Josef: Hello World, I need help.

[Shep]

On 7/13/2021 at 1:49 PM, Josef said:

It started at my parents' house about two weeks ago, I woke up suffocating while sleeping, and it repeated itself several times , today it happened again.

Is this related to the medicine I am taking? It's something common?

I will be happy to know if there's something to do about it.

 

This could be something referred to on withdrawal forums as "air hunger." The scientific term is dyspnea. We usually see it more with people withdrawing from benzodiazepines, but it's possible with other psych drugs, as well. 

 

Some tips for handling air hunger:

 

Managing Shortness of Breath video (5 minutes)

 

Managing an acute episode of shortness of breath video (6 minutes)

 

15 hours ago, Josef said:

Hey friends,
I wanted to apologize for deciding to "break my head" on the forum and blame you in my last post at some level.
I did not try to take you out as the bad guys and I'm sure you did not try to do anything to me on purpose.. actually you're doing a great job and I appreciate it very much...

 

The lack of information on the Internet is simply exhausting and depressing. These feelings in themselves has lead me to difficult thoughts.

 

I hope we can open a new page and I'm wholeheartedly sorry in hope we can put that behind.

 

Thank you, Josef. Glad to see you back and asking questions. 

 

[hayduke]

Josef, PTSD is probably a diagnosis you can do more with around actively healing.

 

Please let us know if you find therapy helpful.

 

I would suggest this book as a must-read for anyone working in this space https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Body_Keeps_the_Score

 

and you might also find this helpful

 

https://www.routledge.com/Trauma-and-Psychosis-New-Directions-for-Theory-and-Therapy/Larkin-Morrison/p/book/9781138871892

[Josef]

Hey SA, it's been a while..
Just here for an update and some questions:

 

Last week I moved to the village side! I have two times of space I had in the other apartment, and nice 100sqr private garden ^^..

I'll start to work again soon.. 

had one job interview today, as a shopkeeper, Part time/shifts.
The store sells organic/gluten free foods and drinks, vitamins, minerals and cosmetics. 
It will be nice going back to work again. making some money after a long period of unemployment and learn new alternative products and help others!
do you think this job is a good idea?

 

I bought a new sport watch for my walks/runs and sleep.
It makes analytics for heart rate,Vo2Max,REM sleep, stress and many more.
It even has a 'Relax' app to breath calculated breaths for x seconds, and It lowers the heart rate.

 

Caffeine-
I reduced caffeine to 2 light cups. some days I drink even less. (drinking more chamomile tea..).

 

Diet wise-
No sugar/bread/pasta or rice. Many veggies/salmon/red meat and nuts. 
does 4 spoons of Oats in the morning is OK ?

 

Sleep-
I sleep aprox 9.5h every night.
'Hypnic jerk' symptom- is at a really low rate now, and I'm better and no breathing problems. 
I think it had something to do with marijuana withdrawal I did back in march, what a great decision to stop! :))

 

Cigarretes-
I still smoke a pack a day. it's very hard to quit or even reducting..so hard. 
but I'm thinking towards it, and am very aware about it.

 

Hair loss- 
I have long hair, In the last 3 months I've lost half of my hair. I don't really know what to do or what causing this.

 

Anxieties-
I don't have any, but in the past where I CT anxiety was off the roof. Does it setles between gradual reductions? 
Is it a sign to hold the dose until I'm stable again? what is commonly advised? 
I heard the phrase WD-normal, what is it? it has something to do with these symptoms?

 

Amisulpride - 
1.I hear there's a symptom (or syndrome?) called DAWS- which is related to dopamine agonist, does it apply to my med also? Am I at risk of DAWS?
2. Doctor always told me (and it's written in the instructions) that I need to take my med before eating a meal and drink plenty of water. Is it true?
I'll consider fasting in the future to lower my weight. I wondered if this was a must, or just a general guideline

3. once I'll start to work I will start to weight pills and will update when it happens. current dose: 250mg, stable.

