Dejavu: can anyone tell me what's going on?

[Lloyd]

36 minutes ago, Dejavu said:

Question for all the benzo taperers here: has anyone completely withdrawn from benzos more than once? What was your experience? Did you find it more difficult the second time? I successfully tapered klonopin in 2017 with very few problems, but thinking about reinstating a tiny as-needed dose until I stabilize on my AD reinstatement and I'm afraid of kindling. I swore I'd never touch another benzo, and I really don't want to, but may not have much choice. If I can't get a handle on this chemical anxiety, I can't get back to work. I'm self employed, and I'm watching my financial world go up in flames at the moment.

 

Also curious if anyone has attempted a prozac bridge or added low dose lamictal? Interested in as many opinions as I can get. Thanks!

 

Cant say for benzos BUT i have withdrawn from Effexor twice. First time i managed to get off it for a year and a half but decided to go back on because of lingering brain fog and irritability problems. Stayed on for 6ish months then came off it again with far worse withdrawal symptoms than the first time around.

[Dejavu]

Sooo...went to the new pdoc today. Is there a list someone's keeping on the most absurd doctor statements ever? If so, here's one for that list: "Cold turkey from Zoloft causes zero withdrawal symptoms from a dose lower than 100mg." She said that. I swear. And of course, the usual claptrap about it being the "return" of my anxiety (I guess she means the anxiety I never had before this odyssey began). She also seems to have an overly strict and punitive office policy (any perceived infraction, such as being over 7 minutes late more than twice in 6 months, could result in "patient termination" - the paperwork mentions those words six separate times). Lets see...Doctor who doesn't believe in CT withdrawal + doctor who remedies all conflict via patient termination = high possibility of extreme patient suffering due to forced CT at some point. Yeah, no thanks.

 

I'm still holding at 25mg and waiting to stabilize. But I've tried to updose, and while it relieved the physical symptoms, my anxiety ramped up to almost intolerable levels. However, I've found that a small dose of hydroxyzine - 12.5 or 6.25 mg - actually works for my anxiety. My PCP rx'd it as needed for sleep at 25 mg. So here's my plan:

 

I will see my PCP and once again appeal to her to continue to follow me for this. In the past, my talk of liquid titration freaked her out and she wanted me to see a pdoc. So I intend to tell her that I've found I feel best at 37.5mg - a complete fabrication, but hopefully one that will put her mind at ease and keep her writing the scripts for zoloft (with extra pills for updose) and hydroxyzine. I don't love the idea of taking the antihistamine, but I see it as a stopgap measure - only if non-drug techniques fail - to keep the anxiety down while I stabilize on the updose.

 

It's such a shame that I'm forced to lie. After everything else this rat poison has cost me, now it takes my honesty too. These drugs just keep taking and taking. When have they taken enough from us??? This is not who I ever wanted to be, or ever thought I was. I feel weak and terrified, and ashamed of my weakness and terror. 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Dejavu,

We do have a thread you might enjoy.  It's in off topic:  The worst of doctors thread......statements that defy belief

I'll send your antidote there.  I'm so sorry the psychiatrist was so condescending. 

 

It appears that you  updosed once already all the way up to 37.5 mg of Zoloft, and then returned to the 25 mg dose a couple of months ago. 

Has that helped at all?  A bad doctor experience can certainly be upsetting.

 

So you are just wanting to get more liquid Zoloft then to continue at the 25 mg dose from your PCP?

 

You may not need to lie to your PCP......just say the liquid Zoloft is working great and you would like to continue with it.

I'm a bit confused.  Are you thinking of updosing the Zoloft again? 

It might be easier on your sensitized nervous system to stick with the same formulation of Zoloft now.  As well as the present dose.  I'll flag your post though so the mods that have been working with you see it.

 

Here's one thread discussion, we have going on using hydroxyzine and other antihistamines for withdrawal insomnia and then more starting here, with this comment on using Atarax(hydroxyzine) for fear, terror, panic, and anxiety

You might want to check for interactions as well between Zoloft and hydroxyzine at drugs.com

 

I'd vote no, right off the bat, as far as you considering using a benzo again.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

 

[Dejavu]

Hi @manymoretodays, and thank you so much for your response.

