Getting off of Pristiq Changed My Life - Let's Chat Mental Health | KNIT & CHAT

|FIND ME|
Instagram: / kuriaknits
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/projects/kuri...
[e-mail]
|TIMESTAMPS|
What I'm Knitting: 1:10
Why I Was On Pristiq: 1:59
My Experience with Pristiq: 6:57
Getting Off + Withdrawl: 10:38
My Life After Pristiq: 18:27
Reflections + Lessons: 25:32
What I'm Wearing: www.ravelry.com/projects/kuri...
What I'm Knitting: www.ravelry.com/projects/kuri...
|ABOUT|
I live and knit in Southern Ontario with my husband and my terrier. The name kuriaknits comes from my last name - Kurian. Kurian has Indian and Syrian origins and I feel lucky every day that my husband shared it with me.

[@lauriejarboe6087]

I have so much to say but I will edit myself and simply say thank you, As a 68 year old woman I wish that I could have had the insight and ability to reach others when I was 27. If you decide to become a parent you will raise a mentally stable human with a killer hand knit wardrobe. I carry your voice in my head and use it as a jumping off pt. for my own mental health.

[@pennyblumenthal6278]

11:30 am Pacific time Thank you so much for sharing your withdrawal experience with thoughtfulness, compassion in such an articulate way! I am 69 and have been on Pristique for 8 years. My doc has never suggested a lower dose from 100 nor was I warned of the half-life conundrum. I have been thinking this was all a sinus problem! You have given me information that I can use to begin my titration down and eventually off of Pristique. Many blessings to you.

[@linamarie84]

Yes!! FINALLY! IM NOT ALONE!!! THANK YOU!!

[@netty062]

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for your honesty and insight. You are wise beyond your years. I enjoyed listening to how you eloquently described a challenging situation, and came out enlightened on the other side! I think it might be a testament to your writing ability too.

[@AnItalianKnitter]

This was quite moving to listen to. Thank you for being vulnerable, I’m sure this helped and will help many people ❤ I have personally never taken medications for my mental health but I do love with anxiety and I can 100% relate with the constant wanting of having “noise” in my ears to distract me. I especially do it when going to bed, as that’s the time when the day is coming to an end and my mind starts wiring itself up. It’s a balance that I’m still trying to find. You also made me want to listen to more music, which I don’t do as much.

[@menaramm6417]

What a brave and helpful video. Our minds are so complex and fascinating. It is so important to never keep trying to feel better. I am so glad you are feeling hopeful and I wish you good health.

[@venmanjenny]

It takes strength and bravery to tell your story. Thank you. Having adult children with depression, anxiety and PCOS I can understand some of what you have been through. It is wonderful that we can all talk more openly about mental health and the challenges. I am happy for you that things are improving.

[@cinthiajoy751]

You have learned so much!! That is priceless

[@kathyerickson7569]

I also recently came off a drug in that same class, after being on it for almost 9 years. I had to learn about the withdrawal symptoms myself, and trying to describe brain zaps without those words is incredibly difficult. I also went through the experience of getting to know myself again, since I was on it for almost all of my 20’s. So glad to hear your story and that things are going well for you! The cost/benefit analysis is such a great way to look at it, and everyone determines for themselves what they’re willing to pay. Thanks for your channel! I so enjoy watching your videos!

[@ashleystahl2733]

Thank you so much for sharing! I think you described the correlation between anxiety and creativity so well. They seem to be two sides to the same coin. I could go on and on but I also have almost an opposite struggle too…having epilepsy as well. When it’s not totally under control my brain is so chaotic that I too listen to podcast all day, and can’t write or listen to music. I lost it. But as it’s getting controlled I started listening to music again. And I can feel the ability to write poetry coming back. It’s hard to describe to a non writer how the story has to be there, you can’t just do it. It is it’s own thing. So well put!

[@71Siddy]

Oh wow! What a great video! There is so much I would like to talk to you about, but this is not the arena. You sound and look sooooo much better than you did earlier this year. It is so loveley to witness you so calm, articulate and gratefull. I get how it is easy to look back and find blame in what went wrong, but also, you are probably more appreciative of your love for music and writing, than you woud have been, had you never lost them and found them again. (Just like the lyrics, I once was lost, but now I'm found) Absolutly awesome to see you so well and happy, well done for not giving in during the most hellish times, but comming out on the other side stronger.

[@nancymcguire7183]

I have been concerned about a friend with anxiety issues and depression. This past week she and I discussed her going off her meds with her doctors help. We both have been praying for her to have the answer she needed for her mental health. I have shared this podcast with her now. I am thankful you have posted this podcast, it takes so much courage to share your feelings. I pray your journey will be more joyful each day and that inner self will explode and bring you all you need!! Thank you again!!!!

