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Psychiatric drugs deplete our electrolytes, vitamins, and nutrients?


angie007

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Hi Guys,

 

Paxil/ Seroxat apparently causes a depletion of the following essential nutrients and vitamins in the body,

 

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 - Pernicious Aneamia

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Folic Acid

Glutathione

Co enzyme Q10

 

To test for B12 its not the standard Serum B12, you require Utinary MMA Test to confirm with accuracy.

B12 deficiency Masquerades as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

 

Can anyone confirm the above is true?

 

Did some research on the symptoms we all display and wondered how many of us are suffering from

depletion of these essential nutrients and vitamins, which CAN be responsible for some of the]

symptoms we all suffer from in Wd.

Began taking 30mg Seroxat on 15th Jan 1997 for grief issues. Remained at that dosage until Dec 05, did doctor ct, akathesia set in along with being non functional and overly emotional, brain fog. Doctor prescribed prozac, propranelol and diazeapam to counteract side effects, and told me to ct those 3 after 2.5/3 months use, induced wd seizure on 2nd day after ct. Was reinstated on seroxat 20mg in april 06, remained at that dose until Nov 07 and began a very slow taper lasting 56 months, finally DRUG FREE on 11th may 2011.

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Where did you find this, angie?

 

I wouldnt be surprised if it's true. Maybe w/d causes problems absorbing vitamins, since it can cause gut problems.

Off Lexapro since 3rd November 2011.

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Hi Phil,

 

Just put in your search engine " what nutrients and vitamins does paxil deplete in the body"

Then google each and every vitamin and mineral, looking carefully at the symptoms caused

by depletion.

 

It could add up to be an interesting study, and food for thought.

I have also passed on my findings to Professor David Healy and i am

awaiting his reply, will post when i receive his response.

Began taking 30mg Seroxat on 15th Jan 1997 for grief issues. Remained at that dosage until Dec 05, did doctor ct, akathesia set in along with being non functional and overly emotional, brain fog. Doctor prescribed prozac, propranelol and diazeapam to counteract side effects, and told me to ct those 3 after 2.5/3 months use, induced wd seizure on 2nd day after ct. Was reinstated on seroxat 20mg in april 06, remained at that dose until Nov 07 and began a very slow taper lasting 56 months, finally DRUG FREE on 11th may 2011.

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angie, good nutrition can go a long way towards compensating for any of this.

 

It is unlikely vitamin depletion is responsible for withdrawal syndrome.

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.

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Sur,

 

The object here was not to suggest that vitamin depletion is the cause of wd,

we know that is not the case.

The connection i am trying initially to make is that;-

1)

It is indeed fact that paxil depletes our bodies of all of these things,

2)

When i researched the vitamins it was uncanny how many of the symptoms were

in many ways similar to SOME of the wd symptoms we get.

3)

And indeed if deficient in hese things, do we need to suppliment in wd,

or will the body "naturally recharge itself".

 

Just sharing my findings and my thoughts!!`

Began taking 30mg Seroxat on 15th Jan 1997 for grief issues. Remained at that dosage until Dec 05, did doctor ct, akathesia set in along with being non functional and overly emotional, brain fog. Doctor prescribed prozac, propranelol and diazeapam to counteract side effects, and told me to ct those 3 after 2.5/3 months use, induced wd seizure on 2nd day after ct. Was reinstated on seroxat 20mg in april 06, remained at that dose until Nov 07 and began a very slow taper lasting 56 months, finally DRUG FREE on 11th may 2011.

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Angie, there are so many symptoms in withdrawal, you're going to find correlation with symptoms of many, many things. Thanks for trying to do research to help us all.

 

Vitamin deficiencies affect the nervous system and the rest of the body, too. It stands to reason that serious vitamin deficiencies would have neurological consequences.

 

For the most part, the body naturally recharges itself. You know, to recover, we encourage people to eat good food to help healing.

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.

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  • 2 years later...

I just found something new to me regarding effexor.. finally ... I knew it. 

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759-medication#3

 

. Safety, tolerability, and side-effect profiles are similar to those of the SSRIs, with the exception that venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine have been associated (rarely) with a sustained rise in blood pressure. Venlafaxine has been particularly associated with hyponatremia.

 

they slide that in there nice and sweet like it is a hang nail... 

hyponatremia... 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia#Signs_and_symptoms

no wiki has not caught up with Effexor being a cause but here are the symmptoms...

 

It does show the symptoms I had while still on E ... as emerging new ideas... 

 

. However, emerging data suggest that mild hyponatremia (plasma sodium levels at 131 mEq/L or above) is associated with numerous complications or subtle, presently unrecognized symptoms[6] (e.g., increased falls, altered posture and gait, reduced attention).[7]

 

foot dragging head drops dizziness... hm. interesting better late than never maybe in a 100 more years they will figure out the rest. 

 

Before and after withdrawal the only thing that seemed to help with the dizziness and inability to think was pedialite... 

it is an electrolite for babies... if your having symptoms and hosp and doctors keep turning you away it is worth a try... 

I think it truly saved me... in many ways. 

 

It can get very expensive if you are not working but it is worth every cent especially if you can't keep any thing in your stomach it really can help.

