Passionlifetime: refused to live medicated years on antidepressents - Effexor

[Passionlifetime]

Very bad and flat feeling... no clarity of thoughts. 

 

[Passionlifetime]

out of 10

[Passionlifetime]

out of 10

 

Brainfog has increased so much that I cant think clearly , 

fatigue is reduced

is it because of sudden updose?

[Superwoman]

I don’t know.  Maybe?  It seemed that you were doing better after the updose not long ago.

[Erell]

On 12/12/2019 at 8:15 PM, Passionlifetime said:

 

is it because of sudden updose?

How can we know? You were beginning to stabilise and have updosed recently : don't be surprised if you experience symptoms.

 

The best you can do now is to stay on your dose, and wait patiently to stabilise.

 

please take care of you ❤️

[Katy398]

Hi @Passionlifetime,

How are you doing we haven't heard from you for a while?

[Passionlifetime]

On 12/29/2019 at 8:50 AM, Katy398 said:

Hi @Passionlifetime,

How are you doing we haven't heard from you for a while?

Hi Katy,

How r u ,

There was going so much protests in India over citizenship ammendment act , that I forgot everything, situation became so tense that around 30 people died in protest with govt clashes.

We as a family in fear that time.Now things settle down a little.

 

Thank God,

I am getting better.I am taking it very slow and not hurrying anything now.I have witnessed life can be ended anytime so why to stress that much.

 

fatigue gone almost 

shivering gone almost

 

brain clarity and sexual desires and sensitivity is not yet corrected completely.

I think now I need to go out for job only then I can able to move on much further.

I think I overcome by breakups and all those bad things.

 

just need to start career then I hope things will sort out.

 

they have started my psychotherapy.I have visited hospital they have created my detailed file in first meeting. on monday I will may have first session.

 

they are providing it for free. why not to take it.

 

Rest I start feeling good but little only. I am hoping very positive. 

If god has destined these meds in my life then be it so, but I dont want to give more pain to my parents because of this.there are people out there getting died so young due to wars these days. life becomes so cheap. I dont want to think negative now.I will start my work soon and will live a life every single day. nobody knows how many days left on earth. I have learnt that 

we must not stress too much on worldly things.and for happiness nothing is required.happiness comes from Inside. 

 

I want to marry soon now after getting job. this is my only dream now.

thank you so much for asking my condition.love u all.

[Katy398]

Great news @Passionlifetime, I’m so glad things are settling for you. So sorry the political situation in India is so volatile at the moment. 

You sound so much better than when you first joined this forum. I’m so pleased you are healing from your ordeal.

Take care hang on in there. I hope 2020 treats you better K

[Passionlifetime]

I am watching this to feel gratitude. though it can happen in India soon , if things going on like the way it is going now.

 

[Passionlifetime]

Every American and Russian must watch this once...

 

[Passionlifetime]

On 1/4/2020 at 1:23 PM, Katy398 said:

Great news @Passionlifetime, I’m so glad things are settling for you. So sorry the political situation in India is so volatile at the moment. 

You sound so much better than when you first joined this forum. I’m so pleased you are healing from your ordeal.

Take care hang on in there. I hope 2020 treats you better K

Hi katy , How are you? Whats Going on? have u watched what I posted above. These are interesting vids.

[Superwoman]

I’m so glad you are feeling better Passionlifetime. 

[Passionlifetime]

Its been 3.5 months after reinstating , Progress is really slow....still feels workable only for short period of times then collapsed...

[Passionlifetime]

Hi Guys, @Rhiannon @Superwoman @manymoretodays @Katy398 @Erell @Giulietta @Yogendra

Hope you are all good. 

After reinstatement and ALL that happened worldwide and in my country with everything I stabilize around in the month of june 2020 , i think , it took 8 months to feel almost normal again.

still I am at home , not working surviving with the help of parents but hopeful for the future.I am not going to start my taper until I got settled somewhat in work and did marriage , these two my biggest stressors.now on 225mg a day. 

all symptoms settled except i got tired so easily and shivering deep inside of body , rest everything is fine.

 

Regards 

PL

[Passionlifetime]

 

Hi Guys, @Rhiannon @Superwoman @manymoretodays @Katy398 @Erell @Giulietta @Yogendra

Below solutions from many people,  does anyone knows anything about that?

