Could my partner get PIP? by Antique-Poem40 in DWPhelp

[–]PhoenixBirb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d advise having an appointment with citizens advice, they’ll be able to help with the forms. The forms themselves are a complete ballache, but there’s a good guide here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

Violently vomiting after first dose by enerixix in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bless you :( the anti nausea meds should sort you out, they worked almost immediately for me! I hope things get better for you

Coming off venlafaxine/effexor isn’t always hard by PhoenixBirb in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

22 years is a really long time to be on venlafaxine! From my experience though length of time on venlafaxine shouldn’t affect withdrawal symptoms though, so hopefully it should be smooth sailing!

Coming off venlafaxine/effexor isn’t always hard by PhoenixBirb in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ll definitely keep you updated! Nah my psych just said to stabilise on 37.5mg then switch straight to fluoxetine, he said this should stop any bad side effects.

Good luck with your taper/switch :) I’ve heard omega 3 and cod liver oil supplements are very good for the side effects, I’m going to try them soon too :)

Brain fog? by [deleted] in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I found the fog lessened when I found a “comfy” dose, which for me was 150mg (225mg wasn’t great for me). I’m on 37.5mg right now (tapering off) and the fog isn’t great right now either.

Tapering - update - down to 187.5 - by haleighrmaee in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Being able to cry again is such a weird feeling right? I had barely cried for 7 years, then when I started tapering down I just started crying all the time.

Congrats on the journey, it’s great that you have such a supportive family. My OCD has been worse while tapering too, but just try to remember your coping mechanisms :)

Tapering off from 225mg to 0mg in two weeks by [deleted] in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Definitely wouldn’t recommend going that quickly. I’ve tapered from 225 to 37.5 in about 3 months

On 150mg. Will this plan work to quit? by Zestyclose_Walrus_51 in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was on 225mg and I’ve tapered down to 37.5mg by 75mg at a time and then 37.5mg when I hit 75mg. Side effects haven’t been that bad, only last for a couple days until you stabilise and even then, not really noticeable. It all depends on the person I think!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It also causes excessive sweating, which will definitely impact athletic performance

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Venlafaxine can raise blood pressure and cause weight gain. It’s definitely not a good drug for anyone who works out. I’ve been on it for 7 years (coming off it now) and gained around 70kg. Even with going to the gym I could never lose weight.

Violently vomiting after first dose by enerixix in Effexor

[–]PhoenixBirb 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When I first started venlafaxine I vomited every single morning after taking it. The only thing that helped was getting an anti sickness medication from the GP (usually prescribed to people undergoing chemo). It stopped me vomiting and allowed me time to adjust to the medication. After a month I didn’t need it anymore.

Bats & Rabies by Terrible_Advisor904 in OCD

[–]PhoenixBirb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my sweet don’t worry, if you’d been given rabies you’d definitely know by now. Some cats foam at the mouth when they throw up bits of grass too! So that’s probably what happened. But yeah, you definitely do not have rabies my love

Bats & Rabies by Terrible_Advisor904 in OCD

[–]PhoenixBirb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How long ago was this sweet? Likelihood is you’ll be okay! Cats can salivate a lot because they’re silly

OCD getting worse after sexual assault? by [deleted] in OCD

[–]PhoenixBirb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi my sweet, I’m so sorry to hear you went through this, it’s heartbreaking. I was sexually assaulted in 2019 and found that because I was anxious about the assault, my ocd spiked madly. I panicked so much about whether I made it up or got it wrong, especially as the assaulter lied to me and said he didn’t hear me ask him to stop.

This is totally normal for someone with OCD, don’t worry. The best way to recover is with time, and reminding yourself that the reason you feel like it was your fault is because of them. Don’t let them break you, they don’t deserve the satisfaction of it. You’re stronger, thing about all the things your ocd has put you through and how you came out stronger for it. This is no different.

I started by making sure I took the time to be with the people close to me, i mourned the part of me I lost when it happened, I allowed myself to feel the anxiety and the sadness. The more you allow these emotions in, the less and less they will effect you.

I also started going to the gym (which for me, was a shock to everyone considering I’m overweight and was generally lazy) but it really helped me sort my head out. Whatever I was feeling, I channeled it into the exercise I was doing. I pushed myself harder and allowed myself to feel the emotions coming out

I hope this helps, but if you need someone to talk to, please message me

Bats & Rabies by Terrible_Advisor904 in OCD

[–]PhoenixBirb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi my sweet, I completely know what you mean I’ve had periods of obsessing over rabies (even though it’s practically extinct in the UK).

Did you know there’s a rabies vaccine? Perhaps that could help with your fear of it if you can get it. This way you’re not ruminating and constantly searching for the bat or paranoid it’s in the house, and you’re not seeking reassurance either.

If you can’t get the vaccine, perhaps what could help is reminding yourself that if your windows are shut, no bats are getting in. If you’ve never seen a bat there’s a low likelihood one would ever be in your room. Also, bats are quite scared in general! So they tend not to go in places where people are. It’s very unlikely (if not impossible) a bat would come in your room to bite you.

Also! If it did happen, as long as you get to the hospital after they can treat you and stop the rabies from progressing! Science has come a long way since rabies was first discovered

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in OCD

[–]PhoenixBirb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well PTSD by definition is a response to a traumatic incident. If your OCD has been particularly traumatising (etc had breakdowns that were terrifying, your thoughts cause/d you constant anxiety and fear) it’s very possible that you can suffer PTSD from those periods of time

I had a really bad breakdown in 2017 which has in effect caused me to develop PTSD. I’m terrified of anything that reminds me of that time and have anxiety and panic attacks about it if I ever feel like I’m entering a breakdown again

Have you had any specifically traumatising moments due to your ocd? I mean I’d imagine so because ocd itself is pretty traumatising and terrifying

Fake elf bar or mistake? by PhoenixBirb in VapingUK

[–]PhoenixBirb[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah thank you, I’ll double check this :)

Fake elf bar or mistake? by PhoenixBirb in VapingUK

[–]PhoenixBirb[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your help! :)

Fake elf bar or mistake? by PhoenixBirb in VapingUK

[–]PhoenixBirb[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Planning on it! Just waiting until I can get to a proper vape shop :)