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Sheri755: Effexor XR Reinstatement Amount?


Sheri755

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I'm so sorry. I'm replying from my phone and rarely use the laptop anymore. The pics of the supplements didn't upload. I'm doing something wrong I know!

 

Here's Dr. Mercola's info on the Vit D spray. http://shop.mercola.com/product/600/1/vitamin-d-spray-36-servings-per-bottle-3-bottles

 

Here's the Magnesium https://www.amazon.com/Pure-Micronutrients-Magnesium-Glycinate-Supplement/dp/B00NRQ06VM?th=1

 

And here's the Ox Bile. https://www.iherb.com/pr/nutricology-ox-bile-500-mg-100-veggie-caps/3451

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Sheri - glad you are feeling well enough to post!

 

I thought - she's found a Vit D Spray - good!  Except the spray delivers 5000 IU.  That's what I take - but - that's a high starting dose.  You might get to 5000 IU per day, and be fine, but it would be better to start with 1000 IU or even 500 IU and gradually increase.  Especially with your sensitivities.

 

The Magnesium looks good, and that's the ox bile I take.  

 

You asked me some questions in PM, that I'd like to move here, but won't without your permission.

 

Keep breathing, and I hope you see the sun today!

"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!

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Dang, so sorry. I'm just now seeing that none of my original reply posted. Here it is:

 

Dearest Alto and Jan,

 

I was able to put some things in words and I can't thank you enough for helping me!

 

I'm afraid to read GiaK's thread right now but hopefully I can read it soon. Thank you so much for the link. I know that she really suffered for a very long time.

 

I typically take 65 mg Nature Throid around 4 am. (Just read that it can cause anxiety)

Wait an hour to take 1.0 mg Klonopin, which calms me enough sometimes to go back to sleep, then the 5 beads Effexor 30 minutes later which seems to restart the anxiety. Vyvanse 7.5 mg after another 30 minutes.

I wait 45 minutes to take one of three Curamin, then one of two fish oil.

 

My breakfast is quiona during the week with lots of grass fed butter, blueberries and kiwi.

 

I drink 1/4 c homemade bone broth around 1 pm. This is the time of day that my heart rate is up (102 now) and mouth is extra dry. Maybe the Vyvanse is peaking?

 

I've started drinking smoothies for lunch around 3 pm with half cucumber, zucchini, banana, romaine lettuce, apple, carrot, celery, avocado and 1/2 scoop NOW protein powder. Hubby makes up the packets and freezes them for me.

 

I have the bone broth powder that Shep uses but haven't used it yet.

Is it okay to take it along with the protein powder in the smoothies or would that be too much of the amino acids?

 

http://www.healthybody.com/product/bone-broth-powder-pure-protein-organics/#tab-description

 

My concern is that I'm not metabolizing fats since I don't have a gall bladder. The naturopath told me that I'm supposed to take NutriCology Ox Bile supplements 125 mg. with each meal once the gall bladder is removed. She even said to take one with my fish oil. Should I start taking this again? They are in capsule form and can be opened if necessary.

 

I have Dr. Mercola's Vit D3 spray and can start low, maybe lick a little spray off of a spoon.

 

 

Hubby makes wild caught salmon 3-4 times a week with two veggies. Other nights we have free range chicken.

 

We sometimes snack on organic air popped popcorn with lots of butter and Himalayan salt at night or cashew butter.

 

I'm dairy free except for butter and I do eat local free range eggs. Also grain and sugar free.

 

Magnesium- I took a Magnesium Chloride bath today. 1 1/4 cups for 20 minutes. I think it took the edge off just a little bit.

 

I have Pure Micronutrients Magnesium that you really like. 100 mg per capsule. Should I use 1/2 capsule in 8 oz of water or would one be okay?

 

I know it's not good to start more than one supplement at a time.

 

Which one of these do you think I need the most...to start with and how much, oh and the bone broth question.

 

I'm so grateful for all of your help! ❤️

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Sheri!

 

Your diet looks excellent.  Fresh, wholesome, varied.

 

I think it's fine to use bone broth and pea protein - just not in the same meal.  Think of each one as "just right for one meal," and don't put them together.

 

If you do not have a gallbladder, then the ox bile is probably just what you need to process fats. 

 

The turmeric is best taken with food.  Think like an Indian Chef with their curries - a nice, fatty curry with ghee and coconut milk is the best medium for absorption of turmeric.  I take mine with fish oil AND food, to ensure bioavailability.  This is true whether the brand says it's "super bioavailable' or not.  Fat is needed to absorb turmeric.

 

I'm glad the bath helped!  I think that's what happened before - it felt so good you were doing it every day, sometimes more than once a day (note: I just checked the Epsom salts thread, where you put 4 cups of Mag Chloride in a 1 hour bath!  Yes, that's too much).  Keep it at around 3x a week if you can, or a foot soak for "off days" - my red bucket for mag soaks - it's a cheap $6 bucket from a Home Depot type store:

RedBucket.jpg

 

As for sipping magnesium - start with 1/2 capsule in a glass of water.  Keep it in the fridge, and when you start to rev up, take a few mindful sips (no gulping!).  Build up to 1 capsule in a glass of water.

