My thread on SA
 

Starting a personal thread on here! @LostinCanadahelped me so much on Surviving Antidepressants so whatever site she goes to, I come as well😅

Hey Elaine!

 

We better fast track you in quick then!

 

Welcome 🤣

 

Could you let us know a bit about your journey and how you are atm?
 

I’ll grab your sa thread and link it over at some point for you. 
 

Chippy

18 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

Starting a personal thread on here! @LostinCanadahelped me so much on Surviving Antidepressants so whatever site she goes to, I come as well😅

❤️🙏

@Chippy Sorry I never responded to this. I am doing ok. Still holding at .466 as I am hoping to stabilize. However still not doing great. I have been working with a NTP who is the sweetest and most helpful. But it seems like I struggle to handle a lot. When I came off of meds 3 years ago, I was living in mold and got pregnant right after so my body went through a lot. We have worked on some detoxing etc but my body is extra sensitive because of withdrawal I guess as well as histamine intolerance. I struggle with sleep, mood, anxiety, depression, histamine intolerance and all the fun stuff that comes with that (been about 1 3/4 year on low histamine diet), struggle processing trauma (seems like things become trauma to me that shouldn’t be), OCD, ribs popping out in my back all the time etc. also weird things like not tolerating b vitamins well. It will either cause anxiety or dierreha or histamine problems. I’m pretty sure I need them though. My NTP thinks that when I take them it is opening a pathway in my body that’s been clogged and overwhelming me with the intensity. Not sure what to think?! I have saw some improvements and/or changing in my histamine symptoms after working with my NTP. Less cramps around cycle and ovulation, fewer headaches around those times, not waking up as much at 2 or 3, I had a rash clear up (may have came back though as I have a weird patch on my arm. Can’t remember if I burned myself their or not😅), etc. Still feeling really down though and tired of all this🙈 and it’s easy to be nervous that even if I do heal my histamine problems etc that everything will come flooding back when I finish coming off of meds. It’s also easy to get down about the fact that my two sweet girls are growing up while I’m trying to cope with all this stress on my body. This morning Inwas looking a bit into CNS stuff and brain rewiring. Has anyone on this sight had sucess with that or is that just more like one more tool but not an ultimate fix it for most people? Thank you for taking the time to read this and work with people who desperately need help!

Edited July 5Jul 5 by ElaineM

14 hours ago, ElaineM said:

@Chippy Sorry I never responded to this.

No need to apologize.

14 hours ago, ElaineM said:

Still holding at .466 as I am hoping to stabilize. However still not doing great.

Good to know. Sounds like a plan, you want to find a nice stable place to continue from for sure.

14 hours ago, ElaineM said:

I have been working with a NTP who is the sweetest and most helpful. But it seems like I struggle to handle a lot. When I came off of meds 3 years ago, I was living in mold and got pregnant right after so my body went through a lot. We have worked on some detoxing etc but my body is extra sensitive because of withdrawal I guess as well as histamine intolerance. I struggle with sleep, mood, anxiety, depression, histamine intolerance and all the fun stuff that comes with that (been about 1 3/4 year on low histamine diet), struggle processing trauma (seems like things become trauma to me that shouldn’t be), OCD, ribs popping out in my back all the time etc.

Glad they are helpful. All very common in WD unfortunately. We can all empathise with this.

14 hours ago, ElaineM said:

also weird things like not tolerating b vitamins well. It will either cause anxiety or dierreha or histamine problems. I’m pretty sure I need them though.

We advice not to use supplements as it is often seen people react to them in WD, we suggest adjusting your diet to get what you can naturally. I know this can be a challenge sometimes. It is why Im not too hot on the low histimine diet for me personally anymore, I noticed little to no difference so have focused on a balanced diet. We are all different of course.

14 hours ago, ElaineM said:

I have saw some improvements and/or changing in my histamine symptoms after working with my NTP. Less cramps around cycle and ovulation, fewer headaches around those times, not waking up as much at 2 or 3, I had a rash clear up (may have came back though as I have a weird patch on my arm. Can’t remember if I burned myself their or not😅), etc.

That is good to hear.

14 hours ago, ElaineM said:

Still feeling really down though and tired of all this🙈 and it’s easy to be nervous that even if I do heal my histamine problems etc that everything will come flooding back when I finish coming off of meds. It’s also easy to get down about the fact that my two sweet girls are growing up while I’m trying to cope with all this stress on my body.

