Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted August 16, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Posted August 16, 2015 No more Lyrica as of today. The taper is finished. Yayyyy. The active tapering took about 2 years, with a 13 month hold to finish up another taper in the middle (well, 9 months of the 13 was a complete hold of any tapering.) Outside of a little tinnitus (what else is new?), I'm feeling good. Will probably hit a few bumps in the next couple of weeks, though nothing untoward. It was a smooth drop off from my first taper, diazepam, and I don't expect anything different with this one. One drug, requip, to go... and I'm already pretty low on that, so I figure tapering should be a thing of the past in 12 months, maybe less. And for now... I'm celebrating! As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
Adagiooo Posted August 17, 2015 Posted August 17, 2015 Yeah Skyler!!! Way to go!!! You have accomplished much by being patient and diligent. I have no doubt your last drug taper will be as smooth as the others. Wishing you complete and total drug freedom as soon as you can manage it and continued good health. Peace and (((((hugs)))) to you. You should be very proud of yourself! And celebrate you should! 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.
Mort81 Posted August 21, 2015 Posted August 21, 2015 Awesome Skyler! So happy for you! Was on 30mg (Lexapro) for 7-8yrs20mg for 3 months (This was my choice my Doc wanted me to drop much faster)15 mg 2week10mg 2 weeks 5 mg 1 week0 since August 24th . PPI Dexlant 30 mg taper has begun. Cutting 20% currently. using zantac as needed. Benzo is currently 0.10mg
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted November 5, 2015 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted November 5, 2015 I cut and pasted my final benzo post below. When I finish tapering requip in the next several months, the last of 3 tapers, I'll be back to post a final update. This has been quite a journey.. which started in June of 2010 when I hit the 'wall' with Klonopin and knew I needed to get off. Off benzos as of today for the first time in over twenty-five years and I'm in a mood to celebrate!! I had to go very slowwwly, start date was 7/2010, but the taper was largely unsymptomatic... with the exception of tinnitus picked up due to a cross over effect from another drug at 1.25 mgs. diazepam. Going slow was the only way for me and I'm grateful to have found a helpful forum before I started. Yes, power to forums! Please note, I went very slowly and had no withdrawal symptoms after my last ever so tiny dose of diazepam. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 5, 2015 Administrator Posted November 5, 2015 Hurray! Congratulations, Skyler. You're a tribute to gradual tapering. 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.
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted November 5, 2015 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted November 5, 2015 Thank-you Alto. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 5, 2015 Administrator Posted November 5, 2015 Skyler's Intro topic is here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/889-%E2%98%BC-skyler-the-benzo-lyrica-connection/with details of her long journey off drugs. 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.
Hopefull Posted November 6, 2015 Posted November 6, 2015 Congratulations Skyler! It is exceptionally motivating to know that you have managed to get off Lyrica. I will get there too. I wish you all the best in the future. How does it feel to be free from meds? 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.
