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btdt: introducing myself


btdt

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Hello everyone not so new to this.

Rather tired of the entire situation but don't have any choice in some of it still messing around with hit and miss withdrawal symptoms some I am sure of some I am wondering about.

3.5 years post Effexor cold turkey after 7 years continuous use.

Not afraid to fly alone use to it but it is nice to have company.

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 :)

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Hi Soul I still have sexual dysfunction think it comes to mind first as I was just reading about it on here. I have mostly forgotten about sex which is extremely sad. On this topic alone I have improved from complete anesthetization of all my sexual areas. I am female. It improved from actually being numb to the touch to be non numb but no sexual sensation 99% of the time. The other 1% seems to have two option not enough feeling to inspire orgasm or thunder clap orgasm head ache which is NOT something you want to do twice.

 

I still have body pain my joints spine neck are contracted but it has improved a great deal. I stretch everyday use a lot of heat and non drug therapies still it is there. Nothing like it was however when I quit taking E I had symptoms of parkinson was checked for ms too. So far no further disease has been diagnosed so I think it is all withdrawal. My right side is most affected and the right foot use to drag it does not do that any longer but it is still contracted just not as badly. I broke a bone in that foot in four places a year ago doing basically nothing big. Had a bone density scan because of the break and I have some issues there. I made no connection with ssri/snri until a friend told me to drink beer which I thought was a joke but isn't beer lowers the serotonin in your body and is good for your bones.

Oddly enough I find it difficult to put my present state in a nutshell I guess I have not thought about it in awhile. The next trip was to an endo doc to check why the calcium and vit D3 I was given reacted badly on me. We did not find much my thyroid is fine she says but test results show my gamma globulin is low {immune stuff} For some reason the more vitD3 I put into my body the more my body gets rid of... after taking it most of a month I had less than I did before supplements??? I am still messing around with a stomach specialist and a few other doctors have huge insomnia which I cannot seem to keep a handle on tho it does fluctuate and is not constant like it once was.

I still take no meds other than antibiotics and advil as I seem to have a lot of infections including a couple of bouts of shingles that some say you can only get once.

I am still not working but I have a small circle of friends that I feel well enough to spend time with most times I am invited that is a huge improvement from my house bound in bed sick self when I started this process.

I see improvement looking back over the years it is slow and still I wonder if I am getting waves but it is difficult to discern. I have more questions than answers when it comes to my health care that has not changed and is disheartening.

Hope that was not too much of answer. I am sure there are more things but my thinking tho it is also improved is not always right where I want it to be so I told you want I can think of now :) thanks for the welcome and hello...

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 :)

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Thanks for the welcome Pink and hello to you too.

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 :)

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btdt,

 

I am sorry you are still having problems. At least you have seen some improvements.

How do you feel mentally - did you have anxiety at the beginning?

 

Have you been tested for Celiac? An undiagnosed Celiac disease was the reason why I ended in antidepressants.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

hey BTDT - welcome to SA.

 

1989 - 1992 Parnate* 

1992-1998 Paxil - pooped out*, oxazapam, inderal

1998 - 2005 Celexa - pooped out* klonopin, oxazapam, inderal

*don't remember doses

2005 -2007   Cymbalta 60 mg oxazapam, inderal, klonopin

Started taper in 2007:

CT klonopin, oxazapam, inderal (beta blocker) - 2007

Cymbalta 60mg to 30mg 2007 -2010

July 2010 - March 2018 on hiatus due to worsening w/d symptoms, which abated and finally disappeared. Then I stalled for about 5 years because I didn't want to deal with W/D.

March 2018 - May 2018 switch from 30mg Cymbalta to 20mg Celexa 

19 mg Celexa October 7, 2018

18 mg Celexa November 5, 2018

17 mg Celexa  December 2, 2019

16 mg Celexa January 6, 2018 

15 mg Celexa March 7, 2019

14 mg Celexa April 24, 2019

13 mg Celexa June 28, 2019

12.8 mg Celexa November 10, 2019

12.4 Celexa August 31, 2020

12.2 Celexa December 28, 2020

12 mg Celexa March 2021

11 mg  Celexa February 2023

 

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  • Administrator

Yes, welcome to our community, btdt.

 

When you feel up to it, please put your history in your signature, instructions here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

It'll help people know where you're coming from -- which is a lot!

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.

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btdt,

 

I am sorry you are still having problems. At least you have seen some improvements.

How do you feel mentally - did you have anxiety at the beginning?

 

Have you been tested for Celiac? An undiagnosed Celiac disease was the reason why I ended in antidepressants.

 

I was tested for celiac during a colonscopy so no I do not have that.

