modelarz71 Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 hello, I don't know much about drugs, and I also suffer from AD, but when I feel very bad, I remember my grandparents or father, then there is some relief and I feel less lonely 2 2022 escitalopram from July 25 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg August-December- 7.5 mg, 5 mg, (1 month) 2.5 mg - C/T WD 2023 Short reinstatement from WD date: escitalopram May 25-June 12 5 mg, 2.5 mg plus interrupted Reinstatement 24 07.23 0.5mg escitalopram, 18.08.23 0.22 escitalopram, 07.09. 0.28 Now 0.30 mg escitalopram Last year 6 months on escitalopram, I was very agitated, hypomaniacal and with little need for sleep. Since July 2023 reinstated and reduced from 0.50 mg to 0.30 mg Lexapro - difficulty sleeping and lack of sleep, eye pain and IBS. Anhedonia. November 2023 - 0mg Link to comment
Jennings Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 You've healed before you will heal again, sometimes the withdrawal is protracted. I hope you're feeling better. I just did a drop of my Lamo and it's hitting me a little bit. Now I wonder if it's from my last drop or this current one. It's withdrawal, and it always passes. I know that doesn't give you much comfort but we are all in this chaos. 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
LarryS Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 @NeedMoreHope I have just read about what the doctor's did to you regarding all the drug changes. I can understand why you are struggling harder than some to find relief. The akathisia and insomnia are very difficult to go through but do try to hang in there. I recently went through several months of intense insomnia struggles. I feel for you. I note that you just stopped by my introduction blog and found some hope and understanding in Psalms 88: 6-7. I'm glad you saw it and where encouraged. "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 See LarryS Health History https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18063-larrys-tapering-off-venlafaxine-effexor-225mg/?do=findComment&comment=575976 Aug 2014 start Venlafaxine 225 mg. Other Pharmaceuticals per day: Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg Vitamins per day: C 1,000 mg; D3 50 mcg; Probiotic 218 mg; Fish Oil 1,600 mg; Magnesium Glycinate Liquid 165 mg; CoQ10 40 mg; Saw Palmetto 320 mg; Calcium 250 mg; Red Yeast Rice 1,200 mg; Plant Sterol Esters 1,000 mg Start Taper: 225 mg to 55 mg; June 5, 2018, to June 15, 2019 49 mg July 16, 2019; 44 mg August 13, 2019; 49 mg (up 11%) Aug. 26, 2019: 44 mg Sept. 10, 2019; 40 mg Oct. 8, 2019; 37.5 mg (6%) Nov. 6, 2019; 49.5 mg (up 32%) Nov 18, 2019; 44.5 mg Dec. 30, 2019; 40 mg Jan. 27, 2020; 36 mg Feb. 24, 2020; 32.5 mg March 23, 2020; 29.2 mg April 20, 2020; 26.3 mg May 18, 2020; 23.7 mg June 15, 2020; 21.3 mg July 6, 2020; 19.2 mg Aug. 4, 2020; 17.3 mg Sept. 1, 2020; 15.5 mg Sept. 29, 2020; 14.0 mg Oct. 27, 2020; 12.6 mg Nov. 24, 2020; 11.3 mg Dec. 15, 2020; 10.2 mg Jan. 5, 2021; 9.2 mg Feb. 2, 2021; 8.3 mg March 9, 2021; 7.4 mg April 6, 2021; 6.7 mg 5/4/2021; 6.0 mg 6/01/2021; 5.4 mg 7/13/2021; 4.9 mg 8/10/2021; 4.4 mg 9/9/2021; 4.0 mg 10/14/2021; 3.5 mg 11/11/2021; 7.5 mg (up 200%) 12/6/2021; 6.75 mg 1/17/2022; 6.00 mg 2/21/2022; 5.62 mg 3/21/2022; 4.87 mg 4/25/2022; 4.50 mg 5/30/2022; 4.13 mg 7/5/2022; 3.75 mg 8/1/2022; 3.38 mg 9/7/2022; 3.00 mg 10/5/2022; 2.63 mg 11/02/2022; 2.25 mg 12/1/2022; 1.88 mg 1/5/2023; 1.50 mg 2/9/2023; 1.13 mg 3/16/2023; 0.75 mg 4/20/2023; ZERO mg 5/5/2023 Link to comment
LarryS Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 @NeedMoreHope I have a couple of recommendations for you. I see that you are tapering two drugs at the same time. I know it will take longer, but some here believe that tapering one drug at a time will allow one to better assess when the body is stable and able to proceed with the next drop in dose. Another person on this forum is currently tapering Gabapentin and finding it more difficult than the previous taper off Zoloft. I suggest you read "RachelSusan" blog and possibly correspond with her. She is a mentor also. To find her, go to the search box and start with the @ symbol and then the name. This should pull up links to her blog. Also, I see that you are tapering both drugs faster than the recommended 10% of the previous dose. You are likely tapering to fast. Going slower will cause less stress on your mind and body. "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 See LarryS Health History https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18063-larrys-tapering-off-venlafaxine-effexor-225mg/?do=findComment&comment=575976 Aug 2014 start Venlafaxine 225 mg. Other Pharmaceuticals per day: Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg Vitamins per day: C 1,000 mg; D3 50 mcg; Probiotic 218 mg; Fish Oil 1,600 mg; Magnesium Glycinate Liquid 165 mg; CoQ10 40 mg; Saw Palmetto 320 mg; Calcium 250 mg; Red Yeast Rice 1,200 mg; Plant Sterol Esters 1,000 mg Start Taper: 225 mg to 55 mg; June 5, 2018, to June 15, 2019 49 mg July 16, 2019; 44 mg August 13, 2019; 49 mg (up 11%) Aug. 26, 2019: 44 mg Sept. 10, 2019; 40 mg Oct. 8, 2019; 37.5 mg (6%) Nov. 6, 2019; 49.5 mg (up 32%) Nov 18, 2019; 44.5 mg Dec. 30, 2019; 40 mg Jan. 27, 2020; 36 mg Feb. 24, 2020; 32.5 mg March 23, 2020; 29.2 mg April 20, 2020; 26.3 mg May 18, 2020; 23.7 mg June 15, 2020; 21.3 mg July 6, 2020; 19.2 mg Aug. 4, 2020; 17.3 mg Sept. 1, 2020; 15.5 mg Sept. 29, 2020; 14.0 mg Oct. 27, 2020; 12.6 mg Nov. 24, 2020; 11.3 mg Dec. 15, 2020; 10.2 mg Jan. 5, 2021; 9.2 mg Feb. 2, 2021; 8.3 mg March 9, 2021; 7.4 mg April 6, 2021; 6.7 mg 5/4/2021; 6.0 mg 6/01/2021; 5.4 mg 7/13/2021; 4.9 mg 8/10/2021; 4.4 mg 9/9/2021; 4.0 mg 10/14/2021; 3.5 mg 11/11/2021; 7.5 mg (up 200%) 12/6/2021; 6.75 mg 1/17/2022; 6.00 mg 2/21/2022; 5.62 mg 3/21/2022; 4.87 mg 4/25/2022; 4.50 mg 5/30/2022; 4.13 mg 7/5/2022; 3.75 mg 8/1/2022; 3.38 mg 9/7/2022; 3.00 mg 10/5/2022; 2.63 mg 11/02/2022; 2.25 mg 12/1/2022; 1.88 mg 1/5/2023; 1.50 mg 2/9/2023; 1.13 mg 3/16/2023; 0.75 mg 4/20/2023; ZERO mg 5/5/2023 Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 21, 2023 Author Share Posted July 21, 2023 Thank you. I have definitely stopped the tapers for a while. I am back in acute withdrawals, and I thought this was all over. There is a fear that I will never recover from all this. I'm at that point where I think I can't bear it another minute, but then realizing that no one can really help me - just got to keep going. 