Lilmizz21 Posted December 4, 2021 Share Posted December 4, 2021 @Shellbell hi shellbell Just wanted to drop in and say your not alone. 💞 I hope this brings you some comfort I'm 2 months in and I have all of this also. I know what it's like, I know how hard it can be to feel like your fighting everyday. Keep fighting 💞 Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 0mg ever since the 5th oct 12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2 metronidazole Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far Link to comment
Shellbell Posted December 4, 2021 Author Share Posted December 4, 2021 @Lilmizz21 thank you for your response. Things suck and I really not too sure how much longer I am going to stick around to be honest. I just don't see this ending anytime in the near future hope you are doing ok 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 I could really use some help. I was off everything for 16 months. Still struggling with insomnia, depression, anxiety, vision issues I read about kratom and tried for 7 days. the first 4 days was so helpful with fatigue and depression. However it seemed to ramp up the anxiety and the vision issues my question is will 7 days of usage make me start all over again? Will the akathesia come back? I am terrified now that I messed up any progress TIA 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Nobody has any advice? 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Lilmizz21 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Shellbell Hi Shellbell. Sorry I'm not a mod but just thought some company would be nice. How are things progressing? Was you seeing improvements? How do you feel since stopping the kratom? I dont think this would put you back to the start. Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 0mg ever since the 5th oct 12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2 metronidazole Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Lilmizz21 thank you for replying. I do need some company right now im struggling so much. The kratom was great for a couple days. Then not so much. Currently suffering from dizziness. Ear issues. Vision issues insomnia brutal as well 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Believer Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 I agree with Lilmizz21. I don’t know anything about Kratom, but it sounds like it may have destabilized your CNS a bit. Have you tried magnesium or Omega3? 1998-2015 Zoloft. 100mg 2015 Straight switch to Wellbutrin by GP who claimed Zoloft stopped working; I was experiencing occasional brain zaps. 3 months later Wellbutrin XR. Highly activating. Lost ability to sleep. Seroquel x3 nights. Horrible reaction. Straight switch back to Zoloft, began taper. Found SA after tapering 25 mgs a week to 25mgs and began experiencing W/D. 6/21/19 5.05 mg; 9/6/19 4.8 mg; 4/24/20 4.57 mg; 8/27/21 4.43 mg 9/20-9/25/21 xover to new RX from expired meds 10/22/21 4.13 mg; 11/26/21 3.93 mg; 4/15/22 3.74 mg; 6/3/22 3.54 mg; 8/5/22 3.38; 9/30/22 3.19; 11/18/22 3.03; 12/30/22 2.88; 2/17/23 2.74; 3/24/23 2.60; 5/12/23 2.47; 6/23/23 2.35; 8/11/23 2.24; 9/15/23 2.13; 10/20/23 2.02; 11/24/23 1.92; 1/12/24 1.83; 2/17/24 1.72; 3/23/24 1.64 Supplements: Natural Calm magnesium, Vitamin C Vitamin D during winter. Link to comment
Lilmizz21 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Shellbell I know it's so hard to look back when your still in a fight. But I can see you have come such a far way even by looking at your thread. There was a time you was in such depths. And you seem to have come out of it. Can you see your healing? This will bring you comfort Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 0mg ever since the 5th oct 12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2 metronidazole Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far Link to comment
Mentor Greatful Posted January 15, 2022 Mentor Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Shellbell It's nice to hear from you. It sounds like the akathesia is a little better, that's great. How are things going other wise. I don't know anything about kratom, other then it looks like it comes from a plant. Just be careful when trying herbal are really any supplements. Our bodies can be so over sensitized that anything can set it even more out of control. 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
