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Where are all the success stories? Does nobody ever heal?

Tootsieroll
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Tootsieroll Rookie

Tootsieroll

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Posted (edited)

ADMIN NOTE To answer the questions in the topic title, see the Success Stories in this forum.

 

Also see reports of progress in the Introductions forum. Use search there if you're looking for a particular drug.

 

Related topics in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

"Is it always going to be like this?"

 

The importance of feeling good

 

Creating a new self after withdrawal

 

Protracted Withdrawal or PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome)

 

What does healing from withdrawal syndrome feel like?

 

Withdrawal dialogues & encouragement

 

Neuro-emotions

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Deep emotional pain and crying spells, spontaneous weeping

 

Health anxiety, hypochondria, and obsession with symptoms 

 

Dealing With Emotional Spirals

 

For those who are feeling desperate or suicidal

 

 

Why this topic has been closed to comments.

 

The rate the success stories are cranking out just goes to show how long it takes to heal :(. I hope it's due to people healing and never looking back.

Edited by Altostrata
Added admin note

<p>10 years of ssri and finally tapered off in 2 years. Off Celexa by jan/28/2014 and off benzos by March/6th/2014 after only two months use and still experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

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Altostrata
Altostrata

I have closed comments on this topic because it was attracting too many posts expressing unfounded attitudes of fatalism and self-sabotage that are discouraging to everyone. Many people seek psychiatr

btdt
btdt

Anybody working is a success story to me...    If I could get well enough to do that I would not have time or energy likely to be .. to work you have to be consistently well long enough to get there

Altostrata
Altostrata

I am struck by the title of this topic. Because you "believe in" something, does it exist?   Not always, but in this case, because these symptoms affect your nervous system, and your nervous system

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

Why don't you go back to the Intro forum, look up the inactive topics on the last pages, and send pms to the many people we haven't heard from for years?

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.

Tootsieroll Rookie

Tootsieroll

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  • Author
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That's a good way of finding out but I have a feeling replies won't come through. And plus I don't want to intrude and be a reminder of a period they probably want behind them.

<p>10 years of ssri and finally tapered off in 2 years. Off Celexa by jan/28/2014 and off benzos by March/6th/2014 after only two months use and still experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Mort81 Newbie

Mort81

Posted
Posted

No a bad idea Alto. But I guess tootsie os right, these people probably never want to think about it ever again. I think once they see the start of recovery they can't get far enough from this experience. I know when I recover Ill write my story. The hope that these provide is huge. I have tons saved on my phone.

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

Wowzers Newbie

Wowzers

Posted
Posted

I hope and pray to be one of those people one day. I know i will be but argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Depakote on and off 2012-2014

 

Topirimax 2015-2016 Quit cold turkey in the middle of Febuary 2016

Tramadol for three months due to stomach ailments which have now healed Jan 2015-March 2015

 

Latuda December 2015 Quit cold turkey in the middle of Febuary 2016

 

"Diagnosis" Bipolar 2....................Since 2004

DLB Rookie

DLB

Posted
Posted

I actually did just what Alto said a month ago with a PM to someone and she Pm me back with great news and then did her success story. It works.

Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg.

1/01/15 - .75 mg.

1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues...

2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me!

3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad!

4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 

4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. 

Tootsieroll Rookie

Tootsieroll

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I'm going to PM as many as I can then lol.  Sigh..I just wished that they would come back regardless because we have no clue how many there are out there in the 'verse. The more, the merrier! It would help collectively.

<p>10 years of ssri and finally tapered off in 2 years. Off Celexa by jan/28/2014 and off benzos by March/6th/2014 after only two months use and still experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Mort81 Newbie

Mort81

Posted
Posted

wow DLB thats awesome!!!

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

Mort81 Newbie

Mort81

Posted
Posted

The more succes stories we get , the more hope we have :) :)

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

Hudgens Newbie

Hudgens

Posted
Posted

I got through it and I'm still fine a year and a half later.

Sept 12th 1992-began taking Imipramine (50mgs) for panic attacks.

Stopped Imipramine after 4 months (cold turkey).