 

I tried the adult version and it was no good for me... only the baby... I had been an gator aid addicted before this but it did not do the trick for me once I got sick was useless.

 

If your between a rock and a hard place try it... 8 ounce bottle goes for about 10 bucks.. down it.. as fast as you can.. no the taste is not so hot. 

 

A few of these on hand is a very good idea

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 10 months later...

hyponatremia or low blood sodium 

is part of my blood test this wk. 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/basics/causes/con-20031445

 

antidepressants are a cause stated here and a list of other things that can cause it... 

 

 

  • Certain medications. Some medications, such as some water pills (diuretics), antidepressants and pain medications, can cause you to urinate or perspire more than normal.

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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Here is something interesting about 'low sodium'

 

A friend (now deceased) had surgery. Afterwards, and I don't remember how long afterwards, I went to visit her in the hosp. and was horrified. She was 'out of her mind', did not recognize me and was restrained in her chair to keep from pulling out her tubes. She was old too, but not that old. The doc had been called, they did not know why it happened. One of the docs looked at her bloods and noticed her sodium was low but within normal range. But he started a saline IV and she snapped out of it, it was like night and day.

 

I took care of her at home. She was prescribed salt pills but she refused them. I just made sure she put salt on her food. For some people low normal is not normal.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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I will just eat more salt too doc said it was low. 

Maybe I will buy myself some pedialyte like I use to in the old days... Scotty helped her son with this by giving him gator aid but I like the pedialyte I just recalled I do have some...  kind of a safety blanket even now. 

Thanks CW 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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I have POTS, which has a lot to do with this, let me know if you want some info on it. It's actually a precursor to adrenal insufficiency, and AD make it worse. It took years to get a diagnosis, I was 16 when they finally figured it out, and I had been sick for 6 years before that. :(

2005-Zoloft bad reaction.....2006-Lexepro......2012-Upped Lexepro.......2013-Upped Lexepro......2/2014- Attempted Taper Lexepro...2/2014- Updosed Lexepro.......3/2014-Ativan.....5/2014- CT switch from Lexpro to Effexor.....

5/2014-7/2014-Tapered Ativan from 1mg to .25mg.....6/2014-Bad reaction to Effexor........7/2014- Rapid taper Effexor every other day......7/5/2014- Off Effexor.......7/2014-12/2014 - Ativan .25mg.......12/25/2014 -Taper Ativan by 4% due to paradoxical reaction .24mg...11/18/2015-Taper Ativan 1% CURRENTLY ON: .2376mg Ativan taken in 6 .0396mg doses.

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I am not sure... you know more about this than I do.  

I think I had some sort of pots in Early WD but since then I have improved... 

Now I wonder if it is just from having flu symptoms so often that I have depleted my salt supply?  I am not losing fluids like I was as I am treating those symptoms so maybe it will just spring back with rehydration and food. 

What do you think?  

It seems I only get feeling weird and unable to think when I am sick .. a sort of neur emotion thing comes on me too at those times... I can't get out of it I am not sure if that is lack of sodium or something else.  In the summer the neurologist said this can happen when people get sick... forget what I had then think it was the same. He did not say why it happens I could not recall why I was there to see him and he had no clue.... was a waste of a day as I recall. I would expect a doc to know why I am there... isn't that odd?  There should have been a referral.

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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Btdt,

 

This would be better in your thread instead of OT. Want me to move it?

 

When I was reading an article about a researcher wanting to explore a possible connection between 'illness' and 'depression' (we don't really want to go there ...) there was something mentioned about 'sick behavior': why the body acts like it does when we are 'ill'.

 

Want me to find it for you? It may be what is happening to you but your body is overreacting to illness since you have had a lot of it over the years.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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Darn what is OT?  

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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Btdt,

 

This would be better in your thread instead of OT. Want me to move it?

 

When I was reading an article about a researcher wanting to explore a possible connection between 'illness' and 'depression' (we don't really want to go there ...) there was something mentioned about 'sick behavior': why the body acts like it does when we are 'ill'.

 

Want me to find it for you? It may be what is happening to you but your body is overreacting to illness since you have had a lot of it over the years.

" connection between 'illness' and 'depression' (we don't really want to go there ...) there was something mentioned about 'sick behavior': why the body acts like it does when we are 'ill'."

 

No thank you. 

I don't think I am depressed so my body would not have any reason to act any unusual way because of it.  

 

Could you please tell me what it was in my story or post that had you think of this?  

Do you think my body is responding as "sick behavior" and that I am not really sick when I am sick?  

That seems pretty messed up to me.  There was a time that illnesses not understood by the "science" of the day were treated as insanity I don't think I can afford to fall into that hole this far out tho I am sure I was pushed there a couple of time early on when I did not know I was having reactions to med and everybody needed a scapegoat. 

 

If I am misunderstanding please forgive me and please explain. 

peace

edit I just noticed the ( we dont' want to go there) put there by you...

think I am missing the point sorry bit dense

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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Oh off topic I get it ... sure move it  ....but won't that mess up my page as it was over a year ago I started  this 

 

 

and send me the link to what you found i will take a look

 

move it guess it will be ok

put the other in pm please

thanks

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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No, I meant it is a place not likely to get others to chime in if it is in Off Topic.

