AlphaAgony Posted April 15 Share Posted April 15 (edited) Hello all, I've been lurking for over 2 years and finally figured out how to post. This website helped me tremendously while tapering off citalopram. It was honestly the most horrifying and devastating thing I have ever gone through. Almost 2 years out and I'm still suffering with insomnia, mood instability, anxiety and agoraphobia. I started tapering Trazodone about 2 months ago and currently my life is a burning hell. I lost most of my support system while withdrawing off of ciralopram (Father, partner, 2 friends, had to give up my dog and was fired from my job) because my symptoms made me insufferable in their eyes so they all just abandoned me to fend for myself even though it's impossible for me to function. I started tapering the Trazodone because it makes me feel like garbage and does nothing for my insomnia. I've been trying to do a 5% taper every 2 weeks but it's difficult as I am dry cutting. Currently I have not slept more than 3-4 hours in 3 days and I had to take the day off of work. The torture I've been experiencing from brain meds has made me question my will to live on many, many occasions. Is there any hope? Is there any point to keep going? I don't see it getting better, my life was destroyed 2 years ago and I never recovered. I can't eat, sleep or go to the bathroom properly. I just don't feel like it's worth the fight anymore. Any advice is greatly appreciated. 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-2022 150-300mg Wellbutrin - Cold turkey Trazodone: 2014-present tapering 10% per month Edited April 16 by Emonda Name to title 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 16 Moderator Share Posted April 16 Hi @AlphaAgony welcome to SA. I am so sorry you are suffering so badly. I think you need to stop tapering and let your body heal a bit. You have CT'ed from Wellbutrin in 2022 and then did a fast taper off of Citalopram 20mg. A proper 10% a month taper should have taken you over 3 years. Did you have side effects from it which may prompt a faster taper? I have been tapering citalopram since September 2018 with lots of breaks. Adding a trazodone taper before you have recovered from the relatively fast citalopram taper is not a good idea. You need to give your body and mind a rest. Not sleeping is not good and it is a sign that your body is struggling to make the adjustments to the taper. However, no need to panic. Sleeping only 3-4 hrs a night is doable (I did it for months!). The only way to do this properly is to do it slowly. OMW Here is an informative piece on what is happening in your brain while you are tapering. https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/10914-what-is-happening-in-your-brain/#comment-199680 "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
AlphaAgony Posted April 16 Author Share Posted April 16 Sorry, I made a typo... I CT'd Wellbutrin in 2020 and had no negative affects except slight fatigue for about a week. I guess the taper for Citalopram was too fast but I'm too far out at this point. The reason why I'm tapering Trazodone now is because I developed sleep apnea, blurry vision and I have unbearable dry mouth that makes it even harder to sleep. Trazodone makes me feel pretty crappy in general so I want to be off of it ASAP. I am desperate to be free from meds. As of tonight I have only slept 2 hours... Did you function and work full-time despite the insomnia? I'm finding it near impossible but need to keep my job. 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2014-Trazodone 25mg-50mg - present/ tapering 10% per month 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 16 Moderator Share Posted April 16 Hi @AlphaAgony Are you sure that the sleep apnea is caused by trazodone? Blurry vision and dry mouth can be withdrawal symptoms as well. The only way we know how to get rid of withdrawal symptoms is to stop/slow the taper and allow the body to adjust. If these are indeed adverse reactions to trazodone and not withdrawal symptoms then you'd need to choose which symptoms you're willing to tolerate - the dry mouth or the sleeplessness. There is no other way through. I worked through the insomnia but I have lots of flexibility at work and I ended up taking lots of breaks in tapering which made the symptoms much milder. 2 hrs a night will not be sustainable - work or no work - for more than a few months. And if you don't stop tapering this can get worse. Our advice would be to stop tapering for a few months. But you know yourself best and you know which symptoms you can bear and which you can't. Omw "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
