HopeFloats: Prozac, amino acids, withdrawals – reinstating Prozac

[HopeFloats]

Alto or Sassenach,

 

I feel really stupid for asking this but I need help with how to taper the DLPA.

 

Since I started tapering incorrectly and am already at 500 mg daily, I was assuming I should hold for 6 days.

 

Then the next taper down would bring me to 375 mg.  The capsule is full of powder so I am not sure how to accurately draw 375 mg from 500 mg.  Am I suppose to pour the powder out and eyeball it?

 

I am sure I am missing something so I apologize for my dumb question.

 

Thank you,

HopeFloats

[HopeFloats]

8/15:

1:35am  woke up, took 1 mg Melatonin, may have fallen back to sleep for less than an hour

2:30am , got up watched tv

3am, took 1 more mg of Melatonin

3:30am, wide awake, noticed increased restlessness, and not so much tiredness, toss and turn on the couch, clammy feet

4:15am, pacing in my living room in between trying to toss and turn on the couch AWFUL

5:50am, still pacing, wired but exhausted

6am, got up to feed dogs

6:30am took 1.25 mg Prozac

6:45am – 7am -      Pacing stopped!!! Lied on the couch and actually felt peaceful, just resting my eyes, tired but not able to fall asleep, some butterflies still

8am - got off the couch – called in sick to work today - really needed a break from the awful sleep I got last night and really wanted to concentrate on my symptoms today

8:30am, took 500 mg DLPA

                Did not like the way it makes me feel

                Felt better before I took it

9:30am – had some grapes

10am – definitely do not feel better after taking the DLPA, head feels funny, spacy, feel sorta rev’ed up inside

12noon - forced myself to eat a few bites

12noon – feeling a little better, maybe its because I am taking it easy today staying home from work or maybe its been a few hours since I took the dlpa

12:37pm anxiety is increasing

3:30pm, still feel anxiety but it has lessened a little

4pm, back to feeling more anxiety, luckily no chest pressure or tightness today, just racy feeling, irregular HB

6:22pm, forced myself to eat small bites, feel very awake for this hour, I should be winding down

6:50pm, tiniest inclination that I may be getting a little tired, still anxious though, not so much chest pressure, just racy, very uncomfortable

7:38pm, feeling less anxious I guess, tired

8;00pm, feeling really hopeless, feeling really fidgety, not as tired as before, I am so scared, I am in hell

9pm - took 1.25 mg GABA Calm

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

10pm - took 2 mg Melatonin

10:30pm - went to bed

11:50pm - woke up, took 2 more mgs Melatonin

 

8/16:

12:20am - felt wide awake so I got up

1am - 2 am - wide awake and restless, did not really pace the floors though

2am - 4:30am - must have fallen asleep

4:30am/5am - woke up, could not fall back to sleep, lied there, felt myself looking forward to my next Prozac dose

                          feel anxious/ancy/racy/butterflies in stomach, unwell feeling, tired

 

 

 

 

Edited August 16, 2019 by HopeFloats
found more of my daily notes

[Sassenach]

Hello Hope

 

Could not reply last night as was very late here.

Please see link below for how to make your reduced dose.

If you have any problems get back to me.

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

19 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

Since I started tapering incorrectly and am already at 500 mg daily, I was assuming I should hold for 6 days

Yes. When are the six days up?

I am sorry to see you are still having such sleep problems.

Hopefully it will improve as you get the amino acids out of your system.

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

1 hour ago, Sassenach said:

Hello Hope

 

Could not reply last night as was very late here.

Please see link below for how to make your reduced dose.

If you have any problems get back to me.

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

Yes. When are the six days up?

I am sorry to see you are still having such sleep problems.

Hopefully it will improve as you get the amino acids out of your system.

 

Sassenach

 

I have looked over the link you sent me about making a powder into a liquid but am still confused. Can you assist me with the math? My brain is not working.

 

Also, I already messed up the taper. From 1000 mg, I was suppose to decrease by 25% which would have been 750 mg. Well, I went down from 1000 mg to 500mg and have been holding at 500 for 5 days now. I was under the impression that I needed to hold it for tomorrow as well. Sunday is when I would be due for another decrease I think. Should I take 25% of 500mg? I’m really confused with this taper since I messed it up early on. If someone can help me with the math and figuring out how to make the powder in a liquid, I would be so grateful. 

 

Im really hoping that getting off the amino acids does something positive for me. It’s so hard to feel wired all day and then not be able to relax and sleep at night. 

 

Thank you,

Hope Floats

[HopeFloats]

Alto & Sassenach,

 

Today was day 5 of taking DLPA at 500 mg (down from 1000).  Initially, today started out like the others - horrible.