 

I know my post was a little confusing. I initially reinstated at 25mg last November from a 3 week "taper" off 50mg in September. Felt fantastic for a month, then the bottom dropped out. Since then, my worst symptoms are anxiety, depression, muscle weakness/tremor, and in the past month, extreme dizziness, visual distortion, and some depersonalization. These last three are very troublesome and frightening, as they keep me from driving or working. So I've twice tried an updose of 5%. Each time, the next day my physical symptoms are very much improved, but by the 3rd day, I experience a huge uptick in anxiety and deep depression. Both times, I've gone back to 25mg. and the physical symptoms, of course, return. I am hoping the hydroxyzine can help me keep the anxiety at bay so I can updose a few milligrams and stabilize. I certainly don't want to updose to 37.5 if I don't have to. It's just a ruse to get my pcp to rx 60 of the 25mg tablets to make an updose possible, since any updose over 25mg will require 2 tablets per day.

 

I'm making my own liquid, since my insurance doesn't cover liquid zoloft and I can't afford it out of pocket. 

 

I've already checked for jnteractions and its just the usual "may intensify drowsiness" warning. I intend to use it sparingly and temporarily, just to quell the anxiety uptick I get when I updose. And this time instead of 5% I'm thinking more like 2.5%. 

 

I absolutely agree that I never want to take a benzo again. There have been moments though, in the last 3 months, that I'm glad I no longer have any in the house, because my anxiety has been so bad at times that I'm afraid I might have given in. 

[manymoretodays]

Ha, I know the feeling......as far as thinking there must be a medicine for this thing.  For me.......I'm post zero all medications 2+ years.  And it was only recently that I once again felt like I hit some kind of wall.  I'm doing better now.......after a couple of months of searching and woah, some depression and fear of my future.  And wondering why I was doing this or that now.  Real normal reactions though.  Maybe it's been seasonal for me this year, this winter.  I've been, frankly, jealous of everyone on medications.  So many are.....I mean, on the ground level and are still ardent worshippers of the medical pharmacological mental health model.

 

A lot of dejavu to it though.......Lol.........as what I think is happening is that I AM, indeed, back where I was before I even touched my first psych drug.  And now I get to really do the work......the non-drug coping and learning to live life how I am, back at my factory settings.  I like my "weird"......lol......I do.

 

When I got here........I thought oh, good a couple of weeks, a couple of months and this acute W/D will be over.  I was dismayed yet glad to hear the reality from others.  It can take some time.  Take it easy for a bit.  Some of the pressure is neuroemotions hitting too.......you feel like you have to hurry up and get there.  Not the case.

 

What you learn and practice while tapering and having W/D should benefit you the rest of your life.  So keep practicing new coping skills.

 

I see you are on some magnesium.  Have you considered some of the omega 3's, fish oil?

 

Try and get some sleep.  Sounds like you suffered insult at the hands of that psychiatrist.  We get it.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

[Dejavu]

My situation is a little different than many. Ive only been on this poison for a couple of years. I lived 56 years without psych meds of any kind. Had one panic attack due to situational issues. I'd never had a panic attack before and thought I was having a heart attack or stroke, so hubby took me to ER. There, they gave me 90 ativan to take 3x a day for a month. That was the sum total of my instruction. So of course, when the benzos were gone I went into withdrawal. I was reinstated on klonopin and put on zoloft by the pdoc I saw to "help" me get off benzos. I never experienced any therapeutic effect of zoloft - just side effects that at the time I attributed to benzo withdrawal. It was only after the benzo taper and jump that I realized my actual problem had been the zoloft all along. Pdoc said I could taper zoloft for 2 weeks and then just walk off. Of course, we all know how that turns out! And so here I am - stuck.

 

I just want some semblance of my life back. I don't mind a long slow taper. I don't even mind some symptoms and lousy days on the way down. I know that "comes with the dinner," so to speak. But this instability and constant equilibrium and visual problems all day, every single day, make it impossible to function, and fuel my anxiety. 

 

With regard to fish oil, I was taking it but read the DHA causes high LDL cholesterol. Mine was scary high last month and my pcp is nagging me to start a statin, which I refuse to do. So I have to get it down, hence, no fish oil for me at present. 

[RachelSusan]

12 hours ago, Dejavu said:

This is not who I ever wanted to be, or ever thought I was. I feel weak and terrified, and ashamed of my weakness and terror. 

Actually I see you completely opposite as you described. I see you as brilliant, logical and brave.  You have a game plan, and you have knowledge. And yes you might be terrified, aren't we all?  But in spite of your terror you are implementing your plan.  Wow!

