Larry1983 Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Hello not sure I’m in the correct spot 7 months into WD after a fast taper off fluoxetine for 6 years and other ad 4 years before that physically I feel better but mentally it’s very tough life stuff going on which affects me a great deal and I wonder if I’m doing the right thing. Had a window the other day where I could actually feel!! That lasted a tiny bit and back into the thick of it, overall I question everyday if it’s WD or my life situation just making me this low i was never good on them and I shouldn’t have been put on them I was never really depressed just sad maybe about some life issues.. and so I’m doing this to see if they caused so much of my mental decline over 10 years ?!?! I never really felt alive last 10 years always low, anxiety etc etc im also wondering if Anyone knows any therapists in Australia who appreciate AD withdrawal and can help? thanks heaps I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 9, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 9, 2022 Hello, and welcome to SA. We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs. I'm very sorry you are dealing with withdrawal from fluoxetine, on top of difficult life issues. I understand, I've been there, and it's tough. Yes, these drugs can definitely cause mental decline in the form of reduced cognitive ability, poor memory, emotional blunting, and other things. The emotional blunting can make us feel less alive. How is your sleep and eating? Are you able to function in your day to day life? On 6/8/2022 at 5:08 AM, Larry1983 said: i was never good on them What do you mean by this? What specific symptoms did you have while you were on the fluoxetine? Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months? It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase. Use this format: Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose… Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose… Etcetera Please read the link below for instructions. This will allow us to give you the best guidance. How to List Drug History in Signature Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work. This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications. How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds. Please read the link about stability: Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. Magnesium Omega 3 Fish Oil We do have some information on health care professionals who are sympathetic to and knowledgable about withdrawal. Recommended Doctors, Therapists, Clinics Please keep in touch, and let us know how you are doing. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 9, 2022 Author Share Posted June 9, 2022 Thankyou I have added my signature as best I could remember yes I am functioning and seeping ok, also eating fine I’m not “non functioning” I’m grateful for that its just been very very tough. with regards to not good on them- I mean to say I always had a cloud on antidepressants which I never had before but I believed the doctors that it was an illness and I kept taking meds. The more I feel tiny windows I think maybe they were the cause of what I was trying to get rid of all these years . I never felt alive, felt a lot of the bad stuff Intensly but little joy generally for life.. Is it a coincidence this started 10 years ago when I started AD?? thanks for your help I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 10, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 10, 2022 I'm glad to hear that you're functioning OK. 19 hours ago, Larry1983 said: its just been very very tough. Can you please explain what you mean by this? What exact symptoms are your having? Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, ruminations, panic, anger, irritability? Please be specific. 19 hours ago, Larry1983 said: I mean to say I always had a cloud on antidepressants which I never had before I don't what you mean by "cloud" here. Do you mean depression, sadness, lack of emotions, lack of ability to enjoy anything? 19 hours ago, Larry1983 said: Is it a coincidence this started 10 years ago when I started AD?? Probably not a coincidence. AD's cause us to lose our joy for life, because they tend to blunt our emotions. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 10, 2022 Author Share Posted June 10, 2022 Thankyou I’m getting used to this platform slowly first 3 months of WD were irritability, insomnia, worse anxiety, lower mood towards the end of the 3 months the gastrointestinal issues started, burning skin, burning brain, aches and full panic especially in the morning… life became extremely hard depression became very very bad from month 3 and I only started getting tiny windows towards end of month 6, about start of month 6 the physical stuff has mostly gone and I’m left with feeling like a zombie, depression, anhedonia like I said since I have started the 6th month I have felt some minor relief around depression too, but not a heap! by cloud I mean yes, depression, a fog, a lack of care a deadness which I didn’t have before them, i functioned and worked and loved got married had a son that didn’t work out but I was “suffering” through life everyday !! I really hope I’m on