 

But something began to lift early in the afternoon so I feel there is a ray of hope.  Instead of feeling super wired/restless/agitated, I felt a tired sensation which I thought was good.  I felt less amped up, did not feel as restless as before.  My mood lifted too.  So, I feel that is an indication that the DLPA was not interacting well with the reinstatement of the Prozac.  

 

Still felt like my brain is being squeezed, brain fog etc.  Definitely had some anxiety - chest tight, pressure and irregular heart beats.   And, the tension and pain in my neck and shoulders has crept back and this was something that I used to suffer from while I was doing the long taper. 

 

About the bad taper I did over 2 - 3 years; I experienced the chest pressure sometimes but it was not constant.  I did not put 2 + 2 together that it was a withdrawal symptom.  Same with the nerve pain in my neck/shoulders.  And the extreme fatigue that I would get sometimes.  

 

So, once my doctor told me to stop the Prozac, I did.  And began the amino acids hoping they would help with these symptoms.  And they did seem to help.

 

My concern now, is that now I am coming off the amino acids, these old, very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms are going to re-appear with a vengeance.  

 

Is there any way while I am decreasing the DLPA, to increase the Prozac a little?  It seems horrible to me to come off of DLPA, then come off of Tryptophan while keeping the Prozac dose at 1.25 mg.  I know I will not be functional.  

 

I also still have questions re: tapering the DLPA which I wrote about above.

 

As always, I appreciate you both and all that you do.

 

HopeFloats 

 

 

Edited August 17, 2019 by HopeFloats
added something

[Sassenach]

Hi Hope

 

Can ensure you have or buy a syringe or pipette capable of measuring in one/ 1ml increments.

If you do not have one they will be sold in pharmacies.

I will be back later to tell you how.

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

4 hours ago, Sassenach said:

Hi Hope

 

Can ensure you have or buy a syringe or pipette capable of measuring in one/ 1ml increments.

If you do not have one they will be sold in pharmacies.

I will be back later to tell you how.

 

Sassenach

I will have to go buy one...the one I have measures in 2.5 ml increments

[HopeFloats]

Daily Log 8/16:

12:20am - felt wide awake so I got up

1am - 2 am - wide awake and restless, did not really pace the floors though

2am - 4:30am - must have fallen asleep

4:30am/5am - woke up, could not fall back to sleep, lied there, felt myself looking forward to my next Prozac dose

                          feel anxious/ancy/racy/butterflies in stomach, unwell feeling, tired

6:00am - got up to feed dogs

6:30am - Took 1.25 mg Prozac

6:45/7am - anxiety still there, not made worse

8am - went to work - have this need to keep busy, wide awake, even though I must be exhausted

8:15am - urinating a lot, my UTI test results came back negative

8:30am - took 500 mg DLPA (5th day at 500 mg; down from 1000 mg)

9:30am - not noticing too much after taking the DLPA

10:30am - had some yogurt

11:50am - noticed a change  - instead of feeling wired, felt a little tired, still have irregular HB, anxiety in chest, shaky hands

1:15pm - my mood is improving, actually felt like saying hello to someone at work

1:30pm - increase in appetite

2pm - tension in shoulders

5pm - left work

5:30am - had sliver of lasagna 

6pm - began to feel funny, tired feeling, not feeling good

6:30pm - lied down on couch, watched tv

7pm - racy feeling again

7:30pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Iron 

9pm - took 1.25 mg GABA Calm

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

10pm - took 1 mg Melatonin

10:30pm - upset stomach, went to bed

 

overall, I felt an improvement today 

 

 

 

 

[Sassenach]

Hello hope

The 2.5 ml syringe will be fine for this particular med hope I catch you before you go out just to buy one get back to you in a couple of hours

Sassenach

[Sassenach]

Hello Hope

 

Good to hear you beginning to respond.

Got to be quick, wedding anniversary.

 

Just to be clear the following assumes you are using  500mg capsules.

Draw 10mls of water into the syringe. and put into small container.

Twist capsule over container and pour contents into water.

Leave to see if it dissolves.

If it does make sure all dissolved, draw 7.5mls into syringe and empty straight into your mouth.

If it does not dissolve stir well and draw 7.5mls as quickly as possible and take as above.

2 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

still have irregular HB

Is it an irregular heartbeat or palpitations?

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

22 hours ago, Sassenach said:

Hello Hope

 

Good to hear you beginning to respond.

Got to be quick, wedding anniversary.

 

Just to be clear the following assumes you are using  500mg capsules.