AlphaAgony Posted April 17 Author Share Posted April 17 Hello @Onmyway After taking Trazodone for years, my partner started to tell me that I sounded like I was choking in my sleep which I never experienced before being on Trazodone. It would be quite the coincidence if I developed it simultaneously with no family history of it or prior suspicion by my doctor. I really appreciate the information you have given me and I have taken your advice on stopping the taper for the time being. I actually did end up sleeping an extra hour and a half this morning and was able to dream, which made the day much more pleasant. My sleep is much more rewarding when it is biphasal, regardless of the duration. Is that something that others have experienced as far as you know? Best regards, AA 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2014-Trazodone 25mg-50mg - present/ tapering 10% per month - paused 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 17 Moderator Share Posted April 17 @AlphaAgony Not sure about biphasic sleep but sleep apnea can develop for all kinds of reasons and it doesn't need to be in the family. If it is not obstructive sleep apnea which may be due to structural issues often (obesity or some other obstructions) , you may have central sleep apnea which can be due to autonomic nervous system dysregulation. You may wish to get evaluated and treated regardless. "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
AlphaAgony Posted April 20 Author Share Posted April 20 Hello @Onmyway, I work out regularly and am at a healthy weight. I stopped my taper 5 days ago and am still experiencing monstrous insomnia with little to no relief. Do you know how long it takes to stabilize when stopping a trazodone taper? I also increased my dose by 5%, so I'm holding at 70% of my original dose. Much obliged, AA 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 20 Moderator Share Posted April 20 For me if took months to stabilise but things should start getting better slowly. Omw "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
AlphaAgony Posted April 20 Author Share Posted April 20 @Onmyway, Thank you for your prompt replies. You don't know how much you're helping me. Thank you. -AA 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 21 Moderator Share Posted April 21 Hi @AlphaAgony. You are welcome. I am really sorry that you are suffering so much. I remember the beginning when it was so confusing and scary. I still occasionally get such days/weeks but life does improve when you let your body adapt. Hope you get some respite soon. This may give you a good idea of the process: "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
AlphaAgony Posted April 21 Author Share Posted April 21 Hello again @Onmyway, My symptoms are getting worse?? I usually have early morning insomnia but now I ALSO have sleep-onset insomnia for the past 2 days. I slept 2 hours again, going to try to sleep a bit more... I'm very restless, alert and agitated at night, exhausted and weak during the day. Does this mean I need to increase my dose again? I'm getting a bit scared. Please help. This is not sustainable and I don't know what to do as I have already been turned away by my doctor for this matter as she does not believe in withdrawal and would love nothing more than for me to take a bunch of harmful pills for the rest of my life. I excercise twice a week (I would like to do more but I'm so tired all the time), I try to avoid processed food and take the usual supplements (Mag, Omega, D). It really seems like right now, nothing I do gives me any kind of relief and I feel like I'm falling apart. Please help... 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
AlphaAgony Posted April 21 Author Share Posted April 21 I was not able to go back to sleep at all. I really only slept 2 hours. I'm at my wit's end. I'm completely handicapped with exhaustion. I can't even go grocery shopping. I work from home and I still have to call out sometimes because I can't even think. I have no resources and very limited support. This situation looks more hopeless with each day. 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 21 Moderator Share Posted April 21 Hi @AlphaAgony I can't advise on updosing because your traper history is missing detail. If you can do it as detailed as mine I can give an opinion. I rarely advise people to updose though. You need stability now and time. Going up or down are both destabilising. Why don't you cut vitamin D and Omega 3s for now. The first one is an activating vitamin and omega 3 can impact some people adversely. Magnesium should be OK but some people are sensitive even to that. But magnesium citrate can be calming. A baby aspirin before bed may help with early wakenings (but don't take if you have bleeding issues). Also please block all light possible from your bedroom. If you can't have blackout curtains, get an eye mask. Or both. I would cut exercise completely and replace it with a gentle