 

 

"I thought this was the worst Medicine. I think people stay on it for so long because, the horrible withdrawal happens quickly and they can’t get off of it. I gained a lot of weight on this Med. Every time I tried to taper it down I would get brain zaps and when I turned to look next to me the room would dramatically keep moving. I could not function well with this happening. I tried to taper down and get off this medication for over a year. I searched for a long time and found a blog where people were discussing this. Then one person had found a solution. HTP5 take 7 pills the first day evenly divided out. Then the next day 6, then 5 ,then 4,3,2,1, done. You quit Effexor on the first day you start the 7 pills. IT WORKED!!! I had one little zap the second day being off Effexor and that was it. I finished the HTP5 dosing routine and I was done. I was off Effexor and will never use it again. If you have never been on this medication or tried to get off of it, you will probably not understand how brutal the withdrawal is."

 

"It was my on,y medication. Day 1 : I stopped Effexor completely. I took HTP5 1 pill 7 times that day as evenly divided as I could. DAY 2: I took a total of 6 pills that day or 1 pill every 4 hours.. DAY 3: I took a total of 5 pills or like 1 every 4.5 hours or so. DAY 4: I took 4 ills total or 1 pill every 6 hours. DAY 5: I took 3 pills total or 1 pill every 8 hours. DAY 6: I took 1 pill every 12 hours. DAY 7 I took 1 pill and I was done. I had a couple of zaps but, nothing like the 20 other times I tried to wean off of it. Some people like to continue HTP5 as directed on the bottle. I did not. I changed my diet also to ketogenic healthy diet. And started exercising again. when on Effexor I felt like numb. Nothing bothered me, nothing made me excited either.."

 

 

"Valarian tablet"

 

"I have read that weaning off of effexor to prozac and then weaning off prozac itself is an easier way to get off of effexor"

 

"pristique,wellbutrin"

 

"This type of withdrawal can be easily avoided by taking 5-htp 100 mg daily for a week prior to stopping the drug. Over time we have learned this works better by combining the monoamine precursors L-tyrosine and 5-htp in a ratio of 10 to 1."

 

"Just take Prozac to get off this drug and beat the withdrawal symptoms. Prozac has a long half-life and will be easy to get off that"

 

veterans and moderators, Does  any of this is possible?

 

Regards

PL

 

 

[Altostrata]

Subtituting 5-HTP is not a reliable way to go off antidepressants. Some people are successful with substituting fluoxetine (Prozac). None of these methods are guaranteed to be easy.

 

What is your question? Are you still taking Effexor? At what times of day do you take your drugs, with their dosages?

[Passionlifetime]

My question is

Can substituting precursors of serotonin, dopamine and norepenephrine  in place of effexor  make it possible to stop AD and withdrawal?

 

I am taking effexor xr  150mg morning and 75mg evening . 

[Altostrata]

4 hours ago, Passionlifetime said:

Can substituting precursors of serotonin, dopamine and norepenephrine  in place of effexor  make it possible to stop AD and withdrawal?

 

The neurotransmitters are irrelevant. What prevents withdrawal is taking the drug.

 

I believe we already discussed how you may taper your drugs. Please read this topic from the beginning.

[Deepu]

U r warrior man....never give up......i know how to live with this condition....i was on cocktail of AD for 3 years and cold turkey......worst mistake of my life.....mai bhi india se hu mai mp bhopal mai rehta hu........mai itna dumb ho chuka hu aab..mujhe nhi pata tempering kese karu.....serioulsy bahut bura lagta h ........buprion bhi 75mg k baad cold turkey chod diya....aaj day 120day h cold turkey ka........cognitive impairment is very big issue.....apka phone no. Do .........kuch apse tips lena hai............ye doctor chutiye hote h yr zindagi k laga diye ache se

[manymoretodays]

Hi Passionlifetime,

Yes, I would not try any of those taper strategies if it were me.

 

And I am glad you are feeling more stable.

 

Thank you for coming by to update.

 

Let us know when you'd like to taper, if you have questions then.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

[Superwoman]

@Passionlifetime,

 

How are things in India?  Is Corona real bad there?

[Passionlifetime]

On 12/1/2020 at 5:02 AM, Superwoman said:

@Passionlifetime,

 

How are things in India?  Is Corona real bad there?

Things in India is generally not good, One protest after another and for that matter its everwhere around the world.

 

No, Corona is not that bad as it was.

 

[Passionlifetime]

 

Hi Guys, @Rhiannon @Superwoman @manymoretodays @Katy398 @Erell @Giulietta @Yogendra

 

symptoms:-

 

Whole night awake and whole day sleep is going on and off.

short attention span

when I wake up bad headache in upper part of head where normally baldness occur.

Weakness of muscles.

 

my physical activity is null. Extreme stress about career. I have zero money.

