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Feeling overwhelmed when going out -- calming down at night?


squirrel

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Hi all, because of my remaining symptoms I am finding it very difficult to go out alone. I feel spaced out , my legs are like jelly, my surroundings seem fuzzy and I just feel so out of it!. also add to that feeling unbalanced ( because of dizziness) and the whole experience is an ordeal.anyone else experience this?

Started Seroxat(Paxil) for panic attacks in 1997 stopped the drug in 2005 tapered over 3 months ( doctors advice)

Suffered severe and protracted withdrawl ever since.

No other medication taken.

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I have this too :(

Just today I had to go to the doctors and felt pretty much exactly as you describe. Afterwards I wanted to look in a shop but just felt too anxious.

I try to keep telling myself that its just the withdrawal and its ok to feel anxious, and to be gentle on myself with it and take it slowly. I try to just focus on what I'm doing rather than what's around me. Helps cope with it but it's still hard.

 

It's one of those things that will get better with time I presume. Is there anyone who can help assist you doing things when going out, squirrel?

Off Lexapro since 3rd November 2011.

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yeah i have soeone to go with , but need to do stuff on my own. How long you been off Phil?

Started Seroxat(Paxil) for panic attacks in 1997 stopped the drug in 2005 tapered over 3 months ( doctors advice)

Suffered severe and protracted withdrawl ever since.

No other medication taken.

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I'm still on 1mg Lexapro. How long have you been off, squirrel?

Off Lexapro since 3rd November 2011.

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6 years but I also have problems with my balance thanks to seroxat so that does not help.

Started Seroxat(Paxil) for panic attacks in 1997 stopped the drug in 2005 tapered over 3 months ( doctors advice)

Suffered severe and protracted withdrawl ever since.

No other medication taken.

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I have this too :(

Just today I had to go to the doctors and felt pretty much exactly as you describe. Afterwards I wanted to look in a shop but just felt too anxious.

I try to keep telling myself that its just the withdrawal and its ok to feel anxious, and to be gentle on myself with it and take it slowly. I try to just focus on what I'm doing rather than what's around me. Helps cope with it but it's still hard.

 

It's one of those things that will get better with time I presume. Is there anyone who can help assist you doing things when going out, squirrel?

 

 

Phil........

 

you have brought forward a few very important and effective strategies (in bold text) that indeed do help.

 

 

Excellent advice and good work Phil!

 

 

Squirrel, I schedule my outings during non-peak hours. Things are quieter in the stores. Besides, my CNS can tolerate things a bit better in the early to mid evening. As the evening progresses, I can feel sick again, especially before retiring. So, it's important to schedule things during the hours when our CNS can handle things better.

 

If we push ourselves at the wrong time of day, it can make us feel worse. Other times pushing a bit can help. Trying to gauge between these two variables can be challenging and even confusing at times.

 

I've had to force myself to live the "Less is More" concept. Do a little, rest for a bit. Do a little bit more, see how I feel .........and even if I feel okish, take a break anyway.

 

It's so hard to hold back from doing a lot when we have an okish day but I've learned that going full tilt to try to get caught up, always back fires on me and I land up being out of commission for longer. So, pacing oneself is important.

 

Have you tried utilizing ginger capsules, ginger tea before going out?

 

 

I'm sorry for what you are both going through. Some day we will be free of this suffering.

 

 

Punar

To Face My Trials with "The Grace of a Woman Rather Than the Grief of a Child". (quote section by Veronica A. Shoffstall)

 

Be Not Afraid of Growing Slowly. Be Afraid of Only Standing Still.

(Chinese Proverb)

 

I Create and Build Empowerment Within Each Time I Choose to Face A Fear, Sit with it and Ask Myself, "What Do I Need to Learn?"

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I do this but its really difficult.

Started Seroxat(Paxil) for panic attacks in 1997 stopped the drug in 2005 tapered over 3 months ( doctors advice)

Suffered severe and protracted withdrawl ever since.

No other medication taken.

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how does ginger help ? And yes I do try and pick quiet time.

Started Seroxat(Paxil) for panic attacks in 1997 stopped the drug in 2005 tapered over 3 months ( doctors advice)

Suffered severe and protracted withdrawl ever since.

No other medication taken.

