LoveandLight Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Dp/dr was my thinking too xx 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 (((Selma))) I'm so sorry. This has to get better. Seems we're both slipping back, and I'm praying hard this gets better soon! I know it's hard. Please hang in there. XOXO Luv, you know that I am always with you in prayer. You hang on too. You are incredibly persevering and I know that you will come through this victorious. Love you. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 Hi Selmalady, I'm so sorry you're not feeling like yourself. I, too, have had space perception distortions and you're right...they are unnerving. But they do go away. Your eyes will readjust as you continue to heal. If you want to hide somewhere then do just that, be gentle with yourself. It sounds like you're getting out which is good so just keep going. You will get better. ((((((((Hugs)))))))) Do you wear sunglasses when you go out? They might help. Adagiooo, So kind of you to post on my thread when you are suffering so much yourself. I am reading your thread and so often wish that I could do something to help you find your way out of the drugs that were so wrongly given to you. There is a way out and I know that you will find if in time. I have felt many of things you describe on your thread including the feelings of being a "monster". I have said as much to my husband. It is indescribably tortuous to feel as tho there is no humanity left in you. But there is. If we can see ourselves as being fully human but with a brain chemistry that is temporarily twisted up, then maybe we won't feel so suicidal. I have come through a complete shut down of my brain and have seen it come back "on line" and have once again felt myself and then realized that I was "in there" all along. We "just" have to keep going on til we can once again experience who we really are. What kind of visual distortions have you had? Thank you for the suggestion of sunglasses. For me for some reason, it makes them seem more unreal. Several months ago I did have a hyper sensitivity to light and had to wear them even in the house. But at least that seems to have slipped back into some sort of normalcy. So so good to read your words, "you will get better". Can we ever read those words enough?? Love to you. And healing. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 Hang in there Selma!!!! I'm so so sorry. Please just keep hanging on. I am praying. Xoxo Love and peace to you. Love you sweet WF. Praying always for you. Always have you in my thots and so so hoping to see improvement. I was so glad to read on your thread that you had begun to experience the real you! The connections are all still there and you will have yourself back in time. Am praying for just the right time and the right way to taper the benzo. Blessings to you. xoxoxo 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted June 21, 2015 Author Share Posted June 21, 2015 Dp/dr was my thinking too xx Love, Thank you for your sweet words and for this affirmation. Geezzz, that whole part of the system in my brain is waaaaaaaaaaay of course and of course, I worry that it will not be able to find its way back. But as with all of us, I have to trust that God has so designed a way of healing. I just so wish it were on a faster track! I read your thread too and it was wonderful to read that you had a really good evening, feeling yourself again! What a huge relief to see that we have been hard wired and can't be lost! You are a very very kind and caring person too, Love. xoxoxo 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
LoveandLight Posted June 21, 2015 Share Posted June 21, 2015 ((Selma)) thank you x 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
Adagiooo Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Hi SelmaLady. Thank you so much for the blessings you bestowed upon me on my thread. I wanted to respond on your thread so you would be sure to see it. You are so right about feeling like sometimes our humanity has left us. How can I be human and and suffer so terribly without any relief at all? There are times when I feel like an animal who is being abused and has no ability to stop its abuser. But alas, I am human which is why I try to lift others up. If I can encourage someone else, that's a moment I'm not thinking about myself and my misery...my empathy for others forces me to see my humanity. Also, maybe something I say to another person might help this incessant negativity that has overtaken my brain. Thank you, too, for your words of hope. If you can make it through a brain shut down then maybe I can find some way to taper these drugs...which is my worst fear, that I won't be able to taper anymore of this poison. The visual disturbances I experienced were when I came off of the Abilify. Everything looked like a cartoon to me, all of the colors outside