Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

JanCarol

Recommended Posts

  • Moderator Emeritus

I think it is a feeling, B.  It is a feeling that comes out of the jar.Poohnutella_zpstbjwkjb9.jpg

 

Almond butter goes along with an Ayurvedic remedy.

 

At night, soak a crushed almond (just one!) in a shot-glass of whole milk.  Place in fridge overnight to drink first thing in the morning.  Used for fatigue and antidepressant, can have minor mood stabilization, too.

 

It is supposed to be very energising and nourishing in a supportive way.

 

Nutella is destructive, I'm convinced of it now, a corporate product - like the psych drugs - designed to induce a feeling, completed with some sort of combination of macro-nutrients (carbs & fats & just a breath of protein) that is like crack cocaine.  I don't think it's a micronutrient (like a mineral or vitamin) at all, but a combination of macros.

 

(and I'm proud to announce I walked past the Nutella endcap in the grocery today.  Partly because it was $9 a jar *on special!* and I know that my Dealer can do better).

 

I may need to make a pact like the cigarettes.  I'm just not allowed to buy it.  Ever.  If someone serves it to me, fine.  Even in a product - like a smoothie or a pancake that I buy.  Just no jars.   I'm not quite ready to make the pact, but I might be soon.

 

Next up:  The battle of Nutella vs. Wheat

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Note:  Hazelnuts, which are an ingredient in Nutella, are healthy.  They are one of the higher protein nuts, by percentage with calcium, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and a little potassium.  I remember when I was vegetarian, that the fat balance in them is particularly healthy, too (though I cannot remember why)

 

The company claims that there are 50 hazelnuts in a jar (how big is that jar?) and that it was invented during wartime (Napoleon and Hitler, of all folks) to stretch the rare chocolate. 

 

In current reality, most of what is there is palm oil & sugar and only 13% hazelnuts.

 

http://foodwatch.com.au/blog/additives-and-labels/item/nutella-the-full-correct-list-of-ingredients.html

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Wheat vs. Nutella.

 

One of the reasons the Nutella hook went so deep is that when I went gluten free and nad IBS, it was a "safe food."  There was nothing in it that was going to make me sick (just fat, and depressed).  But I felt so deprived of all the foods I had to say "no" to, and the alternative GF variations (like bread) were often as appetising as cardboard.

 

It was the craving for wheat - cinnamon toast is my favourite late night snack.  Nothing filled that wheaty goodness.  Then, Nutella had to go and surpass anything that the cinnamon toast would do for me.

 

It's been maybe a week without it, and the weight loss is encouraging.  I think I will be able to maintain it.

 

Sometimes to remove a thorn, you must use a needle.

 

I've decided that it is better to have cinnamon toast (or - now that I'm Australian - cinnamon crumpet) than it is to have the Nutella.

 

The weight is staying off.  It's not lowering further, because I'm now allowed to indulge in a wheaty snack, late at night.  Tonight it was not wheaty, a couple of macaroons and a sesame stix.  And a bite of cocoa/cashew butter (which is like eating dirt with a nutty chocolatey aroma, but still - tastes like dirt)

 

When I had the IBS so bad, I was terrified of the tiniest amount of wheat.  Nutella was safe - and I got addicted to it.  Now that I'm better, I can have small amounts of wheat and get away with it.  So, in order to remove a thorn (nutella) you must use a needle (wheat).  I'm enjoying my small wheaty snacks, and I'm certain to never have more than one wheat item per day.

 

Nutella%20Prince_zpsmueu2fo0.jpg

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I found an osteopath!

 

He found all the pain bubbles in my joints and gently eased them open and flowing.  

 

I hurt a lot today but overall the improvement should start from there.

 

I understand the way he works, and this is exactly what I've been looking for.  

 

I've been afraid of Australian Osteopaths because - well - the art was invented in America, and a US DO is practising medicine (much to the dismay of the AMA & MD's).  Australian Osteopaths are kind of like chiropractors under a different name.  And I won't go to a chiro, it is too traumatic to have my joints "crunched."

 

So I found this one - who is American trained.  He's not a certified osteopath in US or Australia, but that's what he does.  He is certified Osteopath in UK, Ireland & Germany.  He can do what he does because he is an Australian MD who is also licensed to practice medicine in the US.

 

His specialty is environmental medicine - those people who are so sensitive to substances.

 

AND - he knew my miraculous Dr. Bob.  I think they dated the same girl or something.  He knew how Bob practiced, and while his style is different - it is what I need, what I need, what I want, what I need!  It is such a relief!

 

He asked me my occupation:  I said housewife and peer specialist supporting antidepressant withdrawal.  That got one eyebrow up, but he didn't blink, and then saw on my chart all of the drugs that I've gone off of.  Heh.  As I get to know him better, he might be yet another resource for us, and he made sure that my thyroid was being managed by someone he knew - and he was happy with her work.

 

So YAY!  There is hope that I won't grind myself into pain, and that I might achieve some freedom from it.  I may always have "sensitive" tendons and joints, but I'll continue working with it to try and get this body to its best capacity.

 

Oh I miss the days when I could start training at the first of the month, and be in peak condition at the end of the month!  But apart from the drugs, there is the aging & injury component as well.

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

OMG.

 

I felt my heart open.

 

Like open.  Like trust.  Courage.  Flowing.  Air.  Open.

 

When was the last time I felt that?

 

Then I took that love into the yoga studio, and was surprised that they greeted me warmly!  I haven't been particularly friendly to anyone in yoga - I don't hear well enough to do that.  But maybe they've been greeting me warmly every week, and I couldn't feel it / sense it, until my heart was open.

 

Thank y'all very very much (you are a part of this).

 

Love.

 

As I often say:  it does get better.

