Bertoh: Suffering immensely from Effexor attempt and withdrawal. How do I get back to normal?

[Bertoh]

Hi my name is Alberto and I’ve tried a ton of ssris and antipsychotics over the past 7 years. Most recently I had a really bad experience with rexulti that gave me akithsia (which went away once I discontinued thank gawd) and my current ongoing bout with Effexor. 
 

I’m in a bit of weird situation in that I wasn’t in it for long  and am looking for help as I’m at wit’s end and am seriously inching closer to suicide due to my symptoms. 

I started Effexor June 24 75mg. I immediately noticed really bad headaches and nausea but stayed he course as “that’s the side effects for 2 week”. By 5 days in the headaches had gotten really bad but I also had started getting burning sensations across my whole body and head. After dealing with this for a few days we reduced my dose to 37.5. The symptoms continued and got worse so we discontinued Effexor Monday 7/4. 

The first two days were a continued hell of body burning headaches nausea anxiety shortness of breath etc. The intense while body burning thankfully went away 2-4 days later tho lighter leg burning remained. The anxiety and shortness of breath have slowly gone away too but the headache and nausea feel worse/like they’ve stagnated. I’m two weeks post stopping this hell drug (for me) and almost a month since starting it but my nausea and headaches are just insane and making it impossible for me to live a good life and function well. It’s really impacting my work but most importantly my wife and kid.

Has anyone every heard of or experienced anything like this? Did it go away, when? Did anything help you manage the symptoms til it did ?

I have this fear that this is going to be a chronic thing I have to live with forever and tbh I won’t live long if that’s the case. The klonopin, zofran, and advil I take to manage do a meh job and I’m at wit’s end. Guess I’m looking for some success stories related to this and advice to help me get on the right track and ultimately save my life. Thank you and sorry for the really dramatic post, I’m just really hurting.

[Bertoh]

Bumping. Could really use some support as I’m breaking! Thank you all

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  It sounds to me like you got hit with a severe adverse reaction to the Effexor.  This is not uncommon when people have been on several psychiatric drugs in the past.  The more we go on and off these drugs, the more likely it is that our system becomes more and more sensitive to them and destabilized, and we can have bad reactions to the drugs, and also the withdrawal off of them becomes more difficult. We call this kindling.  Please don't despair!  This is not permanent.  I know it is very alarming, and time and patience is required to heal, but you will get better, as long as you take proper care of yourself, and stay off the psych drug carousel.  

 

Kindling

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Use this format:

 

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Etcetera

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why these drugs can cause us adverse reactions and withdrawal. 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand about recovery: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when we are recovering.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

You are not the only one to have an adverse reaction to a psychiatric drug.  Many who come in here have had this happen to them. This is only temporary, although recovery can take a long time.  These links will go into further detail about your questions:  

 

Recovery from Adverse Reaction

 

We use the acronym ADR for adverse reaction.  Here are some success stories of people who recovered from this: 

 

Lzieb: Adverse Reaction to Zoloft, Recovered

 

Farout: Fully Recovered from ADR

 

ARTK Success Story Recovery from Adverse Reaction

 

Maybe: Lexapro Adverse Reaction Recovery

 

Please let us know if you need help on how to cope with any specific symptoms, and keep us posted.  

Edited July 22, 2022 by getofflex

[Heath]

@Bertoh I am so sorry you are in this pain. 
That’s a very good sign that the burning and out of breath has gone away! You will get better, this is only temporary! 
 

I was on that dr. Drug merry go round it’s no fun. I found SA and the support and guidance is so great, the best! SA has helped me in so many ways ! I can’t say enough good about SA! 
 

You are in the right place for support on problems with getting off these drugs safely! I know it’s tough right now , try to self sooth and calm where you can. Try and avoid negative stressful situations. Distraction helps me a lot. Magnesium also helps calm. 
 

Once you get that drug signature in simple form these mods will be able to guide and advise you towards healing. 
 

again this is only temporary! You got this Hang on!  💪

[Bertoh]

Thanks for the kind and helpful welcome, everyone!

