☼ amg2012: New Beginnings

[amg2012]

I am having a great deal of difficulty understanding how to use this site. I know myself to be an intelligent person. Therefore, I can only surmize this is because

a) I am totally new to this type of blogging media

My brain is malfunctioning due to withdrawal.

 

I am not sure if other members can see my brief history to date... but I prefer to think so, because I am in no shape to repeat it.

 

I switched to Flueoxitine liquid a few days ago as I was having difficulty withdrawing from Effexor - I was on 150 mg. and got down to 75 mg and I am finding this a very challenging experience. My research on the Net brought me to the Prozac alternative on this site and so here I am. After 5 days on 5 ml of this I went down to 4 ml this morning because I was so nauetious - is there a spell check? - I am finding it difficult to remember how to spell words that I am not accustom to using. I am pleased to say gastrointestinal issues have rarely been a problem in my past. Anyway, my stomach is much better on the lesser amount of this med, but my brain is mal-functioning for sure. This is very difficult for me to write right now (don't you love words) right! Writing normally comes very easily to me and normally love communicating.... I think tomorrow I will say "who wrolte that" - it can't be me.

 

So, taking less seems best for me.... I have always been very sensitive to medication and do not need as much as the average... I told my doctor that from the get go. I feel entirely drugged right now.... as though I had taken a very heavy tranqillizer. Not sure how much med I should take tomorrow - my goodness - I had trouble remembering how to spell the word "tomorrow."

 

Hope I can get some help here. I have become my own doctor using on-line research, on this issue as my doctor is not informed enough....

 

Please and thanks for any help that could be offered

[Altostrata]

Welcome, amg. Thanks for joining us.

 

No, the other members cannot see your confidential history. When you feel up to it, you might copy it and paste it in this topic. This is your topic for updates and questions about your situation.

 

If I were you, I'd stay on 4mg Prozac for a good while, a month or more. Your nervous system has just experienced a big change and it needs stability now.

 

Did you start Prozac 5mg and quit Effexor the same day? This might be where your nausea came from.

 

Please check in often and let us know how you're doing.

[amg2012]

I am in terrible shape... I woke up feeling like I hit by a truck. I took 4 ML yesterday of Prozac liquid - which would be about 16 mg I think. I dropped it from the 5ML or 20 mg because of the nausea. I am doing worse now on this Prozac liquid then I was on the 75 mg of effexor... not sure because I am taking too much or too little.

 

Yes, I took 75 mg of efexor one day then 20mg (5 ml) of Fluox./Prozac the next. I have to fell well enough to get dressed and go to pharmacy to find out where the black thing on the syringe should be .

 

I am 68 years young, in excellent physical health other than this problem. ONly other med I take is levothryoxine.... I don't consider my age to be the problem here... I am just very sensitive to drugs. My husband is 79+ and is of very little help, I am fraid. I do not have a ny help here.

[Skyler]

I am in terrible shape... I woke up feeling like I hit by a truck. I took 4 ML yesterday of Prozac liquid - which would be about 16 mg I think. I dropped it from the 5ML or 20 mg because of the nausea. I am doing worse now on this Prozac liquid then I was on the 75 mg of effexor... not sure because I am taking too much or too little.

 

Yes, I took 75 mg of efexor one day then 20mg (5 ml) of Fluox./Prozac the next. I have to fell well enough to get dressed and go to pharmacy to find out where the black thing on the syringe should be .

 

I am 68 years young, in excellent physical health other than this problem. ONly other med I take is levothryoxine.... I don't consider my age to be the problem here... I am just very sensitive to drugs. My husband is 79+ and is of very little help, I am fraid. I do not have a ny help here.

 

The black thing on the syringe is at the base of the plunger and should line up with the lines on the barrel. The part you draw up the liquid into is the barrel. You are sure you took 4 mls? Going to see the pharmacist is an excellent idea. I checked with mine often when I was getting used to tapering with liquid.

 

The nausea is more likely a sign you are having withdrawal symptoms from effexor, especially given you are very sensitive to drugs. It may take a few weeks before the withdrawal symptoms that resulted from the switch subside. Alto will get back with you again soon with more info.

[amg2012]

Thanks for the post back... grateful for any help.

 

Had to go back to bed.... aching all over and my mind is so foggy. I feel a little better now.

If Flx. has such a longer half-life why do I feel so much worse in the A.M.? I felt better later in the evening.

 

I know how the syring (darn, I cn't believe how difficult it is to remember name and spelling - this is simply NOT WHO I AM! - so frustrating as I am uunormally very articulate and have no problem writing; in fa ct it is one my top skills). Yes, I know how it works - I just dont know where the black part which is about 1/4 inch itself is suppose to line up with the marking.