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

 

Then I took that love into the yoga studio, and was surprised that they greeted me warmly!  I haven't been particularly friendly to anyone in yoga - I don't hear well enough to do that.  But maybe they've been greeting me warmly every week, and I couldn't feel it / sense it, until my heart was open.

 

 

Your last post is beautiful, Jan!

 

Yes, I think these drugs do close our hearts, the emotional blunting is quite severe. So this is great to read.

 

I do believe you will feel more as you heal because there are other ways to "hear" when the emotional blunting and other symptoms fade out. 

 

Just like with my bad eyes, I'll be able to "see" with my other senses that are numbed down by these drugs.

 

And we'll be able to fill in the blanks with healthier thoughts, too.

 

Sending healing vibes your way. 

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Watching you heal is awesome, JC!

 

It provides hope to many that are following in your footsteps.

Thank you for sharing.

 

What Shep said is spot on -- that was beautiful.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator

It's so exciting that you've turned this corner.  Watching the blossoming over the past month or so has been truly heart warming.

 

(((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))

 

Brass

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

The battle of the Nutella.

 

The weight is back up again.  So the wheat is only a temporary solution.

 

I no longer specifically crave that.  I now crave sesame snaps.

 

I wonder if my heart could have opened, if I'd been eating Nutella?

 

inner%20voice%20nutella_zpswjiyscw4.jpg

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Time to turn a corner.  My About Me section of my Profile no longer refers to the me that I am.  I wrote it in 2013:

 

About Me

I've always been a wild, selfish person, and only learned to care about others around me.

 

As a result, I've been in and out of psych and counseling settings often.

 

In my 20's I was put on all the new SSRI's, but I always reacted to them. This was the Prozac, Zoloft, and I'm not sure what all they tried.

 

Was later diagnosed with bipolar, so I accepted the prescriptions as "rest of the life" deals.

 

On and off I've been on Effexor, Depakote, mirtazapine, Wellbutrin, Prothieden. I've since moved to Australia, and drug names are confusingly different here.

 

I'm currently on Lithium (Quilonum SR) and Reboxetine. I'm 10% off of the Reboxetine at this time, and will shave off another 10% soon.

 

I'm tapering because for all my faults, I've always been a passionate person, and I feel that Lithium robs me of caring and give-a-dit-i-tude. Robs me of passion. I might have also been creative, but it's been so long now that I don't remember. And I have to go off the antidepressant to go off the lithium.

 

I'm a lot more humble after all that I've been through, a lot more caring. But I still have a lot to learn and look forward to learning from the amazing folks here.

 

Maybe I'm bipolar, maybe that's fiction. I only know I'm taking these toxic chemicals and I"m not happy. I can do that without chemicals.

 

What I found, is that.

 

Yes, I feel guilt for the horrid things I have done, and I have made effort to make amends whereever I have seen harm caused by my carelessness.  This guilt, is a helpful thing, a guide - without the guilt (like I was for decades) - I could hurt anyone I liked with no consequences.  Now, I am more aware of the causal nature of my words and actions, and guilt is a tool, a guide, to helping me understand others.

 

No, I am no longer selfish.  I care about people around me, and am deeply affected when I see that someone I love is being harmed.  

 

I am not bipolar, this was a misnomer to describe my wild, exuberant personality - not a welcome trait in a controlling world.  I'm leaving the diagnosis in my charts (though I could quite easily have it removed at this stage) so that I can refuse drugs in future.

 

My Passion has returned, and I am passionate about reaching out to others, connecting, learning, growing, weaving this web of life in an indifferent world.

 

I am off the drugs, and I am no longer unhappy.  Frustrated, angry, sometimes too loud, sometimes "over the top," often uncomfortable - but not unhappy.  Is it happiness?  No.  It is not content, either.  But it is engaged in living.  I want to live, and I want to live my best with what I have to offer.

 

I will change my profile, and reference this post as my former profile.  Thanks to Morgane of Belgium for helping me to see that this profile description no longer applies.

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I wonder if my heart could have opened, if I'd been eating Nutella?

 

Might still have opened, but it would have had its arteries fully plugged up with the Chocolate Monster.

 

Good thing you were off it first.

 

:P

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Time to turn a corner.  My About Me section of my Profile no longer refers to the me that I am.  I wrote it in 2013:

 

What I found, is that.

 

Yes, I feel guilt for the horrid things I have done, and I have made effort to make amends whereever I have seen harm caused by my carelessness.  This guilt, is a helpful thing, a guide - without the guilt (like I was for decades) - I could hurt anyone I liked with no consequences.  Now, I am more aware of the causal nature of my words and actions, and guilt is a tool, a guide, to helping me understand others.

 

No, I am no longer selfish.  I care about people around me, and am deeply affected when I see that someone I love is being harmed.  

 

I am not bipolar, this was a misnomer to describe my wild, exuberant personality - not a welcome trait in a controlling world.  I'm leaving the diagnosis in my charts (though I could quite easily have it removed at this stage) so that I can refuse drugs in future.

 

My Passion has returned, and I am passionate about reaching out to others, connecting, learning, growing, weaving this web of life in an indifferent world.

 

I am off the drugs, and I am no longer unhappy.  Frustrated, angry, sometimes too loud, sometimes "over the top," often uncomfortable - but not unhappy.  Is it happiness?  No.  It is not content, either.  But it is engaged in living.  I want to live, and I want to live my best with what I have to offer.

 

I will change my profile, and reference this post as my former profile.  Thanks to Morgane of Belgium for helping me to see that this profile description no longer applies.

 

This is awesome, JC.

 

So many people who make it through withdrawal to the other side report being better than they ever were before.

 

I think you are clearly heading in that direction.

