success ☼ MrAnxious: 3 months off Effexor XR (6 years on)

[MrAnxious]

Back with a update. So it has almost been 3 years anti depressant free and 6 months off Buspar which is like a anti depressant. I am alive ! I feel 90% healed from all the craziness that was Effexor. It can be such a long road but it does gwt better, no matter how bad ur case seems to be. My anxiety is still high but i believe sleep apnea is the cause and i am only 6 months off buspar. It all will take time. I will always remember Alto and company. This group saved my life and I will be forever grateful and always come back. Life gets better, it really does. Eat right and exercise and be around good people and take no drugs after your done. Don't let withdrawal put you back on meds, fight for what you want , fight for your life and better yourself everyday. Don't be angry or filled with hate, appreciate the change that is you I am living proof it gets better, just read my whole story.

 

 

Love all of you,

 

 

Mr. A - I made it to 33yrs old

[Petunia]

Sending a big hug for coming back with an update and some good advice Its great to hear you are doing so well. Did you notice an increase in symptoms when you stopped taking Buspar?

[LexAnger]

Me too, want to give you a huge bear hug!! I still remember every post you made and each step you made through!

Thanks so much for the inspiring update and the wise advice!

 

It's always great to hear you, Mranxious!

Live the fullest of your young life!

 

Lex

[Lexy]

I remember reading your thread. I remember thinking I shoukdnt read this it's too dreadfu,.it scared the **** out of me. I'm glad I did and especially to hear how well you are doing in all aspects. Congratulations, you are an inspiration!!

[MrAnxious]

Lex anger and lex ! You botg helped me out and are my inspiration for being there for me. It has been a long ride for sure. I believe i had a increase off the buspar but that is subsiding now. Just get those heartbeat things all over my body still but they have slowed down. Anixety and panic are still there but manageble. We gotta be gentle and stress free in this process and unfortunately going back into the real world really makes that tough. I am wondering if i should turn my story into a book from all my posts. It may inspire alot of people that are lost in this dreadful process that is withdrawal. Love you guys so much and if it weren't for this site, not sure where id be.

 

I will always come back and update. Peace and love

[LexAnger]

I'm sorry you still have some residual symptoms to deal with. You know they will eventually go away completely. Continuing Taking good care of yourself keeping stress away, eating well and sleeping well. Our systems have been shaked at a level that they are still fragile even after healing. Be careful about any other meds which might trigger the CNS.

 

Writing a book out of your experience is such a great idea! You have all the key notes here. It will help thousands victims of ssir for sure. There are a few similar books in the market now I read all of them already.

[MrAnxious]

Hey ! Just a update. Christmas was great and amazing. Life drug free is the way to be I tell you. Everyone I am 95% healed after a long 3 years. I am really starting to feel normal now. Although the processing of emotions will be on going. Effexor really numbed my brain. I am working on all this. Plus i found sleep apnea was a big issue that was undetected. Go get checked.

 

I never thought it would get better but it did.

 

Feel free to msg me !

 

 

To all my family members thanks again. Life is getting better day by day.

 

One love

[SquirrellyGirl]

Hi MrAnxious!

 

Thank you Soooo much for coming back and letting us know how you are doing!  I wasn't around when you were here going through hell, but I feel so encouraged to read your message of hope, that it will get better!

 

I've been on Effexor for 12 years and other ADs for 8 prior to that.  I can concur about Effexor numbing my brain!  I tried to come off last year, had protracted wd for 10 months but didn't understand what was happening, ended up on Remeron, and then when that failed, back on Effexor.  So, the journey is in progress again, albeit from two drugs and much slower!  

 

I'm so glad I stumbled across your message today.  I am so happy for you that you are so dramatically improved!

 

I hope you have an incredible 2016 drug-free!

 

SG

[johnson]

Great update. Just wondering if you took inositol at some point to help with your recovery?

[LexAnger]

Hey Mr. Anxious, im so very happy to hear the great update from you! Your kindest help to others still on the road is highly appreciated!

Keep going and living!!

 

Love,

Lex

[Purplestars22]

Congratulations, what an amazing update. You bring so much hope, hopefully we are all able to follow in your footsteps on recovering.