 

@~getofflex I've updated my sig with my medicine history. One thing to note is that to try to (unsuccessfully) cope with the intense headaches/migraines I have remaining from the Effexor I'm also taking klonopin, zofran, and advil and just recently excedrin as needed (which ends up being every day really). I've also started infrequently smoking a bit of weed in the evening (not a smoker) just to survive and find a bit of relief in it all. I'll take a thorough read through all your resources and will buy some of the vitamins you've recommended but I'm absolutely distraught, falling apart, and in tears over the idea this will last several MONTHS. Though I can radically accept I just can't imagine living like this and keeping my loved ones, work, and myself happy in the process. I truly hope this resolves faster...I have faith that this group's help will help me get through it.

 

@Heath thank you so much for the kind words. I'm having a hard time seeing the positive in it all but you're right that the burning and out of breath feeling calming is a good thing! I'll keep reminding myself that some things have gotten better and they will continue: this is only temporary! Do you take magnesium during the day to help calm or night for sleep? Luckily for me I sleep fine the bad is during the day when my head hurts so bad that I feel like dying or sleeping it all away QQ

[Heath]

@Bertoh  Anxiousness  is highest in morning when we wake . I take the calm brand in powder form. I take a teaspoon in a bottle of water and sip on it most of the morning and finish by noon. It gives me a calming feeling. I could probably take more but haven’t tried yet. 

I take Trader Joe’s brand omega 3 which also helps . I can tell it helps  a lot with cognitive thinking problems with these drug wd. 
 

Start low and work up in dose. Be sure and read what getofflex sent you about magnesium and omega 3 . 

[Bertoh]

A few things of note:

 

- i realized I missed this but I did try 10mg of Prozac for 3 days July 15-18 per my Psychs rec. didn’t do much so stopped Tuesday July 7/19

 

- my psych wants me to take 1mg of klonopin (up from .5) to deal with the headaches/nausea spells. I’m scared tho 

 

- another thing my psychs have thrown out is using Cymbalta based on https://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/depression/when-the-medication-wont-let-you-stop/. Though that seems for withdrawal and I seem way past that 

 

- I smoked weed a few times for the first time in years to help with the pain at night. It kinda helps but makes me sleepy and scared it’ll drag this out 

 

- The main things I’m dealing with now are headaches/migraines and nausea that comes in waves at different intensities throughout the days. Nothing really gives me relief from this, unsure if the klonopin really helps…might try 1mg this weekend to test even tho I’m scared. Ideas on how to safely relieve, if possible, these headaches so I can survive would be the absolute most helpful. I’m afraid I’m unable to cope with this pain anymore, I cry multiple times a day, and fear  I will lose my family and job and potentially life at this rate. 

[Bertoh]

Took 2 klonopin right now  (1mg total) cuz I just can’t keep up with this pain and be present for my son and wife. Maybe I’ll try that every day til I next see my psych Tuesday to see if it even helps. Will also wait to see what y’all say of course! I hope this doesn’t long term make recovery longer/worse…I’m so scared and suffering so much. I’m on the brink 

[Heath]

Hang on @Bertoh! 💪

[getofflex]

22 hours ago, Bertoh said:

I've also started infrequently smoking a bit of weed in the evening (not a smoker) just to survive and find a bit of relief in it all.

This may further destabilize your nervous system, and cause problems in the long run, even if it seems to help in the short run.  

On 11/18/2020 at 6:39 PM, Altostrata said:

Aside from the questionable brain damage, we've seen cannabis products and THC can have unpredictable effects on people whose nervous systems have been sensitized by psychiatric drugs mishaps.

 

This is one of those "try at your own risk" things. Please be aware if your experiment goes wrong, we probably can't help except to remind you to hang on while your nervous system settles down.

 

Because of this, we ask people not to encourage others to experiment with cannabis products, THC, adaptogenics, nootropics, and gray market drugs. Please learn from bad experiences. If you persist in making yourself worse by taking these substances or drinking alcohol, we may ask you to leave because there's nothing we can do for people who make their own problems.

 

If you find any of these things help, you may be lucky but it's very unlikely you've found a cure. As I said, results are unpredictable.

 

15 hours ago, Bertoh said:

- i realized I missed this but I did try 10mg of Prozac for 3 days July 15-18 per my Psychs rec. didn’t do much so stopped Tuesday July 7/19

Please add to your drug sig - thank you.  This may have further destabilized you and worsened your symptoms.  I suggest you avoid using psych drugs or any other mind altering substance to try to lessen WD, as it is more likely to worsen it, and it can take a long time for things to straighten out again.  Psychs will almost always give you drugs, and they are in denial about WD.  