Anxiety can be a huge issue in withdrawal and I have had it all through this but there are some thing make it worse for me vit B supplements and Vit D... coffee made me so dizzy I quit for a year and a half it still can make me anxious so I limit it.

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 :)

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  • 1 month later...

Hi BTDT. It's Shanti, remember from Topix? I'm grateful you gave me the link to this forum. Very nice here. How are you doing now? What is that about opiates? Is Vicodin and opiate? I sometimes have to take it. Sending you lots of positive energy.

Taper from Cymbalta, Paxil, Prozac & Antipsychotics finished June 2012.

Xanax 5% Taper - (8/12 - .5 mg) - (9/12 - .45) - (10/12 - .43) - (11/12 - .41) - (12/12 - .38)

My Paxil Website

My Intro

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  • 1 year later...

Hi Shanti from previous research I learned all opiates increase serotonin. So take it from that and try to apply it to your situation. If you would like to talk over some of your thoughts on this come back and we will talk.

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 :)

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  • 5 months later...

btdt,I am sorry you are still having problems. At least you have seen some improvements.How do you feel mentally - did you have anxiety at the beginning?Have you been tested for Celiac? An undiagnosed Celiac disease was the reason why I ended in antidepressants.

In the beginning Anxiety was an understatement of what I had... there is a word for it but I can't think of it today.  Words I use to love words.. I can't find the right words to say what I really want as least 50% of the time and end us saying something like I wanted to say but nothing exact. 

I had anxiety the first year to the point I could not sit still in body or mind... I walked tromped thru winter and summer and rain of fall and spring... often these tromps were with a home made heating pad tied to my body... as the pain would keep me down if I did not fight back.  Often added absorbing junior to the mix... needed to move and it was healing for me... water tons of water... warm with half a lemon your liver will thank you.

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 :)

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I long ago learned I have fatty liver and 2 cysts in my liver ...since then learned from a new test called a fibro scan that I have second stage liver fibrosis.  I decided to take this in hand a couple of years ago and bought a book call the fatty liver diet by Sandra somebody sorry memory fails me ... I followed this diet to the T no cheating and felt sooo much better... I was hungry yes I was but a lot of things improved... had more energy for sure and lost weight.  It is a lot of work to do this diet.  One has to be able to get shopping a lot as fresh food and juicing is involved. 

I did this for about a year.. till my adult child who I live with (in there house not mine I am the dead beat here just so you know ...a lot of teasing living with Mommy but it is mommy who is the leach not the kid feels sorry for that but I can't afford to live on my own on the disability benefits they are way too low to live)  

So the diet was very helpful

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

My computer seems to be doing something quite strange so I may not be able to get back to this ... mak

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 :)

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  • 2 weeks later...

My computer did completely break with that last sentence.  

I have been off the diet since my a more serious illness in our house required a different diet... two diets were too much... then a complete loss of diet as pharma entered our lives from a new angle... 

A car accident a broken foot and a surgery all in the last six months have left me in an situation glad to have any food and unable to do all the work needed to be on the diet... so now... working at beating a post surgical infection still and trying to get back to the fatty liver diet as much as I can as my heath and energy permits. 

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 :)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Bt, you have helped me over on topix. I remember you convincing me that tapering was the way to go

and pointing me here. Thank you for that it's been a life saver.  

 

I'm sorry you have been through so much and now more illness and injury. I hope you can recover from it all 

as pain free as possible. It's interesting about the opiates, I had been taking effexor and codeine for years with

all the side effects but coped. Physically falling apart but just about functional mentally. Then it was discovered

I was reacting to codeine and put on tramadol instead. From that day on I was not very functional at all and

completely disabled but as it was following cancer surgery I  blamed the illness. Then when I was researching

effexor discovered it should never have been prescribed along with tramadol..  

 

We live and learn! Tramadol is the next one I will be tapering but will need to find alternative pain relief first. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

At one point I was given an injection and script of Tramadol while I was on effexor too.  Oddly enough E and Tramadol are structually related.

There was a link I use to have to professor who made videos about drugs.  He worked for a university and made the videos for the students I think so they would not get inot recreastional drug trouble. 

One drug he was talking about was I think a cat drug or something in England... he said since they banned that drug it would only makes sense to ban Effexor as they were the same type drug.  I am going to look for the video... found it rather interesting and his videos on drugs are top notch a good resource.

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

I think this is it.

