Boomer Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 Have just found out Hubby was on Oxybutinin 2.5mg while in hospital. Doctor suggested Oxybutinin may have caused Dysphagia and that may need to be checked out. Managed to get Hubby to drink a bit more. Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus JanCarol Posted June 10, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 10, 2016 Hey Boomer: Oh my gosh - my husband has deteriorated further - he is finding it difficult to swallow and talks to me in a whisper! Again, as scary as this is - speech impairment, throat & swallowing problems in withdrawal is a symptom that others have suffered: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8494-swallowing-and-throat-problems/ It's now been 3 weeks since the Effexor was reduced, and 2 weeks since the Olanzapine was started? Have you taken him to the hospital? If they determine it is this dysarthria, what can a hospital do? He is in no condition for speech therapy! I'm glad you have gotten some food and rest - I'm sure you would like more. That is my wish for you, and that your husband starts to settle. There seems to be a 3 week point in changing neurotransmitters. Maybe that will start to settle now. "Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again. My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices. A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia. CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013. Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine). Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 - Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years on Lithium). Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made. The tedious thread (my intro): JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium The happy thread (my success story): JanCarol - Undiagnosed Off all bipolar drugs My own blog: https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/ I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016! Link to comment
Boomer Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 Hey Boomer: Oh my gosh - my husband has deteriorated further - he is finding it difficult to swallow and talks to me in a whisper! Again, as scary as this is - speech impairment, throat & swallowing problems in withdrawal is a symptom that others have suffered: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8494-swallowing-and-throat-problems/ It's now been 3 weeks since the Effexor was reduced, and 2 weeks since the Olanzapine was started? Have you taken him to the hospital? If they determine it is this dysarthria, what can a hospital do? He is in no condition for speech therapy! I'm glad you have gotten some food and rest - I'm sure you would like more. That is my wish for you, and that your husband starts to settle. There seems to be a 3 week point in changing neurotransmitters. Maybe that will start to settle now. This is so scary, He is in a terrible state and I have uncontrollable shaking from the stress of it all. Hindsight is a wonderful as I now wish I had of increase his Effexor back up to 150mg and then tapered slowly down. I am frightened he is going to be disabled for life. Last night his legs wouldn't stop jerking - this is another symptom that has appeared - oh my gosh. If I could see some glimmer of improvement I would feel so much better. But the withdrawals are never ending! Last couple of nights - I haven't had much sleep - too much worry. Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Boomer Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 Just reflecting back since the Pdoc reduced my husband's meds and as soon as he made the reduction I could see changes happening very quickly. I should have just refused to taper him that way and bumped him back to 150mg. Even though he had cognitive problems and couldn't think clearly at least he was stable. . I haven't had the throat/swallowing problem checked out because with alot of persuasion I managed to get some food/drink down him. It is difficult to get him to take his meds though and that is a worry. We have an appointment with the Pdoc on Monday! Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Boomer Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 I am at my wits end as I am finding it very difficult to continue to support my husband through this time. I read in a previous post that the symptoms may start to subside after three weeks. I am not seeing any relief so far, I know I said I would stay at 112mg but I don't think I can continue. Is it too late to increase back to 150mg to relieve his symptoms and give me peace. My concern is am I doing more harm than good? Please help. Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Boomer Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 I keep thinking of things to add - sorry about the endless posts but I am quite desperate. My husband is not stable - keeps says all sorts of weird stuff, he is not with it at all. My son says he thinks it is time for my husband to be hospitalized. I don't really want to do that as I know they will pump him full of drugs again. Please help. Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted June 11, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 11, 2016 If you do decide to increase his dose, don't charge right back to 150mg - it could be too much for him by now. It is possible that a dose midway between 112 and 150 would work, but get a second opinion from a more experienced mod if you do choose to up-dose. I'm sorry I cannot help more than that - the final decision will have to be down to you, as you know all of the in's and out's of your whole situation. Oh - one other thought concerning getting enough rest. Have you heard of yoga nidra? It is a very relaxing form of yoga where you lie/sit completely still and move your focus to different parts of your body. It is said that 20 mins is equivalent to 3 hours sleep. There are guided versions on you-tube etc. I was thinking it might be a good way to get some rest during this very difficult time. Karen 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
