Lucy1983 Posted February 25, 2021 Author Share Posted February 25, 2021 Celebration Time!!! I started my WD from 6 drugs on April 3, 2020. I am Drug Free as of February 22, 2021. My battle isn't over but it is so much better. The hardest part of WD to date has been my anger, especially toward my husband. My anger still flares but has greatly subsided. The only other pronounced WD issue remaining is my itchy scalp and face. I will deal and I will heal:) THANK YOU SA. I could not have gotten off of the drugs without you!!! 2 Paxil 07/1997 - 10/1998 Quit CT Neurontin, topamax, trazadone, ssri AD (don't remember which one) 12/1998 - 06/1999 CT everything Eflexor , Xanax 04/2000 -08/2000 CT ***01/2008-05/2013 on/off lexapro, lamictal, seroquel, saphris, pristiq Start/Stop CT at intervals Zoloft 200 mg 07/2013 WD 04/3/20 - 04/8/20 Quit Seroquel 800 mg 07/2013 2013 *400 mg 07/2019 *** WD 04/15/2020 - 06/19/20 Quit Ambien 10 mg 07/2013 WD 5 mg 04/29/2020, 2.5 mg 12/24/20, 1.66 mg 01/21/2021, 1.25 mg 02/16/2021 *** 02/22/2021 Quit Xanax 2 mg prn 07/2013 - 04/23/20 Quit CT Lamictal 150 mg 07/2013 WD 05/06/20 -06/11/2020 Quit Propranolol 03/21/2020 - 04/20/2020 Quit CT Hydroxyzine 12/14/2020 - 12/27/20 Quit Allegra 24 hr 01/11/21 Flonase Nasal Spray 01/11/21 Magnesium Glycinate 100mg x3 daily D3 5000iu daily Link to comment
Jennings Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Congrats, be easy on yourself. Take care. 1 Med History - 2014 - 2020 - Zoloft, Effexor, Klonopin, Lexapro, Buspar (No longer on any of these) Went to my doctor for an annual and mentioned I was stressed, gave me Zoloft, stopped it after 3 months because it didn't do anything, ended up in withdrawal and was told I had a mental illness. I've been diagnosed Bipolar and Clinically Depressed. Current Med Taper Lamotrigine - 25mg (May 21') -> 24mg (May 23') -> 23mg (July 23') -> 22mg (Aug 23') -> 21mg (Oct 23') -> 20mg (Dec 23') Supplement: Magnesium, Fish Oil Link to comment
Kingfisher86 Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 @Lucy1983 Great job Lucy!!!💛 1 July 19th 2017—July 2018: 10 mg Escitalopram August 2018— June 2020: 5 mg Escitalopram Tapering started: June 2020—1st of August. Lowest dose was 5 mg (5 mg every second day for a couple of weeks, then 5 mg twice a week for a couple of weeks, and lastly 5 mg once a week until I stopped) Drug free: August 1st, 2020 Supplements: Magnesium citrate 2x200 mg and Omega3 – 2x1000 mg. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted February 26, 2021 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 26, 2021 21 hours ago, Lucy1983 said: I will deal and I will heal:) Great update, Lucy. Please let us know how you're doing as you continue your journey through the recovery process. Hopefully you'll have more windows than waves, especially with this positive attitude. 1 Link to comment
Jay78 Posted March 16, 2021 Share Posted March 16, 2021 Congrats Lucy! Way to go, anger is a bummer but it is typical of wd, I have plenty too. 1 Feb 2015 Invega 9mg tapered to zero over 6 month, Levomepromazine 25mg for 3 months, Citalopram raised from 20mg to 80mg over 3 months, at 80mg for 1 year and 5 months, Venlaxafine raised from 150mg to 450mg over 3 months (after citalopram) maintained for 1 year and 2 months. Cold turkey off both. Two shots of haldol decanoate. Alprazolam from 0.5 to 7(!) mg due to the immense stress of the ads. Down to 2.5mg October 2017 Occtober 2017 - Dec 2017 Moclobemide raised from 200mg to 800mg during a month and half discontinued with no tapering. Jan 2017 Feb 2017Fluvoxamine and Venlaxafine 300mg and 450mg, abrupt start, no tapering in discontinuation. 30mg Mirtazapin at night. Close to two months off antidepressants but on benzos. 6 months on 2.5mg alprazolam, Diazepam 5mg for 1.5 months. Currently on 600mg peronten, 400mg seroquel xr, Risperdal Consta 50mg. In the past 8 months dropped quitapine from 400 -> 300->200->100->75->50->25. Dropped paliperidone palmitate 100 to 75mg (two months on the lower dosage) Dropped Gabapentin 300mg->200mg->100mg->0 Link to comment