 

I think it's okay to start magnesium and the ox bile at the same time, since we need to get you digesting.  You've been on the mag before, and you're going to taper it in gradually, right?  And the ox bile may be an essential for your digestion.  (some folks also swear by Betaine HCl, but that's a note for future reference, in case you need further digestive support)

 

I just read a great article on Mag Chloride baths for digestion, from my Mag Chloride supplier (Blants Wellbeing Australia).  I'll quote it here in full:
 

Quote

 

Digestion & Magnesium Chloride 

 

Our previous article discussed the role of Electrolytes & Magnesium Chloride. 
In addition to Chlorides’ function as an electrolyte, chloride combines with hydrogen in the stomach to make hydrochloric acid (HCL), a major component of gastric acid. Gastric acid is an essential component of the digestion process and appears to diminish with age, poor health or poor diet. It is rarely checked by practitioners and often left undiagnosed.
 
Low levels of gastric acid production may result in poorly broken down and absorbed food with resulting poor nutrient absorption; gut irritations, malabsorption of vitamins & minerals, and an increased susceptibility to bacteria, viruses, and yeasts passing through a damaged gut wall.
 
To break down the food we eat the stomach requires acid, delivered to the stomach as gastric acid produced by cells in the lining of the stomach, which are coupled in feedback systems to increase acid production when needed. In an optimum environment that gastric acid has a very low pH of 1.5 - 3.5. The acidity is maintained by the proton pump H+/K+ ATPase.
 
Gastric acid works in sync with digestive enzymes, which are another essential component of digestion. It is vital to the digestion of proteins acting as a catalyst – like a ‘go before’ - as it activates digestive enzymes which break the long chain bonds linking amino acids, a process known as proteolysis. Bottom line is we need the acid to be produced in the stomach for effective digestion.

The abundant chloride found in Magnesium Chloride is sufficient to increase production of stomach HCL. Regular soaking in a Magnesium Chloride bath
or applying Magnesium Oil
over the body ensures chloride absorption. This could be done a couple of times a week as maintenance Chloride and Magnesium top-up. You can buy either of these products from BLANTs Shop Online & have it delivered.

HCL can also be increased by taking Apple Cider Vinegar directly before a meal or drinking squeezed lemon and water prior to a meal.

 

I'll probably copy that over to the mag thread, too!  

I'll come back to address the Vyvanse / compounding questions you asked in PM.

Edited by JanCarol
fix photobucket

"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!

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Sheri, you wrote in PM:

 

While I'm thinking about it... the compounding pharmacy will only make the Vyvanse in whole or half increments. 

What dosage should I stop at? I'm at 7.5 now. 

**** is being so sweet. It's over $200 out of pocket for 14 capsules!! Never dreamed it would be that much when we started Makes me feel so guilty but can't help it now.

 

Wow, you are paying out the nose for that!

 

Then you clarified:

 I apologize that I was unclear. They make up the doses in whole or half numbers such as 7.0, 6.5, 6.0, etc but not a dosage of, say, 6.75.

 

Okay, that's better.  With the way you are reacting right now, it's hard to say what your drop off point should be.

 

You were taking Vyvanse to compensate for all the brakes you were taking.  When you're feeling well enough, can you put your current dose in your signature?  I've got some mods looking in.

 

How long have you been holding at 7.5?

What decrements have you been using?  10% per month?

 

Do you feel better or worse since starting the Vyvanse taper?

 

So here's a sample schedule - if your tapers are going well, use the 1st column, if it's harder use the 2nd.  You can also switch between the 2 columns - if it gets hard, use a more conservative drop.  And as always, if your taper causes symptoms - hold!

 

Current:          7.5                                   7.5

Month 1          6.5   (15%)                      7.0   (7%)

Month 2          5.5   (16%)                      6.5   (8%)

Month 3          4.5   (19%)                      6.0   (8%)

Month 4          4.0   (12%)                      5.5   (9%)

Month 5          3.5   (12.5%)                   5.0   (9%)

Month 6          3.0   (16%)                      4.5   (9%)

Month 7          2.5   (17%)                      4.0   (12%)  AFTER THIS POINT THIS SHOULD GO TO LIQUID TAPER

Month 8          2.0   (20%) AFTER THIS POINT THIS SHOULD GO TO LIQUID TAPER

 

What I get here is that - you can take it safe and easy and get down to 4.0 mg in 0.5 mg increments.

 

If you taper in larger increments, you can get down to 2.0 mg.

 

After that, the drops are too big.  I have been seeing information by people on the web who adjust their Vyvanse doses using a water solution - so it is liquid taper friendly.  It keeps for a few days in the fridge.  If we were doing a normal 10% liquid taper from today, you would be at 3.58 mg in Month 7, and 3.23 mg in Month 8.  So it's not too far off.

 

How about this - follow this schedule for now, and see how it goes?  It's possible for you to start with column 1, and move over to column 2 as your doses get lower, or you can continue with column 1 with longer holds.  I'd love to get you off of this stimulant quickly - but - I don't want to throw you into a panic, either.  Ideally, you should start to feel better as this drug goes away.

 

Also - have you considered shopping around for a different compounding pharmacist?  This guy sounds expensive!  I'm here in Australia, the land of the expensive, and a month's supply of anything is about $100.  Of course, I've not priced Vyvanse, which may be a tricky animal to work with.  I'd love to sit down with my compounding pharmacist - if I could afford to pay him for his time - and go over all of the tapering situations we come up with here, just to see what he says!

 

I hope this helps, if you have any questions, just let me know.

 

Feel better soon, and I hope you see the sun today!

"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!

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PS - in answer to your question:  when to drop off?

