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King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)


Altostrata

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  • Administrator

What does your psychiatrist say will help withdrawal syndrome?

 

DHA is the form the body most easily absorbs, but it is not as prevalent in fish as EPA and therefore more expensive. Your body naturally metabolizes EPA to DHA.

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

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Testing for Omega 3, or total lipid profile at http://www.omegaquant.com/

 

They test for Australians, too, but much cheaper than your Ortho or Naturopath.

 

There is nothing wrong with ethyl esters - I took them for 10 years before moving here.  But they do have to be high quality, high percentage EPA/DHA to total capsule, and not rancid. 

 

Natural triglycerides can go rancid, too.  And they are usually lower concentration than ethyl esters.  Probably much of a muchness, but I'm in Australia, where ethyl esters are only available at prescription strength, so I take the natural triglycerides, and don't have to decide between this brand or that one, other than to ensure that it's high EPA/DHA.

 

We're not arguing Ali - there is a lot a lot a lot to know about fish oil.  It's what I spent the last week studying.  But you live in Australia, anything you buy will be natural.  But be cautious about flavored fish oil - that is often used to cover up rancidity. 

 

For now I'm not worrying about EPA vs. DHA.  I get both, and it seems to help.  And that's what matters.  If I had a seizure disorder, I might want more of one - I think it's EPA - but in withdrawal, I'm less sure, there are no studies)  Some people who react to fish oil do better on high EPA fish oils, some react to the DHA.  

 

It's all individual.  What you can afford, what is easy to get for you, what works for you.  You may have to try a few different things before you get the combination that works for you.

 

ps - it seemed like everywhere I went to study fish oil - Alto had been there before me, asking probing questions and settling on what she decided was right for her.  So she knows more than all of us combined.  I'm just trying out to see if what I learned is the right stuff!   :unsure:

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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Hey JanCarol, great advice. I guess we are all different and we have to find what works best for us. I think I get too tied up in the EPA vs DHA thing, im no scientist so get a little lost in how each works. Alto said somewhere that we convert EPA into DHA so im guessing we dont necessarily need both in a supplement if our bodies make the DHA anyhow

anyhoq

anyho. Im going to start with a high EPA supplement and see how I go. JanCarol when you say your fish oil helps do you mean with symptoms of wd?

2002 started 20mg Seroxat for anxiety. Attempted 1st withdrawal in Autumn of 2006. Went to 0 in around a month-hell. Massive crash. Reinstated.

 

May 2013 started 10% taper with liquid seroxat as follows:

May 2013- 18mg                Aug 2015- 7.7mg           Jan 2017- 3.2mg

July 2013- 16.2mg             Oct 2015 -7mg               (This is where it gets a bit hazy..

Aug 2013- 14.6mg             Nov 2015- 6.4mg            I continued to do a slow wean but

Oct 2013- 13.2mg              Jan 2016- 5.6mg            didn't keep records of all my further

Jan 2014- 11.8mg              Mar 2016- 5.2mg           reductions, have filled in what I remember)

March 2014-10.6mg          May 2016- 4.6mg          Aug 2018- 0.8mg

May 2014- 9.6mg               July 2016- 4.2mg          June 2019- 0mg

Dec 2014-8.6mg                 Nov 2016- 3.6mg         

 

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You do not need a specially formulated omega-3 supplement. There's no magic in them. You can get a regular fish oil supplement that contains both EPA and DHA.

 

For our purposes, there does not seem to be any difference in effectiveness of EPA vs DHA, other than the higher cost of DHA and specially formulated omega-3 supplements.

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

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  • 1 month later...

I'm a vegetarian so I can't take fish oil. Has anyone tried the Omega 3 supplements that are made from algae?

Had been on paroxetine for 10 years when I started to experience 'poop out' in 2008. Began a slow taper in early 2009.

Got down to 3.2 mg in Jan 2012 and held for 21 months.

Oct 2013 - reduced to 2.8 mg 

April 2014 - reduced to 2.4 mg

Oct 2014 - reduced to 2.2 mg

 

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I've taken the algae derived omega 3. The difficulty is that it's a much weaker source of omega 3 so you have to take much more, which gets expensive and annoying.

 

If you eat a vegetarian diet (as opposed to vegan) are you including eggs and/or dairy?

 

If you are vegetarian for ethical reasons, I was told there is a company that makes fish oil supplements from fishery discard. I don't recall the brand name but can ask at the store where I get my supplements if you're interested.

1988-2012: Prozac @ 60mg (with a few stops and starts)

Fall 2012: Returned to 40mg after discontinuing and horrid withdrawal 

Fall 2013: 40mg Fluoxetine, added 150mg Wellbutrin to treat fatigue 

Winter 2014: Attempting to taper both (too fast)

April 2014: 9mg Fluoxetine + 37.5 Wellbutrin 

Summer 2014: 8 mg Fluoxetine + 0 Wellbutrin (way too fast a drop)

Late summer/Early Fall 2014: Debilitating Withdrawal symptoms 

Fall 2014 - Wellbutrin successfully kicked to the curb but…

Oct- Dec 2014: Panicked reinstatement of Fluoxetine ->30mg - held for 5yrs

Jan 2021: taper to 20mg Fluoxetine  then tapering by 1mg every 2-3 months

Fall 2022 - held at 10mg->December 2022: 9mg->Feb 2023: 8mg ->March 2023: brassmonkey slide begins: 7.8mg -> 7.6 -> 7.4->2 week hold (April)->7.2->7mg->6.8->2 week hold->6.6-> 1-month hold ->(June)-6.5->4-week hold-> (July)-6.4 (discontinued brassmonkey slide and slowed taper)-> (Aug)-6.2->(Sept)-6.0->(Oct)-5.9->(Nov)-5.8->(Dec)-5.7->wave!->(Jan)-5.8->(Feb)-6mg and holding.

