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☼ ChessieCat: so I'm not the only one (Pristiq / desvenlafaxine)


ChessieCat

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  • Moderator

I take 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily and so far, all through my tapers it hasn't affected me.

 

Hopefully, you are healed and won't catch anything else😊

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks Frogie.  I really do think that it is related to the Vitamin D.  I am just very thankful that I have the documentation to back it up because I would have had no idea how long ago it was. 

 

I have restarted the Vit D this morning.  I have been taking it for many years, I think at least 12, and I have hardly ever been sick with a cold or flu.  I think what has happened to me is very interesting, especially since I am still wearing a mask when out at the shops and stay fairly well distanced from other people.

 

My hope at this time is that taking it again might help me to recover fully.  I never feel completely over the first virus, with my voice never going back to normal.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *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

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hope the vitamin D helps you @ChessieCat

 

I’ve had to stop mine for a while as a blood test recently showed it’s way too high. Hope you recover fully soon and get your voice back🤗

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks Carmie.

 

Please note that I am not posting this here because I am complaining and I am certainly not looking for sympathy, but it is nice to know that there are some members who truly do care that I've had to do with this, and thank you for that.  What this is, is just a factual account of my life over the last 2 years.

 

I thought I would post this here in my topic because it might help members to realise that "life happens" and can cause issues that might be contributed to ADWD when it is not the case.  It's important to be a detective and try to look outside the ADWD to see what other things might have been at play.  It is now 8.5 months since I stopped Pristiq.  I do not put any of the following down to ADWD post zero. 

 

I actually had a bit of a melt down at work yesterday.  I do not attribute this to WD in any way.  Thankfully there were only 2 people there and they are both very understanding.

 

Note that I have had 2 Covid vaccinations in August and October last year with no issues.  And I haven't caught Covid.

 

The things that I was upset about are all things that I have dealt with before.  However I did assess why it had happened.  And the easiest term to use is "battle weary".  It seems that the stress makes it harder to keep the horrible stuff where they belong and when the thoughts (rumination) starts it is harder to cope.  Like a tap dripping into a sink with the plug in, eventually it will spill over.

 

We went into lockdown in 2020 in March.  I live alone and my dog had died about 5 years prior and I only had my cat who was 21.5 and died in May 2020 (this was upsetting but the timing was good because I would have had trouble caring for her when I hurt my back) so my isolation during Covid was not just physical but social as well.  The first 2 months I really enjoyed going out for a walk every morning, then I hurt my lower back (several weeks of bad pain), I did get to socialise a bit because I was doing hydrotherapy several times a week and didn't return to work until January 2021.  Then I got 2 tears in my left knee meniscus and then we went into seriously hard lockdown (couldn't go to hydro) in June and at that time I developed trigger thumbs in both hands from leaning heavily on my walking stick (they are still aren't 100% but are much better than they were).  They would wake me up at night.  It took about 3 months for this to improve and during that time there was very little I could do because I couldn't use my hands.  It's amazing how much you use your hands; I had trouble pulling up my pants and had to slide my hand in between my body and the pants and pull them up that way because I couldn't grip; I couldn't even dry between my toes after a shower; it was extremely frustrating.  October 2021 I was diagnosed with diabetes and started the low carb diet.  Then I returned to work January 2022.  Then in May I stopped taking vitamin D (it's winter here so I'm not even getting outside much) which I had been taking for 12 years and hardly ever been sick.  Then I got a flu in early June which I never fully recovered from and about 4 weeks later I came down with a very bad head cold and it has been nearly 2 weeks with that.  After catching that I saw a video about Vitamin D and the immune system so I restarted the Vit D just over 1 week ago.  And yesterday was my first day back, still not 100% and feeling tired.  Now the tiredness might be because of the low Vit D and/or it could be from my BP going back to normal.  I have twice had to reduce my tablet (and the symptom was just general fatigue which lasted all day) and I was only taking the minimal amount.  I had a normal reading the doctors surgery, actually I was surprised at how low it was, so this morning I didn't bother taking it.