the right track, this process is so backwards … to remove the one thing you were convinced was helping to actually feel better ?!?! in my windows I feel a spark an energy come back (very short windows) and then sometimes I just feel joy!! Surely people feel joy just by being alive don’t they? Haven’t felt that way for 10 years thankyou again I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 11, 2022 Author Share Posted June 11, 2022 And of course suicidal thoughts ! And racing negative thoughts since stopping. Like a lot of people I’m petrified this is the new me then I have a window of clarity and quite in the mind and energy and wonder what’s ahead for me?? I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 12, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 12, 2022 On 6/10/2022 at 4:21 PM, Larry1983 said: first 3 months of WD were irritability, insomnia, worse anxiety, lower mood towards the end of the 3 months the gastrointestinal issues started, burning skin, burning brain, aches and full panic especially in the morning… life became extremely hard depression became very very bad from month 3 and I only started getting tiny windows towards end of month 6, about start of month 6 the physical stuff has mostly gone and I’m left with feeling like a zombie, depression, anhedonia like I said since I have started the 6th month I have felt some minor relief around depression too, but not a heap! It is typical for symptoms to morph and change during WD. From what you describe, you are slowly improving and getting better. The full panic in the morning is probably the cortisol spike, which everyone has, but in WD it tends to be very exaggerated. This will eventually settle down. On 6/10/2022 at 4:21 PM, Larry1983 said: n my windows I feel a spark an energy come back (very short windows) and then sometimes I just feel joy!! Surely people feel joy just by being alive don’t they? Haven’t felt that way for 10 years That's great! As you recover, these moments will become more frequent. The recovery process can be like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs. (windows and waves) Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 12, 2022 Author Share Posted June 12, 2022 Thankyou. In your experience do the windows increase and just get longer because they only really started in the last month ( very short tiny windows sometimes) and then I get windows of feeling normal healthy no depression, feeling alive . Is that even likely that feeling like I did in that window is what healing is going to be like? It just seems so unbelievably different to how I have felt both on ad and in WD it’s hard to believe I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 13, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 13, 2022 18 hours ago, Larry1983 said: Thankyou. In your experience do the windows increase and just get longer because they only really started in the last month ( very short tiny windows sometimes) and then I get windows of feeling normal healthy no depression, feeling alive . Yes, as long as you take care of yourself, and avoid things that can trigger a sensitized nervous system, then the windows will very gradually get longer and better, and the waves less severe and frequent. That has been my experience. Avoid things like alcohol, any mind altering substance, intense exercise, high stress and drama, making sudden big changes to your routine, and highly processed foods and excess sugar, salt, MSG, aspartame, and most especially, avoid going back to psychotropic drugs. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 13, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 13, 2022 (edited) On 6/11/2022 at 6:00 PM, Larry1983 said: Like a lot of people I’m petrified this is the new me then I have a window of clarity and quite in the mind and energy and wonder what’s ahead for me?? As long as you take care of yourself, what is ahead for you is recovery and better days. It is normal for you to be fearful for your future. This is quite a strange and bizarre situation we have been put in, and it takes a long time to resolve, and we have unpredictable ups and downs. Try reading: Steps for Managing WD Symptoms Success Stories Edited June 13, 2022 by getofflex Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Pepms Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 Hi @Larry1983 how are you? do you remember when did your skin symptoms started after your last dose? and when did they resolve? 