Shellbell Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Hi @Believer yes magnesium and omega both i take a benzo sometimes for sleep. I’m wondering if that’s also making things worse 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Believer Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 It could be, you could check in with Frogie, she seems well versed in benzo’s. 1998-2015 Zoloft. 100mg 2015 Straight switch to Wellbutrin by GP who claimed Zoloft stopped working; I was experiencing occasional brain zaps. 3 months later Wellbutrin XR. Highly activating. Lost ability to sleep. Seroquel x3 nights. Horrible reaction. Straight switch back to Zoloft, began taper. Found SA after tapering 25 mgs a week to 25mgs and began experiencing W/D. 6/21/19 5.05 mg; 9/6/19 4.8 mg; 4/24/20 4.57 mg; 8/27/21 4.43 mg 9/20-9/25/21 xover to new RX from expired meds 10/22/21 4.13 mg; 11/26/21 3.93 mg; 4/15/22 3.74 mg; 6/3/22 3.54 mg; 8/5/22 3.38; 9/30/22 3.19; 11/18/22 3.03; 12/30/22 2.88; 2/17/23 2.74; 3/24/23 2.60; 5/12/23 2.47; 6/23/23 2.35; 8/11/23 2.24; 9/15/23 2.13; 10/20/23 2.02; 11/24/23 1.92; 1/12/24 1.83; 2/17/24 1.72; 3/23/24 1.64 Supplements: Natural Calm magnesium, Vitamin C Vitamin D during winter. Link to comment
Believer Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 Hang there, it does get better. Sometimes very slowly though. 1998-2015 Zoloft. 100mg 2015 Straight switch to Wellbutrin by GP who claimed Zoloft stopped working; I was experiencing occasional brain zaps. 3 months later Wellbutrin XR. Highly activating. Lost ability to sleep. Seroquel x3 nights. Horrible reaction. Straight switch back to Zoloft, began taper. Found SA after tapering 25 mgs a week to 25mgs and began experiencing W/D. 6/21/19 5.05 mg; 9/6/19 4.8 mg; 4/24/20 4.57 mg; 8/27/21 4.43 mg 9/20-9/25/21 xover to new RX from expired meds 10/22/21 4.13 mg; 11/26/21 3.93 mg; 4/15/22 3.74 mg; 6/3/22 3.54 mg; 8/5/22 3.38; 9/30/22 3.19; 11/18/22 3.03; 12/30/22 2.88; 2/17/23 2.74; 3/24/23 2.60; 5/12/23 2.47; 6/23/23 2.35; 8/11/23 2.24; 9/15/23 2.13; 10/20/23 2.02; 11/24/23 1.92; 1/12/24 1.83; 2/17/24 1.72; 3/23/24 1.64 Supplements: Natural Calm magnesium, Vitamin C Vitamin D during winter. Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 Thanks everyone for responding to me. I’ve been struggling for 19 months now. When is this going to get better? Am I making things worse by trying new things? I honestly just can’t believe that this is my life now. I stuggle with suicidal symptoms 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Lilmizz21 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Shellbell if you want my honest opinion, trying new things keeps destabilizing. It just means more and more for your brain and CNS to get used to whilst also recovering How many new things have you tried since WD? X Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 0mg ever since the 5th oct 12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2 metronidazole Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Lilmizz21 I have tried kratom for 7 days. I take PRN stuff for sleep. Otherwise I don't sleep. I have lupus so I have Vicodin as prn but haven't taken any of that in a month I was 100% med free for 9 months. In which I did not sleep at all. So I need to sleep. So I tried diazepam twice. in the past two months I have tried sonata and temezapam. Take it maybe once a week sometimes twice. those are the only things I have tried 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Lilmizz21 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Shellbell when you say suicidal symptoms. Are you suicidal because of the insomina? Or are you still getting suicidal thoughts? Or is it the remaining symptoms making you feel this way? You have defiately had improvements. Can you recognise them? Even by looking back at your thread. Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 0mg ever since the 5th oct 12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2 metronidazole Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 15, 2022 Author Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Lilmizz21 suicidal due to the horrific visual and brain disturbances. I can't put into words the issues with my brain. It's not my eyesight that is the problem, it's something wrong with my brain that is causing me to be unfocused which in turn causes anxiety and panic. which in turn causes the suicidal issues 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Lilmizz21 Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 @Shellbell I understand. Is it derealization your describing? Or an actual physical sensation of something being wrong in your brain? I think you have had so much healing in 16 months I really do and alot more to come. Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 0mg ever since the 5th oct 12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2 metronidazole Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far Link to comment