 

And as you can imagine when I completed my assessment my thought was wow it's not really surprising because I have had 2 horrible years and I'm still not at my best.  And it's no wonder that I'm sick of being sick.  And to add to it since mid 2020 hardly anything has been done around the house and I've been home for about 6 of the last 8 weeks seeing it and the state of the house gets me down.  As well as it being cold because it's winter so I only heat one room (because of the cost) so don't move out of that room much.

 

As you can imagine I am very thankful that I found the video about Vit D.  Hopefully I can now recover completely and not be as susceptible to Covid.

 

Anyway, considering what the last 2 years have been like, I think I'm doing reasonable well, but I do know that knowing what has contributed to it definitely helps.

* 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

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ChessieCat,

 

That is really a lot for one person to go through, alone, over more than two years.  Plus, that entire time, you have been here helping people with very difficult situations.  I think it’s likely that Vitamin D will be the key to getting your health back on track.  Winter is tough no matter the circumstances.  When the house is a mess because you have been sick, but you have to stay inside, there’s an effect on your mood.  
 

I’m very glad that post-zero is not an issue.  To have that added on top of all of the rest - wow.
 

Maybe your hand will heal enough that you will soon be able to get another cat.  While it might seem like too much now, I hope you heal quickly.


There are several new litter boxes these days that make the whole ordeal less difficult.  A friend of mine had one that used electricity and had a connection to her clothes washing machine!  She said it actually worked well.  It was crazy expensive, and the strange, white pellets are not cheap.  Somehow, it removed the poo, and then cleaned the pellets.  You never know; it might pencil out over the long term if it would let you have a cat.  There is also toilet training.  I knew someone whose cat used the toilet.  There’s an insert you buy and put litter in until the cat gets used to that.  Then, you take the insert away, and the cat goes in the toilet.  It’s not a guarantee that every cat will cooperate, however.

 

I’m glad your co-workers were understanding, and I hope you feel better soon.  

 

Rosetta

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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Dear dear ChessieCat,

I'm sorry you've had two horrible years.

It's a lot to go through, and to deal with it alone, and while tapering.  

The battle weariness is understandable given the cumulative stress. 

Please take gentle care of yourself. You deserve no less.

You offer such generous support to so many. 

Thank you for your dedication. 

I wish you peace, relief, recovery -- sooner rather than later. 

Thinking of you and sending healing vibes <3

A.

 

 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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  • Moderator

That's really hard, ChessieCat.

Battle weary is a great description.  You can be extremely proud of yourself for having completed your taper.  It seems cruel that instead of relaxing now and getting on with our lives, we are trying to heal in a time of great hazards and social pressures.

 

One foot in front of the other, a dear friend once advised me in a rough patch.  I hope you are feeling better soon.

 

I have a lot of difficulty typing now.  It is infuriating how when I want to deal with businesses, govt, services, facilities etc, they now look at me funny when I don't want to use a computer, mobile or app to deal with them.  Pen and paper, in person and on the phone are hardly unreasonable contact methods to demand.
Me on retiring from I.T:  "Oh well, it will be nice not to have deal with computers now"
Rest of the world:  "What do you mean, you don't have the internet on?" and "Sir, everyone carries a mobile phone now.  You will have to wait 4 days in iso for your PCR test if you use a paper form." 

I am fairly sure that AMPK was affected by the drug, softening the cartilege in my fingers and inducing some kind of arthritis that they cannot otherwise diagnose.  It doesn't seem to be going away, and has prompted a career change.  I wonder if this might be a factor for you, too.  Did I hear recently that arthritis has been increasing here?

These are also very tough times to take a big income cut, and welfare is atrocious now.  Being cut off from our social networks IRL shows how poorly recent Australian social policies are enacted.  I had never been lonely before Delta in my life!

Threw a party yesterday.  Hugs, kisses, music, food, drink, rude jokes and all that good stuff that used to be at least weekly.  Worth the effort 🙂
 

I am not a health professional - your actions are your own.  

Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one"

My taper visualised as a graph   |   My intro thread

Backdrop:  2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole

2015: olanzapine  10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg  by crude pill cutter

2018:  Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold

Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214  -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂

Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks

Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^

Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone

 

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you"  -- KMFDM

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  • Moderator
On 7/14/2017 at 9:12 AM, ChessieCat said:

UPDATE:  Down to 20mg today.  1/5 of original dose.  Opening capsule so that if there is any interdose withdrawal it will be during my sleep.

