Antidepressant induced iatrogenic Neurological injury:6 month update post complete cessation.
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- čas přidán 24. 08. 2024
- An update of my recovery from Psychotropic drugs 6 months after my final dosage. I just talk about my current difficulties from the injury, some positives in my healing journey and offer some words of hope and wisdom to others in this process 🙏❤️
Being an artist and musician, the anhedonia has to be the most heart breaking and cruel thing to have right now. When I reinstated I developed the anhedonia.. I hate it man.. that and the akathisia has been making my life a living hell lately.
Good job man, 6 months is huge bro!
Thanks 🙏 bro 😎
That Akathisia will go eventually, mine is at a relatively low level now, you’ll get there.
Were all here for you!
Your not boring at all,just know I soak up every word you say,your a beautiful soul,im always going to root for you my man,please keep up the good work on your healing journey.
Thanks 🙏 my friend 😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 - Hi, just in case you haven’t seen my comment… Here’s what I wrote - I went cold turkey on 2 antidepressants without even knowing that you had to taper off (I didn’t tell my doctor that I stopped them) - Extreme fatigue was one of the symptoms that I experienced which was not pleasant… It’s been quite a number of years scince I stopped them & what I’m still experiencing whilst I was on antidepressants & now that I’m off them is what they call: Emotional Bluntness/Numbness - My brain doesn’t feel emotions such as excitement or happiness… It’s horrible - Have you experienced that by any chance??
It's been 8 years off for me and I have not had any symptoms for years, it seems slow but you do heal. I had antidepressant WD and then benzo withdrawal and at some point it all healed :) I did feel like you do now. I didn't know if I would heal because it seems like it takes so long.
thank you for sharing
How long you've been on benzo & antidepressant?
How did you quit and when did the symptoms subside. I’m 4.75 years off and still symptomatic after a ct
How long were you on ADs snd how long before you felt ok off of them?
Did u stay off antidepressants
you have explained all the things that I feel while taking the meds. Isnt it amazing, so weird. Please keep making these vids, you are helping a lot of us out. You really are.
Thanks very much 😊 I’ll continue to make videos and provide updates on my recovery ❤️🩹
I’m still very slow and struggling at the moment so I’ll try my best to make a video every few months. All the best on your taper and healing journey 💪🙏
You’ll get there I’m sure of it 😊
Good to see you're making the effort to get to the beach,and you sound improved. Spent 3 years walking the mountains after quitting my job after nervous breakdown again,until I realised the drugs don't work and probably making things worse,but I was chemically dependent on them.Off the poisons over 9 months and still walking the mountains with the dog trying to heal. A connection with the beautiful healing power of nature definitely aids recovery.
I am an electrician 😊 and know the benefits of a rewire! The brain is now rewiring itself after prolonged chemical intervention. To accelerate the rewiring process,look into neuroplasticity. At 5 months I went into chronic muscle tension where I could hardly move and in pain. Thought I had stiff person syndrome, couldn't get off the sofa,out of bed or walk without a stick. Stopped all weight training since then and keep to walking and thankfully the worst of it passed. I realise that was the time in the past of protracted withdrawal when everything went to shit,and I would have to reinstate the drugs. Only being off work has got me through that period. Cost me many thousands in lost wages and had to spend my pension pot to stay off work to recover from these poisons or I knew I could never do it. Also had strong emotions all this time,can cry at the adverts😂,but now embrace any emotions as we are human beings,not robots. Those drugs induce chemical lobotomy,and sites like Medicating Normal are helping me through,finally brave medical professionals speaking out at the dangers of psychiatric drugs. 30 years ago when I first tried stopping Sertraline,there was no internet,mobile phones etc nothing. At least now there is so much information,users sharing their stories, CZcams, websites to help us through recovery. 30 years ago I had nothing,now I feel connection with every other sufferer. That keeps me going.