 

I visited my Psychiatrist , he suggested that I should try to increase the dose to 300 mg and keep checking my blood pressure if it becomes normal then this problem may be reduced.

 

I asked him that is this disease/medicine affected my brain capacity that I cant focus/concentrate without getting so much tired, he denied and said Intelligence is different which I have enough to perform my job.

 

Is there any programmer or software engineer in this portal who can tell me that it is really possible or not to do the software work with this illness? my life is on hold because of this indecision. I don't want to do any more odd jobs. either I want to go into software industry or leave it fully.

 

what I want to know is that Is it possible to do software work with this disease/medicine? 

Does disease/medicine affect intelligence?(I can understand concepts but it tired me too much working long time, if I work for two days I need a off for the third day.)

Is there a way to reduce fatigue or tiredness?(Last time I tapered there was extreme fatigue.)

 

I talked about giving supplements/precursors instead of effexor, he said it will not benefit because if I take supplements like 5htp , it will not increase the serotonin in synaptic gap as I dont have serotonin deficiency rather the nerves are not doing something which is to be done so by taking precursors it will not increase any neurotransmitters.

 

he said that If I leave meds this time than I should not come to him again because nothing more he can do and as per him I have to be on meds all life.

 

This is very discouraging, so I am not planning to increase my dose or visit the doc again, I want to settle in my work and marriage then I want to taper.

 

Meanwhile what you suggest me?

To reduce.:-

 

insomnia

short attention span

headache

shivering and tinnitus(occurs sometimes).

 

 

Regards

PL

 

 

[Passionlifetime]

On 11/30/2020 at 10:07 AM, manymoretodays said:

Hi Passionlifetime,

Yes, I would not try any of those taper strategies if it were me.

 

And I am glad you are feeling more stable.

 

Thank you for coming by to update.

 

Let us know when you'd like to taper, if you have questions then.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

Hi 

As u suggest I will not try those tapering strategies.

 

I will start 10%taper after my marriage , then definitely I will come for help. 

 

For marriage I need a job. So I am trying my best. 

 

Today I read all my post and find that I don't know communication 

I say things which should not be said like why to bother you when not listening. I feel I use my brain too much. I am lacking in patience. 

 

I talked about you to my psychiatrist and he got angry and

I talked about my psychiatrist to you guys and you guys offended

 

I am really stupid don't know what to say when to say and whom to say.

 

@rhiannon once told me that morning time is better to take effexor XR once a day  as this is activator drug.

 

Is this might be the case of my insomnia?I am taking 150 morning and 75 evening before sleep .I am normally not regular in my morning dosing because I don't wake up same time. I asked doc that can i take all meds once a day .he said it's ok. I feel very bad that how casual he said many things. 

 

Please tell me what is the best time to take all meds together 225mg?

Normally I can take it around noon time because i will awake that time most of the day. 

 

 

[manymoretodays]

Hi Passionlifetime,

I know back in October, I posted this to you:

And at that time, you had reported taking your VenlorXR (effexor/venlafaxine) sometimes twice, and then sometimes even three times a day.  

And then as it is an extended release form of venlafaxine(Venlor), you would only need to take it once a day.

That way you achieve a nice steady state of the drug in your system.

 

Here is what Drugs.com has to say about EffexorXR:  https://www.drugs.com/mtm/effexor-xr.html

And then I often shift to the professional information, as well, to learn more.

Here's what comes out of the professional information on dosing:

"Effexor XR should be administered in a single dose with food, either in the morning or in the evening at approximately the same time each day [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]."

 

This all has to do with half lifes, and then achieving a steady state of your drug.  And then to complicate it a bit further, everyone can be a bit different too, with their drug metabolism, but generally, if a drug is stated to be only taken once a day, then that is how it is prescribed.

 

Passion, when do you take your VenlorXR now?  What times?  And at what doses?

And forgive me, if this sounds redundant/repetative, but you've been gone awhile.

 

5 hours ago, Passionlifetime said:

Today I read all my post and find that I don't know communication 

I say things which should not be said like why to bother you when not listening. I feel I use my brain too much. I am lacking in patience. 

 

I talked about you to my psychiatrist and he got angry and

I talked about my psychiatrist to you guys and you guys offended

 

I am really stupid don't know what to say when to say and whom to say.

 

@rhiannon once told me that morning time is better to take effexor XR once a day  as this is activator drug.

 

Is this might be the case of my insomnia?I am taking 150 morning and 75 evening before sleep .I am normally not regular in my morning dosing because I don't wake up same time. I asked doc that can i take all meds once a day .he said it's ok. I feel very bad that how casual he said many things. 

