Acupuncture...

IMISSME · 06-16-2012, 09:48 AM

So, finally going to try acupuncture. Have a consultation on Monday. I am always skeptical on these types of things, especially since it is something I have never done before. Plus, I'm sure in my state of mind I will be easily swayed to believe it's benefits.

Just wondering if anyone else has had any positive/negative experiences they might want to share. I can try one session or pay for a package that includes herbs and/or teas. I do worry about my sensitive nervous systems and thinking some of these herbs and teas and of course needles might effect my system.

Bruno2006 · 06-16-2012, 12:42 PM

its good to be skeptical, but oriental medicine has been around for thousands of years. At month four I was in such a bad state that I almost left everything behind to live on the streets. Then, I found oriental medicine which is energy medicine. Obviously, it doesnt work for everyone but worked for me an millions of others. Just make sure and let them know about your withdrawal and stuff as there could be an interaction if they decide to give you herbs but is highly unlikely because the herbs (depends where you go but the traditional herbs are whole plants, barks, berries, etc that you boil and drink the tea) are food. The chinese say "eat" medicine, not take because they realize food is medicine. Good luck

babs · 06-16-2012, 02:14 PM

Make sure to tell the practitioner that you are having a lot of anxiety and to give you a treatment that is calming. If you say you are depressed, you might get a treatment that is too stimulating. It kinda sucks that you have to pick one or the other because I know you are feeling both anxiety and depression, but I think treating the anxiety is key.

BestFriend · 06-21-2012, 11:34 AM

Acupuncture has been a major help to my best friend as she was going through withdrawal - just be sure to find a practitioner who will take the time to listen to your story and try to understand what is going on with your brain chemistry. The acupuncturist I found for her actually asked for some literature about SSRI withdrawal before he decided on a treatment plan. She didn't start acupuncture until near the end of her taper (around 2.5 mg), and the acupuncture helped ease her anxiety and allowed her to sleep 6-8 hours a few nights a week. This, along with the supplements and lots of rest, helped her get through the most difficult part of her taper. It didn't end the symptoms, but it definitely made them more bearable.

She is now about 12 months post-taper, and every time she feels another wave of withdrawal, she schedules a few sessions with the acupuncturist to take the edge off the symptoms. She is running her own business, enjoying being a mom and friend, and goes out to eat with her friends or family at least once a week. She is much happier and feels like her normal self most of the time. She still has some Paxil weight to drop, but the pounds are starting to come off with mild exercise and healthy eating.

To those of you in the throes of w/d, it cannot be said often enough: you WILL get through this. Things WILL get better. Try to find a good friend or family member to lean on and let him or her be the strong one for awhile. Find activities you enjoy that get your mind off the symptoms and anxiety, and allow yourself to take it easy. And give yourself a pat on the back for having the courage and tenacity to say no to A/Ds controlling your life. I am in constant awe of the fortitude shown by the members of this site.

Bilo76 · 06-21-2012, 11:44 AM

I did it and it didnt help me at all. Sorry i am very sceptical. There is also zero scientific proof that it can help.

trixiemom · 06-23-2012, 10:28 PM

Make sure that you tell them not to use any liver or detox points - otherwise it will be stimulating and create anxiety. If you have anxiety right now, your best benefit will be a relaxing, calming treatment!

I've gone in w/d and had good and bad results - I learned the hard way because he tried supporting my liver to help me detox - yeah, not smart! Just go with relaxing

Irishwill · 06-25-2012, 05:28 PM

How did the treatment go for you??

trixiemom · 06-25-2012, 07:11 PM

To be honest with you... I haven't been back yet! Before they hit detox points, I had more energy the day after the treatments. A GOOD energy, not a nervous energy. I plan on going again at some point, but I'm going to wait until I'm done tapering because I really was going for some immune system issues that need the detoxing.... so... I didn't want to pay for more visits until I can go for the reason I initially intended. I just got a little over-zealous trying to take care of too many things while in withdrawal!

