MrMiyagi: 20+ years Effexor XR

[Altostrata]

I believe you left out one of your Valium doses?

[MrMiyagi]

14 hours ago, MrMiyagi said:

10/16/2020

(1am) Sleep
Woke up (3am)
Sleep (4:30am)
(8am) Withdrawl Normal
(9:30) Zoloft 50mg
(12:30) still stable regular Valium zoloft world. I guess we call this withdrawl normal.
(3pm)Tizanadine 1mg
(4pm)Tried my tens unit but had increase muscle spasms and tingling in hands, calf muscle twitching. Maybe to stimulating.
(5:45pm) nerve pain, increased spasticity in neck and back.
(8pm) Valium 5mg
(8:30) calf muscle fasticulatins, neck still tight.
(9pm) greatly reduced spasms.
(9:30) calf muscle fasticulations and cramp
(10pm) tinazadine 2mg.
(11pm) calf fasticulations
(12pm) Sleep

(8am) Valium was taken

[MrMiyagi]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

I believe you left out one of your Valium doses?

Added it in thank you Alto 😊 🙏 

[MrMiyagi]

10/17/20

(6am) Woke
(8am) Valium
(9am) twitching anterior calfs muscles  benign muscle fasciculation?
(10am) Zoloft 50mg
Cold chills, warm head like light fever, stiff neck used messager.
(12pm) exhausted slept (wave)
(1:30)woke up feeling rested.
(2:30pm) anxiety and left side back spasm/cramping.
(3pm) Tizanadine 1mg
(7pm) sore knees, legs
(8pm) Valium 5mg
(9pm-9:30)lots less soreness in legs and no calf fasticulations.
Also starting to be tired a bit earlier.
(10pm) Tizanadine 2mg
(12pm) sleep

[Altostrata]

On 10/10/2020 at 11:41 AM, MrMiyagi said:

My Final dose 37.5mg of effexor was February 20, 2020 and the withdrawl have been dibilitating waves and windows ever since. Lost job, home and hoping to keep my family around.

 

Which of the above symptoms is new since February 20, 2020.

 

Did you ever try re-introducing a few beads of Effexor?

[MrMiyagi]

1 minute ago, Altostrata said:

 

Which of the above symptoms is new since February 20, 2020.

 

Did you ever try re-introducing a few beads of Effexor?

New symptoms since parkinsonism or serotonin syndrome episode on July, 15

Stiffness, spasms ,twitching calf muscles, weakness.

 

I have not tried introducing any Effexor since February, 20 

 

Feb 20 - Feb 26
[v] 8:00am
Effexor XR 37.5mg (Last Day on Effexor Xr)
Zoloft 100mg
Feb 27 - Jun 12
[v] 8:00am
Zoloft 100mg
Jun 13
[v] 7am
50mg zoloft - Lowered from 100mg
5mg Valium
10mg oxycotin
[v]  3pm
5mg Valium
1000mg Tylonol
[v] 6pm
10mg Oxycotin
Jun 14
[v] 7am
50mg zoloft
5mg Valium
10mg oxycotin
[v]  3pm
5mg Valium
1000mg Tylonol
[v] 6pm
10mg Oxycotin
Jun 15
[v] 8am
50mg Zoloft
2.5mg Valium
Two Motrin
[v] 3pm
10mg Oxycotin
2.5mg Valium

Tonight Motrin only!!

