LostInMarshes Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 Hello. I need help! I've been taking Zoloft on and off for close to ten years. Went up to 150mg last month. Since I got back from the psych hospital last month, I've been having a sensation of being stabbed repeatedly in the brain, the whole day after taking Zoloft. This is why I had to start taking it during the day time. Otherwise I cannot sleep - keep jolting up awake, as if though electrical currents of stress run through my body. Today I got up, and was quite happy, energetic. An hour later I took Zoloft. What happened?: the feeling in my body and brain is that of continuous assault by toxins. I feel at the same time very agitated, very lightheaded and sleepy, nauseous, no longer happy, with diarrhea. Music, my true love and saving grace, is now an irritant. For a long time I've been considering tapering off for good (I'd follow the 10% rule). But now it's clear to me that this medication is no longer good for me. I had my psychiatrist (of a few months) call me and I suggested that we taper me down to 135mg. He said that it's not a "good idea", and that it won't help me. I don't think I can get another psychiatrist, because I'm applying for SSI disability (for PTSD), and people at the hospital told me that my case will be quite strong, if I show that I've had the same psychiatrist for a long time. If I go against his wishes, he would never write a good letter for my SSI case. Should I just do it behind his back? Greetings, by the way! 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 17, 2016 Administrator Posted February 17, 2016 Welcome, Stormstrong. That sounds like a possible adverse reaction from Zoloft. How long have you been taking it this last time around? At what dosages? What has been your psychiatric drug history for the last year? What else are you taking? Please put ALL the drugs you take in the Drug Interactions Checker http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html and copy and paste the results in this topic. 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.
LostInMarshes Posted June 6, 2016 Author Posted June 6, 2016 Hi again. I came back now and saw that I never replied. I've now included my med info in the signature. This was an isolated incident, and happened shortly after I drank yerba mate tea, to which I have strange reactions. 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
LostInMarshes Posted June 6, 2016 Author Posted June 6, 2016 Is this where we share our withdrawal journey? Can the introduction topics be used as journals? I have some things I wanted to share.... 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
nz11 Posted June 6, 2016 Posted June 6, 2016 Is this where we share our withdrawal journey? Can the introduction topics be used as journals? I have some things I wanted to share.... Yes this is exactly the purpose of the intro thread to write you recovery narrative, journaling and sharing the highs the lows the good the bad and the ugly. Welcome to sa. 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
LostInMarshes Posted July 31, 2016 Author Posted July 31, 2016 Thank you nz11. I hope I get more comfortable posting here. I guess I won't get any support, unless my propensity to isolate and not post on forums that could really help me, is overcome somehow. I go days without speaking to anyone, or seeing anyone... and feel alone everywhere I go, including online. I hope this gets easier.... I hope I learn how to support others, too. I have a question about my tapering. Do I just ask it here? I'm sorry about my signature. I'm not yet sure how to make it concise yet legible. 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted July 31, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted July 31, 2016 Welcome to SA, Strong. This is the place to ask away. Any time you are not sure where to post, your thread if a safe bet. 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,
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted August 9, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted August 9, 2016 Stormstrong you posted in the Recommended doctors thread Am I out of luck if I'm on Medicaid? I fear all psych docs who take my insurance are subpar and unable to see the truth. There are unfortunately few doctors and psychiatrists who understand withdrawal issues from psych drugs. All we need is a doctor who will continue to write the prescriptions we need. If you have a sense that the doctor won't support reducing your dose, don't tell them. Just get the scrip and then taper on your own cautiously and conservatively. What to expect from your doctor about withdrawal symptomsHow do you talk to your doctor about tapering and withdrawal I see that you are currently prescribed 3 psych meds: Zoloft (sertraline), Wellbutrin (bupropion), and trazodone. When a someone is taking multiple medications, we ask that that you post an interactions report. Follow the link below to get your report. Just select the text, copy it and paste it in a post here.Drugs-dot-Dcom Drugs Interactions Checker. 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet
LostInMarshes Posted October 17, 2016 Author Posted October 17, 2016 Stormstrong you posted in the Recommended doctors thread Am I out of luck if I'm on Medicaid? I fear all psych docs who take my insurance are subpar and unable to see the truth. There are unfortunately few doctors and psychiatrists who understand withdrawal issues from psych drugs. All we need is a doctor who will continue to write the prescriptions we need. If you have a sense that the doctor won't support reducing your dose, don't tell them. Just get the scrip and then taper on your own cautiously and conservatively. What to expect from your doctor about withdrawal symptoms How do you talk to your doctor about tapering and withdrawal I see that you are currently prescribed 3 psych meds: Zoloft (sertraline), Wellbutrin (bupropion), and trazodone. When a someone is taking multiple medications, we ask that that you post an interactions report. Follow the link below to get your report. Just select the text, copy it and paste it in a post here. Drugs-dot-Dcom Drugs Interactions Checker. Hi. Sorry it's taken me this long to reply. I disappear occasionally... I'll check all of these links out. I do have a concern regarding "All we need is a doctor who will continue to write the prescriptions we need." I think I should withdraw from Bupropion XL quite soon, before I continue with Zoloft. I -will- be needing a psychiatrist's help, since the medicine has no half life, and I'll need to taper using a different kind of Wellbutrin, I believe. I can't just ask for the script. I don't like my doctor at all. He's a Chinese doctor in Chinatown, and as compliant with the matrix as a doctor could be. He scrutinizes everything I say, and can see through me when I lie. I feel I have no choice but to walk in on November 5th, armed with articles from Mad in America and Beyond Meds, and insist on having him help me. I don't know why he scrutinizes me. Because I stayed at a psych hospital this January, desperate for nothing but some company? Ugh I don't like him!!! 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted October 18, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted October 18, 2016 Bupropion XL has a half-life of 21 hours ± 9 hours. It's not too bad as far as that goes.Please have a look at these topics, particularly the first posts:Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin XR, SR, XL (bupropion)Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline) 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet
LostInMarshes Posted October 31, 2016 Author Posted October 31, 2016 As you suggested, the drug interaction checker calculated that: Interactions between your selected drugs Major bupropion trazodoneApplies to: Wellbutrin XL (bupropion), trazodone Talk to your doctor before using buPROPion together with traZODone. Combining these medications may increase the risk of seizures, which may occur rarely with either medication. In addition, buPROPion can increase the blood levels of traZODone, which may increase other side effects. You may be more likely to experience seizures with these medications if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumor or head trauma. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol during treatment. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor. Major bupropion sertralineApplies to: Wellbutrin XL (bupropion), sertraline Talk to your doctor before using buPROPion together with sertraline. Combining these medications may increase the risk of seizures, which may occur rarely with either medication. In addition, buPROPion can increase the blood levels of sertraline, which may increase other side effects. You may be more likely to experience seizures with these medications if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumor or head trauma. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol during treatment. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor. Major trazodone sertralineApplies to: trazodone, sertraline Using traZODone together with sertraline can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor. Interactions between your selected drugs and food Moderate bupropion foodApplies to: Wellbutrin XL (bupropion) Using buPROPion with alcohol may increase the risk of uncommon side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, mood and behavioral changes, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and panic attacks. On the other hand, sudden withdrawal from alcohol following regular or chronic use can also increase your risk of seizures during treatment with buPROPion. If you are prone to frequent or excessive alcohol use, talk to your doctor before starting buPROPion. In general, you should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with buPROPion. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor. Switch to professional interaction data Moderate trazodone foodApplies to: trazodone Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of traZODone such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with traZODone. Do not use more than the recommended dose of traZODone, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. Switch to professional interaction data Moderate sertraline foodApplies to: sertraline You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with sertraline. Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of sertraline such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. Switch to professional interaction data and Therapeutic duplication warningsTherapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences. Duplication AntidepressantsTherapeutic duplication The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'antidepressants' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes three medicines belonging to the 'antidepressants' category: sertraline trazodone bupropion (active ingredient in Wellbutrin XL (bupropion)) Note: The benefits of taking this combination of medicines may outweigh any risks associated with therapeutic duplication. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider to determine if any adjustments to your medications are needed. 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted October 31, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted October 31, 2016 Thanks for posting the interactions report. Given that all 3 of your medications have major interactions with each other, there's no obvious one to start with. Bupropion would be as good a place to start as Zoloft or trazodone. Some people consider bupropion as easier to taper than Zoloft or trazodone and therefore should be the last one to go. Please read the topics on tapering each of these medications:Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin XR, SR, XL (bupropion)Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline)Tips for tapering off trazodone (Desyrel) You may want to take your interactions report and ask your doctor about it because you've been on all 3 medications since 2015. I'm not sure what you mean by "compliant with the matrix." Your doctor, however, is well outside what would be considered wise in having prescribed these 3 medications for the same patient to take at the same time. Your pharmacist has let you down as well by not advising you of these potential interactions. I'm not suggesting that you be that confrontational with either of them; you could just ask them to check their databases and pharma/medical reference texts to see if there are interactions between your medications. Let them find the information themselves. A couple of requests about your signature: It is difficult to quickly see what your current medications and doses are. Would you add a line that states them?e.g. Bupropion ___ mg, Zoloft 100 mg, trazodone ___ mg The font is small and in a color that doesn't provide much contrast. Would you increase the font size to 12? The color will be fine when the font is increased. Let us know which medication you decide to start tapering and how that goes for you. 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet
LostInMarshes Posted December 6, 2016 Author Posted December 6, 2016 Umm, help? I've been on 150mg Wellbutrin XL for a year, told my psychiatrist I want to withdraw from it. He said something condescending and the best the jerk could do was prescribe me Wellbutrin SR 150mg (1 time a day only!) for one month. The idiot said I should be okay after 1 month. I'm too lightheaded to be able to focus on the first post in entirety.. I believe vertigo is a side effect of the SR... How could I taper the best with what's been given to me? 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted December 6, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted December 6, 2016 I've moved your post/question from the Wellbutrin tapering topic to your introduction topic so that all your information, questions and answers are in one place. At least your doc switched you from XL to SR versions at the same dose. Did you read the first post in Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin (bupropion)? There is information about SR tablets and about cutting them. 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet
LostInMarshes Posted December 6, 2016 Author Posted December 6, 2016 I've moved your post/question from the Wellbutrin tapering topic to your introduction topic so that all your information, questions and answers are in one place. At least your doc switched you from XL to SR versions at the same dose. Did you read the first post in Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin (bupropion)? There is information about SR tablets and about cutting them. I'm sorry for my shameless vitriol. I'll take a better look at that post now. Thanks! 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
LostInMarshes Posted December 6, 2016 Author Posted December 6, 2016 So far it's extremely confusing to me and I can't figure it out. Maybe my mental capacity is weakening 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted December 6, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted December 6, 2016 I've extracted the relevant sections of the first post from the Welbutrin topic. I hope the curated information is helpful. If something isn't clear or understandable, please ask questions. General information about Wellbutrin: There are 3 buproprion formulations: IR, SR, XL or XRName-brand Wellbutrin or generic bupropion is available in 3 variations with different half-lives -- the amount of time they last in your body (see below).From the manufacturers' and the FDA's information (see below), the different versions are bio-equivalent. The only difference is the frequency of the dosage: Immediate release (IR): 