 

To get it to your thread and be current, I can quote the first post and move the rest to follow it.

 

I'll PM you the link to the story, I was not meaning what you thought.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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I had high blood pressure from when I started SSRIs 20+ years ago and was taking BP pills all that time.

My BP was consistenly in the middle, between high and normal. After I started tapering I had an episode

when my BP shot to a dangerous high and the doctor said the BP med wasn't working so I tapered it over

3 months. Now I am at the very end of my effexor taper and my BP is lower than it has been since I started

the poisons. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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I had high blood pressure from when I started SSRIs 20+ years ago and was taking BP pills all that time.

My BP was consistenly in the middle, between high and normal. After I started tapering I had an episode

when my BP shot to a dangerous high and the doctor said the BP med wasn't working so I tapered it over

3 months. Now I am at the very end of my effexor taper and my BP is lower than it has been since I started

the poisons. 

This is how my bp went... was always perfect I was athletic and healthy before the accident that hurt my leg that got me on these drugs.

Somehow I managed to never see a bp monitor or have a worry about it till I went to have an ovarian and ovary out when I was on Effexor bp was high. 

At the time it was just noted not treated as it was not that high. 

After that surgery I started getting sick all the time and went off of celexa. Half at first from 40 to 20 mg then stopped completely as I thought it was making me sick I had no idea of withdrawal... had so many infection it was constant. I was off it about a year when I started with the head drops and the foot dragging... and my bp would zoom up to 200 with an accompanying pain in my head... I was in walmart one day and had the head pain checked my bp it was 209 so doc checked it and I was put on verpamil... and clonzapam followed.. as sweating became an issue... or was already can't recall. 

It seems this is how it goes with me then and now my bp will go high then drop to ok.. 

once I am medicated for bp my bp goes normal high then suddenly drops to too low ... off the meds I go.. no reason or explanation has been given to me.  One doc noted it and sent me for a heart us... and us of my arteries.. which I am assuming was ok.  

 

Odd thing about the clinic that did the heart checking they are a private place which only shares info with the ordering doctor no other doc can get it... as one did try. 

thoughts?  or just a strange bird? I have not been to ask for the results I all but forgot I even went there. 

 

I still have bp spikes and my doc sent me to a kidney doc to check .. the day I was there it was miraculously perfect.. lower than it has been in 7 years minus the times I was on bp med and it dropped. 

It was 178 last wk when I was at the doc and she said something about the kidney doc bet she forgets and I did not get a call about it..

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • Administrator

btdt, why did you put this in Off-Topic?

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.

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I am not sure I did it almost a year ago... I can't recall way back then... I may be hard pressed to tell you if I did it yesterday as my memory and thinking seems to have taken a hit of late.  Bit of a tumble I am afraid waiting to see some docs to see what is up if they know... I can see anything new to cause except digestive issues. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 6 months later...

I was just in the ICU for 5 days with critical hyponatremia.

 

I am on 25mg Zoloft (well actually to be accurate, I take the generic). My doctor does not think it's from the Zoloft. I had a stomach bug of some sort that day, and it was very hot outside. He thinks I got dehydrated, which caused my serum sodium levels to get low, which made me thirsty, which made me drink too much.

 

I should add, too, that I don't salt my food and I don't eat a lot of foods with added salt. Plus I used to drink a good amount of water, so it could possibly be that, too. That being said, I would have assumed then it would've happened already.

 

The nephrologist, however, even after hearing how I eat and drink, did think it was related to the Zoloft, as did the doctor in the hospital who took me off of it. I am back on it, because being off of it like that cold turkey left me with horrendous anxiety.

 

I was told that if I ever get a stomach bug again, to get my serum sodium levels checked. So far since being out of the hospital they have been good. But I didn't go back on the Zoloft for 3 weeks. I don't get my blood tested again for 3 months.

 

My medical doctor said that he doesn't think it was the Zoloft, because I've been on it for so many years, that it would have happened already. I'm not sure I agree with that. Plus he wants me on an even higher dosage of the Zoloft because of the anxiety I presented with these last few weeks (which were obviously from the Zoloft withdrawal).

 

I am curious if anyone else has had experience with hyponatremia from an SSRI or an SSNRI.

 

I have symptoms of POTS (If I am remembering correctly what it is) and I really wanted to ask my doctor to test my blood pressure lying down and then standing, but I did not. I have very low blood pressure (90/70) which I'm told is "healthy", but I also get dizzy sometimes when standing. That being said, my anxiety has been just awful since being home from the hospital and I may be burning out my adrenals. Since the medical community does not accept "adrenal fatigue" as a medical diagnosis, I am doing what I can to recharge and hope this does not progress to "adrenal insufficiency", what the medical community does accept as a medical diagnosis. I also know from one of the helpful moderators here on SA that AD withdrawal often looks a lot like adrenal fatigue/insufficiency.

Since 1990s: Various meds depression/anxiety. A little benefit from Effexor; Zoloft/Sertraline. Unsuccessful tapers

Feb 2015: Neurological crash / Hemiplegic Migraine after Sertraline taper slower than pdoc's suggestion 50-37-25-12-6-0mg.

