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I think some supplements are okay and actually beneficial. My thinking is that the "deep suffering" can be hurtful. Insomnia has a proven negative health impact. It's also known that depression is associated with brain damage for instance. I feel it too -- once I've had a slew of depressive thoughts, it takes quite a while to recover and stop ruminating on them. I would be careful with 5-htp and pregnenolone, however. I have read about withdrawal syndromes from both of those, in many ways similar to SSRI withdrawal. Phosphatidylserine is found in certain foods, so I'm less concerned about it
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Tips to help sleep: so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia
lucidity replied to Altostrata's topic in Symptoms and self-care
What I mean is, I will go lay down in bed at my usual bed time and wait to get sleepy. If I keep staying up waiting to become sleepy, it won't happen. The only time I get actually sleepy is the middle of the day, and I'm unable to sleep then This doesn't work for me either -- I haven't found anything that's "nonstimulating" for me. Practicing this method, I'll end up staying up all night -
Beezy joined the community
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JesusSavemefromWD: Only 3.5 weeks sentraline enough to destroy me
Gridley replied to JesusSavemefromWD's topic in Introductions and updates
Welcome to SA, JesusSavemefromWD. To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Please include the date you started and stopped the Zoloft and the dates of your taper. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. You have had an adverse reaction to the Zoloft, which means the drug was poison to your system. Some people's nervous systems are too sensitive to tolerate psychiatric drugs, and we have a number of members in this situation. You are not destroyed, you are not losing it. You will heal.The fact that you had a few hour of window is a very encouraging sign of healing. This link gives you more information on adverse reactions. But I only took it for a Week The symptoms of an adverse reaction are similar to those of withdrawal, and the symptoms you describe are typical of adverse reaction/withdrawal. You never had these symptoms before you took the drug; they are caused by the drug. Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization This explains the healing process really well. Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that ae single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements). This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. -
Edmunds: prolonged Wellbutrin withdrawal
Altostrata replied to Edmunds's topic in Introductions and updates
When do you start to feel better? We don't know which members are sending us donation because the PayPal names are different, but we received a donation from Southern California on October 9. If this was yours, thank you very much, it will help pay the bills. -
Psum4444: been on mirtazapine for 1 month at varying doses trying to taper
Psum4444 replied to Psum4444's topic in Introductions and updates
I worried the Mirtazapine is causing liver issues.. I would like a faster taper to see how I feel but I don’t want to shock my cns too much. -
Welcome to SA, Damien. I'm sorry about what's been done to you and that you feel so bad. To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Using your post, I'm going to try a create your signature. Please correct any errors, pick up the signature, click on the link below and paste the information, then press "save." You'll need to use a computer rather than a phone. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. Tramadol, Klonopin - near cold turkey Olanzapine, Cymbalta Effexor, Pregabalin, Fentanyl, massive dose of benzos CT the fentanyl and Tramadol but add Trazodone and sleeping pills CT the Effexor, Pregabalin, Trazodone, add fluvoxamine), sleeping pills, Propranolol. Reduce benzos 25% each week. In detox clinic , reduce benzos 50% each week Reinstate pregabalin and another SSRI. Doctor CT the pregabalin In a clinic for treatment with plant medicine Iboga / Ibogaine Mirtazapine, adverse effect, add pregabalin and CT after 3 months, Back on benzos and add Quétiapine into the cocktail QUESTION: Are you currently on Quetiapine. If so, what dose? What benzos are you on and at what dose? You are experiencing, among other things, withdrawal from so many changes in drugs done with cold turkeys and fast tapers. What is withdrawal syndrome. Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur. These explain the healing process really well. Brain Remodelling Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery Please don't give up hope. It has been our experience on this site that we all heal from the harm these drugs have caused. The brain has a remarkable ability to heal, and in time, you will improve. We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that ae single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements). This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here.