3 times a day dosing Sustained release (SR): 2 times a day dosing Extended release (XR or XL): Once a day dosing General Tapering information about Wellbutrin (any version XR, XL, SR, immediate release): How gradually should I taper buproprion?There is little information about tapering off Wellbutrin, probably because it is assumed not much of a taper is needed.As with all other psychiatric medications, do not skip doses to taper. If you're susceptible to withdrawal symptoms, this is an excellent way to trigger them.If you are very sensitive, you may wish to start with a 10% reduction per month, as we recommend with other antidepresssants. Base your decrease on the last dosage: The amount of the decrease keeps getting smaller. If you find 10%-per-month decreases cause no problem, you may wish to make them more often. If you wish to be moderately cautious,you may wish to taper at 18.75mg every two weeks, cutting up 75mg immediate-release or sustained-release tablets into quarters (see below). If you get withdrawal symptoms when tapering by 18.75mg every 2 weeks, reduce the amount of your dosage decrease to 10% and extend the tapering interval to 4 weeks. How Altostrata tapered off WellbutrinPersonally, I found a 50mg taper per week to be sufficiently gradual. I had been taking 150mg-200mg for about a year and had adverse effects (blood pressure spikes). Although I had Paxil withdrawal syndrome at the time, quitting Wellbutrin in this fashion did not increase my symptoms. (Getting off Wellbutrin was a relief. I found ramping up on it a lot harder.) Tapering using Wellbutrin SR tablets: How to taper off bupropion SR (sustained release)From FDA information:- Available as brand-name or generic in 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg sustained-release tablets- To be taken twice daily, "at least 8 hours between successive doses." (This is equivalent to 3-times daily immediate-release bupropion.)...About the sustained release feature of the SR tablet: In the name-brand Wellbutrin SR, the sustained-release quality is in the binder, the glue that holds the tablet together. Generic versions (which would be called bupropion SR, not Wellbutrin SR) may be made differently. Contact the manufacturer to find out exactly how the tablet is formulated, or talk to a pharmacist specializing in psychopharmacology. About cutting Wellbutrin SR tablets: I [Altostrata] personally found you CAN cut Wellbutrin SR (sustained release) tablets up -- the timed-release mechanism is mixed in with the drug. Put the pieces in a water-tight container and use them up within 24 hours because the time-release binder can absorb humidity and degrade. For a short time, I cut up generic 100mg bupropion SR and took 50mg in the morning, Wellbutrin XL 150mg a couple of hours later, and another SR 50mg in the early evening for a total of 250mg/day. (I never tolerated Wellbutrin very well.) Tapering using SR tabletsTo taper, convert your dosage to 100mg SR tablets, cut up the 100mg tablets, make reductions by 25mg or less, take 2 times a day.Note: If you cut an SR tablet in very small fragments or crush it, it won't to continue to be sustained-release -- the binder is extensively damaged. Take as though it was immediate-release. This portion proposes combining SR and IR (immediate release) tablets to taper: Taper with a mix of sustained-release (SR) and immediate-release (IR) tabletsAs immediate-release tablets come in the smallest dosage of 75mg, which can be quartered into pieces of 18.75mg, you might want to convert part of your daily dose to IR tablets.This will enable you to taper by 18.75mg at a time.You might be able to get by with taking the SR tablet in the morning and the IR tablet at night.Taper with immediate-release bupropionFrom FDA information:- Available in generic form as 75 mg, 100 mg immediate-release tablets- Half-life of 10 hours, plus some extension with the active metabolites, for a total half-life expressed as 21 (±9) hours- "Bupropion should be administered 3 times daily, preferably with at least 6 hours between successive doses."To taper, cut a 75mg or 100mg tablet into quarters, make reductions by 18.75mg-25mg, take 2 or 3 times a day.If you get withdrawal symptoms at any point, slow down. 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet
LostInMarshes Posted December 10, 2016 Author Posted December 10, 2016 Thank you so much for doing that, Scallywag. It looks like I'd need to combine Wellbutrin SR with either XL or IR, it seems like? I can't taper with just SR by taking it twice a day, say 150mg minus 18.75mg for two weeks and so on? Though it states here that cutting up SR into very small bits will converts it into IR. So maybe I could take two SR and one IR, created by cutting up one SR? And so I won't need a separate prescription for either XL or IR? (Thinking out loud...) Thank you so much for being here and helping us! 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted December 11, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted December 11, 2016 To start, you can taper Wellbutrin SR by cutting the tablet. The caution about losing the SR feature relates to crushing the tablet or cutting it into very small pieces. You probably won't need to add other formulations. You could assess your reaction to a cut tablet while holding at your current dose: Instead of taking the tablet as a single pill, cut it and take all the pieces. I'm not sure where you're getting the 18.75 mg number from. Please post more about your thinking on that. 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet
LostInMarshes Posted December 12, 2016 Author Posted December 12, 2016 Thank you, Scallywag. I cut the pill into four pieces, and everything appears normal. I got the 18.75 number from: If you wish to be moderately cautious,you may wish to taper at 18.75mg every two weeks, cutting up 75mg immediate-release or sustained-release tablets into quarters (see below). If you get withdrawal symptoms when tapering by 18.75mg every 2 weeks, reduce the amount of your dosage decrease to 10% and extend the tapering interval to 4 weeks. But I suppose I could just try it at 50mg reduction per two weeks or per month. 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
AliG Posted December 12, 2016 Posted December 12, 2016 Storm. You could stay with your original cautious taper : in fact that's wise. I think SW was just unsure where the 18.75 mg was coming from which you have explained. Would you mind very much increasing the font size of your signature. It's extremely hard to read. Thanks in advance. Ali Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 .
LostInMarshes Posted December 14, 2016 Author Posted December 14, 2016 Storm. You could stay with your original cautious taper : in fact that's wise. I think SW was just unsure where the 18.75 mg was coming from which you have explained. Would you mind very much increasing the font size of your signature. It's extremely hard to read. Thanks in advance. Ali Hi Ali, Thank you for that tip. I've been taking the 18(ish) dose for a couple of days and feel better. I have a pill cutter, but it doesn't really cut precisely every time, so for all I know one day I may be taking 20mg and another day 16mg and so forth. Is this dangerous to do? Do I need a better pill cutter? I've increased the font of my signature. Is it easier to read? I have a question, if anyone might have insight into this. I'm concerned that I haven't been functional for so long. I was able to function before, during, and even after rapidly tapering from Paxil in 2001 or so, until around 2003, when I "met" my Complex PTSD for the first time due to a tumultuous relationship that invoked body memories of being abused. I was trapped in this situation and had nowhere to go. Fell completely apart and developed agoraphobia. Then I was prescribed Zoloft, started to function and left the situation. Ever since then I cannot function, though I had short periods of time when I could and went to school or worked. After a couple of years trying different meds too quickly and tapering too fast, including benzodiazepines which I quit cold turkey and did not experience problems, I went back to Zoloft and had a bout of functionality, but though my dose was increased to the maximum that I could tolerate, I became as nonfunctional as I was back then and have been the same for over a year now and unemployed. Though I attribute this to my starting withdrawal. My question is, could the Paxil and the fast taper from it be the culprit for all these years of barely being able to Be? Could I still be going through protracted withdrawal from Paxil? The mystery of whether it was Paxil that altered my brain chemistry so much that I was bound to develop full-blown PTSD, or the PTSD flare that altered my nervous system so much that it left me in this state, I agonize over... 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
LostInMarshes Posted December 15, 2016 Author Posted December 15, 2016 I just don't understand how I could be nonfunctional for 13 years! And not getting any better!! *suddenly terrified* 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
LostInMarshes Posted December 17, 2016 Author Posted December 17, 2016 If anyone else has been unable to function for years like me (13 years or a little bit more), due to the drugs, please let me know? I'm experiencing subtle mourning... for living in a fog... I thought something was really wrong with me and all therapists (counselors) I've had were as dumbfounded as I. I was ready to accept my lot - that nonfunction is what I am. But then BeyondMeds started calling to me... What is it like? To live a life of absolute joy? What is it like to not live in a fog? I can almost taste it... 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
AliG Posted December 17, 2016 Posted December 17, 2016 Storm. Many of us have lived in the fog you talk about including me and a lot of others here. It's not that foreign to any of us but apres drugs it really does start to improve. I have experienced many moments of joy since then however I have found that you have to work for them - they don't just drop in your lap. Sometimes when you think you have it down pat and sorted - it can come back to bite you yet again. That is when you have to dig deep and keep going no matter what. Looking into your self- care / love and forging ahead despite the odds. The " slivers of light " are enough sometimes to keep you going in a forward direction, moment by moment. You will get there. Hugs, Ali Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 .