2013-2021 Lexapro 20mg 10-21 started lexapro tapering 3-22 lexapro free 5-22 started to get paresthesia all over body mainly in legs , numbness, tingling, stinging sensations 6-22 neurologist started me on Lyrica 25mg twice a day to see if it helps with the paresthesia, got a nerve conduction test which was negative 6-22 neurologist suggested quitting lyrica as it isnt seem to be helping, and reinstating 5mg lexapro to see if it helps with the symptoms, thinking of starting lower at 2.5mg 6-13-22 stopped lyrica by doctor order (only took it 4 days ) 6-14-22 reinstated 2.5mg lexapro 6-15-22 neurologist added 10mg amitriptyline to try and help with paresthesia sensory symptoms 6-22-22 updose to 5mg lexapro (bad reaction, paresthesia got worse, back to 2.5mg next day) 6-27-22 went to see a new internal doctor, per symptoms (lack of appetite that had been going on for almost a month, the paresthesia, and gi problems), told me to suspend everything i was taking and take new low dose combination drug (Adepsique) 5mg amitriptyline/ 1.5mg Diazepam / 1mg Perphenazine and 40mg Propranolol for daytime sinus tachycardia Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 I have work stress at the moment and financial stress, after 7 months feeling like this I just blame how I feel on the work issues then I have a tiny window and realise it’s still WD after so many months to have so few tiny windows just worries me and believing that they increase and become my new norm is 😬😬 slim symptoms probably 2 months after last dose and lasted relentlessly until about month 5, I still get them occasionally (last 4 days) but nothing like at the very start I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 13, 2022 Author Share Posted June 13, 2022 That was supposed to say skin symptoms I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Pepms Posted June 13, 2022 Share Posted June 13, 2022 Got it , thanks !!! I really hope you keep getting better , im here to chat Whenever you need ! ☺️ 2013-2021 Lexapro 20mg 10-21 started lexapro tapering 3-22 lexapro free 5-22 started to get paresthesia all over body mainly in legs , numbness, tingling, stinging sensations 6-22 neurologist started me on Lyrica 25mg twice a day to see if it helps with the paresthesia, got a nerve conduction test which was negative 6-22 neurologist suggested quitting lyrica as it isnt seem to be helping, and reinstating 5mg lexapro to see if it helps with the symptoms, thinking of starting lower at 2.5mg 6-13-22 stopped lyrica by doctor order (only took it 4 days ) 6-14-22 reinstated 2.5mg lexapro 6-15-22 neurologist added 10mg amitriptyline to try and help with paresthesia sensory symptoms 6-22-22 updose to 5mg lexapro (bad reaction, paresthesia got worse, back to 2.5mg next day) 6-27-22 went to see a new internal doctor, per symptoms (lack of appetite that had been going on for almost a month, the paresthesia, and gi problems), told me to suspend everything i was taking and take new low dose combination drug (Adepsique) 5mg amitriptyline/ 1.5mg Diazepam / 1mg Perphenazine and 40mg Propranolol for daytime sinus tachycardia Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 On 6/10/2022 at 5:53 AM, getofflex said: drugs. I'm very sorry you are dealing with withdrawal from fluoxetine, on top of difficult life issues. I understand, I've been there, and it's tough. How did you deal with difficult life situation while going through this and couldn’t tell if it’s the situation causing the depression or the WD / being on the meds full stop causing the numbness / lack of interest in life etc causing it??!? this is my biggest challenge at the moment - ? I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 On 6/10/2022 at 5:53 AM, getofflex said: I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 14, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 14, 2022 6 hours ago, Larry1983 said: How did you deal with difficult life situation while going through this and couldn’t tell if it’s the situation causing the depression or the WD / being on the meds full stop causing the numbness / lack of interest in life etc causing it??!? I totally get this. I've had to deal with many difficult life situations during my WD. I believe that it was a combination of WD and life issues causing the depression and anxiety for me. As we get off of these drugs, it is essential for us to figure out how to deal with these situations without the drugs. There are many options for this, including therapy, self help books, and just learning non drug coping skills on our own. Did you check out the link for non drug coping skills in my first post? There are many techniques in there, geared towards dealing with withdrawal symptoms. There are many channels on you tube that can help, but be careful to find ones that are legitimate. Do some research on the internet to find out what types of books are available to help with your particular issues. Check out these books on amazon, and read the reviews. Similar type of thing for finding a decent therapist. The caveat is, we generally discourage the use of trauma therapy, and digging up deep trauma from the past, until our nervous system is fully healed from withdrawal. 1 Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Kaervin Posted June 14, 2022 Share Posted June 14, 2022 6 hours ago, Larry1983 said: How did you deal with difficult life situation while going through this and couldn’t tell if it’s the situation causing the depression or the WD / being on the meds full stop causing the numbness / lack of interest in life etc causing it??!? this is my biggest challenge at the moment - ? We are so used to being emotional numb from the ADs that during our recovery our emotions often jump to the other extreme until we finally reach an emotional equilibrium of sorts. Something as simple as dropping a glass and breaking it can send us into tears when pre-med/on-med it would have felt like no big deal. The first two years of my last recovery were very difficult mentally, but I had some wonderful windows of clarity as well. Therapy won't stop these emotional waves from coming, but it could help you learn tools to better deal with them. My philosophy has always been to distract yourself. Games, walks, movies..etc even if it feels you have no interest. Sometimes if we dwell too much on our thought we spiral downward and the dwelling becomes a habit hard to break. You are well into your recovery, but it is still early and normal for you to feel the way you are. Don't hesitate to use this site whenever you feel unsure or overwhelmed. 