DebbieC61 Posted January 10, 2019 Share Posted January 10, 2019 (edited) I am currently taking 40mg of duloxetine (Cymbalta)and am using a compounding pharmacy to taper at 5% reductions which is all I am able to handle right now. I am also taking ziprasidone (Geodon), which I plan to taper at a later date, and carbamazepine. The duloxetine and ziprasidone are in capsule form which makes for easier tapering. However, the carbamazepine (Tegretol) is in tablet form so I'm wondering if anyone here has tapered from carbamazepine (Tegretol) and how it is done. Edited January 10, 2019 by ChessieCat added drug names March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted January 10, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 10, 2019 Welcome to SA, DebbieC61. To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. You wrote that you are tapering with a 5% reduction. How often do you make this reduction? We recommend reducing no more often than every four weeks. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Tegretol comes in a liquid suspension that you could taper. Questions and answers about liquid medications We recommend tapering only one drug at a time, as you are doing. We also suggest that you taper the most activating drug first, so the more sedating drugs can act as a buffer. You are correct to taper the Cymbalta first. Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first? You do need to be aware that there are drug interactions among your drugs. Drug Interaction Checker - Find Interactions Between Medications SERIOUS Tegretol oral + Cymbalta oral Potential for serious interaction; regular monitoring by your doctor required or alternate medication may be needed Tegretol oral will decrease the level or effect of Cymbalta oral by altering drug metabolism Monitor closely Tegretol oral + Geodon oral Potential for interaction Tegretol oral will decrease the level or effect of Geodon oral by altering drug metabolism This is your introduction topic where you can ask questions and post updates. Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Oct 15: 3.2mg Taper is 96% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted January 10, 2019 Author Share Posted January 10, 2019 Hi Gridley-- Thank you for your response. I am now tapering 5% every thirty days or more. I go by how my body feels. I had started drops of 10%--or 5mg every 30 days from 60mg, but when I went from 45mg to 40mg I started having withdrawal symptoms--anxiety accompanied by tightness in the chest, muscle cramps, eyelids twitching and frequent urination which is what I have when I have severe anxiety. It's the fight or flight syndrome kicking in but I know it's from withdrawals. I got a prescription to reinstate up to 45mg but wound up stabilizing at 40mg, which is where I am now. All withdrawal symptoms have subsided and I am planning to try dropping down to 38mg with my next refill, and see how I do with that. It's going to be awhile before I begin my carbamazepine taper because I have to finish my duloxetine and ziprasidone tapers first. I know it's going to be years before I get to that point but I'm trying to educate myself so I can be prepared when I go to talk to the doctor about it. Thank you for the info. March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Carmie Posted January 11, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 11, 2019 Hi Debbie, I wanted to welcome you to SA as well. I’m also tapering at around 4% to 5%. I found that the lower the doses I was on the lower I would have to taper percentage wise. This is very common, and happens to a lot of people. I did get withdrawals though, even in the large doses. I started at 300mg and I’m now down to 7.5mg. All the best with your next drop 💚 Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0. 2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25. 2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor. Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 Hi Carmie-- Thanks for your reply! Wow you have come a long way with your taper. I'll be glad when I'm finally where you're at as far as dosage, but I know it's going to be awhile. Slow and steady I keep reminding myself. I'm in no hurry. I see from your signature that you have also been in the psych ward for akathisia. When I went through Keppra withdrawal the wrong way, I developed PAWS along with akathisia and wondered what was wrong with me. At the time I didn't relate it to withdrawal. I only recently learned there was a name for the condition--akathisia. What a frightening state to be in. I was in the psych ward 4 times that year. Through my research have learned a lot about withdrawal--unfortunately a lot from my own experiences but it has taught me well what I want to avoid. Thanks for sharing your experiences and continued success with your taper 💚 March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Carmie Posted January 11, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 11, 2019 Hi again Debbie, It certainly sounds like we’ve been through similar experiences. I’ve been in the psych ward three times because of akathisia. I thought there was something terribly wrong with me physically and