Moderator brassmonkey Posted May 25, 2016 Moderator Share Posted May 25, 2016 Congratulations on passing the exam, that's a big step forward. It's also a big step that it only left you very tired but didn't throw you into a wave. Very well done. ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))) 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
servadei Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 Martina, you may be in withdrawal but you are so strong! I see you had an exam, job interview, you went to dentist and managed without anesthesia..and not to mention your paintings are great! I'm glad for you, because you found something you love. Keep us updated All the best, Serva. CD off meds in July 2015, not on any medication since. Went through WD nightmare, now dealing with normal anxiety, but decided not to leave this forum yet because I want to support and give hope to others. ♡ Link to comment
Martina23 Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share Posted May 26, 2016 I have today such a lucky day. On Etsy where I have my paintings shop one man clicked it on that it is his favourite shop. This was so nice. It was for me really to crying. At least that it shows that what I am doing is really good and someone likes it. The man is from Japan and has there also paintings. But they are quite nice, mostly japanese villages, fish market and so. I like chinese and japanese art. It is so other and really great. This gave me really such a good feeling. For the first time in my life I have a feeling that I have some value and that I did something right. I am so happy that I am alive. I discovered that even if I lived one moment in life fully, it has a sense. That is a pity that it takes so long time to find out what in life is making us happy. For me it took so long. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
AliG Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Martina. I'm so happy for you . You seem to be getting your life back , and it's exciting to see. You have been through so much , and it's lovely to see you so fulfilled and alive. I also paint, although not so much recently, but I know how it can bring joy ! Hugs, Alison Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Flowers Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Martina you should be very proud of yourself. You passed an exam and are doing well with your art and feeling more fulfilled and happy with your life. So pleased for you. xxxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 I had again today such bad intrusive thoughts. I am so frustrated about them. I always try to believe that they will start diminishing and that they will go away and today they felt so strong as if I did not do any improvement whatsoever. I am afraid I will already stay like that or that it will continue to get worse and I will end with some mental illness. I really dont know which course it all goes because it changes so often. I would so much like to be a normal person as I was. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 I am sorry for ranting. I know that everybody here has enough problems with themselves and dont need someone more carping. I am sorry. It is endurable.It just does not change to better. I hope everyone is well. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted June 3, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 3, 2016 I am sorry for ranting. I know that everybody here has enough problems with themselves and dont need someone more carping. I am sorry. It is endurable.It just does not change to better. I hope everyone is well. No need to apologize, Martina. This is your space and if you want to rant a little you have earned the right (that was hardly a rant by the way -- you want a rant, I'll SHOW you a rant ). This will get better. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
servadei Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 I feel the same. It's like being crazy but only on the inside. I also feel likenit's only a matter of time when I get a real mentall illness, but in reality that is very unlikely to happen. Try gentle exercise or mindfulness. CD off meds in July 2015, not on any medication since. Went through WD nightmare, now dealing with normal anxiety, but decided not to leave this forum yet because I want to support and give hope to others. ♡ Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 4, 2016 Author Share Posted June 4, 2016 Thanks, Servadei. Today was again day. On the beginning everything fabulous, we went to the ZOO, everything happy. After my dinner there, intrusive thoughts started. They were so strong, I already told myself if it continues I have to go to psychiatry. Then I called my friends who meant I am only in the wave and they meant I should wait and in one week it is already forgetten. They also said they would not let themselves medicate if they were on my place. So I again survived the day and did nothing. I would only wish already some progress. By me is the progress totally missing. I know that I should take the thoughts like acknowledge-accept-float, I try to do it, but when the thought is too much "out of whack", it is for me hard to accept the thought and not start checking. I am also already almost 11 months out, I would so much like to know how long will it still take until it starts to change. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Flowers Posted June 4, 2016 Share Posted June 4, 2016 So sorry you are having a bad time Marina. Lets hope it passes soon. Best Wishes and hugs xxxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 Today my tooth, which I was previously at the dentist with, got inflamed. For me it is a bit catastroph because I have to go to the dentist again. I think she did not do it properly therefore it went inflamed. I hope that it will not get worse. But I am afraid I will get antibiotika and also injection which I wanted to avoid. I pray to God that I dont have to take painkillers. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
btdt Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 I had a lot of trouble with my teeth since wd... and after dental work rinsing with warm water and salt sometimes helps. Warm packs or heating pad may help the pain too. I hope it is something small that you will recover quickly from. peace WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
servadei Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Martina why are you afraid of antibiotics and injections? I had to get my tooth out during wd, about 2 months ago. I got injection and used painkillers after. CD off meds in July 2015, not on any medication since. Went through WD nightmare, now dealing with normal anxiety, but decided not to leave this forum yet because I want to support and give hope to others. ♡ Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 6, 2016 Author Share Posted June 6, 2016 And it did not do any problems Servadei? I am afraid of injections and pain killers as I worry that they will ruin my recovery:-) I am afraid that my intrusive thoughts would go uncontrollable and I will get psychosis. I dont know, it is just anxiety to put any med now in my mouth that it would be something like Lyrica which destroys my head. Nevertheless, I was by the dentist and got prescribed antibiotika- amoxicillin. Does anyone have some experiences with amoxicillin during withdrawal? Is it safe? 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