1 2008: March, Klonopin .5 mg to 1 mg 2009: Dec, CT Klonopin 2010: full year heavy alcohol use 2011: Jan - withdrawals start 2012: Apr- bad wave, start zoloft 50 2014 to 2020: Switch ADs Sertraline 100mgs >Lexapro 20 mgs>Prozac 20 mgs >Lexapro 20 2021: Sertraline 25 mgs 2022: Mar. Cut dose down to 12.5 End of May, starting to crash physically/mentally. Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 Thankyou that’s me in this WD, everything is so much harder and I wonder why I’m doing this? For a tiny window ? That maybe becomes bigger that if the numbed me and I awaken I actually feel better and in a better spot to deal with things? I just can’t see it at the moment I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 14, 2022 Author Share Posted June 14, 2022 4 hours ago, getofflex said: I totally get this. I've had to deal with many difficult life situations during my WD. I believe that it was a combination of WD and life issues causing the depression and anxiety for me. As we get off of these drugs, it is essential for us to figure out how to deal with these situations without the drugs. There are many options for this, including therapy, self help books, and just learning non drug coping skills on our own. Did you check out the link for non drug coping skills in my first post? There are many techniques in there, geared towards dealing with withdrawal symptoms. There are many channels on you tube that can help, but be careful to find ones that are legitimate. Do some research on the internet to find out what types of books are available to help with your particular issues. Check out these books on amazon, and read the reviews. Similar type of thing for finding a decent therapist. I thought getting off them I would have more clarity, feel more alive , feel joy not feel dead so to speak and so that would be easier to deal with things . I’m struggling to deal with anything now or see the benefits of even coming off them sorry that’s just how I feel its been hell I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 14, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 14, 2022 It takes a long time to feel joy and feel more alive, because our nervous systems have been temporarily damaged by the drugs. The key to recovery from this is time, and truckloads of patience. Please read this: Steps for Managing WD Symptoms If you want, you could try a small reinstatement, and see if that helps. This is the only way we know to lessen the severity of withdrawal. This is temporary, and after stabilizing you would then taper gradually off of this. Since you've been off the Prozac for 8 months, I would suggest you start with a tiny amount. I would suggest 1 mg of liquid Prozac. Please also read the link about reinstatement, as there is some risk involved. About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms This link will explain how to measure this dose. Dosing and Tapering Prozac Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 Thankyou I will stay the course it’s just after almost 8 months it feels like this may take 10 years 😂🤦 Surely there has to be a corner people turn? I really appreciate your help, it’s been traumatic enough if I didn’t have the work stress at the moment it would be easier a bit.. I can’t change the work thing in just a click of the fingers I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 1 hour ago, getofflex said: It takes a long time to feel joy and feel more alive, because our nervous systems have been temporarily damaged by the drugs. The key to recovery from this is time, and truckloads of patience. Please read this: Steps for Managing WD Symptoms If you want, you could try a small reinstatement, and see if that helps. This is the only way we know to lessen the severity of withdrawal. This is temporary, and after stabilizing you would then taper gradually off of this. Since you've been off the Prozac for 8 months, I would suggest you start with a tiny amount. I would suggest 1 mg of liquid Prozac. Please also read the link about reinstatement, as there is some risk involved. About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms This link will explain how to measure this dose. Dosing and Tapering Prozac Hey is this process about feeling better off them? Or actually about feeling worse off (like maybe they help and are a benefit) but changing thinking, behaviours etc because I have struggled on them for a decade and always wondered what was wrong with me.. motivation, care for life, and I tried hard to change how I felt but couldn’t 🤷♂️ I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 15, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 