Success Gives Hope for Others

[WebDevElijah]

Success from Kara Strozyk.....

 

HOPE.

 

2018- Over the course of 6 months (-/+) I was poly-drugged for anxiety and “ocd.” I was 27 with three kids.

 

2019, Spring- Was able to get off 3 easily. The antidepressant gave me about 2 weeks of withdrawal after being sick from serotonin syndrome. (Lex****).

 

2019, Summer- I woke up one day suddenly feeling like I was not fit to be a mother anymore. I felt I needed to “leave.” I told my husband right away because I was scared and crying. I forced myself to stay on the couch the whole day to stay safe. I went to my psych the next day and told her I needed off Seroq***. She said I was just triggered. I let her believe whatever she wanted because I knew it was the meds. She said I could get off in 6 weeks. And I did... but went through withdrawal.

 

2019, Autumn- Found out I was pregnant with my 4th baby. Went to the same psych and told her I wanted off Klon. She said I could get off 1.5 mg in 4 weeks. I made it to week 4, to 0.5 mg. Extreme withdrawal while in the first trimester. I held for 9 weeks. In those 9 weeks I found this page and got my daily liquid micro taper plan from David Jones. Truly, my life was saved by him and Rosalind Jones...

Spring, 2020- March 22 I started my taper. I tapered all through my pregnancy. I went to a high risk doctor at the University of Washington, got a perinatal psychiatrist who agreed with my taper plan along with my whole team, and made sure I ditched my old psych and had my regular pcp on board for after birth.

 

I had my baby on June 29th, 2020 and she was 6 lbs .8 oz. She had no withdrawal. She was and is very healthy. (I was advised not to breastfeed). I taught my team how to taper me in the hospital and it was very liberating.

 

I jumped on Nov 15t at .023 mg. I have lingering symptoms from the rapid taper from the very beginning from trying to get off too fast, but I am a fully functional stay at home mom of 4 kids (2 I’m homeschooling) and I have 0 withdrawal since jumping. I started my gabapoison taper Dec. 1. It’ll take 2 years.

 

THINGS THAT HELPED ME:

 

-Not obsessing over other people’s stories. I read so much at first I became very afraid. I took a break and then came back.

-Becoming knowledgeable about symptoms.

The more I knew the less I panicked because I could tell myself what was actually happening and why.

-Telling myself my body was(is) healing and not dying.

-Having a support system.

-Eating gluten and dairy free

-Avoiding supplements and vitamins (including prenatals)

-Hot showers, especially in the mornings to help my bones and muscles not ache as badly.

-Rest... lots of down time (watching funny home videos or Ellen to make me laugh)

Therapy.

 

YOU CAN DO THIS.