 

15 hours ago, Bertoh said:

- my psych wants me to take 1mg of klonopin (up from .5) to deal with the headaches/nausea spells. I’m scared tho

Klonopin is highly addictive, as are all benzos, and this will require another gradual taper.  And, with your drug history, it may cause further destabilization to your nervous system.  

 

15 hours ago, Bertoh said:

- another thing my psychs have thrown out is using Cymbalta based on https://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/depression/when-the-medication-wont-let-you-stop/. Though that seems for withdrawal and I seem way past that 

Again, psychs wanting to dispense more drugs.  Cymbalta can give nasty WD, and is tricky to taper.  

 

15 hours ago, Bertoh said:

The main things I’m dealing with now are headaches/migraines and nausea that comes in waves at different intensities throughout the days. Nothing really gives me relief from this, unsure if the klonopin really helps…might try 1mg this weekend to test even tho I’m scared. Ideas on how to safely relieve, if possible, these headaches so I can survive would be the absolute most helpful. I’m afraid I’m unable to cope with this pain anymore, I cry multiple times a day, and fear  I will lose my family and job and potentially life at this rate. 

I'm very sorry to hear this.  It sucks.  I wish I had a way to fix this for you, but I don't.  In this link other members discuss this particular symptom.  

 

Migraines, Headache, ect.

[getofflex]

Please read this link.  It may help you cope with the headaches better.  

 

Steps for Managing WD Symptoms

 

Have you tried any relaxation techniques?  Tension can cause or worsen headaches.  

 

Acknowledge Accept Float

 

Music to Calm Anxiety

 

Breathing Technique for Anxiety

 

Meditation

 

Emotional Spirals

Edited July 23, 2022 by getofflex

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Bertoh From your signature:

 

Quote

 

June 24, 2022 -July 4, 2022 Effexor | 75mg > 37.5mg July 2 > off July 4 (problem drug)

April 2022 - now Lithium | 300mg > 600mg > 750mg 

2020 - now Levothyroxine | 75mg about to change to Synthroid starting July 22, 2022

July 2022 - now Klonopin | .5mg - 1mg as needed for Effexor adverse reaction/withdrawal

 

 

You've had a lot of drug changes since 2016. It appears you might have had a fairly immediate adverse reaction to Effexor in June-July but this could have been a culmination of all the other destabilizing drug events.

 

It appears you must have increased lithium recently. When did you do this? Why are you taking lithium? Do you get regular liver and kidney level tests?

 

Why are you taking levothyroxin and why did you change that? When was the last time you had your thyroid levels checked?

 

How often have you been taking Klonopin? When did you start it? 

 

You are currently taking lithium, levothyroxin, and Klonopin? Please put ALL your drugs in this Interactions Checker and post the report or a link to it in this topic.

 

18 hours ago, Bertoh said:

- another thing my psychs have thrown out is using Cymbalta based on https://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/depression/when-the-medication-wont-let-you-stop/.

 

Has this same psychiatrist prescribed all these drugs?

[Bertoh]

@~getofflwx THANK YOU so much for the point by point answers. I think Imma lay off the marijuana, though I feel a lot better today after taking the 1mg klonopin so prob just cuz of the moment but I'm having a hard time wanting to stop that in the short term as the pain unchecked make me legit unable to perform and suicidal. Do you think it's an ok strategy to keep with Klonopin for a bit (knowing it'll require a taper later itself) in order to survive or is it best to rip off the band aid live mega miserable for now to not develop dependence and shorten the recovery time? I'll also give your links a read today! I tend not to do too well will behavioral/cbt skills for pain coping (I just finished a 2 month behavioral health program where I made a ton of advancement but then got destroyed by this effexor) but I'll try anything again at this point!

 

@Altostrata thanks for taking the time to look at my case. 

