HappyFree

[HappyFree]

I'm new to the site. Excited to get on with my recovery!

[HappyFree]

I'm using an iPhone and am unable to start an introductions forum. Is it ok to put the info here?

[Jemima]

You are now in the Intro area--please proceed.

[HappyFree]

PLEASE NOTE: I do not recommend what I did. Elavil since 1988. 150 mg Tapered off in 2 weeks Jan 2013 restarted 50 mg Aug 2013 on 10 mg May 2014. Valium 1992-2012 (2.5 mg 2xday) tapered off in 4 wks. Serzone 1998-2013 tapered off in 2 wks. Gabapentin 600 mg 3xda 2004 stopped Aug 2012. Meds given for post-concussion syndrome and fibromyalgia.

 

I have depression and anxiety. 12 step recovery helps. I eat healthy Vegan diet and do not use caffeine or food additives. I am able to concentrate and enjoy connecting with others. May you find healing!

[Jemima]

Welcome to the forum, HappyFree. When you have some time to spare, please put you drug history in your signature, like so:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

[HappyFree]

Ok when I feel not overwhelmed.

[Altostrata]

What is your symptom pattern now, Happyfree? Did you have withdrawal symptoms right after you quit? What were they like? How did you cope with them?

[HappyFree]

Sx pattern now negative thinking. Uncomfortable in my own skin. Want to get up and move about then get exhausted. Heart palpitations and racing heart especially after taking Elavil. Felt better yesterday after not taking Elavil. On 20 mg Elavil per bedtime and slept pretty well last night. No appetite and obsessing about food. Force myself to eat and always wondering if I eat the right food amount etc. Muscle tension and fatigue. Overwhelmed interacting with family. Headache yesterday but not today. Derealization. One year ago suicidal thoughts were stronger. Now I get them when I feel overwhelmed and dismiss them. Last year went through several months of almost no sleep, night sweats, diarrhea, stomach upset. I know I'm better than I was. I need something to hold onto. Some hope that I'll be myself again. I worry my brain won't heal. I want to be are to walk into a store without panic. To travel and see my grandchildren. I have lack of pleasure trouble buying, preparing and eating food. I'm sorry to sound so negative. Maybe I need a good swift kick. I need to be gentle with myself. So conflicted about the Elavil. Doctor does not understand protracted antidepressant withdrawal syndrome. Had me wean down from 50 mg to 20 mg in one month. Because I had such bad palpitations and racing heart all night. Was it too fast. But last night was good. I need to hold on to that. Should I take the same dose tonight or try to wean down? Appreciate your help. Last year I couldn't sit. Today I can sit but all the while my brain says get up and move around. Any suggestions I appreciate.

[Altostrata]

It sounds like you have akathisia, an adverse effect of too-fast withdrawal and an adverse side effect from some drugs.

 

This could be a withdrawal symptom from going off Elavil, Valium, Serzone, or gabapentin too fast.

 

Are you taking the same amount of Elavil every day and at the same time? It's important to provide stability for your nervous system.

[HappyFree]

Thank you for responding so quickly. I studied akathisia and I believe I do have that. I appreciate your feedback. I commit to taking 20 mg Elavil each evening. Keep it the same. A day at a time. I tried to edit my signature but on this I phone I don't get settings from the arrow drop down menu.

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

Try the instructions in this post:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/?p=84105

[WinningThrough]

Hi happy free. Thank you for visiting my thread :-) I thought I'd drop by and visit yours. Thinking of you and sending healing thoughts.

[mammaP]

Hi Happyfree, sorry that you are going through this. You are in the right place here, we all understand

what you are going through!  Once we have your history we will have a better understanding of what is 

happening.  I'm glad you found us 

[HappyFree]

Thank you WT and MammaP. Slept well last 2 nights on 20 mg Elavil. Feel lost don't know what to do but not going back on Meds. Today I did a lot of things. Now will go home and give Mama her Mother's Day flowers and card a day early because it's hard for me to plan or leave things on hold. Grateful I spent time with my dad outdoors and went to a 12 step meeting shopped at WG and ate in a restaurant. Want to feel comfortable in my own skin again. Learning how to use the forum. Your answers mean so much to me! The human contact. Thank you and bless you all.

[Altostrata]

We don't like the idea of telling people to go back on meds but sometimes reinstating a little bit is the best thing to do for a while.

[HappyFree]

Got it. 15 mos ago I was on Elavil 150 mg. now on 20 mg. going to take a walk now.

[HappyFree]

Took first dose of Progesterone. Hit with brain shocks rapid heartbeat pounding heart. This happened after VIT b-12 injection as well. I'm learning to be cautious of Meds/supplements. Heart calmed down after 12 hrs.

[Altostrata]

Why did you take progesterone?

[HappyFree]

I went to an integrative MD and he offered me a tapering schedule to get off Elavil (too fast). He tested me and said my hormones were low. He ordered bio identical hormones. I did not take the thyroid and took the progesterone. I know now to not take any more supplements. Right now I take Advair, minerals, DHA/EPA, and Elavil 20 mg. I had to reduce the Elavil because of arrhythmias.

[HappyFree]

Oh and I also take vegan whole food vitamins and minerals from Dr Joel Fuhrman.

