direstraits: Paxil withdrawal

[Carmie]

Just popping around to send you big hugs direstraits, 

 

How have you been doing recently? 🤗🧡

[direstraits]

On 6/20/2022 at 4:58 PM, Carmie said:

Just popping around to send you big hugs direstraits, 

 

How have you been doing recently? 🤗🧡

Hi Carmie,

Thanks for the hugs 🤗...hugs back to you.

Had a rough day today and yesterday 😔 but I'm hanging in there.

     I've actually been doing pretty good lately so I'm thankful for that 🙂.

   I read your having some windows.. that's wonderful 😊... hope it continues.🤞❤️

[Carmie]

The ups and downs, hey direstraits. We really are on such a roller coaster ride. I’m sure we are all waiting to get off this roller coaster. 
 

Sorry that you had a few bad days, I hope you have some better ones. I’m glad you’ve been doing okay overall, 

 

Yes, I’ve been in a window for about a week or so now, which is great. Still struggling with my breathing, but the flare will eventually subside one day. I found out today that Epstein Barr is keeping the flare going that the vaccine started.
 

I’ve been struggling to breathe since last October or so. I got EBV a few decades ago and once you have a virus in your system you’ve got it forever. You can’t kill viruses but you can try and make them a bit more dormant. 
 

Have you managed to get to the beach? I hope you have. I haven’t been able to get there since last November. 
 

I hope you have a nice day🌼🧡

 

 

[Carmie]

Hi dear direstraits, 

 

Just popping around again to send you hugs. How was your day my friend? Every time I think of you I think of our love of the ocean. 
 

It’s 7pm in the evening at the moment here and I’m chilling in the bedroom, I’ve got my Himalayan lamp on and also my galaxy light, so I’ve got great atmosphere happening😁. 
 

I’m just trying to remember what’s it’s like to be remission from this autoimmune flare and being able to breathe properly again. I have to keep looking forward and hoping that remission will happen again. 
 

I hope that you’re still continuing to function better.
 

Sending lots of love🧡

[direstraits]

Hi Carmie, @Carmie

You're so sweet to think of me.😊

Funny you should mention the ocean.we went to the shore yesterday, it was a beautiful day and we sat and watched the boats and people fishing off the jettys.

Your room sounds so cozy and relaxing 😍

I'm having some difficult times but still doing better than I was.

I hope you have better days ahead.sending big hugs 🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️

[Carmie]

3 hours ago, direstraits said:

Hi Carmie, @Carmie

You're so sweet to think of me.😊

Funny you should mention the ocean.we went to the shore yesterday, it was a beautiful day and we sat and watched the boats and people fishing off the jettys.

Your room sounds so cozy and relaxing 😍

I'm having some difficult times but still doing better than I was.

I hope you have better days ahead.sending big hugs 🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️

I’m so happy to hear you got to the ocean direstraits, thanks for sharing. I can picture it in my mind’s eye. They’re the waves we like to see, not the waves we get in withdrawals.😁Sorry you’re still having some difficult times. Yes, life can be really hard. I was feeling miserable this morning, but Zooming with friends perked me up a little. 
 

It’s the afternoon now and I’m lying on my bed with the heater on, trying to relax, though it’s hard as my breathing is so severe today. Just taking an hour at a time. Thank you for your kind words too, I’m trying to focus on the fact that one day I might be in remission again.

 

What symptoms do you have now from the meds? I hope they’re not too severe.

 

Sending you love and hoping you get to spend lots more days at the beach🧡

[direstraits]

Hi @Carmie

I have burning skin, especially my feet, my eyes never seem right, hard to explain, light sensitivity.some twitching.not steady on my feet.fatigue.sometimes I have inner vibrations in my legs and my lower legs feel tingly.

   Sometimes things will upset me that never did before...and I'll start to feel like I get so angry and panicky... it's weird... like too much adrenaline or something... I hate feeling like that.. I'm trying to stay calm as much as possible.😊

       I hope you have some relief from your suffering soon.sending lots of love and hugs.❤️❤️🤗🤗

[Carmie]

12 hours ago, direstraits said:

Hi @Carmie

I have burning skin, especially my feet, my eyes never seem right, hard to explain, light sensitivity.some twitching.not steady on my feet.fatigue.sometimes I have inner vibrations in my legs and my lower legs feel tingly.

   Sometimes things will upset me that never did before...and I'll start to feel like I get so angry and panicky... it's weird... like too much adrenaline or something... I hate feeling like that.. I'm trying to stay calm as much as possible.😊

       I hope you have some relief from your suffering soon.sending lots of love and hugs.❤️❤️🤗🤗

Sorry about all these symptoms you’re still getting direstraits, 

 

Yes, I totally understand how that weird adrenaline feeling can make you feel panicky. I’m not a fan of first thing in the morning when one’s cortisol levels are high, though it hasn’t been too bad since my last drop. When in a wave though it’s no fun. 
 