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Edmunds: prolonged Wellbutrin withdrawal
Edmunds replied to Edmunds's topic in Introductions and updates
Thanks @Altostrata I take 1.8 mgs liquid fluoxetine every morning after eating, between 7:30 and 8:30. In addition to that, I take D 3, B 12, Omega 3, and magnesium chelate. Nothing else. The magnesium is 250 mgs and I’ve started dividing it into 2 or 3 portions a day. On another subject, I recently made a donation to SA. I would like to know if it was received. - Today
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mlbz: Zoloft and klonopin with TD Suspected, Is Quicker Taper Indicated?
mlbz replied to mlbz's topic in Introductions and updates
Thank you, I'm checking out all of the links! Can you tell me why it is that some folks are able to stop cold turkey without symptoms? Or is it simply that withdrawal sickness isn't recognized by the medical community? If there are any posts about this, or good search terms, I would appreciate them. I am definitely not one of the people that can do this, but I know someone who stopped Zoloft after like 10 years and she said she felt fine. ?? This doesn't track with the trellis metaphor (which is great). -
Thursday October 22, 2020 9am: alarm went off, pressed snooze 9:30am: wake up, tired, 1 C. Coffee, breakfast, headaches 2, brain zaps 2 10am-11am: counselor 11am-12pm: nap 12pm: lunch, 1 C. Coffee, Armour Thyroid 120mg 12:30pm: Effexor xr 75mg 1pm-4pm: anxiety 2 4pm-6pm: anxiety 4 6pm: dinner 6:30pm-8:30pm: anxiety 1, brain zaps 3 8:30pm-10:30pm: anxiety 8 in response to work problem. 11:30pm: snack 12am: Epsom salt 4 cups, heartburn 4, hiccups, 2 drops peppermint EO, 2 Gas X 12:30am: bed, buzzers, EO’s, 4 droppers C. Poppy Notes Thursday: I started work on my own in my new job today. I was fairly calm until there was a problem and I get behind and had an anxiety attack. Overall it went well though. Headaches 2, brain zaps 3, anxiety 8, heartburn 4, bloating 2, insomnia?
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Wednesday October 21, 2020 11am: alarm went off, pressed snooze 11:30am: wake up, 10.5hrs sleep, depression 1, 1C coffee, breakfast 12pm: Armour Thyroid 120mg, anxiety 2, immediately after taking pill 12:30pm: Effexor xr 75mg, depression 2 2pm-4pm: more calm training than usual, anxiety 2, irritability 3 4pm-6pm: anxiety 2, irritability 3 6pm: dinner, ok 6:30pm-8;30pm: anxiety 3, irritability 2, flat mood 1, fatigue 5 8:30pm-10:30pm; anxiety 1 10:30pm: headache 1 12am: C. Poppy4 droppers, EO’s, vitamin d lotion 5000 IU 12:30am: bed, insomnia 2 Notes: Anxiety was not as bad today. I am getting more comfortable with the jobs at work, which is helping some with the anxiety. Also, I took a shower the night before and soaked my feet in Epsom salt. I wonder if this helped? Depression 2, anxiety 3, irritability 3, flat mood 1, fatigue 5, headache 1
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Done with Risperdal and all the other poison for good!