 

That depends on how you are going, as you go through the taper.  Maybe you will feel confident to drop off at 2 mg.  Maybe you want to get it down to 1.  Maybe you will feel so swimmingly well that you will stop it at 4, and never need the liquid taper?  But it depends more on how you feel, and how your taper goes, than it is a magic dropping off point.

 

I hope that helps.   Here's a thread that discusses this issue:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/11051-when-to-end-the-taper-and-jump-to-zero/

"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!

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Hi Jan:

 

I've been decreasing Vyvanse by 10% every two weeks. I'm not able to find the recommendedation now in my thread but hubby is saying this was his understanding.

 

Also, the Vyvanse taper link shows 10% every two weeks. I did, in the beginning, taper by 15% and I believe you recommended that I hold for a month for things to settle, then stay with the 10% two week taper.

 

My cortisol spikes seem a little better and my heart rate is not as high as it was. So improvement there. My sleep is also better, at least 6 hours straight instead of 5 hours of broken sleep. I am still obsessing and very fearful, though.

 

Maybe hubby can find in my thread the recommendedation of 10% taper every two weeks. I don't know what to do now. Starting to worry and obsess. Better try to calm down.

 

I'm so sorry, Jan. My thinking is so unclear. Hubby just now said that column one is essentially what we are doing by tapering 10% every two weeks instead of the higher amounts each month. Is this okay?

 

Thank you!!! ❤️

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Sheri - 

I was looking at my picture with the red bucket - if you look into the water, you can see that my left foot is taped for "thyroid tendonitis" (I've talked to more people with this in the past week!)

 

Anyhow, I'm going to recommend that you move your taper to 4 weeks, because your symptoms ramp up so easily.

 

If you go well with 4 weeks, after 3 tapers, then maybe you can shorten it to 3?

 

I'm thinking (and the mods looking over my shoulder, too) that maybe it's the 2 week schedule that threw you into a panic.

 

It takes about 3 weeks to "reregulate" neurotransmitters.  You know how when you go to a doctor for an antidepressant, and he says, it may be uncomfortable at first, but wait 3 weeks and you should feel better then?  There's something to that (though doctors - and scientists - don't really know why).  The best guess is that this is neuron growth or pruning time, or time to homeostasis.  

 

Also - here:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/12595-sheri755-effexor-xr-reinstatement-amount/page-4?p=263303#entry263303 I list your changes - as I knew them, and advise you to wait 3 months from each of those changes for them to rattle out.  That would be about now - except - you've had some changes since then?

 

I think I addressed the 15% every 2 weeks in that post, too, as too much, too fast.  (but I didn't say:  10% per month, either!)

 

Here's what I think happened - I (and mods) cannot find a 2 week reference, either.  But Vyvanse is different from antidepressants - so maybe somehow one of us (you, me, your husband) got it in mind that we could go faster on Vyvanse, especially since you were suffering such anxiety and symptoms from it.

 

Well, Let Go, Let G-d, we've got this now.

 

Let's go to 10% every 4 weeks for awhile, and see if that goes more smoothly for you.  I'm greatly hoping that moving from a 2 week to a 4 week schedule might be the key to a smoother taper.  You are still likely to "react" to the dose, because you've been doing that for awhile now, but as we get your doses down, it should be less and less.

 

Prepare to hold, anytime it gets weird.  It sounds like even one magnesium bath is helping to settle you, so look forward to your magnesium time.  Tell you what - I'll think of you while I'm taking my soak, and you think of me!  Not quite like the social bathing of Roman times, or a modern California Hot Tub (they say they can get filters for hot tubs now so that you can take magnesium hot tubs!  Sheer heaven!), but - in our magnesium communion, we might just heal a little better.

 

Better is good.  Write it on your mirror in lipstick:  It will get better!   <3

"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!

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Sheri and I have been talking about tendonitis in private, and - as I do - I went off and made a whole big post about it, so with her permission, I am sharing it here:

 

She asked:

My doctor told me Tuesday that Hashimoto's and tendinitis have nothing to do with each other. I mentioned that my arches had started burning. He said to buy some Dr. Scholl's arch support orthotics for my shoes that I wear in the house because I could develop fachitis (sp). I just couldn't believe it! Something else to worry about. Dang!! He also increased the Nature Throid to 81 mg from 65. 

 

I answered:

 

I find that any doctor trained within the past 30-40 years has  never been trained in the connection between the thyroid, collagen, and the achilles tendon in particular (it took my PhD occupational therapist to help me make the connection, because she works with tendons and joints all the time).  Woltman, the doctor who initiated the "delayed Achilles test" for hypothyroid - died in 1964.  In 1975, the blood tests were invented, and this "old way" of doing things was forgotten and no longer taught.

Why run a manual test, when you can get numbers on a blood chart?

 

And I'm of the John Bergman school of thought that cradling your feet in orthotics makes them weaker, not stronger.  I wore orthotics all through childhood - to mold my feet (they are now quite straight, but still flat).  Now I'm a big fan of barefoot as much as possible.  Bergman says to walk in dirt, grass, or sand (sand is the best!)  But we don't have any grass, so I use a wobble board (and have hubby on it now, too, for Plantar fascitis)

 

John Bergman has a great talk on feet on youtube.  He talks about strengthening the arch, the calf, and stretching the hamstring and lower back.

 

Get yourself a wobble board.  Stand on it.  Just stand on it.  It will be hard at first. 