 

Still notice a slight increase in anxiety after making a reduction but on the whole I'm doing reasonably well.  I'm able to listen to talks and watch videos but find reading a bit difficult.  I've also found that a word game I was playing 3-6 months ago is harder.  You are presented with 26 letters and have to make 3 words.  I've also found that I'm better able to multitask whereas previously I was only able to do one thing at a time and it usually took my full concentration.  It also seems like I don't lose my words or train of thought as much as I used to when talking to people.

 

I'm not feeling the need to sleep during the day now.  Early last year I was needing a 2 hour sleep, whereas now I only occasionally nod off if I'm watching TV.  During the night if I wake up the feeling like want to jump out of my skin rarely occurs and when it does I'm able to cope with it.  It's nice to be feeling emotions again.  I haven't experienced any bouts of depression, more just periods of being down.  I'm still finding it difficult to get motivated to do things around the house but previously there would be a feeling of dread with it.

 

Tapering graph to December 2018 April 2019:

 

666331064_TaperApr2019.png.aa4fe62848a1e20b2d0642bb7fe09275.png

 


I only just saw your graph here.  Remarkable how we both started with a big drop, went back up a bit, and had a longer hold at half way.  Cheers.

I am not a health professional - your actions are your own.  

Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one"

My taper visualised as a graph   |   My intro thread

Backdrop:  2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole

2015: olanzapine  10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg  by crude pill cutter

2018:  Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold

Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214  -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂

Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks

Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^

Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone

 

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you"  -- KMFDM

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Just had to share this that came up on my FB page:

 

May be an image of text

* 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

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  • Moderator Emeritus

UPDATE:

 

9 months AD free today!!!  Still no obvious symptoms which I would definitely attribute to withdrawal.

 

Health-wise I am almost back to normal after getting the flu at the beginning of June and then 6 weeks later (when I was almost over the flu) getting a head cold (4.5 weeks).

* 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

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That’s amazing Chessie.  Well done, I’m so happy for you!  🥹 

1997-2006 - Prozac 20mg

2006-2015 - Lexapro 15mg, Klonopin .5mg PRN

2015 - Paxil | 2016 - Remeron 30mg | Mar 2017 - Lexapro 7.5mg, Kpin .5mg |July 2017 - Pristiq 50mg, Kpin 1mg

Oct 2017 - Celexa 20mg, Kpin .5mg | Feb 2018 - celexa 20mg, Kpin to Valium 7.5mg 

April 2018 - rapid taper of Celexa and Valium leading to crash

May 2018 -  Aug  2019 - Fluoxetine 15 mg, Valium 3.5mg

Aug 2019 -April 2020 - Micro liquid taper off 3.5mg valium end April 6 2020. Liquid Fluoxetine 12mg per day

May 2020 - Nov 2021 -   liquid fluoxetine 12mg per day.

Dec 2021 Direct switch from 12mg generic liquid fluoxetine to 10mg Prozac Capsule | May 24 2022 - 9.5mg | July 1 9.2mg | Aug 14 9.0mg | Aug 30 8.9mg | Dec 1 8.8mg

*Zero alcohol since July 2020.  Supplement include 3000 mg Fish oil, 1000mg Vit C.  100mcg B12

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Milestone:  I disposed of all of my Pristiq today!

* 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

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  • Moderator
15 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

Milestone:  I disposed of all of my Pristiq today!


Love those days where you just know it's the day :D

I am not a health professional - your actions are your own.  

Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one"

My taper visualised as a graph   |   My intro thread

Backdrop:  2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole

2015: olanzapine  10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg  by crude pill cutter

2018:  Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold

Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214  -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂

Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks

Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^

Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone

 

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you"  -- KMFDM

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On 8/22/2022 at 4:35 AM, ChessieCat said:

Milestone:  I disposed of all of my Pristiq today!

 

Oh wow, this is awesome! Way to go, ChessieCat! 

Doing a little dance for you <3

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

HI Hayduke and Ariel.  Yes, it just seemed the right time.  No fanfare or celebration, just a matter of fact I was well past the time frame that I might need a tiny speck.