 

Was I not suppose to drop the Effexor and take up the Fluox. equivalent right away?

 

am trying to get some food down - this is impossible that I do not have appetite - I love good food, esp. my breakfast.. Lots of berries with plain Greek Yogurt and topped with a bit of cereal for crunch. Got to get dressed an get to pharmacy which is only 5 min. by car... Costco.

[amg2012]

Do not feel well enough to go out.

 

Did I read somewhere within that taking a few granuals of Effexor might help?

[Skyler]

Do not feel well enough to go out.

 

Did I read somewhere within that taking a few granuals of Effexor might help?

 

Possible. Anyone else have a take on this?

 

If I were you (Alto the admin and really knows her stuff, she should be on shortly) I'd give it a try. If you feel better, you might know if it was the abrupt switch from Prozac to Effexor that is the cause. Can you make sure the amount of Effexor would not be more than the equivalent 4 mg Prozac reduction you just took? That way you would not be updosing.

 

~S

[amg2012]

Well brain fog inclusive, I managed to figure out I have been taking less Flox. than intended.... in the morning I am so unawke it is so confusing to me.

 

I now believe I was taking 4 ML rather than the 5 ML as planned. I just took another 1 ML in hopes that will help me right now. - This also means that yesterday w hen I thought I was taking 4 ML it was probably only 3 ML.

 

So, Alto how much should I take going forward on a daily basis for the next while.

 

Through this brain debilitation, I was trying to read on this site and found others in the same boat and there spelling and other inability to write came shining throu to me so well its nice to know one is not alone. Some things I also briefily scanned were rather d epressing - like how long this could last! OMG!

[Skyler]

Well brain fog inclusive, I managed to figure out I have been taking less Flox. than intended.... in the morning I am so unawke it is so confusing to me.

 

I now believe I was taking 4 ML rather than the 5 ML as planned. I just took another 1 ML in hopes that will help me right now. - This also means that yesterday w hen I thought I was taking 4 ML it was probably only 3 ML.

I draw up syringes the night before.. have been there! I'm thinking of starting a liquid taper 101 thread.

[amg2012]

Schuyler

 

Thanks for your post - I only just saw it. Since I just took a little more Flox. (that is now my abbreviation for Fluoxetine (had to go and look at the bottle for spelling )

 

So Alto is female. I am so wanting to know more about Alto and the other administrators... how this site came about which I think is very advanced technologically - more than I am, advanced that is; except in years of course! Well, looks like a little humour so guess I am feeling a smidge better. Yes, where can I find this information about how the site came about and who the administrators are, etc. I am so grateful for all of this and look forward to learning more and making helpful contributions when I am better and able to.

 

About loss of appetite (temporary I guess) - I could stand to lose about 20 pounds!

[amg2012]

Schuyler (having so much trouble remembering anything new to me, right now - I can't carry the spelling of your name for 2 seconds - holy cow).

 

Just saw you were diagnosed with Aspergers - you are probably very, very intelligent and bless you!

[amg2012]

Schuyler - went to add you as a friend and I think I removed you instead. Jeeze! Where is my brain? Will fix that when I am allowed to

BTW, I think a 101 on Liquid Tapering would be a good thing. Doing the syringe the night beforeis excellent idea.

[Altostrata]

amg, my guess is you are suffering Effexor withdrawal. Usually, you do an overlap between Effexor and Prozac before switching entirely to Prozac.

 

Yes, some Effexor grains might help. Give this a try: Open the capsule and take 10 grains. Do this consistently for 4 days.

 

You may not be taking enough Prozac, but add the Effexor for now.

[amg2012]

Altostrata

 

Just picked up your message and took 10 grains Venaflaxine as suggested and will try for another 3 days.

Thank you for the advice. You know most doctors are quite negative (putting this mildly) about looking up medical information and help on the Internet but I think this site has a great deal more information on this subject of Psychiatric Drugs than many doctors do. Indeed, I have learned so much I feel certain that I know more about the withdrawal now than my doctor does

andc am more than happy to take your advice.... it is now about 3:30 pm in the East and I will let you know if this helps.

I am feeling better now at any rate than I was first thing this morning. Again, thanks.

 

BTW, you live in such a wonderful city - how nice for you. We have been having a heat wave for quite a while - maybe 3 weeks - what is it like in San Fran?

[Altostrata]

Yes, I try to put good information on this site.

 

Today it's sunny and mild, perhaps 70 degrees F, but this last week has been cloudy and cold. Enjoy your summer!

