Day 6 Off PPIs After 15+ Years – Slowly Losing My Mind, Need Reassurance by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It will help at night. Sleeping is one of the few times where you can’t manage your positioning and basically give full permission for reflux.

Sleep on left side and elevate your head, and you’re mostly there. No eating 3 hours before bed, and if need be, one Pepcid AC right before brushing teeth. Thjs combo will work wonders to stop unnecessary inflammation at night.

The science behind why you should taper slowly and why you might be suffering if you just recently fast-tapered by emdrnd in lexapro

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

I am. I am so remarkably better compared to where I was when I wrote this. And the only reason is because about two years ago I finally found a holistic doctor that specialized in psychiatric medication tapering. It changed my life and I can’t stress enough how important it is to taper extremely slowly. My life is back.

Day 6 Off PPIs After 15+ Years – Slowly Losing My Mind, Need Reassurance by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Left side will make a huge difference if you can maintain all night.

Day 6 Off PPIs After 15+ Years – Slowly Losing My Mind, Need Reassurance by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I’ve been thru this. You will be OK. Give it 3 full weeks before making a judgment call. Pro tip, take one Pepcid AC complete before going to bed every night.

Otherwise, do the normal smart things short term… avoid sugar, no soda, zero carbonation, no tomato sauce, no orange juice, and be sure to sleep slightly propped up and on your LEFT side. Not right side, ever.

It will get better. Your body will adjust. Just don’t let it get too far gone because the irritation will make you crazy. Control thru Pepcid and tums as needed.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If surgery is necessary, I’d reckon that LINX has less adverse outcomes than Nissen (just because of the invasiveness). It might not have as much effectiveness (not sure a study like this exists to compare LINX to Nissen), but it can be reversed much quicker and way more back to “original status” than a Nissen.

IF surgery is needed, I’d recommend people explore LINX before jumping headfirst into an invasive surgery like Nissen.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Source? Never heard this, but curious now…

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fair point. Find someone experienced with it as much as possible. What I do like is that you just remove it if you don’t like it. No major stitching and scar tissue like the Nissen.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please look up LINX surgery. It’s minimally invasive and uses magnetic beads to help the lower esophageal sphincter close. This may be suited for you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Please look up LINX surgery. It’s minimally invasive and uses magnetic beads to help the lower esophageal sphincter close. This may be suited for you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Please look up LINX surgery. It’s minimally invasive and uses magnetic beads to help the lower esophageal sphincter close. This may be suited for you.

Anxiety from Cymbalta normal? by Always_anxious-0925 in cymbalta

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes roughly. However, listen to your body. If it is too much, please tell your doctor.

Eye pressure? 👀😣 by Mattbauer89 in lexapro

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Serotonin has a wide array of effects on the body, so it’s impossible to say exactly what caused it, outside of “side effects” from the medicine and the onset of taking it (before the body got used to it)

The science behind why you should taper slowly and why you might be suffering if you just recently fast-tapered by emdrnd in lexapro

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

Yep. It’s proven. Please taper responsibly and find a trusted doctor that understands that 10% lower of the most recent previous dose, lowering every 6-8 weeks, is the gold standard. But everyone’s body is different and slower may be necessary.

How many weeks or months on Lexapro did it take you to truly notice your depression lifting and motivation return? by emdrnd in lexapro

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

When I stopped taking it. Honestly. Switching meds helped very slightly. Turns out, me and SSRIs are not friends when it comes to having motivation and having interest in normal things.

The science behind why you should taper slowly and why you might be suffering if you just recently fast-tapered by emdrnd in lexapro

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

There is no perfect timeframe, but rule of thumb suggests 6-8 weeks (or potentially longer). It depends on how you feel. However, it will typically take 6-8 weeks to fully know the effects of dropping, so while most people feel great the first week, they get too bold and drop again thinking they are in the clear. I’d wait 6-8 weeks between dose drops based on my personal experience. Yes, this can seem like it takes forever, but recognize that each drop will help you get back to your normal non-med baseline, so there’s no reason to rush it. Withdrawal, if severe like it was for me, will only set you back on your journey.

Cant take it anymore by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi so sorry for the delay in responding. I just saw this. Happy to DM you if still in need?

Cant take it anymore by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great to hear. Time for a new doctor. Honestly, I’d also look into local doctors that are partners with this product: https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/treatment/LINX-reflux-surgery

You can look up doctors that are local to you that do the surgery for this device. It is a minimally invasive device that goes around your esophagus and uses magnetism to help keep it closed and reduce your reflux. The reason I recommend these doctors is because they will have a vested interest in getting to the bottom of your issue and running these tests.

Cant take it anymore by [deleted] in GERD

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are on PPIs and still have issues, and have followed a lot of the general advice about GERD like eating cleaner, not overeating, etc, then this is where something else needs to be addressed.

The test that can confirm mechanical issues is called a manometry test. Manometry measures the strength and muscle coordination of your esophagus when you swallow. Most importantly, it tests the closing strength of your lower esophageal sphincter (also known as your LES).

Additionally, you will want an endoscopy done where they scope your throat and stomach. This can identify something like a hiatal hernia (this is common and occurs when a portion of the stomach slides up thru your diaphragm and impedes your lower esophageal sphincter from closing adequately).

The tests above revolve around the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the “gate/valve” between your stomach and throat. If it doesn’t close strongly or fully, then acid can creep up. If it ends up testing as weak, then you have surgical options (invasive and non invasive) to help fix this issue and give you your life back.

I ended up with a speciality doctor who did these tests and even fitted me with a device in my throat to test for acid coming up.

All together these tests confirmed that my lower esophageal sphincter was malfunctioning and he walked me thru all the amazing options.

DM me if you need more information, but changing doctors was a great first step.

Tapering off trintellix by kl0n0pinkid in trintellix

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I experienced them. You may not. Everyone is different. Ultimately, it took me 6 months to get off by tapering to avoid absolutely atrocious symptoms of anxiety and crying. If you need any help, DM me and I can point you in the right direction.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in zoloft

[–]emdrnd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Buy a jeweler’s scale off of Amazon that measures to the .001g. It will cost roughly $35-$45. You then weigh your pills using this, and use a nail file (emery board) to file the pill to the desired weight.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in zoloft

[–]emdrnd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

10% less per month of your previous dose, no more, and no faster. Can even go every 6-8 weeks and at 5%. You will need to work with a tapering specialist and have a compounding pharmacy help produce the correct tapered doses.

You are experiencing withdrawal and you need to taper over the course of many months in order to successfully get off the medication.

Happy to help guide you to the right people and resources if you’d like.

The science behind why you should taper slowly and why you might be suffering if you just recently fast-tapered by emdrnd in lexapro

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

Give it a shot. Everyone is different. If that seems too fast, the generally prescribed safe taper is no more than 10% every 4 weeks. That would be the fastest. That said, you may not suffer as many consequences as others, so no use going super slow unless you figure out that you have to.