Idlehnds: started Lexapro 15mg down to 1.80mg

[Idlehnds]

Thanks for the recommendation of the magnesium oil.  Any suggestions on a type of oil?

 

Also, I have no reactions from the B-vitamins except a clear head and a very happy mood at this point.  Still get tired in the late afternoon, but my gut feeling is that I am healing.  So for the B-12, B2 and B5 are doing really well for me.   If all works out I will be happy to recommend people that spectracell test.  Of course everyone is always different but if someone has a positive experience it brings hope.

[ChessieCat]

This is SA's topic:  Magnesium

 

If you click on the above link and type oil in the search area (top right) and click on This topic it will bring up all mentions of oil in the topic.

 

Edited to add:  some people make their own lotion, and some make their own oil

 

Edited October 26, 2018 by ChessieCat

[Idlehnds]

Thanks ChessieCat.  Everyone here is so awesome!  I am going to stop at the Vitamin Shoppe on the way home and getting the spray one a user suggested.  Gonna put it on my tight muscles on my left leg.  

 

Thanks again!

 

Btw.  I feel so special here.  My introduction page has on page 2 of 2!  Lol.  Getting some healing work done!

Edited October 26, 2018 by Idlehnds
Bad sentence structure

[Idlehnds]

@Altostrata I think you are a mastermind.  The muscle pain and issues I feel you are right and they are from withdrawal.  

 

I started reading this book called "healing back pain" by John Sarno.  It basically goes into detail about muscle tension and how underlying emotional issues are causing this chronic pain that you dont even know.  Its only been one day and its been miraculous so far.  I changed my mindset to understanding that its not a structural problem eventhough I had a MRI and found out I have a herniated disc (7mm) and a bulge (3mm) that its not causing my pain but rather the tension of some pshycosomatic fear of feeling the pain.  Woah.... this journey is crazy!

 

Anyways... I highly recommend the book.

 

 

 

[Idlehnds]

Just a update but down to 1.30mg of Lexapro.  Feeling great and doing great.  I think the vitamins that my doc tested for and the combination of learning about TMS and Mindbody syndrome have really changed me.   When I start to get into ruts I am able to really bounce out fairly quickly.  Within a few hours.

 

 

[Gridley]

Congratulations on getting so low on Lexapro.  You are doing great.

[composter]

How's you're taper going @Idlehnds? I trust you continue to make good progress with all the tools you have in your toolkit as well.

 

I got my results from the spectracell test recently and have been working to implement them. B6, Copper, and Coenzyme Q10 showed up as deficiencies. And I'm going to up my dosage of fish oil as well. Thanks for recommending the test I think it's very helpful to get those personalized micronutrient results!

[Idlehnds]

Hi @composter.  Long time no talk!  I was thinking about you the other day and I am happy I havent heard from you.  That means that you are doing well

 

I am doing good myself.  I am down to .95mg of Lexapro.   I have had some ups and downs throughout this but nothing that I couldn't handle and nothing that put me back into the torment that I was in when I first got into this mess.

 

I have learned that I have something called TMS (Tension Myonueral Syndrome) or MindBody syndrome.  Everything that got me into this mess was a cycle of  physical symptoms which led to fear and anxiety and depression.  I always thought I had something seriously wrong with me physically.  Now that I have discovered what I truly have I have been able to focus on the issues within that led me here.

 

The idea is that your subconscious creates physical symptoms when you repress emotions.  I have repressed emotions my whole life.  It also generally seems to effect a certain type of personality traits such as people pleaser, goodist, and perfectionist.

 

It makes you go within to find the issues and not something outside of you.  I kept trying to solve my issues by supplements (don't get me wrong they are good but not the way I was using them in before I got tested), various doctors, google, various websites, etc.  The problem wasnt that there was something physically wrong within my body, it was my thoughts.   I was constantly living in fear.    Fear of symptoms that I didn't want to have.   I had to eat the right thing or I would beat myself up about.  If I drank alcohol I would think I did too much and tell myself I am quitting.  I would worry if what I said to a person was the right thing.  I would always try to please people because I wanted them to make sure they like me.  Once you dig deeper, you start to realize that when I was a kid I was picked on alot and that it caused me to feel like I was never good enough.  This puts a lot of pressure on me without me knowing.  Fear, worry, sadness, anxiety are all negative emotions that create bad energy inside your body.  Now when you get these emotions, we all have a tendency to want to change it.  We want to get rid of them.  Make them go away.  Now, the technique that I have been working on is just trying to be there with the emotions non-judgmentally (mindfulness).  If we keep wanting to fix these emotions we have, we send a signal to our brains that we are "not safe" which causes us to freak out every time you have these very "natural" emotions.  When you are going through them, the goal is also to label it.  Pretty much being self aware of what type of emotion you are experiencing. "I am in fear", "I am sad right now", "I am thinking about the future and having anxiety".  I have noticed that once you sit with emotions and let them happen, they seem to float on by and you dont give them the attention that fuels the cycle.