[Lexy]

Thank you so much from all the rest of us.

May the new year bring more healing and peace to us. ????

[MrAnxious]

Your welcome guys. I will always come back to help others. Lately though I have been going through some big time brain fog. Feels like people all around me are talking and I just have nothing to say. In other words I have become a mute. Not caring to speak. I don't know what to do. I need to speed up my brain processing. I am thinking now that Effexor is back wreaking havoc or it already has and it ruined a part of my brain. Like I am so content not to speak. Hard to put my words together. I do have sleep apnea and have been treating it well with my new machine. I have been doing it since December 1st. Unless that can make you feel this way. I miss being able to talk and not think of my next sentence to say....

 

 

Can anybody help with this. All i take is krill and fish oil for supplements.

[LexAnger]

Oh no, so sorry for this stretched hit!

Don't panic, like all the symptoms from the WD, this could be the final catch up of your system. I'm sure it will pass soon and you will be feeling good again!

[downtongirl]

Your welcome guys. I will always come back to help others. Lately though I have been going through some big time brain fog. Feels like people all around me are talking and I just have nothing to say. In other words I have become a mute. Not caring to speak. I don't know what to do. I need to speed up my brain processing. I am thinking now that Effexor is back wreaking havoc or it already has and it ruined a part of my brain. Like I am so content not to speak. Hard to put my words together. I do have sleep apnea and have been treating it well with my new machine. I have been doing it since December 1st. Unless that can make you feel this way. I miss being able to talk and not think of my next sentence to say....

 

 

Can anybody help with this. All i take is krill and fish oil for supplements.

 

Mr. Anxious I just spent this morning reading through your entire thread...what an amazing story!  You are so strong and have really persevered!  I am struggling with insomnia too....doctors have suggested i go get checked for sleep apnea.  I think most of my insomnia is due to withdrawal but you made me rethink going for a sleep study.  I had one done about 4 years ago and they said I did not have sleep apnea so that is one big reason I have not had the study repeated.  Do you really feel your machine has helped your insomnia?  Do you think if I did test positive for sleep apnea and I ended up with a machine it would help with my sleep whether my insomnia is due to withdrawal or sleep apnea?  Could it help regardless of the cause of sleep apnea?

[MrAnxious]

Yes I think it woudld help

 

Your welcome guys. I will always come back to help others. Lately though I have been going through some big time brain fog. Feels like people all around me are talking and I just have nothing to say. In other words I have become a mute. Not caring to speak. I don't know what to do. I need to speed up my brain processing. I am thinking now that Effexor is back wreaking havoc or it already has and it ruined a part of my brain. Like I am so content not to speak. Hard to put my words together. I do have sleep apnea and have been treating it well with my new machine. I have been doing it since December 1st. Unless that can make you feel this way. I miss being able to talk and not think of my next sentence to say....

Can anybody help with this. All i take is krill and fish oil for supplements.

 

 

Mr. Anxious I just spent this morning reading through your entire thread...what an amazing story!  You are so strong and have really persevered!  I am struggling with insomnia too....doctors have suggested i go get checked for sleep apnea.  I think most of my insomnia is due to withdrawal but you made me rethink going for a sleep study.  I had one done about 4 years ago and they said I did not have sleep apnea so that is one big reason I have not had the study repeated.  Do you really feel your machine has helped your insomnia?  Do you think if I did test positive for sleep apnea and I ended up with a machine it would help with my sleep whether my insomnia is due to withdrawal or sleep apnea?  Could it help regardless of the cause of sleep apnea?

yes i do think it would help regardless. Go get checked.

[MrAnxious]

Why this intense brain fog again. Could it be that I haven't been off Buspar for a full year yet? Could i still be in a state of withdrawl? March 20th will be 1 year off. Ahhh feel so slow memory concentration talking to people...gotta think hard to just not look stupid

 

Help

[IHadPassion]

Before this brain fog set in, did you experience periods of clarity and flowing thoughts?  You had posted that you were 95% recovered just back in December. 

