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  • Administrator
Posted (edited)

Hello, everyone! Join me Friday, November 11, 2022 for a live video chat with Brooke Siem, author of May Cause Side Effects, the first memoir on antidepressant withdrawal to hit the mass-market.  

 

We'll talk about Brooke's vividly observed experience through a year of withdrawal syndrome, what withdrawal feels like, and the survival skills we both had to learn in our journeys to get here today. Q & A from viewers will follow.

 

Brooke has been interviewed by numerous media outlets. She will also discuss the public's response to this milestone in the effort to bring global awareness to this common pitfall of antidepressant treatment.

 

Join our video chat Friday, November 11 

11 a.m. PST/2 p.m. EST 

on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/survivingantidepressants/ 
RSVP here for the event on Facebook https://fb.me/e/5II2PCdbE

This link might not work, try this one (CC):

https://fb.me/e/69p6QHJnS

 

If you wish to watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTlI95uj0eM
 
After the event, the video will be available on the 
SurvivingAntidepressants new YouTube channel
 

Brooke's short video about her book is here  https://youtu.be/tTz5P_vp3mc

 

Please share this post wherever you can. Thank you!

facebook sunrise-2SA 1200 px brooke2.png

Edited by ChessieCat
updated/CC added FB link

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Posted
2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, everyone! Join me Friday, November 11, 2022 for a live video chat with Brooke Siem, author of May Cause Side Effects, the first memoir on antidepressant withdrawal to hit the mass-market.  

 

We'll talk about Brooke's vividly observed experience through a year of withdrawal syndrome, what withdrawal feels like, and the survival skills we both had to learn in our journeys to get here today. Q & A from viewers will follow.

 

Brooke has been interviewed by numerous media outlets. She will also discuss the public's response to this milestone in the effort to bring global awareness to this common pitfall of antidepressant treatment.

 

Join our video chat Friday, November 11 

11 a.m. PST/2 p.m. EST 

on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/survivingantidepressants/

(RSVPs to open today)

 

or on SurvivingAntidepressants new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLiZ9jubF92Zj6TxoPwLwhQ

 

Brooke's short video about her book is here  https://youtu.be/tTz5P_vp3mc

 

Please share this post wherever you can. Thank you!

facebook sunrise-2SA 1200 px brooke2.png

@Altostrata Looking forward to this! 

Chlo❤

•Celexa 40mg 1999-2021•LONG COVID Aug.2021•Celexa stopped working•Zoloft 100mg Sept21'-Oct21'•Buspar •Lexapro 10mg Oct21'-Nov21'

•Lexapro did not work(adverse effects)•Lexapro 5mg Nov21'-1/17/22 switched to Lexapro liquid form 5mg 1/18/22•4.75mg 1/19•4.5mg 1/25•4.25mg 2/1•4.0mg 2/8

•3.75mg 3/28•3.5mg 5/23

•3.25mg 5/30•3.0mg 6/19

•2.75mg 6/26•2.50mg 7/10•2.45mg 7/18•2.40mg 7/25•2.35mg 8/1•2.33mg 8/26•2.27mg 9/15•2.21mg 9/23•2.16mg 9/30•2.10mg 10/14•2.04mg 10/24•1.99mg 11/18•1.95mg 1/02/23•1.90mg 1/09•1.80mg 1/27•1.75mg 2/21•1.70mg3/6•1.65mg3/14•1.60mg 4/07•1.52mg 4/30•1.48mg 5/07•1.40mg 6/08•1.36mg 6/17•1.32mg 6/27•1.28mg 7/17•1.20mg 8/18•1.15mg 9/13•1.12mg 10/15•1.06mg 1/20/24•1.02mg 2/16•1mg 2/27•.98mg3/02•.96mg3/20•

.90mg7/1•.85mg8/17•.76mg11/15

Magnesium Glycinate•Vit.C 

Omega3•Probiotic•Zinc•D3•

Mirtazapine 15mg

I don't know much, but 3 things I do. There is a God. His word is true. Stay close to Him and He will bring you through. Amen🙏

Posted
22 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

SurvivingAntidepressants.org has a new YouTube channel

 

There are playlists of videos of Robert Whitaker, MadinAmerica Town Halls, and many of our friends and colleagues discussing the problems in going off psychiatric drugs. 

