Mentor Moonpie Posted August 11, 2023 Mentor Share Posted August 11, 2023 You aren't whining or complaining! Just sharing your frustrations. You have been through so much. I know it must be maddening to have all these tests and go through this and not have any answers. Praying for you and the doctors taking care of you. Hang in there! Hugs! 1 .025 Xanax 3 x daily Start date 10-13-2013 through 8-13-2014. Started tapering 6-2014 to 8-2014. Some small discomfort. 25 mg Zoloft - Start date 5-1-2014. 50mg. 6-2014. through 7-14-2014 . Started tapering 7-14-2014, stopped tapering 10-2014. I did 1/4 of the dose a month. small discomfort. These next 3 were prescribed when I made some seriously bad choices with my thyroid medication. Was in ER twice for possible heart attack. INTENSE anxiety, panic, fear. Lost 30 pounds in 2 weeks. Thyroid levels bounced to extremes for 8 months. Dr. prescribed Zoloft 50mg 9-2105. After 2 doses had a bad reaction passed out in my bedroom. Also prescribed Xanax .025 at the same time. 3 times daily, 4 if needed. Was only on it about 2 weeks. Was not working. Trip ER they gave me an Ativan IV and it worked and lasted. switched to Ativan. 9-24-2016. 1.5 mg Ativan - .5 mg three x daily -start date 9/24/16. Attempted taper start 12-16-2016. Was shaving Pills and alternating tapering AM, PM and midday dose weekly. Buspar .5mg -2.5mg. am and 2. 5mg. pm start date 9-26-2016 . Lexapro .10mg start date - 10-26-2016. Found SA and began 10/14/2017 tapering .001 by weight of pill every 4 days Held longer if there were was WD. Was very sensitive to Ativan. 3-15-2018 Off midday dose - 7-16-2018 Off PM dose - OFF ATIVAN! 11-17-2018 10 mg. Lexapro. PM - 5 mg start date 10/11/2016 increased to 10 mg 2/2/17. 1-1-2019 Began tapering Lexapro. .001 gm every 4 days. Held longer if there was WD. Last doses some I held a month. OFF LEXAPRO! 2-21 2021 5 mg. Buspar divided into two, 2.5 mg doses AM and PM- Start date 9/26/2016 Cold turkey on Dr. direction, AM and Pm doses. Reinstated 9-22-16. Began Buspar taper 1-29-23, .001 mg by weight of pills. N.P. Desiccated Thyroid. 1-2023 Labs okay but not where I feel best. 60 mg. daily now but adding 15 mg. more twice weekly for a few months then check. Bioidentical hormones. Bi-est/Prog cream, 1/4 tsp. 1 time daily My intro: Moonpie:. Need help and supporting tapering off of Ativan My benzo thread: Moonpie: Need help Ativan weight tapering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator brassmonkey Posted August 12, 2023 Author Moderator Share Posted August 12, 2023 Thank you, a little encouragement goes a long way. 3 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peaceandlove Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Hello, how long did your intrusive thoughts last? I’m 15 months from my adverse reaction & I still have them. It’s like my mind is obsessed with harmful, scary things. It’s my most concerning symptom @brassmonkey I wasn’t like this before 😔 1 April 2022- Only 1 celxa pill 10mg had an adverse reaction & never took anymore again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator brassmonkey Posted August 18, 2023 Author Moderator Share Posted August 18, 2023 It's been a while, but as I remember my intrusive thoughts were quite active for about three years and then started to fade. It's hard to describe because I was working on controlling them those three years and they decreased the whole time. Once I got good at controlling them they faded over the rest of my taper. They are however, a normal part of life so they will always be there to a minor extent, just easier to control and ignore. 2 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted September 6, 2023 Share Posted September 6, 2023 Brassmonkey, I’m sorry you are having this coughing issue! How frustrating to have no answers yet. I’m thinking of you. Good luck with your next appointment. I hope you can get some good news! 🧚♀️Rosetta https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator brassmonkey Posted September 7, 2023 Author Moderator Share Posted September 7, 2023 Hi @Rosetta, nice to hear from you. Got the results from my latest CTs yesterday. Good but disappointing. They were able to find nothing wrong with my chest and throat area except for a lot of arthritis in my neck and shoulders. Other than that, I'm in good shape. Meaning that I've very healthy, but no idea why I'm coughing so badly. Now I have to get my appointment with the Ears, Nose and Throat guy moved up to see what he has to say. All in all, I am very frustrated. Things have calmed down to the point I can carefully work on projects and the like, but I have to really pay attention not to push things too much. 3 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted September 8, 2023 Share Posted September 8, 2023 Hmmm. Do you take an ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure? If not, maybe you have a mild form