![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 2, 2007, at 11:20:00
I never withdrew from anything before (except caffeine, cold turkey, half-dozen times).
Now I'm really in flux of all kinds of chemicals.
2 weeks ago, I was doing well (except sexually and weightily) on the following cocktail
200mg provigil
120 mg cymbalta (yawn, unsexy)
2 cups coffee or tea
.25 mg klonopin (yawn... mmm, crunchy!)
300mg seroquelthen I started working in geodon, and decreasing seroquel culminating in
160 mg geodon (jittery, but calming)
200 mg provigil
120 mg cymbalta
tea
200 mg seroquel
.25 mg klonopinthen I started going off of seroquel starting 4 days ago (tuesday) It's been rough. I felt panic and mood swings and cannot concentrate and feel like crying.
now I'm down to 100mg seroquel, and that's for the next 4 days. And starting today I go down to 90mg cymbalta too. I took an extra klonopin and I feel better, but still horrible. am eating some dark chocolate. seems to be helping. (((chocolate)))
overall though, I feel shaky and anxious and paranoid and messy.
that's all
bye
Posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2007, at 18:04:12
In reply to My first ever withdrawal, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 2, 2007, at 11:20:00
Lurpsie how come your doc is withdrawing the cymbalta so quickly and seroquel at the same time. By the way when I went off cymbalta no withdrawal for me at all. Love Phillipa
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 5, 2007, at 12:47:08
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2007, at 18:04:12
Hi Phillipa,
the reason for the cymbalta withdrawal in the first place is that I am having sexual dysfunction. The reason for the cymbalta withdrawal so fast, right now is that I'm getting some effects to my GI tract (um constipation) because geodon and cymbalta apparently share some properties of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.My poor gut, which is already sensitive to any increase in cymbalta (historically), is getting double whammy, 'cause I'm on standard therapeutic dose of geodon already and also on fairly high dose of cymbalta.
I think another reason for reducing the cymbalta fairly quickly is that I've been having what I will term "panic" for many hours a day. I think it's the norepinephrine reuptake inhibition that's giving me that stuff- you know cold clammy hands, sweating, shaking, trembling, queasy stomach. ugh.
I'm feeling a little better though. I have been taking about 1.5 grams klonopin in small doses throughout the day, and trying not to take too many stimulating medicines. (like caffeine)
One complication is that I've been exposed to a lot of allergens in the last 72 hours (cleaning my place thoroughly for a party and kicking up a lot of dirt and dust and such). As you can imagine, the combined effects of airway inflammation, 2x daily hits of albuterol (strong adrenalin surge feeling) and pseudophedrine and other nasal decongestants has been NOT helping with the panic feeling.
Today, though, the place is already clean, and the dust has settled. People start coming over in the evening, and I'm looking forward to having a nice get together while I drink some pomegranate punch (recipe to follow) and enjoy some company (25ish folks).
thanks for asking about me.
Starting tomorrow I go off of seroquel altogether. I'm worried about insomnia, but pdoc recommended that I can take some benedryl, since I need the antihistamine anyway for my allergies.
best to you phillipa and others who are wondering where lurpsie went on hibernation.
Posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2007, at 14:05:15
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal » Phillipa, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 5, 2007, at 12:47:08
Lurpsie is your doc planning on another antidepressant? As it just doesn't seem long enough that's you been on one. Maybe a lower dose or another. And do you like the geodon? Love Phillipa
Posted by Gee on February 5, 2007, at 17:23:22
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal » Phillipa, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 5, 2007, at 12:47:08
I love benedyrl. I hope it helps you like it's been helping me over the past few days. If benedryl doesn't help you sleep, maybe try some gravol? I find that a quarter of a tablet of gravol knocks me right out, but then again, I only take like half of the normal dose of benedryl (or less if I'm not planning on sleeping...)
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 6, 2007, at 15:01:09
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Gee on February 5, 2007, at 17:23:22
hi all. sorry no individual responses. body tired.
body so exhausted.
mind is going fast.the clonazepam helps.
so does eating real food.i guess geodon is okay. it's not sedating.
i gonna take a benedryl now
i feel like a nap, but my mind is sharp like a self-injuring icepick. youknow the ones.and i'm trying to do some calming things but not helping. i feel panic. mostly just panic.
phillipa- doc plans on taking down cymbalta as low as possible as fast as possible. i agree not enough time on AD, given the severity of my depressive episodes, and the fact that I've had multiples. maybe we'll add wellbutrin, he said that one no sexual side effects.
i'm really sleepy now.
and not clear thinking.thanks for asking.
people care:) that's worth a lot, even if I can't ~~~feel~~~ it 'cause my neurotransmission is all effed up.
it's not fair, what happended to me. and i feel like i'm being punished for my past. not fair.
