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dadto4boys: Hello, struggling with withdrawal and would love some help

dadto4boys

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apace41 Contributor

apace41

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I know I can't expect this stuff to go away instantly but any light would be welcomed at this point. My wife tells me things are improving in little bits but I can't see it bc of where I'm at with the withdrawal process. Is that true you think? I feel so awful I sure as heck don't see any improvement and it drives me crazy she says that.

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DT4B,

 

This is extremely common.  When caught in the middle of w/d it is virtually impossible to monitor ones own recovery.  Every slip back makes it feel like things are moving in the wrong direction.  Nothing we see about ourselves should be trusted more than someone who is caring and concerned and watching you closely from the outside.  If your wife is seeing incremental improvement don't doubt her -- embrace that and continue to move forward.

 

Best,

 

Andy

Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012

increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement

Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first")

Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15

Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid 
Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15

Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016

10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg.  No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold.

After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation

Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C,

 

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aberdeen
aberdeen

Hi dadto4...I just wanted to pop in and tell you that it wont feel this intensely crazy forever. you CAN feel ok again, whatever is going on in there, isnt causing anything permanent. Ive been there,

aberdeen
aberdeen

Not sure if my other reply went through or not...having phone issues. Just wanted to say it DOES get better. Wont always be this way. I have been where you are, guts clenched, adrenaline surging over

aberdeen
aberdeen

Hey dadto4, I just wanted to stop in and say Happy New Year and to back up what others have said. I prolonged my misery by years, all because I kept trying to stop wd with a new and different med. The

Colonial Contributor

Colonial

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 (...My wife tells me things are improving in little bits but I can't see it bc of where I'm at with the withdrawal process. Is that true you think? I feel so awful I sure as heck don't see any improvement and it drives me crazy she says that....)

 

Trust your wife, I also find it very hard to know if I'm making progress and living alone doesn't help me.  I had 2 good weeks, and now I'm back in a living Hell since Sunday after having mild symptoms for a week before that.

 

We have to look at longer blocks of time, and not just a few days.  

 Starting ds 2 (12.5 CR'S) = 25 MG PAXIL CR 1/21/15: 1 Pill + 10mg liquid (2 weeks) 2/4: 1 Pill + 9mg Lq (3 weeks) 2/25: 1 Pill + 8 mg lq (1 week) 3/4: 1 Pill + 6 mg lq (2 weeks) 3/18/15 1 Pill + 4 mg lq (2 weeks) 4/1/15 1 Pill + 3 mg lq (2 weeks) 4/14/15 1 Pill + 2 mg lq (2 weeks) 4/29/15 1Pill + 1 mg lq (16 days) 5/15/15 1 12.5 mg Pill ONLY (9 days) 5/24/15 12 mgs liquid (8 days) 6/1/15 11mg lq (12 days) 6/13/15 10 mg.  12/3/15 Drop from 8mg to 7.6 (24 days to) 12/27/15 7.2mgs 8/4/16 6.8mgs,  11/1/16 6.4mgs, 2/5/17 6 mgs  4/3/17 5.6mgs, 4/24/17 5.2mg, 6/13/17 4.8mgs, 9/20/17 4.4mgS, 11/23/17 4 mgs, 1/1/18 3.6 mgs, 2/15/18 3.2 mgs. 4/13/18 2.8mgs, 5/11/18 2.4mgs, 6/10/18 2.0 mgs, 8/4/18 1.6mgs,  9/27/18 1.2mgs, 12/24/18 0.8mg, 3/24/19 0.64 mg,(syringe change issue date?) 4/22/19 0.60 mg, 5/24/19 0.60 mg, 7/7/19 0.52 mgs, 8/4/19 0.44mgs, 11/4/19 0.36mgs, 2/1/20 0.28mgs, 3/1/20 0.24mgs (crash April 6) Compound started 6/28/21: 0.24mgs, 8/29/21: 0.22mgs, 10/31/21: 0.20mgs, 1/03/22: 0.18mgs, 3/5/22: 0.16mgs, 5/5/22: 0.14mgs.

