Rezten: Effexor withdrawal

[Altostrata]

Looks like the trazodone reduction is going okay. Are you feeling better, worse, or the same since you've reduced it?

 

Still concerned about benzo schedule, att @Shep

[Rezten]

15 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Looks like the trazodone reduction is going okay. Are you feeling better, worse, or the same since you've reduced it?

I am feeling the same. My symptoms are up and down everyday so it's hard to tell but I feel the same.

 

15 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Still concerned about benzo schedule, att @Shep

 

 

What about benzo schedule?

[Shep]

11 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Still concerned about benzo schedule, att @Shep

 

Rezten's current benzo schedule is: 

 

8:00 1.5 mg Valium 

12:00 1mg Valium 

4:00  .5 mg Ativan 

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

 

A few weeks ago, she moved the Ativan into two doses and is taking more benzo later in the day now to help  the interdose withdrawal. 

 

Alto, per the discussions Rezten and I had over in the benzo forum, it's quite possible the mCPP side effects from the Trazadone are causing problems and Rezten is wanting to reduce a bit of the Trazodone. 

 

At some point, it may be best to move an Ativan dose later in the evening to help with sleep and replace the Trazadone. 

 

Rezten, please let me know your thoughts on this and continue to keep posting your journal. It's very helpful. 

 

[Rezten]

11 minutes ago, Shep said:

Rezten, please let me know your thoughts on this and continue to keep posting your journal. It's very helpful. 

I am fine with the schedule, However I don't know much about how these drugs work so if u think I should change something let me know.  I would like to be off the Trazadone, well everything, but one thing at a time.  I would like to focus on Trazadone reduction for now.

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

I felt pretty good most of the day until about 3:00

 

4:00 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 7:00.  About 6.5 hours sleep.  Woke up with almost no anxiety, not feeling as groggy/tired as I usually do

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  Feeling good no nausea very little anxiety

8:30, too 100 mg magnesium ate breakfast

9:00 shoveled snow from sidewalk

10:00 went to store, still very low anxietyate lunch low anxiety

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch

12:30 100 mg magnesium

3:00 headache starting, feeling tired, stomache bothering me a little

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan still have headache, tired 400 mg ibuprofen 

5:30 ate supper, still have headache anxiety low but still slight upset stomache

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and 2 mg Melatonin and 167 mg lactium

[Shep]

Retzen, I hope I'm catching you before you take your nightly lactium. I'm wondering if that's what caused your headache. 

 

From the lactium thread:

 

On 8/12/2012 at 5:21 PM, Rhiannon said:

Just a note, I bought two bottles and then it turned out they give me headaches the next day. Just get one bottle if you're going to try them. 🙂

 

The headache could be because of your recent Trazadone reduction, but if you think it may have been brought on by the lactium, you may want to stop it since you just recently started it. 

[Rezten]

@Shep. I just saw this after I took it. We'll see what tomorrow brings.  I had really bad headaches last week to for several days so I'm not sure what's causing these, but I will stop the lactium tomorrow.  Thanks for the information.   If it is from Trazadone should I go back up or wait and ride it out.  Hard to tell because I had them last week too.  

[Shep]

I would stop the Lactium and see if you improve. Like you wrote, it's going to be hard to parse out if it's the Lactium, the Trazodone reduction, or - since you had the headaches prior to this latest reduction - something that started with prior drugs and drug changes. But the Lactium is the easiest variable to deal with, since you've only taken it a few times. 

 

Do you know approximately when the headaches first started? 

[Rezten]

12 minutes ago, Shep said:

Do you know approximately when the headaches first started? 

I always seem to have a dull headache but looking back through my symptoms it looks like beginning of last week.

 

I wont take the lactium.  