 

Lithium

- I started Lithium 300mg April 2022. I had it increased to 600 sometime in May by the psychiatrist from a behavioral health php program I joined then. I went up to 750 early June. I've actually been down to 600 as end of June/July cuz I ran out of 150mg pills and haven't refilled. Debating whether I should get my way back there once I can refill end of month tho as suicidal thoughts are back strong and they were gone at 750 (tho my brain wasn’t burning at this time either)

- I started taking Lithium after coming off all my other meds for suicidal thoughts. I'd say the lithium was actually successful in getting rid of suicidal thoughts until this effexor episode/i went down to 600mg on accident.

- I had a blood test a month back that came back normal. I plan to take another in the next couple of months

 

Levothyroxine

- I has an underactive thyroid. I was told I had hashimotos tho never really confirmed if that or just hypo

- I changed to Synthroid this month after months of wanting to change per the hashimotos subreddit which advises synthroid vs generic as it deals with adverse effects better (at that time i was experiencing nausea and sleepiness spells that sounded like they could be hashimotos per research. in hindisght might have been the fast tapering off all my meds in March)

- Got my thyroid levels checked 3 months back and they were normal

 

Klonopin

- I've been taking it infrequently since July 4th. Maybe 1-3 days a week. Today (7/23) I took 1mg and it helped me a ton. I'm not reticent to stop taking it if this relief continues (~10 hours) as otherwise the head pain is so insufferable that I can't do anything but think of the pain, want to sleep, and ideate death. I know I'd need to taper this but if I can't find something else to give me relief aside from Klonopin during this then there's likely no recovery cuz I'd kill myself before then

 

Interactions Checker

https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1477-0,1463-869,703-357

 

Psychiatrist

- So a bit of context on psychiatrists. I've been seeing the same psych practice in SF, CA for 5/6 years. Been with my current psych for 2-ish. They've prescribed all of my meds through April 2022. In May 2022 I entered a behavioral health partial hospitalization program to take another approach with my depression and anxiety. This program had behavioral work but also came with another psych that I had to exclusively see while there. They prescribed me the following while there from May - July (this is making me realize I gotta update my med list as I missed a few): Rexulti, Klonopin (for the akithisia) Vyvanse, Increase in Lithium, Effexor, Concerta. After the effexor issues they prescribed me gabapentin and zofran to deal with the "withdrawal". I had left over Klonopin from before which I used to some success and kept using per their rec. I moved back to my regular psych as of July 14. They sent me to the ER where I was given Ativan which I took for 2 days (1mg). My regular psych prescribed me the prozac which I tried for a few days last week to no avail and essentially recommended either trying the cymbalta method (which came as a rec from the previous psych) or upping klonopin for now; working with the latter for now as of today and checking in again Tuesday and I'd def not keen on just surviving off klonopin forever tho also as written above am unsure i can live with this pain long.

 

Sorry for the wall-o-text. Grateful for y'all supporting and hearing me out as I'm very alone in this process. Thank you for being a lifeline in something that just feels insurmountable and scary right now

 

(updated drug list to be more relevant to now...removing oldest meds and adding ones mentioned above that i forgot about)

[Altostrata]

13 minutes ago, Bertoh said:

I went up to 750 early June. I've actually been down to 600 as end of June/July cuz I ran out of 150mg pills and haven't refilled.

 

You may have suffered withdrawal or destabilization because of this.

 

14 minutes ago, Bertoh said:

I changed to Synthroid this month

 

Your dose may be too high and causing adverse effects.

 

You can see potential interaction between Klonopin and lithium.

 

You've made so many changes, and your symptoms may be from very recent drug changes. We're not going to be able to tell you where your symptoms are coming from. We would advise you to hold at current doses or drug schedule, but it appears you are planning more drug changes. I don't think we can help you as long as you're changing drugs and dosages.

[Bertoh]

I’m sorry. I don’t intend/mean to continue making changes I think things just got crazy with the PHP stay and Effexor thing happening. I’d love your help and am willing to stop changes and go back onto previous things if that’d allow y’all to help me best.

 

- i can stay at 600 lithium 

- i can get my old brand of levo back and stop synthroid (or stay on synthroid and make no changes). This change just happened today and I can reorder my old brand and pay out of pocket for it 

- unsure how to proceed with klonopin but the options will either be stop and deal with the pain or continue in 1mg til psych tells me to stop 

- I do not plan to try Cymbalta. Hell no I’m done with adding any other drug to my regimen 

 

will doing the above help you help me? Sorry if my writing made it seem like I wanted to and intended to keep going crazy with meds. I want to get better…whatever it takes, not stay on the carousel 

 

[Altostrata]

17 hours ago, Bertoh said:

i can get my old brand of levo back and stop synthroid (or stay on synthroid and make no changes).