 

Vitamins:
1. I read the thread about Magnesium, which Magnesium do I need to start with? Citrate or Glycinate?
2. I will be getting soon blood tests, checking for vitamins deficiencies, B12,D,E and A. 
I have an appointment with the neurologist next week. He gives me approvals for the checks. 
Do you recommend other vitamins deficiencies checks? B6? B3? C? 
3. I know that you're only suggesting users to take omega3 oil and magnesium. 
But I will test some vitamins along the way. But Surely not all together, one by one each time.

What are your thoughts about the vitamins/minerals below? 
B12, C, E, Zinc, L-Teanine, L-lysine, L-arginine, Curcumin, Saffron (now's available in my country) and Niacin.

And also-  GABA,Rhodiola,5-HTP and Ashwagandha?

Feel good everyone. thanks in advance

[Josef]

On 8/25/2021 at 5:30 PM, hayduke said:

Josef, PTSD is probably a diagnosis you can do more with around actively healing.

 

Please let us know if you find therapy helpful.

 

I would suggest this book as a must-read for anyone working in this space https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Body_Keeps_the_Score

 

and you might also find this helpful

 

https://www.routledge.com/Trauma-and-Psychosis-New-Directions-for-Theory-and-Therapy/Larkin-Morrison/p/book/9781138871892

 

Hey hayduke! Thank you so much!

I appreciate it. 

[Josef]

On 10/7/2021 at 4:36 PM, Josef said:

Hey SA, it's been a while..
Just here for an update and some questions:

 

Last week I moved to the village side! I have two times of space I had in the other apartment, and nice 100sqr private garden ^^..

I'll start to work again soon.. 

had one job interview today, as a shopkeeper, Part time/shifts.
The store sells organic/gluten free foods and drinks, vitamins, minerals and cosmetics. 
It will be nice going back to work again. making some money after a long period of unemployment and learn new alternative products and help others!
do you think this job is a good idea?

 

I bought a new sport watch for my walks/runs and sleep.
It makes analytics for heart rate,Vo2Max,REM sleep, stress and many more.
It even has a 'Relax' app to breath calculated breaths for x seconds, and It lowers the heart rate.

 

Caffeine-
I reduced caffeine to 2 light cups. some days I drink even less. (drinking more chamomile tea..).

 

Diet wise-
No sugar/bread/pasta or rice. Many veggies/salmon/red meat and nuts. 
does 4 spoons of Oats in the morning is OK ?

 

Sleep-
I sleep aprox 9.5h every night.
'Hypnic jerk' symptom- is at a really low rate now, and I'm better and no breathing problems. 
I think it had something to do with marijuana withdrawal I did back in march, what a great decision to stop! :))

 

Cigarretes-
I still smoke a pack a day. it's very hard to quit or even reducting..so hard. 
but I'm thinking towards it, and am very aware about it.

 

Hair loss- 
I have long hair, In the last 3 months I've lost half of my hair. I don't really know what to do or what causing this.

 

Anxieties-
I don't have any, but in the past where I CT anxiety was off the roof. Does it setles between gradual reductions? 
Is it a sign to hold the dose until I'm stable again? what is commonly advised? 
I heard the phrase WD-normal, what is it? it has something to do with these symptoms?

 

Amisulpride - 
1.I hear there's a symptom (or syndrome?) called DAWS- which is related to dopamine agonist, does it apply to my med also? Am I at risk of DAWS?
2. Doctor always told me (and it's written in the instructions) that I need to take my med before eating a meal and drink plenty of water. Is it true?
I'll consider fasting in the future to lower my weight. I wondered if this was a must, or just a general guideline

3. once I'll start to work I will start to weight pills and will update when it happens. current dose: 250mg, stable.

 

Vitamins:
1. I read the thread about Magnesium, which Magnesium do I need to start with? Citrate or Glycinate?
2. I will be getting soon blood tests, checking for vitamins deficiencies, B12,D,E and A. 
I have an appointment with the neurologist next week. He gives me approvals for the checks. 
Do you recommend other vitamins deficiencies checks? B6? B3? C? 
3. I know that you're only suggesting users to take omega3 oil and magnesium. 
But I will test some vitamins along the way. But Surely not all together, one by one each time.