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Addax Posted July 22, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 22, 2023 9 hours ago, NeedMoreHope said: There is a fear that I will never recover from all this. Ugh! I believe this thought is a withdrawal symptom in and of itself. It is pervasive among so many of the threads here. I experience it when I don’t feel well, and nearly everyone I interact with on here has experienced it. The kicker is, no matter how many times you feel better/emerge from a wave, the next time one hits you believe it all over again. I sometimes think it’s the cruelest part of withdrawal because it leaves people feeling hopeless. Luckily our thoughts are not reality, and evidence indicates that withdrawal and feeling badly is time limited and people ultimately end up healing and feeling better. Unfortunately, how quickly that happens can’t be predicted. That’s the frustrating part. But holding, as you are doing, will get you there. You will get through this and feel better. You’ll see. 3 1988-2012: Prozac @ 60mg (with a few stops and starts) Fall 2012: Returned to 40mg after discontinuing and horrid withdrawal Fall 2013: 40mg Fluoxetine, added 150mg Wellbutrin to treat fatigue Winter 2014: Attempting to taper both (too fast) April 2014: 9mg Fluoxetine + 37.5 Wellbutrin Summer 2014: 8 mg Fluoxetine + 0 Wellbutrin (way too fast a drop) Late summer/Early Fall 2014: Debilitating Withdrawal symptoms Fall 2014 - Wellbutrin successfully kicked to the curb but… Oct- Dec 2014: Panicked reinstatement of Fluoxetine ->30mg - held for 5yrs Jan 2021: taper to 20mg Fluoxetine then tapering by 1mg every 2-3 months Fall 2022 - held at 10mg->December 2022: 9mg->Feb 2023: 8mg ->March 2023: brassmonkey slide begins: 7.8mg -> 7.6 -> 7.4->2 week hold (April)->7.2->7mg->6.8->2 week hold->6.6-> 1-month hold ->(June)-6.5->4-week hold-> (July)-6.4 (discontinued brassmonkey slide and slowed taper)-> (Aug)-6.2->(Sept)-6.0->(Oct)-5.9->(Nov)-5.8->(Dec)-5.7->wave!->(Jan)-5.8->(Feb)-6mg and holding. My 2014 withdrawal experience: https://rxisk.org/antidepressant-withdrawal-a-prozac-story/ Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 22, 2023 Author Share Posted July 22, 2023 Thank you Addax. This has been a hard one... I think too as we approach years and years of this, that we start losing hope that we can (1) endure much more because we are SO TIRED of facing this day after day and (2) that we simply can't heal from the damage that has already been done. But I know others like me have made it, and I have to "override" those withdrawal thoughts somehow. My biggest foe is just passing the time.. but I do try to remember on my window days, I never have enough hours in the day! So the perception of slow time is also just another withdrawal symptom that will pass eventually. Thank you SO MUCH, all of you, for your support. I dream of the day when I am well and can come back to offer support to those still in the thorns. 1 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 23, 2023 Author Share Posted July 23, 2023 I am so scared... absolutely no sleep last night, and burning/shaking/crying. I feel like I am going insane and my world is dark. Why am I so bad? Please help assure me this will end. I don't know where to go for help. My husband says hold on. 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Mentor Catina7 Posted July 23, 2023 Mentor Share Posted July 23, 2023 Hi @NeedMoreHope, your wave WILL end. They've always ended before and this one WILL come to an end. Another window is waiting for you, but you have to keep holding on. You're going to be okay. It sounds like your husband is very supportive and knows to keep you out of the hospital and not on any more drugs - he's a keeper and I'm glad you have him. Your help is right HERE, on this site...with everyone that understands what you're going through. I was just reading @pinkfairy's latest post and about everything she endured to get where she is. If she can do it, I know you can too! You have been through soooo much and you're still here fighting. A bad wave is just a sign that your body is still HEALING. It does sound like you have some extra stress in your life right now and that is probably a factor as well. Keep holding on, I know you'll get through this. One day at a time... Sending you much strength and tight hugs.... You're going to be okay! ❤️ 1 Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March): Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg) 2021 (September): Completely crashed. Went back up to 37.5 mg but in doing so I kindled myself 2024: 1/1: 35.6 mg (-6 beads) | 2/1: 33.8 mg (-11 beads) | 3/1: 32.1 mg (-16 beads) | 4/1: (-18 beads) Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 23, 2023 Author Share Posted July 23, 2023 Thank you - you all are my lifeline right now. And my husband is the best - a lot of family have abandoned us over the years because of this, but he has stuck by my side. He saw what the system and their poisons did to me - turned me from a well-functioning happy healthy wife for 25 years to what I am today. 1 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
pinkfairy Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 1 hour ago, NeedMoreHope said: I am so scared... absolutely no sleep last night, and burning/shaking/crying. I feel like I am going insane and my world is dark. Why am I so bad? Please help assure me this will end. I don't know where to go for help. My husband says hold on. Being scared is ok it means you're doing something really really brave, this journey is so very very tough but you are slaying it minute by minute. When WD hits it really as no rhyme or reason when it strikes then we become scared of the fear of the fear. Yes every single symptom ends it all goes. Every single thing you need for help is in-side of you, you are the one that is going to save you you're doing it.If all you can do is breathe and just hold on that is enough. I have been right where you and i learnt to go within and start learning every coping tool what i could to self soothe, i kept looking for answers out-side of my self i kept giving my power away to Doctors, when all along we are such powerful souls its when we remember our own internal power that things shifted for me. These souls on here have walked the path before you and we light the way for you to keep moving forwards. You are so powerful for enduring this and your strength is out-standing. Keep going because it all ends and your beautiful life awaits you. YOU are stronger than any storm. 