Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted July 16, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 16, 2022 similar topics merged. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Wow I wish I had’ve found this topic earlier. I’ve been experiencing this on and off for the last 12 months. Been to the doctors a number of times and even the ER once. Also explains why I’m always hungry and craving sugar a lot of the time. Can be really scary when you don’t know what’s happening and the doctor keeps telling you there’s nothing wrong. Does this resolve for everyone over time? Age 16 (1995 - 2000) -Paroxetine Age 21 (2000-2004) - Effexor 37.5mg Age 24 (2004-2012) - Lexapro (70mg), Xanax minimum 2mg Xanax a day About 32 (2012-2017?) - Every mood stabiliser under the sun (not at the same time) and minimum 2mg Xanax a day; occasional amisulpride About 35 (2017-current) - Lurasidone 80 mg, quickly titrated down to 40mg, Pristiq (50 mg), minimum of 2mg Xanax a day About 41 (2020) Switched from Xanax to clonazepam and started tapering at 0.125 mg each reduction, tapered off Pristiq with a cross taper at the end, low dose of dextroamphetamine. Age 42 (2021) Tried to taper off Lurasidone three times. Quick taper from 40mg to 0 mg over a couple of months the first time. Reinstated at 20mg. Tried twice more to taper from 20 mg to 0 mg dropping by 5 mg each reduction (about every 2 weeks). Age 42-43 (April 2022) 20mg-18mg; May 18mg-16mg; June 16-14mg; September 14-12mg; September 12-14mg reinstated. February 2023 - hiccup with brand change, Back to Apotek brand and switch to homemade suspension. Age 44 (August 2023 -restarted clonazepam taper). Start dose 0.375mg. 1/9/2023 - 0.365mg; 1/10/2023 - 0.324mg; 1/11/2023 - 0.264mg; 1/12/2023 - 0.25 mg (holding); 1/2/2024 - 0.232mg; 1/3/2024 - 0.221mg; 1/4/2024 - 0.205mg; 1/8/2024 - 0.182mg; 1/9/2024 - 0.171mg; 1/10/2024 - 0.162mg Health regimen: walks, hot/cold showers, ice baths, breathwork, mostly healthy diet, therapy...... Open to ideas! Supplements: Omega 3, liver CBD/THC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookiePretzel Posted June 26, 2023 Share Posted June 26, 2023 I just read through this whole thread. I’m also experiencing “faux hypoglycemic episodes”. My hands and legs get shaky every day. I’ve changed my diet. I checked with a glucometer. I got full blood work done and my thyroid is fine and I don’t have diabetes. Is it truly harmless? I feel hindered by the shakes, it makes me feel weak like I shouldn’t do some chores or errands when I otherwise feel fine. It seems like a not very common withdrawal symptom so I’m worried. I’ve had it about 3 months now. 1/21 Prescribed 3mg Lorazepam/ day. Fell dependent in 10 days. Attempted 2 CTs before getting smart and tapering over 10 months- .0625mg drop every 3-5 weeks. 2/21 Prescribed 20mg Prozac/ day. 11/21 Finished Lorazepam taper 1/22 unsuccessful Prozac taper (skipping days) 2/22 Reinstated at 20mg daily 5/22 Switch to liquid Prozac 6/22 Begin Prozac taper of .08mg every couple weeks 10/22 Finished Prozac taper. 3 AWFUL days of depression and sickness, then feel fabulous for a couple months. 12/22 Begin windows and waves of depression, panic and hopelessness 6/23 Symptoms stopped worsening but are still present 9/23 Having more good days than bad, symptoms drastically lessening 2/24 Turned a corner and feel healed a great deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookiePretzel Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 Can any member or admin chime in? My hypoglycemia seems to be progressing. Yesterday I was starving all day. Literally hungry after eating anything. I eat every 1.5-2 hours and take in 2,500-2,700 calories daily. There might be some refined carbs but it’s mostly pretty healthy. Eggs, smoothies, avocado, nuts etc. I couldn’t sleep because I was hungry and woke up in a major sweat with my heart beating hard. Eating is becoming triggering to me because I don’t know how I’ll feel after. Anyone dealt with this? I just started sleeping through the night again this month and now I’m losing sleep to blood sugar issues. 1/21 Prescribed 3mg Lorazepam/ day. Fell dependent in 10 days. Attempted 2 CTs before getting smart and tapering over 10 months- .0625mg drop every 3-5 weeks. 2/21 Prescribed 20mg Prozac/ day. 11/21 Finished Lorazepam taper 1/22 unsuccessful Prozac taper (skipping days) 2/22 Reinstated at 20mg daily 5/22 Switch to liquid Prozac 6/22 Begin Prozac taper of .08mg every couple weeks 10/22 Finished Prozac taper. 3 AWFUL days of depression and sickness, then feel fabulous for a couple months. 