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MissyE: tapering from venlafaxine/Effexor


MissyE

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On 11/1/2019 at 9:01 PM, MissyE said:

Thank you Nelly.  How are you feeling?  It's reassuring that you get it. 

No-one in my life gets it. 

My husband tries his best.  

 

I'm finding it hard to believe that I'll ever feel normal for me again.  I battle not to disolve into self pity, but my world has shrunk so much due to these horrendous chemicals.  It feels like the little confidence I had managed to build has evaporated; all I want to do is sleep.  From complex PTSD in childhood, to this living hell; l feel I'll never be able to move on from my past.  The intrusive thoughts and overwhelm.  Every little thing l do takes all my energy. 

Life is precious.  We deserve to thrive. 

 

I'll never understand how fellow humans (pharmaceutical, medical, psychiatry...) are allowing us to suffer, whatever to their reason.

It's like the emperor's new clothes, with the addition of our suffering.

Except many people continue to (choose to) believe the lie, instead of substantiating it's exposure and taking action.

Hi MissyE

Thank you for your message. I could have written exactly the same. I am having my first major wave. I hope it passes. It’s how others describe it, and the worry that it will set me back. It’s like the black dog has raised his ugly head. I hope it gets better soon for us. Thinking of you x

 

Prescribed Venlafaxine 150mg ..........

 19 Feb 2019 stopped Venlafaxine 150mg cold turkey. 06 March 2019 restarted Ven 125mg. 04 April 2019 9 mini pills. 02 May 2019 8 mini pills. 01July 2019 7 mini pills. 18 Aug 2019 6 mini pills. 24 Sept 2019 5.50 mini pills. 11 October 2019 5 mini pills. 5th May 2020 Reinstated Ven 125 mg XR 9 pills.

9th Nov 2020 Update Started splitting dose to twice per day

02/02/2021 can’t stabilise without symptoms. 
03/02/21 9 mini pills @ 10am 

Updated.... July 2021 108mg, Sept 2021 107mg, 

tapering steps to be updated

current dose 14 July 2023 80mg

23.07.23 75mg half way ! 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

I tapered 5% on Sunday 24th Nov after 9 weeks holding at 237.5mg venlafaxine.

Now on 225mg.  No changes in mood noted.

 

I think l have stayed the same anxiety and anhedonia wise since my last window. I need to keep a proper diary.  I remember how much more anxious l was on the full dose, which prompted me to taper now. I feel like I taper when my inner wisdom guides me.

 

I'm practicing EMDR with my therapist to resource my nurturer, protector and adult wisdom: retraining my brain.  It's incredibly hard work, bombarded by intrusive thoughts, but l know I need non-drug coping strategies and believe what l practice grows stronger. Although l don't manage to remember this as much l need to. 

 

For me bad medicine has exacerbated bad habits, rather then help short term, while l make positive changes and heal.

 

My aim is to remember to stop and let thoughts go without becoming hooked on negativity; and to practice resourcing as much as l can.  It looks so easy written here.  

 

Love and peace to us all 🙏

 

 

 

 

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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I realise l need to keep a diary.  Please can someone direct me to where you got the anxiety scores / symptom diary maybe Errell or Sunny? I tried searching but couldn't find them. 

 

I want to keep in touch more, but am struggling not to fall into negative drain mode.  So l stop myself, for fear of saying the wrong thing, thus exacerbating the anxiety. Fear of judgement.  Fear of fear.  Keeping myself lonely; blocking myself.

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi dear Missy E

 

Don't be afraid of posting here : it is a peer support site, so even if we can't heal you, we can support you 😙

 

My computer is struggling a bit, so I can't post you the model for you Diary. 

But the 'rules' are To post 24hours.

Don't anguish yourself with it : it is just a help. It helps moderators To see if there is a pattern in your symptoms, and it Will help you To see your progress.

 

About scores  : it doesnt matter if your scores are different from mines, if your 6 isnt my 6. 

Scores helps To see patterns, évolutions,...

 

Big hugs 

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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Thank you Erell,  You're right the people on here have only been kind to me.  

 

I read about your meds.  Frightening, I wish l could help.  You've done the right thing.  Remember you are brave and strong and today you have your meds.