 

UPDATE:  10 months off tomorrow.  I wanted to update now whilst I remember.

 

I definitely don't feel like I have had any withdrawal symptoms and I think if I was going to I would have noticed it over the last month.  Read below to see what physically demanding work I have been doing.

 

I finally got over my flu and cold.  I did restart my Vitamin D and also started taking a small amount of zinc; apparently both are helpful for the immune system.  It seemed to take a long time before I was completely well; my gauge for this was being able to sing to my songs whilst driving to work.

 

And physically I am doing really well.  Over the last 4 weeks I have been digging a BIG hole, and DEEP (half 27", half 32" - I'm only 5' so it's just as well it wasn't any deeper - I was lying down scraping dirt into a bucket and then hauling it up with a rope), to find a collapsed storm water 3 way T-connection in my front yard.  I have had to be very careful so as not to hurt my back and my knees, but I've done it bit by bit.  I did end up with sore glutes but I think it might have been the medius and minimus, not the maximus which I have been working on.  But overall I've been very pleased that I've managed to do what I have done.  I'm not organising for a plumber to fix the pipes and then I will gradually work on putting the dirt back in the hole.

 

And my trigger thumbs, which started about this time last year, have been reasonably good too.  I exercise and massage them and it is only very rarely that they feel like they want to click.  Considering how much I have been working with my hands I am very pleased with how they are.

* 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

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  • Mentor

Gosh, is it 10 months off already - time goes so fast, which bodes well for those of us with 3 more years to go! So pleased to hear you’re feeling fully recovered from your mysterious flu like virus and that you have been able to be so active. I’m also slowly increasing my physical activity and whereas a year ago it wore me out, now I can do it without paying for it all week. Hope you keep going from strength to strength ☺️

am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions based on my own experience and SA guidelines. I am unable to respond to private messages. 

Mirtazepine 15mg Nov 2018 -April 2019  April - Sept 2019 Mirtazepine down to around 6mg - skipping days to taper

October 2019 - Dec 2019 unwell from failed taper including jumping about in doses 

15 December 2019 to 13 June 2021 15mg Mirtazepine 

14 June 2021 started brass monkey Slide.  
2021: 23 August 12.3mg, 28 October 11.1mg, 6 Dec 10mg

2022: 12 Feb 8.5, 25 Oct 4.5mg

2023: 16 Jan 3.6mg, 28 Sept 1.8mg

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  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

UPDATE:  Well it's now 11 months since I stopped Pristiq.  I found some compounded capsules (10) in the kitchen cupboard the other day.  I've just remembered about them and now they have been disposed of.

 

Nothing to report withdrawal-wise.

_________________________________

 

22 October 2021 was when I started reducing my carbs.  I haven't yet arranged for another blood test and liver scan.  My appointment with the cardiologist is in 1 week's time; it was made 5 months ago.  I am not experiencing any angina (I recently dug a large hole for my storm water and I have no issues when mowing the yard).  I think the doctor wants a follow up after the ECG showed possible old heart attack which I think might have happened when I had several episodes of anaphylaxis (no treatment given) due to MSG intolerance.  This was sometime in my mid-30s and I'm nearly 65.

 

Weight:  was 80kg, now 65kg

Waist:    was 44 inches, now 38 inches

 

The amazing thing is putting on clothes that had previously been a little bit tight and now they swim on me.  I bought 2 new shirts last weekend and was pleasantly surprised to have to buy a smaller size than I thought I would need.  And it's so nice looking in the mirror and seeing a slimmer me.  Losing weight was not the goal but a very nice benefit of the low carb way of eating.  And of course it's much better for my back and knees.

* 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

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  • Mentor

This sounds like super progress, so glad to hear how well it’s all going.  Good for you ChessieCat 👍👍👍

am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions based on my own experience and SA guidelines. I am unable to respond to private messages. 

