Overview

It feels like it's happening to someone else, my best friend maybe, because I'm right in the middle of it, then it hits me that it's really me and I get scared... really, deeply scared all the way to my bones.... I can't explain it any better...

Of course, keeping you in mind during this ordeal.

Thank you @Daddy Bear 77

It's a site where you can ask for help from friends/ family/anyone and they can donate money to help fund something. I couldn't help with a ride but many people might help some with the cost of the trip or hiring someone to help if they couldn't directly help. https://www.gofundme.com/c/start?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=3Q_US_Brand_Plus&utm_content=general&utm_term=gofundme_e_m_&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20279257806&gbraid=0AAAAADj5gICNJUmhc2f6yDHxgmlh_yNus&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7rDMBhCjARIsAGDBuED_IIxQuvC_t-5H8lJqR__QxGsjROCrcMewn5Q7b7C0OSUxMH___QMaAgXAEALw_wcB

What's a go fund me? I did find a ride just now, but it's my ex husband... he's knows how sick I've been coz he's seen it for years and he's stable right now. The drive there and back is manageable in a day, if we leave in the morning...so I'm going to see if I can get out of my half day of work Monday. Then he doesn't have to stay with me... so many things to plan.

If I was anywhere near you I'd help TN is way far from Iowa. Do you have a go fund me?

You've got this my friend!! like you said all things are gonna fall into place, keep your faith!! I wish I were closer because I would so totally go with you!! but if worse comes to worse you can always rent a little compact car!

I have been taking big steps and today was the initial phone call to go through all my allergies, meds, and stuff! It was a lot, but it's over and in 1 week I'll have some direction on which specialists I need to see while I'm at Mayo for 2 - 3 weeks... it's getting real, but things are falling into place. My classroom is in order My kiddo has a safe place to stay I have the hotel booked I just need transportation to and from Rochester, my car won't make it and my family and friends are not available... so I'm looking for local community support, either a ride or a vehicle to borrow. I firmly believe it will be ok. All things work out in the end. Plus the nurse told me today I don't have to have a support person while I'm being evaluated, so I just need a ride, not a person the whole time! I've got this! No need to be anxious!

Good luck Poppy I'm rooting for you.

hey sweetie! So sorry you're having a rough go of it coming off the prestige! A couple months back i stopped my Wellbutrin without talking to my Dr but I didn't have any problems with that one. I can tell you a few years ago I was on Ultram (prescription Pain Medicine ) I was having lower back issues, and I was on it for I think about five months before I had my back surgery. And I had the absolute worst withdrawal coming off of that! I was sick as a dog! Like I couldn't even sit up and the world would start spinning on me!! You might be able to reach out to your provider and ask if they could give you something for the nausea. Or you could ask if it's OK to take something over-the-counter. Sometimes the medicines that you take for motion sickness can help. Like the two over-the-counter ones that I've used are just Dramamine and meclizine. But I definitely wouldn't try those unless you've talked to your doctor to make sure they're not gonna interact with your other meds. Otherwise just taking it easy, eating frequent small snacks and meals kind of helped me. Definitely make sure you stay plenty hydrated! like one of those drinks with electrolytes like Pedialyte or even Gatorade. (I think the Pedialyte even comes in like a freeze pop) And I found laying down with a cool compress on my forehead or the back of my neck really helped! Hope this helps a little bit . sending you some big hugs as well!

*little wave hi* I want to be very careful and preemptively say I am not a medical professional and this is out of my licences wheelhouse as a therapist. 🤣 But speaking just from the place of supporting others as their doctors make changes to medications or wean them off, I will agree completely with what you wrote. It can be common coming off an SNRI to experience the symptoms you named. Sometimes talked about as FINISH (flu-like symptoms, insomnia, nausea, imbalance, sensory disturbances, hyper arousal). You are already doing the best thing possible which is having the doc lead the weaning process and going slowly. Im glad you’re not having to deal with the brain zappys but I’m sorry it feels so yucky otherwise. You can use off prescription short term aids to help manage symptoms from the withdrawal but I would check anything with your health team. Otherwise just knowing you’re in a withdrawal window that does eventually end and just being really gentle with ourselves. Extra rest, extra self-care. I hope it slowly starts getting easier for you little bit by little bit. Sending virtual hugs.

Trauma hits everyone different. You are doing the right things. You will make it through this. I believe in you.

I’m so sorry this is overwhelming and hard right now. It’s beautiful that you recognize the trigger, the trauma response and old coping patterns even as they happen. That is the biggest part of the battle in slowly changing them. I can hear the way you are holding yourself with compassion in it too and I am all out Pom-pom cheerleading you doing that. I know sometimes a return of old coping mechanisms can feel like a game over button that starts us over. Womp womp. But this isn’t retro Mario style gaming, it’s 2026 rpg style! When we return to the coping mechanism we are not back at the beginning, we bring with us all our xp, and gear!! I swear this metaphor works. 🤣 Even in an old behaviour YOU are a different person than each time before, with a little more awareness, a little more practice. Like you write, you are not alone. One breath at a time, one moment at a time. You are human and beautifully imperfect. Also *climbs into the hard place with you and just sits* we don’t need to fix nothin. Happy to just sit with you in it. ♥️

That’s so wonderful! I love these ideas and how much you know what works for you. Scent is the most powerful sense for memory recall so it’s a great one to invoke feelings of calm or safety. 💕

One thing that helped me a ton was tossing in a few scent-based items that ground me fast. I use a small candle I got through nothingbutscents.com because the smells are mellow and don’t overwhelm me. I also keep a soft keychain, a couple of calming songs on my phone, and a tiny notebook for quick thoughts. Mixing textures, scents, and sounds made my kit feel more personal and easier to reach for.