 

 

old link from topix that started the idea

http://www.topix.com/forum/drug/effexor/TNH3NRPNP0BD8ENUL

There is a new drug out called naphyrone it is banned in the uk because is it suspected of causing deaths in a few teenagers.Effexor like drug banned in uk.The odd thing is it is supposedly very much like venlafaxine and bupropion two drugs already marketed as safe.Read this quote from the article here:http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/...A major problem with the ACMD report is that it lacks a critical appraisal of the science of naphyrone. The pharmacology on which the ban is recommended is that naphyrone binds to reuptake sites for the neurotransmitters noradrenaline, 5HT (serotonin) and dopamine. Such actions are more usually a feature of antidepressant rather than stimulant pharmacology. Based on the ACMD logic, potential new multi-amine reuptake blocking antidepressants such as NS2359, as well as established ones such as bupropion and venlafaxine might be in line to be banned. These drugs do not have abuse liability. As yet, we have no idea if naphyrone has either.I have not done a lot of followup but do know the drug has been banned.Interesting if this one is dangerous enough to be banned perhaps effexor is too.Teenagers were using this drug to get high some have died.

 

I thought he had one on pain killers but can't find it today.  sorry

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
  • 4 weeks later...

Today November 18 2013 is my 7 year anniversary of quitting effexor. 

I feel like a person who has been held in prison for 7 years and the day came to be released and I did not get out. 

I am now thinking maybe these rules I keep reading don't apply to me. 

Maybe not everyone is done at 7 years as in healed... not everyone is healed in 7 years. 

 

I so wish this were a different type of day ... one of celebration where I could tell everybody I am back but it isn't. I am guarding against taking this too hard as just like my bday it is just another day and there is not magic in the 7 year mark. For some reason I am having a hard time with this so much so I may not post it... as I hate to be so can't think of the word... about it.. childish.. to believe in magic that a cure would come in time... I am better I am just not there... I feel kind of silly admitting that I hope to be well by now.. as the entire situation is ludicrous and so is this.  

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

Hi bt.

 

I'm so sorry you are still going through all this, along with the illness and injury which you have endured over the years.  Some people just seem to take a long time to recover, I know that doesn't help make it any easier though. 

For some reason I am having a hard time with this so much so I may not post it... as I hate to be so can't think of the word... about it.. childish.. to believe in magic that a cure would come in time... I am better I am just not there... I feel kind of silly admitting that I hope to be well by now..

 

There is nothing childish or silly about hope and belief, its what most of us hang onto here, getting us through versions of our own ludicrous situations when very little about what we are going through makes sense and we get no comfort or validation from anyone who hasn't actually experienced this for themselves.

 

I wish I could do more to help.  Hang in there, you are getting better.  I've read accounts of people who struggled for years with protracted withdrawal related issues and then for no particular reason, turned a corner and started to improve much faster.

 

Thank you for being part of this forum, for providing company and support for others who are also on an extended journey towards recovery.

 

Petu.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment

I am so sorry that your struggles are dragging on and on and on and that you're not where you hoped to be.  I wish that I could make it better for you.  You're not alone, and you don't deserve to be stuck in this hell.  Sometimes, especially on an anniversary like today, it might seem impossible, but one day, this will be part of your history.  A journey which you can relate to others in the past-tense.  I hope that day comes soon.  I'm sending healing and loving thoughts your way.  Hugs, mtnbkr.

07.2004 Prozac. Greadually increased to 40mg. Good control of depression, but eventually developed muscle spasms and akathesia.

08.2010 Switched to Celexa. Suicidal ideation was constant.  Unable to sleep without ambien.

05.2012 Switched to Zoloft. Absolutely the BEST control of depression but caused severe bloating and rapid weight gain. Acne.

11.00.2012 Returned to Prozac 40mg

04.00.2013 Prozac 40mg + Wellbutrin 150mg

06.25.2013 Prozac 60mg and Wellbutrin 300mg

07.08.2013 GRAND MAL SEIZURE

07.09.2013 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin 300mg

07.26.2013 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin 150 mg

08.01.2014 Prozac 40mg and Wellbutrin ZERO

08.09.2013 Prozac 30.0 mg

09.13.2013 Prozac 27.5 mg

10.04.2013 Prozac 25.0 mg

10.25.2013 Prozac 22.5 mg

11.15.2013 Prozac 20.0 mg

12.06.2013 Prozac 15.0 mg

12.21.2013 Prozac 10.0 mg

 

Link to comment

Hi bt.

 

I'm so sorry you are still going through all this, along with the illness and injury which you have endured over the years.  Some people just seem to take a long time to recover, I know that doesn't help make it any easier though. 

For some reason I am having a hard time with this so much so I may not post it... as I hate to be so can't think of the word... about it.. childish.. to believe in magic that a cure would come in time... I am better I am just not there... I feel kind of silly admitting that I hope to be well by now..