 

 

 

When you get good at that, rock back and forward - touch the front of the wobble board to the floor, then the back.   Next, practice surfing, going from side to side - it will require flexing your knees and hips.  Next practice circles, making the front of the board touch, then rotating the touching part all the way around clockwise, then counter clockwise.  I do these in sets of 10. 

Then, when you're really good - stand with one foot in the middle of the board.  Lift the other knee up.  Arms can stretch to the sides for balance.  How many breaths can you take while holding the position?

 

Legs-up-the-wall is good for stretching the lower back.   You don't have to stay static.  Do a butterfly pose up on the wall.  Bend your knees, straighten them.  Widen your legs, bring them back together.  The more your move in your legs-up-the-wall, the more you massage your lower back.

 

Yoga for strengthening the feet:  Tadasana (Mountain pose) - just standing.  But standing with your spine lifted, your head balanced over your spine, your kneecaps lifted by your thighs, which gently rotate to spread your sit-bones.  Your arches lifted.  You can even lift your toes up to strengthen the arches.  Put the toes down one at a time, starting with the little toe.

 

Or - interlace your toes!

interlacedtoes.jpg

 

You may have to do it with your hand to toes first - fingers between each toes in a hand/toe shake.  Then, use your fingers to interlace both sets of toes, with the goal being the above pose.  Don't forget to try left on top, then right on top!  People with really strong, flexible feet can do this without any fingers at all! 

 

Doctors!  Can't live with them, can't shoot them!

 

 

Then you talk about:
 

I've had these insoles for a couple of years but haven't used them. Barefoot science. Maybe these would be good also for both of us!

http://barefoot-science.com

 

It looks really good, and adaptable to train your feet to be stronger.  I heard yesterday another option, which is to wear the orthotics SOME of the time, to remind your feet how support feels, and then work your feet the rest of the time.

 

I answered (thinking of my hubby):

I wonder if Barefoot Science could help hubby's plantar fascitis.

 

I gave him yoga and wobble board exercises, too (that's why I learned them, for him!)

 

But unless he does them....

 

He has to tape his feet up, it hurts so much.  

 

I liked the videos on the site - until they tried to sell me that their system was different.  Somehow I couldn't quite grasp that.  Maybe I'd need to talk to a practitioner of this (which they probably don't have in Australia, the back end of the world!)

 

Hope you see the sun today!  I did, and a rainbow too!  It was splendid!

 

Then you ask:

 

I was just reading a thread where you talked about Tai Chi being an easy form of exercise. Do you happen to have a link for one that would be easy on my tendinitis? I've got to move my body somehow. 

and I responded (just today!):

 

Chi Gung - 

 

I like this guy:

 

 

Because I'm in Australia, I cannot afford to pay full price for books / DVD's.  Well, I can - but - it's so hard to deal with it....

 

So I got what I could get used - I have his BOOK "7 minutes of magic" but not the DVD.  Freespirit says that's the best DVD - and I agree.  What is your excuse for not doing 7 minutes?  And if there's a 7 minute section which is too painful - skip it and try it again later!

 

Chi gung / tai chi is - a godsend!  I do a little 5 minute routine daily, and it wakes up my joints and helps me with pain, helps build strength in the joints.

 

I also have DVD's of Lee Holdens"  Qi workout AM/PM (that's more fitness based 2x30 min workouts), Qi Gong for Seniors (one long routine, but you can break it up - some of the stuff is a little challenging), and Qi Gong for Beginners (gentle basics)

 

For our Aussie readers, I practice a form developed by Dr. Paul Lam of Sydney.  His DVD's are available too,  I have the Tai Chi for Arthitis one, which includes 12 lessons to build the form, and a series of easy Chi Gong exercises.  When I took the class, there were people on walkers and in wheelchairs - it is adapted to every need.  I'm sure you can get them in the USA, but they are more readily available here.

 

So - Lee Holden for the USA (I see on one of the DVD covers that he is - or was - on PBS - so there might be free classes with him available on PBS?), and Dr. Paul Lam for Australians!

 

 

I hope you see the sun today!

"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!

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  • Moderator Emeritus

j2x-fitness-balance-board.jpg

 

Here's an example of a balance board / wobble board.

 

Get the round one, because you're not practicing to be a skater or snowboarder.  You want to strengthen your ankles / tendons in 360 degrees.

"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

Hi Jan!

 

Thank you!! Such great information, as always!! I also learned a lot from the video and am doing the exercises daily.

 

Something new has come up. I did a little research to find out that it could be related to withdrawal

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5225-floaks-luvox-withdrawal-dental-pain-and-neuropathy/

 

http://antidepressantwithdrawal.info/forum/showthread.php?149-Antidepressant-Withdrawal-Induced-Dental-Pain-Distress-and-Sensitivity#showthread.php?149-Antidepressant-Withdrawal-Induced-Dental-Pain-Distress-and-Sensitivity/&page=1&forcenoajax=1

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7292-face-jaw-tongue-muscle-tension-and-pain/page-2

 

or Hashimoto's. https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/periodontitis-a-trigger-for-hashimotos/

 

Seems like all of my teeth are very sensitive and some of the gum area is now red and painful. I use a very soft toothbrush and coconut oil. I dread brushing and flossing because of the pain. There's also a film on my teeth. Mouth burning during the day. This is all new. I feel like it's nerve related but I don't know. My mouth and tongue are very dry at night and when lying down during the day. My tongue actually sticks to the roof of my mouth. There's no telling what all my dentist would do and this is really scaring me.