Thanks very much for sharing some of your story, much appreciated. All the best for your healing journey. Take good care. 🙏
Went from 20mg Lexapro to 5 and lost 15lbs and crazy side effects been staying at 5 for a while now, it's been around 15yrs . Hard to get off this small dose
Keep pushing forward man, these drugs are no fucking joke. It took me about a year before i noticed a change in my withdrawal.
You’ve got this bro👊🏼 I’m 1 year off CT and still suffering but symptoms change day to day, week to week, month to month. Any small signs of change mean your nervous system is trying to figure it out and its a day closer to full health. It’s a slow and gradual journey but remember intensity of symptoms doesn’t correlate to their duration. I’ve seen so many people say how some of their worst and most intense symptoms that seem to persist seem to clear up over night. Hopefully things keep improving for you and you can look back at this with the rest of your life ahead of you. Will keep a look out for your updates!
Thanks bro 😎
Unfortunately I’m 6 years into this tapering, protracted withdrawal journey and this is my third attempt off so I’ve done some serious neurological chemical damage during this process. I remain hopeful though and take it one day at a time. All the best for your recovery. I’ll continue to record updates and tell my survival story. Thanks 😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 I’m in the same boat my man - it started in 2019 when I discontinued, rekindled 8 months later with akathisia. Stayed on for 3 more years because was too scared to come off after that. Tried again in 2020 and reinstated again and the symptoms didn’t calm down for about a year. Then tried again in 2022, reinstated again and then got CT’d and put on benzos because nobody would recognise drug adverse reactions/withdrawal😅. I’ve been in contact with so many withdrawal coaches and they all say everyone recovers eventually, I try and hold onto that even though I don’t believe it most days.. We can get through this!
Great mind set. That's what finally got me out of my funk. I had to change my mindset and accept my new normal for the time being. 9 months off SSRI after 22 years and I'm never going back.
What is CT?
@@thisgirl5933 Cold Turkey (taken off drugs far too quickly)
Hey, been following your journey for quite a while, very pleased to hear that some things are improving for you. I can definitely hear a difference in your speech and alertness since the last video 🙂
Thanks for the encouraging words, needed that. Just dropped from 65 to 63mg sertraline a few days ago - got the zaps/nausea/jaw ache/constant deja vu and scrambled brain pretty badly right now. But know it will improve.
Beautiful beach. I love being near the ocean, it's so soothing.
Thanks very much, all the best on your tapering and healing ❤️🩹 journey 😎
You are a beautiful man💜
You are hardcore. Mad respect for how you're fighting.
Hope you’re getting some “windows” and better feelings brother. Hang in there and keep going it does get better. You’re at the very difficult 6 month period. You got this because you are a strong person. 🙏🏻
Thanks mate, this is my third attempt, first time I got off for 9 months back in 2017, but do to the severity of protracted withdrawal, had to reinstate the drug to stabilise. That heavily kindled my CNS system.
Hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew. Staying positive and strong 💪. Take care 😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 ok yeah I thought you were further along. Ok you do what’s best for you and keep going each day mate. ❤️✌🏻
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849
Thank You
I was polydrugged on Effexor and seroquel and Prozac after a long COVID diagnosis
After 6 months off how has your sleep been?
Once again thank You for sharing your courage with us
@@williamhuard3860sorry to hear about that, wishing you well on your recovery.
My sleep has been ok, not the greatest though. Getting about 5, 6 hours a night which is a big improvement for me. 😊
Grats on getting out and driving too, keep at it, just like you said you are improving and we can all see it
I am proud of you. We are still here. Somehow. You are going to be fully healed. Keep going.
I've been having a rough few days but this was empowering. thank you
I really hope you got past the 9 months this time 😢
I’m three months off and nearly went back on yesterday.
So glad I never and I would of wasted those three months and the thought of having to go through it again has stopped me this morning and watching your videos have help me stay on track
Thank you ❤
❤️🙏
I can tell the difference in your voice! That’s awesome. Looking forward to the next update man. Definitely gives me some hope.