of my house looked like they were smushed together like watercolor paintings mixed with cartoons. Sometimes, streets I know are straight looked like they were on an incline and closed spaces offen looked considerabley larger or smaller than I know them to be. When I drove it was like I was watching a movie that was very blurry with everything I was seeing being distorted in one way or another...either too big, too small, crooked or otherwise weirdly shaped. This wen away after about 4 to 6 months after I was off of the medicine. It was disturbing and scary but I was just so happy to be free of the drugs i fought through it. I hope your visual disturbances go away soon, I really do not believe they are permanent so it's just a matter of time before you'll be seeing normally again. Selma your words are an inspiration to me thank you. I'm still in a deep hole but little rays of light are getting in and there are very brief moments in time when I have some hope. I wish for you love and blessings, peace and healing. Take very good care of yourself and hug yourself when you're feeling scared or feeling like you want to go and hide. You will heal, better days are ahead. 2001-04 Polypharmacy to include Paxil,Celexa, Risperdal, Seroquel, Depakote, Ambien, Geodon, Valium, Ativan, Haldol 03/04-11/04 Abilify 11/04-05/07 CT Abilify Non symptomatic 6/07 took Valium, began to experience altered reality and physical symptoms of withdrawal from Valium. 07/08. Abilify 2 mg, 12/08 Abilify 1 mg, 03/09 Abilify 0 mg, 03/08-06/11Altered reality but fully functional 10/12 hospitalized, Invega Depot, 2 shots discontinued, severe insomnia 6/14-10/14 flexeril, discontinued, developed insomnia; 10/14 10 mg Doxepin I week, no help with insomnia; 10/14 Remeron for two days, paradoxical reaction Present Risperdal 1mg, clonazepam 2 mg, Restoril 15 mg. Went from .5 to 1 to 1.5 to 2mg of clonazepam in 2014. Also in 2014, tapered from 2 mg risperdal to 1.5 (fairly slowly but still too fast) and had to up dose back to 2 mg. Got liquid risperdal and started from 2 mg again. Link to comment
Wildflower0214 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Praying for you and thinking of you. Xo 2005-Zoloft bad reaction.....2006-Lexepro......2012-Upped Lexepro.......2013-Upped Lexepro......2/2014- Attempted Taper Lexepro...2/2014- Updosed Lexepro.......3/2014-Ativan.....5/2014- CT switch from Lexpro to Effexor..... 5/2014-7/2014-Tapered Ativan from 1mg to .25mg.....6/2014-Bad reaction to Effexor........7/2014- Rapid taper Effexor every other day......7/5/2014- Off Effexor.......7/2014-12/2014 - Ativan .25mg.......12/25/2014 -Taper Ativan by 4% due to paradoxical reaction .24mg...11/18/2015-Taper Ativan 1% CURRENTLY ON: .2376mg Ativan taken in 6 .0396mg doses. Link to comment
luv2knit Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Thoughts and prayers! Hope you're hanging in there. XOXO Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Blessings to you Adagiooo, WF and Luv. I am so grateful for you posts to me. xoxxo 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Hi SelmaLady. Thank you so much for the blessings you bestowed upon me on my thread. I wanted to respond on your thread so you would be sure to see it. You are so right about feeling like sometimes our humanity has left us. How can I be human and and suffer so terribly without any relief at all? There are times when I feel like an animal who is being abused and has no ability to stop its abuser. But alas, I am human which is why I try to lift others up. If I can encourage someone else, that's a moment I'm not thinking about myself and my misery...my empathy for others forces me to see my humanity. Also, maybe something I say to another person might help this incessant negativity that has overtaken my brain. Thank you, too, for your words of hope. If you can make it through a brain shut down then maybe I can find some way to taper these drugs...which is my worst fear, that I won't be able to taper anymore of this poison. The visual disturbances I experienced were when I came off of the Abilify. Everything looked like a cartoon to me, all of the colors outside of my house looked like they were smushed together like watercolor paintings mixed with cartoons. Sometimes, streets I know are straight looked like they were on an incline and closed spaces offen looked considerabley larger or smaller than I know them to be. When I drove it was like I was watching a movie that was very blurry with everything I was seeing being distorted in one way or another...either too big, too small, crooked or otherwise weirdly shaped. This wen away after about 4 to 6 months after I was off of the medicine. It was disturbing and scary but I was just so happy to be free of the drugs i fought through it. I hope your visual disturbances go away soon, I really do not believe they are permanent so it's just a matter of time