 

Now I am not perfect at this, but I am working on it and I have been in this cycle for a long time, so to rewire your brain isnt going to be a overnight thing.  One thing i have learned that when you are healing your mind, that its never a overnight success.  It takes time and hard work.  I think of it like going to the gym to workout.  Those guys with big muscles have been working out for years to maintain there stature.  Same thing with our minds, as we need to be self aware and continually try to work out your muscles in your brain.  This is done through mindfulness, affirmations, positive thinking,  and journaling. 

 

 

 

 

 

[composter]

Really cool to hear your update, my friend! Indeed, no news is good news in my case

 

Very interesting to hear about TMS/Mind-body Syndrome. I can definitely understand how a subconscious repression of emotions can lead to physical manifestations of symptoms. These things are all so interconnected (as many of us learn from the withdrawal/tapering process!). I remember learning in an Anthropology course that in China, depression is mainly characterized as a physical illness, with descriptions like "tight stomach" or "lack of energy" rather than an emotional one. There are culture-based and even gender-based or family-based reasons that change one's experience of emotion. 

 

I think you have a very grounded attitude about it all. I agree with you. Any behavior or lifestyle change does not occur overnight but is the product of daily habits. Mindfulness and journaling are such helpful tools. Continue moving forward as you are and I look forward to seeing your "success story" on here very soon!

[Idlehnds]

Just thought I would give everyone a update.  I am officially off of Lexapro.  I stopped over a month ago and I am going strong.  

 

In the next 6 months I will post a success story and let everyone know my thoughts on the whole withdrawal process.  I have a different opinion on things and I hope to share then.  

 

Thanks for all the support and will chat with you all soon.

[Gridley]

2 minutes ago, Idlehnds said:

I am officially off of Lexapro.

 

Congratulations, Idlehnds!  That's a great accomplishment.

[Idlehnds]

2 minutes ago, Gridley said:

 

Congratulations, Idlehnds!  That's a great accomplishment.

 

Thank you so much!!  I am excited to be off and I and I hope one day I can help people get off too.

[Cocopuffz17]

15 minutes ago, Idlehnds said:

 

Thank you so much!!  I am excited to be off and I and I hope one day I can help people get off too.

Woohooo! Thats awesome  

[Idlehnds]

2 minutes ago, Cocopuffz17 said:

Woohooo! Thats awesome  

 

Thank you so much!!  I have alot of information to share once I am about 6 months off.   Neuroplasticity is awesome, and I really think people with prolonged withdrawal can heal alot quicker.   Hopefully I will be able to help!

 

[Cocopuffz17]

2 minutes ago, Idlehnds said:

 

Thank you so much!!  I have alot of information to share once I am about 6 months off.   Neuroplasticity is awesome, and I really think people with prolonged withdrawal can heal alot quicker.   Hopefully I will be able to help!

 

Why wait until 6 months? I’ve just hit 7 months after a fast taper. The brain 100% can heal! 

[Idlehnds]

2 minutes ago, Cocopuffz17 said:

Why wait until 6 months? I’ve just hit 7 months after a fast taper. The brain 100% can heal! 

 

Lol.  I guess you are right.  I will start writing a sucess story.  It might be long tho!  Stay tuned.

[ChessieCat]

Congratulations on being off Lexapro.

 

It would be helpful if you put more details in your drug signature showing the date and dose you started Lexapro and the method you used to get off.  Please also indicate the last dose you took.

 

Because withdrawal can be delayed, and sometimes members end up reinstating their drug or start taking a different drug, SA prefers members to be drug free for about 12 months before posting a their success in the Success Forum.

 

However, it would be encouraging for other members to read more about your journey.  Please post it here in your Introduction topic.

 

If you haven't already done so, please read BrassMonkey's posts.  You will still need to take care of CNS and no overdo things for quite some time yet.  are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

And of course we look forward to you eventually posting your success story at a later time.  And please do keep us updated about how you are going.

[Idlehnds]

14 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Congratulations on being off Lexapro.