 

There is nothing childish or silly about hope and belief, its what most of us hang onto here, getting us through versions of our own ludicrous situations when very little about what we are going through makes sense and we get no comfort or validation from anyone who hasn't actually experienced this for themselves.

 

I wish I could do more to help.  Hang in there, you are getting better.  I've read accounts of people who struggled for years with protracted withdrawal related issues and then for no particular reason, turned a corner and started to improve much faster.

 

Thank you for being part of this forum, for providing company and support for others who are also on an extended journey towards recovery.

 

Petu.

Petu thank you for replying to my post one of many late night ramblings over the past several years sent out over the internet when it seems I am the only one in the world awake.  It is very odd how this experience can cause one to feel alone and foreign even with those in their own families who have known them forever.  A sister of mine sent an email asking what my fav things were to better pick my bday gifts...another had picked up vanilla scented candles which I use to love and now can't tolerate.. last bday... I guess they have been speaking to each other about it.. since I had to say no when she wanted me to light one of the several scented options.. I can't tolerate scents.  Just one of my things... changes...I would not have expressed if I did not have too.  As for what I like the list I use to know I don't anymore.  I don't like much.. this changes peoples lives and it changes people.  I don't often go too far down that road as there is no guarantee of a return trip and all I find there are things I was that I miss.  Experiences vaguely remembered that I use to like and can't tolerate now and would not have the energy for. It is odd how I can no longer recall the details of feeling I can't recall how really good things feel but I could give you and exact description of many withdrawal states.  

I would like to take a look at the stories of people who have taken a long time to get over this is you could point me in the right direction in finding them I would attempt to make contract. There is Alto here she took a long time I know and eventually added a small amount of drug to get her over the hump and Charles from antidepressant facts as far as I know they are both well now... and these are the only two I know of who have been a long time .. Alto 6 and Charles 7 years so now that I am heading to 8... I want to speak to the people who are where I am if there are any. Are these people you speak of like me if so where are they?   Maybe they all gave up already and no longer bother with hope and things like it. I may be just taking a bad turn getting sucked into past wishes that won't come true... and I don't want to do that to myself again... I have given enough time to thinking about losses when I go there it never has anything good to say... trying to dig myself out but today it is going to be difficult.  Sleep which has been elusive again may be at the bottom of this. 

Will close in saying point them here if you see any and thanks for taking the time and effort to reply.  I see by your signature we have about the same response to prozac.. maybe genetically similar :) peace to you Petu

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

I am so sorry that your struggles are dragging on and on and on and that you're not where you hoped to be.  I wish that I could make it better for you.  You're not alone, and you don't deserve to be stuck in this hell.  Sometimes, especially on an anniversary like today, it might seem impossible, but one day, this will be part of your history.  A journey which you can relate to others in the past-tense.  I hope that day comes soon.  I'm sending healing and loving thoughts your way.  Hugs, mtnbkr.

Of course you might well be right and I am just being dramatic today.. I hope you are.  There are many things that have been pushed into past tense already and there is not reason to think the issues of today will not follow them there except I have not seen anyone else take this long.  So you likely are right. There is not other choice but to play the hand I am dealt I get that as much as I never wanted this hand.  I will adapt further if I have to I see people in old peoples homes do it every day... I think I am just angry that I had to do start so young adapting... angry and feeling sorry for myself which is ok briefly but horrid to get caught in.. I need to tread lightly here.  

I am going to consider trying something new to help me get beyond it which is tricky enough to be your own doctor without he training... but got me this far too...

Anytime I make the attempt I go over what I know already about me... the previous run ins I have head with health care the impossible to believe things I have to say to  them... all that crap piles back on ... and makes any changes I might want to attempt as in adding on a drug that seems to fit..something I would need them for tricky... to say the least.  This is where I am just now... may in the end add nothing... I am good at that.  The last two drugs I was given I reacted too and just stopped taking the doctors don't know yet as they behave as tho I am purposely trying to piss them off or am playing some time of attentions seeking game with them... having worked with kids before all this I resent them suggesting ... either of these senarios.. that I am lying and not taking my drugs for attention... they don't believe they react on me.. so other reason could I have to not take them ... I sure don't want the issues the drugs are suppose to treat... one being stroke... the other too personal for here for me at least today... 

 

So I guess I have once again used the computer and folks with ears on the internet to pull myself out of the mire and back to what is the issue right not and back to the land of the living and I owe you both thanks... 

 

thank you both  and peace you mtnbkr

 

at least this concept still works... that is something to be grateful for :)

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

 

I would like to take a look at the stories of people who have taken a long time to get over this is you could point me in the right direction in finding them I would attempt to make contract.

