I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you
@secretwhitepop,
My mom developed alzeimers disease not long after we got off the cruise. I admit, I missed a few signs while on the ship but I was there as a daughter, not a nurse…I thought it was forgetfulness.
Now what I am going to say is absolute truth for most folks with Alzheimer's. They do not seem to realize what they have lost. I have seen this over and over again.
This disease is harder on family than the person with the disease.
Wishing to share comfort with you, Bright Wings.
Liked by Parus, Merry, Volunteer Mentor, Brightwings AKA Cute Susie, texasduchess ... see all
@brightwings Interesting how I have experienced the opposite. I have lost friends (relationships) because of NOT being a whiner and endeavoring to find something positive to bring into a conversation. I have also learned and we are still learning.
Being happy and content takes hard work as we are trying to rewire our minds. Nice to know there are others learning and trying. Thank you.
@brightwings I keep reminding myself I am not bad because bad things happened…a long, hard, exhausting journey we are on. Bad people are gifted at twisting the minds of the innocent. I want a puppy. We can't have one.
Liked by Merry, Volunteer Mentor, cristin1
@brightwings My father committed suicide which is why I would not want to this to my little 4 year old grandson who needs me and a quiet place to come-his daddy too. I may think I would not be missed. Physical pain keeps me from participating as much as I would like to. What a shame to have a mommy that is a chronic complainer. Nothing is ever good enough. Ouch.
Thank you, that helps. One of the places we visited yesterday had a staff with very very little turn over. And the lady who was basically “everything” there but her official title was head of housekeeping, she gave me and my brother the greatest hug! She says she hugs everyone every morning. The place was not the prettiest, but the staff was amazing. Really cares about the folks and my brother and I. Knowing my mom is ever suffering for one minute is awful! And yes, before my daughter was baptized in 2012, mom “forgot” she was going to babysit while my husband and I went to a class. Didn’t even think it could be the “beginning” but mom never “blitzed” like that. And there are many more examples.
Thank you for your post!
@brightwings– You must be devastated about your mom's diagnosis. Please don't blame yourself for missing some early signs. This is very normal because as we get older somethings just slips by us. The loss is definitely more devastating for people who do remember.
This group might be of interest to you about your mom, and what you are going through. My mom had Parkinson Disease and she lost her short term memory and then most of her past.
I think that you might be able to get a lot out of this group : https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eoalzheimers/?orderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header
How are your withdrawal symptoms now that you are home and dealing with your mom?
Liked by Lisa Lucier, Brightwings AKA Cute Susie
@secretwhitepop– That must have been quite a shock when you got home. How old were your kids?
I'd also like to share this site with you
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eoalzheimers/?orderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header
How are you doing with your withdrawal symptoms?
Liked by Brightwings AKA Cute Susie
@parus
Oh honey, I am so sorry about your father….suicide is unfortunately a lasting legacy. One I do not care to attach to my name….
I fought to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Some days I moved forward and some days I moved backwards but that's the point…keep moving…..
I would NOT LET them win!
Bright wings
Hugs from those who care mean so very much! I miss them and relish them from my teenage grandchildren !
@parus
Remember, I used to have some where between 150 and 250 personalities from all the abuse. How can I KNOW this? Cuz I had 150 names written in my 32 journals and many of them were groups….
There is a reason I took 33 years to finish my healing. Cuz I had to put myself back together…..
I experienced lots of torture to create that many personalities.
AND I was worth what ever it takes to find myself…
I am now living the life I SHOULD have lived had I not been abused…
AND IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE ARRIVED….
Smiling at myself this time cuz we did good!
Bright Wings
Liked by Parus, Brightwings AKA Cute Susie, cristin1
@secretwhitepop
Oh my gosh girl, I think you have found the place for your mom. As I was reading this post of yours, my mind picked out so many wonderful clues to being THE place for her. Little staff turn over was the first clue….hugs, oh my….I am thrilled!!!
I feel so happy excited and this is your mom, not mine….
We put my mom in a nice home after she couldn't live with my uncle anymore. It was $5000 a month. She could afford it. She was happy there for 5 years then fell with a stroke…she did not suffer.
She died on Dec 14, 2010.
I finished integrating the last 8 or so personalities on 1/11/11. She had to die before they chose to stop protecting me….
However my life was, it is so different now!!!!
Never give up…never, never, never
Bright Wings
I still experience anxiety of different degrees, pain in body in many different places and occasional sleep challenges.
Otherwise I am good. Bright Wings..
Today the anxiety is big cuz I don't have enough CBD. I am working with Lazarus Naturals to get my regular dose. 2400mg a month keeps me pain free and anxiety free.
Gosh, this OLD body is groaning today with pain and I am smoking more to handle the anxiety…I hate it….
Yes, there are some folks who are aware of what they have lost and those cases are heartbreaking. Also, the folks who experience extreme agitation are heartbreaking…..remember, I have not worked as a nurse since 1992….So my experience working with folks ended there.
I am good with my mom's diagnosis. She passed in 2010. Writing here and on the MS thread is about all I can handle right now and I am wise enough to know this…..Bright Wings
@brightwings
@rascel1
Thanks my friend, those words are much appreciated.
Bright Wings.
Liked by Merry, Volunteer Mentor, Brightwings AKA Cute Susie