 

Original Wellbutrin Dose: 6 months from 9/14 to 3/2015, 300 XL 3/15/15: Half to 150 XL ( severe symptoms started on day 12) 4/16/15: 125mg   for 20 days to: 5/6/15:   100mg  for  15 days to: 5/21/15    75mg  for  10 days to: 6/1/15:  56.25mg      13 days to: 6/13/15: 37.25mg    7 days to: 6/20/15  28.12mg   14 days to: 7/4/15  18.75mg, 7 days to: 7/11/15; RAISE BACK TO: 28.12 to 8/14/15: 18.75mg  20 days to :9/3/15 : 12.5mg, 8/4/16 9mg 1/9/17: 8.5mg 2/8/17 8mg, 3/9/17: 7.6  4/9/17  7.2  5/27/17 6.4 6/24/17 5.8, 8/1/17 5.0, 8/29/17 4.2mgs, 10/2/17 3.5mgs, 12/28/17 2.5mgs, 2/27/18 1.7mgs,  4/19/18 0.8 mgs, LAST DOSE: 6/11/18:  3 YEARS, 2 MONTHS, 27 DAYS...

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brassmonkey Contributor

brassmonkey

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When I first started my taper I would look for improvements in the four to six month time frame.  After a while it dropped to the three to four month frame, then every couple of months and now about every month.  Being on the inside it is very hard to see overall improvements on the smaller level.  The little things like you're standing up straighter, not hunting for words as hard, can remember what you had for dinner yesterday.   Things that you might not be able to see but someone who's near and dear to you can.  I really knew things were improving when she said she hadn't see my paxil eyes in a long time.

 

I generally watch for an improvement in my WDnromal level.  When I can say I'm not feeling as sh**** as last month I know that there has been a rise in WDnormal and mark it as an improvement.  Trying to track it day by day was totally nonproductive or even detrimental.  The symptoms fluctuate so much over the course of a day or a week trying to keep them straight was too much like work.  Some people keep a written record with a 1-10 scale on a daily basis, in fact I know several who keep a spreadsheet and actually graph it out to look at.

 

All in all, having the feedback from my wife has been the biggest help in tracking it.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

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Back again for some advice. I've been having some pretty good days and got a lot accomplished in the house. Today I planned on resting but I'm so anxious I can't stand it. I have these weird emotions and thoughts and no matter what I do I can't calm down. I started to think everything was calming down and then today is horrific again. It's not normal anxiety it's like a whole bunch of anxiety and emotions all at once.

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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Jlynn Newbie

Jlynn

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I get this symptom from time to time too. Feels like internal shaking and anxiety and the need to constantly be moving to keep the fear and anxiety down. For me it comes and goes. I have it for a few days and then it fades.The only thing that I have found that helps is walking for as long as I can even if it is just around the block and meditation ( I use an app) to try and relax my body and clear my mind. I think it is a good sign that symptoms are easing at times and you are having some good days!

40 years old and have been on 20 mg of Paxil for the last 19 years. Multiple unsuccessful attempts to quit over the years.01/2015 Was tapering using liquid Paxil. MD has prescribed 1 ml = 2mg taper every two weeks or once withdrawal symptoms at that dose subside. Reduced from 20 to 10 mg using this method and at 10 mg severe withdrawal set in. 1.5 months of pure hell. Found SA, learned what was happening, and reinstated to 20 mg. After a month of severe symptoms recovered with the reinstatement. Fish oil - Multi Vitamin - Pro-biotic, amino-acid/B Vitamin supplement every day. Magnesium as needed.08/09/15 - 18 mg - 09/08/15 - 16.4 mg - 10/10/15 - 15 mg - 01/02/16 - 13.6 mg 02/15/16 - 12.0 mg - Bad symptom flare up 40 days into drop - Dizziness, panic/anxiety, overheating (esp at night), low appetite, headache, insomnia with bizarre dreams, internal shaking. 04/16/16 - 11mg - 7/17/16 - 10 mg holding.....

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

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Hey guys.

 

I'm really starting to question this whole process. I'm almost 4 weeks celexa free and feel like complete hell still. Last weekend I had what I assumed was a bad wave. It lasted a day and a half - all of saturday and until Sunday afternoon when I relaxed enough to fall asleep.