Mirtazepine 15mg Nov 2018 -April 2019  April - Sept 2019 Mirtazepine down to around 6mg - skipping days to taper

October 2019 - Dec 2019 unwell from failed taper including jumping about in doses 

15 December 2019 to 13 June 2021 15mg Mirtazepine 

14 June 2021 started brass monkey Slide.  
2021: 23 August 12.3mg, 28 October 11.1mg, 6 Dec 10mg

2022: 12 Feb 8.5, 25 Oct 4.5mg

2023: 16 Jan 3.6mg, 28 Sept 1.8mg

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  • 5 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.-HT0XEZrzE8yeaAHNPElMQHaC4%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=46a3a4f188351637487a08544f07b96db94bdf09fc1df9251471e32f636a643e&ipo=images

* 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

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Yes, I've been off Pristiq completely for 1 whole year today.

 

As I've stated in previous updates, there are no symptoms that I experience that I would say are definitely withdrawal symptoms.

 

Now I am NOT saying that I am completely free of withdrawal symptoms.  What I am saying is that I do not know if any symptoms that I feel ARE withdrawal symptoms.  I just cannot tell if they are.  And there is no way of working out if they are.  There are so many other things which might be the cause/contributor of anything that I experience that I just accept that I do have a symptom, try to work out what non-withdrawal thing might have caused it (so I can assess whether I could have done things differently and not do it again or change things to reduce the chance of it happening or the impact) and use my non drug coping skills.  And I remind myself, if necessary, that I did as careful a taper as I could do and if they are withdrawal symptoms then I would have had to cope with them even if I didn't have the other issues which might be the cause.  Stressing and worrying about it is not going to help and can actually make things worse. 

 

Three cheers for non drug coping skills!  They have been very helpful in so many various situations.

 

Just this week I was lying down on the CT angiogram scanner bed about to begin the test (going into a close tunnel) and I started having a panic attack and knew that if I didn't do something about it, then it would have been a full blown attack whilst in the machine.  I said to the radiologist that I needed some more time to calm myself down.  He did that and after a few minutes (it wasn't very long) I had managed to get it under control and did the test with no issues.  And it was the non drug coping skills that I have learned here that allowed me to do this.  But the big thing was that I recognised it early.  I don't have the results yet.

 

Non-drug techniques

 

 

Edited by ChessieCat

* 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

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Because you're feeling 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!

 

Please see this topic:  How to write your success story

 

Oooh, Ccat, I hope you are okay with the sunshine symbol.  And I figure you know how and will write your success story very soon, or when you feel ready to.

 

Nothing like spreading a little sunshine symbol next to your topic.  And I'm still reading it too, loads of wisdom in here.

 

Okay, can't find my likely annoying lavender in the edit panel today.....so

 

L, P, H, and Growth baby!

mmt

 

Your on the superstar track, always have been if you ask me.  Brilliant.

Edited by manymoretodays

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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  • Mentor

Congratulations CC !!!!👏 

Awesome 💥
 

2000-2013 Paxil - 1 year fast taper

2013-2018 merry go round
zoloft, cymbalta, lamictal, Prozac.

 Nov. 2018 lexapro 15 mgs, Dec. 2019 to Mar. 2020 taper to 10mg. Jul 2020 to October 2020 taper to 8.5 ml.
Oct 2020 reinstated to 9 ml.
Apr 2021 to Jul  taper to 7ml. Oct 2021 to Jan 2022 taper to 5.9ml, Mar 5 2022 5.8 ml, Mar 12 5.7ml, Mar 20 5.6ml, Mar 27 5.5ml, April 23 5.4ml, April 30 5.3ml, May 7 5.2ml,  Jul 9 2022 5.4ml, 

Klonopin prn, Allegra 180 for 3 seasons, aspirin 81 mg, plavix , nitroglycerin 0.4 mg prn, 2k mg  turmeric Qunol, 4- Trader Joe’s omega 3 -2400 mg, Pepcid 20mg,  Prilosec 40 mg, Tylenol arthritis 4 tablets daily, 350mg calm magnesium citrate, melatonin 2.5- 5mg as needed to sleep. Saline spray as needed. 

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16 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Yes, I've been off Pristiq completely for 1 whole year today.

 

 

Congratulations!

 

I hope that you get the results from the scan soon, and with good news.