 

My 2014 withdrawal experience: https://rxisk.org/antidepressant-withdrawal-a-prozac-story/

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Does anyone else get a dry mouth from taking fish oil? I was thinking it's from the SSRIs, but I just realized it only started when I started taking fish oil. It's also listed as a side effect:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/fish-oil-side-effects.html

Feb 2015 Took venlafaxine for 5 days only... experienced withdrawal that made me completely non-functional

Mar 2015 took under 1mg of Sertraline for 10 days in an attempt to combat Venlafaxine withdrawal. Got adverse reactions. 

After stopping Sertraline, withdrawal got much worse. New, horrific symptoms. 

June 2015 Still non-functional but slowly getting better. Still brain zaps, migraines, sweating, heart racing, depression, crying spells

September 2015: 24/7 brain zaps, twitches in the face, no concentration, bad memory, language skills deteriorating. 

 

Profile feed: http://goo.gl/3g2GRn

 

Sign this petition for a blackbox warning on Prozac in Ireland:

https://www.change.org/p/leo-varadakar-hpra-the-lack-of-a-blackbox-warning-on-prozac-in-ireland-and-its-use-by-the-hse-in-under-18-s?recruiter=63289046&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg

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This is easy to test: Stop taking it for a few days and see if your symptoms change.

 

If you get an adverse reaction from any supplement, take less or none at all.

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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Thanks Alto. On it. I may sneak it out. I read that some people got headaches after stopping fish oil. Probably just paranoid, but it can't hurt.

Feb 2015 Took venlafaxine for 5 days only... experienced withdrawal that made me completely non-functional

Mar 2015 took under 1mg of Sertraline for 10 days in an attempt to combat Venlafaxine withdrawal. Got adverse reactions. 

After stopping Sertraline, withdrawal got much worse. New, horrific symptoms. 

June 2015 Still non-functional but slowly getting better. Still brain zaps, migraines, sweating, heart racing, depression, crying spells

September 2015: 24/7 brain zaps, twitches in the face, no concentration, bad memory, language skills deteriorating. 

 

Profile feed: http://goo.gl/3g2GRn

 

Sign this petition for a blackbox warning on Prozac in Ireland:

https://www.change.org/p/leo-varadakar-hpra-the-lack-of-a-blackbox-warning-on-prozac-in-ireland-and-its-use-by-the-hse-in-under-18-s?recruiter=63289046&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg

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I'm a vegetarian so I can't take fish oil. Has anyone tried the Omega 3 supplements that are made from algae?

look up flax oil  for a time I ground the seeds no chance to go rancid that way

 

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=76

 

food sources vegetarian

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/plant-based-foods-with-the-highest-amount-of-omega-3-fatty-acids/

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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Does anyone else get a dry mouth from taking fish oil? I was thinking it's from the SSRIs, but I just realized it only started when I started taking fish oil. It's also listed as a side effect:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/fish-oil-side-effects.html

I decided to stop taking it CT because the dry mouth was really getting awful. Dry mouth is already much better. I'm a bit more weepy than usual, but apart from that I can't see any withdrawal symptoms

Feb 2015 Took venlafaxine for 5 days only... experienced withdrawal that made me completely non-functional

Mar 2015 took under 1mg of Sertraline for 10 days in an attempt to combat Venlafaxine withdrawal. Got adverse reactions. 

After stopping Sertraline, withdrawal got much worse. New, horrific symptoms. 

June 2015 Still non-functional but slowly getting better. Still brain zaps, migraines, sweating, heart racing, depression, crying spells

September 2015: 24/7 brain zaps, twitches in the face, no concentration, bad memory, language skills deteriorating. 

 

Profile feed: http://goo.gl/3g2GRn

 

Sign this petition for a blackbox warning on Prozac in Ireland:

https://www.change.org/p/leo-varadakar-hpra-the-lack-of-a-blackbox-warning-on-prozac-in-ireland-and-its-use-by-the-hse-in-under-18-s?recruiter=63289046&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg

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I supplement my diet with ground flax seed powder 6-7 days per week. I have around 15g which contains approx 2.5-3g of Omega 3 according to the nutritional info on the back of the pack. Is this sufficient or should i still be supplementing with fish oil caps? I can get caps that contain 1000mg Omega 3, 330mg EPA and 220mg DHA.

 

I have been off my meds now for 3 years and the main symptoms i want help are anxiety and tension along with a racing mind at times.

 

Thanks

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  • Administrator

Fish oil is a more effective way to get omega-3 fatty acids into your body.

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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  • 2 weeks later...

I have read here and other places that Omega 3 oils were good for the brain, e.g. help with inflammation, etc.  There are various types on the market, most from oily fish or krill.  I have been taking them for a long time, but being Canadian, I wanted to support our Newfounlanders in their traditional 'industries', so I bought some harp seal oil. It contains: Omega-3 PUFAs; EPA,DHA, and DPA. (Docosapentaenoic Acid)  It also contains Omega 9, and a bit of saturated fat.  The oil comes from the pups once they reach a certain age and the sealers can (...) them.  Apparently, this mammal oil is more like what the human body needs, and humans, esp. the Inuit, have been eating seals for centuries.  The DPA is supposed to help the pup's brain develop, and is considered by some to be neuroprotective. in humans.   Also, the Omega 9 is now thought to be very good for fighting inflammation.  Recent work by people like Perlmutter say that our brains need some saturated fats as well.

Anyway, I take it at night with my Parkinson's carbidopa/levidopa, and I may be imagining it, a placebo effect, but i think it helps me sleep, and less insomnia with a racing mind.  My sleep is beginning to feel more natural, and I've been having what for me are normal dreams. OR, maybe my brain is just healing itself, but I find it sort of reassuring that I've found something that may actually help.