 

I felt OK throughout the week and then Tuesday I had a day very similar to Saturday. It continued into weds but I was able to rest and sleep some. It's still there though today. So the last wave was less than 2 days and this one is going on 3 days.

 

I was under the impression that the waves got shorter and less intense and the Windows got bigger and better. I really hate feeling like this and I just honestly don't think I'll ever improve. I've been out of work for the last 4 weeks and have 2 more weeks off. I cannot keep taking time off but i can't go back to work like this either. I don't know what to do anymore but this hell has been lasting too long.

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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brassmonkey Contributor

brassmonkey

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The disconcerting thing is that there are "mini windows and mini waves" inside the real windows and waves.  It is impossible to judge improvements on a week to week basis.  We have to take the long view of things, thinking in terms of glaciers not snow drifts.  It's one of the most frustrating parts of this whole mess.  The fact that you're having distinct periods of feeling good is a wonderful, positive sign of recovery. In the over all scheme of recovery the windows do tend to get longer and the waves do tend to get shorter.  My first noticeable window lasted 15 minutes. A  month or so later I had one that lasted maybe 20. During that interval there were also times of feeling ok to pretty good, but nothing that could be considered a window. As you read through the various threads here watching the over all tone of the thread is more telling that paying attention to the details of the symptoms.  Many of the posters will be complaining about how terrible they feel and that it's not improving. But by following the posts you can see they they have improved tremendously.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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Fresh Newbie

Fresh

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Hi dtfb , could you update your signature please? What happened after you went to 1mg on Feb.11 ?

 

The windows and waves pattern of recovery is a fine concept , but this early out it may be be months

yet before you begin to improve overall.

For many people , there's a bit of a honeymoon period for a month after stopping , then they get hit

with severe debilitating symptoms. I would have thought you understood this when you decided to

reinstate in February.

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

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nz11 Newbie

nz11

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dt4b

Four weeks  drug free is a good going. If i were you i would  try to let go of quick recovery expectations.

We are not talking weeks here we may be talking many many months. For me it took 18 months before i felt a receding of the 'hell' to a manageable level.

 

As Brass says you are getting some good days. That is great news at this early stage. And bodes well for a good recovery in time.

 

Healy says 2-4 yrs for recovery once drug free. There are no time frames here but i give you this to illustrate we are not talking days or weeks here.

 

I know this is getting to be a broken record but are you able to talk to your work regarding lighter duties because if you think this will resolve in the remaining 2 weeks of sick leave you may well be disappointed.

If you cant then you will need to work on and find ways to accept and manage these symptoms at work.

 

For a very long time i thought i wouldnt improve either and may times i thought i wouldn't make it .

But i hang on and just took one day at a time and i did improve. You will too.

 

So sorry you have to go through this.

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

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I'm mentally in such a bad place. I try telling myself i can get through this and it'll get better, but it doesn't help. None of the relaxation techniques help... I've been trying to listen to a meditation station on pandora with my headphones and it did help but it's not. Deep slow breathing makes me feel like I'm choking and can't breath. It causes more anxiety instead of less.

 

I'm trying but I feel like nothing I do is helpful. And I can't get my mind in a good place.

 

I know it will take time for all the symptoms to be gone completely. I went into it knowing that. But being in it doesn't make it easy to remember that this awfulness is my life. I can't even function on a semi normal basis anymore. And my doctor thinks it's a joke. I'm sure my job thinks I'm lying. I mean who goes through withdrawal like this for a month and feels just as bad if not worse than they did before?!

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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Utahgal Newbie

Utahgal

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I went through this withdrawal with gabapentin. Unfortunately I ended up on 2 more psych drugs....doxepin and perpjenazine , in order to end the gabapentin withdrawal. It did work like a charm and I got my life back. Then, I had to slowly withdraw from those two!

I am on 2.0 mg abilify for 2 yrs now.  I tired to taper every month 2.0....1.5....1.0....0.5....off.  I was fine until I jumped off at the end.  I will need to slow the taper down after 0.5.  Maybe try 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.025...off.