before you'll be seeing normally again. Selma your words are an inspiration to me thank you. I'm still in a deep hole but little rays of light are getting in and there are very brief moments in time when I have some hope. I wish for you love and blessings, peace and healing. Take very good care of yourself and hug yourself when you're feeling scared or feeling like you want to go and hide. You will heal, better days are ahead. Wow. I've had much the same experience with my visual perceptions as you---water colors for sure---blurs together. And of course, the space distortion. I'm so sorry that you had to go through that too. For me it makes me feel as though I am in a "Fun House" and have no connection to reality at all. I just have go guess what things really look like. I'm so glad that at least that went away for you. We both have a lot of healing to look forward to! xoxo 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
Adagiooo Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 SelmaLady I hope those disturbing "funhouse" distortions you're having go away soon. I can feel your spirit through your post and it seems you're doing somewhat better...I hope that 's true for you. Sending you peace, healing and ((((((hugs)))))). 2001-04 Polypharmacy to include Paxil,Celexa, Risperdal, Seroquel, Depakote, Ambien, Geodon, Valium, Ativan, Haldol 03/04-11/04 Abilify 11/04-05/07 CT Abilify Non symptomatic 6/07 took Valium, began to experience altered reality and physical symptoms of withdrawal from Valium. 07/08. Abilify 2 mg, 12/08 Abilify 1 mg, 03/09 Abilify 0 mg, 03/08-06/11Altered reality but fully functional 10/12 hospitalized, Invega Depot, 2 shots discontinued, severe insomnia 6/14-10/14 flexeril, discontinued, developed insomnia; 10/14 10 mg Doxepin I week, no help with insomnia; 10/14 Remeron for two days, paradoxical reaction Present Risperdal 1mg, clonazepam 2 mg, Restoril 15 mg. Went from .5 to 1 to 1.5 to 2mg of clonazepam in 2014. Also in 2014, tapered from 2 mg risperdal to 1.5 (fairly slowly but still too fast) and had to up dose back to 2 mg. Got liquid risperdal and started from 2 mg again. Link to comment
luv2knit Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (((SL))) Stopping by with thoughts and prayers! XOXO Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 Thank you Adagiooo---I do have times of feeling more "present" and able to process some thot. (((Luv))) So so kind of you to post here as I know that you are suffering so badly. As you know, prayers are so important and I am so grateful for yours. I've been having some really hard times where I am feeling as tho I am drowning in my brain and then other times when it seems much much clearer. Really swinging from one exteme to another. Still planning on resuming my Doxepin taper tomorrow regardless of what's going on with my brain. It's been 7 months since the bad reaction to the change in the Dox and I do think that that I need to get that drug out of my system so might as well get started. I have never been "stable" and I don't know that its the combo of the Dox and Zoloft that is causing the increase in the visual abnormalities. I'm planning on going very very slowly -- will pull .01ml more out of liquid Dox and continue to increase the pull by .01ml for 5 weeks for a total of .10ml reduction (already have been pulling .05ml since 12/14). Plan on holding then for 2-4 weeks. So so so wanting to begin the removal of this horrid drug. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
Wildflower0214 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Selma, praying for you. I am at the same point with the Ativan. I am scared to do another reduction, but I feel I have to soon. Question, are you still only partially on the liquid? I remember you were taking half of the pill form and half of the liquid if I remember correctly. And, I see the numbers above, what percentage are you dropping? I assume you are doing a cut and then waiting for a couple weeks verses doing very small daily cuts. Godspeed to you Selma! I feel like I'm in a warzone talking to other soldiers in a foxhole. That is kinda what we are all in!! Praying hard! Xoxox 2005-Zoloft bad reaction.....2006-Lexepro......2012-Upped Lexepro.......2013-Upped Lexepro......2/2014- Attempted Taper Lexepro...2/2014- Updosed Lexepro.......3/2014-Ativan.....5/2014- CT switch from Lexpro to Effexor..... 5/2014-7/2014-Tapered Ativan from 1mg to .25mg.....6/2014-Bad reaction to Effexor........7/2014- Rapid taper Effexor every other day......7/5/2014- Off Effexor.......7/2014-12/2014 - Ativan .25mg.......12/25/2014 -Taper Ativan by 4% due to paradoxical reaction .24mg...11/18/2015-Taper Ativan 1% CURRENTLY ON: .2376mg Ativan taken in 6 .0396mg doses. Link to comment