 

 

I will send this via PM

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment

Petu thanks for the pm and I sent a reply that may seem negative I hope you don't take it that way I was just trying to save what I have found... hope that is ok just this once 

there may well be a million ways to do that save things but i could not think of one other way to do it at the time and still can't... 

 

I would prefer to hear from people who are beyond 7 years of withdrawal if there are any... 7+ 

 

Maybe they are not talking about it anymore. 

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

Its ok, didn't sound negative, even if it had sounded negative, it would have been fine, I understand how difficult this must be and how despondent you must feel.

 

I think the main problem in finding people who have had long recoveries is not that they don't exist, but in finding them.  Most people want to recover so that they can get on with their lives, not so they can stay on internet forums dwelling on the worst period of their life, I would think that 99.9% of people who go through this and recover want to put it as far behind them as they can and the longer and more difficult it is, the stronger that impulse.

 

Then there's all the people who get off these meds, recover and don't use internet forums for support at all.

 

If you don't find someone 7+ years to talk to, please don't think its because they don't exist. 

 

We have to recover eventually, because all the cells in our body are constantly renewing themselves, some cells take longer than others, but over the course of years, our bodies are continually transformed into new versions.  As long as we are alive, we are changing.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Its ok, didn't sound negative, even if it had sounded negative, it would have been fine, I understand how difficult this must be and how despondent you must feel.

 

I think the main problem in finding people who have had long recoveries is not that they don't exist, but in finding them.  Most people want to recover so that they can get on with their lives, not so they can stay on internet forums dwelling on the worst period of their life, I would think that 99.9% of people who go through this and recover want to put it as far behind them as they can and the longer and more difficult it is, the stronger that impulse.

 

Then there's all the people who get off these meds, recover and don't use internet forums for support at all.

 

If you don't find someone 7+ years to talk to, please don't think its because they don't exist. 

 

We have to recover eventually, because all the cells in our body are constantly renewing themselves, some cells take longer than others, but over the course of years, our bodies are continually transformed into new versions.  As long as we are alive, we are changing.

I guess I was despondent in a way but not in the major way I know I could be... more a questioning type thing that perhaps there was something more wrong that was going to require intervention to repair unlike the long sought after time will heal this version I have been hoping would work. 

Like there is that plan scrapped now lets get on with the what will work. 

 

"the longer and more difficult it is, the stronger that impulse" 

I wonder about this as maybe the longer it takes the more you learn the more searching and work you do the more a part of you life this entire subject becomes.  If I were to add up the years since I first took an Ad in 89 /90 that is a lot of years... 23 years on or recovering... I wonder if I would have a strong impulse to distance myself from it all.  How could one do such a thing becomes the next question as it is all such a huge part of who I am now... an alter identity... so much so there are days it feels like all I am and all I have ever been.  I wonder if after all this time... and it is a long time if getting away from it would be like denying a part of myself.  I think the longer we are stuck in it the more we become just that no social or work life sex life romantic life family life... so much is replaced by being a human drug test subject.  An illegitimate one at that as doctors and pharma refuse ownership. 

 

" Most people want to recover so that they can get on with their lives, not so they can stay on internet forums dwelling on the worst period of their life" 

This seems like a strange statement to me.  There seems to be something wrong in the thought and I am glad it is your thought not mine.  Do you think this is what Alto is doing by having this site after she has healed. I don't see her dwelling however she is still involved with the subject maybe because it is a big part of her life too.  I am not sure what it means that you would say this... maybe I am misunderstanding.  

 

I have had a very stressful go since I wrote this trying to support a family member beyond what I could comfortably do... but I did it because I would not be able to live with myself if I did not do it but it has cost me and I will need some time to recover and think well again... stress does me in.  so I will leave this now as I am likely off base ...hope I am. Peace to you. 

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

 

" Most people want to recover so that they can get on with their lives, not so they can stay on internet forums dwelling on the worst period of their life" 

This seems like a strange statement to me.  There seems to be something wrong in the thought and I am glad it is your thought not mine.  Do you think this is what Alto is doing by having this site after she has healed. I don't see her dwelling however she is still involved with the subject maybe because it is a big part of her life too.  I am not sure what it means that you would say this... maybe I am misunderstanding.  

 

 

 

I'm hoping that I didn't write anything which made you feel worse than you already are.  Its often hard for me to know what to write when I want to help, but just don't know how.

 

I offered this particular idea as a suggestion why it might be difficult to find many recovery stories online,  people get better, then forget the tools and methods they used to achieve that.... including logging onto help forums.

 

Maybe my choice of of the word 'dwelling' was a bad one.  I don't actually think that people who stick around to help others, after they have recovered are 'dwelling'.

