Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted October 17, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 17, 2012 Hi everyone, A recent discussion on whether there is a good time to taper prompted me to think about some of the positive things I do for myself when I know things are going to be a bit rocky. Some of these things I do regularly but pay extra attention to when I'm reducing: 1. Have gentle massages to relax me and my muscles 2. Take time to sit with my back to the sun 3. Visit places of great natural beauty and take time to absorb it 4. try something new - like a new recipe of something simple to distract me 5. stock up on funny movies, tv shows etc, avoid watching anything sad or distressing 6. get some flowers 7. cuddle up with one of my 5 pets 8. think through the detail of a great holiday id like to go on (even if I will never get the chance) 9. do something random for someone, pay them a compliment, give them something 10. try a little tai chi These are some of mine and they speak to me and my personal situation. Does anyone else have any strategies for being gently on themselves that they'd like to share? Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiaK Posted October 18, 2012 Share Posted October 18, 2012 hi Dalsaan....that's a very good list! I did a long post a while back with a collection of the things I do to help myself through... called it a Toolbox for coping: http://beyondmeds.com/toolbox-2/ it's my no means exhaustive but it got a bit long in any case :-) my most reliable two gentle things are epsom salt baths and cuddling with my pets... Everything Matters: Beyond Meds https://beyondmeds.com/ withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 18, 2012 Administrator Share Posted October 18, 2012 Wonderful list, dalsaan. May I borrow one of your pets? 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted October 18, 2012 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 18, 2012 Of course. There is 3 cats and 2 dogs to choose from. All with their unique personalities. The youngest is a six month old kitten and the oldest is an 18 year old cat If our house and yard were bigger, my partner and I would be over run with rescue animals I suspect. Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 18, 2012 Administrator Share Posted October 18, 2012 The kitten! Please! 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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