 

So happy for you and proud of you.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

Link to comment

Congratulations JanCarol...great post and it looks like you have come a long way!

1995 - 2015 antidepressants and antianxiety medicine
Multiple failed attempts to quit/taper anti d/anti anxiety meds since 2008

June 17, 2016 began prozac bridge to get off of effexor xr, stopped effexor xr on June 24, 2016, could not tolerate prozac due to severe side effects so I had to stop it  Currently...300 mg ER of lithium, 1 mg of estradiol, 60 mg propranolol ER, Fish oil 2 x a day, Magnesium Glycinate,  zinc, vitamin c, vitamin d, NAC

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator

The second chance we get at life is a truly amazing reward for what we have to go through to get it.  Now that the chemical fires are burning out the exciting work of sorting through the world, its experiences, emotions and relationships can begin in earnest. I am so excited for you.

 

(((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Hurray for you, JC! I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol



to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually!

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

Congrats Jan for your recovery and the sun symbol. I have loved talking to you.

Paxil 20-30mgs since 2004.

Three previous withdrawal attempts 2008,2012 and 2015 all cold turkey.

Reinstated 10mg February 20th 2016

3/20/16-9mg 4/5/16-8mg 5/5/16-7mg 5/25/16-6mg 6/25/16-5mg 8/7/16-updose to 6mg 9/7/16 5.5mg 10/10/16-5mg 11/10/16-4.5mg

One thing that helps me is to see your withdrawal process as your own personal journey. Do not internalize someone else's withdrawal as your own. 

  

"I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better."  - Maya Angelou

Link to comment

worthy of a celebration :) 

 

suck it up engage live it... 

 

but please don't leave ;) we would miss you too much 

 

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 :)

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Thank you Alto, Shep, Brass, Vigor, Andy, B and all!!! (yes, I love this Katy Perry song)

 

I'm not quite ready for "success story," I think I need to be off a few months longer, and get my endocrine system in better balance.

 

I was thinking about what I said here:

 

 

I am off the drugs, and I am no longer unhappy.  Frustrated, angry, sometimes too loud, sometimes "over the top," often uncomfortable - but not unhappy.  Is it happiness?  No.  It is not content, either.  But it is engaged in living.  I want to live, and I want to live my best with what I have to offer.

 

 

And I realised.

 

I.  AM.  NOT.  DEPRESSED.

 

I never thought I would say that, but it's true.

 

Hooray!  I got the sun!  But you realize - that this is the beginning of the next process, getting to dynamic.

 

So - now that I've undiagnosed depression and bipolar, how do I feel about undiagnosing "I am a person in pain."  

 

That's gonna be a hard one, but it's possible.

 

Anything is possible.  We can get better.

 

 

ps - walked PAST the Nutella jars at Costco today.  I'm regretting it now, but now is what I have = no Nutella.

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Congrats on the "here comes the sun" symbol! 

 

You are getting so much insight and I'm happy you're sharing it with us. I can relate to a lot of what you write. These drugs makes us into people we are not meant to be.

 

I like what you wrote about guilt being "a guide". For long time users, it's hard to tell what is a legitimate emotion and what is withdrawal, but whenever you're able to turn something like this into a guide, it leads to the ultimate growth and recovery. It differentiates the psychiatric drug survivors from those who go onto become sages, which is what I see in you.

 

Being, as you say, "a person in pain" is simply being human, I think. This reminded me of a recent article from Dr. Kelly Brogan's website:

 

http://kellybroganmd.com/sadness-the-problem-and-the-solution/?utm_source=Kelly+Brogan+MD+Newsletter&utm_campaign=64a401ced5-Sadness%3A+The+Problem+and+The+Solution&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d0f977a8c5-64a401ced5-122226037

 

 

A little Beatle's music to celebrate your sun:

 

Here Comes The Sun - Video

 

 

 

 

Link to comment

thats twice this week i came to your thread and wowed after reading your update.

 

when i read #797 i distinctly remember thinking "well, it doesn't get much better than that". however i think you managed to do better than that in #802.

 

congrats on the cheery sun and i hope you continue to wow us with your updates. it really is impressive stuff.

38 year old male

50mg sertraline for seasonal affective in spring of '13 through spring of '16

began uninformed taper mid march '16 ending 6 weeks later around may 1st

withdrawal symptoms began july 4th '16

reinstatement of sertraline at 25mg on july 7th '16

august '16 - present: many setbacks even more victories

currently holding at 25mg and ill hold there forever if I have to

looking forward to the day I can begin tapering

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks, Oops!  Actually, I've been meditating on the transfer of my Profile (topic of #802) for awhile, and while - the old profile attracted friends who could relate to it - the most recent visitor helped me understand that I was no longer like that, it was no longer an accurate description of "JanCarol" the life force.  But it was not possible to change, until #797 happened.

 

I've been waiting for the heart-door to close, like it has so often before.  It's not like a "window of wellness," no.  It's more like a fearlessness that whatever comes, is.  

 

I may get hurt again - likely - I'm a human being.  I will be curious to see what this air-filled heart does at the next "insult" or betrayal.

 

In Tai Chi I learned:

 

Knife blade through stone, leaves deep scar.

Knife blade through earth, takes time to heal.

Knife blade through sand, can still see it.

Knife blade through water, heals quickly, but

knife blade through air - was it ever hurt?

 

The element of the heart is air.

 

All of the pain, all of the loads we carry are around the heart, blocking the heart.  A muddy heart, a stone heart, carries a grudge, holds hatred.  A heart of air, cannot.

 

So - Shep - I've been thinking about this "condition of being human is a condition of pain."  

