Dawnd: help to reinstate

[Dawnd]

@Altostrata hello, is there any information (articles) that talk about tapering off one med while in withdrawal from another?

[Altostrata]

We do not advise going off the second drug while you have withdrawal syndrome, unless the second drug is adding to your problems. Additional upset from tapering can make your withdrawal symptoms worse.

[NomiSomi3]

I also have the "brain swimming in skull", it did get slightly better. has it gone for you Dawnd 

[Dawnd]

@NomiSomi3 I still have the swimming Brian thing that comes and goes sadly.

[Dawnd]

@Frogie @Benzhelp @ChessieCat @Altostrata  hello...update and need to help...

 

I realized that I shouldn’t taper from the Gabapentin while in severe WD after 10 months off Effexor.

 

I was taking 100mg gabapentine 3x a day, dropped to 95mg for two days, then bumped up to 97.5 for 13 days. Two days I ago I went back up to 100mg and last night the nerve pain increased, the insomnia, and my head and hands are vibrating. 
 

Was it a bad choice to go back to my Original dose of 100mg ? Was it too late to Updose after a 15 day reduction? 

[Frogie]

1 hour ago, Dawnd said:

@Frogie @Benzhelp @ChessieCat @Altostrata  hello...update and need to help...

 

I realized that I shouldn’t taper from the Gabapentin while in severe WD after 10 months off Effexor.

 

I was taking 100mg gabapentine 3x a day, dropped to 95mg for two days, then bumped up to 97.5 for 13 days. Two days I ago I went back up to 100mg and last night the nerve pain increased, the insomnia, and my head and hands are vibrating. 
 

Was it a bad choice to go back to my Original dose of 100mg ? Was it too late to Updose after a 15 day reduction? 

I’m not an expert, but in my experience with tapering, you went up and down in dosage quite a few times in the last couple of weeks. Now your body is in wd mode. If it were me, I would hold and not adjust the dosage at all for a few weeks to stabilize again. You’re body is confused and needs to rest.

[NomiSomi3]

Dawnd

 

Are the brain swims most noticable when you are lying down with the side of your head resting on your pillow? 

 

IF so, have they gotten better? mines has, but it happens 24/7

[Dawnd]

Mine happens often also. When I’m laying down and when I’m not. It’s a common WD symptom from what I have read.

[Dawnd]

I have terrible constipation... does anyone take a laxative while in WD?? I am so afraid of it revving up my CNS. Or would a suppository be okay to use?   PleasE help!! @Altostrata

[Gridley]

@Dawnd

 

One possibility is magnesium, which can have a laxative effect and is one of the few supplements we recommend.

 

 Regarding laxatives, ChessieCat wrote the following:

 

"If you do need to take a laxative I suggest using the natural types, like Senokot, a brand name of senna, a natural vegetable laxative.  I would urge caution about using chemical laxatives.  Do your research."

 

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Edited July 11, 2020 by Gridley

[Altostrata]

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see
https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

[ChessieCat]

I'm taking codeine at the moment for a back problem.  One of the side effects of Codeine is constipation.

 

I've been taking 1 senna tablet at night but found that it wasn't quite enough so instead of taking 2 senna tablets I've also been adding 1/4 bran sticks to my cereal.

 

Dates are very high in fibre.  Try eating 2 large or 3 medium  dates 3 or 4 times a day.  Prunes can also be helpful. 

 

You also need to ensure that you drink plenty of water and also gentle walking for exercise throughout the day which helps motility.

[ChessieCat]

And if you don't like to eat dates by themselves you can make balls that contain dates.  I'll send through some recipes.

[Dawnd]

@ChessieCat thank you! I love dates actually. But the high sugar content revs my CNS up. I will may try your other suggestions! Thank you again 🙏🏽

[Dawnd]

I am so completely at my wits end I need help. I have had awful constipation for months. Bowel movements happens 1 a week at the most. My belly is swollen and rock hard. I look 5 months pregnant. I cannot eat dates or prunes due to the high sugar content. Dulcalax susposiatories do nothing for me. I took 1 teaspoon of miralax in water and sent me in a big wave. I am so Painfully backed up I have developed a rash all over of itchy welts.  I am so toxic. I am so desperate. Someone have any suggestions ??!!??

[ChessieCat]

This site is about tapering psychiatric drugs and not general health issues.  Even though your constipation issues may be related to taking and/or tapering drug/s we've made the best suggestions that we can.  I suggest you do an internet search for forums, websites and facebook groups which might be able to help you with the constipation.

 

And a quick search for constipation support group found this:  https://www.facebook.com/Constipation-Support-Group-1007142446125421/

 

Try searching for constipation forum.

[Frogie]

6 hours ago, Dawnd said:

I am so completely at my wits end I need help. I have had awful constipation for months. Bowel movements happens 1 a week at the most. My belly is swollen and rock hard. I look 5 months pregnant. I cannot eat dates or prunes due to the high sugar content. Dulcalax susposiatories do nothing for me. I took 1 teaspoon of miralax in water and sent me in a big wave. I am so Painfully backed up I have developed a rash all over of itchy welts.  I am so toxic. I am so desperate. Someone have any suggestions ??!!??

