Beatrice Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 Hello Everyone: I am now joining this forum. I am planning to talk to my dr. about going off my drugs. I have been on antidepressants since 2002. Mother died August 2001, 9/11 happened ten days later, father died 9 months later. Siblings were horrible to me. I stepped into a scapegoat role and it was not for my highest good. I couldn't cope. Suicidal by January 2002. Went on one antidepressant, don't recall which one. Changed to Lexapro 20 mg. one a day, Wellbutrin XL 300 one a day. I also have a low thyroid and take Synthoid. These are now all the generic versions. I have grown a lot since my diagnosis of depression and anxiety. I have lots of tools in my belt. Been through menopause and am doing fine. I am 58 years old, married over 30 years, grown kids. It feels like I woke up one day and realized I couldn't cry. I don't feel anything deeply. I feel flat and apathetic. I have read some other articles and they likened the feeling to a chemical lobotomy. That hit home. I haven't talked to my husband or dr. yet. I know this is my decision and I want to make an informed one. So I joined this group. I am ready for a different life experience. Thank you, Beatrice January 2002 Effexor (the beginning) Changed to Lexapro, added Wellbutrin (unsure of dates) March 2015 Lexapro 20 mg. once a day (generic) Wellbutrin XL 300 once a day (generic) Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 19, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 19, 2016 Hi Beatrice, Welcome to SA. This a really great site with lots of information and supportive members and knowledgeable volunteer staff. I'm really pleased that you have been researching prior to doing anything about getting off your drug/s. Thank you for completing your signature with your drug history. It is a good idea to update it each time you make a change to your dose so that it remains current and can be seen at a glance. I've given you some links to check out. You can use your Intro/Update topic to ask questions and to journal your progress. The mods will be able to offer more specific suggestions but the links are a good start. Why Taper My Dose by 10%? Brain Remodelling What Should I Expect From My Doctor About Withdrawal Symptoms? How Do You Talk to a Doctor About Tapering and Withdrawal? Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin, SR, XR, XL (buproprion) Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram) Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first? * 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Fresh Posted March 19, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 19, 2016 Hi Beatrice , welcome to the site. Please put ALL medications you take into the Interaction Checker at www.drugs.com , and copy any adverse reactions here. Chessie Cat has given you loads to read , so I won't add to that. You're in a good stable position to start this process , and you'll get all the information and support you need here. If you click FOLLOW at the top right , you'll receive an email each time someone posts here. The bird is cute , you might want to make it your avatar pic? Best wishes , Fresh 1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg 2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months. July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months. Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg. October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive. March 2016 , 21mg Link to comment
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