saeed Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 Congratulation Lucy, I am very happy for you. 1 - 2013-2014 zoloft 100 mg xanax 1 mg - 2015 prozac 40mg/ Xanax 1 mg / zopiclone 7.5 - 2016 brintellix 20mg /Pristiq 50mg / xanax 1 mg - 2017 Cymbalta / xanax 1 mg / zopiclone 7.5 mg - 2018 cibralex 10mg/ lexotanil 1.5/ - 2019 Effexor 150mg / lexotanil 1.5 - December 2019 Concerta 36 mg/ zyban 300 mg/ lexotanil 1.5 / zopiclone 7.5 mg / quit on June 2020 - July 2020 Invega Sustenna XR 100 mg shot / lexotanil 1.5 mg / zopiclone 7.5 mg - October 2020 reduced the dose to 75 mg shot and Quit i am still on lexotanil 1.5 / zopiclone 7.5 mg Link to comment
Kingfisher86 Posted March 17, 2021 Share Posted March 17, 2021 @Lucy1983 How are you doing these days?😁 July 19th 2017—July 2018: 10 mg Escitalopram August 2018— June 2020: 5 mg Escitalopram Tapering started: June 2020—1st of August. Lowest dose was 5 mg (5 mg every second day for a couple of weeks, then 5 mg twice a week for a couple of weeks, and lastly 5 mg once a week until I stopped) Drug free: August 1st, 2020 Supplements: Magnesium citrate 2x200 mg and Omega3 – 2x1000 mg. Link to comment
Lucy1983 Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 Hi @Kingfisher86 How are You??? I am doing very well. My anger and my itching are completely gone! Yay!!! I did separate from my husband about 3 weeks ago. 38 yr together and now doing life on my own. I am happy! I started a job 4 days ago which has me exhausted but I feel useful again which is very good for me. I am thankful that I do not have to work for money, but I need to work for me. I so hope that life is being good to you!!! I thank you Kingfisher for being with me along my way💞 Please stay in touch. Lucy Paxil 07/1997 - 10/1998 Quit CT Neurontin, topamax, trazadone, ssri AD (don't remember which one) 12/1998 - 06/1999 CT everything Eflexor , Xanax 04/2000 -08/2000 CT ***01/2008-05/2013 on/off lexapro, lamictal, seroquel, saphris, pristiq Start/Stop CT at intervals Zoloft 200 mg 07/2013 WD 04/3/20 - 04/8/20 Quit Seroquel 800 mg 07/2013 2013 *400 mg 07/2019 *** WD 04/15/2020 - 06/19/20 Quit Ambien 10 mg 07/2013 WD 5 mg 04/29/2020, 2.5 mg 12/24/20, 1.66 mg 01/21/2021, 1.25 mg 02/16/2021 *** 02/22/2021 Quit Xanax 2 mg prn 07/2013 - 04/23/20 Quit CT Lamictal 150 mg 07/2013 WD 05/06/20 -06/11/2020 Quit Propranolol 03/21/2020 - 04/20/2020 Quit CT Hydroxyzine 12/14/2020 - 12/27/20 Quit Allegra 24 hr 01/11/21 Flonase Nasal Spray 01/11/21 Magnesium Glycinate 100mg x3 daily D3 5000iu daily Link to comment
BooBoo19 Posted March 20, 2021 Share Posted March 20, 2021 Hello friends @Lucy1983 I have been reading your threads and am really pleased for you. Can I ask what (if any) of the psychological aspects you experienced withdrawing. I ask because I had the debilitating intrusive thoughts to begin with but they have not gone and moved on to 24/7 anxiety and jitteriness. The anxiety attacks are diminishing but the anxiety remains. The new beast of insomnia (he has always been around hovering) has really kicked in now giving me one hours sleep per night, last night I gave in and took 2 x Zopiclone and slept for 6 hours (it was a relief). I also have anhedonia now (pure joy). I ma trying to calculate (and I know we are all different) but I am so so close to throwing the towel in but desperately do not want to. What I am tang to ask is do you think our minds move through the process bit by bit as I am prepared to ride with it but the insomnia is something else now. As what others say I have never had all pf this before and I want to be happy and skipping through the poppy fields again I hope that made some sense!!! Started venlafaxine December 2016. Started to wean off Effexor over 16 months period and I had no issues at all. Stopped June 2020. Unfortunately, I was under chronic stress from 4 deaths (1 was my mother) in the family amongst