 

That wasn't quite what I was thinking when I spoke about releasing my attachment to "being a person in pain."  I was talking about the physical pain I struggle with.  If this osteopath (and, sure, I'll take credit for my work, too) can open my heart just like that, can he free me from my pain?

 

And if he does, what is my investment in, my attachment to, that physical pain?  It's been there for 30 years now, in one form or another. 

 

Can I let it go, too?  BUT - as I meditate on this, and your question, Shep, I realise that entwined with the physical pain, there must be emotional pain, there must be mental anguish, there must be a knot to untie.

 

Having an open heart does not mean I am pain free.  It only means I'm more likely to look you in the eyes and hear your words with trust and caring.  

 

Physically, I still hobble in agony, still struggle with hips and knees.  Physically, I am still jerky, awkward and clumsy.  Even though my hand is nearly healed, I don't trust my dexterity like I used to (only 2 years ago!).  I still bump into things.  My performance in karate is very clumsy and awkward, jerky, imprecise.  (sure, I've been back only 3 weeks now, but it shows me how long the road to competence is!)

 

What would it be like, to put my feet on the floor in the morning and not walk like an extra from Planet of the Apes for the first hour of the day?  Or to not stumble and bump, and kick the cat and apologise because my body in space is still not quite my own.

 

I'm eager about my practices now, the Yoga, the Karate, the Tai Chi (which I practice on my own, instead of taking a class), and the Shamanic Drumming.  I feel like things are lining up the way they should, and things keep pointing me.  But my feet are still slow and unsteady on that path, and I am kind and gentle to my poor clumsy ape self - allowing me time to learn, to be better.

 

Having an open heart can only help me along the way, having courage will only inspire others to help me.

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

 

So - Shep - I've been thinking about this "condition of being human is a condition of pain."  

 

That wasn't quite what I was thinking when I spoke about releasing my attachment to "being a person in pain."  I was talking about the physical pain I struggle with.  If this osteopath (and, sure, I'll take credit for my work, too) can open my heart just like that, can he free me from my pain?

 

And if he does, what is my investment in, my attachment to, that physical pain?  It's been there for 30 years now, in one form or another. 

 

Can I let it go, too?  BUT - as I meditate on this, and your question, Shep, I realise that entwined with the physical pain, there must be emotional pain, there must be mental anguish, there must be a knot to untie.

 

Having an open heart does not mean I am pain free.  It only means I'm more likely to look you in the eyes and hear your words with trust and caring.  

 

 

 

 

Hi, Jan.

 

I'm sorry to hear you're in more pain than I thought. You are so active with karate and yoga so I mis-understood. I do admire your resilience and find it very inspirational that you keep practicing and getting stronger in spite of everything. 

 

Yes, the physical and the emotional pain do intersect and are intertwined. There's a book called The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, written by a really awesome trauma researcher who explains the science behind this and why most of current mental health treatment is so ineffective - https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/290396.Bessel_A_van_der_Kolk

 

Our mind / body is one. 

 

Also, in Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn's work using mindfulness for pain relief, he uses the body scan techniques, letting the mind and the body heal simultaneously.  It simply can't happen any other way. Perhaps you'll find answers to your question about "my investment in, my attachment to, that physical pain" that you've had for 30 years. 

 

Is this similar to the concept of un-patienting and un-labeling ourselves? Are you referring to an "identity" with the pain? I identity you more with karate, yoga, and Tai Chi. I think as we heal and our new non-drug coping skills take over in more detail, this detail will begin to write our narrative. Even if these were activities you were into prior to withdrawal, because these drugs numb down their effectiveness, it creates a new clarity once we are off meds and healed. At least that's what I'm finding out about mindfulness. It was never this good while I was on drugs. 

 

Since a dysregulated CNS makes us much more sensitive to pain and hyper aware (just like it leaves us with emotions of hyper sensitive neuro emotions), the pain center will get stronger and less easily stressed. So hopefully your pain will decrease, the clumsy and awkward symptoms will fade out, and your inner grace will emerge. 

 

Remember, you are still very early in on the recovery process. Where you are now is not where you'll be in a year from now, two years from now. It does get better. 

 

 

 

 

Having an open heart can only help me along the way, having courage will only inspire others to help me.

 

 

 

And I find your courage to be an inspiration to many of us here, so thank you for your posts. Very poetic. 

 

Sending healing vibes your way. 

 

 

Link to comment

It's not like a "window of wellness," no.  It's more like a fearlessness that whatever comes, is.  

 

I may get hurt again - likely - I'm a human being.  I will be curious to see what this air-filled heart does at the next "insult" or betrayal.

 

In Tai Chi I learned:

 

Knife blade through stone, leaves deep scar.

Knife blade through earth, takes time to heal.

Knife blade through sand, can still see it.

Knife blade through water, heals quickly, but

knife blade through air - was it ever hurt?

 

The element of the heart is air.

 

All of the pain, all of the loads we carry are around the heart, blocking the heart.  A muddy heart, a stone heart, carries a grudge, holds hatred.  A heart of air, cannot.

 

 

thats the good stuff I'm talking about. really gets my blood pumping for some reason. I've always had odd responses to emotional stimuli so i guess my reply would be best tolerated here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1081-lalochezia-the-cursing-thread/?p=243717

 

hopefully i linked that right. 

38 year old male

50mg sertraline for seasonal affective in spring of '13 through spring of '16

began uninformed taper mid march '16 ending 6 weeks later around may 1st

withdrawal symptoms began july 4th '16

reinstatement of sertraline at 25mg on july 7th '16

august '16 - present: many setbacks even more victories

currently holding at 25mg and ill hold there forever if I have to

looking forward to the day I can begin tapering

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Oops - :D   Yep!  Got it!

 

Tonight I wish to address this, and describe (if I can) the enormity of the challenge I've taken up with this "little Karate class."