I know. We can all relate. I try to not think too much about the past or the future and just deal with each day as it comes along. Better for the mind anyway out of WD but vital in this I think.

14 hours ago, ElaineM said:

This morning Inwas looking a bit into CNS stuff and brain rewiring. Has anyone on this sight had sucess with that or is that just more like one more tool but not an ultimate fix it for most people?

If you mean neuro plasticity kinda stuff, I think it's all non sense myself. The brain heals inspite of what we do. I think so long as you are eating well, not adding artificial substances and psychoactive substances to the mix, then you are doing all you can. We must then just learn to trust, accept and take one day at a time. It won't always be like this. Time is our friend. The path is slow and often ups and down and generally a bit wavy, but the overall trajectory is clear, healing is happening!

14 hours ago, ElaineM said:

Thank you for taking the time to read this and work with people who desperately need help!

Pleasure! x

21 hours ago, ElaineM said:

My NTP thinks that when I take them it is opening a pathway in my body that’s been clogged and overwhelming me with the intensity. Not sure what to think?!

I agree with Chippy....we are just too sensitive to be messing around. Withdrawal is not understood and all we can go by is the experience of those before us. I am a firm believer if you are going to try something, it has to be singular supplement and you have to start super low....

7 hours ago, Chippy said:

suggest adjusting your diet to get what you can naturally. I know this can be a challenge sometimes.

This is easy to do on the low histamine diet...every thing is fresh with no additives or processed junk. Is your blood work showing up a deficiency?

21 hours ago, ElaineM said:

CNS stuff and brain rewiring

Anders Sorensen's book Crossing Zero may be a good read for you. The first part is about tapering but the second part is about life after these drugs....how to rebuild.

This is one of his videos, I really like him.

16 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

This is easy to do on the low histamine diet...

Im Veggie, so I found it pretty tricky. So many of the food I would want to include in my diet is in the higher histimine category, I found myself limiting certain items to earlier in the day and we eat our main meal in the evening closer to bed. So Veg, fruit and things like Kefir which I like to have for gut health, and even some nuts and things were in the avoid or limit group. Figured there was more benefit including these items in my diet then excluding, plus it never seemed to help what ever I did, but that is just me, I know some people have found benefit from low histimine.

7 hours ago, Chippy said:

Im Veggie, so I found it pretty tricky.

That would be. I was vegetarian before my cold turkey but my whole system changed with the nausea, etc....I craved meat like crazy and still do.

So yes unless you are getting the hives, adrenaline rush when eating certain foods, heart palpitations, etc it is definitely not a diet to do for fun...lol

Edited July 7Jul 7 by LostinCanada

22 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

I craved meat like crazy and still do.

It’s interesting, our bodies always know best. Xxx

On 7/5/2026 at 5:49 PM, ElaineM said:

My NTP thinks that when I take them it is opening a pathway in my body that’s been clogged and overwhelming me with the intensity.

I'm not really sure what this is supposed to mean. It sounds like pseudoscience.

What pathways are they talking about? If you have a block or constricted artery that gets opened up you feel way, way better almost immediately.

1 hour ago, Luke said:

sounds like pseudoscience

I agree. Withdrawal causes the body to be highly sensitive. When we add supplements it just causes the body more stress because it has to process/metabolize/eliminate.

A phrase used numerous times on SA was Keep It Simple. Healthcare "professionals" need to keep it complicated to keep themselves in business. 💯

2 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

I agree. Withdrawal causes the body to be highly sensitive. When we add supplements it just causes the body more stress because it has to process/metabolize/eliminate.

A phrase used numerous times on SA was Keep It Simple. Healthcare "professionals" need to keep it complicated to keep themselves in business. 💯

The lady that helps me is not doing it just for money. She is extremely kind and helpful. In fact she try’s to save me money but using supplements I already have etc. Not all medical professionals or natural doctors/ntps are just doing things for money. Some certainly are and some are just doing it because that’s all they have ever been taught or what they truly believe. Others truly care about their patients! I’ve found a good one!!

