Fearless4x4 Posted February 8, 2023 Posted February 8, 2023 Hello, I am a new member. I am excited that I found this website because I didn't know it existed! 😃 Over the last 20 or so years, I have been on all kinds of drugs, including Citalopram, Cipralex, Fluoxetine, Trazodone, Sertraline, Olanzapine, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Abilify, Xanax, Rexulti, and probably some that I have forgotten. In 2018-2019, I was on five medications: TraZadone 100mg, Sertraline 200mg, Xanax 2mg, Rexulti 0.5mg(?), and Abilify 2mg(?). I quit Cold Turkey Ability and Rexulti on my own, and I am working on tapering off the other three. I am currently managing my withdrawal by doing a lot of weight training at the gym, which seems to help with the irritability, sleeplessness, and emotional instability. I want to be off these drugs entirely because 1) I feel they have damaged my health (weight gain, sexual dysfunction, etc.), and 2) I am going on a DREAM vacation to a place that prohibits "psychoactive" prescriptions. I hope to find support here 🥰 2009 - Sertraline 200mg slow taper down January 2023 50mg 2014 - TraZadone 100mg slow taper down November 2022 50mg January 2023 25mg 2018 - Xanax 2mg 2018-2019 - Abilify 2mg 2018-2019 Rexulti 0.5mg
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted February 8, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Posted February 8, 2023 Welcome to SA, Fearless4x4. Could you please edit your signature to reflect what drugs you're on now as of today, Feb. 8, 2023, including current doses and rate of taper? Please put this information at the end of your signature. Specifically: (1) When did you begin your Sertraline taper from 200mg down to 50mg and at what rate did you taper? Are you still on 50mg as of today, Feb. 8? (2) Regarding the Trazodone, as I understand it, you began your taper off 50mg in Nov. 2022 (please indicate exact date if possible). At what rate did you taper? Are you still at 25mg as of today, Feb. 8? Your post states you're on three drugs, but your signature indicates only two: Sertraline 50mg and Trazodone 25mg. Is there a third drug? Please use this link to edit your signature: Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. It appears that you're tapering much faster than we recommend, which is no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? We also recommend tapering only one drug at a time. Otherwise, if problems arise, you won't know the cause. Generally, we recommend tapering activating drugs (such as Sertraline) first while leaving sedating drugs (such as Trazodone) in place to be tapered later in order to preserve sleep . However, in the case of Trazodone, which is a particularly problematical drug, there may be reasons to taper it first. How are you feeling since you began your tapers? Do you feel better or worse since you began? Once you've answered my questions, we'll be in a better position to help you with a tapering plan. Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first The following links are specifically about tapering Sertraline and Trazodone. Tips for tapering off sertraline (Zoloft) Tips for tapering off trazodone (Desyrel) You mentioned your plans for a vacation and having to be off psychotropic drugs at attend. What is a DREAM vacation? We'd caution against rushing your taper to meet a schedule as you run the risk of some significant withdrawal issues. What is withdrawal syndrome. Brain Remodelling Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium (glycinate is a good form) and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community. I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us. Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Dec 28: 2.2mg Taper is 97% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs.
CeruleanSea Posted February 10, 2023 Posted February 10, 2023 Hi @Fearless4x4, welcome! I have a similar history of being on lots of meds over the last 20 years. Wishing you the best as you prepare for your dream location. Zoloft 50 mg since 2019. 2024. January. 33.75 February. 33.75 March 32.5 April 30.0 2023. January 33.75 mg February 32.5 mg March 30.0 mg April 27.5 mg June 50 mg August 40 mg September-December 37.5 mg December 33.75 mg 2022. January 50mg February 45 mg March 40.5 April-November 37.5 December 33.75 mg Prior to discontinuation: 20 years of a variety of antidepressants & anti-anxiety meds from months to years at a time (fluoxetine, nefazodone, venlafaxine, clonazepam, hydroxyzine). I was unknowingly experiencing discontinuation and was frequently diagnosed with anxiety/exacerbations of previous illness as opposed to discontinuation. Supplements: Fish oil, Vitamin D3, magnesium, B complex, l-theanine
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