Thank you for your kind words too, I’m just taking an hour at a time, not much else I can do. 
 

Take care🧡

[direstraits]

 Hi guys,

I'm really suffering, guess I really f@#ked. up.. started back on fluoxetine May 2021, never really stabilized,quit in December after gaining weight, back on in January,came off 5mgs. In May, was pretty good for a while,the last month has been awful, I feel ashamed and stupid.l feel totally ruined by these drugs... don't know what to do.😩

[ChessieCat]

3 hours ago, direstraits said:

back on in January,came off 5mgs.

 

Q1:  When did you stop?  Did you jump off at 5mg?

 

Q2:  What are your current symptoms?

 

Q3:  What symptoms have improved since you stopped?

 

Q4:  Do you drink alcohol?

 

Q5:  Do you drink a lot of coffee, cola or other beverages containing caffeine (eg Mt Dew, Dr Pepper, Mellow Yellow), energy drinks?

 

Q6:  Have you been sick?

 

Q7:  Have you taken antibiotics?

 

Q8:  Are you taking any supplements?  If yes, what?

 

Q9:  Are you do any exercise?  What type, how often and what effort?

 

Q10:  Have you been experiencing any additional life stressors, eg job/ financial/relationship issues, loss of a love one or pet, moving etc?

 

Q11:  How is your sleep?

[direstraits]

Stopped around the beginning of May, I think from 5 mgs.

Current symptoms: wake up feeling like crap with cortisol, never feel rested.disequalibrium, eyes are weird, light sensitivity, twitching,inner vibration in legs, burning skin, especially feet and back.no energy, tingling in lower legs.

I drank some margheritas September 30, I don't usually drink.sometimes drink decaf in the morning or ice tea at dinner.

Haven't been sick,no antibiotics

take magnesium, sometimes take ashwaganda.

Don't get much exercise because of how I feel, some walking.

We had to put one of our cats to sleep last month, that was pretty stressful.😞

My sleep is pretty good, I do tend to stay up late, sometimes stay up till around 1:30

 

 

 

 

 

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, direstraits said:

We had to put one of our cats to sleep last month, that was pretty stressful.

 

That is a huge stressor.

 

1 hour ago, direstraits said:

I drank some margheritas September 30

 

alcohol-wine-and-beer

 

Alto's comment from the above topic:

 

On 12/6/2012 at 12:52 PM, Altostrata said:

Being a psychoactive substance, alcohol throws another possibly destabilizing factor into recovering from withdrawal.

 

And Brassmonkey's comment from the Are We There Yet? topic:

  

On 7/6/2020 at 5:50 AM, brassmonkey said:

Drinking alcohol is a major factor in excellent recoveries getting derailed.  We just had a case of a member who has been drug free for several years with an excellent recovery underway.  They had a couple of drinks over the weekend and tripped off their symptoms all over again.  Luckily, it cleared in a few days, but that is not always the case.

 

[ChessieCat]

20 hours ago, direstraits said:

My sleep is pretty good, I do tend to stay up late, sometimes stay up till around 1:30

 

Getting to bed earlier might help.

[Heath]

@direstraits I’m a work late sleep late person .  I am having to make a life long change to be able to get off this medication. And it is going to bed early.  I can confirm what cc said getting to bed early definitely helps during tapering and wd. I can tell a huge difference. I seem to be more calmer and not as rushed  less irritable which carries on too the tapering. 

not getting good sleep is one little stressor of many that adds up to major problems while our nervous system is trying to heal. 

[redkite]

HI. loosing a pet will stress you. I lost my cat over a year ago and today still had wet eyes talking about him. You,ve been on and off these bloody drugs and got messed up but you can come threw. I feel terrible today myself, want to rip my skin off and scream,  and I had a drink last night !!!!!! I just get so fed up with being ill, like everyone on here!!!! Defo if you can get more sleep it will help loads. I used a voluntary pet counselling phone group  and it really helped me realise why I felt so bad. Try to do a little walk tomorrow, even just going outside helps. Hope you don't mind me chipping in. Take care redkite

[direstraits]

Thanks for your response, Chessie...I went to bed a little earlier last night and had a pretty good day (for me) took a little walk.

 

Thanks @Heath and @redkitefor your messages..it means a lot.

.     Sorry you're having a bad day redkite.. I understand..l still can't believe what these drugs do to people.hope you feel better soon...and don't mind you chipping in at all

😊

 

[Addax]

Hi @direstraits. 
That we’re both still here is a testament to what these drugs have done to us, eh? You’re right, it is unbelievable. Maddeningly so. 
 

I don’t know why I didn’t see your post on my thread awhile back and I apologize for not acknowledging it. It means a lot that you popped in.

