Skip Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Viet Nam vet taking 2x150mg Wellbutrin SA daily for depression and 2-1/2 5mg Valium for anxiety. The Valium will taper to 2x5mg tabs per day in 10 days. I've been on the Wellbutrin for 20 days and I just can't hack the side effects - I'm 70 years old and it's wearing me down. I told the VA psychiatrist I wanted off of it. He said the proper way would be: one tablet in the AM for 3 days then just quit. I normally take one in the morning and the second around the middle of the afternoon. I should mention that the Valium is being used as a substitute for Xanax that, due to some misunderstanding between doctors I went off of cold turkey in February after being on it 6 weeks - ended up in the emergency room (twice) before I could get into see the VA psych. He took it away along with some Prozac I was supposed to start and some Antivan from the ER and started me on the Valium to get the anxiety under control, then later started me on the Wellbutrin - I've been on it for 20 days and it supposedly takes 8 or more weeks to kick in - I just can't deal with the nausea, lack of sleep, etc for another 5 or 6 weeks. I take the Valium 3 times a day. My question is: does that quitting routine sound like it's correct? Since these are SA tabs (VA product) they can't be cut to lower the dose any further. I messaged him and asked if I should expect any surprises would would it be fairly smooth and he replied that he had no way of knowing and to "play it by ear" I originally asked him for Prozac that I used to take successfully but apparently there is a bad reaction between Prozac and Valium and he had already decided that he had to replace the Xanax with Valium. I can live with the depression for the 2 or 3 months it'll take to get the Valium out of my system then maybe I can get back on the Prozac that helps me - the anxiety I can deal with. 70 year old male Vietnam vet, excellent physical health, mentally not so good. Late 80's through 2000's: every anti depressant under the sun. Connected with VA in 2010 switched from Lexapro to Prozac which worked well. Stopped 'cold turkey' in 2012 (no side effects) with VA doc's OK. Dec 2014 - Xanax by family GP. Feb 2015-stopped 'cold turkey' on advice of inept VA psychiatrist - had major panic event. Started back until March 2015. Sidestepped to Valium -tapered until Aug 2015. Benzo withdrawal since August 9th. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ten0275 Posted May 12, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 12, 2015 skip, hey. welcome to the site and thank you for your introduction. it would be helpful if you would enter your drug history in your signature. this will give us a better summary of what you have taken, are taking, and what your current status is. there are instructions on how to fill out that signature here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/ please be sure to include all psychotropics and any supplements you might be taking. despite what the VA doc is advocating, we suggest no greater than a 10% reduction every 4 to 6 weeks. your VA doc's "take one in the a.m. for three days and then just quit" is nothing but a cold turkey, and it sounds like you have had a couple of those that didn't work out so great. here is our post on why we cut by no greater than 10%: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/ so you've only been on the wellbutrin for 20 days? and you were on prozac just prior to that? before i go on a whole lot further here, it would be helpful if you filled out that signature. we can get a better idea of the timeline, time-frames, and big picture. myself or another mod will revisit your post. hang in there, skip. glad you found us. dave 1996 - .5mg Ativan as needed, 7.5mg Remeron daily2008 - .5mg Xanax, Ativan discontinued, Remeron continued2012 - .5mg Xanax, .25mg Ativan 3x daily, Remeron continued2/2012 - Jumped from Remeron, continued .5mg Xanax .25mg Ativan 3x daily4/2012 - Began rapid taper of .5mg Xanax .25mg Ativan 3x daily6/2012 - Jumped from Xanax and Ativan, voluntary hospitalization followed7/2012 - 2nd voluntary hospitalization, reinstated Remeron, bumped to 30mg, also given risperidone.8/2012 - discontinued risperidone, tried gabapentin, dicontinued gabapentin, Remeron 30mg continued10/2012 to current - tapered Remeron 10% every 4 to 6 weeks (sometimes more time) using liquid compound12/2014 - 2mg Remeron 1/16/2015 - 1.9mg Remeron 8/1/2015 -1.6mg Remeron - 03/1/2016 - 1.5mg Remeron - 1/2/2017 1.3mg - 5/7/2017 1.2mg - 5/13/2017 - syringe size change - 6/8/2017 - 1.1mg - 7/10/2017 - 1mg - 9/1/2017 - 0.9mg - 10/22/2017 - 0.8mg - 11/22/2017 - 0.7mg - 2/2/2018 - 0.6mg - 3/13/2018 - new compound pharmacy - 5/20/2018 - 0.5mg - 8/31/2018 - 0.4mg - 11/16/2018 - 0.3mg - 12/24/2018 - 0.2mg - 4/1/2019 - 0.1mg - 5/1/2019 - .05mg - 0mg achieved 2019-06-15. 🤞 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted May 12, 2015 Administrator Share Posted May 12, 2015 Welcome, Skip. As I understand it, you've been taking Wellbutrin for only 20 days? If so, you could try a fast taper off by cutting the tablets into quarters and reducing by a quarter every 4 days. If I were you, I'd reduce the afternoon dose first. If you develop any odd symptoms after the first reduction, you might have to taper slower. Please let us know how you're doing. See Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin, IR, SR, XR, XL (bupropion) You should know that depression is a common side effect of benzos, particularly after long regular use. Adding an antidepressant to this is not the fix -- it's very, very gradually going off the benzo. Please see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/29-members-only-benzo-tapering-discussion/ 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
