Rachellynn: Prozac & Remeron support :)

[ChessieCat]

If it was me I'd be trying lots of other non drug ways to increase the nutrients.

 

juicing

 

feeling-better-green-smoothies

[Rachellynn]

Yes! I’m making celery juice and potassium broth, I’m also following an Ayurvedic diet and just ordered beef organ meat supplement - got RAVE reviews.

[Rachellynn]

Welp. I guess I’m going up in my Anti-Depressants. I was too young when i got on them, i can’t function without them. This is my life i guess. 

[ChessieCat]

It you do make changes, I suggest you only make small ones, and only one at a time.  And also keep daily symptom notes on paper so you can see how the change is affecting you:

 

Example:

 

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Stomach is upset
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Feel a bit better
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Feeling dizzy
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke but got back to sleep

[Rachellynn]

Is 7.5mg up small? My symptoms get so much worse on my period and i get a bit suicidal and i slept for zero minutes last night. How could anyone do this to us? 

 

Thank you for responding. 

[ChessieCat]

It would appear that you drug signature is not current.  Please update it with the dates and doses of all changes since March 2018 so that we can see it at a glance and not have to read through your posts to get the information.  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[Rachellynn]

I haven’t made any changes yet

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, Rachellynn said:

Is 7.5mg up small?

 

So what are you meaning with this question?

 

If you started on 15mg Remeron and are now down to 7.5mg then you have reduced your drug by 50%.  You might find that doing a micro taper might work better for you to get off the drug.  However, there is nothing wrong with staying on it if that is what you want to do.  But that is a decision that only you can make.  The good thing is that you've reduced your drug burden.  However, psychiatric drugs can actually cause issues.  Check out the book by Dr Peter Breggin Your Drug May Be Your Problem.

 

And it's been Christmas time and other members' symptoms have ramped up with the added stress.

 

Apart from the lead up to Christmas, this can be from eating too much or eating fatty/sugary food.  Drinking more coffee and/or caffeine drinks that usual.  Alcohol?  Staying up later.  Doing more things.  Getting overstimulated.

[ChessieCat]

3 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

It you do make changes, I suggest you only make small ones, and only one at a time.

 

For your information, ie this is not a suggestion for you to increase.

 

Going from 7.5mg to 15mg is a 50% increase and would be way too much.  When we talk about small increases here at SA it depends on the drug (and the dose) you are taking, because some are stronger than others.  So by small we might mean anywhere between 0.25mg (or even 0.125mg or possibly even less) to 1mg depending on the drug and the dose a member is currently taking.  The lower the dose you can stabilise on the better and the less you have to taper off.  At SA we think in terms of "lowest effective dose" not "therapeutic dose" which an arbitrary term (based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system) which the pharmaceutical companies use.

[Rachellynn]

I see what you mean, I’m still getting used to this because I’ve always been told withdrawal doesn’t exist. And Dr’s don’t really understand why I’ve been on 7.5mg for so long because “it’s not at all therapeutic” - anyhow, i was doing fine but then a physical therapist dug into my neck and it hurt so bad i went into shock, that happened two more times in a row so my nervous system was in bad shape. All my old withdrawal symptoms starting coming back along with malabsorption. They only thing that helped was 15mg remeron. I didn’t want to take it but feared for my life as i dropped nearly 30 pounds. I gained it all back, i desperately want to be off the drugs but I’m just not sure i will have any quality to my life. I mean, we will see. 

 

If if i go up by .125mg do i have to make a liquid at home? I’ve never done that before. I’m not sure that would help my hypersensitivity. But yeah, that’s what i need to protect myself from. 

 

I feel like such an alien sometimes, i have never ever physically spoken to anyone who’s ever believed me or u detatoof what I’m going thru. Thank you! 

[ChessieCat]

I can tell you for a fact that withdrawal is a real thing.

 

I reduced my Pristiq 100mg to 50mg and for 2 weeks I experienced extreme cog fog and even walking took my full concentration.  At the end of the 2 weeks I was unable to type.  I've been a professional typist for 40+ years so I knew that something was really wrong when this happened.  And I had a benchmark.  Thankfully I had found and joined SA a few days before I couldn't type and they suggested increasing my dose.  When I couldn't type I took extra Pristiq and after only about 4 hours I was able to type again and the cog fog was clearing.  I know for a fact that it was due to the drug.  After stabilising I've been tapering following SA's protocol and I'm now down to 5mg and only experience mild withdrawal symptoms.