Draw 10mls of water into the syringe. and put into small container.

Twist capsule over container and pour contents into water.

Leave to see if it dissolves.

If it does make sure all dissolved, draw 7.5mls into syringe and empty straight into your mouth.

If it does not dissolve stir well and draw 7.5mls as quickly as possible and take as above.

Is it an irregular heartbeat or palpitations?

 

Sassenach

 

Hi Sassenach,

 

I hope you had a wonderful wedding anniversary celebration!

 

So, I tried dissolving the DLPA in water and it is not easy....there is so much powder inside a 500 mg capsule and trying to dissolve it in 10 ml of water is hard...plus, the powder itself is sticky....I have attached a few pics for you to view....not sure if they are helpful or not...

 

I ended up drawing 7.5 ml though and taking it but I am just not sure how accurate it is since so much of the powder sticks to the sides of the glass and the bottom

 

Also, I take the DLPA at 8:30am which is when I am already at work....I don't think I can try to make this concoction when I am at work....I liked taking the Prozac and DLPA two hours apart so I could see how I felt after taking each one....Is it possible for me to take the DLPA earlier?  Is there another method to tapering off the aminos?  Should I take the Prozac and DLPA at the same time?

 

I know I made the mistake of reducing DLPA by 50% the first time, but luckily, I feel so much better than when I was taking 1000 mg.  It was just too stimulating to my system and it was a living nightmare...

 

About my heartbeat, yes, I think it is palpitations and not an irregular HB.  It just feels like some of my HB's feel more pronounced than others, and sometimes it feels like something is fluttering.... 

 

Thank you,

HopeFloats

[HopeFloats]

Daily Log 8/17:

 

midnight - woke up and took 1 mg Melatonin

1am - woke up but must have fallen back to sleep

4am - woke up but must have fallen back to sleep

6am - woke up, no noticeable anxiety, IBS, sick/unwell feeling, slight headache

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac

7:30am - had some cherries, my mood felt low key, still slight unwell feelling 

8:00am - had some chocolate milk but think it may have caused a little anxiety

8:30am - took 500 mg DLPA

9:15am - thought I noticed an improvement in how I was feeling 

10:30am - 11:30am - felt anxiety, chest pressure, racy feeling in chest, heart palpitations

12noon - ate salad

1pm - 9 pm - I was able to run around and do errands with my husband

9pm - felt dizzy while I was out, I knew I needed to get home, my schedule was off today

9:55pm - took 1.25 mg GABA Calm

10:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

midnight - went to bed, took 1 mg Melatonin

 

My schedule was off today and I think I may have done too much.  The huge thing that happened today was I was able to sleep til 6am!  I did not feel the need to get out of bed, go lay on the couch and toss and turn while trying to watch tv.  

 

[Sassenach]

Hello Hope

40 minutes ago, HopeFloats said:

I hope you had a wonderful wedding anniversary celebration!

I did thank you.

 

First the measuring.

Would it be easier in more water?

If not, are you able to cut the capsules at work?

If you can cut at 3/4 of length trying to ensure as little loss as possible., swallow and follow with water.

I should emphasise this method is not accurate enough for antidepressants but should be ok for the DLPA.

It is better to stick to the time schedule as it appears to be effective.

You must feel better for a full nights sleep, everything seems easier.

47 minutes ago, HopeFloats said:

felt anxiety, chest pressure, racy feeling in chest, heart palpitations

 

57 minutes ago, HopeFloats said:

something is fluttering....

These are "normal " symptoms in fact I have them as I write.

They will become less frequent as your system desensitises, but it will take a while.

You are moving in the right direction, providing we keep it slow and steady you will get there.

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

I don't think more water would help....this powder is just not dissolving easily....They are gelatin capsules full of the powder so I can try dumping out the powder onto a piece of paper and forming an even rectangle....and then cutting that into quarters...

 

But what about when we have to taper down further?  How can I accurately do it this way?  I am also not clear as to how long this taper is going to last.  Could this really takes weeks to get off the DLPA?  I didn't seem to have any trouble dropping from 1000 to 500 though.  

 

Today, I have had 24/7 anxiety in my chest (which isn't that different from other days)....I have the heart palpitations and flutters and a constant racy feeling....also feel wide awake at 7pm when I should be getting that winding down feeling....I definitely feel better after cutting down the DLPA dosage from 1000 mg to 500 mg but I am scared that I still have this constant anxiety....why is this? 

 

During my bad taper, I did, from time to time, experience the chest pressure.  But I do not recall feeling this constant, level of anxiety when the withdrawals first started on July 24th...it was more of a sick/unwell/weak/hungover feeling.  So, where is the anxiety coming from?  Do withdrawal symptoms evolve from one thing into another?