1 First AD when i was 19.Binge drinker/drugs 15 years weekend use.I was always pulled on and off.2005-2007-Mirtapine 45mg CT. 2010-2016 Paxil 40mg + Zopiclone.Jan-2016 i was CT off Paxil.Stopped alcohol Jan 2016.Given 2-4mg of Diazepam April 2016 CT them after 3 month.They reinstated 8mg of Diazepam July 2016 and the Doctor CT me off Zopiclone the same day.They then tried adding all different drugs Mirt one of them at 15mg (i took 7.5mg).I was tapered August 2016 7.5mg.Sep 2016 7mg.Oct 2016 6mg.Tried 1mg of Paxil-stopped after 2 days.Nov 2016 5.5mg.Tried olanzapine @2.5mg (stopped after a week)Dec 2016-5mg.Tried switching to liquid Jan-March 2017 (no good)back to pills.April 2017-4.75mg of Diazepam June 2017 -4.5mg.July 2018 went inpatient for 10 days.Awakening 4 days later.HELD.Sep 2017 4.3mg Dec 2017-4mg (Held)April 2019- started tapering the Mirtazapine.Sep 2019 at 6mg of Mirtazapine (HELD)Stopped smoking CT after 26 years.10.16.19..Restarted the Diazepam taper Jan 2020 micro tapering (game changer) now 18/7/23 @0.052mg Diazepam + Mirtazapine @6mg. Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 23, 2023 Author Share Posted July 23, 2023 PinkFairy, How do you cope with the bone crushing depression and how slowly the days go by? Any success there? My whole gut just aches from this depression, and coupled with all the other symptoms, I am defeated. I've cried so much these past few years, I didn't know it was possible for a human to do that. I cannot figure out to conquer the depression that seems to follow and accompany every other symptom. Sleep is my next foe...I usually dread the night all day, but I would say the depression is #1. This is why my mind always goes back to, see, "they" said I would always need these meds... but yet I have had times where everything is gone, and I was even sleeping 7 hours there for a while. Thank you for your help today. I am at a very low point, even worse than past years. And again, have no idea why this hit so badly. 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Mentor Catina7 Posted July 23, 2023 Mentor Share Posted July 23, 2023 13 minutes ago, NeedMoreHope said: PinkFairy, How do you cope with the bone crushing depression and how slowly the days go by? Any success there? My whole gut just aches from this depression, and coupled with all the other symptoms, I am defeated. I've cried so much these past few years, I didn't know it was possible for a human to do that. I cannot figure out to conquer the depression that seems to follow and accompany every other symptom. Sleep is my next foe...I usually dread the night all day, but I would say the depression is #1. This is why my mind always goes back to, see, "they" said I would always need these meds... but yet I have had times where everything is gone, and I was even sleeping 7 hours there for a while. Thank you for your help today. I am at a very low point, even worse than past years. And again, have no idea why this hit so badly. @pinkfairy << Just tagging her for you so she'll be sure to see it! Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March): Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg) 2021 (September): Completely crashed. Went back up to 37.5 mg but in doing so I kindled myself 2024: 1/1: 35.6 mg (-6 beads) | 2/1: 33.8 mg (-11 beads) | 3/1: 32.1 mg (-16 beads) | 4/1: (-18 beads) Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 23, 2023 Author Share Posted July 23, 2023 Thank you Catina7. You've been a big help to me today. 1 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
pinkfairy Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 1 hour ago, Catina7 said: @pinkfairy << Just tagging her for you so she'll be sure to see it! Thank you i am here, just going to reply now x 1 First AD when i was 19.Binge drinker/drugs 15 years weekend use.I was always pulled on and off.2005-2007-Mirtapine 45mg CT. 2010-2016 Paxil 40mg + Zopiclone.Jan-2016 i was CT off Paxil.Stopped alcohol Jan 2016.Given 2-4mg of Diazepam April 2016 CT them after 3 month.They reinstated 8mg of Diazepam July 2016 and the Doctor CT me off Zopiclone the same day.They then tried adding all different drugs Mirt one of them at 15mg (i took 7.5mg).I was tapered August 2016 7.5mg.Sep 2016 7mg.Oct 2016 6mg.Tried 1mg of Paxil-stopped after 2 days.Nov 2016 5.5mg.Tried olanzapine @2.5mg (stopped after a week)Dec 2016-5mg.Tried switching to liquid Jan-March 2017 (no good)back to pills.April 2017-4.75mg of Diazepam June 2017 -4.5mg.July 2018 went inpatient for 10 days.Awakening 4 days later.HELD.Sep 2017 4.3mg Dec 2017-4mg (Held)April 2019- started tapering the Mirtazapine.Sep 2019 at 6mg of Mirtazapine (HELD)Stopped smoking CT after 26 years.10.16.19..Restarted the Diazepam taper Jan 2020 micro tapering (game changer) now 18/7/23 @0.052mg Diazepam + Mirtazapine @6mg. Link to comment
pinkfairy Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 2 hours ago, NeedMoreHope said: PinkFairy, How do you cope with the bone crushing depression and how slowly the days go by? Any success there? My whole gut just aches from this depression, and coupled with all the other symptoms, I am defeated. I've cried so much these past few years, I didn't know it was possible for a human to do that. I cannot figure out to conquer the depression that seems to follow and accompany every other symptom. Sleep is my next foe...I usually dread the night all day, but I would say the depression is #1. This is why my mind always goes back to, see, "they" said I would always need these meds... but yet I have had times where everything is gone, and I was even sleeping 7 hours there for a while. Thank you for your help today. I am at a very low point, even worse than past years. And again, have no idea why this hit so badly. Hey lovely, I don't have it any more it was a major part of the journey i went into a dark night of the soul it was soul crushing, i rememberit all well i just used to stare at the wall and i had no sense of time i was sleeping 0-2 