 

Are you thinking of increasing your dose?  If so, why?  When was the last time you felt reasonable (since being on 7.5mg)?  Have the symptoms been up and down (ie you've had some better times - ie windows and waves)?

 

If it was me I'd be waiting for at least another 2 weeks to get over the Christmas break which can cause added stress and ramp up symptoms.

 

Do you have children who are home from school?  That is added stress.

[Rachellynn]

I know it’s real now, but it’s just incredible that ZERO Dr’s believe in it. 

 

Ive been worse again for about two months. Ever since that shock to my system. I was sleeping like a baby. Pretty sure i have low blood volume due to all this. I was stable but after physical therapy shocking my system and then two more vagal reactions my nerves are fried and I’m not sleeping. Christmas actually was a decent day but I’ve been having histamine reactions again - i was clear of those for the last at least six months. Now I’m suffering, a bit suicidal 

[Rachellynn]

When i was first “sick” the stupid psychiatrist started me on 15mg and when i didn’t get better fast enough - though i was strong enough to go back to work on 15mg - he increased to 30mg and then 45mg - MORE MORE MORE. I think i would have been stable had i not gone through all that updosing. I got WAY WORSE at a high dose - the “therapeutic” dose. So at that point i stopped them and fell down the rabbit hole suffering for about a year until going back on 15mg - that’s when i really started to heal. Now I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole at 7.5mg after nervous system shocks. I wish i never went down to 7.5 tbh. But it is what it is. Best dose of remeron for me is 15mg but not sure it would have the same effect again. I’d like to increase slowly - i was told that remeron (at low doses) works on histamine receptors more than anything else which is helpful for me because i have so many allergy symptoms. Ugh. 

[ChessieCat]

6 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

When was the last time you felt reasonable (since being on 7.5mg)?

 

Have the symptoms been up and down (ie you've had some better times - ie windows and waves)?

 

 

Please answer these questions.

[Rachellynn]

Mid October - the day the physical therapist caused a nervous system reaction for me. My body started to correct but then got shocked again, twice. 

 

Ive has clear moments but mostly it’s been  pretty bad. Fatigue, little sleep, histamine reactions, dryness and dehydration, dispair and desperation. Etc... 

[Rachellynn]

So basically yes, the symptoms have been up and down....

[Rachellynn]

I’m thinking that perhaps i have CFS. Has anyone been diagnosed with CFS after discontinuing an AD? I could have had it before and not known it. I’m so confused now. 

[ChessieCat]

There are many existing topics on this site.  I like to use google and add survivingantidepressants.org

 

Searching for survivingantidepressants.org CFS easily found this topic:

 

chronic-fatigue-syndrome-me-cfs

[Rachellynn]

I’m so sorry! I haven’t slept in two days!! Wow - someone said Anti-Depressants are potent Anti-oxidants?!?!😱😱😱

[Carmie]

 

5 hours ago, Rachellynn said:

I’m thinking that perhaps i have CFS. Has anyone been diagnosed with CFS after discontinuing an AD? I could have had it before and not known it. I’m so confused now. 

 

Hi Rachellyn, 

 

Just wanted to let you know that I have a CFS, but I had it before I was on meds. Someone was saying today that they got CFS from starting the meds. 

 

CFS is a CNS illness. Medication and withdrawals also affect the CNS. You would definitely know if you had CFS. I don’t even know how to explain it, it’s kind of like trying to explain withdrawals to people. Unless you have CFS or are going through withdrawals you have no idea what it’s like. You can’t put it into words, it’s something someone has to experience.

 

I’m really sorry you’re struggling so much too. We will recover from these dreaded withdrawals one day. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rachellynn]

Oh hi! Thank you for reaching out!! How do you sleep?! I can’t sleep on my period at all - i believe due to low blood volume already. 

 

I know...it’s hard to explain. The worst is not being able to sleep when i desperately need it and also the asthma i developed - again i believe due to low blood volume! 