 

I'm feeling really fearful right now....

 

My goal is to get off the aminos and then see where I am at with the Prozac reinstatement.  If I need to increase the Prozac, I am fine with that.  I have also reconciled the fact that I may never be able to get off Prozac.  That is ok, too.  I just want the withdrawal symptoms and anxiety to go away.  Is it possible the 1.25 mg of Prozac is causing the anxiety?  Or wouldn't it make more sense that it is my body's way of saying that it wants more Prozac?

 

Sorry, just having a worrisome day and am looking for some reassurance.  

[ChessieCat]

Another option to measure capsule contents for a dose.

 

Fold a piece of firm paper in half and fold it backwards and forwards on the fold so that it will still sit flat.  Pour the capsules contents onto the paper and fold it so that the powder is along the fold.  Carefully open out the fold and place down on a flat surface.  With a flat sharp implement, blade of a knife or razor blade, divide up the powder.

 

If you fold two pieces of paper together you can pull one out from under the other and scrape the powder on the underneath piece of paper.

 

Edited August 19, 2019 by ChessieCat

[HopeFloats]

11 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Another option to measure capsule contents for a dose.

 

Fold a piece of firm paper in half and fold it backwards and forwards on the fold so that it will still sit flat.  Pour the capsules contents onto the paper and fold it so that the powder is along the fold.  Carefully open out the fold and place down on a flat surface.  With a flat sharp implement, blade of a knife or razor blade, divide up the powder.

 

If you fold two pieces of paper together you can pull one out from under the other and scrape the powder on the underneath piece of paper.

 

Thank you for the suggestion.  

[HopeFloats]

Daily Log 8/18:

12 midnight - went to bed

1:30am - woke up, took 1 mg Melatonin

3am - woke up, fell back to sleep

4am - woke up, had butterflies in my stomach, tossed and turned in bed, couldn't fall back to sleep

6am - got up, felt wide away for this hour, little amped up

6:30am - took 1.25 mg Prozac - also experienced some IBS

7:10 AM - noticed slight relaxation, not as many butterflies, palpitations seemed to stop, felt tightness in shoulders though

8:30am - took 375 mg or 7.5 mg of DLPA (difficulty with dissolving it)

9:22am - was happy that I did not seem to have any chest pressure

9:40am - felt worried about life, didn't feel like sitting still, felt the need to do something

10am - do not like the way I am feeling, feel too much nervous energy, luckily not a lot of discomfort in chest

10:30am - 3pm - out visiting family, went out to lunch, while I was out to lunch, I felt very racy inside, couldn't get comfortable on the chair I was sitting on, told my husband I needed to go home after this

3:30pm - came home to relax

8pm - took 400 mg Magnesium and 25 mg Iron

9pm - took 1.25 mg GABA Calm

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

10pm - took 2 mg Melatonin

10:15pm - went to bed

11pm - woke up and took another 1 mg Melatonin

8/19:

2am - woke up and took another 1 mg Melatonin

4am - woke up, fell back to sleep

6am - got up

 

Overall, I had a HORRIBLE night's sleep because I had anxiety all through the night.  I can't stand the anxiety.  It is driving me insane. 

[Sassenach]

@Altostrata

 

Hello Hope

 

3 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

Overall, I had a HORRIBLE night's sleep

But at least you are now getting some sleep.

If you look back only three days ago you were not sleeping and pacing the floors.

Were you pacing because of anxiety, has it got better or worse?

3 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

25 mg Iron

How often do you take this?

We have two options:

Continue DLPA taper and evaluate a Prozac updose after that.

Hold the DPLA and increase Prozac by a small amount.

I have asked Alto for her opinion.

You are improving but it was always going to be slow, you will get there.

 

Sassenach

 

[HopeFloats]

1 minute ago, Sassenach said:

@Altostrata

 

Hello Hope

 

But at least you are now getting some sleep.

If you look back only three days ago you were not sleeping and pacing the floors.

Were you pacing because of anxiety, has it got better or worse?

How often do you take this?

We have two options:

Continue DLPA taper and evaluate a Prozac updose after that.

Hold the DPLA and increase Prozac by a small amount.

I have asked Alto for her opinion.

You are improving but it was always going to be slow, you will get there.

 

Sassenach

 

You are correct, I have noticed an improvement since 8/16 and I am grateful for that. 

 

Since decreasing the DLPA , I have been able to stay in my own bed for the last three nights and have not paved the floors in the middle of the night. Thank goodness- that was pure torture. I think the pacing was because of anxiety - I just couldn’t sit still. 