 

Plus, on Friday, November 11, I'll be interviewing Brooke Siem, survivor of a year of living dangerously with antidepressant withdrawal syndrome and author of a book about it, May Cause Side Effects.

 

Subscribe to SA's new YouTube channel now to get updates.

 

Join our video chat Friday, November 11

11 a.m. PST/2 p.m. EST

 

on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/survivingantidepressants/

(RSVPs to open today)

 

on SurvivingAntidepressants new YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLiZ9jubF92Zj6TxoPwLwhQ

 

More information here:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/28190-friday-nov-11-2022-video-chat-with-brooke-siem-paws-survivor/

 

How do we rsvp? @Altostrata

Chlo❤

•Celexa 40mg 1999-2021•LONG COVID Aug.2021•Celexa stopped working•Zoloft 100mg Sept21'-Oct21'•Buspar •Lexapro 10mg Oct21'-Nov21'

•Lexapro did not work(adverse effects)•Lexapro 5mg Nov21'-1/17/22 switched to Lexapro liquid form 5mg 1/18/22•4.75mg 1/19•4.5mg 1/25•4.25mg 2/1•4.0mg 2/8

•3.75mg 3/28•3.5mg 5/23

•3.25mg 5/30•3.0mg 6/19

•2.75mg 6/26•2.50mg 7/10•2.45mg 7/18•2.40mg 7/25•2.35mg 8/1•2.33mg 8/26•2.27mg 9/15•2.21mg 9/23•2.16mg 9/30•2.10mg 10/14•2.04mg 10/24•1.99mg 11/18•1.95mg 1/02/23•1.90mg 1/09•1.80mg 1/27•1.75mg 2/21•1.70mg3/6•1.65mg3/14•1.60mg 4/07•1.52mg 4/30•1.48mg 5/07•1.40mg 6/08•1.36mg 6/17•1.32mg 6/27•1.28mg 7/17•1.20mg 8/18•1.15mg 9/13•1.12mg 10/15•1.06mg 1/20/24•1.02mg 2/16•1mg 2/27•.98mg3/02•.96mg3/20•

.90mg7/1•.85mg8/17•.76mg11/15

Magnesium Glycinate•Vit.C 

Omega3•Probiotic•Zinc•D3•

Mirtazapine 15mg

I don't know much, but 3 things I do. There is a God. His word is true. Stay close to Him and He will bring you through. Amen🙏

  • Administrator
Posted

If you're on Facebook, follow the page https://www.facebook.com/survivingantidepressants/ and RSVP when the announcement is made today or tomorrow.

 

If you want to watch YouTube, subscribe to the YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLiZ9jubF92Zj6TxoPwLwhQ to get the announcement of the showing.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

  • Mentor
Posted

Wow, well done Alto, this looks very exciting. Hope to be able to attend the livestream next week ☺️

am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions based on my own experience and SA guidelines. I am unable to respond to private messages. 

Mirtazepine 15mg Nov 2018 -April 2019  April - Sept 2019 Mirtazepine down to around 6mg - skipping days to taper

October 2019 - Dec 2019 unwell from failed taper including jumping about in doses 

15 December 2019 to 13 June 2021 15mg Mirtazepine 

14 June 2021 started brass monkey Slide.  
2021: 23 August 12.3mg, 28 October 11.1mg, 6 Dec 10mg

2022: 12 Feb 8.5, 25 Oct 4.5mg

2023: 16 Jan 3.6mg, 28 Sept 1.8mg

2024: 13 May 1.1mg

2024: September reinstated 15mg owing to severe depression planning to stay on for the very long term 

  • Administrator
Posted (edited)

RSVPs have opened on Facebook https://fb.me/e/5II2PCdbE

This link might not work, try this one (CC):

https://fb.me/e/69p6QHJnS

 
If you wish to watch on YouTube, follow SurvivingAntidepressants new YouTube channel 
 
The video will be available on the Facebook page and YouTube channel after the event.
 