What are your thoughts about the vitamins/minerals below? 
B12, C, E, Zinc, L-Teanine, L-lysine, L-arginine, Curcumin, Saffron (now's available in my country) and Niacin.

And also-  GABA,Rhodiola,5-HTP and Ashwagandha?

Feel good everyone. thanks in advance

Anyone?..

[Josef]

guys.. ?

[Shep]

@JosefSorry for the delay. It's been a bit busy around here. 

 

It looks like you're doing really well. Congratulations on the move and I hope all is going well with your job search and you've found something you like. 

 

I would hesitate adding in a lot of supplements. You can use the search box to learn more about them, but we really advise sticking to just magnesium and fish oil. Different people like different types of magnesium, so that's really very individual. The first post in the  magnesium thread lists the differences between them 

 

GABA, 5-HTP and Ashwagandha may be especially problematic. Since you eat red meat, I wouldn't add in B12. Many people find that too stimulating. 

 

Keep your taper as simple as possible and it will go much better. 

 

Fasting may be problematic - withdrawal can cause low blood sugar, so it's best to eat. You're eating a very good diet, so add in some gentle exercise every day and maybe remove a cigarette a month to slowly taper off. 

 

By the time you get off this drug, you'll be in great shape. 

 

 

 

 

[Shep]

On 10/7/2021 at 9:36 AM, Josef said:

I heard the phrase WD-normal, what is it? it has something to do with these symptoms?

 

Forgot to answer this one, so here you go:

 

WDNormal

[Josef]

Thank you Shep! I appreciate your reply and yes I saw there's a lot of activity lately 🙂

 

Im going to continuing the taper in 1st of November.

Anyone knows how to answer my DAWS question it will be very helpful.

 

will update soon, thanks again

[Shep]

I'm not familiar with the term DAWS. Maybe someone more knowledgable can respond to that question.

 

I do know that one of the main differences between antipsychotic withdrawal and withdrawal from other drugs is dopamine supersensitivity. Go to page 17 in this PDF and you can read about it - The Case Against Antipsychotics.

 

But a lot of antipsychotic withdrawal symptoms are the same as for any other psychiatric drug and it involves a destabilized nervous system. A slow taper is the best remedy for that and for dopamine supersensitivity. 

 

Another difference isn't with the drug itself, but with a personality style. Some of us, myself included, have more impulsive personalities. And people with impulsive, unpredictable personalities may be more likely to end up on antipsychotics. So it's important not to make any rash decisions when tapering and try as best as you can to stick to a boring, slow, did I mention boring? taper. 

 

It's a slow drag, but in the end, you'll be glad you did. 

[hayduke]

I found B12 booster shots very helpful.  That was after organising a blood test to see which supplements might help, and that was one that wanted a leg up.  In general a blood test along with your GP's help interpreting the result is a good baseline to start planning supplements.

 

5-HTP is contraindicated with olanzapine.  I tried small amounts a few times but not to much use, and I would outright suggest not using it during your taper as it can cause serotonin syndrome which can be lethal!

 

GABA I never tangled with, but I find L-theanine a great approach when I want to reduce anxiety from a cortisol spike, or step away from alcohol again. Mild derealisation came with it a few times, but I generally find it agreeable.  DR is probably the least bother of any wd symptoms I've had.

 

Zinc I don't mind.  B6 tended to induce akathisia for me.  Berocca has been good for me the whole way through.  Niacin, just occasionally.  Vitamin E and methyl folate have seemed to temper any incipient TD/dopamine wobbles for me, again YMMV.  That has also been a brake on my rate of taper.

 

Now bear in mind that we are all different and you may find these might not work well for you, I'm just sharing my experience.

 

Fasting I've found very helpful, but you might find it easier to save it for after your taper unless you have the awful fright of finding you ar pre diabetic like I did.  A blood test will tell you.