Trying to break patterns is not easy! I think you're showing great bravery. Sending you warms thoughts 🌟

oh sweetie I'm so sorry you're feeling the stress!! Like you said just remember deep breath! And remember I think you are way stronger than you think you are!! You're incredibly brave to come here and reach out! But even better, your self-aware of what you're doing! Which means you are in control!! And I will sit here with you and metaphorically hold your hand anytime you need me to! 🫂❤️❤️ Big hugs my friend big hugs!!

I have a big doctor appointment coming up soon at Mayo... I'm starting to feel it in my body, mind spirit and soul... I know this is a stress response or rather a trauma response from years, decades, or a lifetime of not being heard, not being seen, and lack of validation. I find myself withdrawing from safe people and slipping into unsafe habits again. I logically don't wanna do this! It is hurting my heart and I feel so frustrated, angry and sad when I see the choices I'm making, but I keep doing it! I just wanna stop! But I feel so helpless... which is a lie my overreacting brain is telling me... Deep breaths... calm... peace... one moment at a time... Tears are healthy... I'm not alone... But everything is so big! So intense... I just wanna hide my head in the sand like an ostrich and let the world run by... I don't need answers, just people to sit with me in this moment. To be kind and gracious, as you always are. When life gets hard, I gotta learn to trust people, not run away.

has anyone had withdrawl from med changes? I have been taking 50g of pristiq for 6 years but wasn't working. I finally made the step to see behavioral health and have them do my medications instead of my Dr. they made a few changes including a med to help ptsd nightmares but are slowly weening me off of my pristiq starting with 25 mg. since the change I am withdrawing from them eventhough i'm not completely off of them. thankfully no brain zaps as I call them yet but i'm dizzy tired sick to my stomache and have an awful headache. if anyone has gone through this is there anything I can do to help this? I'm terrified of what it will be once I'm totally off it

@redruffle41 in gooddc today u drinkvc but I ran out but I still sad and I not wanna be sadccdatse it no feel good but I feel happy too but not when I remember,,..

Yes! I thought I was the only one! For me, I have found the only way to break that funk is to make sure that I am distracted. The past couple of years I have saved up through the year so that I can travel on my birthday. Being a tourist really makes it easier to not focus on the birthday blues for me. And as for the energy to clean, the only advice I have there is kind of the same. I put on my headphones and the most upbeat music I can find and then I'm not focused on the task but it just happens to be what my hands are doing while I dance and sing to the music. I hope this helps and Happy Early Birthday 💜

@LilSnuggleBug how's the separation going? Relationship transitions can be difficult. Opening this up for an update!

Hey @Snowyy. How are you feein today?

@NickyMoon It starts with one good person. Unfortunately if is a very reasonable and understandable response for anyone who has been through trauma. If you have been badly hurt by people in the past, why would your trauma ever want you to let someone close when you are feeling so weak and vulnerable. You trauma puts up walls as a defence, to limit the maximum possible damage, but it comes at the terrible cost of having to go through all your problems alone when you really don't need to. I think you need to reprogram your brain by showing it that some people can be trusted and can help. When you are feeling better, find someone who you know is reliable, kind, and trustworthy. This could be a friend, family member, or loved one. You can even tell them in advance what you are going through and that you might call on them from time to time. Start trusting them and talking to them about small things, not major emergencies - you wont want to do that yet. By talking to them about small things you are teaching your brain that its ok to seek help, and that this person can be trusted. Hopefully by the time a 'big thing' comes along you will already have established a bond and you will feel more ready to talk, because it is not just a huge bombshell out of nowhere, but just something slightly worse than things you've already successfully dealt with together. Starting with small things may seem silly, but remember its not really for 'you' it's for your brain. Give it the positive memories it needs to help fix and heal the broken trust from the past. I hope this helps. No one should go through all their pain and suffering alone. 🫂

Heyo! So, happy birthday 😊 even though you're a bit down right now. It sounds like there's some pressure around your birthday that's making it hard to act natural. I think low mood before birthday is really common. At the same time, the experience can vary among individuals. The way I deal with low mood surrounding holidays or celebrating is to let myself be down. I don't try to push or alter my mood or emotions..... If I have tasks that need to get done I use a reward system for myself. (ie, clean the kitchen then I get to play Nintendo or cell phone or rest til I have to go to work etc). I also use imagery to imagine the event going really well. It sounds like you could use some positive socializing and whatever else is going to get you through...... I also think its worth taking the time to use this as a way to get to know what coping mechanisms work for you and why. It could be that some rest or a bit of laziness is an ok thing, or not. It just depends on what works for you and only you have that information 😊