I wanted to respond here with an update about the bone loss thing.  You had written:

On 4/14/2021 at 7:24 PM, direstraits said:

Hi Addax, 

Good to see another old timer here. 😉

So weird that you mentioned prozac and bone loss.. I just found out I have osteoporosis in my hip and low bone density in other hip and back.

     I was reading about the connection between Ads and bone loss...scary.

If we only knew what we were getting into with these drugs.

      Well, I wish you well with your taper and your tests.

            Take care,ds.  Xx

 

 

 

So scary to hear about the osteoporosis and I’m sorry to hear that. I had a Dexa scan/bone scan and the results were positive! Even for being a middle aged woman in perimenopause, my bones appear to be okay.  
 

I am sorry to read about your cat. Our animal companions leave some deep paw prints on our hearts and the struggle with making the compassionate decision you did is such a tough one. 

 

Sending you condolences along with warm and soothing vibes as you continue on this treacherous journey. 
 

 

Edited December 23, 2022 by Addax
Correct grammatical error

[direstraits]

Hi @Addax, thanks for your message, I really appreciate it.

       Yeah, I can't believe how this goes on and on.😔 It's really soul crushing. I have to believe it will end someday.🙏

.     As far as the bone loss at least I have a low risk of fracture, so that's good.

.    Thanks for your condolences about Penny... it means a lot.miss her so much but we still have Lex, he's a real sweetie🐈

.   Take care of yourself and I hope you have a great holiday.❤️

[Carmie]

Hi Direstraits, 

 

How are you doing?🧡

[direstraits]

5 hours ago, Carmie said:

Hi Direstraits, 

 

How are you doing?🧡

Hi carmie,

I got a virus after Christmas and feel like I'm still recovering. Can't remember the last time I was sick. I think it set me back somewhat.. I'm so drained, not much appetite, I've lost some weight, which is good 😊 my eyes are so weird... just so tired of dealing with this 😌 almost 9 years.

Anyway, I'm glad you were able to write your gratitude list, hope you will feel better soon.❤️ sending hugs 🤗🤗 🤗

[Addax]

3 hours ago, direstraits said:

just so tired of dealing with this 😌 almost 9 years.

It does feel like this “thing” is dragging on.  I recently read through the success stories. There are several, but it was actually one of the very first ones that Alto wrote about that I found encouraging. I can’t remember which one, but the end of the story was that after a long struggle, without the benefit of what we know now, he ended up back to “normal.” Then I just listened to a pod cast featuring David Healy. He talked about a case where the individual struggled for quite sometime, and then one day is was like “pop!” - back to “normal.” It might be included in the article I posted in the media forum.  I can’t remember. These stories remind me that there is an end, but when that moment the “pop!” will happen is not so predictable… aside from the fact that it does happen.

 

I hope the residual yuck from the virus works the rest of its way out quickly. 

[direstraits]

Thanks for the encouraging message,

@Addax😊... today wasn't too bad, was able to go out to breakfast with my husband... the weather has been awful in the northeast this winter lots of clouds and rain 🌧️.. so dreary. I'd rather have snow ❄️!

       Anyway, thanks again for the hopeful message.. I need it.❤️

 

[Carmie]

On 1/23/2023 at 2:16 AM, direstraits said:

Hi carmie,

I got a virus after Christmas and feel like I'm still recovering. Can't remember the last time I was sick. I think it set me back somewhat.. I'm so drained, not much appetite, I've lost some weight, which is good 😊 my eyes are so weird... just so tired of dealing with this 😌 almost 9 years.

Anyway, I'm glad you were able to write your gratitude list, hope you will feel better soon.❤️ sending hugs 🤗🤗 🤗

Sorry to hear you’ve been so sick Direstraits. I’m so sorry you have been in protracted withdrawals for nine years now too, it’s a long haul, isn’t it? 
 

Glad you found something positive in your  lastest health problem, weight loss😁. A friend of mine had to have a bowel operation and she wasn’t able to eat much for ages, mainly soft stuff. She lost weight too and was happy about that, not so happy though that she had to have an operation. 
 

I’m not really coping struggling to breathe 24/7 every day now for almost sixteen months. Just existing and distracting. 

Sending a little sunshine your way☀️☀️☀️

[direstraits]

Can someone help me... I'm burning all over.. just can't live like this anymore...was the prozac a mistake...just feeling so desperate.. almost 9 years of this..just had blood work done...low vitamin D..any advice or. suggestions welcome.

Thanks 

[Addax]

I am so sorry this is something you’re having to experience. Between getting Covid and low vitamin D my guess is one or both of these things have contributed to how you are feeling. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to all kinds of negative things related to mood and physical symptoms. I don’t know if you’ve been prescribed a supplement or diet high in vitamin D, but either way it could take a bit to feel the benefits. It can also take a while for the body and brain to recover from Covid. Don’t lose hope. This is a wave, and as waves do, it will pass, just not nearly as quickly as we’d want. 
 