 

Do you score 6 as your worst? 

 

Computers can be a pain in the bum.  Hope yours sorts itself out for you! 

X

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
9 minutes ago, MissyE said:

 You're right the people on here have only been kind to me.  

 

Yes SA is a very benevolent place, we are here To support you 😊

 

My scores are from 0 To 10 (I just told you 6 as an example), 0 means happiness, great, and 10 is hell.

However, I never use 10 : I Feel like it would be To awful, as if I was crazy for good 🙃 

Scores really help me To see my progress : one of my symptoms is intrusive thoughts telling that i'm condemned, that I won't improve...

But when I look To my diaries and scores, it is obvious that I Feel better!

And with my diaries, I can have external point of view from other dear survivors, which is always good To remind the big picture.

 

That's why I think diaries can be a great tool 😉

 

 

 

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator Emeritus
2 hours ago, MissyE said:

Please can someone direct me to where you got the anxiety scores

 

I use zero to 5, 5 being the worst, 0 being okay, no real symptoms but not great, sort of WDnormal.  A pretty bad day is a 3, medium bad is a 2, noticeable symptoms but not too bad is a 1. Almost never a 4, never a 5.   I make a special note if it's a window day.  I have separate scores for morning and afternoon. I also keep track of hours of sleep.

 

I use a regular notebook and keep it on the living room table.  My dog Humphrey likes to sleep on it.

 

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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Tues 23rd to Weds 24th Nov

 

12:00 lunch with 3 yr old son 😧 anxiety 6/ despair 5

12:30 D nap time started, 

he was up and down, didn't sleep til 14:00 anxiety 6 / despair 6

12:30 - 15:00 sewing: anxiety 5

15:00 Dad arrived anxiety 6 / despair 6

15:10 collected 6 yr old R from school anxiety 6 /  despair 6

R upset consequence of behaviour unable to go to party

15:20-17:00 tried to talk to Dad, he doesn't listen: anxiety 7 / despair 6 

17:00 Dad played with boys I made tea: anxiety 5 

17:30 Dad left.  Tea time.

17:45 Husband A home: anxiety 4

18:15 A boys bath, I cleaned up kitchen

18:45 played with A and boys: anxiety 4

19:10 story time with R: anxiety 5

19:15 R upset again about party.  My patience wearing out: anxiety 7

19:30 chatted to A about R's behaviour strategies anxiety 7 / despair 6

20:30 resourcing then reading in bed.

21:30 lights out, A came to bed

02:43 awake A snoring: anxiety 6

03:00 D crying up to settle him then loo: anxiety 7 / despair 6

05:50 awake, rolled over anxiety 7 / despair 7

06:30 Attempted body scan and resourcing anxiety 5

06:45 messaging: anxiety 7 (I try to stay off my phone)

07:00 Up, encouraging R to get up:

anxiety 7 / restlessness 7, R in bad mood.  Trying to be patient, waited while he got dressed.

07:30 breakfast soaked oats and 37.5mg IR venlafaxine and (9 x 12.5g XR mini tablets) 112.5mg XR

08:00 A and D leave: anxiety 7 / despair 6

Encouraging R to finish getting ready for school; upset him by being too perfectionist about folding his pyjamas anxiety 7 / despair 7

R refusing to leave for school crying, arguing l allowed myself to get drawn in

08:50 Managed to get R to school.  He is like a different boy at school.

09:00-10:30 TV and phone

10:30 Ran 4 miles then walked 1.3.  battling intrusive thoughts: anxiety 7 at beginning 6 at end.

11:30 Reading phone, journalling anxiety 6.

 

I realise l am really anxious with my boys, especially R because his behaviour has been challenging I am expecting trouble in top of the background anxiety.

 

R is fine at school I need to work harder on my patience and ignoring him when he has a tantrum.  If he's late for school it's ok.  Thinking about R's behaviour has put me back up to a 7 anxiety now.  My little one is copying this behaviour too.

 

If someone can share parenting tips I'd be very grateful.  I'm letting them down at the moment by reacting to them triggering me.