7 months later experienced "mysterious" bad flu-like symptoms, although, without upper respiratory problems or fever. Because of this and a day of panic attacks, was put on Prozac (20mgs?) for 2 months and then, when that didn't work-was put back on  Imipramine,  plus Xanax 1 mg (4Xdaily)-October 1993.

March 1999-switched from Imipramine (50mgs) to Celexa.

2008-switched to Pristiq for 3 months, then back to Effexor XR (after bad reaction to the Pristiq).

Sept 1st 2010-Switched from Effexor XR (75mgs) to Effexor Generic (solid form) in preparation for taper.

Nov 15th 2010-Began tapering from 75mgs Effexor Generic.

January 13th 2014-.06mgs

April 17th 2014-      .03mgs

May 11th 2014-       .02mgs

Ended taper October 31st 2014

Oct 4th 2015-11 months post taper and completely back to normal!

Tootsieroll Rookie

Tootsieroll

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hudgens thanks for adding to the hope!!! At this point I can't even imagine what 'fine' feels like. I have days where I feel better but symptoms are always rustling in the back and it takes slight exertion or stress to bring it forth. So its good to be reminded that it does end.

<p>10 years of ssri and finally tapered off in 2 years. Off Celexa by jan/28/2014 and off benzos by March/6th/2014 after only two months use and still experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

compsports Newbie

compsports

Posted
Posted

This may not be what you want to hear but I don't provide updates because I am not doing well.   And to be honest, if you PM me for an update, all you are doing is opening up wounds unintentionally.

 

I have had too many people do what you are doing expecting me to give a glowing report only to be very disappointed when I didn't.  A few people actually argued with my account initially but did come around when I set the record straight.

 

Personally, I would be very cautious about what you are doing.   

 

CS

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

Tootsieroll Rookie

Tootsieroll

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I haven't done anything yet as I was on the fence and needed to decide if it was the best move. The fact I haven't yet means that i still respect that people need their space away from this. I remain feeling like i initially did, the hope that people come back willingly to share their recovery so that we, the unrecovered, don't have to dig up old grounds that we don't need to. Thanks for letting us know your side of the story.

<p>10 years of ssri and finally tapered off in 2 years. Off Celexa by jan/28/2014 and off benzos by March/6th/2014 after only two months use and still experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

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Altostrata Grand Master

Altostrata

Posted
  • Administrator
Posted

But we cannot assume people are not posting because they are doing badly. We simply do not know.

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.

compsports Newbie

compsports

Posted
Posted

I haven't done anything yet as I was on the fence and needed to decide if it was the best move. The fact I haven't yet means that i still respect that people need their space away from this. I remain feeling like i initially did, the hope that people come back willingly to share their recovery so that we, the unrecovered, don't have to dig up old grounds that we don't need to. Thanks for letting us know your side of the story.

Thanks for understanding Tootsieroll.

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

compsports Newbie

compsports

Posted
Posted

But we cannot assume people are not posting because they are doing badly. We simply do not know.

Correct but my point still stands that if one writes people about how they are doing to be very sensitive to the fact that they might not be doing well.   

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

  • 2 weeks later...
Utahgal Newbie

Utahgal

Posted
Posted

I've been gone a few years because I very successfully got off gabapentin. I just wanted to forget about the whole traumatic experience.

1

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

 

8/2/17. Abilify  2.0 mg

  • 1 month later...
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Dan998 Rookie

Dan998

Posted
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Baylissa's video provides the most plausible explanation I have seen as to why there aren't too many success stories - http://baylissa.com/success-stories/ 

2001: 20mg paroxetine
2003-2014: Switched between 20mg citalopram and 10mg escitalopram with several failed CT's
2015: Jan/ Feb-very fast taper off citalopram; Mar/ Apr-crashed; 23 Apr-reinstated 5mg; 05 May-updosed to 10mg; 15 Jul-started taper; Aug-9.0mg; Sep-8.1mg; Oct-7.6mg; Nov-6.8mg; Dec-6.2mg
2016: Jan-5.7mg; Feb-5.2mg; Mar-5.0mg;  Apr-4.5mg; May-4.05mg; Jun-3.65mg; Jul-3.3mg; Aug-2.95mg; 04Sep-2.65mg; 25Sep-2.4mg; 23Oct-2.15mg; 13Nov-1.95mg; 04Dec-1.75mg; 25Dec-1.55mg.
2017: 08Jan-1.4mg; 22Jan-1.25mg; 12Feb-1.1mg; 26Feb-1.0mg; 05Mar-0.9mg; 15Mar-0.8mg; 22Mar-0.7mg; 02Apr-0.6; 09Apr-0.5mg; 16Apr-0.4mg; 23Apr-0.3; 03May-0.2mg; 10May-0.1mg