Found SA. Reinstated 25mg Sertraline

July 2015:  Medical occurrence thought to be due to Sertraline. Told to D/C. Hypomania/anxiety resulted. Reinstated

Sept 2016: Increased to 37mg Sertraline due to depression/anxiety symptoms or more likely withdrawal symptoms

Dec 2016: Insurance company refused to fill 37mg (1 1/2 pills) Given 25mg.

2017: Started taper, got fearful of possible withdrawal effects, stopped.
May 2018: Still dealing with side effects. New pdoc. 25mg Lamictal added to 25mg Sertraline. 5 mg Melatonin added. Feeling better. Would still like to wean off Sertraline and then Lamictal, but holding for now. I have a very sensitive system with meds.

No other meds. Supplements: Multivitamin, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Fish oil.

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I will just eat more salt too doc said it was low. 

Maybe I will buy myself some pedialyte like I use to in the old days... Scotty helped her son with this by giving him gator aid but I like the pedialyte I just recalled I do have some...  kind of a safety blanket even now. 

Thanks CW 

Coconut water is also good for electrolytes.

Since 1990s: Various meds depression/anxiety. A little benefit from Effexor; Zoloft/Sertraline. Unsuccessful tapers

Feb 2015: Neurological crash / Hemiplegic Migraine after Sertraline taper slower than pdoc's suggestion 50-37-25-12-6-0mg.

Found SA. Reinstated 25mg Sertraline

July 2015:  Medical occurrence thought to be due to Sertraline. Told to D/C. Hypomania/anxiety resulted. Reinstated

Sept 2016: Increased to 37mg Sertraline due to depression/anxiety symptoms or more likely withdrawal symptoms

Dec 2016: Insurance company refused to fill 37mg (1 1/2 pills) Given 25mg.

2017: Started taper, got fearful of possible withdrawal effects, stopped.
May 2018: Still dealing with side effects. New pdoc. 25mg Lamictal added to 25mg Sertraline. 5 mg Melatonin added. Feeling better. Would still like to wean off Sertraline and then Lamictal, but holding for now. I have a very sensitive system with meds.

No other meds. Supplements: Multivitamin, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Fish oil.

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Has anyone else experienced severe hyponatremia from Sertraline?

Since 1990s: Various meds depression/anxiety. A little benefit from Effexor; Zoloft/Sertraline. Unsuccessful tapers

Feb 2015: Neurological crash / Hemiplegic Migraine after Sertraline taper slower than pdoc's suggestion 50-37-25-12-6-0mg.

Found SA. Reinstated 25mg Sertraline

July 2015:  Medical occurrence thought to be due to Sertraline. Told to D/C. Hypomania/anxiety resulted. Reinstated

Sept 2016: Increased to 37mg Sertraline due to depression/anxiety symptoms or more likely withdrawal symptoms

Dec 2016: Insurance company refused to fill 37mg (1 1/2 pills) Given 25mg.

2017: Started taper, got fearful of possible withdrawal effects, stopped.
May 2018: Still dealing with side effects. New pdoc. 25mg Lamictal added to 25mg Sertraline. 5 mg Melatonin added. Feeling better. Would still like to wean off Sertraline and then Lamictal, but holding for now. I have a very sensitive system with meds.

No other meds. Supplements: Multivitamin, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Fish oil.

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merged topics

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.

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  • 8 months later...

Not sure if this is the best place to post. I did a search with not much results. I am wondering if anyone has heard of Electrodermal Screening. It is a kind of acupuncture that tests organs and recommends naturopathic remedies based on your test results. Sounds hocus pocus to me but would like to know if anyone has had success with it with dealing with withdrawal symptoms? Thanks for your input. Please start a new topic for this if you feel it is inducated. Thank you!

May 12th 2016 took last bead of effexor. 8 month taper.  Bridge = prozac 5mg, 300mg Lithium

May 31st took last of prozac. Lithium 300 mg, estrogen patch 150, magnesium.

June 14th reinstated 1mg Prozac due to intolerable emotional distress. Cont with lithium 300mg, 150 magnesium, re added omega 3, cont estrogen patch. June 15-july 5th had marked improvement of emotional wd symptoms, likely due to the reinstatement. July 5th intense emotional symptoms returned.

July 15 decreased 50 mg of lithium to see if it improved low heart rate.

July 19th - increased prozac to 1.5mg.

July 22 marked improvement of emotional symptoms...again, likely due to increase of prozac. However sudden agitation developed so decreased back down to 1.25mg prozac. Realizing increasing dose is dangerous because of these adverse effects and also seeing that wave is inevitable regardless of reinstatement.

Continuing 250 lithium, 1.25mg prozac, estrogen.

Oct 31st - continued 250 lithium, 1 mg prozac, estrogen patch.

Jan 2018  - off of prozac (bridge) as of Dec 2017.  Starting to taper Lithium 250 mg.  Will do 10% per month. 