 

8/2/17. Abilify  2.0 mg

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

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You'll be able to assess progress every 6 months, not every six weeks. You may be having waves and windows for years. Nervous system re-regulation is very, very gradual.

 

Keep working on stress reduction techniques. Could be your recent good spell was a result of your efforts. That's a very good sign. What is your current daily symptom pattern?

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.

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ChessieCat Grand Master

ChessieCat

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Hi d24b,

 

"Deep slow breathing makes me feel like I'm choking and can't breath."

 

Concentrated deep breathing takes practice.  I find that sometimes when I need to do it I feel like I can't and my body wants to go into panic mode.  Because I know from previous experience that the deep breathing works (I managed to stop a full on panic attack just before Christmas when I became anxious about going shopping and was getting the nausea from the adrenaline) when I get this feeling I need to remind myself that it does work (I actually think of my brain flicking a switch) and that I have to ignore the desire to allow the panic and I focus on my belly (midriff area), sometimes by putting my hand there and looking down to engage my focus more and concentrate on the in and out sensation.  I'm not sure, but I think sometimes I talk to myself out loud.

 

I understand that it is not an easy thing to do but I believe that I have found that is does help and the more you do it the easier it gets and the earlier you can recognise the feelings and nip it in the bud before it gets hold.  I also think that we are training/retraining our brain on how to react when we get anxious/panicky.  I've read a book called The Power of Habit which talks about learning habits taking about 2 weeks to form, so this is where practising throughout the day helps for it to become a more natural way to react.

* 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

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

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Alto- is it "typical" for withdrawal to last YEARS regardless of how long I took the med? I was on celexa for 8 months, so I'm really hoping it's not years of dealing with this.

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

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There's nothing typical about recovery from withdrawal syndrome, it's individual. Healing is very gradual with a lot of frustrating setbacks.

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.

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

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I got a letter today from my employer saying I need to come in Friday for a meeting to discuss my status.

 

1- I'm in no shape to go to a meeting

2- im freaking out

3- I have doctors notes taking me out of work and plenty of sick time (180 days)

4- I don't know what to do. I'm not getting better and I'm not expecting to get better anytime soon. What the heck am I supposed to do?!

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

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Take sick time.

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.

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

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Posted

I've been taking sick time for 5 weeks. What a cluster.

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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Ali4 Newbie

Ali4

Posted
Posted

So your worse since coming off the celexa? I'm sorry but if I were you, I'd hop back on, I know you don't want too, but you don't want to live like this either, I've been in the hospital for a week now cause I became suicidal, iam now getting stable and they have not added any more meds and have recognized i was in major wd from a too fast taper, they just put me back on my regular dose if celexa, I feel like me again, In a couple of months my doc will help me slowly come off. Ali

10 years citalopram 30mg- tapered down in December 15/2015- Jan 15/2016 to 20mg for two weeks, ten for one week and five for another week, then stopped, less then two weeks later, sheer hell broke lose with debilitating withdrawal symptoms.

 

Update-- reinstated 5mg of celexa on feb 5-- within hours noticed immediate difference in WD symptoms-- Holding holding and more holding.

 

Updose- March 23/16 too 10mg- relieved the harsher head symptoms- current symptoms headaches, dizzy, numbness and tingling in my head.

 

Benzos- 2015-Ativan on and off for 6 months 2mg- switched to clonazepam nov 2015- 2mg till Jan 2016 Zopiclone 7.5mg nov-dec 2015- was tapered off over 4weeks- Currently in protracted withdrawal. ????????????????????????????????

 

Update- ended up in the hospital April 18/16 major suicidal ( never had that before) was admitted/ been there ever since, put me back to full dose celexa 30mg no drugs added, IAM FINALLY STABLE AFTER 3 months of tortuous hell. Got a great physiatrist that new all about WD, he will help me taper properly in a couple of months at 5% deductions holding 8 weeks. I never want to relive that hell again.

 

Udate- stable and holding, doing things slowly is key.