 

Have you ever heard of anything like this? I don't want to have a lot of dental work done or even lose my teeth as some have. I just can't believe it...

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Sheri - 

 

I've heard all kinds of things caused by withdrawal, as it affects so many systems!  I'm not versed in this one, but I'm not surprised, either!

 

I do know that when I was most sick - I had awful dental hygiene (and sometimes still struggle - Floss! they say, Floss!).  I even developed a theory that the "mentally ill" were dying 20-30 years younger because I reckon we didn't brush our teeth, and that contributed to cardiovascular disease.  Then I read Whitaker's "Anatomy," and realized we didn't have a chance on the drugs.  Poor dental hygiene couldn't help.

 

Have you heard of oil pulling?  

 

First thing in the morning, put a teaspoon of coconut oil in your mouth and hold it there for 7-15 minutes.  Then - spit it into a paper towel and throw it away.  You can also use sesame (hot) or sunflower (nope, I wouldn't do that one).  Do not spit it out in the garden, because it is a detox protocol, and you don't want to feed the critters your toxins.

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oil-pulling 

 

I hope you see the sun today!

I reckon if you did it for a month, then started adding back gentle brushing, the oil pulling might strengthen your gums and make the brushing a little easier?

 

I came here today because I was reading about hypothyroid and tendonitis & muscle pain, and it was a good article so I just wanted to share:

https://www.verywell.com/muscle-and-joint-pain-with-thyroid-disease-3231813

"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
  • 2 months later...
  • Administrator

Hi, Sheri. How are you doing 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.

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  • 1 month later...

I'm so incredibly ill after stopping Effexor at 37.5 April 2016. Reinstated 5 beads and felt great for only 10 days. I've been on 5 beads all of this time because of a sensitivity that developed to Vyvanse. I'm down to 2.0 mg Vyvanse now. Still on 1.5 clonazepam. 

 

My dr. wants to reinstate me on Pristiq. He says it's not advisable to cut Pristiq but because I'm so sensitive, he wants me to half a 25 mg tablet. I read in the tapering section that people have success cutting the tablets. I've read and understand the delivery method. 

 

I never had success with Effexor. I only started feeling better after Vyvanse was added but stayed on Effexor also. 

 

My DNA test that the psychiatrist ran shows that I'm a slow metabolizer of Effexor but Pristiq shows to metabolize normally. 

 

I'm still bedridden and of course can't drive. Hubby prepares all meals, etc. The terror and depression are relentless. I don't want to live every day.   

 

I read the section with reinstatement stories last night. 

 

 

I have the Pristiq but haven't taken it yet. Hubby wants me to start in two days when he'll be home.  I'd love advice on this. 

 

Thank you so very much. ❤️

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

Link to comment
On 7/27/2017 at 0:21 AM, Altostrata said:

Hi, Sheri. How are you doing now?

 

Hi Alto,

 

Not good. I'm sorry that I'm just now seeing this. I posted above. 

 

With Much Gratitude❤️,

Sheri

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

Link to comment

I'm running out of time. I sure hope someone can help. 

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus
18 hours ago, Sheri755 said:

My dr. wants to reinstate me on Pristiq. He says it's not advisable to cut Pristiq but because I'm so sensitive, he wants me to half a 25 mg tablet. I read in the tapering section that people have success cutting the tablets. I've read and understand the delivery method. 

 

 

Hi, Sheri.

 

I'm a bit confused. Are you "adding" Pristiq in now as opposed to "reinstating"? I looked through your thread, but I don't see anything about prior use of Pristiq. This is important in order for us to recommend a dose. As Alto writes in Tips for tapering off pristiq thread, Pristiq is concentrated Effexor.

 

You state you're having terror and depression. Are these your main or only symptoms or are there others? 

 

It may help to write out exactly what you're experiencing with a symptoms and drug journal. I'm also concerned that you may be getting some rebound anxiety from the clonazepam. Please write your symptoms out in this format:

 

Keep notes on paper about your drug dosages and daily symptom pattern

 

 

 

Link to comment
5 hours ago, Shep said:

 

Hi, Sheri.

 

I'm a bit confused. Are you "adding" Pristiq in now as opposed to "reinstating"? I looked through your thread, but I don't see anything about prior use of Pristiq. This is important in order for us to recommend a dose. As Alto writes in Tips for tapering off pristiq thread, Pristiq is concentrated Effexor.

 

You state you're having terror and depression. Are these your main or only symptoms or are there others? 

 

It may help to write out exactly what you're experiencing with a symptoms and drug journal. I'm also concerned that you may be getting some rebound anxiety from the clonazepam. Please write your symptoms out in this format:

 

Keep notes on paper about your drug dosages and daily symptom pattern

 

Hi Shep:

Yes, I would be adding in Pristiq. I've never taken it before. I  read the link you provided about a month ago. I'm so sorry that I don't have a journal. The symptoms are the same daily.

 

I haven't kept notes in some time now. I know I should. Just trying to survive each day. 

 

My husband wants me to start Pristiq tomorrow (Friday) so I wanted to get this information to you asap. I took 10 Effexor beads this morning instead of 5 hoping it helps so I don't have to start Pristiq.  He can barely keep up with his job and taking care of me. 

 

I was was diagnosed with PTSD and high anxiety two months ago from a brain mapping test when considering TMS but I'm not going to do this magnetic therapy. 