Jun 16
[v] 8am
Zoloft 50mg
Valium 2.5mg
[v] 3pm
Oxycotin 10mg
Valium 5mg
[v] 6pm
2 Motrin
Jun 17
[v] 8am
50mg Zoloft
2.5mg Valium
10mg Oxycotin
[v] 12pm
5mg Valium
[v] 5pm
2 Motrin
10mg Oxycotin
Jun 18
[v] 8am
50mg Zoloft
10mg Oxycotin
2.5mg Valium
[v] 3pm
2 Motrin
[v] 4pm
10mg Oxycotin
5mg Valium
June 19
[v] 7am
50mg Zoloft
10mg oxycotin
2.5mg Valium
[v] 4pm
2 Tylenol
5mg Valium
[v] 9pm
2 Motrin
June 20
[v] 7:30am
2 Tylenol
50mg Zoloft
[v] 2pm
5mg Valium
2 Motrin
[v] 8pm
10mg oxytocin
June 21
[v] 8am
50mg zoloft
5mg Valium
2 Tylenol
[v] 10am
10mg oxytocin
[v] 7:30pm
10mg Oxytocin
June 22
[v] 7:30am
5mg Valium
50mg Zoloft
[v] 10am
10mg oxytocin
[v] 12:45
5mg Valium
2 Tylenol
June 23
[v] 7:30am
50mg Zoloft
2.5mg Valium
[v] 12:00am
10mg Oxycotin
[v] 1:30
2 Tylenol
June 24
[v] 6:00am
50mg Zoloft
2.5mg Valium
2 Tylenol
[v] 10:30am
10mg oxycotin
[v] 1:40pm
5mg Valium
[v] 6:00pm
2 Motrin
June 25
[v] 8:30am
50mg Zoloft
2.5 Valium
[v] 11:00am
5mg Valium
2 tylonol
[v] 4:00pm
10mg Oxycotin
June 26
[v] 8:00am
50mg Zoloft
2.5mg Valium
2 Tylenol
[v] 2:00pm
5mg Valium
[v] 8pm
2 motrin
Jun 27
[v] 8:30am
50mg Zoloft
2.5mg valium
2 Motrin
[v] 2:00pm
2.5 Valium
[v] 6:30
Two Tylenol
June 28
[v] 6:00am
50MG Zoloft
2.5mg Vailum
2 Motrin
[v] 9:30am
2 Tylenol
[v] 5:00pm
2.5mg valium
[v] 7:30pm
2 Motrin
June 29
[v] 7:00am
50mg Zoloft
2.5mg Valium
2 Motrin
[v] 11:00am
2 Tylenol
[v] 12:30pm
2.5mg Valium
[v] 8:15pm
2 Motrin
June 30
[v] 8:00am
50mg Zoloft
2.5mg Valium
2 Motrin
[v] 11:30am
2.5mg valium
2 Tylenol
[v] 6:00pm
5mg Oxycodon HCL
July 1
[v] 8:00am
50mg Zoloft
2 tylonol
[v] 3:00pm
2 Motrin

Nothing but motrin tylonol and 50mg zoloft until.

(Symptoms start)
Could not stand or walk well sever weakness flu like symptoms No fever.

July 11
[v] 8:00am
50mg Zoloft
2 tylonol
[v] 3:00pm
2 Motrin
July 12
[v] 7:00am
75mg Zoloft (increased)
2 Motrin
July 13
[v] 7:00am
75mg Zoloft
2 Motrin
July 14
[v] 8am
100mg Zoloft (increased)

(Went to ER for parkasins type symptoms bobbing head, studdering speech, full body ticks, muscle twitching, Lethargy, difficulty standing, difficulty walking stiff shuffling gait, severe muscle fasticulations in calf muscles,
Muscular rigidity in neck, mid back and legs)

[Altostrata]

On 10/10/2020 at 11:41 AM, MrMiyagi said:

My Final dose 37.5mg of effexor was February 20, 2020 and the withdrawl have been dibilitating waves and windows ever since. Lost job, home and hoping to keep my family around.

 

Did you have withdrawal symptoms after going off Effexor? Did you feel okay on Zoloft until July 11?

 

Were you taking oxytocin or Oxycontin? What does [v] mean? If it's a drug, please list the dosage.

 

Why do you call your condition serotonin syndrome when you were taking only 50mg Zoloft until July 11?

 

For your own information, you may wish to put your various combinations of drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
to see what they might have been doing. Please copy and paste the results or a link to the CURRENT combination in this topic.

 

 

 

[MrMiyagi]

20 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

Did you have withdrawal symptoms after going off Effexor? Did you feel okay on Zoloft until July 11?

 

Were you taking oxytocin or Oxycontin? What does [v] mean? If it's a drug, please list the dosage.

 

Why do you call your condition serotonin syndrome when you were taking only 50mg Zoloft until July 11?

 

For your own information, you may wish to put your various combinations of drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
to see what they might have been doing. Please copy and paste the results or a link to the CURRENT combination in this topic.

 

 

 

I have had withdrawl symptoms since starting the taper on September, 7 2019

Originally I was ok on the zoloft but it didn't do anything for withdrawls. July, 11 to July,15 I went from 50mg Zoloft to 100mg.

Then developed parkinsonism or serotonin syndrome? But idk im just assuming to be honest not sure what eles to call it if it were PLS i don't think it would have developed overnight then have wave and window symptoms. But I will be going for further neurological testing in November.

 

And it was Oxycontin 

 

The [v] are just hash marks 

[Altostrata]

On 10/10/2020 at 11:41 AM, MrMiyagi said:

Things seemed to have gone terribly wrong on July 12, 2020. On June 13, 2020 i dropped the zoloft to 50mg. One month later I was hit with an inability to walk or maintain any strength.