Leslie.

Retired in  May, 2010, still working part time  as Occupational Therapist in North Toronto Community Health Clinic - 6 family practice docs + vrs allied health professionals. I was resp. for  home or clinic "Barrier-free" patient population, i.e. CP/MS/MD/spinal cord inj/disease pts.- independent living but requiring Attendant Care - power wheelchair dependent people/; also Seniors' Advisory Ctte./Advocacy staff liaison to Board; [received good evaluation on mandatory College of OT's practice review].   Otherwise, stayed active in bicycling,  gym,  yoga, walking, theatre volunteering.  Enjoyed eating out in mid-level restaurants, liked my city on Lake Ontario. Enjoyed travel to Stratford, ON, time spent with friends and on farm.    I was not on any Rx drugs, no health problems, but took lots of health food dietary vitamins and supplements - stupid me [same corporations, same profit motive, no regulation of product by governmental or other oversight body.

  • I think dietary supplement SAMe either triggered or contributed to sudden and accelerating deterioration into Parkinsonism, esp. late in 2011- I have  since found several scientific journal articles to support my opinion - all of my 5 doctors (family doc and 4 neurologists ignored it.)
  • Diagnosed at two major Toronto hospitals with "Idiopathic Parkinsonism" in early 2012.
  • Primary sympt. at that time:  rigidity, spasticity, slowness, deteriorating cursive writing, shaking arms/hands, severe burning pain in feet/knees/back, severe insomnia - no tremor at that time.
  • First Rx drug: generic sinemet [Apo-levocarb] 100/25  (3x/day) April 21, 2012. This drug was never very effective; only had ~ 1 hr ''ON" time, no matter the dose./timing. Sometimes sinemet seemed to make things worse rather than better, i.e. more muscle tone./cogwheeling/severe night sweats/low blood pressure.  
  • Next Rx drug; Zopiclone; neuro said it was NOt a  benzo., but worked on same receptors, therefore she never warned me re withdrawal problems. Took it for ~ 3 years nearly every night. Seemed to work well.
  • Third RX drug: Lorazepam. I asked Neuro for it as it seemed to make the levocarb work better and helped wth anxiety.  Neuro advised it was addictive, but never explained about tolerance, withdrawal, down-regulation of receptors. I took 0.25 mg once or twice a WEEK at first and that tiny amound helped for a day at least.
  • Fourth RX drug: Mirapex. i was still plagued by mostly "down" time with rigidity and non-movement disorders, so agreed to try Mirapex.  i never got up to the therapeutic dose (near threshold) because it made me so sick and it seemed to make things worse, i.e. more muscle tone, problems with balance, severe nausea.  Read manufacturer's monograph updated to 2012 and decided the risk was worth it, benefit unlikely.

My self-initiated withdrawals.  Every time i've changed one drug, i've had to make changes in the others too, e.g. at 20 mg Citalopram i had too much sinemet (dyskinesias) so i lowered sinemet to ~1000 mg and that was better.  Also, as Citalopram has gone down, Lorazepam has had to increase 'cause it seem not to last as long or work as well.

  • So on my own, I decided to taper off Mirapex, not knowing a thing about withdrawal problems. Whew!  Thanks to zopiclone and increased frequency and dose of Lorazepam, i got off Mirapex in March 2013.
  • Next I took myself off Zopiclone after reading very negative things about its' long-term use.  I was doing this without guidance or help from MD's. I increased sinemet and lorazepam to cope with the withdrawal effects of Zopiclone. Going off Zopiclone made PD symptoms worse; neuro wanted to put me on Entacapone, but i declined it.

More MD's/more problems with Rx drugs.

  • Zopiclone withdrawal + Incr. levocarb and incr. lorazepam landed me in the ER at CAMH, where there is a priscription drug withdrawal program, so I thought they could help me. The doctor took me off Zopiclone and Lorazepam and substituted Clonazepam alone.  From the first day Clonazepam caused frightening and serious side effects, like periods of amnesia, loss of balance, dizziness, memory problems, mental processing problems, serious nausea - worst was interdose withdrawal every 4 hours resulting in 'panic attacks' - i was jumping out of my skin!
  • Another RX drug: My own neuro gave me Citalopram to help me withdraw from Clonazepam.  Didnt work; after 2-3 weeks the Citalopram became a bigger problem with side effects than the Clonazepam. Neuro switched Lorazepam to replace the Clonazepam, but left me on the Citalopram. 
  • Rapid loss of 40 lbs of body weight into undernourished zone.
  • I ended up in ER with my forehead bashed down to the bone as a result of 'syncope'; unconscious for unknown lenght of time, probably only a few minutes. Neuro threw me under the bus - now said i needed the Citalopram for depression and Lorazepam for anxiety disorder - said there was an emotional component to my complaints and made a referral to a psychiatrist. I didnt go to him, but tried to get into a addictions/withdrawal program at that hospital, did see a 5th year psych. MD there. 
  • i got copies of last few neuro/psych reports to my family doctor - I was shocked.  I think the neuro/family doc were afraid i'd sue them or complain to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, so; they set up a 'defense' with psychiatric diagnosis to explain drug side effects and head injury, even suggested i might have 'psyhogenic' Parkinsonism.

More self-initiated withdrawal.

  • I decided to get off most dangerous drug first - Citalopram; it never made me feel anything other than sick and near invalid from side-effects.
  • Have reduced dose from 20 mgs to, recently, 5 mg.  Having a terrible time - every day seems new problem - today it was akathisia coming out of nowhere - took Benadryl - it helps.
  • Nearly house-bound now. 

