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Hawkfeather


Hawkfeather

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Posted

I am currently tapering and have had hard time with the taper method, again, ugh! So I am staying at my 25mg and have added GABA supplement and it has really helped keep anxiety at bay and I have been able to function without crying through out the day and have had no anxiety or panic attacks. The 10% taper is for real important. Slow and steady wins the race🤙🏽

 

 

1988-1994-ish  Ridilin for ADHD dosage unknown; Zoloft for depression/manic-depression, dosage unknown.

2002- Wellbutrin for a few days, side effects were unpleasant so I quit taking it.

Escitlopram 2011-2011- do not know dosage was allergic. only on for about 1-2 months

Citalopram - 20mg 2011-2014 medication wore off, had to change meds, bad side effects of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Fluoxitine -20-40 mg 2014-2019  meds wore off again, mood swings, high anxiety, switch to Sertraline

Sertraline   50mg June 2019-current   Tried tapering in winter 2019-2020 50mgt o25mg to 12.5mg tapered to fast and had severe anxiety and uncontrollable crying, extreme fear and difficulty functioning day to day. Went back to taking 50mg to balance out and then started over after a few months with a doctor, still to fast.

Gaba by Source Naturals- 750mg as needed

CBD as needed-1000mg as needed

Magnesium 325mg as needed

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Welcome to SA, Hawkfeather.

 

To start, could you summarize your medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  Please include the name and dose of your GABA supplement in your signature, as well as the drug you're currently on at 25mg.  Here's the link:

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

What difficulties have you had with the taper method?

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

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.

Posted (edited)

Sertraline taper question

 

I have been tapering as directed by my doctor, for 2 months now, with the advisement of 50mg 1 day on 1 day off for a month then go to 2 days on and 2 days off . The 2 days on and 2 days off,which he said equaled 25mg,  has before side effect hell. . I've stayed with 25mg daily for about 5 weeks and yesterday took 50mg because I had such suffering I chose to up the dose. Should I continue with the 50mg or stay at 25mg from here forward until I balance? So, far today I have only taken 25mg.  Thank you for your time and all you do.

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added topic title

 

 

1988-1994-ish  Ridilin for ADHD dosage unknown; Zoloft for depression/manic-depression, dosage unknown.

2002- Wellbutrin for a few days, side effects were unpleasant so I quit taking it.

Escitlopram 2011-2011- do not know dosage was allergic. only on for about 1-2 months

Citalopram - 20mg 2011-2014 medication wore off, had to change meds, bad side effects of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Fluoxitine -20-40 mg 2014-2019  meds wore off again, mood swings, high anxiety, switch to Sertraline

Sertraline   50mg June 2019-current   Tried tapering in winter 2019-2020 50mgt o25mg to 12.5mg tapered to fast and had severe anxiety and uncontrollable crying, extreme fear and difficulty functioning day to day. Went back to taking 50mg to balance out and then started over after a few months with a doctor, still to fast.

Gaba by Source Naturals- 750mg as needed

CBD as needed-1000mg as needed

Magnesium 325mg as needed

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Please see these instructions about what is needed in your drug signature.  We need to be able to see your drug history at a glance.  Thank you.

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

This link goes straight to your signature.  Remember to Save.


Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

 

* 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

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Thank you for re-doing your drug signature.  It is much more helpful for us.

* 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

Posted

My current issue with tapering has been anxiety, fear and doubt, lots of crying. Today and several days a week I do neuro-optimal neurofeedback which really helps calm me down and bring homeostasis. I am wondering if I should stay at the 25 mg daily or go ahead and do the 50 mg again to balance out? Getting going at the beginning of the day has been tough and often I can find optimism by mid-day. Thanks everyone.

 

 

https://neuroptimal.com/

 

 

1988-1994-ish  Ridilin for ADHD dosage unknown; Zoloft for depression/manic-depression, dosage unknown.

2002- Wellbutrin for a few days, side effects were unpleasant so I quit taking it.

Escitlopram 2011-2011- do not know dosage was allergic. only on for about 1-2 months

Citalopram - 20mg 2011-2014 medication wore off, had to change meds, bad side effects of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Fluoxitine -20-40 mg 2014-2019  meds wore off again, mood swings, high anxiety, switch to Sertraline

Sertraline   50mg June 2019-current   Tried tapering in winter 2019-2020 50mgt o25mg to 12.5mg tapered to fast and had severe anxiety and uncontrollable crying, extreme fear and difficulty functioning day to day. Went back to taking 50mg to balance out and then started over after a few months with a doctor, still to fast.