[Shep]

Yes, some people do quite well with this supplement or that supplement. The reason we only recommend magnesium and fish oil is because over the years, we've found them to be the best tolerated for calming the nervous system without creating as many problems as other supplements. Of course, some people may be sensitive to even magnesium and fish oil.  

 

So it's not just about the supplement, but how strong a person's nervous system is in tolerating it. For best result, only add in one thing at a time and at a small dose.

 

The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.

 

 

[Josef]

The thread about magnesium is so helpful and informative, love it! ❤️

 

On 10/26/2021 at 1:50 AM, Shep said:

@JosefGABA, 5-HTP and Ashwagandha may be especially problematic. Since you eat red meat, I wouldn't add in B12. Many people find that too stimulating. 

It's good to know, the  I'll stay off of those. 

 

On 10/26/2021 at 1:31 PM, Shep said:

I do know that one of the main differences between antipsychotic withdrawal and withdrawal from other drugs is dopamine supersensitivity. Go to page 17 in this PDF and you can read about it - The Case Against Antipsychotics.

 

A slow taper is the best remedy for that and for dopamine supersensitivity. 

 

Another difference isn't with the drug itself, but with a personality style. Some of us, myself included, have more impulsive personalities. And people with impulsive, unpredictable personalities may be more likely to end up on antipsychotics.

Yes I actually heard about dopamine supersensitivity.. It's sounds like a death sentence. Do we know how those patients in the study has performed after two-three years off?

 

I was very impulsive back in the days before meds we're introduced.

After I CT, I have suffered mostly from delusions. Perhaps it's an underlying condition.. and the quacks diagnosed me with a second episode of psychosis.

 

Amisulpride has the highest affinity to dopamine D2 of all antipsycotics (via Wikipedia, "pharmacology").

 

But basically- who knows? I might be just fine doing it gradually. I'm NOT giving up my chances for a better life and would be VERY careful during the taper episode and also I will be very cautious with supplements. And sticking to the plan.

 

On 10/28/2021 at 9:59 AM, hayduke said:

In general a blood test along with your GP's help interpreting the result is a good baseline to start planning supplements.

 

5-HTP - I would outright suggest not using it during your taper as it can cause serotonin syndrome which can be lethal!

 

I find L-theanine a great approach when I want to reduce anxiety from a cortisol spike, or step away from alcohol again. Mild derealisation came with it a few times, but I generally find it agreeable. DR is probably the least bother of any wd symptoms I've had.

 

Zinc I don't mind.  B6 tended to induce akathisia for me.  Berocca has been good for me the whole way through.  Niacin, just occasionally.  Vitamin E and methyl folate have seemed to temper any incipient TD/dopamine wobbles for me, again YMMV.  That has also been a brake on my rate of taper.

 

Now bear in mind that we are all different and you may find these might not work well for you, I'm just sharing my experience.

Hayduke!!! Congratulations for getting to 0(.000000)mg! Finallly! It's so amazing!

I'm so glad for you.. you're truly are a living inspiration.

 

I'll stay off of GABA, B6.

Berroca isn't available in Israel, so I'll try to find an online shop that can sell and ship it to my country.

 

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY AND TIPS! I appreciate it very much.

Have a great weekend you guys, I'm continuing my taper this monday, will update soon.

[Josef]

So... ive continued with the taper and I'm down to 225mg (from 250mg).

 

Couple of notes about the scaling: 

Each pill has 100mgai. I've weighted 14 pills and made an average number.

The average of one pill is 240.5mgpw (I round it down to 240 for sake of future calculations).

 

After I calibrated the Gemini scale I turned it on, in the bowl I placed one 10g weight and one half of the empty gelatin capsule and pushed the "tare" button.

 

Then I've grainded the pills with the mortar and pestle and filled the capsule with a tiny spoon until I got to 540mgpw (the first capsule i filled with 400 and the second,with 100 only).

540mgpw in total which is 90% of 600mgpw (600mgpw equals to 250mgai, 540 is 90% of 600).