 

 

 

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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42 minutes ago, Gridley said:

 

I use zero to 5, 5 being the worst, 0 being okay, no real symptoms but not great, sort of WDnormal.  A pretty bad day is a 3, medium bad is a 2, noticeable symptoms but not too bad is a 1. Almost never a 4, never a 5.   I make a special note if it's a window day.  I have separate scores for morning and afternoon. I also keep track of hours of sleep.

 

I use a regular notebook and keep it on the living room table.  My dog Humphrey likes to sleep on it.

 

Thanks Gridley. 

I have to get my head around my WD normal, instead of being obsessed with feeling better.  It comes back round to acceptance.  I have a bad feeling WD normal for me is anxiety on the higher side.

 

I'm trying 1-10 score.  10 worst.  I was 10 anxiety when l had to leave work as could no longer function. The result of a too fast taper. 

 

How are you today?

Love the sound of cheeky Humphrey.  What type of dog is he? 

My noisey black cat Rocky has just come downstairs demanding food.  She's 15, but doesn't look it.🐈

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
15 minutes ago, MissyE said:

have to get my head around my WD normal,

Very slowly your WDnormal baseline will improve.

 

Humphrey is a Pekinese mix, sort of a giant (well, not really giant but bigger than usual) Pekinese.  We rescued him from the street.  Yes, he is cheeky.

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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1 hour ago, MissyE said:

Tues 23rd to Weds 24th Nov

 

12:00 lunch & 2 Omega 3 capsules (2 x 1000 mg) with 3 yr old son 😧 anxiety 6/ despair 5

12:30 D nap time started, 

he was up and down, didn't sleep til 14:00 anxiety 6 / despair 6

12:30 - 15:00 sewing: anxiety 5

15:00 Dad arrived anxiety 6 / despair 6

15:10 collected 6 yr old R from school anxiety 6 /  despair 6

R upset consequence of behaviour unable to go to party

15:20-17:00 tried to talk to Dad, he doesn't listen: anxiety 7 / despair 6 

17:00 Dad played with boys I made tea: anxiety 5 

17:30 Dad left.  Tea time. Omega 3 and 75mg IR venlafaxine.

17:45 Husband A home: anxiety 4

18:15 A boys bath, I cleaned up kitchen

18:45 played with A and boys: anxiety 4

19:10 story time with R: anxiety 5

19:15 R upset again about party.  My patience wearing out: anxiety 7

19:30 chatted to A about R's behaviour strategies anxiety 7 / despair 6

20:30 resourcing then reading in bed.

21:30 lights out, A came to bed

02:43 awake A snoring: anxiety 6

03:00 D crying up to settle him then loo: anxiety 7 / despair 6

05:50 awake, rolled over anxiety 7 / despair 7

06:30 Attempted body scan and resourcing anxiety 5

06:45 messaging: anxiety 7 (I try to stay off my phone)

07:00 Up, encouraging R to get up:

anxiety 7 / restlessness 7, R in bad mood.  Trying to be patient, waited while he got dressed.

07:30 breakfast soaked oats and 37.5mg IR venlafaxine and (9 x 12.5g XR mini tablets) 112.5mg XR, vit E, Omega 3, folic acid & citirizine.

08:00 A and D leave: anxiety 7 / despair 6

Encouraging R to finish getting ready for school; upset him by being too perfectionist about folding his pyjamas anxiety 7 / despair 7

R refusing to leave for school crying, arguing l allowed myself to get drawn in

08:50 Managed to get R to school.  He is like a different boy at school.

09:00-10:30 TV and phone

10:30 Ran 4 miles then walked 1.3.  battling intrusive thoughts: anxiety 7 at beginning 6 at end.

11:30 Reading phone, journalling anxiety 6.

 

I realise l am really anxious with my boys, especially R because his behaviour has been challenging I am expecting trouble in top of the background anxiety.

 

R is fine at school I need to work harder on my patience and ignoring him when he has a tantrum.  If he's late for school it's ok.  Thinking about R's behaviour has put me back up to a 7 anxiety now.  My little one is copying this behaviour too.

 

If someone can share parenting tips I'd be very grateful.  I'm letting them down at the moment by reacting to them triggering me. I've updated my meds and supplements at lunch and tea.

 

1 hour ago, MissyE said:

 

 

 

 

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Missy

 

Lot of good advice from Erell and Gridley above.

My ten penn'orth.