Meimeiquest Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Thank you for your service to our country! Do you suffer from PTSD? One of our mods, Rhi, has worked some with a program that some think helps with PTSD, The Gupta Program for limbic reprogramming. It has a money-back guarantee, and that's about all I know about it. . Welcome! 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Skip Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 Can't find the arrow for signature. I took Prozac from 2010 until 2013, then nothing and felt great. This past summer my family doc gave a prescription for .25mg Xanax - I'd take one occasionally when I thought I needed it - worked fine. December was a bad month for the family and he told me to go ahead and start taking 3 a day as he prescribed. In the meantime I went to the psychologist at VA and told her(and she agreed) that I felt I needed to go back on Prozac for awhile. She ran it by the psychiatrist and they sent it to me. I messaged "what do I do about the Xanax"? She asked him and I think he thought it was just a rhetorical question because he didn't prescribe the the Xanax. He just told her to quit the Xanax before starting the Prozac - no tapering instructions or anything. I was on the Xanax from last week in Dec until middle of Feb when II had the meltdown. I quit the Xanax for about 5 days before starting the Prozac and that's what got me screwed up. I hadn't even started the Prozac. ER put me back on the Xanax and ramped me up on the Prozac and gaveme an Antivan to calm me down and sent me home. That was the Sunday night before President's Day. The next Sat I was in local ER with anxiety and they gave me Antivan to calm me down and sent me home with a prescription for 8 Antivan tabs to get me by until I could see the VA doc - had to wait 9 days before my appt. He took it all away, replaced the Xanax with Valium and put me on the Wellbutrin but it's kicking my butt - I'm 70 years old and it's wearing me down. I messaged him this AM and told him I wanted off - that's when I got the 3 day message. I'd go back on Prozac in a second but there's a problem between it and Valium so I'd have to wait a couple months till the Valium is gone before starting the Prozac. I just got back from talking to a couple local pharmacists and they both said that since I'd only been on it 20 days, that what he suggested would most likely be OK. I'll stay on the 2 a day as long as I can. Also, these tabs are SA (VA product) - you can't cut them for a smaller dose. I'll try again to find that arrow. Thanks!!! 70 year old male Vietnam vet, excellent physical health, mentally not so good. Late 80's through 2000's: every anti depressant under the sun. Connected with VA in 2010 switched from Lexapro to Prozac which worked well. Stopped 'cold turkey' in 2012 (no side effects) with VA doc's OK. Dec 2014 - Xanax by family GP. Feb 2015-stopped 'cold turkey' on advice of inept VA psychiatrist - had major panic event. Started back until March 2015. Sidestepped to Valium -tapered until Aug 2015. Benzo withdrawal since August 9th. Link to comment
Skip Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 As for the PTSD, they're going to start the testing in about a month. I understand it's computerized now. Not sure I'll qualify but I had a few things that happened that might qualify me partially. I do have 30% Agent Orange disability for a minor heart problem. Only took them 3 years to process it but at least it was retroactive to the time I filed the claim. 70 year old male Vietnam vet, excellent physical health, mentally not so good. Late 80's through 2000's: every anti depressant under the sun. Connected with VA in 2010 switched from Lexapro to Prozac which worked well. Stopped 'cold turkey' in 2012 (no side effects) with VA doc's OK. Dec 2014 - Xanax by family GP. Feb 2015-stopped 'cold turkey' on advice of inept VA psychiatrist - had major panic event. Started back until March 2015. Sidestepped to Valium -tapered until Aug 2015. Benzo withdrawal since August 9th. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted May 12, 2015 Administrator Share Posted May 12, 2015 Please read Tips for tapering off Wellbutrin, IR, SR, XR, XL (bupropion) 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
