Johawaii Posted November 5, 2017 Posted November 5, 2017 I had been suffering from insomnia for 6 months and went to the Drs who decided that it was depression rather than just insomnia. In my niavity I took the 10mgs for 8 days. Within those eight days, I completely changed. I stopped sleeping, I couldn't eat and had crazed anxiety I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Plus all these thoughts entered my head that were never there before. I lost all comfort in my own company, which had never been a problem I had spent 9months on my own. Over the last 3 months it has got progressively worse, to the point of feeling suicidal. How can a drug have such an effect and has anyone been able to come out of the otherside? I have now been prescribed trazodone but don't really want to take it, but am scared I have run out of options. Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted November 5, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Posted November 5, 2017 Hi Johawaii and welcome to SA, It's sounds like you had a bad reaction to whatever drug you were prescribed. You don't mention the name of the drug. Because you have already experienced a bad reaction to one psychiatric drug there is a possibility that you may experience a bad reaction to other psychiatric drugs. Taking trazodone, or anything else, might make things worse. It is usually better not to take anything and give your brain time and the necessary environment (calm and stability) for it to heal. We encourage members to learn and use Non-drug techniques to cope Q: Have you ever taken a psychiatric drug before? We request all members to create a drug signature. This is the preferred format: A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly? Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. Any drugs prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. This is your own Introduction topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress. * 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
Ali4 Posted November 6, 2017 Posted November 6, 2017 Welcome to S.A. I am on celexa and know how you feel, if you ever need to talk or need support I'm here for you. 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.
Johawaii Posted November 7, 2017 Author Posted November 7, 2017 Ali, have you seen any improvement? Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Johawaii Posted November 7, 2017 Author Posted November 7, 2017 Thank you Ali, it's desperate times. I have ended up in a pysch ward. How can these tablets do such horrendous things Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Ali4 Posted November 7, 2017 Posted November 7, 2017 13 hours ago, Johawaii said: Ali, have you seen any improvement? Fully stable. 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.
Johawaii Posted November 7, 2017 Author Posted November 7, 2017 Hi Ali, I have felt like I have lost myself, in terms of it has really affected my personality. Have you stopped the drug and how long did it take for you to feel yourself again? Did you do anything else to feel better? Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Krasiyan Posted November 7, 2017 Posted November 7, 2017 Come on man you can't lose yourself in just 8 days of taking an antidepressant, even if you did have a bad reaction to it. There's a ton of people on benzos, and what not for 10, 20 years that still manage to recover. You'll feel fine just relax and don't overthink it. Stop me if I'm wrong but if you are new to this it's no surprise that you come to such extreme conclusions. It's like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, and entering another world. Stimulaton 50mg 28.11.2008 - 01.11.2011 PAXIL (Xetanor) 40mg; 30.11.2011 - 19.09.2017 Tapered : 19.09.2017 - 29.09.2017 20mg Tapered : 30.09.2017 - 10.10.2017 5mg Reinstated : 03.11.2017; 5mg 14.11.2017 - 10 mg 13.12.2017 - 20mg
Pepita Posted November 7, 2017 Posted November 7, 2017 it's going to be alright! You are going to recover from this! The reaction to antidepressants, or to withdrawing from them, can indeen give us the impression thst we lost our personality. We feel and react completely different than we are used to. But there is no way around, you just have to stay as calm as possible - and get through it. It will pass! 2005-2006: Cipralex 5 mg 2009-2010: Cipralex 5 mg 2012-2015: Cipralex 5mg, 10mg tapered 10mg-7.5mg-5mg-2,5-0 (I always waited for a few weeks on the current dosage until I felt stable. Steps were too big I realized too late) Completely drug free since August 2015
Johawaii Posted November 7, 2017 Author Posted November 7, 2017 Honestly, I am not joking. It's like it totally affected my personality I have never been suicidal or had any mental health issues before. I was happy with my home, husband etc. I have found a few other people who have had such extreme reactions. I just wanted to find some hope that someone else has recovered from this. Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Ali4 Posted November 7, 2017 Posted November 7, 2017 2 hours ago, Johawaii said: Honestly, I am not joking. It's like it totally affected my personality I have never been suicidal or had any mental health issues before. I was happy with my home, husband etc. I have found a few other people who have had such extreme reactions. I just wanted to find some hope that someone else has recovered from this. I recovered, but I reinstated the drug and felt better immediately, but that's Me, I've been on celexa over 10 years. I'm still on my full dose and will do a slow slow taper. I'm sorry it has caused you issues only being on it a short time, but it does happen to some people. You have had an adverse reaction and it may take a while before you feel better. But you will get better, what symptoms are you currently having? Are you on any drugs at all? 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.