[MrAnxious]

Yes their was alot more clarity than right. Only thing I can think maybe is i quit aspartame jan 1st. I drank dietpop 1 or 2 a day. I just feel brain fog..anxiety and really sensitive and ahhh...I was feeling good a few months ago but i was also 40lbs lighter. I have been treating my sleep apnea for past two months. Maybe because my brain is finally getting sleep it could cause this??? So many vareiablEs

[MrAnxious]

Wow I have had just a terrible week. I am thinking this is a wave from buspar or aspartame wd...all I have done is ruminated about past mistakes in my life. Thinking I am a bad person , guilt shame. This is tough. Maybe my cpap use too could be causing this. Also smoked the odd joint to try to quell the symptoms but that comes with anxiety.

 

Brain fog is still heavy. May have to change my 95% to 85% for now. This journey is not over yet but I am still med free and staying that way forever.

 

Love all of you fighters...it will get better. In the meantime enjoy your life the best you can. Try cognitive behavioral therapy too. Something I am starting. Bye for now

[Hudgens]

I went through many episodes of self-negative rumination-

and brain fog.

You go over every inch of your life-every single mistake and bad thing comes back magnified

100 times.

But remember-you've always had your past with you-it hasn't changed at all

just your perception of it-That's pure withdrawal.

Good news-it all eventually snaps back into perspective and you have a normal

relationship with your past again.

The brain fog passes too! All withdrawal, all goes away!

Mindfulness helps with everything.

[direstraits]

I went through many episodes of self-negative rumination-

and brain fog.

You go over every inch of your life-every single mistake and bad thing comes back magnified

100 times.

But remember-you've always had your past with you-it hasn't changed at all

just your perception of it-That's pure withdrawal.

Good news-it all eventually snaps back into perspective and you have a normal

relationship with your past again.

The brain fog passes too! All withdrawal, all goes away!

Mindfulness helps with everything.

 

WOW,,,thank you for this ...it's just what I've been experiencing lately...nice to be reminded again it's all WD and I'm not ready for a padded cell...thanks again.

[MrAnxious]

I went through many episodes of self-negative rumination-and brain fog.You go over every inch of your life-every single mistake and bad thing comes back magnified100 times.But remember-you've always had your past with you-it hasn't changed at alljust your perception of it-That's pure withdrawal.Good news-it all eventually snaps back into perspective and you have a normalrelationship with your past again.The brain fog passes too! All withdrawal, all goes away!Mindfulness helps with everything.

beautifully said. I need to copy this keep in touch

 

 

This wave that has come on all of a sudde. Is very disheartening. I really hope it ends soon !!!

[Barbarannamated]

Your welcome guys. I will always come back to help others. Lately though I have been going through some big time brain fog. Feels like people all around me are talking and I just have nothing to say. In other words I have become a mute. Not caring to speak. I don't know what to do. I need to speed up my brain processing. I am thinking now that Effexor is back wreaking havoc or it already has and it ruined a part of my brain. Like I am so content not to speak. Hard to put my words together. I do have sleep apnea and have been treating it well with my new machine. I have been doing it since December 1st. Unless that can make you feel this way. I miss being able to talk and not think of my next sentence to say....

 

 

Can anybody help with this. All i take is krill and fish oil for supplements.

I am suffering from this also, though I am still on meds. I used to be able to converse semi-intelligently, but recently I've been like a mute. I feel stupid as people converse around me. My mind is not grasping things, coming up with thoughts/contributions, and memory is horrible. I often don't know what day it is and have to think about where I am.

 

I hope to hear this is improving for you.

[MrAnxious]

Okay My girlfriend of two years doesn't understand why I dont want to go out and hang out with a group of people her friends and is making me feel very uncomfortable. She doesn't understand that in withdrawal i like to stay to myself and out of situations thst create terrible anxiety to me. Can somebody write here what it is like and how it is easy for normal people and not people that have been drugged up, she just doesn't get it and it is causimg argumeents. Can you guys pls write to this

[LexAnger]

There is a topic in the forum discussing this,

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8979-helping-family-understand/

 

As a matter of fact, I stopped trying to make my family to understand, it always makes me frustrated trying to explain/ convience others. Luckily, I have a few good friends very smart and got it even I couldn't do a good job explaining. Certain ppl will never get it and the only way is to avoid talking about it with them. I know it's hard to avoid close relationships like your girl friend.