 

It will take 2 months for any change in your thyroid hormone treatment to settle out. You may find you need to go up or down in dosage. If making this change is your top priority, please check back with us when you've regularized your thyroid hormone.

 

You'll have to keep all your other drugs consistent in this period, or you'll confound your thyroid drug adjustments. What times o'clock do you take each of your drugs, and their dosages? 

[Bertoh]

The thyroid is not my priority. The brand change was an artifact from before this Effexor issue and before I knew of the impact of all these med changes.

 

if you recommend, I will go back to my old brand of thyroid medicine and can be back on it by Tuesday/Wed the latest. 
 

——

i plan to keep my drugs consistent from here on out 

- thyroid medicine 6:30 - 6:45am 

- lithium 10pm

- tbd klonopin I’ve been taking this at various hours depending on how bad my headache/burn gets. Awaiting recommendation from you and psych to either drop or take at consistent time for x length of time. I talk to my psych Tuesday…plan to make the case to not use this tho we’ll see what she says 

[Bertoh]

To be clear: I am here because I want help recovering as quickly as I can from whatever the **** this effexor has done for me. I apologize if my recent drug history is a mess and it seems like I want to keep changing stuff but I don't.

 

I want stop feeling this bad, stop playing the drug carousel, and leverage your expertise against that of my pschys to get better. I want to get better because I want to live a good life and want to be there for my wife and child. Please, I'll do anything to get that..especially the latter. Hope that this clarifies anything that may make it seem like I want to keep making drug changes. What I mention above is me offering to stabilize > revert to stabilize and then following whatever advise this wise group has for me. 

 

Thank you..I look forward to healing with your guidance. I really need you guys...I know with your help I'll get better sooner than I think. 

[getofflex]

12 hours ago, Bertoh said:

I want stop feeling this bad, stop playing the drug carousel, and leverage your expertise against that of my pschys to get better.

What do you mean by "leverage your expertise against that of my psychs"?  

 

The vast majority of psychiatrists rely almost totally on drugs to "treat" their patients.   It's very likely s/he will try to add or change your drugs.  Continuing to go on and off drugs, changing drugs, changing doses, etc puts you at high risk of further destabilizing your nervous system, and making your situation worse.  As altostrata has said, it is important to keep your drug schedule consistent for now, and give you system a chance to stabilize.  

 

Is your ultimate goal to get off the drugs, or is it to tweak your drugs until you are comfortable?  This site is a site for going off of drugs.

 

16 hours ago, Bertoh said:

- tbd klonopin I’ve been taking this at various hours depending on how bad my headache/burn gets. Awaiting recommendation from you and psych to either drop or take at consistent time for x length of time.

I'm not familiar with benzos.  @Frogiecan help you with this.  

Edited July 25, 2022 by getofflex

[Frogie]

@Bertoh

 

You can't take Klonopin "as needed". Your body becomes dependent on in it in about 2 weeks.

 

You will need to stick to 1 dosage. I would try .50 mg, but split it in two doses 12 hours apart and 2 hours apart from anything else you take, like the Effexor.

 

You need to take it at the same time, same dosage everyday.

 

You can taper off if it after the Effexor.

[Bertoh]

My goal is to survive what I’m going through. I’d like to reduce / stabilize the pain I’m going through which is making life unlivable while coming off the drugs I’m on. 

[Bertoh]

@Frogie my psych is recommending 1mg an hour after my synthroid given how insanely severe my symptoms are (the headache/burn/nausea, body burn/ache are so intense that I cry most of the day). 
 

Do you think this is ok (knowing I’ll need to ween off of it later but there might not be a later without the relief from klonopin so rock and a hard place I suppose)

[Frogie]

You can try the 1mg all at once, usually Klonopin works better when it is dosed twice a day. But o would wait longer than an hour to take it especially after synthroid.

 

Why did you switch from Levothyroxine to Synthroid?