 

Communication through writing is difficult at the best of times, but when we are under stress, its even harder.  When I'm going through a bad wave, I can't even understand half of what I'm reading.

 

I know what its like to be needed to to support someone else when there is nothing left to give, but you find that extra bit of emotional strength anyway.

 

Take care of yourself, I hope you feel better soon.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

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The big push is over the surgery the hosp all done I am back to my own bed so it should come along soon... I was thinking of going back but it looks like things are ok.. I just am not sure I believe that and may have to take a trip to check for myself.  Will see how I feel later. 

I find transitions difficult sleeping on a relatives couch can almost certainly grant me a run in with sleep deprivation and often a long course of insomnia after the initial kick start of over a wk of 3 hrs sleep a night... I can survive on naps but I must get them... and I wasn't. 

I know what you mean about people sticking around after they are well I was not on a withdrawal site with previous withdrawal and I did not know what I as suffering was withdrawal but I have a very clear image in my mind of making up for lost time and catching up with bills by getting an extra job ect ect ect... yes I have a very clear view of that.... I did it over and over.  Restarted my life.  I was young then not now... 

I have lost my independence that I really miss... it is almost like being a child... I don't like it at all... but this is what I have to do to survive just now... maybe In time it will change but I would have to find that hunger those who don't look back here have found ... I am not sure I have another shot at it in me... 

 

I think that is what is most disappointing to find out now... after all this time when I don't seem to have another recovery left in now I find out the truth.  After I have wasted my youth in a drug induced state... there are no words for this feeling. despondent is not the word but just now I don't know what the word is or if there is word for it. 

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

Hi Bt, you have helped me over on topix. I remember you convincing me that tapering was the way to go

and pointing me here. Thank you for that it's been a life saver.  

 

I'm sorry you have been through so much and now more illness and injury. I hope you can recover from it all 

as pain free as possible. It's interesting about the opiates, I had been taking effexor and codeine for years with

all the side effects but coped. Physically falling apart but just about functional mentally. Then it was discovered

I was reacting to codeine and put on tramadol instead. From that day on I was not very functional at all and

completely disabled but as it was following cancer surgery I  blamed the illness. Then when I was researching

effexor discovered it should never have been prescribed along with tramadol..  

 

We live and learn! Tramadol is the next one I will be tapering but will need to find alternative pain relief first. 

Hi Momma P please forgive my late reply I am glad you found this site and have been using it to your advantage. Finding an alternative pain relief to pills is a big issue  I too am looking for a drug free way to accomplish this. If you find something affordable... let me know.  I am on a no income sort of budget since I have not worked in years there is no nest egg. 

I was doing fairly well with diet exercise and relaxation...mindfulness I learned from a book... you may look into these as options.  

Having a car accident has brought new issues to my plate and I can't seem to get off the narcotic tho I have used it in a manner conducive to my sensitivity doctors are shocked I take only 1/4 the dose to get some relief but get major side effects... it really is not worth it.  I have learned the rock and hard place law... when your there you do what you have to do... and hope you have the will and sense to work your way out of it eventually. Attempting drug free approaches again... it can seem one does nothing else at times but try to ditch pills. What a life. 

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
  • 2 months later...

Hi btdt. I read your question in mammaP:s thread about vitamin D. I know lots of stuff about vitamin D and you can definitely get revved up and get sleep problems from it. Especially if you are deficient. You get a wahoo, vitamin d at last, yippee effect. How deficient are you? What serum level?

Your doctor should check pth level as well. Parathyroid hormone. If your body is very depleted and has been long the parathyroid hormone gets elevated. Parathyroid hormone converts vitamin d to active form. To much active form makes for feeling bad.

2010: Mirtazapine 30mg followed by Zopiclone 7.5 mg for sleep post surgery due to pain.
2012-> Tapering Mirtazapine and Zopiclone at different rates unsuccessfully.
2013: Hospitalized 10 days due to complete Insomnia. Forced back up to 45mg Mirtazapine, 7.5 mg Zopiclone and also Theralene 1 ml.
2013-03: Lab showed Vitamin D deficient. Found the vitamin d and insomnia connection. Supplementing vitamin d. Sleep improved by 1-2 hours
2013-04: Dropped mirtazapine to 30 due to severe side effects. Quit Theralene. Zopiclone 7.5.
2013-05 - 2013-11: Mirtazapine taper monthly 25 20 15 11 8 4 2.5 mg
2013-12 Holding M at 2.5. Need to taper Zopiclone due to daytime nausea and vomiting. Taper zopiclone 1/4 red every 5 d. Last Z 2013-12-19
2013-12-31 M:2.5. Reinstated Zopiclone 3.75 due to Insomnia
2014-01-06 M:2.5. Taper Z 1.9 ... 2014-01-14 M:2.5. Z 1 mg.
Jumped of Zopiclone 01-20. Jumped mirtazapine 02-16.