emotionally, but it was with withdrawals all along. If it takes me another ten years to get off the 7.5mgs, which it might if I do the brassmonkey slide next, so be it. I am in no hurry, I really don’t want to go through acute akathisia again, I was suicidal. There was nothing mentally wrong with me, I ended up on meds because of chronic pain. I do have a chronic illness as well, CFS. I remember someone on here went through absolute torture which all started due to migraines. We will get there in the end. Just go slowly and make sure to have long holds. I did a silly thing last year and swapped to compounding capsules. I didn’t know at the time that compounding formulas aren’t all that accurate. Brassmonkey brought this to my attention. I’m now cross tapering back to my original tablet. I water titrate, so now I have to water titrate two different formulas every night. My brain is in lala land most of the time, and I have to be careful not to make mistakes. So far the crosstaper is going okay, but nothing about withdrawals is linear so we can just take an hour at a time. Wishing you all all the best, please continue to keep us updated as to how you go, sending hugs🤗 Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0. 2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25. 2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor. Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 I sure will post updates. Hugs right back 😊 March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
Gumtree Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Hi DebbieC61, good to hear you’re tapering off Cymbalta and I hope it goes smoothly for you. I have been on Cymbalta a lot longer than you so I find I need to slow the rate right down to tiny drops, especially as I am on Keppra, and I feel (in my case) that the taper can kick off some ‘seizure like’ activity for me if I do too big a drop. I’m on Keppra and Cymbalta and have seizure history, but I have previously been on Tegretol and tapered off that prior to going on Keppra. It was decided to give me Keppra because it was a ‘newer’ drug and thought to be more stable and have less side effects than Tegretol. So I was switched, with a taper over a month and ‘washout’ period of two weeks of nothing in between ending Tegretol and starting Keppra. I was instructed by my neurologist to comeoff Tegretol by decreasing my dose of Tegretol by half each week, over the course of a month. I was on a daily dose of 2x200mg, twice daily (800mg per day). I didn’t know any different other than to trust that he knew what he was talking about, however it was difficult to manage and I needed help and support. Particularly because it threw me into seizure activity, weird feeling, auras and awake-seizures/absences during the whole period. Now, the real difficulty is trying to distinguish what was genuine seizure activity, happening because my epilepsy was no longer under control by the drug, and what seizure activity was kicked into action because my brain could cope with rapid withdrawal. Tricky huh? I believe strongly that it was a mix of both, but my neurologist, who saw me for 20minutes during a six week period, believes it is the underlying epilepsy. During the Tegretol rapid taper I was trying to work fulltime although was not safe to drive and could not remember anything, including basic words. I rapidly developed a stutter and although I was on auto pilot and seemed to function, I have absolutely no recollection of about three or so weeks. My partner tells me stories of what happened in that time, just everyday things, but I have zero memory of anything. I did have EEG scans and MRI etc whilst off the Tegretol which confirmed seizure activity and I improved rapidly (in about a month) when I went on to the Keppra except for the insominia and deep depression (yeah, nice.) Obviously thhis is just my experience, and yours may be different depending on your brain, seizure activity, and sensitivity to medication and particularly when withdrawing. Given you had a difficult time with withdrawal off Keppra, it will be important to go slowly off Tegretol if that’s what you choose at the time. Now that you’ve found a compounding pharmavy, that might be the best way to go in terms of getting an accurate dose made. If it was me, I would be super strict about the time I took the decreased doses and spread them out in the day (into two or three smaller even doses) to try to minimise the daily rollercoaster. That too is difficukt as you are ruled by the alarms but it might make the ride smoother. I know your Tegretol taper might be years away yet, but you will need to consider why you want off it and how well your brain recovers from the Cymbalta taper. You indicate you’ve had a brain surgery, so I don’t know if you had seizure history or the anti-seizure medication was given as a precaution after the surgery. Either way, if you are prone to seizure like activity or full blown seizures, you’ll need to consider the impact of not being on any anti-seizure medication and how that will impact your lifestyle. I’m not saying don’t get off it, I’m just saying there are difficulties to live with either way. It may be that you can do a