luv2knit Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 SL, I had wondered what your plans were now on your taper. Of course, I am not knowledgeable about that at all. It sounds good that you are planning to cautiously proceed. I got a bit of (hopefully) good news yesterday on my blood work. I posted on my thread. Apparently the only thing is that they are slightly lowering my dosage of Synthroid. (Isn't this pretty much unheard of?!) I've found a new FB group, and they have me freaked out about the change--even though it's only from 88 to 75. I have 5 of the 88 left, so I think I may either take 1/2 of each for 10 days, or do 3/4 of the 88 and 1/4 of the 75 for 3 days, 1/2 and 1/2 for 4 days, and 3/4 of the 75 and 1/4 of the 88 for 3 days. They are scored, but small, so it depends on if I can cut the quarters. The good news is that apparently cholesterol was OK, so I can stay off the Zetia, and tell doc next time I am there. They should be sending me copy of results, so I can see numbers. Continued prayers. XOXO Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 Want to answer -- can't right now. Brain in deep deep shut down. Hopefully soon will lift. Love you both. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
LoveandLight Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 ((Selma)) thinking of you. 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
luv2knit Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 So sorry, SL. Prayers. Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 What a horrible day but once again, at about 4 everything seems to lift and I can at least think some. Thank you Love and Luv for thots and prayers. As with all of us, getting through each day is monumental! As far as my taper goes, I will begin tonight by removing .01ml from the Doxepin in water and shaving another "grain" from the Zoloft (Gary is managing this for me). WF: Yes, I did divide the Doxepin into 1/2 of 50mg capsule dissolved in water and the other 1/2 put back in the gel cap and taken that way. I had such a horrific reaction to fooling around with the delivery system of that drug just as you did! But now I seem to have settled as much as I'm going to and will just start the taper very slowly, taking .01 additional ml (6ml total) this week and then another .01ml in 7 days making that .07ml taken out and continuing on this way weekly until I get to 10ml removed from 75ml liquid. Then I will hold for at least 4 weeks and start again after that if I'm not showing signs of a bad uptick. (If I had been able to tolerate moving all of the Doxepin from capsule to liquid, the total liquid ml would have been 150ml which roughly computes to a taper off in 4 years). Of course, the whole thing has gone into a process of trying and failing so I don't know when I will be off the dumb thing. I just know that I have to be as easy on my brain as I possibly can as I reduce the amount of the drug in my system. I am in such dysregulation that I don't dare push hard right now at all. I know that you are looking at trying to taper in miniscule amounts too WF, all we can do is to try to be as careful as is possible. Luv: I think that because our systems are in a process of trying to recalculate chemical balance that we have to be so very careful in changing ANYTHING. Maybe you could taper 10% like in any drug??? I don't know if you really need to be in a hurry to reduce the Synthroid at the risk of upsetting your system anymore than is absolutely necessary. But I really don't know all that much about thyroid medication... I surely will pray that God will give you wisdom on how to reduce . What should have been good news for you just seems to complicate things! 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Doing something I should never do: reading threads late at night. Always read something I wish I hadn't. This time is was a post by Alto on someone's thread that said there are some "unfortunate" people who, because of sensitivity, can never come completely off an SSRI, no matter how slow they go. So I'm wondering where these people are and how they're coping with staying on the drug and how bad it gets when they are completely off??? I'm ok with staying on the Zoloft at a very low dose but not the Doxepin . And how will I know that I can't be drug free? Well, that's way down the line so I guess that answer will come. But I do wish I could know the history of those who are still on an a/d after having had a microtaper over many years with long holds and no reinstating or upping doses, etc. and how they are doing on a low dose of an SSRI. Wish there were some platform on this site for throwing that question out to everyone here..... 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
