success story: 5 and a half months off!

gigi07 · 04-24-2011, 08:14 PM

Hi everyone, it has been 5 and half months since I cold-turkeyed off the drugs. I have to say that the first 4 months were a living hell. I had the flu constantly, extreme fatigue, concentration and memory problems, and extreme depression. but after 4 months, I started living like my old self from highschool(the kid that was on no drugs). Before I started feeling better, The doctor tried to put me back on paxil after what he "described as the original symptoms returning) I told him to **** off(sorry for the language) and that is was just my brain trying to adjust. well after these hard 4 months, I now cry tears of happiness(I teared up while writing this) because I feel to happy now. I no longer get depressed and I doing so much better in my life now. My school work and my training has improved so much because now I have energy to do everything. my metabolism is also much better now, as I have lost all the weight I gained on the meds. The coaches at my University have apologized for calling me lazy because of my tiredness and weight gain. THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE THAT COMMENTED ON MY POSTS, AND GAVE ME HOPE. All my family and friends thought I was an ******* and an non-emotional idiot, when I was on the meds and especially when I was in withdrawal. Sometimes they still think that the side effects were in my head, But I ask them one question. How did I become more rational when coming off meds that were supposed to make you rational. They are then silenced. For anyone that is reading and believes that these meds are changing you, just believe in yourself, thats all that matters. You can one day be off just keep believing. There is no damn research on these meds, most doctors dont know anything about these meds because of this lack of information. SO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Thank you Everyone! I DID IT!

scotty · 04-24-2011, 08:26 PM

Congratulations! I wish you only continued success, its sounds like your own your way. Now, keep talking to those who don't believe what these drugs can do!

erap · 04-26-2011, 05:03 PM

I am so happy that you are doing well. I just wanted to ask you if you experienced severe body pain and burning sensations? This is day 71 for me and feel like I am about to drive my head into a wall. I am in severe pain, especially my back and neck. I am also having ear pain too, and swelling of the neck.

I thought 71 days was a lot, but now I see that you say the first four months were hell, I kind of feel a little better knowing that it's not just me and my mind playing tricks on me. I went to the doctor to get blood work done and she told me everything is ok. I am thinking how can nothing be wrong with my liver, especially after being on SSRI's for more than a decade?

I think I am going into constant pain and my joints and muscles are inflamed because of the lack of sleep. I have the worst sleep patterns ever. I don't sleep more than 4.5 hours a night and this has been going on for 71 days now.

How was your insomnia and how long did it last?

Thanks for posting and letting me know that there is hope after all these months.

LCrawford67 · 04-26-2011, 05:14 PM

Good job, Gigi! Congratulations!

gigi07 · 04-26-2011, 06:52 PM

Hello Erap. I never really experienced any severe joint pain, but as I recall there many that did on this site. LC and Scotty can help you with that. Regarding the insomnia, I believe that it takes time for that to get better, as I now sleep much better now. There are still occasional nights were I dont sleep but they are becoming less often. I was on the meds for 3 and half years and 22 so I think that contributed to my shorter recovery time. During the four months I was really tired and I could not push my body hard when I worked out our I would be gain a fever and be sick for a week. The doctors also tested me early in my withdrawal and they said they saw no abnormalities. They really do not know how these drugs work, they just know they "help relieve depression", but they do not know how. So I doubt they have a test that will determine withdrawal and chemical levels in your body and brain. I dont know how you stopped your meds but I would suggest tapering slowly to help ease the symptoms. The only reason I cold turkeyed because I was idiot(im 22 years old) and the weight gain would not let me run fast for my university's track team. I am not going to lie, there were times where I just wish that I could just die, because the withdrawal depression was so bad. If these symptoms are unbearable you should get back on drugs, and taper slowly, or you can wait it out and be completely miserable(like I was). But either way your body will recover eventually, even though at times it seems it wont.

Kay2020 · 04-28-2011, 12:22 PM

I am very grateful to read this post!

renzagliarobb · 04-29-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigi07

Thank you Everyone! I DID IT!