[Altostrata]

Read this http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1126-10720,168-74

[HappyFree]

Thank you for the link. At one time I suspected the Advair was a problem causing arrhythmias and my former doctor dismissed my concern. I'll take it up with my current doctor. I appreciate your assistance and attention to details!

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

I left you a note in the instructions for making a signature thread....

[HappyFree]

I need advice. Went to a MH inpatient center where I took 5 doses if Valium then stopped 48 hrs ago then started gabapentin 48 hrs ago and feel horrible. I realiZe I need to taper off both. Where can I find a schedule?

[Altostrata]

You've only been taking gabapentin for 48 hours? You don't need to taper, you can just stop.

 

Did you take Valium for 5 days? Do you have any left?

[HappyFree]

I stopped both and feel much better. I believe I avoided kindling by only taking 4 doses gabapentin and 5 doses Valium. I just stopped and got rid of the pills. The five doses Valium wereon tues and wed.

[HappyFree]

The five doses Valium were mon tues and wed. The 4 doses gabapentin were thurs and fri. Got rid of all pills. Elavil was stopped because of what it did to my heart. No more racing pulse now. Feeling better.

[Altostrata]

Good to hear. If that's all you took of Valium, you're probably okay benzo-wise.

 

It still may take some time for your nervous system to settle down.

[HappyFree]

Thanks. I'm going to eat something now. Having an extremely down day

[HappyFree]

Dr took me off Elavil abruptly one week ago because of heart tachyarrhythmias. I have akathisia impossible to settle down to rest. I have had milder form of it over the years. Does VIT b-6 help? What about propranolol or cogentin? Any experience? I was on the Elavil 26 years quick taper last year akathisia stopped when I was off then started when I reinstated.

[mammaP]

B6 can be too activating for many people in withdrawal. I took magnesium with B6 added and 

was restless and agitated, I bought another magnesium supplement without the B6 and it is much better.

I don't know anything about the others you mentioned.  Care needs to be taken with supplements as 

they can have adverse effects on a compromised nervous system.  

 

There are tome good topics in the symptoms and self care section with lots of useful info. You can find

that here. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/606-important-topics-about-tests-supplements-herbs-treatments/

 

Desperation leads us to trying absolutely anything that might help with the symptoms, in those

topics you can see what others have tried and how they helped, or not! Sometimes the best thing to just 

stick to good simple food, gentle exercise and enough sleep if that's at all possible. I have a cupboard full

of expensive supplements and now stick to just fish oil and magnesium.

[Altostrata]

HappyFree, do you remember the possibility of a conflict between Advair and Elavil?

Thank you for the link. At one time I suspected the Advair was a problem causing arrhythmias and my former doctor dismissed my concern. I'll take it up with my current doctor. I appreciate your assistance and attention to details!

 

I take it you couldn't reduce or discontinue Advair to stop the arrhythmias?

 

You are now experiencing the Elavil withdrawal symptoms again. Taking a little Elavil is the best way to stop them. Perhaps 10mg will work.

 

But you may still need to address the conflict with Advair.

[HappyFree]

Not doing well. Been told I should reinstate 1/2 dose. Elavil was affecting my heart that's why dr stopped it. Could revisit. Maybe up dose of heart med. Any ideas? Escalating mood, losing sodium and fluid from tissues that had started 4 weeks ago. Increased SI. Had been on Elavil since 2000 went off 150 mg quickly Jan 2013 reinstated Sept 2013 50 mg weaned to 40 mg went off CT while in facility per dr order. Took 10 mg 2 days later and it caused heart racing. My heart races with med and supplement changes. P.s. Had taken 4 doses Valium earlier in week and 4 doses gabapentin after stopping Elavil. Off both.

[HappyFree]

I have several signs of severe malabsorption - sore tongue, body tissues wasting, bloating, vitamin deficiencies. Besides going through benzo and AD WD and it's resultant gut absorption issues I also have short gut sundrome due to removal colon and rectum 11 years ago. Here's my question - as my gut heals why not use Total Parenteral Nutrition? It can be done at home with a pump and catheter into vein. I cannot talk my PCP or GI doctor to do this for me. Is there any literature citing this as a short or longterm treatment for those in protracted benzo or AD withdrawal? Please let me know so I can show my doctors. I feel like I am starving to death all the time. I heard of the GAPS diet does anyone have experience with this?

[dalsaan]

Happyfree,

 

I moved this topic to your intro because it is very specific to your situation and the collection of issues you are dealing with individually.

 

I doubt there is an literature on this in connection with withdrawal (given how limited the withdrawal literature is in general)

 

Use the search button to find posts on the GAPS diet and peoples experiences with it.   When you have read the existing posts you may want to ask specific questions here or in another topic that's suitable

 

cheers

 

Dalsaan

[Petunia]

Hi HappyFree,

 

I'm sorry you are having to deal with those gut absorption issues along with WD symptoms.  There is a section on non-irritating diets, including GAPS at the end of this thread if you scroll to the bottom:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/

 

Please would you put a short version of your drug and tapering history in your signature, it helps people understand your context when they read your posts. It appears at the bottom of each post and usually results in more responses because it makes it easier for people to relate to your situation.  Instructions for how to do that are here:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Petu.