Meimeiquest Posted November 6, 2015 Posted November 6, 2015 A million congratulations! 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
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted November 6, 2015 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted November 6, 2015 Thanks Mei and Hopefull... I'm afraid I overstated a little in the title though... I'm almost off the requip, and just tweaked the title to reflect that. It's relatively easy tapering off the requip.. The elephants in the room are finished.. the K/diazepam and the Lyrica. Now to get rid of the tail end of this last... Ayup, I walked the 10% walk.. and it worked for me. Except for 2 or 3 rocky months at the top of the klonopin taper, my quality of life has been untouched.. almost as if I was not tapering (I did have insomnia for a few days right after cuts, which then remitted). And that's the whole idea, to taper slow enough to maintain a good quality. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
Mort81 Posted November 11, 2015 Posted November 11, 2015 Wow this is a testament to how effective a slow taper or micro taper can be. I know it always doesnt work out as some people have gotten tough WD anyway, but it definatly improves the chances of reducing the symptoms and the fact that quality of life was not changed is Huge!. Glad to see this working so well for you Skyler . Was on 30mg (Lexapro) for 7-8yrs20mg for 3 months (This was my choice my Doc wanted me to drop much faster)15 mg 2week10mg 2 weeks 5 mg 1 week0 since August 24th . PPI Dexlant 30 mg taper has begun. Cutting 20% currently. using zantac as needed. Benzo is currently 0.10mg
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted March 2, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted March 2, 2016 Well, this wraps it up. Last night I took my last dose of Requip.. I have finally finished tapering after 5 years and 8 months... with one 9 month hold 2+ years in. WOW... I packed up the remaining oral syringes, and tossed the last of the Requip. I don't expect a bump up of symptoms from terminating the Requip because I've gone down so gradually... no residual to catch up. Save for a few months early on, for the most part, my quality of life was not adversely impacted. So... benzo free 10/13 Lyrica free 8/15 Requip free 3/16 As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 4, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted March 4, 2016 Three cheers for Skyler. Well done!!! * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management
geminigirl Posted March 4, 2016 Posted March 4, 2016 Yay skylar, congrats! I don't know you but I am happy for you. Hugs, Yana 2010 started 10 mg celexa, 2011 went up to 20 mg 06/2014 started tapering (20 mg,10 mg alternate days) 19/09/2014 crashed at 10 mg 20/09/2014 updosed to 20 mg to try and stabilize- Never stabilized and CNS basically plummeted August 31 2015- Started my 5% taper anyways May 3 2016- At 14 mg the tapering caught up with me- Withdrawal included severe anxiety, feeling like im on speed, suicidal and homicidal ideation, akathesia, feeling like I was on heroin, memory loss, PGAD, feeling like I was on an acid May 4 2016- Updosed to 15.5 mg to try and stabilize June 4- Started taking 2 mg 5 times a day which adds up to 10 mg because of akathesia when taking my full dose. Akathesia symtpoms smaller July 27th- Dropped from 15.5 mg to 10 mg because could no longer tolerate taking drug- bad side effects mainly akathesia and emotional deadness. Oct 11- Improved a lot since May 4th after my crash. Withdrawal symptoms still left- DR/DP, emotional anasthesia, akathesia, tingling in head, feeling like my body and face disappears, messed up sound interpretation, perception and difficulty reading social and emotional cues during DR/DP, apathy, inability to tell if I am in dream or reality, disturbed sleep. Started having few windows
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted March 4, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted March 4, 2016 Thank-you geminigirl and Chessie... yes, it sure is great, no more 'home chemistry set' in my kitchen (oral syringes, mixing syringes, pill vials to mix, etc). I take one pill a month for my bones... otherwise, NADA! As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
melody Posted March 5, 2016 Posted March 5, 2016 So awesome and inspiring! Klonopin 2.0 mg 1994-2015Klonopin increased to 3.25 Sept. 2015 (no longer controlling anxiety and caused depression) Significant life event: lost sister to overdoseSeroquel Nov. 2015-present 150 mg. (does nothing for depression but sometimes lets me sleep--I want to taper off) Zoloft 100 Dec. 2015-mid Jan. 2016 (unhelpful for depression so began to wean off) Zoloft 75 mg (2 weeks) Zoloft 50 mg (1 week) Zoloft 25 mg (1 week) holding http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=2136-1391,2136-6566,703-357,1979-1274,2057-1348
Moderator Emeritus Rhiannon Posted March 14, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted March 14, 2016 WOW Skyler, congratulations! You're an inspiration. Way to go! Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010. Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea. Feb 15 2010: 300 mg Neurontin 200 Lamictal 10 Celexa 0.65 Xanax and 5 mg Ambien Feb 10 2014: 62 Lamictal 1.1 Celexa 0.135 Xanax 1.8 Valium Feb 10 2015: 50 Lamictal 0.875 Celexa 0.11 Xanax 1.5 Valium Feb 15 2016: 47.5 Lamictal 0.75 Celexa 0.0875 Xanax 1.42 Valium 2/12/20 12 0.045 0.007 1 May 2021 7 0.01 0.0037 1 Feb 2022 6 0!!! 0.00167 0.98 2.5 mg Ambien Oct 2022 4.5 mg Lamictal (off Celexa, off Xanax) 0.95 Valium Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.