of asthma? Did they check you for pertussis? Did anyone mention post-nasal drip being a cause? I know you will keep making them check you for cancer, of course. Seeing the ENT doctor is a good idea! https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sufferingpassenger Posted September 25, 2023 Share Posted September 25, 2023 Praying for you @brassmonkey 2011 - 2012 Venlafaxine 75 mg (14 months) 2013-2014 Cipralex 20 mg (11 months) 2014-2017 Venlafaxine 75 mg (30 months with 2 failed attempts to stop with fast taper) July 2017 - Nov 2018 Zoloft 50 mg (stopped after a 5 week taper and all hell broke loose, severe WD for 4 months) April 2019 - Zoloft 50 mg (reinstated Zoloft and stabilised after an adverse reaction on reinstatement) Moved to liquid solution as of Jan 2022 (currently dissolving Zoloft 50 mg tablets in 50 ml water) Feb 2022 - April 2023 - Withdrew 50 mg Zoloft (over 15 months) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostInCanada Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 Hoping things are getting better for you. Sending healing vibes.💯 20 yr+ Paroxetine/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ August 24-29 2022 10mg Prozac/2022.11.28-2022.12.04- 5mg Paroxetine/Dec 5&6/22 10mg Paroxetine/ Dec 8&9/22 10mg Prozac/ 2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01 5mg Paroxetine TAPER 23.07.02-58mgpw/4.9mgai/ 23.07.21-4.8 mg/23.07.28-4.73 mg/23.08.04-4.65 mg/21.09.23-4.58 mg/27.10.23-4.56 mg/5.12.23-4.54 mg/2.1.24-4.52 mg/9.1.24-4.51 mg/17.1.24-4.49 mg/26.1.24-4.47 mg/6.2.24-4.46 mg/19.2.24-4.44mg /4.4.24-4.43mg 8am-probiotics/9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/ 1000mg Vitamin D/noon-1000 mg algae oil (500mg DHA/10mg EPA/620mg Omega 3)/5pm-75 mg DGL/200mg calcium citrate/8pm-.25 mg melatonin "... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15 I am not a medical professional just your peer. The suggestions I give are based on personal experience and/or the well documented experience of others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Heath Posted October 23, 2023 Mentor Share Posted October 23, 2023 How are you doing Brass? Hope you are doing better ! 2000-2013 Paxil - 1 year fast taper 2013-2018 merry go round zoloft, cymbalta, lamictal, Prozac. Nov. 2018 lexapro 15 mgs, Dec. 2019 to Mar. 2020 taper to 10mg. Jul 2020 to October 2020 taper to 8.5 ml. Oct 2020 reinstated to 9 ml. Apr 2021 to Jul taper to 7ml. Oct 2021 to Jan 2022 taper to 5.9ml, Mar 5 2022 5.8 ml, Mar 12 5.7ml, Mar 20 5.6ml, Mar 27 5.5ml, April 23 5.4ml, April 30 5.3ml, May 7 5.2ml, Jul 9 2022 5.4ml, Klonopin prn, Allegra 180 for 3 seasons, aspirin 81 mg, plavix , nitroglycerin 0.4 mg prn, 2k mg turmeric Qunol, 4- Trader Joe’s omega 3 -2400 mg, Pepcid 20mg, Prilosec 40 mg, Tylenol arthritis 4 tablets daily, 350mg calm magnesium citrate, melatonin 2.5- 5mg as needed to sleep. Saline spray as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator brassmonkey Posted October 24, 2023 Author Moderator Share Posted October 24, 2023 Two forward and one back. Things are slowly getting better, but no one still knows what is going on. Have an appointment with an ears, nose and throat guy this afternoon. He's the last link in the chain, so hopefully he knows something. The cough is still cycling, windows and waves. But if I go slowly I can get a lot done. 4 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted October 24, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 24, 2023 I'm very glad to hear that things are getting better for you! I'm sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator brassmonkey Posted October 25, 2023 Author Moderator Share Posted October 25, 2023 Well, it only took six and a half months, two ER visits, five doctors and an NP, two MRIs, four CTs, and an EEG, but I've finally gotten an answer. Other than some bad arthritis in my neck and back, my insides are in great shape. Still, no one has any idea why I was having the terrible coughing fits, which have pretty well cleared up. But they finally figured out why I get the spontaneous choking. I have a good case of Laryngeal Spasm. More than likely brought on by the months of intense coughing. So, at random times and without much warning, my vocal cords will slam shut making it impossible to inhale. Only lasts ten or fifteen seconds but can be quite unsettling. There is no treatment, but it should go away on its own, given enough time. Also, there are some little tricks to help stop an "attack" when it happens. Tricks or no, it is still no fun when it happens. Which right now is five or six times a day. If I move at a slow pace, mind how I breathe and turn my head, but not laugh or yawn, I can stay relatively spasm free. 1 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Heath Posted October 25, 2023 Mentor Share Posted October 25, 2023 Hate the you are having the spasms, can’t be no fun - Great that coughing is gone And no bad bad news And this will go away! You are on the mend! Prayers for speedy healing! 