[Bertoh]

3 hours ago, Frogie said:

You can try the 1mg all at once, usually Klonopin works better when it is dosed twice a day

 

I think the 1mg idea comes from the fact .5 isn’t enough for my symptoms. They’re simply not tolerable at a .5 dose. I spend all day in immense pain on just .5 to start the day

3 hours ago, Frogie said:

But o would wait longer than an hour to take it especially after synthroid

hmmm. The hard time here is I wake up at 6 and immediately am in burning pain. Headache/burn, body ache burn, nausea..etc so I’m incentives to immediately take my synthroid and then immediately the klono an hour later to survive. One thing I could try is waking up at 5/4 to take the synthroid to give move separation (I’m aiming to work my way up to 6:30 wake up to take care of my sob, I’ve been lacking on this due to the pain)

 

3 hours ago, Frogie said:

 

Why did you switch from Levothyroxine to Synthroid?

this was a change that I had planned eat before all this madness happened with the Effexor adverse reaction. I made the change still not knowing about med consistency from this board. I just started dit this Saturday July 23. I’m willing an open to switching back to Levothyroxine I’d that’s restabilizing…would love some advice here @Frogie

 @Altostrata as I’m unsure if changing back is more destabilizing after being 5 days in or if it’s preferred. A little lost on best path for this one 

[Altostrata]

@Bertoh for us to be able to help you, you will need to keep your drugs consistent. If you don't need to wait a couple of months for your thyroid drug change to settle out, it would help this process along if you went back to your familiar brand.

 

Inconsistent dosing of Klonopin may be adding to your problems. Please keep daily notes of times o’clock you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. We need to know how you feel before and after taking each drug, and your symptoms in between. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time o’clock on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right. This will help us untangle drug adverse effects from others.

[Bertoh]

I received my old Levothyroxine and am now back on it (so reverted the synthroid change ).
 

Below is my regular, daily, routine as of Thursday July 28

 

- Levothyroxine 75mcg 6:30am | taken for hypothyroid

- Clonazepam 1mg 7:30am (sometimes 8am as I sleep in to recover) | taken to lessen the severity/intensity of symptoms. Without it the pain reaches levels that make me want to commit suicide 

- Lithium 600mg | was originally given for depression and to combat suicidal ideation 

 

I’ve started incorporating 25mg of magnesium as of Thursday as well. Thursday I tried it at 5:30pm, Friday 8:20am. Not sure where it fits best so might play with the time unless that’s bad. 
 

I’ll start posting a 24h notes this week. Cheers! 

[ChessieCat]

If you are taking magnesium for the calming effect it is better to take it several times throughout the day.  And if you take a calcium supplement you need to take them 2 hours apart otherwise the calcium cancels out the calming effect of the magnesium.

[Bertoh]

Ahh kk, will do that! Right now I’m just doing it once a day with 25mg to see how I tolerate it.

 

So far I am handling well, so a little later I’ll add another 25mg to my day and so on. Ty for that! I’m excited to incorporate it into my routine. 
 

Also no calcium supplements for me so I’m safe on that end! Good to know just in case tho! 

[Bertoh]

Hello, question for y’all! 
 

I was able convince my psych to give me 2 months off of work to really take care of myself and heal. Yay! 
 

On the psych end they’re asking me to try taking Clonidine Hcl .1MG. Believe the reasoning is 

- Maybe it can help give me the same relief the Klonopin does (without being a benzo). Small chance it helps with headaches

- if it helps with same relief as Klono, we can then chat about tapering down from 1mg to lower (maybe .5mg) in the coming weeks 

 

Is this a reasonable idea to y’all (maybe even just trying the Clonidine since it’s just a blood pressure med like propanol) or should I not do it in the name of keeping my system stable (and pay the klonopin taper tax later)?
 

Thanks in advance for the guidance. Love having y’all as support in this scary world of adverse reaction to an anti depressant (cuz lawd knows these psyches and drs aren’t much help) 

 

[ChessieCat]

9 minutes ago, Bertoh said:

On the psych end they’re asking me to try taking Clonidine Hcl .1MG.

 

There is no knowing whether this would help or make things worse.

 

Alto has said that you need to keep your drugs consistent.  You have only just returned to your familiar brand of thyroid medication:

 

On 7/27/2022 at 6:00 AM, Altostrata said:

for us to be able to help you, you will need to keep your drugs consistent. If you don't need to wait a couple of months for your thyroid drug change to settle out, it would help this process along if you went back to your familiar brand.