thenextguy Posted January 15, 2022 Share Posted January 15, 2022 2 hours ago, Shellbell said: i take a benzo sometimes for sleep. Hi Shellbell, how frequent is sometimes? I tappered from Benzos several years ago. From what I remember it's generally not a good idea to use them regularly once you've come off them. I tried to use them "as needed" after I tapered off them regular use. I noticed that it didn't take much usage at all before I was experiencing symptoms similar to what I experienced when I was in withdrawal. And this was about a year after I stopped using them. Your body is very sensitive to benzos if you've used them regularly in the past. If I were in your position, I would try to stop using them completely. -Since 2017-ish I've been on Cymbalta & Mirtazapine. At max dose it was 120mg cymbalta and 45mg mirtazapine. This combo was meant to deal with a depressive episode and it worked. Over the next few years I tapered down from those high doses. I had tried to get off the cymbalta twice and had to reinstate twice. I don't remember when. Maybe 2018? 2019? -Since 2020 I've been stable 20mg cymbalta and 7.5mg mirtazapine (this is mainly for sleep now). I have come off of the mirtazapine before without trouble, but still take it occasionally for sleep. -August 2nd began taking 10mg prozac as a bridge to attempt to get off cymbalta. Took 10mg for about a week then 20mg for a few days. Stopped taking the cymbalta and was doing okay for a bit, but things didn't seem to get better and maybe have been getting worse. -8/25/2021 - 20mg cymbalta and struggling. Stopped the prozac. I'm struggling, but I can probably ride this out if I had to. My concern is that things will continue to get worse, as they seem to be doing. -8/29/2021 - things started to get worse. Probably prozac withdrawal. Reinstated 20mg prozac. -9/2/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 5mg prozac, 7.5 mg mirtazapine --> 9/24/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 5mg prozac, 3.75 mg mirtazapine --> 11/7/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.75mg prozac, 3.75 mg mirtazapine --> 4/24/2022 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.75mg prozac --> 6/5/2022 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.33mg prozac -4/25/2024 - Finally started tapering again this year after a long break and some unrelated health matters. I'm now down to just 15mg of cymbalta/duloxetine and doing well! Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 @thenextguy yeah I used Benzos for three months. off them for 9 months. however I absolutely get no sleep. So I have used them 10 times in the past three months. just to get sleep I have tried Benadryl, melatonin, chamomile tea. magnesium. sonata. you name it. But I absolutely get zero sleep without trying something. I lay in a panic all night. I am still working. So I need sleep. any thoughts or suggestions on sleep without taking a benzo or z drug? I have also tried CBD and Marijuanna edibles. nothing helps 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 @Lilmizz21 I don't know if its derealization. I am not too sure what that is. I just know that my brain feels wooshy (sorry I have no words to describe it, lol). and affects my vision. Is that what derealization is? 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Lilmizz21 Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 @Shellbell To me derealization is almost like everything seems abit off. But I know what you mean about the brain. My brain feels off, swelling, gripping and sick lol Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 0mg ever since the 5th oct 12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2 metronidazole Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far Link to comment
