HopeFloats: Prozac, amino acids, withdrawals – reinstating Prozac

[mdwstrx]

Hi HF. 

Glad to hear you’re having a better day!  

 

FYI. I had the inner buzz feeling and feeling charged  too.  It is 100% gone. It goes away eventually. 

 

I only took the Prop as needed.  Even at 2.5 mg a day, it made me nauseous so I did my best to avoid it. I got to a point I could cope without it. 

 

[HopeFloats]

5 minutes ago, mdwstrx said:

Hi HF. 

Glad to hear you’re having a better day!  

 

FYI. I had the inner buzz feeling and feeling charged  too.  It is 100% gone. It goes away eventually. 

 

I only took the Prop as needed.  Even at 2.5 mg a day, it made me nauseous so I did my best to avoid it. I got to a point I could cope without it. 

 

 

Ok, I was curious about whether the Propranolol could have caused a weird interaction with the reinstatement of the Lexipro. Sounds like it was nausea that caused you to stop it versus something else.

 

How are you doing today? 

 

Yesterday I was in what a guess is a window. I know I’m not well but it’s not the worst it has been. Pretty steady with level 3 anxiety out of 10.

 

This morning started out ok but I feel the anxiety creeping back to a level 4-5 which is where it is uncomfortable for me. 

 

I am am trying to remain positive but it is so hard not to think that it will take me 3 years or longer to get better. 

 

☹️

 

HF

[mdwstrx]

It’s so frustrating to get little windows and then begin to feel bad again. But that’s a good sign they say!!! Watch those windows because they will grow longer and give you a clearer sign you’re healing. 

 

[HopeFloats]

1 hour ago, mdwstrx said:

It’s so frustrating to get little windows and then begin to feel bad again. But that’s a good sign they say!!! Watch those windows because they will grow longer and give you a clearer sign you’re healing. 

 

 

Did you have little windows at first? Is that normal to have a one day window or even less? 

[mdwstrx]

I'm sorry, can't answer what's normal but I suspect

it's common.  Yes, I had many one or 2 day windows in the

first couple of months.  It was a very gradual incline

in improvements but improve I did.  You will too!

[Shep]

17 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

12:30pm - finished a frozen Atkins meal.  I used this over my last 3 meals. 

 

17 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

8am - at work, I seem in better spirits, need to eat as I am a little lightheaded, down 21 pounds

 

Hope, why are you eating Atkins when you're losing so much weight? Isn't Atkins a weight loss program? 

 

Also, are these meals processed? If so, you may want to avoid these types of pre-made foods. Many of us find that we're sensitive to processed foods during withdrawal. 

 

On 9/11/2019 at 9:18 AM, HopeFloats said:

Does my level of insomnia sound like it will last for 1 -2 years?

 

Do you see people with it as badly as I have it get better in under 1 year?

 

Sorry, but we just don't have a timeline. We're collectively going through this but our experiences are very individual.

 

Hopefully you'll stabilize and not have it last for long. I came off 6 drugs rapid taper and cold turkey, so it's been gradual improvements over many years. But you are in a better position to stabilize and have an easier go of it. 

 

On 9/11/2019 at 2:24 PM, Dejavu said:

It concerns me that you are trying to apply an arbitrary timetable to your recovery. It is so understandable to want this over with as soon as possible. I feel the same way. But fighting against the symptoms doesn't help, and in fact, can make them worse and actually prolong your suffering.

 

I'm going to "ditto" what Dejavu wrote. The reason that fighting symptoms doesn't help is because you risk falling into an emotional spiral. Dejavu already gave you a link to the acceptance thread, so I'll just link the emotional spiral thread.

 

Dealing With Emotional Spirals

 

On 9/11/2019 at 9:18 AM, HopeFloats said:

worry not just for the obvious reason of wanting to sleep normally, but I have another stressful situation going on in the sidelines.

 

My husband and I did IVF several years ago and have frozen embryos that we were planning on transferring back this year.  However, now that I am sick, we cannot do that.

 

I am anxious to get well so we can move on and close the infertility chapter of our lives as well.

 

If we succeed and we get to take home a baby from the frozen embryos, it is daunting for me to think that I can have insomnia all the while dealing with a newborn baby at all hours of the night.  I still need to work as well.  

 

I cannot let W/D take my chance of being a mother from me.  That can't happen.

 

This is far beyond the scope of SA, so you may want to check out the parent resource center over on the Mad in America site:

 

Mad in America - Parent Resources

 

Over on the right you'll see "support groups".  This may be a good resource for you in the future. 

 

 

[HopeFloats]

4 hours ago, Shep said:

Hope, why are you eating Atkins when you're losing so much weight? Isn't Atkins a weight loss program? 

 

Also, are these meals processed? If so, you may want to avoid these types of pre-made foods. Many of us find that we're sensitive to processed foods during withdrawal. 

