Administrator Altostrata Posted November 11, 2019 Administrator Share Posted November 11, 2019 Received this request for interviewees: Quote "The BBC is producing a documentary about the long-term side effects and withdrawal effects of antidepressant medication. They are looking to speak to individuals who have decided to come off their medication and would be open to allowing us to follow their journey throughout this process, alongside the reporter of the film who will be doing the same. By following a number of people on this journey, the film will illustrate the diversity of peoples' experiences in coming off medication and the advice they are given on how to safely do so. Filming will mainly involve video blogs. The BBC appreciates the very sensitive nature of making a decision like this and will ensure you are supported throughout. If you are someone who has decided off this medication and are open to finding out more about the programme, please reach out to: alex.gatenby@bbc.co.uk or bryony.Hopkins@bbc.co.uk" I can't answer questions about this project. f you have questions, please write the contacts given above and share their answers here. 1 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caspur Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 Thanks, Alto. I have contacted them and had quite a long email conversation. I wasn't going to volunteer to participate, but decided I would do so. However, after initial contact and enthusiasm, they have gone quiet and don't reply to emails. Disappointing. 2011 - started Venlafaxine (again) at 75mg Raised to 150 mg at some point - unsure of dates. Reduced back down to 75 mg. Doctor advised this would be a lifetime, maintenance dose 2017 - Side effects now intolerable. Started taper from June 15th - 5% dose reduction steps (two 12 hourly doses). 2017 - October 20th - took last dose of Venlafaxine - 4 mg. Debilitating symptoms followed. 2017/18 - diazepam - 8mg/day for 1 month - 7 week taper Feb 2018 2017/18 - duloxetine - max 90mg - now stopped 2018 - Feb 25mg quetiapine, increased to 50mg. 2018 - March/April - increased venlafaxine slowly (10mg steps) to 75 mg/day. Recovery from withdrawal followed. 2018 - July 13 - stopped quetiapine after 2 month taper. Late July - had to reinstate quetiapine due to intolerable withdrawal. Now tapering from 25mg 2019 - June - stopped quetiapine after 10 month taper. Mild insomnia only symptom. 2021 - June - venlafaxine approx 6.0 mg see Taper history details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostInMarshes Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Have not responded to me, either. 2000: Paxil, low dose. 2001: Paxil, quickly tapered off. 2006: Zoloft, 25mg. 2007: Wellbutrin, low dose, discontinued after a week or a month. 2007-2009: Zoloft, increasing dose (up to 75mg). 2009-2011: Zoloft, failed withdrawal attempts (cold-turkey; fast tapering). 2009-2011: Trying out Cymbalta, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, Ambien, Ativan, and Xanax. 2012-2015: Zoloft, 100mg to 200mg. 2013: Trazadone for Zoloft-induced insomnia, 25mg to 50mg. 2015: Trileptal, dose?, withdrew; Bupropion, up to 200mg. 2016: Zoloft, 137mg, Bupropion, 150mg, Trazodone, 25mg. 05/21/16: Began Zoloft taper - 10% from 150mg - 137ish mg 06/23/16: Zoloft taper - 125mg 08/03/16: Bupropion XL taper - cut 150mg pill in crude half (mistake) 10/31: Zoloft successfully down to 100mg. Staying on 100mg for 2-3 months to let my brain rest. 11/09: Wellbutrin SR prescribed, 150mg once a day, for withdrawal. 12/11: Wellbutrin SR, twice daily - minus 18ishmg = 112.50mg 09/30/17: Off Wellbutrin SR successfully. Zoloft taper: 90ish mg (shaving it off). Trazodone: still at 50mg. June 2018: Zoloft: 80ish (shaving off). Trazodone: 6mg. End of 2018: Off Trazodone. 01/20: Zoloft: 70ish? 08/20: Still around 80 or 70. Tapering by only 15 shaves each month. August 2024: 10mg!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caspur Posted December 3, 2019 Share Posted December 3, 2019 Unfortunately I received this email from today. Very disappointing, but in a way no great surprise. Laying bear the process of antidepressant withdrawal on prime time TV was going to be opposed by many parties. Hi Edward, Thank you so much for taking the time to engage with us on what we appreciate is an incredibly sensitive subject matter. Unfortunately an executive decision has been made not to progress further with the project for various departmental reasons. This is not a reflection on the subject matter of the documentary in any way. We totally understand this news will be a disappointment, but we can’t thank you enough for taking the time and energy to speak with us on something so personal. Please rest assured that everything you have told us remains completely confidential. Alex, who pitched this story and was going to report on the film, is a freelance journalist and very much intends on pursuing the production of the documentary elsewhere, considering the unfortunate changes to intended plans. We wanted to ask if it was okay with you for her to keep your details on file and keep in touch directly going forwards? Absolutely no pressure on this, please do tell say if you’d rather not. Many thanks for all of the time you gave us and I am sorry to deliver this news. Best wishes, Bryony 2011 - started Venlafaxine (again) at 75mg Raised to 150 mg at some point - unsure of dates. Reduced back down to 75 mg. Doctor advised this would be a lifetime, maintenance dose 2017 - Side effects now intolerable. Started taper from June 15th - 5% dose reduction steps (two 12 hourly doses). 2017 - October 20th - took last dose of Venlafaxine - 4 mg. Debilitating symptoms followed. 2017/18 - diazepam - 8mg/day for 1 month - 7 week taper Feb 2018 2017/18 - duloxetine - max 90mg - now stopped 2018 - Feb 25mg quetiapine, increased to 50mg. 2018 - March/April - increased venlafaxine slowly (10mg steps) to 75 mg/day. Recovery from withdrawal followed. 2018 - July 13 - stopped quetiapine after 2 month taper. Late July - had to reinstate quetiapine due to intolerable withdrawal. Now tapering from 25mg 2019 - June - stopped quetiapine after 10 month taper. Mild insomnia only symptom. 2021 - June - venlafaxine approx 6.0 mg see Taper history details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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