Hi Cole, thanks for your strenth in sharing, you are in inspiration and makes one not so isolate anymore.
Thank you 😊 You’re more than welcome 🙏
You’re amazing Cole!
You too!!
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849God loves you Cole
Thank you once again for sharing your experiences with us and glad there have been some improvements even if only small they are still encouraging. Much love.
You’re welcome ☺️
You will heal trust God has your back.
Eckhart Tolle helped me a lot with his Power of now book when I was in deepest pits of hell... I was just able to listen it on headphones audio book closed eyes. His voice was kinda calming and soothing.
I'm 6 months off long term use of psych drugs. I have improved, but this profound exhaustion and fatigue seem to hold on, also depression. Do you have your energy back? Everything hurts and feels sore. I accept this, but it is torture living this way. thanks for being a light in the darkness.
You are loved and appreciated. You really comfort me in this recovery. Thank you, brother.
I’m sorry to hear, no, not at all. I’m close to a year off and still battle with crippling fatigue and neurological damage/problems,nerve damage and a lot more every day.
My belief is it’s to do with the mitochondrial damage due to the synthetic neurotoxic properties of these class of drugs.
I know though with time and perseverance things will gradually improve, it’s at a snails pace unfortunately.
You’re more than welcome, stay strong, live day by day and you’ll see continue to see improvements. All the best. 🙏😊
Hi! I've been suscribed to your channel for a while. I'm glad to see you are seeing some improvements after 6 months off. I live in Spain , not sure how I came across your channel, I guess yt algorithms. I'm a horror story too, haven't been so long on them thought. I got severe akathisia from one dose of prozac .Didn't know back then what is was so I got pollydrugged beyond oblivion. The crazy thing is that is was a doctor, not a pyschatrist though, and I believed the shit chemical imbalance theory too. I perfectly understand the anger of not being believed, they did this to me and they were my collegues, so I can imagine how they treat people that are not in the medical field. Thanks for sharing your story, you are brave. Hope in your next update you see even more improvements!!
Thanks 😊
You'll get there man! Keep on going!
Thank you so much for doing this Videos. Keep going. Sending you lots of love.
God bless you man
Thank You for sharing
I was polydrugged after getting long COVID from the delta variant
in 2021
I’m worse two years later
Still on .75 mg klon and 7.5 mirt
Have tinnitus skin issues cognitive impairment and I sleep 5 hours
Two suicide attempts in the last two years
People and medical professionals abandoned me
Very cruel
Im sorry to hear about that. Stay strong 💪 and keep pushing forward.
Will say a prayer . I’m going thru withdrawal too. I’m having tinnitus, anhedia, and fatigue with waves over the last 8 months. I can do exercises with non weight but if I try to do anything with weights my condition worsens
All the best on your journey 😎
Im at 2 1/2 months, quit celexa after 20 years and still feeling affects but still working on it.
I see the improvement! You got this, keep going! I just started this medication and Im nervous. Hopefully we can connect because I’m not sure how to heal without medication. I’ve tried everything from exercise to supplements to help my depression and anxiety. But I don’t want to give up. I want to heal the natural way. Let’s heal together
Love you man. I'm also in withdrawal. Ice cold showers, eating lots of prebiotic foods (aspargus, oats, apples) helps some. Find a probiotic that works for you, best to try one that does not increase histamine (smidge sensitive probiotic is a good choice)
Lots of people have healed from these poisons.. remember that
Thanks 😊
All the best on your healing and recovery ❤️🩹
Reddit has good info on probiotics. They improve serotonin in the gut. I'm going to buy some tomorrow.