2 hours ago, MissyE said:

If someone can share parenting tips I'd be very grateful.  I'm letting them down at the moment by reacting to them triggering me. I've updated my meds and supplements at lunch and tea.

It is difficult to cope with kids and W/D.

The best way is by taking care of yourself.

You are doing many of the things we recommend which will all help.

Your diary is already interesting

2 hours ago, MissyE said:

17:45 Husband A home: anxiety 4

18:15 A boys bath, I cleaned up kitchen

18:45 played with A and boys: anxiety 4

19:10 story time with R: anxiety 5

Calmest part of the day?

2 hours ago, MissyE said:

15:00 Dad arrived anxiety 6 / despair 6

15:10 collected 6 yr old R from school anxiety 6 /  despair 6

R upset consequence of behaviour unable to go to party

15:20-17:00 tried to talk to Dad, he doesn't listen: anxiety 7 / despair 6 

If someone will not listen and try to understand, write a letter explaining how you feel and their attitude is not helping.

2 hours ago, MissyE said:

37.5mg IR venlafaxine and (9 x 12.5g XR mini tablets) 112.5mg XR, vit E, Omega 3, folic acid & citirizine.

Do you take all of these at the same time?

It is easy to feel lonely in W/D.

There are times when we just need to vent, better to do it on here than upset someone at home, we understand.

You have had a rough year and your CNS is battered by all the changes.

We all want to be off these drugs but we have to be patient.

With Xmas coming I would suggest you hold your present dose until the new year.

It is the best way to feel as good as you can and let your system catch up and settle.

the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable/

Please continue to post your diary, preferably midnight to midnight.

 

Sassenach

 

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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2 hours ago, Sassenach said:

37.5mg IR venlafaxine and (9 x 12.5g XR mini tablets) 112.5mg XR, vit E, Omega 3, folic acid & citirizine.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thread and spot patterns Sassenach, 

(Hmmm your nickname I think, is the name we English (are you English?) are known by some Scots).  I'm usually less anxious with my husband around and in the evening.  I love my bed, l could fall asleep and never wake up again.

 

Yeah raising children without WD is hard enough work... 

 

I do take 6 pills/capsules in the morning.  It is a lot!  I rattle, but l don't even notice anymore.  I needed a fresh pair of eyes on it.

 

Any suggestions how l could space them out better?

I also take 2 Omega-3 at lunch and

1 Omega-3 and 75mg IR venlafaxine at tea time.

 

Thank you again.

Missy x

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
54 minutes ago, MissyE said:

(Hmmm your nickname I think, is the name we English (are you English?) are known by some Scots).

Yep, born and bred in york, moved to Scotland 1996.

 

55 minutes ago, MissyE said:

Any suggestions how l could space them out better?

We will need at least three/5 days of diaries to establish a pattern.

I will then ask the boss for her advice, she is the best at drug timings and possible interactions including with supplements.

I have included you on my notification list so will check in each day until then.

 

Sass

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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Weds 24 Nov

Continued ..

 

14:00 lunch 2 Omega-3 capsules

           anxiety 6

            TV

15:10 collected R from school

            anxiety 6

16:15 collected D from nursery       

           D still finishing snack so                  waited

          anxiety 6

16:40 sister M's house to take                     nephew X birthday present

            Boys playing waiting for                    cake

           Anxiety 6

17:20 Dad and partner J arrived                 late

           Sang Happy birthday 🎈

           Took cake for after tea at                   home anxiety 6

17:45 arrived home, forgot                            handbag anxiety 7

            Dad dropped handbag off

17:50 tea with A and boys1           

           Omega-3 and 75mg IR

           Anxiety 5

19:00 boys bed time

19:30 resourced in bed then read               book 

           Fell asleep.

 

My anxiety response is freeze.

I try to stay up later but last night didn't win that battle.

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

Link to comment
20 hours ago, Sassenach said:

Yep, born and bred in york, moved to Scotland 1996.

I wonder whether you've kept your accent? 

And very grateful for your help.

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Missy

 

Course I kept my accent, York is nearly as posh as Cheshire👿, not your fault you are wrong side of Pennines.

Good job with diary.

Are any of your supplements to treat specific conditions?

