A rough patch

texgirl · 08-27-2006, 11:39 AM

After about 6 months Paxil-free (I didn't keep written records, wish now I had), I've been gradually getting better--that one step forward, two back thing you're all familiar with. Now, after a few pretty good weeks, I've had a miserable 5 days. Hardly sleeping, terrible weird dreams (totally disconnected from my life/reality, like somebody else is inside my head), and what I can only describe as spontaneous panic attacks during sleep. I wake up and can't remember what I was thinking/dreaming, only that my body is in full-blown fight-or-flight mode, head zapping a million miles an hour. The first 4 days I managed to get thru the days even after bad nights, but today I'm a wreck. Chills, upset stomach, paranoia about everything from my future job prospects to the weather. (It's been over 100 degrees here for 29 days this month with no rain, which come to think of it might make anybody a little nuts.)

Anyway, I would really appreciate a reminder from somebody other than my not-so-trusty-right-now inner voice that this is just a blip on the radar, and maybe a few tips for getting thru it till it passes. (I do know it will pass; this is how I know I'm making SOME progress beyond PaxHell.)

Thank you and God bless you all,

Tex

texgirl · 08-27-2006, 11:43 AM

I meant it's been over 100 degrees 29 days this summer. I do realize there have not yet been 29 days in this month.

rdjanis · 08-27-2006, 11:46 AM

At 6 months in you are well on your way. Withdrawal is a bumpy ride, but the symptoms will ease up for you. Let the good days carry you through the bad. Take care.

Homerbcool · 08-27-2006, 11:48 AM

texgirl...sounds from what others have mentioned as typical short lived rebound symptoms..keep the faith and babysteps..

LCrawford67 · 08-27-2006, 11:49 AM

Tex, you're Paxil free! That's wonderful in itself! You're having a bit of an episode, right now, which is common at this point. Focus on the great windows of wellnes you've felt over the past 6 months. Also, this won't last! You'll be feeling better again soon.

The weather has an effect on all of us, but even that can't last forever. You've come so far and have so much to be proud of. Just hang in there for this ride. Take a long bubble bath, close your eyes and breathe deeply....these things should help you and I bet, if you post tomorrow, you'll be feeling better.

Chrysalis · 08-27-2006, 11:57 AM

Texgirl,

I might add, with that kind of heat, make sure you are WELL HYDRATED. Lots and lots of cleansing water.

Hang tight, you are off the poison, where many of us look forward to being. You're that much closer to total freedom.

Margaret

texgirl · 08-27-2006, 12:03 PM

Wow, 3 replies within 5 minutes of my post. You guys are so great. I live and work alone, and the only person in my non-Internet life whom I can really talk to about all this is my therapist. My mom and brother and his family live about 30 minutes from me and they try to be supportive, but the magnitude of this whole thing (going back to my first panic attack, in Nov. 2004) mainly just baffles them. I did talk to my mom yesterday and she pointed out that this is the 3-year anniversary of my dad's stroke, which he passed away from 6 weeks later (Sept. 2003). I know that grief is often insidious and these anniversaries can be hard. I'm going to try taking it easy on myself these next few weeks.

Thanks again for the support. Homer, I especially appreciate hearing from you after reading about how things have been for you lately. You're such a strong, no-b.s. presence here, and your sense of humor has rescued me (from afar) many times.

I wish you all better days to come.

velveteengreen · 08-27-2006, 12:04 PM

Withdrawal is a rollercoaster! Really up and down.

I'm at month 14 and I've been feeling really good for the past two months. But... as usual withdrawal has shown up for me again in the form of random muscle twitches throughout my body. I hate it. Especially when they had gone away for a while (for the most part anyway). Its just one more bump on the path to recovery. To remind myself of that I try to remember how bad my muscle twitches were a year ago.

As long as you maintain positive thinking and give your body the proper nutrients to heal itself you will make it past this horrible experience. You'll also be much stronger for it.

08-27-2006, 11:39 AM	#1
texgirl The original" F$%^you "gal, from the cranky corner! Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,977	A rough patch After about 6 months Paxil-free (I didn't keep written records, wish now I had), I've been gradually getting better--that one step forward, two back thing you're all familiar with. Now, after a few pretty good weeks, I've had a miserable 5 days. Hardly sleeping, terrible weird dreams (totally disconnected from my life/reality, like somebody else is inside my head), and what I can only describe as spontaneous panic attacks during sleep. I wake up and can't remember what I was thinking/dreaming, only that my body is in full-blown fight-or-flight mode, head zapping a million miles an hour. The first 4 days I managed to get thru the days even after bad nights, but today I'm a wreck. Chills, upset stomach, paranoia about everything from my future job prospects to the weather. (It's been over 100 degrees here for 29 days this month with no rain, which come to think of it might make anybody a little nuts.) Anyway, I would really appreciate a reminder from somebody other than my not-so-trusty-right-now inner voice that this is just a blip on the radar, and maybe a few tips for getting thru it till it passes. (I do know it will pass; this is how I know I'm making SOME progress beyond PaxHell.) Thank you and God bless you all, Tex __________________ Completely free from psychiatry since 8/5/07 If we are fools enough to remain at the mercy of the people who want to sell us happiness, it will be impossible for us to ever be content with anything. How would they profit if we became content? (Thomas Merton)

