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Arte: About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms


Arte

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On 2/6/2020 at 8:27 PM, Altostrata said:

Feeling a bit better is a good sign. It may take a while for your nervous system to settle down, it's gotten a big shock

And you, what do you think? 

Took Griffonia and Rhodiola (300mg both, 05/02/2018-15/03/2018 and 15/01/2019-23/01/2019)

 

Took Cyamemazine (neuroleptic) during 29 days at 15mg/day (16/03/2018 - 14/04/2018)

 

Took Sertraline for 8 months at 50mg/day. Started on March, the 25th of 2019 and stopped on November, the 15th of 2019. 

Experienced a really bad withdrawal after 5 days at 25mg/day.

Two months later, still experiencing some bad symptoms (dizziness, confusion, brain fog and an *extreme intellectual fatigability*) 

Reinstating Sertraline :

28/01/2020 : took 4mg. 

29/01/2020 : took 2mg. 

30/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 : took 1mg. 

02/02/2020 - 09/02/2020 : took 0.5 mg per couple of days (last taking : 08/02/2020).

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  • Administrator

Arte, are you asking about this?

 

4 hours ago, Arte said:

If I felt good with the treatment at only 0.5 mg, a small dose, would my withdrawal syndrome be less potent? 

 

Are you still taking 0.5mg?

 

If you're feelng better, that little bit is helping.

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.

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I stopped taking the medication but I can't affirm that I'm experiencing the withdrawal syndrome because I have an obvious tendancy to imagine bad things (hypocondria). 

This is the reason of my question. I hope you'll be able to answer. 

Took Griffonia and Rhodiola (300mg both, 05/02/2018-15/03/2018 and 15/01/2019-23/01/2019)

 

Took Cyamemazine (neuroleptic) during 29 days at 15mg/day (16/03/2018 - 14/04/2018)

 

Took Sertraline for 8 months at 50mg/day. Started on March, the 25th of 2019 and stopped on November, the 15th of 2019. 

Experienced a really bad withdrawal after 5 days at 25mg/day.

Two months later, still experiencing some bad symptoms (dizziness, confusion, brain fog and an *extreme intellectual fatigability*) 

Reinstating Sertraline :

28/01/2020 : took 4mg. 

29/01/2020 : took 2mg. 

30/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 : took 1mg. 

02/02/2020 - 09/02/2020 : took 0.5 mg per couple of days (last taking : 08/02/2020).

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5 hours ago, Altostrata said:
 

If I felt good with the treatment at only 0.5 mg, a small dose, would my withdrawal syndrome be less potent? 

Yes, that is what I'm asking. 

Took Griffonia and Rhodiola (300mg both, 05/02/2018-15/03/2018 and 15/01/2019-23/01/2019)

 

Took Cyamemazine (neuroleptic) during 29 days at 15mg/day (16/03/2018 - 14/04/2018)

 

Took Sertraline for 8 months at 50mg/day. Started on March, the 25th of 2019 and stopped on November, the 15th of 2019. 

Experienced a really bad withdrawal after 5 days at 25mg/day.

Two months later, still experiencing some bad symptoms (dizziness, confusion, brain fog and an *extreme intellectual fatigability*) 

Reinstating Sertraline :

28/01/2020 : took 4mg. 

29/01/2020 : took 2mg. 

30/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 : took 1mg. 

02/02/2020 - 09/02/2020 : took 0.5 mg per couple of days (last taking : 08/02/2020).

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  • Administrator
On 2/6/2020 at 10:44 AM, Arte said:

I feel better mentally, a bit better intellectually, but I complex about my mood which isn't natural, I am scared for my sleeping and the state induced by the medication prevents me to work (too much pleasure to find the motivation). 

 

I know that it is a difficult situation. 

 

At the time you posted this, February 6, you said you felt better. Were you also taking 0.5mg at that time? That's what your signature says.

 

If you were feeling better when you took 0.5mg, I would continue to take it, at the same time each day for at least a week. We need to know how it affects you. We can't tell if you go on and off the drug.

 

It could take the edge off your withdrawal syndrome, which will give you some time to let it settle down before you go off completely.

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.

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31 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

If you were feeling better when you took 0.5mg, I would continue to take it, at the same time each day for at least a week. We need to know how it affects you. We can't tell if you go on and off the drug.

If I understand correctly, I risk an awful withdrawal if I stop, even if a small dose is well-tolerated ? 

I don't find any interest to continue taking 0.5 mg one/two day, knowing that my organism accepts it. If I feel good with, there isn't any utility to let myself be dependant to it. 

For me, a taper off is supposed to use the body to new doses. If one is well-tolerated, keeping the organism with it isn't a solution, especially in my case ; I don't want to be addict. 