btdt Posted March 14, 2016 Posted March 14, 2016 Congratulations Skyler! Wishing you 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
megb Posted March 14, 2016 Posted March 14, 2016 Woooohoooo!!!!!!!!!!! :) Sep '18 - became pregnant in late August, then on 9/5 insomnia/anxiety went THROUGH the roof. I tried a lot of things but here is what is current: Paroxetine: 6.2mg (began 9/5/18, and there was a new manufacturer of which I just found out 2 days ago) during the day Olanzapine : 7.5mg at night Ambien: 5-10mg at night Xanex: 5-10mg at night Fish Oil: for prenatal things Aug '18: Paroxetine 6.6mg, (30mg thyroid hormone, fish oil, vit D3, SBI protect, probiotic. Following AIP diet) Mar '16: began taper from 20mg. Decreasing .75mg or less each month or more. Sporadically used Ambien &/or Trazodone for insomnia. Sep'15: tried to come off slower. Used fish oil, vit D3, and regular exercise/healthy diet to assist. (Taper sched= 18mg for 60days, 15mg for 60d, 10mg for 30d, 8mg for 30d) At my 3rd week of 8mg in Nov '15, insomnia and panic attacks began. Back up to 20mg after a month of horrible withdrawal. Oct'12-Sep'15: 20mg Paxil Sep'12: 1st attempt to get off, naively tried cold turkey per Dr. suggestion. Couldn't work for 2 months. Another Doc upped dose to 20mg. Jun '09-Aug '12: 10mg Paxil for severe insomnia due to anxiety. Also took Ambien/Trazodone for sleep. Other meds taken sporadically: Ativan, Abilify, Xyrem My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted March 14, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted March 14, 2016 Thanks melody, Rhi, btdt, and meg. It was a long haul but definitely worthwhile. I still remember the consternation I felt when first hearing I had to taper... TWO months I thought, two months it would take me to get off the benzo, then I thought 6 months, then learned 2 years.. Then Alto gave me more bad news... Lyrica needed to be tapered, and Requip as well. I'm glad I did not realize it was going to take me 6+ years at the outset! I'm a BIG advocate of slow tapering.. and helping others thru their tapering journeys has made me all the more aware of the need for going SLOWLY! As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
Skylarblue75 Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 Hi skylar and congrats on getting off all those meds. Question for you do you still have Fibromyalgia? If yes how are you managing it? Spring of 1998 place on birth control pills for irregular bleeding, high testosterone and one ovarian cyst, stayed on until April 2004, told to take hormone holiday, conceived first son 4 months later-VERY BIG SUPRISE, was told wouldn't be able to have childern or would need reproductive doctor to help. Got pregnant again 2006 with second son easily, then was on/off birthcontrol again until October 2011, concieved 3rd son in October 2011(tried many times to get pregant again when 2nd child was close to 2yrs, hormone problems started again after 2nd child, along with thyroid enlargement. Spring of 2001 celexa 10 mgs-rx'd by pcp for complaints of chronic fatigue, irritability and weight gain, stayed on until June 2005, switched to Lexapro 20mgs for PPD, stayed on Lexapro 6-7 months, couldn't afford to see psyh dr. and Lexapro, saw PCP switched back to 20mgs celexa in 2007, remained on until November 2011, was c/t off due to 3rd pregnancy, baby had umbilical cord defect, seemed ok during pregnancy, except for crying jags here and there. Our miracle baby was born July 20th 2012, healthy except with reflux. One month later the anxiety,restlessness,horrible crying, insomnia and the deepest depression ever. That started the psyh drug nightmare-benzo's,antidepressants, sleeping pills, mood stablizers. Nothing help made me worse, doctors just kept changing the meds frequently. 4 mental health hospitalizations, rapid detox off benzos Jan 2013, horrible withdrawal and still suffering withdrawal symptoms NO ONE BELIEVES ME, I feel like ive been on one consistant drug withdrawal for the past 2 years January 2014 slow titrate up of lexapro to 20 mgs-horrible side effects!!, was just rapidly taper by current pysh off to pursade me to try an MAOI-no way!!! Was told should consider ECT
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 16, 2016 Administrator Posted March 16, 2016 Congratulations, Skyler! I think you were one of the very earliest members of SurvivingAntidepressants.org. We've come a long way. Thanks so much for all your help. 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.
