longtimepsychmeduser: Looking for a psychiatrist who is good at helping people get off psych meds and practices in the Puget Sound Region of Washington State.

[longtimepsychmeduser]

I am looking for a psychiatrist who is good at helping people get off of psych meds and practices in the Puget Sound region of Washington State.  It would be good if their practice is in the southern part of King County or the Tacoma area.  

 

I am 66 years old and I have been on Sertraline since March of 2003.  Before that I was on some other meds at various times between 1995 and 2002.  I went completely off of psych meds for 1 and 1/4 years, then four months, then for 2 months.  I did not have adequate support from others in my efforts to get off the meds.  I regret not pushing through and going for broke.  Now, after all these years, I am feeling impaired mentally.  I have done some research into SSRIs, and they look bad.  The guy who prescribes the meds seems to believe whatever big pharma says.  He would probably be willing to give me a taper schedule, but if things get tough, I don't thing he would be much help.  

 

Today. I regret ever going on these meds.  I started taking them for OCD.  I am now pretty sure that I can do well in the fight against OCD without meds.  

[LotusRising]

@longtimepsychmeduser

 

Welcome to SA,

 

We are a peer-run volunteer site dedicated to a harm reduction tapering approach, in an effort to minimize withdrawal symptoms. We suggest tapering by no more than 10% of your most recent dose each month. See  Why taper by 10%.

 

Thank you for creating a signature.

 

These two links will help you to understand withdrawal syndrome:

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

When we take medication, the CNS responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS must then undo all the changes that were made. When tapering begins and these changes are undone, symptoms may occur. You can expect that they will follow 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization  and since the CNS likes stability, we suggest to Keep it simple, slow and stable.

 

Below is the list of recommended doctors, although I don't know if it is up to date. If you don't see a psych doctor in your area, could you get your prescription from your family doctor? We have lots of tapering information on the site.

 

Please post any updates or questions related to your specific situation right here in your thread. It's helpful to keep everything related to your tapering journey in one spot and it helps to keep the site tidy. 

[KenA]

Looks like the link to our list of recommended doctors thread didn't show up on the previous post

 

 

[wantrelief]

Hi @longtimepsychmeduser:  I live in Seattle and recently had to find a new provider. In my search, I came across a nurse practitioner named Katie Rose Kern who sounded open to tapering folks off of psych meds. I believe she is located in Renton but is a telehealth-only provider. Her phone number is (425) 279-7266.  

 

Unfortunately I couldn't see her as I am on a benzo and was worried about the DEA changing its rule about telehealth providers prescribing controlled substances. Unfortunately I don't think there is any one in Washington State currently practicing on the list provided above.

 

Best of luck in your search and journey off of sertraline!