btdt Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 Have just found out Hubby was on Oxybutinin 2.5mg while in hospital. Doctor suggested Oxybutinin may have caused Dysphagia and that may need to be checked out. Managed to get Hubby to drink a bit more. I just looked that up and I had Dysphagia when I was on Effexor ... so it could be effexor too.... Effexor Side Effects in Detail - Drugs.com www.drugs.com › Drugs A to Z › Effexor Learn about the potential side effects of Effexor (venlafaxine). ... Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bruxism, colitis, dysphagia, tongue edema, esophagitis, gastritis, ... I also had esophagitis, gastritis, esophagitis with sores internal pictures were taken by the stomach specialist I could see it myself... gastritis when I went ct.. tho I was not eating much before I went off... I had it in wd too... sorry if this complicates things. I was years into taking effexor before it got bad 2004 so 4 years into taking it. when I was tested. I was put on ppi drugs to treat it and took both for a couple more years... but my health did fail during that time. 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
btdt Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 A pdoc a hosp emerg doc neither of them were of any help to me ten years ago there are however a few very few doctors that know how to deal with this. One is doctor healy the other may be grace Jackson we don't know about her yet.... David Healy offers online advice for a price.. I don't have the link but I am quite sure it is here at SA .. I wonder if hosp docs would take his advice or if that is even possible. I am sorry your in this situation of not knowing... it is certainly a guessing game. We should have access to better care but we don't. I wish I new something to say that could help... I will try to think of what I did way back when I had the swallowning problems I think I had the gut problem at the same time... I did not know to use probiotics then... now I would try them maybe. All my posts from the early days are missing and I did not find a wd site till 8 months into cold turkey.. I just can't remember now if I do recall anything I will post back.. I think when it first got bad I took pepto .. that is all I can recall. I sure hope you get some help and some peace around this I know it is a terrible position to be in... I wonder if the hosp or a doctor did some blood work if that would give any clues as to what is going on since he can't really tell you.. any chance of a doc or nurse coming to you home in your area and takign some blood? peace 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
btdt Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 this is the link to Dr David Healy's e-clinic https://econsult.rxisk.org/ it is called an e consult I don't know if doctors would do this or if you have to do it yourself it looks like this is a patient to doc thing maybe one of your kids could help you with it. I don't think I know enough about computers to do it myself I would need help. It can't hurt to ask. peace 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
btdt Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 this doctor next choice Dr. Lucire can be contacted by email: lucire@ozemail.com.au, you can read about her here if you want http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6383-dr-yolande-lucire-adverse-reactions-to-psychiatric-drugs/ I know they are all long shots but it is a shot. peace 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
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 11, 2016 Administrator Share Posted June 11, 2016 Please don't blame yourself, Boomer. Most everyone trusts their doctor's advice at first. You're between a rock and a hard place: If he's having an adverse reaction to drugs (very possible), reducing the drugs (sometimes rapidly), is called for. But he seems to get withdrawal syndrome when the Effexor is reduced. (The confusion could be from either the drugs or the withdrawal.) You may have to choose between the adverse reaction and withdrawal syndrome, not knowing in advance if reducing the drugs will reduce his distress. Also, it sounds like he's not eating enough, he's lost a lot of weight, and he's physically weak. If he cannot eat, going to the hospital is probably the correct course of action, but they tend to want to load on the psychiatric drugs -- even if you fear that he's having an adverse reaction to one or more of them. Having a doctor in your corner to talk to the hospital would help a great deal. Does your psychiatrist understand he might be having serious adverse reactions? If not, you might contact Dr. Lucire. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