LostInMarshes Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 Hi Ali, thank you for this ... having trouble forming words. I'll have to come back to your post I have so many questions... about my Wellbutrin taper I feel bad for asking... there are so many others here who need help and the volunteers try to help all... my life is a blur from one day to the next.. I haven't worked in over a year.. I'm financially supported by a family member I want very little to do with, and he's the only one who cares.. and live below the poverty line, but am somehow okay.. Barely go out and don't talk to anyone except for my boyfriend, who calls me every day to check up on me and offer me a conversation.. I lose the ability to speak, spending so much time in silence with my cats. I used to have 200 friends on a social media, and now am down to 6, only two of whom are really in my life. Yes, this is me feeling despondent and depressed due to Wellbutrin taper. It's probably a life story so many others here relate to. A note for my self which should be made into a written one-- As Monica Cassani warns, this should be my #1 priority: It’s become clear to me that whenever it’s possible that it’s helpful for folks who’ve not begun withdrawal and have the time to consider a carefully thought out plan to attempt to bring greater well-being to your body/mind/spirit before starting the withdrawal. I did not know to do that, but in retrospect had I known what a profoundly healthy and clean diet and healing lifestyle could do, I would have worked towards those things first. So, that means learning how to profoundly nourish your body/mind and spirit prior to beginning a withdrawal, and then throughout the process, so that it might all be a healing process, rather than one of total destruction and disability (like it’s turned out for so many of us). 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
LostInMarshes Posted December 21, 2016 Author Posted December 21, 2016 Something's wrong since the Wellbutrin tapering attempts. I'm completely not myself. Talking hurts. Being awake hurts. I'm so alien to myself that only spending all my time in bed and asleep gets rid of the pain. Where did I go wrong? * Deciding to take the SR twice daily, instead of once daily as prescribed by the doc? I thought he made a mistake in having me go from XL 150mg once a day to SR 150mg once a day. The switch didn't feel good. Have I essentially increased my dosage to 300mg, really damaging myself? * Cutting up the SR into five pieces? * Cutting unevenly and not taking quite the same dose every day? * Having recently gone four days without the med? Should I go back to XL and try again? Strange sensations in my brain, too :/.... 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted December 21, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted December 21, 2016 There are few "shoulds" in this process. We're all doing individual experiments to figure out what works. We may be able to see something in your symptom pattern. Please keep notes on paper of your symptoms and the times of your dose(s), then post a few days worth of notes here in your introduction. This post has a useful format for a daily log: Take notes of doses and symptoms 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet
LostInMarshes Posted January 4, 2017 Author Posted January 4, 2017 Thank you for the link. Just needed to let this out and write with a heavy heart that currently I don't feel so good after skipping a dose when I was too lazy to go to the pharmacy on time. I've felt so frighteningly "depersonalized" since then. It affected relationship with my SO. I went from super happy on New Year's Eve, to not myself the next day - distant, shutoff, not honest about my day, and the dichotomy affected something between us. I can also acutely sense that he really -was- trying to end our romantic relationship a few weeks ago... but couldn't do it. (we haven't spoken for two days) ~ Signing off, Scared, alone, and not "getting anywhere", as he put it when he, I believe, tried to break up :,( :,( 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
LostInMarshes Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 I was down to 13.75mg of Wellbutrin SR for a couple of weeks, then stopped it altogether a week or two ago. I think I'm ok but not sure. Should I have cut it into an even smaller piece? 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted March 21, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Posted March 21, 2017 I hope that you'll be okay. Looking at your signature, it seems that you were at 112.5 mg in December 2016. To have reduced to 12.5 by early March is a fast taper. The most conservative approach is to taper to as low a dose as possible. Each situation is individual; there's no way of knowing how you'll do. You are still taking two other medications so that may buffer the bounce of the fast taper and discontinuation. You'd be wise to consider staying at your current doses of Zoloft and trazodone for at least 3 months to make sure that symptoms don't sneak up on you and to allow your CNS (central nervous system) to adjust to the absence of bupropion. 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet
street129 Posted October 17, 2017 Posted October 17, 2017 On 10/5/2017 at 3:33 PM, Stormstrong said: Trazodone and Zoloft is also the combination that is the bane of my existence..... im in new york , did you got stable on trazodone. im tapering it and stuck at 225mg now going on 2 months. JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017 250mg trazodone 250mg Aug 21, 2017 tapering before I found SA 200mg - Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA 225mg - Aug 26, 2017 updose holding November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal June 14, 2020 at 10% 507 My first start of my trazodone 250mg taper 6/16/20 90 mgai 7/26/20 81 mgai 9/6/20 72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai 11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai
LostInMarshes Posted October 25, 2017 Author Posted October 25, 2017 On 10/17/2017 at 7:03 AM, street129 said: im in new york , did you got stable on trazodone. im tapering it and stuck at 225mg now going on 2 months. Hi street129. I'm not yet withdrawing from Trazodone, only Zoloft. 225mg sounds like a large dose. Are you tapering as they suggest, at 10-5% a month, holding for 2 months? 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
street129 Posted October 26, 2017 Posted October 26, 2017 19 hours ago, Stormstrong said: Hi street129. I'm not yet withdrawing from Trazodone, only Zoloft. 225mg sounds like a large dose. Are you tapering as they suggest, at 10-5% a month, holding for 2 months? im on my 3rd month not yet stable. Im longing for sablility JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017 250mg trazodone 250mg Aug 21, 2017 tapering before I found SA 200mg - Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA 225mg - Aug 26, 2017 updose holding November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal June 14, 2020 at 10% 507 My first start of my trazodone 250mg taper 6/16/20 90 mgai 7/26/20 81 mgai 9/6/20 72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai 11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai
LostInMarshes Posted December 31, 2017 Author Posted December 31, 2017 I don't think anyone will read this. My threads are so empty, compared to the threads of others'. I feel so invisible on the web I broke up with my boyfriend of almost 3 years. On day after Xmas. I was angry at his undying support for Trump and lashed out in an email. In response to my long email he sent me a single link for a recent study done on antidepressants, revealing that long term outcomes on them are absolutely dismal. a tongue in cheek saying of "you're too fucked up to even think clearly, why try to lecture me?" So this is what his view of me is. I'm devastated and didn't know he could hurt me this bad. Gone is my main social support. Without it, it's easy to relapse into "wishing I was dead" ruminations (I won't do anything, of course... because I know that I'd be successful (I'm very resourceful)...and I feel that I have to be here on this earth until I die of natural causes, because I feel or want to believe that I'm going through shamanic initiatory illness - for a greater purpose) - it's just that my threshold for emotional pain went down at age 30... and when I reach that all to familiar place of pain brought on by loneliness and isolation, I immediately wish I didn't live here any longer. A place in my body that's filled to the brim and can't take any more. I do have a therapist now, thank god. She and I click very well and I can talk to her about anything. Thinking of spending my New year's eve alone, too. It will be tough. Maybe I could simply fall asleep early. 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!!
Moderator brassmonkey Posted December 31, 2017 Moderator Posted December 31, 2017 The best revenge would be to prove him wrong, make a complete recovery and then move on without him. We know for a fact that it can be done, and there's no reason that you can't do it too. The majority of negative reports about AD recovery are written by the medical establishment who, we all know, don't have a clue about how to go about it in a safe effective manner. I'm very sorry to hear that your ex is such a pig and has treated you so badly. His lose. The name you chose for yourself tells me everything about you, after the thunder and lightning everything will be beautiful. ((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))) Brassmonkey 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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