May 2018 - lithium 115mg.  Still having waves but they aren’t as bad.  However, I really struggle with emotional symptoms about 1 week after a cut. 

dec 2018- 80mg lithium.  Tapering 1 mg per week since last June.  Symptoms improving overall but still very sensitive to light, sound, social stimulation and I cry a lot.

March 2019 - 65 mg lithium.  Still tapering 1mg per week.  Jan 2021- down to 4 mg lithium (get it compounded). Reinstated 5 mg Prozac. Jan 2023- withdraw 5mg prozac over one month Feb 20th 2023- reinstated 1mg Prozac. Still taking 4 mg lithium. 

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  • 2 months later...

quote-the-person-who-takes-medicine-must

 

 

Hello everyone,
 

​I have no credentials. I hope this information will help anyone out there who is stuck in a coercive medical system. 

 
Testing your nutrients is a balancing act that should be handled by a Orthomolecular Doctor, a Functional Medicine Doctor, an Integrative Medicine Doctor, Certified Nutritionist or other professional "friendly" to these fields for you to get the biggest, most focused picture. Nutrients are a balancing art. For example, the B Vitamins are called a complex for a reason, they work in harmony when all of them are present in balanced amounts. Some nutrients have a see-saw effect on each other. Calcium has to balance magnesium, zinc has to balance copper and choline balances inositol. There are many other relationships between nutrients! Getting these tests done is a good thing, and getting targeted advice about your current condition is a better thing. 
 
Keep looking for a professional until you find someone who will admit that drugs deplete nutrients. For a light hearted look at this subject I suggest the book "Drug Muggers" by Suzy Cohen, RPh. She is my favorite type of pharmacist, one that knows her supplements! She wrote the book with humor, care, and knowledge of simple fixes the medical system wants to make into another prescription. She doesn't have all the psych drugs in the book though. 
 
NutraEval (Genova Brand)
 
I got a NutrEval test about 3 years back, so I can't speak to the changes they may have made. It is a test that uses your blood plasma to find your levels of:
 
Antioxidants: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E/Tocopherols, A-Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, Glutathione, Plant Based Antioxidants, 
 
B Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B6, B7, Folic Acid (B9), Cobalamin (B12)
 
Essential Fatty Acids: Need for Essential Fatty Acids
 
Minerals: Manganese, Molybdenum, Magnesium, Zinc
 
Digestion Support: Need for Probiotics, Need for Pancreatic Enzymes, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Need for Methylation, Toxic Exposure 
 
Then, there is a page on the Krebs Cycle with your markers
 
(I haven't listed all the areas in the following..there is so much informaton......)
 
There is a page on Metabolic Analysis Markers that go into Tyrosine Metabolism, Creatinine Concentration, Malabsorption and Dysbiosis Markers, and other things...
 
A page on Amino Acids: Essental and Nonessential, Glycine/Serine Metabolites and others....
 
A page on Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Markers that show your 3, 6, and 9's, Saturated and Monounsaturated Fats and others.....
 
This test defiantly needs to be interpreted by a professional, there is so much commentary and information! Here is a link. Look for the button to "find a doctor" at the bottom of the page. 
 
https://www.gdx.net/product/nutreval-nutritional-test-plasma
 
Genova (brand) has other test too:
https://www.gdx.net/tests/alphabetical
 
 
SpectraCell
 
SpectraCell Micronutrient test is similar to NutrEval, it uses your white blood cells to analyze 35 nutritional components. 
 
Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Folate, Pantothenate (B5), Biotin, D3, Vitamin A, Vitamin K2
 
Antioxidants: Glutathione, Cysteine, CoQ10, Selenium, Vitamin E, Alpha-Lipoic-Acid, Vitamin C
 
Minerals: Manganese, Calcium, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium
 
Amino Acids: Serine, Glutamine, Asparagine, Choline, Inositol, Carnitine, Oleic Acid(Fatty Acid)
 
It also has Carbohydrate Metabolism: Fructose Sensitivity, Glucose-Insulin Interaction, Chromium
 
Spectrox score for oxidative stress
 
Immunidex score for over all immune system health
 
This test is easier for me to read. I have taken two of these tests, about 9 months apart. It is easy to clip the two tests together and flip between the relative pages to see my progress. Here is the link:
 
https://www.spectracell.com/patients/patient-micronutrient-testing/
 

They did have a link to find providers in your area, I can't find it now. 

 

Their blog is good too. Look to the right of the page as you scroll down for links on individual nutrients and conditions:

 

http://info.spectracell.com

 
 
Kelly Brogan M.D., Preventative Medicine Tests
 
If someone you know or you are considering Psych medication for the first time check out Kelly Brogan MD. She was a traditional board certified psych doctor who got Hashimoto's disease and thought she had depression. She put herself on psych meds and realized what she was harming clients. She read work from Peter Breggin MD and Robert Whitaker and did a 180 degree turn. She only prescribes short term benzos now. Look into her book, "A Mind of Your Own" before you choose medication. Here is a list of tests she does for new intakes. An ounce of prevention is worth its weight in gold. If you are already on medication, look into the book, "Your Drug May Be Your Problem" by Peter Breggin, MD. 
 
