Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 9, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 9, 2013 I wasn't sure where to put this so will put it here in my 'journal' and Alto can move it if it's appropriate. The power of thought...should never be underestimated. I was a glass half empty person and can't remember exactly when I became the glass half full person I am (try to be ) today but optimism will make you happier. That is obvious and everyone knows that but it's hard to be optimistic with depression. Anyway to cut to the chase, there is an excellent website here in the UK, run by a psychiatrist and funded by the NHS. Anyone can access the help there and it's based on CBT. You can be as involved as you like and there are worksheets to print off, and books available to go with the course. There are lots of videos too. It helped me a great deal to deal with issues of worthlessness and self respect. It is excellent for help with anxiety, and I noticed that a lot of people here are anxious about many things. I intend to go back now my head is a bit to deal with my social anxieties so I can get my life back. Being isolated makes you inclined to avoid people! This doesn't deal with withdrawal specifically and doesn't endorse any drug treatments or supplements but helps with thinking, and that has helped me with my withdrawal OOPS, better give the link! http://www.llttf.com/ **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted May 9, 2013 Administrator Share Posted May 9, 2013 You may want to think about decreasing to 3 beads. Thank you, Yes Alto. I did that 2 weeks ago and feel like I'm stabilised, not as anxious and mood swings it's just the way I feel after taking them, I only realised yesterday that there's a pattern. As you know I have quite severe arthritis but when I was off the effexor ( 3 weeks when I thought I was ready and at 5 beads ) could move around better and yesterday tooknote of when my body stiffened and became more painful and it was 3 hours after the dose. I didn't sleep too badly but had a hangover this morning. Am fine now so will take it later in the day like yesterday and get stuff done earlier, just not as early as I'd like. It's always been the case that I had just 3-4 hours a day that I could function but got better with each drop. It's uncomfortable and not very pleasant but better than the withdrawal and better than when I was on the full dose! 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. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 9, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 9, 2013 Thanks Alto, I'll give it a try. I did consider it but thought it might be too soon. I feel quite excited at another drop! Hopefully that will make things a bit better. Watch this space! Thank you. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 10, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 10, 2013 Didn't sleep very well last night, just a couple of hours and that was really just snatches of sleep through the night. Had the hangover this morning but still felt ok and went out. Had a little walk on the beach. It was very quiet and a lovely day. I don't think I've ever been for a walk on the beach alone, I always had one of my grandkids with me hunting for treasure but they are all teenagers now and it would be seriously uncool to go on the beach with grandma . I couldn't believe that just a few weeks ago I wanted to go and walk into the sea . I felt at peace and happy, it was beautiful and I think I'll remember that walk for the rest of my life. After years of being too exhausted to walk or even have the desire, and it is just 5 minutes away by car. It was amazing. I'm going to try and upload a photo. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 10, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 10, 2013 **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Finn Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 That's a pretty beach! I'm envious you're so close--just forest around me. Here's hoping for more peaceful moments! Tapering Zoloft, Dec 2014 Started Lamictal Re-started Zoloft mid-Oct 2014, 25-50mg Stopped Zoloft end of Sept 2014 Started Zoloft July 2014, 50mg Stopped Prozac from 3mg May 2014 Stopped Effexor Dec '13 Started 10mg Prozac Reinstated Effexor 15mg on Nov 2013 Stopped from 21mg on Oct 2013Effexor 112.5mg, since Dec 2012 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 11, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 11, 2013 It is pretty Finn, and natural, very little sign of the 21st centure there. I love it here but we don't get nearly enough sunshine! My legs are giving me payback for making them take me onto that beach yesterday and I'm very tired but it was worth it . Took the 3 beads last night, hoping I can stabilise on that without any problems. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 12, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 12, 2013 6.55am Not a wink of sleep last night, just wasn't tired. At 5am the sunrise was lovely so I got in the car and went to watch it. Then took a drive through the woods and picked some flowers. Just one or two from each clump so I didn't spoil anything. I had a little walk taking photos, just a few metres. I can't remember the last time I was out so early, I'd forgotten how much I love early mornings. The sound of the birds singing in the woods was amazing. ( All in my pjs ) It was very quiet and not a soul to be seen anywhere, it felt surreal! An hour later I was back and as I was locking the car a convoy of around 4 cars passed. I noticed with horror that they were all aquaintances setting off on a trip that I turned down because I can't wake up in the mornings , in my pyjamas too . Sleep is now catching up and I can feel WD starting from my drop. Hopefully it won't last long or get any worse. Only 3 beads to go. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 13, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 13, 2013 Not much sleep again, was awake at 4.30am. Didn't get up and go off gallivanting though . I feel fine today, had a bit of a wobble last night when a wave of depression hit and scared the life out of me but thankfully it didn't stay very long. Felt withdrawal but mildly so and not unbearable. Although I feel fine I think it wouldn't take much to send me off balance so I'm going to be careful. I tend to go mad and do too much on good days but am learning to take things slowly and savour the moment rather than gulp it down like a delicious ice cream only to feel sick for eating it too fast. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 14, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 14, 2013 No sleep again . Feel ok but very very tired. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Fizz Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 MammaP, you have been doing some lovely things lately, I'm very envious! You're doing really brilliantly, have just been gazing at the beach photo, it's really cool. Love. Xxxxx Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 15, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 15, 2013 My window has closed and firmly locked itself! I was a bit silly yesterday, I've been getting up really early when I can't sleep and going out, yesterday I went shopping for my daughter's garden. I don't have my own garden any more so asked my daughter if I could look after some of hers. (They are not in the slightest green fingered) I took all the stuff and started pulling up dead stuff from last year and planting up plants I bought. I was soon exhausted but had to carry on or the plants would die before I got back to them. After no sleep for several days I am back to square 1 and withdrawal coupled with exhaustion has kicked in. It was such a stupid thing to do and now I'm paying for it! And they don't even care if their garden has no flowers as long as it's tidy! She just knows how passionate I used to be about gardening and was happy to see me enjoying getting my hands dirty. You can't even see what I did, it would have taken me an hour years ago but took all morning yesterday. So little but took so much energy. Oh well, when one window closes, another opens.......eventually! **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 16, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 16, 2013 I felt terrible yesterday, and think the drop from 4 to 3 beads might have been too much at 25%. I'm going to the chemist now to see if they will swap a pack of capsules for tablets. Probably won't but can try. My GP told me ages ago to take a 75mg capsule every other day for 3 weeks then drop to 37.5 tablets every other day for 3 weeks. If I go to him, he will give me just 10 37.5 tablets. (he did that once before) I can't get my head around the numbers but will 10 tablets see me to the end of withdrawal? I can make the liquid if it will. Or am overthinking it? I've been feeling great and ready for the drop from 4 beads to 3, but my body tells me it's too much. Or will it level if I stick at 3? I don't want to feel suicidal again like I did a few weeks ago when I stopped too soon and feel like I am heading there again. . **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Rhiannon Posted May 16, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 16, 2013 I can certainly understand and identify with your caution and fears that you will crash again. But I also see that it's been about a week since you dropped to 3 beads. You didn't stop completely, you're still taking the 3 beads, you were stable before you dropped to 3 it sounds like. You may find that if you can just hang in there for a few more weeks you'll restabilize. Often when we get that feeling "do something, must do something, ANYthing, now!" what we really need is to do nothing, just hold on, take care of ourselves, and allow our CNS to settle down. That urgent restlessness and anxiety is often actually just another withdrawal symptom which will pass. Just a thought. It may or may not be what you need to do, but if I were in your shoes I would hold a bit longer before doing anything. Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010. Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea. Feb 15 2010: 300 mg Neurontin 200 Lamictal 10 Celexa 0.65 Xanax and 5 mg Ambien Feb 10 2014: 62 Lamictal 1.1 Celexa 0.135 Xanax 1.8 Valium Feb 10 2015: 50 Lamictal 0.875 Celexa 0.11 Xanax 1.5 Valium Feb 15 2016: 47.5 Lamictal 0.75 Celexa 0.0875 Xanax 1.42 Valium 2/12/20 12 0.045 0.007 1 May 2021 7 0.01 0.0037 1 Feb 2022 6 0!!! 0.00167 0.98 2.5 mg Ambien Oct 2022 4.5 mg Lamictal (off Celexa, off Xanax) 0.95 Valium Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 16, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 16, 2013 Thanks Rhi, that makes sense. I didn't catch the pharmacist but will go back later so I have the tablets for the rest of the taper but will stick at the 3 beads for now. I overdid things too, it was amazing to feel so good and crammed in too much! **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted May 16, 2013 Administrator Share Posted May 16, 2013 Good that you have the tablets. You'll have to figure how many milligrams are in 3 or 4 beads. To do this, count the number of beads in 3 full capsules to get an average, then divide to see how many milligrams, average, are in a bead. Then you can convert to liquid, which would be a good idea at this point. 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. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 16, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 16, 2013 Thanks Alto, I've ordered a micro scale. I was speaking to a friend a few days ago who weaned from ativan 25 years ago by crushing a tablet and using a matchstick to measure her dose, she licked the end, dipped it into the powder and discarded what was on it then took the rest. Then reduced by 2 ends for a month and so on. I really admire her for that, there was no internet here then and she did that by herself. I would never have thought of that! Not very accurate probably but ingenious! **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 17, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 17, 2013 Had a little sleep last night and feel a bit better again. It's so easy to feel like the good times are at an end and it's never going to be good again! This withdrawal thing is hellish and I'm having it good compared to some poor people here. It feels a bit like balancing precariously on a pole 1000 feet up, the slightest breeze and it feels like you are going to crash down to the ground! **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Fizz Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Sending love to you! How did your day progress? Did you get any lighter moments? Know what you mean about balancing all the time, no way can we plan ahead, even for the next day. Unpredictable and I'm well sick of it. But we'll keep on! Hugs. Xxxxxxx Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 18, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 18, 2013 Yesterday wasn't too bad thanks Fizz, too tired and sick to go out but bearable. Last night 2 of my teenage grandkids stayed over and we stayed up chatting till 12.30am. Went to bed and soon fell asleep. Was sleeping soundly then woken up by a drunk hammering on my neighbours door and shouting obscenities.(Happens now and again when they have a disagreement.) It felt terrible being dragged from a deep sleep and felt drunk myself! Didn't get back to sleep because the kids were woken up too and felt ill all day. It's so unusual for me to sleep so deeply and haven't slept for days apart from an odd hour here and there so was really annoyed . Felt quite ill today with withdrawal and tiredness. Hopefully it will be quiet tonight, my grandaughter is staying over again but grandson has gone home. I love having them they are great company. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 19, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 19, 2013 Withdrawal again, I think! That familiar feeling when you move your eyes and the eyeballs get an electric shock........ . I felt tired and unwell this morning but promised my grandaughter we would go out for lunch. I don't drive when I don't feel well but today I thought I will be ok and just need to stop stressing. I almost collided with a cyclist!!! I didn't, and I know it isn't good to think of what ifs but it was so close and I could have killed him. I am crying here now, I could never live with myself if I hurt someone and it was my fault and this would have been,100%. I came home and put the car in the garage,that is where it will stay! Lesson learned, don't make promises for next day, not while in withdrawal. If I hadn't promised my grandaughter I wouldn't have even considered driving feeling this way. I hope it settles a bit in the next couple of days, I'm flying down to my daughter's in 2 days. I get a lift to the airport and the airline is very good at looking after me but I want to be able to help with the babies and not have her looking after me! I have been keeping her informed of my progress and my other daughter has told her how much better I am, it would be awful for her not to see it. Tomorrow might be fine again, don't I moan when the window closes??? lol. I must remind myself it aint locked, just closed. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 20, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 20, 2013 I have now found something online that has got me thinking. I take tramadol for pain, only in the evening. I take it 4 hours before bed and it lasts for 6 hours, so I can ease the pain and getsome sleep. For the first 2-3 hours I am agitated and I can't keep still, that's why I don't take it before bed. During the day I struggle through because I can't function with the side effects Since I've tapered the effexorthe pain isn't as bad and I cut from 2x50mg to 1x50mg for 2 days. I've been taking the effexor before bed because I've been getting side effects. Yesterday I felt quite bad with withdrawal and last night pain was bad, so I took 2 tramadol (4 hours before efexor)and the withdrawal vanished! And I thought the withdrawal symptoms were from the efexor WD when it was possibly because I halved the tramadol!! SHOCK HORROR...........the pain doctor at the hospital told me that as long as I'm only taking it when necessary for pain I won't become addicted. And I've been doing that for 7 years. I was prescribed it following surgery when it was discovered that the codeine I was taking for arthritis was affecting my BP and making me ill! I googled tramadol withdrawal and discovered that I should NEVER have been prescribed it along with effexor ( it says venlafaxine which I know is the same ) I also came across a site where people were advised to TAKE VENLAFAXINE to reduce withdrawal symptoms from Tramadol. Please advise me what to do.....I know the advice is to taper the AD first, but if venlafaxine helps the tramadol taper should I taper them together? Or do I stick with it because my conditions mean I am at times in intolerable pain and am also facing more surgery in the future. It is the ONLY pain killer I can take, others, even paracetamol (tylenol) make me very sick, I am allergic to aspirin and anti inflamatories cause internal bleeding. I NEVER take tramadol just to feel better apart from pain. What a conundrum! BTW this is the site I was reading. Just in the first page venlafaxine is mentioned in several posts. http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181177 **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
flower Posted May 20, 2013 Share Posted May 20, 2013 Last year I WD from tramadol..It was very hard to do. My Doc thought there was no WD from that drug. It is doable but took me a couple months to get that under control..I know people taking suboxin to get off of tramadol. Because it's not a narcotic here it is handed out like candy. Stay strong...I wish I could. C/T Celexa and Trazadone on Jan.29th 2014 Prescribed 1mg of Klonopin every 6 hours on Jan.29th Began tapering Klonopin April 18th..stretching time between doses...at first one hour for 2 weeks then a half hour for app.10 days then another half hour 10days later. Presently at .25 three times a day..6 2 and 10pm. Trying to stabilize. Also still taking gabapentin 300mgs 2xs a day.. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 21, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 21, 2013 Do doctors ever know what they are prescribing?????? To be fair to them at least in this country unless they are private they just don't have time to research everything and rely on the drugs company to tell them in their little 'bible' that is on their desk! Much better today and going away to my daughters for a week. Probably won't be in while I'm there. Hope everyone keeps as well as can be. :-D **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted May 21, 2013 Administrator Share Posted May 21, 2013 Correct. They don't know what they're prescribing. 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. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 30, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 30, 2013 I am not well and think I may have to go into hospital. I am at 3 beads for about 2-3 weeks. They aren't going to let me have 3 beads, so what will be the best, none at all or back up to full dose? I'm trying to avoid it but feel really ill and it isn't withdrawal related. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 30, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 30, 2013 I just need to know whether it would be best for my system to go a few days without any efexor or to have the 75mg. I am at crisis point. I feel stabilised as far as the last drop goes but depression has kicked in due to stress. I'd rather put myself into hospital than end up forced there. In there they give out the drugs and watch while they are swallowed. I can refuse any psych meds but don't want to go into withdrawal or they'll put it down to the illness and could still section me. I really really don't want to go there but right now am coping with this on my own and going deeper by the minute. I know that it will lift if I can stick it out and it is the first episode that isn't related to withdrawal. I thought about putting it up again but it will make me physically ill again. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 What are your hopes for your time in the hospital? 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 31, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 31, 2013 i don't trust myself right now and am running out of reasons to keep going. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I'm so very sorry. I don't know enough to advise you, but maybe that info will guide someone wiser. Please keep us posted on the other side. I am so pulling for you! 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Rhiannon Posted May 31, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 31, 2013 I'm not sure anyone can answer this for you. I think it's a call you're going to have to make. I agree, they're not likely to cooperate with the 3 beads plan. I'm not sure why you say your current depression is not related to withdrawal. It seems probable to me that that is exactly what it is. I know that it can be really scary and tough, and only you can say if you need to go in to the hospital for your own safety. I think it's a fairly sure thing that you'll end up on more meds there--well, at least in the US that's what happens. I wish I could give you an answer. I'm so sorry for your suffering. Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010. Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea. Feb 15 2010: 300 mg Neurontin 200 Lamictal 10 Celexa 0.65 Xanax and 5 mg Ambien Feb 10 2014: 62 Lamictal 1.1 Celexa 0.135 Xanax 1.8 Valium Feb 10 2015: 50 Lamictal 0.875 Celexa 0.11 Xanax 1.5 Valium Feb 15 2016: 47.5 Lamictal 0.75 Celexa 0.0875 Xanax 1.42 Valium 2/12/20 12 0.045 0.007 1 May 2021 7 0.01 0.0037 1 Feb 2022 6 0!!! 0.00167 0.98 2.5 mg Ambien Oct 2022 4.5 mg Lamictal (off Celexa, off Xanax) 0.95 Valium Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 31, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 31, 2013 It's a mess, family stuff and I am dealing with it on my own. tapering the AD is good because 3 months ago would have been much worse with whats going on. I discovered lies have been told about me and some family have been turned against me because of them. I had no idea I was being hugged one day and lied about the next. **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I am so very, very sorry. How are you feeling today as far as the depression? 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted May 31, 2013 Administrator Share Posted May 31, 2013 mammaP, be strong. Can you talk to a counselor instead of going into the hospital? Even a peer counselor? Also, you might go up one bead of Effexor. It sounds like maybe withdrawal is adding to your problem. 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. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 31, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 31, 2013 Thanks, I went to the doctor but didn't tell him I felt so low. They could see I wasn't well and ushered me straight in then took bp etc. My BP was dangerously high at 217/118 and was given drugs to lower it and ordered home to bed and rest for the weekend. I went to tell them how low I felt but when I was sat there I couldn't face going to the hospital again. I went to a friends after and that calmed me a bit. . **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
sonya Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 mammaP you can do it! It sounds like you're going through a lot of pain; ask yourself if a drug will take that away? You've come so far! Do you want someone else's problem with you to be your own problem? <-- I know that can be a triggering question. Your pain is real and right in front of you. I know you said you don't like to badmouth your family, but you realized that helped... can you use that? For example: I don't like to badmouth my husband, we have an amazing relationship; that being said, I need to vent about him every now and then (but those I vent to know it's just venting). If you really want to go back on, I wouldn't suggest hopping right up to 75... but personally I don't think that will help your situation. Maybe go back to 4 beads? Ride it through, find someone to talk to!!! ...but I only have personal experience, not medical. and only you know you. 2004-2007 Zoloft for depression2008 - 150mg effexor for anxiety2011 - attempt to get off effexor from 150-75-37.5 . overwhelmed. effexor ends up being upped to 2502012 - effexor 150 - 75 - no symptoms. BPD diagnosisMarch 2013 - start of wean from 75mg. 5 beads a dayApril 24 - end of wean but hit withdrawal at 20 beads leftMay 26 2013 - reinstated 37.5mg and stabilized. Feb 02 2014 - plan: 1 mg/week wean. but this time going slooow Link to comment
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