Sally1009 Posted November 6, 2015 Posted November 6, 2015 (edited) Hi folks. I'm called Sally, 59 years old, from the UK. I've been taking 200mg every night of Amisulpride since 2008. I am desperate to come off this drug, for many reasons, but find it impossible due to the rebound depression I always experience. I'd be very grateful to hear of anyone who has also had problems with this drug and of anyone who has successfully been able to stop it, and how. Thank you, Sally Edited September 6, 2016 by scallywag tags added
Moderator Emeritus Fresh Posted November 6, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Posted November 6, 2015 Hi Sally welcome to the site. We recommend a cautious taper of 10% per month. Your first decrease would be to 180mg, dropping 20mg. The second decrease of 10% would be calculated on the last dosage, 180mg, for a drop of 18mg and dosage of 162mg. And so forth, the amount of decreases getting smaller. This enables you to watch for symptoms and, if necessary adjust your dosage to keep your nervous system relatively stable. I see that amisulpride comes in a liquid form in the UK http://www.drugs.com...on-leaflet.html Using the liquid to taper makes precise dosing easier. Best wishes , Fresh 1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg 2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months. July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months. Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg. October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive. March 2016 , 21mg
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 6, 2015 Administrator Posted November 6, 2015 Welcome, Sally. Thank you, Fresh, for that helpful information. Tapering is much easier using a liquid. Sally, it's very possible the "rebound depression" you have felt is a withdrawal symptom. Gradual tapering can avoid this. See Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Using an oral syringe and other tapering techniques This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted.
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted November 6, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Posted November 6, 2015 Hi Sally, It's really great that you have found this site. There is a lot of really useful information here and the members are very helpful so if you have any questions, just ask them on your Intro & Updates Topic and "peeps in the know" will try and answer them or point you in the right direction if there is already a thread on something. Also, when you get a chance it's a good idea to put your recent history in your signature: Instructions here. Good luck and I hope you start to feel more stable soon. CC * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted November 7, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Posted November 7, 2015 ...And if you do still have an underlying depression which needs attention, the skills you learn to use in order to manage the 'withdrawal-symptom-depression' will come in handy then too. Many of us have had to read up and find ways to manage our pre-existing issues - because SSRIs don't heal things, they just mask. Was depresison why you originally started meds? As you start to tune in to your body and soul, you'll become better at managing whatever comes up for you. You can be really pro-active on this and start to get some ideas that gel with how you like to do things. Depression can come and go, but it needn't be feared. Best wishes Sally, KarenB 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate.
Sally1009 Posted November 10, 2015 Author Posted November 10, 2015 Thank you for your replies. I really get quite despairing that I'll never be able to stop Amisulpride. It has made me gain over 300lbs, I've stopped writing and drawing, which I used to be quite good at. It's impaired my cognitive function, I've lost all motivation and drive, and I can't find any psychiatrist or doctor who knows very much about it, especially the phenomenon of the rapid onset of the rebound depression. I was originally prescribed it for severe depression when my beloved husband was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, and have been on it ever since.
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted November 10, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Posted November 10, 2015 Hi Sally, I think if the depression comes on that rapidly when you decrease your dose, you can safely say it is withdrawal-symptom-depression. You could have a read through this: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1112-non-drug-techniques-to-cope-with-emotional-symptoms/ You can start to work some of these things into your life so that when you taper you have a head start on managing the depression. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband - little wonder you got severe depression. I've struggled with depression most of my life, and after 5 years on SSRIs I now believe the best way to heal is by connecting with others and learning skills to manage it. These drugs add so many unwanted and unneeded complications. I hope you are able to find things to work into your life that can help you regain control over how things go for you. (Though having said that, I do know it is not easy. It really is one step at a time). It is possible for you to taper off your meds. Have a read of Alto's links and then the mods can help you work out a gentle plan. I know it seems impossible, but it can be done. Hugs, KarenB 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate.
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