Skip Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Haven't been around awhile - been spending time at Benzo Buddies because of tapering and withdrawal from Valium resulting from inept VA psychiatrist's advice to quit Xanax 'cold turkey' in February. He totally has ruined my once excellent health and stolen 10 months (so far) out of my life. I'm starting my 4th month of withdrawal and still feel awful most of the time and have limited functionality. Lots of anxiety and depression, a lot of which is caused by frustration at my inability to do anything about what was done to me when I was just following dr's orders. The drs tell me to start back on Prozac, that it might help with the withdrawal effects but I'm leery of doing it as I've read where one of the side effects is more anxiety, and I have enough of that already. I have a prescription and meds for 20mg daily OR 10mg every other day - whichever I'm most comfortable with. I asked for the 10mg dose to possibly stave off side effects. PTSD isn't helping either. Advice/comment? 70 year old male Vietnam vet, excellent physical health, mentally not so good. Late 80's through 2000's: every anti depressant under the sun. Connected with VA in 2010 switched from Lexapro to Prozac which worked well. Stopped 'cold turkey' in 2012 (no side effects) with VA doc's OK. Dec 2014 - Xanax by family GP. Feb 2015-stopped 'cold turkey' on advice of inept VA psychiatrist - had major panic event. Started back until March 2015. Sidestepped to Valium -tapered until Aug 2015. Benzo withdrawal since August 9th. Link to comment
dreamspirit Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 I'm so sorry you are feeling bad.. I hate withdrawl so much.. hoping you feel better soon. Stay strong! Been on Paxil since 96”-97”, 40mg tried 3 times to get off and didn’t work, started a very slow taper Jan 2016, have only dropped down by 3 mg.. on 37mg currently.. have very delayed withdrawals. Last drop was in July 2017.. still have waves and windows. Magnesium 200mg, foilc acid 1 mg, vitamin d3 5000iu, Blood pressure meds-Verapamil & Irbesartan... Smoke cbd flower once in awhile. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted November 13, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 13, 2015 Hi, Skip. Welcome (back) to the board, but sorry to hear what is going on. CT off Xanax is really rough. I'm sorry you wound up in that position. Having said that since you successfully got off Prozac 3 years ago I would not be inclined for you to start back up on another brain altering chemical. Your choices as I see it, and this is obviously tricky and just my thoughts, would be to either (I) continue to gut out the Xanax withdrawal which is very hard to predict from a time or symptom standpoint or (II) try reinstating a small dose of valium as a the longest half-life benzo which might help address some of the benzo withdrawal symptoms. As you probably know, the frequently preferred way for tapering off of Xanax is to cross over to diazepam (Valium) because of its longer half-life and then to slowly taper off that instead. It's not clear whether or not a reinstatement of Valium at a lower level might help. If it does you can then taper off the Valium (which comes in liquid form) in a slow and methodical approach. Hope this provides some help, but I don't think Prozac is the answer, especially given that you've tapered off it once already and risk a "kindling" going on and then off again. 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
nz11 Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 Welcome /Been gone awhile Sorry you are in this most difficult position At 3 months drug free thats a tricky place to be in if thinking about ri. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/ For the doc to advise to take prozac every other day seems absurd and asking for trouble esp when the fda said abrupt changes in dose can cause suicidal and homicidal ideations. Taking any of these psychotropic drugs intermittently or every other day would do that . You may have ct it in the past and had no problems .(perhaps the xanax was for delayed wdl symptoms ??)..i reckon the game changes the second time round. Edit :I also would be reluctant to go the prozac way You might want to check out the benzo thread http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/29-members-only-benzo-forum/ Also this is very informative http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6632-the-rule-of-3kis-keep-it-simple-keep-it-slow-keep-it-stable/ Do come back and update us when you cant stay so long been gone awhile. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Skip Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 apace41: sorry NO MORE BENZOS....PERIOD. I've spent 9 months getting that crap out of my system and I'm not taking it again under any circumstances. Family GP gave me Xanax for nerves in Dec - took it until Feb when VA doc told me to stop it so I could go back on Prozac- he just didn't bother to tell me to taper it, so I stopped it and 4 days later was in the ER. I was put back on the Xanax and Prozac until the the 2nd week in March when he sidestepped me to 15mg daily of Valium because it was 'easier to get off of'. Tapered until August 9th. Withdrawal has been a bear for sure - anxiety, depression, general malaise, night sweats, burning legs and various other fun things. I've been