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added FB link

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

  • Administrator
Posted

Updated: Direct link to the YouTube viewing on Friday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTlI95uj0eM

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

  • Administrator
Posted
On 11/4/2022 at 3:57 PM, Chlo said:

How do we rsvp? @Altostrata


RSVP here for the event on SurvivingAntidepressants Facebook page

https://fb.me/e/69p6QHJnS

 
If you wish to watch on YouTube 
 
After the event, the video will be available on the SurvivingAntidepressants new YouTube channel  
 
(Thanks, @ChessieCat, for correcting the link.)

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Posted

I have tried to RSVP but says the link is broken. Anyway, I will be watching! Thank you Alto for this and for all you do to help us. 

Prozac 10mg 1990-1999    -1999-2018 Effexor XR 75 mg capsules

-2018 Dr direct switched me from Effexor 75XR to Cymbalta 20mg XR and 20 mg Metoprolol following irregular heartbeat incident  -Late 2019 began worsening anxiety/ depression symptoms     -2020 Dr direct switched  back to 75 mg Effex XR   Symptoms worsened   -2021 Changed Dr and began therapy for GAD and worsening physical symptoms   -2022 Found this forum and began slow taper by removing beads -    6/7 - 6/10 Effexor 73.2mg  6/11-6/14  Effexor 72.9mg   nightmares, tinnitus, anxiety;  6/15- Effexor XR 72.6mg  6/16 - 6/20 Effexor XR 72.8   nausea, heart palpitations, anxiety, tinnitus 6/22-7/4 hold Effexor XR 72.9-73.1     7/5-7/11  Effexor XR 72.62  7/12 - 7/15  Effexor 72.6  bad symptoms 

7/16-7/17 Effexor XR upped to 72.9  7/18 Effexor XR 72.9  most symptoms gone  hold at 72.9 - 73.0   8/26 - 9/6  Trying to keep dosage under 73. Holding around 72.9 sometime 72.86 due to bead count  Having symptoms most days.

9/6-9/23    Holding at about 72.9-73. Still very ill. No improvement.

9/23 - 11/23  Still keeping dose around 72.9-73

11-23-Jan 14   Held until one week ago. Dropped to 72.75-72.81  terrible WD

1/14- present   Worse WD symptoms. Back to 73.10. Cannot seem to stabilize. 

2/2 - present Holding at about 73 hoping to stabilize  

3/19 - present Dropped to aprox 92.9-92.88. (vary from day to day.) Holding 

Take only Clarinex 5mg for allergies and the Effexor 73 XR. I cannot take any supplements. No caffeine, sugar, soy, gluten, dairy.

 

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

@rmce72a

I found this on the FB page:

 

We had to make a new event. Please RSVP at this one: https://fb.me/e/69p6QHJnS

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Please note that the previous FB RSVP link might not work.

 

This link might not work, try this one (CC):

https://fb.me/e/69p6QHJnS

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted (edited)

I was able to listen in for most of the livestream today.

5 stars!!!  Or, I really liked what I heard. 

Nice interviewing.  Good questions Alto!!

Very cool responses to questions by the author. 

It wasn't really to plug her book so much, as to just share what she learned and how she recovered.

 

It was great!

 

(scroll up to find out how to access the recording when it is available.  I went through FB, which took me right to the youtube channel)

Edited by manymoretodays

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

  • Mentor
Posted

I enjoyed it as well.