 

So you had Effexor withdrawal symptoms since you started the switch to Zoloft in late 2019? Did taking Zoloft ever make you feel better? Why did you decrease Zoloft to 50mg on June 13?

 

Did you take Valium and oxycontin irregularly June through September?

 

Please post the Drug Interactions report from your current combination.

 

 

[manymoretodays]

MrM got the interactions posted here, Alto(back on page one, and here is that post):

 

[Altostrata]

Thanks, mmt. I see the current drug interactions now.

[MrMiyagi]

25 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Thanks, mmt. I see the current drug interactions now.

 

29 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

MrM got the interactions posted here, Alto(back on page one, and here is that post):

 

Thank you @manymoretodays

Today is a rollor coaster so far I appreciate your help. Bless you 

 

So far today @Altostrata  but im still in good spirits so I got that going for me lol

 

10/18/20
(4am) Woke- green tea and movie 🤷‍♂️
(7am) Sleep
(8am) Woke Took Valium 5mg.
(9:30) cold extremities, anxiety
(10:30am) Zoloft 50mg
(11am) sensory disturbances, numb foot, (bad wave) extream chills, terrible circulation, dry mouth, stiff neck, feels like swollen Salvation glands in neck. Weakness on left side from upper oblique to foot.
Maybe left side hemiplegia or mini seizures on right side ?  Dam pharma🤺
(12:30am)  Symptoms subsiding thank God that reminded me of acute effexor withdrawls.  Praying for everyone going through these rough waves.
(2pm)bad wave again sleep it off
(3pm) tizanadine 1mg. woke seem better

 

Edited October 18, 2020 by MrMiyagi
Added dosages

[Altostrata]

Please put the drug dosage next to each dose.

 

Please pay close attention to the symptoms that appear after you take a drug compared to before you take the drug.

 

Do you feel markedly odd or worse after you take Zoloft?

[MrMiyagi]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

 

So you had Effexor withdrawal symptoms since you started the switch to Zoloft in late 2019? Did taking Zoloft ever make you feel better? Why did you decrease Zoloft to 50mg on June 13?

 

Did you take Valium and oxycontin irregularly June through September?

 

Please post the Drug Interactions report from your current combination.

 

 

Yes withdrawal since the start of the switch Zoloft only took some anxiety away during the taper. But did nothing for the physical stuff.  I decreased the Zoloft as I only wanted it to cushin the taper off effexor and not to stay on it.

 

 

I took june oxycontin and valium Jun, 13 to Jun, 30 regularly with a slow taper to  0 on June 30

[MrMiyagi]

10 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Please put the drug dosage next to each dose.

 

Please pay close attention to the symptoms that appear after you take a drug compared to before you take the drug.

 

Do you feel markedly odd or worse after you take Zoloft?

It would seem one hour after Zoloft I get worse. But im still early in on my notes since moving the Zoloft away from the Valium dose to have enough proof I also  have not made it to a noon dose of zoloft 50mg. yet as was planned. 

 

 

Thank you for continued help and time. Do you have a donation link?

[ChessieCat]

12 hours ago, MrMiyagi said:

Do you have a donation link?

 

donations-gratefully-accepted

 

Before donating please see these two (2) posts:

 

On 9/7/2020 at 4:33 AM, Altostrata said:

Hello --

 

Crowdfunding may be the only way we can get research done on psychiatric drug withdrawal syndromes.

 

If everyone contributed $5 or $10, the WISE USE study can get going.  Please donate to this registered charity today.

 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2020 by ChessieCat

[MrMiyagi]

10/18/20 
(4am) Woke- green tea and movie 🤷‍♂️
(7am) Sleep
(8am) Woke Took Valium
(9:30) cold extremities, anxiety
(10:30am) Zoloft 50mg
(11am) sensory disturbances, numb foot, (bad wave) extream chills, terrible circulation, dry mouth, stiff neck, feels like swollen Salvation glands in neck. Weakness on left side from upper oblique to foot.
Maybe left side hemiplegia or mini seizures on right side ?  Dam pharma🤺
(12:30am)  Symptoms subsiding thank God that reminded me of acute effexor withdrawls.  Praying for everyone going through these rough waves.
(2pm)bad wave again slept it off 1hr.
(3pm) tizanadine 1mg
(5pm)slept
(6pm) Woke feeling better
(7pm) thigh tightness tops of feet neuropathy numb,tingling,burning not to sever, upper spine cramp/spasm triggerpoints left side more pronounced.
(8pm) Valium 5mg.
(10pm) Tizanadine 2mg. Dissociation, derelization, anxiety.
(12pm)sleep