Finished taper 17 May 2017.

Read my success story

 

I am not a medical professional. The information I provide is not medical advice. If in doubt please consult with a qualified healthcare provider.

btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

 

But we cannot assume people are not posting because they are doing badly. We simply do not know.

Correct but my point still stands that if one writes people about how they are doing to be very sensitive to the fact that they might not be doing well.   

 

I have people how they are in pms many did get back to me I only asked people who had been in wd more then 5-6 years who we had not heard from.  I think they take a look at my signature and when they reply at all they get I have been trying a long time to recover... some kept in touch for a time they say they don't come here too often as they can't find a reason to.  If we find a magic bullet cure I am to send them pms... I hope I can find them again. This is to the people who were not doing well the ones who did reply to me were gracious. There were only 3-4 replies and they were not done healing yet.. maybe the ones who were done were in the South of France with Stan sipping wine and enjoying the sun... imagine... that would be nice... I searched her site trying to find how long the longest person was in protracted I could not find it ... I think it is different if your done in 3 years you have not missed too much of life and bouncing back in may be easier.. but after 3xs that amount it is a different story I think it is at least. Before I hit the wall at 18 months off I would have expected to be one of her success stories it was going just like that in 3 years I surely would have been done had it not been for that wall whatever it was. 

peace all

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

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

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

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

Tootsieroll Rookie

Tootsieroll

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for that link! It was so soothing to hear her speak those words. I love her calming voice!

 

Btdt-we will all surely heal but when is so individual. Were the ones 5-6 years out functional in society?

<p>10 years of ssri and finally tapered off in 2 years. Off Celexa by jan/28/2014 and off benzos by March/6th/2014 after only two months use and still experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Christian Newbie

Christian

Posted
Posted

I have people how they are in pms many did get back to me I only asked people who had been in wd more then 5-6 years who we had not heard from. I think they take a look at my signature and when they reply at all they get I have been trying a long time to recover... some kept in touch for a time they say they don't come here too often as they can't find a reason to. If we find a magic bullet cure I am to send them pms... I hope I can find them again. This is to the people who were not doing well the ones who did reply to me were gracious. There were only 3-4 replies and they were not done healing yet.. maybe the ones who were done were in the South of France with Stan sipping wine and enjoying the sun... imagine... that would be nice... I searched her site trying to find how long the longest person was in protracted I could not find it ... I think it is different if your done in 3 years you have not missed too much of life and bouncing back in may be easier.. but after 3xs that amount it is a different story I think it is at least. Before I hit the wall at 18 months off I would have expected to be one of her success stories it was going just like that in 3 years I surely would have been done had it not been for that wall whatever it was.

peace all

 

Hey BTDT,

You should try and get a hold of Pug. His thread is impressive.

Lexapro: started in 2002 at 10 mgs.

Ambien: started as a as needed sleep aid in 2010.

Quit Lexapro cold turkey in June 20015 due to contributing to low sodium issues.

Restarted Lexapro in late November for a week (only 5 mgs) but quit due to dizziness side effects. Side effects worsened for 3 weeks until

12/24/15: Protracted WD hit, experienced extreme anxiety, insomnia lack of full concentration and social challenges.

Reinstated Lexapro on 1/1/16 at 5 mgs. Increased per Dr to 7.5 MG. Tapered off Lexapro in March 2016.

Started 50MG of Seroquel in late January 2016 for bedtime to help in eliminate Ambien. Tapered off both Seroquel and Ambien in March 2016.