 

Thanks ahain for the support. Hugs to you!!

[Rachellynn]

Hi there. I feel like i keep asking questions and then am told to answer more questions before my questions can be answered and then i answer the questions sometimes twice and then crickets. 

 

I am reacting to loud sounds, bright lights, every emotional trigger, etc... i slept the other night for 10 hours straight which is unusual for me and then i felt worse - now not sleeping again. Am also feeling like I’ve got fluid retention in my head - glymphatic system? I tried 15mg of remeron the night before last and slept 12 hours straight but again felt worse with more sleep. Last night i took my usual 7.5mg and slept for 2 hours. I am so out of touch with reality and starting to not digest my food again (burning through food very fast) and just lost as to what i am supposed to do. 

[ChessieCat]

11 hours ago, Rachellynn said:

I am reacting to loud sounds, bright lights

 

increased-sensitivity-to-light-noise-sound-exercise-etc

 

11 hours ago, Rachellynn said:

starting to not digest my food again (burning through food very fast)

 

You may need to start having snacks between meals. 

 

insatiable-hunger

 

[Rachellynn]

Thank you❤️❤️❤️

[Rachellynn]

Interesting...this is from the CFS/ME website. 

[Carmie]

On 12/29/2018 at 1:08 AM, Rachellynn said:

Oh hi! Thank you for reaching out!! How do you sleep?! I can’t sleep on my period at all - i believe due to low blood volume already. 

 

I know...it’s hard to explain. The worst is not being able to sleep when i desperately need it and also the asthma i developed - again i believe due to low blood volume! 

 

Thanks ahain for the support. Hugs to you!!

 

Hi Rachellyn, 

 

I sleep okay at the moment as the Seroquel I’m tapering off puts me to sleep. I will eventually get rebound insomnia and then it will be hard, but it’s one day at a time. I remember when I missed a dose one night I didn’t sleep at all. 

 

How are you with dizziness? I’m faint most of the time, it’s not withdrawals, it’s the CFS. Sometimes when I’ve taken my blood pressure it’s been 60/80. 

 

How are you doing? Sending more hugs🤗

[Rachellynn]

I have that same thing. I have POTS pretty significantly though drinking Drip Drop helps. Staying very hydrated, upping salt and potassium intake in my diet. But standing for long periods is pretty uncomfortable for me. I’ve been researching CFS and did you know that SSRI’s are considered to be an anti-inflammatory? Were you ever on an SSRI? I’m so confused weather i had CFS all along and the Prozac helped or did going off Prozac cause rebound CFS? Ugh.

 

stress also causes inflammation but inflammation causes stress - chicken or the egg?! and I’m beginning to suspect that CFS is due to inflammation - especially Nueroinflammation! 

 

Stanford has just invited me to participate in CFS research so we will see what that entails!

 

I had to up my remeron from 7.5mg to 10mg to sleep. Can’t heal without sleep. My hope is that I’ll be able to do mild yoga again as it is particularly helpful for me!

 

thanks for reaching out again, it’s always nice feeling less alone! Big hugs❤️

[Rachellynn]

Confused at what to do...my remeron pooped out on me. I’m not sleeping at all. The last three months have been brutal. Once in a while i will sleep anywhere from 6-10 hrs but most nights I’m getting between 1-4 hrs of sleep with some nights of zero hours. 

 

My Dr. gave me a micro dose of Prozac which breaks my heart to do...I’ve been taking 2mg and then upped to 4mg the last two nights and slept zero. I’ve been taking it for about 1.5 weeks. Not sure weather to abandon that idea or not. Also obviously I’ll have to tapervthe remeron since it’s not working anymore. 

 

My Dr.s think i have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - not sure how to differentiate what I’m going through vs. protracted withdrawal from Prozac and now remeron mixed in the game. 

 

Any advice?

[Rachellynn]

Hello all. I’m not sure where to post because when i start a new topic, i guess I’m not supposed to. Anyhow. I’m working on brain retraining and meditation but I’m sleeping only 1-2 hours per night. My sleep has been horrible the last three months. 