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Hi squirrel,

 

Same here, i have exactly the same problem and have done all through my taper,

its an awful feeling that comes over me when i have to go somewhere, sometimes that

can happen when i have someone to go with too.

I push myself so so hard, but some days its just too hard, i so sympathise, but it does

seem very common amongst those of us in wd.

Began taking 30mg Seroxat on 15th Jan 1997 for grief issues. Remained at that dosage until Dec 05, did doctor ct, akathesia set in along with being non functional and overly emotional, brain fog. Doctor prescribed prozac, propranelol and diazeapam to counteract side effects, and told me to ct those 3 after 2.5/3 months use, induced wd seizure on 2nd day after ct. Was reinstated on seroxat 20mg in april 06, remained at that dose until Nov 07 and began a very slow taper lasting 56 months, finally DRUG FREE on 11th may 2011.

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hi Squirrel

 

every day when i go to a near grocery or try to walk my five streets, it is a feat,

for anxiety 

12 years paxil - cold turkey 1,5 month - switch celexa 1 year taper; total 13 years on brain meds 

67 years old - 9 years  med free

 

in protracted withdrawal

rigidity standing and walking, dryness gougerot-szoegren, sleep deteriorate,

function as have a lack of nerves, improving have been very little 

 

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Squirrel, I schedule my outings during non-peak hours. Things are quieter in the stores. Besides, my CNS can tolerate things a bit better in the early to mid evening. As the evening progresses, I can feel sick again, especially before retiring. So, it's important to schedule things during the hours when our CNS can handle things better.

 

If we push ourselves at the wrong time of day, it can make us feel worse. Other times pushing a bit can help. Trying to gauge between these two variables can be challenging and even confusing at times.

 

Punar

 

Why is that? im right with you, evenings i could do more than early morning or afternoon, iv just started an IT course at the local college and i decided to attend the induction at 11am, big mistake, i felt dire, but now i can attend the class in the evenings im going on my own, doing the 8 miles drive, working with people i don`t know, but its ok, yeah i feel spaced out ect but i am dealing with it, i just wouldnt dare go again in the mornings, that alone has to tell you thats its not natural anxiety ect, its chemical if the time of day decides what we can deal with

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Why is that? im right with you, evenings i could do more than early morning or afternoon, iv just started an IT course at the local college and i decided to attend the induction at 11am, big mistake, i felt dire, but now i can attend the class in the evenings im going on my own, doing the 8 miles drive, working with people i don`t know, but its ok, yeah i feel spaced out ect but i am dealing with it, i just wouldnt dare go again in the mornings, that alone has to tell you thats its not natural anxiety ect, its chemical if the time of day decides what we can deal with

 

Buxy.......

 

to give a short answer to your question: cortisol (steriod stress hormone secreted by the adrenal glands) levels are highest in the early part of the day. It is the hormone that gets us to wake up and get moving for the day. As the day progresses cortisol levels start to decline.

 

During WD we are far more sensitive to these fluctuations and thus, we can have our worse symptoms and be far more sensitive in the early parts of the day.

 

I find that my system slowly starts to improve from 1:00 pm on and by about 4:00 or 5:00 pm I can handle things that I can't take on in the mornings.

 

Consequently, I've learned to work with my system rather than against it. (lol)

 

Good for you re: attending classes. I can understand how the evening classes would be far easier to attend than ones during the early parts of the day.

 

 

Good luck with your studies!

 

Punar

To Face My Trials with "The Grace of a Woman Rather Than the Grief of a Child". (quote section by Veronica A. Shoffstall)

 

Be Not Afraid of Growing Slowly. Be Afraid of Only Standing Still.

(Chinese Proverb)

 

I Create and Build Empowerment Within Each Time I Choose to Face A Fear, Sit with it and Ask Myself, "What Do I Need to Learn?"

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aww thanks Punar, have my first assessment on Monday :P.