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

No headache today

 

4:00 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 7:00.  About 6.5 hours sleep.  Woke up with a little anxiety, felt very tired like I didn't sleep

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium, very little anxiety nausea

8:30, too 100 mg magnesium 

9:30 went to prayer meeting, anxiety low to moderate

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch low anxiety

12:30 100 mg magnesium

12:45 to 1:30 took a nap woke up feeling groggy/tired

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan low anxiety

5:30 ate supper, anxiety low but still slight upset stomache

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and 2 mg Melatonin 

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

Overall a good day, no headache very little stomache upset until early evening. 

 

4:00 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 7:00.  About 6.5 hours sleep.  Woke up with almost no anxiety, not feeling as groggy/tired 

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  Feeling good no nausea very little anxiety

8:30, took 100 mg magnesium 

9:30 went to church, low anxiety

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch almost feeling like myself.

12:30 100 mg magnesium

1:00 took 1/2:hour nap.  Still feel ok. Low anxiety

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan stomache started feeling a little upset/nausea feeling tired.

5:00 took 100 mg magnesium 

6:30 ate supper, tired upset stomache

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and 2 mg Melatonin

[Shep]

10 hours ago, Rezten said:

Overall a good day, no headache very little stomache upset until early evening. 

 

 

I'm glad to read you are stabilizing and some of your symptoms are better. 

 

Not sure if the headache was attributable to the Lactium or not, but if you are sleeping okay without it, probably best you stopped. The fewer variables, the easier it is to know what is causing what. 

 

I hope your symptoms continue to improve. 

[Rezten]

2 hours ago, Shep said:

Not sure if the headache was attributable to the Lactium or not, but if you are sleeping okay without it, probably best you stopped. The fewer variables, the easier it is to know what is causing what. 

I agree, although I felt like it did help with sleep. Last night I didnt sleep as good but not every night is going to be the same anyway.  We'll just see as time goes on.

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

I felt pretty good most of the day.

 

2:30 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 7:00.  About 6 hours sleep.  Woke up with almost no anxiety

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  Feeling good no nausea very little anxiety

8:30, too 100 mg magnesium ate breakfast

10:00 went for a short walk

11:00 went to store, increased anxiety while at store

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch very low anxiety

12:30 100 mg magnesium

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan still have headache, tired 400 mg ibuprofen 

6:00 ate supper, starting to feel tired but anxiety still low

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and 2 mg Melatonin

[Shep]

There's a post over in the Benzo Tapering Nuggets thread about a possible interaction with diazepam and Ibuprofen:

 

Benzo Tapering Nuggets - valium and Ibuprofen

 

You're doing really well but I wanted to mention this interaction. Taking OTC meds periodically usually is okay, but if you can find alternatives, you'll do better in the long run.

 

Non-drug techniques for dealing with physical pain

 

Are you able to tolerate magnesium? If so, you might try an epsom salt bath to see if that helps. 

 

Ginger tea can also help with headaches. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. 

 

And these things are also good for anxiety and learning how to relax and let go of stress. 

 

Try one or more of these things before taking an ibuprofen and see if it helps. 

 

 

[Rezten]

1 hour ago, Shep said:

You're doing really well but I wanted to mention this interaction. Taking OTC meds periodically usually is okay, but if you can find alternatives, you'll do better in the long run

Thank you for the information.   That was a mistake yesterday.   I didn't have a headache. I copied and pasted and forgot to take that out.  But I appreciate the information about alternatives.

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

 

2:30 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 7:00.  About 6 hours sleep.  

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  Feeling good no nausea very little anxiety

8:30, too 100 mg magnesium 

10:00 took a 1/2 hour nap

11:00 went to store some anxiety

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch

12:30 100 mg magnesium

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan

5:30 ate supper, took 100 mg magnesium 

7:45 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and 2 mg Melatonin

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

Not feeling as good as I had the past several days.

 

4:30 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 7:00.  About 6.5 hours sleep.  Woke up with mild nervous stomache

7:30 ate breakfast

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium . 