servadei Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 No, it didn't. My tooth hurt so bad I was glad I got rid of it. And I was taking painkillers for about a week after I got it out. And Martina, intrusive thoughts are just that. I've been afraid so many times that if I do this, if I do that..if I just go outside my house I'll go crazy. But it didn't happened nor it will ever happen. You can't get psychosis because of your thoughts trust me. I was also afraid of mentall illnesses or going crazy but I got better informed about things like psychosis and schizophrenia and it turns out it's not that scary. Many people with psychosis actually live better lives then we are. It's just the matter of your own perspective. I would recommend you to go to dentist and heal your tooth properly, as pain will just annoy you in your recovery, and I'm sure you don't want it to get more complicated. Don't be afraid and say to yourself "whatever happens, happens'. I had a phobia from any kinds of pills after antidepressants but I made myself stop being afraid. I took painkiller when I needed them and nothing happened. Good luck, Serva. CD off meds in July 2015, not on any medication since. Went through WD nightmare, now dealing with normal anxiety, but decided not to leave this forum yet because I want to support and give hope to others. ♡ Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 Thank you very much. I think, this I needed to hear. You sound so strong. I did not take these antibiotika because somewhere on benzobuddies I read amoxicillin made someone to have set back. But I know I am coward in these things and if it goes worse I know I have to take them. There is no other way. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
servadei Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Don't be Martina. Just relax and think positive. Visualize how this meds won't do a thing to you. If someone had a setback, it could be because he was allergic to something in antibiotics. Don't let his negative experience scare you, everyone's different. And to be honest, try to read as much as possible on these forums, I see you post pretty often. Try to focus on positive things in your life and things that bring yoi joy, like your paintings. Since we experience many negativr things in wd it's extremely important to do something positive so that brain could feel balanced. Everything's gonna be okay. Don't be afraid. CD off meds in July 2015, not on any medication since. Went through WD nightmare, now dealing with normal anxiety, but decided not to leave this forum yet because I want to support and give hope to others. ♡ Link to comment
Bruin Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Hi Martina.....am just stopping by your thread to cheer you on. I was so happy to read that your paintings are getting so much positive attention and that you have had some glimpses of normality ! That is so exciting and means that healing is happening. I am sorry that it has been tough over the last week or so but more windows will come along. I am now 3 Months off Lyrica and I cannot pretend it is easy but some things have improved. I have less intrusive thoughts , I am sleeping longer and the anxiety is not at such a pitch. Of course I want to get back to life properly and sometimes am not very grateful for the progress , but there has been some and I know that we all heal eventually. Keep painting. Being creative is the ver y best medicine. All the Best Bruin. Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 I again feel as if I had schizophrenia.I feel totally nuts. I am already losing hope that it gets any better. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
servadei Posted June 14, 2016 Share Posted June 14, 2016 Martina, it's just a feeling. People who have schizophrenia feel very different. You're just very anxious. I know that because I have exactly same symptoms. You have to ask yourself, if you were really 'nuts' would you even know it? Probably not, and you wouldn't even bother. (sometimes that sounds even better than wd eheh) And even if you did have schizophrenia, why do you treat it like something so bad? Many people with schizophrenia lead very successful lives, something even 'normal' people can't achieve. You have to stop being afraid of it. Even if the worst of worst happens, you'll get through it because you're strong. Humans get through a lot and we still recover! Don't lose hope, I know you're feeling tired of all of this, I am too, but it will pass. Nothing lasts forever. If you believe in God I recommend praying to St. Rita and St. Dymphna. You'll get through this, keep your focus on positive stuff! All the best, Serva. CD off meds in July 2015, not on any medication since. Went through WD nightmare, now dealing with normal anxiety, but decided not to leave this forum yet because I want to support and give hope to others. ♡ Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 22, 2016 Author Share Posted June 22, 2016 Today I had a telephone call with one lawyer, I explained him situation and he said he does not see anyone to blame. I just had bad luck with side effects but the whole thing can not be proven, it is already so long and that he thinks there is a big risk I would lose the process and not win it. He said he would in this case rather represent the other party. I told him that there are so many people suffering after these drugs and if nothing is done further people will have their health damaged, but he did not seem to be interested. It was for me frustrating that something what I suffer from already two years was just made invisible. But yes, I know this is something hard to prove. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 I called with the state agency which is responsible in case of malpractise and they said they can research my case if I fill the form, however, they can do it only outside the court. If there is a claim, they can also give you right to get money for the harm made to you. The jurist there meant they can not medicate me only because I spoke about my symptoms even if these are intrusive thoughts. He meant I can speak freely about the harm made by the medicament but I still dont know. I think I will fill the form but maybe I will not go in such a detail considering intrusive thoughts. I think, I will rather put such details in a book, then it cant be misused. But nevertheless I think I will do this option as I dont want that these doctors continue in giving out these poisonous medicaments. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 I will check also EMA and maybe ask some foreign psychiatrist who is against these medicines to write me a standpoint. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 Please if anyone knows about Lyrica class law suit, please let me know 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 Now I was reading a safety report about Lyrica which gave me EMA. I read there that based on their studies there are no significant discontinuation symptoms from this medication. They observed however only two weeks after end of the taper. By me the withdrawal started first with three weeks after the taper. Most probably this is already for them "relapse". It is funny that for them there is no discontinuation, no suicide based on their studies, but on some other place there is that already 239 suicides took place in the reporting year. But these are all discredited. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Bruin Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 I had only a relatively short exposure to Lyrica but the depression was intense....have no intention of suicide but Lyrica produced awful thoughts unbidden. I do hope you are having a half way good weekend. This nasty drug has given you such a horrible time Martina....I hope you get some much deserved relief and soon! All the best Bruin Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 So I wrote EMA, asked confirmation that all studies made by Pfizer observed only period up to two weeks after discontinuation, showed that the Report has a lot of disagreements there, that the studies dont reflect the reality in my opinion, and asked if they can let verify the clinical trials made. So let us see. PS, If I now vanish, you will know why, ha, ha, ha... 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Laura1981 Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 Haha, Martina, you are great! I admire your activism. The EMA are a bunch of idiots, I take pride in angering them and writing to them as much as possible. I was writing them a lot in the beginning but ran only against walls and then kind of lost my energy. If you feel like working together, maybe founding a patient advocacy group or something, give me a shout. Feb 2015 Took venlafaxine for 5 days only... experienced withdrawal that made me completely non-functional Mar 2015 took under 1mg of Sertraline for 10 days in an attempt to combat Venlafaxine withdrawal. Got adverse reactions. After stopping Sertraline, withdrawal got much worse. New, horrific symptoms. June 2015 Still non-functional but slowly getting better. Still brain zaps, migraines, sweating, heart racing, depression, crying spells September 2015: 24/7 brain zaps, twitches in the face, no concentration, bad memory, language skills deteriorating. Profile feed: http://goo.gl/3g2GRn Sign this petition for a blackbox warning on Prozac in Ireland: https://www.change.org/p/leo-varadakar-hpra-the-lack-of-a-blackbox-warning-on-prozac-in-ireland-and-its-use-by-the-hse-in-under-18-s?recruiter=63289046&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 I think, tomorrow I will write Dr. Peter Breggin if he could write me a testimony that Lyrica can cause problems like I have. I am so much afraid that it will never go away. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
servadei Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 Martina, don't be afraid. It will pass, everything has to pass. It's the only matter of time. Visualize yourself as a happy, healthy individual and one day that will be true. In fact, you can be happy now, happiness is a choice you can make in every moment. Take care, Serva. CD off meds in July 2015, not on any medication since. Went through WD nightmare, now dealing with normal anxiety, but decided not to leave this forum yet because I want to support and give hope to others. ♡ Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted June 28, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 28, 2016 Martina, you might try doctors in the EU: David Healy in the UK (Wales) and Peter Gøtzche of the Nordic Cochrane Centre. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share Posted June 28, 2016 Thank you Scallywag. Maybe it is even better idea, as an expert from EU they have to accept. I had today such a bad luck. I prepared a letter to Dr. Breggin on 2 pages and then the computer shut itself down, the whole 2 pages in sh*t. So today I am going swimming. I will try again tommorrow. But I have also a positive thing which happened in my life. One woman wants to buy my three pictures. So if someone starts to paint as an anti-anxiety therapy, I really recommend to put your artwork to Saatchiart online gallery. They will sell it in a minute. By me they are quite successful even if I am not a studied artist and they are absolutely not checking if you are a native artist or it is your hobby. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share Posted June 28, 2016 Today some man from a personal agency called to have an interview with me with respect to a job. And somehow when he heard my opinions, he said that he thinks I am disaster and someone like that he will not introduce to any potential employer... 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Martina23 Posted June 29, 2016 Author Share Posted June 29, 2016 So today I wrote to Dr. Breggin and Dr. Healy so to get the price for their expert statement. Most probably they will not write back as there was a warning on the page that both are very much overworked and therefore they can not answer each email. I hope that they will answer. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Hopefull Posted June 29, 2016 Share Posted June 29, 2016 Hi Martina It is great that you are being pro active. You should make a formal complaint to the Health Commission in your country. I have finished my letter today It has taken me 1 month to finish. I was not sure whether to go ahead and even now I have doubts. I will send it, but I don't expect anything good to come out of it. It is great that you find painting theraputic and even better thatyou can sell it. My pdoc suggested that I start an art classes. Keep up the good work and good luck with the letter. Best wishes, Hopefull. DRUG HISTORY: November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction). January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey). January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering. October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg. September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed. September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised. February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol. Link to comment
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