[Dejavu]

@RachelSusan, thank you for the very kind support. It's so hard to feel strong when you don't even recognize yourself anymore. And it's hard to keep believing you're on the right path when most people can never understand what's happening to you, and the professionals you go to for help don't believe you. It causes me to doubt any and everything. Is there really any way out of this for me?? I don't know anymore.

[direstraits]

27 minutes ago, Dejavu said:

. It's so hard to feel strong when you don't even recognize yourself anymore

wow,do I relate to this...so sorry.

this condition is beyond comprehension.

wishing you strength and healing,ds

[Altostrata]

16 hours ago, Dejavu said:

I'm still holding at 25mg and waiting to stabilize. But I've tried to updose, and while it relieved the physical symptoms, my anxiety ramped up to almost intolerable levels. However, I've found that a small dose of hydroxyzine - 12.5 or 6.25 mg - actually works for my anxiety.

 

Hi, Dejavu. The updose (to 37.5mg?) improved some symptoms but was too activating?

 

Side effects such as anxiety are dosage-related. That indicates that somewhere above 25mg, but below 37.5mg, might be the right dose for you. There are infinite levels of dosing between 25mg and 37.5mg. Since you're making a liquid, you have a lot of flexibility. How about this:

 

On 2/3/2019 at 2:28 PM, Altostrata said:

 

How about trying 25.5mg first? Please let us know how you're doing with those daily notes.

 

Updosing might not be right for you now.

 

Believe it or not, a tiny bit more might be the right amount. If it looks promising after observation for a week, you can creep it up to 26mg. And so forth, until you find the sweet spot where you feel the benefits but don't have the adverse effects.

[Dejavu]

@Altostrata, thank you so much for responding. I am ever in awe of this site and all the mods and members here - so few doing so much for so many. Without the guidance, suggestions and encouragement I get here, I would no doubt be hospitalized, polydrugged or worse by now.

 

I did updose to 37.5 for a day at the beginning (I'd actually forgotten about that until @manymoretodays mentioned it - another advantage of this site. That was early on and I was in a highly panicked state. The anxiety became brutal in a matter of an hour and I chickened out. Since then, I have tried a small 5% updose last week. It improved the physical symptoms in a matter of hours, but heightened the anxiety after 3 days. I'm not sure whether it was just a regular wave, or a result of the updose, but in any event, I chickened out again. This is not like me - I'm not usually such a coward. 

 

See what you think of my new plan: I have 25mg hydroxyzine which I have been rotating with ibuprofen, tylenol, and benadryl for sleep. I took a test dose of 12.5 mg in the daytime yesterday and it worked well on my anxiety. So I am now thinking about an even smaller updose - 2.5% - knowing that I can use hydroxyzine sparingly (and higher doses of magnesium) for anxiety upticks. I'm hoping a more gradual updose will be kinder to my CNS.

 

I understand the risks of taking hydroxyzine too often (less efficacy and potential for paradoxical reaction), but its the safest option I have. I absolutely refuse to put another benzo in my system ever again if I can possibly avoid it. 

 

I'm interested in your suggestion and opinion. I'm thinking about starting this evening. 

 

Thank you again for everything. I look forward to the day I'm in a position to help others.

[Altostrata]

An increase from 25mg to 25.5mg Zoloft would be a 2% updose. To keep it simple, I'd give that a try. Please keep notes.

[Dejavu]

That makes sense. Starting tonight. Fingers crossed.

 

I am religiously keeping daily notes. Will post them anytime they are requested. 

 

I kept notes during my benzo taper too. A few months after I jumped, I didn't want to revisit that part of my life and foolishly threw them away. If only I hadn't, I would have figured out my problem had been at least 75% zoloft all along. I won't make that mistake again.

[RachelSusan]

9 hours ago, Dejavu said:

and the professionals you go to for help don't believe you. It causes me to doubt any and everything. Is there really any way out of this for me?? I don't know anymore.

Dejavu,

I've been where you have been. There were days I laid on the floor, unable to get up because the room was spinning so badly, I was shaking so much that I couldn't hold a pen to write with. I had a lot of the symptoms you had. I am now well on my way to recovery.  I am stable and leading a fairly normal life.  Yes I said fairly. I am still tapering and I still get symptoms now and again but overall life is good again.  I  tell you this because I want you to know recovery does exist.   And yes I too went through h*ll with the so called professionals. I understand the feeling of doubting yourself, and doubting everything else.  But  you need not doubt. Trust yourself and listen to your body.  You have the best of the best helping you here, you will get through this, you will survive, you will recover.  Warm wishes to you.