 

However the anxiety is still strong and wakes me up often through the night. I also have so much anxiety during the day - although I don’t pace back and forth - I find myself getting up to take a walk so I can be by myself and reflect on what is going on with me. 

 

The pacing has gotten better but the heart palpitations, fluttering and racy feeling going through my chest is still very much there.

 

is this type of anxiety normal in withdrawals?

 

i wish there was a way to speed up the DLPA taper. 

 

 

Thank you for everything! 

 

Hope Floats

[Sassenach]

2 minutes ago, HopeFloats said:

The pacing has gotten better but the heart palpitations, fluttering and racy feeling going through my chest is still very much there.

 

is this type of anxiety normal in withdrawals?

Unfortunately it is but it eases as your CNS begins to settle.

 

4 minutes ago, HopeFloats said:

I wish there was a way to speed up the DLPA taper. 

We will see what Alto has to say.

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

10 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

Unfortunately it is but it eases as your CNS begins to settle.

 

We will see what Alto has to say.

 

Sassenach

Surprisingly, my anxiety has lessened a bit - instead of getting heightened. And I even feel a twinge of tiredness.  I wonder if my body can already tell that I lowered the DLPA again down to 375mg?

[Sassenach]

Good.

I will leave the request to Alto in place.

She will have a view on moving forward.

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

Sassenach,

 

I’ve come across the subject of kindling and it has freaked me out. 

 

is it possible that my symptoms are a result of kindling? Or are my symptoms  regular withdrawal symptoms?

 

my anxiety came back later in the afternoon- heart palpitations, chest pressure, racy feeling and being ancy. 

 

Thank you,

Hope Floats

[mdwstrx]

Hi Hope.  I've read through your posts.  Maybe I can be of some comfort.  In short, I had tapered my escitalopram (generic Lexapro- SSRI) to 2.5 mg. over 2 years.  The doctor told me it was low enough to stop.  That was in Nov. 2018.  

 

I stopped for 4 days and felt w/d symptoms emerging.  I panicked, reinstated and up-dosed to 5 mg., then found this website.  Following Alto and her team's instructions, I stabilized about 3.5 months out.  Before that, I went through exactly what you're going through.  The akathisia (inner restlessness was awful).  I really began to slowly feel more normal about the 4th month.

 

Fast forward now, 8 months later... I am back to my 'normal' self and have resumed tapering the escitalopram, slowly and so far, successfully.  

 

Granted I did not take any other supplements save the fish oil (which still helps me sleep).  I am sleeping very well.

 

So maybe we can't compare apples to oranges since you are on amino acids too.  However, know that I healed very slowly - but did heal.  Others do as well so there is no reason to think you won't.

 

I won't address your question about kindling since I'm not a moderator or very knowledgeable about kindling, but I will say I don't think I was kindled and your symptoms sound much like mine in the first few months of my recovery following reinstatement.

 

I hope this helps to reassure you.  It will get better. 💜

 

 

 

 

[HopeFloats]

49 minutes ago, mdwstrx said:

Hi Hope.  I've read through your posts.  Maybe I can be of some comfort.  In short, I had tapered my escitalopram (generic Lexapro- SSRI) to 2.5 mg. over 2 years.  The doctor told me it was low enough to stop.  That was in Nov. 2018.  

 

I stopped for 4 days and felt w/d symptoms emerging.  I panicked, reinstated and up-dosed to 5 mg., then found this website.  Following Alto and her team's instructions, I stabilized about 3.5 months out.  Before that, I went through exactly what you're going through.  The akathisia (inner restlessness was awful).  I really began to slowly feel more normal about the 4th month.

 

Fast forward now, 8 months later... I am back to my 'normal' self and have resumed tapering the escitalopram, slowly and so far, successfully.  

 

Granted I did not take any other supplements save the fish oil (which still helps me sleep).  I am sleeping very well.

 

So maybe we can't compare apples to oranges since you are on amino acids too.  However, know that I healed very slowly - but did heal.  Others do as well so there is no reason to think you won't.

 

I won't address your question about kindling since I'm not a moderator or very knowledgeable about kindling, but I will say I don't think I was kindled and your symptoms sound much like mine in the first few months of my recovery following reinstatement.

 

I hope this helps to reassure you.  It will get better. 💜

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much mdwstrx for taking time out to give me some reassurance.  That is so kind of you.  I really needed it, too.

 

The akathisia is so, so, so horrifying to me.  Although, it has gotten better at night, I am experiencing it right now.  I attempted to sit down and respond to you but felt the need to fill up the dog's water bowl first, take a bite of food, use the bathroom etc....it was all I could do to stop being so ancy and just sit down and type this....did you also have the racy, heart palpitation anxiety, too?

 

I need to remind myself that it may take months before I am feeling well again.  It is just so hard when I feel like I am in a torture chamber 24/7.

 

Did you work during the 3.5 months it took you to stabilize?  Did you stay at the same dose for the 3.5 months or increase during this time?

 

I am hoping that as I come off the amino acids, that my symptoms will improve.  Tryptophan used to help me sleep so once I start tapering that, I am really worried about sleeping even worse than I do now.

 

The very first week I entered into withdrawals, I felt sick/unwell/hungover and weak - that sort of thing.  It wasn't until I reinstated the Prozac that I noticed the restlessness and anxiety.  So I am not sure if I am on too much Prozac or if it is the combination of Prozac with the amino acids I am on.

 

I am so appreciative of you reaching out.  Thank you!

[mdwstrx]

2 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

.did you also have the racy, heart palpitation anxiety, too?

Yes, I did as well.  In fact I cleaned my basement and cleared out so much attempting to find some relief.  I also took very small amounts of the beta blocker propanolol for a short time during the worst which seemed to help me (it is often prescribed for akathesia).  However, it made me nauseous so then I had to take an OTC anti nausea med.

But... please note that only the mods can advise you on this given your personal circumstances.

 

Quote

I need to remind myself that it may take months before I am feeling well again.  It is just so hard when I feel like I am in a torture chamber 24/7.

Yes I felt that way too. However your nervous system has taken a hit and is craving stability. I well know the feeling of wanting to do something, take another pill, etc.  The very best thing is to listen to the mods and follow their advice closely.  They know what they’re doing. Even more so than my (and most) doctor(s).

 

Healing after a reinstatement comes in windows and waves and I kept an Excel chart that you can see throughout my posts.  It helped me a great deal to visualize the continued improvement over time.  

 

Quote

Did you work during the 3.5 months it took you to stabilize?  Did you stay at the same dose for the 3.5 months or increase during this time?

No. I am 58 and retired so I was able to spend my recovery time in peace and quiet.   My doctor wanted me to updose and the mods here respectfully disagreed. It was a difficult decision for me and I first followed my doctor’s advise and updosed slightly but not as much as he recommended. I listened to the mods and Alto and held steady after that. The  reinstatement began to take effect after the first several weeks. I then forced myself to get out and play my daily sports for 2-3 hrs which helped me immensely.  But it was a team racquet sport. Not a lot of talking and lots of energy expended. Some, however, find exercise is too much for their system. I was cautioned by the mods not to overdo it. 

 

Quote

The very first week I entered into withdrawals, I felt sick/unwell/hungover and weak - that sort of thing.  It wasn't until I reinstated the Prozac that I noticed the restlessness and anxiety.  So I am not sure if I am on too much Prozac or if it is the combination of Prozac with the amino acids I am on.

I noticed the first week or two the same thing. I felt numb and unwell with a slight buzziness. As the reinstatement  progressed, the akathesia set in. I know how awful it feels but it does get better!  Mine completely went away.  As I said I am basically my old self, even working a part time job.  

 

When feeling my worst, the nondrug coping tools on this site helped a great deal to avoid secondary anxiety; especially  the acceptance that I was out of commission for the most part until I stabilized.  It’s a hard thing to come to terms with but critical for a quicker recovery in my opinion.  Just know that you will feel better in time. Trust the team on this site. 

 

Lastly and most importantly, I credit my faith in and prayers to Jesus for my relatively quick and complete recovery.  I pray yours is as well. 

[mdwstrx]

8 hours ago, mdwstrx said:

Healing after a reinstatement comes in windows and waves and I kept an Excel chart that you can see throughout my posts.  It helped me a great deal to visualize the continued improvement over time.  

PS. Please note I replied above using a phone and didn't intend to change or emphasize the font on this sentence.  