roadback1 Posted March 16, 2016 Posted March 16, 2016 Congratulations Skyler !! ???????????? Enjoy your med free days, and also the beautiful Vermont Spring and upcoming Summer ! **I started taking Zoloft 100 mg. in 1996 for a panic disorder with agoraphobia and depression, which worsened after a car accident. I have had these symptoms since age 11 . ** In September 2009 , the Zoloft was upped to 150 mg and .5 mg Xanax was added as needed for extreme anxiety due to my Father's illness and death from cancer. Successfully tapered off the Xanax in November 2009. ** I started my Zoloft taper in September 2011,and,in July 2012, reached 75 mgs.(went to 68.5 mgs,but went back up to 75mgs due to withdrawal related depression /anxiety symptoms . ** I started tapering again in September 2014 ,and, as of December,2014, I was holding at 50 mgs. Zoloft until February,2015, when I tapered in two cuts to 37.5 mgs. Due to protracted withdrawal symptoms, have up dosed to 50 mgs. Zoloft on 5/18/2015 and holding there. **Also started .25 mgs xanax at bedtime in September,2015, due to alerting/jolting awake/anxiety and not sleeping because of heart related issues,now resolved.I tapered completely off in Oct. 2015 (too fast ) had withdrawal symptoms and updosed to .12 mgs Xanax once a night. ** After dry cutting till I couldn't do it accurately, I have been on compounded doses. Am on 0.069 mgs compounded Xanax as of 6/21/17 once per night, as prescribed by my Doctor.
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted March 17, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted March 17, 2016 Thanks Skylar, Alto, and roadback. I've been a member here since July of 2011. I remember, when I first came on board, everything seemed okay, the benzo taper was going well, and I thought I'd just coast off Lyrica and Requip.. what a rude awakening. I hope my journey helps someone who thinks withdrawal symptoms are a forgone conclusion.. if one starts off symptomatic, there is no way out.. a rough taper is awaiting. NOT.. a slow taper will always help, and if withdrawal symptoms cannot be entirely stilled, they can be brought to such a low roar as to slide into the background. The bottom line is about having the best possible quality of life while tapering and finally eliminating whatever psychotropic(s) one is on. Hugs to all.. Skyler, a proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
Hibari Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 Congratulations Skyler! Happy healing! 9/2013-4/2014: After moms death, was prescribed a series of meds for short periods of time that didn't work. Zoloft, Lexapro, Nortriptyline, Liquid Prozac, Cymbalta. 1/2014-9/2014. Clonzapam: Given Lamictal, stopped Clonzapam at .125mgs 1/2015-4 2017 Remeron: 41.25 -0.025mgs 7/2015-11/2018 Lamictal: 200mgs-0.05 mgs Had paradoxical reaction to Lamictal wd, broke my heart to take a benzo but wasn't sleeping. 3/28/2019 -2/5/ 2021 Clonazapam: 0.625mgs-.00115 Med Free July 27th, 2022**Severe Setback due to surgery/ anesthesia. 9/7/22-10/4/22 Trazadone 50-100mgs for sleep, 10/13/22-11/13/22 Trazadone 1 mg to stabilize 10/4/22-11/20/22 Remeron 7.5mgs (for sleep doesn't work) 11/20/22 7.3 - 12/31/22 6.3 2023: 1/18/23 6.1 - 6/6/23 3.6 6/16 3.4 6/28 3.0 7/12 2.7 7/28 2.5 8/11 2.2 8/23 2.0 9/5 1.8 9/16 1.6 9/30 1.4 10/13 1.2 10/26 1.0 11/9 0.8 11/22 0.6 12/6 0.4 12/23 0.2. 2024 1/4/24 Remeron/Mirtazapine free Additional Support: Armour Thyroid 75mgs, Magnesium Glycinate 300-500mgs, L-theanine