 

I am not trying to lose weight by eating the Atkins meals and I try and eat other things such as fruit, yogurt and salads.  The frozen meals are easy for me to carry to work but I am finding I just don't have the appetite to finish them.  So I take them home and eat more for dinner.  Maybe I will see about cooking my own protein and veggies and try that.  I just am not in the mood to cook.

 

What is a good diet for someone going through W/D?

 

4 hours ago, Shep said:

Sorry, but we just don't have a timeline. We're collectively going through this but our experiences are very individual.

 

Hopefully you'll stabilize and not have it last for long. I came off 6 drugs rapid taper and cold turkey, so it's been gradual improvements over many years. But you are in a better position to stabilize and have an easier go of it. 

 

Wow, I am sorry to hear that you had to deal with coming off 6 drugs.  My hats off to you that you are here, doing well and supporting people like me.  Thank you.

[HopeFloats]

9/12:

12:18am - woke up, toss and turn

1:22am - woke up, toss and turn

1:51am - feeling anxiety increasing

3:35am - woke up

4:30am - alarm went off - taking my husband to hospital for his surgery (taking two days off work for him)

6am - back home, lying in bed but can't sleep, I was yawning more than anyone in the surgery center but yet I cant'sleep

****new symptom*** Feels like static in my right ear or someone typing out a telegraph

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

6:35am - 9am - lied back in bed with my sleep mask, could not sleep, but felt peaceful just lying there, the static in my ear went away (thank goodness, that could be maddening)

9:30am - 10am - tried to eat something

9:50am - anxiety is a 3 - I hope I have a day like yesterday

10:11am - IBS episode 

10:18am - noticing anxiety increasing - a bit ago I put on the athlete's foot cream (no steroids in it) and am feeling my heart rate increase

11am - feelinq mild queeziness in stomach

11:44am - feeling more fidgety - on my couch trying to relax and watch tv but then I pick up my phone, put it down, try and watch tv, get fidgety again and look at my phone

                  anxiety is a 4 or 5, racy feeling

                  bummed out considering how calm I felt this morning

1pm - 4pm - picked my husband up from hospital, running errands, getting husband settled after his surgery

5:13pm - came in from watering the flowers, my heart rate is going like 110 bpm. 

                  I can't take this level of anxiety - any activity that requires strength seems to be triggering for me (carrying a water jug)

                 anxiety is a 7 or even 8

5:30pm - on couch trying to just sit there

                heart rate seems to be going down to 96 bpm   

5:53pm - trying to sit still, heart rate down to 84 bpm

6pm - mild to moderate anxiety

8pm - took 400 mg magnesium and 25 mg iron

8:30pm - wide awake, lying on couch, lights are off and candle is lit

                 physical anxiety is ok right now 

8:32pm - crying 

8:44pm - anxiety is a level 3 - I am feeling the inner buzzed/being charged feeling 

9pm - took reduced dosage of GABA Calm 22.5 ml

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

10pm -   feeling tired, think the Tryptophan may have made me sleepy

               took time release Melatonin, 1.05 mg

10pm - going to bed 

 11pm - still tossing and turning in bed

9/13:

12:46am - woke up   

2:08am - woke up 

4am - woke up, feeling anxious, tossed and turned in bed, think I fell asleep again at some point

6:30am - woke up to my alarm

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac                                  

 

*** Mood is really down - worried that the reinstatement is not working - I only reinstated to 1.25 mg so it is not like I have a lot of Prozac in me

*** Anxiety is 24/7 - even when it is a 3 or under, I can still tell that it is there - the buzz feeling, feeling like I am being charged in an outlet

*** I really haven't seen much of an improvement with my insomnia at all

***No improvement with my appetite - I have to force myself to eat, down over 20 pounds in 6 weeks

***Still not sure whether the Tryptophan and GABA are helping or making anxiety and insomnia worse

[HopeFloats]

Hello @brassmonkey

 

How are you doing? Did things settle down for you?

 

Feeling down - anxiety increased to a level 8 of 10 yesterday which was the highest it’s been so far -  luckily it only lasted about an hour but uncomfortable non the less. The rest of the day was spent in moderate anxiety though so definitely not comfortable. 

 

I am worried that it has been 6 weeks since my reinstatement and I am not getting any better. Yes, my physical anxiety fluctuates and is sometimes mild, often moderate and occasionally severe but that’s how it’s been since the reinstatement. I don’t think it’s improving any. I’m just staying the same. 

 

My insomnia was worse while I was on DLPA but that’s to be expected. Since coming off the DLPA, my insomnia has stayed consistently the same. I don’t see slight improvements. I toss and turn before falling asleep, wake up throughout the night, end up waking up for the day long before 6am.

 

I can hardly eat. A frozen meal can take me two days to finish. I lose a bit of weight everyday and I don’t have too much more I can lose.

