Moderator Jane318 Posted October 25, 2024 Moderator Posted October 25, 2024 6 hours ago, brassmonkey said: I don't have a link, but many of the members here use the Gemini-20. Which is available from amazon. I use this and really like it. Here is a link https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDNAM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I am not a doctor. My comments are based on my personal experience with ADs and tapering. Consult your doctor about your own medical decisions. My Intro Topic: Jane318: Tapering off Effexor - Struggling at the End. Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed. Jeremiah 17:14a. Other meds: 75 mcg/day Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism Supplements: Boron, Magnesium Threonate (3 per day of 2000 mg with 145 mg Mg), Vitamin E (every other day), Lugol's iodine (4 drops/day); Cod liver oil (1 tsp); 1 capsule DHA-1000 Fish oil in evening; Adrenal "cocktail" once or twice pd, with Vit C, B-2 (SP Cataplex, 2X daily), and Methyl B-12 (NOWFoods 1,000 mcg, 1X daily). AD HISTORY: 1985-2010 (est.) - various ADs including Wellbutrin, Elavil, Prozac, Zoloft. dosages unk. 1991-1992 - stopped AD while to conceive and during pregnancy. Resumed 1993 (?). 2005 (est.) - tried to stop, severe symptoms. Resumed meds. 2010 (est) - started Celexa (dose unk). 2016 (est) - started Effexor, working up to 112.5 mg/day. Stayed at this dose for many years. 2023 - Feb. began linear tapering off Effexor. Switched to hyperbolic tapering in April 2023. By July 12, 2024 at 1.36 mg / day. July 13, 2024 - up-dosed to 1.44 mg / day Effexor to address severe withdrawal symptoms. Felt somewhat better by next day; symptoms continue to improve. Held until 21 Dec, final dose 1.4 mg/day) Jan 2025 - 1.36 -> 1.33 -> 1.29 -> 1.25 mg/day Effexor (10% per BrassMonkey slide taper). Holding 3 weeks.
Moderator brassmonkey Posted November 20, 2024 Author Moderator Posted November 20, 2024 Pulling teeth is like... pulling teeth, never enjoyable. Been fighting with one for months now and finally had it taken out yesterday. Have to say it was pretty painless, the guy did a great job. Follow up pain meds is the problem. You can't get effective pain killers anymore. Ended up getting Tramadol, not my favorite because it plays with serotonin levels. It looks like I will only need a couple of tablets, so shouldn't cause any problems. I'm going to be on the road for a few weeks making internet access spotty at best. 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
Mentor Moonpie Posted November 21, 2024 Mentor Posted November 21, 2024 Sorry to hear you have had such pain but glad you had a good dentist to do the job. Praying you have a speedy recovery. .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
LostInCanada Posted November 21, 2024 Posted November 21, 2024 20 hours ago, brassmonkey said: Pulling teeth is like... pulling teeth, never enjoyable Lol.... glad it went well. Hopefully you will heal fast. 20 hours ago, brassmonkey said: going to be on the road for a few weeks making internet access spotty at best. I really appreciate all you do. Thanks so much. 💯 I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on this site. 2016-twice weekly for a couple months-oxazepam 10 mg sleep/ 2020-22-once a week 3.75-7.5 mg Zopiclone for sleep/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/ 23.07.21-4.8mg/23.07.28-4.73mg/23.08.04-4.65mg /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/26.1.24-4.47mg/6.2.24-4.46mg/ 19.2.24-4.44mg /4.4.24-4.43mg/28.4.24-4.4 mg/5.5.24-4.39 mg/19.5.24-4.36 mg/2.7.24-4.34 mg/9.7.24-4.32mg/31.7.24-4.3 mg/ 1.10.24 -4.29mg/27.11.24-4.25 mg/5.12.24-4.22mg/5.1.25-4.17mg/ 8am-probiotics/9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/ 1000mg Vitamin D/5pm-75 mg DGL/200mg calcium citrate/0.25 mcg melatonin nightly "... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15
pol4o Posted November 22, 2024 Posted November 22, 2024 Hey brassmonkey. It's so inspiring to read your story and I'm so happy you managed to beat this. I wanted to ask you a question and I know this isn't the right place to ask it but I can't post a reply on your post about your slide method. I wanted to ask you how did you proceed when you reached the very low doses as at a certian point reducing by 2.5% becomes impossible and you can only reduce by a full 10%. Did you go for full 10% percent by the end and if you did did you have withdrawal symptoms? Again I am sorry, I know this isn't the right place to ask this. So happy to read your success story and I hope some day I'll get to post mine as well. May 2021: started Cymbalta (dont remember the dose). CT after 6 months, no WD. Oct. 2023: Zyprexa 5mg once a day and Lamictal 50mg twice a day. Oversleeping, fatigue during the day, gained 7 kg, anhedonia. Nov 2023: Failed attempt at Zyprexa CT. Severe withdrawal.Went back on the 5mg. Jan 24: Reduced Zyprexa by 20%. Severe WD,suicidal, extreme anxiety, insomnia, depression. May 2024: Stabalised, started tapering Zyprexa and Lamictal at the same time with the Brassmonkey slide method( 2.5% every week for 4 weeks followed by a 2 week hold) Original doses: Zyprexa 5mgai 0.167gpw, Lamictal 50mgai 0.158gpw. I'll rate my WD symptoms from 0 to 10 Jan 2024: Zyprexa (20%cut) 0.136mgpw. (WD 10) March 2024 Started brassmonkey slide method Jul 2024: Zyprexa 0.100gpw/Lamictal 0.130gpw. (WD 0) Nov 2024: Zyprexa 0.070gpw/Lamictal 0.079gpw (WD 1)