Current drugs:  Citalopram (taper: 20 mg to 15 mg to 12.5 to 10 to  5 to 2.5, then zero.)  44 days at zero, getting worse side effects now than when I was 'ON' it.  Apo-Levocarb, immediate release (recent dose =1500mg) =~1250mg in 10 doses/day;/2-3 levo-carb CR/day;/Lorazepam (from 1.0 mg to 2.5 or 3, or more mg/day. Benadryl as needed. Tylenol as needed to reduce 'fever' feeling in head and/or headache. Occasional Advil.

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I tried taking fish oil for two days and somehow the muscle pain/stiffness in my head and feet diminished. Better than the bcomplex and muscle relaxant given by pdoc. i have various horrific side effects from many antidepressants before. now on this **** drug called pristiq. Did not know any better before finding this site.

 

But i felt a little more tired than the usual. Must lower the dose of fishoil from 3 (1gram) tablets a day.

Partner suddenly died 2014. Severe depression AGAIN (had previous episode 10 years ago). I was given escitalopram but could not bear the side effects, so i ask for an ECT (not sure if this helped). During the treatment and my hospital stay I was given Depakote mood stabilizer.  PDOC says I need to take it for two years. After 4-5 months I have a hard time with the Depakote. Hard to get up in the morning. Depression again or Depakote effects? So stopped Depakote (did not know about tapering then)

 

Januray 21, 2015. Severe depression again, started Pristiq 50mg and clonazepam 0.5 mg nightly. Had confusion, suicidal thoughts, thoughts about death, and find it hard to understand the TV, much more type in a computer.

 

Had adverse reaction to most antidepressants: muscle pain/spasms, irritablity, restlessness. Also Tried Prozac, Zoloft, Escitalopram years ago.

Started to taper pristiq and clonazepam after four months:

5th month:

2 weeks - 3/4 tablet PRISTIQ   (deducting the clonazepam also, so hard to cut)

2 weeks - 1/2 tablet PRISTIQ   (crumbs of clonazepam nightly)

2 weeks - 1/8 or less (hard to cut really) (zero clonazepam)

Then jump off pristiq.

I just wonder why I was cured during the 10 year period (2004-2014) I have no depression symptoms and no meds either. Pdoc said I might be biploar 2 but it is a "grey" area. Aren't bipolars supposed to be on maintenance meds?! Damn this diagnosis. I am tapering Pristiq either way.

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If I were you, I'd stick with the higher dose but maybe move it to later in the day.

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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Do you have any suggestions for those of us unable to tolerate fish oil? With the histamine issue, I simply cannot take it. I've tried flax, hemp, and coconut oils or seeds. I know they aren't the same, but I would like something to help reduce the amount of inflammation I'm experiencing. None of the other oils have helped with pain at all. I can't take anything in a gelatin capsule and seem to be sensitive to a lot of different things in supplements.

Remeron for depression. Started at 7.5 mg. in 2005. Gradual increases over 8 years, up to 45 mg. in 2012.Began tapering in June 2013. Went from 45 to 30 mg in the first 3-4 months. Held for a couple of months.Started tapering by 3.75 mg every month or 2, with some longer holding periods. Eventually went down to 3.75 mg. about April 2014. Stopped taking Remeron August 2014. Developed issues with histamine a week after stopping--symptoms reduced through diet and a few supplements. Currently having issues with a few foods. Most of the histamine intolerance has resolved or is at least, in remission.

Current Medications:

Current Supplements: Cannabis (CBD and THC), Vitamin C, D, Quercetin, CoQ10, Tart Cherry, Probiotic, Phytoplankton oil, magnesium, Methyl B. What has helped me most: spending time in nature, qi gong, exercise, healthy diet, meditation, IV vitamins, homeopathy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and cuddling my cats..

My introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8459-mirtazapine-withdrawal-freespirit/#entry144282

Please note: I am not a therapist or medical practitioner. Any suggestions offered come solely from my personal experience in recovering from childhood trauma, therapy, and AD use. Please seek appropriate care for yourself.

 

“After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then re-imagine the world.”
Mary Oliver
 

 

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Do you have any suggestions for those of us unable to tolerate fish oil? With the histamine issue, I simply cannot take it. I've tried flax, hemp, and coconut oils or seeds. I know they aren't the same, but I would like something to help reduce the amount of inflammation I'm experiencing. None of the other oils have helped with pain at all. I can't take anything in a gelatin capsule and seem to be sensitive to a lot of different things in supplements.

Have you tried liquid fish oil so you can start at a smaller than usual dose?  That is what I am considering doing.

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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Do you have any suggestions for those of us unable to tolerate fish oil? With the histamine issue, I simply cannot take it. I've tried flax, hemp, and coconut oils or seeds. I know they aren't the same, but I would like something to help reduce the amount of inflammation I'm experiencing. None of the other oils have helped with pain at all. I can't take anything in a gelatin capsule and seem to be sensitive to a lot of different things in supplements.

Have you tried liquid fish oil so you can start at a smaller than usual dose?  That is what I am considering doing.

 

Anything containing fish makes me vomit, dizzy, headache...even a tiny amount in a digestive enzyme made me very sick for over a week. So no, I'm not going to try liquid fish oil. Many people with histamine intolerance aren't able to have fish. But even before wd, the only one I could take was krill oil. I tried many fish oil supplements over the years, tried putting them in the freezer, etc....always was not able to handle them.

Remeron for depression. Started at 7.5 mg. in 2005. Gradual increases over 8 years, up to 45 mg. in 2012.Began tapering in June 2013. Went from 45 to 30 mg in the first 3-4 months. Held for a couple of months.Started tapering by 3.75 mg every month or 2, with some longer holding periods. Eventually went down to 3.75 mg. about April 2014. Stopped taking Remeron August 2014. Developed issues with histamine a week after stopping--symptoms reduced through diet and a few supplements. Currently having issues with a few foods. Most of the histamine intolerance has resolved or is at least, in remission.