 

And yes, it is more of an activator drug.

And could definitely be affecting your sleep or contributing to insomnia.

 

To minimize any bumps, what we usually suggest when moving a dose to a new time, is to do it gradually.

Which would mean that you might move the night time dose up by an hour each day.  And then after so many days you would be taking it along with your morning dose.  Although you had said that you usually take your morning dose around noon. 

So you be moving the 75 mg dose taken now before sleep, up by one hour each day, until it is also taken at noon.

 

Try to set an alarm or reminder to take your morning/noon dose daily at the same time.

 

And I know Passionlifetime, it's hard with communication sometimes between different languages and word usages.  Try and be patient with yourself and us, with this.  I know I use a lot of slang sometimes.

 

And, like many of us, you are no doubt pretty sensitive. 

 

It's not unusual to find some psychiatrists who don't take kindly to their patients/clients/peoples input.  Seems strange, right?  But it can be so.

 

We do try to encourage, members to learn, and then learn where to look things up, and check for themselves, and be in charge of their own minds, and what they put into their bodies.  It can take time to understand too, Passion.

 

I don't know that any of us, here, are offended.  Keep in mind too, that we are an internet forum.  Staffed with volunteers.  And not available 24/7 for immediate attention, or answers.

 

I don't know how much you've explored this site yet either Passionlifetime.  I'd suggest that you might just go to the Home Page or Main page, and start with the first forum listed there.  It's titled "Read This First", and then look at the topics there.  That might help you understand why a site like this exists, and more as to what we are all about.

 

I am going to stop there.  And please ask if something above is not clear.

And keep an eye out for further comments on your thread as well.

I know I did not attend to all of your concerns or questions, some of which I, just really don't have any solid answers for.  Some of your situational/vocational questions, I don't know that I'd have the best input for......but......  I did read both of your posts through and am reflecting on them.

Oh, do you have access to any kind of therapist(non prescriber) or life coach type mentor?  Telehealth can be used for that too, now.......at least in the U.S.

 

Best to you, Passionlifetime,

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 6, 2020 by manymoretodays
purple

[Altostrata]

On 11/24/2020 at 2:19 PM, Altostrata said:

At what times of day do you take your drugs, with their dosages?

 

We've been discussing your odd dosing schedule for more than a year.

[Passionlifetime]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

We've been discussing your odd dosing schedule for more than a year.

It was difficult to decide that time between you and doc. 

 

Now I am shifting as mmt said ...

[Passionlifetime]

On 12/6/2020 at 11:40 AM, manymoretodays said:

Hi Passionlifetime,

I know back in October, I posted this to you:

And at that time, you had reported taking your VenlorXR (effexor/venlafaxine) sometimes twice, and then sometimes even three times a day.  

And then as it is an extended release form of venlafaxine(Venlor), you would only need to take it once a day.

That way you achieve a nice steady state of the drug in your system.

 

Here is what Drugs.com has to say about EffexorXR:  https://www.drugs.com/mtm/effexor-xr.html

And then I often shift to the professional information, as well, to learn more.

Here's what comes out of the professional information on dosing:

"Effexor XR should be administered in a single dose with food, either in the morning or in the evening at approximately the same time each day [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]."

 

This all has to do with half lifes, and then achieving a steady state of your drug.  And then to complicate it a bit further, everyone can be a bit different too, with their drug metabolism, but generally, if a drug is stated to be only taken once a day, then that is how it is prescribed.

 

Passion, when do you take your VenlorXR now?  What times?  And at what doses?

And forgive me, if this sounds redundant/repetative, but you've been gone awhile.

 

 

And yes, it is more of an activator drug.

And could definitely be affecting your sleep or contributing to insomnia.

 

To minimize any bumps, what we usually suggest when moving a dose to a new time, is to do it gradually.

Which would mean that you might move the night time dose up by an hour each day.  And then after so many days you would be taking it along with your morning dose.  Although you had said that you usually take your morning dose around noon. 

So you be moving the 75 mg dose taken now before sleep, up by one hour each day, until it is also taken at noon.

 

Try to set an alarm or reminder to take your morning/noon dose daily at the same time.

 

And I know Passionlifetime, it's hard with communication sometimes between different languages and word usages.  Try and be patient with yourself and us, with this.  I know I use a lot of slang sometimes.

 

And, like many of us, you are no doubt pretty sensitive. 

 

It's not unusual to find some psychiatrists who don't take kindly to their patients/clients/peoples input.  Seems strange, right?  But it can be so.