hours a night max. But i want you to know i came through the other side and it goes all of it. I cried every day for 3 solid years i never stopped. They said you "need the meds" because you are a customer lost if you aren't under their hypnotic spell of been broken or there is something wrong with you, actually there is nothing wrong with you. The waves and windows will occur on its own time line there is no rhyme or reason or what "am i doing wrong" your nervous system is under repair and its healing anything that heals hurts. All this will pass it will be over one day. Distract as much as you can watch something light hearted if able to. Read success stories,i had a gratitude journal and i could not find one thing to be grateful at the time.I started with a bed and then running water even though i had lost everything, my son went with my aunt for 2 years,i lost our home,both my jobs and my ex partner all went in one full swoop and my friends. I clung on and got through every second of every day/months all i could do was just breathe and hold on to friends on line, i kept going even when i wanted to give up. I kept going and my goodness i am so very glad i kept going because i stepped out of that in one piece forged by the fire and so will you. These days will be the making of you,you will see at the other end of this what i mean, when you think your life is actually falling apart it is actually all falling together you cant see it while in the eye of the storm. You are way stronger than any storm. Keep putting one foot in-front of the other and grab as many coping tools as you can. Distract distract distract watch fluffy cute things,colour,paint,draw anything where you can channel your pain into. What do you like? 1 First AD when i was 19.Binge drinker/drugs 15 years weekend use.I was always pulled on and off.2005-2007-Mirtapine 45mg CT. 2010-2016 Paxil 40mg + Zopiclone.Jan-2016 i was CT off Paxil.Stopped alcohol Jan 2016.Given 2-4mg of Diazepam April 2016 CT them after 3 month.They reinstated 8mg of Diazepam July 2016 and the Doctor CT me off Zopiclone the same day.They then tried adding all different drugs Mirt one of them at 15mg (i took 7.5mg).I was tapered August 2016 7.5mg.Sep 2016 7mg.Oct 2016 6mg.Tried 1mg of Paxil-stopped after 2 days.Nov 2016 5.5mg.Tried olanzapine @2.5mg (stopped after a week)Dec 2016-5mg.Tried switching to liquid Jan-March 2017 (no good)back to pills.April 2017-4.75mg of Diazepam June 2017 -4.5mg.July 2018 went inpatient for 10 days.Awakening 4 days later.HELD.Sep 2017 4.3mg Dec 2017-4mg (Held)April 2019- started tapering the Mirtazapine.Sep 2019 at 6mg of Mirtazapine (HELD)Stopped smoking CT after 26 years.10.16.19..Restarted the Diazepam taper Jan 2020 micro tapering (game changer) now 18/7/23 @0.052mg Diazepam + Mirtazapine @6mg. Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 23, 2023 Author Share Posted July 23, 2023 Thank you again. I take hope that it left you. I'm so sorry for all your losses. I've lost a lot, but still have my house and husband, so thankful for that. I never was very artistic, but I do play (and used to teach) piano. Perhaps I should dive into learning Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. He was misdiagnosed with mental illness the last years of his life and was institutionalized, but he really ended up having a brain tumor. A lot of pain in his life for sure, but perhaps it led to his musical creativity. I just need to keep going - the goal is to stay out of the hospital and survive at this point. If you can do it, I can too. Thank you all. 2 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
pinkfairy Posted July 24, 2023 Share Posted July 24, 2023 22 hours ago, NeedMoreHope said: Thank you again. I take hope that it left you. I'm so sorry for all your losses. I've lost a lot, but still have my house and husband, so thankful for that. I never was very artistic, but I do play (and used to teach) piano. Perhaps I should dive into learning Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. He was misdiagnosed with mental illness the last years of his life and was institutionalized, but he really ended up having a brain tumor. A lot of pain in his life for sure, but perhaps it led to his musical creativity. I just need to keep going - the goal is to stay out of the hospital and survive at this point. If you can do it, I can too. Thank you all. Take as much hope as you can :). Honestly it had to be that way for me. Really pleased you have your husband and home. Oh that is sooooo artistic playing the piano my goodness 100% dive into that you will end up producing a number 1 hit.Channel the pain into your piano let it all wash through you out onto those keys go for it and learn it. That doesn't surprise me the poor man but i bet he alchemised is pain into his music. 100% you need to keep going eyes ahead and keep putting one foot in-front of the other, they are your two goals and you will do both of them. These drugs may be powerful but we are, and when we remember we no longer fear any storm... Keep going and distract distract distract First AD when i was 19.Binge drinker/drugs 15 years weekend use.I was always pulled on and off.2005-2007-Mirtapine 45mg CT. 2010-2016 Paxil 40mg + Zopiclone.Jan-2016 i was CT off Paxil.Stopped alcohol Jan 2016.Given 2-4mg of Diazepam April 2016 CT them after 3 month.They reinstated 8mg of Diazepam July 2016 and the Doctor CT me off Zopiclone the same day.They then tried adding all different drugs Mirt one of them at 15mg (i took 7.5mg).I was tapered August 2016 7.5mg.Sep 2016 7mg.Oct 2016 6mg.Tried 1mg of Paxil-stopped after 2 days.Nov 2016 5.5mg.Tried olanzapine @2.5mg (stopped after a week)Dec 2016-5mg.Tried switching to liquid Jan-March 2017 (no good)back to pills.April 2017-4.75mg of Diazepam June 2017 -4.5mg.July 2018 went inpatient for 10 days.Awakening 4 days later.HELD.Sep 2017 4.3mg Dec 2017-4mg (Held)April 2019- started tapering the Mirtazapine.Sep 2019 at 6mg of Mirtazapine (HELD)Stopped smoking CT after 26 years.10.16.19..Restarted the Diazepam taper Jan 2020 micro tapering (game changer) now 18/7/23 @0.052mg Diazepam + Mirtazapine @6mg. Link to comment