1 2000-2013 Paxil - 1 year fast taper 2013-2018 merry go round zoloft, cymbalta, lamictal, Prozac. Nov. 2018 lexapro 15 mgs, Dec. 2019 to Mar. 2020 taper to 10mg. Jul 2020 to October 2020 taper to 8.5 ml. Oct 2020 reinstated to 9 ml. Apr 2021 to Jul taper to 7ml. Oct 2021 to Jan 2022 taper to 5.9ml, Mar 5 2022 5.8 ml, Mar 12 5.7ml, Mar 20 5.6ml, Mar 27 5.5ml, April 23 5.4ml, April 30 5.3ml, May 7 5.2ml, Jul 9 2022 5.4ml, Klonopin prn, Allegra 180 for 3 seasons, aspirin 81 mg, plavix , nitroglycerin 0.4 mg prn, 2k mg turmeric Qunol, 4- Trader Joe’s omega 3 -2400 mg, Pepcid 20mg, Prilosec 40 mg, Tylenol arthritis 4 tablets daily, 350mg calm magnesium citrate, melatonin 2.5- 5mg as needed to sleep. Saline spray as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostInCanada Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 So glad you are getting help for the side effects of coughing. Glad you are on the mend and can do some preventative measures. Still alot of stress. Patience is such a necessary quality for so much in life. Take care. 💯 20 yr+ Paroxetine/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ August 24-29 2022 10mg Prozac/2022.11.28-2022.12.04- 5mg Paroxetine/Dec 5&6/22 10mg Paroxetine/ Dec 8&9/22 10mg Prozac/ 2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01 5mg Paroxetine TAPER 23.07.02-58mgpw/4.9mgai/ 23.07.21-4.8 mg/23.07.28-4.73 mg/23.08.04-4.65 mg/21.09.23-4.58 mg/27.10.23-4.56 mg/5.12.23-4.54 mg/2.1.24-4.52 mg/9.1.24-4.51 mg/17.1.24-4.49 mg/26.1.24-4.47 mg/6.2.24-4.46 mg/19.2.24-4.44mg /4.4.24-4.43mg 8am-probiotics/9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/ 1000mg Vitamin D/noon-1000 mg algae oil (500mg DHA/10mg EPA/620mg Omega 3)/5pm-75 mg DGL/200mg calcium citrate/8pm-.25 mg melatonin "... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15 I am not a medical professional just your peer. The suggestions I give are based on personal experience and/or the well documented experience of others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted October 25, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 25, 2023 2 hours ago, brassmonkey said: I have a good case of Laryngeal Spasm. More than likely brought on by the months of intense coughing. So, at random times and without much warning, my vocal cords will slam shut making it impossible to inhale. Only lasts ten or fifteen seconds but can be quite unsettling I had this issue myself, about 25 years ago. It only happened a few times, but yes, it can be quite unsettling. I'm really glad to hear the bad coughing fits have subsided! I was getting concerned about you. I've been thinking about you. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus manymoretodays Posted October 28, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 28, 2023 On 10/25/2023 at 2:20 PM, brassmonkey said: but I've finally gotten an answer. Other than some bad arthritis in my neck and back, my insides are in great shape. Still, no one has any idea why I was having the terrible coughing fits, which have pretty well cleared up. But they finally figured out why I get the spontaneous choking. I have a good case of Laryngeal Spasm. Thank goodness brassmonkey. And what a long, long haul from illness to answers. I'm sure your time tapering and in WD helped you be patient. I am. Always thankful for you, and your timely posts on my Intro. thread when I really needed them. Most of the time I spell better, and don't get my Celsius and Fahrenheit as mixed up. I'm still very much into nature, and maybe still more in the luminal phase or is that liminal phase of change? Darn. Although, so much to learn is great. Keep healing. And yes, so nice that in time even the spasm will be history. L, P, H, and G, mmt Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks. Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988. In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm. Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time). 5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014) 12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs. My last psycho med ever! Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to 2016 Dec 16, medication free!! Longer signature post here, with current supplements. Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016. And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed. Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022. Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜 None of my posts are intended as medical advice. Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider. My success story: Blue skies ahead, clear sailing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepooka Posted November 4, 2023 Share Posted November 4, 2023 Brass Monkey I've been diagnosed with laryngeal spams aka vocal chord dysfunction and attacks in the past (though not as frequent). One trick that can help them stop in their tracks or not worsen your panic, is when they happen, close your mouth and breath through your nose and swallow a few times until they subside. This has been very effective for me. Wishing you the best. 1 2 mgs. Lorazepam (0.5mg, 4x a day) since May 2023. Weight: 110lbs. Conditions - Histamine Intolerance (on diet). Akathisia most of 2023 from SSRI rapid taper. August-December 2022 - "tapered off" 3 years of lexapro 10mg by skipping doses after undiagnosed akathisia continued mildly from IV compazine at ER in Aug '22. January 1-4, 2023 - severe undiagnosed akathisia after trying and stopping 25mg Prozac for 4 days January-May 2023 - tried and CTd many meds for akathisia - risperidone and seroquel for a day, 30mg buspar daily for 2 weeks, 2 weeks gabapentin 400mg). March 26-May 10, 2023 - 1mg Ativan in April for 2 weeks. Tried CT Ativan dozen times including switching to Klonopin. All made akathisia worse. May 10 and on - Akathisia diagnosis. Put on Ativan 2mg (0.5mg, 4x daily). Akathisia improves. Developed interdose withdrawal with evening dose and histamine intolerance. Sept-Nov - improved dose spacing. Akathisia in remission Dec 2023-present - 1.6mg Ativan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator brassmonkey Posted November 12, 2023 Author Moderator Share Posted November 12, 2023 Well, had an endoscopy of my throat last friday. As with all the other tests I've had they found nothing but nice healthy body parts. The doctor in noncommittal because it is not a "textbook case" but goes with Laryngeal Spasms. No way of knowing what is causing them, not real treatment, just have to wait them out until they go away. It's wonderful that they have found nothing wrong, It's frustrating that they have found nothing wrong, but at least I know that I am extremely healthy physically. Except for the arthritis, which is everywhere. So, looks like I'm good for another 70 years. Back on the road again at the end of the week. 5 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peaceandlove Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 On 8/18/2023 at 12:52 PM, brassmonkey said: It's been a while, but as I remember my intrusive thoughts were quite active for about three years and then started to fade. It's hard to describe because I was working on controlling them those three years and they decreased the whole time. Once I got good at controlling them they faded over the rest of my taper. They are however, a normal part of life so they will always be there to a minor extent, just easier to control and ignore. I am just now seeing this. Thank you! 2 April 2022- Only 1 celxa pill 10mg had an adverse reaction & never took anymore again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peaceandlove Posted November 21, 2023 Share Posted November 21, 2023 Also, you know there are straw exercises you do when your throat closes up like that right? I used to have that problem as well. Eventually it trains the throat to stay open & not do that anymore a speech therapist taught me them. April 2022- Only 1 celxa pill 10mg had an adverse reaction & never took anymore again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Hey, Brassmonkey, I’m sure you are “on the road again. Do, do da, do, Goin’ places that you’ve never been. Do, do, da, do Seein’ things that you may never see again . . . ,” but I digress. Just popping by to say hi. It was a relief to hear you are so healthy and will last another 70 years. I hope that you all are livin’ it up! Take care, 🧚🏻♀️Rosetta https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator brassmonkey Posted March 4 Author Moderator Share Posted March 4 Thanks Rosetta, we have several trips in the planning stages. Right now, we are just working on home projects. New storage shed, possible bathroom remodel, I'm building a new Carousel for the Halloween Haunt, and some other smaller projects. Healthwise, the cough has pretty well cleared up, but I'm struggling with a knee that goes out every once in a while. Makes it rather hard to stand or walk at times. I see you are in Spain now, hope that is going well. 1 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted March 4 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 4 I'm very happy to hear that your cough has cleared up! 😀 Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 On 3/4/2024 at 8:56 PM, brassmonkey said: I see you are in Spain now, hope that is going well. Ah, well, it’s been rough, but I’ll get through it. I’m going to post on my thread one of these days about springtime issues I have — a ramp up in symptoms from February through May. I’m hoping someone will have some insight. A new carousel - that sounds awesome! Good luck. Yours, 🧚🏻♀️Rosetta https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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