 

 

She also mentioned inconsistent Klonopin dosing.

 

On 7/27/2022 at 6:00 AM, Altostrata said:

Inconsistent dosing of Klonopin may be adding to your problems. 

 

AND

 

She asked for you to provide daily symptoms notes.  There is a very good reason why these notes are requested.

 

On 7/27/2022 at 6:00 AM, Altostrata said:

Please keep daily notes of times o’clock you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. We need to know how you feel before and after taking each drug, and your symptoms in between. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time o’clock on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right. This will help us untangle drug adverse effects from others.

 

Before any more assistance is provided you will need to provide the notes.

 

See this post which explains the reason for the request and an example of how to list the symptoms:

 

Keep Notes on Paper

 

 

Edited August 3, 2022 by ChessieCat

[Bertoh]

8/4

 

6:37 woke up took Levo. Some headache top of head and middle 

~7:09 headache calming down a bit (not a lot). Switches back between middle and right of head with  less intensity than AM 

7:40 took klonopin and ate. Still have some headache back left of head. Some nausea

8:09 headache and nausea mostly subsided. Tiny bit on pain in side temples but mostly ok 

9:55 after walking, working, snacking a bit, listening to some healing music, I’m head i is feeling a bit better. It’s been back and forth the past hour. What a journey. Scared to admit but feeling okish after a rough AM

10:30 took 50mg magnesium. Still feeling ok with headache, tiny bit naseuous, and a little low mood. Gonna go get accupuncture for the first time in a year 

11:35 pre acupuncture. Head hurting. Top left of head left eye some nausea I think 

1:07 finish acupuncture. Head mostly ok some pain starting back top 

3:27 had headaches and nausea while I Uber but have been stable for a few hours after getting home and eating/working

4:32 been having headaches since about 10-15 mins ago. No real trigger. Sides and back of head 

5:44 back and forth headaches. Snacked a bit. About to walk to singing class 

6:54 class done had a bit of headache while in there but ok right now 

8:43 headache lightly on and off. A bit rough right now back of head and front headache

8:43 ate dinner thru 8:59 (late) head feeling better still some lingering pain here and there 

9:58 took lithium. Sleepy over past 10 mins playing games. Headaches light throughout but ok right now 

10:17 going to sleep. No headache or nausea really  

[Bertoh]

8/5

 

7:07 woke up. Took level at 7:12 . Head back and forth between light pain in idle and top and none 

8:05 strong nausea from ~7:20/30 til now. It was pretty unbearable but got ready for daycare despite it 

8:16 took klono. Nausea mostly subsided by now, a bit in the left eye. Head starting to hurt most back sides 

9:23 ate. Been feeling ok a few mins now. Tho always in fear of when the pain will come back 

10:24 headache started again. Across front of whole head. Also nausea tummy and Aidee of head 

11:08 head hurting. Mostly top and sides. Taking 50mg magnesium 

12:05 lots of work and meetings. Some headache throughout tho better right now 

1:26 just had lunch. Headache was subdued the whole time. Miracle. Headache and nausea subdued right now 

3:20 really strong headache and nausea the past 30+ mins while working and on call. Tummy a little upset (rare). Even got a bit of shortness of breath (rare)

4:15 on and off light-medium headache and nausea while work. Feeling a bit down 

4:35 some headache and irritation top right of head but mild. Headache and nausea okish right now 

5:39 headache on left and right roughish with nausea that’s making it hard 

6:53 ate Japanese food. On and off head and nausea but feeling ok right now. When I feel like this I feel like I can live a good life…wish this was the norm 

8:14 was feeling ok while putting the kid down but am struggling hard now. Was doing some work for fun. Head is  hurting front and sides. Some nausea in eye area 

9:25 on and off headaches while doing work for fun. A bit nauseous now. Gonna play video games before sleeping 

9:33 it got really bad. Nausea is strong . Feeling quite demoralized 

11:05 took lithium. Headaches and nausea for a bit but actually had a streak of feeling good for the past 30ish and feeling ok right now before bed 

 

Edited August 6, 2022 by ChessieCat
Resized font

[Bertoh]

8/6

 