 

I wrote:

Physically, I still hobble in agony, still struggle with hips and knees.  Physically, I am still jerky, awkward and clumsy.  Even though my hand is nearly healed, I don't trust my dexterity like I used to (only 2 years ago!).  I still bump into things.  My performance in karate is very clumsy and awkward, jerky, imprecise.  (sure, I've been back only 3 weeks now, but it shows me how long the road to competence is!)

 

After I wrote that post, "Janet of the Apes" kept ear worming me, and I never got back to post it.  

 

So - with this dyscoordination, this physical lack of precision and balance - I am in a black belt group.

 

I never got the black belt.  (thanks statins, lithium & endocrine problems)

 

And they are bored with "basic techniques."  So they are doing black belt stuff for the entire 1.5 hours.

 

And I'm deaf, and even if I wear hearing aids the echoes in the room sort of cancel them out.

 

They are announcing names of katas.  I don't know what I am doing.  I am having to do moves where I move my feet and both hands into specific positions to be effective.  Step left leg forward on a slightly bent knee, right leg out 45 degrees with toe facing corner while circling the right hand from the left hip to block a right punch, and circling the left hand across the right hip to block a left punch.  Moving my legs and hands in coordination is difficult.

 

Sometimes a move - he will give 3 steps to get it, but I can only do it with 1 step.

 

But usually, he will give step 1, 2, 3 and then speed it up so that it is eventually all one, smooth move.

 

And smooth.   I don't have that one.  2 of the teachers are strong and precise, and yet very gentle.  It's actually better to be thrown around by a master, than it is to be treated gently by a student.  The latter causes more bruising.

 

Bruising.  Knee seizing up - knees and hips did fine tonight.  This was my first class without any pain drugs, it made me a little smarter - but not much.  Prior to this, I figured it was better to be active, and not hurt so much, than to suffer through a class.

 

And the katas (the dance-like fighting forms) - they are all black belt katas.  I've done them maybe 1-2 times before (ever), and Sensei seems to think I know them (I was always good at kata, once I understand it, it really helps me balance my brain and train my spinal chord, and when I really understand it, it feels beautiful and smooth, not jerky like my hand-to-hand is.).  They don't want to do the katas I know, because they are all black belts.  They want to learn the new ones.

 

So we do each advanced kata 3 times or so in a night.  I'm following the whole time (and not always hearing instructions).  I'm looking at other bodies, and trying to notice left, right, stance, strike, block, combination, timing, and - keep up on the fly because I'm always behind all the others.

 

It's good, it's really good, and it's the most amazing opportunity.  But I have quite been thrown in the deep end!

 

(hubby reminds me:  at least it is in a laid back format, they aren't going to push you to go beyond what you can do, and they understand you've had chronic illness, and you've known Sensei for 12 years!  At least you won't be pushed to conform to some "standard," if you have different abilities!)

 

Never stop challenging yourself.  (even if that challenge is "to be gentle, patient, and get plenty of rest!")

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Never stop challenging yourself.  (even if that challenge is "to be gentle, patient, and get plenty of rest!")

 

Well, JC, you got a sun from Alto and it sounds like you are going to earn every last bit of it!

 

You are doing great!  So proud of you.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

I still have moments where I miss the Nutella horribly.

 

I still use carbs to make me sleepy at night (though lately, it's been sesame snaps, or, a special treat, crepes with strawberries).

 

My workouts have stepped up, big time.

 

Last week, Sensei made the class "just right" for me.  He knew how I've been feeling (lost!), and when I came in with a bounce in my step, 'ready for anything' (I said) - we did hard bag work (I didn't think the hand would take it, but it did), and the katas he chose - were katas that I knew!  Hurrah!  I didn't feel so lost!  Of course, with the lower belt katas, we only do them once each, lest the black belts grow bored, and I could see room for improvement - but at least it was familiar.  Drill sparring, fighting drills.  I am so slow, that the black belts would get in 3-4 hits where I would get in 1/2 - 1 hit.  But gosh, I thought about nothing else while I was there.

 

So much so, I ripped a hole in my toe on the rough floor from a bad pivot.  It was on my bad side, and I'm wondering if I pivot badly on that side - grip the floor with my toes to protect my knee.  I have a dime sized hole in my big toe, and my pain came back 2 days later (even after a massage, and plenty of magnesium baths!)

 

I've called my osteopath, but he only works 3 days a week, and I haven't caught him yet.

 

I went to acupuncture on Monday, it was just enough to keep me going for awhile.  Yoga Monday night was very intense, as my pain is stepped up.  I'm working on core strength, because core strength improves the adrenal/cortical response:  improves stress response, and strengthens the adrenals and their communication with the brain.  (good thing to learn!)

 

A little story:  I usually wear a bum-bag (what Americans call a "fanny pack" but Australians and Brits twitter behind their hands to that phrase), but after my osteopathic treatment, I couldn't put it around my waist.  Osteopath said, no.  I don't want you wearing weight until we get your hips strong and aligned. 

 

So my system of organization - that I've used for 35 years - got thrown out the window.  I need a replacement system, and fast!  I went to the bum bag because shoulder bags are not good for my thoracic pain.  

 

So I'm going cross body bags.  Hubby is being driven mad by my bag purchasing.  He doesn't realize that I haven't spent money on bags like other women, only cheap bum bags.  So I have bought $300 worth of bags, with different styles and formats, to see what will work for me.  I've bought 3 versions of the most likely - the Ameribag "Healthy Back Bag" - and 4 other bags.  Most of which are going to an address in America for later this year (the shipping to here costs as much as the bag!).  Each time I buy another bag, hubby pales.  He has no idea what it has been like - I've been able to find keys, nail clippers, Swiss army knife, wallet, change, lip balm, writing paper, pens - one handed and by feel alone.  For 35 years.  