@Luke What I was meaning by opening a pathway- sometimes if you lack a certain vitamin or have some system in your body not working well, when you give the body what it needs it can cause a rush/reaction. It may be unpleasant for the time but that doesn’t mean it’s not what needs to happen for long term health. I actually have seen improvements since starting to take supplements. Each and every person is different and unique. Are bodies are certainly in very fragile states when we are in withdrawal. I think that sometimes certain supplements are not tolerated at first but sometimes later as we slowly heal. For me, working with my NTP has been part of my healing journey🤍 I realize not everyone agrees with viewing health through the lense of the more natural, whole body perspective (although I feel like a lot would be more so after being hurt so bad by meds), but for me it just makes sense. I care a lot less about what the science says and more about what people’s experiences are (I think most of us agree on here on that point. Many of us weren’t told how severe withdrawal can be. Do we believe the “science” or the experience? Science is constantly changing as they learn more). A lot of people have experienced healing from what some call “pseudoscience”. Although I’m sure their truly is some pseudoscience. At the end of the day, any professional you work with needs to have your best interest in mind. Just sharing my thoughts and what I believe🤍

To add to that. I’m still learning on what works best for me in withdrawal as we all are😅 and it’s probably different for different people which makes it way more complicated to give a blanket statement. Maybe there are times where I slowed my healing after trying new supplements but my NTP was the one that put me on Vitamin D3 and K2 and I don’t know if it was that or some other stuff she had me doing at the time but my mood noticeabaly improved quickly where it was clear something I was doing helped. Of course the next person that tries that supplement may react badly🙈 what a guessing game withdrawal is.

Edited July 7Jul 7 by ElaineM

On 7/7/2026 at 10:41 PM, ElaineM said:

I realize not everyone agrees with viewing health through the lense of the more natural, whole body perspective (although I feel like a lot would be more so after being hurt so bad by meds), but for me it just makes sense. I care a lot less about what the science says and more about what people’s experiences are (I think most of us agree on here on that point.

My experience is clinicians repeatedly just making things up that are totally unfounded because they sound like a convenient explanation.

The reality is your NTP has no idea what is going on in the human body when you react negatively to a supplement, but they're just making something up that sounds good, just like regular doctors have done to so many of us.

It's more of the same.

That said, you're free to do as you wish, of course, but I'm also free to point this out.

Obviously none of know everything... so I thought I might ask AI and then I read some of the accompanying articles...it was interesting....after doing this, it really reaffirmed that in a sensitive WD state, we are playing with fire adding supplements because our bodies are already under so much stress. If course as I mentioned...adding anything should be done slowly and one thing at a time.

It is interesting...

Here is what AI says:

Yes, it is well-proven that starting a vitamin supplement can cause side effects by altering or "reactivating" metabolic pathways, particularly if you are correcting a previous deficiency, taking high doses, or have underlying genetic factors. [1, 2]

Vitamins act as crucial coenzymes—compounds that assist enzymes in carrying out essential chemical reactions in the body. When you introduce a vitamin your body was lacking, dormant or sluggish metabolic pathways begin to work properly again. This sudden shift can trigger several types of reactions: [1, 2, 3]

• Nutrient Adjustments: Ramping up one metabolic pathway can sometimes cause a temporary functional deficiency in another nutrient that works alongside it. [1]

• Genetics: Individuals with genetic variants (such as being a "poor metabolizer" for certain substrates) may experience a buildup of vitamin derivatives, which can lead to adverse effects like brain fog, nausea, or dizziness. [1, 2]

• Systemic Stress: Excess amounts of certain vitamins, particularly antioxidants, can interfere with your body's natural cellular signaling. [1]

While correcting a true deficiency can result in beneficial effects like increased energy, taking vitamins in excess can lead to unwanted side effects or toxicity. For instance: [1]

• Vitamin B6: High doses are known to cause sensory nerve damage.

• Vitamin A & Niacin (B3): Excess amounts can accumulate and result in liver damage (hepatotoxicity).

• Folic Acid: High levels may mask an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Because dietary supplements alter how your body's biochemical pathways function, they can also interfere with your lab results or prescription medications. [1]

this phenomenon—often called a paradoxical reaction—can happen with many different vitamins, and it can absolutely occur even with small, standard doses.When your body is profoundly deficient in a nutrient, introducing even a tiny amount acts like turning a key in a rusted, dormant engine. It initiates a cascade of metabolic activity that your system is not adjusted to handle, causing temporary side effects.Why Small Doses Cause Side EffectsThe Interdependent Chain Reaction: Vitamins never work in isolation. Introducing a small dose of one vitamin can suddenly drain your body’s low reserves of a co-factor nutrient.