 

Sass

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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I'm a country girl at heart, part Scot with a mixed but mainly Lancashire accent.  I love the Pennines, both sides.  It's too flat here.

 

Cetirizine for hayfever originally, but now if l stop it l get itchy, especially my eyes ?link to WD

 

Folic acid no reason but scared to stop it .

 

Omega3 and vit E SA advice.

 

How are you Sass?

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

Link to comment

Thurs 28th Nov

 

12:48 D up crying - settled him: anxiety 7, despair 8

01:30 Husband settled D this time

05:50 anxiety 7 

Headache front left 8

06:30 body scan and resourcing

anxiety 6

07:00 up anxiety 7

Get R up and dressed

07:40 porridge 112.5mg XR (mini tablets in capsule); 37.5mg IR; 400iu vit E; 1g Omega-3; 10mg cetirizine; 400ug folic acid

08:10 R refusing to put toothpaste on brush.  Ignored and moved rooms anxiety 7

08:40 school drop off R motivated to be early anxiety 6

08:45 chat with school mum anxiety 7

09:00 took 2 paracetamol

09:30 spin class anxiety 7 before

6 after shoulder pain right side 5

11:00 therapy EMDR anxiety 6 before 5 after headache 2

12:30 lunch 2g Omega-3 and shower

14:00 school reading anxiety 6

15:30 home with R let him watch TV 

17:00 tea set off smoke alarm.  

17:30 75mg IR and 1g Omega-3

18:25 Husband took R to Beavers

Headache 5

19:00 D bedtime 

19:15 bed and read 1 chapter

Woke about 4 times in the night. Restlessness 6 despair 6

 

Will l ever feel ok?

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

Link to comment

I'm feeling despondent and lonely.  My husband and youngest son will be back soon.  I'm very lethargic.  My shoulder hurt too much to go spinning and I felt exhausted.  Couldn't fight through it today.  Feel s***.  I know I need to do something but too overwhelmed.  Walk round block.  Come on!!  

 

Love and peace.

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

Link to comment
1 hour ago, MissyE said:

I'm feeling despondent and lonely.  My husband and youngest son will be back soon.  I'm very lethargic.  My shoulder hurt too much to go spinning and I felt exhausted.  Couldn't fight through it today.  Feel s***.  I know I need to do something but too overwhelmed.  Walk round block.  Come on!!  

 

Love and peace.

 

Waving at you from London, MissyE. Maybe you don't need to 'do' something, maybe you need a rest, altho I know rest is tricky when anxious. Can your hub take over with kids and you take self to bed with a film or something?

January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg

March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback

April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg

May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback

June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg

July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg

June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram

August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR

Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped.

 

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi MIssy

 

Sorry to hear your feeling rough.

Have you checked out the symptoms and selfcare forum, there is some good stuff on there to help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQtO6HXJfjw

non-drug-techniques-to-cope-with-emotional-symptoms/

dealing-with-emotional-spirals/

the-dr-claire-weekes-method-of-recovering-from-a-sensitized-nervous-system/

http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/SelfHelpCourse.pdf

http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/SelfHelpCourse.pdf

 

On 4/27/2017 at 7:03 PM, brassmonkey said:

 

AAF: Acknowledge, Accept, Float.  It's what you have to do when nothing else works, and can be a very powerful tool in coping with anxiety.  The neuroemotional anxiety many of us feel during WD is directly caused by the drugs and their chemical reactions in the brain.  Making it so there is nothing we can do about them.  They won't respond to other drugs, relaxation techniques and the like.  They do, however, react very well to being ignored.  That's the concept behind AAF.  Acknowledge, get to know the feeling involved, explore them.  Accept, These feelings are a part of you and they aren't going anywhere fast. Float, let the feeling float off as you get on with your life as best as you can.  It's a well documented fact that the more you feed in to anxiety the worse it gets.  What starts as generalized neuroemotinal anxiety can be easily blown into a full fledged panic attack just by thinking about it.

 

I often liken it to an unwanted house guest.  At first you talk to them, have conversations, communicate with them.  After a while you figure out that they aren't leaving and there is nothing you can do to get rid of them.  So you go on about your day, working around them until they get bored and leave.

 

It can take some practice, but AAF really does work.  I hope you give it a try.