thenextguy Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 5 minutes ago, Shellbell said: yeah I used Benzos for three months. off them for 9 months. however I absolutely get no sleep. So I have used them 10 times in the past three months. just to get sleep I have tried Benadryl, melatonin, chamomile tea. magnesium. sonata. you name it. But I absolutely get zero sleep without trying something. I lay in a panic all night. I am still working. So I need sleep. any thoughts or suggestions on sleep without taking a benzo or z drug? I have also tried CBD and Marijuanna edibles. nothing helps Hi @Shellbell, I can only imagine how frustrating that is. I tried going back and reading your initial post. Did most of your problems start after you started taking meds? Or were you using meds to deal with existing issues. What was ground zero of all this? And forgive me if this has been covered in this thread, but have your seen someone that treats opioid dependence? It sounds like you're off of them, but it sounds like that was the cause of the akathesia? Again, sorry if this was covered. -Since 2017-ish I've been on Cymbalta & Mirtazapine. At max dose it was 120mg cymbalta and 45mg mirtazapine. This combo was meant to deal with a depressive episode and it worked. Over the next few years I tapered down from those high doses. I had tried to get off the cymbalta twice and had to reinstate twice. I don't remember when. Maybe 2018? 2019? -Since 2020 I've been stable 20mg cymbalta and 7.5mg mirtazapine (this is mainly for sleep now). I have come off of the mirtazapine before without trouble, but still take it occasionally for sleep. -August 2nd began taking 10mg prozac as a bridge to attempt to get off cymbalta. Took 10mg for about a week then 20mg for a few days. Stopped taking the cymbalta and was doing okay for a bit, but things didn't seem to get better and maybe have been getting worse. -8/25/2021 - 20mg cymbalta and struggling. Stopped the prozac. I'm struggling, but I can probably ride this out if I had to. My concern is that things will continue to get worse, as they seem to be doing. -8/29/2021 - things started to get worse. Probably prozac withdrawal. Reinstated 20mg prozac. -9/2/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 5mg prozac, 7.5 mg mirtazapine --> 9/24/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 5mg prozac, 3.75 mg mirtazapine --> 11/7/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.75mg prozac, 3.75 mg mirtazapine --> 4/24/2022 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.75mg prozac --> 6/5/2022 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.33mg prozac -4/25/2024 - Finally started tapering again this year after a long break and some unrelated health matters. I'm now down to just 15mg of cymbalta/duloxetine and doing well! Link to comment
Shellbell Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 @thenextguy it's ok - the short version of this horrific story is that my lupus dr prescribed Cymbalta for back pain. I took it 3 days and had a severe akathesia reaction. I didn't know what it was so I did a cleanse. Stopped my Vicodin usage cold turkey after 5 years of daily use (yes I was addicted to it). Which caused severe anxiety and depression. So dr's tried 7 different antidepressants to "help" Stuck with mirtazapine and tapered off that too fast. Ever since I have been suffering. So it was the Cymbalta that started all this. No depression or anxiety ever before in my past. took Klonopin for 3 months as suggested to me for insomnia. Went off that quickly as well. that is my back ground. I don't know what the hell happened to my life. 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
thenextguy Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 7 minutes ago, Shellbell said: it's ok - the short version of this horrific story is that my lupus dr prescribed Cymbalta for back pain. I took it 3 days and had a severe akathesia reaction. I didn't know what it was so I did a cleanse. Stopped my Vicodin usage cold turkey after 5 years of daily use (yes I was addicted to it). Which caused severe anxiety and depression. So dr's tried 7 different antidepressants to "help" Stuck with mirtazapine and tapered off that too fast. Ever since I have been suffering. So it was the Cymbalta that started all this. No depression or anxiety ever before in my past. took Klonopin for 3 months as suggested to me for insomnia. Went off that quickly as well. that is my back ground. I don't know what the hell happened to my life. I'm so sorry. That sounds horrible. I was dependent on opioids once after I injured my back. I've also read a lot about addiction. I know you said you have to work and you're taking things to help you sleep, but those could be delaying you getting better. But what can you do? You have to live, right? Ugh....so awful. I'm