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted March 17, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted March 17, 2016 Thanks for your message Hibari...but just to clarify, I have no post withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. I slid off ever so slowly, and the only changes are positive; I don't have the nuisance of taking a liquid dose twice a day, and I'm sleeping a little better too.. Slow tapers rule!!! As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
Moderator Emeritus manymoretodays Posted March 24, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted March 24, 2016 Well, this wraps it up. Last night I took my last dose of Requip.. I have finally finished tapering after 5 years and 8 months... with one 9 month hold 2+ years in. WOW... I packed up the remaining oral syringes, and tossed the last of the Requip. I don't expect a bump up of symptoms from terminating the Requip because I've gone down so gradually... no residual to catch up. Save for a few months early on, for the most part, my quality of life was not adversely impacted. So... benzo free 10/13 Lyrica free 8/15 Requip free 3/16 Excellent Syler!!! Bye bye Requip! You are there. Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks. Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988. In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm. Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time). 5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014) 12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs. My last psycho med ever! Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to 2016 Dec 16, medication free!! Longer signature post here, with current supplements. Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016. And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed. Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022, and again finally 5/25/24. Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜 None of my posts are intended as medical advice. Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider. My success story: Blue skies ahead, clear sailing
mac Posted April 2, 2016 Posted April 2, 2016 Congratulations Skyler, reading your posts are an inspiration to me. What was your last dose of Lyrica before stopping completely? On pregabalin since summer 2013. Started on 50mg and progressed to 300mg in increments. Dropped quickly in increments, on around 40mg beginning of April 2016.
Terry4949 Posted April 2, 2016 Posted April 2, 2016 Congratulations skyler , you are where we all hope to be some day , how did you find tapering from the lyrica and as Mac asks in the post above what was your last dose of lyrica , I am on 200mg a day but I am going to start reducing it shortly want to get down to as lower dose as possible 2001 to jan 2015 Effexor 150 mg jan 2015 15 mg mirtazapine 20 mg quetiapine feb 2015 quetiapine stopped feb 2015 30 mg of citalopram added feb 2015 mirtazapine increased to 30 mg july 2015 citalopram stopped sept 2015 200mg of pregabalin jan 2017 mirtazapine stopped jan 2017 20 mg fluoxetine march 2017 all meds stopped
mac Posted April 2, 2016 Posted April 2, 2016 I am not suggesting you do this Terry, but I managed to drop to 300 to 50 fairly quickly without too much problems, it certainly gets more painful for me the lower the dose. I asked for 50s and 25s so I could go 300/275/250 etc with fairly quick succession and little issue. I got so confident I ended up down to 10-20mg ish a day (guessing), at that point I just roughly emptied out part of the pill. It wasn't till I found myself crying every day and some other unusual symptoms I started googling and realised what I had let myself in for. Went quickly back up to 50 and trying 10-20% for a few days now. On pregabalin since summer 2013. Started on 50mg and progressed to 300mg in increments. Dropped quickly in increments, on around 40mg beginning of April 2016.