2/14/16: Prescribed both Remeron (15 MG) and Temazapam (15 MG) for sleep. Also use Klonopin and Ambien again in place of Temazapam to avoid addiction. However I did take Temazapam 60 straight days

6/15/16: Stopped use of all benzo's and now use Belsomra 1-2 times a week. Still on 15 MG of Remeron

10/11/16: Off all psych medications

 

After kindling, trying to regain my strength suffering from severe mental and physical fatigue.

btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

Thanks for that link! It was so soothing to hear her speak those words. I love her calming voice!

 

Btdt-we will all surely heal but when is so individual. Were the ones 5-6 years out functional in society?

 

Define functional?  Working no.  Feeding themselves yes having other problems with money and where are they going to live now they have depleted their resources were common themes. Still struggling with wd symptoms and waves some had health issues they thought were part of taking ADs ... not too cheery but we talked and did our best to keep up a good face.. that time may be the factor.. and it just had not been enough time yet.  They just don't see a reason to be here period. Once in a blue moon one will send me a pm.. it happens less and less. 

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

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

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

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

btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

I just asked  him for an update on his thread.  Why do you think I should contact him?  

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

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

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

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

Christian Newbie

Christian

Posted
Posted

Read his thread when you have time. He spent 2015 in bad WD while working and improved slowly over the course of the year updating us along the way. I exchanged emails with him in January and he was even doing better. I consider him a success. Piscesrising is another. Uncomfortably Numb is back to work and also doing well. Angie07 I believe is also doing well I think. Just trying to help the cause. Not sure what the criteria is for a success story.

Lexapro: started in 2002 at 10 mgs.

Ambien: started as a as needed sleep aid in 2010.

Quit Lexapro cold turkey in June 20015 due to contributing to low sodium issues.

Restarted Lexapro in late November for a week (only 5 mgs) but quit due to dizziness side effects. Side effects worsened for 3 weeks until

12/24/15: Protracted WD hit, experienced extreme anxiety, insomnia lack of full concentration and social challenges.

Reinstated Lexapro on 1/1/16 at 5 mgs. Increased per Dr to 7.5 MG. Tapered off Lexapro in March 2016.

Started 50MG of Seroquel in late January 2016 for bedtime to help in eliminate Ambien. Tapered off both Seroquel and Ambien in March 2016.

2/14/16: Prescribed both Remeron (15 MG) and Temazapam (15 MG) for sleep. Also use Klonopin and Ambien again in place of Temazapam to avoid addiction. However I did take Temazapam 60 straight days

6/15/16: Stopped use of all benzo's and now use Belsomra 1-2 times a week. Still on 15 MG of Remeron

10/11/16: Off all psych medications

 

After kindling, trying to regain my strength suffering from severe mental and physical fatigue.

btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

Anybody working is a success story to me... 

 

If I could get well enough to do that I would not have time or energy likely to be .. to work you have to be consistently well long enough to get there each day... 

 

I know there are many other things digestion sex happiness but we have to start with a low bar I think and hope for the rest if you can't work the rest is going to be a problem as we all need money to start with. 

 

I will look at them too. 

 

I guess you answering my enquiry about people who had been drugged a long time... maybe... in Pugs case at least. I will check the others.... I am looking for some one like me. 

 

It could be a case of definition... I don't think anybody in bad withdrawal is working.  My definition is can't get up can't walk falling down or feeling like you will from dizziness can't keep food down crapping vomiting the bed tinfoil on the windows.. not moving your eyes cause of brain zaps... ear plugs ... liquid diet for the most part ...easier to clean up too... sweating profusely ... changing the sheets at least once a night no sleep or wake schedule... which improves to 3-4 day runs without any sleep.. going psychotic... that is the bad withdrawal .. we need some terms defined perhaps. Working in bad wd was the last thing on my mind staying alive was what I cared about easing the suffering .. finding out what was wrong with me.. as I was sure I was dying. 

2

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

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

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

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

Christian Newbie

Christian

Posted
Posted

Oh I was confused. I thought you wanted folks to write up successes. Those are the ones off the top of my head that did it without meds. I know several that reinstated with other meds to get out of their WD but that's not really a success.