 

it sounds okay right?

[Josef]

2 hours ago, Josef said:

Then I've grainded the pills with the mortar and pestle and filled the capsule with a tiny spoon until I got to 540mgpw (the first capsule i filled with 440 and the second,with 100 only).

 

[Josef]

Oh, I noticed that the weight of the empty gelatin capsules is changing from one to the other.. :\\

[hayduke]

Tried liquid titration?  Think it was suggested above.  It probably looks harder if you haven't done it, but I'm pretty sure it's easier in the long run.

[Josef]

@hayduke

Hey!

I saw a link from one of the moderators that says my med is insoluble in water, and the amisulpride solution is not available in my country.

 

Thanks for stopping by! :) 

[hayduke]

OK.  Olanzapine isn't water soluble either, like many of these drugs.  You can still create a viable suspension as long as you don't leave it to settle for long.

 

I'd be surprised if you don't get a useful result that way, but there are things like ora-plus which may let you fully dissolve it.

 

It's a pretty well-beaten path

 

[Josef]

Wow I didn't know that olanzapine wasn't soluble! I've read in your thread exactly how you did it with a peppite.

Then I'll probably go for liquid taper in the future when the dose gets lower.

I thank you!

[Josef]

I've searched for benzamide antipsycotics withdrawal success stories, but haven't found even one case from this list: Benzamide antipsycotics - Wiki

 

If nobody has been able to make a somewhat success withdrawal from this drugs category, So why even bother to try it on myself?

Only to believe the assumption that it's like other APs? 

 

I know I have to go with my intuition about this.

 

I feel that I need more support on this decision so I would not feel I'm waisting my time on planning withdrawal that leads a dead end

 

Yes, I know all of them are hard to quit from.

Yes, I'm not thinking it will be easier for me to switch, we talked it through and I know there's a risk involve in doing that.

But at least I'll be in a category of a drug that evidently people could come off, some evidence of that in some extent giving hope and not 100% "no" as an answer.

 

I'm planning on a meeting I scheduled with Mark Horowitz this month to get more concrete advice, already wrote my questions and will update you from there.

[Josef]

Yesterday I went down to 200mg.

No symptoms so far.

Blood tests for vitamins deficiencies has arrived, they are OK!

Bought the book "the body keeps the score" in hebrew edition

 

Also, I has a zoom meeting with Mark Horowitz, he says that basically we just don't know what dopamine agonists effects are.

But he gave an example of something like cocaine/caffeine withdrawal, suggested not to switch meds, he had a patient who wasn't that ok even at 600mg and he got her to 50mg with no problems. He also said that in difficulties- I may want to split the dose, because the half life is getting shorter in lower doses.

 

 

 

So that's it for now, there's time.. I'm not there yet

[hayduke]

It's no picnic on any of these drugs eh!  Glad the bloke could assist you with that info and thanks for sharing.

[Josef]

Blood tests results : 

TSH 3.84

B12 637

Vit D 25.80

B1 73

 

On 12/6/2021 at 12:02 PM, hayduke said:

It's no picnic on any of these drugs eh!  Glad the bloke could assist you with that info and thanks for sharing.

actually life in general is no picnic, that's something we need to remind ourselves after years being on meds where nothing happened emotionally / being inactive.

 

Mark said I don't have any issues that are related to schizophrenia and it seems they misdiagnosed me, mentioned that he said I'm a good candidate to complete this withdrawal.

That's a good sign.

[Josef]

Hey, I'm feeling ok at 200mg, as I thought. no withdrawals but I am more alert then what I was a month ago, or two moths ago.. in a good way I guess.

 

Wanting to note this symptom- tension in the brain and hearing loss expressed in a form of waves/beats of decrease and increase in volume at intervals of half seconds.

I had this symptom when I was off meds, but back then It was pretty intense. When I did 17% reduction a couple of months ago it happened for a week (it was mild)I, And it didn't accure in the last reduction.

 

Joined a withdrawal support group, we're gathering every week for the last eight months.