2003 - Ritalin, Vyvanse
2004 - Wellbutrin
2006 - Temazepam, possibly an antidepressant

2006 to present - testosterone cypionate, 100mg every 10 days
2008 - Clonazepam
2011 - Chantix, Adderall, Vyvanse, Lamictal 200mg
2012 - Lamictal 200mg, Wellbutrin
2013 - Lamictal 200mg, others
2014 - Lamictal 200mg, Latuda, Prozac, Clonazepam, Gabapentin, others
2015 on - Lamictal 200mg, Sapphris, Vraylar, Clonazepam, Lithium, Wellbutrin, Desipramine, Effexor, Adderall, Seroquel, Depakote, others, ECT
2018 to 2022 - medical cannabis for headaches
2022 (ended in March) - Lamictal 200mg, Wellbutrin XL 300mg, Adderall 15mg, Lexapro 5mg, Xanax 0.5mg (prn)

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  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey there ChessieCat.

You are missed.......you've gone quiet for a bit.

I do hope all is well enough and you are just doing that self care thing we all need to do from time to time.

 

And Happy New Year.  Whoosh.  2023.

I think it just hit me today. 

I'm feeling all rushed and flustered, and not at all ready on this 3rd day of the New Year.

 

Oh well.  Ready or not.....it's here.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

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

 

Link to comment
  • 4 months later...
On 12/10/2015 at 6:55 PM, brassmonkey said:

Every alteration in dosing up, down, manufacturer or timing counts as a change and has to be allowed to stabilize before the next change is made.

 

I am new to a Pristiq taper via Outro Health and am reading these old threads for info. This was such a useful way of looking at it; thank you!

5-10 mg lexapro 2006 to 2016. 

50 mg pristiq 2016 to 2013.

started taper May 4, 2023 with support of Outro Health.

Two weeks at 46 mg; had to reinstate due to withdrawal symptoms, which resolved after reinstatement.

current dose 50 mg.

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  • Mentor

Hello @LyndaCarter, great that you have found this website.  I’m very suspicious of companies that claim to be able to help people off ADs. I’ve lost count of the people I’ve seen here who have paid for “help” and ended up extremely unwell.  However I have looked this company up and see Mark Horowitz is on the team so that is very good news. He learned all about tapering from personal experience and was greatly aided by this website.  I would say that everything you need is on this site, for free, including support so do bear that in mind. I wish you all the best with your taper ☺️

am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions based on my own experience and SA guidelines. I am unable to respond to private messages. 

Mirtazepine 15mg Nov 2018 -April 2019  April - Sept 2019 Mirtazepine down to around 6mg - skipping days to taper

October 2019 - Dec 2019 unwell from failed taper including jumping about in doses 

15 December 2019 to 13 June 2021 15mg Mirtazepine 

14 June 2021 started brass monkey Slide.  
2021: 23 August 12.3mg, 28 October 11.1mg, 6 Dec 10mg

2022: 12 Feb 8.5, 25 Oct 4.5mg

2023: 16 Jan 3.6mg, 28 Sept 1.8mg

Link to comment
On 5/15/2023 at 8:13 AM, Faure said:

Hello @LyndaCarter, great that you have found this website.  I’m very suspicious of companies that claim to be able to help people off ADs. I’ve lost count of the people I’ve seen here who have paid for “help” and ended up extremely unwell.  However I have looked this company up and see Mark Horowitz is on the team so that is very good news. He learned all about tapering from personal experience and was greatly aided by this website.  I would say that everything you need is on this site, for free, including support so do bear that in mind. I wish you all the best with your taper ☺️

 

I believe Dr. Horowitz is a cofounder and Altostrata, who founded this forum, is an advisor.

 

There are a number of significant benefits, but one very big one for me is access to a psychiatric nurse practitioner who monitors my progress, prescribes my tapered doses and works with the compounding pharmacy to get them prepared and sent to me.

 

Having help from a psychopharmocology specialist with prescribing powers who understands withdrawal and discontinuation and believes in the hyperbolic taper method has been invaluable for me.

5-10 mg lexapro 2006 to 2016. 

50 mg pristiq 2016 to 2013.

started taper May 4, 2023 with support of Outro Health.