[Carmie]

Hi Dejavu, 

 

How have you been doing?💚

[Dejavu]

Hi @Carmie, thanks for checking on me. Overall, I think I am improving. I updosed from 25mg to 25.5 mg last week, and it seems to have helped quite a bit. Anxiety is reduced. Dizziness and visual disturbance is greatly improved but still hanging on. I've noticed that I start feeling bad from about 6pm until 10pm (when I dose). To me, all this indicates that the current updose is not quite enough, so I'm preparing to do another .5 mg updose this weekend. 

 

Also, thank you @RachelSusan, for your kind message of encouragement. I was in a very bad way that day and unable to even respond, but I really needed that and it meant the world to me. Thanks again.

[Carmie]

So glad to hear you’re doing a bit better Dejavu💚

[RachelSusan]

You are welcome. I am glad to hear you are feeling a bit better.

RS

[Dejavu]

Just an update, since its been awhile.

 

I am hopeful that I am close to stabilizing. I have updosed twice, 2.5% each time, two weeks apart. Both times seemed to help. I intend to hold for another month and if I'm still not stable, I might do another 2.5% updose. I'm now at 26.25mg of liquid zoloft daily.

 

Overall, I'm much better than a couple of months ago. I no longer need any sleep aids other than 2mg of melatonin - no hydroxyzine, ibuprofen or benadryl. The past two weeks I have slept straight through the night. If I wake up to use the bathroom I find I can go right back to sleep. Morning anxiety took a vacation, but unfortunately returned for the past two days and hangs around longer (although I think it's largely due to a situational stressor). Inner tremor is gone. Dizziness has greatly decreased but came rushing back this afternoon - extremely disheartening. Weakness and tremor only happen in the mornings now and fade to almost zero by midday. Muscle soreness and brain fog still come and go. Depression is still around too - I have crying spells two or three times a day, but did have one day without crying at all. Vision distortion - things looking tilted or just not right - seems to have gone, which is a huge relief. But my left eye was still extremely blurry. Turns out this was not a wd symptom.

 

Last week my vision got very bad and my eyes were bloodshot and light sensitive. I went to my eye doctor, and learned I have dried out my corneas from overwearing my contacts. When my mother was ill, I didn't have time to get an eye exam and wore the same pair of extended lenses for a year, including overnight - not smart. My doc put me on a treatment regimen that includes a steroid ointment, which I believe is stimulating for me, but I have little choice at this time. For the past week, I have lived in fear that I have done permanent damage to my vision, which was a distinct possibility. I think that fear, plus the steroid, is why the morning anxiety has reappeared. But thankfully I have now begun to see modest improvement in my vision. The doctor also found the beginning of a cataract which will eventually have to be addressed, so I have a question for the benzo-wise mods: before cataract surgery, they give some kind of benzo. As someone who successfully quit klonopin 2 years ago, will a one-off benzo dose cause me any issues? I have no desire to ever touch another benzo, but the idea of doing eye surgery without sedation is not something I'm in any shape to deal with. Thoughts, anyone?

 

Another possible withdrawal related issue: my eye doc says one reason for my dry eyes is that I am not blinking fully, and am probably opening my eyes during sleep. Since I have never had this issue before, and since I know ADs can effect eye muscles, I am assuming zoloft is the culprit. An internet search states it's more of an issue with tricyclic ADs, but anything is possible with this poison.

 

If anyone can weigh in on the benzo issue Ibwould be very grateful. I hope everyone is well tonight.

 

 

[Dejavu]

Looking for some comfort and reassurance tonight. After a few weeks of improvement and a couple of small updoses, I was feeling like I was close to stabilizing. But I've now been slammed by a nasty wave. I felt it coming on a few days ago with return of dizziness and morning anxiety but I was hoping it was just a passing thing. Apparently not. Lately I've been working more (I have no choice) and added stress of an eye problem and these things have certainly not helped. Today anxiety spikes have been brutal, coming and going all day long. The fact that they have no rational cause is frightening. When the anxiety lets up, the crying starts. I was doing so well...not great but very improved. Now this.