[ChessieCat]

Hi Mr Anxious,

 

I've just checked out the link that LexAnger posted and found post #10 from Petunia helping-family-understand/#entry198078

 

I also found this topic How to Talk to Loved Ones which might give you some ideas.

 

For a partner I imagine it is very confusing and frustrating.  I'm not trying to make excuses for them but when you think about it, even when we are going through this stuff we have trouble working out what's what.  For them they cannot see anything wrong, just the outward results of what is going on inside.

 

I think this by Goodname (from How to Talk to Loved Ones) says a lot:

 

"I try to tell them what I'm going through, but I don't speak eloquently any more and I get frustrated and quit when I'm interrupted speaking.  If it wasn't for this forum, I would have thought I was going crazy."

 

The only thing I can think of that might be similar (coming from a female) is premenstrual tension when you know you are being crabby and/or tearful and (possibly) acting irrationally but can't do anything about it.

 

CC

[MrAnxious]

Update.

 

My anxiety and stress is very high lately and can't seem to get it down. How are we suppose to live like this. I need more support, nobody around me knows this. Can anyone in here talk with me privately, inbox me. My body constantly feels like its in a panic. It was getting better but mow past 6 months its unreal. Will we actually ever heal from thus craziness. My doctor is doing blood work and maybe nerve conduction test. How do we speed up our brains and memory etc ? Anything we can do ?

[SquirrellyGirl]

HI MrAnxious, 

 

I'm sorry the anxiety is high lately.  How long would you say it has been plaguing you?  I'd say you are in a wave, and waves eventually crest and break.  So you have been off all meds for over a year now?  Congratulations!!

 

Are there thoughts associated with the anxiety/stress, or is it a body-feel thing?  If you haven't visited this link, yet, you might check it over:

 

Fear, terror, panic, and anxiety

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Have you tried inositol powder?  Here's a link to a post Petunia wrote mentioning it:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1032-l-theanine-for-anxiety-insomnia/?p=206644

 

Just throwing ideas out there.  I hope you find something that helps!

 

SG

[MrAnxious]

 

Your welcome guys. I will always come back to help others. Lately though I have been going through some big time brain fog. Feels like people all around me are talking and I just have nothing to say. In other words I have become a mute. Not caring to speak. I don't know what to do. I need to speed up my brain processing. I am thinking now that Effexor is back wreaking havoc or it already has and it ruined a part of my brain. Like I am so content not to speak. Hard to put my words together. I do have sleep apnea and have been treating it well with my new machine. I have been doing it since December 1st. Unless that can make you feel this way. I miss being able to talk and not think of my next sentence to say....

Can anybody help with this. All i take is krill and fish oil for supplements.

I am suffering from this also, though I am still on meds. I used to be able to converse semi-intelligently, but recently I've been like a mute. I feel stupid as people converse around me. My mind is not grasping things, coming up with thoughts/contributions, and memory is horrible. I often don't know what day it is and have to think about where I am.

I hope to hear this is improving for you.

 

Barbara this is exactly what I am going through right now. Exactly I just feel like being quiet because my mind is not functioning properly. I feel absolutely horrible today. Can you private msg me please. I need to talk to somebody about this. I know this withdrawal..

[MrAnxious]

HI MrAnxious, 

 

I'm sorry the anxiety is high lately.  How long would you say it has been plaguing you?  I'd say you are in a wave, and waves eventually crest and break.  So you have been off all meds for over a year now?  Congratulations!!

 

Are there thoughts associated with the anxiety/stress, or is it a body-feel thing?  If you haven't visited this link, yet, you might check it over:

 

Fear, terror, panic, and anxiety

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Have you tried inositol powder?  Here's a link to a post Petunia wrote mentioning it:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1032-l-theanine-for-anxiety-insomnia/?p=206644

 

Just throwing ideas out there.  I hope you find something that helps!

 

SG

 

Honestly my mood goes flat and I become speechless , no word recall, memory issues. Never felt like this on the buspar..its been only 1 year off the buspar and this is why i went on the buspar to cover up effexor wd. Wish I had somebody to talk too constantly.