other things and sunk back down in October 2020. Rather than accepting this was chronic stress and grief, I panicked and went to the GP. October 2020 prescribed Vortioxetine 10mg for 1 month and then increased to 15 mg ups advice from GP on for 7 weeks in total. Had suicidal thoughts and off the wall anxiety. Changed to Lexapro in mid December 2020, slow titration from 2.5mg up to 10mg. After 7 weeks again off the wall anxiety. I was advised to take 5mg for one week and stop as I want to go 'au natural'. Last SSRI was 30 January 2021. I was also prescribed diazepam and Zopiclone through the 4 months of taking SSRis to 'manage' the side effects and also for the withdrawal. I am probably withdrawing from all drugs. Link to comment
Lucy1983 Posted March 20, 2021 Author Share Posted March 20, 2021 @BooBoo19 Good morning! So sorry that you are having such a difficult time. As my signature shows I was on/off these drugs for many years. Each time after stopping I would have a horrible time then I would get back on. I didn't realize at the time that I was going through WD. The intrusive thoughts and anxiety were always a big problem during WD. Luckily I didn't have the pure insomnia, I always was able to sleep a few hours a nite on and off. I hope you are following the moderators advice. They will help you. Try to constantly tell yourself that "this too will pass" You are in WD hell but it is not a life sentence. WD is a liar to you physically and mentally. It is a matter of working through it. Some people have it so much worse than others but having patience and knowing the truth of the beast helps. Good luck with that poppy field dream! Skipping through them sounds like fun:) I wish you good health BooBoo! Lucy Paxil 07/1997 - 10/1998 Quit CT Neurontin, topamax, trazadone, ssri AD (don't remember which one) 12/1998 - 06/1999 CT everything Eflexor , Xanax 04/2000 -08/2000 CT ***01/2008-05/2013 on/off lexapro, lamictal, seroquel, saphris, pristiq Start/Stop CT at intervals Zoloft 200 mg 07/2013 WD 04/3/20 - 04/8/20 Quit Seroquel 800 mg 07/2013 2013 *400 mg 07/2019 *** WD 04/15/2020 - 06/19/20 Quit Ambien 10 mg 07/2013 WD 5 mg 04/29/2020, 2.5 mg 12/24/20, 1.66 mg 01/21/2021, 1.25 mg 02/16/2021 *** 02/22/2021 Quit Xanax 2 mg prn 07/2013 - 04/23/20 Quit CT Lamictal 150 mg 07/2013 WD 05/06/20 -06/11/2020 Quit Propranolol 03/21/2020 - 04/20/2020 Quit CT Hydroxyzine 12/14/2020 - 12/27/20 Quit Allegra 24 hr 01/11/21 Flonase Nasal Spray 01/11/21 Magnesium Glycinate 100mg x3 daily D3 5000iu daily Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 16, 2021 Administrator Share Posted July 16, 2021 Hello, @Lucy1983, how are you doing? 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
Lucy1983 Posted July 16, 2021 Author Share Posted July 16, 2021 I am doing great. Thanks for checking in on me! Paxil 07/1997 - 10/1998 Quit CT Neurontin, topamax, trazadone, ssri AD (don't remember which one) 12/1998 - 06/1999 CT everything Eflexor , Xanax 04/2000 -08/2000 CT ***01/2008-05/2013 on/off lexapro, lamictal, seroquel, saphris, pristiq Start/Stop CT at intervals Zoloft 200 mg 07/2013 WD 04/3/20 - 04/8/20 Quit Seroquel 800 mg 07/2013 2013 *400 mg 07/2019 *** WD 04/15/2020 - 06/19/20 Quit Ambien 10 mg 07/2013 WD 5 mg 04/29/2020, 2.5 mg 12/24/20, 1.66 mg 01/21/2021, 1.25 mg 02/16/2021 *** 02/22/2021 Quit Xanax 2 mg prn 07/2013 - 04/23/20 Quit CT Lamictal 150 mg 07/2013 WD 05/06/20 -06/11/2020 Quit Propranolol 03/21/2020 - 04/20/2020 Quit CT Hydroxyzine 12/14/2020 - 12/27/20 Quit Allegra 24 hr 01/11/21 Flonase Nasal Spray 01/11/21 Magnesium Glycinate 100mg x3 daily D3 5000iu daily Link to comment