I wish I could do more to help. I will send you vibes of healing and recovery.  

[wantrelief]

I am so sorry you are going through this, DS.....the burning sounds really awful.  I am hopeful that Addax is right and it is the low Vit D and recovering from the virus that has set you back. You have been so brave hanging in there.....we both have been at this a long time and it is just so draining to continuously not feel well.  My heart and thoughts are with you.

[direstraits]

Thanks for your messages,Addax and Want relief.❤️

I tested negative for COVID.

I am up and down with symptoms so there is some relief but when it's bad it's really unbearable.😞 Feels like I am losing my mind... wonder if it is akathisia.

          Have to find out about the vitamin D.

I've been taking it off and on but worry about it making me worse w/symptoms.trying to drink more milk.

I'm so confused 😕.

          Hope you're both having a good day.

 

Take care 💖

 

 

[littlebird]

13 minutes ago, direstraits said:

I tested negative for COVID.

I am up and down with symptoms so there is some relief but when it's bad it's really unbearable.😞 Feels like I am losing my mind... wonder if it is akathisia.

 

Please keep testing if you're having active virus symptoms! The people I know who caught the latest variants had symptoms for days, kept testing negative, then tested positive several days into feeling sick. 

 

Hoping you feel better soon, this sounds really hard! Vitamin D helps a lot with covid, and other colds/flu as well, so please try to treat the deficiency ASAP. I've also heard getting sun can help, if the sun is out where you are! A sun lamp would work too. 

[direstraits]

Thanks for your message @littlebird

It's been almost two months since I was sick, recovered from that

I was referring to the Wd symptoms.

thanks for your concern though 😉

I'll try to get out in the sun 😎

      Take care 💖

[littlebird]

Oh good!! Enjoy the sun, it's so good for us physically and mentally. Hope your WD symptoms ease soon! You've got me wondering if I should get my Vitamin D checked, I'm a vegetarian and might not have enough of it in my diet.

[direstraits]

Thanks... yeah, vitamin D deficiency is pretty common.

[wantrelief]

2 hours ago, direstraits said:

I am up and down with symptoms so there is some relief but when it's bad it's really unbearable.😞

I am so so sorry you continue to struggle.  I am heartened that you do have better times.....I am hopeful this means your brain will get there.  

[direstraits]

51 minutes ago, wantrelief said:

I am so so sorry you continue to struggle.  I am heartened that you do have better times.....I am hopeful this means your brain will get there.  

Thanks, wishing you well.❤️

[Carmie]

Hi direstraits, 

 

How is your day going today? I’m sad to read you’re still struggling so much. I wish I could take away your pain. 
 

Have you managed to get to the beach at all lately. As you know it’s my favourite place, every time I think of you I think of the beach too because of your little drives to the seaside. 
 

Sending you big hugs🤗

[direstraits]

Hi @Carmie

So nice to hear from you 😊

haven't been to the beach in a while since it's winter here, although it has been a mild one, no snow!😕

      I took an Epsom salt bath yesterday and I think it helped some,slept well and woke with less anxiety.just sooo tired of living like this 😌 I know you are too.

.   I hope you can get some relief from your suffering soon.. think of you often.❤️

.    Sending hugs 🤗🤗🤗 back to you.

[Carmie]

4 hours ago, direstraits said:

Hi @Carmie

So nice to hear from you 😊

haven't been to the beach in a while since it's winter here, although it has been a mild one, no snow!😕

      I took an Epsom salt bath yesterday and I think it helped some,slept well and woke with less anxiety.just sooo tired of living like this 😌 I know you are too.

.   I hope you can get some relief from your suffering soon.. think of you often.❤️

.    Sending hugs 🤗🤗🤗 back to you.

Good morning Direstraits, 

 

Thank you for your kind words, yes, I’m still struggling with my breathing about 17 months out now. It’s the never ending story. My body doesn’t seem to want to go into remission since the vaccine. 
 

It sounds like you’re missing the snow❄️❄️ I haven’t seen snow since I was a teenager in Germany. I remember trudging through it, even up to knee high. Loved the snow. It makes everything seem so cosy. Now that I’m living in sunny Queensland we don’t even get that long a winter either. I love it here though. Love the warm weather. 
 

I’m glad the epsom salt bath helped, maybe you need to do some more of those. Stick to what works I say😄. I definitely agree with you of being sick of withdrawals. I’ve still got a million years of tapering to go, and who knows what will happen when I finally jump off as my brain is so destabilised from all the meds that I’ve been in and off. 
 

Sending you much love dear direstraits💛🧡