You’re killing it man, praying for you and your looking good man! Love from the USA
Hi Cole I am based in Auckland New Zealand and am suffering from a lot of the things you have been talking about. I was tapered off Venlafaxine over three weeks in Jun last year and have been living in my own nightmare since. (I have been on a laundry list of antidepressants for the past 24 Years). Have you had a diagnosis from a medical professional? My GP has been supportive however I have little to no support from the mental health services here and have only just been able to get a private appointment but I feel like no one really takes what I am saying seriously. I really appreciate the information you have shared so far.
Thanks 😊 No I haven’t, because ultimately you’re wasting your time because no medical professional diagnoses conditions such as PAWS, post acute withdrawal syndrome, or any Iatrogenic damage, harm which these drugs may induce on the patient. Medical professionals are only taught to give drugs, never taught anything about safe tapering or problems people may encounter weaning off these substances.
I make these videos to validate our experiences and make people who’ve been harmed feel heard.
All the best on your journey. 🙏😊
I went cold turkey on 2 antidepressants without even knowing that you had to taper off …. I experienced extreme Fatigue being the most intense withdrawal symptom for me - I had brain zaps as well but they went away!
What antidepressants were they ? How long were you on them for ?
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 I was on Aropax for 6 years which was horrible (The side effects were horrible - Emotionally Bluntness, Blurred vision amongst others) & on Lovan for 1 year!
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 - I was on Aropax for 6 years & on Lovan for 1 year - Did you experience any emotional numbness/bluntness?
@@intermilan6202yes, unfortunately still experiencing that currently.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 - it’s absolutely horrible isn’t it?? Do you know why we still have it? & what exactly is the cause of that? It’s affecting my everyday life!
❤
I have been dealing with this for awhile and I am slowly recovering with new and odd symptoms going and passing each month but I feel constantly fatigued all the time with palpitations while lying down and this inner tension that makes me want to move. I don't know if you've experienced this but it has been an ongoing problem for me for 7 months now and I have reinstated the original medication in hopes of reducing symptoms. I am trying not to change anything right now for fear of messing up my CNS further and I am very scared for the future. I really hope things get better and for you as well
The sternum effects you mention, I have had for a long time like torture. Scans revealed nothing so I realise now its the protracted withdrawal. The other symptoms are debilitating every day. I keep hoping to heal. Hope you do too x
Did you get a qeeg
U can use herbs brother. The biggest this is not depending on alcohol
Can you redo video? Can’t hear you with the wind. Always like to hear your perspective.
Sorry man, no can do. Feeling very ill at the moment. Will try update a new video soon, and do 12 month update video. Thanks 😊
How are you now we definitely need an update
Got alot going on at the moment, will try my best to make a video next week. 😊
The sound is so bad. Can't hear properly 😢. But congrats on being 6 months off. I hope healing will come
Sorry about that, didn’t realise how strong the wind was. Thank you 🙏
Hi Cole, do you have help for basic stuff, like cooking, grocery shopping? I moved in with my parents bc I'm completely disabled but it is creating so much tension in the family I feel so guilty
The last 2 years have been incredibly hard as I’ve had to do the majority of everything by myself, but have been lucky to have my brother with me on and off which has been incredibly helpful.
I completely understand, but you have been Iatrogenically injured and need support till you get back on your feet again. 😊
Thanks for the kind answer. I'm sorry you haven't had much help and still you manage to create a yt channel to bring awareness and answer questions seflessly 😊.Take care🙏
@@marcordonholzknechtall good 😊 man.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 first time that I get confused for a man, that made me smile. Been crying for ages, thanks for that
Pine bark and gutu kola and maca root can help with brain a d hormones gingkio
Thanks 😊 bro 😎
How vivid are the hallucinations? I'm afraid to go off my drugs after hearing that but I'm gonna do it anyway
Extremely vivid, auditory hallucinations, part of the brain healing process unfortunately. Keep going.
16 yeare BRO!
