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☼ Wellness: Healing nicely


Wellness

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I was given a sleeping drug because my cat had messed up my sleep so badly that I needed to get my sleep cycle back in sync.  After a few days I started to get withdrawal symptoms and within three weeks I was living in a horror show.  

The good doctors diagnosed me more labels that I care to recall and kept adding drugs.  I got worse and worse until I found online support groups with people who had similar symptoms.  

 

I'm now 5 years off all drugs and take absolutely no drugs or supplement  and I'm healing nicely.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Wellness,

 

What an inspirational into :).  You definately need a sun beside your name.

 

Boy, all those drugs for a naughty moggy... you may have been better off if you'd visited the vet instead.

 

I am at the start of my healing really, after a somewhat rocky year finding my w/d feet.  Feeling fairly good about heading into the new year, and definitely happier than I've been in a long time. 

 

It's nice to meet you - I know many here 'in the thick of it' will love to read your story. 

 

Hugs,

KarenB

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

KarenB, you sure have been around the bend and then some.  Effexor is one nasty drug but it looks like you are doing well in your taper and is determined to see it though.  It will all be worth it.  Thanks for the welcome.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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  • Administrator

Welcome and hurray, Wellness! What type of tapering regimen worked for you?

 

Very happy to hear you're doing better. I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol



to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually!

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.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome, Wellness!  Thank you for sharing such a hopeful story!  I needed that!  I spent the morning getting down after stumbling across the Stuart Shipko article on Mad In America.  But then here you are, perfect timing!

 

SG

Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac.  Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002
Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history.  Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots!
Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off.  Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep.

June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened!  Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015.

Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month.

12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 

Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18:  2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor

 

My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome Wellness!

 

Yes, what Alto asked about how you tapered, and how did you know to taper successfully?  

 

And - as a cat person - how did you get the kitty to leave you alone at night?  (I have someone suffering this exact same problem right now)

 

I hope you see the sun today!

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

How did I taper?  I ditched the depakote subito presto after a couple of weeks of use.  I did a linear taper from the Ativan over 21 days by dry cutting.  I was already in an acute state of interdose withdrawal with probably a neurotoxic reaction, so the rapid taper sent me into a even more acute withdrawal.  That`s when I realized that the drugs were the problem.  As for the anti psychotic (Seroquel), I lowered the dose over a 2-3 month period.  The Remeron was a b*tch and I had to do a liquid titration for the last 2-3mg cutting 0.02 mg per day, and I had to reinstate back to 2 mg once, and back to 0.7 mg once.  This is all from memory, so I could be wrong on the details.

 

The cat was returned to the humane society.  I now have a cat that likes to sleep.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome Wellness. That's some horror story - I'm so glad for you that you got out.

 

Looking forward to getting to know you.

 

:)

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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How did I taper?  I ditched the depakote subito presto after a couple of weeks of use.  I did a linear taper from the Ativan over 21 days by dry cutting.  I was already in an acute state of interdose withdrawal with probably a neurotoxic reaction, so the rapid taper sent me into a even more acute withdrawal.  That`s when I realized that the drugs were the problem.  As for the anti psychotic (Seroquel), I lowered the dose over a 2-3 month period.  The Remeron was a b*tch and I had to do a liquid titration for the last 2-3mg cutting 0.02 mg per day, and I had to reinstate back to 2 mg once, and back to 0.7 mg once.  This is all from memory, so I could be wrong on the details.

 

The cat was returned to the humane society.  I now have a cat that likes to sleep.

Welcome and congratulations on your recovery I am happy to see you found some help along the way. 

 

I am curious as to where you got your taper advice what were the other sites...they seemed to be of service to you certainly the lingo is down pat some terms interdose withdrawal had to come from some place..lol I have heard it but don't know what it means... well not today ( I am still digging out from under a prednisone reaction I may know what it means another time)

welcome to SA maybe tell those other sites we are here. 

 

I wish 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 :)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks btdt.  I spend a lot of my time on Benzobuddies (bb) , there was benzowithdrawal, benzoisland and then chat rooms, yahoo newsgroup, and Facebook.  I regularly suggest people connect with either bb or surviving antidepressants.  

 

Sorry about the prednisone, that is another drug that people don`t suspect can cause tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.  