Armorall replied to Razmuk's topic in Success stories: Recovery from withdrawal
Excellent news, best wishes to you! -
JesusSavemefromWD: Only 3.5 weeks sentraline enough to destroy me
JesusSavemefromWD posted a topic in Introductions and updates
End of this August I start having severe Chest Tightness which triggered panic attacks thinking I was not breathing. My primary physician put me on 25mg Zoloft. Sure the chest tightness was relieved in two weeks but the real nightmare started .... depersonalizations, deattachment from reality, suicidal thoughts, extreme panic attacks , fear living my house, desperation, nausea in my soul!, eye issues like on of my eyes was focusing at a different level than the other, non stop fear for no reason, going literally crazy.... and the symptoms continue during tapering making my doctor including my husband who is a physician to say it is my illness progressing and not the medicine. At the moment I am bedridden can’t function, I am loosing my mind and only had a few hrs of a window feeling normal during the tapering. The doctors want to put me in antipsychotics , at the moment I am not sure if they are right that I am loosing it or if it is withdrawal... How could 3.5 weeks of sentraline destroy me? I am desperate I can’t take these feelings anymore . Any help advice? -
Kristinhopes: Completely lost - what to do now? Taper, reinstate, switch
Kristinhopes replied to Kristinhopes's topic in Introductions and updates
Yes, I do think it was withdrawal. Initially Prozac seemed to help some (but not to baseline) except with the sleep but that started Waxing and waning,,, and right now I feel like I am practically back at square one with the depression. But I did start googling again more lately which always causes causes more panic and depression for me too so I don’t know what’s what. I feel worse In the morning Immediately upon waking at 5 or 6 by an Adrenalin surge usually to around noon. I take Paxil around 9 am usually, but I do need to be more consistent with timing. Lately I’ve been really depressed constantly the last four days again. I had a glimmer of hope last week (not baseline but was feeling a little better and had a full 8 hour night of sleep) -
Armorall: CT from bupropion and risperidone
Armorall replied to Armorall's topic in Introductions and updates
Good news! My husband was right, my CNS settled down. I basically had that “wave” in response to my new work situation (I’m guessing it was in response to it) for 3 days, then went back to baseline normal. I’ve been normal for a week! Hooray! Also, we celebrated my husband’s birthday yesterday and had several desserts. I didn’t have any intense anxiety reaction to them like I normally do to refined sugar (in the past, I would get an intense headache and/or intense anxiety). I wasn’t reaction-free from it, I had a few hypnic jerks while falling asleep and didn’t sleep as deeply once I got closer to waking time, but I’ll take it! If I stay like this (or better, of course) I’ll at least be able to indulge on Thanksgiving (we ordered a fancy praline pumpkin pie from a place that sells out in town) and through the holidays. I’m back to having a majority sunny disposition minus some points of stress here and there. Things are looking up. When I think of this time last year, I had mounted depression/anxiety through the day. Things are MUCH better. Now, if could just do cardio and coffee, I’d be almost set! But, after that corner turn last August, I believe in my future healing! -
Edmunds: prolonged Wellbutrin withdrawal
Altostrata replied to Edmunds's topic in Introductions and updates
What times of day do you take your drugs, and their dosages? -
JesusSavemefromWD joined the community
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Kristinhopes: Completely lost - what to do now? Taper, reinstate, switch
Altostrata replied to Kristinhopes's topic in Introductions and updates
That sounds like withdrawal syndrome. How do you feel before and after you take Prozac each day? What time of day do you take it? Are your symptoms better or worse at any times of day? -
Tuesday October 20, 2020 11am: wake up 10 hrs sleep. Depression 1 11:30am: breakfast, 1 C. Coffee, still tired, anxiety 2 12pm: Armour Thyroid 120mg, 1 C. Coffee, headache 2 12:30pm: anxiety 3 1pm: loose stools 2, anxiety 2 1:30pm: anxiety 3 2pm-4pm: anxiety 3, irritability 5 4pm-6pm: anxiety 5, irritability 7, frustrated training at new job 6pm-10:30pm; anxiety 3, irritability 3 12am: shower, Epsom salt 2 cups 12:30am: 4 droppers C. Poppy, vitamin d lotion, EO 1am: bed, insomnia 2 Notes Tuesday: training at new job contributing to anxiety and irritability. Depression 1, anxiety 5, headache 2, loose stools 2, irritability 7, insomnia 2
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Welcome to SA, AdviceNeeded. Thank you for completing your drug signature. It's very important that you remain at a stable dose. Jumping up and down in dose is very destabilizing to your nervous system, accounting for the symptoms you're experiencing. How are you doing on the current dose of 15mg? If you're doing all right, I'd remain at 15mg (taken at the same time each night and not splitting the doses) until you stabilize. Then, when you've stabilized on that dose, which can take several months, you can, if you wish to come off the drug, you can begin a slow taper. We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? We strongly do not recommend just stopping the drug, as your doctor suggested, known as cold turkey. That puts you at risk of some very unpleasant and long-lasting withdrawal symptoms. What is withdrawal syndrome. This link is specifically about tapering Mirtazapine, including how to get the non-standard doses you'll need the the time comes for your 10% taper. A recommended method of tapering is making your own liquid, and the link contains instructions on how to to that. But that's for the future. Right now you need to stabilize. Tips for tapering off mirtazapine (Remeron) We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that ae single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements). This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here.