 

Yes i understand the cortisol connection, the first 2 years on withdrawal, 5am on the dot wide awake dreadful anxiety rushing to the loo and pacing for a while, then i would always have an afternoon slump of feeling exhausted ect bluddy ect. I have tried explaining this to many a doctor, basically that if the time of day dictates how i feel, mornings being the pits but later on i can tackle quite a lot then there is proof that this is no way psychological but indeed chemical reactions causing the symptoms, not that they ever accepted my theory of course, but found it my only way to box back when they tried to tell me this was anxiety end of and would i like more drugs.....pfffff......pleased you agree :)

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Bravo, Buxy, for taking an IT class! I hope you really enjoy it, and that it helps you in all sorts of ways! :)

1996-97 - Paxil x 9 months, tapered, suffered 8 months withdrawal but didn't know it was withdrawal, so...

1998-2001 - Zoloft, tapered, again unwittingly went into withdrawal, so...

2002-03 - Paxil x 20 months, developed severe headaches, so...

Sep 03 - May 05 - Paxil taper took 20 months, severe physical, moderate psychological symptoms

Sep 03 - Jun 05 - took Prozac to help with Paxil taper - not recommended

Jul 05 to date - post-taper, severe psychological, moderate physical symptoms, improving very slowly

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Just a thought and maybe an experiment -- could the brighter light during the early part of the day be adding to anxiety when you go out? Have you all tried sunglasses, perhaps brownish tint?

 

(I'm following this theory that even very mild light sensitivity adds to anxiety.)

 

Also, maybe gradual increase in walking, perhaps in calm areas or parks, to build up physical strength and stamina?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Why is that? im right with you, evenings i could do more than early morning or afternoon, iv just started an IT course at the local college and i decided to attend the induction at 11am, big mistake, i felt dire, but now i can attend the class in the evenings im going on my own, doing the 8 miles drive, working with people i don`t know, but its ok, yeah i feel spaced out ect but i am dealing with it, i just wouldnt dare go again in the mornings, that alone has to tell you thats its not natural anxiety ect, its chemical if the time of day decides what we can deal with

 

Good work Buxy!

I am an ICT specialist by myself who had to quit work due to WD begin 2008, apart from the repeated weeks off due to earlier WD attempts... when I hit my first window after 20 months, I immediately started to enlarge my ICT knowledge by following self-studies Linux adminsitation and Web development.

So I am very interested in the kind of course you are doing!

Btw going out was never an issue for me, while I got crazy from the slightest noises during work/study, I could endure the noise in a pub of shop... it remains the strangest and most illogical disease ever :(

10 mg Paxil/Seroxat since 2002
several attempts to quit since 2004
Quit c/t again Oktober 2007, in protracted w/d since then
after 3.5 years slight improvement but still on the road

after 6 years pretty much recovered but still some nasty residual sypmtons
after 8.5 years working again on a 90% base and basically functioning normally again!

 

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Just a thought and maybe an experiment -- could the brighter light during the early part of the day be adding to anxiety when you go out? Have you all tried sunglasses, perhaps brownish tint?

 

(I'm following this theory that even very mild light sensitivity adds to anxiety.)

 

Also, maybe gradual increase in walking, perhaps in calm areas or parks, to build up physical strength and stamina?

 

 

Sur,

 

 

hope you don't mind me adding a thought to your post.

 

 

I have have to wear sunglasses even on cloudy days that's how extreme my light senstivities are (although it is improving slowly). I can only speak for myself, but much sunlight can still filter through a layer of clouds.

 

 

My sensitivty will vary, depending upon the type of clouds and the degree of over-cast. Dense clouds block out more sunlight but those mild and moderate overcast days will require me to wear sunglasses since, I will experience a "glare-like effect" which is too much for my CNS to endure.

 

 

 

As you mention the "brown tint" glasses work best for me. In fact, the darker the brown the better.

 

Pun

To Face My Trials with "The Grace of a Woman Rather Than the Grief of a Child". (quote section by Veronica A. Shoffstall)

 

Be Not Afraid of Growing Slowly. Be Afraid of Only Standing Still.

(Chinese Proverb)

 

I Create and Build Empowerment Within Each Time I Choose to Face A Fear, Sit with it and Ask Myself, "What Do I Need to Learn?"

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how does ginger help ? And yes I do try and pick quiet time.

 

 

Sorry, I just saw this post. I mentioned ginger in one of your other threads.

 

 

Ginger is used for motion sickness, nausea, dizziness etc. It also can reduce anxiety levels a notch or two. Again, I would not use this, nor most substances, religiously. Instead, use within reason.