Mentor RachelSusan Posted July 27, 2023 Mentor Share Posted July 27, 2023 @NeedMoreHope On 7/23/2023 at 1:53 PM, NeedMoreHope said: I just need to keep going - the goal is to stay out of the hospital and survive at this point. If you can do it, I can too. Thank you all. This is the absolute truth. - - I came by your thread to see how you are doing. It looks like your last post was Sunday. So how have you been doing since then? It takes so long to heal from these drugs and our tapers. Don't give up hope. It is indeed despicable what these drugs have done to some of us and how long it takes to heal, but we will heal. Warm wishes!!!! I am not a health professional in any way. I do not give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner. NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20, 575 to 500 (13%), Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER Feb. 2016 to June 2016 - Was on 150mg Zoloft. Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June 2016, reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016. From July 2016 to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper. STARTING SENSIBLE ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE Dec. 10 2016 - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg. Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg. Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%). Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg. May 9, 2020 1.375 mg. June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%). July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%). August 15, 2020 1.0 mg. Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg. Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg. Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%). Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg. May 1, 2021 .375mg. May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg. October 2, 2021 .043mg. October 10, 2021 .038mg. October 23, 2021 .035mg. October 30, 2021 .032mg. Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg. Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg. Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 27, 2023 Author Share Posted July 27, 2023 RachelSusan, Thanks for checking in. I'm holding on. I did have a few hours of a good window yesterday, and it was heaven. I actually picked some zucchini and shredded it for the freezer. I wished it would have lasted longer. Been getting about 4 hours sleep, so sure could use more, but grateful for that. Today is back to just holding on. But the small windows that open up give us hope for sure. 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Mentor RachelSusan Posted July 27, 2023 Mentor Share Posted July 27, 2023 @NeedMoreHope Windows are great. For me though, I can feel when a window is closing and then fear sets in because I don't know how bad it is going to get in terms of symptoms, or for how long. I slept 4 hours and 21 minutes last night (per my fitbit). Last night was difficult, very symptomatic and I don't know where this is leading. I guess we will both hold on and see what happens next. I am not a health professional in any way. I do not give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner. NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20, 575 to 500 (13%), Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER Feb. 2016 to June 2016 - Was on 150mg Zoloft. Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June 2016, reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016. From July 2016 to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper. STARTING SENSIBLE ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE Dec. 10 2016 - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg. Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg. Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%). Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg. May 9, 2020 1.375 mg. June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%). July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%). August 15, 2020 1.0 mg. Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg. Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg. Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%). Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg. May 1, 2021 .375mg. May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg. October 2, 2021 .043mg. October 10, 2021 .038mg. October 23, 2021 .035mg. October 30, 2021 .032mg. Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg. Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg. Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 27, 2023 Author Share Posted July 27, 2023 Same here - it's that sickening feeling that everything is coming back again, and it is so cruel when you get a "taste" of what feeling human again is like. But, we have to have faith in those who have walked ahead of us and believe that we can and will heal. I broke down again today and asked my husband to take me somewhere - he said, "and what are they going to do for you? They will take your phone, underwear, go through your purse, lock you in a room with someone you don't want to be with, pump more poison in you, make you worse, send you home, and you will still feel just as terrible and lose the ground you just gained". He's right. All we can do is grab a hold of what comforts we have in our homes, hang on to the good moments we find, and believe in our healing to come. I'm with you here - you're not alone. 1 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Mentor RachelSusan Posted July 27, 2023 Mentor Share Posted July 27, 2023 (edited) 53 minutes ago, NeedMoreHope said: But, we have to have faith in those who have walked ahead of us and believe that we can and will heal. @NeedMoreHope I should know this, I should believe this. I have already successfully tapered off an anti-depressant. Intellectually I know there is a brighter tomorrow, but when the emotions and fear kick in it's like I forget all that I have learned on this site and from my very own experience. Also, no one likes to hurt. That is the simple truth. Let's face it, these withdrawal symptoms really hurt. They are incredibly painful. 