so sorry. Can you qualify for some sort of drug in patient treatment center? You did have an addiction to opioids. Even though you're clean, you might be able to get treatment still. Then you could maybe take 3 months off of work under FMLA. Maybe try to see if you start getting better if you're not taking any substances and you don't have to worry about working. I hope you can feel better son. Sending love and hope for healing your way. -Since 2017-ish I've been on Cymbalta & Mirtazapine. At max dose it was 120mg cymbalta and 45mg mirtazapine. This combo was meant to deal with a depressive episode and it worked. Over the next few years I tapered down from those high doses. I had tried to get off the cymbalta twice and had to reinstate twice. I don't remember when. Maybe 2018? 2019? -Since 2020 I've been stable 20mg cymbalta and 7.5mg mirtazapine (this is mainly for sleep now). I have come off of the mirtazapine before without trouble, but still take it occasionally for sleep. -August 2nd began taking 10mg prozac as a bridge to attempt to get off cymbalta. Took 10mg for about a week then 20mg for a few days. Stopped taking the cymbalta and was doing okay for a bit, but things didn't seem to get better and maybe have been getting worse. -8/25/2021 - 20mg cymbalta and struggling. Stopped the prozac. I'm struggling, but I can probably ride this out if I had to. My concern is that things will continue to get worse, as they seem to be doing. -8/29/2021 - things started to get worse. Probably prozac withdrawal. Reinstated 20mg prozac. -9/2/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 5mg prozac, 7.5 mg mirtazapine --> 9/24/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 5mg prozac, 3.75 mg mirtazapine --> 11/7/2021 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.75mg prozac, 3.75 mg mirtazapine --> 4/24/2022 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.75mg prozac --> 6/5/2022 - 20mg cymbalta, 3.33mg prozac -4/25/2024 - Finally started tapering again this year after a long break and some unrelated health matters. I'm now down to just 15mg of cymbalta/duloxetine and doing well! Link to comment
SeekingAnswers Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 19 hours ago, Shellbell said: So I need sleep. any thoughts or suggestions on sleep without taking a benzo or z drug? Hi Shellbell, I'm sorry you're having trouble sleeping. I had some zoom sessions with a hyno-therapist that helped me to relax and not be so anxious, which in turn helped me to sleep better. There are some hynosis therapists online who have recorded soundtracks for helping people sleep. You might want to look for some and see if they help you. My son who is in withdrawal's history: 2006 - 2021 Started on Celexa 10mg, increased to 20mg then 40mg. May 2021: Started to taper off. Down to 0mg by end of July under doctor's care. September 2021 started 200mg magnesium twice per day, 1000mg fish oil once per day, Vitamin D3, and 100mg N-acetyl cysteine twice per day. Oct. 12, 2021: Reinstated at 1mg liquid Celexa per day to hopefully alleviate intrusive thoughts (never had them before quitting Celexa). Nov. 1, 2021: Was supposed to increase to 2mg Celexa per day, but he was accidentally only taking 0.1ml per day. Nov. 18, 2021: Increased to 2mg liquid Celexa per day after realizing he was not taking the correct dosage for 17 days. Dec 29, 2021: Increased to 3mg liquid Celexa. Jan 31, 2022: Increased to 4mg liquid Celexa. Link to comment
Mia1 Posted January 21, 2022 Share Posted January 21, 2022 Hi @Shellbell I’m sorry you’re still struggling and hope that you feel better soon 💖 Completely drug free 11/26/22 🎉 Supplements: Magnesium citrate: 250 mg; Fish oil: 1200 mg “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” - Victor Frankl Link to comment
Shellbell Posted February 22, 2022 Author Share Posted February 22, 2022 I am struggling really bad. It's been 20 months of this and it's not getting any better insomnia is brutal. the panic and anxiety are really bad. I just don't think this is ever going to end I don't think I am going to make it much longer 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Mentor Greatful Posted February 22, 2022 Mentor Share Posted February 22, 2022 @Shellbell Hi Shellbell, I sure can agree that this is horrendously inhumane at times but you are doing a great job hanging on.❤️ If it's not to hard for you to read, I recommend the Recovery and Renewal by Baylissa Frederick. She recovered from protracted WD from Benzo's....She is a therapist/counselor, . She has a website with She has helped a lot of people in WD. She has a website with a lot of helpful things on it https://baylissa.com/. Hang on there, it can only get better from here❤️ 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