 

It has been one of my coping mechanisms.  Back when I was a party animal, it was my "stupidproof bag."  If it was in the bag, it wasn't lost, and the bag was always around my waist.  Never lost.

 

My first crossbody bag came in, and it's beautiful, quality leather, with lots of pouches and sections for sorting stuff.  It works, but is not a perfect "kit."  Hubby is pale as a sheet now, not that we can't afford it (we can afford a trip to the US later this year) he just has no idea how much "women's stuff" costs, and does not understand the "pink tax."  (to be fair, I looked at men's bags, too, but quality men's bags are just as expensive).  He has no idea that what I have bought is probably worth $800 or more, to get here in Australia, and they really aren't even available here because the market is so small.

 

So I took a job.  Just a contract, 1-2 day job as a corporate spy.  (some call it mystery shopping, but this is high end mystery shopping).  To pay me $150, and pay him back for the bags.  I will have to dress corporate, get up early in the morning (for me, 9 am is early!), and make a confident, professional appearance to do this report.  I will also have to lie through my teeth, as that is part of the job.  I'm thinking of it as an "acting job," since what I am portraying is so different to the normal, casual me.

 

I'm nervous as heck.  It's taking me to City, and there are friends I'd like to see in City, but if I don't cross my t's and dot my i's and get all the paperwork correct, and match the cameras at the shop, and get the names right - I won't get paid.  So I'm a nervous Nellie tonight.

 

I'm letting go, gonna float.  I've done my homework, did an interview with the company today, and they seem fairly confident that I'm on top of my duties and will do a professional report.  I haven't done work like this for at least 5 years.

 

Fortunately, hubby has a meeting in town tomorrow, anyway, so he will do most of the driving.  Except for the last bit - where I have to show up alone.  So we'll drop him off at his meeting, and I will pick him up at a park afterwards.  I hate driving in City, and this neighborhood is all one-way streets, and while I trust my GPS, she's gotten me into last minute pickles before.

 

So I'm just downloading my anxiety here, so that I can now relax and sleep tonight, and do a good job tomorrow.  Then, when I get paid, I can ask for one last bag (probably the best one of the lot - only $50, but worth $150 here)!

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Jan! Congrats on the job! That is awesome. Let us know how it goes! :) Hugs.

 

2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, 

I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever.

 

2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds.

2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better

 

Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.)

"You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Ouch, sorry about the toe injury, Jan.  I hope you're feeling better now.

 

And congratulations on the job. With all your non-drug coping skills, I'm sure you'll do just fine. 

 

Sending healing vibes your way. I hope you had a great day at work. 

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm waiting on the "after sales call" about to lie through my teeth and tell them I am leaning towards the competition. They really have a beautiful product, and if I lived on the right side of the tracks, I would be first in line.  I got invited to a VIP event next week.  where they will serve champagne and hors d'oeurves and give me the opportunity to get better price, product or service.  The job does not require that I go.  I also made a mistake, and went to the wrong department - 

 

The wrong department did an excellent job, within 30 seconds had me engaged with the product and eager to learn more.  Then I found out I was in the wrong department (spent an hour in the wrong department).  

 

I managed to clean up "okay," so that I "passed" for upper middle class, anyway.  I have the "Yank advantage" - the behaviours expected of an Aussie don't quite apply to me, so I can be loud, unstylish, or off the wall, because, well, Yanks are crazy, right?  (Aussies are not as polite as Canadians, but it's a close race.)  (for my Southern USA friends, I'm sorry, but to an Aussie, we are all Yanks.  My friends from Texas and Alabama took offence until they understood.)

 

I survived the performance of my "acting" - I have to survive just 1 more phone call where I have to lie, er, act like their competition is better (it's not).  My report is filed, except for this last bit.  Attending the VIP event is not required by the job (whew!  it's one thing to be one-on-one with sales staff, another to be thrust into a flock of rich people and talk about investments or the beach house or the European River Cruise or whatever it is the rich people talk about), just one more phone call to survive.

 

The problem is, with doing this premium job, which pays me well for my time, my file with the company now comes up "active," and they are calling me for little jobs which are a waste of my time.  It is not worth my time to get paid $12 to get a free smoothie and spend an hour filling out paperwork.  Oh, no.  So now they will be calling and harassing me for the stupid jobs.  I quit doing it a few years ago in withdrawal, because going to a business, wasting their time and lying as if I'm a real customer - was just not on.  AND, I have the Yank DISadvantage - once they meet me, they remember me forever.  So I just said, look, I'm really easy to remember, and I can't go back for a few years.  Well, a few years has passed, and honestly?  I'd rather be here on SA for no pay than fill out paperwork about how I was ignored at a smoothie bar, or sometimes just making up stuff like, "How did the sales process feel?"  Right.

 

So it's a one-off, the money will go directly to hubby and I can feel less guilty about my kitbags!  But - I did it!  I worked for pay in a foreign environment!  

 

* * *

My body in space.  Today, I slipped out the side door (sliding glass door), because there were birds at the bird feeder out back that I didn't want to disturb.  I wanted to spray some noxious craft fixative on one of my colorings - and was holding a spray can, my coloring, and the keys to the door.  I pulled the door closed behind me (cannot let cat out), and didn't pull my hand away in time - slammed my left ring finger in the door.

 

My body in space.  You know when you take a boiled egg, and you whack it in the center with a butter knife to cut it in two, so you can scoop it out with a spoon?  It's a thing I've done 1000's of times in my life.  But I pick up the egg, cradle it in my right hand, center the knife so that I can get a good whack, then pull the knife back and WHACK!  I've cut off the end of the egg. 

