Aria Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share Posted April 3, 2014 Compsports, I love it: "I don't plan on reinstating the game of "chase the perfect med". Yep, if there was a benign sleep med I'd be on it. Unable at this time to correspond by private message. Link to my Introduction thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2477-aria-my-psych-journey/ Reading my psychiatric records: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5466-drugged-crazy-reading-my-psychiatric-records/ My Success Story is listed under "Aria's Recovery". Link to comment
Aria Posted April 6, 2014 Author Share Posted April 6, 2014 Two out of three nights I couldn't sleep. I have no idea of how I function but I do. I never had this kind of resilience when poly drugged. I woulda run to my old pdoc begging for help. Now I have to laugh at myself. I had completely stopped gardening when poly drugged, was so messed up I stayed inside with my curtains drawn. Now I'm busy visiting the garden centers and planting my spring flowers. It makes me feel good to do this, being outside and digging into fresh dirt is happiness. Having my friends stop by seeing what I'm doing. OK, Mr. Former Drug Prescribing Psychiatrist, look at me. I'm doing more than well off the drugs you said I'd need for the rest of my life. You were wrong. Unable at this time to correspond by private message. Link to my Introduction thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2477-aria-my-psych-journey/ Reading my psychiatric records: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5466-drugged-crazy-reading-my-psychiatric-records/ My Success Story is listed under "Aria's Recovery". Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted April 7, 2014 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 7, 2014 Its great to hear that you are doing so well Aria, most people can manage on small amounts of sleep if they are not worried about it. I'm sure your sleep will improve over time. It sounds like you are enjoying your life again, and that's so important. I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
Aria Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 A paragraph that stood out from: "How to Recognize a Bad Psychiatrist" (Psychology Today, April 16, 2012) and pasted it here: "Whenever I see patients on a bizarre mix of medications, some of which are for symptoms such as psychosis which they do not in fact even have, the odds are extremely good that the patient has been highly overmedicated and misdiagnosed, and the doctor has been just throwing meds at the patient willy-nilly to see what sticks". Geez, that was me, over medicated and misdiagnosed. At the time I didn't know any better and unaware of how poly drugging affected my daily life, how I was viewed so heavily drugged and my distorted thinking on these drugs. Thank goodness for the internet today with info I had needed but didn't have access to back then. Unable at this time to correspond by private message. Link to my Introduction thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2477-aria-my-psych-journey/ Reading my psychiatric records: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5466-drugged-crazy-reading-my-psychiatric-records/ My Success Story is listed under "Aria's Recovery". Link to comment
Barbarannamated Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I know an uninformed person would think I'm stubborn or stupid for holding off taking any sleep meds but after my experience with poly drugging I'm scared silly to take anything. People who haven't gone thru hellish w/d or how additive these drugs can be have no idea. They casually say why not take something, I do? I'm afraid my poor CNS would blow another gasket if I introduced a psych drug again. Sleeping would be nice, to know tonight I'll be able to sleep but what consequences will I face later on?? Been there, done it. Since I rarely use my beds they're like new. Oh, I totally understand and went through the same thing. Your position is totally understandable. Although to be honest, if I found a med that worked, I would take it in a heartbeat. The problem is that hasn't happened and I don't plan on reinstating the game of "chase the perfect med". I understand your point, CS. Problem I have is that, even after short trial to find if med works, some people have withdrawal and have to carefully taper. I know many people can go on and off without tapering, but it's hell for us to even try to see if something might help. Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc). Link to comment
compsports Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I know an uninformed person would think I'm stubborn or stupid for holding off taking any sleep meds but after my experience with poly drugging I'm scared silly to take anything. People who haven't gone thru hellish w/d or how additive these drugs can be have no idea. They casually say why not take something, I do? I'm afraid my poor CNS would blow another gasket if I introduced a psych drug again. Sleeping would be nice, to know tonight I'll be able to sleep but what consequences will I face later on?? Been there, done it. Since I rarely use my beds they're like new. Oh, I totally understand and went through the same thing. Your position is totally understandable. Although to be honest, if I found a med that worked, I would take it in a heartbeat. The problem is that hasn't happened and I don't plan on reinstating the game of "chase the perfect med". I understand your point, CS. Problem I have is that, even after short trial to find if med works, some people have withdrawal and have to carefully taper. I know many people can go on and off without tapering, but it's hell for us to even try to see if something might help. Totally agree Barb. That is why I gave up on Elavil after day when it showed no potential for being a useful sleep aid. I didn't want to spend more days on it to no avail only to have to taper it. Aria, too bad the psychiatrist lamenting the over medication of patients wasn't your doctor. Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010 Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006 Finished taper on June 10, 2010 Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016 Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia Link to comment
Aria Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 Sunny warm day and having my coffee. I'm so glad I can tell my sorted tale with psychiatry and how I shrived to be drug free. I still have horrible memories of psychiatry, not being believed when I told the pdoc and other physician because of my psyche diagnoses and muddled thinking when poly drugged. It isn't something that is going away (years of being heavily drugged) but it helps me to vent here where you understand. I'm thankful of this forum where others can share their journey and get the support they need. I appreciate the feedback I get on this thread and my other one, Drugged Crazy. I wish all of you a nice weekend and heads up for wanting to be drug free. Unable at this time to correspond by private message. Link to my Introduction thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2477-aria-my-psych-journey/ Reading my psychiatric records: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5466-drugged-crazy-reading-my-psychiatric-records/ My Success Story is listed under "Aria's Recovery". Link to comment
Aria Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 If only I could tell you all in person that yes you can finish your taper and give you the needed consoling and support. I didn't have internet when I tapered, only the book "Your Psychiatric Drugs" by Dr. Breggin and the hope I could do it. It can be a very lonely journey especially when you're feeling so lost, scared and no one to talk to. I wrote quite a bit in notebooks when I felt low, paced around my neighborhood at off hours because being inside was worse, had a friend or two even through they had no idea about drug withdrawals still listened as I rambled and the hope I would get better. I did get off my numerous psych drugs and what a rush that I actually did it. I wish you have someone close to you who could be your drug w/d partner and you could help each other across the finish line. 1 Unable at this time to correspond by private message. Link to my Introduction thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2477-aria-my-psych-journey/ Reading my psychiatric records: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5466-drugged-crazy-reading-my-psychiatric-records/ My Success Story is listed under "Aria's Recovery". Link to comment
Member cymbaltawithdrawal5600 Posted April 17, 2014 Member Share Posted April 17, 2014 Aria, How is life for you now? Do you sleep well and get enjoyment out of life aside from any circumstances you might have? Just curious. I haven't read your thread and you don't post a lot. What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878 July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site. Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey. Link to comment
Aria Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Aria, How is life for you now? Do you sleep well and get enjoyment out of life aside from any circumstances you might have? Just curious. I haven't read your thread and you don't post a lot. My life is better off psych drugs, I spend time with friends, garden, read, pet my cat, try to stay busy and upbeat. My sleep is terrible, messed up circadian rhythm. I recently went to see a Naturapath looking for herbal help with insomnia and came away with a negative vibe. I hope one day my sleep will regulate. If you read my Intro, first 2-3, posts it'll tell you about me, my struggle to be drug free and how I started living again. I have a thread about my journey in Success Stories. Unable at this time to correspond by private message. Link to my Introduction thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2477-aria-my-psych-journey/ Reading my psychiatric records: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5466-drugged-crazy-reading-my-psychiatric-records/ My Success Story is listed under "Aria's Recovery". Link to comment
Member cymbaltawithdrawal5600 Posted April 18, 2014 Member Share Posted April 18, 2014 Thanks, I forgot about you being in 'Success'. Bummed that your sleep is still bad. That is my biggest upset. What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878 July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site. Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted April 21, 2014 Administrator Share Posted April 21, 2014 Aria's success story is here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5740-arias-recovery/ Now, with great ceremony, I'll close this topic and let Aria continue her story in our Recovery Success Stories forum. 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
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