 

We do try to encourage, members to learn, and then learn where to look things up, and check for themselves, and be in charge of their own minds, and what they put into their bodies.  It can take time to understand too, Passion.

 

I don't know that any of us, here, are offended.  Keep in mind too, that we are an internet forum.  Staffed with volunteers.  And not available 24/7 for immediate attention, or answers.

 

I don't know how much you've explored this site yet either Passionlifetime.  I'd suggest that you might just go to the Home Page or Main page, and start with the first forum listed there.  It's titled "Read This First", and then look at the topics there.  That might help you understand why a site like this exists, and more as to what we are all about.

 

I am going to stop there.  And please ask if something above is not clear.

And keep an eye out for further comments on your thread as well.

I know I did not attend to all of your concerns or questions, some of which I, just really don't have any solid answers for.  Some of your situational/vocational questions, I don't know that I'd have the best input for......but......  I did read both of your posts through and am reflecting on them.

Oh, do you have access to any kind of therapist(non prescriber) or life coach type mentor?  Telehealth can be used for that too, now.......at least in the U.S.

 

Best to you, Passionlifetime,

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday low bp 100/60 and bleeding in stool.

 

Today also feeling down. Very less energy. 

 

Sleep from 6am to 1pm . Whole night no sleep. Because can't do much physical work in day. 

 

[Passionlifetime]

1 hour ago, Passionlifetime said:

Yesterday low bp 100/60 and bleeding in stool.

 

Today also feeling down. Very less energy. 

 

Sleep from 6am to 1pm . Whole night no sleep. Because can't do much physical work in day. 

 

My doc asking me to reduce venlor xr to 150 mg a day and add 7.5mg mirtazapine.whats your take on this?

[manymoretodays]

Hi Passion,

 

3 hours ago, Passionlifetime said:

My doc asking me to reduce venlor xr to 150 mg a day and add 7.5mg mirtazapine.whats your take on this?

 

Not a healthy combination.  Not at all. 

Why do they want you to make this change and addition?

I'm wondering if it's for sleep and low moods?

And okay, this particular combination of medication(s) are called California Rocket fuel.

About going off mirtazapine plus Venlafaxine(Effexor) aka "California Rocket fuel"

^^, take a look, ask questions if it doesn't translate well please!

24 % with serious side effects and 44 % with adverse effects(taken from that topic, and study in)

 

You can also always use Drugs.com to check out any new drug, and also drug interactions.

And here are the interactions:  Drug Interaction Report-Drugs.com

Yikes, I would not do it, if it were me.

 

Sheesh, Passionlifetime.  If I were you, I might get a new pdoc.

 

AND I think you might need to give the shifting dose, a bit longer, to do, and then to adjust to.  It may help with any of your sleep difficulties.  And who knows, it may also help with some of your distress, and obsessions on your future, and feeling so much pressure around getting to the "right job" and then marriage as well.

 

I don't see any reason why you could not get back to your chosen work pretty soon.  Is it your chosen work?  All the education and experience that you've had for the field you hope to rejoin?

 

Withdrawal often leaves us questioning, or it did me, the meaning of life, and lot's of existential questions came up, for me.  To ponder.  Then when more stable, to start making decisions on, as to my own personal path, and journey, and truths, and values even.

Just saying, as it doesn't happen overnight......stability, healing, etc.

 

 

What's happening with your moving your nighttime 75 mg dose of EffexorXr up to noontime.  What would be really helpful would be to see some Notes/drug and symptom logs

Not real complicated to do and post here.  Time(s) on the left, then drug(s) by name and dose on the right.  Keep going with times, off and on for a 24 hour segment, and also note any supplements taken, name and dose, when you are eating, sleep patterns, symptoms as they occur throughout the day- all this on the right.  You can describe symptoms even, and then use a rating scale, some do.  Like 1 might be no symptoms, and 10 might be most intense symptoms. 

Look at the link too, and pull down the quote there, as it has a sample note shown.

Then post 24 hours at one time.

 

I am hopeful for you Passionlifetime.  I am.  I know it's tough and has been for some time.  Patience, patience, patience.  I think some natural energy will soon be restored, without going to that awful drug mixture that your doctor likes.

4 hours ago, Passionlifetime said:

Yesterday low bp 100/60 and bleeding in stool.

 

Today also feeling down. Very less energy. 

 

Sleep from 6am to 1pm . Whole night no sleep. Because can't do much physical work in day. 