06-16-2012, 09:48 AM	#1
IMISSME Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 814	Acupuncture... So, finally going to try acupuncture. Have a consultation on Monday. I am always skeptical on these types of things, especially since it is something I have never done before. Plus, I'm sure in my state of mind I will be easily swayed to believe it's benefits. Just wondering if anyone else has had any positive/negative experiences they might want to share. I can try one session or pay for a package that includes herbs and/or teas. I do worry about my sensitive nervous systems and thinking some of these herbs and teas and of course needles might effect my system. __________________ 20 mg paxil 1998 for "night terrors" 2 attempts to quit mid 2000's mid 2010, 10 mg after poopout 1 month 5 mg 5/5/2011 C/T'd 2 months physical symptoms minor bad thoughts then emotional hell, complete panic mid July July 2011 started 15 mg Remeron for sleep Currently at 2.30mg Remeron

06-16-2012, 12:42 PM	#2
Bruno2006 Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,129	Re: Acupuncture... its good to be skeptical, but oriental medicine has been around for thousands of years. At month four I was in such a bad state that I almost left everything behind to live on the streets. Then, I found oriental medicine which is energy medicine. Obviously, it doesnt work for everyone but worked for me an millions of others. Just make sure and let them know about your withdrawal and stuff as there could be an interaction if they decide to give you herbs but is highly unlikely because the herbs (depends where you go but the traditional herbs are whole plants, barks, berries, etc that you boil and drink the tea) are food. The chinese say "eat" medicine, not take because they realize food is medicine. Good luck __________________ 2004:Effexor(150mg) 2006: switched to Paxil (40mg) 2008: Fast Paxil taper failed, back on effexor (225mg) 2009: stopped effexor cold turkey because I could not afford it, switched to zoloft (100mg) 2010: Zoloft taper failed, switched to celexa (30mg) October 2011: Tapered celexa in one week "Pain in life is inevitable but suffering is not. Pain is what the world does to you, suffering is what you do to yourself. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."

06-16-2012, 02:14 PM	#3
babs "dare to suck big!" Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7,542	Re: Acupuncture... Make sure to tell the practitioner that you are having a lot of anxiety and to give you a treatment that is calming. If you say you are depressed, you might get a treatment that is too stimulating. It kinda sucks that you have to pick one or the other because I know you are feeling both anxiety and depression, but I think treating the anxiety is key. __________________ Babs Paxil 20mg 1994-2005 2 failed attempts to quit Tapered Jan-April 2005 Paxil-free since May 1, 2005

06-21-2012, 11:34 AM	#4
BestFriend Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13	Re: Acupuncture... Acupuncture has been a major help to my best friend as she was going through withdrawal - just be sure to find a practitioner who will take the time to listen to your story and try to understand what is going on with your brain chemistry. The acupuncturist I found for her actually asked for some literature about SSRI withdrawal before he decided on a treatment plan. She didn't start acupuncture until near the end of her taper (around 2.5 mg), and the acupuncture helped ease her anxiety and allowed her to sleep 6-8 hours a few nights a week. This, along with the supplements and lots of rest, helped her get through the most difficult part of her taper. It didn't end the symptoms, but it definitely made them more bearable. She is now about 12 months post-taper, and every time she feels another wave of withdrawal, she schedules a few sessions with the acupuncturist to take the edge off the symptoms. She is running her own business, enjoying being a mom and friend, and goes out to eat with her friends or family at least once a week. She is much happier and feels like her normal self most of the time. She still has some Paxil weight to drop, but the pounds are starting to come off with mild exercise and healthy eating. To those of you in the throes of w/d, it cannot be said often enough: you WILL get through this. Things WILL get better. Try to find a good friend or family member to lean on and let him or her be the strong one for awhile. Find activities you enjoy that get your mind off the symptoms and anxiety, and allow yourself to take it easy. And give yourself a pat on the back for having the courage and tenacity to say no to A/Ds controlling your life. I am in constant awe of the fortitude shown by the members of this site.