Congrats on being drug free since 2007, that`s been almost 8 plus years.  How are you now?

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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2007 sure has been a long long time.  I am not as good as I hoped to be at 8 years off but I am alive and trying.  You can check my page if you want to know more. 

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 :)

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Wow wellness,

Thanks for taking the time to post. It's not often that we hear of the success stories and it's so refreshing to hear about someone who has done the hard yards and survived to blossom on the other side. It gives me hope that there is a life after all of this.

Best wishes,

Seeker

8 years on venlafaxine (generic name Altven). Various doses then 3 years on 75mg. Tapered off too quickly with very bad withdrawals. Put back on at higher dose of 150mg to stabilise. Been at 150mg for a year. Stable and ready to taper slowly.

Dosage 150mg. Average beads in each capsule 543

January 2016. Start tapering. Also taking fish oil, vit e daily and magnesium as required.

08/01 started with 5% taper, held for 2 weeks the. Another 5% and held for a month.

3rd March another 10% cut, now taking out 102 beads. Hold for a month then assess.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Wellness.  And thank you for moderating.

 

I saw mention that you ditched Depakote while still being polymedicated.  Can you tell me more about this?

 

I am on it's little cousin but equally blah toxin of torture.  At least that's what I like to think about it.  Maybe just encouragement to get back to the mixing and titrating down.......... as I am afraid to just ditch it.  It's my last med.  I am however functioning so low that mixing now seems a challenge.  As does holding.  As does nearly every little bit of daily functioning.

 

Brief reprieves are all I get now.  Much fatigue.  Almost 2 months now in this state.

 

Even just hugs and a hang in 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.  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

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Manymoretodays,

 

I unceremoniously ditched depakote cold turkey, but I had only taken it for less than two weeks.  Basically, I just thought it was garbage, at least for me it was. 

 

Looking at your signature, it looks like they really threw the book at you (with all of the drugs).  You must be so pleased to be off of all of it except for the one, congratulations, well done.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thank you for the response.

 

I will probably just stay on it as I think it helps me sleep.  Or ditch it.   I just can't help but feel it is contributing to my low and slowness.

 

I can't feel very much pleased at much lately.  Maybe better tomorrow.  This is just a long hard stretch again..............

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.  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

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey manymoredays, I'm sending you Hugs and a "hang in there!" your way!

 

Agreed, what a great accomplishment to get off all but the one!  You can always very slowly nudge the dose towards zero if you like, or hold for a long time and make a decision about it another day.  

 

Maybe it's the winter blahs adding to your situation.  I'm trying a SAD lamp to see if it will energize me, and I have to say I've been more productive since I got it.  That's relative; to some I probably don't look productive at all LOL!

 

I find playing my Pandorae Beck station can get me feeling good, upbeat.  Listening to comedy or humorous videos that make me laugh is also helpful. Try to surround yourself with things that you have found enjoyable in the past, and perhaps your spirit will be lifted a bit.

 

We're all rooting for you!

SG

Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac.  Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002
Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history.  Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots!
Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off.  Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep.

June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened!  Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015.

Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month.

12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 

Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18:  2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor

 

My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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Thank you SG.  Good ideas.  And I haven't been doing all I should be.  I did master brushing my teeth and getting out in associate(sons) car as the driver while he ran in and got pizza and then a few more groceries.  signed: one tearful but hopeful human, the tears as I am touched by your kindness.

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.  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

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

:)  :D  :lol:

 

I laugh at the brushing of the teeth, because I've had plenty of days where I never made it out of my pjs!

 

SG

Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac.  Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002
Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history.  Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots!
Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off.  Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep.

June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened!  Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015.

Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month.

12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 

Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18:  2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor

 

My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Oh.......I am not out of pjs.  If I gave the full description...........well, it's pretty funny or will be at a later date.  And it was under the cover of night.

 

Sorry for the hijack Wellness.

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.  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

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

That's fine manymoredays, 

 

I can relate about teeth brushing.  Been there, survived to tell the tale.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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  • 3 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Here is my story.  It is a long post.  If you are sensitive and likely to get scared, do yourself a favor and don't read it.  

 

The Coles notes version is that I'm healing nicely.  

 

 Update  April 28, 2016        

 

In August 2010, after several months of disrupted sleep (my cat), I started taking zopiclone to help me sleep.  Three weeks later, I started having anxiety and a panic attack from what I now believe to have been a side effect of the medication (inter-dose withdrawal), and I still had disrupted sleep.