Theralene: 10mg 02-09. 8mg 03-09. 5mg 03-15. 4mg 03-24. 3mg 04-08. Jumped 04-21.
Zopiclone free for 251 days. Mirtazapine free for 224 days.

Link to comment

I don't have answers I had the first D test in 2010 and many after with the endo doc I gave up on it partly despondency due to yet another specialist that I had a problem with as it keeps happening. I have a long list of unexplained reactions and issue some very long lasting like a reaction to lidocaine with no ephi.  that took 6 months to resolve I have not been to the dentist since but I know it is coming.  Insurance will only cover the put to sleep type of dentistry if I am deemed allergic to this type of med and a year later I finally had the testing ..pin prick sort gave me a pain in my head but nothing like before.  So that is a no go not allergic at least not that day.  There is a list of doctors by now I am sure they have a problem patient on my chart add to that previous psych and I am sure they can all line up with my previous shrink and say how nuts I am.  I have to work myself up to go to a doctor now it has become problematic with so many different instances at this point. 

As for the vit D once I decided I was done with supplement except for the occasional part of a capsule of  taurine or grated magnesium in some water I went to food.  I changed my diet completely eating fresh foods only no msg small amounts of meat and a lot of veggies and brown rice I did lose weight and felt good.  Then my son became ill and required a different diet we ate his type of food which was much the same but more resticted... we were trying to escape meds for him but it did not work and he ended up medicated.  Once that was over and the meds helped him initially get better the diet both of ours went out the window and then the accident ... in 2012 I was dependent on other for food and ate what came. 

So I have just been retested today to see what my D levels are and we are testing something about K not the actual levels but another bit that indicated indirectly the levels ... had this before with the shirnk long after I was off the drugs and still seeing him he tested my K twice as he did not believe the first results he never did tell me and I did not ask was still too messed up then.  

So I am waiting have thought about what you said of needing a thyroid test think I wrote about my thyroid lump and all that shenanigans yesterday don't ask me where as I don't recall.  I was tested for parathyroid at the time and found one site about parathyroid tumors I found interesting it said reactions to D are common if you have a para thyroid tumor... seemed to fit what they said but the clinic is in the states and they change more than I live on in a year to see them and be treated not including air fair... so let that go too.  Figured do what I can with what I have which is food.   

There is that and I found a site by trevor marshal who says virus and bateria use the vitamin d receptor to get into and hide in our body... somehow cause illness and our body is lowering vit d as a defense... so you see there are a lot of ways to see this and who knows what will come of it all if anything.  Some day maybe something definitive will come about.  It has been 4 years since my reaction to vit d and calcium so you see nothing comes quickly with this entire situation not for me at least.  I am determine to get beyond this it is just a matter of how and when.  Maybe time like everybody keeps saying and I had a set back year...now will see how the D blood test and the K turn out it has been 6 years AD free maybe my body has over come some things all by itself we will see. 

I was thinking about what you said today and I don't think I have seen a lower dose of D3 than 400mg but there are always child doses or even baby if need be.  I may try it but before I do I want to have some time between me and this pancreatitis just to make sure I am well and have my liver levels come back to normal they are still off.  I do not want to over tax my system by change when I am unwell. My body does not adapt well to change now days so I want to stack the deck in my favor.

Thanks for you help and interest....and peace to you. 

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

Peace btdt! One additional tip if i may. Vitamin d pills you can cut, grind to powder and mix up in food or drink. Its stable, so you can take how small a part of an tablet you want.

If parathyroid hormone is elevated you need to go slow and increase vitamin d slowly so your parathyroid glands can adapt. if you have a parathyroid tumor you need to take care of that. Parathyroid tumors are not dangerous, easy to remove, and as almost all of us you have 4 glands, removing one is no problem.

Wish you good luck with this!

Wulfgar

2010: Mirtazapine 30mg followed by Zopiclone 7.5 mg for sleep post surgery due to pain.
2012-> Tapering Mirtazapine and Zopiclone at different rates unsuccessfully.
2013: Hospitalized 10 days due to complete Insomnia. Forced back up to 45mg Mirtazapine, 7.5 mg Zopiclone and also Theralene 1 ml.
2013-03: Lab showed Vitamin D deficient. Found the vitamin d and insomnia connection. Supplementing vitamin d. Sleep improved by 1-2 hours
2013-04: Dropped mirtazapine to 30 due to severe side effects. Quit Theralene. Zopiclone 7.5.
2013-05 - 2013-11: Mirtazapine taper monthly 25 20 15 11 8 4 2.5 mg
2013-12 Holding M at 2.5. Need to taper Zopiclone due to daytime nausea and vomiting. Taper zopiclone 1/4 red every 5 d. Last Z 2013-12-19
2013-12-31 M:2.5. Reinstated Zopiclone 3.75 due to Insomnia
2014-01-06 M:2.5. Taper Z 1.9 ... 2014-01-14 M:2.5. Z 1 mg.
Jumped of Zopiclone 01-20. Jumped mirtazapine 02-16.