 

It would be helpful if you put more details in your drug signature showing the date and dose you started Lexapro and the method you used to get off.  Please also indicate the last dose you took.

 

Because withdrawal can be delayed, and sometimes members end up reinstating their drug or start taking a different drug, SA prefers members to be drug free for about 12 months before posting a their success in the Success Forum.

 

However, it would be encouraging for other members to read more about your journey.  Please post it here in your Introduction topic.

 

If you haven't already done so, please read BrassMonkey's posts.  You will still need to take care of CNS and no overdo things for quite some time yet.  are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

And of course we look forward to you eventually posting your success story at a later time.  And please do keep us updated about how you are going.

 

 

Okay will do.  I will wait for a success story.  I will also update my signature to help other people.

[composter]

Amazing news @Idlehnds. You were such an encouraging help for me a year ago during one of my first waves. You can definitely help many people both online and offline, I'm sure of it. I agree with you and @Cocopuffz17, the brain's innate capacity to heal is remarkable and something I am so thankful for!

[jozeff]

Congratulations!

 

A great accomplishment! Love to hear your success story in the future! 

 

 

Way to go.

 

Cheers

 

Jozeff

[Dejavu]

Well done @Idlehnds! I'd love to hear more about your journey! Please post updates - it seems there is a dearth of accounts of life post zero. I know a lot of members, including myself, would live to know more about the gap between post-zero and success story.

[Idlehnds]

On 9/21/2019 at 11:12 PM, composter said:

Amazing news @Idlehnds. You were such an encouraging help for me a year ago during one of my first waves. You can definitely help many people both online and offline, I'm sure of it. I agree with you and @Cocopuffz17, the brain's innate capacity to heal is remarkable and something I am so thankful for!

 

 

Thank you so much!  I am so glad I could of helped you during your times.  This really made my day!!  I really want to help people so badly!

 

One of my specialties with my holistic wellness/health coaching would be to help people come off there meds.  I would try to guide them to really understand there brain and encourage them with Nueroplasticity.   How sometimes when they get stuck in withdrawal a lot longer then they should is because of a limbic system dysfunction and we get caught in these loops of fear and worry that keep the cycle going.

 

When you are withdrawing from a med you get a ton symptoms.  These symptoms create a neural pathway of fear and worry.   Lets use typical AD symptom of insomnia for instance.   The fear and worry around if you are going to sleep at night starts to create the process of a limbic system loop.  First, you start worrying,  "can I make it to work tomorrow", "we need sleep to heal and if I am not sleeping I am not healing", " I am going to get sick because I always get sick when I don't sleep" etc, etc etc,.  Then in order to cope you start avoiding things like canceling appointments, drinking alcohol, taking benzo's, etc etc. During this whole process you are building a much stronger connection in your brain with fear.  They have a saying that says "what wires together fires together" when referring to neural pathways.  Like some people that got bit by a dog when they were younger, maybe have built a neural pathway that every time they see a dog they are flooded with stress hormones in there body which causes the classic anxiety symptoms.  With withdrawal, we are building these associations with fear and creating these imprints in our brain that when a certain action happens, we automatically fire off our stress hormones from our subconscious.  In the example I am showing, we are constantly firing off a cascading fear response to sleep, which feeds a loop, which in turn pumps cortisol in our system, which takes away from digestion, which makes our mind race, which causes pain in the body and the list goes on and on and on and on.

 

I noticed the longer we build these associations of fear the stronger they get for a lot of people if they don't have the tools to get themselves out of the constant loop.   The other thing I noticed is the symptoms always rotate around.  One day its your digestion, one day its your mind cant shut off, one day your back is hurting, one day its a head pressure and its always something.

 

Now this isn't for everyone, but it is for alot of people with prolonged withdrawal. The key to shortening the duration of withdrawal is to teach there brain to associate with safety instead of fear which will stop the loop and get them out of the "prolonged" withdrawal.   That is why it so awesome they have this website.  This website allows people to understand that its just withdrawal.  They understand that you shouldn't fear because its just withdrawal and keeps you from staying in the loop.  Of course we all still sometimes get in the loop but the support helps us get out of it.  You can take the fear away with knowledge if you know what your doing when going through it.  You almost take away the power because you know its going to end.

 

Sorry that was a long response but that is a tiny bit of what I would like to teach people.   Its all centered around Annie Hoppers "DNRS" technique and John Sarno's TMS philosophy.  Also, focusing on nutrition, exercise, spirit will all be important aspects of my coaching/teaching.  Helping them to shift there beliefs that our Mind Body and Spirit are 100% connected is probably another important thing.  Teaching people that if you have love, you cannot have fear.  Fear/stress is what causes all of Dis-Ease in our body.  