 

My body in space.   Walking down a hallway talking to yoga teacher, so a little distracted, walked directly into the fire hose and then again into the extinguisher - both were protruding into the hall.   Obviously added on to meet a fire code, but - I've walked down that hall dozens of times and never bruised myself on these things.  It's like they jumped out at me!

 

The toe is better.  I'm going back to karate tonight.  The toe is still a hole in my foot (but I'm now actually worried more about the bruised finger), but bandaged and cotted, it should be fine.  My pain levels are up, so I don't think I'll be going in with a bounce in my step tonight!

 

I have to wait over 10 days before the osteopath can see me.  He must have been overseas (he spends a week a month overseas practicing in Germany).  It's a hard one - I knew when I signed on to him that he was a rare bird, hard to get in to see, and away a lot.

 

How do you predict what your pain is going to be like in 3 weeks time?  (that's how long it took me from first call to actual appointment)

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Just a quick note:

 

I done good!  My work for the premium job was so good, that now my name is on a premium list.

 

I may not be able to jump at all of them - the one I had to turn down this week (1 hours drive through awful traffic on the other side of town) was $425 for 4-5 hours work!

 

I told the lady that I would be willing to make that drive - if I had advance notice.  She gave me one days notice, "Can you do this tomorrow?"  That's a little more flexible than I am right now - I need to gear up, to plan, to get ready for a big thing like that.  I tried to explain to her how my mystery shopping in the US led to contracts with the USDA (government) and compliance audits, but she didn't quite understand how that fits with "merchandising" which is all she can focus on... but okay.  Premium Mystery Shopping and Merchandising has got to be better than "checking the drive-thru at McDonald's" (which I can't do, due to diet, anyway)

 

On a Premium list, I might be able to help hubby feel a little less helpless in the face of expenses...I still haven't paid him back for the drum, but at least I've paid for the most expensive kit-bag - it's beautiful! - and 1-2 other bags as well.

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

So this week, I'm studying chiropractic.  I've always been a bit skeptical of chiropractic, since the inflammation of my intercostal ligaments was made worse by the invasive treatment, and I've felt that the crunching of bones and wrenching of necks was traumatic and caused more problems than it solves.

 

So in Quackwatch, they did an extensive review of chiropractic treatments.  Here's one report:

 

The next volunteer, a healthy 29-year-old psychologist, visited four more chiropractors for check-ups. The chiropractors were selected from the telephone directory without regard to their advertising practices. The first diagnosed an "atlas subluxation" and predicted "paralysis in fifteen years" if this problem was not treated. The second found many vertebrae "out of alignment" and one hip "higher" than the other. The third said the woman's neck was "tight." The fourth said that misaligned vertebrae indicated the presence of "stomach problems." All four recommended spinal adjustments on a regular basis, beginning with a frequency of twice a week. Three gave adjustments without warning—one of which was so forceful that it produced dizziness and a headache that lasted for several hours.

 

From <http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chiroinv.html>

 

 

And reading this I couldn't help but to think about the DSM.  And how you can go to 10 psychiatrists and get 10 diagnoses.  And the treatment for psych as laid out in the DSM and pharma recommendations - is even more harmful than the chiropractic ones.  (except for those who had a stroke from damaged arteries in the neck from "high velocity low amplitude" neck crunching).  They were paralysed, or died.

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

JC,

 

If you want to understand chiropractic better, watch Jeff Hays' move "Undoctored" which gives you the background, including how it became labeled as "quackery" as a result of an organized effort by the AMA to wipe it out (after it had done the same to naturopathy).  It is truly eye-opening and shows you how money is truly at the root of evil.

 

Here's a link:  http://www.undoctoredmovie.com/old-free-viewing/landing/?AFFID=219845

 

There are plenty of "crappy" chiros out there, just as there are plenty of "crappy" western medicine docs.  If you find a quality chiro who really understands how the body is aligned it can make a world of difference on many levels.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Andy - I believe that there are healers in every profession.  I know many people who swear by their chiropractor - I know many people who swear by their psychiatrist, too!

 

I just know that with my tendon inflammation - the last thing I need is a good crack of the spine.

 

Naturally the AMA (and the BMA and the AussieMA too) have attempted to discredit chiro - but when I go back to the story of the founder, I find that it doesn't ring true for me.

 

For most people, chiro can provide relief.  I did about 2-3 years with straight chiro.  I listen to YouTube vids of smart chiros all over the world - and am willing to consider their information and processes.  Just not for my personal treatment, especially as I age, and my joints are so much more frail and easily injured.

 

And I have to admit (even though it was Quackwatch, and while the Cochrane group agrees - they also think that acupuncture is no better than placebo) the principles of acupuncture - nerves, organs, spine - and yoga - and chiro are similar.

 

But this is a book, written by a chiro, about chiropractic:   http://www.chirobase.org/05RB/BCC/00c.html - and he's written a patient guide, too.

 

I just prefer not to manipulated, or, as my Orthomolecular MD suggests, subjected to gadgets that do the manipulation without "crunching." (she suggested chiro for me, and I said:  no crunching, please.  It inflames my condition!  She said, well they have these tappers and clickers and things that are more gentle....I shook my head.)

 

It was a chiro who first introduced me to the marvels of ultrasound, which has been a huge part of healing my hand - I wish physios (physical therapists) used ultrasound more often.

 

When I wanted to go to medical school I looked at 4 pathways:  I was not smart or energetic enough for physical therapy, which was a grueling, demanding course.  Nor was I quite up to snuff on medical school (which was actually easier to get into than pharmacy &  physical therapy, too!).  The next step down was osteopathy - with the schools slightly easier to get into than medical schools, but still rigorous in their curriculum, and a teaching hospital less than an hour from where I lived.  For me, when I was looking to study, chiro was the bottom of the barrel - if I had good "healing" hands, I would have considered it, but the academic demands of chiropractic (unless they've changed since 1993) didn't give me much confidence in the profession, or respect for the curriculum.  

