samanthaelizabeth: How do you manage to keep working while taper off

[doxxigirl]

1 hour ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi Doxxi--  Don't panic, at first glance it looks like things are fine.  A quick question to make sure though.  Would you please verify that the concentration of the liquid is 1:1 (1mL contains 1mgai)  Your post above indicates that, but need to make sure.  If the concentration is 1:1 then by measuring 40mL you took the correct dose.  It doesn't matter how much orange juice you used, it just acts as flavoring.  BTW, never use grapefruit juice or grapefruit soft drinks.  There is something in it that doesn't play well with most medications and can cause real trouble.

 

Brassmonkey

Hi @brassmonkey, Thank you for getting back to me.  The liquid that I just picked up this morning is 1ml per 20mg.  I don't know if the concentration is 1:1. It doesn't matter how much orange juice I use?  It doesn't get dilluted by the juice?  Thank you for your assistance, I truly appreciate it.

[ChessieCat]

4 hours ago, doxxigirl said:

The liquid that I just picked up this morning is 1ml per 20mg.

 

I will ask BrassMonkey to check my information.

 

If the bottle says that 1mL = 20mg then that is a 1:20 ratio, meaning that if you take 1mL of liquid then you are taking 20mg drug.

 

150mg tablet

4ml Liquid Zoloft (40mg) = 190mg Zoloft??

 

4ml Liquid Zoloft (40mg)     (this would be a ration of 1:10)

 

From my calculations it looks like you have increased your dose.

 

4mL Liquid Zoloft - I am assuming that you took this straight from the bottle and you are not talking about a diluted amount.

 

If you took the liquid straight from the bottle 4mL Liquid Zoloft would be 1mL = 20mg so 4mL = 80mg (20mg x 4)

 

If this is the case you have taken:

 

150mg tablet + 4mL/80mg Zoloft Liquid = 230mg total dose.

 

If this is correct, then it might be a good idea to take 200mg for 1 week before making a reduction.

 

This is what I calculate to be the correct combination:

 

150mg tablet + 2mL/40mg = 190mg

 

Edited March 6, 2018 by ChessieCat

[brassmonkey]

Hi Doxxie--  If the bottle says that 1mL of liquid contains 20mg of zoloft (1:20) that is the concentration.  This can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and med to med.  That's why we have to ask.  If what you're saying is true then the calculations the Chessie has done are correct and you've done a good size updose.  But I will say again "Don't Panic".  It was only for one day and any affects should pass quickly.  Like Chessie pointed out it would be a good idea to stay at your dose of 200mgai for a week and let things settle out before trying to do any tapering.

 

The volume of orange juice does not matter.  Your dose is being controlled by the amount of zoloft that you are taking directly from the bottle.  Take less from the bottle and your have a lower dose, take more from the bottle and you have a higher dose.  All the orange juice does is make it taste better.  If you don't drink all of your juice then you will be missing some of the drug and not get a full dose.  The normal few drops left in the bottom of the glass won't make a difference, but a few sips could.

 

Brassmonkey

[ChessieCat]

4 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

good idea to stay at your dose of 200mgai for a week and let things settle out before trying to do any tapering.

150mg tablet + 2.5mL/50mg = 200mg

[doxxigirl]

OMG!  I cannot believe I did this.  Thank you both for your response.  I will continue to take 200mg for a 7 days and then commence my taper.  Darn it!

[ChessieCat]

The main thing is not to panic.  It's only been 1 dose and you've "caught" it.  It could have been much much worse.

 

It's just as well you posted about it.

 

Keep calm! 

[ChessieCat]

7 hours ago, doxxigirl said:

I didn't measure the orange juice that I drank the liquid with. I mixed it with a cup of orange juice.  Did I mess up my first taper? 

 

The ironic thing is you were asking about the amount of orange juice 

[brassmonkey]

Which just proves that drinking orange juice is good for you.

[doxxigirl]

Craziness ChessieCat!  I will attempt to do this properly in 7 days.

 

150MG TABLET

2ML liquid   Right?  

[doxxigirl]

5 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

Which just proves that drinking orange juice is good for you.

LOL!  Funny thing is I feel pretty good today!  I guess that dose kicked the zoloft out of poop out.   I probably threw dosed myself right into MANIA!!!!! Yikes!

[ChessieCat]

1 minute ago, doxxigirl said:

150MG TABLET

2ML liquid   Right?

 

It depends which final dose you are talking about.

 

150mg tablet + 2mL liquid Zoloft = 190mg

150mg tablet = 2.5mL liquid Zoloft = 200mg

[doxxigirl]

2 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

 

It depends which final dose you are talking about.

 

150mg tablet + 2mL liquid Zoloft = 190mg

150mg tablet = 2.5mL liquid Zoloft = 200mg

150mg tablet + 2mL liquid Zoloft = 190mg

 

Thank you, this will be the correct dose (in 7 days)  I have to be more careful, my god!

[doxxigirl]

Hello Moderators. I've been lying in bed for the last 5 hours, with I think what is called "toxic sleep".  I am afraid to take my normal dose now after the updose error yesterday.  Please advise.  Eternally grateful-Doxxi

[Kristine]

 

Hey Doxxigirl  I made a medication error this morning! It gets a little tricky when adding a liquid. So please try not to be too hard on yourself.  I've decided to write the exact dosages and stick it on my fridge. And double and triple check  I will be taking my normal dose. K 🌻

[RachelSusan]

Hi Doxxigirl,

 

I wanted to say hello to you.  As you read on my thread, I too struggle with getting the dosing right. I have also made mistakes with my dosing in the past.  You only did it one day, which is far better than doing it for a longer period.  I think you will be just fine.

 

By the way, I love dachshunds. They have such wonderful personalities.  The dachshund in your picture is a real cutie.

 

Rachel

 

[Happy2Heal]

On 3/2/2018 at 2:30 PM, doxxigirl said:

I as reading about L-Theanine.  Does anyone have any experience with this supplement?

I know someone who got some benefit from this but I believe she had issues with low energy

 

I tried it to see if it would help with anxiety and it only made it worse

 

if you do decide to try it, or ANY supplement, please just try  a tiny tiny tiny bit, to see how you react to it

 

you can really destabilize yourself with this stuff

 

it's hard to hear, but generally NON DRUG NON SUPPLEMENT self care and techniques for dealing with symptoms work BEST with NO down side, no adverse effects

 

the things you learn to deal with symptoms will help you through out your entire life!!

 

 

[doxxigirl]

6 hours ago, Kristine said:

 

Hey Doxxigirl  I made a medication error this morning! It gets a little tricky when adding a liquid. So please try not to be too hard on yourself.  I've decided to write the exact dosages and stick it on my fridge. And double and triple check  I will be taking my normal dose. K 🌻

Hey Kristine.  Thanks for reaching out and nice to meet you!  I slept horribly last night I can't believe I increased my dose by such a large amount.  I just took my regular dose, I hope I don't have too much in my system now.  Maybe I should drop it a little, or should I just stick to my regular dose?  I have awful anxiety this morning!  Hope and healing to you! 

[doxxigirl]

2 hours ago, Happy2Heal said:

I know someone who got some benefit from this but I believe she had issues with low energy

 

I tried it to see if it would help with anxiety and it only made it worse

 

if you do decide to try it, or ANY supplement, please just try  a tiny tiny tiny bit, to see how you react to it

 

you can really destabilize yourself with this stuff

 

it's hard to hear, but generally NON DRUG NON SUPPLEMENT self care and techniques for dealing with symptoms work BEST with NO down side, no adverse effects

 

the things you learn to deal with symptoms will help you through out your entire life!!

 

 

Hey Happy2Heal.  Thank you for your input, I will just stick with my magnesium as it does seem to help with anxiety.  By the way, I read your story and am inspired!  Bless you 

[doxxigirl]

3 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

Hi Doxxigirl,

 

I wanted to say hello to you.  As you read on my thread, I too struggle with getting the dosing right. I have also made mistakes with my dosing in the past.  You only did it one day, which is far better than doing it for a longer period.  I think you will be just fine.

 

By the way, I love dachshunds. They have such wonderful personalities.  The dachshund in your picture is a real cutie.

 

Rachel

 

Hi Rachel Susan.  Thanks for stopping by.  Yes, I was reading your thread.  Trying to find some people that are dealing with this poison.  I love doxxi's too, she is my second one and a spitfire!

[doxxigirl]

23 hours ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi Doxxi--  Don't panic, at first glance it looks like things are fine.  A quick question to make sure though.  Would you please verify that the concentration of the liquid is 1:1 (1mL contains 1mgai)  Your post above indicates that, but need to make sure.  If the concentration is 1:1 then by measuring 40mL you took the correct dose.  It doesn't matter how much orange juice you used, it just acts as flavoring.  BTW, never use grapefruit juice or grapefruit soft drinks.  There is something in it that doesn't play well with most medications and can cause real trouble.

 

Brassmonkey

I think if I measure my tablets and do some filing my reduction will go more smoothly.  I looked at the Gemini scales and they are quite expensive.  How do you think this one would work?  Or do you have any recommendations for a less expensive scale?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075Q44TC9/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B075Q44TC9&pd_rd_wg=3EChh&pd_rd_r=A489B7Z4GKXX02P94SGK&pd_rd_w=Lhz2E

 

[brassmonkey]

That scale looks like it would be fine. I also found this one, which appears to be the same one as the Gemini-20 only with a different name on it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESHDGOI/ref=psdc_678508011_t3_B075Q44TC9

It appears to be a bit less expensive then the Gemini-20.

[doxxigirl]

3 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

That scale looks like it would be fine. I also found this one, which appears to be the same one as the Gemini-20 only with a different name on it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESHDGOI/ref=psdc_678508011_t3_B075Q44TC9

It appears to be a bit less expensive then the Gemini-20.

Thanks BrassMonkey!

[Frogie]

2 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

That scale looks like it would be fine. I also found this one, which appears to be the same one as the Gemini-20 only with a different name on it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ESHDGOI/ref=psdc_678508011_t3_B075Q44TC9

It appears to be a bit less expensive then the Gemini-20.

Brass:

 

That is the scale I have and it worked really well when I was weighing my Lexapro. I'm on liquid now.

 

I'm going to use it when it comes time for Xanax reduction.

 

If that helps.

 

Frogie xx

[doxxigirl]

2 minutes ago, Frogie said:

Brass:

 

That is the scale I have and it worked really well when I was weighing my Lexapro. I'm on liquid now.

 

I'm going to use it when it comes time for Xanax reduction.

 

If that helps.

 

Frogie xx

Yes, thank you!

[doxxigirl]

I'm going to work very hard with positive self talk and know that I will get through this.  I am in awe of the people that have done the same.

[Frogie]

19 minutes ago, doxxigirl said:

Yes, thank you!

You are welcome!

[Kristine]

5 hours ago, doxxigirl said:

Hey Kristine.  Thanks for reaching out and nice to meet you!  I slept horribly last night I can't believe I increased my dose by such a large amount.  I just took my regular dose, I hope I don't have too much in my system now.  Maybe I should drop it a little, or should I just stick to my regular dose?  I have awful anxiety this morning!  Hope and healing to you! 

Hey Doxxigirl,  Lovey to meet you as well  I'm not a mod but from what I have read and from my own experience I would not decrease your dose but just stick with your regular dose for the time being.  Also it sounds like you are going to give the scales a go.  So it would be my advice to get the scales sorted and once you are comfortable with the scales, then move on to your next step.  I find thinking too far ahead wastes precious energy.  Also dwelling on past errors will just lead to fuelling ruminating thoughts (easier said than done, I know!) I hope you are able to sleep tonight and tomorrow is a little better. Much Love. K xo

[doxxigirl]

17 hours ago, Kristine said:

Hey Doxxigirl,  Lovey to meet you as well  I'm not a mod but from what I have read and from my own experience I would not decrease your dose but just stick with your regular dose for the time being.  Also it sounds like you are going to give the scales a go.  So it would be my advice to get the scales sorted and once you are comfortable with the scales, then move on to your next step.  I find thinking too far ahead wastes precious energy.  Also dwelling on past errors will just lead to fuelling ruminating thoughts (easier said than done, I know!) I hope you are able to sleep tonight and tomorrow is a little better. Much Love. K xo

Well surprisingly, I slept good last night.  6 more days until I can start my reduction.

[doxxigirl]

My friend/neighbor told me "oh don't try and go off your meds, you'll go crazy"  Then she told me she has been on Lexapro for 10+ years.  I am afraid of what she will encounter in a few years when her Lexapro stops working. Plus she drinks and smokes pot.  She believes that she has a chemical inbalance and went on Lexapro after all three of her sister's died.  I'm not going to talk to her about it anymore but I think one day she is going to run into a "problem"

[Happy2Heal]

8 minutes ago, doxxigirl said:

My friend/neighbor told me "oh don't try and go off your meds, you'll go crazy"  Then she told me she has been on Lexapro for 10+ years.  I am afraid of what she will encounter in a few years when her Lexapro stops working. Plus she drinks and smokes pot.  She believes that she has a chemical inbalance and went on Lexapro after all three of her sister's died.  I'm not going to talk to her about it anymore but I think one day she is going to run into a "problem"

oh this is hard. I know so many ppl in the same boat, on meds and believing that they can't manage without them.

some people very close to me, in fact.

 

I tried to steer them towards helpful information but they weren't ready for it. I hope some day (before it's too late) they will be ready.

it's hard when there's really nothing more we can do.

 

there's actually a person I know who has become aggressive and impulsive on lexapro and sadly but not surprisingly, now his dr is saying he must be "bipolar". he may end up on more drugs. his wife says the lexapro isn't 'working' and has only made him worse (he was supposedly depressed and apparently has always been in a foul mood, none of his former co workers want to have anything to do with him) Frankly for my own safety, I've basically quietly un- friended this person, because I am afraid of her husband. He already did something that scared me.

 

have you read any of this website? it's absolutely wonderful, I learned so much:

https://www.theinnercompass.org/connect

 

this information about antidepressants was a huge eye opener for me:

 

If antidepressants are not very effective, why do I/do some people seem to become much better when taking them?

If you read all of ICI’s mini-booklets on the major psychiatric drug classes you will notice that, based on the clinical trial information that was provided to the FDA, most psychiatric drugs seem to have at best very modest, short-term effectiveness in helping people diagnosed with mental disorders. These findings generally match the findings in the broader scientific literature as well. Yet some people report that they benefit immensely from taking certain psychiatric drugs. What is going on?

Many psychiatric drug trials do show that a percentage of people respond much more positively than most other people to certain psychiatric drugs. However, the studies generally cannot shed light on why that’s happening. Are these random, “lucky” occurrences? Is there a particular subgroup of people who respond better to certain psychiatric drugs due to unknown genetic, biochemical or lifestyle differences? Do a person’s responses tend to be greater or smaller depending on what is actually causing the person’s problems?

One important factor has been extensively studied: Psychiatric drug trials tend to have the highest placebo response rates in all of medicine. Most psychiatric drug trials show the majority of participants scoring substantially better on improvement tests whether they are taking a drug or placebo – apparently, simply hoping or believing that they are taking a potentially helpful psychiatric drug seems to be very helpful for many people. Indeed, in most trials this placebo effect accounts for a much larger portion of people’s apparent improvements than the drugs themselves. So while we can determine scientifically that the overall positive effects of a particular psychiatric drug are relatively modest, some people will experience the effect of the drug plus a very substantial placebo effect, which can make the drug seem to be much more effective than it otherwise might to those people personally.

There can also be, for example, “social placebo” effects, where having the encouragement and support of mental health professionals, family, and other people around you when you take a psychiatric drug can change both their and your feelings and behaviors in ways that can contribute significantly to the positive overall impacts of a drug. In addition, after experiencing some initial benefits from a drug, over time some people can have a tendency to attribute further positive developments in their moods and experiences to the drug while attributing negative developments to re-emergence of their own underlying problems.

Alternatively – and some experts argue most importantly – some people might simply more strongly like or have positive therapeutic responses to the sedating, numbing or stimulating effects of certain prescribed psychiatric drugs on their feelings, experiences or behaviors, in similar ways to how some people respond positively to the effects of coffee, cigarettes, painkilling medication, alcohol, marijuana or other drugs.

[powerback]

17 minutes ago, doxxigirl said:

My friend/neighbor told me "oh don't try and go off your meds, you'll go crazy"  Then she told me she has been on Lexapro for 10+ years.  I am afraid of what she will encounter in a few years when her Lexapro stops working. Plus she drinks and smokes pot.  She believes that she has a chemical inbalance and went on Lexapro after all three of her sister's died.  I'm not going to talk to her about it anymore but I think one day she is going to run into a "problem"

Don't for one second ever get drawn into a conversation with this friend about meds .oh how I wish I could turn back time myself .Itl be her and the doctors problem ,keep all your sympathy for yourself DG .it would be like talking to a brick wall .try it on a wall first and see how it goes .this is all from painful experience .

[doxxigirl]

2 minutes ago, powerback said:

Don't for one second ever get drawn into a conversation with this friend about meds .oh how I wish I could turn back time myself .Itl be her and the doctors problem ,keep all your sympathy for yourself DG .it would be like talking to a brick wall .try it on a wall first and see how it goes .this is all from painful experience .

Hello Powerback, Nice to meet you.  I have thought about this and will not be discussing this with her any longer.  I just know what is going to happen to her in a few years, but I have to concentrate on my own healing.  I will stop by your thread to say hello and support you in your healing.  

[powerback]

1 minute ago, doxxigirl said:

Hello Powerback, Nice to meet you.  I have thought about this and will not be discussing this with her any longer.  I just know what is going to happen to her in a few years, but I have to concentrate on my own healing.  I will stop by your thread to say hello and support you in your healing.  

Nice to meet you too ,I'm a long timer lol so don't be triggered by my thread .ye that's the thing we know what's coming but she seems to be doing fine on blunting herself with pot and drink ,just don't get drawn into anything .your recovery is for you .

 

 

[doxxigirl]

11 minutes ago, Happy2Heal said:

oh this is hard. I know so many ppl in the same boat, on meds and believing that they can't manage without them.

some people very close to me, in fact.

 

I tried to steer them towards helpful information but they weren't ready for it. I hope some day (before it's too late) they will be ready.

it's hard when there's really nothing more we can do.

 

there's actually a person I know who has become aggressive and impulsive on lexapro and sadly but not surprisingly, now his dr is saying he must be "bipolar". he may end up on more drugs. his wife says the lexapro isn't 'working' and has only made him worse (he was supposedly depressed and apparently has always been in a foul mood, none of his former co workers want to have anything to do with him) Frankly for my own safety, I've basically quietly un- friended this person, because I am afraid of her husband. He already did something that scared me.

I've only told my best friend about my wanting to taper off of this drug, she has known me my whole life so I feel safe with her.  But my neighbor, it's best if I just lay low....  Isn't it funny that these doctors will diagnose someone as bipolar because of their reaction to the drugs.  Even if they are way past the age of normal bipolar onset?  I'm sure, like someone could suddenly become bipolar at 50-60 years old, ridiculous!

have you read any of this website? it's absolutely wonderful, I learned so much:

https://www.theinnercompass.org/connect

Thanks for this, I have joined.

this information about antidepressants was a huge eye opener for me:

I am currently reading "The Antidepressant Solution" (I forget the author's name) It was recommended reading from someone on this site.

 

 

I hope you have a wonderful day, we are all rebels with a cause!  LOL!  Sad that we have to be sneaky with our docs in order to do a proper taper!

 

[doxxigirl]

1 minute ago, powerback said:

Nice to meet you too ,I'm a long timer lol so don't be triggered by my thread .ye that's the thing we know what's coming but she seems to be doing fine on blunting herself with pot and drink ,just don't get drawn into anything .your recovery is for you .

 

 

Recovery is mine,  you got that right!  I am trying to not look around this site too much because I don't want to get triggered.  But I will offer support when I can, I'm just concentrating on my taper and trying to live a normal life as much as I can.  I have a long journey ahead of me.

[Happy2Heal]

yes it's sad that we have to be less than honest, I pride myself on being a very honest person, but in this case, my HEALTH comes before honesty.

it has to.

 

 

I have to be careful who I tell, as well. the reactions I've gotten have not been too good.

 

however I have an advantage now, I"m well into recovery and my friends now see how much I've changed for the better. NOW they are very interested in the whole coming off psych drugs thing and some are looking into it for themselves

 

but for ppl I don't know well, I am still cautious. 

 

I posted something on my FB page and some person got all defensive, thinking that I was calling her weak for being on an AD and that she wouldn't have survived without it, blah blah blah

I tried to tell her, that was me just a few short years ago! believing the same thing! but she was determined to be offended and nothing I said got past that.  She was trying to tell me that I'd made her so depressed that she was now suicidal! holy sheep, all I did was post a link to the same info I just put in your thread!

so, yeh, we take care of ourselves and pray for everyone else- except those that are open to learning and finding a better way.

 

I believe the tide is slowly turning and more and more ppl will come to see the truth about Big Pharma etc.

it feels like it's painfully slow but I do believe it's happening.