Current Medications:

Current Supplements: Cannabis (CBD and THC), Vitamin C, D, Quercetin, CoQ10, Tart Cherry, Probiotic, Phytoplankton oil, magnesium, Methyl B. What has helped me most: spending time in nature, qi gong, exercise, healthy diet, meditation, IV vitamins, homeopathy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and cuddling my cats..

My introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8459-mirtazapine-withdrawal-freespirit/#entry144282

Please note: I am not a therapist or medical practitioner. Any suggestions offered come solely from my personal experience in recovering from childhood trauma, therapy, and AD use. Please seek appropriate care for yourself.

 

“After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then re-imagine the world.”
Mary Oliver
 

 

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I take fresh fish 3 times a week and a serving of walnuts everyday the other 4 days of the week  , does that provide me with enough amount of those fatty acids ? 

On and off prozac from 2010 -2014 .

Several failed fast tapers and reinstatements .

Cold turkey : March  2014 .

-----------------------------------------

took lysanxia 40 mg a day for almost a year
november -14- 2018 weaned to 30 mg
november -26- 2018 weaned to 20 mg
symptoms that got better : fatigue
current symptoms : severe anxiety
one rescue dose (10 mg ) december -15 -2018
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You might try a good fish oil supplement and see if it helps you feel better. If it does, that's good, right?

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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can I still take the fish and walnuts with the supplement  or would I get an excessive amount of fatty acids that way ?

On and off prozac from 2010 -2014 .

Several failed fast tapers and reinstatements .

Cold turkey : March  2014 .

-----------------------------------------

took lysanxia 40 mg a day for almost a year
november -14- 2018 weaned to 30 mg
november -26- 2018 weaned to 20 mg
symptoms that got better : fatigue
current symptoms : severe anxiety
one rescue dose (10 mg ) december -15 -2018
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I don't believe it's possible to get too much omega-3 fatty acids.

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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  • 3 weeks later...

I wanted to mention something here. I was reading in this topic that omega-3s help with brain zaps (which I don't THINK I get - I do get a weird vibration or 'buzzing' of my brain when I try to sleep but it's not a zap - it's constant, plus helmet head) so I started taking about 350mg EPA+DHA a day to test it out to see what my reaction would be, then doubled that, now I'm up to 2100mg EPA+DHA a day. Last night the buzzing was keeping me awake, so I popped another 1200mg and it was gone within about 10 minutes and I finally fell asleep. It works for me!

History: Began suffering from panic attacks when my father passed away in 2005. Been on and off SSRIs (Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor XR), and therapy since then.

2009 - Started Effexor XR 75mg. Consistent therapy starting Oct 2013

Feb 2014 - Therapist and I felt I was ready to come off Effexor - went to half dose (37.5mg) for a week and then off completely by advice of psychiatrist - bad w/d for a week then gone

May 2014 - bad protracted w/d came out of nowhere.. constant dizziness, agoraphobia(never had before), intense headaches, fatigue for 3 months, all tests (brain MRI, inner ear tests, blood tests, etc.) normal. could not drive, grocery shop, or live life.

Aug 2014 - back on Effexor XR 75mg as neurologist thought these symptoms were my anxiety coming back, all w/d symptoms disappear within 2 weeks. I should have went back on at a lower dose, but I hadn't discovered this site yet. I finally did discover this site, and gave myself a year to stabilize.

July 2015 - Started tapering from 75mg. 5% cuts every 3 weeks. From July 2015 - March 2016, reduced to 37.5mg (half dose). In March 2017, down to 18.3mg (quarter dose). April 2020 - down to 0.38mg.

 

Now: Finally med free as of Oct 31, 2020 after 5.5 years of tapering. Still med and withdrawal free, January 2023. ☀️

Supplements during tapering and now: Meditation, daily exercise, fish oil, clean diet, working from home (more sleep!)

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Started taking 2 pills of omega 3 (longlife brand) 5 days ago...no improvement yet and a little stimulation in a bad way.

March 2010/ October 2010:

Sereupin 30mg a day, EN 15 drops a day

October 2010/ 1st November 2014:

Cipralex 50mg a day (tapered to 40mg a day in August 2013), EN 15 drops a day (switched to Lexotan 15 drops a day in September 2014)

Started Risperdal 1mg a day on the 1st November 2014.

Stopped Risperdal on the 23 November 2014 because that day, after a short mental crysis, I suddenly lost all my emotions,desires,motivation and they not come back yet.

Stopped Cipralex C/T in December 2014.

Added, tapered and stopped other drugs during the following months (also a voluntary hospitalization in January 2015 for a suicide attempt)...no changes yet.

 

 

I'm med free from 3rd December 2015

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The chill feeling in the head when waking up, is that from withdrawal, cortisol or fish oil?

 

I am currently off meds and taking b-complex and fish oil. Will try to skip fish oil which i take at night and see what happens.

Partner suddenly died 2014. Severe depression AGAIN (had previous episode 10 years ago). I was given escitalopram but could not bear the side effects, so i ask for an ECT (not sure if this helped). During the treatment and my hospital stay I was given Depakote mood stabilizer.  PDOC says I need to take it for two years. After 4-5 months I have a hard time with the Depakote. Hard to get up in the morning. Depression again or Depakote effects? So stopped Depakote (did not know about tapering then)

 

Januray 21, 2015. Severe depression again, started Pristiq 50mg and clonazepam 0.5 mg nightly. Had confusion, suicidal thoughts, thoughts about death, and find it hard to understand the TV, much more type in a computer.