1. Homocysteine, Methylmalonic acid
2. hsCRP
3. Fasting Glucose, insulin, HgA1C
4. Vitamin D (250H), Folate, B-12
5. MTHFR
6. ANA
7. TSH, FreeT3, FreeT4, rT3, autoantibodies
 
Gut Health Hint-- (Need a stool sample test to find you Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes Ratio in Gut)
 
Genova GI Effects Comprehensive Stool Profile 

 

I have done this test twice too. The gut is very much connected to the brain. Click on the link to learn more:

 

https://www.gdx.net/product/gi-effects-comprehensive-stool-test

 

 

Any Lab Test Now
 

I don't have any experience with them, but I know they have a nutrient test for $300 or so. 

 

https://www.anylabtestnow.com

 

 

Hair Analysis

 

Hair analysis deals only with minerals and toxic metals. If you get a test, don't ever use "Head and Shoulders" shampoo, it will make your zinc levels look higher then they really are. It is best to wash your hair, rinse with reverse osmosis water, and then let it dry for 6-24 hours on its own before you cut a little but off from an inconspicuous place on the back of the head. 

 

Minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Chromium, Selenium, Phosphorous, Nickel, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Lithium, and Boron. 

 

Toxic Metals: Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, Aluminum. 

 

This is controversial, but I have taken the test a few times and tried to change my lifestyle to their suggestions. The test is heavily reliant on interpretation of the ratios of minerals. It also requires adherence to a lot of protocols. I don't agree with everything that is said at by Dr. L. Wilson, but some of it is valuable. They have a page of practitioners all over the world. You can work with them long distance. 

 

http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/HA%20INTRO.htm#SAMPLING

 

 

Are you scared of taking supplements? 

 

Dr. Abram Hoffer was the "Father of Orthomolecular Medicine." Look into his work treating mental illness with nutrients. 

 

He has a disciple, Dr. Andrew Saul. Check out his website that has tons of free information:

 

www.doctoryourself.com

 

He is in a movie called, "That Vitamin Movie" also. 

 

 

I am not trying to sell you anything:

 

A brand I have used and been impressed by is Pure Encapsulations.

 

They are hypo-allergenic dietary supplements, which seems to give them a niche in the market.

 

They care about their products being "bio-available." I have no credentials in anything, but through my own research I have found "bio-available" nutrients are in forms that can be used more immediately in the body.

 

They also are a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) certified facility. 

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Hope you will not be harmed by anything in this post. I have no credentials! 

 

quote-the-doctor-of-the-future-will-give

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was on Seroquel from 2008-2016 because Seroquel doesn't cause akathisia (in my case) and all other drugs do.   

 

I am tapering slowly off Seroquel- got down to 393.75mg, Fall 2016 ... 3% taper still couldn't keep me from hospital. 

 

Hospital stay switched me to 300 clozapine/clozaril.

 

Summer 2017: slowly cut and weighed clozapine/clozaril from 300mg to 275mg over 3 months. 

 
 

 

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I've probably done some of the Aussie equivalent of some of these, as I'm under the care of an orthomolecular MD.  I confess, it was nice to just turn over my situation to the doc and let her read the tests.  She explains things to me, but I don't understand all the Assays she chooses or why.

 

I did do the OmegaQuant test in the USA which showed me that my DHA/EPA was good, but that my Omega 6 was still too high.  (probably the Nutella)

 

Pure Encapsulations - I looked them up on Consumer Labs, and they are highly recommended in most categories where they were tested, and are often the "Top Pick."  For example Ashwaganda - 80% of the supplements failed:  Pure Encapsulations was one of the supplements that passed their quality control review.  It was also one of the more affordable brands.

 

The only one where they failed was a Multivitamin (which is a compound, and we never recommend compounds anyway), the "Pure Encapsulations LiquiNutrients Natural Orange/Mango Flavour" only contained 17% of listed amount of folic acid.

 

Additionally, the Pure Encapsulations CholestePure was shown to contain no effective plant sterols - it contains some, but they are not tested as "effective against cholesterol."  Not that it was useless, it contained a fat soluble form of vitamin C that had antioxidant effects, and so they approved it.

 

There is one warning for Pure Encapsulations in 2011 for their PhytoBalance product, which should be corrected by now.  One recall, September 2011, for a product that tested positive for egg allergen in their "PreNatal Nutrients" (again, a compound), which was not labeled.  Again, it is probably corrected by now.

 

It was not one of the top overall brands for 2016, though it was tested.

 

Here are the top brands, according to Consumer Labs  (there were lots of other good brands, these are just the #1 in each category):

 

  • Catalog/Internet Brand: Swanson
  • Direct Selling (MLM) Brand: USANA
  • Discount/Warehouse Brand: Kirkland (Costco)
  • Food/Drug/Mass -- Broad Product Line: Nature Made
  • Food/Drug/Mass -- Narrow Product Line: Qunol
  • Grocery Store Brand: Trader Darwin (Trader Joe's)
  • Healthcare Practitioner Brand: Thorne Research
  • Health Food Store Brand: Designs for Health
  • Pharmacy Brand: CVS
  • Vitamin Store Brand: Vitamin Shoppe
  • Canadian Brand: Webber Naturals