Since I never had rolling panic attacks and anxiety before, I went to the ER, on September 16, 2010.  They kept me two days, and discontinued the zopiclone and added chloral hydrate, olanzapine, and lorazepam - all taken at night for sleep.  I was told that the sleep disturbance was the underlying cause of the anxiety and panic attacks.

The symptoms of panic, anxiety, and disrupted sleep continued in the ensuing two weeks, and I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital on October 1, 2010 for six days.  They added Seroquel, Epival, Nosinan, then removed olanzapine, chloral hydrate, and Nozinan, but kept lorazepam, all for sleep.

The daily rolling panic attacks and anxiety continued to intensify over the following three months.  By then I could barely swallow, could only drink liquids foods, had lost a significant amount of weight, I could not speak anymore, only whisper because my vocal cords seized up.  My sight was affected and things looked very dark.  I lost all sensations in my body, had no sensation of hunger or thirst, did not feel the need to pee, I no longer felt pain, I could not feel my limbs nor distinguish between hot from cold water on my skin, I didn’t have any sensation in my stomach, gut, or bladder, and was never sleepy but I was exhausted, and I stopped menstruating.  My duration of my short term memory was less than a second and my other cognitive functions were severely damaged; I was no longer able to care for myself.  I spent the majority of my days in a state of extreme fear and terror, and had rolling panics and experienced brain zaps in the evening after taking the medication.  I returned to the hospital and was prescribed an antidepressant to take in addition to all other drugs. 

By mid-December 2010, I suspected that the benzodiazepine was causing my symptoms because I could see a recurring pattern of panic and anxiety, intensifying throughout the day, and lorazepam, and before that zopiclone were the only constants in my medication.  By then I knew that I was dependant to lorazepam because once when I tried to lower the nightly prn dose of lorazepan, I went in withdrawal (violent shaking, etc.).  Although I was in an extreme state of nervous shock, I managed to find the Ashton manual online.  In consultation with my treating physician, who told me she did not have knowledge of benzodiazepine discontinuation methods and refused my diazepam crossover, I started tapering the lorazepam in early January 2011, (and the other medications shortly thereafter). Over the span of three weeks I tapered the lorazepam not realizing that it was an over rapid reduction.  On January 20, 2011, I took my last dose of lorazepam, and experienced acute withdrawal.  Over the next several months, I felt intense withdrawal symptoms in addition to the symptoms already mentioned.  Over the following year, I slept minutes at a time when I slept at all.  The fatigue was more intense than any fatigue I had ever felt before this time, I had a splitting headache and gut wrenching nausea that lasted the better part of two years.  My resting heart rate was approximately 160 beats per minute for months.   It has taken three years for my heart rate to decrease to 80 beats per minutes, it was 60 before I took the drugs.

 

I have had no support from the medical community, who shunned me as soon as it became increasing obvious that the prescribed drugs were causing the illness and that medical mistakes had been done.  My right to personal privacy was violated and some of the documents in my files were altered after the fact (I have a copy of the originals documents before they were altered).  My request for file corrections went unanswered.  I was diagnosed with new psychiatric labels on several occasions and condescending remarks were written in my medical files when I refused more medication. 

It has been five and a half years since my last dose of lorazepam.  My typical dose was 1 mg/day and I took it for about four to five months. I take no other drugs of any kind and no supplements.

I have seen a gradual and systematic decrease in all symptoms. 

I have almost completely regained my sense of hunger, thirst, satiety, or needing to pee.  I still have some disrupted sleep, insomnia, fatigue, poor temperature regulation, mental tension, impaired short term memory and ability to concentrate for long periods of time, I sometimes have difficulty putting my thoughts together, difficulty learning new information, poor sense of time perception, some brain-fog, low resistance to stress.  The shaking is almost all gone except for some times I wake up during the night still shaking.  I have a traumatic stress injury. I still have some myoclonic jerks when I’m trying to fall asleep but they have gone from 60 or so a day, to 2-3 a day.  The tinnitus that I thought would never go away is gone completely some days.  I still have some sensitivity to light and sound.