 

I have had so much support on this website and I am so appreciative. I know I have been told that I am having slight improvements but I am having trouble seeing that right now. All I see is that I am staying the same. 

 

I am worried that the reinstatement is not working and I have only reinstated to 1.25mg. Not a high dose. I did a bad taper over 2-3 years, then a CT, then I didn’t reinstate for 4.5 months so it may be I am stuck.

 

Still unsure whether the Tryptophan and GABA Calm are helping or hurting me. 

 

I apologize for being so needy but shouldn’t I be seeing more improvement after 6 weeks of this reinstatement is going to work? 

 

I appreciate all that you do and welcome your input.

 

Thank you,

HF

 

 

 

[brassmonkey]

Hi Hope--  Things are still up in the air, house guests for the next several days.

 

Going through ADWD is truly a lesson in patience.  Every move that is made takes a lot longer to be effective than we think it should.  Because of the individual nature of each persons experience it is impossible to put numbers with how long things are going to take, but I can say that at 6 weeks you're gust getting started.  We often tell people that it will take two to three months to stabilize with a reinstatement.  Some are lucky and it happens quicker, but for some it can take even longer. Given time though it will happen. The process has already started, I can read it in your posts, now you just have to let it run it's course.

 

Not being able to eat is something that happens rather frequently while waiting for stability.  Have you tried some of the liquid protein drinks like "ensure" ? They are pretty good and will give some nourishment even if you can't face real food. 

[mdwstrx]

 

Hi Hope,

Just a little pic to show how it looked as I stabilized.  Can't compare how long it may take necessarily but it shows that there

were symptoms present consistently throughout stabilization.  You can see how the peaks flattened over time. 

Yours will too. 

[HopeFloats]

52 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi Hope--  Things are still up in the air, house guests for the next several days.

 

Going through ADWD is truly a lesson in patience.  Every move that is made takes a lot longer to be effective than we think it should.  Because of the individual nature of each persons experience it is impossible to put numbers with how long things are going to take, but I can say that at 6 weeks you're gust getting started.  We often tell people that it will take two to three months to stabilize with a reinstatement.  Some are lucky and it happens quicker, but for some it can take even longer. Given time though it will happen. The process has already started, I can read it in your posts, now you just have to let it run it's course.

 

Not being able to eat is something that happens rather frequently while waiting for stability.  Have you tried some of the liquid protein drinks like "ensure" ? They are pretty good and will give some nourishment even if you can't face real food. 

 

I have been preparing myself that stabilizing can take 3-6 months; I was just worried that because I am not seeing, what I consider to be, good improvements. that it may be an indication the reinstatement isn’t working. 

 

I will work on my patience with this process - it’s just so hard when one is so uncomfortable.

 

I keep thinking that I missed the boat with reinstating 4.5 months out. 

 

When things settle, if you happen to come across any evidence that the aminos are hindering things, just let me know. I appreciate that - that is definitely going the extra mile. 

 

Oh, and I will try the Ensure, too. Good suggestion. 

 

Enjoy your company 🙂

 

I truly appreciate you and all that you do.

 

HF

[HopeFloats]

4 hours ago, mdwstrx said:

 

Hi Hope,

Just a little pic to show how it looked as I stabilized.  Can't compare how long it may take necessarily but it shows that there

were symptoms present consistently throughout stabilization.  You can see how the peaks flattened over time. 

Yours will too. 

 

Thank you, mdwstrx!

 

I need to start my own spreadsheet. I know I have said that before but I think I may get around to doing it this weekend. 

 

If if I could heal like you did after a few months, I would be so forever grateful.

 

How are you doing with your tapering?

 

HF

[HopeFloats]

1 minute ago, HopeFloats said:

 

Thank you, mdwstrx!

 

I need to start my own spreadsheet. I know I have said that before but I think I may get around to doing it this weekend. 

 

If if I could heal like you did after a few months, I would be so forever grateful.

 

How are you doing with your tapering?

 

HF

 

Oh, another question. We’re you able to eat pasta and other carbs while going through w/d or did that aggravate things?

[mdwstrx]

Hi HF.  

 

Hope today saw some improvement. 🙏

 

Once my appetite returned, I was able to eat most anything

with the exception of coffee.  I was on decaf for most of my withdrawal. 

 

Oh, I don’t drink alcohol so that was not at issue. 

 

[Shep]

On 9/13/2019 at 10:16 AM, HopeFloats said:

I am not trying to lose weight by eating the Atkins meals and I try and eat other things such as fruit, yogurt and salads.  The frozen meals are easy for me to carry to work but I am finding I just don't have the appetite to finish them.  So I take them home and eat more for dinner.  Maybe I will see about cooking my own protein and veggies and try that.  I just am not in the mood to cook.

 

What is a good diet for someone going through W/D?