 

And quoting ^, so you know it's been seen.  I don't think that is a necessarily  bad BP, or something to be too worried about.  For most, we do acquire some autonomic instability, that can lead to all kinds of fluctuations.  I would arise slowly from lying or sitting to standing, rather than abruptly going to standing.  And if dizziness, and or frequent changes in your BP, seek out a regular doctor for guidance.

 

And if bleeding in stool continues, do seek the guidance of a general doctor.without going to that awful drug mixture that your doctor likes.

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Edited December 9, 2020 by manymoretodays
spelling

[Passionlifetime]

2 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Not a healthy combination.  Not at all. 

Is it this most likely,

 

2 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Why do they want you to make this change and addition?

Because I am at home since feb 2019(almost 20 months), I complaint about only physical symptoms there after reinstatement specially fatigue , less energy in morning times mostly then doc suggesting me to updose venlor to 300mg but when I complaint about bleeding (only thrice till now -yesterday,few months back, few months back then that) ,  and about no sleep at night but in early morning hours till noon or even evening , means getting wake is really difficult for me but once I put some cold water on me then suddenly i feel more energized but then crashed again if I do one or two task as simple as praying or sitting for a 2 hr on computer so doc asked me to reduce venlor to 150mg and add mirtazapine.

 

I complaint him about having pain inside my head to the deep center(consider center of the sphere), I feel its the brain cell where I am feeling good amount of pain for many hours, he denied such thing and said that only thin layer of muscles contracted so I am feeling pain, if anyone feeling pain inside brain then he will die.

 

2 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Sheesh, Passionlifetime.  If I were you, I might get a new pdoc.

I cant, not financially,not I trust any doc more then him because once I was in deep deep trouble initially as one private practitioner put me on several drugs whenever I made complaint(you can check in signature). this one is from TOP Indian govt hospital AIIMS in New Delhi, free of cost, I dont think I can able to find anyone better then him.its been 8 years as I am taking treatment by him. As per him the chances of me stopping a meds is less then 30% and less specially as I am on them much longer time.

 

 

2 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

AND I think you might need to give the shifting dose, a bit longer, to do, and then to adjust to.  It may help with any of your sleep difficulties.

This is what I am going to do for a while as your suggestion sound sense totally though I have this low energy issue since last reinstatement and not sleeping pattern is not regular and stressors was high, I am trying reducing stressors slowly slowly by elimination method or postponing etc etc.

what you suggest a month or more to wait for things to get better?because its also not good to keep sitting at home doing nothing.that is also wasting life.

 

if venlor is activator drug then I dont think that it will reduce my bp or makes me low energy , what is the cause of fatigue disease or drug?

 

perhaps Not doing any physical activity for so long makes my heart little weak so that having low bp.

2 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

I don't see any reason why you could not get back to your chosen work pretty soon.  Is it your chosen work?  All the education and experience that you've had for the field you hope to rejoin?

Destiny chooses this work for me long ago when I was in appearing for entrance test, I wanted to do something big in life, so I put my hard work here in this field , though unfortunately because of many many reasons I could not able to find a job initially in this field but still after working in other jobs for 6 years I saved money financed my trainings and started again in 2017, first IT job , small company, too much pressure,constant learning,manager hoping me from one tech to another in every two months, every day wants some innovation,didnt know how to cope, relationship issue and I CRASHED in feb  2019.I am fearful now of taking wrong decision.

 

3 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Withdrawal often leaves us questioning, or it did me, the meaning of life, and lot's of existential questions came up, for me.

For me this thing was one of the reason to put me into depression because I studied many religions when I was in college and over the coarse of many years I clears this part of me but made my career and health  at stake.

3 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

To ponder.  Then when more stable, to start making decisions on,

age is not on my side now if I ever want to successful in IT in India as if I didnt start it in a year or two then its over. normally people resign from this industry around 40 or 45. this is the prime of life.

 

3 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

What's happening with your moving your nighttime 75 mg dose of EffexorXr up to noontime.

I am doing as you said that, 

150mg - 1pm to 2pm

75mg - 7pm to 8pm.

 

symptom is I cant sleep, my mind is working too much at night, so many thoughts , my body feels tired but mind cant sleep, and two days in last week I slept upto evening where i had worst nightmares I counted around 10 in a day, means after a nightmare I open my eyes with fear then sleep again then a new story,what the hell was that. whenever I sleep in a day this happens.

 

3 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

I would arise slowly from lying or sitting to standing, rather than abruptly going to standing

I feel dizziness when suddenly standing from sitting or lying position and pain for few seconds in head.sharp pain.

 

so I am going as you said for now, not taking any other drug , suggest me a months is enough to see change. and will see later ,

I want to work with you and doc together , is it fine with you?

