rest is key during withdrawal 😉

[gentlehermione]

Having been in a horrible wave for the past three months, I had a reprieve of symptoms over the past two days 😄 Sheer bliss!

 

Unfortunately it was very short-lived with the return of massive anxiety today. Some of the physical symptoms I'm experiencing now are new - racing heartbeat upon waking, morning cortisol spikes (never experienced those before on a regular basis).

 

It's been just over 2.5 years since I CTed off Cymbalta and almost 3 since I finished my Effexor taper. What a long haul...

[gentlehermione]

Last fall I had a wonderful window that lasted for what seemed like months 😄 For the past month I've been struggling with some major anxiety however it's not as intense as what I experienced earlier in WD (or is it that I'm coping better??). It's been 3 years and two months since I CTed off Cymbalta. Could this be the three year wave?

 

[Altostrata]

Hello, @gentlehermione There is no 3-year wave. Your nervous system is still working on putting itself back together.

 

Have you recently had a little alcohol or taken antibiotics? These can often cause a wave.

[gentlehermione]

4 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Your nervous system is still working on putting itself back together.

 

Hi Alto

 

That's what I was wondering. 

 

9 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Have you recently had a little alcohol or taken antibiotics? These can often cause a wave.

 

I haven't touched alcohol in ages and no antibiotics or other medication.

[Holly26]

Hi gentle,

 

I just red a bit through your posts.  I am tapering off of Effexor which i took for the last 15 years and i am also experiencing a lot of dizziness which is one of my most debilitating symptoms.  I also feel irritable and anxious a lot. 

I hope your cns will heal soon completely!!! Prayers from Berlin 

[Altostrata]

@gentlehermionehow much omega-3 and magnesium are you taking?

[gentlehermione]

@Altostrata  1128mg omega-3 and 365mg magnesium.

 

 

[Altostrata]

Taking 3000-4000mg EPA + DHA in your omega-3 supplement will be more effective, in divided doses. This is often 6 capsules a day.

 

Taking small amounts of magnesium throughout the day is more effective than taking it all at once.

[gentlehermione]

18 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Taking 3000-4000mg EPA + DHA in your omega-3 supplement will be more effective, in divided doses. This is often 6 capsules a day.

 

Taking small amounts of magnesium throughout the day is more effective than taking it all at once.

 

@Altostrata Many thanks 🙂

[gentlehermione]

19 hours ago, Holly26 said:

I just red a bit through your posts.  I am tapering off of Effexor which i took for the last 15 years and i am also experiencing a lot of dizziness which is one of my most debilitating symptoms.  I also feel irritable and anxious a lot. 

I hope your cns will heal soon completely!!! Prayers from Berlin 

 

@Holly26 Thanks for stopping by. I'm sorry to hear you are in a bad place atm. Yes, I too initially experienced debilitating dizziness. I found that a short, gentle walk in nature gave me some relief, even if only for a little while. Over time the severe dizziness will dissipate and you will feel so much better.

Don't worry, there is a light at the end of the tunnel (I've caught a glimpse of it 😉). Alles Gute 🥰

[Patti2057]

Hi gentle. So happy that you are doing well. I wondered how long you suffered with the dizziness. I am suffering with that and have been for close to two years. It is relentless and has me so frightened. Thank you. 

[Holly26]

Hi gentle,

 

Thank you so much for your encouraging answer!I agree, gentle walks in nature are very helpfull. I wish you the very best on your way to full recovery!! 

[gentlehermione]

19 hours ago, Patti2057 said:

I wondered how long you suffered with the dizziness. I am suffering with that and have been for close to two years. It is relentless and has me so frightened.  

@Patti2057  It was around the 18 month mark that the severe dizziness started to abate. I still experienced bouts in the ensuing months but they were much less intense and of shorter duration. At the 2.5 year mark I noticed a definite improvement. I know so well the feelings of utter helplessness and fear you must be experiencing atm. 

Hang in there! And take one day at a time 😉

 

[gentlehermione]

11 hours ago, Holly26 said:

Thank you so much for your encouraging answer! 

 

@Holly26 My pleasure 🙂 Wishing you strength and perseverance for the rest of your taper.

[Patti2057]

Thank you again Gentle. I am so happy to hear that you are doing so much better.  Unfortunately for you as well, it did take a considerable amount of time but you persevered and it happened!! This gives me a good dose of “keep on pushing to healing”. 
Love, peace, healing💖

[gentlehermione]

Well, yesterday marked exactly 3 1/2 years since my CT. After month long waves in January and March things seem to have settled somewhat (touch wood!). I'm able to function quite well on a daily basis - hour long walks, housework, gardening but I've learned to listen when my body tells me to slow down. Anxiety is probably the worst symptom I'm experiencing now but it is manageable. I'm definitely better but I'm not yet where I want to be 😉

 

Now the next hurdle is the Covid vaccine...