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 10, 2007, at 14:11:17
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal SI trigger*, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 6, 2007, at 15:01:09
Walking a very thin line right now between hyperactive panic with hypervigilance and some PTSD symptomology (that's my main Dx) AND
somnolence and complete brain funk (like, I cannot remember how to get home, and I lose things and cannot remember my phone number and stuff).
please forgive my rare posting. When I feel clear, I'm trying to get some diss work done. When I feel panic, I'm trying to clean my house. When I feel spacey, I'm trying to find my house.
haha
sometimes my sense of humor comes and goes. Lots of instability right now. I'm learning how to balance out the spaceyness with provigil, and balance out the hyperness with clonopin.
It's very tricky. and my allergies and asthma are messing things up too. nose is clogged- do I take a decongestant like pseudofed (hyper making) or an anti-histamine like benedryl (works awesome, but sedating) or an anti-histamine like claritin (kinda not so good).
or do I just breathe through my mouth (burp)
I just had brunch with a nose-picking organismal biologist. oh my.
off for now.
today I'm on 60mg of cymbalta. last week I was on 90, and before that on 120. so... the withdrawal continues. crap!
-Ll
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 19:41:21
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal the saga continues » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 10, 2007, at 14:11:17
I give you credit as your're not crying and ranting and raving are you? I think you're doing a great job. I couldn't do what your're doing seriously. Love Jan
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 11, 2007, at 7:31:18
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal the saga continues » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2007, at 19:41:21
I do cry a little when I'm in bed trying [unsuccessfully] to fall asleep.
no ranting and raving. Anger is not an emotion that I express fluently.
-Ll
Posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2007, at 17:48:34
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal the saga continues » Phillipa, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 11, 2007, at 7:31:18
Lurpsie are you with hubby or away? How long does your doc expect it to last? Love Jan
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 11, 2007, at 18:13:11
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal the saga continues » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2007, at 17:48:34
I go to hubby on tuesday.
pdoc says maybe 1 more week. but i dunno. The cymbalta withdrawal starting to kick in too- mind zaps and stuff like that.
hot cold flashes. sweaty palms.
i'm a mess. but I cooked homemade dinner (even with no appetite) and cleaned up mousie crumbs and vacuumed and stuff. that's good i guess.
back to the knit.
tomorrow i get Rx for rozerem. I'm not even gonna look it up online. I don't wanna know what the side effects are, or anything. just gonna take it. I don't need to analyse micromanage my every symptom at this point. not a good strategy.
best,
ll
Posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2007, at 21:21:04
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal the saga continues » Phillipa, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 11, 2007, at 18:13:11
Lurpsie you're doing good and that's good not to look it up but I can ha ha. Love Jan
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 19, 2007, at 23:18:17
In reply to Re: My first ever withdrawal the saga continues » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2007, at 21:21:04
how long will it last? only the pdoc knows...
apparently we're still aiming to get me off of cymbalta entirely. (freaking scared to tell you the truth)
now I have to trust pdoc. Pdoc and I are to have a discussion this week. I sure hope my brain feels fit to show up for it.
for all those not following my case as closely as I've been following anna nicole's memorial proceedings-
I've had a rather psychotic crisis over the last weekend. Just when I thought I was doing SO well, and the worst of the withdrawal was over. BOOM. there we are. all of me, yelling at each other.
it was awful. pdoc. pdoc pdoc. I feel like I'm being tested here. I'm not sure if I'm a willing lab rat anymore. when will it end? What are we aiming for?
I liked the stability I had on my previous cocktail. just not the weight gain. or the lack of sexy feelings.
now I'm crazy by many accounts. :(
was so scared I was gonna have to go to the hospital. :(
What if it happens again?
Well, I just better put dark thoughts out of my head, because they like to fester there.
))))festering(((((
Posted by Phillipa on February 20, 2007, at 17:55:32
In reply to Well into my first withdrawal...how long? » Phillipa, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 19, 2007, at 23:18:17
Lurpsie didn't realize it was that bad seriously I didn't. Hubby is with you right? As you shouldn't be alone under any circumstances. And the pdoc doesn't know how long it will last. As everyone is different. And your body is different. I was thinking that at your weight that l0% is about what I gained at menopause so that's not that awful. I understand how you feel about the other. But the most important thing is for you to be well. I still say it's too too fast. All the awakened memories at the same time. Now your body needs to settle down and working on a dissertation. Too much stress. I can't tell you what to do but I just suggest that you ignore the wt gain for a bit longer and know that most psych drugs if they are working lower your metabolism. I think a lot of people me included would trade places with you to feel well. And if you did a survey here the majority of people doing well have gained wt and have the other problem as well but their emotional well being is more important. Love Jan
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 21, 2007, at 22:46:26
In reply to Re: Well into my first withdrawal...how long? » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Phillipa on February 20, 2007, at 17:55:32
cymbalta is going down again from 60 to 30mg and
geodon is going up again from 160-240mg
the only bright side to my pdoc appt was that pdoc didn't feel like counting the sample bottles. just gave me the whole box of geodon caplets. each little caplet in it's precious shrine of gelatin, foil, bottle, presribing info, box and then big box of them. I felt kind of happy.