Two weeks at 46 mg; had to reinstate due to withdrawal symptoms, which resolved after reinstatement.

current dose 50 mg.

Link to comment

@ChessieCat how have you been doing now so far out from your taper? 

Medicated at age 7. Many med changes (over 20). Tapered off Xanax in 2018. 
 

PAXIL TAPER:  
2021: Feb. dropped from 20mg to 15mg Paxil. Terrible. Bedridden for 8 months.  Oct. - 14.6mg  Oct. 27 - 14.2 mg Nov. 14 - 14mg  Feb. 28 - 13.6mg March. 28 - 13.4mg April 5 - 13.4mg but introducing liquid (bad reaction)  2022:  November 14 - 13.2mg  2023:  January 4 - 13mg March 7 - 12.7mg April 20 - 12.4mg May 16 - 12.1mg Aug. 30 - 12mg Oct. 19 - switched from tablet to liquid from compounding pharmacy Nov. 12. 11.65mg Nov. 30 - 11.3mg Dec. 18 - 10.95 2024 Jan. 4 - 10.75 Feb. 10 - 10.4 Feb. 28 - 10MG!!!!!!

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  • 2 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi everyone,

 

Thank you for your messages.  It's now been 8 months since I've logged in.  The time was right for me to leave SA both as a member and a moderator.  I'd like to wish everyone well.

 

I'm doing okay and getting on with life.

 

WITHDRAWAL UPDATE:  I believe that I am fully over my AD withdrawal and that any issues that arise are from other things.  I do still have days when my mood is low but that happens to everyone and is part of life.  For anyone new to reading my topic, I was on an AD for more than 25 years (my signature gives a bit more info).

 

I've been following a low carb lifestyle for 21 months (remitting my diabetes) and I am metabolically healthy backed up by blood tests and scans.

 

Edited by ChessieCat

* 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

Link to comment
  • Mentor
2 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

Hi everyone,

 

Thank you for your messages.  It's now been 8 months since I've logged in.  The time was right for me to leave SA both as a member and a moderator.  I'd like to wish everyone well.

 

I'm doing okay and getting on with life.

 

WITHDRAWAL UPDATE:  I believe that I am fully over my AD withdrawal and that any issues that arise are from other things.  I do still have days when my mood is low but that happens to everyone and is part of life.  For anyone new to reading my topic, I was on an AD for more than 25 years (my signature gives a bit more info).

 

I've been following a low carb lifestyle for 20 months (remitting my diabetes) and I am metabolically healthy backed up by blood tests and scans.

 

I'm very happy for you!  Thank you for all your hard work.  I wish you all the best!  ❤️

Disclaimer:  This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only.

1994 - 2017:  Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien

2005-present:  Trazodone 50 mg 

2017:  Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 

2020 (March):  Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg)

2021 (September):  Completely crashed.  Went back up to 37.5 mg but in doing so I kindled myself for two years

2024:  1/1:  35.6 mg (-6 beads)  |  2/1:  33.8 mg (-11 beads)  |  3/1:  32.1 mg (-16 beads)

Reasons for starting psych meds:  PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Other medications:  Levothyroxine 75 mcg

Supplements:  Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion   

 

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Thanks for all your contributions and hard work.

Much appreciated 🙏

Wish you all the best!

 

Cheers

Jozeff

Sep- 2016 - Okt 2017 citalopram some months 15 mg some months 20 mg

Nov 2017- Apr 2018 citalopram 25 mg

Apr 2018 -  Jun 2018 citalopram 3 month TAPER too fast  from 25mg to 16.5 mg (0.1 mg per day decrease, felt horrible and crashed)

Jun 2018 - Aug13th 2018 citalopram trying to stabilize at 16.5 mg for 5 wks

- August 14th 2018 - April 29th 2019  citalopram 18 mg (1.5 mg updose).

 

2019 apr 27 : START taper citalopram @ 18 mg: 29Jun 16.4 mg / 19aug 15.4 mg / 25aug 15.2 mg / 30sep 14.0 mg / 4dec 13.1 mg

2020  03Jan 12.75 mg / 28Jan 12.29 mg / 18Feb 11.83 mg, 25Feb 11.68 mg hold.. / 7May 11.33 mg hold...., 4Aug 10.98 mg / 5Dec 10.0 mg 4 month hold...

