success ☼ Alex Withdrawal or Relapse?

[alex]

Thank you, as a matter of fact, I had a better night last night.

What concerns me is the fact that I am using .25mgs Xanax to help me sleep.

I want to go to a more natural way of helping my sleep, but I don`t if it is too early in my w/d; I also have very strong stessors in my life right now.

[alex]

This is one of the symptoms that tortures me.

It is just incredible; I am 59yr old man; my sex drive still good, but I have this really bad symptom.

Like I can get started, but seconds later I can`t control my ejacuation.

This is very frustrating and I would like to hear any comments about this. Thank you.

[alexjuice]

If you feel like experimenting, try a .5mg melatonin ... I don't know if that would work but it might help...

[alex]

If you feel like experimenting, try a .5mg melatonin ... I don't know if that would work but it might help...

Melatonin?? why do you say that?

Have you had any experience, or did you hear about it....?

Melatonin is for sleep....

[alexjuice]

I've noticed a benefit personally. Not a cure but a benefit. Melatonin does a lot of things and .5mg is a safe dose for experimentation IMO.

 

good luck

[alex]

I've noticed a benefit personally. Not a cure but a benefit. Melatonin does a lot of things and .5mg is a safe dose for experimentation IMO.

 

good luck

Alex, how and when do you take it?

[alexjuice]

Before bedtime I take it. That's probably the best time to take it because it does support circadian cycle. But I sometimes take it at other times. It has antioxidant propertities and is kidney protective (I have kidney issues)...

 

For me, the effect on delaying orgasm occurs about 30-45 minutes after I take it. Like I said, it's not a cure but it seems to transiently improve that issue...

 

Keep us updated...

[alex]

Thank you Alex.I`ll keep you updated.

[alex]

BIG SUCCESS!! TODAY IS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS I`VE HAD IN MONTHS!!

 

My girlfriend came back to me, and we made love like crazy...!!! no ttrouble at all!!

 

I am sooo happy today!

 

I`m healing, I know, I can feel it.

 

Fear, fear is the enemy to defeat in this process,patience and courage are the ingredients to do it.

 

This is my message to my fellow sufferers: it gets better, have faith!

 

Thank you Alex, (I took a little Melatonin) but I don`t know what happened, if it is me that I`m healing, or the Melatonin...anyway, Iam very happy

 

Not bad for a 60yr old man!!

 

But let me tell you I have been through sooo much during my life, that maybe that makes me a survivor.

[alexjuice]

Terrific news that you were able to have a wonderful evening... I have no idea if melatonin could have made such an impact... It sounds like you were ready to have a nice night though!

 

Absolutely you are a survivor!

 

Hang in there!

[alex]

Thanks Alex; of course I had a price to pay after all that physical activity: my sleep was NO good...

 

Maybe I should  get romantic earlier in the afternoon??

 

But it was a big boost for my self-confidence.

[Narcissus]

BIG SUCCESS!! TODAY IS ONE OF THE BEST DAYS I`VE HAD IN MONTHS!!

 

My girlfriend came back to me, and we made love like crazy...!!! no ttrouble at all!!

 

I am sooo happy today!

 

I`m healing, I know, I can feel it.

 

Fear, fear is the enemy to defeat in this process,patience and courage are the ingredients to do it.

 

This is my message to my fellow sufferers: it gets better, have faith!

 

Thank you Alex, (I took a little Melatonin) but I don`t know what happened, if it is me that I`m healing, or the Melatonin...anyway, Iam very happy

 

Not bad for a 60yr old man!!

 

But let me tell you I have been through sooo much during my life, that maybe that makes me a survivor.

 

 

This made me smile.  Hope things continue to improve for you.

[alex]

Thank you Narcissus; yes, I really believe things are SLOWLY getting better.

Waves come and go, but I can notice that symptoms get weaker.

For me, enduring 9 months of major depression 5 years ago, was a big lesson to cope with this terrible process.

And to find out like yesterday, that I`m not as bad as I thought or was 6 months ago is an incredible boost to my self-confidence, that I always lack in the first place.

One symptom that persits and scares me is INSOMNIA, but I am coping better..I think.

 

Hang in there, it gets better.

 

Is that you in the photo? you have a very "gothic" face...

[alex]

After almost 11 months off Effexor, I am seeing much improvement in the wave-window pattern.

The waves are weaker and the windows clearer.Symptoms like panic attacks, or awful dysphoria are gone.

Anxiety has improved despite the hard stressors I am facing in these days.

Depression still here, but is less strong.

Obsessive, intrusive thoughts wax and wane, but getting slowly better.I've had obssesive thoughts about death; very scary.Its getting a little better.

 

I am more functional, able to manage situations like social,public exposure much better, and even in some moments, enjoy.