15, 2022 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Larry1983 said: Hey is this process about feeling better off them? Or actually about feeling worse off (like maybe they help and are a benefit) but changing thinking, behaviours etc Yes, the end goal is to feel better off the psych drugs. The secret is that it takes a lot of time, patience, and perseverance. I won't lie to you - it can take many months to undergo the physical recovery of the nervous system. And for many, if not most of us, there is another overlapping recovery process of changing how we think, healing the trauma of our past (after we are physically recovered), changing our behaviors, etc. You may want to consider talking to a psychotherapist, who won't try to push drugs at you, to help you out. CBT therapy is great for changing how we think. Please read these success stories of 2 of our senior staff for very good examples of this: Shep's Success - Leaving Plato's Cave Tao of the Brass Monkey Some of us, myself included, decide that putting up with some anxiety and depression, OCD, etc, and being a whole human being with our feelings and emotions, is better than being numb and not really living. Edited June 15, 2022 by getofflex 1 Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 15, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 15, 2022 31 minutes ago, Larry1983 said: I will stay the course it’s just after almost 8 months it feels like this may take 10 years 😂🤦 I'm happy to hear this. It really helped me to do things to distract me when I was in early withdrawal, because it would take my mind off how bad I felt, and it actually lessened the suffering. Try doing things with your hands - working on a project, fixing something, building something, painting, sculpting, cleaning, yard work, etc. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 10 minutes ago, getofflex said: Yes, the end goal is to feel better off the psych drugs. The secret is that it takes a lot of time, patience, and perseverance. I won't lie to you - it can take many months to undergo the physical recovery of the nervous system. And for many, if not most of us, there is another overlapping recovery process of changing how we think, healing the trauma of our past (after we are physically recovered), changing our behaviors, etc. You may want to consider talking to a psychotherapist, who won't try to push drugs at you, to help you out. CBT therapy is great for changing how we think. Please read these success stories of 2 of our senior staff for very good examples of this: Shep's Success - Leaving Plato's Cave Tao of the Brass Monkey Some of us, myself included, decide that putting up with some anxiety and depression, OCD, etc, and being a whole human being with our feelings and emotions, is better than being numb and not really living. Thankyou did you find that as you healed you were better able to absorb info from therapist, change your thoughts etc because you felt more alive ?? It’s almost like because I felt dead whatever i tried in the past never really stuck .. I’m struggling big time changing my thought right now when they are racing and negative but when I feel a spark it’s like I’m more capable of that I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Mentor Heath Posted June 15, 2022 Mentor Share Posted June 15, 2022 @Larry1983 Just stopping by to welcome you to SA! I would like to also say that working with hands, building, fixing, and making things and helping others really helped me get through! And what would top it off is if I could do it with good friends and family! It makes this time go by and takes focus. Sometimes when I was I alone it took a little push on my part but with friends and family it really gave me that extra push. hang on 💪 2000-2013 Paxil - 1 year fast taper 2013-2018 merry go round zoloft, cymbalta, lamictal, Prozac. Nov. 2018 lexapro 15 mgs, Dec. 2019 to Mar. 2020 taper to 10mg. Jul 2020 to October 2020 taper to 8.5 ml. Oct 2020 reinstated to 9 ml. Apr 2021 to Jul taper to 7ml. Oct 2021 to Jan 2022 taper to 5.9ml, Mar 5 2022 5.8 ml, Mar 12 5.7ml, Mar 20 5.6ml, Mar 27 5.5ml, April 23 5.4ml, April 30 5.3ml, May 7 5.2ml, Jul 9 2022 5.4ml, Klonopin prn, Allegra 180 for 3 seasons, aspirin 81 mg, plavix , nitroglycerin 0.4 mg prn, 2k mg turmeric Qunol, 4- Trader Joe’s omega 3 -2400 mg, Pepcid 20mg, Prilosec 40 mg, Tylenol arthritis 4 tablets daily, 350mg calm magnesium citrate, melatonin 2.5- 5mg as needed to sleep. Saline spray as needed. Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 Thanks heath, you guys are saints im hanging on for dear life some days losing a bit of hope that it’s even worth it.. I was so different before them, they definitely messed things up however this now.. I would take how I was on ad (at least a base line I wanted to smile etc) I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Mentor Greatful Posted June 15, 2022 Mentor Share Posted June 15, 2022 (edited) @Larry1983 Welcome to SA Larry. On 6/8/2022 at 5:08 AM, Larry1983 said: i was never good on them and I shouldn’t have been put on them I was never really depressed just sad maybe about some life issues.. and so I’m doing this to see if they caused so much of my mental decline over 10 years ?!?! I never really felt alive last 10 years always low, anxiety etc etc 15 hours ago, Larry1983 said: because I have struggled on them for a decade and always wondered what was wrong with me.. motivation, care for life, and I tried hard to change how I felt but couldn’t 🤷♂️ I can so relate to not feeling right on the drugs, ie anxiety, underline restlessness, most of the time, brain fog, low moods, anger, hypo mania these would cycle I just fought through them, thinking it was me, that I was on drugs so this just must be who I am.....Never wondered if it was the drugs causing the problems. I struggled through it for over 25 years. I recommend the book Your Drug Might Be Your Problem by Peter Breggin and David Cohen. This was a eye opener for me. That being said just like you I wonder if being on the drugs is better than going through this awful, painful journey. Then my hubby reminds me that I wasn't so good on them anyway. I also feel I was slowly getting worse on them. Both of us have seen the wonderful positive insight to being able to feel real emotions without the drugs dulling us....For me I still have a little ways to go to be drug free. What keeps me going is the fact that I am feeling positive things as I go down on the drug. Yea I still don't feel good, my mind is hijacked, but I feel closer to who I was before drugs.( what little I remember, so long ago). You might find this helpful https://youtu.be/5VBXWdhabuQ It's a interview with Robert Whitaker author of Anatomy of an Epidemic Have you had a chance to read some of the success story's here on SA. I have a good therapist that is working with me....She was not up to date with withdrawal, she is slowly learning through me. CBT is a great place to start. So important to learn helpful coping skill, change any distorted cognitive thinking so we can live a drug free life. I recommend to people Therapy In A Nut Shell on you tube http://Therapy in a Nutshell Youtube channel Emma McAdam, she is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a lot of short video's for many of mental health issue and teaches coping skills. You may not be able to absorb and retain a lot of information as you are going through withdrawal but it will give you something to work towards, feel empowerment that you are taking some control of your life. You can re-watch them as many times as you need. Take notes, sometimes writing down things makes it stick a little bit more. Then you have them to look back on. You are not alone on this journey. Reach out to other members. Time is what the brain needs to get heal from this temporary chemical brain injury Hang in there. Edited June 15, 2022 by getofflex corrected spelling of Breggin. 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 Xanax 0.0625mgai 3 x a day, 2023> 0.042mgai 3x a day 2024> 0.034mgai 3x a day >0.03mgaix3=.09mgai Supplements Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 15, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 15, 2022 (edited) 15 hours ago, Larry1983 said: I’m struggling big time changing my thought right now when they are racing and negative Your WD brain is going to give you bad, negative thoughts. Some of us call it our monkey brain. These WD brain thoughts are based on the fact that our brains are destabilized, so the best way to deal with these thoughts is to ignore them. You won't be able to change them, but they will go away eventually, as our brains heal. Try this technique: APPLE Technique I just came across a very nice technique that really helps me. It's called APPLE. I have printed it and have it where I can see it every day and be reminded of it so I internalize this technique. A - Acknowledge Notice and acknowledge the thought or uncertainty as it comes to mind. P - Pause Don't react as you normally do. Don't react at all. Just pause and breathe. P - Pull Back Tell yourself this is just the thought or worry talking, and this apparent need for worry or analysis or certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don't believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts. L - Let Go Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don't have to respond to it. You might imagine the thought floating away in a bubble or cloud. E - Explore Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, you are OK. Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell. Right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else - on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the thought or worry, or do something else - mindfully - with your full attention. Edited June 15, 2022 by getofflex 4 Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Mentor Heath Posted June 15, 2022 Mentor Share Posted June 15, 2022 Getofflex I don’t know where you got this but I love it! I have had it saved on my phone for a while. I reread it often. 2000-2013 Paxil - 1 year fast taper 2013-2018 merry go round zoloft, cymbalta, lamictal, Prozac. Nov. 2018 lexapro 15 mgs, Dec. 2019 to Mar. 2020 taper to 10mg. Jul 2020 to October 2020 taper to 8.5 ml. Oct 2020 reinstated to 9 ml. Apr 2021 to Jul taper to 7ml. Oct 2021 to Jan 2022 taper to 5.9ml, Mar 5 2022 5.8 ml, Mar 12 5.7ml, Mar 20 5.6ml, Mar 27 5.5ml, April 23 5.4ml, April 30 5.3ml, May 7 5.2ml, Jul 9 2022 5.4ml, Klonopin prn, Allegra 180 for 3 seasons, aspirin 81 mg, plavix , nitroglycerin 0.4 mg prn, 2k mg turmeric Qunol, 4- Trader Joe’s omega 3 -2400 mg, Pepcid 20mg, Prilosec 40 mg, Tylenol arthritis 4 tablets daily, 350mg calm magnesium citrate, melatonin 2.5- 5mg as needed to sleep. Saline spray as needed. Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 5 hours ago, getofflex said: Your WD brain is going to give you bad, negative thoughts. Some of us call it our monkey brain. These WD brain thoughts are based on the fact that our brains are destabilized, so the best way to deal with these thoughts is to ignore them. You won't be able to change them, but they will go away eventually, as our brains heal. Try this technique: APPLE Technique I just came across a very nice technique that really helps me. It's called APPLE. I have printed it and have it where I can see it every day and be reminded of it so I internalize this technique. A - Acknowledge Notice and acknowledge the thought or uncertainty as it comes to mind. P - Pause Don't react as you normally do. Don't react at all. Just pause and breathe. P - Pull Back Tell yourself this is just the thought or worry talking, and this apparent need for worry or analysis or certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don't believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts. L - Let Go Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don't have to respond to it. You might imagine the thought floating away in a bubble or cloud. E - Explore Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, you are OK. Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell. Right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else - on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the thought or worry, or do something else - mindfully - with your full attention. Yep that makes total sense ! I just thank my mind and let them go now my hope is once it settles down and I feel better / heal / feel alive I am better able to change some of my beliefs through CBT etc just a question is it possible that because I never really felt alive on them that in fact that feeling induced by taking them made me feel more anxious depressed etc basically on then I was constantly afraid of everything because I knew my baseline was so low so dead that if anything happened it would make me feel even more dead.. so it’s almost like they created the suffering? I hope at least?! I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 15, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 15, 2022 2 minutes ago, Larry1983 said: my hope is once it settles down and I feel better / heal / feel alive I am better able to change some of my beliefs through CBT etc This sounds like a sound plan. 3 minutes ago, Larry1983 said: just a question is it possible that because I never really felt alive on them that in fact that feeling induced by taking them made me feel more anxious depressed etc basically on then I was constantly afraid of everything because I knew my baseline was so low so dead that if anything happened it would make me feel even more dead.. so it’s almost like they created the suffering? I'm not sure, but it's quite possible. Robert Whitaker says that in the long term, antidepressants tend to cause more depression. Robert Whitaker, author Anatomy of an Epidemic video Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 16, 2022 Author Share Posted June 16, 2022 How do people feel better off them? In which ways? 🙏 personal experience ? I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted June 16, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 16, 2022 Please peruse the site for yourself, and find other threads to read about others experience. Especially read the success stories. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment
Larry1983 Posted June 19, 2022 Author Share Posted June 19, 2022 On 6/15/2022 at 3:43 AM, getofflex said: I totally get this. I've had to deal with many difficult life situations during my WD. I believe that it was a combination of WD and life issues causing the depression and anxiety for me. As we get off of these drugs, it is essential for us to figure out how to deal with these situations without the drugs. My plan was always to see if I feel more alive /better / more motivation off the AD.. then make changes how does someone make changes when they know things need to change and they want different things but have no motivation to do so? I am also at 8 months after fast taper I feel better in my windows and sometimes so much better but they are short lived .. then I just start thinking about my life and I’m back to the lethargy depression is healing still possible going through difficult life stuff ? Doesn’t the life stuff make me depressed? Baylissa interestingly said to me to wait and see who I am and I will feel better and deal with the life stuff from a different healed non numb stance?? I truly can’t remember from 2012 to 2017 but I tried Zoloft , lexapro, cymbalta and pristiq 2017-Nov 2021 40mg Prozac fast taper Prozac for 6 weeks ended nov 2021 at docs orders Link to comment
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