Ali4 Posted November 7, 2017 Posted November 7, 2017 18 hours ago, Johawaii said: Thank you Ali, it's desperate times. I have ended up in a pysch ward. How can these tablets do such horrendous things Been on the phych ward myself. 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.
Ali4 Posted November 7, 2017 Posted November 7, 2017 3 hours ago, Krasiyan said: Come on man you can't lose yourself in just 8 days of taking an antidepressant, even if you did have a bad reaction to it. There's a ton of people on benzos, and what not for 10, 20 years that still manage to recover. You'll feel fine just relax and don't overthink it. Stop me if I'm wrong but if you are new to this it's no surprise that you come to such extreme conclusions. It's like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, and entering another world. We are all here to support each other, not make her feel worse. 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.
virgo43 Posted November 7, 2017 Posted November 7, 2017 Dear Krasiyan. Please understand that even with one pill these toxins can cause serious problems. I was almost like electrocuted within 12 hrs of taking it. My ignorant dr told me to continue. There are many other members. One pill or a daily pill for a few years. Damage can be done instantly or it can take time. Some take it for a year and quit in a few weeks and some it takes years to taper off. Please read the links provided by the amazing moderators. Especially about brain remodeling. 1 July 2016: prescribed 25mg Zoloft, diagnosed with MDD. Developed severe reaction and taken to ER.. CSeroquel when not able to sleep, very small dose (12.5mg) but causing headache and dry mouth the next two three days, July - December 2016: 25+ 25mg, constantly in pain, had to go to ER once, January 2017: Still believing the doctors and thinking the meds are helpful, increased the dose to 75mg, had to go to ER three times, after drinking water non-stop. Realised that these meds are actually toxins and are very harmful. Looking for experts in the field, going to doctors February - May 2017: 50mg, severe withdrawal symptoms, severe burning pain in chest, lower back, Seroquel only 12.5mg but not helping. Slowly developing OCD, as the headaches and heat flash can hit any time. found SA site and started reading day and night May-September 2017: 25mg, drinking lots of water, having great pain, not able to function, ER visits because of arythmia, hot flashes October 2017: started tapering and feeling better, but the symptoms are there. Supplements: None so far, Treatment Outline.docx July 23-30th, 2017.xlsx
Johawaii Posted November 7, 2017 Author Posted November 7, 2017 Virgo43 - thank you for your words and your belief. I am so exhausted by people not believing the effect these tablets have. I will look up the links on brain remodelling. Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Ali4 Posted November 7, 2017 Posted November 7, 2017 1 hour ago, Johawaii said: Virgo43 - thank you for your words and your belief. I am so exhausted by people not believing the effect these tablets have. I will look up the links on brain remodelling. Some people just don’t understand 😔 but I believe you, celexa is a tough one, hang in there and read up on some self care, before you know you will feel better, just got to remain as positive as you can. 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.
Krasiyan Posted November 8, 2017 Posted November 8, 2017 Sorry if that came out rude or something, that wasn't my intention at all. Stimulaton 50mg 28.11.2008 - 01.11.2011 PAXIL (Xetanor) 40mg; 30.11.2011 - 19.09.2017 Tapered : 19.09.2017 - 29.09.2017 20mg Tapered : 30.09.2017 - 10.10.2017 5mg Reinstated : 03.11.2017; 5mg 14.11.2017 - 10 mg 13.12.2017 - 20mg
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted November 8, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Posted November 8, 2017 Johawaii, I know it is scary. We are here for you. We can better help you if you complete a signature according to the instructions in ChessieCat's earlier post and also answer her questions. The information i this link can also be very helpful: On 11/5/2017 at 4:54 PM, ChessieCat said: Non-drug techniques to cope Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Oct 15: 3.2mg Taper is 96% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs.