Shellbell Posted February 23, 2022 Author Share Posted February 23, 2022 @Greatful thank you for your reply. I just don't understand why this is taking so freaking long. Why do I still feel so much anxiety and panic and insomnia. I literally can't sleep on my own. Not even a little I have spoken to Baylissa several times on the phone and have been on her website. It's wonderful to hear about everyone that has healed. But unfortunately it also makes me feel like that will never be me. It' just been too long now. Too much damage and PTSD has happened. This is just the way it is and I don't think it will get better All of this because I took 3 pills of Cymbalta for back pain. Lost my life and it's really heartbreaking 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Shellbell Posted March 1, 2022 Author Share Posted March 1, 2022 Can vistaril cause issues? I’m still not sleeping. And figured this was the safest choice. But not sure if it’s ramping up or what i need something to calm me down so I can sleep I need help i feel like dog poop all the time exhausted but wired at the same time. Panic all the time 20 months now 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Lilmizz21 Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 @Shellbell from my understanding the more meds you introduce the more complicated it makes for your body to heal. When I look at your timeline I see alot of different meds, supplements etc being trialled. I'm not sure if admin would agree but I think it may be best to stay off everything. I can relate to the not sleeping, for 4 weeks I stayed up and it actually felt like my brain forgot how to sleep, as if that part of the brain was numb, shut down. But I just kept with it, i used to close my eyes with hallucinations and racing thoughts and just thought I'm not gonna let this win, eventually sleep came naturally after weeks. I just dont want you to feel your putting in all this effort with no rewards, I think the trialling supplements and meds and stopping may be the issue. Lexapro 10mg - 30th august 2021 - Adverse reaction Amitriptyline - 10mg - 7th September - 30th sep 4 weeks Amitriptyline 5mg -28th sep - 5th oct 0mg ever since the 5th oct 12th oct - 1 amoxcillin and 2 metronidazole Makes it 5 weeks 0mg so far Link to comment
Anya324 Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 I don’t know if this is allowed to share or not… if not, mods please let me know. I am seeing a counselor that actually went through wd himself from Benzos. He highly recommends something called the safe and sound protocol. I tried it in October, 15 min intervals once a day for 20ish days. I didn’t notice a big difference but he did. Things have been hard again recently so he recommended 30 min a day for 10 days. I was in full on meltdown when I did it again for the first time Friday and about 20 mins later I FELT my body unwind. I felt that awful horrible intense feeling leave my body!! My heart calmed down too (been struggling with palpitations since the beginning of wd). Look in your area and see if you can find someone that uses SSP. You just ha e to have over the ear headphones. The program is through an app on your phone. It’s a bit pricy but worth every penny in my opinion. If you’d like the name of my guy, send me a direct message. Hang in there Shellbell ❤️ ~Lexapro 5mg 2009; ~increased to 10mg; 2013ish. ~increased to 20mg; 2017 ~January 2021 had an episode of Serotonin Syndrome (from one single 50mg dose of trazodone) reduced from 20mg to 10mg. ~Mid April 2021- Followed doctors taper schedule to get off lex. Within 6ish weeks I went from 10mg to 5mg and then 5mg every other day and then every 3 days and then quit. ~Early June 2021 stopped Lexapro ~July 5th; reinstated 2.5 mg Lexapro ~July 6th; started atenolol 12.5 2x day for heart palpitations (resting bpm 110). ~July 19th; upped to 3.75 ~Sept 12; Updose 5mg (want WD to go AWAY-no longer trying to get off Lexapro. Want my life back!) Lansoprazole 2000-2021 ~July 27th 2021 breaking capsules and removing 40 tiny beads ~Sept 2021- worked up to removing 300 of the 500 beads Link to comment
