AJS74

[AJS74]

So sorry to everyone going through this. I’ve gone through withdrawal from lots of meds, because they didn’t help. They just physically hooked me and were an easy bandaid for DRs compared to the therapy I desperately needed. I’m currently coming off of Lamictal after two years of trauma therapy and then 3 years depression free. I’ve been on for 5 years total  and the main problem was that if I forgot to take it, I’d have horrendous neuropathy to the point that I’d have to leave work by 10 am. When I told my p doc about it she just looked at me funny and said something like “that doesn’t happen”. And I used to just sort of accept that because I hadn’t really felt self worth. I think it’s safe to say she never reported my symptoms. Last year I told her I wanted to taper off and she said that I only need two weeks- if I don’t feel good it’s just because I’m going back to my natural MDD state, not withdrawal. Hmmm… this is where having  a diagnosis allows people to try to strip away all your credibility. My symptoms of MDD had never been a sudden onset of debilitating brain fog and tingling face, hands, and feet like when I forget to take my meds. Anyway…. One year later and  I’ve done it myself over 3 months. It was still so painful but I kept researching and decided to try hi dose B vitamins (Folate and B-12) and vit E.  And it’s working. I’m still not the sharpest- it’s only been a week w the supplements and writing this is taxing my brain but so much less painful. It’s a huge huge win for me. I knew I couldn’t get back on Lamictal and I was starting to get terrified my brain would always be numb. I really wanted to share and look forward to participating w everyone more when forming sentences isn’t so challenging 🫠 I hope this helps someone- the vitamins are a no- brainer and I can’t believe I’d never read about it anywhere. 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  Congratulations for getting yourself off of the Lamictal!  That p doc sounds pretty clueless.  Unfortunately, we hear about this sort of thing a lot on this forum.  You are correct - your symptoms sounded more like withdrawal, than MDD.  And I get what you are saying about us patients having little credibility.  Chalk it up to the arrogance of so many health care practitioners, IMO. 

 

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

 

You should continue to improve and recover as time goes on.  Healing of the nervous system is very slow and gradual.  Time and patience are the keys.  Please keep us posted on how you are doing.