6:43 woke up took levo. Sleep but not really headachy or nauseas 

7:38 light nausea and light head pain top middle of head. 7:58 head a bit worse burning/irritating sometimes now too 

8:22 made bfast for kid and ate. 8:44 back and forth headache and nausea 

9:33 seems like headaches and nausea calmed a bit. I really don’t have the capacity to deal today tho so gonna drink ginger tea and 50mg magnesium right now 

10:08 feeling lighter on the nausea. Light headache left and right side of head. Sleepy today (rare) 

11:14 such as nausea the whole time here. This isn’t how life is supposed to be. Subsiding lightly now as I get ready to eat 

11:31 lighter than usual headache and nausea sustained through lunch. Right now some headache top left and back left of head but ok 

1:24 headsche and nausea mostly calm until now. Feeling a headache too if head and too left. Man, before this that relief was amazing..actually got to enjoy some time with my family 

1:40 - 4:20 long nap. Out of bed at 4:43 no headache or nausea yet 

4:58 back of head starting to hurt. That didn’t last long 😕 . 5:09 seems to have subsided 

7:23 pretty good span! No real headache our nausea (or at least strong enough to bother me). Just ate…have a small headache back if head hope it subsided for a nice night with my partner 

8:45 feeling the stinging sharp bites of headaches on the left side and right back of head. They’re survivable but feels like they’re fighting to take over 

9:15 headache on left and right side of head strong and sharp. Some nausea in eye area and head spots.. nausea is getting really bad 

9:32 getting up away from phone drinking water and breathing seemed to reset. It was so bad before that. About to drink ginger tea and play visual novel with partner 

10:56 played games most devoid of headache and nausea. Felt a bit at beginning but good towards middle and end. I’d give it all to go back to a normal life like this..taking lithium only 300mg cuz I ran out. Will be back to 600mg when I pick up med. Heading to bed feeling aite

[Altostrata]

So you do not take Klonopin every day on the same schedule? Since you started taking it in July, how many days did you NOT take it?

 

Please add the drug dosage into your daily notes, every time you take a drug.

 

Did you ever review adverse effects of lithium? It's your responsibility as a drug consumer to know about every drug you agree to take.

 

What were your startup effects from lithium when you began taking it in April? What happened when you increased to 750mg in June?

[Bertoh]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

 

So you do not take Klonopin every day on the same schedule? Since you started taking it in July, how many days did you NOT take it?

 

I take Klonopin every day on the same schedule as of July 25 thanks to Frogie’s guidance. Before that my psychs had told me to take it as needed. I don’t know how often I didn’t take it before the 25th but let’s call it 1/3 of the time so didn’t take it 8-10 times during that period.
 

Below is my consistent drug schedule as of July 28 (when I got back in levo vs synthroid per your suggestion)

Notes:

- my morning schedule is ruled by my son. So this schedule can be +- 30m depending when he wakes (sometimes a 1 hour difference when he blessedly sleeps in)

- I take klono one but after levo as you can’t take or eat anything for an out after a levo dose

 

—————————————————

Levothyroxine 75mcg 6:30am | taken for hypothyroid

- Clonazepam 1mg 7:30am (sometimes 8am as I sleep in to recover) | taken to lessen the severity/intensity of symptoms. Without it the pain reaches levels that make me want to commit suicide 

- Lithium 600mg | was originally given for depression and to combat suicidal ideation

 

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

Did you ever review adverse effects of lithium? It's your responsibility as a drug consumer to know about every drug you agree to take.

Yes I did review back in April. Though scary I’ve always taken the chances anyway with psych meds (not anymore after this)

 

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

What were your startup effects from lithium when you began taking it in April? What happened when you increased to 750mg in June?

Not much. I gained around 5-10 pounds was the main thing I noticed. Lithium didn’t have an obvious negative effect on me from what I could tell. At 750 it actually helped reduce suicidal thoughts. As shared above through bad medicine hygiene (which is rare for me) I’ve ended back up at 600 and plan to stay there for consistency per your guidance.

[Altostrata]

On 7/20/2022 at 7:52 PM, Bertoh said:

I started Effexor June 24 75mg.

 

Did you also make a change in lithium around this time? Such as increasing to 750mg?

 

Why are you taking lithium?

 

Please put ALL your current drugs in this Interactions Checker and post the report or a link to it in this topic.