1 hour ago, LostinCanada said:

This is a good interview that can help answer your concerns. It's an interview with Chris Paige and Dr. Josef.

Source: YouTube https://share.google/bzY0cqyT4nWwgKP42

Hi L I C hope you are ok. ❤️

6 minutes ago, TonyA said:

Hi L I C hope you are ok. ❤️

Thanks for asking @TonyA

A bit of a rough day and the usual lack of sleep. Working on acceptance, no commitments, no expectations. ❤️🙏

18 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

Thanks for asking @TonyA

A bit of a rough day and the usual lack of sleep. Working on acceptance, no commitments, no expectations. ❤️🙏

Can you learn me the acceptance bit. 🙏

Chippy made a really nice post about it. Go to the first page, first post.

1 hour ago, LostinCanada said:

Chippy made a really nice post about it. Go to the first page, first post.

Hi L I C

My mind settles in the evening is this normal.

Tony

1 minute ago, TonyA said:

Hi L I C

My mind settles in the evening is this normal.

Tony

Yes... usually morning is the hardest for most of us. Late afternoon to evening generally is better. Your body knows what to do...just try to buckle up for the ride, as one member put it.

@TonyA yes, this is very normal in WD for your system to to better in the afternoon and evenings, we have all experienced the morning cortisol which can be challenging and uncomfortable, but things do settle as the day progresses. Acceptance and time. Keep distracted as much as you can tolerate. When you have a wave, let it be present and let it exit, don't fight it. This will pass. Were all her for you and each other, remember you are stronger than this and it will pass.

7 hours ago, Bernadette said:

@TonyA yes, this is very normal in WD for your system to to better in the afternoon and evenings, we have all experienced the morning cortisol which can be challenging and uncomfortable, but things do settle as the day progresses. Acceptance and time. Keep distracted as much as you can tolerate. When you have a wave, let it be present and let it exit, don't fight it. This will pass. Were all her for you and each other, remember you are stronger than this and it will pass.

Thank you @Bernadette ❤️

Hi @TonyA as others have mentioned, mornings are brutal, mainly because of hormonal fluctuations that are not fun to combine with this process.

For me, it usually lasts until the evening up to the melatonin that kicks in and calming the flames a bit.

It's all part of the process my friend and it will get better with time.

Hang in there, sending lots of positive vibes 🤍

18 minutes ago, Fullhealing said:

Hi @TonyA as others have mentioned, mornings are brutal, mainly because of hormonal fluctuations that are not fun to combine with this process.

For me, it usually lasts until the evening up to the melatonin that kicks in and calming the flames a bit.

It's all part of the process my friend and it will get better with time.

Hang in there, sending lots of positive vibes 🤍

@Fullhealing thank you. It sounds exactly like me. ❤️

Hi All

Hope you are doing well I had a good 5 day window over 7 days ago but now I’m been in a terrible wave for 7 days. Is this normal. I am about 10 weeks into my hold. How long can this go on for. I’m struggling to know if it’s the meds or me. I find it hard to deal with anything. I was always a upbeat person now I feel like I haven’t laughed since this all started about 20 months ago. Can anyone give me some advice or reassurance that this is normal.

Many thanks

Tony

Should I carry on holding? Are the Meds making me like this.

51 minutes ago, TonyA said:

Hi All

Hope you are doing well I had a good 5 day window over 7 days ago but now I’m been in a terrible wave for 7 days. Is this normal. I am about 10 weeks into my hold. How long can this go on for. I’m struggling to know if it’s the meds or me. I find it hard to deal with anything. I was always a upbeat person now I feel like I haven’t laughed since this all started about 20 months ago. Can anyone give me some advice or reassurance that this is normal.

Many thanks

Tony

This is absolutely normal @TonyA, and it's actually a really great sign that you had a 5 day window. It means that your body is capable of stabilizing. You will still have ups and downs on the way to stability, unfortunately this is just the way it goes. 10 weeks is not that long a hold especially given everything you've been through. I have personally been holding for almost 5 months at this point and am not stable yet, but I know it will come.

This is NOT YOU. It is the drugs. Keep holding -- this process requires so much patience, but it will all be worth it in the end.

@SarahMc

Thank you for your reply.

When I had the 5 good days I was better but I new it was still there. I’m feeling really down like I can’t laugh and find it hard being amongst people. I sure like most people on here I was a very happy outgoing person.

I worry I’m loosing touch. It’s been going on for nearly 20 months now and I bet I have only had about 12 weeks of manageable weeks.

How are you doing on your hold.

Is it normal what I’m going through or am I on to many meds.

43 minutes ago, TonyA said:

When I had the 5 good days I was better but I new it was still there. I’m feeling really down like I can’t laugh and find it hard being amongst people. I sure like most people on here I was a very happy outgoing person.

I’m sorry @TonyA, I know how hard this can be. It’s very normal for windows to be “dirty”, meaning you still have some symptoms but they’re more minor and you can function better. That’s what my windows have been like so far.

44 minutes ago, TonyA said:

I worry I’m loosing touch. It’s been going on for nearly 20 months now and I bet I have only had about 12 weeks of manageable weeks.

How are you doing on your hold.

I understand this. Like you, before I started holding I had a long period where I was changing meds a lot and I rarely felt good. So even though I’ve been holding for almost five months, my entire experience has been about 17 months or so. It can feel endless, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that this isn’t forever.

My hold is going ok, my symptoms are still pretty all over the place but I do feel like I’ve made progress overall. I will likely still be holding for quite a bit longer before I feel ready to start my taper.

47 minutes ago, TonyA said:

Is it normal what I’m going through or am I on to many meds.

