New to the Group

[Guest guest]

--- Hello , and welcome! You have found a great group to turn

to when it comes to support and friendships. Noticed you are from

Raleigh, DH and I have a friend of ours that lives there. He is also

our 1st daughter's godfather.

Congrats on your consult and upcoming surgery! Dr. L is the greatest.

HUGS, Tracie

In TubalLigationReversal@y..., " Nikki_B2 " <nikki_b2@y...> wrote:

> Hello All.

>

> Let me start by saying what a wonderful support system the group

is.

> My name is , and I live in Raleigh NC. My DH and I had

> our consult with Dr. Levin. (what a nice man) on July 2nd. We are

> all set up and ready to go for surgery on Aug 1, 2002. I must say

I

> am sooo excited! I just can't say enough good things about the

> group I have learned so much with all the great postings.

>

> I look forward to the continued postings!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

You will find a bunch of wonderful ladies here. Good luck to you on your TR.

Donna Lay - Florida

Nikki_B2 wrote: Hello All.

Let me start by saying what a wonderful support system the group is.

My name is , and I live in Raleigh NC. My DH and I had

our consult with Dr. Levin. (what a nice man) on July 2nd. We are

all set up and ready to go for surgery on Aug 1, 2002. I must say I

am sooo excited! I just can't say enough good things about the

group I have learned so much with all the great postings.

I look forward to the continued postings!

[Guest guest]

Good luck ! I hope I get to be in your shoes soon!

[Guest guest]

>

> I joined this group this week just looking for some support and

> hopefully some kind of remedy or other.

>

> I've gone cold turkey off of Effexor. It's been a week as of

> tomorrow. I tried to get a refill from the perscribing Dr. and

she

> refuses to refill it, refuses to tell me why, will not return my

calls

> and my requests for an appointment have been turned down. I don't

> understand why, after having me on this for three years, she

decided

> to no longer continue my perscription. I tried talking to my

family

> Dr and she's not comfortable giving me a perscription when she

doesn't

> feel I need it. So I'm a bit screwed right now.

>

> The withdrawal was what I would consider within normal limits at

> first. I was dizzy, nauseas, and had the " brain shiver " thing

that

> most people complain from. there's no easy way to explain that.

> Anyway...everyday it's getting worse. I'm having to work half

days at

> my job for now because of it, and I just don't know where to turn

or

> what to do to help the side effects at least be manageable if not

go

> away entirely.

>

> SO that's my story...

>

>

> catie

>

Hi ,

Welcome to the group.

I'm sorry to hear about the problems with your doctor and refills.

We don't recommend a cold turkey withdrawal here, but instead

suggest a much slower taper.

It isn't clear why your doctor is refusing the refills. Was any

reason given for this initially before you were refused?

, the list owner, will need to know how much Effexor you

were taking daily. Also, please include any other medications or

supplements that you take regularly.

In the meantime, please read the files that were e-mailed to you

when you joined the list. There are many good suggestions there for

dietary changes and a general supplement protocol. Both have helped

many of our members cope better during withdrawal.

I'm glad you found us....there is hope. It's possible to get

through this and feel much better.

[Guest guest]

Catie,

I just noticed I spelled your name wrong in my post....sorry about

that!

[Guest guest]

Hi Katragina,

Your doctor is a complete moron. Any drug monograph states that a

slow withdrawal from Effexor is crucial to avoid the symptoms you are

experiencing. How about making a copy of one of the monographs (do a

google search) and take it to your family doctor. You really need to

reinstate the drug as soon as you can.

Best of luck,

Dolores

> I've gone cold turkey off of Effexor. It's been a week as of

> tomorrow. I tried to get a refill from the perscribing Dr. and she

> refuses to refill it, refuses to tell me why, will not return my

calls

> and my requests for an appointment have been turned down. I don't

> understand why, after having me on this for three years, she

decided

> to no longer continue my perscription. I tried talking to my

family

> Dr and she's not comfortable giving me a perscription when she

doesn't

> feel I need it. So I'm a bit screwed right now.

>

> The withdrawal was what I would consider within normal limits at

> first. I was dizzy, nauseas, and had the " brain shiver " thing that

> most people complain from. there's no easy way to explain that.