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Mort81 Newbie

Mort81

Posted
Posted

HEy Dad Just reading through your thread a bit. I dont do much of that latley. I am so sorry you are going through this , it reminds me alot of myself and my job the desperation to work even through these awful symptoms.  I think your brief period of use should help you recover quicker than most on here. Unfortunatley Its way more common to experience prolonged withdrawal than most doctors know.  Your Doctors shouldn't be allowed to prescribe this stuff with so little knowledge of its power.   Work is going to be very hard and you should probably take a leave of absence if you can.  If not I wish you luck with work.   

 

If you want to read some scientific literature about withdrawal syndrome and how long it can last than check websites like madinamerica and Rxisk.org ,  Doctors and medical proffesionals are trying to make this more public and well known.  Pharma companies are corrupt monsters and have 99% of doctors in there back pocket. Thats why they think its your anxiety and not WD syndrome... Just know this stuff can last a long time but but It will get so much better . It doesnt stay like this.  hang in there my friend!!

Was on 30mg (Lexapro) for 7-8yrs20mg for 3 months (This was my choice my Doc wanted me to drop much faster)15 mg 2week10mg 2 weeks 5 mg 1 week0 since August 24th . PPI Dexlant  30 mg taper has begun. Cutting 20% currently.  using zantac as needed.  Benzo is currently 0.10mg 

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AmyK Newbie

AmyK

Posted
Posted

Try not to panic. The important thing is that you will recover. I dont know the system in US, is the sick leave limited? Paid by insurance? Do everything you can to extend the leave. The most important thing is that you will recover.

Current dose: 0! Free!  Quit June 2017.

2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January

2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg

Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose.

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I've talked with my union attorney and plan on taking 12 weeks of FMLA (family medical leave). Not sure of all the details yet but he was very reassuring and had a lot of knowledge about withdrawal from SSRI's! That was nice to hear for once!

 

 

Thanks y'all!

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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  • Moderator Emeritus
ChessieCat Grand Master

ChessieCat

Posted
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Hi d24b,

 

That's really to hear.  And that he knows about withdrawal?!?  Wow what a blessing!!!

* 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

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  • 2 weeks later...
Help777 Newbie

Help777

Posted
Posted

Hi dadto4boys,

I'm wondering how you are doing? Your quit date was dec 2015. Would you say the worst is hitting now? I am nearing the end of effexor and prozac and wondering when the worst hits for people. I do recognize it is individual. I've recently started a medical leave. I haven't told work the reason.

Would love to hear what the days are like for you lately. Thank you.

May 12th 2016 took last bead of effexor. 8 month taper.  Bridge = prozac 5mg, 300mg Lithium

May 31st took last of prozac. Lithium 300 mg, estrogen patch 150, magnesium.

June 14th reinstated 1mg Prozac due to intolerable emotional distress. Cont with lithium 300mg, 150 magnesium, re added omega 3, cont estrogen patch. June 15-july 5th had marked improvement of emotional wd symptoms, likely due to the reinstatement. July 5th intense emotional symptoms returned.

July 15 decreased 50 mg of lithium to see if it improved low heart rate.

July 19th - increased prozac to 1.5mg.

July 22 marked improvement of emotional symptoms...again, likely due to increase of prozac. However sudden agitation developed so decreased back down to 1.25mg prozac. Realizing increasing dose is dangerous because of these adverse effects and also seeing that wave is inevitable regardless of reinstatement.

Continuing 250 lithium, 1.25mg prozac, estrogen.

Oct 31st - continued 250 lithium, 1 mg prozac, estrogen patch.

Jan 2018  - off of prozac (bridge) as of Dec 2017.  Starting to taper Lithium 250 mg.  Will do 10% per month. 

May 2018 - lithium 115mg.  Still having waves but they aren’t as bad.  However, I really struggle with emotional symptoms about 1 week after a cut. 

dec 2018- 80mg lithium.  Tapering 1 mg per week since last June.  Symptoms improving overall but still very sensitive to light, sound, social stimulation and I cry a lot.

March 2019 - 65 mg lithium.  Still tapering 1mg per week.  Jan 2021- down to 4 mg lithium (get it compounded). Reinstated 5 mg Prozac. Jan 2023- withdraw 5mg prozac over one month Feb 20th 2023- reinstated 1mg Prozac. Still taking 4 mg lithium. 