2021 30mar 9.8 mg / 06apr 9.5 mg /  13apr 9.4 mg / 14may 8,5 mg / 04jun 8,0 mg / 11jun 7.75 mg, 02jul 7.35 mg /  09jul 7.2 mg hold 3 weeks during holiday /31jul 7 mg/ 8aug 6.8 mg / 15aug 6.63mg / 22aug 6.5mg / 1sep 6.3 mg / 8sep 6.15 mg / 15sep 6.0 mg / 22sep 5.9 mg / 29sep 5.8 mg / 04 oct 5.65 mg / 10oct 5.55 mg / 17oct 5.45 mg / 24oct 5.35mg / 30oct 5.25 mg hold 3 wks / 22nov 5.15 mg / 01dec 5.1mg / 12dec 5.0mg / 20dec 4.85mg / 30dec 4.70mg

2022   08jan 4.5 mg / 16jan 4.4 mg / 23jan 4.3 mg / 27jan 4.2 mg / 18feb 4.1 mg / 25feb 4.0 mg / 04mar 3.9 mg / 11mar 3.75 mg / 18Mar 3.65 mg / 09apr 3.55 mg / 16apr 3.45 mg / 23apr 3.35 mg / 01may 3.25 mg / 8may 3.15 mg / 17may 3.10 mg / 28 may 3.0 mg / 7jun 2.94 mg / 18 Jun 2.88 mg / 27 jun 2.84 mg / 05 jul 2.80 mg / 16 jul 2.75 mg / 23 jul 2.70 mg / 01aug 2.65 mg / 09aug 2.60 mg hold 5wks / 18sep 2.55 mg / 25sep 2.5 mg /02oct 2.45 mg / 10oct 2.40 mg / 19oct 2.35 mg / 27oct 2.30 mg / 05nov 2.27 mg / 14nov 2.25 mg / 22nov 2.20 mg / 29nov 2.10mg / 09dec 2.05 mg / 15dec 2.0 mg 

2023  hold 2.0 mg for 5 months / 05may 1.95 mg / 14may 1.90 mg / 24may 1.87 mg / 02jun 1.85 mg / 17jun 1.82 mg / 27jun 1.79 mg / 07jul 1.75 mg / 31jul 1.72 mg / 12aug 1.69mg / 27aug 1.67 mg / 04sep 1.65 mg / 09sep 1.63 mg / 22sep 1.61 mg / 27sep 1.60 mg / 12oct 1.58 mg / 18oct 1.56 mg / 31oct 1.54 mg / 06nov 1.52 mg / 18nov 1.50 mg / 04dec 1.48 mg / 11dec 1.46 mg / 22dec 1.45 mg / 28dec 1.44 mg

2024 01jan 1.43 mg / 06jan 1.42 mg/ 10jan 1.40 mg hold /

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi ChessieCat.  You are missed....  I am happy to read your report/update.  So good....yay!  L,p,h, and g.  mmt

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

That's beaut news that your recovery's going so well ChessieCat.

Cheers

hayduke

I am not a health professional - your actions are your own.  

Please do not seek tapering support via private message - "Any reason to hold is a good one"

My taper visualised as a graph   |   My intro thread

Backdrop:  2003 10mg olanzapine | 2004 2-3mg risperidone | end 2014 3wks aripiprazole

2015: olanzapine  10 -> 7½ -> 6⅔ -> 5mg  by crude pill cutter

2018:  Mar 5.00mg -> water titrated taper -> Aug2.5mg tablet and hold

Jan 2019 2.50mg water titration -> Jan 2020 1.214  -> Jan 2021 0.44 -> 2 Oct 0.205 ->3 Oct ZERO🥂

Jun 2023 💉150mg paliperidone "loading" depot shot, 100mg 1wk after Jul 100mg Aug-Dec 75mg/4wks

Jul 2023 2.50mg aripiprazole/day attempt to lower prolactin^

Jan-Feb 2024 cross taper off shots to 1mg risperidone

 

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country did to you"  -- KMFDM

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