 

Yes, the fewer processed foods you eat, the better. Some people become so sensitive to certain foods that they need to go on an elimination diet. But if you're just looking for the basics, avoiding caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and processed foods is a great start.

 

Some people experience odd drops and fluctuations in blood sugar, which can cause symptoms such as weakness, low mood, fatigue, headaches, and irritability, which mimic withdrawal symptoms. To avoid drops in blood sugar, eat small meals and snacks every few hours throughout the day. These should be high in protein and low in sugar and high-index carbs. You can google the "low blood sugar diet" to find more specific ideas and meal plans. Drinking plenty of clean water is also recommended to avoid dehydration, which can also cause symptoms that mimic withdrawal.

 

If you just don't have an appetite, you may want to try small snacks of high protein foods such as nuts, cheese, a glass of milk, etc. and set a timer on your cell phone to remember to eat a snack every two or three hours. Big meals can be intimating, but small snacks may be tolerable.

[HopeFloats]

9/13:

12:46am - woke up   

2:08am - woke up 

4am - woke up, feeling anxious, tossed and turned in bed, think I fell asleep again at some point

6:30am - woke up to alarm 

                 took 1.25 mg Prozac 

730am - had a couple tangerines and nibbled on salad

                anxiety is a 3

8am - heart beat is 74 bpm - just fine with me

8:08am - feel heart beat increasing, 80 bpm, was it because I just ate something?  I had been feeling pretty calm before 

8:21am -  3.5 or 4, no pounding heart, HB is elevated though and I can see it moving my shirt   

10:30am - anxiety is a 4, I haven't been doing much of anything though except lie around

10:38am - HB is 82 bpm which is not where I like it to be

11am -  noticed when I got off couch to go answer my husband's phone and give it to him, once I went to sit back down, my HB was 86 bpm. It seems any activity, however small, triggers this

1pm - 2:40pm - ran errands, actually felt decent.  I even might call it "pretty good" for W/D.  I still had mild chest pressure, but my mood was good.

                           I know I am in there - if this physical anxiety would just disappear - I would be so close to being me again.  

2:42pm - 86 bpm so heart rate is uncomfortable for me.

6:05pm - was craving spaghetti so I ordered some to go from a restaurant

                 my chest is feeling tighter 

                 even with level 3 anxiety pretty much all day, I am feeling hopeful today

6:30pm - eating spaghetti

          anxiety is a 3 or 4 but it is not bad

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25mg Iron

8:38pm - heart rate is 70 bpm, anxiety is low - maybe a level 2 - this makes me thankful

9pm - took reduced GABA Calm 22.5 ml

           felt a little tired after taking it 

930pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan 

944pm - not tired, I helped my husband to bed and tried to get him situated after his surgery.  I then go back to the couch and I feel like I am waking up. 

10pm - took time released 1.05 mg Melatonin

10:10pm - feeling something going on in my left leg - not full blown RLS, but I feel something brewing.  I hate RLS.

10:17pm - keep flip flopping from end to end on the couch, the weird left leg thing going on, do not feel very tired any more 

                  is this akathisia?

10:27pm - going to try and fall asleep on the couch

                   left leg thing still going on

9/14:

12:08am - woke up on couch, can feel slight racy anxiety, moved into my bedroom to try and fall back to sleep 

2am - woke up

3:28am - woke up

4am - woke up, think my husband woke me up this time

6:30am - alarm got me up but not sure if I had been sleeping or not

          I think after the 4am wake up, I just lied there, but was relaxed enough to do so

         no anxiety

         took 1.25 mg Prozac 

                  

 

***overall, even with anxiety constant throughout the day at a level 3 or 4, I felt hope today - I can feel myself in there somewhere!

***is the buzzed feeling, like I am plugged into an outlet and being charged - is that akathisia?   

***I notice once my anxiety gets to a level 4 or higher, I start to swallow alot                           

 

[mdwstrx]

6 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

***overall, even with anxiety constant throughout the day at a level 3 or 4, I felt hope today - I can feel myself in there somewhere!

 

I'm so glad to read this. Stay strong.

 💪

[HopeFloats]

9/14:

12:08am - woke up on couch, can feel slight racy anxiety, moved into my bedroom to try and fall back to sleep 

2am - woke up

3:28am - woke up

4am - woke up, think my husband woke me up this time

6:30am - alarm got me up but not sure if I had been sleeping or not

          I think after the 4am wake up, I just lied there, but was relaxed enough to do so

         no anxiety

         took 1.25 mg Prozac 

7:42am - having some grapes, feel pretty decent, some tightness in chest, level 1 or 2 so tolerable

9:25am - heart beat is 68 bpm so happy, anxiety feels low overall, chest tightness is 1 or 2, thank goodness