[Barbarannamated]

Amg,

 

Yes, most doctors are negative, threatened, by patients using the internet. There are some exceptions. Note the July 27 post by Alto in which a major medical center referred her TO THIS - her own - SITE!

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/876-tips-for-tapering-off-pristiq-desvenlafaxine/page__pid__26635__st__40#entry26635

 

There are also physicians who take part in the discussions. (DrB, Dr. Shipko, docfoster) I have tremendous respect for these physicians.

 

Ive also seen scientific studies that utilize data on patient support groups.

 

It would behoove physicians to avail themselves of the up to date, comprehensive and tremendous amount of scientific AND anecdotal information on this site.

[amg2012]

Barbara

 

Thanks for your post... I whole-heartedly agree that doctors should learn more about these drugs. I have started educating mine and sent a link to a section on this site and asked him for Flox. (Prozac).

 

Unfortunately GPs (in Canada General Practioner is who we usually see - this is the Family Physician) have to know a little about a lot of things and most of them either do not have the time or the inclination to take on more learning than the norm.

 

But I should think that those that have chosen Psychiatry as their specialty should be learning everything they can in the field and ought to learn all they can before prescribing a drug. They all need to have a family member to go through withdrawal for a first-hand experience. I printed out the sheet on withdrawal symptoms and gave it to my husband to read - I think it helped him as he recognized several going on under our roof.

 

BTW, is there a spell check availability on here? I am in much better shape than I was this morning, but still very prone to errors.

 

I have so much to read on this site and hardly know where to begin -- slowly, obviously. I have to start thinking about the stock markets now as I handle all of our own investments. I am going to seek withdrawal from investment opportunities as I have myself to be concerned about (it's about time!)and do not trust my judgement for decision making right now.

 

I hope it is allright to be personalizing on here - writing has always been my way of handling my thoughts.

[amg2012]

Alto

 

Regarding switching to Prozac from Effexor... when Googling it was this PDF document that I found and followed the information on Page 34. http://theicarusproject.net/downloads/ComingOffPsychDrugsHarmReductGuide1Edonline.pdf

 

I am not quite sure how I found that PDF, I believe it was a link found elsewhere - I spent a lot of time researching on the web... I did not read the whole document, but the part I read about making this switch did not have overlapping information, that I recall (recall is limiting as we know here. I have since seen it on this site.

 

Again, thanks for all! Oh, BTW, I am a little dubious to say the least, about prospects for the summer. Perhaps if I level out and taper more slowly I will have some good times. The thing is that I feel I have lost a good 4 years while taking Effexor. I have not been off of our property now for one whole week due to symptoms of w/d.

[Altostrata]

Yes, we have a topic and a link to the Icarus Guide. It doesn't give much information about how to accomplish a "switch."

 

Here is our topic on the Prozac switch http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1463-the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac/

 

Since it takes about 4 days for an antidepressant to reach steady-state in your system, in my opinion an overlap is preferable to simple dropping one drug and starting the next on the same day. A person may suffer withdrawal symptoms while the second drug is getting up to steady state.

 

I'm sorry you're having such a bad time.

 

(The software package this site runs on supplies all the technical bells and whistles; I'm not a programmer!)

[amg2012]

Yes, we have a topic and a link to the Icarus Guide. It doesn't give much information about how to accomplish a "switch."

 

Here is our topic on the Prozac switch http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1463-the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac/

 

Since it takes about 4 days for an antidepressant to reach steady-state in your system, in my opinion an overlap is preferable to simple dropping one drug and starting the next on the same day. A person may suffer withdrawal symptoms while the second drug is getting up to steady state.

 

I'm sorry you're having such a bad time.

 

(The software package this site runs on supplies all the technical bells and whistles; I'm not a programmer!)

 

 

 

I wish I had been aware of te overlap but I simply went with information that I had at the time. So for now I will take the 5ML = 20 mg. Flox. and 10 grains of Venaflax. for the next 3 days and then stop the Venaflax if I feel steady. Is that wise, Alto? And thanks for the empathy - much appreciated. Today has been the worst to date, but I know tomorrow will be better and I will at least get out of the house to water the garden - gardening is my dirty passion! Best I can do at my age!

[Altostrata]

I'd take the 10 grains venflax for at least a couple of weeks. Your nervous system has had a shock, give it time to right itself.

[amg2012]

I'd take the 10 grains venflax for at least a couple of weeks. Your nervous system has had a shock, give it time to right itself.

 

Alto, thanks for your post. I feel a little better today. Sort of able to function. My head feels very heavy and foggy - difficult to focus and concentrate. Do you think 10 grains is enough? I have figured out the Flox measure and am taking 5 ML liquid.