 

I have almost no derealisation, depression, extreme anxiety, irritability, mood lability left.  The nerve zaps, shudders and the feeling that my nerves were buzzing is also gone too. I had a high startle response and that has decreased substantially. 

 

The headaches and nausea lifted at around the two year mark.

 

My resting heat rate is now near normal at 60-70 beats per minutes after years of elevated heart rate from 160 beats per minutes.   I still have some periods of restlessness but at times I am completely relaxed.

 

I still have chronic pain all day that restricts my activities.  

 

Other than some of the pain, I did not have these symptoms before taking benzodiazepines.

 

Physically, what I can best describe as my sensations to pain, started returning a few months after the drug discontinuation, after almost 8 months little or no sensation in my body.  I may have overuse injuries in my joints from not having had feedback to pain. First, my entire backbone from neck down to lower back felt like I had a sharp electric current running through it for several hours a day (pail level 10). I also had shooting sciatic pain in both legs.). In my upper body, I had nerve pain running from the shoulders blades and shoulders down to my hands on both sides.  I could not use my arms or hands very much. I had and continue to have painful nerve twitch in my neck and muscle spasms in and around the neck and upper back.  I was bedridden most of the day for several months from the returning sensation of pain and from mental exhaustion. I worked  with a physical therapist to devise  a plan to keep me from wasting any more by going to a therapy pool and doing stretching and strengthening exercises, “pushing through the pain” to gain some muscle tone back.  Walking, sitting, or using my hands was still painful. My arms and hands regularly went numb.

 

I had considerable pain in my feet, knees, and hips.  When the sensation of pain returned these hurt the point where, for almost 3 weeks, I had difficulty walking even a few steps.  My feet now tingle (burn?), and I have sensations of heat and cold at the same time, in both feet, all day most days.  My knee and hip still hurt from what is probably an inflammation reaction at the joint capsules.

 

At about the same time as the pain returned, my skin started itching from my neck down to my entire front torso at first, then a few months later the itching sensation had spread to most of my body, along with tingling.  I no longer have the itching sensation; it lasted for about six months.

 

 I have seen very gradual but significant reduction in the following symptoms since drug discontinuation:

 

-      Panics and terror are all but gone.

-      All rebound anxieties are decreasing, but still very high, I feel like I’m in a “fight or flight” mode.

-      Metallic taste in my mouth seems to be gone.

-      Adrenaline rushes and heart palpitations have stopped.

-      Resting heart is normal down from about  160 + beats per minutes for months.

-      Brain zaps stopped immediately after lorazepam discontinuation.

-      Akathesia is gone.

-      I eyes can focus my eyes and I no longer shake and have nystagmus but I still have sensitivity to lights.

-      I can swallow well, I have regained the ability to sense food textures, and have regained taste.

-      Shaking has decreased at all levels but I still shake occasionally during the night.  My manual dexterity is still compromised and I drop things easily.  Myoclonic jerks are less frequent and less severe - they have gone from approximately 60 a day to approximately 2-3 a day.

-      Sleep is improving but I still sleep in increments of one to two hours at a time.  My sleep is fitful.  I typically sleep 4-6 hours broken up in waves and windows fashion.

-      My voice has returned to normal.

-      Tightness in my chest is gone, breathing is no longer shallow and rapid.

-      Acid reflux has left and so has nausea.

-      The headaches left at around the two year mark.

-      Teeth clenching is gone, but now my jaws sometimes lock.

-      Burning nerve pain has decreased in intensity in my back but still present at times. This has mostly been replaced with nerve pain at several locations along the backbone.

-      Short term memory, concentration,  and all cognitive stills have improved.

-      I am more functional at all levels.

 

Psychological symptoms

 

I have a traumatic stress injury.

I do not have the emotional reserve to stressors and still do not use the phone.

 

Functionality

 

Slowly improving at all levels.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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Omg, wellness, I just finished reading your story in disbelief of the terror you went through! You are so strong to endure all for so long gaining your life back! It makes me speechless. I admire you and your strength! You set a great example for everyone going through the hell still.

 

Thanks so much for sharing your story! It proves one more time no mattere how much damage these poisons can make to us, our brain and body still can heal!

 

Many big hugs to you!

Lex

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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  • Moderator Emeritus

That's the bottom line, we can and do recover, even when it's bad.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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Your story is incredibly inspirational, Wellness. Thank you so much for sharing. I needed this today, as I'm again in a state of hopelessness, and getting new symptoms from my xanax that I cannot yet taper. I wish this recovery for us all.