12noon - had some pasta

3pm- heart rate is low, 60 bpm, but my heart feels funny so it must be heart palps that I am getting, I feel like there is a lag between the beats, some feel "harder" than others

          anxiety is a 3.5 or 4

4pm - anxiety is like a 2

5:30pm - anxiety is a 1 or 2, don't feel must pressure

                RLS is bugging me but it is not a bad case of it, nevertheless, it is bothersome even at this level

7:30pm - began feeling a little tired naturally

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25mg Iron 

8:42pm - feeling tired

8:45pm - anxiety is a 1

               what I am really noticing is the agitation, I am tossing and turning on the couch, switching my pillow from one end to the other, I get tired of being on one side quickly and feel the need to switch to the other side

9pm - took reduced dose of GABA Calm, 22.5 ml

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

                 feeling tired, may have even dozed off but quickly woke up

10pm - took time released 1.05 mg Melatonin

10:23pm - going to bed, tossed and turned

9/15:

12:17am - woke up

2am - woke up

4:15am - woke up 

5:55am - woke up, couldn't sleep

6:15am - got up, feeling really wide awake 

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac 

 

[Shep]

On 9/14/2019 at 4:33 PM, HopeFloats said:

***overall, even with anxiety constant throughout the day at a level 3 or 4, I felt hope today - I can feel myself in there somewhere!

***is the buzzed feeling, like I am plugged into an outlet and being charged - is that akathisia?   

 

Sounds like you're stabilizing, Hope. This is great to read - "I can feel myself in there somewhere!"

 

The buzzed feeling really isn't akathisia (although you may have that at times, too). The buzzed feeling usually isn't as severe a symptom as akthesia, although some people experience pain with the buzzed feeling. But for many, it's described more as "inner vibrations" and it's more of an uncomfortable nuisance symptom. The worst part of the buzzed feeling is it can make it difficult to sleep. 

 

Is your buzzed feeling a painful sensation or the uncomfortable nuisance variety? 

[HopeFloats]

31 minutes ago, Shep said:

 

Sounds like you're stabilizing, Hope. This is great to read - "I can feel myself in there somewhere!"

 

The buzzed feeling really isn't akathisia (although you may have that at times, too). The buzzed feeling usually isn't as severe a symptom as akthesia, although some people experience pain with the buzzed feeling. But for many, it's described more as "inner vibrations" and it's more of an uncomfortable nuisance symptom. The worst part of the buzzed feeling is it can make it difficult to sleep. 

 

Is your buzzed feeling a painful sensation or the uncomfortable nuisance variety? 

 

Hi Shep,

 

Oh my gosh- your words are music to my ears! I was hoping that stabilization was beginning. I want to cry out of happiness that I finally believe I am healing.

 

The buzzed feeling is not painful- it is annoying and can be uncomfortable in a nuisance sort of way. But not painful, thank goodness.

 

Today has been another day with improvement as well. Pretty much the same as yesterday. 

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

HopeFloats 

[HopeFloats]

9/15:

12:17am - woke up

2am - woke up

4:15am - woke up 

5:55am - woke up, couldn't sleep

6:15am - got up, feeling really wide awake 

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac 

820am - anxiety is a 1, I have been sitting around though since my husband's surgery not doing much

1000am - after showering and helping my husband,  it aggravated the anxiety, now more of a 3 or 4

                   feels like heart palps or fluttering with a racy feeling, HB is not that fast

1123am - anxiety has lessened a little to a 2 or 3

                  eating some pasta

3pm - watered the flowers, my anxiety did not increase too badly, it is a 1 even after activity 

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Iron

9pm - took reduced dosage of GABA Calm, 22.5 ml

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

9:50pm - do not feel tired

10pm - took time released 1.05 mg Melatonin

10:30pm - went to bed

9/16:

1am - woke up

2:43am - woke up, bathroom

4:30am - woke up 

6am - woke up - did not sleep, got up around 6:15am

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

                anxiety is a 1 or 2

 

 

 

****my appetite has increased - I even gained 1.5 pounds

****overall, another decent day where the anxiety has been a lot better

***I get a weird sensation in my left leg - it may be RLS - its not too bad but very annoying and can be uncomfortable 

 

[Shep]

17 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

 

****my appetite has increased - I even gained 1.5 pounds

****overall, another decent day where the anxiety has been a lot better

 

Glad to read you are gaining weight and feeling better. All great signs of stabilization. 

[HopeFloats]

9/16:

1am - woke up

2:43am - woke up, bathroom

4:30am - woke up 

6am - woke up - did not sleep, got up around 6:15am

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

                anxiety is a 1 or 2

 8:10am - feel mild heart flutters

                  took today off from work, too

10:45am - after showering and getting ready, I feel more chest pressure, level 2 

                  weird sensation in heart area, no more than a 2 or 3

9/17:

1:00pm - my brother drove me into the city, 2.5 hour drive

1:30pm - chest pressure is a 3 or 4

4pm - 5pm - chest pressure is a 4 or 5 during my appointment

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Irong

9pm - took reduced GABA Calm, 22.5 ml

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

10pm - took time released 1.05 mg Melatonin

             went to bed

11pm - still unable to sleep

             have a stomach ache

2am - woke up to go to the bathroom

5am - woke up and was unable to get back to sleep

6am - still awake, alarm went off

6:15am - finally got up, feeling tired

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

 

***met with a doctor who does not buy into the chemical imbalance theory :-) He mentioned adding in L-Theanine when needed.  What are your thoughts on this?