Top-rated Supplement Brands on Consumer Satisfaction with Specific Types of Supplements:*
  • Calcium: Kirkland (Costco)
  • CoQ10: Swanson
  • Fish Oil: Life Extension
  • Glucosamine & Chondroitin: Puritan's Pride
  • Multivitamin: Life Extension
  • Probiotic: Garden of Life
  • Resveratrol: Life Extension
  • Vitamin D: Life Extension
* Excludes direct sales brands due to potential respondent bias 

Top-rated Supplement Merchants on Overall Consumer Satisfaction:
  • Catalog/Internet: Swanson
  • Direct Sales (MLM): USANA
  • Grocery Store: Natural Grocers
  • Mass Market: Walmart
  • Online Multi-Category Retailer: Amazon.com
  • Online Supplement Retailer: Vitacost
  • Pharmacy: Walgreens
  • Vitamin Store: The Vitamin Shoppe
  • Warehouse Store: Costco

 

 

Please note - the most expensive brand is not always the best.

 

This brand analysis might belong somewhere else - but I haven't found it yet, so I thought I would add it here, to give a "Consumer Labs" view of supplements.

 

They do not analyse the tests.  

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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Is there a Do-It-Yourself Assay for Vitamin D?

 

That's one which doctors don't check nearly often enough, and has an annual cycle with the sun

 

People over the 33rd parallel can never get enough sun in winter, but because they may be active or outdoors, think they are "fine."

 

It is also a supplement which I am hesitant to adjust without a lab result.

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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https://www.anylabtestnow.com/tests/vitamin-d-test/

 

I am not sure about world wide, but in the USA a vitamin D test can be done at this franchise Any Lab Test Now for $125 bucks

 

I don't know of any home tests. 

 

 

Dr. Andrew Saul has a pretty interesting article on Vitamin D issues and goes into dosage controversy detail.

 

http://www.doctoryourself.com/dvitamin.htm

 

I love this paragraph from the article as it highlights a catch 22:

 

It is noteworthy that skin cancer may actually be prevented by what many feel causes it: sunshine. (43, 44) Krispin Sullivan, author of Naked at Noon: Understanding Sunlight and Vitamin D, writes: "One of the known protectors of skin cells from pre-cancerous changes is vitamin D. For most Americans the primary source of vitamin D is sunlight. UV-B, the only band of light producing vitamin D, is significantly present only midday during summer months in most of the U.S., the exact time we are advised to avoid sunlight. UV-B is blocked by sunscreen." (45) Over-exposure to sunlight does not cause vitamin D toxicity. Persisting concerns over sun exposure are arguments in favor of its nutritional equivalent: oral vitamin D supplementation.

 

(You can't over dose on sunshine if you are lucky enough to get enough where you live.)

I was on Seroquel from 2008-2016 because Seroquel doesn't cause akathisia (in my case) and all other drugs do.   

 

I am tapering slowly off Seroquel- got down to 393.75mg, Fall 2016 ... 3% taper still couldn't keep me from hospital. 

 

Hospital stay switched me to 300 clozapine/clozaril.

 

Summer 2017: slowly cut and weighed clozapine/clozaril from 300mg to 275mg over 3 months. 

 
 

 

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If you get a SpectraCell test the vitamin D comes with it, but only D3 not D2. My primary care physician tests me for both forms. 

I was on Seroquel from 2008-2016 because Seroquel doesn't cause akathisia (in my case) and all other drugs do.   

 

I am tapering slowly off Seroquel- got down to 393.75mg, Fall 2016 ... 3% taper still couldn't keep me from hospital. 

 

Hospital stay switched me to 300 clozapine/clozaril.

 

Summer 2017: slowly cut and weighed clozapine/clozaril from 300mg to 275mg over 3 months. 

 
 

 

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Please keep this link in mind before you read my post:

 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/606-important-topics-about-tests-supplements-treatments-diet/

 

I have to share this chart! It has what nutrients are depleted for the following drugs and more:

 

Seroquel®*, Risperdal®*, Zyprexa®*, Haldol, Amitriptyline 

Toprol-XL®*, Norvasc®*, Lisinopril®*, Furosemide*, Chlorthalidone, Digoxin, Clonidine, Propranolol 

Lexapro®, Zoloft®*, Prozac®, Zoloft®, Paxil® 

 

http://fundamentalhealthsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DrugNutrientDepletion.pdf

 

I really want this book now:

 

Pelton, Lavalle, Hawkins, Krinsky. Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook. Lexi-Comp; 2nd Ed., 2001

 

I can only find it used, but the linked chart is based off this book. 

I was on Seroquel from 2008-2016 because Seroquel doesn't cause akathisia (in my case) and all other drugs do.   

 

I am tapering slowly off Seroquel- got down to 393.75mg, Fall 2016 ... 3% taper still couldn't keep me from hospital. 

 

Hospital stay switched me to 300 clozapine/clozaril.

 

Summer 2017: slowly cut and weighed clozapine/clozaril from 300mg to 275mg over 3 months. 

 
 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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  • 2 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Not sure if this is the best place to post. I did a search with not much results. I am wondering if anyone has heard of Electrodermal Screening. It is a kind of acupuncture that tests organs and recommends naturopathic remedies based on your test results. Sounds hocus pocus to me but would like to know if anyone has had success with it with dealing with withdrawal symptoms? Thanks for your input. Please start a new topic for this if you feel it is inducated. Thank you!