 

Have there been any helpful strategies you have used in your recovery?

History of Wellbutrin, Neurontin, Buspar, Paxil and others in 1990's - teenage years

Xanax .5 mg as needed 2010-2015

One injection of Haldol in ER 10/9/2015 - dystonic reaction (ongoing issues)

One 50 mg pill Zoloft 10/31/15 adverse reaction/s that are ongoing

Xanax .125 mg every 3 hours as needed, .25 mg at bedtime 1/8/16-1/21/16Xanax .25 mg every 3 hours (1.25 mg/day) 1/22/16 - 2/9/16Xanax .25 mg/5 times a day (1.25 mg/day) starting 2/10/16, then tried 6 times/day (2x.25, 4x.1875)Xanax .25 mg/6 times a day (1.5 mg/day) starting 2/19/16

Tapering off of Xanax, switching to Diazepam, starting June 29, 2016, then starting taper soon there after

Completed Xanax taper early Sept 2016, crossover to 20 mg/day Diazepam

Currently at 2 mg Diazepam/day = 1 mg bedtime, 1 mg morning

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  • Moderator Emeritus

crhawck,

 

my only strategy was to get off the drugs, stay off, didn't add any more fuel to the fire, I did not take any supplements. 

 

Going to the therapy pool ( a small swimming pool kept at a very warm temperature) and sauna was very useful.  A quiet and stress free environment was helpful, hot baths, ice packs, mindfulness was useful to keep the panic at bay, and online support were my mainstay.  

 

Just believe the people who have been there before you when they tell you that it all ends and that you will get your life back.  It's true, it happens.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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Thank you Wellness. :) Those are great tips.

History of Wellbutrin, Neurontin, Buspar, Paxil and others in 1990's - teenage years

Xanax .5 mg as needed 2010-2015

One injection of Haldol in ER 10/9/2015 - dystonic reaction (ongoing issues)

One 50 mg pill Zoloft 10/31/15 adverse reaction/s that are ongoing

Xanax .125 mg every 3 hours as needed, .25 mg at bedtime 1/8/16-1/21/16Xanax .25 mg every 3 hours (1.25 mg/day) 1/22/16 - 2/9/16Xanax .25 mg/5 times a day (1.25 mg/day) starting 2/10/16, then tried 6 times/day (2x.25, 4x.1875)Xanax .25 mg/6 times a day (1.5 mg/day) starting 2/19/16

Tapering off of Xanax, switching to Diazepam, starting June 29, 2016, then starting taper soon there after

Completed Xanax taper early Sept 2016, crossover to 20 mg/day Diazepam

Currently at 2 mg Diazepam/day = 1 mg bedtime, 1 mg morning

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  • 1 month later...

Hi Wellness,

 

You have helped me so much. I felt I was in a place to see what your story was but when I got to the part where you gave a warning I have to admit that I had to pretty much skip it. I can't believe everything you have been through and survived to tell the tale as well as be a cheerleader for all of us. You have my admiration and thanks.

 

I hope that your healing continues to the point where you have no leftover symptoms

 

Hugs and peace.

Buspirone to 45mg, Cold Turkey St. John's Wort 600mg Jan 1, 2016. Cold Turkey Buproprion 150SR June 1 due to severe Akathisia that did not decrease with reducing the dosage.

Clonazepam 1.25mg, started daily liquid micro taper of clonazepam on Nov 1, 2016. Changed to sxs based taper 01/17. Slow and steady

11/10/16 .4104 3X day; 11/17/16 .4091 3x day; 11/28/16 .406 3x day; 12/4/16 .404 3x day; 12/11/16 .4028 3x

01/12/17 .39267 3x day holding; 02/25/17 .3902 3x day, holding. .3823mg 3x day. Tapering at .0007462mg as able;  09/21/18 .3542mg 3x day.  1/3/2019 .339mg 3x day. 6/25/19 .3307mg 3x day. 8/24/19 .317mg 3x day 2/13/20 .2886mg 3x day 3/18/21 .2388mg 3x day 06/17/21 .2239mg 3x day 09/13/22 .1682 3x day

L-theanine 200 mg, L-glycine 500mg 1x day and 1000mg 1x day, vit C 1000 mg sustained release 2x day. Fish oil 1800mg EPA + DHA. Vit E 400 IU, magnesium in various forms. Inositol 3x a day abt 14mg, Taurine 500mg.