Thank you for giving me hope and CONGRATS on your recovery

Robb

04-24-2011, 08:14 PM	#1
gigi07 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Moreno Valley Posts: 36	success story: 5 and a half months off! Hi everyone, it has been 5 and half months since I cold-turkeyed off the drugs. I have to say that the first 4 months were a living hell. I had the flu constantly, extreme fatigue, concentration and memory problems, and extreme depression. but after 4 months, I started living like my old self from highschool(the kid that was on no drugs). Before I started feeling better, The doctor tried to put me back on paxil after what he "described as the original symptoms returning) I told him to ** off(sorry for the language) and that is was just my brain trying to adjust. well after these hard 4 months, I now cry tears of happiness(I teared up while writing this) because I feel to happy now. I no longer get depressed and I doing so much better in my life now. My school work and my training has improved so much because now I have energy to do everything. my metabolism is also much better now, as I have lost all the weight I gained on the meds. The coaches at my University have apologized for calling me lazy because of my tiredness and weight gain. THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE THAT COMMENTED ON MY POSTS, AND GAVE ME HOPE. All my family and friends thought I was an ***** and an non-emotional idiot, when I was on the meds and especially when I was in withdrawal. Sometimes they still think that the side effects were in my head, But I ask them one question. How did I become more rational when coming off meds that were supposed to make you rational. They are then silenced. For anyone that is reading and believes that these meds are changing you, just believe in yourself, thats all that matters. You can one day be off just keep believing. There is no damn research on these meds, most doctors dont know anything about these meds because of this lack of information. SO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Thank you Everyone! I DID IT! __________________ Put on a/ds after highschool because of chronic depression and unexplained groin injury Paxil 10mg Rispederal .5mg 07-09 Paxil 20mg Rispederal 1 mg 09-10 Went up in dose because of unexplained knee pain(WTH) C/T NOVEMBER 7 2010-Present

04-24-2011, 08:26 PM	#2
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,157	Re: success story: 5 and a half months off! Congratulations! I wish you only continued success, its sounds like your own your way. Now, keep talking to those who don't believe what these drugs can do! __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

04-26-2011, 05:03 PM	#3
erap Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 23	Re: success story: 5 and a half months off! I am so happy that you are doing well. I just wanted to ask you if you experienced severe body pain and burning sensations? This is day 71 for me and feel like I am about to drive my head into a wall. I am in severe pain, especially my back and neck. I am also having ear pain too, and swelling of the neck. I thought 71 days was a lot, but now I see that you say the first four months were hell, I kind of feel a little better knowing that it's not just me and my mind playing tricks on me. I went to the doctor to get blood work done and she told me everything is ok. I am thinking how can nothing be wrong with my liver, especially after being on SSRI's for more than a decade? I think I am going into constant pain and my joints and muscles are inflamed because of the lack of sleep. I have the worst sleep patterns ever. I don't sleep more than 4.5 hours a night and this has been going on for 71 days now. How was your insomnia and how long did it last? Thanks for posting and letting me know that there is hope after all these months.

04-26-2011, 05:14 PM	#4
LCrawford67 Moderator "Everybody poops" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 34,485	Re: success story: 5 and a half months off! Good job, Gigi! Congratulations! __________________ 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 Today is the best day, EVER!

04-26-2011, 06:52 PM	#5
gigi07 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Moreno Valley Posts: 36	Re: success story: 5 and a half months off! Hello Erap. I never really experienced any severe joint pain, but as I recall there many that did on this site. LC and Scotty can help you with that. Regarding the insomnia, I believe that it takes time for that to get better, as I now sleep much better now. There are still occasional nights were I dont sleep but they are becoming less often. I was on the meds for 3 and half years and 22 so I think that contributed to my shorter recovery time. During the four months I was really tired and I could not push my body hard when I worked out our I would be gain a fever and be sick for a week. The doctors also tested me early in my withdrawal and they said they saw no abnormalities. They really do not know how these drugs work, they just know they "help relieve depression", but they do not know how. So I doubt they have a test that will determine withdrawal and chemical levels in your body and brain. I dont know how you stopped your meds but I would suggest tapering slowly to help ease the symptoms. The only reason I cold turkeyed because I was idiot(im 22 years old) and the weight gain would not let me run fast for my university's track team. I am not going to lie, there were times where I just wish that I could just die, because the withdrawal depression was so bad. If these symptoms are unbearable you should get back on drugs, and taper slowly, or you can wait it out and be completely miserable(like I was). But either way your body will recover eventually, even though at times it seems it wont. __________________ Put on a/ds after highschool because of chronic depression and unexplained groin injury Paxil 10mg Rispederal .5mg 07-09 Paxil 20mg Rispederal 1 mg 09-10 Went up in dose because of unexplained knee pain(WTH) C/T NOVEMBER 7 2010-Present

04-28-2011, 12:22 PM	#6
Kay2020 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago, Il. Posts: 848	Re: success story: 5 and a half months off! I am very grateful to read this post! __________________ 9 years Zoloft then 6 years Lexapro URL to my full taper details: My Full Taper History Last dose 5/22/2012 Presently Tapering Klonopin .50 The Brassmonkey Method! With Milk and It is working very well and I am now reduced my dose by 50percent! EDIT: Crashed and reinstated back to .50mg Klonopin. I am preparing for a smaller slower taper.

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