 

 

You can do a search on the subject as well. Make sure you explore many sites so you can obtain a greater degree of knowledge on the subject.

 

 

Punar

To Face My Trials with "The Grace of a Woman Rather Than the Grief of a Child". (quote section by Veronica A. Shoffstall)

 

Be Not Afraid of Growing Slowly. Be Afraid of Only Standing Still.

(Chinese Proverb)

 

I Create and Build Empowerment Within Each Time I Choose to Face A Fear, Sit with it and Ask Myself, "What Do I Need to Learn?"

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iv just started an IT course at the local college and i decided to attend the induction at 11am, big mistake, i felt dire, but now i can attend the class in the evenings

 

When I've attended classes at the community college, I've noticed that during the day there are more people (kids) on campus and more going on (and more hustle-bustle and noise). In the evenings, it's mostly the working professionals taking classes, and they're more serious about the classes and more mellow, probably because they're tired from working all day.

 

BTW, I've been an IT professional for about 16 years. It's a good field to work in.

1989 to 2008: Prozac then Paxil then Celexa.

Numerous attempts to quit.

Then I got off the SSRI poop-out merry-go-round.

11-12 week taper.

 

Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear

If you're going through hell, keep walking

The only way out is through

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Coming back to the original post. I also think the noise of traffic and more people about adds to sensory overload.

Started Seroxat(Paxil) for panic attacks in 1997 stopped the drug in 2005 tapered over 3 months ( doctors advice)

Suffered severe and protracted withdrawl ever since.

No other medication taken.

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Alone / isolation / feeling isolated / going out alone
  • 11 months later...

Hi,

I am interested in hearing what people find helpful with this type of experience...I find that my sensitivities to light, sound, social stimulation are still magnified especially in the evening hours.  I try to spend the last few hours of my day at home, winding down, no screens, etc. and like to be in bed by 10pm and read for a bit before I fall to sleep.  Living with 2 teenagers it's sometimes difficult to count on a quiet house, but I digress!  I often need to be out of the house with kids' activities until 9 or heaven for bid close to 10pm.  When I return home I am wired and completely overstimulated and overwhelmed.  I feel it in my body and with my emotions.  I've tried yoga, stretching, journalling, music, quiet, dim lighting, snack, basically everything I can think but it seems to take me so long to "calm" down.  Wondering if other people have this experience and if so what helps.

Thank you in advance,

help

May 12th 2016 took last bead of effexor. 8 month taper.  Bridge = prozac 5mg, 300mg Lithium

May 31st took last of prozac. Lithium 300 mg, estrogen patch 150, magnesium.

June 14th reinstated 1mg Prozac due to intolerable emotional distress. Cont with lithium 300mg, 150 magnesium, re added omega 3, cont estrogen patch. June 15-july 5th had marked improvement of emotional wd symptoms, likely due to the reinstatement. July 5th intense emotional symptoms returned.

July 15 decreased 50 mg of lithium to see if it improved low heart rate.

July 19th - increased prozac to 1.5mg.

July 22 marked improvement of emotional symptoms...again, likely due to increase of prozac. However sudden agitation developed so decreased back down to 1.25mg prozac. Realizing increasing dose is dangerous because of these adverse effects and also seeing that wave is inevitable regardless of reinstatement.

Continuing 250 lithium, 1.25mg prozac, estrogen.

Oct 31st - continued 250 lithium, 1 mg prozac, estrogen patch.

Jan 2018  - off of prozac (bridge) as of Dec 2017.  Starting to taper Lithium 250 mg.  Will do 10% per month. 

May 2018 - lithium 115mg.  Still having waves but they aren’t as bad.  However, I really struggle with emotional symptoms about 1 week after a cut. 

dec 2018- 80mg lithium.  Tapering 1 mg per week since last June.  Symptoms improving overall but still very sensitive to light, sound, social stimulation and I cry a lot.

March 2019 - 65 mg lithium.  Still tapering 1mg per week.  Jan 2021- down to 4 mg lithium (get it compounded). Reinstated 5 mg Prozac. Jan 2023- withdraw 5mg prozac over one month Feb 20th 2023- reinstated 1mg Prozac. Still taking 4 mg lithium. 

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  • Altostrata changed the title to Feeling overwhelmed when going out -- calming down at night?
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