Shellbell Posted March 1, 2022 Author Share Posted March 1, 2022 @Anya324 i actually was told about this protocol by a person I am working with. It is pricey. So I’m hesitant. I’ve spent so much money on stuff. Nothing is helping me with insomnia. Only sleep pills help. But I’m sure that’s not helping my brain heal I’m just convinced this is my life now. And I just don’t want to live anymore 5-28-20 given cymbalta. Had bad reaction. Stopped immediately. 6-20-20 stopped vicodin after 5 years. Suffered akathesia. 7-20-20 to 11-13-20 mirtazapine. On 7.5 tapered for 8 weeks jumped off at 1.5 11/20 to Feb 3. .25 klonopin, tapered 4 weeks. Jumped off at .0935 present - med free. Still suffering from akathesia, insomnia,depression and anxiety melatonin 1mg. Magnesium 400mg daily Vicodin one week. Stopped 12-5-21 temezapam prn sonata sleeping pill. Prn tried kratom for one week 1-15-22 - symptoms - visual issues, dizziness, severe brain fog, suicidal ideations Link to comment
Anya324 Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 I was there Thur/Friday. Not wanting to take my own life but welcoming death. Think of how much you’ve saved the last 20 months by being stuck at home. In 9 months, I have saved thousands between zero alcohol, girls nights, date nights, and vacations… 🙄😢 The price tag is high but it’s value is immeasurable if it saves your life. It seems hokey. And it may take a few tries but it is definitely worth a try or two. ~Lexapro 5mg 2009; ~increased to 10mg; 2013ish. ~increased to 20mg; 2017 ~January 2021 had an episode of Serotonin Syndrome (from one single 50mg dose of trazodone) reduced from 20mg to 10mg. ~Mid April 2021- Followed doctors taper schedule to get off lex. Within 6ish weeks I went from 10mg to 5mg and then 5mg every other day and then every 3 days and then quit. ~Early June 2021 stopped Lexapro ~July 5th; reinstated 2.5 mg Lexapro ~July 6th; started atenolol 12.5 2x day for heart palpitations (resting bpm 110). ~July 19th; upped to 3.75 ~Sept 12; Updose 5mg (want WD to go AWAY-no longer trying to get off Lexapro. Want my life back!) Lansoprazole 2000-2021 ~July 27th 2021 breaking capsules and removing 40 tiny beads ~Sept 2021- worked up to removing 300 of the 500 beads Link to comment
NoMoreLexapro Posted March 1, 2022 Share Posted March 1, 2022 I was in a hellish WD situation for a long time. 16 trips to the ER- almost died. Over 70 side effects. Totally debilitated mentally and physically. Coudln't prepare meals, couldn't drive, couldn't walk longer than 5 minutes. Learned about DNRS from my therapist and now I'm healed and back to normal. retrainingthebrain.com Was on Lexapro for 66 days starting in early January. 5mg for a week, 10mg for 3, 7.5 for 3 days, then 5mg and 2.5mg for approx two weeks after. Was on Lithium for 60 days starting in late January. 1 300mg ER pill a day. Stopped CT Was given a .5 ativan script in early Jan. Took it maybe 20x total from early Jan to beg of June, 2020. -Fall of 2019: had two vertigo attacks for the first time with no warning, each followed by 4-5 days of morning dizziness. -Last Friday of 2019: had first ever, out of the blue, panic attack. Went to ER- didn't know what was happening. Was diagnosed w/GAD, even though had never had anxiety or depression problems before. Basically no health problems at all prior to this, and in very good shape emotionally, physically, and mentally. -4 days after panic attack given lexapro. That's when the hell began. Was on it 66 days. Reacted badly to it. Gave me suicidal ideation 4 wks after starting it, plus exhaustion, off the charts anxiety, dizziness, and fatigue. Did a fast taper over 5 wks. Was on it 66 days total. -been off lexapro completely since mid-March, 2020. First 3 weeks I got better and better. Then, week 4 into WD got slammed. Since then, over 64 side effects/symptoms. Can't drive. At times, barely surviving. -since Jan., have been to the e r 16x. -was given lithium after experienced SI from lexapro to as a "mood stabilizer". Never really noticed anything from it, nor anything after stopping it, except for a few days of heightened depression about a week after. -was given low dosage ativan script 2nd week into lexapro to deal with the anxiety/panic spike caused by the lexapro. Took it perhaps 20x between Jan and June, 2020. Always made me feel better, but last time it was taken (early June) experienced intrusive thoughts after so stopped it. Didn't feel any negative reaction from stopping it, perhaps b/c it was taken so infrequently and the dosage was so low. 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