[@wavingcat5]

It was so good to hear your story, Erin. I haven’t been on this medication but I do have some mental health struggles. You brought to light so clearly some of the things that might be incredibly important to weigh up in a cost benefit analysis, and it raises the issue of realising that caregivers might not share, understand, or even know about your core values. Whatever therapeutic decisions are made, you showed me how crucial it is to know our own values and be able to advocate for them. I currently am seeing a pretty inexperienced therapist who has in a well intentioned way told me to do techniques to quickly get over upset, and it’s been rankling at me, and I think it’s because she doesn’t understand that I have a value about taking time with my feelings and listening to the parts of myself with respect and care. In a similar way, you valuing your inner life helped me to anchor my “rankled” feeling in my values. I’m so thrilled to hear about your book, your love of music, and your inner voice, your powerful and rich imagination. Even the self criticism sounds like something you will develop the skills to dance with. I even wondered if this new knit and chat format is from the upswell of creative energy you are now tapping into. It’s just so lovely and inspiring and I thank you for sharing.

[@mairaurena4488]

Understanding and being patient with yourself is a crucial and important thing to do for yourself, don’t ever stop doing that❤

[@kuriaknits]

I sympathize! Finding the right therapist is really difficult. I hope you are able to find the way that works best for you to work through things. Sending you all my best

[@Yhyyenymmarra]

Thank you for talking about this! It's very important to hear people's experiences with medication and also the healthcare systems that prescribe them, so that we can make informed choices for ourselves. It's also really important to destigmatise medication for mental health, so thank you for speaking up about this. I'm really glad that meds helped you when you most needed them, and that you have been able to find facets of yourself again that were "hidden" by the medication. For me, my anxiety medication has been an absolute life-changer, and definitely only for the better. I have generalised anxiety disorder and medication has vastly improved my ability to function on a day-to-day basis and also just to enjoy life in general. I'm also super lucky in that I haven't really felt like I've lost anything of myself with the medication and I'm super grateful for that because that's not a given by any means.

[@kuriaknits]

I am so happy that your medication is working for you!

[@yasminebenamrane2923]

Thank you! ❤

[@mairaurena4488]

Thank you for your story, our system is so corrupted and instead of focusing on the causes of our problems most doctors just patch the problem. I know they’re medications that really help and sometimes are the only solution. I think that if doctors help us identify the physical or emotional trigger of the problem there will be a much healthier world. Unfortunately money moves everything and apparently is most important… Give yourself time and think of what it is most important to you. Our mind is something very powerful and beautiful at the same time but it is up to us to control it.

[@SimpleBegiknits]

Thank you for speaking your truth and sharing your experience. There is so little shared knowledge of women’s experience with different medications, for all of the reasons you listed, so to hear you talk candidly about your experience on and off antidepressants is so valuable.❤ Having taken antidepressants previously, I also see the value in having medication available when needed, but once I came off my meds, I realised how much they had altered my personality and relationships. Hearing your story brought me some validation in that I made the right decision to stop taking antidepressants when I didn’t need them anymore, and that I have other tools (yay, therapy!) at my disposal. That purple looks absolutely gorgeous on you, by the way!

[@kuriaknits]

Thank you! and yes therapy really is so helpful

[@jacquiecastro7993]

Brave woman!

[@sandracroley9784]

Thank you for sharing 😊. The more people share their individual mental health stories, the better off society will be. I am a staunch believer in Intermittent Fasting. Most people would think it's just for weight control, but the healing benefits are huge. Many people on the Facebook page I belong to list unexpected benefits....one being help with PCOS. There is Nephrologist based in Toronto, Dr Jason Fung, who was tired of just pushing medicine on diabetics....he wanted to get to the "why". He's written a wonderful couple of books...the most known being the Obesity Code (a bit of a misnomer, as there is so much more he touches on, and by no means am I inferring that you have a weight problem 😊). Fasting promotes autophagy, which is a state where the body's cells repair and rejuvenate. This is new, but real, knowledge. Sorry to go on, but this is something I feel strongly about ❤

[@kuriaknits]

I also intermittent fast! Happened kind of by accident but now it is because I can't be bothered to prep three meals a day. Too many! I haven't found many health benefits from it but it checks a to-do off my list and that's good enough for me :)

[@monticae]

Thank you. I’m just getting on Prestiq. I took 50 mg dose for 4 days and I felt very jittery. I talked to the doctor and she pres robed me 25mg. I’m taking it for the first time e today. I really appreciate you sharing everything and I will definitely be mindful of your experience. I did read the other day that it’s been determined that dosages above 50mg doesn’t have any significant benefits. Maybe it hadn’t been studied as much when you were upping your dosage. Thanks again and God bless you dear, you are beautiful and you spoke clear and eloquently I enjoyed listening. ❤

[@GodHelpMe369]

I realized that the prostitution wound was not just my own - but a collective wound that many women experience. It's the fear of being taken advantage of, of selling out, of being rejected for daring to ask for what we're worth... Through deep introspection and soul healing, I cleared the prostitution wound, reclaiming my power and finding my own rhythm! Now I am creating a thriving, soulful business!