 

Feeling suicidal

Constant fear

 depression on various levels

Cognitive decline/brain fog

Sensory overload/only able to have short conversations

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

Sensitive to light, noise, touch

6 hours of sleep is typical

no appetite or feeling of fullness/force feeding

Unable to prepare any meals or perform any tasks because of sensory overload. 

Lichen Sclerosis is no longer in remission/beginning to atrophy/disappear

Hypo Thyroid is now Hashimoto's 

Painful tendonitis has developed in feet, very limited walking in the house. 

Eye floaters are much worse

Painful, dry eyes

Dry mouth, skin

Frequent diarrhea 

Cortisol spikes (even during the day when I'm able to meditate and sometimes drift off to sleep)

 

Labs show I'm deficient in Vit C, B, D and protein. Also adrenal fatigue. 

 

4 am Nature Throid 65 mg

5 am 1.0 clonazepam- sometimes feel a bit of calmness for a couple of hours

5:30 am 5 Beads Effexor

9 am (down to 2 mg) Vyvanse

10 am Breakfast, Curamin, Fish oil, digestive enzyme, Betaine Pepsin HCl,

Colostrum (gut healing) to hopefully prevent additional auto immune disorders,

BEG compounded Nasal spray (began 8-30-17) to treat Sinus infection from MRSA/MARCONs, 4,000 iu Vit D drops (very deficient), one pump CBD oil.

2 pm  Lunch-smoothie w/vegan protein (protein deficiency), Curamin, fish oil, Betaine Pepsin HCI, digestive enzyme. 

5 pm- Try to meditate. Usually too restless

7 pm- Dinner, Curamin, digestive enzyme, Betaine Pepsin HCI

11 pm- .5 clonazepam, 200 mg progesterone, Neil Med Sinus Rinse protocol with colloidal silver & Biocidin, probiotic (hoping to stave off further auto immune disorders)

2.5 mg topical Bi-est cream, 5 mg Testosterone cream applied to private area nightly to hopefully help with Lichen Sclerosis. 

 

The dr. wants me to cut half of a 25 mg tablet to take nightly for a week, then go up to full 25 mg. 

 

Thank you you so much for helping me. 

Sheri

 

 

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

Link to comment
7 hours ago, Shep said:

 

Hi, Sheri.

 

I'm a bit confused. Are you "adding" Pristiq in now as opposed to "reinstating"? I looked through your thread, but I don't see anything about prior use of Pristiq. This is important in order for us to recommend a dose. As Alto writes in Tips for tapering off pristiq thread, Pristiq is concentrated Effexor.

 

You state you're having terror and depression. Are these your main or only symptoms or are there others? 

 

It may help to write out exactly what you're experiencing with a symptoms and drug journal. I'm also concerned that you may be getting some rebound anxiety from the clonazepam. Please write your symptoms out in this format:

 

Keep notes on paper about your drug dosages and daily symptom pattern

 

I hope I didn't leave anything out. Thanks again!

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus
40 minutes ago, Sheri755 said:

Yes, I would be adding in Pristiq. I've never taken it before.

 

Hi, Sheri.

 

I'm going to ask the other mods to look at this. I'm not that familiar with Prestiq, but we usually don't recommend adding in new drugs. 

 

On 8/30/2017 at 11:39 AM, Sheri755 said:

My DNA test that the psychiatrist ran shows that I'm a slow metabolizer of Effexor but Pristiq shows to metabolize normally. 

 

I do understand why your doctor is doing this due to this test, but are you going to be withdrawing from the Effexor after going on Pristiq? 

 

 

 

 

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52 minutes ago, Shep said:

 

Hi, Sheri.

 

I'm going to ask the other mods to look at this. I'm not that familiar with Prestiq, but we usually don't recommend adding in new drugs. 

 

 

I do understand why your doctor is doing this due to this test, but are you going to be withdrawing from the Effexor after going on Pristiq? 

 

 

Thank you, Shep. I would love advice from mods who are familiar with Pristiq.  

 

The dr. said to remove one bead a week of the five beads that I've been on over a year. He also said to take half of a 25 mg Pristiq for one week, then increase to a full tablet. 

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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6 hours ago, Sheri755 said:

Thank you, Shep. I would love advice from mods who are familiar with Pristiq.  

 

The dr. said to remove one bead a week of the five beads that I've been on over a year. He also said to take half of a 25 mg Pristiq for one week, then increase to a full tablet. 

Well, hubby wants me to start tomorrow- Friday, so he can have a full four days with me. Dr said to remove one Effexor bead after the first week of 1/2 Pristiq.  

I hope and pray this works with no problems. Advice is so welcome. 

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

Link to comment

Does anyone have any thoughts?  Thank you!

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Sherri, I want to preface this message to let you know that I am very new to Surviving Antidepressants and withdrawing from antidepressants.  I have only been tapering for about a year.  

 

I can share my experience with Effexor and Pristiq and have a feeling that you may run into trouble if you introduce such a large dose of Pristiq.  Pristiq is somewhere between 40-50% stronger than Effexor, and without knowing your complete tapering history (sorry I have an appointment at 5:30).  I do see that you have reduced to 5 beads of Effexor and can't help wondering why you would want to make such a large increase or change your medications.   

 

If it was my brain that I was dealing with, I would never even consider such a drastic change.  These drugs are very very powerful even in small doses and Pristiq being so much stronger than Effexor, I would think that you would be heading towards disaster.  If anything, I would increase the number of beads of Effexor, and very slowly, to see if that helps, rather than introduce anything else into your already complicated drug combinations.  