 

I started the undergrad work to try and get accepted into osteopathy - and then had a divorce, instead.  Turned on a dime!

 

I no longer call it quackopractic (I used to), but it's definitely not for me.  I would not stop anyone else from going, though I might express concerns, if I think that the person could be harmed by chiropractic.  I was.

 

Ok.  I was going to end there:  but have to elaborate.  I have an intercostal ligament - connects ribs to spine - which gets inflamed.  Sometimes poor posture can do it, sometimes stress or strong emotion will do it.  Because it was a back problem, and I was into alternatives, I thought that chiropractic would be exactly the right thing for it.  Keep in mind, at that point it was diagnosed as "intercostal neuralgia" (which just means pain);  I didn't find out it was a ligament until much later (under the care of a physical therapist).

 

Going to the chiro - I went to one of the most recommended chiros in town - I felt like I barely got a "how do you do" before he was crunching my bones.  It felt traumatic, like rape.  Like it was making my body do things without asking my body's permission, first.  I began to find that I was dreading going to the chiro.  Except for the ultrasound, which I loved.  And the massage therapist - who was awesome.  (the supplements, I tried, and then realized they were overpriced and I could do better).  After several months of treatment, I was not better, I was worse.  After going to physical therapist - as prescribed by my orthopedic surgeon - I was given hydro therapy, hot and cold therapy, and taught how to flex the muscles around the ligament to keep my back strong.  THIS is what made me better.  Chiro made me worse.

 

This is just one story of one woman and one chiro.  But his practice was a fairly standard one.  He wasn't one of those who went to the malls to give "free assessments," though he did take too many x-rays (It was required by AMA law at the time).  I realize this.  But it was enough for me to never want to pursue that modality of treatment again.

 

It's not just the AMA who is down on chiro.  I'm reading a lot of things, like patient assessments, other chiro assessments (see link above).   There are as  many glowing reports as there are horror stories.  But there are statistically too high percentage of the horror stories for me to recommend the practice, unless I found one that I knew was a True Healer.

"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!

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

As always, JC, to each his or her own and I don't disagree that there are plenty of bad ones out there. 

 

I think I have a problem with the following

 

 It felt traumatic, like rape.  

 

but that's just me.  Hoping you have never had that happen, but I'm thinking you might find a better analogy?

 

Anyway, I get it -- no chiro for you.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Andy - 

Hoping you have never had that happen, but I'm thinking you might find a better analogy?

 

Yes, you know I hate using violent language.  I have had that, and too many versions of that happen to me, and I don't need to graphically describe that.  Other survivors, who think it is the worst possible thing, might disagree with me.

 

I cannot think of a better word for:  Someone takes control of your body and makes it do things without your permission, without asking.  

 

Yes, I did consent, I was on the table, after all, seeking treatment.  As someone who had experienced rape, this was a violation of my physical integrity.  Even if he said, "I'm going to twist your neck, so - " it was always more violent than I could bear.  So - is "date rape" less of a rape?  Macquarie dictionary def 3:  the act of forcing someone to consent to anything against his or her will.

 

"It wasn't supposed to go down that way...."  - Neil Young

 

There's a lot of discussion like this on MIA right now about "pharmaceutical rape" and "psychiatric rape" and there are those, who cannot compare these things to the violence of that act.  But I can, and do.  

 

For me, it is not an analogy.   

"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!

Link to comment

I am scientific from training.  I was in a dither about chiro.  I went to see a young South Korean guy about 18 months ago in our town's High Street and was assessed.  I was very impressed with his knowledge and confidence.  IIRC, the training course they take here in UK is probably a 5-year one in Bournemouth.

 

I read up the history of the science and looked at our National Health Service website to see what they thought.

 

They limit their words to something like ".....only believed to be effective for some lower back pain issues..."  

 

Clearly, they are not happy to pay for this treatment, so I declined to proceed with a course of treatment, at least for just now.

 

A lady I worked with for several years swore by chiropractor treatment from one clinic in Edinburgh.  She had to pay out of her own pocket for it, though, and was not on a big wage.

Another lady we both know allegedly had her osteoporosis stricken bones damaged a bit.

Born 1945. 

1999 - First Effexor/Venlafaxine

2016 Withdrawal research. Effexor.  13Jul - 212.5mg;  6Aug - 200.0mg;  24Aug - 187.5mg;  13Sep - 175.0mg;  3Oct - 162.5mg;  26Oct - 150mg 

2017  9Jan - 150.00mg;  23Mar - 137.50mg;  24Apr - 125.00mg;  31May - 112.50mg holding;  3Sep - 100.00mg;  20Sep - 93.75mg;  20Oct - 87.5mg;  12Nov - 81.25mg;  13 Dec - 75.00mg

2018  18Jan - 69.1mg; 16Feb - 62.5mg; 16March - 57.5mg (-8%); 22Apr - 56.3mg(-2%); CRASHED - Updose 29May - 62.5mg; Updose - 1Jul - 75.0mg. Updose - 2Aug - 87.5mg. Updose - 27Aug - 100.0mg. Updose - 11Oct 112.5mg. Updose - 6Nov 125.00mg

2019 Updoses 19 Jan - 150.0mg. 1April - 162.5mg. 24 April - Feeling better - doing tasks, getting outside.  7 May - usual depression questionnaire gives "probably no depression" result.

Supps/Vits  Omega 3;  Chelated Magnesium;  Prebiotics/Probiotics, Vit D3. 

Link to comment
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy