Moderator brassmonkey Posted January 7, 2020 Moderator Share Posted January 7, 2020 You can't take someone else's experience as a direct example of what you will go through. When it comes to stabilizing and being ready to start a taper there are so many factors involved that it is impossible to predict how you will do from someone else's journey. Stabilizing is a very funny process and can take as little as a few weeks or a frustratingly long time. Many people seem to stabilize in the six month to a year time frame, but for others it could take longer. It's all in how an individuals body reacts and we have very little control over it. All we can do it take the best care of ourselves and let it happen in it's own time. 1 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Giulietta Posted January 7, 2020 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Hello there, We all made it through the holidays in reasonable shape - even though some of us ate more sweets than we should have (I am one!) and it affected my anxiety. Sorry about your ongoing cortisol spikes. Do you have them every morning? And how early do they happen? Depending on how early they happen - does it help when you get up? When they come after an evening of anxiety - can' get to sleep until late - it's a double whammy. 🙁 2 hours ago, thelegend said: yes I made it back to work, and it wasn’t an awful day, made it through ok and was feeling pretty good last night until I got slammed with anxiety 1st thing the morning at 6AM. I am just so sick of waking up like this. I saw earlier in yoru thread that you may have a cortisol spike at 5.15. Does it help if you get up then? I read that someone indicated she just got up, got busy, etc. I try to stay in bed until 6 or 6.30. About stabilizign before making a decrease - I was advised that unless you have physically intolerable symptoms execute your planned decrease (whether 2.5%, 5%, 10%). Double check with BrassMonkey. We are going to have to stabilize every time we decrease anyway. I don't know if that helps. Going to work is better than letting anxiety win - just like going out for coffee (for example). Work will take your mind off these symptoms. If you need to leave early this is better than not going at all. I would say that when I was working - when on ADs - starting at noon or 4 pm on Sundays my mood would tank. Conversely Thursday night was in general a good thing ) Isn't this the modus operandi for everyone (or just those of us who don't love their jobs)? Hang in there. 1 Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 7, 2020 Author Share Posted January 7, 2020 3 hours ago, brassmonkey said: You can't take someone else's experience as a direct example of what you will go through. When it comes to stabilizing and being ready to start a taper there are so many factors involved that it is impossible to predict how you will do from someone else's journey. Stabilizing is a very funny process and can take as little as a few weeks or a frustratingly long time. Many people seem to stabilize in the six month to a year time frame, but for others it could take longer. It's all in how an individuals body reacts and we have very little control over it. All we can do it take the best care of ourselves and let it happen in it's own time. Good to know and thanks for this. So sounds like continuing to hold is my only option? Should I be discouraged that I haven’t seen any real progress in 8 months? Can real progress still happen this far out, or am I going to be stuck this way? April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 thelegend my early morning anxiety is finally getting better! I don’t have the 4:00 am rapid heart beat and I have been sleeping better! So yes it does get better it’s slow, but I have been-feeling some symptoms not so intense! So please know you will heal and you will start seeing improvements coming your way 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
Tom37 Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 You will heal and the symptoms will reduce.....it could start happening tomorrow. Just do not change your dose. If you do you then undo all the 8 months you have put into this healing. As you know the last couple of months I have been struggling after feeling a lot better. Wave after wave and an absolute nasty one just last week but now I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in a very long time. I know it will probably get bad again but wd is always changing so you just have to hang in there and keep going until it does. Keep going. 20mg Lexapro 2007 10mg Lexapro 2012 Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3. Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction. Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October. Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018 Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov. Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018 Link to comment
Mentor RachelSusan Posted January 8, 2020 Mentor Share Posted January 8, 2020 Hi Legend, I hope you will continue to hold. The first time around I continued to taper even though I wasn't stable. For me it was a big mistake and I spent at least a year in h*ll. After that I spent a long time stabilizing so that when I was ready to taper I had a very solid base from which to launch myself from. My tapers are now very doable. I do have symptoms when I taper but they are very minimal and they only last a few days. I think we are all react differently to the meds and withdrawal, however I recognize that we like to compare ourselves to each other hoping that it will answer the big unanswered question, which is "when will I feel better?" I know I did it. As for you, I do think you will heal, and I do think you will feel better. Your timetable may not be the same as mine or Tom37, or anybody else's, but I believe you will recover. RS 1 I am not a health professional in any way. I do not give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner. NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20, 575 to 500 (13%), Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER Feb. 2016 to June 2016 - Was on 150mg Zoloft. Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June 2016, reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016. From July 2016 to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper. STARTING SENSIBLE ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE Dec. 10 2016 - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg. Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg. Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%). Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg. May 9, 2020 1.375 mg. June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%). July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%). August 15, 2020 1.0 mg. Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg. Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg. Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%). Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg. May 1, 2021 .375mg. May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg. October 2, 2021 .043mg. October 10, 2021 .038mg. October 23, 2021 .035mg. October 30, 2021 .032mg. Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg. Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg. Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 8, 2020 Author Share Posted January 8, 2020 Hey all, thanks for your encouragement. I will continue to hold, only because it is pretty much the only option. I just don’t get why I don’t get windows after this long you would think I would have a couple. 7:30 PM and still tons of anxiety and dreading sleep cause I know the cortisol dump that awaits me. Again I am just not sure how much longer I can keep doing this without some glimpse of improvement. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
sunnysideup69 Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 10 hours ago, thelegend said: yes I made it back to work, and it wasn’t an awful day, made it through ok and was feeling pretty good last night until I got slammed with anxiety 1st thing the morning at 6AM. I am just so sick of waking up like this. Yep....I concur. It is really disheartening. And also, as hard as it is to believe right now, it is temporary. 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. Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 8, 2020 Author Share Posted January 8, 2020 17 hours ago, Lynnardgirl said: thelegend my early morning anxiety is finally getting better! I don’t have the 4:00 am rapid heart beat and I have been sleeping better! So yes it does get better it’s slow, but I have been-feeling some symptoms not so intense! So please know you will heal and you will start seeing improvements coming your way How long have you been holding at the same dose @Lynnardgirl? April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 I have been holding for 12 months ! I was starting to get nervous but I starting to see little changes for the better! Ugh it’s been hell 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
Edmunds Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 You will no doubt have further waves, as I have. But when the anxiety symptoms, if not all the others, started to wane, I began right away to feel less anxiety about the anxiety, as we say. That gave me strength to move on ahead. 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. Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 3 minutes ago, Edmunds said: You will no doubt have further waves, as I have. But when the anxiety symptoms, if not all the others, started to wane, I began right away to feel less anxiety about the anxiety, as we say. That gave me strength to move on ahead. Yes your right the anxiety has been going on for so long it seems weird having it not so intense or I am just dealing with it better! But what a relieve, to have some hope it will not last forever 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 On 1/7/2020 at 5:37 PM, Tom37 said: You will heal and the symptoms will reduce.....it could start happening tomorrow. Just do not change your dose. If you do you then undo all the 8 months you have put into this healing. As you know the last couple of months I have been struggling after feeling a lot better. Wave after wave and an absolute nasty one just last week but now I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in a very long time. I know it will probably get bad again but wd is always changing so you just have to hang in there and keep going until it does. Keep going. Wow, so glad to hear Tom that you have turned a corner, that is so great! Enjoy it! 3 hours ago, Lynnardgirl said: I have been holding for 12 months ! I was starting to get nervous but I starting to see little changes for the better! Ugh it’s been hell i am sorry you suffered so much, but it makes me feel better to see that positive changes can happen that far out! 20 hours ago, sunnysideup69 said: Yep....I concur. It is really disheartening. And also, as hard as it is to believe right now, it is temporary. you are right, it is really hard to believe, but a good reminder, thanks! April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 Guys...I don’t know what to do! I need help! It has all gotten so bad! I don’t get any reprieve from the evenings anymore, nor do weekends or vacations seem to make any difference. I can’t keep living like this, there has to be something I can do to get better. Just hopeless, confused, and very discouraged. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 Why have my nights gotten bad? There was a period where they were getting better earlier and earlier. Even as early as the 3-5PM range, now I am lucky to get any respite before going to bed at 11PM. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 9, 2020 Administrator Share Posted January 9, 2020 On 1/7/2020 at 7:38 PM, thelegend said: Hey all, thanks for your encouragement. I will continue to hold, only because it is pretty much the only option. I just don’t get why I don’t get windows after this long you would think I would have a couple. 7:30 PM and still tons of anxiety and dreading sleep cause I know the cortisol dump that awaits me. Again I am just not sure how much longer I can keep doing this without some glimpse of improvement. Hello, what is your current drug schedule and symptom pattern? How has it changed? 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. Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 9, 2020 Author Share Posted January 9, 2020 41 minutes ago, Altostrata said: Hello, what is your current drug schedule and symptom pattern? How has it changed? Nothing has changed in my drug schedule. I take my Zoloft at about 7:30 when I wake up, sometimes later on the weekends and vacation, and take the Zyprexa before bed at 11PM. Biggest change in symptoms is the anxiety is not going away at night like it used to making it all unbearable. I wake at 5:30 - 6AM with a punch to the gut from anxiety, and it just stays all day now. I have some loose stools in the morning, but not as bad as I used to, and I still have burning eyes, but also not as bad. It is just the anxiety being all day now is making it just unbearable! April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 9, 2020 Share Posted January 9, 2020 I bought The book secret and it has really been helping with my anxiety, how powerful our mind is what positive thinking can do! 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 9, 2020 Administrator Share Posted January 9, 2020 How do you feel before and after taking each drug? When did this anxiety symptom start to appear? Have you accidentally skipped any doses recently, changed brands, taken an antibiotic, or drunk alcohol? 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. Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 10, 2020 Author Share Posted January 10, 2020 1 hour ago, Altostrata said: How do you feel before and after taking each drug? When did this anxiety symptom start to appear? Have you accidentally skipped any doses recently, changed brands, taken an antibiotic, or drunk alcohol? Well since I take Zoloft in the morning I pretty much feel terrible before I take it, and the same after it. No change for the good or bad. The Zyprexa I would say I used to feel good before taking it and good after, no change because I take it at night. Recently though I feel pretty crappy at night too, but no difference after taking it. Anxiety started 2 years ago after I CTd Zoloft from 50mgs after 8 years on it, and tried to reinstate 3 months later knowing nothing about any of this. Have done nothing different, no skipped doses, I don’t drink alcohol, never have, no antibiotics or new brands. Over the holidays I didn’t take the Zoloft at exactly the same time as I would sleep in some days, told the forum I would like to start taking it at night with my Zyprexa due to this inconsistency and their recommendation was to not do that and keep it as is. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 10, 2020 Author Share Posted January 10, 2020 Do you guys think it is just a wave or the sign of something going really wrong and getting worse? April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 It’s just a wave I’m still getting waves and I have been trying to stabilize for 12 months 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 Maybe check to see if there’s an interaction between the two drugs you’re taking. 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 10, 2020 Author Share Posted January 10, 2020 2 hours ago, Lynnardgirl said: Maybe check to see if there’s an interaction between the two drugs you’re taking. I have checked, something about a heart problem😳, but nothing that would explain this horrific anxiety. Woke this morning at 4:45AM with absolutely no anxiety, felt great. Then it was like a pain switch got flipped at 5:45. To varying degrees I have been doing this for 2 years now and I am just sick of it and can’t imagine it will ever go away at this point. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 10, 2020 Share Posted January 10, 2020 I know I’m in a bad wave and feels like it’s never ending ! We just have to keep going ugh it’s so so hard 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 12, 2020 Author Share Posted January 12, 2020 On 1/10/2020 at 1:00 PM, Lynnardgirl said: I know I’m in a bad wave and feels like it’s never ending ! We just have to keep going ugh it’s so so hard Are you doing better now @Lynnardgirl than a few months ago? When did things start to change for you? I had a decent day yesterday l, have me a lot of hope. Then today, Hope is gone again. A real struggle. 1 April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 I feel the same way maybe a good day then back to this horrible anxiety ! It feels like it’s never ending ! I don’t know if I’m getting better or just accepting the way I feel and try to focus on the positive ! I 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
Mentor mstimc Posted January 19, 2020 Mentor Share Posted January 19, 2020 2 minutes ago, Lynnardgirl said: I feel the same way maybe a good day then back to this horrible anxiety ! It feels like it’s never ending ! I don’t know if I’m getting better or just accepting the way I feel and try to focus on the positive ! I Hi Lynn During my taper and WD, I was stuck in the same place month after month. I wish I could say I woke up one day and it was gone, but in reality it just faded away. Accepting the feeling without judgement--without needing to find a reason--is a huge leap forward. Hope this helps! 1 Tim C Started Paxil for GAD in 1999 Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006 Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009 Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 51 minutes ago, mstimc said: Hi Lynn During my taper and WD, I was stuck in the same place month after month. I wish I could say I woke up one day and it was gone, but in reality it just faded away. Accepting the feeling without judgement--without needing to find a reason--is a huge leap forward. Hope this helps! Thank you ! Yes this helps! 1 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 21, 2020 Author Share Posted January 21, 2020 @Lynnardgirl - how are you doing? Sounds like you had a tough weekend. Mine was the opposite, went away for the weekend and was totally normal. Enjoyed things with my family, even enjoyed an 11 hour drive each way. Now, back at work and a complete STRUGGLE again. Don’t know how I can go from feeling so good to this again...seriously don’t get it, am I getting better? April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Mentor mstimc Posted January 21, 2020 Mentor Share Posted January 21, 2020 27 minutes ago, thelegend said: @Lynnardgirl - how are you doing? Sounds like you had a tough weekend. Mine was the opposite, went away for the weekend and was totally normal. Enjoyed things with my family, even enjoyed an 11 hour drive each way. Now, back at work and a complete STRUGGLE again. Don’t know how I can go from feeling so good to this again...seriously don’t get it, am I getting better? FWIW, I think you are getting better. And its in your post...you were totally normal this weekend and only started feeling bad when you went back to work. The negatives were at bay when your mind was focused your family and other positive thoughts and only slipped back when you went back to the routine of work. If you have the ability to let go and live in the moment over the weekend, then you have it in you to feel that way all the time. Try concentrating on that when the bad waves come. Tim C Started Paxil for GAD in 1999 Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006 Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009 Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted January 21, 2020 Share Posted January 21, 2020 I totally agree , I say over and over again through the day I’m healing and one with God! When I have a negative thought I start saying this again and again ! I’m healing and I’m one with God ! I try to go all day with out one negative thought and it seems like it’s working! I talk to God through out the day to strengthen me and guide me ! thanking God for all that I’m greatful for, I really feel a peace coming over me 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 22, 2020 Author Share Posted January 22, 2020 6 hours ago, mstimc said: FWIW, I think you are getting better. And its in your post...you were totally normal this weekend and only started feeling bad when you went back to work. The negatives were at bay when your mind was focused your family and other positive thoughts and only slipped back when you went back to the routine of work. If you have the ability to let go and live in the moment over the weekend, then you have it in you to feel that way all the time. Try concentrating on that when the bad waves come. yeah I hope so, very encouraging weekend, though I had a couple of very encouraging vacations over the summer where the improvements never lasted. 5 hours ago, Lynnardgirl said: I totally agree , I say over and over again through the day I’m healing and one with God! When I have a negative thought I start saying this again and again ! I’m healing and I’m one with God ! I try to go all day with out one negative thought and it seems like it’s working! I talk to God through out the day to strengthen me and guide me ! thanking God for all that I’m greatful for, I really feel a peace coming over me I love this, I too am a very religious person and think, there has to be something I am learning from this to be better. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Tom37 Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Improvements generally never last in this game but your healing continues even though you think it doesn’t. It’s all windows and waves. Hope your feeling better again soon. 20mg Lexapro 2007 10mg Lexapro 2012 Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3. Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction. Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October. Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018 Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov. Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018 Link to comment
thelegend Posted January 23, 2020 Author Share Posted January 23, 2020 I had a nice window over the weekend, now it has shut tight and fully back in the midst of a wave. Really sucks, 8 and 1/2 months into reinstating Zoloft and very little lasting improvement to report if any. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Tom37 Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 Hopefully it ends soon....in the midst of a nasty one myself and feel absolutely dreadful just trying to remind myself that it’s only temporary. Your window was a clear sign things are changing so while it didn’t last long try to see it as a positive. I know I’m a lot better when not in a wave but they always make you feel like your going no where when actually the body is working hard to restore it’s normal function. We will get there and while it may not be pretty and definitely for me not gracefully, it will happen. 20mg Lexapro 2007 10mg Lexapro 2012 Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3. Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction. Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October. Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018 Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov. Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018 Link to comment
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