It is good to keep active and positive in W/D but you cannot power yourself through it.

Your brain will only heal at its own pace so do not push too hard.

You have a busy family life so you should create some " you time ", does not have to be long. Just long enough to unwind.

Please remember your last cut was less than a month ago, what you are suffering is inevitable and W/D normal.

Keep your diaries comimg and we will get them reviewed after the weekend.

Sass

 

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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Thankyou @Sassenach and @sunnysideup69

 

As I type my 6 year old is having a temper tantrum and my husband is starting to lose it with him

 

Fri 29th Nov

06:30 anxiety 7 resourcing and body scan

07:00 up, anxiety 6, headache 3

07:15 D up & dressed

07:40 Soaked oats & meds 37.5mg IR, 1g Omega-3, folic acid, cetirizine, vit E, 112.5mg XR

08:30 R refusing to go to school

Anxiety 7

08:50 school drop off, R like different child when at school

09:30 gym class anxiety 7 before 6 after, shoulder pain from 1 before 6 during unable to continue with some exercises despair 5

11:30 lunch 2g Omega-3

12:45 anxiety 7 haircut anxiety 6

15:10 school pick up

15:20 drop off present anxiety 7

15:45 Hub home anxiety 6

Getting R ready

17:00 Drop R off

18:00 Tea and 1g Omega-3 75g IR

Anxiety 6

19:00 D bed

19:30 trying to connect with hub

21:30 bed 

22:47 D up crying, settled

Anxiety 7 despair 6

 

Exhausting trying to act neurotypical.

 

I will look at the self care stuff again.  Good reminder.   I know l can't keep living like this.  The atmosphere at home is stifling.  Husband and l are struggling to stay civil.

 

I am grateful for your support.

Love & peace.

 

Edited by Sassenach
identity

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

 

On 11/29/2019 at 6:56 AM, MissyE said:

Cetirizine for hayfever originally, but now if l stop it l get itchy, especially my eyes ?link to WD

Folic acid no reason but scared to stop it .

Omega3 and vit E SA advice.

 

 

On 11/27/2019 at 7:39 PM, MissyE said:

I do take 6 pills/capsules in the morning.

Any suggestions how l could space them out better?

 

8 hours ago, MissyE said:

07:40 Soaked oats & meds 37.5mg IR, 1g Omega-3, folic acid, cetirizine ( antihistamine), vit E, 112.5mg XR

 

8 hours ago, MissyE said:

11:30 lunch 2g Omega-3

 

8 hours ago, MissyE said:

18:00 Tea and 1g Omega-3 75g IR

 

On 11/27/2019 at 9:42 AM, MissyE said:

I tapered 5% on Sunday 24th Nov after 9 weeks holding at 237.5mg venlafaxine.

Now on 225mg.  No changes in mood noted.

 

Hi MIssy

 

Would you please check through the quote boxes above and ensure they represent your current daily drug schedule.

What are your current symptoms? Are they better or worse at any particular time of day?

 

Does your husband understand what is happening to you and why?

A supportive partner can make a huge difference to this ordeal.

You are experiencing typical W/D symptoms which is no helpto  how you are feeling, but others are going through the same experience and coming out on top.

It is essential you do not make any further dose or med changes until you stabilise somewhat.

Tapering while experiencing severe symptoms never helps.

I will ask @Altostrata for her comments on your current drug schedule.

 

Stay strong.

 

Sass

 

 

 

 

 

 

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

Link to comment

Thanks Sass

 

How are you today?

 

I'm home now.  Anxiety is my main symptom coupled with despair usually after getting hooked by the intrusive thoughts or if something goes wrong.

I'm calmer in the evenings.

 

It doesn't help my that my eldest son's behaviour is challenging (to say the least) at home (but he behaves as good as gold at school).  It's causing a strain with my husband and l.  We are trying to parent better.  

 

I have spoken to my husband about WD and he recognises when l tapered too fast in the past and says he gets it; but lately we've been bickering.  We need a good chat.  We're both exhausted.

 

Generally my meal /drug pattern is (between) 

07:00 - 08:00

12:00 - 13:00

17:30 - 18:30. 

 

I definitely won't be tapering again until I'm stable.  