It is normal. Many people need to hold for a long time after going through an experience like yours. Your window has shown that your body is capable of reaching some sort of stability on the meds. Keep going, you’re on the right path.

@SarahMc thanks again

Can I stabilise on this amount of medication

I’m treaty scared. I don’t know what to do.

I’ve read some success stories and they scare me.

Tony

15 minutes ago, TonyA said:

@SarahMc thanks again

Can I stabilise on this amount of medication

I’m treaty scared. I don’t know what to do.

I’ve read some success stories and they scare me.

Yes, I think it’s likely that you can stabilize, but it will take time. The best thing to do right now is to just take things day by day. Try not to think too far ahead, just live in the present as much as possible. I know it’s scary, but all we can do is keep going.

This is why you are experiencing this according to AI. Give it time and don't make any changes. As @SarahMc mentioned, the window shows you are heading in the right direction.

When you stop or lower your SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) dose, your nervous system loses its artificial balance. The abrupt drop in serotonin removes the chemical "brakes" on your brain's fear and stress centers, leading to a flood of noradrenaline, hyperactivity in the amygdala, and intense physical anxiety. [1, 2, 3]

Why the Brain Reacts with Fear

• Removal of Chemical Brakes: Long-term SSRI use forces nerve cells to adjust to high levels of serotonin, which normally help quiet down the brain's alarm signals. [1, 2, 3]

• Noradrenaline Surge: Without enough serotonin to hold it back, the brain's main alert center (the locus coeruleus) floods your body with noradrenaline, triggering fight-or-flight sensations like a fast heartbeat, panic, and dread. [1, 2]

• Amygdala Hyperactivity: The emotional core of your brain becomes hyper-reactive when the medication level drops too fast, making normal daily stress feel like a major threat. [1, 2]

• Nervous System Hyperexcitability: Neurons fire wildly because ion channels in your cells lose their stable adaptation, creating internal physical agitation and nervous system overload. [1, 2]

Managing Withdrawal Anxiety

• Slow Tapering: Reducing your dose in very small, gradual steps over months gives your brain time to readjust its chemical balance.

• Medical Guidance: Always talk to a doctor or healthcare provider before changing your dose or stopping your medication completely.

• Supportive Habits: Prioritize steady sleep routines, gentle movement, and hydration to help soothe an overactive nervous system. [1, 2, 3, 4]

L I C how are you. Thanks for your reply.

I hope you are well.

Can I ask what about the medication they have put me on now. Is this helping or hindering. How long do I hold for.

I really need some relief from this.

Tony x

24 minutes ago, TonyA said:

Can I ask what about the medication they have put me on now.

Did you add a new medication that isn't in your signature?

Hi L I C

No everything has stayed the same.

Tony x

1 hour ago, TonyA said:

Is this helping or hindering. How long do I hold for.

As mentioned previously, you are experiencing withdrawal from escitalopram and the Benzo. They gave you these drugs to try to soften the withdrawal and/or cover it. Unfortunately they don't work that way....like one member put it....you wouldn't give someone alcohol to deal with a caffeine withdrawal.

Whether the sertraline, mirtazapine or Seroquel softened the withdrawal, no one knows....did it make it worse ... again no one knows. Do you feel worse within an hour of taking the drugs?

But regardless of this, your body is now dependent on them....dependency occurs in as little as 2 weeks for Benzo and 1 month for ADs.

All you can do now is hold and stabilize....no changes for at least 6 months. The fact is you had a dirty window which is great news.

Your body will heal, be patient, try to tell yourself you are safe....the body is trying to readjust and recalibrate. ❤️🙏

L I C

Thank you for your kind support. For some reason god found you for me.

I am

At a very low point at the moment and feel like I am loosing my mind.

I feel like I need reassurance all the time and just don’t feel like me.

It’s horrible I’m scared I will loose everything and everyone I love through this.

Have you stabilised. How long does it last. Will I get to function normal again.

Tony ❤️

3 hours ago, SarahMc said:

I’m sorry @TonyA, I know how hard this can be. It’s very normal for windows to be “dirty”, meaning you still have some symptoms but they’re more minor and you can function better. That’s what my windows have been like so far.

I understand this. Like you, before I started holding I had a long period where I was changing meds a lot and I rarely felt good. So even though I’ve been holding for almost five months, my entire experience has been about 17 months or so. It can feel endless, but we have to keep reminding ourselves that this isn’t forever.

My hold is going ok, my symptoms are still pretty all over the place but I do feel like I’ve made progress overall. I will likely still be holding for quite a bit longer before I feel ready to start my taper.

It is normal. Many people need to hold for a long time after going through an experience like yours. Your window has shown that your body is capable of reaching some sort of stability on the meds. Keep going, you’re on the right path.

@SarahMc thank you for your advice. ❤️

20 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

As mentioned previously, you are experiencing withdrawal from escitalopram and the Benzo. They gave you these drugs to try to soften the withdrawal and/or cover it. Unfortunately they don't work that way....like one member put it....you wouldn't give someone alcohol to deal with a caffeine withdrawal.

Whether the sertraline, mirtazapine or Seroquel softened the withdrawal, no one knows....did it make it worse ... again no one knows. Do you feel worse within an hour of taking the drugs?

But regardless of this, your body is now dependent on them....dependency occurs in as little as 2 weeks for Benzo and 1 month for ADs.

All you can do now is hold and stabilize....no changes for at least 6 months. The fact is you had a dirty window which is great news.

Your body will heal, be patient, try to tell yourself you are safe....the body is trying to readjust and recalibrate. ❤️🙏

L I C will I ever get out of this mess.