luv2knit Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Sorry, SL. I've been having major issues with processing information I'm being given right now too. Contradicting everything I know about what I can and cannot tolerate--to the point where I'm not able to sleep AT ALL tonight. All because I made the mistake of posting when I was in the middle of particularly bad akathisia. Yes, I do have to make the change in the Synthroid, because I only have 4 pills of the current dosage left, and picked up the new RX today--well, that's yesterday now, because it's 1:30 in the morning. If I just made the change straight away, it would be 15%. If I cut pills in half and took half of each, it would be less than 10%, but even being scored and with a pill splitter, they are not cutting well. I'm totally freaking out. If I listen to everything I'm being told right now, I need to ditch my krill oil and add a bunch of other stuff that I know I can't add, and make all sorts of changes. Wish I had never said anything about the akathisia. So stressed right now Hope you are able to shut your brain off and get some sleep. Prayers. Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 I didn't process very well your first post about having to drop the dosage of your thyroid med. I see now that you will be forced to reduce it because of the new rx. Have been praying hard that this drop will help rather than make things worse for awhile. And with the other supplements, everyone's got their own "theory" on what to take, when to take it, how much to take, ect and it all just that, theory based on either their own experience or the experience of someone else. We're all so different in our chemistries. If it were I, I wouldn't change anything that you don't have to right now. Dealing with the Synthroid is enough. If you do decide that you want to change some of the supplements you're taking later on down the line, then you can do that very slooooooooooowly. I personally think that if you were taking your supplements while your were on the Zoloft and then after you stopped that you should be ok with them. Alto is always saying that the brain likes consistency. Krill oil is a positive substance for the body so you can know that you're not hurting yourself in any way. I understand that some people (me included) are further aggravated by adding it in but that always seems to be AFTER the person is in w/d or is tapering. I surely would not ADD anything right now. I was told to take a bunch of herbs, vitamins, etc when I first was hit with the reaction to the Afrin. And this was from someone who was supposedly very knowledable (she has her own FB group) Just adding in a couple of the things really amped me up badly. I know there are people who can add stuff, I'm not one of them and it seems from past experience, that you're not either... I'm so sorry that you're having to face this change while you are in such a hard place. We'll pray hard that this will help your system to settle some after it has adjusted to the change. Always always keeping you in prayer, Luv. God give us grace and mercy to get through this day. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
luv2knit Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Amen. Yes, I am definitely one that can't add. I don't think lowering is quite as bad with most things. I cut my D3 in half when I learned it was activating and started using the sunlamp to help with D. I also cut my B Complex in half for the same reason. Both of these were early in WD. I don't know if lowering the Synthroid will be an issue. "They" say it affects GABA receptors. (I think almost everything does.) Like I said, the total drop is 15%, and I now have 4 pills left. When cutting them with the splitter, I realized even if they didn't crumble, they could vary in size greatly. When I woke at midnight, I realized 1/2 of the 88 could easily be 40, and 1/2 of the 75 could be 30. Combined that would be 70, which would be much worse than the 75. I had cut an 88, and had two (different sized) bigger pieces and a tiny piece. When it came right down to it, I took the bigger pieces and tossed the tiny piece. I have fixed a similar dose for tomorrow--possibly a little smaller. Will finish the 88 this way, and should hopefully be able to go to the 75 without issue. Yes, hubby has reminded me Synthroid affects every hormone in the body, but doesn't have any brilliant ideas. (He's usually good with this sort of thing.) I'm pretty sure I am ramped up today because of being awake since before midnight. (The night before, I actually got a 4-hour stretch of sleep--with an hour or two before, and an hour or two later.) I just have to learn to ignore what I know will not be best for me! It's just a little unsettling with multiple people having the same opinion. Praying we all see improvement soon. XOXO Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 Luv, all we can do is all we can do, huh? I know that it is beyond hard to not know what's directly ahead but you can know that eventually you'll be out of this. Hard day again but then surely not as hard as a year ago. I guess that's what I need to focus on. I am so weepy and feeling as tho I can never get back to me again. I know so many of you are on the same road... 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
