Alua: Aussie pristiq will I ever be free

[Alua]

Ok, its been a while since i was on here so thought i would give an update. With the new look site im unable to update my signature at this point, will do so at some point in the future.

 

As my signature shows i was last on pristiq and having it compounded to taper off. I had been tapering roughly 18 months and was down to 8mg when i came off. That was 8.5 months ago.

 

I have had all the normal symptoms but nothing is worse now that i am off. Things are a little better, not much but i feel like i was a frozen zombie that is slowly thawing out.

 

So main symptoms i had on the drugs and that i currently cope with are tinnitus, chemical anxiety and depression, feeling of dread, intrusive thoughts, rage, brain pops (note i had these on the drugs and they sound similar to when you splash cold water in a frypan, annoying but far from debilitating), weird neurological sensations, eye problems such as floaters blurring etc. I honestly could list a thousand weird symptoms but you all know what they are.

 

I was fully functional through my taper and continue to be. I have a 4 and 6 year old who i care for, i work 5 days a fortnight and try to walk an hour most days. My husband works away every 2nd week for 7 days so i have no choice but to carry on.

 

Its been a rough year too. My dad died 3 months ago unexpectedly. My brother had a bad fall 4 months ago and has a brain injury, and i was diagnosed with stage 1 melanoma. 

 

I have symptoms daily and they vary in intensity. I have brief windows most days if even for an hour. I had my worst wave yet at 7 months off which started off with 9 days straight of ocular migraines.

 

The whole experience has been beyond horrific but i soldier on and will continue to do so. I refuse to let this destroy my life and for it to hamper my childrens. I know there will be horrible waves ahead of me but i also know they will pass eve tually.

 

Its hard to believe some days that the drugs are still wreaking havoc with cns and that im not ill with some rare horrific disease. But given ive had every diagnostic test known to man i must conclude the obvious.

 

Im cuddling my husband again, im sleeping 7 hours most nights, im crying occasionally, laughing on the odd occasion, feeling joy a little, feeling overwhelming love occasionally, so im trusting these little improvements will continue.

 

And most importantly i am glad to still be here. Had i stayed on the drugs there was a hugh chance i would not be.

 

 

[KarenB]

Wow Alua, you're doing really well.  Coping with so much in your personal life and with symptoms, and still able to point out the good things and the improvements.  Especially glad to see you are able to sleep a decent amount - that is such a booster. 

 

The new site soft ware has had us all scratching our heads a bit, but we're getting there.  For signature adaption, go to your name in the top right corner, then click on Account Settings, then Signature.  Or have you tried that and it's now working? 

 

Thanks for letting us know how you are - we really like hearing from people.

 

Karen

x

[scallywag]

Alua -- here's a link to update your signature that works on desktop/laptop computers, tablets and phones:

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

[Alua]

God knows how long its been since i posted on here, quite a long time anyway.

 

So im about 16 months off the last antidepressant i was on, that being pristiq. I noticed a change in baseline after about a year. Before that i felt like i was dying and had been poisoned. Things are still pretty weird but much better. My most troublesome existing symptom is intrusive thoughts. They are vile. I have many symptoms but none of them prevent me from living my life, ie pesky little brain zaps, visual disturbances, tinnitus...i could go on but i wont!

 

I work part time and still care for my 2 beautiful kids. They are all the distraction i need. Yes its hard but they are beyond a blessing. I sleep pretty well now, between 7 and 9 hours most nights. And just recently i have started sleeping right through the night without waking. I cry again when something makes me sad. I read a book the other day. I passed exams i had to sit for work. 

 

im so glad to be off that disabling poison. Its the hardest thing i have ever been through, actually hard doesnt come close to describing the experience. One foot in front of the other, one day at a time and sometimes one breath. I have a lot to be grateful for. 

 

Love and healing to you all. Never give up hope and acceptance, acceptance, acceptance.

 

 

[ChessieCat]

Hi Alua,

 

Just wanted to let you know that we appreciate you dropping back in and updating your situation.

 

It sounds like you are doing well especially considering that you jumped off at 8mg.

[Hopetobefree]

Hi Alua,

how are you doing these days? I'm nearly 7 months off and doing it tough. I'd thought I'd reach out to you because you said you were having intrusive thoughts this is the one main symptom that persists for me too. 

 

Hope