08-27-2006, 11:43 AM	#2
texgirl The original" F$%^you "gal, from the cranky corner! Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,977	Re: A rough patch I meant it's been over 100 degrees 29 days this summer. I do realize there have not yet been 29 days in this month. __________________ Completely free from psychiatry since 8/5/07 If we are fools enough to remain at the mercy of the people who want to sell us happiness, it will be impossible for us to ever be content with anything. How would they profit if we became content? (Thomas Merton)

08-27-2006, 11:46 AM	#3
rdjanis "has a lavender scented keyboard" Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 22,238	Re: A rough patch At 6 months in you are well on your way. Withdrawal is a bumpy ride, but the symptoms will ease up for you. Let the good days carry you through the bad. Take care. __________________ Rita

08-27-2006, 11:48 AM	#4
Homerbcool "colors outside the lines" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 15,949	Re: A rough patch texgirl...sounds from what others have mentioned as typical short lived rebound symptoms..keep the faith and babysteps.. __________________ That's one of the curses of anxiety--we make possibilities into certainties.....Tim

08-27-2006, 11:49 AM	#5
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 26,493	Re: A rough patch Tex, you're Paxil free! That's wonderful in itself! You're having a bit of an episode, right now, which is common at this point. Focus on the great windows of wellnes you've felt over the past 6 months. Also, this won't last! You'll be feeling better again soon. The weather has an effect on all of us, but even that can't last forever. You've come so far and have so much to be proud of. Just hang in there for this ride. Take a long bubble bath, close your eyes and breathe deeply....these things should help you and I bet, if you post tomorrow, you'll be feeling better. __________________ aka LC aka Laurie C. Paxil, 20 mg since 1997, for IBS Two unsuccessful attempts to quit. Started tapering 11/27/06 PAXIL FREE 12/29/07 If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Thanksgiving, man. Not a good day to be my pants. ~Kevin James

08-27-2006, 11:57 AM	#6
Chrysalis Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,060	Re: A rough patch Texgirl, I might add, with that kind of heat, make sure you are WELL HYDRATED. Lots and lots of cleansing water. Hang tight, you are off the poison, where many of us look forward to being. You're that much closer to total freedom. Margaret __________________ 6/97 Paxil 20 mg daily 1/06 -5/06 20 mg to 10, then 10 mg to 5 (NOT recommended!) 8/5/06 switched to liquid Paxil, 5 mg Slow taper with last dose on 8/18/07 Toprol XL 25 mg daily for cardiac arrhythmia Trazodone, 25 mg, tapered, last dose on 12/12/07 Tart cherry, Magnesium Citrate, Salmon oil, Glucosamine and MSM, Multivitamin w/iron Zinc (23 mg) & Echinacea lozenge - 1 daily Activia yogurt

08-27-2006, 12:03 PM	#7
texgirl The original" F$%^you "gal, from the cranky corner! Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,977	Re: A rough patch Wow, 3 replies within 5 minutes of my post. You guys are so great. I live and work alone, and the only person in my non-Internet life whom I can really talk to about all this is my therapist. My mom and brother and his family live about 30 minutes from me and they try to be supportive, but the magnitude of this whole thing (going back to my first panic attack, in Nov. 2004) mainly just baffles them. I did talk to my mom yesterday and she pointed out that this is the 3-year anniversary of my dad's stroke, which he passed away from 6 weeks later (Sept. 2003). I know that grief is often insidious and these anniversaries can be hard. I'm going to try taking it easy on myself these next few weeks. Thanks again for the support. Homer, I especially appreciate hearing from you after reading about how things have been for you lately. You're such a strong, no-b.s. presence here, and your sense of humor has rescued me (from afar) many times. I wish you all better days to come. __________________ Completely free from psychiatry since 8/5/07 If we are fools enough to remain at the mercy of the people who want to sell us happiness, it will be impossible for us to ever be content with anything. How would they profit if we became content? (Thomas Merton)

08-27-2006, 12:04 PM	#8
velveteengreen Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 490	Re: A rough patch Withdrawal is a rollercoaster! Really up and down. I'm at month 14 and I've been feeling really good for the past two months. But... as usual withdrawal has shown up for me again in the form of random muscle twitches throughout my body. I hate it. Especially when they had gone away for a while (for the most part anyway). Its just one more bump on the path to recovery. To remind myself of that I try to remember how bad my muscle twitches were a year ago. As long as you maintain positive thinking and give your body the proper nutrients to heal itself you will make it past this horrible experience. You'll also be much stronger for it.

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