With all the symptoms I'm starting to wonder if I flew over the cuckoo's nest 🤷‍♂️

[MrMiyagi]

11 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

donations-gratefully-accepted

 

Before donating please see these two (2) posts:

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the link Chessiecat 🙏 

[Altostrata]

Good news, WISE USE has met its first-phase funding goal. Please donate on SurvivingAntidepressants' behalf to this film project https://medicatingnormal.com/donate/

[MrMiyagi]

46 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Good news, WISE USE has met its first-phase funding goal. Please donate on SurvivingAntidepressants' behalf to this film project https://medicatingnormal.com/donate/

Got it thanks Alto, I will try my best to help out. 

[MrMiyagi]

10/19/20 - One day @ a time
(8am) Valium 5mg  woke up less muscle/joint pain no nerve pain either
(9am) tired, chills slept
(11am) Zoloft 50mg woke tired slept
(2pm) woke up tired slight dissociation,derelization, back spasm from trigger points I believe. 8am staying awake this time. Apparently yesterday took alot out of me.
(3pm) took tizanadine 1mg dissasosiation derelization some depression and light anxiety. Sensory disturbances.
(4pm) less symptoms, Joint muscle, pain some calf muscle tingling. Took Tylonol 1000mg.
(7pm) no changes since 4pm Up and showered less joint and muscle pain.
(7:40pm) Valium 5mg.
(9:30pm) no new symptoms stable
(10pm) Zanaflex 2mg.
(12pm) no new symptoms
(1pm) hopefully sleep

Ok im flying the Cuckoo's Nest 🥸

[Altostrata]

Does the Zoloft make you sleepy?

[MrMiyagi]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Does the Zoloft make you sleepy?

Yes looking at my notes it would seem that way and my notes show most symptoms are about 2 hours after my Zoloft dosage on most days atleast. I'm going to keep the symptom notes going.

 

Thank you so much for checking up on me Alto 😊 I appreciate it.

 

[MrMiyagi]

10/20/20
(6am) Woke
(8am) Valium 5mg
(11:30am) Zoloft 50mg (slept)
(1pm) woke up starting to dream alot this has been since wave on oct. 18th.  I  never really had dreams before.
(1:30pm) situational depression, im up and showered.
(2pm) big wave, dp/dr, racing heart, anxiety, cfs, stomach cramped, indigestion.
(2:45pm) dry mouth, stomach pains, feverish feeling.
(3pm) Tizanadine 1mg some energy returning still in bed.
(4pm) Less symptoms
(5:30pm) calf muscle fasticulatins. Thigh tightness.
(8pm) Valium 5mg. Calfs twitching legs feel electrical adds to knee weakness but i also have been inactive for a wile now.
(10pm) Tizanadine 2mg. calf twitching
(11pm) sleep

[Altostrata]

Do you have less body pain and fewer body symptoms before you take Zoloft every day?

[MrMiyagi]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Do you have less body pain and fewer body symptoms before you take Zoloft every day?

Judging by the notes it would seem so but scares me to think of lowering it again after that major crash 4 months ago. Valium starts the Lethargy and chills. After Zoloft I seem to have an increase in anxiety depression spasm Dp/Dr and twitching in calf muscles. I am also researching the possibility if during the withdrawl my body is recognizing the titanium hardware from my fusion as an allergen. Perhaps this could be the increase in leg symptoms like twitching. I'll have to wait until November,24 for new neurologist appointment. 

[MrMiyagi]

10/22/20
(8am) Valium 5mg. Minimal twitching in calfs. Slept until (12pm)
(12pm) Zoloft 50mg.
(1pm) dp/dr, depression, anhedonia, still fatigued, mild cold chills, slept (1:30)
(2:30) woke up showered general weaknesses and anhedonia.
(3pm) Tizanadine 1mg. - Headache, still fatigued and weak,
(4pm) depression, anhedonia, fatigue, health anxiety.
(5pm) slightly less depression, extremely fatigued still, apatite returning, tingling thighs and calfs.
(6pm) nerve pain, neuropathy tops of feet, tight thighs, stiff neck, headache.
(7pm) spasm neck, left side spasticity more prominent.
(8pm) Valium 5mg. Less spasticity, twitchy calfs.
(10pm) Tizanadine 2mg. - Withdrawl normal
(1pm) sleep

[MrMiyagi]

Well after some adjustment as of 10/24/20 I am feeling a bit more stable at the moment.