Theralene: 10mg 02-09. 8mg 03-09. 5mg 03-15. 4mg 03-24. 3mg 04-08. Jumped 04-21.
Zopiclone free for 251 days. Mirtazapine free for 224 days.

Link to comment

Peace btdt! One additional tip if i may. Vitamin d pills you can cut, grind to powder and mix up in food or drink. Its stable, so you can take how small a part of an tablet you want.

If parathyroid hormone is elevated you need to go slow and increase vitamin d slowly so your parathyroid glands can adapt. if you have a parathyroid tumor you need to take care of that. Parathyroid tumors are not dangerous, easy to remove, and as almost all of us you have 4 glands, removing one is no problem.

Wish you good luck with this!

Wulfgar

The lump I had was a long time ago but since I quit effexor can't recall when.  It was on my thyroid not my parathyroid.  I had tests and they did not say anything after except it was ok ... cold not hot if that means anything not cancer either I guess.  I am assuming my doctor knows what she is doing.  I thought of crushing the vit D3 I already bought as I have tons of bottles of vitamins and supplements ... spent plenty of money I could not afford already on this I can't take ...even tried other brands and fillers in case that was the issue.  

I am going to talk to my doctor about all of this before I decide what to do.  

She was not my doctor when I seen the endo doc so she does not have the results from that fiasco..not sure how she is going to take this but if she is going to be my doc I guess she will have to deal with the crap I have to deal with. 

As anxiety and insomnia are both "reportable" issues and not something she can see on a test it could all come down to the "psych" patient issue once again as being all in my head or I am lying... not that she will say it but the behavior of other doctors has been suggestive of it.  :)

I hate getting new doctors so would like to keep one as long as I can once I get one they are not easy to get.  I have been years without a family doctor in the past two decades. other than shrinks... anyone can get a shrink just show up at emerg you will have one in a wk...

This is the reason I do not say much to family doctors about withdrawal... I don't want to be seen as crazy it affects my care.  All the other physical issues that come with withdrawal still end up there at some point.  Just a mess actually. 

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

The meds we are given has a big impact on the physical components of sleep and anxiety. I would say that the threshold for sleep and anxiety is now so low that anything activating (supplements etc) moves us above that and causes anxiety and insomnia.

I so can relate to not wanting to have your doctor biased by any pdoctor or any critique on the medications they so love to prescribe.

Having a doctor to talk to about ones health is important but the balancing act on what to say and not to is horrible.

2010: Mirtazapine 30mg followed by Zopiclone 7.5 mg for sleep post surgery due to pain.
2012-> Tapering Mirtazapine and Zopiclone at different rates unsuccessfully.
2013: Hospitalized 10 days due to complete Insomnia. Forced back up to 45mg Mirtazapine, 7.5 mg Zopiclone and also Theralene 1 ml.
2013-03: Lab showed Vitamin D deficient. Found the vitamin d and insomnia connection. Supplementing vitamin d. Sleep improved by 1-2 hours
2013-04: Dropped mirtazapine to 30 due to severe side effects. Quit Theralene. Zopiclone 7.5.
2013-05 - 2013-11: Mirtazapine taper monthly 25 20 15 11 8 4 2.5 mg
2013-12 Holding M at 2.5. Need to taper Zopiclone due to daytime nausea and vomiting. Taper zopiclone 1/4 red every 5 d. Last Z 2013-12-19
2013-12-31 M:2.5. Reinstated Zopiclone 3.75 due to Insomnia
2014-01-06 M:2.5. Taper Z 1.9 ... 2014-01-14 M:2.5. Z 1 mg.
Jumped of Zopiclone 01-20. Jumped mirtazapine 02-16.

Theralene: 10mg 02-09. 8mg 03-09. 5mg 03-15. 4mg 03-24. 3mg 04-08. Jumped 04-21.
Zopiclone free for 251 days. Mirtazapine free for 224 days.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

^^ What Wulfgar said! ^^  It's awful having to be careful what you say in case it is taken as a 'symptom' 

of the 'mental illness' we are refusing treatment for! 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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