> Anyway...everyday it's getting worse. I'm having to work half days

at

> my job for now because of it, and I just don't know where to turn

or

> what to do to help the side effects at least be manageable if not

go

> away entirely.

>

[Guest guest]

dolores374 wrote: Hi Katragina, My heart goes out to you are right now. Over three years ago I came off Effexor XR, the doctor had me do it rather rapidly and even though it wasn't, abrupt like you, I still experienced horrible withdrawals for a couple of weeks. I can't believe either of your doctor's will not give you a refill. That's horrendous. I want to send you plenty of warm fuzzies and hugs to help you through this time. You'll be in my prayers. I'm glad you found this group. Hang in there. Hopefully you can get a refill ASAP and start the withdrawal process at a much more gradul rate. Hugs, To

subscribe to our off-topic Social list go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socialWandR/ To subscribe to our Truth-in-Health list go to:http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/truth-in-health

[Guest guest]

Catie,

I am new to this group too, and I just wanted to let you know that

this is a great place to be, I'm glad you've found it. The people

here know exactly what you're going through and they can help.

Like others have said, I think it's unbelievable that your doctor has

left you dangling like this. Effexor is notorious for causing

withdrawal and your doctor should know this. I was on it for a while

last autumn and when I raised concerns about withdrawal with my

psychiatrist, he said there was no such thing, and I would be

absolutely fine with his recommended taper when the time came. I'm

glad I switched meds a few months after that. Celexa, the one I'm

withdrawing from, has been bad enough.I came off cold turkey though,

before I found this site, and I wish I had known about 's

instructions for tapering before I quit the drug.

If I were you, I would be beating that stupid doctor's door down to

renew my prescription. How dare he/she compromise your health in that

way, what are they in that job for?

Let us know how you get on I feel for you.

Hugs,

.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kelle,

Welcome to the group. I'm glad you found us. Your recent

discoveries about Ativan must have been very frightening and

confusing for you. You've come to the right place!

First, I would recommend reading all the information that was sent

to you when you joined. It is a lot to think about, but it will

give you an idea of how we approach things here. Basically, we

believe in a slow taper and lots of good nutrients. It's probable

that you are feeling more discomfort than necessary because you are

withdrawing too quickly. , the list owner, will advise you

about this when she answers your post.

There are many of us here who have successfully stopped taking many

different medications...we are all here for support and feedback.

is also available for individual consults, which are more

comprehensive and geared specifically to your individual needs in

the healing process. With your concerns about benzene and AML, you

might want to consider this.

Kelle, I'm glad you joined us.

Best to you,

>

> Hi, I am new to the group. I have been on Ativan for 4 1/2 yrs for

anxiety,sleep and depression, and did not know all of the issues of

coming off this drug. I found out that Ativan is a Benzodiazepine

which is related to Benzene somehow in its structure. Benzene is a

major cause of AML (Acute Myloid Leukemia). My Mother died from this

type of leukemia. I just started to put all of this together two

weeks ago because I have built up a resistance to the Ativan and it

is not working very well any longer. I am really concerned now for

my health. I started to wean off this passed Sat. from 2 mg to 1.5.

I am seeing side effects already. How long before I know when to

decrease to 1mg? I want off of this now. I was on Zypreza last year

for a year and came off of it within a month by myself and I don't

know how I did it working full time. I about went over the edge.

Does anyone know if either of these drugs can cause early menopause

and osteoporosis? I am 42 yrs old and I am

> wondering if it is because of the Zyprexa?

>

> Does it really take as long to come of off the Ativan as you

have been on it? Will your health return or will this med really

harm you?

>

> Just a note: My sleep has changed this past week coming off, by

waking up several hours early, so last night when I woke up I took

two L-Theanine which is an amino acid for relaxation and it did help

me go back to sleep. I have started the calcium and mag. because of

the osteoporosis with other full spectrum vit.

>

> I am planning on talking with my Dr. about coming off in several

weeks. I already spoke to his nurse last week and she wasn't very

encouaging.

>

> Thank you for listening and if anyone has info to share I would

like to hear from you.