 

I haven't had almost any physical symptoms, tinnitus and smell hypersensitivity; I still have it but it's mild

 

Al this is gives me hope and self-assurance.

There is one symptom though that persists badly:INSOMNIA.I am able to get sleep but I wake up every half an hour.It is incredible, I go to sleep and wake up 7-8 times during the night.

 

The pattern is something like this: go to sleep-dream-wakeup-back to sleep within minutes-dream-wakeup...on and off ALL night long....

 

I have learned not to panic or get anxious and go back to sleep, but it is very disturbing and scary.

 

I would like some comments about this.

[Rhiannon]

Thank you, as a matter of fact, I had a better night last night.

What concerns me is the fact that I am using .25mgs Xanax to help me sleep.

I want to go to a more natural way of helping my sleep, but I don`t if it is too early in my w/d; I also have very strong stessors in my life right now.

Be aware that if you have been using Xanax nightly you will need to taper off of it, don't try to just stop taking it.

[alex]

I have noticed very little feed back or not response at all to my posts; I really miss my old friends...

This makes me sad, and feel alone.I am sorry.

[Narcissus]

Hi, Alex.  It's wonderful to hear that you've improved so much.  It makes me feel hopeful about my own recovery from Effexor.I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling with insomnia.  I'm really not one to give advice on this subject since it's never been an issue for me.  I will mention, however, that it does seem to be common for some symptoms get worse as others get better (though I think they should all subside eventually).  I'd bet that the insomnia is temporary and will go away with time.  

 

You may have already looked through them, but the threads on this page under "Sleep Problems" might be helpful:http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/ 

[alex]

Thank you Narcissus, at least I am able to sleep in this broken pattern, when I was going through major depression, it was much worse.

 

My life wasn`t good before AD, so I really hope this is gonna be like a purge for a better life, whatever is left for me (I'm almost 60)

[lexicon]

How are you coming along Alex?

Thinking of you, and sending you thoughts of wellness ..

Lexi

[MrAnxious]

Keep it up Alex, thinking of you ! Hope your coming along in this battle !

 

Your friend Mr. A  

[alex]

Thank you Lex and Mr.A;

It is one of the hardest challenges of my life (w/d) and I have seen alot!!

But at 11 months AD free,I can say it is getting slowly, but visibly better.

 

And I bet you are at least half as young than me...!

 

If I'm doing it, you sure will.

[Jemima]

I'm so glad to hear that you're better, Alex!  We are somewhat short-staffed right now so that may be why you aren't getting the usual responses to your posts, but I'm hoping the situation will resolve soon.

 

How long have you been taking Xanax?  Are you taking it every night?  Rhi is right that you may have to taper off of it eventually.  Xanax and other benzos are addictive so it's important that you don't just stop taking it.  A taper is necessary.

 

Are you able to get Melatonin in Costa Rica?  I use a liquid that's held under the tongue for 30--45 seconds.  Each dropperful is 1 mg. and two droppers of it is usually enough, although up to 3 mg. can be taken.  I'm usually asleep within fifteen minutes of taking it.  On the other hand, Melatonin pills never did a thing for me.

 

It's good to hear from you, especially such good news!

[alex]

Good to hear from you Jemima, I have been taking Xanax everynight for at least 8 months now.It is a low dose, but I want to taper.The thing is I don't find the moment with this awful insomnia.

 

But tell me, how are you doing? I can see for your history that you were on AD for a very short time, that helped a lot for your recovery, didn't it?

 

I am fighting this terrible fight, and I want to believe that eventually I will be able to live whatever life is left for me in a better way, med. free.

[alex]

Despite visible improvement in areas like anxiety and anhedonia, I'm having very very bad disrupted sleep.

I have been able to manage more or less until now, waking up but been able to go back to sleep.

But in the last weeks it is getting more difficult to go back to sleep; I wake up every 40-45 minutes.

I've been taking herbal tea, Valerian tincture, and 0.25mgs xanax at bedtime for aprox. 9 months.

In the last I've been trying to keep the same dose, but due to bad insomnia, I've been updosing xanax, and that I don't like.

 

For me, sleep is fundamental, if I don't sleep, I don't really want to live.

I am feeling very bad today about all this ordeal, I need some words of hope, because I don't see myself suffering like this many years ahead, I rather end it all, if you know what I mean. I am sorry.

I thought I was gonna be better w/o the damn drug..how stupid...

[Jemima]

Alex, have you tried darkening the room and/or wearing a sleep mask?  I know that sounds really simple, but it's a great help.  What about trying Melatonin?

 

I understand how awful sleeplessness feels.  I went through maybe two months of only being able to sleep every 36 to 48 hours, but it did get better to the point that I can sleep 8--9 hours a night now.