 

Hey Help - I have moved your post here - while most of the focus on this post is on proper screening - blood, urine and spit tests, the electrodermal screening is very akin to what Scientologists use in their "auditing" practice - a simple skin resistance monitor.  

 

I have posted about it elsewhere.  There is a back-and-forth discussion of it between myself and Sheri755 here:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/12595-sheri755-effexor-xr-reinstatement-amount/page-3?p=250934#entry250934  (read the next few posts after this one, as we talk more about it)

 

I posted about it in my own thread, here:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5234-%E2%98%BC-jancarol-reboxetine-first-then-lithium/page-7?p=96410#entry96410

 

I liken it to a psychic reading.  There will be accuracies and inaccuracies.  They are pointers, not answers.

 

So your instinct = woo = pretty spot on!

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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I was reading about Dr Sherry Rogers a name given to me recently.  On her site she said she does not see patients now but will do a phone consult if you get this testing done.... 

 

 cardio ion panel
http://www.metametrix.com/content/DirectoryOfServices/0290CardioIONProfile-BloodUrine

the link for the regular ion panel
http://www.metametrix.com/content/DirectoryOfServices/0090IONIndividualOptimalNutritionProfiles-BloodUrine

 

Is this the test Alto says is bunk?  or was it test just for amino acids I can't recall...

I looked at a couple pages one on an example test result one on interpreting

 

which can be found at these links if you are interested in them....

 

 https://www.gdx.net/core/interpretive-guides/ION-IG.pdf

https://www.gdx.net/core/sample-reports/0290-CION-ADULT.pdf

 

Dr Rogers can heal mcs ... multiple chemical sensitivities... I just found these links now and have not read them yet

 

Chemical Sensitivity: 9780879836344: Medicine & Health Science ...
https://www.amazon.com/Chemical...Sherry-Rogers/dp/0879836342
  1.  
Editorial Reviews. About the Author. McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their .... Dr Sherry Rogers is a fabulous doctor and conveys medical information in a way a lay person can really ... Healing Severe Chemical and EMF Sensitivity: Our Breakthrough Cure for Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) and…
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity | Definition, Symptoms, Triggers ...
www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/.../multiple-chemical-sensitivity/
  1.  
  2.  

May 4, 2016 - DrSherry Rogers, a respected expert on MCS and environmental illness, believes pesticides are the no.1 culprit when it comes to chemicals ...

 

so far I have only read this page about detox drink... 

http://lupushope.blogspot.ca/2009/10/talk-with-dr-sherry-rogers-receptionist.html

she talks about doctors depleting patients "drugs severely magnify nutrient depletion"

and this was interesting

"Apr 2009 HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST DRUG SIDE AFFECTS Q. I agree with you that we should not rely on drugs, but there comes a time when we all need them for emergencies and/or for times to tide us over until we catch up on reading to find the cause and cure of our symptoms. Since drugs are all so loaded with side effects, what do I do to protect myself while I am on a drug? A. Great question. For starters I would be sure you take extra folic acid. One Folixor 5 mg under the tongue daily should do the trick. Sadly it has been known for over 30 years that folic acid is easily depleted by most medications. Later research shows that all drugs suck nutrients out of the body, thereby guaranteeing that the person will eventually develop side effects from the drug as well as new diseases. I say sad, because in spite of hundreds of books and papers, it is ignored, even though studies show that the most folate-depleted folks are often those who are in the hospital hooked up to iVs that are delivering numerous drugs. Not only do most drugs deplete folate, but also sugar IV solutions flush it out, and hospital cooking, air fresheners, plastics, toxic hospital air, and more destroy any remaining folate. As an example, look at how a popular diabetes medicine has been known for over 30 years to deplete not only folate but B12. And metformin raises homocysteine, leading to Alzheimer's, undiagnosable nerve diseases, and cancers, all three of which diabetics are"

 

will go and look if my energy holds 

peace all

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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while I am to add to read what I said I would I found this about drugs

"Many drugs are P-450 enzyme inhibitors which may result in accumulation of medications and foreign chemicals (xenobiotics) with increased side effects and toxicity. Examples are cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, diltiazem, erythromycin, ES-MCS Status Report 2010-11 13 ketoconazole, verapamil, and a number of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There are essentially six Phase II conjugation pathways: -Glutathione conjugation -Amino acid conjugation -Methylation -Sulfation -Acetylation -Glucuronidation There must be adequate nutrients available for efficient operation of Phase I and II biotransformation pathways, in particular, high intake of highly-coloured vegetables, ascorbate, anti-oxidants, glutathione precursors provided by adequate protein, niacin and cobalamin, as well as balanced essential fatty acid intake and phosphatidyl choline, along with high fibre to enhance GI transit function in Phase III excretion (Burford-Mason A. What foods need to deliver, Nutrition for Docs, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Syllabus, April 17-18, 2010)."

http://www.womenshea...rtJune22011.pdf

at this sa thread

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4821-chemical-sensitivity/

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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