 

I dont about you , your gender,profession,age etc..are you comfortable to share something?

 

Regards

PL

 

[Passionlifetime]

@manymoretodaysI think this is the reason  for prescribing mirtazapine

 

https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0101/p159.html

Efficacy

In the treatment of depression, as measured by Hamilton Depression rating scales, mirtazapine is clearly superior to placebo.13–15 Several studies have shown mirtazapine to be at least as effective as amitriptyline (Elavil), trazodone (Desyrel) and fluoxetine (Prozac).11,16,17 Mirtazapine has been used successfully in the treatment of mild to severe depression.18

Mirtazapine is especially helpful in patients with depression who are anxious; this drug has been shown to reduce anxiety and has even been used to relieve preoperative anxiety and insomnia in patients having gynecologic surgery.13,19,20 Depressed patients with insomnia generally experience significant improvement while taking mirtazapine, including decreased sleep-onset latency, deeper sleep and fewer awakenings.5,20 As with other antidepressants, mirtazapine has a delayed onset—although antidepressant effects may be noticeable after just one week.11,14,18

 

Side Effects

The most common side effects of mirtazapine are dose-dependent drowsiness (54 percent), dry mouth (25 percent), increased appetite (17 percent), weight gain (12 percent) and dizziness (7 percent). These side effects tend to improve with time.

 

I wrote below email to my doc 

 

Sir,

Please dont get angry on me, is it not good to be aware of your medications.

Today BP fine 120/80  and bleeding is not every day, it just happened thrice until now .

 

mirtaz biggest side effect is weight gain 

venlor side effect is sexual. can we replace venlor with any other drug which don't have this side effect?

 

Is there any combination where I ll not have below side effects.

Insomnia

low sexual desire

weght gain

less energy

less focus and attention.

 

please suggest.

 

 

Can I ask him to switch me to cymbalta as that dont have sexual side effects and might be a bit easy to discontinue then venlafaxine?

 

for sleep i need something.

 

 

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

9 hours ago, Passionlifetime said:

I am doing as you said that, 

150mg - 1pm to 2pm

75mg - 7pm to 8pm.

 

This looks like you're moving your doses closer to bedtime. We have been advising you to move them EARLIER in the day, not later.

 

Do you think not sleeping well might have an effect on your mood? What we've been trying to do is change your Effexor dosing so it causes fewer problems for you.

 

You seem to be convinced you need drugs for whatever your problem is, but it could be you are having these difficulties because of the drugs you're taking.

 

We don't treat depression here. This is a site for going off drugs. Adding mirtazapine is going in the other direction. If what you want is drugs for your depression, this is the wrong place to look for them. At any rate, you haven't made any progress going off drugs for more than a year. Whatever we say to you seems to be wasted. It is unclear why you are coming to this Web site.

[manymoretodays]

Hi Passionlifetime,

Yes, as above, I just wanted to clarify with you on the moving your evening dose of EffexorXR, closer to your noon dose.

Or that is when you reported taking your morning dose, at noon.

On 12/5/2020 at 11:10 PM, manymoretodays said:

To minimize any bumps, what we usually suggest when moving a dose to a new time, is to do it gradually.

Which would mean that you might move the night time dose up by an hour each day.  And then after so many days you would be taking it along with your morning dose.  Although you had said that you usually take your morning dose around noon. 

So you be moving the 75 mg dose taken now before sleep, up by one hour each day, until it is also taken at noon.

 

Try to set an alarm or reminder to take your morning/noon dose daily at the same time.

 

And then keeping Notes, and posting those in 24 hour segments.  Here's the link again:

Keep daily notes of drug schedule and symptoms to track patterns and progress

And I'll extract the sample note as well so you can see how they are done, and an example:

The time of day, dosage, and severity of symptoms are essential information. Include

 

- Time and dosage for all drugs taken throughout the day, psychiatric and non-psychiatric.

- Following each dose, note any symptoms. If you are having a reaction to the drug, it may take hours for a symptom to show up -- that's why we ask you to keep notes all day long.

- If you're not taking any drugs, your symptoms throughout the day.

- Your sleep pattern. Since so many drugs disturb sleep, if you find you're waking in the middle of the night, it could be from a drug you took earlier in the evening. If you're not taking any drugs, there may be ways you can improve your sleep.