pretty much useless for 9 months - starting to see a little improvement but I have not been blessed with a lot of patience - I need to get busy and get some stuff done. nx11: the Xanax was NOT for delayed w/d symptoms - it was for anxiety caused by a series of family medical crises. I went cold turkey off the Prozac in 2012 with absolutely NO side effects whatever. That's why I told them I wanted back on it as it's 'easy on - easy off' (at least for me). If I start it and it's not working or I start getting too anxious, I can just quit it. I guess some folks are not that lucky and, I'll admit, it might be different for me the second time around - I'd really rather not find out. My goal is to get through this and remain 'pill-less if at all possible. Thanks for the replies! 70 year old male Vietnam vet, excellent physical health, mentally not so good. Late 80's through 2000's: every anti depressant under the sun. Connected with VA in 2010 switched from Lexapro to Prozac which worked well. Stopped 'cold turkey' in 2012 (no side effects) with VA doc's OK. Dec 2014 - Xanax by family GP. Feb 2015-stopped 'cold turkey' on advice of inept VA psychiatrist - had major panic event. Started back until March 2015. Sidestepped to Valium -tapered until Aug 2015. Benzo withdrawal since August 9th. Link to comment
oskcajga Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 apace41: sorry NO MORE BENZOS....PERIOD. I've spent 9 months getting that crap out of my system and I'm not taking it again under any circumstances. Family GP gave me Xanax for nerves in Dec - took it until Feb when VA doc told me to stop it so I could go back on Prozac- he just didn't bother to tell me to taper it, so I stopped it and 4 days later was in the ER. I was put back on the Xanax and Prozac until the the 2nd week in March when he sidestepped me to 15mg daily of Valium because it was 'easier to get off of'. Tapered until August 9th. Withdrawal has been a bear for sure - anxiety, depression, general malaise, night sweats, burning legs and various other fun things. I've been pretty much useless for 9 months - starting to see a little improvement but I have not been blessed with a lot of patience - I need to get busy and get some stuff done. nx11: the Xanax was NOT for delayed w/d symptoms - it was for anxiety caused by a series of family medical crises. I went cold turkey off the Prozac in 2012 with absolutely NO side effects whatever. That's why I told them I wanted back on it as it's 'easy on - easy off' (at least for me). If I start it and it's not working or I start getting too anxious, I can just quit it. I guess some folks are not that lucky and, I'll admit, it might be different for me the second time around - I'd really rather not find out. My goal is to get through this and remain 'pill-less if at all possible. Thanks for the replies! Just because you once did not have any withdrawals does not mean that your body will react the same way the second time around. I once was able to stop antidepressants without any difficulties, but decided to go back on because it was "an easy on easy off" situation. WRONG - I ended up having severe and debilitating withdrawals that continue to this day. Once exposed to SSRIs the brain may change in ways we do not understand and subsequent exposures can be more profound. This is a common misunderstanding among people and it can often lead to a great deal of suffering. IMO it's not worth the risk going back on SSRIs. Time will heal your brain and unfortunately there will be some challenges dealing with PTSD - but you probably realize now that no medication can really fix that situation to begin with. Good luck with your odyssey - the longer you stay away from psychiatric medications the more and more your brain will heal. After some time you will begin to feel like yourself again. I wish you all the best. Cheers, Osk Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted November 13, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 13, 2015 Just because you once did not have any withdrawals does not mean that your body will react the same way the second time around. I once was able to stop antidepressants without any difficulties, but decided to go back on because it was "an easy on easy off" situation. WRONG - I ended up having severe and debilitating withdrawals that continue to this day. Once exposed to SSRIs the brain may change in ways we do not understand and subsequent exposures can be more profound. This is a common misunderstanding among people and it can often lead to a great deal of suffering. Skip, This advice from Osk cannot be overstated. This happens more than I care to think with people on this site. While it seems illogical that you can get on and off one time (even after many years) and then struggle after going back on and try to get off again, that is what we see anecdotally. I know you are adamant about not going back on any size dose of the dog that bit you (the benzo), but it would be a larger mistake in my book for you to try going back on the AD. Given all of that, I imagine you will ride this one out. We would recommend that you supplement with Omega 3 - Omega-3 fish oil As well as magnesium - Magnesium To help with some of the withdrawal symptoms. Otherwise, the patience you claim to lack is something you might well try to foster since time is the one healer that we know of. 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