Lexapro: started in 2002 at 10 mgs.

Ambien: started as a as needed sleep aid in 2010.

Quit Lexapro cold turkey in June 20015 due to contributing to low sodium issues.

Restarted Lexapro in late November for a week (only 5 mgs) but quit due to dizziness side effects. Side effects worsened for 3 weeks until

12/24/15: Protracted WD hit, experienced extreme anxiety, insomnia lack of full concentration and social challenges.

Reinstated Lexapro on 1/1/16 at 5 mgs. Increased per Dr to 7.5 MG. Tapered off Lexapro in March 2016.

Started 50MG of Seroquel in late January 2016 for bedtime to help in eliminate Ambien. Tapered off both Seroquel and Ambien in March 2016.

2/14/16: Prescribed both Remeron (15 MG) and Temazapam (15 MG) for sleep. Also use Klonopin and Ambien again in place of Temazapam to avoid addiction. However I did take Temazapam 60 straight days

6/15/16: Stopped use of all benzo's and now use Belsomra 1-2 times a week. Still on 15 MG of Remeron

10/11/16: Off all psych medications

 

After kindling, trying to regain my strength suffering from severe mental and physical fatigue.

btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

Now that I have written down what bad withdrawal was like for me... 

 

it is easy to see improvement for sure.. it has also taken 8 years to get to where I am an inconsistent place of still having some wave like ups and downs. 

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

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

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

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

btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

Oh I was confused. I thought you wanted folks to write up successes. Those are the ones off the top of my head that did it without meds. I know several that reinstated with other meds to get out of their WD but that's not really a success.

 

With meds without meds ... standing on a teeter totter juggling monkeys I don't care.. a success is having your life completely back working is part of that...whatever gets you drug free and free is all fine with me. 

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

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

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

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

Christian Newbie

Christian

Posted
Posted

BTDT,

 

8 years ? I'm very sorry. May I ask what your lingering symptoms are at this point? What I consider bad WD is when the CNS is effected. Insomnia, crushing fatigue, thick brain fog, tinnitus, akasithia, etc. Some heroically still work (I.e. Shep). When I was in acute WD I had vertigo for 6 months with some increased anxiety. I worked and did OK. I don't consider my acute bad WD. it got much much worse after 6 months and now I consider myself in that category.

Lexapro: started in 2002 at 10 mgs.

Ambien: started as a as needed sleep aid in 2010.

Quit Lexapro cold turkey in June 20015 due to contributing to low sodium issues.

Restarted Lexapro in late November for a week (only 5 mgs) but quit due to dizziness side effects. Side effects worsened for 3 weeks until

12/24/15: Protracted WD hit, experienced extreme anxiety, insomnia lack of full concentration and social challenges.

Reinstated Lexapro on 1/1/16 at 5 mgs. Increased per Dr to 7.5 MG. Tapered off Lexapro in March 2016.

Started 50MG of Seroquel in late January 2016 for bedtime to help in eliminate Ambien. Tapered off both Seroquel and Ambien in March 2016.

2/14/16: Prescribed both Remeron (15 MG) and Temazapam (15 MG) for sleep. Also use Klonopin and Ambien again in place of Temazapam to avoid addiction. However I did take Temazapam 60 straight days

6/15/16: Stopped use of all benzo's and now use Belsomra 1-2 times a week. Still on 15 MG of Remeron

10/11/16: Off all psych medications

 

After kindling, trying to regain my strength suffering from severe mental and physical fatigue.

btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

 Insomnia, crushing fatigue, thick brain fog, tinnitus, akasithia, etc

 

I can have any or all of these at the drop of a hat...even now I would never say newer....

 

 For me this came later in wd...  second year of wd... the first part which likely is CNS disruption to a different degree.... is what I posted as bad wd above... that for me was a solid 3 months with 6 months almost the same... what you consider bad wd is not what I consider bad wd. 

second stage... still after one year

akasithia severe psychotic features... breaks seeing hearing things constant brain zaps... 3-4 days not sleeping ... food reactions... med reactions paradoxical and otherwise.... all bad... supplement reaction especially Bs... wild thoughts... still got dizzy but not as much I could walk all the time not just some times... I would not venture to run but walking became a solid pass time to deal with akasithia

Third year could walk ... brain zaps were more for being startled or if I got sick it would all come back... tooth pain body pain memory problems extreme... still comes now... 