5/20/16 Using Cranial Eletrotherapy Stimulation. 2x day 1 hour at level 1. Using Alph-Stim AID. 

 

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  • 3 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Wellness,
You are a true warrior! You have my respect, for sure.  Thank you for staying around to help others after the hell you went through.  I am amazed that you are still alive to tell you tale.

I am very proud of your progress!!

S

Current meds: Lexapro 20mg, Valium 6.25mg
Current status: September 2018 forced to go down to 10mg of Valium/Diazepam from around 15mg, with the plan to have me totally of in 2 more months. I was not given a chance to give input at tapering at this speed, please go much, much slower. Luckily I found a new doctor, but was thrown off course by my rapid taper, as of 2/19 am down to 6.25mg, and am stable. Will update with dates of taper ASAP.
Read my history here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/12819-skeeters-journey/

   
I am NOT a doctor. My opinions are just that- MY opinions, based on my personal experiences and research, but your experience and reactions may differ greatly, we are all different! I maintain that a doctor educated in withdrawal is the best place to get info or to get the "go ahead" before changing your medications in any way!

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  • 1 month later...

I echo skeeter! I admire you so much wellness!

Do you have another thread for your update?

I always wonder how you are healing goeS.

 

LEX

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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  • 1 month later...
  • Administrator

Wellness, how are you doing now? What are your plans for your new chapter?

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.

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Just read this thread for the first time.

 

Wow Wellness what a story i can relate so much to what you have written.

Glad your voice has returned to normal, as well as everything else.

 

nz11

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

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello Wellness. I read your story and wow you are a strong person. This is extremely hard going through this. I tried to send you a message but couldnt. Let me know if there is a way I can.

In June 2014 I was taking Celexa for 2 days, 25 mg zoloft 8 weeks, 10 mg Paxil 3 months and 10 mg Lexapro 1 month tapered off in 2 wks.. Was on a total of 6 months had side effects to them all. Went off and had my first panic attack a month later in January 2015. In March 2015 was having stomach issues and was put on Xanax for a week Dr. Said it was anxiety. End of that week woke up heart racing so was put back on Lexapro 5 MG and the next night is when my sleep got messed up. Literally not sleeping

Was it the Xanax or lexapro?? Went off sleep on and off and taking Xanax on and off. The end of April 2015 tried Buspar for 2 days and had side effects and could not sleep at all. Middle of May 2015 went on Ambien and lexapro again. Inner vibration started. Switched to paxil. Went off Ambien in June 2015 and off Paxil July 2015. October 2015 got worse went of zoloft 12.5 mg through December 2015. I was tolerating what I was going through January and February 2016. Then March got worse with horrible panic. Tried hypnotherapy in May 2016 a couple times couldn't Relax when she started counting backwards it freaked me out. Started not sleeping again in May. Went back on Xanax for 2 months May-July 2016. Tried liquid Prozac 5 mg then 10 mg side effects July - August then switched Zoloft 12.5 mg August - September 2016. Been off antidepressants since September 5, 2016. Been off Xanax since July 28, 2016, but I have taken it 8 other times since then through May 2017. Have symptoms going on with agoraphobia. Is this withdrawal??

May 2017 feeling horrible and more intense symptoms.

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  • 5 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi everyone,

 

thanks for dropping by my page.

 

I continue healing and getting better.  I am now working on reading and comprehension.  Since the last two months, there seems to have been some sort of breakthrough where I can read quite quickly and understand much better, still not perfect, but it's a huge improvement.

 

Fatigue is till a major problem, and brain fog, but otherwise many many symptoms have gone and the remaining ones are getting better.  I'm confident that I will continue to improve.

 

Bye for now.

I do not have a medical background, any opinions are my own.

 

I took zopiclone ( z-drug) for situational insomnia. Three weeks later I was having panic attacks. I was given Benzos, A/D, anti-psychotics, "mood stabilizers" and I kept getting worse and worse. I got very sick.

 

I have been off all drugs now for over 5 years and I'm healing nicely.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

That's great, Wellness.  Healing nicely indeed.

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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