Took Griffonia and Rhodiola (300mg both, 05/02/2018-15/03/2018 and 15/01/2019-23/01/2019)

 

Took Cyamemazine (neuroleptic) during 29 days at 15mg/day (16/03/2018 - 14/04/2018)

 

Took Sertraline for 8 months at 50mg/day. Started on March, the 25th of 2019 and stopped on November, the 15th of 2019. 

Experienced a really bad withdrawal after 5 days at 25mg/day.

Two months later, still experiencing some bad symptoms (dizziness, confusion, brain fog and an *extreme intellectual fatigability*) 

Reinstating Sertraline :

28/01/2020 : took 4mg. 

29/01/2020 : took 2mg. 

30/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 : took 1mg. 

02/02/2020 - 09/02/2020 : took 0.5 mg per couple of days (last taking : 08/02/2020).

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  • Administrator

No, it's not likely you will have a bad withdrawal when you decide to go off 0.5mg. You would be careful.

 

If you feel well without reinstatement, stop worrying about it and stop asking questions about it.

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see
https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

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.

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8 hours ago, Altostrata said:

If you feel well without reinstatement, stop worrying about it and stop asking questions about it

I don't know why you are hostile... yes, I worry about it. One of my major problems is hypocondria : that means that I can imagine symptoms and completely block my healing, ruminating pessimistic thinkings, desesperately, because I feel that all is lost.

I've read so many things on antidepressants, that I have the feeling that my brain is atrophied. 

I refuse myself any thinking, scared by the fails which would show me what I am weakened, maybe for lifelong... 

By convincing myself that I am not what I was, I prevent myself to recover. I need to see facts to convince myself that I'm not, or numbers. 

That's why I try to reassure myself by discussing with you. 

Took Griffonia and Rhodiola (300mg both, 05/02/2018-15/03/2018 and 15/01/2019-23/01/2019)

 

Took Cyamemazine (neuroleptic) during 29 days at 15mg/day (16/03/2018 - 14/04/2018)

 

Took Sertraline for 8 months at 50mg/day. Started on March, the 25th of 2019 and stopped on November, the 15th of 2019. 

Experienced a really bad withdrawal after 5 days at 25mg/day.

Two months later, still experiencing some bad symptoms (dizziness, confusion, brain fog and an *extreme intellectual fatigability*) 

Reinstating Sertraline :

28/01/2020 : took 4mg. 

29/01/2020 : took 2mg. 

30/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 : took 1mg. 

02/02/2020 - 09/02/2020 : took 0.5 mg per couple of days (last taking : 08/02/2020).

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Arte,

This may be helpful:

Health anxiety, hypochondria, and obsession with symptoms

 

As well as this ;Non-drug techniques to cope

Take a look at the whole indexed list, and pick one to read more about, and see how others have coped with the same.  Towards the bottom of the list are some online CBT and DBT self help programs you could check out.

 

This one is good too:  Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD;Repetitive intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors

 

We strongly encourage members to learn and use non drug coping techniques to help get through tough times.

And so here is even more for you to look over and possibly try Arte.

 

Understanding what is happening helps us to not get caught up with the second fear, or fear of the fear.  This happens when we experience sensations in our body and because we don't understand them we are scared of them and then start to panic.

 

This document has a diagram of the body explaining what happens in the body when we become anxious:

 

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/docs/AnxietySelfHelp.pdf

 

 

Audio FEMALE VOICE:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

 

Audio MALE VOICE:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)

 

 

 

*dealing-with-emotional-spirals

 

Dr Claire Weekes suffered from anxiety and learned and taught ways of coping.  There are videos available on YouTube.

 

Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes

 

 
Resources:  Centre for Clinical Interventions (PDF modules that you can work through, eg:  Depression, Distress Intolerance, Health Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem, Panic Attacks, Perfectionism, Procrastination, Social Anxiety, Worrying)
 
On 4/27/2017 at 12:03 PM, brassmonkey said:

 

AAF: Acknowledge, Accept, Float.  It's what you have to do when nothing else works, and can be a very powerful tool in coping with anxiety.  The neuroemotional anxiety many of us feel during WD is directly caused by the drugs and their chemical reactions in the brain.  Making it so there is nothing we can do about them.  They won't respond to other drugs, relaxation techniques and the like.  They do, however, react very well to being ignored.  That's the concept behind AAF.  Acknowledge, get to know the feeling involved, explore them.  Accept, These feelings are a part of you and they aren't going anywhere fast. Float, let the feeling float off as you get on with your life as best as you can.  It's a well documented fact that the more you feed in to anxiety the worse it gets.  What starts as generalized neuroemotinal anxiety can be easily blown into a full fledged panic attack just by thinking about it.

 

I often liken it to an unwanted house guest.  At first you talk to them, have conversations, communicate with them.  After a while you figure out that they aren't leaving and there is nothing you can do to get rid of them.  So you go on about your day, working around them until they get bored and leave.