 

Im on 7.5mg remeron, i tried going up and that didn’t work so i just stick with 7.5mg. I drink chamomile tea and just lay in bed with soothing music on, i do relax but i cannot sleep. I’m getting extremely desperate, so are my friends and family - and my dr. - they want me to go on trazadone now for sleep. I’m stuck, I’m exhausted and i have no one to talk me out of it. But I’m in groundhogs day and my skin is starting to burn from lack of sleep - any advice or kindness my way would be much appreciated 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[savinggrace]

1 hour ago, Rachellynn said:

I’m stuck too. I’m on 7.5 remeron for sleep and my friends/family/Dr.s are urging me to go back on Prozac after i CT in 2015 - they told me there was no withdrawal - how dumb am I?!?! The remeron stopped working and i sleep maybe 2 hours per night. I thought i was healing but any stress at all is a setback and in life you can’t avoid stress. I guess i have to ride this out. It’s my birthday and I’m really discouraged today...

 

 

Aw, Rachellyn...Happy Birthday.  I am so sorry you can't feel good enough to celebrate.  Mostly holidays and special days are just regular days that I ride out for me any more so I know how you feel.  I have been on remeron for 16 years.  I can't imagine what will happen when I try (of if I ever get to try) to taper it.  I know I am just dependent on it.  My sleep is still horrendous.  I still look at your withdrawal history and can see clearly you really made so much progress from where you were in 2014.  At least you are doing your body less harm: the toxic load is less.  Your brain just doesn't to accept it.  Cutting half your remeron in 6 months was a lot.  Many say it is very hard to come off of.  Try to look at how much you have cut.  Don''t let anyone convince you to C/T  again or taper too fast.  In your gut, you know the truth.  Your brain just needs more time.

 

Again, happy birthday.  Did you ever get to a function psychiatrist?  I have been reading about niacin/niacinamide lately...apparently it helps many.  There were some postings here back in 2011 about it, but B vitamins always stimulate me.  Niacin is supposed to be different.  Down-regulates glutamate which is an excitatory neuro-transmitter.  I am reluctant to try anything though.  I can't even take fish oil or magnesium glycinate.

 

Grace

 

 

Edited February 9, 2019 by ChessieCat
added quote to post moved from another topic

[Rachellynn]

I guess if i was on heroin but got sick trying to go off it my friends would be like - it’s your fault you’re sick - doing heroin dummy. Stop using it!!! You should feel sick, blah blah. 

 

Bevause AD’s are accepted - they say, you’re nuts - you just need the drugs. It’s not the drugs, it’s you!! What’s wrong with this picture? The only reason for my debilitating anxiety and ills are due to this drug. Sad news. 

[Rachellynn]

It’s my birthday and i just really was hoping someone would respond to me. I’m scared and alone in this. I was doing better last year but as we know - i went on remeron not knowing i was suffering withdrawals. It stopped working, Not sleeping. So stressed. Need some support. 

[Rachellynn]

Oh thank you SO MUCH!!!!

 

i can’t afford a functional psychiatrist yet sadly. Sometime! Lol. 

 

My friends ND’s don’t want me to CT - they want me on Prozac again:/ 

 

i have heard of niacin!! Very interesting! I can’t stand most b-vitamins either!! Very activating. I have l-theanine in smallest dose. I’m a little nervous but it has mild effects. 

 

Going to try chamomile tea, lemon balm and Holy Basil capsules tonight for sleep. I def. need Gaba but don’t want to try taking it. Maybe if niacin downrwgulates glutamate - it will upregulate gaba?! 

 

Will you be be my friend on here? I feel so lonely. ThNk you❤️❤️❤️

[thecowisback]

happy birthday - i'm sorry you're not feeling better on your special day. hang on in there xxxxx

[Aquarius]

Happy Birthday!! ....im on Mirtazapine after being 10months off Sertraline....unfortunately we get ourselves worked up when something isnt going right and make matters worse ..the more you try to sleep the worse it is i see you do a few things have you tried epsom salt bath or spraying lavender on your pillow..try having no tele phone or tablet 2 hours before going to bed maybe just have a bath and read nothing too stimulating and definitely no alcohol caffeine or sugar...

[Rachellynn]

I’m just worried that my brain is broken. I’ve never been off antidepressants and been well since i was 17. I’m 37. I just don’t know. My life. I’m worried.