Am sorry I can't provide any more definitive information at this time as I do have to leave soon, perhaps one of the more experienced moderators will have a chance to stop by your thread, but in my opinion, adding Pristiq and discontinuing Effexor when you are already on shaky ground, is an accident waiting to happen.

Anything that you do has to be done with caution, we are taking about the mysteries of our central nervous system and it's best to do anything, and I mean anything, slowing, carefully and steadily.  Adding 25mg of Pristiq is likely to further destabilize you and make your recovery all that much longer and more difficult.

Whatever it is you decide to do, please remember than any changes need to be done slowly so as not to aggravate the central nervous system anymore than it already is.  

 

Best of luck with your decision.

Edited by baroquep

Current Prescription Drugs for Hypothyroidism:  Synthroid 100mcg / Cytomel 5mcg (15 years Pristiq/Effexor)

Tapering Schedule
September 15, 2016 - switched from Pristiq 50mg to Effexor XR 75mg; November 10, 2016 - reduced to 67.5 Effexor XR
December 9, 2016 - reduced 60.75
January 5, 2017 - reduced 54.67
January 30, 2017 - reduced to 49.0
February 20, 2017 - reduced to 44.0 
May 20, 2017 - reduced to 40.25 (holding for additional month due to late onset of withdrawal symptoms after this taper)
July 17, 2017 - reduced to 38.24
August 15, 2017 - reduced to 37.5 (50% of my original dose)

October 15, 2017 - reduced to 35.6

November 12, 2017 - reduced to 33.8
December 15, 2017 - up-dose to 35.6
December 28, 2017 - up-dose to 37.5

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I took half of a 25 mg Pristiq this morning. 

I have to have relief from this VERY horrid anxiety, very, very bad. 

I don't know what else to do. Now my face and lips are burning again after having stopped for 3 months. 

 

I was very spacey this morning. Now the anxiety is back with the burning, heart palps, sour taste in mouth, unusual urine odor but the burning and ...HIGH ANXIETY are killing me every day. 

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Administrator

Sheri, you probably would not have difficulty metabolizing 5 beads of Effexor, it's a very tiny amount. However, given your potential difficulty metabolizing Effexor, if you take Effexor in combination with Vyvanse, you might have some major interactions, see https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=2296-1523,1475-2533

 

Given 5 beads Effexor worked for 10 days, it's possible a little more Effexor might help. How did the 10 beads affect you?

 

I don't understand why your doctor wants you to take Pristiq. 25mg Pristiq is a lot stronger than 5 beads of Effexor. Even 12.5mg Pristiq could be too much.

 

What is it your doctor thinks Pristiq can do for you?

 

Pristiq is a close relative of Effexor, but metabolized slightly differently. When you cut the tablets, you destroy the time-release quality. You will need to take it twice a day to substitute it for Effexor XR.

 

6 hours of sleep is not too bad. Forget brain mapping, it's not valid for diagnosis. If you are sensitive to light and sound, what are you doing to reduce this stimulation?

 

Vyvanse is an amphetamine analog and needs to be tapered carefully. Here are potential adverse effects https://www.drugs.com/pro/vyvanse.html 

Going off Vyvanse too fast can cause withdrawal symptoms such as burning skin and anxiety. How have you been going off Vyvanse?

 

Many of your symptoms sound like hypothyroidism, such as: 

 

depression on various levels

Cognitive decline/brain fog

Painful tendonitis has developed in feet, very limited walking in the house. 

Eye floaters are much worse

Painful, dry eyes

Dry mouth, skin

 

This is far more likely than a problem with your adrenals. How long have you been taking thyroid hormone? When did you last have your dosage reviewed?

 

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Sheri - 

 

On 8/31/2017 at 1:30 PM, Sheri755 said:

brain mapping test


Please don't put a lot of faith in these things.  They are largely experimental, and the interpretation is a lot like a psychic reading.

 

I agree with you that the TCMS is not a good idea with your symptoms.  

 

On 8/31/2017 at 3:15 PM, Sheri755 said:

The dr. said to remove one bead a week of the five beads that I've been on over a year. He also said to take half of a 25 mg Pristiq for one week, then increase to a full tablet. 

 

My first instinct is to not trust this doctor.

 

Okay, you got the DNA test that says Effexor is not for you.  This may be why you've struggled for so long.  But Pristiq is a challenging drug to come off of.  Can you access a compounding pharmacy when you want to come off?  Even then, many compounding pharmacies say it cannot be reduced.   I've gotten so that when a doctor suggests a drug for me - I check to see "how hard or easy is this thing to come off of?"

 

At 37.5 mg, Effexor is hitting mostly serotonin receptors.  You night have done just as well to bridge to an SSRI, preferably Prozac.  But I see you've gotten positive effects from the Pristiq.

 

My first instinct for the reduction of Effexor is to listen to your body.  Reduce a bead, and wait for the symptoms to subside - at least a month.  Then consider taking away another bead.  One week in between reductions may stack up a bunch of delayed reactions and put you in strife.

 

Do not increase the Pristiq at all, possibly ever.  If 25 mg made you feel better then maybe that's all you need!  Both of your drugs are at a low level, so there should not be interactions (can someone check to see if there are any itneractions?).

 

This is all just first impression, my time is up today - I'll come back when I get a chance and see if I can offer anything more helpful.