Mentor Greatful Posted July 17, 2021 Mentor Share Posted July 17, 2021 @Lucy1983 Wow you give me hope. If I understand, you stopped Zoloft, Seroquel, Xanax, Lamictal, Hydroxyzine all last summer and you are only a year out and doing great! How in the world did you survive all that. You are one strong and determined woman. There is hope for us poly drugged people🤪 After I am stable from my mess last winter I will be tapering off of Lamictal, Lexapro, Trazadone. and Xanax HELP😞 https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/ 1995? Prozac, tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015 Kindled Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016 ended back on Prozac and Lamictal 200mg 5/2020 thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg Prozac down to 3mg. Crashed 12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct 1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct 2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg. Became hypo manic 2/1 6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25 25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg. 2/24 100mg 4/9 75mg 4/21 37.5 2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr 3/3 100mg 3/17 150mg side effects ct 4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg 4/14 7.5mg 4/30 10mg 5/10 7.5mg 2021/ 5/16 5mg Lexapro 37.5 Lamictal 25mg trazadone, xanax .0625mg 3x a day Lexapro Taper> Sept/01/2021 4.90mg> Sept/25 4.75mg> Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid 4.2mg (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg> 2/24 3.8mg slow taper to Aug/12/2022 2.04mg 2023> 2mg, 1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg , 0.05mg 4/1/2024 0 Lamictal taper 4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22- 0 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg July 2023 0 Xanax 0.0625 3 x a day, 2023> 0.042 3x a day Supplements Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC Link to comment
Lucy1983 Posted July 17, 2021 Author Share Posted July 17, 2021 Hi @Greatful we are all different but yes there is hope. I admit there were some rough periods but I hope I am through the worst. My last wave was in April which lasted a couple of weeks so I don't know that I am "out of the woods" yet. I am hopeful at all times but also remain watchful. I am so thankful for this site and the people that come here. We are each others helper through this journey. Best of the best for you! Paxil 07/1997 - 10/1998 Quit CT Neurontin, topamax, trazadone, ssri AD (don't remember which one) 12/1998 - 06/1999 CT everything Eflexor , Xanax 04/2000 -08/2000 CT ***01/2008-05/2013 on/off lexapro, lamictal, seroquel, saphris, pristiq Start/Stop CT at intervals Zoloft 200 mg 07/2013 WD 04/3/20 - 04/8/20 Quit Seroquel 800 mg 07/2013 2013 *400 mg 07/2019 *** WD 04/15/2020 - 06/19/20 Quit Ambien 10 mg 07/2013 WD 5 mg 04/29/2020, 2.5 mg 12/24/20, 1.66 mg 01/21/2021, 1.25 mg 02/16/2021 *** 02/22/2021 Quit Xanax 2 mg prn 07/2013 - 04/23/20 Quit CT Lamictal 150 mg 07/2013 WD 05/06/20 -06/11/2020 Quit Propranolol 03/21/2020 - 04/20/2020 Quit CT Hydroxyzine 12/14/2020 - 12/27/20 Quit Allegra 24 hr 01/11/21 Flonase Nasal Spray 01/11/21 Magnesium Glycinate 100mg x3 daily D3 5000iu daily Link to comment
Mentor Greatful Posted August 30, 2022 Mentor Share Posted August 30, 2022 Hi @Lucy1983 How are things going for you? I am on my journey of getting off my drugs. I still can't believe you fast tapered or ct'd all the drugs. Did you go through much emotional pain? ie depression, obsessing, brain disconnect. Sometimes I wonder if it's the drugs that are causing me so much discomfort. My brain never felt right on them. The Lamictal was very blunting and caused memory issues. I can't wait until the day I am drug free and letting my brain and body heal. I feel encouraged by your journey. It shows me that we are all different and will heal at our own pace. Yours being rather fast and not so debilitating as some helps to remind me that there is a wide time frame for healing from these drugs... Is there a success story coming soon?