 

You won't be going through this for years.  That would be a really sorry way to live.  Please do try the tips above.  Eventually, you will be better without the drug and you'll be glad you put up with it all.

[alex]

Last night was better, thank you for your support Jemima.

 

I am sorry about the dramatic parts of the post; I think I had to vent a little....

[alex]

Reacting with "fight or flight" to the least stimulation, the dysregulated alerting system causes inappropriate production of the "fight or flight" hormones norepinephrine, noradrenaline, and cortisol. Spurts of elevated cortisol cause many symptoms, from muscle stiffness and pain to waves of anxiety, panic, and despair. CNS instability causes symptoms my doctor calls "autonomic dumping." Excessive glutamatergic activity and inappropriately raised cortisol at night causes the awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Phosphatidylserine seems to regulate excesive cortisol production

I have been taken 100mgs Seriphos at bed time for the last 3 months.

My sleep is very disrupted still, I manage to go back to sleep, but I wake up every hr-45minutes..very bad.

 

I would really appreciate any comments

 

I am 11 months off

 

(I should have posted this in Symptoms ans Self-care,sorry)

[Jemima]

I have noticed very little feed back or not response at all to my posts; I really miss my old friends...

This makes me sad, and feel alone.I am sorry.

 

Alex,

 

It would help a lot if you would post your questions and concerns in you Intro thread instead of putting some in 'Symptoms' or starting another Intro topic.  Please post all of your questions and concerns here in your Intro thread.  I just came across two of your posts that have been neglected for weeks because they were in the wrong place.

[Jemima]

Reacting with "fight or flight" to the least stimulation, the dysregulated alerting system causes inappropriate production of the "fight or flight" hormones norepinephrine, noradrenaline, and cortisol. Spurts of elevated cortisol cause many symptoms, from muscle stiffness and pain to waves of anxiety, panic, and despair. CNS instability causes symptoms my doctor calls "autonomic dumping." Excessive glutamatergic activity and inappropriately raised cortisol at night causes the awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Phosphatidylserine seems to regulate excesive cortisol production

I have been taken 100mgs Seriphos at bed time for the last 3 months.

My sleep is very disrupted still, I manage to go back to sleep, but I wake up every hr-45minutes..very bad.

 

I would really appreciate any comments

 

I am 11 months off

 

(I should have posted this in Symptoms ans Self-care,sorry)

 

Have you tried darkening your bedroom and/or wearing a sleep mask? These ideas may seem too simple, but they WORK.

[alex]

Thanks J, yes, my room is dark enough.

I have seen improvement in anxiety and anhedonia, but sleep is very disrupted...I manage to have some rest though.

 

Thanks again Jemima.

[alex]

Hello Jemima, I've been thinking about the level of light in my room, and to be honest it is not very dark.

I already took mesures to make it darker.

Now, I would like to know what's the theory behind this thing;is it to avoid light when the sun comes up?

Is the brain so sensitive that even that weak amount of light can make a difference?

[Jemima]

What happens in withdrawal is that the normal circadian (wake-sleep) cycle is disrupted by abnormally high levels of cortisol, the adrenal hormone that not only causes us to wake up but also to fight or flee when threatened.  Because of this abnormally high level of cortisol, even slight amounts of light can keep a person from falling asleep and/or staying asleep.  We can even sense light through our skin, so keeping the room dark plus wearing something over the eyes to keep light out are important.  You can use a sleep mask or even a folded bandanna or large handkerchief tied over the eyes, as one of our mods did successfully.

 

Basically what even a small amount of light may do in this over-sensitized state is keep a person on alert, as if there is danger nearby.  Of course, it would be unnatural to be able to fall asleep in that condition.

 

Antidepressants seem to mess with just about every system in our bodies, not just the central nervous system.  Here's more info on withdrawal insomnia:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/53-sleep-problems-that-awful-withdrawal-insomnia/?hl=cortisol#entry508

 

I'm glad you've darkened the bedroom and I hope you'll give the sleep mask/bandanna a try, too.  I was able to sleep again within a day or two of trying this out.  When you can sleep well, other symptoms start to get better.

[alex]

Thank you J I will keep you updated

[alex]

"Comparing your situation with that of someone who you know has been on a similar dose and tapering schedule will do more harm than good.Our bodies respons differently.Another important reason is that although you may have been on similar doses with the same tapering schedules and methods you may not know the person's full circumstances.She or he may have less support, could have a preexisting condition, be taking other medication,consuming alcohol, trying different complementary therapies, taking supplements or over-stimulating in some way that you are not aware of."

 

From the book "Recovery and Renewal" by Bliss Johns

[Narcissus]

Mrs. Johns is into something there I think.

[alex]

I've darkened the room and I'm having good results already...incredible!

 

Thank you Jemima;btw, how are you doing?