Gaba by Source Naturals- 750mg as needed

CBD as needed-1000mg as needed

Magnesium 325mg as needed

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted
1 hour ago, Hawkfeather said:

Sertraline taper question

 

I have been tapering as directed by my doctor, for 2 months now, with the advisement of 50mg 1 day on 1 day off for a month then go to 2 days on and 2 days off . The 2 days on and 2 days off,which he said equaled 25mg,  has before side effect hell. . I've stayed with 25mg daily for about 5 weeks and yesterday took 50mg because I had such suffering I chose to up the dose. Should I continue with the 50mg or stay at 25mg from here forward until I balance? So, far today I have only taken 25mg.  Thank you for your time and all you do.

 

 

5 minutes ago, Hawkfeather said:

I am wondering if I should stay at the 25 mg daily or go ahead and do the 50 mg again to balance out?

 

I'm trying to work out how you have tapered.  Please do not take 50mg again at the moment.  I'll be back as soon as I can.

* 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

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted
1 hour ago, Hawkfeather said:

then go to 2 days on and 2 days off .

 

This is the stupidest way of tapering I've ever heard of.

 

Usually skipping days to taper it would be take the drug on 1 day and then skip 2 days.

 

BUT skipping days to taper is NOT recommended by SA.  The brain likes consistency.

 

I've tried to recreate your taper from the information you have given.

 

DATE DOSE No of Days
23-May-20 50 1
24-May-20 0 2
25-May-20 50 3
26-May-20 0 4
27-May-20 50 5
28-May-20 0 6
29-May-20 50 7
30-May-20 0 8
31-May-20 50 9
01-Jun-20 0 10
02-Jun-20 50 11
03-Jun-20 0 12
04-Jun-20 50 13
05-Jun-20 0 14
06-Jun-20 50 15
07-Jun-20 0 16
08-Jun-20 50 17
09-Jun-20 0 18
10-Jun-20 50 19
11-Jun-20 0 20
12-Jun-20 50 21
13-Jun-20 0 22
14-Jun-20 50 23
15-Jun-20 0 24
16-Jun-20 50 25
17-Jun-20 0 26
18-Jun-20 50 27
19-Jun-20 0 28
20-Jun-20 50 1
21-Jun-20 50 2
22-Jun-20 0 3
23-Jun-20 0 4
24-Jun-20 50 5
25-Jun-20 50 6
26-Jun-20 0 7
27-Jun-20 0 8
28-Jun-20 50 9
29-Jun-20 50 10
30-Jun-20 0 11
01-Jul-20 0 12
02-Jul-20 50 13
03-Jul-20 50 14
04-Jul-20 0 15
05-Jul-20 0 16
06-Jul-20 50 17
07-Jul-20 50 18
08-Jul-20 0 19
09-Jul-20 0 20
10-Jul-20 50 21
11-Jul-20 50 22
12-Jul-20 0 23
13-Jul-20 0 24
14-Jul-20 50 25
15-Jul-20 50 26
16-Jul-20 0 27
17-Jul-20 0 28
18-Jul-20 25 1
19-Jul-20 25 2
20-Jul-20 25 3
21-Jul-20 25 4
22-Jul-20 25 5
23-Jul-20 25 6
24-Jul-20 25 7
25-Jul-20 25 8
26-Jul-20 25 9
27-Jul-20 25 10
28-Jul-20 25 11
29-Jul-20 25 12
30-Jul-20 25 13
31-Jul-20 25 14
01-Aug-20 25 15
02-Aug-20 25 16
03-Aug-20 25 17
04-Aug-20 25 18
05-Aug-20 25 19
06-Aug-20 25 20
07-Aug-20 25 21
08-Aug-20 25 22
09-Aug-20 25 23
10-Aug-20 25 24
11-Aug-20 25 25
12-Aug-20 25 26
13-Aug-20 25 27
14-Aug-20 25 28
15-Aug-20 25 29
16-Aug-20 25 30
17-Aug-20 25 31
18-Aug-20 25 32
19-Aug-20 25 33
20-Aug-20 25 34
21-Aug-20 25 35
22-Aug-20 50 1
23-Aug-20 25 1

 

* 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

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

You've been on 25mg for 5 weeks / 35 days.  Going back to 50mg might be too much.

 

I would not take more than 30mg.

 

What dose of tablet do you have?  Are you cutting your tablets?

 

To get the 5mg you could dissolve 25mg tablet in 25mL of water and take 5mL of the liquid +  25mg tablet.

 

You will need to use the same equipment and do everything the same so you get a consistent dose.  Even measuring the liquid in the same spot on the table or bench.