 

Updosing appears to help me, which just breaks my heart. I was really hoping to stabilize on 25 mg, but it appears I'll need more. I just really feel I'm moving in the wrong direction, but my body is telling me otherwise. Has anyone ever had to fully reinstate to their original dose (or higher) in order to stabilize? I fear that's where I'm headed - that I'll just have to get back on and start over. All these months of suffering for nothing. I am beyond exhausted and I sometimes wonder if cold turkey could be much worse than what I'm going through just trying to get stable.  Which is nuts, I know. I'm all over the place with wanting to updose on the one hand and thinking about a CT on the other. It is very unlike me to be this uncertain. I don't even recognize myself at times. Does anyone have any words of wisdom or advice? 

[ChessieCat]

Q:  Are you still taking:  Cortisol Manager (Ashwagandha, L-Theanine and Magnolia Bark) - nightly since Dec 15, 2018?

 

That may be the issue.

 

I'm not sure about your age, but have you consider that it might be related to your monthly cycle.  If you are an older lady it might be related to menopause.  Either way, it might be to do with your female hormones.

 

[Tom37]

You are only 4 months in from reinstatement and it can take a lot longer than that to stabilise. I personally would stay as I am for a while longer and ride out this wave. I actually feel quite good today but still not ‘normal’ so Im expecting waves until I start to feel ‘normal’ during windows so you have to expect them to happen. For most of us it’s definitely not a linear recovery. Definitely do not CT whatever you do. 

 

Take care.

[Dejavu]

@ChessieCat, I'm 58, so both my monthly cycle and menopause are in the rear view.😎

 

I'm still taking the Cortisol Manager nightly. I'm fairly certain its not gone paradoxical on me. I feel measurably calmer and relaxed about 30 minutes after I take it.  This wave started coming on in the middle of the day 3 days ago, and I take the CM at night.

 

I know this sounds odd, but both times I updosed, a part of me hoped it would not help. But both times I gained considerable ground about 2 days later. The last thing I want to do is fully reinstate, but it looks like the writing is on the wall for me. I'm so very disappointed and feeling like I failed.

[Dejavu]

@Tom37, thanks for responding to me. I'm so glad you're feeling as well as you are today. You've also had a rough go of it lately. Like I've said before, we are on a similar trajectory, and it really helps me to hear from you.

 

And thanks for the reminder: I know CT would be a horrible idea, but when withdrawal is going Donkey Kong on my body, and my symptoms are 8 and 9 out of ten, I have to admit I sometimes wonder how much worse a CT could really be. Then I remember that a stupid-slow taper gives the greatest chance of avoiding protracted. 

 

I remember when I was withdrawing from 1 mg klonopin, I made the same mistake of following a doctor's advice, and quit in 4 days. Of course, I crashed wickedly hard. I had to updose all the way to 3 mg before I stabilized and started to taper. That little experience cost me an extra year of tapering, but when I jumped, I literally walked away. Acute lasted about 3 days before it began to improve and I never had another wave. So I do know the importance of careful tapering. I'm just being a bit of a brat tonight, I guess.

 

Thanks again. Sending positive and healing energy to you!

[Dejavu]

For the past 10 days I've been taking a prescription eye drop that contains a steroid.  I've just figured out that's what might have caused this wave, especially the crazy high anxiety of the past 4 days. Unfortunately, I have another week to take it - no choice. But I wanted to share an anxiety hack. It may not work for anyone else but has been very effective for me.

 

Occasional morning anxiety has morphed into daily awakening in near-panic during this wave. I also wake up at around 5am. For the past 2 nights I have been taking 1mg of melatonin when I awaken at 5. I am able to go back to sleep quickly and awaken hours later with no or very little anxiety. So if you suffer from broken sleep and morning anxiety, you might want to give this a try.

[Dejavu]

I took a nap today!! 1.5 hrs and woke up feeling better! Maybe I'm starting to come out of this wave.

 

Has anyone had experience with having to take a steroid during wd? I have a week to go on a prescription eye drop and I think it may be ramping up my anxiety. Is that a possibility?

[Dejavu]

Does anyone know if steroids in the form of eye drops can exascerbate anxiety? I'm still struggling to stabilize on a reinstatement and now I having to take these drops 3x a day for the last 10 days (with six more to go). I thought I was on the verge of a window last week but 2 days into the steroid drops, my anxiety has seriously spiked and has been relentless. I believe I need to updose, but hesitate to do that while I'm in such a bad place with anxiety. I would really welcome all opinions, especially mods. As always, many thanks!