 

[Longroadhome]

On 1/27/2021 at 4:27 PM, gentlehermione said:

 

@Holly26 Thanks for stopping by. I'm sorry to hear you are in a bad place atm. Yes, I too initially experienced debilitating dizziness. I found that a short, gentle walk in nature gave me some relief, even if only for a little while. Over time the severe dizziness will dissipate and you will feel so much better.

Don't worry, there is a light at the end of the tunnel (I've caught a glimpse of it 😉). Alles Gute 🥰

Hi @gentlehermione

can I ask you was your dizziness like being on a floaty boat 24/7. Where you feel like you’re on the sea floating and bobbing and just feel like you’re moving when your not. This is how mine is.

did you also have it when you were sitting or lying down ? 
so glad you are almost there. Well done for being so brave and persevering. 

[gentlehermione]

2 hours ago, Longroadhome said:

Hi @gentlehermione

can I ask you was your dizziness like being on a floaty boat 24/7. Where you feel like you’re on the sea floating and bobbing and just feel like you’re moving when your not. This is how mine is.

did you also have it when you were sitting or lying down ? 
so glad you are almost there. Well done for being so brave and persevering. 

 

Hi @Longroadhome

 

Thank you for your kind words ❣️Being on a floaty boat is a pretty good way to describe it. There were fleeting moments during the day when I would suddenly notice that the dizziness had abated but they never lasted for very long ☹️ Sitting and lying down were easier. More lightheadedness or feeling like my head had been packed in cotton wool when sitting and I don't remember ever being in bed and feeling woozy - thank God! Gentle exercise - walking my dogs in the woods - definitely helped alleviate the dizziness for a short time.

 

Wishing you well on your continuing journey - hope you see some improvement soon! 

[Rosetta]

Hi.  So, you are at 3 1/2 years.  I hope you see a lot of improvement over the next 6 months.  You should.  It’s really incredible how long this takes.  Thanks for stopping by my thread.

 

Rosetta

[Longroadhome]

10 hours ago, gentlehermione said:

 

Hi @Longroadhome

 

Thank you for your kind words ❣️Being on a floaty boat is a pretty good way to describe it. There were fleeting moments during the day when I would suddenly notice that the dizziness had abated but they never lasted for very long ☹️ Sitting and lying down were easier. More lightheadedness or feeling like my head had been packed in cotton wool when sitting and I don't remember ever being in bed and feeling woozy - thank God! Gentle exercise - walking my dogs in the woods - definitely helped alleviate the dizziness for a short time.

 

Wishing you well on your continuing journey - hope you see some improvement soon! 

Thank you for your reply I look forward to reading your success story !

[gentlehermione]

7 hours ago, Rosetta said:

It’s really incredible how long this takes.  

 

@Longroadhome  @Rosetta

 

Thank you ❤️

 

Even in my worst nightmares I would never, ever have imagined that withdrawal could or would be this long and drawn out!

 

Sending you healing vibes 🙂

[gentlehermione]

44 months out and still slogging along. The digestive issues I experienced earlier on in withdrawal have returned but that could be due to a course of iron supplements which I took for three months. They wreaked havoc with my gut and didn't raise my ferritin level 😕 Anxiety is bad some days but I've learned how to cope as well as possible.

I really had hoped to be in a much better place this far down the road... 

[gentlehermione]

46 months out and feeling I've really regressed 😒 The "floaty boaty" dizziness resurfaced about five days ago and that made me feel panicky - like will I ever be free of these WD symptoms?!! 

 

I guess it's just a bad wave but it's really hitting hard...

[gentlehermione]

About two weeks ago, the ongoing wave I had been in abated and was followed by a week long window 🎉 What welcome relief after months of feeling so low! However I believe I probably did too much over the weekend and found myself waking several times at night with cortisol spikes and horrible anxiety which unfortunately persisted throughout the following day. I really felt like I was back to square one but fortunately was able to banish my intrusive thoughts - thank you Claire Weekes 🥰

 

Four years out this month and what a journey it has been so far!!

 

[gentlehermione]

The last wave lasted only a couple of days and I seem to have come out of it with a much improved baseline 🎉

 

Bring on year five of WD where I will hopefully continue to experience ongoing improvement and healing! 

[arbor]

Dear @gentlehermioneYour heart and fortitude are helping me to make the transition from the waking nightmares into the challenges of this day.  Thank you gentlehermione, more than I can say.

May all of us recover and find health again,

Arbor

[gentlehermione]

Dear @arbor Thank you for your kind words. I am glad to hear that I've been able to give you some hope and strength to persevere ❤️ Don't worry, we'll get there 😉

 

Since my last post, I have been virtually symptom-free and feeling so much more like my old self - what a gift! Very welcome as much of this past year has been oh so challenging...