> Kelle

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and

30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

>

[Guest guest]

Dear , Thank you for your information and help. The Zyprexa was prescribed because I could not sleep mainly and my PCP had been trying to help me get on something for depression, because I have tried pretty much all of the meds for depression and I found no help or relief, just bad side effects that I could'nt tolorate or made me more depressed and would hender my work performance, which I am terrified about now. I am single and work in a high stress job and have to work to support myself, but hearing some of these stories for the first time and how people can't work while coming off of Ativan has made me nervous. I have no family left except my sister and she is having a hard time being a single mom, and no kind of support system in place. So, by taking 1.5 mg from 2mg is to much of a jump? I am prescribed to take 3mg, 1 3 x's a day and stopped the

1 mg several months ago with no effects that I can remember. How do I measure 10%? I am seeing a spc for my osteoporosis and she did say I needed the calcium, but the mag part I learned about off of a web site somewhere. It may be the women to women web site. My psychiatrist nurse tried to get me to take or try other drugs and I declined and she just said to let her no if I would'nt be able to do it, the coming off. I felt like she wanted me to stay on it and she said that I am dependent upon it. These are the symptoms that I am having: Insomnia, breathless feeling, aggression at times,flu like symptoms, nausea,distorted vision,dizziness, shaking, hormone prbs, headache, rubbery leggs, sore eyes, pain in neck and shoulders, a few outbursts of rage which really scare me, abdominal pain, confusion, palpatations, sinus prbs, and heavy ache limbs, having a hard time

judging while driving also which I have had for seveal yrs thinking that I was getting demetia. I have to keep my job and I don't know if or how much I should tell my boss, because they are seeing that I am not feeling well and it may start showing up in my work. I read on a few web sites that benzo's could cause blood disorders! And AML is a blood disorder(cancer) and benze can cause the AML. That's why I am concerned. Sincerly yours, Kelle C Creel wrote: Dear Kelle, You said:Hi, I am new to the group. I have been on Ativan for 4 1/2 yrs for anxiety,sleep and depression, and did not know all of the issues of coming off this

drug. I found out that Ativan is a Benzodiazepine which is related to Benzene somehow in its structure. Benzene is a major cause of AML (Acute Myloid Leukemia). My Mother died from this type of leukemia. I just started to put all of this together two weeks ago because I have built up a resistance to the Ativan and it is not working very well any longer. I am really concerned now for my health. >> ** There is no need to be worried about this. You've made an inappropriate connection. Benzene is ubiquitous in our environment. It is in the air, soil, and water. Some is naturally-occurring while some has been introduced from certain types of industrial waste. The benzene ring that is part of the chemical formulation of benzodiazepines is a naturally-occurring phenomenon. You said: <<I started to wean off this

passed Sat. from 2 mg to 1.5. I am seeing side effects already. How long before I know when to decrease to 1mg? I want off of this now. I was on Zypreza last year for a year and came off of it within a month by myself and I don't know how I did it working full time. I about went over the edge. Does anyone know if either of these drugs can cause early menopause and osteoporosis? I am 42 yrs old and I am wondering if it is because of the Zyprexa? >> ** Either drug could have caused this. I am sure that you still have some vestiges of the Zyprexa withdrawal, though, given your length of time on it and how you came off it. Why was it intially prescribed/<<Does it really take as long to come of off the Ativan as you have been on it? Will your health return or will this med really harm you? >> ** No, it doesn't take as

long as you were on it; however, you have made too large of a decrease. There are many factors that will determine to what degree you recover. Some important ones that you can control are how you do the withdrawal, what foods you choose to fortify your body with, what supplements you take, and the attitude you adopt toward it all. You said:<<Just a note: My sleep has changed this past week coming off, by waking up several hours early, so last night when I woke up I took two L-Theanine which is an amino acid for relaxation and it did help me go back to sleep. I have started the calcium and mag. because of the osteoporosis with other full spectrum vit. >> ** Who told you to take cal and mag for osteoporosis, a physician? You said:<<I am planning on talking with my Dr. about coming off in several weeks. I