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted April 2, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted April 2, 2016 I tapered 10% a month down from 300 mgs.. mac, I could not drop like you did this last time around. When I was on previously, I could ease off 150 or 300 mgs over a couple of months, but after I was on and off a couple of times I got caught, and had to do a full taper... You need to fill out your sig. line because I cannot tell how long your were taking Lyrica. And Terry cannot put your information into context either... Once I got to something like 20 mgs, I started to come off in measured increments... 1 mg every week or two. I'm a lazy mathematician, and even doing it that way less math intensive. This worked for me as long as I was going slowly, and not having too much withdrawal.. so I started to listen to my body at about that point, as opposed to doing precise 10% cuts... But the pace was judicious. My worst withdrawal symptom was muscle spasms. I could be wrong on this, and of course everything varies according to prior CNS sensitization, but it took me a fairly long time to get fully 'hooked' on Lyrica. So the time it took to become dependent seems longer than for some of the other psychotropics. That said, once I was, it was 10% all the way.. until 20 mgs at any rate... then I kind of slowllyyy slid off. Actually I did the same with all 3 drugs... lost the infernal math decimals at the more extreme low end, and just kind of looked at the overall reduction rates.. cut every week to two weeks... and a couple of times increased the amount of diluent, which of course meant I went more slowly as well. Thanks manymore for your tidings.. I wish you all the best as you journey on. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
mac Posted April 2, 2016 Posted April 2, 2016 Probably about 3.5 years but it is such a blur I am not 100% on amounts. I was on 50mg for a while then ramped up to 300mg probably fairly quickly. Thanks for the info. Was 1mg the last dose? Thanks for all the info On pregabalin since summer 2013. Started on 50mg and progressed to 300mg in increments. Dropped quickly in increments, on around 40mg beginning of April 2016.
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted April 2, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted April 2, 2016 The final dose was 1 mg. For the last several months, I reduced by 1 mg each cut (under 20 mgs), increasing dilution and hold times when symptomatic when needed, but keeping to 1 mg. for each. Then I dropped off 1 mg. But the fact this worked for me does not mean it will be the same for you. You need to fill in your sig line.. Thanks As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
mac Posted April 2, 2016 Posted April 2, 2016 Thanks will sort out my sig soon. I realise it is different for everyone but good to have a rough gauge. Appreciate the help. On pregabalin since summer 2013. Started on 50mg and progressed to 300mg in increments. Dropped quickly in increments, on around 40mg beginning of April 2016.
Moderator Emeritus elbee Posted April 15, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Posted April 15, 2016 Inspirational as I begin my journey, round two, much slower this time. Thanks! My suggestions are not medical advice. They are my opinions based on my own experience, strength and hope. You are in charge of your own medical / healing / recovery choices. My success story | My introduction thread ZOLOFT FREE - COMPLETELY DRUG FREE 4/28/2019! - total time on 28+ years BENZO FREE! 4/7/2018 - total time on 27+ years REMERON FREE! 12/11/2016 - total time on 15 months Caffeine & Nicotine Free 2014 / 2015 - smoked for 28 years Alcohol Free 4/1/2014 - drank for 30 years
Moderator Emeritus Skyler Posted May 31, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Posted May 31, 2016 Just want to touch base and let folks know I'm still doing well.... went down real gradual like, kind of drifted off the lower doses... I did not jump.. at the lowest end of the taper, when reducing by 10% no longer worked because the amount of the reductions (despite using a goodly amount of water to mix) was no longer readable on the syringe, I divided the doses into even amounts and reduced further that way. I had a few muscle spasms, nothing major, about three weeks out, and that was it, no other unpleasant sequella. As always, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! A proud supporter of the 10% (or slower) rule. Requip - 3/16 ZERO Total time on 25 years. Lyrica: 8/15 ZERO Total time on 7 or 8 yrs.BENZO FREE 10/13 (started tapering 7/10) Total time on 25 years. Read my intro thread here, and check the about me section. "No matter how cynical you get, it's almost impossible to keep up." Lily Tomlin
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