[Tom37]

I wouldn’t have a clue about steroids and anxiety but if people are so sensitised that food can intensify symptoms then wouldn’t be surprised if it does. 

 

Maybe wait till the steroid has finished and then you will know if it’s wd or the steroid causing the extra anxiety. Some people can’t even take a paracetamol without a reaction when in wd. You don’t want to updose if you don’t have to.

[Dejavu]

Thanks Tom, I think you're right. I don't have much choice but to wait. I'm pretty sure I need to updose. So many symptoms coming and going at different times. Only a couple of very short windows in 4 months. I'm not stable and only marginally functional. I'm on the verge of losing clients and income. If I had a regular job I would have been fired months ago.

 

I know oral and injectable steroids can cause agitation even under normal circumstances. I just didn't think a small eye drop would be an issue. Guess I was wrong. 

 

Thanks for responding. I'm having a bit of a struggle right now, and appreciate your weighing in. Enjoy your (hopefully) very long window!!

[Dejavu]

The steroid I'm taking is definitely causing my increased anxiety. Just dosed the steroid, and anxiety noticeably spiked 40 minutes later. Overall uptick started after 4 days on it. Can't wait to stop taking it - 5 days to go - feels like 5 years. I'm only taking it twice a day instead of 3 times. This is definitely shaking up my system while I'm trying so hard to stabilize. This is awful. Near panic level anxiety, shakiness, and once again, unable to work. What am I going to do if I never stabilize? Just go ahead and start my taper and feel this bad all the way down? 

[RachelSusan]

Dejavu,

I have been where you are with the steroids, and had the same reaction.  My system did calm down once I stopped the steroids. I tell you this in the hopes that my experience brings you some reassurance.

[Dejavu]

@RachelSusan, that is very reassuring, thank you so much for responding. I really didn't think a little eye drop would cause a problem, but now I've read that meds administered through the eyes go quickly into the bloodstream. 

 

Thanks again. You've been very kind to me. I hope you're still feeling well and still headed toward zero.

[Altostrata]

Dejavu, I'm sorry I missed your questions. Yes, steroid drops can have those adverse effects. Hang in there.

 

Is there a way to schedule your steroid drops so they don't interfere with your sleep?

 

Are there non-steroid treatments you can use instead?

 

Wearing a sleep mask can help protect your eyes. It might also remind your eyes to stay closed. (Staring at the computer can also cause dry eyes.) I use a lightweight silk mask I like a lot.

 

How are your eyes now?

 

[Dejavu]

Thank you for responding @Altostrata. Yes, I've been skipping the latest dose. But frankly, I'm thinking of abandoning the steroid altogether. I am in a wave just as deep as when I crashed 4 months ago - just when I was beginning to see modest improvements. Very disheartening.

 

My dry eye originated with contact lens overwear. I ran out of extended wear lenses so just kept wearing the pair I had, night and day, for a year. Stupid I know, but my Mother was gravely ill at the time and I had no opportunity to tend to myself. Wasn't even thinking about it. I ended up damaging my corneas and could barely see, thus the steroid. Vision problems do not help my dizziness, that's for sure. But this panic that literally grips me from dawn to dusk showed up about 4 days into the steroid course, and I think I've just had enough.

 

How long after I dc the steroid do you think I can start to re-evaluate where I am withdrawal-wise - i.e., updose, hold or taper? I've done 2 small updoses and am now at 26.88mg. Most recent updose was a few days ago, right before the steroid fiasco, so I really can't say how it's effected me. I just know I feel awful at the moment. Anxiety, depression, dizziness, achy muscles, tingling genitalia, and oddly enough, a burning tongue. 

[Dejavu]

Forgot to add, my eyes are greatly improved. That's why I want to go ahead and dump the steroid 5 days early. Don't think I can deal with another 5 days of this.

[Altostrata]

It sounds like your wave was caused by the steroid. Please ask your ophthalmologist if there is another drug you can use. It could be that glycerin or something will help your corneas heal.

 

Please keep daily notes about your drugs, dosages, and symptoms to track your reaction to the change in the steroid. 

 

I would stay with 26.88mg, it may be fine.