btdt Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 You could search this thread for a doc in NZ http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/988-recommended-doctors-therapists-or-clinics/page-6 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 JanCarol Posted June 13, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 13, 2016 Hey Boomer - I'm sure you're at your wits end. I'm the one that said that 3 weeks might show some improvement. I still think he is healing, but it's so extreme, it's difficult to distinguish from a drug reaction. Different symptoms come out at different times as his systems heal. But taking care of his body is getting worrisome. The hospital will keep him until he settles, usually. (often with huge medication adjustments, but sometimes, they help.) Then, when you get him home in a settled state, let him adjust to that state for a few months. It may be awhile before you can reach his mind and feelings, but if you can accept that as part of the process and then just care for his body when he is less agitated and better able to help you (in the care of his body). Why do doctors go on holiday when we need them most? Please be kind to yourself - smacking yourself with regrets will not help you move forward. Take a deep breath, take several. Then, when your mind and emotions are calmer (if that is possible) let us know what you want to do - what you can do - what your options are? I hope your legs are up on the wall soon, Jan "Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again. My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices. A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia. CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013. Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine). Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 - Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years on Lithium). Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made. The tedious thread (my intro): JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium The happy thread (my success story): JanCarol - Undiagnosed Off all bipolar drugs My own blog: https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/ I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted June 14, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 14, 2016 Hope the doctors appointment goes went well today and they are able to help, I've been thinking of you both. **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 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted June 16, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 16, 2016 Boomer, Hadn't heard from you in several days and wanted to check in and see what the latest news was. Hope the doctor's appointment went well. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
btdt Posted June 17, 2016 Share Posted June 17, 2016 At times like this I wish we had the right answers I keep hoping for the right doctor with right ideas of what helps... we so need improved knowledge and care. 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
Boomer Posted June 19, 2016 Author Share Posted June 19, 2016 Hello members, I had send for an ambulance as my husband could not eat or drink or even take his Effexor. He had become so weak that he could hardly get out of bed. At the hospital I kept asking for someone to administer his medication as he was becoming psychotic. This didn't occur when I left him at 10.30pm. He lost his co-ordination, couldn't bring his hand to his mouth, he couldn't control his bladder, he couldn't speak, he was down to a whisper and alot of the times he lost his words. He was an absolute mess and I am not exaggerating. It was now becoming a medical issue. They immediately started giving him fluids. They CT scanned him and then unfortunately even though I asked and asked could he not be put into a Psych Ward or could they administer his medication and then I would take him home, they wouldn't allow it and he is now back in the Psych Ward where they are pumping him up with Effexor and Olanzapine. I thought to myself I should have done that at home (increased it back to 150mg and the Olanzapine) instead he is now stuck in that ward on a higher dose of Effexor and they are going to increase it. They also mentioned to me they may use ECT! I will do my upmost to not allow this to happen but I doubt whether I will have any say in the matter. I have been intouch with Patient Advocacy who tell me they will support me during this time. She also mentioned that it is highly recommended that I have Enduring Power of Attorney for my husband so I can be involved in his treatment. Because he is now in a Psych Ward we may not be able to get that authority. So this is a warning to other New Zealanders, to make sure your partner has Enduring Power of Attorney so that when you are so out of it you will have someone there to make decisions for you. They could shut me out of the process using the Privacy Act! I also have to be careful because PAdvocacy said the Psych Ward cringes when she appears on the scene as she know what rights we have as patients etc.. and I would hate this to jeapordise my husband in anyway. I have been too distraught to come onto this forum. I am depressed and am trying to get myself back into a good place so I can continue to support my husband. I wish also to alert other people that we (my husband and I celebrated when he finished his Effexor) but six months later he went down hill so quickly. But then we didn't know about SA and the seriousness of Effexor withdrawal, although we knew that what he was experiencing was withdrawals we thought they would pass. My dear husband keeps saying to me "how did this happen"? How on earth did I end up in here? Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Boomer Posted June 19, 2016 Author Share Posted June 19, 2016 Patient Advocacy in New Zealand http://www.patientsrights.org.nz/welcome-to-this-website Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