 

Had adverse reaction to most antidepressants: muscle pain/spasms, irritablity, restlessness. Also Tried Prozac, Zoloft, Escitalopram years ago.

Started to taper pristiq and clonazepam after four months:

5th month:

2 weeks - 3/4 tablet PRISTIQ   (deducting the clonazepam also, so hard to cut)

2 weeks - 1/2 tablet PRISTIQ   (crumbs of clonazepam nightly)

2 weeks - 1/8 or less (hard to cut really) (zero clonazepam)

Then jump off pristiq.

I just wonder why I was cured during the 10 year period (2004-2014) I have no depression symptoms and no meds either. Pdoc said I might be biploar 2 but it is a "grey" area. Aren't bipolars supposed to be on maintenance meds?! Damn this diagnosis. I am tapering Pristiq either way.

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I had also read that fish oil helps with the physical repair of myelin sheaths damaged by ssri's.

 

This thread elaborates  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3165-omega-3-fish-oil-may-help-repair-brain-injury/

 

"The brick wall analogy

That's the theory behind using omega-3 fatty acids to heal brain injury. The human brain, which itself is a fatty mass, is about 30% composed of omega-3 fatty acids, according to Lewis.

In his words, high doses of omega-3 fatty acids, since they mirror what is already in the brain, could facilitate the brain's own natural healing process.

"It really gets down to what I would call my brick wall analogy," Lewis said. "If you have a brick wall and it gets damaged, wouldn't you want to use bricks to repair the wall? And omega-3 fatty acids are literally the bricks of the cell wall in the brain."

Most of the studies about omega-3 for traumatic brain injury are in animals, but they indicate potential for healing the human brain.

After a trauma, the brain tends to swell, and the connections between some nerve cells can become damaged, while other cells simply die.

National Institutes of Health research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may inhibit cell death and could be instrumental for reconnecting damaged neurons.

Another recent study revealed genes that are activated to contain massive damage -- especially inflammation -- when the brain is injured. What activates those genes: omega-3."

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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Still the same without the fish oil for today. Okay ill take it again.

 

I wonder why i fell better towards the night? Maybe i am just a night person from way back or the antidepressant i took in 1999 messed me up. (But also saved me).

Partner suddenly died 2014. Severe depression AGAIN (had previous episode 10 years ago). I was given escitalopram but could not bear the side effects, so i ask for an ECT (not sure if this helped). During the treatment and my hospital stay I was given Depakote mood stabilizer.  PDOC says I need to take it for two years. After 4-5 months I have a hard time with the Depakote. Hard to get up in the morning. Depression again or Depakote effects? So stopped Depakote (did not know about tapering then)

 

Januray 21, 2015. Severe depression again, started Pristiq 50mg and clonazepam 0.5 mg nightly. Had confusion, suicidal thoughts, thoughts about death, and find it hard to understand the TV, much more type in a computer.

 

Had adverse reaction to most antidepressants: muscle pain/spasms, irritablity, restlessness. Also Tried Prozac, Zoloft, Escitalopram years ago.

Started to taper pristiq and clonazepam after four months:

5th month:

2 weeks - 3/4 tablet PRISTIQ   (deducting the clonazepam also, so hard to cut)

2 weeks - 1/2 tablet PRISTIQ   (crumbs of clonazepam nightly)

2 weeks - 1/8 or less (hard to cut really) (zero clonazepam)

Then jump off pristiq.

I just wonder why I was cured during the 10 year period (2004-2014) I have no depression symptoms and no meds either. Pdoc said I might be biploar 2 but it is a "grey" area. Aren't bipolars supposed to be on maintenance meds?! Damn this diagnosis. I am tapering Pristiq either way.

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In May, Thinkpink asked: 

 

JanCarol when you say your fish oil helps do you mean with symptoms of wd? 

Sorry, no.  I do not think I have withdrawal symptoms, exactly.  Certainly not the extreme symptoms that others here have.  I have iatrogenic damage from the drugs, mostly organs (thyroid, adrenal, kidney), I utilize the fish oil as a mood stabilizer, as well as to help with chronic pain, headaches, etc.

 

I've been on fish oil since about 1998, so nearly 20 years now.  I can't remember a period where I've allowed myself to run out of the stuff.  I do credit the fish oil for protecting my brain from drugs, somewhat.  Though that is merely a feeling, a belief, I can't prove it.

 

Around the same time, Sky 68 ambitiously proclaimed:

 

My idea is to start off with a daily use of:

400 IU vitamin E

6 capsules of fish oil, this would be 6000 mg fish oil (1800 mg of EPA/DHA total).

 

 

Wow!  My first thought is:  can you start this gradually?  Okay, it's 3 months later, probably too late - but for other readers, please consider starting gradually, to keep from having effects while your body adjusts to the increase in oils.  Start with 1000 a day, or even 500.  Double it after a week, then add a 1000 a week until you reach what you think is desirable.

 

Even better, invest $49 in OmegaQuant testing, and find out exactly how much fish oil you need.  They ship to Australia, so they must ship anywhere in the world!

 

So,  I know you posted that in May, how is that going for you?

 

I take a lot - 4000 a day, plus some krill - but here is my thinking. 

 

If you are in the Netherlands, how much of your native diet is fish?  Specifically cold water fish?  You may not need that much.

 

In September I will be taking my OmegaQuant test to see if I have been taking too much or not enough.  It will be interesting to see, hubby takes 5000 iu a day (post stroke), I take what I take.  But he eats daily:  tinned salmon, tuna, sardines, and anchovies.

 

I keep thinking I need to "develop a taste" for sardines, especially since I found some packed in olive oil that I can buy by the case.  Then I can lower my fish oil load.