Thanks for your posts, helps many of us. Did your akathisia get worse as you were tapering? Or did it get better? Or same until you got off completely? Thank you
No problem 😌
It got more intense the lower i tapered. I’m off nearly 7 months now and levels of akathisia are very low. Just have to weather the storm while it’s extremely tough.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 you are doing great and are healing 🙏🏻❤️
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849I only get aka, about a 2, during my period now.
How long did you have it at a higher level? Was it constant for a while? Was it mental and physical or just physical? Sorry for all of the questions - I still get it mentally and physically at a higher level pretty constantly, along with other cognitive and physical symptoms and I’m almost 7 months off. It started as a reaction to a single dose of a med through IV, then I was CT of my med right after.
@@ashleychristie5023 i cant even recall it went on a long time. Im not sure how it began, could have been from my 2 year taper off effexor, or when latuda was introduced. Then prozac. After off effexor completely n prozsc increased it got to be 10s so for a long time. Got off prozac went to zoloft n still 10s. It was so hard. Then i got iff zoloft n a dr prescribed propranolol which gelped a lot! But now im on vraylar n i dont get akathisia at all. But im more than likely going to switch meds n who knows if it will come back. I kno propranolol helped me i was taking 5mg a night.
However before a dr knew what to do i was using my muscle relaxers for my back everytime an episode would start. And theyd kick in within 30 minutes n stop it. Im sp sorry youre going thru it. I cried all the time during them. There were times id have to just move my legs it was so uncomfortable. Thats what i considered a 2. Sometimes inner restlessness.
We need an update ❤
Due to the nature of these neurological drug induced injuries I’ll be updating progress every 6 months, but I’ll try my best to produce a few videos in between that time if I’m able too 🙏😎
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849you fuckin warrior
What beach is this?
Cornwallis out near huia. ❤️😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 brave drive on that road in this journey. Very familiar with out there. Many fond hiking memories. My heart aches so bad thinking of the waitaks and west coast.
Hey buddy, how are you now?
Still healing ❤️🩹 from the drug damage, will update in a few months. 💪
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849Was checking in as well to see how things were getting on, as I've just passed the 12 month mark. The longest I've managed in the last 32 years and at least 7 attempts off all the SSRI'S. Took Venlafaxine once for a week and had withdrawal for another week so that's how powerful they are. The stress it puts on your nervous system is tough sometimes, emotionally and physically,but there's no going back. We must keep going,no retreat no surrender. 🪖
@@celticwarrior5646 great work, we keep moving forward. 💪🙏
Hey Cole- when you got off using liquid Effexor - did you make it yourself or buy an oral suspension liquid ready made? Also did you switch from extended release to immediate release when you switched to liquid. I'm down to 5mg weighing beads but I just don't see myself being able to go any further now without a liquid form- I just can't make the reductions small enough. Hope you're seeing signs of improvement by the way- we're all routing for you.
Hello Daniel, it was made by a compounding pharmacist, I was lucky my local pharmacist knew how to compound it, the granules into a suspension liquid. Very few pharmacists knew about how to do it in my area.
Yes I did, the action of compounding the XR release model immediately turns it into an immediate release drug.
If you go this route, you’ll have to take Two doses a day, morning and night of your usual dose. From 37.5 mg downwards I used the liquid form.
Cheers man, it’s rough, I’ll do an update video next month to celebrate a year of being free for psychiatric drugs.
All the best. 😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 Thanks Cole. One last question- what dose did you finally drop off on?
No problem man, it’s still a bit blurry to me, but I managed to get down to 0.30mg as the drop off point. All the best on your journey ahead. 🙏😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849
Do you have aphantasia aswell?
Currently I do unfortunately. I’m sure in time it’ll improve I hope. Neuroplasticity will happen, I’ll have to do a lot of work on my part as well.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849which ssri or antidepressant u quit please answer sertailine or citalopram
@@rameshlumb4003Effexor. Was on 40 mg of citalopram for 9 years beforehand.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 thanks for reply
We will heal eventually. Stay strong❤🩹