*** today felt pretty good as well.  I think the main issue today was chest pressure, especially during my appointment, not that I was nervous, but talking about W/D with someone is important to me

***lost a little bit of weight, however, I also did not stuff myself with pasta today

***I was disappointed to wake up at 5am and not be able to fall back to sleep, however, I believe my sleep is stretching out into 3 hour increments which is an improvement over waking up every 1 - 1.5 hours

 

 

[mdwstrx]

Good morning.  Things seem to be increasingly looking up... very happy to hear. 💜

[HopeFloats]

3 hours ago, mdwstrx said:

Good morning.  Things seem to be increasingly looking up... very happy to hear. 💜

 

Thank you, mdwstrx-

 

I don’t want to jinx myself but I believe I have turned a corner.

 

It would have been my Grandpa’s birthday on the 14th so I believe I have an angel looking out for me.

 

Today I have level 4 anxiety so it is uncomfortable for me. Not the worst though.

 

I guess even during stabilization, there will be symptoms.

 

Thank you!

 

HopeFloats

[HopeFloats]

9/17:

2am - woke up to go to the bathroom

5am - woke up and was unable to get back to sleep

6am - still awake, alarm went off

6:15am - finally got up, feeling tired

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

8am - back to work after being off for three days

9:30am - went on walk at work

10am - heart fluttering or heart palps, seems like all morning, level 4

1pm - anxiety has seemed to stop, level 1 or 2 

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Iron

           read about apple cider vinegar and possibly helping with RLS so I rubbed that on my left leg.

9pm - took reduced dose GABA Calm, 22.5 ml

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

9:45pm - was very tired, think I dozed off

10pm - took time release 1.05 mg Melatonin

              went to bed

9/18:

2:20am - woke up, went to bathroom

5:39am - woke up, unable to fall back to sleep

                  anxiety very low, level 1

                 my legs are weird though - inner vibrations or RLS?

6:10am - got up

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

 

*** still noticing inner vibrations, buzzed feeling at night, although it seems a little less severe than before 

***RLS in left leg at night

*** RLS or inner vibrations in both legs in the morning?

[HopeFloats]

 

9/18:

2:20am - woke up, went to bathroom

5:39am - woke up, unable to fall back to sleep

                  anxiety very low, level 1

                 my legs are weird though - inner vibrations or RLS?

6:10am - got up

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

7:15am - noticed anxiety beginning to increase - fluttery and heart palp, level 3

8:12am - at work, anxiety has lessened to a 1 or 2

10am - fluttering or heart palps, level 3

11:10am - my heartbeat seems low, really low, like 60 bpm, seems to skip beats here and there, too

                    but weird fluttery feeling and/or heart palps, level 4

12:30pm - rested in my card during my lunch hour

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Iron

9pm - took reduced dose GABA Calm, 22.5 ml

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Magnesium

10pm - took time released 1.05 mg Melatonin

10:11pm - went to bed, think I fell asleep within 15 - 30 min

9/19

1:51am - woke up, went to bathroom

4:48am - woke up again, had trouble falling back to sleep but I may have eventually

6:10am - got up

                anxiety low, level 1 or even 0

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

 

*** is the Prozac causing the morning anxiety?

***I was disappointed to wake up at 4:48am and not feel as tired as I did - made it harder to fall back to sleep, I may have slept for another 15 minutes or so

***What are your thoughts on adding in Theanine for anxiety when needed?

[Sassenach]

Hello Hope

 

Great to see the improvement.

I see you are still glass half full.

Go back three weeks in your diary and compare notes, you are making really good progress.

3 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

my heartbeat seems low, really low, like 60 bpm

Was it 60 bpm or just felt like it.

60 bpm is at the lower end of normal, you do realise that a low resting heart rate is is a sign of a healthy body,as long as there are no undiagnosed issues.

 

4 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

*What are your thoughts on adding in Theanine for anxiety when needed

My thoughts are do not do it, you are trying to reduce meds with Shep,s help, this would be adding another.

You are doing well and will improve further.

You are managing to work which is to your credit.

You need to relax into this, stop wanting to change things and try and enjoy the improvement.

Sermon over.