 

New Regiment:

 

8am

Paxil 20mg

Gabapentine 300mg 

Valium 5mg 

 

3pm

gabapentine 300mg

 

8pm

gabapentine 300mg

Valium 5mg

 

Next step is working on reducing Valium. I im just happy to be out of bed and not in so much physical pain. 🤞

 

I will report back any changes for better or worse  😬

[MrMiyagi]

I also wanted to add MRI of my head and spine were clear.

Appointment with Neurologist on the November 24th. may reveal something?

 

Hopefuly just benign muscle fasticulations and twitches.

 

I did read some were long term use of  medications that interact with acetylcholine can cause this maybe longterm use of Effexor caused it ?

[MrMiyagi]

@Altostrata Hi Alto would you in my case discontinue the paraxatine its been one week on 20mg Paxil cold switch off Zoloft 50mg? I recently had to go to impatient for increasing side-effects mainly just felt toxic on the zoloft and hardly got out of bed. Everything just became increasingly overwhelming I think it was an adverse reaction to zoloft. I have added my new Regiment. Gabapentine seems to help with my twitchy calfs and cramping and still on valium going on 5 months. 

[Altostrata]

MrM, given all the problems paroxetine causes, I would never suggest it as a substitute for anything or if you have any other options whatsoever.

 

I don't understand why you're here on Paxil when the last time we talked about a week ago, you were taking Zoloft (since July). It would have been possible to reduce the Zoloft dosage and therefore reduce any adverse effects -- which you did not report, therefore that was not determined here.

 

You're asking after having switched to Paxil for 10 days, if you should switch back to Zoloft? I suppose if you feel better on Paxil, you should stay on Paxil.

 

I would not advise making changes for quite a while, let your nervous system settle down. We don't fine-tune drug cocktails here. If you like your current cocktail, please confer with your doctors about adjustments.

 

 

[MrMiyagi]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

MrM, given all the problems paroxetine causes, I would never suggest it as a substitute for anything or if you have any other options whatsoever.

 

I don't understand why you're here on Paxil when the last time we talked about a week ago, you were taking Zoloft (since July). It would have been possible to reduce the Zoloft dosage and therefore reduce any adverse effects -- which you did not report, therefore that was not determined here.

 

You're asking after having switched to Paxil for 10 days, if you should switch back to Zoloft? I suppose if you feel better on Paxil, you should stay on Paxil.

 

I would not advise making changes for quite a while, let your nervous system settle down. We don't fine-tune drug cocktails here. If you like your current cocktail, please confer with your doctors about adjustments.

 

 

Thanks Alto 👍

[MrMiyagi]

Currently been stable have also been reducing my valium every 7 to 10 days as tolerated noticed the twitching and fatigue diminishing alot. All neurological testing came back fine. Current Regiment 

 

8am: Paxil 20mg, Valium 5mg, Gabapentine 300mg

 

1pm: Gabapentine 300mg

 

6pm: Gabapentine 300mg, Valium 1.5mg

 

Hopefully will be off Valium in a few more weeks/months what ever us comfortable.

 

Hope to stabilize a few months on just Paxil 20mg. And resume the correct 10% harm reduction approach.

 

Just wanted to update everyone.

 

 

 

[Colonial]

Glad everything is good so far.

If you could update you signature line with all of the drug changes and discontinuations by date and dose since Sept. 22nd, it will be helpful when you become symptomatic. The Valium and Zoloft tapers were aggressive and the start of your Paxil date as well.

You've had a lot of changes since July 17th.

Thanks!

[MrMiyagi]

8 hours ago, Colonial said:

Glad everything is good so far.

If you could update you signature line with all of the drug changes and discontinuations by date and dose since Sept. 22nd, it will be helpful when you become symptomatic. The Valium and Zoloft tapers were aggressive and the start of your Paxil date as well.

You've had a lot of changes since July 17th.

Thanks!

I will update if things go south or continue to improve in a few months.

 

Let's be optimistic 👍

 

[MrMiyagi]

Continuing to have longer windows but still in major withdrawal currently holding on everything.

 

Paxil 20mg

Valium 2mg x3

Gabapentine 300mg x3

 

Supplements:

Vitamin D 2000iu at night

Probiotic in am 

They have Seem to improve my mood. Fish oil and magnesium did not agree well.

 

Calf muscle twitching subsided but I have noticed it slightly return during lowering Valium along with left sided weakness. I have been able to find a doctor that respects very slow tapers. So I am happy about that. I guess the message is hopeful however bad a situation would seem. I'm far from where I would like to be but I am not where I used to be 😉.