And so forth. A diary, in chronological order, looking something like this:
 
6 a.m. Woke with anxiety
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Stomach is upset
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Feel a bit better
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Feeling dizzy
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke but got back to sleep

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety (but less than yesterday)

 

And as I said before, PLT, I think that if I were you, I would slow down, on looking for any quicker fixes right now.  It's pretty common for a doctor to meet any emotionality, or symptom reports, with wanting to add or change another drug.  Just try and stay with just one thing at a time.  If your intent is to become drug free, or even minimize medications there is just no way around this.  And then begin to add to your non-drug coping practices and building new ones.  I recall your faith, as one practice, I think.  Can you move outside everyday, for even a brief walk?  Try and find some simple things.  Coping strategies.  New things too.  Take a look at our Symptoms and Self care forum too, you'll see it from the Home page.  Go over some of the pinned topics at the top.  I can link you to some of those topics too, that might help, if needed.  I don't have much time this morning......  🥴

 

Most of my stuff, is in my introduction, and there is a link to that, at the bottom of my signature.  It's up to 30 some pages, since I arrived here. I am hoping to get a success story done, soon enough, which will be a more condensed version, of my healing from medications/drugs and tapering.

 

Hoping this finds you well enough.

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

[Passionlifetime]

13 hours ago, Altostrata said:

23 hours ago, Passionlifetime said:

I am doing as you said that, 

150mg - 1pm to 2pm

75mg - 7pm to 8pm.

 

This looks like you're moving your doses closer to bedtime.

No, I am moving EARLIER, previously it was 

150mg - 8am to 2pm

75mg - 10pm to 12am.

 

Noon is the time when I can have it consistently and regularly so I am shifting there as suggested by mmt.

 

13 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Do you think not sleeping well might have an effect on your mood?

Absolutely, i cant sleep in night because I dont do anything in  a day as feel  no energy , not getting tired until next day  morning so now a days I am sleeping in a day and wide awake in nights.

 

 

13 hours ago, Altostrata said:

We don't treat depression here. This is a site for going off drugs. Adding mirtazapine is going in the other direction. If what you want is drugs for your depression, this is the wrong place to look for them.

I wanted to leave meds thats why I came on this site but sometimes you people suggested reinstatement to ease symtoms.

I wanted to ease symptoms , once settled then start taper very slowly, now I am in a desperate situation from more then 20 months. I really dont want any drugs , I wanted to be alright.

 

13 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Whatever we say to you seems to be wasted

one time dosing which I have started to achieve is I am doing as you guys said, its not suggested by my doc. though I understand things slowly and I am fear ful and cautious to not make mistake.

 

Right now I am not stable, how to have good sleep and energy back, 

you guys yourself said that HARM REDUCTION technique of not more then 10% per month and every time have to be STABLE for reduction.

 

I have not started any more drug, I cant live like that also pls understand, prime of my life is getting wasted in front of my eyes just like that.

 

 

13 hours ago, Altostrata said:

It is unclear why you are coming to this Web site.

  

On 10/18/2019 at 9:33 PM, Passionlifetime said:

Thank you so much skyblue for Replying , I read a lot on this site and here I just need a peer support , someone to whom I can talk , who can UNDERSTAND what I am going through , most people wont understand who have never went it through themselves.

and obviously for tapering.

 

if you wish I ll leave this site.

2 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Stomach is upset
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Feel a bit better
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Feeling dizzy
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke but got back to sleep

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety (but less than yesterday)

 

for yesterday it was like

didnt slept last night

6 a.m. dizziness
8 a.m. jst lying on bed
10:30 a.m.  visited sis home few meteres away, diziness continious and very low energy
Ate breakfast, a cup of tea and few biscuits 
12:00came back home felt extremely tired and sleepy, 150mg venlor xr, went to sleep in my room

had a nightmare about the stress  of my college life that they are throwing me out of college which was 12 years back, and parents are sad that I am not able to complete my studies
8 p.m. woke up at 8 pm , no energy , took  75mg venlor xr
9 p.m. dinner
9:30 p.m. walk around block with mum, still very dull
10:00 p.m. went to my room ,started computer and watched news browse internet
1:30 p.m. Feeling tired, but I know i will not get sleep while going to bed.and if sleep wake up in between 

[Passionlifetime]

5:30 a.m. woke up and after getting fresh in 30 mins felt heavy head and sleep again
12:00 p.m. after a nightmare opened eyes and slept again, 

infrequent sleep until finally wake up at 8pm, missed all doses. 

8:00 p.m. finally woke up with difficulty
9:00 p.m. very little dinner

9:30 p.m.move around a block have one glass juice,felt little fine but headache still.
10:00 p.m.took 75mg venlor xr 

10:30 p.m. went to my room back and started computer to do whatever 

1:00 a.m. went to sleep,headache is still there but not too much.