 

The liquid will keep in the fridge, covered, for about 4 days.

 

It takes about 4 days for a dose change to get to full level in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  Keep notes on paper so you can see how the updose is affecting your symptoms.

 

Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft)

* 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

Posted

Taper started June 16 50mg 1 day on 1 day off. Then July14 I started 50mg 2 days on 2 days off and continued this until August 19. I went to my doctor August 19 and told him of my side effects and that the days on and off were not good. He said with the math of his taper method I am currently at 25mg and to stay here for 2 months then I will see him again.

 

Impressive tapering chart, how did you create that so fast? Thank you so much.

 

 

1988-1994-ish  Ridilin for ADHD dosage unknown; Zoloft for depression/manic-depression, dosage unknown.

2002- Wellbutrin for a few days, side effects were unpleasant so I quit taking it.

Escitlopram 2011-2011- do not know dosage was allergic. only on for about 1-2 months

Citalopram - 20mg 2011-2014 medication wore off, had to change meds, bad side effects of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Fluoxitine -20-40 mg 2014-2019  meds wore off again, mood swings, high anxiety, switch to Sertraline

Sertraline   50mg June 2019-current   Tried tapering in winter 2019-2020 50mgt o25mg to 12.5mg tapered to fast and had severe anxiety and uncontrollable crying, extreme fear and difficulty functioning day to day. Went back to taking 50mg to balance out and then started over after a few months with a doctor, still to fast.

Gaba by Source Naturals- 750mg as needed

CBD as needed-1000mg as needed

Magnesium 325mg as needed

 

Posted

I have 50mg tablets that I cut in half. I've never made a liquid before but certainly willing to try. I am so thankful for the site and the communication. You all are saving lives!! Om Shanti  Thank you ChessieCat

 

 

1988-1994-ish  Ridilin for ADHD dosage unknown; Zoloft for depression/manic-depression, dosage unknown.

2002- Wellbutrin for a few days, side effects were unpleasant so I quit taking it.

Escitlopram 2011-2011- do not know dosage was allergic. only on for about 1-2 months

Citalopram - 20mg 2011-2014 medication wore off, had to change meds, bad side effects of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Fluoxitine -20-40 mg 2014-2019  meds wore off again, mood swings, high anxiety, switch to Sertraline

Sertraline   50mg June 2019-current   Tried tapering in winter 2019-2020 50mgt o25mg to 12.5mg tapered to fast and had severe anxiety and uncontrollable crying, extreme fear and difficulty functioning day to day. Went back to taking 50mg to balance out and then started over after a few months with a doctor, still to fast.

Gaba by Source Naturals- 750mg as needed

CBD as needed-1000mg as needed

Magnesium 325mg as needed

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted
1 hour ago, Hawkfeather said:

Impressive tapering chart, how did you create that so fast?

 

I've had plenty of practice working with Excel for my own taper.

 

1 hour ago, Hawkfeather said:

I have 50mg tablets that I cut in half.

 

Try to cut them in half as precisely as you can.  It is important to be get your dosing as consistent as possible.

 

Q:  Are you able to get a prescription for 25mg tablets?

 

Using the 50mg tablets would be okay for now but using 25mg tablets would be more precise.

 

how-to-talk-to-a-doctor-about-tapering-and-withdrawal-what-to-expect

 

1 hour ago, Hawkfeather said:

Thank you ChessieCat

 

You are very welcome.  I, too, was very thankful for the assistance I got when I first came here.  This is what happened to me:

 

I reduced my Pristiq from 100mg to 50mg and for 2 weeks I experienced severe cog fog, and even walking took my whole concentration.  I joined SA but didn't updose as suggested because I was trying, through the brain fog, to learn about what was happening.  A couple of days after joining I got to the stage that I was unable to type.  Having been a typist for 40+ years I knew that something was really wrong.  I was very thankful for SA's suggestion.  I went and took extra Pristiq.  Astoundingly after only about 4 hours (not days) I was able to type again and the brain fog was lifting.  Because I had a benchmark I knew that it was because of the drug. 

* 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

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Hawkfeather said:

I went to my doctor August 19 and told him of my side effects and that the days on and off were not good. He said with the math of his taper method I am currently at 25mg and to stay here for 2 months then I will see him again.

 

When you contact this doctor I suggest you tell him about SA and that there is information on the site about how to get doses so you can taper without skipping days.

 

You could also print off this information to give him.  Alto, this site's owner, has included research  papers.

 

never-skip-doses-to-taper

 

 

Edited by ChessieCat

* 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

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