 

we don't have near the same experience is what I can see

 

see my thread.. I came here in 2011... I stopped drugs in 2007 

2008 2009 were write offs.... 2010 was not so hot either... I was 4 years into this when I came here to SA

1

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

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

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

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

Christian Newbie

Christian

Posted
Posted

Oh no I wasn't comparing you and I (comparing scars). I didn't list all my symptoms. Just the ones I think are the worst. I don't even have tinnitus and akasithia. I have a dozen or so symptoms. I haven't mentioned on my thread the symptoms that keep me from feeling human. The fatigue, insomnia, fog, and the feeling there is a lack of oxygen flowing to my brain keep me are the constant ones that keep me from working. I'm very sorry you have suffered for so long. This month is my one year anniversary of the horrific decision to quit Lexapro CT. If I could drink alcohol, I would open some champagne. But then again the pop of the bottle would probably jolt my unstable system into a panic attack.

1

Lexapro: started in 2002 at 10 mgs.

Ambien: started as a as needed sleep aid in 2010.

Quit Lexapro cold turkey in June 20015 due to contributing to low sodium issues.

Restarted Lexapro in late November for a week (only 5 mgs) but quit due to dizziness side effects. Side effects worsened for 3 weeks until

12/24/15: Protracted WD hit, experienced extreme anxiety, insomnia lack of full concentration and social challenges.

Reinstated Lexapro on 1/1/16 at 5 mgs. Increased per Dr to 7.5 MG. Tapered off Lexapro in March 2016.

Started 50MG of Seroquel in late January 2016 for bedtime to help in eliminate Ambien. Tapered off both Seroquel and Ambien in March 2016.

2/14/16: Prescribed both Remeron (15 MG) and Temazapam (15 MG) for sleep. Also use Klonopin and Ambien again in place of Temazapam to avoid addiction. However I did take Temazapam 60 straight days

6/15/16: Stopped use of all benzo's and now use Belsomra 1-2 times a week. Still on 15 MG of Remeron

10/11/16: Off all psych medications

 

After kindling, trying to regain my strength suffering from severe mental and physical fatigue.

Christian Newbie

Christian

Posted
Posted

I want to emphasize that all symptoms are bad!

Lexapro: started in 2002 at 10 mgs.

Ambien: started as a as needed sleep aid in 2010.

Quit Lexapro cold turkey in June 20015 due to contributing to low sodium issues.

Restarted Lexapro in late November for a week (only 5 mgs) but quit due to dizziness side effects. Side effects worsened for 3 weeks until

12/24/15: Protracted WD hit, experienced extreme anxiety, insomnia lack of full concentration and social challenges.

Reinstated Lexapro on 1/1/16 at 5 mgs. Increased per Dr to 7.5 MG. Tapered off Lexapro in March 2016.

Started 50MG of Seroquel in late January 2016 for bedtime to help in eliminate Ambien. Tapered off both Seroquel and Ambien in March 2016.

2/14/16: Prescribed both Remeron (15 MG) and Temazapam (15 MG) for sleep. Also use Klonopin and Ambien again in place of Temazapam to avoid addiction. However I did take Temazapam 60 straight days

6/15/16: Stopped use of all benzo's and now use Belsomra 1-2 times a week. Still on 15 MG of Remeron

10/11/16: Off all psych medications

 

After kindling, trying to regain my strength suffering from severe mental and physical fatigue.

btdt Newbie

btdt

Posted
Posted

Oh no I wasn't comparing you and I (comparing scars). I didn't list all my symptoms. Just the ones I think are the worst. I don't even have tinnitus and akasithia. I have a dozen or so symptoms. I haven't mentioned on my thread the symptoms that keep me from feeling human. The fatigue, insomnia, fog, and the feeling there is a lack of oxygen flowing to my brain keep me are the constant ones that keep me from working. I'm very sorry you have suffered for so long. This month is my one year anniversary of the horrific decision to quit Lexapro CT. If I could drink alcohol, I would open some champagne. But then again the pop of the bottle would probably jolt my unstable system into a panic attack.

