~nestling~ Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Day 1 Brain zaps...disorientation...panic...jittery...on edge...irritable and scared... sleep helps...and writing.... I hope that Day 2 is better... post your moral support here...please.... thank you.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celestia Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 post your moral support here...please.... thank you....moral support duly posted... You can do it! You've come this far...I'm definitely NOT an expert at anything but I think a week at most you should feel *normal*? The brain zaps are what suck the most...I think, at least when I went through effexor withdrawal due to my own stupidity (ran out of them...) Hang in there! S9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Good luck hon, you can make it. I did and I'm no hero. Do you have gravol in the UK? It will help if your tummy is messed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themind Posted May 1, 2006 Share Posted May 1, 2006 Looking forward to hearing about Day 2.... You can do this Nestling! Keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 2, 2006 Author Share Posted May 2, 2006 Hi. Thanks for all moral support...greatly appreciated... Tom, I'm just continuing with remeron alone as it was, but I was taking it in addition to efexor before...don't see pdoc until 16th (2 weeks tomorrow.....) and I'm hoping he'll give me a benzo or something stronger than propranolol to take prn when things are rough.....because its the anxiety that is so....... Day 2 Did NOT want to get out of bed this morning....thankfully had already arranged morning off work in anticipation...good planning.... Felt dizzy and physically disorientated until mid afternoon, like I was about to pass out, and like my feet weren't connected to my legs....very unsettling...Like I'm in a cloud and everything's fuzzy and I'm stuck and can't get out...I realise how this relates to my panic attacks the past couple of days..losing control over one's body is a very panicking experience... Ended up head in hands on desk, sobbing...kind colleague suggested I take a short break...so I went and rested and cried a bit for 5 minutes or so...that helped... crying seems to help... Not eating lunch (until 3.30pm) was a baaaad idea, I don't think that can have helped...(I also skipped lunch yesterday.....but am stuffing cashew nuts now) (and I have had a proper dinner....) I'm hoping tomorrow is an improvement..at least I only have 3 and 1/2 hours work in the morning, and then therapy in the afternoon...and have planned Thurs morning off work as well....not sure how getting up at 6 tomorrow morning will be...all I want to do is sleep til mid afternoon...feels like jetlag or recovering from general anaesthetic.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boz-pot Posted May 2, 2006 Share Posted May 2, 2006 Aww, Katie! Sounds horrible. I was on effexor once and it made me more depressed. I really do hope things improve for you. At the moment I imagine it feels like the whole world is against you. Well, you can guarantee that we will support you. I'm sure you know this already but if there's anything else you ever want to get off your chest or if you just need a chat, I for one will be here to listen. (((hugs))) Row By the way, if you don't mind me asking, what sort of things do you write/write about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punky Posted May 2, 2006 Share Posted May 2, 2006 I haven't gone through that kind of withdrawal but I can relate to anxiety. You have my sympathy. My pdoc wouldn't give me valium when I asked but she did give me clonazepam/klonopin. They're both benzos and I'm not really sure what the difference is but if your doc won't give you one, maybe s/he will give you an other. I'm glad your job has been supportive. Keep hanging in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 3, 2006 Author Share Posted May 3, 2006 thank you both. I really appreciate the support... it does feel like the whole world and my body are against me.... my GP is very sympathetic, but I don't know, she may want to leave things for my pdoc..not sure I can hold out that long..... I write...journalling, inner child/personality state work, poetry, creative prose..... This morning my legs ache and I feel exhausted and weepy.... I'm hoping this gets better..... even 3 and a half hours of work, and that only scanning books into computer and packing them in boxes feels like too much.... maybe I'll take a propranolol before I go out at 8....but that feels like taking smarties when you have a headache, if you get my drift.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themind Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Nestling, It may not feel like it right now....but this is temporary. You will get through this pain...you are a strong one. Maybe you could possibly see about something different than propanolol during this time of transition for the anxiety? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimpmaster Posted May 3, 2006 Share Posted May 3, 2006 Nestling, It may not feel like it right now....but this is temporary. You will get through this pain...you are a strong one. Maybe you could possibly see about something different than propanolol during this time of transition for the anxiety? A sensible dr should prescribe you both prozac and a benzo to get through this tough period. What is your action plan once you have withdrawn from effexor? This is critical too. FYI I recently changed over from paxil to prozac. Paxil is the second worst to withdraw from next to effexor. I had no discontinuation symptoms whatsoever thanks to the prozac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 3, 2006 Author Share Posted May 3, 2006 thank you both. am feeling somewhat calmer having just had therapy....still a bit jumpy, but am doing well considering...also took some drops of rescue remedy twice today....I used to practically live on that, once upon a time pre ADs.....but may get with it again now...and maybe look into one of the other flower remedies.... am seeing GP on Friday.... will write Day 3 a bit later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 3, 2006 Author Share Posted May 3, 2006 Day 3 Sleepy and didn't want to get up again this morning....I'm so tired...but wasn't quite so dizzy today....managed to make sure I ate anough, too. Took propranolol and rescue remedy before left for work, that helped a bit....should have done the same when I got the tube to therapy.....well, I live and learn..... Therapy helped greatly (see PTSD post/thread)... Some jitteryness, but maybe, just maybe, not quite so intense.... And I have thomorrow morning off work, so can sleep in.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 5, 2006 Author Share Posted May 5, 2006 hi all... Chimpmaster, sorry, I missed your post yesterday....I am still on remeron...which I was put on last Oct in addition to efexor....(had been taking efexor for nearly a year at that point....) and according to my pdoc......um, there should be no trouble with efexor withdrawal while on remeron too....um...well, I dread to think what it would be without...... benzo???? please lobby my local NHS and tell them I need a benzo prn....cripes knows why they ignore my anxiety symptoms...which have been rocketing through the roof this past week..... have now reached for bach flower remedy.....has helped before...tho I've not tried this one....Cherry Plum...(lol, would you believe I first wrote CHEERY plum???!!!!! Days 4 and 5 Seem to be settling now....less jumpy...relatively speaking....calmer...more tolerant.... Had one very nasty brain zap in the middle of dinner this evening...not pleasant... am prob taking tomorrow afternoon on sick leave, off work..can handle morning when its not busy or potentially overwhelming...am being gentle on myself just now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 You are almost there. The worst of it is the first week. Congratulations, you are almost done. Take 2 sick days if you can now, curl up with a blanket and a book or movies and it will be over. xoxox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 5, 2006 Author Share Posted May 5, 2006 thank you Dee. well, I'm into work in the morning....just gently does it...spoke to folks at work on the phone today....GP agreed, and would have given me sick note. therapist also agreed. then I can rest in the afternoon and all day Sunday. therapy Monday morning, then work in the afternoon...Tuesday is a long full day at work...but I guess I can play it by ear by then...my 'new' manager knows what's going on and I can be safely open with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacanuck Posted May 5, 2006 Share Posted May 5, 2006 Tapering down the effexor too...(ha ha Dee...here we are again but going in reverse....how poetic, eh?) no brain zaps...just feel crappy with a head ache and tummy troubles...but I'm used to both of those so I guess I'm doin' just peachy!!! Hang in there nestling....why don't we all get together for hot tea and dvd's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 all the best with your's pacanuck. where are you up to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacanuck Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Thanks nestling...I just dropped to 150...so far not so bad..but we'll see how the weekend goes...as it once was a very popular saying in another Effexor thread ..it could be a "sub-optimal" weekend....we'll just have to see how it goes....well, misery does love company...right? Right!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 150 from? Day 6 (so far) Didn't sleep that well last night.....Please God/ess don't let Remeron sedative-ness poop out on me now..... Light-headed and shaky.....disorientated and a bit dizzy....sense myself dissociated slightly. made 3 hours at work....and then it was starting to get pretty busy and over-whelming..so I made my well planned exit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Pac!!! Haha, ya how funny is this? Why are you quitting, same thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celestia Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Hang in there nestling....why don't we all get together for hot tea and dvd's?Oh Oh, I wanna come, I'll bring popcorn! Nestling, just popping in seeing how it's going. You're one tough cookie, hang in there! Hugs, S9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 popcorn, pleasies! btw I have some spare 150s and 37.5s.....better take them to the pharmacy, hm.