Moderator brassmonkey Posted January 10 Author Moderator Posted January 10 I've mentioned it in the past that I live in Los Angeles, so I thought it would be a good idea to let people know Yes, my wife and I are safe here in the San Gabrial valley. The Eaton Valley fire is about fifteen miles west of us. we can see it through the trees in our front yard. At the moment we are just getting some smoke because the wind is blowing away from us. During the windstorm that caused all the trouble, the wind was coming straight off the mountains north of us and kicking up a lot of dust. We had some damage to our trees and plants, but other than that we got off lightly. Had a scare yesterday afternoon when we received a "prepare to evacuate" notification for the Kennith fire. A little later it was rescinded as the Kennith fire is over thirty miles to the west of us. Still, we spent some time gathering up important papers and the like just in case. Watching the news, I am in total shock to see what is happening. We have a number of friends who live in the affected areas. They have all reported "safe" but haven't mentioned their homes. The whole city is in shock, as is to be expected, it's going to take some time for things to get back to sorta normal. 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
LostInCanada Posted January 10 Posted January 10 Thanks so much for the update. Definitely been thinking about you and your wife. It's devastating to see. Stay safe. ♥️ I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on this site. 2016-twice weekly for a couple months-oxazepam 10 mg sleep/ 2020-22-once a week 3.75-7.5 mg Zopiclone for sleep/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/ 23.07.21-4.8mg/23.07.28-4.73mg/23.08.04-4.65mg /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/26.1.24-4.47mg/6.2.24-4.46mg/ 19.2.24-4.44mg /4.4.24-4.43mg/28.4.24-4.4 mg/5.5.24-4.39 mg/19.5.24-4.36 mg/2.7.24-4.34 mg/9.7.24-4.32mg/31.7.24-4.3 mg/ 1.10.24 -4.29mg/27.11.24-4.25 mg/5.12.24-4.22mg/5.1.25-4.17mg/ 8am-probiotics/9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/ 1000mg Vitamin D/5pm-75 mg DGL/200mg calcium citrate/0.25 mcg melatonin nightly "... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15
Mentor Catina7 Posted January 10 Mentor Posted January 10 (edited) I'm so glad you and your wife are safe @brassmonkey. We have a friend who lives in Pacific Palisades, and although she and her husband are safe they most likely lost their home in the fire. 😓 Edited January 10 by Catina7 Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March) - Began 10% monthly taper of 75 mg Effexor XR (in hindsight this was much too fast) 2021 (Sept) - Completely crashed at 12 mg with horrific symptoms. Went back up to 37.5 mg but kindled myself (held for two years) 2024 (Avg. # of beads per 37.5 mg capsule = 117) - 1/1: -6 (111) | 2/1: -5 (106) | 3/1: -5 (101) | 4/1: -2 (99) | 5/1: -3 (96) | 6/1: -4 (92) | 7/1: HOLD | 8/1 -4 (88) | 9/7 -4 (84) | Oct. HOLD | Nov. HOLD | 12/1 : -1 (83) 2025 1/1: -1 (82) Other medications: Levothyroxine 50 mcg 🔑 A Key to Survival: Turn outward, not inward. Use the art of distraction to focus on anything but how you're feeling inside. Never give up hope that you'll make it through and heal.
Marsha Posted January 10 Posted January 10 Thank you for updating us regarding your situation. Having been through several fires and evacuations ourselves up here in norcal, we know how harrowing it is and hope that you continue to keep yourselves safe and connected with resources for assistance. I also hope this for your friends. You mean a lot to us. We have benefited all from your caring wisdom and applied knowedge. I am not a medical professional. My comments and posts are based on my personal experiences. Please consult appropriate medical professionals for advice. I was started on psych drugs back in the late 80's. You name it. I probably was on it. 47 different drugs. Over 57 thousand pills. Tapered off final cocktail February 1st, 2013- September 9th, 2019. For Hashimotos I take Levothyroxine 100 mcg. Losartan 150 mg. Metoprolol prn. Fish oil. Bee pollen. Magnesium Glycinate. Clonazepam .5 mg ×4. Changed to Diazepam 5 mg ×4. Started August 20th 2024 due to heart pain caused by prolonged grief and afib. Stabilizing. Will begin taper when able.
Mentor Moonpie Posted January 12 Mentor Posted January 12 Thank you for the update. So thankful you and your wife and your home are safe. I have been watching the news and praying for those affected by the fires. It is surreal. I cannot imagine the devastation they are facing. Please take care. Moonpie .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
nick1990 Posted Friday at 02:12 AM Posted Friday at 02:12 AM Glad you are both ok @brassmonkey my friend ! Been a while - but nice to hear how you’re doing ❤️ Started Citalopram in 2005 (aged 15) for apparent "OCD" - 60mg July 2015 attempted 2 x 10% + cuts 4 weeks apart. WD symptoms intense at times. Need to slow down. November 2016 - Resumed taper. 1.25 - 1.5% decrease weekly approx. 44.5mg November 2016. Jan 2017 42.5 mg. March 2017 40 mg. June 2017 37mg. September 2018 22mg. Nov 2018 Holding at 22mg to stabilise from moderate wave. January 2020 - Holding, mostly feeling fine, but still having some waves at times. February 2020 - Resumed taper , 1.5% reduction weekly/every two weeks.
Moderator brassmonkey Posted Friday at 09:19 PM Author Moderator Posted Friday at 09:19 PM Thanks Nick. Been quite some time. How are things with you? 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
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