12/22 Begin windows and waves of depression, panic and hopelessness 6/23 Symptoms stopped worsening but are still present 9/23 Having more good days than bad, symptoms drastically lessening 2/24 Turned a corner and feel healed a great deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 I had this issue while tapering Seroquel. I would get blood sugar drops down into the 50's. They passed and I don't get them any longer. I also had big drops in blood pressure and those episodes passed as well. Treatment was eating carbs to raise blood sugar and resting until the episode passed. If you feel really bad then go to the ER if needed and keep records with your glucometer to try and find any patterns that may be helpful. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 150 mg twice daily (300mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine / Ipratropium / Nasacort Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookiePretzel Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 @FeralCatman hi! Thank you so much for responding. A glucometer doesn’t seem to give me any indication because my readings are always fine. How long did this last for you? Can you give me some examples of what you ate when you had a blood sugar drop? 1/21 Prescribed 3mg Lorazepam/ day. Fell dependent in 10 days. Attempted 2 CTs before getting smart and tapering over 10 months- .0625mg drop every 3-5 weeks. 2/21 Prescribed 20mg Prozac/ day. 11/21 Finished Lorazepam taper 1/22 unsuccessful Prozac taper (skipping days) 2/22 Reinstated at 20mg daily 5/22 Switch to liquid Prozac 6/22 Begin Prozac taper of .08mg every couple weeks 10/22 Finished Prozac taper. 3 AWFUL days of depression and sickness, then feel fabulous for a couple months. 12/22 Begin windows and waves of depression, panic and hopelessness 6/23 Symptoms stopped worsening but are still present 9/23 Having more good days than bad, symptoms drastically lessening 2/24 Turned a corner and feel healed a great deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted June 27, 2023 Share Posted June 27, 2023 If the glucometer readings are normal then it may not be blood sugar drops it could also be a drop in blood pressure which I also had and for those there was nothing you could do but take a break until it passed. When I did have a glucose drop I took a couple of spoonfuls of honey or some concentrated fruit juice and I also bought a bottle of glucose tablets that I kept with me. It's the same sort of stuff you would do for diabetes so any diabetes advice would be applicable. There were times when it would take several hours to recover. Another possibility for your symptoms could be that you're low on fluids and or electrolytes which also happened to me and at the time I could still drink Gatorade and oftentimes that would help very quickly. If glucometer readings and blood pressure readings are normal then this may also just be an autonomic nervous system symptom of withdrawal that will pass but if you have any doubts at all or questions go get it checked and if they find nothing then it is most likely just a symptom of withdrawal that will pass. If you haven't had any blood work in a while you may want to get it done and see if anything is out of whack. When I need something checked like that sometimes I just order the test online and go to a private lab and get it done which can be easier if you don't mind paying for it or just go to your doctor and describe what's going on and they should run blood work to check a few things to make sure this isn't something else. Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 150 mg twice daily (300mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine / Ipratropium / Nasacort Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastcoastgirl Posted June 29, 2023 Share Posted June 29, 2023 This has been a consistent problem for me since my withdrawal began years ago but i’ve done tons of testing and it turns out I actually do have low blood sugar. It’s gotten worse over time and it really affects my withdrawal because glucose dysregulation and high insulin levels can cause wild mood swings. I was recently put on medication for it but it hasn’t helped much so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkslippers Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 On 12/12/2013 at 5:46 AM, Ellen042 said: I'd love your input. I'm just in my second week of AD withdrawal (trazodone in my case), but something weird happened today. I got shakey on the inside. I assumed it was either the three! cups of coffee I had consumed in the morning or AD withdrawal, but when I ate a brownie after lunch, it stopped. Think the shakes may have been WD hypoglycemia. They haven't come back. If this is WD hypoglycemia, do I just stop eating sugar, or should I stop all carbs the best I can? I don't have to go get checked out by my doctor, do I? Hypoglycemia does run in my family. Thanks! I have found Keto diet is the best thing to reduce hypoglycemic episodes caused by AD withdrawals. It evens out blood sugar. Fats are key. High fat and protein, no sugar or carbs. 1995-1997 Prozac, Fluvoxamine, Escitalopram 10mg. 2003 Venlafaxine 150mg, CT'd effexor 2005, reinstated Effexor 2005. 