[@janemedwetz5123]

I want to get off my pristiq so bad. I’ve been afraid because of the horror stories I’ve heard and even my own family members experiences with it. But I am so sick of the side effects. This video is so encouraging

[@Therealashleytarot]

What are your side effects?

[@nikkiwatkins4143]

Thank you so much for sharing. Please look into the powerful benefits of castor oil packs for either ovarian cyst or endometriosis. It's an underestimated but powerful therapy. Best wishes 🌼

[@colleenpayne1846]

Yes! Castor oil packs can work wonders.

[@ambernjohns]

Having children has compounded my anxiety disorder and PTSD ten-fold. Not so much the baby phase, but everything beyond. My daughter is nine.

[@jenniferb.7250]

I to notice my anxiety went way up after having children. There was a direct correlation.

[@rain-wanders]

Watching this video because my psychiatrist placed me on this today. I am 40, and while dealing with depression on my own for my entire life, I am accepting that I need to be on this for a while. I don't want to, but I realize that I may need it to help level myself out after a couple of particularly tough years. I think, though, that this reminds me that I don't need to be on it forever. I can get on the 50mg and stay on it until I feel a bit more levelled out (a year or two) and then slowly taper off of it again.

[@emilybanks1381]

I'm currently on day 13 of cold turkey withdrawal from 200mg of Pristiq 150mg Lamotrigine and 600mg Seroquel for pregnancy and it is absolute HELL....this morning I almost gave up but seeing this video has given me the courage to keep going. So thankyou so much for that! Even though I'm only at day 12 I'm still feeling similarly to you in the way that I feel like I'm meeting myself for the first time in over 10 years (that I've been on the meds) I feel like my brain has been on mute and it's just been set free. I also am a writer and I'm feeling my creativity come back. As horrible as all these withdrawals are, I'm optimistic that it'll be worth it in the end ❤

[@Cheyscrochetshop]

Cold turkey is not recommended for most people. Please seek medical advice when changing your medications. Seizures are a real risk when going through withdrawal from Pristiq.

[@jasmineflora1619]

I am about to come off of Pristiq from 50 mg after about six months. Like you had, I have realized the 50 mg isn't cutting it anymore, and I don't want to keep increasing the dose. My boyfriend sent me this video as a sort of "here is what you could expect, and realize everything is going to be ok." After hearing your experience, I am more motivated to come off of Pristiq due to the crutch it has become in only six short months. I'm excited to get my imagination back and to start writing again and playing music again. I am thrilled to learn how to manage my severe anxiety and depression with the help of a good support system, as well as my own support. It's also good to know that the withdrawal will be hell (even more than I have experienced before), even a month after coming off. I am dreading the brain zaps and migraines, but it's necessary if I want to continue down this path. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I can't tell you how helpful and reassuring it is to hear--from someone who knows--that it is really going to be ok.

[@awbee8520]

How has your experience been? I'm coming off in a month and I'm nervous and excited

[@juliearcand2358]

I was recently put on Pristiq and although didn't want to but did and the first 3 weeks I thought: is this a miracle drug? And quickly that ended! I've only been on it for 6 months and now I am tapering myself off of it. I have PTSD, anxiety, major depression and a chronic spinal disease. My anxiety and total lack of motivation is becoming so much worse

[@Cheyscrochetshop]

I lost my fondness for music as well... I'm down to 25mg and have started listening and singing to music again and being able to take breaks from people talking at me 24/7.

[@polashrajkonwar2765]

Did you suffer from PSSD after taking antidepressants(SSRI),if you dont mind replying.I am a victim of PSSD

[@darlenerosales9010]

I was on Pristiq for 16 years. Just 2 months ago my psychiatrist suggested that I slowly get off Pristiq and replace it with Wellbutrin. It's been almost 2 weeks since I've taken any Pristiq. I don't feel myself. I cannot place my finger on it, but I feel like something is not right. What should I do?

[@7clippers1]

How are you going? Did things cnaturally resolve for you after weening?

[@TomoyoTatar]

Or pcos and endometriosis

[@beeathome1064]

Did you lose weight when you stopped taking them

[@kuriaknits]

Kind of. I lost some weight from having the stomach flu and ended up keeping it off - but from walking way more in Europe, eating different foods, and the meds I don't know what the biggest contributor was. So far I've kept it off at home, but I think it's too soon to tell.

[@kathleenharris3403]

I cried listening about panic attacks in childhood. As did I. This was 55 years ago when these issues were never discussed. I am getting a huge lump in my throat right now. I was 27 before i was ever even diagnosed and put on a tricyclic antidepressant which really did help. Over next 40 years ive been on and off several different ones...Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Seroquel, then sometimes Klonapin, Xanax (those I realize aren't a long term solution too dangerous). I currently take Remeron 15mg for sleep and PA wants me to use Pristiq at 25mg x released and am scared. I don't see why shes phasing out Remeron because i have Fibromyalgia chronic pain related insomnia. Ive read Pristiq can give a hard x with insomnia.

[@kristopherk1275]

Promo_SM

[@TomoyoTatar]

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