8:30, too 100 mg magnesium went to store

9:30 took nap still have nervous stomache

11:00 went for a walk

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch

12:30 100 mg magnesium

2:30 headache starting, feeling tired, stomache bothering me a little, feeling very tired

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan, 100 mg magnesium, still have headache

6:00 ate supper, still have mild headache anxiety low but still slight upset stomache

7:00 update SA page headache pretty much gone, not feeling as tired as I did earlier

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and 2 mg melatonin 

[Gridley]

One thing that jumped out at me in your signature is the 2mg melatonin.  How is this working for you?  I started out at 1 mg, then slept better when I cut to .5mg.  Alto recommends starting at .25 to .5 mg.  It can have a paradoxical effect at higher doses.  Just something to consider.

[Rezten]

4 minutes ago, Gridley said:

One thing that jumped out at me in your signature is the 2mg melatonin

I was taking 5 mg and have gone down to 2. I dont mind going lower.  What do you suggest? I could go to 1 or less.

[Gridley]

Let's try .25mg for a couple of nights.  See how that does.  Then up if necessary to .5mg and see how that does.  Update us. 

[Rezten]

1 minute ago, Gridley said:

Let's try .25mg for a couple of nights

Ok.  I'll start tonight.  Thank you

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

Went from 2 mg to .25 mg Melatonin last night at Gridley's suggestion

 

2:30 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 6:30.  About 6 hours sleep.  Woke up tired, feeling sick/nervous stomache

7:30 ate breakfast

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  Still tired/sick feeling

8:30, took 100 mg magnesium 

10:00 trying to take a nap unable to sleep, tired mild headache, some brain fog

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch

12:30 100 mg magnesium

2:30 starting to feel a little better, not as tired, stomache not bothering me as much 

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan went to son's house for dinner

6:00 feeling better, sick stomache barely there, not as tired

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and .25 mg Melatonin

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

4:00 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 6:30.  About 6 hours sleep.  Woke up tired with a headache.

7:30 ate breakfast

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  Still tired

8:30, took 100 mg magnesium 

10:00 trying to take a nap unable to sleep, tired still have headache 

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch

12:30 100 mg magnesium

1:00 had a 10 minute nap

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan still have headache

5:30 went out to dinner still have headache, little bit of brain fog

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and .25 mg Melatonin

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

Low anxiety all day, but tired and brain fog most of the day.  

 

4:30 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 6:30.  About 6 hours sleep.  Woke up tired but low anxiety

7:30 ate breakfast

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium . 

8:30, took 100 mg magnesium 

9:00 went to grocery store, anxiety went up a little, but not too bad.

11:30 ate lunch Feeling tired, brain fog

12:00 1mg Valium, went for a short walk.

12:30 100 mg magnesium

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan still tired brain fog a little bit

6:00 ate dinner

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and .25 mg Melatonin

[Rezten]

On 11/21/2018 at 8:13 PM, Gridley said:

Let's try .25mg for a couple of nights.  See how that does.  Then up if necessary to .5mg and see how that does.  Update us

Hi Gridley,

 

I think I am going to increase my melatonin to .5 mg.  My sleep hasn't improved, I can't tell if it's gotten worse as it has no been good for a while now anyway.  The more tired I am I seem to have more brain fog, and like my head feels numb and heavy.  I usually have some brain sensation but past few days seem worse and I wake up pretty tired because mysleep isn't deep.  Not sure if this is just a wave I'm in or what.  Last week it wasn't as bad.  My symptoms go up and down. 

 

 

[Gridley]

.5 is fine.  Good luck with it.  

[Rezten]

Today's update

 I am going to try 500 mg Taurine and increasing melatonin to .5 mg to see if that helps with my sleep

 

2:30 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 6:30.  About 6 hours sleep.  Woke up tired, brain fog, head felt heavy and numb.  I think it's worse because I don't sleep well.

7:30 ate breakfast

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  

8:30, took 100 mg magnesium still brain fog

10:00 went to church

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch

12:30 100 mg magnesium still have brain fog

5:15 took .5 mg Ativan, forgot to take it at 4:00

5:30 ate dinner brain fog not as bad

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:00 500 mg Taurine

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and ..5 mg Melatonin

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

 

3:30 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 7:30.  About 6.5 hours sleep.  Woke up tired, brain fog, head felt heavy and numb. 