 

When to a barber for a haircut the other day, because of a hugh hair loss in the last months, I'm donating the hair for cancer patients.

 

Still eating healthy, drinking a lot of water, doing cardio whenever I can, and thinking about getting into a yoga class soon with a friend.

 

Have a good day/week for now

*going down to 180mg in 5 days

 

[Bernard]

Good news!

[Josef]

Hi, here'a an update:

it's been 21 days since I Got down to 180mg. The effect of 180mg is quite profound.. more alertness and awake (but still sleeping too much).

My thinking is a tiny bit more flexible, and not that static like it used to be until now.

 

I have thoughts now and then of how I only recover after my father's death.

I'm not bothered so much but I did dreamt about him dying last night, and woke up with a feeling of mourning.

He had Coronary artery bypass surgery 8 years ago, back then I was so anxious.. today he's taking his pills, but still smokes 20 cigarettes a day, so .. 

I know thoughts about him comes from worrying.. He's precious to me.. what can I say? we have bonded from the day I was born, we're much alike in a lot of aspects

My father is 66 today. (happy birthday?), today we're going to celebrate.

I was always a worry person, and sometimes impulsive.. that's what brought me to psychiatry in the first place.. I'm emotional and impulsive 😕

 

I read about a person on a german forum who were on 50mg a couple of years. cut down every 3 weeks, 37.5->25->12.5->6mg, stayed on 6mg for 1 year and a half 

she has tried to stop taking it in 6mg but had to reinstate every time, so eventually went to a compound pharmacy and reduced 1 mg every 1 or 2 months and got out.

She was only at 50mg which is not even close to the AP dose and had to taper for 2.5 years. I know everyone's speed of tapering is different, just a note..

 

Take care for now moderators and digital friends.

**going 162mg in 10 days**

[Shep]

Thanks for the update, Josef. Glad you're doing well with your reductions. 

[hayduke]

On 1/23/2022 at 2:57 AM, Josef said:

She was only at 50mg which is not even close to the AP dose and had to taper for 2.5 years. I know everyone's speed of tapering is different, just a note..

 

Yep, my original prescriber told me 5mg was pretty much the lowest dose he would have me on.  I'd found it pretty easy to blunder down to 5mg from 10.  On the other hand, I would say my taper only really started at 5mg.  And needed even more attention below 2.5mg.

The dosage guidelines the prescribers use seem to have little to do with what we face coming off them, especially when receptor affinities change with decreased dosages.

Glad to hear you're on track there @Josef

 

Cheers

[Josef]

@haydukethanks for your information Hayduke, how are you doing these days?

 

I wanted to ask in general if someone could hold a job during withdrawal episode? (from antipsychotics especially).

 

Because there's NO WAY I can afford moving back to my parents, though I do visit them regularly, but living there.. nope!

Besides me going backwards I know it's an environment that is toxic to me because of my mother.

 

A little background of her:

She had a very promising career at computers in 2000, but then had regressions, couldn't handle anything besides doing housework because of debilitating stress, so she's a housewife for 20 years now and dependent on my father, they never had a good relationship.. but at least now they'rea little old so less fighting, but disagree on everything.

 

She is not in contact with her brothers and sisters (they are 9 in total) and not getting out of the house unless it's for buying groceries.

A nervous person who can't stand a conversation that lasts more than 5 minutes without blamed or fighting and

Dismisses parental responsibility and responsibilities in life general for all of her children.

 

Anyway (shishh!!), wanted to tell you on the positive side I'm working for 3 weeks now at a cellular/photo store, part time (4.5/5 hours shifts). I hope everything will go well. 

 

Everything ok now that I'm on 162mg. Maybe a little more chattery, and more thoughts.

 

There's one thing that I noticed that I should clear out to you: after every reduction in the last 4 months, in the 6th or the 8th of the month I'm about to faint. It's the only time it happens. so I'm trying to be near my home in those days and not outside.

 

Thank you everybody for reading, and hope everything is well with you too

[Blossom71]

Hi @Josef

 

Just wanted to stop by and say Hello.  I’ve just read your thread and congratulations on your job!