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hi help777,

 

I reinstated for a month and a half but have been off again for 7 weeks now. I'm having a very bad wave this week.

 

Some weeks are ok, and some weeks are horrific. The Windows seem to be getting brighter but the waves aren't getting less intense - they seem to be getting more intense.

 

I'm hoping for some help as well. I went for a psych evaluation last week and was diagnosed with withdrawal and PTSD due to police work. I'm out of work indefinitely. I'll be starting therapy soon. But the last few days have been just awful!!! Im struggling with anxiety, stomach upset, anger and irritability. The anger and outbursts are like they were at the beginning. I actually trashed a room in our house the other day because i just went crazy! Like I had no control of myself - it was like I was watching another person do it.

 

I know it's "only" been 7 weeks (and I need to update my signature) but I'm praying for some relief. I have found Epsom salt baths help some but not consistently. Same with Bonine motion sickness meds.

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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nz11 Newbie

nz11

Posted
Posted

Dt4b thanks for taking the time to update .

Its good you are able to take indefinite leave from work. 

 

The medical profession just seem unable once again to accept full responsibility for this. But i guess some acknowledgement is better than none right.

 

Sorry you have to go through this.

In wdl our brain lies to us...big time. It can be frightening at times.

 

Stay safe

nz11

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

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btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

Hi help777,

 

I reinstated for a month and a half but have been off again for 7 weeks now. I'm having a very bad wave this week.

 

Some weeks are ok, and some weeks are horrific. The Windows seem to be getting brighter but the waves aren't getting less intense - they seem to be getting more intense.

 

I'm hoping for some help as well. I went for a psych evaluation last week and was diagnosed with withdrawal and PTSD due to police work. I'm out of work indefinitely. I'll be starting therapy soon. But the last few days have been just awful!!! Im struggling with anxiety, stomach upset, anger and irritability. The anger and outbursts are like they were at the beginning. I actually trashed a room in our house the other day because i just went crazy! Like I had no control of myself - it was like I was watching another person do it.

 

I know it's "only" been 7 weeks (and I need to update my signature) but I'm praying for some relief. I have found Epsom salt baths help some but not consistently. Same with Bonine motion sickness meds.

"BRAND NAMES: Antivert, Bonine, Meni-D, Antrizine. DRUG CLASSAND MECHANISM: Meclizine is an antihistamine with antiemetic (anti-nausea) and antispasmodic (anti-muscle spasm) activity."

 

How much of this are you taking and how often do you take it?  I know your in a rough place right now I hate those out of control episodes too and honestly I just had a small taste of this again and I have no idea why... very small but still. 

 

Epsom salts is what I go for every time especially when there is some action I am not in complete control of I think right away this is a detox problem and run for the tub... if you can't get in the tub all the time you can soak your feet that helps too just not as much. 

 

Have you tried grinding up some magnesium in a coffee grinder and having just a little now and then... tiny amounts are all I can take to this day. 

 

PTSD was my last dx when I was on drugs too... 

I am hoping 

"I'll be starting therapy soon." 

this is talk therapy.... right?

 

I would like to hear what Alto has to say about the bovine drug I don't know it so can't offer any help.  I used gravol for wd dizziness very very small doses 1/4 of a child dose... this is complex we need the boss. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • Administrator
Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

You may not be able to find a remedy that works consistently. That is what "waves and windows" is about. If we had a simple cure, we'd tell you about it.

 

Keep at your stress reduction techniques. If slow breathing is uncomfortable, use a different meditation technique.

 

You will need to be tenacious to get through this. You're the only one who can help you. Do what you can to take care of yourself.

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.

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Help777 Newbie

Help777

Posted
Posted

Hi help777,

I reinstated for a month and a half but have been off again for 7 weeks now. I'm having a very bad wave this week.

Some weeks are ok, and some weeks are horrific. The Windows seem to be getting brighter but the waves aren't getting less intense - they seem to be getting more intense.