53 minutes ago, NeedMoreHope said: I broke down again today and asked my husband to take me somewhere - I have been where you are with the same request. For me it was desperation to leave the pain. It was to go somewhere and see someone who might be able to relieve my pain. It was sheer desperation and I now realize it was nothing more than a fantasy born out of the unending torment and pain. You husband is right, they won't be able to help us. But when we are desperate we grasp at those straws, don't we? I surely have. I had a bit of a window the last few days and as I said, last night the window started to close. I am waiting to see what happens today. I am just going to relax, try to stay calm and who knows maybe I might just get lucky this time. I've got a book and TV show to watch if I can concentrate. I do have some sound sensitivity but I have picked a show without a lot of loud noise. Hopefully nothing will surprise me. Stay strong. I will stay strong. It is true, we are not alone. Edited July 27, 2023 by RachelSusan typos 2 I am not a health professional in any way. I do not give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner. NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20, 575 to 500 (13%), Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER Feb. 2016 to June 2016 - Was on 150mg Zoloft. Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June 2016, reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016. From July 2016 to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper. STARTING SENSIBLE ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE Dec. 10 2016 - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg. Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg. Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%). Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg. May 9, 2020 1.375 mg. June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%). July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%). August 15, 2020 1.0 mg. Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg. Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg. Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%). Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg. May 1, 2021 .375mg. May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg. October 2, 2021 .043mg. October 10, 2021 .038mg. October 23, 2021 .035mg. October 30, 2021 .032mg. Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg. Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg. Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY Link to comment
Mentor Catina7 Posted July 27, 2023 Mentor Share Posted July 27, 2023 Have you heard of Angie Peacock? She was featured in the film Medicating Normal. She was on a cocktail of different drugs and was able to get off all of them and she's pretty much fully healed now. She is now a taper coach for others. You can find her on YouTube and Facebook. She's got a lot of encouraging information. 1 Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March): Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg) 2021 (September): Completely crashed. Went back up to 37.5 mg but in doing so I kindled myself 2024: 1/1: 35.6 mg (-6 beads) | 2/1: 33.8 mg (-11 beads) | 3/1: 32.1 mg (-16 beads) | 4/1: (-18 beads) Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted July 27, 2023 Author Share Posted July 27, 2023 Yes! I have listened to Angie - I like her. I've never spoken to her, but I can tell she understands and she goes toe to toe with the authorities over trying to change our mental health system. I am comforted at how many people have posted their experiences, and a lot of them are now working with others in withdrawal. I've had past contact with David Powers, Michael Priebe, and Dr. Jenn. They all were helpful, but they do make their living from this, so can be a bit pricey (and insurance wont cover this type of coaching, but they will sure cover meds...(sigh)). In my early days of trying to figure out what was wrong with me, I would just search for any videos of people giving hope - I found there were a lot of good people who went through this (and they healed). One day, there's going to be enough of us out there that the medical system is going to have to stop denying the suffering they are causing. 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Mentor Catina7 Posted July 27, 2023 Mentor Share Posted July 27, 2023 15 minutes ago, NeedMoreHope said: Yes! I have listened to Angie - I like her. I've never spoken to her, but I can tell she understands and she goes toe to toe with the authorities over trying to change our mental health system. I am comforted at how many people have posted their experiences, and a lot of them are now working with others in withdrawal. I've had past contact with David Powers, Michael Priebe, and Dr. Jenn. They all were helpful, but they do make their living from this, so can be a bit pricey (and insurance wont cover this type of coaching, but they will sure cover meds...(sigh)). In my early days of trying to figure out what was wrong with me, I would just search for any videos of people giving hope - I found there were a lot of good people who went through this (and they healed). One day, there's going to be enough of us out there that the medical system is going to have to stop denying the suffering they are causing. Oh, so glad to hear that! I try to glean as much free information as possible. I keep digital files of everything! Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March): Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg) 2021 (September): Completely crashed. Went back up to 37.5 mg but in doing so I kindled myself 2024: 1/1: 35.6 mg (-6 beads) | 2/1: 33.8 mg (-11 beads) | 3/1: 32.1 mg (-16 beads) | 4/1: (-18 beads) Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted August 2, 2023 Author Share Posted August 2, 2023 I FINALLY had a window day!! This last wave was a long rough one. It's so amazing to me that on a window day, you 'almost' forget the terror of this and you think, "oh, I can do this now". But then when it comes back, the opposite is true - you seem to forget the window days. I guess our brains just tend to go to the dark side. But anyway, thank you all for helping me through the past couple of weeks. I hope I get more than today, but always grateful and hopeful for whatever I can get! 3 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