luv2knit Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 (((Selma))) so true. I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time. I continue to pray for you. Guess it would be good to focus on the fact that things are better than a year ago, but when you're suffering, it's not easy. Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 Oh Luv. Husband lowered Zoloft does and I am in agony again. It was only a really small amount, probably about 1mg. But I am once again in a bottomless pit and in such emotional grief. I am once again just clinging to God. I know how ill you are and I am so grateful for our prayers, Luv. Only God can sustain me now. Oh Lord Jesus. Be so close to us know. Bring us out of this horror. Keep us in Your care. Oh God have mercy on us. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
luv2knit Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Amen. I stopped and prayed right as I was reading that--and for guidance for your husband in managing the taper. So sorry you're having such a rough time with this. I would have had a terrible time trying to figure tapering out. I can tell that by the way I'm handling (or not) trying to cut back on these last few Synthroid tablets. Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 Oh thank you Luv. I do feel a bit better as the morning goes on. I talked to husband about the taper and he says that he made the cut LAST MONTH so I may just be experiencing the wave of the cut now. I'm so out of it but I don't remember him doing that. So he thinks that I am probably at 23mg Zoloft now down from the 25mg. But I do feel it a bit relieved that I'm not reacting to a cut the next day! We're going to stay right where we are for a bit and pick up the Doxepin taper only in a few weeks. I hate this so much because I don't know if I'll even be able to get off the Zoloft. So I don't know where I'm going. Yes. Tapering is awful, especially when you're dealing with tiny pieces or tiny liquid withdrawals. I surely could not do this at all. Husband does all of it and yesterday he spent literally hours trying to get an accurate scale reading for the Zoloft. He has to shave off a teeny tiny amount from 1/2 a 50mg Zoloft and he has 2 scales to make certain the measurement is accurate. Yesterday they were off and he had to keep readjusting them. I am so grateful for his diligence and care. I have no ability to do any of that right now. So I guess that the hard go I'm having now is from that cut last month so I'll just keep pushing through and hoping that this wave will pass soon. I'm not going to go back up---that's something that scares me to death, to have to release whatever ground I've gained. If I never get off the Zoloft, I will still keep trying to.. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
luv2knit Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Yes, I suppose a scale would be the way to do it, but I would have no idea how to use it. I think I have 3 of the 88 Synthroid tablets, one of which I have cut for tomorrow--just eyeballing it though. I am hopeful I will not have major issues. I posted on my thread, but I am reading about a connection between high cortisol and some of the changes in my blood work. Nothing too concerning long term, but I'm afraid I might end up with more medication changes before this is over. I will continue to remember you in prayer. XOXO Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 Going over the rapids for sure --- But since you've not had problems reducing things before then hopefully this too will at least not ramp anything up. Praying. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
bluebalu86 Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Hi Selma, I'm sorry things are so difficult right now. Wishing you peace, relief and healing. Hugs I suffer from depression, anxiety, pure-o ocd, and panic attacks since 2004. Been on multiple different psychiatric drugs since 2006. Never had a significant WD problem before, only brain zaps for a month and then I'd be fine...............Been on Cipralex (escitalopram) 15 mg and Fluanxol (flupentixol) 1 mg since Sep 2014. Stopped taking the Cipralex after a fast 20-day taper.Took the last 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 5th, 2015. Then took Seroxat (paroxetine) 10 mg for a week, and stopped it too. Severe WD started suddenly on Feb 16th. RI 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 18th, 2015. RI worked and was relatively stable for a while................April 7 - decreased Fluanxol from 1 mg to 0.5 mg and took it at this dose for a week. - BIG MISTAKE; April 13 - WD starts creeping in; April 14 - RI full dose of Fluanxol 1 mg => severe muscle twitching and jerking when trying to relax and fall