walk - 20-30 min a day every day and as many as tolerable, ideally outside. Walking regulates the nervous system and will get some of that agitation out without adding to it. But caveat - a few people can't handle that at all for a period of time. Do as much as you can. If it's only 10 min do that. If you can do an hour do that. But gentle. The key in this situation is to not worry about the sleep. I was obsessed with getting enough sleep when I was going through a period similar to yours. My sleep improved when I just powered through it and stopped worrying about it and stopped fighting the insomnia. If you can't sleep distract yourself with something that's fun (or used to be fun) - I played a lot of boardgames. You'll be fine on low sleep for a while. Just don't create extra anxiety about it. Many people find background music helpful. YouTube has long videos of this. I use the brave browser which blocks YouTube ads so you don't wake up from those if you're sleeping. Most importantly though, stop changing doses, take pills at the same time every day and trust that this is going to be better. Omw "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
AlphaAgony Posted April 21 Author Share Posted April 21 Hi @Onmyway, Someone wrote a piece about re-instating on here and it said if you have severe WD symptoms to up the dose back incrementally. So now I'm totally confused by what you're saying. Which is it? I also ordered a precision scale to make my dose exact as I'm not able to do so with dry-cutting and "eyeballing it". I think that method is really messing me up. I'm too tired to give you a detailed report on my taper but I went from 50mg to 32.5mg in a span of 2 months and I'm currently trying to stabilize at 35mg. At one point I was cutting 5% after 2 weeks instead of exactly 10% per month. Symptoms only got unbearable in the past 9 days. I already have blackout curtains, an eye mask and earplugs. I do not want to cut excercise because I don't want to lose my gains and it's one of the only things I still enjoy in life. I avoid too much cardio and do mostly strength training. I will try to go for more walks on my off days. You're right about not obsessing over sleep... it's very hard to not laser-focus on how much sleep im getting and how much medication I'm taking. I keep a sleep log to monitor improvement. Do you think I should stop doing this? Or maybe just log the good days instead? I'm open to anything. Background music used to help but at the present moment I just find it irritating. Thank you again for the time you're taking to advise me. Bless you and I will follow your advice. 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 21 Moderator Share Posted April 21 (edited) @AlphaAgony Whether you decide to updose or not will have to be your own decision. If you've cut 35% in two months a middle ground may be advisable so an updose after such drastic cuts may be ok. You've run roughshod through the taper so you may be kindling yourself with the imprecise sizes. I didn't realise that you were eyeballing things. Dosage variation is not good for the taper. Stability is what you need. In the end you need to take responsibility for your taper. Taking big risks and then suffering is expected, it's not an exception, it's the rule for people who already have withdrawal symptoms. The universe does not correct things on its own when it decides we suffered too much. If you continue cutting your dose fast and imprecisely you will suffer. It's up to you. Exercise increases cortisol in general. You want to lower cortisol if you're agitated. Read the thread on that if you want. Omw Edited April 21 by Onmyway "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
AlphaAgony Posted April 22 Author Share Posted April 22 Hi @Onmyway, Yes, I take sole responsibility for my taper. I was just looking for advice on how to stabalize right now. I increased my dose last night by 5%, so from 35mg to 37.5mg. That did it. I felt INSTANT relief within minutes and slept for over 6 hours. I was going through intense withdrawal, not kindling and the increase was an instant fix. I will hold this for a couple of months and resume my taper, respecting the 10%/month drop schedule. I will report back to share my experience. Thanks again. 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering >10% per month - paused at 32.5mg - increased to 37.5mg and holding. 2015-2020 Wellbutrin 150-300mg - Cold turkey 2004-2022 Citalopram 20mg - 1 year taper 2014-present Trazodone 25mg-50mg - tapering 10% per month - paused at 35mg Link to comment
Moderator Onmyway Posted April 22 Moderator Share Posted April 22 Great news @AlphaAgony. Please keep up updated as things settle Omw "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment
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