You might try an enema and once you are better drink Metamucil twice a day. They make a sugar free Metamucil. Also eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

[Dawnd]

How do you survivors do with colonics during withdrawal?  I am thinking of getting hydro colonic therapy but very concerned if it gives us in WD a negative reaction...

@Altostrata

[Altostrata]

No, we don't recommend colonics or any purging activities. Drink lots of water and eat vegetables.

 

If you can't move your bowels, please talk to your doctor right away.

 

 

[Dawnd]

Can anyone tell me if the following two things are not good to do in withdrawal?  I have a piercing intestinal pain on my mid left side.  I think it may be an ulcer. 

 

Can I take Mylanta in WD?  Can I do H. Pylori Breath Test/ Urea Breath test?  They make you swallow a urea solution. 

 

Thank you for any feedback you may be able to provide.

[ChessieCat]

6 hours ago, Dawnd said:

Can I do H. Pylori Breath Test

 

Other members have done this test.

 

Use an internet search engine and type in: 

 

site:survivingantidepressants.org pylori

 

6 hours ago, Dawnd said:

Can I take Mylanta in WD? 

 

I take an occasional Mylanta or Quick-Eze.  The packet says that they should be taken about 2 hours apart from your drug.

 

You might also find it helpful to keep a food diary to see if their is something that you are consuming that is causing/making it worse.

 

acid-reflux

 

digestive-problems-nausea-diarrhoea-bloating-gerd

 

 

 

[Dawnd]

Thank you @ChessieCat   I don't think I can take Mylanta becuase magensium makes my nerve pain worse.  I am tring TUMS for now.  I also read there is an H Pylori stool test you can do.  I am inquiring on that.

 

Now I have a few questions for anyone willing to help out..

1.  Has anyone had success with a ct-scan with constrast dye injection?

2.  Has anyone had success or found a better colon cleanse prep for a colonocopy?  My doctor also wants to do an endoscopy which means being put under.  I am FRIGTHENED of anathesia since my CNS is UBER sensitive. 

 

Please and thank you to all!

Dawnd

[ChessieCat]

42 minutes ago, Dawnd said:

1.  Has anyone had success with a ct-scan with constrast dye injection?

2.  Has anyone had success or found a better colon cleanse prep for a colonocopy?  My doctor also wants to do an endoscopy which means being put under.  I am FRIGTHENED of anathesia since my CNS is UBER sensitive. 

 

There are a lot of existing topics where members discuss various things. 

 

Use an internet search engine and add this to your search term: 

 

site:survivingantidepressants.org

[Dawnd]

Can anyone suggest fortified foods (cereals, etc.) that can help with vitamin loss?  I am having MAJOR HAIR LOSS as if I am on Chemo Therapy.  It can be due to the gapabentine or the withdrawal.  I CANNOT tolerate any supplements whatsoever.  Any foods/fortified foods can help?  I started drinking coconut milk fortified with B12 and D3, and fertilized eggs fortified with similar vitamins.  Anything else???  

[ChessieCat]

hair-loss-poor-condition-body-hair-excessive-hair-growth

 

[MrMiyagi]

Hi Dawnd,

Any update on how you are ? I wanted to add I also suffered sever hair loss during acute withdrawl but this only lasted a few months.

 

I do hope you are well 🙏

[Dawnd]

@MrMiyagihello. The hair loss continues. It’s been a solid 4 months of hair loss now, and I’ve lost more than half my hair sadly  it’s terrifying

I’m not well. The last few weeks I’ve been contemplating reinstatement again. But I know it’s risky at 18 months off. I just don’t know if I can keep doing this. The SI and dark depression are terrible.  Thank  you for checking on me. How are you doing?

[MrMiyagi]

I am so sorry you are going through this I am also going through some real rough stuff but I think we are just real early in recovery. I do try my best to keep a positive outlook no matter how much my brain turns on me I find it helps. I do hope your wave passes and don't lose hope. Your not alone 

[Dawnd]

@MrMiyagithank you for that reassurance that I am not alone. I appreciate that. This certainly is the hardest thing I have ever been through. And life has not been easy for me to begin with. I wish we could jump ahead 3 years from now and see how we feel. 

[MrMiyagi]

1 minute ago, Dawnd said:

@MrMiyagithank you for that reassurance that I am not alone. I appreciate that. This certainly is the hardest thing I have ever been through. And life has not been easy for me to begin with. I wish we could jump ahead 3 years from now and see how we feel. 

So very true but you may not need to jump that far ahead 😉. This is unfortunately extremely difficult and not easy for others to relate with so you can find it even harder at times. Do keep us updated and try your best to remain calm maybe practice meditation and mindfulness. Not easy I know but we got this 💪

[ThatOneGirlStitch]

@Dawnd how are you doing? How’s your weight? Hang in there