Edited by JanCarol

"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!

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Alto and Jan,

 

My thyroid levels were checked 3 weeks ago. The Endo is keeping me on 65 mg Nature Throid. 

 

The psychiatrist said to not take anymore Pristiq because of the return of facial burning/numbness so I haven't. Jan, I didn't get better on the one 12.5 mg Pristiq.  I'm sorry if I was unclear. 

 

 She is trying to help me with the high anxiety/terror. Now she wants me to try one pump CBD oil three times a day.

 

I wrote an extensive reply to Shep above, showing daily meds/supplements and dosage. 

 

I'm deficient in D. The drops from my functional dr. were added well after I became worse. I'm down to 2 mg on the Vyvanse taper, holds are 3-4 weeks.  Still at 1 mg clonazepam in the am and .5 at bedtime. 

 

Am I too far out to increase Effexor even though I don't metabolize it well?  I'll never forget the relief I got from reinstating these 5 beads in July 2016, but  it only lasted for ten days. 

 

I've been suffering greatly with this anxiety/terror and sensory overload for so long now but feel stuck because I'm so sensitive. 

 

Thank you you for helping me!!

Sheri

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Administrator

It seems to me you can go back to 5 beads Effexor XR and gradually increase one bead every 4 days for a bit. See how you do. Even 6 beads might do the trick.

 

How have you been going off Vyvanse? It's very difficult to tell where unpleasant symptoms are coming from if you change more than one drug at a time.

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
2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

It seems to me you can go back to 5 beads Effexor XR and gradually increase one bead every 4 days for a bit. See how you do. Even 6 beads might do the trick.

 

How have you been going off Vyvanse? It's very difficult to tell where unpleasant symptoms are coming from if you change more than one drug at a time.

 

I've been holding on five beads since July 2016.  I tried a total of 10 beads Thursday with no change, but I took 10 beads for one day only. 

Should I give it a few days?

 

Maybe I should try more? 15 beads?I don't know.  I welcome your guidance. 

 

Vyvanse taper- 10% every 3-4 weeks. I'm at 2 mg compounded now. 

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It takes about 4 days for the dose change to get to a steady state in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  The lower the dose you can updose to the better.

 

These drugs are strong and more isn't necessarily better.  It is preferable to start low and build up slowly if needed after you have given the dose change a chance to take full effect.

 

Don't go into panic mode.  Try and be patient and give it time.

 

This was Alto's suggestion:

 

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

It seems to me you can go back to 5 beads Effexor XR and gradually increase one bead every 4 days for a bit. See how you do. Even 6 beads might do the trick.

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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2 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

It takes about 4 days for the dose change to get to a steady state in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  The lower the dose you can updose to the better.

 

These drugs are strong and more isn't necessarily better.  It is preferable to start low and build up slowly if needed after you have given the dose change a chance to take full effect.

 

Don't go into panic mode.  Try and be patient and give it time.

 

This was Alto's suggestion:

 

 

 

Thank you, Chessie!  Since I've been holding at 5 beads for soo long (except for 10 beads Thursday), I'll increase by one bead every four days. 

 

If it it does work, what should I do to avoid poop out like I had last year when reinstating five beads? It only lasted ten days then back to feeling miserable. 

 

Thanks again so very much!

Sheri

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

How about you wait and see what happens?

 

Also, what makes you say that it pooped out after 10 days?  I'm not familiar with your history but could it have been something else, or even that you may have needed to increase the dose by a small amount.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

How about you wait and see what happens?

 

Also, what makes you say that it pooped out after 10 days?  I'm not familiar with your history but could it have been something else, or even that you may have needed to increase the dose by a small amount.

 

Yes, in hindsight I should have increased after the poop out of five beads. I didn't know better at the time.

 

I had tapered down to 37.5 mg, then 18.75 for only two weeks in April 2016.  This was a year long taper. I did quite well until the very end. 

 

Im sorry that I don't understand what you mean, "How about you wait and see what happens?" 

 

Do you mean see what happens as I increase a bead every four days?  Just want to make sure. :)

 

Thank you for helping me!!

Sheri

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

What you are calling poop out isn't what SA means by poop out.  Poop out, also known as tolerance, is when the drug actually stops working the way it used to do.  The difficulty is then that you still need to taper the drug even though it is not beneficial.

 

When I said waiting to see what happens I mean be patient, stay on the dose you are on and see if you feel improvement.  In other words, don't go increasing your dose too quickly, you need to allow time for it to get to a steady state in the blood, which takes 4 days, and then allow a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  Jumping around in doses is not good for the CNS.  Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

 

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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5 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

What you are calling poop out isn't what SA means by poop out.  Poop out, also known as tolerance, is when the drug actually stops working the way it used to do.  The difficulty is then that you still need to taper the drug even though it is not beneficial.

 

When I said waiting to see what happens I mean be patient, stay on the dose you are on and see if you feel improvement.  In other words, don't go increasing your dose too quickly, you need to allow time for it to get to a steady state in the blood, which takes 4 days, and then allow a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  Jumping around in doses is not good for the CNS.  Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

 

 

 

I probably used the wrong terminology. I'm so sorry. The 5 beads reinstatement in July 2016 made me feel wonderful for only ten days. Then I was back to feeling miserable and still am. 

 

I understand about not not jumping around. I'll add one bead every four days as Alto suggested until I feel some relief. Then I'll check back with you to see how to proceed. 

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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