 

I have only done 2 x 10% drops so far, but I also have about 3 days per month (around similar days to you) that I feel a bit dizzy. Im on a different drug to you but I’m guessing our brains are readjusting around that time after a drop.

 

I wish you well with your tapering. Take care x

[Shep]

23 hours ago, Josef said:

There's one thing that I noticed that I should clear out to you: after every reduction in the last 4 months, in the 6th or the 8th of the month I'm about to faint. It's the only time it happens. so I'm trying to be near my home in those days and not outside.

 

Are you reducing on the first of the month and then the feeling of fainting happens 6 - 8 days later?

 

23 hours ago, Josef said:

I wanted to ask in general if someone could hold a job during withdrawal episode? (from antipsychotics especially).

 

23 hours ago, Josef said:

Anyway (shishh!!), wanted to tell you on the positive side I'm working for 3 weeks now at a cellular/photo store, part time (4.5/5 hours shifts).

 

Congratulations on your job, Josef. Many of us do work during withdrawal. It's difficult, but doable for many.

[Josef]

On 2/23/2022 at 2:02 PM, Shep said:

Are you reducing on the first of the month and then the feeling of fainting happens 6 - 8 days later?

Yes Shep

Is it common?

 

On 2/23/2022 at 2:02 PM, Shep said:

Congratulations on your job, Josef. Many of us do work during withdrawal. It's difficult, but doable for many.

Thank you.

I want to believe that I'm capable for it

 

@Blossom71 Hey Blossom71,

So, we have the same symptom.

All I know is we need to stay safe when it happens, be around home..  I'm thinking maybe less physical exercises/breathing techniques is more?

good luck with your taper as well, thank you for leaving a comment, I appreciate it!

[Blossom71]

@Josef  I seem to have 2 or 3 days when my body forgets to breathe properly and I'm breathing from my chest rather than my diaphragm, and the dizziness seems to correspond with that.    I find that if I breathe out as far as I can, then relax my stomach my breathing becomes more normal.  I do that regularly throughout the day and it seems to help.

 

Mine seems to happen on around days 4, 5 and 6 after a drop but resolves after that.

 

Thanks for your good wishes.

[Shep]

3 hours ago, Josef said:

Yes Shep

Is it common?

 

 

Yes, the feeling of fainting is common, as withdrawal can cause drops in blood pressure (it can also be a side effect of a lot of drugs). 

 

[hayduke]

On 2/22/2022 at 11:42 PM, Josef said:

I wanted to ask in general if someone could hold a job during withdrawal episode? (from antipsychotics especially).

 

Because there's NO WAY I can afford moving back to my parents, though I do visit them regularly, but living there.. nope!

Besides me going backwards I know it's an environment that is toxic to me because of my mother.

 

A little background of her:

She had a very promising career at computers in 2000, but then had regressions, couldn't handle anything besides doing housework because of debilitating stress, so she's a housewife for 20 years now and dependent on my father, they never had a good relationship.. but at least now they'rea little old so less fighting, but disagree on everything.

 

She is not in contact with her brothers and sisters (they are 9 in total) and not getting out of the house unless it's for buying groceries.

A nervous person who can't stand a conversation that lasts more than 5 minutes without blamed or fighting and

Dismisses parental responsibility and responsibilities in life general for all of her children.

 

I worked part time (3 or 4 days) all the way through withdrawal, except for the last few months after I had been retrenched.  But I also took some training after that, but was then unfortunately barricaded in by the Delta wave of the SARS-CoV epidemic and now I am looking again.

 

It wasn't easy and I would preferred to not have needed to work while handicapped by the drug or withdrawals.  I still feel that way nearly five months after zero, although I am enjoying study again.

 

On balance the freedom and independence that work provided was more than worth it.  I wouldn't consider living with (or even that near to) family like yours sound as an option, it would probably be quite undermining.  A share house with friends may be a better option if you are hard up for cash.  Though those aren't always plain sailing either.