Johawaii Posted November 14, 2017 Author Posted November 14, 2017 Thank god for this site. I am been sick of been told I have depression, by every psychiatrist and friends when it was just a drug. So many people have suffered, so unnecessarily. Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Lindsay625 Posted November 18, 2017 Posted November 18, 2017 Hey Johawaii, i have just recently gone through the same thing! I took one dose of 50 mg Zoloft and the next morning i woke up with racing heart, sweating and completely restless, honestly believed I️ was losing my mind. Nobody could calm me down and I paced around for hours just feeling like i literally wanted to get away from myself if that makes sense to you. I felt like I’d lost control of myself and was not safe in my own body. This went on strongly for 3 days, i am a 21 year old female with two children and my mother had to take us all to work with her because i was not functional that whole week. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since i took that poison and I’m still not totally myself yet but i am getting there. You and i both experienced adverse effects to anti depressants. My doctor didn’t believe me either at first but then recalled that some people lack the ability to break down medication properly and thinks this may be the case with me. I can’t remember exactly what he was talking about but I’ll look into it when I get home. October 30th, 2017 one dose of 50 mg sertraline at night before bed.
Lindsay625 Posted November 18, 2017 Posted November 18, 2017 Ever since i have been experiencing intrusive thoughts which have been the worst symptom for me. They terrify me but in the last few days have died down a lot thankfully. October 30th, 2017 one dose of 50 mg sertraline at night before bed.
Lindsay625 Posted November 18, 2017 Posted November 18, 2017 I was not this way before the medication, i only took the zoloft because i was having very very mild anxiety because my children were sick with Croup and i thought it would calm me down to take it. BIG MISTAKE lol i was not a depressed nor did i have any other mental health problems before this. October 30th, 2017 one dose of 50 mg sertraline at night before bed.
Johawaii Posted November 19, 2017 Author Posted November 19, 2017 Wow lindsay625, I cant believe that we are treated like guinea pigs. Hope you are feeling better, I am still looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Lindsay625 Posted November 20, 2017 Posted November 20, 2017 Johawaii, yes we have been treated like guinea pigs! If only these doctors knew the lives they are RUINING with these medications. Not only does it effect those of us who took the medication but our spouses, our children, and our families having to watch us go through this! I used to be annoyed by people and their conspiracy theories about the pharmaceutical industry but now i regret never listening to them. On another note i have been experiencing a lot of windows since i have cut out sugar and carbs from my diet. I’ve discovered i react badly with any sugar, even the natural sugars in fruits. Look into the keto diet if you’d like i feel as though this has helped me tremendously. October 30th, 2017 one dose of 50 mg sertraline at night before bed.
Lindsay625 Posted November 20, 2017 Posted November 20, 2017 And there is without a doubt light at the end of the tunnel. We all will recover whether you feel like it or not! I’ve read many places where people recovering from years and years of drug abuse and alcohol abuse and people who’ve had strokes make full recoveries because the brain has a tremendous and surprising ability to heal itself, adapt and recover from damage. We are going to be okay it will just take time and care. October 30th, 2017 one dose of 50 mg sertraline at night before bed.
Johawaii Posted November 21, 2017 Author Posted November 21, 2017 Lindsay, thank you for your support and your positive thoughts. How do you manage the intrusive thoughts? Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Lindsay625 Posted November 21, 2017 Posted November 21, 2017 I try not to fight them. When they come i process it and then think about how irrational it is and remind myself there is no meaning to it. If it causes an anxiety spike i try to just embrace it which makes it go away. It’s easier said than done, when I was reading about reacting this way i rolled my eyes at the thought of it. But now that I’ve been actually applying this, it has been helping a lot! 1 October 30th, 2017 one dose of 50 mg sertraline at night before bed.
Hopefull Posted November 23, 2017 Posted November 23, 2017 Hi Jihawaii, There is light at the end of the tunnel. Ignore people that don't believe you. Take each day as it comes and believe that healing is taking place every day. I understand what you mean, by feeling like you lost your self, because you literally do. Your self does come back, but it does take time for some people. Take care, Hopefull. DRUG HISTORY: November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction). January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey). January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering. October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg. September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed. September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised. February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol.
Farout Posted December 7, 2017 Posted December 7, 2017 On 08/11/2017 at 5:11 AM, Johawaii said: Virgo43 - thank you for your words and your belief. I am so exhausted by people not believing the effect these tablets have. I will look up the links on brain remodelling. I believe you. This has happened to me. It takes a while but you do get back to yourself. It can be quite a journey; full of doubt, strange sensations and all sorts of emotional fallout but you will recover. March 2003 took two sartroline tablets after a traumatic incident and had a reaction so stopped. I am not sure now whether what I had for the next 18 months was WD after the reaction or the emotional fallout from the traumatic event. Some of it was very similar to WD in hindsight. February 2014 - Took five pristiq (50mg) tablets and three Ativan and had a severe reaction.Extreme withdrawal symptoms for three weeks compounded by visit to naturopath -One week later took 900mg St John's Wort x 3 daily for six weeks - more negative effects and suspected serotonin syndrome - before tapering over three weeks. Last tablet late May 2014.Waves and windows cycle of recovery with longer windows and manageable waves.May 2015 - already in a mild wave, following a usual pattern, I took clarithromicin and amoxicillin for two weeks for a sinus infection which I also seem to have had quite a reaction to. February 2016 - Feeling much better. I still have waves and windows but they are manageable. I'm largely enjoying life again.
Johawaii Posted December 7, 2017 Author Posted December 7, 2017 Hi Farout, how long did it take you? I was on the drugs for a week! I can’t understand how it can have such and adverse effect. Jo Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Farout Posted December 8, 2017 Posted December 8, 2017 It took a while. I’m probably about 99% recovered now but I still have the odd residual symptom. Throughout my recovery I’ve had lengthy windows of feeling fine. It can be a long and frustrating process but nothing like the early days, where it was really oppressive and all consuming. I took the ADs for less than 3 days. I’m not sure if swapping between ADs will be doing you any favours but I completely understand the desire to try anything which might alleviate the symptoms of the acute phase following an adverse reaction. It might be worth getting some advice from a mod about safely tapering off everything and see where you are from then. March 2003 took two sartroline tablets after a traumatic incident and had a reaction so stopped. I am not sure now whether what I had for the next 18 months was WD after the reaction or the emotional fallout from the traumatic event. Some of it was very similar to WD in hindsight. February 2014 - Took five pristiq (50mg) tablets and three Ativan and had a severe reaction.Extreme withdrawal symptoms for three weeks compounded by visit to naturopath -One week later took 900mg St John's Wort x 3 daily for six weeks - more negative effects and suspected serotonin syndrome - before tapering over three weeks. Last tablet late May 2014.Waves and windows cycle of recovery with longer windows and manageable waves.May 2015 - already in a mild wave, following a usual pattern, I took clarithromicin and amoxicillin for two weeks for a sinus infection which I also seem to have had quite a reaction to. February 2016 - Feeling much better. I still have waves and windows but they are manageable. I'm largely enjoying life again.
Johawaii Posted December 8, 2017 Author Posted December 8, 2017 Hi Farout, it was just for insomnia and so I will never take another ad again in my life. I have just had my first three days of sleeping normally and dreaming without any medication so I hope that is a sign of things improving. It was the personality change that has been the hardest I was such a happy person before I miss my old self. I hope it comes back soon. Citlopram 10g - 7 days August 2017 - sever adverse reaction Mirtazapine 3.75g x 5, 5 x 15g 5 days September trazadone - 150g since 01/11/17
Moderator brassmonkey Posted December 21, 2017 Moderator Posted December 21, 2017 Hi Jo-- I'm taking the liberty of reposting my response to your PM here so you will have a record of it. Also there are other members and lurkers that are in the same situation and it would be good for them to see the information. Hi Jo-- I'm so sorry that you've been put in this position. I really hate seeing new members who have only take a few pills and end up having such rough time of it. It's very frustrating, but there isn't much that can be done except wait it out. The good news is that you will recover. Over the years we have had a number of members in your situation and they all have or are recovering nicely. Theelt712 had a very rough time of it in the beginning. However, she managed to graduate high school with honors and should be completing college any time now and is quite the poet from what I hear. Others have completed degrees, started families, gone on to med school. Getting through the first several months is the roughest, then the improvement start to show up. The really unfair/frustrating thing is that it's going to take a long time. For many of those members it wasn't until about the 18 month mark that they see a really big improvement. (I really hate saying that). There is a lot of information on the site for methods and techniques to help ease the time. The big thing is to roll with the ups and downs, don't panic if weird things happen and try to continue on with your life as best as possible. I'm going to repost this on your intro thread so you will have a copy that is easier to find. I hope this was helpful. 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
Lindsay625 Posted August 19, 2019 Posted August 19, 2019 For anyone who comes across Johawaii's story, I just wanted to update since she no longer comes on here, she is doing AMAZING. Truly one of the strongest people I know. A huge beacon of hope to others who find themselves in this situation. There is hope for healing, it takes work though. October 30th, 2017 one dose of 50 mg sertraline at night before bed.
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted August 19, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Posted August 19, 2019 Hi Lindsay, thank you for letting us know. It would be really great if Johawaii could post herself and tell us in more detail about her recovery. * 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
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 7, 2020 Administrator Posted August 7, 2020 On 8/21/2019 at 11:27 AM, Johawaii said: Well, I made it. I bear the scars both emotionally and physically. The only way I can describe it is I crawled through hell. I had a gene test which showed I was missing a crucial gene and several key enzymes so effectively I was a genetic mutant and could never process the medication, an insight that was too late after its path of destruction. In the process of recovery I lost everything; my husband of 24 years, my home, family and friends. Most importantly myself, my sanity and hope. It was two years on 9 August that the my life changed forever. During all this, I also broke my back and ankle, nearly died several times and well I guess as they say you never know how strong you are until there is no other choice. But I can now honestly offer hope. Those that first commented on my post, the first signs of recover were 18 months in. I think in summary it takes that long for neurotransmitter to start reforming. The insomnia that tortured me for two years, I would go days without sleep, and be plagued by intrusive thoughts, finally stopped. I was able to sleep for a couple of hours which has now come back to 8 hours. I walked away from my old life. I have moved town to be by the sea, something that was personally healing for me. I worked on the premises of Neuroplasticity, I worked on re-wiring my Brian happy. I couldn’t undo the trauma, the intrusive thoughts, so I had to learn to make peace, live with a chattering mind that I had never had in my life. I started small; volunteering, exercise, yoga, waking by the beach, anything to distract myself from my mind. I made in-roads at building a network of new people, through, church etc. It paid off. It would be for snippets but I would have moments of peace again, those moments finally started to become joy again. I started to have feelings again that we’re mine, I started to be me again. I am now working back as a digital manager, back what I used to do, I run, bike, paddleboard, yoga, swim in the ocean, which is a miracle inself as I was nearly paralysed breaking your back, and have metal rods holding my spine together now. I was a marathon/long distance cyclist before all of this. I cherish the moments where I forget about the hell that was my life. I never thought I would ever make it through the otherside; I have overcome, suicide, intrusive thoughts, a broken back, ankle, blood poisoning, loss of my husband, family and friends. But i always say, maybe this awful tragedy, of losing everything, was so I could find everything, me. I know I will never be the same person, but I am determined to make the most of who I am now and the life I have been given back. Sadly there was no therapy, words, treatment that could have helped on this earth. I was driven beyond despair. I can only think it’s a survived. I look at people with normal illnesses, the cancers etc where everyone understands. But for us, who experience something so awful which is blamed on everything else, other than the sheer fact we were poisoned. If I was allergic to a peanut it would have all been fine however, I just was poisoned going to my gp. I have done so much research and finally people are getting heard about the hell ssri’s Cause, destroying completely normal people’s life. I hope one day the tablets are banned and people realise that there are much safer ways to deal with the common ailments called life. For everyone still walking through hell, hold on. Please find the most simplest forms of distraction and hold on to them. The tiny shards, of light in the darkness will become daylight again. The brightest stars shine in the darkest night. I tend to keep away from all the forums, it was part of my healing. Sadly I wasn’t strong enough to help others at the time, it was taking all my energy to simple survive. Someone recently said to me heal your soul, and your mind and body will follow. It did! @Johawaii, how are you doing? 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.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now