asleep, overwhelming sense of doom, dread, terror, and horror, insomnia, hoping to stabilize.Tried doing a 10% cut off Fluanxol in the end of May for a few days, but quickly updosed to full dose because the twitching returned.Experiencing waves and windows in the following months.Unsuccessful brief taper attempt of Fluanxol by 5% on November 1st. Symptoms hit the next day. Too scared to continue tapering, reinstate full dose.Severe crash in November after stupidly trying a barbiturate on November 9th. Grave mistake. Sense of unshakable inescapable internal torture, like my soul is in hell being tortured, terror/horror/dread/doom (probably akathisia?) that gets especially bad when trying to relax and fall asleep, muscles twitch, jerk and move on their own, shaking, insomnia, can't eat, confusion, disorientation, brain not working normally. Never felt so bad in my entire life. Never experiment with other meds while in WD! Praying to God I stabilize and get back to my baseline.December - things getting even worse. January - unbearable suffering Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 ((((BB))) I know you're really having a hard time right now too. I can relate to so much of what you post. But I do KNOW that you are going to come out of this and can begin a new start. It's so hard to want to get off of a drug and yet to have to be so careful. I so relate to you're wanting to get off as soon as possible. We have to be patient and endure and get there in the right time. I'm so sorry that you're suffering so much. You are truly a kind and loving person. Praying that your healing will come quickly for you. xoxoxo 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 4, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 4, 2015 SelmaLady, it's wonderful your husband is such a help to you. I'm confused about why he's weighing and shaving the Zoloft. You could take part of your Zoloft dosage in tablet form and part in liquid, this would make the shaving unnecessary. For example, you could take a quarter of a tablet (weighed for accuracy) and the rest in liquid made from a whole tablet. The tapering would be done by measuring the liquid instead of shaving the tablet. 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. Link to comment
Wildflower0214 Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 He made a cut last month??? Did he tell you? I almost think it would be better that way, if we had no idea and someone was diligent to watch our symptoms and go very slowly. I think I psych myself out A LOT! 2005-Zoloft bad reaction.....2006-Lexepro......2012-Upped Lexepro.......2013-Upped Lexepro......2/2014- Attempted Taper Lexepro...2/2014- Updosed Lexepro.......3/2014-Ativan.....5/2014- CT switch from Lexpro to Effexor..... 5/2014-7/2014-Tapered Ativan from 1mg to .25mg.....6/2014-Bad reaction to Effexor........7/2014- Rapid taper Effexor every other day......7/5/2014- Off Effexor.......7/2014-12/2014 - Ativan .25mg.......12/25/2014 -Taper Ativan by 4% due to paradoxical reaction .24mg...11/18/2015-Taper Ativan 1% CURRENTLY ON: .2376mg Ativan taken in 6 .0396mg doses. Link to comment
SelmaLady Posted July 5, 2015 Author Share Posted July 5, 2015 Thank you Alto for trying to make this whole ordeal a little simpler. I do think that it would be a great idea to put 1/2 in water and 1/2 tab similar to what I'm doing with the Doxepin. But I had such a horrid reaction to transferring 1/2 of the Doxepin capsule to water---took me 4 months to even begin to think I could survive. I'm just so frightened that the same thing would happen if I tried to do the same thing with the Zoloft. My brain is in such chaos that any tiny change sends me to a place of agony and it takes 4-5 months for it to right itself. But I do want to do a liquid taper so maybe if I can get a little more stable, I will try that. 1971-81 Valium 5mg c/t PAWS 1992- through now Zoloft 25mg 2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off 2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS 2013 O/D Val 230mg 2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg 3/15/16 Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper 3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 - Decreasing incrementally. DISCONTINUED 10/9/16 Doxepin 48.9 Zoloft 24.3 Clonidine 01.10 Continuing micro taper on Doxepin. 11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg Zoloft 24.3mg Clonidine 1.30mg 5/4/17 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 24mg Clonidine 1.20mg Micro taper of Doxepin , Clonidine 01/13/19 Doxepin 45mg Zoloft 21mg Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19 12/21/21 Doxepin 20 mg ? Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml 12/2121 Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. ) 26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0- Link to comment
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