[amg2012]

I have been wanting to ask :

 

Has anyone experienced feeling TIME WARPED! I found on Venaflaxine and now getting over it to, that I often do not know what day its is - this is sometimes just a fleeting feeling, or saying for example, "it can't be 3 o'clock already." Hard to explain this confusion wiht and about time.

 

I also find it quite upsetting (I am being very mild mannered here, as my feelings are quite strong ) that I kept telling my doctor over the past 3 years that I was excessively tired to the point of being debilitated; and felt like someone had stabbed me with a drug... didn't realize it was the doc. who stabbed me!

 

I have missed out on so much. As we get older, we rather cherish the time we likely have left. Lots and lots of occasions when I said I would do something, go somewhere and had to cancel... considered unreliable by people over this. I have not been well since being in my new community. In fact it was the enormous stress of moving here that got me on to the drug in the first place. I have always been ultra responsible in my life so this was totally unacceptable to me. Yet, I just didn't see that it was the Veneflaxine! Ultimately, I blame myself as I always take responsibility for my actions. I should have looked into the drug on the internet, as I did in early June. Sorry, I am ranting a little here.

[jr1985]

Hi amg2012, I'm am considering making the switch to Prozac too, as Effexor is hell to get off of.

 

Anyway, I hope you start feeling better soon!

[Barbarannamated]

Amg,

 

TIME WARP - OMG YES!! I was going to open a discussion on this just the other day. The perceptual stuff is absolutely FREAKISH! DP/DR and this time warp x Groundhog Day effect are horrid. One day will go soooo slowly. Then the next fly by. I think I just posted about this because I referred to it as a "Flyby". I prefer the Flybies. I originally thought this was solely because my life is so empty and I'm certain that doesn't help. But it is absolutely a key component of my experience.

[Jemima]

I also find it quite upsetting (I am being very mild mannered here, as my feelings are quite strong ) that I kept telling my doctor over the past 3 years that I was excessively tired to the point of being debilitated; and felt like someone had stabbed me with a drug... didn't realize it was the doc. who stabbed me!

 

A lot of us here feel betrayed by our doctors. My depression was caused by Lipitor lowering my cholesterol to a dangerously low point. I told my doctor several times that I thought 134 total cholesterol was too low and I also complained repeatedly of pain and weakness in my arms, a symptom she should have connected to Lipitor. So here I am two years later off of Lipitor by my own choice and starting physical therapy for weakened arm muscles, which may never come back completely.

 

 

I have missed out on so much. As we get older, we rather cherish the time we likely have left. Lots and lots of occasions when I said I would do something, go somewhere and had to cancel... considered unreliable by people over this. I have not been well since being in my new community. In fact it was the enormous stress of moving here that got me on to the drug in the first place. I have always been ultra responsible in my life so this was totally unacceptable to me. Yet, I just didn't see that it was the Veneflaxine! Ultimately, I blame myself as I always take responsibility for my actions. I should have looked into the drug on the internet, as I did in early June. Sorry, I am ranting a little here.

 

I have the same mindset about being reliable, so I've avoided making any firm commitments during the withdrawal period. That isn't comfortable either, but at least when I come through all of this I won't have a reputation as a flake.

 

I'm on my way to age 67 and it's been very disappointing to spend my first year of retirement suffering from Lexapro withdrawal. I'm Christian and believe in an afterlife far better than this one, and this makes the situation easier to take. But in any event, we have to cope with the hand we're dealt, whatever it may be. Better not to get into a lot of regrets and just move on as best we can.

[amg2012]

Hi amg2012, I'm am considering making the switch to Prozac too, as Effexor is hell to get off of.

 

Anyway, I hope you start feeling better soon!

 

 

Thanks JR - if you switch be sure to do the bridging as discussed in that section which I waqs not aware of when I just sumped ship. Im sure Alto or someone with experience will help you with that. Wish you well.

[amg2012]

 

Hi amg2012, I'm am considering making the switch to Prozac too, as Effexor is hell to get off of.

 

Anyway, I hope you start feeling better soon!

 

 

Thanks JR - if you switch be sure to do the bridging as discussed in that section which I waqs not aware of when I just sumped ship. Im sure Alto or someone with experience will help you with that. Wish you well.

 

 

Well I just saw my typos, waas kind of rushed as hubby was waiting. I just "jumped ship"

[amg2012]

Jemima

 

It does not seem right that "we have to be our own doctor" but I'm afraid it's so and THEY ARE THE ONES MAKING THE MONEY.

 

 

I have the same mindset about being reliable, so I've avoided making any firm commitments during the withdrawal period. That isn't comfortable either, but at least when I come through all of this I won't have a reputation as a flake.

