Kicking Anti-Depressants Outta My Life

[JonnyRadar]

Update: It's been 11 days since my last dose of Effexor XR

Awesome news!! :D Hang in there, it sounds like you are on a good path. I know it's hard, but you're doing really well! *pat on the back*

 

[casper]

Well done, I went through similar things and I know how difficult quitting antidepressants.
After the war (I live in Croatia) was diagnosed with chronic PTSD, gave me a pile of drugs tranquilizers, sleeping, wake-up ...
Blindness I trusted the doctors and become a zombie.
With the help of family and friends, I reduced the dosage, until the day when I completely ceased to consume pills.

 

[ggen]

Just checking in. Wow. Thank you all of you, for your kind and encouraging words, and for having my back.

Trying to take it slow and keep reminding myself that 'it' can't be fixed overnight.

Things are 'relatively' the same as when I last posted as far as the mental/physical withdrawals go. I read that some people are bed ridden after giving up this drug. It's quite the nasty one apparently. For the most part, I'm able to keep to what I normally do but have to take more 'down time'.(napping with kitties, cold therapy)

I'm experiencing more emotions/anxieties but am journaling and that seems to be helping.

When the chemicals of emotion aren't present, there's a clarity I haven't 'felt' in a long time.

Keit- Thank you for the laugh, I needed that. Your analogy is spot on.

Iarrthoir Firinne- That's fantastic news! You survived to tell the tale and are all the better for do-ing it. Congrats.

Gaby- No worries on the supplements. I've been advised by a trusted specialist (NOT a crazy MD either)

I'll update periodically but don't want to create too much 'noise' on the forum. This is a process and definitely takes time.

to all of you

 

[Henchman 21]

For kicking a habit, be it in the guise of medicine, don't worry about the "noise". You're fine and we all want the best for you in your struggle. Even if you post two or three times a day on this subject. It is not noise, it is you're life and as long as it is beneficial keep it up. Not only are you helping yourself, you are helping others too. And there ain't nothin wrong with an update here and there. ;D

 

[ggen]

Casper, I missed your post last go around. Congrats on getting rid of all the drugs. It's great you felt what they did to you and had support to quit them.

Thanks captainmurphy.

Updating:

Physical withdrawals are more present so I do what I can to alleviate them. Fir sauna, cold therapy, napping, walking.

There are all these suppressed emotions that are surfacing (anger, resentment, etc.) so I'm journaling as much as I can to get rid of that energy. Once I began to 'feel' them it was like tugging on the thread to a big ol' sweater. It's gotta come unraveled so I can heal.

My mind is opening up. As mentioned in an earlier post, there's a 'clarity' that I haven't experienced in awhile. I'm 'seeing' things that I either chose not to see or couldn't. There are definite changes that I need to make, but I'm going to give my brain a chance to heal a bit and be 'smart' about it. It's as if I've been in a 'black hole' and suddenly I can SEE the light again. I hope this makes sense.

Thanks again all of you.

 

[Renaissance]

Good to hear about your progress, Brighlight.

Physical withdrawals are more present so I do what I can to alleviate them. Fir sauna, cold therapy, napping, walking.

There are all these suppressed emotions that are surfacing (anger, resentment, etc.) so I'm journaling as much as I can to get rid of that energy. Once I began to 'feel' them it was like tugging on the thread to a big ol' sweater. It's gotta come unraveled so I can heal.

I think some of these emotions that come up can also be purely from the physical withdrawal and the brain chemicals rebalancing. There's a variety of different things you can do to tackle the physical withdrawal and it seems some respond better to certain supplements while others don't and need to experiment with other supplements I'm not saying to stop journaling because that that in itself can provide a more objective outlook and there may indeed be suppressed emotions as well.

Not sure if you've read through the Serotonin deficiency signs/symptoms , but that might provide some additional considerations.

 

[ggen]

Good to hear about your progress, Brighlight.

Physical withdrawals are more present so I do what I can to alleviate them. Fir sauna, cold therapy, napping, walking.

There are all these suppressed emotions that are surfacing (anger, resentment, etc.) so I'm journaling as much as I can to get rid of that energy. Once I began to 'feel' them it was like tugging on the thread to a big ol' sweater. It's gotta come unraveled so I can heal.