Keep improving

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

9/19

1:51am - woke up, went to bathroom

4:48am - woke up again, had trouble falling back to sleep but I may have eventually

6:10am - got up

                anxiety low, level 1 or even

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

7:35am - anxiety increasing to level 3 or more

9am - anxiety is a level 4

5pm - noticing chest pressure increasing, level 3

           still feel fluttering and heart palps

7pm - anxiety is a 0 - 1

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Irong

9pm - took reduced GABA Calm, 22.5 ml

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

10pm - took time released 1.05 mg Melatonin

10:10pm - going to bed

11:46pm - woke up, bathroom, not sure how long I have been asleep for

9/20:

3:24am - woke up, bathroom

5:21am - woke up

6:15am - alarm

                anxiety 0 - 1

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

 

***fluttering and heart palps were off an on all day, then chest pressure increased a little at the end of the day, anxiety was ok by the evening

***when I wake up throughout the night, it is hard for me to determine sometimes whether I was even sleeping. It must be a light sleep.

 

 

[HopeFloats]

20 hours ago, Sassenach said:

Hello Hope

 

Great to see the improvement.

I see you are still glass half full.

Go back three weeks in your diary and compare notes, you are making really good progress.

Was it 60 bpm or just felt like it.

60 bpm is at the lower end of normal, you do realise that a low resting heart rate is is a sign of a healthy body,as long as there are no undiagnosed issues.

 

My thoughts are do not do it, you are trying to reduce meds with Shep,s help, this would be adding another.

You are doing well and will improve further.

You are managing to work which is to your credit.

You need to relax into this, stop wanting to change things and try and enjoy the improvement.

Sermon over.

Keep improving

 

Sassenach

 

Hi Sass!

 

I was wondering where you have been.  Good to hear from you :-)   

 

No, I didn't realize 60 bpm was normal but I just looked it up on the internet, and it is on the very low end of normal.  I had taken my pulse myself using the stopwatch on my phone.  It just seemed really low to me.  Especially b/c I was having a weird heart beat at the same time.  My heart would beat twice, then pause, then resume.  My HB seems to lower when it is doing the weird fluttering and heart palps stuff.

 

The reason I asked about the Theanine was that a psychiatrist recommended this one supplement for me as needed.  From what I have heard, he used to be a doctor for one of the mod's on SA as well. He does not believe in the chemical imbalance theory and has published work regarding this.  He does not like DLPA and is glad I am off of that.  In his opinion, DLPA can be dangerous.  So, for someone like him, to suggest trying Theanine during times of higher anxiety, I thought it might be worth a shot.  He has not suggested any other deviations from what I am currently doing.  

 

Thank you!

HF 

[Sassenach]

Hi Hope

 

Have been around doing other things as you are being well looked after by Shep, and have a good friend in MD.

2 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

My heart would beat twice, then pause, then resume.

If you certain this is really happening you should get an ECG to be sure that there is not an issue.

Have you ever experienced this in the past?

2 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

The reason I asked about the Theanine was that a psychiatrist recommended this one supplement for me as needed. 

You need to ask Shep about this.

You should be aware that the site regards taking advice from other sources while we are helping you as acting against your own interests.

I suggest therefore that you ask Shep very discretely. She is a very kind and patient person but has many demands on her time.

It is a shame that you continue to worry so much instead of enjoying your improvement.

If you continue to want to make changes you will never get back to tapering the GABA.

Enjoy what you have.

 

Sass

[HopeFloats]

26 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

Hi Hope

 

Have been around doing other things as you are being well looked after by Shep, and have a good friend in MD.

If you certain this is really happening you should get an ECG to be sure that there is not an issue.

Have you ever experienced this in the past?

You need to ask Shep about this.

You should be aware that the site regards taking advice from other sources while we are helping you as acting against your own interests.

I suggest therefore that you ask Shep very discretely. She is a very kind and patient person but has many demands on her time.

It is a shame that you continue to worry so much instead of enjoying your improvement.

If you continue to want to make changes you will never get back to tapering the GABA.

Enjoy what you have.

 

Sass

 

There are times when I feel like my heart is skipping a beat or something to that effect but I don’t know for sure.

 

Sometimes, it is hard to describe the feelings and sensations we experience in w/d.

 

Never experienced it before withdrawals though. I was in the ER on July 17th- one week before w/d kicked in on July 24th. Was experiencing shallow breathing while on vacation with my husband and not realizing it was a w/d symptom. Went to ER thinking I may have a blood clot as I have had those in the past. Heart was fine. Everything checked out ok.

 

During my long taper, when I first began experiencing chest pressure, I also went to the ER twice (not including the trip in July) worried that it could be a blood clot. Each time my heart checked out as well as the tests that they ran. 

 

I feel pretty confident that the odd sensations are anxiety and w/d related. 

 

When I was in the depths of despair, I did search for a doctor to also speak with about what I was going through. 

 

I am happy and grateful to be experiencing improvements but am still uncomfortable so I thought it wise to establish a relationship with someone in addition to SA.