 

LeslieBarns writes:

 

harp seal oil. It contains: Omega-3 PUFAs; EPA,DHA, and DPA. (Docosapentaenoic Acid)  It also contains Omega 9, and a bit of saturated fat.  The oil comes from the pups once they reach a certain age and the sealers can (...)

 

OMG.  My favorite baby seal!  He went WHAP! And he hit him on the nose and he hit him on the fin and I -

 

I injured the fur trapper.  (Frank Zappa)

 

Mammal to mammal does sound good.  And Parkinson's is an extreme reason to need it.  I don't think I could get that product though, and I can't explain why I'm sad about a seal but not about a blue skate?  maybe it's those deep brown "puppy dog eyes?"  

 

Freespirit explains about her histamine troubles:

 

 

Freespirit:

None of the other oils have helped with pain at all. 

 

Have you tried hemp seed oil?  If that is the only oil you take in (no processed foods) - it has a good balance of 3/6/9.  The problem with that is, most people eat french fries and things (somehow I doubt you do) that contain lots of Omega 6, so most people don't need to supplement Omega 6.

 

I keep a bottle in the fridge.  It's nutty, tasty, great on salads or drizzled over veggies - sometimes, I will take a swig straight from the bottle!  My ortho-doc, when I showed her the stats on it, told me to take only that, everyone seems to think my lipid plan is way too complex.  But I've decided that "hitting the bottle" from time to time is not stable enough, so I continue to take fish oil.

 

When buying hemp seed oil (there is some fine organic stuff in Canada, not quite as tasty as the Aussie stuff, but still quite fine) make sure it is cold pressed, never been heat treated.  It goes rancid fast, and must be kept in the fridge (not "room temperature")  I got some from VitaCost, it didn't say it was heat treated, and it didn't say it wasn't - but it was like drinking paint thinner (linseed oil).  Blech!

 

And - my understanding of rancid oils - is that they cause inflammation and oxidation and problems.  That's why one should be leery buying "flavoured" fish oils - they are usually citrus or fruit flavoured to cover up rancidity.

 

As for histamine, I'm sure you've read GiaK's blog at www.beyondmeds.com .  She had serious histamine problems for awhile, and I think she couldn't take fish oil at all.

 

The other thing I'm wondering is if you would tolerate green-lipped mussel?  The Maoris of New Zealand would eat them for nutritional and health reasons.  I've heard all kinds of claims, and have verified none of them.  That they contain Omega-3's, or that they are a natural form of glucosamine?  (I remember from your blog you cannot take that one, either)

 

I just checked a bottle, they claim "good for joint pain" (they can't make claims like that in the USA!) and "excellent Omega 3."  I'm sure you're tired, as many are, of trying supplements only to find out they cause problems and storing bottles and bottles of stuff that doesn't work, but that's an Omega-3 alternative I haven't heard discussed much here. (and it doesn't come from animals who "look back" like seals!)

Edited by Altostrata
fixed link

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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JC,

 

I appreciate your very thoughtful response to my question. I have tried hemp oil and seeds. It's something I can use on an occasional basis only or I get pretty severe digestive upset that lingers. I do keep them in the fridge, even the seeds.  And you're right in thinking I don't eat processed foods. My diet is very clean.

 

Yes, I've read all of Gia's writings on histamine, as well as a number of other resources.

 

I'd be very reluctant to try the mussel oil, since it's something considered high in histamine. The most serious reactions I've had are to anything containing fish, so for now at least, I stay away from it. I suspect I may have had issues with histamine prior to WD, as I've never really liked fish..and also, since I was never able to tolerate fish oil in the past. I had nasal allergy symptoms, but did not show much on any testing. I've had some signs of histamine intolerance throughout my life, but never as severe as during WD.

 

Since I've been taking the tart cherry supplement, the inflammation has gone down significantly in my body. But around the same time, I started working with the chiropractor too...so I can't definitively say it's only the tart cherry. It's also considered to lower histamine and allergic responses.

 

Again, thanks for the suggestions and research. You're very thorough on things.

Remeron for depression. Started at 7.5 mg. in 2005. Gradual increases over 8 years, up to 45 mg. in 2012.Began tapering in June 2013. Went from 45 to 30 mg in the first 3-4 months. Held for a couple of months.Started tapering by 3.75 mg every month or 2, with some longer holding periods. Eventually went down to 3.75 mg. about April 2014. Stopped taking Remeron August 2014. Developed issues with histamine a week after stopping--symptoms reduced through diet and a few supplements. Currently having issues with a few foods. Most of the histamine intolerance has resolved or is at least, in remission.

Current Medications:

Current Supplements: Cannabis (CBD and THC), Vitamin C, D, Quercetin, CoQ10, Tart Cherry, Probiotic, Phytoplankton oil, magnesium, Methyl B. What has helped me most: spending time in nature, qi gong, exercise, healthy diet, meditation, IV vitamins, homeopathy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and cuddling my cats..

My introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8459-mirtazapine-withdrawal-freespirit/#entry144282

Please note: I am not a therapist or medical practitioner. Any suggestions offered come solely from my personal experience in recovering from childhood trauma, therapy, and AD use. Please seek appropriate care for yourself.

 

“After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then re-imagine the world.”
Mary Oliver
 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I don't know if I'm imagining this but normal fish oil increases my anxiety but krill oil does not. I have tried it a few times so do not think its coincidence.

Prozac 1996 20 mg for 2 months.  1999 seroxat 10mg until 2004 then prozac 20mg for 2 years then 10mg untill december 2013. CT also took occasional  lorazepam untill november 2013

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Just wanted to share that I've been taking fish oil for about a month and have been getting itchy skin. It got to the point where I was waking up in the middle of the night itchy. I was previously attributing it to going into my garden. Then I realized, maybe it's the fish oil. Did a Google search and others have had this problem. They're like little mosquito bites, i guess hives. I stopped taking it 3 days ago and the itchiness has mostly subsided. I've never had reactions to fish before but I guess it's the amount and frequency. I know I can get omega 3s from an algae source but I'll have to take a lot more pills. Any recommendations on brands or maybe I can even supplement with flax seeds?