[HopeFloats]

Daily Log 8/19:

2am - woke up and took another 1 mg Melatonin

4am - woke up, fell back to sleep

6am - got up

6:30am - took 1.25 mg of Prozac

didn't seem to do much today though, I have heart palpitations, flutters, racy feeling through upper body, I can't get relief

8am - at work

8:30am - took 375 mg of DLPA ((((this is my 3rd day))))

10am - anxiety has lessened a little but I am not sure why

10:15am - noticed a slight tired sensation, anxiety is more at a 2 right now

10:45am - pressure on top of my head I think I can hear my brain going snap, crackle and pop

12:30pm - had a little lunch, not much of an appetite at all

12:37pm - noticed increase in anxiety, around a 3, chest tightness, and some increased pressure, heart palpitations are there but not as bad

2pm - chest pressure is what is really bothering me, that is a higher level, the other anxiety is at a 2, the chest pressure was a symptom while i was doing my bad taper from Prozac

2:30pm - starting to feel more heart flutters now

3:40pm - back to anxious and restless, when I went to speak with my supervisor today, I noticed that I kept shifting from hip to hip, didn't have the patient I normally do to sit there and talk to her, I must have gone on 4 or 5 walks today at work

5pm - left work

6 pm - definitely feeling ancy

8 pm = 400 mg Magnesium citrate/amino acid chelate and 25 mg Iron

on couch, trying to relax to prepare for sleep,

9pm - anxiety is down to a 2, took 1.25 mg GABA Calm

9:30pm - took 1000 mg Tryptophan

9:44pm - must have started to fall asleep, a hypnic jerk woke me up, think my anxiety is rising though

10pm - took 2 mg Melatonin and feeling more awake

10:30pm - went to bed but had trouble sleeping

8/20:

12 midnight -not able to sleep, tossed and turned

12:45am - got up and laid on couch, no lights or tv, thought that would make it worse

stayed on couch til 5 am, I just have fallen asleep but I couldn't tell you when or for how long

it was a bad night

5am - definitely anxiety and butterflies in my stomach

 

[HopeFloats]

So, I am wondering if the Tryptophan is also too much for me

At 9pm last night, my anxiety was at a 2

After the Tryptophan, initially I felt sleepy but it was short lived, and then I felt more restless, awake and anxious

 

My gut is telling me that the amino acids are making the problem worse 

[Sassenach]

Hello Hope.

 

Please reduce DLPA to 5mgs ie 1/2 capsule tomorrow and take note of how you feel.

With regard to kindling MDWSTRX  was right.

This is why we are moving so slowly, to remove the supplements from the equation and get a true baseline to work forward.

There is no reason to worry about kindling, you are still at a very low dose.

My concern is the poor sleep last night as it is breaking the pattern.

Is your job inherently stressful or is it stressful now because of W/D?

Were you expecting to see the supervisor today or was it a surprise?

Scoring your anxiety levels is great, I assume you are scoring out of ten.

This a link on acceptance that helped me

acceptance/

2 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

25 mg Iron

When did you start taking this and how often?

2 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

My gut is telling me that the amino acids are making the problem worse 

 

You may be right. I will talk to one of the senior mods before the end of DLPA taper to decide the next supplement to taper.

We do need to ensure you are able to sleep.

 

Sassenach

 

I hope you sleep better tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

[HopeFloats]

26 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

Hello Hope.

 

Please reduce DLPA to 5mgs ie 1/2 capsule tomorrow and take note of how you feel.

With regard to kindling MDWSTRX  was right.

This is why we are moving so slowly, to remove the supplements from the equation and get a true baseline to work forward.

There is no reason to worry about kindling, you are still at a very low dose.

My concern is the poor sleep last night as it is breaking the pattern.

Is your job inherently stressful or is it stressful now because of W/D?

Were you expecting to see the supervisor today or was it a surprise?

Scoring your anxiety levels is great, I assume you are scoring out of ten.

This a link on acceptance that helped me

acceptance/

When did you start taking this and how often?

 

You may be right. I will talk to one of the senior mods before the end of DLPA taper to decide the next supplement to taper.

We do need to ensure you are able to sleep.

 

Sassenach

 

I hope you sleep better tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I need clarification regarding the DLPA dose. I went from 1000 to 500 to 375. Am I to cut the 375 in half and take 186? Or cut the 500 in half and take 250? 

 

My job keeps me busy but I didn’t used to get stressed about it. I used to love talking to my co workers and supervisor. But now, I have constant anxiety no matter what I’m doing. So carrying on a conversation takes a lot out of me. It takes energy and patience that I don’t have right now. I guess I am in constant state of restlessness (varying degrees) and anxiety. ((Varying degrees)

 

i began taking Iron last year I think. Or maybe earlier this year. My blood work came back showing low iron- not anemic but pretty close. I also read Iron helps with RLS which I used to get from time to time.

is Iron too stimulating?

 

yes , when I am airing my anxiety it is out of 10

 

thank you for easing my mind about kindling.  I am worried about sleep problems too. Not sure if I should add in some fish oil. 