taper off Tegretol slowly and work out what is a ‘therapeutic minimum’ dose. Like the least amount you have to take to maintain no seizure activity. You can then decide whether to stay on that minimal dose or get off totally. That means you’ll have to do it slowly and stay on a lowered dose to see how you go, rather than doing an ongoing gradual decrease. The other thing is that the Cymbalta withdrawal that you are doing now ‘might’ exacerbate any actual seizure activity in your brain OR the withdrawal might activate seizure activity (that is not there as an underlying issue but is as a direct result of the withdrawal). It is so, so, difficult to work that out and doctors defer to it being the underlying seizure issue. Whatever you choose to do, remember you are recalibrating your main computer (brain) and that is not quick or easy. Stay as healthy as you can be and go really slowly. All the best, Female born 1970- antidepressant daily from age 19. 1988 - Rx Prothiaden (Dothiapen) for anxiety depression 1989 - Dx temporal lobe epilepsy. Rx Tegretol (Carbamazepine) 1995 - Rx Zoloft 50mg then up to 100mg (off Dothiapen) 2006 - groggy on Tegretol changed to Keppra (Levitaceram) 2010 - Dx Rheumatoid Arthritis & FM. Dx Methotrexate Rx Cymbalta instead of Zoloft (for pain / depression / FM) 2014 - weaned off Methotrexate - RA Remission. 2016 - started taper off 60mg Cymbalta. 5%drop hold 2 weeks via bead counting 577bead start. Adjust to 2.5% drops monthly. 2019 - now at 350 beads. perimenopause difficult to manage 2021 - microtaper drop 1 bead/month. Now at 343 beads. 2023 - microtaper monthly. Reached 290 / 577. Roughly at 30mg 2024 - new manufacturer has different microbead count in capsules. Instead of avg 577=60mg it now is 460=60mg. Recalc counting method - am now at 265beads/460. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Carmie Posted March 20, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 20, 2019 Hi Debbie, How are you doing?💚 Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0. 2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25. 2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor. Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted April 6, 2019 Author Share Posted April 6, 2019 Hi Carmie-- So far, pretty good. I am now down to 34mg of duloxetine/Cymbalta and doing okay however I'm getting nervous as I begin to near 30mg as I know the lower I go, the less I can reduce. Thinking I may have to switch over to bead counting instead of relying on the compounding pharmacy as I near the end of my reduction. I don't know if the compounding pharmacy can make 29.25mg, 29.50mg or 29.75mg capsules for example because he runs a small pharmacy and is always in the lab working on compounding prescriptions when I call in for refills, so I don't really get the opportunity to talk with him. I guess I'm going to have to make it a point to talk with the pharmacist soon so I can decide how I'm going to finish coming off of this nasty drug. Sorry for the late response.You sure have come a long way with your taper. Seroquel is in tablet form, right? How are you managing the small reductions with the tablets? How is that done? Are you doing a liquid taper?💙 March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted April 6, 2019 Author Share Posted April 6, 2019 Gumtree-- Sorry for the late response--I appreciate your taking the time to write such good advice. I was put on Tegretol after having one grand mal seizure which occurred 3 years after my brain surgery. Before that I had no seizure activity at all. However, I'm not sure if the seizure was a result of the brain surgery of a result of being rapidly switched from Zyprexa to Geodon. I will keep in mind all you have said. Still trying to come off this nasty duloxetine/Cymbalta. I see you're having the same problems with the Cymbalta too. What size capsules are you using to refill with the beads--the #00? I may wind up counting beads myself. Let me know how you're doing. March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Carmie Posted April 8, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 8, 2019 Hi Debbie, I’m glad you’ve been doing well so far. Yes, Seroquel is a tablet, and I’m water titrating. I crush my 25mg tablet with a mortar and pestle and add 20ml of water to it. Wishing you all the best with your continued tapering💚 Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg. 2020➡️5.60 to 4.80. 2021➡️4.60 to 4.0. 2022➡️3.95 to 3.55. 2023➡️ From 3.50 to 3.25. 2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️May1=3.0✔️ June7=3mg✔️ July 15= 2.95✔️ This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor. Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 (edited) Topic title: Beyond hopeless duloxetine Withdrawal I feel beyond all hope. I was using a compounding pharmacy to slowly taper from duloxetine and it had taken me a year to go from 60mg to 28mg symptom free. The compounding pharmacy closed so I had no choice but to switch to a regular pharmacy and get a scrip for 30mg. I had my empty capsules so my husband and I calculated how many beads to remove to make the equivalent of 28mg. That week I began to experience withdrawal symptoms so I immediately added the beads back in to make it again a 30mg capsule. I improved for a couple of days then the withdrawals came on strong again. I would take my pill in the morning. It would take 6 hours to kick in giving me a few hours of relief then 6 hours later would wear off. So I started taking another dose of 30mg at the 12 hour mark. This had me going through withdrawals twice a day for about 6 hours each. So I started taking both 30mg capsules together in the morning. It seemed to help for a couple days now I’m back to having severe withdrawals every morning until the drug kicks in.And I mean severe excruciating nerve pain all up and down my arms and shoulders, left eyelid twitching and my ankles and toes start cramping up, profuse sweating, tightness and burning in the chest.I’m really scared I will never stabilize and that I will always be like this. What should I do? Edited August 26, 2019 by ChessieCat added topic title March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted August 27, 2019 Administrator Share Posted August 27, 2019 I'm sorry you're having these problems, Debbie. When did the compounding pharmacy close? Were they repackaging beads into new custom capsules? How long have you been taking 60mg again? 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. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted August 27, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 27, 2019 If you cannot find a pharmacist who will compound your drug I suggest you contact the main compounding association in your country and ask them if your drug can be compounded and if it can, to advise you of a pharmacy who can do the compounding for you. Or you could ask the compounding pharmacy to contact the compounding association. PCCA - Professional Compounding Centers of America you can contact them via the website OR Use this: Subject: ATTN: Clinical Compounding Pharmacist customerserviceexternal AT SYMBOL pccarx DOT com * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 17 hours ago, Altostrata said: I'm sorry you're having these problems, Debbie. When did the compounding pharmacy close? Were they repackaging beads into new custom capsules? How long have you been taking 60mg again? Hi Altostrata, The compounding pharmacy closed the end of July and he was repackaging the beads into new custom capsules. I’ve been taking 60mg first in divided doses 30mg twice a day but that wasn’t working, I was suffering withdrawals twice a day so I started taking both capsules once a day for less than a week and that seems to be helping. Yesterday I had a big beautiful window where I was symptom free except for some sweating. This morning I woke up with some withdrawal symptoms again however not as severe as they have been. March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 14 hours ago, ChessieCat said: If you cannot find a pharmacist who will compound your drug I suggest you contact the main compounding association in your country and ask them if your drug can be compounded and if it can, to advise you of a pharmacy who can do the compounding for you. Or you could ask the compounding pharmacy to contact the compounding association. PCCA - Professional Compounding Centers of America you can contact them via the website OR Use this: Subject: ATTN: Clinical Compounding Pharmacist customerserviceexternal AT SYMBOL pccarx DOT com Thank you ChessieCat. March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
DebbieC61 Posted August 28, 2019 Author Share Posted August 28, 2019 On 8/27/2019 at 1:42 PM, Altostrata said: I'm sorry you're having these problems, Debbie. When did the compounding pharmacy close? Were they repackaging beads into new custom capsules? How long have you been taking 60mg again? Now I realize that increasing the dosage I’ve made a big mistake. Now I’ve created a worse mess.So depressed. March 2003-started on Paxil CR 12.5mg increased to 25mg the following week--July 2003 was bridged to Wellbutrin XL 150--would be assessed monthly and was increased to 300mg--was increased and decreased several times over the course of several years-- Lamictal 200mg was added--don't remember exactly when--2008 was changed to Wellbutrin SR--had severe reaction which I now know to be withdrawal from Wellbutrin XL--went cold turkey withdrawal from both Wellbutrin XL and Lamictal at the same time because Dr. refused to see me again--was drug free until 2011--had brain surgery 2011, was put on Keppra 800 mg--Keppra caused severe insomnia and depression--withdrawal from Keppra by skipping days per doctor's instructions caused severe akathisia and delusions--was hospitalized several times due to what I now know was PAWS--was put on olanzapine 7.5 for sleep and gabapentin 4 times a day--don't remember the dosage--found new psychiatrist who changed olanzapine to ziprasidone 40mg in morning and 80mg at night and prozac 10mg--2014--had grand mal seizure which I now suspect was caused by the drugs--was put on carbamazepine 200mg twice a day--2016 changed psychiatrists due to severe depression--was changed from prozac to duloxetine 60mg and left on the ziprasidone dosages. Link to comment
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