LarryS Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 On 8/2/2023 at 2:24 PM, NeedMoreHope said: I FINALLY had a window day!! This last wave was a long rough one. It's so amazing to me that on a window day, you 'almost' forget the terror of this and you think, "oh, I can do this now". @NeedMoreHope Good to hear you are having a window. It is true, you can survive and get through the waves. Good to see the support you are receiving from others. Hang in there. As I read your posts, I also recognize you are expressing more positive thoughts. Remember these good thoughts and embrace them. They are yours to keep. "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12 See LarryS Health History https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18063-larrys-tapering-off-venlafaxine-effexor-225mg/?do=findComment&comment=575976 Aug 2014 start Venlafaxine 225 mg. Other Pharmaceuticals per day: Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg Vitamins per day: C 1,000 mg; D3 50 mcg; Probiotic 218 mg; Fish Oil 1,600 mg; Magnesium Glycinate Liquid 165 mg; CoQ10 40 mg; Saw Palmetto 320 mg; Calcium 250 mg; Red Yeast Rice 1,200 mg; Plant Sterol Esters 1,000 mg Start Taper: 225 mg to 55 mg; June 5, 2018, to June 15, 2019 49 mg July 16, 2019; 44 mg August 13, 2019; 49 mg (up 11%) Aug. 26, 2019: 44 mg Sept. 10, 2019; 40 mg Oct. 8, 2019; 37.5 mg (6%) Nov. 6, 2019; 49.5 mg (up 32%) Nov 18, 2019; 44.5 mg Dec. 30, 2019; 40 mg Jan. 27, 2020; 36 mg Feb. 24, 2020; 32.5 mg March 23, 2020; 29.2 mg April 20, 2020; 26.3 mg May 18, 2020; 23.7 mg June 15, 2020; 21.3 mg July 6, 2020; 19.2 mg Aug. 4, 2020; 17.3 mg Sept. 1, 2020; 15.5 mg Sept. 29, 2020; 14.0 mg Oct. 27, 2020; 12.6 mg Nov. 24, 2020; 11.3 mg Dec. 15, 2020; 10.2 mg Jan. 5, 2021; 9.2 mg Feb. 2, 2021; 8.3 mg March 9, 2021; 7.4 mg April 6, 2021; 6.7 mg 5/4/2021; 6.0 mg 6/01/2021; 5.4 mg 7/13/2021; 4.9 mg 8/10/2021; 4.4 mg 9/9/2021; 4.0 mg 10/14/2021; 3.5 mg 11/11/2021; 7.5 mg (up 200%) 12/6/2021; 6.75 mg 1/17/2022; 6.00 mg 2/21/2022; 5.62 mg 3/21/2022; 4.87 mg 4/25/2022; 4.50 mg 5/30/2022; 4.13 mg 7/5/2022; 3.75 mg 8/1/2022; 3.38 mg 9/7/2022; 3.00 mg 10/5/2022; 2.63 mg 11/02/2022; 2.25 mg 12/1/2022; 1.88 mg 1/5/2023; 1.50 mg 2/9/2023; 1.13 mg 3/16/2023; 0.75 mg 4/20/2023; ZERO mg 5/5/2023 Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted August 7, 2023 Author Share Posted August 7, 2023 Thanks. I had one more window day Saturday too. The other days have been hard again, but holding on to the fact I had 2 really good ones last week! And my sleep is slowly improving again as well, so for that I'm very grateful. These crashes take a mighty long time to climb out of, but we'll get there. 1 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Tapertrauma Posted August 7, 2023 Share Posted August 7, 2023 (edited) Hi NeedMoreHelp I am so sorry for all the pain you've been going through. I too am down to 5mg of Prozac and am currently going through the same anguish. I too am lucky to have a fabulous and supportive husband. I was just wondering how you are doing today?. I have such terrible fatigue I just want to lie down all the time - I feel like I have been heavily sedated. Sending best regards. Edited August 12, 2023 by Altostrata removed code 2005 - Successfully and easily cold turkeyed from Sertraline on doctor's advice - during stay in rehab for alcohol dependency - still sober 20 years later. 2019 - Starting dose of Citalopram - extreme fatigue - came off after one week July 2019 - Self-medicated on 5HTP from health food shop - was advised no side effects - made me suicidal. 2019 - 2021 - Stabilized on 75mg of Venlafaxine and 10mg Prozac, functioning normally 2022 - Crashing fatigue returned - was advised was the Venlafaxine - tapered very quickly off - over the course of a month to nil 2022 - Prozac upped to 20mg and prescribed Beta Blockers for anxiety - made my low blood pressure even lower 2022 - Prescribed Amiltripaline for headaches - took for a few months - no improvement in headaches - tapered very quickly to nil 2022 - Prescribed Pregabalin - took for a few months - made no difference at all - tapered very quickly to nil 2022 - 2023 Have reduced Prozac from 20mg to 15mg - 01/12/2022 reduced Prozac from 20mg to 18mg; 29/12/2022 reduced Prozac from 18mg to 15mg; 08/01/2023 reduced Prozac from 15mg to 8mg 26/05/2023 reduced Prozac from 8mg to 6mg ; 09/06/2023 reduced Prozac from 6mg to 4mg; Dec 3 - Dec 9 2023 Prozac 5 mg; Dec 10 2023 - 4 mg. Jan 11 3.6mg Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted August 14, 2023 Author Share Posted August 14, 2023 Hello Tapertrauma, I wish I could say I'm better, but I'm not. It's been awful the past week - mostly psychological symptoms. I have such dark depression and then it will cycle over to anxiety, then back again. I just cry and cry. I wonder when this will end. I am sleeping fairly well, however, so I count that as a plus. My husband keeps saying to keep going, that he truly believes I will heal. So I will hold on, but this is about the worst I've been in all these years, so I guess it's that last little bit gripping my brain. I've been holding for a few months now. I hope you are doing better. 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted August 22, 2023 Author Share Posted August 22, 2023 Mentors or anyone, I've been holding on both meds since February, and I am getting worse...this past week has seen the return of more acute symptoms of terror, akathisia, total body sweating, dark depression, and feels like my head is swelling again. Could this be a bad reaction to staying on these meds at this point, or do I just hold on. I can't believe how much worse I've got. The only thing that hasn't gone away totally is my sleep - in fact, the other night, I slept through the night and I hadn't done that in years. Other than that, I feel like I'm back in original acute withdrawal. Any suggestions? Just keep holding? I don't mind holding, but I keep thinking I'm never going to improve if I don't get off this stuff, but I've been there before, went too fast or updosed, then REALLY regretted it. Just need some advice. Oh, I will say too, I do have a good day every few weeks, and on that day, I feel absolutely normal.. Thanks. 