For example, taking a small dose of Vitamin B12 can rapidly consume your remaining stores of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) or potassium, triggering sudden fatigue, muscle cramps, or acne.Genetic Sensitivities: If you carry specific genetic variants (such as being a "poor metabolizer" for certain enzymes), even a standard or low-dose multivitamin can build up in your system too quickly before your liver or kidneys can process it properly. This frequently leads to immediate side effects like nausea, brain fog, or dizziness.

Cellular Wake-Up Shock: For certain nutrients like Vitamin B1 (thiamine), starting with even a small dose can trigger a temporary flare-up of nervous system symptoms. Doctors refer to this as a paradoxical reaction; the pathways waking up actually cause a brief spike in the exact symptoms you are trying to cure (like anxiety, heart palpitations, or headache).

Common Vitamins That Cause ThisVitaminWhy it happens at low dosesCommon initial side effectsVitamin B1 (Thiamine)Reboots cellular energy production too fast for the nervous system.Increased anxiety, headaches, fatigue.Vitamin B12Suddenly depletes background potassium and B2 levels.Acne flare-ups, mild dizziness, muscle weakness.Vitamin DRapidly alters calcium absorption and immune system signaling.Mild nausea, temporary joint aches, insomnia.Methylfolate (B9)Instantly accelerates neurotransmitter and DNA pathways.Irritability, sleep disturbances, "wired but tired" feeling.

Whoops I messed up that last message and can’t find where to delete it.

Yes, it’s so hard to know what to do at times because when you are low in certain vitamins/minerals that can contribute to histamine intolerance and deficiencies obviously aren’t good for you. I am generally very careful when I start new supplements. I open up capsules and do the tiniest sprinkles or nibbles. I have stopped many supplements that my body does not react well to and have put stashed then away for future use. My NTP is very understanding and we listen to my body! Even though there are probably certain b vitamins that I need we have had to just view those as something to add in later as my body continues to heal although we did find a form that I tolerated better but still not great!

Edited July 9Jul 9 by ElaineM

39 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

Whoops I messed up that last message and can’t find where to delete it.

Yes, it’s so hard to know what to do at times because when you are low in certain vitamins/minerals that can contribute to histamine intolerance and deficiencies obviously aren’t good for you. I am generally very careful when I start new supplements. I open up capsules and do the tiniest sprinkles or nibbles. I have stopped many supplements that my body does not react well to and have put stashed then away for future use. My NTP is very understanding and we listen to my body! Even though there are probably certain b vitamins that I need we have had to just view those as something to add in later as my body continues to heal although we did find a form that I tolerated better but still not great!

Everything is so closely connected in our bodies and one thing affects everything. I thought I would start a small amount of B12 and folate the last couple weeks but I am experiencing exactly what is described...headaches, dizziness, etc.

I think our bodies adapt to the deficiency and when we try to rectify this , we throw everything else off if it is inter-related. Add withdrawal and the effects can be way worse.... For myself, I am just trying to stay focused on tapering and getting off...of course eating well....then I will deal with the rest later. One day at a time.

I have a random question which may be a bit confusing. I haven’t lowered my dose for over a year but my histamine problems are still really bad. Is it possible that still being on a tiny bit of these meds are what’s causing the histamine problems. Like maybe our body is sensitive to the very meds that are keeping us from further spiraling into sensitivity? Idk if that makes sense.

Or maybe another way to look at it is…these meds keep your nervous system on high alert and keep it from calming down because your body has been sensitized to everything,but obviously just stopping meds would cause it to further spiral. I thought maybe if I stopped going off of meds for a while stuff would settle down, but it hasn’t tons.

23 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

Or maybe another way to look at it is…these meds keep your nervous system on high alert and keep it from calming down because your body has been sensitized to everything,but obviously just stopping meds would cause it to further spiral. I thought maybe if I stopped going off of meds for a while stuff would settle down, but it hasn’t tons.

I think it would be worthwhile to start up the taper again and see if it helps. I have often thought that our body just may not like the specific dose we are on for whatever reason.

All I know is less drug, when tapered carefully, is always better.