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Monday October 19, 2020 11am; alarm went off, pressed snooze 11:30am: wake up, depression 2 12pm: breakfast, 1 C. Coffee, Armour Thyroid 120mg, brain zap 3 right after swallowing pill 12:30pm: Effexor xr 75 mg 1pm-2pm: ok 2pm-4pm: training at job, anxiety not too bad 2, Shortness of breath 1 4pm-6pm: anxiety 4, irritability 4 6pm: dinner 6:30pm-10:30pm: anxiety and irritability 2 12am: headache 2 12:30am: 4 droppers C. Poppy, EO’s, vitamin d, buzzers 1am; bed, insomnia 4 Notes Monday: depression 2, brain zaps 3, anxiety 4, shortness of breath 1, irritability 4, headache 2, insomnia 4
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How to talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal? What to expect?
CCFB replied to Altostrata's topic in Tapering
My 2 cents: You are the patient ("client"). Physicians answer to you. You don't answer to them. If a doctor gives you advice that doesn't make sense or refuses to cooperate with a slow taper (i.e. "cut the pill in half," "liquid taper is unnecessary," etc.), respectfully find a second opinion. You can always fire a doctor. You must have a physician though—would strongly advise against "going it alone." As for how to talk to doctors, I would suggest the following: (1) Relentlessly educate yourself about your issues (peer support online, G Scholar, Pub Med, Examine, etc.), then confidently ask difficult questions. Don't assume the "white coat" comes with superpowers. A great many doctors are not too bright or informed about particular issues. Doctors don't know everything, and they are expected to do a lot. If you "become [an expert] on the thing that is threatening you," you will know what pointed questions to ask. (2) I would suggest against trying to convince a treating physician about the existence of a systemic problem like "antidepressant" withdrawal. (Others may disagree.) For a physician, it's much easier to dismiss one patient, than to face the cognitive dissonance of having unknowingly prescribed harmful or addictive substances for many years. A better approach from my experience is to communicate that you yourself are extremely sensitive to medications and dose changes. (After all, this is the truth.) Listen to what your body is telling you. If you react strongly to a dose change, that's probably a sign that something in your body isn't going the way that it should be going. Communicate that. If you can form a good relationship with a doctor over time (formed on trust and knowledge of goals), you will be better off. The doctor will know the effect of a dose change on you based on how you were last month, last year, etc. (3) The advice on this site about tapering gradually and avoiding impatience is solid. This can play into your relationship with doctors. If you change "antidepressant" doses too quickly, there is a chance that you may become temporarily emotionally unstable, which is a bad place to be. Reinstatement after dramatic dose reductions is unpredictable, can cause awful side effects, and sometimes does not work at all. If you consult an ill-informed doctor with whom you do not have a good relationship after a too-rapid dose reduction, he or she may simply suggest that you go on another medication. In a bad place, you may make bad decisions out of desperation. This can set you back. From my personal experience, it's better to remain in a stable place, reduce symptoms, remain as healthy & productive as you possibly can, and allow the "antidepressant taper" part of your life to fade in the background. Again, from my own experience, the withdrawal symptoms are really not too bad if you don't rush it. If you do—then, yeah... it's bad. -
Sunday October 18, 2020 11:30am; wake up depressed 2 12pm: breakfast, 1 C. Coffee, headaches, brain zaps 2, palpitations 1 12:30pm: Armour Thyroid 120mg., feeling better 1pm; Effexor xr 75 mg 2:30: air hunger/shortness of breath 2, lunch 3pm-7pm: depression 4 7:30pm: dinner 8pm-9:30pm: fatigue 7, malaise 7, anxiety at times 3 9:30pm: cold nose 3, amplified HB 1 10:30pm-12:30am: ok 12:30am: C.Poppy 4 droppers, vitamin d lotion 5,000 IU, EO’s 1am: bed, insomnia 4 Notes Sunday: brain zaps 2, palpitations 1, headaches 2, air hunger/ shortness of breath 2, depression 4, fatigue 7, malaise 7, anxiety 3, cold nose 3, insomnia 4