I'm hoping for some help as well. I went for a psych evaluation last week and was diagnosed with withdrawal and PTSD due to police work. I'm out of work indefinitely. I'll be starting therapy soon. But the last few days have been just awful!!! Im struggling with anxiety, stomach upset, anger and irritability. The anger and outbursts are like they were at the beginning. I actually trashed a room in our house the other day because i just went crazy! Like I had no control of myself - it was like I was watching another person do it.

I know it's "only" been 7 weeks (and I need to update my signature) but I'm praying for some relief. I have found Epsom salt baths help some but not consistently. Same with Bonine motion sickness meds.

I struggle with the same things... Anger outbursts, anxiety irritability and stomach upset. I would also add in some ocd for the last few weeks. I'm just rummaging through everything. I've thrown so much out as I seem to have this insatiable need to de-clutter. Today has been an ok day but I've had some bad ones in the last week and they make me very fearful of when the next bad day(s) will hit.

Wishing you some relief. Thank you for posting. It helps to know I am not alone. Apart from my husband and kids I have only told one friend, no other family and no one at work. It is isolating but I cannot bear the experience of people not understanding or supporting.

May 12th 2016 took last bead of effexor. 8 month taper.  Bridge = prozac 5mg, 300mg Lithium

May 31st took last of prozac. Lithium 300 mg, estrogen patch 150, magnesium.

June 14th reinstated 1mg Prozac due to intolerable emotional distress. Cont with lithium 300mg, 150 magnesium, re added omega 3, cont estrogen patch. June 15-july 5th had marked improvement of emotional wd symptoms, likely due to the reinstatement. July 5th intense emotional symptoms returned.

July 15 decreased 50 mg of lithium to see if it improved low heart rate.

July 19th - increased prozac to 1.5mg.

July 22 marked improvement of emotional symptoms...again, likely due to increase of prozac. However sudden agitation developed so decreased back down to 1.25mg prozac. Realizing increasing dose is dangerous because of these adverse effects and also seeing that wave is inevitable regardless of reinstatement.

Continuing 250 lithium, 1.25mg prozac, estrogen.

Oct 31st - continued 250 lithium, 1 mg prozac, estrogen patch.

Jan 2018  - off of prozac (bridge) as of Dec 2017.  Starting to taper Lithium 250 mg.  Will do 10% per month. 

May 2018 - lithium 115mg.  Still having waves but they aren’t as bad.  However, I really struggle with emotional symptoms about 1 week after a cut. 

dec 2018- 80mg lithium.  Tapering 1 mg per week since last June.  Symptoms improving overall but still very sensitive to light, sound, social stimulation and I cry a lot.

March 2019 - 65 mg lithium.  Still tapering 1mg per week.  Jan 2021- down to 4 mg lithium (get it compounded). Reinstated 5 mg Prozac. Jan 2023- withdraw 5mg prozac over one month Feb 20th 2023- reinstated 1mg Prozac. Still taking 4 mg lithium. 

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  • 2 weeks later...
dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hey guys!

 

It's been 9 weeks since I stopped taking celexa. I've been having good days with some bad days mixed in. Anyways, I weighed myself and much to my despair I've gained 25 pounds since the beginning of the year. After doing some research I've found that klonopin can cause weight gain.

 

My wife and I decided that it was time to get off the klonopin too. I need to be off this and get rid of this extra weight.

 

Do I follow the same protocol of 10% drops every 4-6 weeks? I went down to 1.75mg in the AM, and 2mg in the PM. (Previously 2&2). I calculated the 10% drop to be 3.6mg so I'm doing less than 10% .... I'm on day 2 of that and I feel a bit more on edge right now. I'm trying to figure out if it's a wave or withdrawal from the klonopin.

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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  • 2 weeks later...
btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

Hey guys!

 

It's been 9 weeks since I stopped taking celexa. I've been having good days with some bad days mixed in. Anyways, I weighed myself and much to my despair I've gained 25 pounds since the beginning of the year. After doing some research I've found that klonopin can cause weight gain.

 

My wife and I decided that it was time to get off the klonopin too. I need to be off this and get rid of this extra weight.