nz11 Posted June 19, 2016 Share Posted June 19, 2016 Thanks for taking the time to update us Boomer. I am so sorry it has come to this. So have they reinstated above 150mg Effexor? Your husband is so fortunate to have you looking out for him. We have all asked the same question as your husband in withdrawal....'How did this happen' Until one has experienced it, it is beyond conceivability. I hope the medical profession have acknowledged the iatrogenic nature of this suffering. Boomer you might like to consider writing a complaint to your local MP and to CARM if you feel you were not informed of this iatrogenic outcome and if you feel you have been harmed in any way. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted June 19, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 19, 2016 Boomer, I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's hospitalization. Reaching out to the patient advocacy was a good call to prevent ECT. This is most definitely a medical issue, not a psychiatric issue. Our thoughts are with you. Please give an update when you can. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 19, 2016 Administrator Share Posted June 19, 2016 ECT is used to treat a psychiatric condition they call "depression." Your husband is not showing signs of "depression," he has severe physical symptoms. ECT is not effective for withdrawal syndrome or adverse reactions to psychiatric drugs. If I were you, I'd get him out of the psychiatric unit and into the neurology unit (for dysautonomia) or gastroenterology unit (for dysphagia and gastroparesis) for conditions caused by a severe adverse reaction to psychiatric drugs. The psychiatric specialists have single-track minds where they see everything as treatable by psychiatric drugs or ECT. Your husband needs a complete medical workup for conditions that are not psychiatric. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted June 19, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 19, 2016 I am sorry that your husband is so ill Boomer. I had ECT and would not recommend it to anyone. He isn't suffering from a psychiatric illness he is suffering physically from the effects of the drugs and I sincerely hope they wake up and realise that. Dr Peter Breggin has written lots about ECT and has a website with lots of information for patients and families. http://www.ectresources.org/ Take care of yourself Boomer, you are doing an amazing job. **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 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 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 19, 2016 Administrator Share Posted June 19, 2016 Boomer, get the doctor or hospital to download this and read it: From Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine:Drug‐induced dysphagia (you can purchase it yourself if you wish) Other articles: From American Psychiatric Association:A clinical guide for diagnosing and managing patients with drug-induced dysphagia Antipsychotic-Induced Dysphagia: A Case Report. Dysphagia in the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Distinguishing neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) from NMS-like acute medical illnesses: a study of 34 cases. Dysphagia in the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Tardive dyskinesia presenting as severe dysphagia. A clinical guide for diagnosing and managing patients with drug-induced dysphagia.Drug-induced dysphagia. - NCBI Drug-Induced DysphagiaDysphagia as a Drug Side Effect - Internet Scientific PublicationsDrug-induced dysphagia. - Sliwa - Cited by 28Drug-Induced Dysphagiaby KM Balzer - 2000 - Cited by 20 - Related articlesDysphagia is commonly defined as difficulty swallowing. Although the disorder can have several causes, the patient's medication is often overlooked as a source of the problem. This type of dysphagia, one of the most readily corrected, is known as drug-induced dysphagia. Drug-induced dysphagia. - NCBIby B Stoschus - 1993 - Cited by 97 - Related articlesDrug-induced dysphagia. Stoschus B(1), Allescher HD. Author information: (1)Department of Internal Medicine II, Technical University of Munich, Germany.Dysphagia as a Drug Side Effect - Internet Scientific PublicationsDrug-Induced Xerostomia. Xerostomia is a common side effect of a large numer of commonly used drugs. Dysphagia due to xerostomia can be caused by two general mechanisms. First, the dryness of the mouth can lead to impaired oropharyngeal bolus transport, giving the patient the feeling or impaired swallowing.Drug-Induced Esophageal Injuries and Dysphagia Evaluating Dysphagia - American Family Physician Other medical conditions: Dysphagia and anorexia as presentations of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 19, 2016 Administrator Share Posted June 19, 2016 Boomer, get the doctors to consider this:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Review from a Clinically Oriented Perspective. free full text Association between selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, second-generation antipsychotics, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome or serotonin toxicity associated with atypical antipsychotics? Neuroleptic malignant syndrome associated with atypical antipsychotic drugs. Atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome with quetiapine: a case report and review of the literature. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome secondary to quetiapine. Atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and subsequent clozapine-withdrawal effects in a patient with refractory schizophrenia. Neurologic Complications of Commonly Used Drugs in the Hospital Setting. Antipsychotic dose escalation as a trigger for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): literature review and case series report. Serotonin syndrome vs neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a contrast of causes, diagnoses, and management. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