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mirtlady: mirtazapine withdrawals, would like some reassurance
marie123 replied to mirtlady's topic in Introductions and updates
Hi Mirtlady. I am taking mirtazapine and tapering it. I get heartburn during tapering Mirt but it is not too bad. I find I get it especially when I eat spicy, tomato sauce and orange juice. Tums work and ginger candy. I hope it gets better soon for you. Be well. Marie. -
Kristinhopes: Completely lost - what to do now? Taper, reinstate, switch
Kristinhopes replied to Kristinhopes's topic in Introductions and updates
Y do you think 10mg May be too much? The depression I feel is the worse depression ever. It began when I tapered down to 2.5 mg lexapro. Before that I was moderately depressed. Now I am severely depressed as I’m unable to eat, sleep, function at work or with my three year old son, essentially I feel like I am dying ( but have no desire to do so) -
mlbz: Zoloft and klonopin with TD Suspected, Is Quicker Taper Indicated?
Gridley replied to mlbz's topic in Introductions and updates
While some members do well with strenuous exercise during tapering and withdrawal, for many members strenuous exercise is too stimulating/activating. More gentle exercise, like a walk in nature, is recommended. Some members do well with yoga. I'd recommend restorative yoga, which is calming. It takes a dose change around a week to register in the blood stream and brain. It's normal to feel symptoms a few days after a reduction. These symptoms should resolve before making the next drop. If they haven't resolved by the time you're ready to make another reduction, then you're tapering too fast. With a 10% of current dose every four weeks taper, if they haven't resolved by the 4th week, a hold is in order until they do resolve. You could then modify your taper by tapering a smaller percentage, like 5%, or holding longer than 4 weeks. I don't know of a newer book. I'd tend to rely on the information on this site, which I'd consider up-to-date and and well-informed. Here are some links: What is withdrawal syndrome. (link previously provided) Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization When we take psychiatric medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur. These explain the healing process really well. Brain Remodelling Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery Alternating doses is a terrible way to taper much beloved, for unknown reasons, by psychiatrists. It causes the amount of the drug in your bloodstream to go up and down, battering your nervous system and making withdrawal worse. I would guess that much of the difficulty you had in your previous taper was caused by skipping doses. NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER We do not recommend serotonin supplements during tapering and withdrawal, as they tend to have an undesirable stimulating effect and also increase the activity of antidepressants. Many herbs also have unusual side effects in people with withdrawal syndrome. Important topics about tests, supplements, treatments, diet I would make the same suggestion that we make to members using acupuncture: the work should be sedating, not stimulating. -
Introduction and questions about fatigue and temperature dysfunction
SandCastle replied to kajayjay's topic in Introductions and updates
Is the fatigue all day long or does it come and go throughout the day? I had episodes of acute fatigue daily after quitting Sertraline for probably 3 months before it started to calm down. I didn’t have all day fatigue, but I would feel it come on suddenly and it would last anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple hours and would happen 5 or more times a day. I’ve been off about 5 months now, and I barely ever get that at this point, but I do still get plenty of other symptoms this far out. I have had blood drawn since all this started but I couldn’t really tell you if it made things worse because I was in the full swing of symptoms when I did that.