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 14, 2015 Administrator Share Posted November 14, 2015 Hi, Skip. Here is your Intro topic. Taking Prozac for benzo withdrawal -- that's a tough call. Doctors think an antidepressant is good for benzo withdrawal "depression", do you have that? Otherwise, I'd be very leary of it. I can't really see how it might compensate for the absence of a benzo. 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
Skip Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Altostrata: could be that's what I have. I've always figured my depression to be part inherited, part Viet Nam, and part my miserable life circumstances (which I'm stuck with) but now I have to factor in the anxiety/depression brought on by the withdrawal from Valium - I've got it coming from every direction, it seems. I think that's why the drs think the Prozac will help although I'm not sure I trust the judgement of any of those involved since they're the ones that got me in this mess to start with. Oh, and for those interested, I went off Prozac cold turkey twice with no side effects - once after 2+ years and again this past year after only taking it for a couple months. I also took Wellbutrin for a couple months last spring but didn't like it and made the doc take me off of it - he tried to start me on that right in the middle of stabilizing me on the Valium before I started tapering which I don't think was a wise move. We did a quick 3 day taper and went off it with no problems - my local pharmacist said that it was done properly. For the record, I don't think the docs know much except what the drug companies want them to know - they pooh-pooh anecdotal evidence like these forums as unscientific when they should be paying attention to people who have actually been through this stuff. The civvie psychiatrist that I finally hired to get me completely off the Valium told me there wouldn't be any side effects! He's a nice man who's been practicing for 50 years but I think he's living in a dream world. Same for the VA guy - he's a former ass't professor of psychiatry at a major university but doesn't seem to have a clue about what these drugs will really do to a person. Oh, well, enough of a rant for the evening. 70 year old male Vietnam vet, excellent physical health, mentally not so good. Late 80's through 2000's: every anti depressant under the sun. Connected with VA in 2010 switched from Lexapro to Prozac which worked well. Stopped 'cold turkey' in 2012 (no side effects) with VA doc's OK. Dec 2014 - Xanax by family GP. Feb 2015-stopped 'cold turkey' on advice of inept VA psychiatrist - had major panic event. Started back until March 2015. Sidestepped to Valium -tapered until Aug 2015. Benzo withdrawal since August 9th. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 14, 2015 Administrator Share Posted November 14, 2015 We're kind of adverse to taking additional psychiatric drugs here. Have you tried fish oil and magnesium supplements, seehttp://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/ 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
Skip Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 No I have not and I'd like to get rid of the Wellbutrin title for this thread - I only took it for a short time last spring. Maybe I should start a new thread? 70 year old male Vietnam vet, excellent physical health, mentally not so good. Late 80's through 2000's: every anti depressant under the sun. Connected with VA in 2010 switched from Lexapro to Prozac which worked well. Stopped 'cold turkey' in 2012 (no side effects) with VA doc's OK. Dec 2014 - Xanax by family GP. Feb 2015-stopped 'cold turkey' on advice of inept VA psychiatrist - had major panic event. Started back until March 2015. Sidestepped to Valium -tapered until Aug 2015. Benzo withdrawal since August 9th. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted November 14, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 14, 2015 No I have not and I'd like to get rid of the Wellbutrin title for this thread - I only took it for a short time last spring. Maybe I should start a new thread? I edited, Skip. Does this work for you? 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
Skip Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 That works - thanks, Andy!! 70 year old male Vietnam vet, excellent physical health, mentally not so good. Late 80's through 2000's: every anti depressant under the sun. Connected with VA in 2010 switched from Lexapro to Prozac which worked well. Stopped 'cold turkey' in 2012 (no side effects) with VA doc's OK. Dec 2014 - Xanax by family GP. Feb 2015-stopped 'cold turkey' on advice of inept VA psychiatrist - had major panic event. Started back until March 2015. Sidestepped to Valium -tapered until Aug 2015. Benzo withdrawal since August 9th. Link to comment
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