 

Yes l need to stay strong.

 

Missy

 

 

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Do you feel better or worse after you take venlafaxine in the morning?

 

When did you add immediate-release venlafaxine to 112.5mg Effexor XR? Do you always take your evening dose at the same time? Have you skipped any accidentally?

 

Please post at least 24 hours of notes at a time, partial days are hard to follow.

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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12 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Do you feel better or worse after you take venlafaxine in the morning?

It's difficult to say for sure because mornings are stressful, l wake up anxious.  After venlafaxine l do feel a bit better.  

 

12 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

When did you add immediate-release venlafaxine to 112.5mg Effexor XR? Do you always take your evening dose at the same time? Have you skipped any accidentally?

I switched to part IR in June.  When l was on 262.5mg.  It was 37.5mg IR with 150mg XR in the morning. A d 75mg IR in the evening. 

Each 5% taper l remove an XR 12.5mg tablet.  (Except when l was prescribed Effexor.  I tried with the beads and scales for 250mg

?accuracy, but ended up holding this dose for about 3 months as l switched back to vensir).

 

My usual evening dose is taken after food between 17:30-18:30.  I sometimes have it later if l forget.

 

I forgot my evening dose altogether once back in July and felt horrendous.  Cortisol spike and terror dread in the morning.  (Like when the meds "pooped out" and again when l did the last too fast taper). When l took the morning dose l felt better.

 

I'm also wondering about the 6 tablets capsules in the morning.

Can. I space this better?

 

I'm grateful for your help Alto.

MissyE.

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

Link to comment
  • Administrator
On 11/28/2019 at 10:56 PM, MissyE said:

Cetirizine for hayfever originally, but now if l stop it l get itchy, especially my eyes ?link to WD

 

Hello, Missy. You've described rebound itching from regular cetirizine. This is typical. You will need to gradually reduce it, probably by breaking the tablets, over a couple of weeks.

 

To check interactions with venlafaxine, please put ALL your drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
and copy and paste the results or a link to them in this topic.

 

It sounds like you are overwhelmed at home. Is your family getting counseling? You might be able to find a parents' group for self-help near where you live, or an online forum where you can get coping tips. It shouldn't be all you, either -- the entire family needs to meet, including the little ones, to talk about making home more harmonious.

 

Not sure if you're experiencing withdrawal, drug reactions, or interplay of your historic issues with your family issues. Please pay special note to symptoms during the hours after you take venlafaxine. More daily notes, please.

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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Hi Missy,

This is a hopeful story if you keep reading.

 

I was on a cocktail of Effexor and Wellbutrin for nearly three and a half years. My psych tapered me off the Effexor last May in 3 weeks, telling me that should be no problem! The wd from that emerged slowly but got worse when I went off the Wellbutrin in mid-July, again in about three weeks. When my wife and I went to Japan in August, fulfilling a long planned trip that included my making a keynote speech at a conference, I was having disturbing anxiety surges every day and heavy derealization fog--an invisible veil between me and the world "out there" coupled with feelings that my head is stuffed with cotton balls and much mental fatigue. Also the usual cortisol spikes in the morning, loose bowels, blurred vision, and crying spells mainly in the morning. I did not discover this site until too long after the tapers were finished to try reinstating, though when I went off Effexor, I went on Prozac (20 mg now) on the psych's advice--not to help with wd but to substitute for the Effexor as something different to try. On moderators' advice I have put the Prozac in a holding pattern. I also take L-methylfolate (Deplin), Omega 3, Magnesium, and B-12, thus avoiding any changes that will disturb my CNS further.

 

My wife and I have grown children, though I found being with two little granddaughters for a day or more pretty taxing.

 

I had few window days for the first months, but this past month (November) the anxiety surges have pretty much gone away, along with the cortisol spikes and the crying. Bowels have been approaching normal Last weekend we went to our first movie in six months. The fatigue, blurry sight, and derealization symptoms remain tenacious, but I've improved enough to hang in there somewhat more easily. I also work with a therapist who knows ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).

 

I wish you speedy improvement and healing.

 

An American Anglophile

Fluoxetine 1997-2014, 2015, 10-40 mg. GAD and DR symptoms returned  April 2013.