 

Do I follow the same protocol of 10% drops every 4-6 weeks? I went down to 1.75mg in the AM, and 2mg in the PM. (Previously 2&2). I calculated the 10% drop to be 3.6mg so I'm doing less than 10% .... I'm on day 2 of that and I feel a bit more on edge right now. I'm trying to figure out if it's a wave or withdrawal from the klonopin.

 

I don't know a lot about tapering but I think it is too soon... 9 wks is not that long but your the boss of this.. and we are not all alike.. that is for sure. 

It has been a couple of wks how do you feel?

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I decided not to decrease my klonopin yet. I am still struggling with withdrawal though. Nausea is bad, anxiety is high. Is this still to be expected at 2.5 months?

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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nz11 Newbie

nz11

Posted
Posted

1. I think that is a good idea.

2. 2.5 months is early days you are hardly out of the starting blocks.

Remember a marathon is 24 miles not 2.5.

 

Hang in there.

You can do this.

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

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dadto4boys Newbie

dadto4boys

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Thanks for the reply NZ.  I feel like I'm moving backwards these days and I'm dying to just feel normal again.  I hate my life right now. I feel like this is how I'm going to feel for the rest of my life, and I hate it.  Nothing is enjoyable and I'm miserable. 

 

My stomach is just so upset all the time.  I'm anxious and everything seems to be setting me off again.  I was doing a bit better with that until recently and its back to being terrible again.  I just cant win.  I hate hate hate feeling like this but literally nothing helps.

 

Please reassure me that there's some kind of light at the end of this.....and soon.

Lexapro 10mg 2014, tapered,January 2015 started Brintollex, very quickly went into panic attacks and horrible side effects. After 2 weeks on and continuing to get much much worse, stopped taking the brintollex. 2015 was filled with trial and error-xanax switched to ativancelexa started; ativan switched back to xanax; neurontin started; xanax switched to Klonopin; celexa increased several times to 60 mg over only a few months; neurontin increased several times then quickly stopped; latuda started and stopped; celexa tapering began 8/15 60mg-40 mg; celexa 9/15 40mg-30mg ; celexa 10/15 30-20mg, increased back to 30mg; celexa 11/15 30-20mg; mid november 20-15mg; 12/15 15-10; mid dec 10-5; 12/31/15 stopped taking.<p>Reinstated accidentally at 5mg on 2/8; dropped to 1mg on 2/11, stopped 3/2016.

 

Klonopin 4.5mg taper started 7/13/16. Currently at .875 mg (1/2017).

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aberdeen Newbie

aberdeen

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Not sure if my other reply went through or not...having phone issues. Just wanted to say it DOES get better. Wont always be this way. I have been where you are, guts clenched, adrenaline surging over any seemingly unrelated reason...im not home free but my waves are whispers of what they once were. I never thought it would be possible but it's true, it gets better.

1

2 Timothy 1-7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Effexor 75mg to 262.5mg 2005-2010 for post partum depression

Started having poop out mid 2010, also switched generic brands, then crashed in Dec 2010 (anxiety/ "terror", intense DR, anhedonia, suicidal ideation, chills, insomnia, horrible intrusive thoughts, disorientation, ect)
Rapid "tapered" from 262.5mg Effexor in 3 months

Tried Celexa,Cipralex, then Paxil to deal with wd(this switching made things worse and added akathesia)

Found online support and started tapering Paxil 7 months after quitting Effexor (at this point was having small windows).

Paxil taper: dropped 10% every 4-8 weeks

Year 1 October 2011 to Nov 2012 20mg to 10mg

Year 2 March 2013 to Feb 2014 10mg to 4mg

Year 3 April 2014 to May 2015 4mg to 1.1mg

Year 4 June 2015 1.1mg , dropping by 10% until .5mg, after then dropped by 0.1mg every 5 weeks until 0.1mg.

Finished! Official last dose of 0.1mg on June 15/16

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scallywag Newbie

scallywag

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... I've been having some pretty good days and got a lot accomplished in the house. ...

 

Just reminding you -- I hope gently -- that you have had good days. They come and go.  The good news is that the bad days come and go too.  Sadly, nobody can tell you when this wave of bad days will end. We can assure you that it WILL end.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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