already spoke to his nurse last week and she wasn't very encouaging. >> ** What is it that she wasn't encouraging about? By going slowly and reducing the drug no more than 10% at a time, and waiting until you feel normal again, you will get off this drug.Regards,(list owner)"Human beings, who are almost unique in havingthe ability to learn from the experience of others,are also remarkable for their apparent disinclinationto do so."-- __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Dear , I have e-mailed a couple times requesting info on mag and the tritration info and not sure if you received the request? I am not sure where to find the info? Thank you, Kelleccreel_04064 wrote: Dear Kelle, You said: <<The Zyprexa was prescribed because I could not sleep mainly and my PCP had been trying to help me get on something for depression, because I have tried pretty much all of the meds for depression and I found no help or relief, just bad side effects that I could'nt tolorate or made me more depressed and would hender my work performance, which I am terrified about now. I am single and work in a high stress job

and have to work to support myself, but hearing some of these stories for the first time and how people can't work while coming off of Ativan has made me nervous. I have no family left except my sister and she is having a hard time being a single mom, and no kind of support system in place. >> ** This is not an unusual story today. Makers of antipsychotic drugs have been trying to find new market niches for their drugs for several years now. It is almost impossible to stop the pharmaceutical machine so what has to happen instead is that people need to begin taking more personal responsibility for their health. They need to be looking at what the doctor doctor recommends and seeing exactly what this drug is and what does. An antipsychotic is a very poisonous drug. For that reason, in years past these types of drugs would only be prescribed for people

who were diagnosed as having schizophrenia. Today, these drugs are being prescribed for many different purposes, none of them appropriate. You said: << So, by taking 1.5 mg from 2mg is to much of a jump? I am prescribed to take 3mg, 1 3 x's a day and stopped the 1 mg several months ago with no effects that I can remember. How do I measure 10%? >> ** Yes it is much too much of a decrease. Please see the document in our files that tells you how to do a liquid liquid titration of a drug. You may find that 10% is too much. This often happens with an antipsychotic.You said: <<I am seeing a spc for my osteoporosis and she did say I needed the calcium, but the mag part I learned about off of a web site somewhere. It may be the women to women web

site.>> **By the time someone has osteoporosis calcium supplements did not help. In fact, the calcium becomes lodged in tissues and is not properly assimilated. In many cases, calcium deficiency is due to magnesium deficiency. This does not mean that taking magnesium will correct this. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take magnesium. Lack of calcium that begins at many many years before shows up as osteoporosis. This is why it is so difficult to correct. If you wanted to address this is not something that can be done via e-mail. A significant history must be taken and an individualized plan developed. What I hear about a specialist in recommending calcium for this problem I tend to get a hopeless feeling. It's too bad people didn't realize how ignorant medicine is. This would decrease

visits to physicians thereby decreasing the amount of iatrogenic illness.You said: << My psychiatrist nurse tried to get me to take or try other drugs and I declined and she just said to let her no if I would'nt be able to do it, the coming off. I felt like she wanted me to stay on it and she said that I am dependent upon it. >> ** It is a possibility that this was her reasoning. But they are also known for never giving up on promoting the drugs. When you experienced all of the adverse effects to the antidepressants, did occur to you that maybe these things were not compatible with your body? You said: << These are the symptoms that I am having: Insomnia, breathless feeling, aggression at times,flu like symptoms, nausea,distorted vision,dizziness,

shaking, hormone prbs, headache, rubbery leggs, sore eyes, pain in neck and shoulders, a few outbursts of rage which really scare me, abdominal pain, confusion, palpatations, sinus prbs, and heavy ache limbs, having a hard time judging while driving also which I have had for seveal yrs thinking that I was getting demetia.>> ** These are all withdrawal symptoms. The difficulty driving is the damage that the drugs do. You said: << I have to keep my job and I don't know if or how much I should tell my boss, because they are seeing that I am not feeling well and it may start showing up in my work. >> ** This is a real judgment call. You have to decide whether this will be used against you or you'll be allowed some leeway. You

said: << I read on a few web sites that benzo's could cause blood disorders! And AML is a blood disorder(cancer) and benze can cause the AML. That's why I am concerned.>> ** There are many different kinds of blood disorders. You have to be aware of what you don't know and not project your fears into these things. Regards, C Creel wrote:> Dear Kelle,> > > You said:> > > Hi, I am new to the group. I have been on Ativan for 4 1/2 yrs for > anxiety,sleep and depression, and did not know all of the issues of coming > off this drug. I found out that Ativan is a Benzodiazepine which is related > to Benzene somehow in its structure. Benzene is a major cause of