History: Began suffering from panic attacks when my father passed away in 2005. Been on and off SSRIs (Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor XR), and therapy since then.

2009 - Started Effexor XR 75mg. Consistent therapy starting Oct 2013

Feb 2014 - Therapist and I felt I was ready to come off Effexor - went to half dose (37.5mg) for a week and then off completely by advice of psychiatrist - bad w/d for a week then gone

May 2014 - bad protracted w/d came out of nowhere.. constant dizziness, agoraphobia(never had before), intense headaches, fatigue for 3 months, all tests (brain MRI, inner ear tests, blood tests, etc.) normal. could not drive, grocery shop, or live life.

Aug 2014 - back on Effexor XR 75mg as neurologist thought these symptoms were my anxiety coming back, all w/d symptoms disappear within 2 weeks. I should have went back on at a lower dose, but I hadn't discovered this site yet. I finally did discover this site, and gave myself a year to stabilize.

July 2015 - Started tapering from 75mg. 5% cuts every 3 weeks. From July 2015 - March 2016, reduced to 37.5mg (half dose). In March 2017, down to 18.3mg (quarter dose). April 2020 - down to 0.38mg.

 

Now: Finally med free as of Oct 31, 2020 after 5.5 years of tapering. Still med and withdrawal free, January 2023. ☀️

Supplements during tapering and now: Meditation, daily exercise, fish oil, clean diet, working from home (more sleep!)

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You may wish to take less.

 

Are you allergic to fish?

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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I've never had an allergic reaction to fish before. I guess I'd only have it once every couple weeks or so, if that. 

History: Began suffering from panic attacks when my father passed away in 2005. Been on and off SSRIs (Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor XR), and therapy since then.

2009 - Started Effexor XR 75mg. Consistent therapy starting Oct 2013

Feb 2014 - Therapist and I felt I was ready to come off Effexor - went to half dose (37.5mg) for a week and then off completely by advice of psychiatrist - bad w/d for a week then gone

May 2014 - bad protracted w/d came out of nowhere.. constant dizziness, agoraphobia(never had before), intense headaches, fatigue for 3 months, all tests (brain MRI, inner ear tests, blood tests, etc.) normal. could not drive, grocery shop, or live life.

Aug 2014 - back on Effexor XR 75mg as neurologist thought these symptoms were my anxiety coming back, all w/d symptoms disappear within 2 weeks. I should have went back on at a lower dose, but I hadn't discovered this site yet. I finally did discover this site, and gave myself a year to stabilize.

July 2015 - Started tapering from 75mg. 5% cuts every 3 weeks. From July 2015 - March 2016, reduced to 37.5mg (half dose). In March 2017, down to 18.3mg (quarter dose). April 2020 - down to 0.38mg.

 

Now: Finally med free as of Oct 31, 2020 after 5.5 years of tapering. Still med and withdrawal free, January 2023. ☀️

Supplements during tapering and now: Meditation, daily exercise, fish oil, clean diet, working from home (more sleep!)

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Look at your label. What is the source of the oil?

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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  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

I keep trying these things:

 

I also stopped the omega 3's (again) very recently, its been about 5 days now without any.

 

I keep trying to take fish oil, like Narcissus below, because its supposed to help with healing.

 

Just wanted to report that I felt compelled to give Omega 3's another shot today.  About three hours ago I took a teaspoon of Flax seed oil, now I feel drugged, sluggish and anxious.  There's no mistaking it, these things make me feel slightly mad every time I take them.  Ugh!

 

So yesterday morning I tried for the 5th time. I took a quarter of teaspoon of a Carlson liquid brand this one  I had bought it ages ago and had it unopened in the fridge, was scared to try it after all my other attempts. But its been over 2 years I've been 'recovering' and I'm generally feeling a bit better, so I was sure I could tolerate it now.

 

I took it and then completely forgot I'd taken it. By mid afternoon I noticed I was cranky, irritable, negative and in the most awful and restless mood. I was hating everything, including myself. I needed to get out of the house (trying to escape from myself I suppose). I was getting that out of control feeling and headed to the mall, but didn't know why. On the way, decided I needed to buy a couple of t-shirts.

 

It went from bad to worse. Wired, tired and in pain, my body started to ache. I was angry and confused to suddenly be feeling like this. Anger and irritability haven't been a big part of my withdrawal process, the last time I felt like this was when I tried to 'reinstate' an SSRI back in early 2013 and tried a small dose of Prozac.

 

Then I couldn't get to sleep last night, even though I felt exhausted, that never happens to me these days. When I did dose off a few times, I had disturbing dreams and woke up suddenly with adrenaline surges and hot flashes. All that had stopped.

 

Eventually I remembered I'd taken the fish oil, but still find it hard to believe that such a small amount could have caused this reaction after all this time... still. Am I imagining this?

 

Its now the next morning and I'm still feeling irritable and restless. I usually feel worse in the morning, but not like this, I think the akathisia is back slightly.

 

I've tried several brands of capsules, including the ones recommended in this thread. Then I tried evening primrose oil, hemp seed oil, then cod liver oil. My last hope was this brand of liquid which someone else recommended.

 

Its frightening and confusing, I don't understand how a tiny amount of something so benign could effect some people this way, but not others. I was thinking I might buy an eye dropper and take one drop rather than a quarter teaspoon, but changed my mind, my body is obviously telling me it doesn't like this kind of stuff, for whatever reason.

 

I just hope I calm down again soon.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

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