 

I'm on my way to age 67 and it's been very disappointing to spend my first year of retirement suffering from Lexapro withdrawal. I'm Christian and believe in an afterlife far better than this one, and this makes the situation easier to take. But in any event, we have to cope with the hand we're dealt, whatever it may be. Better not to get into a lot of regrets and just move on as best we can.

 

 

Jemima

 

You are right - regrets are not very useful, other than to remember them and not make the same mistake again. I am not making any commitments now for sure until I have some stability. What saddens me is when I was on the Effexor I did not know that IT was THE CAUSE of my problems, not a solution.

[renee]

hi there i just did the prozac switch.I switched from 10mg of cipralex(which =20mg prozac}i went on 20mg of prozac stayed on both for 10, days,tapering down to 5 mg of cipralex then off.I then upped my dose of prozac to 30mg,i have had no withdrawel at all and to be honest havent felt better in years

[Altostrata]

amg, how are you feeling now? Are you taking both the Prozac and a little Effexor?

[amg2012]

Alto

 

Feeling much better than when I first came on this site, thank you!- I am functioning again, brain is somewhat available .... taking 5 ML of liquid Prozac and 10 grains of Effexor.

Why is it always worse upon wakening???

I am thankful I can use the word "wakening" because that means I am "sleeping."

 

Unfortunately, I put my body way out of alignment by reading in bed - I know better. silly lady, moi.

So, my entire body is hurting. I can usually "adjust" myself using Pilates but its been so long I will have to find some of those exercizes on line. Hopefully I can mend myself.

 

Mundane weather talk.... major heat wave here - translated to farenheit. Currently at 5:50pm it is 89.6 and with humidity report says feels like 107.6. Not in a hurry to go out of the house. We have A/C.

[meistersinger]

<br />Alto<br /><br />Feeling much better than when I first came on this site, thank you!- I am functioning again, brain is somewhat available .... taking 5 ML of liquid Prozac and 10 grains of Effexor.  <br />Why is it always worse upon wakening??? <br />I am thankful I can use the word "wakening" because that means I am "sleeping."<br /><br />Unfortunately, I put my body way out of alignment by reading in bed - I know better.  silly lady, moi.<br />So, my entire body is hurting.  I can usually "adjust" myself using Pilates but its been so long I will have to find some of those exercizes on line. Hopefully I can mend myself.<br /><br />Mundane weather talk.... major heat wave here - translated to farenheit.  Currently at 5:50pm it is 89.6 and with humidity report says feels like 107.6.  Not in a hurry to go out of the house.  We have A/C.   <img src='http://survivingantidepressants.org/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br />

<br /><br /><br />

At least you have a/c. My brother refuses to let me put it in the window, as he does not want me running up the electric bill. Besides, if HE can withstand the heat in Desert Storm, damnit, YOU will too.

[amg2012]

Alto

 

Just checking in to say that I am doing well and my body appears to be adjusting.... thanks to your help with the 10 grains of Veneflaxine.... seems to do the trick.

 

Also, not sure about whether my body was or is really out of alignment... - is it possible that the whole body pain issue is a result of withdrawal?

 

Also wondering if it makes any sense to take any detoxing supplements while still taking meds - seems to me it would be best to wait until entirely off of them?

 

Thanks again.

[Altostrata]

No, don't stress your body with detox while you're recovering from withdrawal.

 

You might want to try an Epsom salts bath to absorb magnesium and relieve that pain.

 

Good to hear you're doing better. Stay on the Effexor for a bit and then gradually go off it.

 

See our Symptoms and What Helps forum for info such as about that early-morning startling http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/

[amg2012]

Alto

 

Thanks for the response - I will lay off detox aids until this is over.

This morning I was thinking that I should soon start a plan to decrease those Effexor grains as I am starting to feel that my body has adjusted.

 

Something new has happened already and that is that emotions are coming back. I have rarely cried or even got teary-eyed (as in when watching a sweet/sad sotry) for quite some time - not sure how long, at least a couple of years. I recall reading a book as part of book club that had a rather sad ending and my lack of emotional reaction concluded that I have become jaded. Well, starting to get feelings back. Watched an inspiring video today that made me quite teary-eyed. I have noticed this a couple of times the past few days. Perhaps this is a topic somewhere on this site?

 

I have read that long term use of ADs makes one numb and I think that is what has happened to me - still taking the equiv of 20 mg. of Prozac but I was on 150 mg of Effexor so this is a subsstantial reduction. I'll have to be careful and not withdraw too much too fast as I might end up bawling all the time!