 

Thank you,

Hope Floats 

[HopeFloats]

13 hours ago, mdwstrx said:

Yes, I did as well.  In fact I cleaned my basement and cleared out so much attempting to find some relief.  I also took very small amounts of the beta blocker propanolol for a short time during the worst which seemed to help me (it is often prescribed for akathesia).  However, it made me nauseous so then I had to take an OTC anti nausea med.

But... please note that only the mods can advise you on this given your personal circumstances.

 

Yes I felt that way too. However your nervous system has taken a hit and is craving stability. I well know the feeling of wanting to do something, take another pill, etc.  The very best thing is to listen to the mods and follow their advice closely.  They know what they’re doing. Even more so than my (and most) doctor(s).

 

Healing after a reinstatement comes in windows and waves and I kept an Excel chart that you can see throughout my posts.  It helped me a great deal to visualize the continued improvement over time.  

 

No. I am 58 and retired so I was able to spend my recovery time in peace and quiet.   My doctor wanted me to updose and the mods here respectfully disagreed. It was a difficult decision for me and I first followed my doctor’s advise and updosed slightly but not as much as he recommended. I listened to the mods and Alto and held steady after that. The  reinstatement began to take effect after the first several weeks. I then forced myself to get out and play my daily sports for 2-3 hrs which helped me immensely.  But it was a team racquet sport. Not a lot of talking and lots of energy expended. Some, however, find exercise is too much for their system. I was cautioned by the mods not to overdo it. 

 

I noticed the first week or two the same thing. I felt numb and unwell with a slight buzziness. As the reinstatement  progressed, the akathesia set in. I know how awful it feels but it does get better!  Mine completely went away.  As I said I am basically my old self, even working a part time job.  

 

When feeling my worst, the nondrug coping tools on this site helped a great deal to avoid secondary anxiety; especially  the acceptance that I was out of commission for the most part until I stabilized.  It’s a hard thing to come to terms with but critical for a quicker recovery in my opinion.  Just know that you will feel better in time. Trust the team on this site. 

 

Lastly and most importantly, I credit my faith in and prayers to Jesus for my relatively quick and complete recovery.  I pray yours is as well. 

Hi there - did you also have insomnia? It seems my three horrible symptoms are insomnia, anxiety and akasthia. I’m starting to worry about my lack of sleep. 

[Sassenach]

Hope

 

Take 250, one half a 500mg capsule, apologies if it confused you.

12 minutes ago, HopeFloats said:

i began taking Iron last year I think. Or maybe earlier this year. My blood work came back showing low iron- not anemic but pretty close. I also read Iron helps with RLS which I used to get from time to time.

is Iron too stimulating?

You are taking it for a specific condition and is targeted, therefore necessary.

Carry on taking it please.

Do not add another supplement even fish oil at the moment.

It does not suit everyone and we do not need the complication.

The sooner we can get the supplements out of the equation the quicker we can get a baseline to move forward.

This is important. Is it likely the visit to the supervisor increased your anxiety?

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

5 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

Hope

 

Take 250, one half a 500mg capsule, apologies if it confused you.

You are taking it for a specific condition and is targeted, therefore necessary.

Carry on taking it please.

Do not add another supplement even fish oil at the moment.

It does not suit everyone and we do not need the complication.

The sooner we can get the supplements out of the equation the quicker we can get a baseline to move forward.

This is important. Is it likely the visit to the supervisor increased your anxiety?

 

Sassenach

I don’t think it increased my anxiety - I wasn’t in trouble or anything - I just wanted to run something by her and get her opinion- I find interactions with people can be taxing on me. A gal I used to be able and chat with for 30 min at a time, wears me out and I can only tolerate like 5/10 min max. Maybe it is because I’m anxious - I always attributed it to just feeling so uncomfortable right now. What are your thoughts on this?

[Sassenach]

Your assessment is bang on.

Hate to say this but you are lucky, for some including me it was totally unprovoked and intense anger.

Fortunately did not last long.

Hope you sleep better.

 

Sassenach

[HopeFloats]

6 minutes ago, Sassenach said:

Your assessment is bang on.

Hate to say this but you are lucky, for some including me it was totally unprovoked and intense anger.

Fortunately did not last long.

Hope you sleep better.

 

Sassenach

You made me laugh when you say I’m lucky.  I don’t feel lucky at all

 

i have to say I am concerned now about my sleep and the fact that I took two steps back last night. Please tell me this will work itself out too.

 

tryprophan was something that I took to help me sleep. But I find it odd that it made me sleepy for maybe 10 min but after that my anxiety increased and my feeling wide awake increased. I was worried about tapering off of Tryptophan for fear it would cause sleep problems but it may be a partial cause of my sleep problems.