Bupropion 2013-14, 4 mos; Lexapro 2014; Cymbalta 2014. Gabapentin 2014; Mirtazapene 2014. Buspirone 2015.

Venlafaxine Dec. 2015 – May 2019, 150 mg, tapered to 0 in 3 weeks, May-June 2019

Bupropion Mar 2017 – July 2019 300 mg, tapered to 0 in 3 weeks, July 2019

Fluoxetine/Prozac May 2019 – present, tapered from 20 mg started Jan 2020, linear 10% every 4 wks.; tapered 6 to 4 mg June, 2, 2020; 4 to 1.8 mg Aug. 26, 2020; updose from 1.8 mg to 2.0 Nov. 16, 2020. Holding at 2.0 mg as of Mar 14,2021. April 14, 2021 updosed to 2.5 mg.

D3 2,000 mg; Omega 3 360 EPA/240 DHA; Magnesium Chelate 250 mg; Inositol powder started Nov 12, 2020; Theanine 400 mg; cranial electrotherapy stimulation device, self-treatments started Mar 14, 2021.

 

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Thank you for sharing @Edmunds it's good to read your story of healing and hope.  

 

Thank you 

@Altostrata being honest I'm not managing to keep a proper diary right now.  I start it then miss out chunks of the day.  I understand you need this to be able to give suggestions.

19 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Not sure if you're experiencing withdrawal, drug reactions, or interplay of your historic issues with your family issues.

I wonder this too.  Things are a mess.  I've realised after breakfast meds today l felt more anxious, but it was another stressful morning.  I've become increasingly tired as the day has gone on, but this could also be from the morning stress.  Anxiety makes me freeze and sleep as well as intrusive thoughts.

 

We are overwhelmed at home.  We've asked school for help; they've said January.  I'm also going to ask my therapist about family therapy recommendations.

 

I've started to reduce the cetirizine as  per your advice.

Thank you again.

 

How are you?

Missy

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Missy.

 

Can I suggest you put alarms on your phone.

We do not need lots of detail, only time and drugs, symptoms during day. Scoring severity helps.

The following is a useful template.

DATE:

 

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety 5
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 3
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Feeling dizzy 6

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

Are you able to do the drug interaction check or would you like me to do it for you?

Alto will need this when she next checks in.

We understand there seems to be an overwhelming amount to take in but do it a little at a time.

Small steps really do add up in W/D.

2 hours ago, MissyE said:

I'm also going to ask my therapist about family therapy recommendations.

This is a good idea so long as the solution is not more meds.

Sleep is a very important part of recovery, it is when your brain does a lot of repair work.

I get that the kids can upset sleep but having a bedtime schedule is important.

It helps reinforce your Circadian Rhythm and along with Melotonin production lulls you naturally into sleep.

No TV or phones for an hour or so before bed, hot bath if possible to relax.

 

Sass

 

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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1 hour ago, Sassenach said:

Are you able to do the drug interaction check or would you like me to do it for you?

Yes please Sass.  I keep messing it up when l try to copy over to my thread. 

 

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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12 minutes ago, MissyE said:

Yes please Sass.  I keep messing it up when l try to copy over to my thread. 

 

  • venlafaxine
  • Pulmicort Turbuhaler (budesonide)
  • vitamin e
  • Omega-3 (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)
  • cetirizine
  • folic acid

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

On it

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Drug Interaction Report

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 5 drugs:

  • venlafaxine
  • vitamin e
  • Omega-3 (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)
  • cetirizine
  • folic acid

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Major (0)
Moderate (1)
Minor (0)
Food (2)
Therapeutic Duplication (0)

Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

venlafaxine cetirizine

Applies to: venlafaxine, cetirizine

Using cetirizine together with venlafaxine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

No other interactions were found between your selected drugs. This does not necessarily mean no other interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

venlafaxine food

Applies to: venlafaxine

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of venlafaxine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with venlafaxine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of venlafaxine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

cetirizine food

Applies to: cetirizine

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cetirizine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with cetirizine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of cetirizine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Switch to professional interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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  • Administrator

Thank you, @Sassenach Interesting about the venlafaxine and cetirizine interaction. Missy, please let us know how you're doing as you reduce cetirizine.

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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