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Mentor Catina7 Posted August 22, 2023 Mentor Share Posted August 22, 2023 1 hour ago, NeedMoreHope said: Mentors or anyone, I've been holding on both meds since February, and I am getting worse...this past week has seen the return of more acute symptoms of terror, akathisia, total body sweating, dark depression, and feels like my head is swelling again. Could this be a bad reaction to staying on these meds at this point, or do I just hold on. I can't believe how much worse I've got. The only thing that hasn't gone away totally is my sleep - in fact, the other night, I slept through the night and I hadn't done that in years. Other than that, I feel like I'm back in original acute withdrawal. Any suggestions? Just keep holding? I don't mind holding, but I keep thinking I'm never going to improve if I don't get off this stuff, but I've been there before, went too fast or updosed, then REALLY regretted it. Just need some advice. Oh, I will say too, I do have a good day every few weeks, and on that day, I feel absolutely normal.. Thanks. It's so hard when you feel like you're in between a rock and a hard place and don't know what to do. I'm sorry. I will allow someone with more experience to give more specific advice. That's great that you were able to sleep through the night and that you are having some windows though...those are definite signs of healing! Be grateful for the little victories no matter how small. ❤️ 1 Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March): Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg) 2021 (September): Completely crashed. Went back up to 37.5 mg but in doing so I kindled myself 2024: 1/1: 35.6 mg (-6 beads) | 2/1: 33.8 mg (-11 beads) | 3/1: 32.1 mg (-16 beads) | 4/1: (-18 beads) Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share Posted August 23, 2023 Can anyone advise me if we keep getting worse after holding (6 months), should we consider going faster off these meds, or keep holding? I am probably the worst I've been, and now even my sleep is gone... (more details in earlier posts). My husband is wondering if I should just jump off what I'm on and get it over with, but I'm afraid....and I know this could get worse. I just need to ease my mind whether I'm in a reaction or withdrawal still.... Thank you. 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Moderator Go2zero Posted August 23, 2023 Moderator Share Posted August 23, 2023 Hi @NeedMoreHope, I just went through most of your thread. I think you have been given very good advice. I suggest you read your thread all over again. Just as a reminder. Having said that, please be very careful with big changes in dosages. A sudden stop or a too large drop will almost certainly make things (much) worse. Gridley asked you before why you taper both drugs at the same time. You answered him why.... Please understand that tapering more than 1 drug at a time makes it very difficult to know which one causes symptoms. Also lots of drugs interact in some kind of way. So tapering more than 1 drug at the same time can trigger more symptoms. I understand you have been holding for 6 months now. This is a long time, but certainly not uncommon. Also given the viruses and broken rib. The stress that such causes can also trigger and lengthen WD symptoms. I am tapering now consistently for 6 years and I had to hold several times for long periods. In the end time is the best healer. And yes, when we are in a wave there does not seem to be an end. But there will be. 1993 Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006 No medication 2006 Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin 2016 Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems. April 2017 – March 2019 Lexapro 0,6 mg April 2017 - August 2018 Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step. March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..) Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg October 2019 Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg March 2020 Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin until total off Prozac. February 2020 – November 2020 Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. Jan 2021 : Prozac down to: 0,55> 0,53>0,51mg, Feb 0,47mg , Mar 0,42mg, Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg Long hold of 172 days until March 2022 January 20, 2022: Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14 Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11 Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 , June 0,07 , July 0,06, 0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009 Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007, 0,006, 0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb 0,0007. 0,0005, 0,0003, 0,0001, Feb 23, 2024: 0,00000 Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30 Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one. Link to comment
NeedMoreHope Posted August 23, 2023 Author Share Posted August 23, 2023 Thank you - I come here for reassurance too much, but this has been a long hard one after I thought I was really getting better. I'll just keep holding and stop this thinking about jumping off. I know, I know, and I've been told so many times, but my mind just panics that "it's got to be something else". It's not. It's withdrawal after years of mismanagement and I've got to come to terms that I still have a long road ahead of me. Thank you again. 1 20 mg Prozac - 2001-2018 Came off cold turkey in Feb 2018, crashed BAD Over the next year and a half, given one drug after another when nothing would work (can't remember a lot of this): Back on/off Prozac 20 mg several times; Remeron; Lexapro 20 mg (8 months); Elavil; Seroquel; Effexor, Abilify (short time as I had bad reactions) Added in several BP meds and hormones along the way here too.... For sleep given: Ativan 2 mg/Ambien/Lunesta/Gabapentin/Klonipin (none helped) Last combo was to add 5 mg Zyprexa to the 20 mg Prozac - on this for 5 months Finally had enough in July 2019; cold turkeyd off 5 mg Zyprexa, and then weaned down from 20 mg Prozac to 5 mg ; updosed to 5.25 mg 12/12/2020. Updosed to 7.5 1/5/2021 - back to 5 mg 1/10/2021 after bad reaction to updose; added 900 mg gabapendtin for nerve pain (thought to be caused by COVID) 2/2/2021 - hospitalized for COVID complications - put on 1200 gabapentin and added 25 Seroquel for sleep (ugh). Back to Prozac 6 mg. 11/22/2021 - OFF Seroquel. Prozac 8 mg. Gabapentin 800 mg/day. 5/1/2022 - Prozac 7 mg/day; Gabapentin 650 mg/day 11/14/2022 - Prozac 6 mg/day; Gabapentin 400 mg/day 2/20/2023 - Prozac 5 mg/day; Gabapentin 384 mg/day Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now