 

I don’t want to muddy the waters or anything like that. I just thought I would ask.

[mdwstrx]

Hi Hope.

I feel your concern. Considering that for many of us, despair and blind faith got us into this

unenviable position, I think we have to educate ourselves on all fronts to make our best decisions.

Talking with someone outside SA is ok if it helps to understand what's occurring.  You brought the

suggestion back here to vet before acting on it.  I think it shows your overall
confidence and appreciation in the help you're getting here. 

 

Few of us knew what we were in for once we entered into acute w/d.  So until it resolves and is in our

past, every new symptom is scary.  It's difficult to trust anything anyone says but as you've found, I think the

SA team is pretty spot on with their advice and help.   

 

I had several little weird things pop up throughout w/d.  Guaranteed I asked about each one, with SA and with my doctor. 😅 

It seemed at the time, like being sucked into an alternate universe where only a 'few' acknowledged or recognized what 

was going on.  The 'few' were only on this site, thankfully but unfortunately.  I made note on my thread how it

felt like the 'twilight zone' where no one else (Dr. included) thought these drugs were so dangerous or could do such harm. 

 

I think the bottom line on SA, from what I've gathered, is that less is better when it comes to supplements or

other drugs while you're stabilizing. The tools they recommend are exceptionally helpful for now and for the future.

I'm betting on them, SA and my faith to see myself off the AD. 

 

Hope you're doing better today. 🌼

[HopeFloats]

9/20:

3:24am - woke up, bathroom

5:21am - woke up

6:15am - alarm

                anxiety 0 - 1

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

8:40am - at work, anxiety is a 3.5, feeling fluttering and/or heart palps

2:50pm - anxiety has lessened to a 2

4:40pm - anxiety is still there, heart palps sensations ( 3) along with some chest pressure (1 or 2)

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Iron

9pm - took reduced GABA Calm, 22.5 ml 

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

10pm - took time release 1.05 mg Melatonin

10:15pm - went to bed

9/21:

1:38am - woke up, bathroom

4:08am - woke up

5:45am - woke up, bathroom

6am - got up

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

                anxiety low, 0 or 1

***anxiety was pretty consistent today

 

9/21:

8am - went to dog park and to get food

9am - 9:30am - anxiety is a level 4

11:34am - getting lunch, running errand

                   anxiety is a 4 or 5

                  chest pressure and my heart feels weird, probably heart palps or an inner vibration in my heart

3pm - I feel asleep for a nap!  First one in a long time. Anxiety is low, like a 1

4pm - ran an errand and treated myself to an Orange Freeze

5:15pm - drove my husband and his friends to a fundraiser

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Iron

9pm - took reduced GABA Calm, 22.5 ml

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

10pm - took time released 1.05 mg Melatonin

              not feeling very tired tonight

10:45pm - going to bed but not tired

9/22:  

12:38am - woke up, bathroom

5am - woke up

6:30am - woke up to my alarm.  I know I was sleeping b/c I remember having a weird dream.

 

***I think my dog may have awakened me b/t 12:38am and 5am but I am not sure and did not document it

***wondering about future taperings if I should buy a scale and try that.  Is a scale a more accurate way to taper?

 

 

 

 

            

[HopeFloats]

16 hours ago, mdwstrx said:

Hi Hope.

I feel your concern. Considering that for many of us, despair and blind faith got us into this

unenviable position, I think we have to educate ourselves on all fronts to make our best decisions.

Talking with someone outside SA is ok if it helps to understand what's occurring.  You brought the

suggestion back here to vet before acting on it.  I think it shows your overall
confidence and appreciation in the help you're getting here. 

 

Few of us knew what we were in for once we entered into acute w/d.  So until it resolves and is in our

past, every new symptom is scary.  It's difficult to trust anything anyone says but as you've found, I think the

SA team is pretty spot on with their advice and help.   

 

I had several little weird things pop up throughout w/d.  Guaranteed I asked about each one, with SA and with my doctor. 😅 

It seemed at the time, like being sucked into an alternate universe where only a 'few' acknowledged or recognized what 

was going on.  The 'few' were only on this site, thankfully but unfortunately.  I made note on my thread how it

felt like the 'twilight zone' where no one else (Dr. included) thought these drugs were so dangerous or could do such harm. 

 

I think the bottom line on SA, from what I've gathered, is that less is better when it comes to supplements or

other drugs while you're stabilizing. The tools they recommend are exceptionally helpful for now and for the future.

I'm betting on them, SA and my faith to see myself off the AD. 

 

Hope you're doing better today. 🌼

 

Hi MD!

 

I appreciate you reaching out to me.  You understand me so well and I am fortunate to have you as a friend :-)

 

Ultimately, it takes a village to get through W/D!

 

How are you doing these days with your taper?

 

Thank you for being you!

 

HF