Superwoman Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 Has anyone tried the Safe and Sound Protocol, based on Polyvagal Theory? If so, did it help with your withdrawal symptoms or make it worse? My sister is an integrative holistic counselor and she is training in this method. She told me that I can do the protocol for free through her. It is normally expensive. She would do check in’s with me during the therapy. The therapy is a type of sound therapy that stimulates the vagus nerve through the middle ear. It is said to rebalance the nervous system and help the nervous system enter the parasympathetic state. Is this something that would be okay to do during withdrawal and tapering? My sister did not know. I am thinking of doing it in between reductions, while I am holding the dose. I would like to try it now while I have the opportunity to do it for free. I don't think that i will have the opportunity years later, when I have completely tapered off of this medication. It is supposed to help with sleep, anxiety, auditory processing and lower resting heart rate and improve heart rate variability. Side effects are temporary agitation, fatigue and headaches. 1993-2000: Zoloft few months CT, Prozac 1-2 yrs, Ritalin PRN 2002/2003: Wellbutrin, Paxil 25mg FT, and Xanax PRN CT (all 3 to 6 months), Adderal 40mg, Strattera 40mg 2003- 2016: Effexor XR 75 mg to 150 mg., Strattera (2002-2008) 2017: Effexor XR 225 mg. Gabapentin 300 mg. Elavil 25 mg. 2018: (Sept.) Effexor XR 187.5 mg, Zoloft 10 mg. (OCT.) FT off Gabapentin (NOV.) FT off Elavil (DEC) FT Effexor to 150 mg. 2019: (JAN.) D/C Zoloft, added Viibryd 10mg (FEB) CT Viibryd, (MAR) Prozac bridge, Effexor xr 112.5mg, (Sept.) Effexor XR 112.5 mg + 0.4 mg (1 bead), (Oct.) Effexor XR 112.5mg, (Dec.28) start 10% taper Effexor XR 101.25 mg, 2020: (Jan. 25) Effexor XR 91 mg., (Feb. 22) Effexor xr 82 mg., (Mar. 21) 75 mg. Supplements: Vitamin D 5000 IU topical, Probiotic 6 billion CFU, Epsom salt bath 1C 2 to 3 X week, California Poppy 2 droppers, various essential oils https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/21446-superwoman-effexor-taper/page/8/?tab=comments#comment-475779 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsranga Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 I would say it can't hurt, but the same effect can be achieved through yoga, breathing, and acupuncture. I used it for my daughter's learning challenges when she was 6-7 but I didn't notice any transformative change. In withdrawal, our issue is not getting into the parasympathetic mode, but constantly trying to balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, and under/over-correcting. I haven't found anything to help with that. However, diaphragmatic breathing, yoga and occasional craniosacral therapy have been very helpful. I'd be interested to know how it goes for you. Chronic IBS since 1990 Former smoker (1992- Jun 2017) Prescribed mirtazapine for sleep in Aug 2017 after IBS flare-up following Nicotine cessation. Mirtazapine 7.5mg 8/17 to 5/18 Mirtazapine 3.75mg 5/18 to 1/19 Off Mirtazapine since 2/19. Vit B, Vit D+K2 and Magnesium Glycinate as needed. On Ayurvedic herbs for GI issues - Guduchi since Jul 2020, Indukantham since Oct 2020 On Ashwagandha 1g since Nov 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superwoman Posted May 25, 2021 Author Share Posted May 25, 2021 8 hours ago, tsranga said: I'd be interested to know how it goes for you. I do yoga and I find that helpful. If I do it I will update on how it goes. 1993-2000: Zoloft few months CT, Prozac 1-2 yrs, Ritalin PRN 2002/2003: Wellbutrin, Paxil 25mg FT, and Xanax PRN CT (all 3 to 6 months), Adderal 40mg, Strattera 40mg 2003- 2016: Effexor XR 75 mg to 150 mg., Strattera (2002-2008) 2017: Effexor XR 225 mg. Gabapentin 300 mg. Elavil 25 mg. 2018: (Sept.) Effexor XR 187.5 mg, Zoloft 10 mg. (OCT.) FT off Gabapentin (NOV.) FT off Elavil (DEC) FT Effexor to 150 mg. 2019: (JAN.) D/C Zoloft, added Viibryd 10mg (FEB) CT Viibryd, (MAR) Prozac bridge, Effexor xr 112.5mg, (Sept.) Effexor XR 112.5 mg + 0.4 mg (1 bead), (Oct.) Effexor XR 112.5mg, (Dec.28) start 10% taper Effexor XR 101.25 mg, 2020: (Jan. 25) Effexor XR 91 mg., (Feb. 22) Effexor xr 82 mg., (Mar. 21) 75 mg. Supplements: Vitamin D 5000 IU topical, Probiotic 6 billion CFU, Epsom salt bath 1C 2 to 3 X week, California Poppy 2 droppers, various essential oils https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/21446-superwoman-effexor-taper/page/8/?tab=comments#comment-475779 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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