I think some of these emotions that come up can also be purely from the physical withdrawal and the brain chemicals rebalancing. There's a variety of different things you can do to tackle the physical withdrawal and it seems some respond better to certain supplements while others don't and need to experiment with other supplements I'm not saying to stop journaling because that that in itself can provide a more objective outlook and there may indeed be suppressed emotions as well.

Not sure if you've read through the Serotonin deficiency signs/symptoms , but that might provide some additional considerations.

Thanks for chiming in Ren. The thread you suggested has come in handy in my research.

I'm experimenting with the supplements as far as the withdrawals go. My biggest issue is sleep, so I'm working with the melatonin.

Journaling has helped to give me more of an objective outlook. Clearing out the cobwebs kinda thing. :)

It's 'definitely not an overnight process' and it's teaching me patience. I have the resolve and am just putting one foot in front of the other, taking it moment by moment.

 

[ggen]

It's been about a month since I "kicked the drugs" outta my life. I overestimated my capabilities in doing so and have to admit, it's been an awful process. I've been tough on myself and at times, on those around me. I'm finally starting to chill out, or at least I hope so.

The physical withdrawals are subsiding slowly. I still tire easily but am able to do most of what I normally do. The 'brain willies' were at their peak a week ago and are finally beginning to let up. They were the worst physical manifestation. (Those of you who've taken the drug or worked with people who have will understand this better.) Still supplementing/reading the books/trying to take it easy. (It's not easy because I'm a do-er, fixer, etc.)

My mental state/personality is all over the place. There are moments where I'm clear headed and other times where I'm reflecting/thinking too much and having emotional breakdowns. Any objectivity I had seems to have vanished. I'm trying to get it back.

Journaling is helping but it's obvious that I was 'numbed and dumbed' for those years so I'm pouring it all out. It's poison and has got to go.

I'm trying not to 'think' too much about the brain damage that might have been done by taking them. I'm hopeful but trying not to anticipate the future. It's moment to moment, day to day.

Like I mentioned above, it's a process and I'm having to learn patience.

 

[Keit]

Like I mentioned above, it's a process and I'm having to learn patience.

Thank you for sharing, Brightlight. Big hug to you and a lot of support in handling this enormous challenge.

 

[kalibex]

It's as if I've been in a 'black hole' and suddenly I can SEE the light again. I hope this makes sense.

Thank you for the update. This sounds pretty hopeful.

 

[JonnyRadar]

It's been about a month since I "kicked the drugs" outta my life. I overestimated my capabilities in doing so and have to admit, it's been an awful process.

[...]

Like I mentioned above, it's a process and I'm having to learn patience.

The fact that you're sticking with it is a huge sign of your determination. Thank you for the update, and stick with it! :)

 

[Flow]

Like I mentioned above, it's a process and I'm having to learn patience.

BrightLight11, it is amazing and very inspireful how well you are dealing with this. I think your experience can be very helpful for people who are going through the same process. Thank you so much for sharing!
Wish you all the best!

 

[Gwenllian]

A hug and a cuddle from me too, BrightLight. You may think you are not doing well, but I think that you are (FWIW).

This quote may be helpful:

He who learns must suffer
And even in our sleep
pain that cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart,
and in our own despair,
against our will,
Comes wisdom to us
by the awful grace of God.

Aeschylus

 

[Celena Johnson]

I'm so happy this thread exists, I have posted here before; I am experiencing withdrawal. Its perfectly fine as i am again on the path to no longer consuming anti-depressants, again.

Recently i was admitted to the psych ward for a week, I finally broke. I was under lot of stress and my need to make others happy was exploited. I didn't see this while I was in the situation of course. Any who; I was given paxil during my stay, and a month supply upon discharge. I weened myself off (start Nov 16th 2015, end Dec 22nd 2015). The situation I was in made me think for some reason that such a drug was okay...WRONG!

I did my research and found that Paxil contains fluoride, among other things; Serotonin re uptake inhibition, and what it does to the gut. ...while doing some reading I came across this "Not only do we have to consider people we come into direct contact with who, even with the best of intentions, can destroy our lives through ignorance, we also have to consider those who are exploiting this." The Wave 68.

Couldn't help feeling like this related to my situation.

Just wanted to share, and I hope all on this thread are staying strong, and keeping away from Paxil and other mind altering pharmaceuticals.

My symptoms (dizzy, weird foggy head feeling, stomach upset) are subsiding. I have found that fresh ginger in butter tea helps :)

 

[Meg]

That's great news, Celena. Anti-depressants are difficult to kick. Stay strong yourself. :)