[MrAnxious]

This brain fog is unbelievable. It is like I went dumb all of a sudden. When I talk to people I cannot hold a conversation or even feel motivated too. I feel like my brain is one of a stoner...maybe brain is just tired and depressed...really hope this is withdrawal from Buspar..been off for just over a year..this is how i felt off effexor...makes you want to go back on.

[AliG]

Hi Anxious.

Update.

My anxiety and stress is very high lately and can't seem to get it down. How are we suppose to live like this. I need more support, nobody around me knows this. Can anyone in here talk with me privately, inbox me. My body constantly feels like its in a panic. It was getting better but mow past 6 months its unreal. Will we actually ever heal from thus craziness. My doctor is doing blood work and maybe nerve conduction test. How do we speed up our brains and memory etc ? Anything we can do ?

I think you have been off all medication - 14 months ?     

 

As we move away from relying on the drugs to solve our angst in life , I think we have to gradually forge ahead with our own indomitable power. It is a power that was taken away , through doctor's ignorance and drug company's greed. However, I believe we need to reclaim this before we can truly move on. I have found that there is a certain strength in being able to step away from the drugs and the insanity that goes along with that ,and make our own way without any help ( Doctors)  and just stand strong.

 

This might sound a little melodramatic, but this way of thinking has helped me get through one of the toughest periods of my life, and there have been many. However, withdrawal " trumps" them all. Stay strong. Drugs are not the answer.

Read through Symptoms & Self - Care. That's the best way to go . If you can - try to figure out what strategies work best for you , and then do them until you're fluent in the skills needed to stay off these drugs but remain happy, healthy and calm ! If you can do that, in my opinion it is the recipe for a fulfilling and drug- free life .

Ali 

[LexAnger]

Hi MrA,

Is the brain fog a new symptoms to you over the entire time of tapering? Is there a pattern within each day and /or over time?

Brain non functional ( numb, fog, stone, burning, paralyzed etc) started for me since my first dose increase then tapering down and got lots worse and consistent since my 2nd accidental dose increase for only one day followed by tapering down again.

[MrAnxious]

Hi Anxious.

 

Update.

My anxiety and stress is very high lately and can't seem to get it down. How are we suppose to live like this. I need more support, nobody around me knows this. Can anyone in here talk with me privately, inbox me. My body constantly feels like its in a panic. It was getting better but mow past 6 months its unreal. Will we actually ever heal from thus craziness. My doctor is doing blood work and maybe nerve conduction test. How do we speed up our brains and memory etc ? Anything we can do ?

 

I think you have been off all medication - 14 months ?     

 

As we move away from relying on the drugs to solve our angst in life , I think we have to gradually forge ahead with our own indomitable power. It is a power that was taken away , through doctor's ignorance and drug company's greed. However, I believe we need to reclaim this before we can truly move on. I have found that there is a certain strength in being able to step away from the drugs and the insanity that goes along with that ,and make our own way without any help ( Doctors)  and just stand strong.

 

This might sound a little melodramatic, but this way of thinking has helped me get through one of the toughest periods of my life, and there have been many. However, withdrawal " trumps" them all. Stay strong. Drugs are not the answer.

Read through Symptoms & Self - Care. That's the best way to go . If you can - try to figure out what strategies work best for you , and then do them until you're fluent in the skills needed to stay off these drugs but remain happy, healthy and calm ! If you can do that, in my opinion it is the recipe for a fulfilling and drug- free life .

Ali

I have been off effexor for 36 months and off Buspar for 13 months. I have tried to stay strong...its really hard wyen your mind isnt there...

[MrAnxious]

Hi MrA,

Is the brain fog a new symptoms to you over the entire time of tapering? Is there a pattern within each day and /or over time?

Brain non functional ( numb, fog, stone, burning, paralyzed etc) started for me since my first dose increase then tapering down and got lots worse and consistent since my 2nd accidental dose increase for only one day followed by tapering down again.

the brain fog has gotten alot worse the past 3-6months. Not sure why but I just have no words in my head....like if somebody talks to me I am like ok..yup..ok...i can't seem to talk responsively and that is what scares me the most...