2007 switch to Escitalopram 10mg 2009 cease escitalopram Crash, hospital ECT 2009 Reinstate Effexor 150mg. 2011 Fast tapered off 150mg, WD symptoms reinsated 150mg Effexor swithed to Pristiq 50mg 2012 2016 slow but linear taper Desvenlafaxine over one year, 2017 severe WD, hospitalisation ECT, doctors reinstate Effexor 300mg and 4mg Alprazolam. 2017 tapered and stopped Alprazolam. 2018-2023 Slow microtaper Venlafaxine taking out one beead a day from 300mg capsule down to 37.5mg, hold for six months. 2023 began taper reducing 2.3% per week, and reached about 29 beads out of 37.5mg capsule in April 2024 (30 mg). April 2024 Doctor increased Effexor up to 37.5mg due to stress, which caused serotonin toxicity, so I dropped 29 beads for 4 days. I exprienced horrific withdrawal symptoms and became suicidal so gradually reinstated bead by bead up to 37.5mg Effexor. Began Diazepam 5mg as required May 2024 until present - Holding on 37.5mg Effexor and Diazepam 5mg -15mg daily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariel Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 1 hour ago, Pinkslippers said: I have found Keto diet is the best thing to reduce hypoglycemic episodes caused by AD withdrawals. I can relate. Have also found low carb, whole foods diet to be very supportive in WD. I do a version of keto -- high protein (approx. 2g per kilogram body weight), low carb (max. 20g net carbs), moderate fat (adjusting fat intake according to appetite). No grains, no dairy, no refined sugar, no fruit, no artificial sweeteners, no processed foods. (Tip: if you eat this way make sure to get enough salt (unrefined sea salt, not table salt) and electrolytes.) Tweaking nutrition has helped gastrointestinal/digestive issues, stabilized blood sugar, improved sleep. 1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs) 2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?) Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg --> July 2018 - 0mg 2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg 2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg --> July 2021 - 0mg March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT) --> April 28th, 2021 - 0mg August 2021 - 2mg melatonin August 1, 2022 - 1mg melatonin March 31, 2023 - 0mg melatonin 2024 supplements update: electrolyte blend in water sipped throughout the day; 1 tsp cod liver oil blend (incl. vit. A+D+E) w/ breakfast; calcium; vitamin C+zinc Courage is fear that has said its prayers. - Karle Wilson Baker love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters. - Rev. angel Kyodo williams Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are. - text on homemade banner at Afiya house I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinkslippers Posted May 22 Share Posted May 22 On 5/19/2024 at 11:56 PM, Ariel said: I can relate. Have also found low carb, whole foods diet to be very supportive in WD. I do a version of keto -- high protein (approx. 2g per kilogram body weight), low carb (max. 20g net carbs), moderate fat (adjusting fat intake according to appetite). No grains, no dairy, no refined sugar, no fruit, no artificial sweeteners, no processed foods. (Tip: if you eat this way make sure to get enough salt (unrefined sea salt, not table salt) and electrolytes.) Tweaking nutrition has helped gastrointestinal/digestive issues, stabilized blood sugar, improved sleep. Absolutely Ariel. I love your version of Keto, I will probably end up on something similar after I've stabilised a bit. Mornings have been pretty horrific- shaking confused, crying for about 4-5 hours. I had to go radical keto to help ease the symptoms, whilst increasing my dose a bit. Thanks for your reply! 1 1995-1997 Prozac, Fluvoxamine, Escitalopram 10mg. 2003 Venlafaxine 150mg, CT'd effexor 2005, reinstated Effexor 2005. 2007 switch to Escitalopram 10mg 2009 cease escitalopram Crash, hospital ECT 2009 Reinstate Effexor 150mg. 2011 Fast tapered off 150mg, WD symptoms reinsated 150mg Effexor swithed to Pristiq 50mg 2012 2016 slow but linear taper Desvenlafaxine over one year, 2017 severe WD, hospitalisation ECT, doctors reinstate Effexor 300mg and 4mg Alprazolam. 2017 tapered and stopped Alprazolam. 2018-2023 Slow microtaper Venlafaxine taking out one beead a day from 300mg capsule down to 37.5mg, hold for six months. 2023 began taper reducing 2.3% per week, and reached about 29 beads out of 37.5mg capsule in April 2024 (30 mg). April 2024 Doctor increased Effexor up to 37.5mg due to stress, which caused serotonin toxicity, so I dropped 29 beads for 4 days. I exprienced horrific withdrawal symptoms and became suicidal so gradually reinstated bead by bead up to 37.5mg Effexor. Began Diazepam 5mg as required May 2024 until present - Holding on 37.5mg Effexor and Diazepam 5mg -15mg daily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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