I'm such a materialist. I like shiny sample packs. just like a seagull attracted to glittering foil... that's me- bird-brained.
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2007, at 23:17:46
In reply to Llurpsie be Brave, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 21, 2007, at 22:46:26
Thought the dose of geodon was to 120mg? Guess it's working well now for you? I hope so. Love Phillipa
Posted by muffled on February 23, 2007, at 0:17:53
In reply to Well into my first withdrawal...how long? » Phillipa, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on February 19, 2007, at 23:18:17
> apparently we're still aiming to get me off of cymbalta entirely. (freaking scared to tell you the truth)
:(
had a rather psychotic crisis over the last weekend. Just when I thought I was doing SO well, and the worst of the withdrawal was over. BOOM. there we are. all of me, yelling at each other.Did you split? Didn't know that. Sucks :(
> it was awful. pdoc. pdoc pdoc. I feel like I'm being tested here. I'm not sure if I'm a willing lab rat anymore. when will it end? What are we aiming for?scarey thots :( Its gonna be ok though. Lurpy still lurpy under it all. I am still me, even though I not always the same. This body is me.
> now I'm crazy by many accounts. :(Whatever the heck crazy means? Like WTF is normal? Half those seemingly well adjusted people out there are nutty as fruitcakes just like me. S'ok. Nuts are yummy and nutritious. I a walnut, all gnarly and weird!
> was so scared I was gonna have to go to the hospital. :(
Hosp can be fine. Esp when you got advocates like p doc and T who know history. You would be ok there. They just stabilize ya and then give ya the boot.
> What if it happens again?if it happens again, you'll make it thru just like ya did last time, but this time mebbe better cuz now it won't be quite as strange.
> Well, I just better put dark thoughts out of my head, because they like to fester there.
> ))))festering(((((Ya think good thots. LL gonna be OK. Just getting stuff worked out some. Mebbe not gonna be easy, cuz abandonment of care of a mother really f up kids all right. Hard, hard, hard.
But Ll gonna get thru this, and crack outtta her prison and be free mostly! And it'll be a good thing.
She will live, and live richly, cuz she got alotta fun and goodness Aand kindness to offer
Muffled
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 1, 2007, at 9:27:20
In reply to Re: Well into my first withdrawal...how long? » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by muffled on February 23, 2007, at 0:17:53
by now I've reached steady state on geodon 240 mg
BUT! I am still having the brain shocks and tingling when I move too fast.
Just thought I'd share, since it's been a while. people might think- no news means no more w/d effects.
oddly, one can habituate to these things. they are still very much present, but they don't bother me as much.
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2007, at 22:15:18
In reply to still have the cymbalta shocks, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 1, 2007, at 9:27:20
I've had them they really bug me. Yours should be over?????Love Phillipa
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 2, 2007, at 12:30:34
In reply to Re: still have the cymbalta shocks » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2007, at 22:15:18
They only appear for a few hours everyday, prob about the time that cymbalta starts wearing off.
I can hardly wait to go from 30mg to 0mg. That's probably the next order of business :)
-Ll
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 15:22:42
In reply to Re: still have the cymbalta shocks, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 2, 2007, at 12:30:34
Lurpsie are you now at 0 of cymbalta. Haven't seen a post from you anywhere for a few days . Love Phillipa
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 9, 2007, at 17:52:56
In reply to Re: still have the cymbalta shocks » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 15:22:42
OMG phillipa
i'm so sick right now. i didn't take enough geodon and i've got so many brain zaps and my whole body spasms and shivering. nausea. but i have to take the damn geodon or else i'll get more sick.i'm not gonna be on psychobabble anymore tonight. i'm in fetal position in my bed. unless someone can fetch me some juice. my mouth is dry.
:( :(
Posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 9, 2007, at 19:14:53
In reply to Re: still have the cymbalta shocks » Phillipa, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 9, 2007, at 17:52:56
how will i know when shocks turn to seizures. this is horrific.
yeah. I'm gonna try to call pdoc. I was hoping it would go away after I took the damn cymbalta and geodon. f*ck. I tried to make me better and it hasn't worked. (yet?)
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 20:57:37
In reply to Re: still have the cymbalta shocks » Llurpsie_Noodle, posted by Llurpsie_Noodle on March 9, 2007, at 19:14:53
If it's any consolation I'm in withdrawal too. We're a pair of junkies. Lets get better together. And call that pdoc. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Withdrawal | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.