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 7, 2006 Author Share Posted May 7, 2006 pistachios are good..... Day 7 Slept better last night...what a relief.... Only one mild panic attack. Generally ok....apart from feeling suddenly dizzy and sleepy this evening .... or maybe that's the pistachios!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 8, 2006 Author Share Posted May 8, 2006 Day 8 Day 8 already????????!!!!!! Slept moderately well last night. Felt suicidal and down before therapy...but my therapist supported and helped me through and I came out feeling greatly relieved and at peace. Went to Subway and had a Subway Melt....mmmmm and felt ok ish....until I went into work and started zapping books onto the computer and shifting books around...felt really dizzy....like I had no ground.....felt very floaty and uncomfortable.....managed to speak up and ask if I could leave early as I wasn't feeling well....(this was hard for me to ask, as the man manager was there today.....) and that was ok...so, I managed 1 and a half hours work....I guess its pretty good, all things considered.....and my therapist was alert to the fact that rest was more the order of the day rather than work, and checked with me that I was ok about asking to leave early if I didn't feel up to it... So, got home at 3.30 and went to bed...putting a lavender gel patch thing on my forehead for a while and did some active imagination (aka creative visualisation in a diff school) to help calm me..took the lavender thing off and went to sleep for a couple of hours.... Am unsure about tomorrow...work 9-5...but I guess I'll have to play it by ear and such.... I didn't realise what people meant about efexor withdrawal and feeling the whole room is moving around until today.... Does anyone know anything that might help with the dizziness? Aside from lying down and resting......???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sensation Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I was thinking that the Dr could put me on effexor and remeron for the california fuel cocktail, but looking at all this changes my mind a bit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Don't let the discontinuation syndrome be the deciding factor. Yes it sucks, but it IS a good AD and so is Remeron. I liked both of them. Unfortunately, so did my mania. For what it's worth, my withdrawl only lasted a week. Everyone is different. Sensation it might be a good thing for you to try. The Remeron will do wonders for your sleep problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 9, 2006 Author Share Posted May 9, 2006 Sensation, the combo did really help me...efexor on its own though did not a lot.....but that's me... help....still feeling slightly dizzy this morning....any tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Nestling, do they sell Gravol there over the counter? It helped me with the dizziness bigtime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 9, 2006 Author Share Posted May 9, 2006 hi Dee Gravol...had to Google it...is Nytol or Benedryl here...is an anti-histamine...me and anti-histamines don't mix well (they actually MAKE me dizzy...can't take standard hay-fever remedies because of that...its down to my having phenergan and piriton syrups morning and night every day for years on end as a child...due to catarrh and sinus congestion....) uh...sorry for the long story...but, it is available over the counter here, in case of extreme need...would need to be wary though...am also not sure on how it would be with the Remeron? Ideas anyone.... Today.... Day 9 Have been feeling a lot lot better today...once I woke up...much calmer and no dizziness whatsoever....whaoooooo!!! Actually, there were tastes of it...but only passing breezes and nothing that a quick sit down on the floor didn't fix..... Also managed the supermarket with not much anxiety...only in the queue (I hate those trapped in queueing systems things). I also feel clearer in my head, too. Can actually process insights. Feeling almost normal compared to how I was a week ago.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Im glad to hear you are feeling better! Gravol is not quite the same as Benadryl, although it is an antihistamine. It is marketed as an anti-nauseant. The ingredient is dimenhydrinate instead of diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Whether or not it's ok with Remeron I am not sure. Aidsmeds didn't show an interaction, but I would probably check with a pharmacist to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 10, 2006 Author Share Posted May 10, 2006 thanks Dee, I'll ask my GP, if its still a prob on Friday. Day 10 Sneaky, these withdrawal symptoms...self destructive thoughts of varying kinds crept out of nowhere.......Well, not nowhere, but they kind of came unannounced and unasked. Having anorexic thinking, too. On the plus side, I'm much less jumpy. I think because of getting to the core of the anxiety and terror in me, in therapy today... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~nestling~ Posted May 11, 2006 Author Share Posted May 11, 2006 Day 11 Was sick after lunch. Quite a bit. But felt better afterwards, bit shakey though. Feel fragile, but manageably so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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