06-21-2012, 11:44 AM	#5
Bilo76 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Holland Posts: 1,641	Re: Acupuncture... I did it and it didnt help me at all. Sorry i am very sceptical. There is also zero scientific proof that it can help. __________________ Bilo aka Remco 14 years on Paxil 20 mg cause of a bad anxiety disorder (social anxiety, agoraphobia) 2011 Oct 16th: Cold turkey stop Paxil cause of poopout and switch to lexapro 15 mg. Hell started. Tapered lexapro. Tapered oxazepam. Med-free since may 18th 2012 "....We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality. It can not command, only serve..." Albert Einstein.

06-23-2012, 10:28 PM	#6
trixiemom Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 180	Re: Acupuncture... Make sure that you tell them not to use any liver or detox points - otherwise it will be stimulating and create anxiety. If you have anxiety right now, your best benefit will be a relaxing, calming treatment! I've gone in w/d and had good and bad results - I learned the hard way because he tried supporting my liver to help me detox - yeah, not smart! Just go with relaxing __________________ 20 mg paxil 2005-August 23, 2012 2/2012 - 15mg; 3/9/12 - 10 mg; 3/18/12 - 12.5 mg; 3/20/12 - 15 mg 4/11/12 - 14.25 mg; 4/18/12 - 13.5 mg; 4/25/12 - 12.75 mg; 5/2/12 - 12 mg; 5/10/12 - 11.25 mg; 5/17/12 - 10.5 mg; 5/24/12 - 9.75 mg; 5/31/12 - 9 mg; 6/7/12 - 8.25 mg; 6/14/12 - 7.5 mg; 6/21/12 - 6.75 mg; 6/28/12 - 6 mg; 7/5/12 - 5.25 mg; 7/12/12 - 4.5 mg; 7/19/12 - 3.75 mg; 7/26/12 - 3 mg; 8/2/12 - 2.25 mg; 8/9/12 - 1.5 mg; 8/16/12 - .75 mg; 8/23/12 - 0

06-25-2012, 05:28 PM	#7
Irishwill Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 384	Re: Acupuncture... How did the treatment go for you?? __________________ Paxil-2001-2011 40 mg-30mg-20mg for Panic Attacks August 2011-poopout at 10 mg Tried other AD's for short periods never helped Failed Paxil R/I after 2 months at 10-20 mg Ativan for 10 months now off Paxil free April 2012

06-25-2012, 07:11 PM	#8
trixiemom Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 180	Re: Acupuncture... To be honest with you... I haven't been back yet! Before they hit detox points, I had more energy the day after the treatments. A GOOD energy, not a nervous energy. I plan on going again at some point, but I'm going to wait until I'm done tapering because I really was going for some immune system issues that need the detoxing.... so... I didn't want to pay for more visits until I can go for the reason I initially intended. I just got a little over-zealous trying to take care of too many things while in withdrawal! __________________ 20 mg paxil 2005-August 23, 2012 2/2012 - 15mg; 3/9/12 - 10 mg; 3/18/12 - 12.5 mg; 3/20/12 - 15 mg 4/11/12 - 14.25 mg; 4/18/12 - 13.5 mg; 4/25/12 - 12.75 mg; 5/2/12 - 12 mg; 5/10/12 - 11.25 mg; 5/17/12 - 10.5 mg; 5/24/12 - 9.75 mg; 5/31/12 - 9 mg; 6/7/12 - 8.25 mg; 6/14/12 - 7.5 mg; 6/21/12 - 6.75 mg; 6/28/12 - 6 mg; 7/5/12 - 5.25 mg; 7/12/12 - 4.5 mg; 7/19/12 - 3.75 mg; 7/26/12 - 3 mg; 8/2/12 - 2.25 mg; 8/9/12 - 1.5 mg; 8/16/12 - .75 mg; 8/23/12 - 0

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