 

It can take some practice, but AAF really does work.  I hope you give it a try.

 

Let us know if any of the ^ helps. 

 

How are you going now?  Back to some classes?

 

On 2/12/2020 at 3:24 AM, Arte said:

I've read so many things on antidepressants, that I have the feeling that my brain is atrophied. 

I refuse myself any thinking, scared by the fails which would show me what I am weakened, maybe for lifelong... 

By convincing myself that I am not what I was, I prevent myself to recover. I need to see facts to convince myself that I'm not, or numbers.

 

You've got to have some faith now Arte, in your own healing potential and full recovery.  I recovered.  Most do. 

 

Best,

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, and again finally 5/25/24.  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

 

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On 2/12/2020 at 2:15 AM, Altostrata said:

 

 

On 2/14/2020 at 4:50 AM, manymoretodays said:

 

Are speaking difficulties a common symptom of withdrawal ? 

Took Griffonia and Rhodiola (300mg both, 05/02/2018-15/03/2018 and 15/01/2019-23/01/2019)

 

Took Cyamemazine (neuroleptic) during 29 days at 15mg/day (16/03/2018 - 14/04/2018)

 

Took Sertraline for 8 months at 50mg/day. Started on March, the 25th of 2019 and stopped on November, the 15th of 2019. 

Experienced a really bad withdrawal after 5 days at 25mg/day.

Two months later, still experiencing some bad symptoms (dizziness, confusion, brain fog and an *extreme intellectual fatigability*) 

Reinstating Sertraline :

28/01/2020 : took 4mg. 

29/01/2020 : took 2mg. 

30/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 : took 1mg. 

02/02/2020 - 09/02/2020 : took 0.5 mg per couple of days (last taking : 08/02/2020).

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6 hours ago, Arte said:

 

Are speaking difficulties a common symptom of withdrawal ? 

From my experience i can say definetely.  Anti-depressants affects every part of your brain even the parts which are used for generating speech.

 

Withdrawing affects almost every part of your brain because it has less neurotransmitters to work with because it has adjusted to work with anti-depressants. When you are withdrawing your brain needs to reverse changes anti-depressants have made to it before it can function normally without antidepressants. 

 

I have withdrawed from tobacco and many drugs and i have noticed that every time i start withdrawing i have problems with my speech. Maybe because of lack of concertration.

 

 

Winter-Spring 2011 (12 week usage of Chantix for quitting smoking)

April 2017 Lexapro 10 mg after 6 weeks, CT:ed  due to increased anxiety, insomnia and depression

April 2017 - November 2017 Wellbutrin XL 150 mg, CT:ed due serious allergic reaction

January 2019 Imovane (zopiclone) for insomnia, CT:ed after 1 month of use

March 2019 Mirtazapine 7.5 mg for insomnia, i tried to CT in October 2019 and tried fast taper December 2019  Withdrawal process started 10.01.2020 *Current dose 2.25 mg (27.02.2020)

January 2020 Started 09.01.2019 Trintellix 10 mg for depression, CT:ed 22.01.2019 Withdrawal process started 22.01.2020

 

Supplements: 

Extended release melatonin 0.95mg (one week pause after three weeks of administration) 

Vitamin D 100 mikrograms every morning

Magnesium 200 mg 

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7 hours ago, nipsu said:

From my experience i can say definetely.  Anti-depressants affects every part of your brain even the parts which are used for generating speech.

 

Withdrawing affects almost every part of your brain because it has less neurotransmitters to work with because it has adjusted to work with anti-depressants. When you are withdrawing your brain needs to reverse changes anti-depressants have made to it before it can function normally without antidepressants. 

 

I have withdrawed from tobacco and many drugs and i have noticed that every time i start withdrawing i have problems with my speech. Maybe because of lack of concertration.

Thank you... I was starting to consider asking for a MRI... my debilitating is awful, and it seems that a part of my brain is atrophied. 

Moreover, I have headaches and extreme difficulties reasoning. 

Took Griffonia and Rhodiola (300mg both, 05/02/2018-15/03/2018 and 15/01/2019-23/01/2019)

 

Took Cyamemazine (neuroleptic) during 29 days at 15mg/day (16/03/2018 - 14/04/2018)

 

Took Sertraline for 8 months at 50mg/day. Started on March, the 25th of 2019 and stopped on November, the 15th of 2019. 

Experienced a really bad withdrawal after 5 days at 25mg/day.

Two months later, still experiencing some bad symptoms (dizziness, confusion, brain fog and an *extreme intellectual fatigability*) 

Reinstating Sertraline :

28/01/2020 : took 4mg. 

29/01/2020 : took 2mg. 

30/01/2020 - 01/02/2020 : took 1mg. 

02/02/2020 - 09/02/2020 : took 0.5 mg per couple of days (last taking : 08/02/2020).

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