 

I was not trying to out suffer you not at all I do think we need to have a standard of terms so when we speak to all here it is with some understanding so we don't have to keep going over the terms of what is bad wd.. silly energy sucking things like that. 

 

A year is a good long time... if I could drink I would raise a glass you to you!  Since I can't we can toast with some magnesium supplements.. and an epsom salt bath... ;) I am going to have a bath now. Congratulations on getting to the one year mark this year will be better than the last one. 

 

peace to you

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

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

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

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

blazesboylan Newbie

blazesboylan

Posted
Posted

Anybody working is a success story to me... 

 

 

I have been working full-time since I started tapering two years ago. I have hardly taken any time off work as a result. Apart from that, I am taking on some post-graduate studies part-time in the autumn. I don't know if I would be considered a success story yet since I am not drug free yet. However, I am definitely going in the right direction. Slowly but surely.

 

I have quite a long way to go I suppose and from what I have been reading here there can be a host of withdrawal issues for a long time after discontinuing completely.  I am feeling quite a bit of fatigue since my last Effexor cut actually. That and more anxiety/depression than usual. However, I think that it may be passing.

 

Ireland are playing Belgium in the European Football Championships today by the way. We need a win!

 

:)  :)  :)

Previously - zopiclone, risperidone, lyrica (pregabalin), ativan (lorezapam)
01/Aug/2016 -  65mg effexor, 4.5mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
12/Aug/2016 -  75mg effexor, 4.5mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
03/Oct/2016 -  70mg effexor, 4.5mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
29/Oct/2016 -  65mg effexor, 4.5mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
25/Nov/2016 -  65mg effexor, 4mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
25/Dec/2016 -  60mg effexor, 3.6mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
18/Jan/2017 -  60mg effexor, 5.25mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
27/Mar/2017 -  54mg effexor, 5.25mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
23/Apr/2017 -  54mg effexor, 7.5mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
09/May/2017 -  75mg effexor, 7.5mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
08/Jun/2017 -  75mg effexor, 6.75mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
18/Jul/2017 -  75mg effexor, 6mg olanzapine, 15mg mirtazpine
Sometimes valium. Not daily. Supplements - Sterols and Stanols.
Note : I would really hope that nobody uses my tapering history as a guideline. It might not work well for somebody else tapering similar medications.
  • 3 weeks later...
zandro Newbie

zandro

Posted
Posted

Hello,

is there any general belief or scientific proof that once you start taking antidepressants you actually damage the brain and you can't recover form it once you stop?
I don't mean that you will never be OK again but that you actually change how your brain works and you will never be the same person again (if worse or better I don't know ;) )

Mark Rookie

Mark

Posted
Posted

Purhaps... But it seems, brain have a big recovery capabilities.

1999-2014 : 20mg Paxil, given for "IBS"...

2014 : Reduction, day 1 20mg, day 2 10mg, day 3, 20mg etc...
End 2014-jan/feb 2015 : Reduction again, 10-5-10-5, then 5mg... Then my life turn to hell.

April 2015 : Re-start at 20mg. Symptoms not stopped...  -  June 2015 : Back to 10mg. Not Better..
Sept 2015 : Stopped. 0 Mg. Awful dizziness etc. Symptoms + weight loss     -  Nov/Dec 2015 : Trial with Escitalopram.  Not better...
Jan to June 2016 : Back to 20mg Paxil. A little better, Regain weight, but awful symptoms still here...

June to sept  : 15 mg Paxil : awful    /  oct to mid nov : 20mg : no improvement
mid nov to mid jan 2017 : Cold turkey paxil to 30Mg Duloxetine : Some little improvements in december
Mid-jan to mid march 17 : cold turkey of everything... SSRI free... : Hell
mid march to may 17 :  few week 20 mg paxil : few days better sometimes...  / mid may to end may 17 : two weeks 10 mg paxil : hell
june to mid-sept 2017 : 5mg prozac : hell
july 2019 to now : SSRI FREE : get worse, then slow improvement

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