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin,  Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

Posted
On 11/6/2022 at 11:32 PM, Altostrata said:

After the event, the video will be available on the Surviving Anti Depressants Youtube Channel

Honest this was AMAZING 🙏🏻, this forum has been a life saver for myself and countless others through the medium of posting our problems then receiving feedback through text, but to see someone actually talk so candidly about their experience of the medicated harm we have all been through then explaining how she tackled the withdrawal with different strategies was really amazing.

 

I don't have facebook, I subscribed to the youtube channel and you could be notified when it went live if this helps anyone in the future having issues.

2001 - 2011 Paroxetine, Propranolol, Venlafaxine X2, Citalopram.

 

Sertraline 2011 - Sept 2020 100mg-50mg Sertraline.

Sept 2020 Fast taper, Effectively cold turkey ended with crashing in July 2021.

July - Sept 2021 uptake to 50mg Sertraline.

 

Started taper October 2nd 2021.

2nd October 2021, 47.5mg - November 2024, 3.4mg
 

Omega 3, Vitamin B,  Zinc & Magnesium, Ginkgo Biloba, Electrolyte Complex, Psyllium husks.

 

Cold water treatment, Ice baths 4/5 times a week. Journaling. Healthy balanced diet. Reading. Walking in nature. Meditating 🙏🏼

  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Thanks ChessieCat, for getting me to the appropriate topic.

And indeed, it was great.

Thank you Brooke.  Thank you Alto.

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

  • Administrator
Posted

You're all welcome! What stood out for you?

 

The video will be available on the SA YouTube channel. We hope to have more such video discussions.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

  • Mentor
Posted

What a great interview. I am just amazed that Brooke managed to do so much in WD. I barely left home for the time I was affected by WD and then stabilising. I also think she has been extremely lucky that WD seemed only to last a year when so many on this site are affected for years. I wish Brooke all the best with her book and future speaking engagements.  
 

@Altostrata I wonder if parts of this might be edited together for newbies to watch when they first join the site….so many helpful nuggets for those suffering….

am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions based on my own experience and SA guidelines. I am unable to respond to private messages. 

Mirtazepine 15mg Nov 2018 -April 2019  April - Sept 2019 Mirtazepine down to around 6mg - skipping days to taper

October 2019 - Dec 2019 unwell from failed taper including jumping about in doses 

15 December 2019 to 13 June 2021 15mg Mirtazepine 

14 June 2021 started brass monkey Slide.  
2021: 23 August 12.3mg, 28 October 11.1mg, 6 Dec 10mg

2022: 12 Feb 8.5, 25 Oct 4.5mg

2023: 16 Jan 3.6mg, 28 Sept 1.8mg

2024: 13 May 1.1mg

2024: September reinstated 15mg owing to severe depression planning to stay on for the very long term 

  • Administrator
Posted
On 11/13/2022 at 4:50 AM, Faure said:

 

@Altostrata I wonder if parts of this might be edited together for newbies to watch when they first join the site….so many helpful nuggets for those suffering….

 

Do you have those editing skills?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

  • Mentor
Posted

I’m afraid not Alto,  editing a video is a pretty skilled job and not in my skill set. 

am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions based on my own experience and SA guidelines. I am unable to respond to private messages. 

Mirtazepine 15mg Nov 2018 -April 2019  April - Sept 2019 Mirtazepine down to around 6mg - skipping days to taper

October 2019 - Dec 2019 unwell from failed taper including jumping about in doses 

15 December 2019 to 13 June 2021 15mg Mirtazepine 

14 June 2021 started brass monkey Slide.  
2021: 23 August 12.3mg, 28 October 11.1mg, 6 Dec 10mg

2022: 12 Feb 8.5, 25 Oct 4.5mg

2023: 16 Jan 3.6mg, 28 Sept 1.8mg

2024: 13 May 1.1mg

2024: September reinstated 15mg owing to severe depression planning to stay on for the very long term 

  • Administrator
Posted

If anyone wants to do this, please let me know.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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