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  

8:30, ate break, took 100 mg magnesium still brain fog

11:30 a lot less brain fog

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch

12:30 100 mg magnesium 

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan

5:30 ate dinner 

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:00 500 mg Taurine

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and ..5 mg Melatonin

[Rezten]

Today's update

 the taurine and increase of melatonin so far has not improved my sleep.  I guess it is what it is until I stabilize more. My anxiety has been a lot less.

 

3:30 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 6:30.  About 6 hours sleep.  Woke up tired, brain fog

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  

8:30, took 100 mg magnesium still brain fog

9:30 went to bible study

12:00 1mg Valium, 

1:00 ate lunch 

1:30 100 mg magnesium still have brain fog

2:00 headache.  Tried some ginger tea, not much relief

4:00took .5 mg Ativan

5:30 ate dinner, still brain fog and headache 

7:00 update SA page, and took 400 mg ibuprofen 

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:00 500 mg Taurine

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and .5 mg Melatonin

[Rezten]

Today's update

 

 

2:00 a.m. woke up slept on and off until 7:30.  About 7 hours sleep.  Woke up tired, brain fog,

8:00 took 1.5 mg Valium .  

8:30, ate breakfast took 100 mg magnesium still brain fog, mild anxiety

11:00 went for a walk

12:00 1mg Valium, ate lunch

12:30 100 mg magnesium still have brain fog, headache

1:30 took 1 hour nap.  Headache subsided, less brain fog, anxiety mild to moderate

4:00 took .5 mg Ativan, forgot to take it at 4:00

6:00 ate dinner brain fog not as bad, still moderate anxiety

7:00 update SA page,

8:00 .5 mg Ativan

9:00 500 mg Taurine

9:30 will take 67.5 mg Trazadone and .5 mg Melatonin

[Rezten]

@Gridley   In the past week my anxiety has subsided considerably, thank God.  However, brain fog/dysfunction has gotten worse especially if I don't sleep well.  I have had brain fog for the most part during most of my withdrawal from Effexor in march.  I don't know if this is part of my Effexor withdrawal wave pattern or from Trazadone reduction.  What are your thoughts on this.  I was planning on reducing Trazadone again by 10% on December 11th but not sure what to do.

 

Thanks

[Gridley]

1 hour ago, Rezten said:

I was planning on reducing Trazadone again by 10% on December 11th but not sure what to do.

 

 

Do you feel that you are stabilized?  Stabilized does not mean you have no WD symptoms but they are more or less the same day-to-day without wild swings.  This is a subjective judgment call on your part.  

 

The fact that you went off the statin in November makes me lean toward being cautious and, assuming you're not having any problems with the Trazodone, holding an extra month on your current dose and putting off the the 10% drop until January. If you are stabilized, it could be that you would be fine tapering in December, but I like to err on the side of caution.

[Rezten]

7 minutes ago, Gridley said:

The fact that you went off the statin in November makes me lean toward being cautious

I wasn't on it very long, do you think it could have that much of an effect how I feel now?   I don't know much how statins work.  

 

In the past month I have finally been able to get out of bed and do more things outside of the house.  I was spending my day in bed all day/night and was agoraphobic .  That has recently improved tremendously which encourages me to want to continue the taper. The brain dysfunction however makes me wonder, my symptoms are the same day to day, some days better than others, but no major swings at this point.     I want to be cautious too but also want off these drugs. It's difficult for me to discern what is best.  Maybe I'll see how I feel towards the end of next week and make my decision.

[Gridley]

It's hard to say how much effect going off the statins has had.  It's just another element I was trying to take into account.

 

It does sound as if you have stabilized, which is very good.  I think your idea about waiting until the end of next week to make your decision is a good one.

[Rezten]

6 minutes ago, Gridley said:

I think your idea about waiting until the end of next week to make your decision is a good one

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.