nz11 Posted July 7, 2016 Share Posted July 7, 2016 Boomer are you able to give an update? Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
nz11 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 bump. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Boomer Posted July 16, 2016 Author Share Posted July 16, 2016 Boomer are you able to give an update? Hello fellow Survivors, they admitted my husband into a Psych Ward under the the Mental Health Act. I was unable to deal with the situation and have been quite depressed (I am not taking any medication) myself, so I have kept a low profile to get my strength back up again. Once admitted the Psychs can do what they like to my husband and I found this very distressing. They have increased his Effexor Xr to 300mg and increased his Olanzapine to 20mg! He has improved and is functioning but his emotions are flat and he is still not himself! Because he began to improve they said they would not use ECT on him. It was touch and go there for a while as the Psych said he wasn't responding quick enough! I now have him home and although he looks like he has been released from a concentration camp (so skinny) his appetite has increased incredibly. His memory is not great at all. Thirty two years ago my husband was riding his push bike and a car hit him. He was admitted to hospital with a head injury. He saw a NeuroPsychiatrist thirty years ago who didn't put him on an antidepressant but on Propranolol 40mg twice daily. He didn't go on Effexor XR until September 2006. I will add this to the signature. We have made an appointment with the same NeuroPsychiatrist he saw 30 years ago to obtain a second opinion. I believe my husband needs time to stabilise before any adjustments are made to his medication. Would you agree? Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Boomer Posted July 16, 2016 Author Share Posted July 16, 2016 Boomer, get the doctors to consider this: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Review from a Clinically Oriented Perspective. free full text Association between selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, second-generation antipsychotics, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome or serotonin toxicity associated with atypical antipsychotics? Neuroleptic malignant syndrome associated with atypical antipsychotic drugs. Atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome with quetiapine: a case report and review of the literature. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome secondary to quetiapine. Atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and subsequent clozapine-withdrawal effects in a patient with refractory schizophrenia. Neurologic Complications of Commonly Used Drugs in the Hospital Setting. Antipsychotic dose escalation as a trigger for neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): literature review and case series report. Serotonin syndrome vs neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a contrast of causes, diagnoses, and management. Thank you for the information, I will read though it. My goodness it was a traumatic experience to go through. Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
nz11 Posted July 16, 2016 Share Posted July 16, 2016 Boomer thanks for taking the time to update. You must feel so helpless having control taken away like that. I am sorry you are in this position. So glad you are not taking any medication yourself. Believe me you do not want to go there. Those dosages seem extraordinarily excessive to me. Are you able to advise how long he has now been taking these dosages for. The NZ health profession leaves a lot to be desired. Good for you for getting a second opinion. Wishing you and your husband strength. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 16, 2016 Administrator Share Posted July 16, 2016 Boomer, if I were your husband, I would not want any "adjustments" for a good long while, as it seems he's doing better now. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Boomer Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 Boomer, if I were your husband, I would not want any "adjustments" for a good long while, as it seems he's doing better now. Thanks Altostrata - Yes he does seem better but not himself. Do you suggest to not adjust to give his body needs time to stablise? In the morning he is feeling very tired and finds it difficult to get out of bed but once up he helps out with cooking etc.. Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Boomer Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 Boomer thanks for taking the time to update. You must feel so helpless having control taken away like that. I am sorry you are in this position. So glad you are not taking any medication yourself. Believe me you do not want to go there. Those dosages seem extraordinarily excessive to me. Are you able to advise how long he has now been taking these dosages for. The NZ health profession leaves a lot to be desired. Good for you for getting a second opinion. Wishing you and your husband strength. Thank you NZ11 - looking forward to the strength returning! Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted July 17, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 17, 2016 Boomer, if I were your husband, I would not want any "adjustments" for a good long while, as it seems he's doing better now. Thanks Altostrata - Yes he does seem better but not himself. Do you suggest to not adjust to give his body needs time to stablise? In the morning he is feeling very tired and finds it difficult to get out of bed but once up he helps out with cooking etc.. Hi, Boomer. Thanks for giving an update. I am so happy to read that they didn't do ECT. You have been a real advocate for your husband. Please give yourself a lot of credit, as what you are doing as a care taker is not easy. Yes, he does need time to adjust. As Alto stated, since he's doing better now, it's best to let him stabilize before doing anything else. And as he feels up to it, perhaps he will be able to look over some of the information on this website. Not the scary stuff, but perhaps you can print out some things about withdrawal from the links we provided here on your thread. That way he can better understand what's happening to him and this may reduce the fear factor. The doctors on the psych ward may have told him he has a mental illness, so reassuring him that's not the case and that he's dealing with a reaction to his medication may help. And there is hope. We do heal from this in time. Encouraging him to help out with cooking and other tasks sounds so positive. Sending healing vibes to both you and your husband. I hope he's feeling better soon. Link to comment
Boomer Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 Boomer, if I were your husband, I would not want any "adjustments" for a good long while, as it seems he's doing better now. Thanks Altostrata - Yes he does seem better but not himself. Do you suggest to not adjust to give his body needs time to stablise? In the morning he is feeling very tired and finds it difficult to get out of bed but once up he helps out with cooking etc.. Hi, Boomer. Thanks for giving an update. I am so happy to read that they didn't do ECT. You have been a real advocate for your husband. Please give yourself a lot of credit, as what you are doing as a care taker is not easy. Yes, he does need time to adjust. As Alto stated, since he's doing better now, it's best to let him stabilize before doing anything else. And as he feels up to it, perhaps he will be able to look over some of the information on this website. Not the scary stuff, but perhaps you can print out some things about withdrawal from the links we provided here on your thread. That way he can better understand what's happening to him and this may reduce the fear factor. The doctors on the psych ward may have told him he has a mental illness, so reassuring him that's not the case and that he's dealing with a reaction to his medication may help. And there is hope. We do heal from this in time. Encouraging him to help out with cooking and other tasks sounds so positive. Sending healing vibes to both you and your husband. I hope he's feeling better soon. Thanks Shep - really appreciate your reply and your encouraging words. Kind regards Effexor Brand changed over to Enlafax XR sometime during the first three months of 2017. Reduced to 12.5mg Olanzapine, last reduction 25/4/17 on advice from PDoc to reduce the severe Akathesia, Panick Attacks and other disabling symptoms. 7/4/17 Propronolol @ 40mg x 3 times per day increasing as required. 160mg Slow Release x 3 times per day for disabling Panic Attacks. 15/5/17 medication mix up, somewhere prior Mirtazapine increased to 60mg per day. PDoc concerned of Seratonin Syndrome reduced to 30mg per day. 21/6/17 Effexor 37.5mg reduced. 22/8/17 Mirtazapine reduced 15mg. 14/9/17 Developed GERD added 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x1 Ferrous Fumarate, 17/9/17 Propranolol dosage between 320mg to 400mg 3 to 4x per every second day for disabling Panic Attacks. 17/9/17 Current Medication: 12.5mg Olanzapine, 187.5mg Enlafax XR, 15mg Mirtazpine, Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 pd, Propranolol 320mg to 400mg x 3 or 4 x perday. 40mg Omeprazole x 1, 200mg x 1 Ferrous Fumarate 29/9/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3pd, Propranolol 120mg x 3 pd = 840mg per day. 9/10/17 Propranolol Slow Release 160mg x 3 per day, Propranolol 80mg x 3 per day = 720mg per day. Increased 10/9/17 Propranolol 840mg per day. 14/10/17 Reduced Mirtazapine to13.5mg 18/10/17 Removed Mirtazpine 13.5mg 23/10/17 Reducing Propranolol by 10mg every second day down to 400mg per day. 13/12/17 Now at 400mg Propranolol per day - holding. 20/12/17 Reduced Olanzapine by 10% to 11.25mg. 21/1/18: Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg Reducing Propranolol by 10mg per week. 8/3/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .625mg . 6/4/18 Reduced .625mg Olanzapine. 4/5/18 Reduced .625 Olanzapine 31/5/18 Changed from Propranolol 160 SR to Propranolol 160. 8/6/18 Morning Olanzapine changed to wafer and reduced by .10mg. 15/6/18 Reduced Olanzapine by .10mg per week Current Medication: 8.345mg Olanzapine; 187.50 Enlafax SR; Propranolol 55mg x 4 per day. Minimum 30mins exercise per day. Fortisip x 2 per day. 6/7/18 Admitted to Hospital with Chronic Aspiration Pneumonia - medications reduced. 8/11/18 Effexor XR 75mg morning and 37.5mg evening, Madopar Rapid 62.5mg x 4 per day. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted July 20, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 20, 2016 Boomer, so glad you popped in to let us know how things are. I've been thinking of you both from time to time, and hoping you were getting through things okay. I can't imagine how awful that whole process was, and I'm relieved you have your man back home again. Time now to rest and recover, and to build the both of you up. Lots of gentleness and care for each of you. Hugs, Karen 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
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