16 hours ago, ElaineM said:

I have a random question which may be a bit confusing. I haven’t lowered my dose for over a year but my histamine problems are still really bad. Is it possible that still being on a tiny bit of these meds are what’s causing the histamine problems. Like maybe our body is sensitive to the very meds that are keeping us from further spiraling into sensitivity? Idk if that makes sense.

Have you seen any improvements this past year since holding?

Hard to say honestly. I have had some changes but I also worked with a natural doctor and so some changes have been from that. Sadly I still struggle a lot.

15 hours ago, ElaineM said:

Hard to say honestly. I have had some changes but I also worked with a natural doctor and so some changes have been from that. Sadly I still struggle a lot.

I am sorry things haven't improved that much for you by the sounds of things.

It looks like after RI you held for around a year, did the intial RI help and cushion WD for you? and over that year long hold at 1mg did you find you improved before starting your taper?

4 minutes ago, Chippy said:

I am sorry things haven't improved that much for you by the sounds of things.

It looks like after RI you held for around a year, did the intial RI help and cushion WD for you? and over that year long hold at 1mg did you find you improved before starting your taper?

I was thinking about it some more and probably there have been more improvements than I realize. They can be harder to spot when it isn’t a sudden drastic change but more slowww change.

I don’t really feel like I could tell that reintroducing the 1 mg helped. I continued to struggle with sleep badly. I also got pregnant around that time so the whole pregnancy I struggled with sleep. Once my little girl was born I started sleeping better. I actually started taking an herbal supplement and noticed I started sleeping better then (still to this day not great all the time). It seemed to help calm my anxiousness. Hard to tell what was that helping and what was any hormones returning to baseline after birth. I can’t remember tons of how I felt till I started lowering my 1mg. I think I felt pretty good. But still struggled with anxiety (which I have been a more anxious person since I was a child and even before I went on meds) and also sleep. It’s also possible I could have been dealing with some histamine problems that weren’t out of control yet and that may have contributed to the anxiety.

3 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

I was thinking about it some more and probably there have been more improvements than I realize. They can be harder to spot when it isn’t a sudden drastic change but more slowww change.

That is good, and I relate, when you are suffering it is hard to see you are suffering less. Looking back over a long time is often the best way to judge especially with the non linear nature of all of this.

3 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

I don’t really feel like I could tell that reintroducing the 1 mg helped. I continued to struggle with sleep badly.

I am sorry to hear. If the RI didn't really ever help, it could have been that this was more of an injury hence why the RI wasn't helpful to you. Time is the healer for these things.

4 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

I also got pregnant around that time so the whole pregnancy I struggled with sleep. Once my little girl was born I started sleeping better.

That is so lovely that you have your little girl, really pleased for you. Being pregnant is obviously another whole bunch of complications to add to the mix making it harder to judge how you feel I am sure. Glad sleep improved for you. Such a hard nut to crack that one in WD.

6 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

I actually started taking an herbal supplement and noticed I started sleeping better then (still to this day not great all the time). It seemed to help calm my anxiousness.

I am glad this seemed to help you. We are a little cautious about supplements on here and generally advice folk aim to get everything through natural sources, however I know some have found them useful, everyone is different.

7 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

Hard to tell what was that helping and what was any hormones returning to baseline after birth.

Yeah, as I said, hard to unravel all this at time.

8 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

I can’t remember tons of how I felt till I started lowering my 1mg. I think I felt pretty good. But still struggled with anxiety (which I have been a more anxious person since I was a child and even before I went on meds) and also sleep.

That's ok, can be difficult can't it, I get that. Sounds positive that things settled for you a bit from what you are saying before starting to taper.

I am sorry to hear. We are complex us humans, all so different in baseline. Genetics, upbringing, events in life, all add up to making us who we are. Diet and other inputs too are a factor for sure. Unfortunately when drugs are applied I think for most eventually it worsens them slowly without them realising leading to more drugs and more harm. I am certain they are not he answer.

11 minutes ago, ElaineM said:

It’s also possible I could have been dealing with some histamine problems that weren’t out of control yet and that may have contributed to the anxiety.

What specifically makes you think you are having histimine issues?

Looking at your taper you started fairly quick then reduced as you went in speed. Was this because you felt the reductions? Did youb hold till your baseline returned before dropping again?

How would you rate your current WD state now out of 10, 10 being severe, 1 mild?