 

 

[Cocopuffz17]

59 minutes ago, Idlehnds said:

 

 

Thank you so much!  I am so glad I could of helped you during your times.  This really made my day!!  I really want to help people so badly!

 

One of my specialties with my holistic wellness/health coaching would be to help people come off there meds.  I would try to guide them to really understand there brain and encourage them with Nueroplasticity.   How sometimes when they get stuck in withdrawal a lot longer then they should is because of a limbic system dysfunction and we get caught in these loops of fear and worry that keep the cycle going.

 

When you are withdrawing from a med you get a ton symptoms.  These symptoms create a neural pathway of fear and worry.   Lets use typical AD symptom of insomnia for instance.   The fear and worry around if you are going to sleep at night starts to create the process of a limbic system loop.  First, you start worrying,  "can I make it to work tomorrow", "we need sleep to heal and if I am not sleeping I am not healing", " I am going to get sick because I always get sick when I don't sleep" etc, etc etc,.  Then in order to cope you start avoiding things like canceling appointments, drinking alcohol, taking benzo's, etc etc. During this whole process you are building a much stronger connection in your brain with fear.  They have a saying that says "what wires together fires together" when referring to neural pathways.  Like some people that got bit by a dog when they were younger, maybe have built a neural pathway that every time they see a dog they are flooded with stress hormones in there body which causes the classic anxiety symptoms.  With withdrawal, we are building these associations with fear and creating these imprints in our brain that when a certain action happens, we automatically fire off our stress hormones from our subconscious.  In the example I am showing, we are constantly firing off a cascading fear response to sleep, which feeds a loop, which in turn pumps cortisol in our system, which takes away from digestion, which makes our mind race, which causes pain in the body and the list goes on and on and on and on.

 

I noticed the longer we build these associations of fear the stronger they get for a lot of people if they don't have the tools to get themselves out of the constant loop.   The other thing I noticed is the symptoms always rotate around.  One day its your digestion, one day its your mind cant shut off, one day your back is hurting, one day its a head pressure and its always something.

 

Now this isn't for everyone, but it is for alot of people with prolonged withdrawal. The key to shortening the duration of withdrawal is to teach there brain to associate with safety instead of fear which will stop the loop and get them out of the "prolonged" withdrawal.   That is why it so awesome they have this website.  This website allows people to understand that its just withdrawal.  They understand that you shouldn't fear because its just withdrawal and keeps you from staying in the loop.  Of course we all still sometimes get in the loop but the support helps us get out of it.  You can take the fear away with knowledge if you know what your doing when going through it.  You almost take away the power because you know its going to end.

 

Sorry that was a long response but that is a tiny bit of what I would like to teach people.   Its all centered around Annie Hoppers "DNRS" technique and John Sarno's TMS philosophy.  Also, focusing on nutrition, exercise, spirit will all be important aspects of my coaching/teaching.  Helping them to shift there beliefs that our Mind Body and Spirit are 100% connected is probably another important thing.  Teaching people that if you have love, you cannot have fear.  Fear/stress is what causes all of Dis-Ease in our body.  

 

 

Great response. The mind is powerful and when you run those negative cycles it can be hard to get out of, especially in a wave. Great info, ty! 

[AlexLaw]

@Idlehnds

 

Amazing stuff. I’ve been lurking on this board for the past 6 months. Our stories are very similar. I just came across dnrs last night while searching for help with Paxil withdrawal. Then came here to see if anyone has had success with it. Would love to have your help and coaching through this. Do you mind direct messaging me so we can talk? Appreciate it! 

[ChessieCat]

Hi Alex and welcome to SA,

 

Thank you for participating on our site. Please start a topic for yourself in the Introductions and Updates forum so we can get to know you better.

[ChessieCat]

Hi idlehnds,

 

It would be great if you would share your non drug techniques in the appropriate topic/s so that other members have easy access to them.  Thanks.

 

If there isn't an existing topic, please start a new one with a relevant topic title.

[Idlehnds]

On 9/28/2019 at 2:53 PM, ChessieCat said:

Hi idlehnds,

 

It would be great if you would share your non drug techniques in the appropriate topic/s so that other members have easy access to them.  Thanks.

 

If there isn't an existing topic, please start a new one with a relevant topic title.

 

Sure.  I can create a topic or two?  I just need to think of some suggestions.  I guess I can do my first one on Withdrawal and Loops in the brain.