🌞 https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/ 1995? Prozac, tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015 Kindled Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016 ended back on Prozac and Lamictal 200mg 5/2020 thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg Prozac down to 3mg. Crashed 12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct 1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct 2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg. Became hypo manic 2/1 6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25 25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg. 2/24 100mg 4/9 75mg 4/21 37.5 2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr 3/3 100mg 3/17 150mg side effects ct 4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg 4/14 7.5mg 4/30 10mg 5/10 7.5mg 2021/ 5/16 5mg Lexapro 37.5 Lamictal 25mg trazadone, xanax .0625mg 3x a day Lexapro Taper> Sept/01/2021 4.90mg> Sept/25 4.75mg> Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid 4.2mg (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg> 2/24 3.8mg slow taper to Aug/12/2022 2.04mg 2023> 2mg, 1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg , 0.05mg 4/1/2024 0 Lamictal taper 4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22- 0 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg July 2023 0 Xanax 0.0625 3 x a day, 2023> 0.042 3x a day Supplements Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC Link to comment
Lucy1983 Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 Hey there @Greatful. Things are going well for me. Actually feeling better than I have in many years. Life is not perfect and never will be. But I cope. I still have waves which include short periods of self doubt and extreme sex drive (what's up with that???) Those two WD symptoms seem to go hand in hand so I realize that I am in a wave and just wait for it to pass. Yes, we are all different. I had many horrible symptoms while on the drugs, because my doc kept changing drugs and dosages, and during WD. My main symptoms while on the drugs were being suicidal and intense intrusive thoughts. Anger was huge for me during my first 12 months of WD. I don't think I ever discussed the suicidal thoughts because I didn't want anyone freaking out about my getting off of the drugs. I am very happy to say that even though times get tough and I do get a bit down I have NEVER considered suicide since stopping the drugs. My thoughts have remained rational. Will I do a success story??? Hopefully at some point but I'm only 26 months drug free so my WD journey is still ongoing. As always, I want to express my gratitude to this site for helping me with my WD journey. Without the people that share what WD is doing to them and helping me realize that everything I go through in WD is "normal" I never would have stuck it out. I have told so many people about this site in hopes that it will help them also. I wish you success Greatful❤️ 4 Paxil 07/1997 - 10/1998 Quit CT Neurontin, topamax, trazadone, ssri AD (don't remember which one) 12/1998 - 06/1999 CT everything Eflexor , Xanax 04/2000 -08/2000 CT ***01/2008-05/2013 on/off lexapro, lamictal, seroquel, saphris, pristiq Start/Stop CT at intervals Zoloft 200 mg 07/2013 WD 04/3/20 - 04/8/20 Quit Seroquel 800 mg 07/2013 2013 *400 mg 07/2019 *** WD 04/15/2020 - 06/19/20 Quit Ambien 10 mg 07/2013 WD 5 mg 04/29/2020, 2.5 mg 12/24/20, 1.66 mg 01/21/2021, 1.25 mg 02/16/2021 *** 02/22/2021 Quit Xanax 2 mg prn 07/2013 - 04/23/20 Quit CT Lamictal 150 mg 07/2013 WD 05/06/20 -06/11/2020 Quit Propranolol 03/21/2020 - 04/20/2020 Quit CT Hydroxyzine 12/14/2020 - 12/27/20 Quit Allegra 24 hr 01/11/21 Flonase Nasal Spray 01/11/21 Magnesium Glycinate 100mg x3 daily D3 5000iu daily Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted September 1, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 1, 2022 Because you're feeling better, I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol ☼ to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering. Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually! Please see this topic: How to write your success story Link to comment
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