AML (Acute > Myloid Leukemia). My Mother died from this type of leukemia. I just started > to put all of this together two weeks ago because I have built up a > resistance to the Ativan and it is not working very well any longer. I am > really concerned now for my health. >>> > > ** There is no need to be worried about this. You've made an > inappropriate connection. Benzene is ubiquitous in our environment. It is > in the air, soil, and water. Some is naturally-occurring while some has > been introduced from certain types of industrial waste. The benzene ring > that is part of the chemical formulation of benzodiazepines is a > naturally-occurring phenomenon.> > > You said:> > <<I started to wean off this passed Sat.

from 2 mg to 1.5. I am seeing > side effects already. How long before I know when to decrease to 1mg? I want > off of this now. I was on Zypreza last year for a year and came off of it > within a month by myself and I don't know how I did it working full time. I > about went over the edge. Does anyone know if either of these drugs can > cause early menopause and osteoporosis? I am 42 yrs old and I am wondering > if it is because of the Zyprexa? >>> > > ** Either drug could have caused this. I am sure that you still have > some vestiges of the Zyprexa withdrawal, though, given your length of time > on it and how you came off it. Why was it intially prescribed/> > > <<Does it really take as long to come of off the Ativan as you have been on > it? Will your health return

or will this med really harm you? >>> > > ** No, it doesn't take as long as you were on it; however, you have > made too large of a decrease.> > There are many factors that will determine to what degree you recover. > Some important ones that you can control are how you do the withdrawal, what > foods you choose to fortify your body with, what supplements you take, and > the attitude you adopt toward it all.> > > You said:> > <<Just a note: My sleep has changed this past week coming off, by waking up > several hours early, so last night when I woke up I took two L-Theanine > which is an amino acid for relaxation and it did help me go back to sleep. I > have started the calcium and mag. because of the osteoporosis with other > full

spectrum vit. >>> > > ** Who told you to take cal and mag for osteoporosis, a physician?> > > You said:> > <<I am planning on talking with my Dr. about coming off in several weeks. I > already spoke to his nurse last week and she wasn't very encouaging. >>> > > ** What is it that she wasn't encouraging about?> > By going slowly and reducing the drug no more than 10% at a time, and > waiting until you feel normal again, you will get off this drug.> > > Regards,> > (list owner)> > "Human beings, who are almost unique in having> the ability to learn from the experience of others,> are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination> to do so."> > --

> > > > > > To subscribe to our off-topic Social list go to: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/socialWandR/ > > To subscribe to our Truth-in-Health list go to:> > http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/truth-in-health> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

<<I have e-mailed a couple times requesting info on mag and the tritration

info and not sure if you received the request? I am not sure where to find

the info? >>

Kelle, either find the post # and let me know or re-post it.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

>

> ,

> I sent it to you directly.

>

> I would like help on understanding how to come off of this ativan

properly. My memeory and thinking is not the greatest right now . When

and how can I set up a time with you? >>

** If you want me to see it, please post it to the list. I get

about 500 emails a day. There is no way I'm going to find yours in

that thousands that havepassed through since the time you sent it

(which had to be a while ago as I don't recall it).

There is a file in the FILES on the group that tells you

everything you need to know about gettting a consult. The file is

called 's Consultation Info.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Withdrawal_and_Recovery/files

Ignore the Health History form there. I'll be sending another to

the list today.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Hello and thank you for permitting me to join your group!

My name is Jo and I have been living with chronic pain for about 20

years but have only recently been under the care of a physiatrist for

pain management. It took a car accident and whip lash to get my

doctor to realize how much pain I had been in. The resulting xrays

revealed extensive degenerative disc disease of my entire spine,

mainly in my thoracic area. You know when you are in trouble when

your physical therapist looks at your films and says " Wow, your spine

looks like that of a 70 year old man " and you're a 47 year old woman.

I will probably be a lurker for a while, while I read through past

posts to familiarize myself with the group.

Thanks again for allowing me to join!