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


ChessieCat

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I too messed up on my dosing and am paying the price.  I hope you do not have a harsh fallout from it.  Best.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks Survivor and Lex

 

UPDATE:  I have noticed increased anxiety in the last week after my dose mix up where I took 4.5mg instead of 9 mg for 5 days.  It was the start of my new reduction after 3 weeks at 9.5mg.  My hold on 9mg was meant to be 3 weeks which meant that I should have been reducing again today, but because of the anxiety I have decided that the sensible thing to do is to hold for another week on 9mg.

 

One extra week is not much when looking at the big picture and may end up saving me more time than if I went ahead and reduced and then ended up having to hold for longer.

 

Besides, I don't like feeling irritable and shouting at my 19.5 year old deaf cat.  Even though she can't hear me, it makes me feel very guilty.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *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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Hi ChessieCat, 

 

It’s easy to mess up a dose, isn’t it? I’ve done that a few times myself. Im so sorry that happened to you.

 

Yes, definitely hold a bit longer. I’ve learnt the hard way that by tapering too soon you end up in waves a lot longer and you don’t win any ground. I’ve actually been having a few months reprieve from tapering as I needed a little break as I wanted to do a few things that I can’t do when I’m in a wave. I’ve been having different friends over for lunch every week, going to concerts and I’m going on a holiday in a couple of months. 

 

I see you have serotonin toxicity, I don’t know much about that. Does that resolve itself?

 

I’m picturing in my mind you shouting at your deaf cat. It made me laugh. The poor cat🐈.

 

Hope all goes well with your tapering 💚

 

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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Hi Carmie and thanks for dropping in.

 

On 6/16/2018 at 2:23 PM, Carmie said:

I see you have serotonin toxicity, I don’t know much about that. Does that resolve itself?

 

Yes, once I got my dose down it bit it went.  I knew I had been sweating a lot and sleeping 2 hours during the day as well as through the night, having occasional heart flips/miss a beat and increased diastolic blood pressure (which the doctor did didn't  connect with the increase in dose from 50mg to 100mg) but it wasn't until it started abating that I realised how anxious I had been during that time as well as having trouble concentrating.  Thankfully things are going well now, even with my little mistake.

 

On 6/16/2018 at 2:23 PM, Carmie said:

I’m picturing in my mind you shouting at your deaf cat. It made me laugh. The poor cat🐈.

 

And so you are trying to make me feel even more guilty!!!  I do apologise to her and tell her I love her.

 

Edited by ChessieCat
correction did to didn't

* 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
3 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

Hi Carmie and thanks for dropping in.

 

 

Yes, once I got my dose down it bit it went.  I knew I had been sweating a lot and sleeping 2 hours during the day as well as through the night, having occasional heart flips/miss a beat and increased diastolic blood pressure (which the doctor did connect with the increase in dose from 50mg to 100mg) but it wasn't until it started abating that I realised how anxious I had been during that time as well as having trouble concentrating.  Thankfully things are going well now, even with my little mistake.

 

 

And so you are trying to make me feel even more guilty!!!  I do apologise to her and tell her I love her.

 

Hi again, 

 

Im so glad that the serotonin toxicity went down a bit. That’s great too that things are going great, even with your tapering mistake. It always feels great to stabilise again once you’ve made a mistake, doesn’t it. It’s like: Phew!

 

😂 No, wasn’t trying to make you feel more guilty about your cat, just having a laugh with you. I’m always laughing at something. In this journey if we don’t laugh, we’d cry. I’m sure she understands, animals can tell when you love them. My cat is funny, she’s not a sit on your lap cat and hates being picked up, but she will sit next to you and she tolerates visitors. I had two friends over the other day who were both patting her at the same time. She has low tolerance, and gets that look about her that’s shes ready to swipe. She was getting that look after a while Look out people😂

 

Hope all all goes well with your tapering, sending hugs🤗

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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UPDATE:  I've decided to hold for an extra week on 9mg because I am still feeling some irritability and am on higher alert than I had been before my accidental decrease for 5 days when I made my reduction from 9.5mg to 4.5mg instead of to 9mg.  I actually took 8.5mg this morning thinking it would be okay but I've been feeling unsettled and have decided that I don't like feeling that way and went and took the extra 0.5mg.  Hopefully the extra week will help things to settle down.

* 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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1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

UPDATE:  I've decided to hold for an extra week on 9mg because I am still feeling some irritability and am on higher alert than I had been before my accidental decrease for 5 days when I made my reduction from 9.5mg to 4.5mg instead of to 9mg.  I actually took 8.5mg this morning thinking it would be okay but I've been feeling unsettled and have decided that I don't like feeling that way and went and took the extra 0.5mg.  Hopefully the extra week will help things to settle down.

 

Hi ChessieCat, 

 

I totally agree with you, it’s good to have longer holds, I think the holds are just as important as the amount one tapers. I’m still having a break from tapering until the end of August.

 

Hope things settle down for you soon again. Isn’t it amazing how 0.5mg can make such an impact. 

 

How is your cat today? Mine is asleep at the moment, I’ve got the heater on, she loves the warmth. I love the warmth and glow of the heater too, find it comforting when going through withdrawals. My cat’s name is Heidi because when we  got her she kept hiding for the first couple of days. I had visitors for lunch yesterday and she didn’t come out. She’s okay with people but she has to be in the mood. She was in the mood the other day.

 

All the best when you start to taper again💚

 

 

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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Chessie, I agree that sometimes we need to hold longer. Like Carmie, I'm wondering if the holds are as important as the decrement size - giving the brain time to work at the "current normal".

 

Hope you're both enjoying the cool weather as much as I am!

2005 St John's Wort / 2006-2012 Lexapro 20mg, 2 failed attempts to stop, tapered over 4.5 months in early 2012

January 2013 started Sertraline, over time worked up to 100mg

July 2014 Sertraline dropped from 100mg to 75mg, held for six months, slower tapering until 2019 22 Dec 3.2mg

2020 Sertraline 19 Jan 3.1mg, 26 Jan 3.0mg; 1 Mar 2.9, 7 Mar 2.8, May (some drops here) 24 May 2.5, May 29 2.4, June 21 2.3, June 28 2.2mg,  July 4 2.1mg, July 24 (or maybe a bit before) 2mg, early Nov switched to home made suspension; 29 Nov 1.8mg; approx 25 Dec 1.6mg)

2021 Some time in about Jan/Feb realised probably on more like 1.8mg and poss mixing error in making suspension; doses after 10 Feb accurate; 10 Feb 1.6mg; 7 Mar 1.4, continued monthly

10% drops until 1mg, then dropped 0.1mg monthly.

May 2022,0.1mg, now dropping 0.01mg per week

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

My thread here at SA: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1775-bubbles/page/21/

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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Fingers crossed!

try not to think it much to add extra stress. I did many up and downs round your dose, never had long term bad effects.

 

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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UPDATE:  Very pleased to report that in the last couple of days my anxiety/irritability/being on higher alert has definitely decreased.  I am really glad that I decided to hold for longer.  It's nice to be starting to feel more normal again.

 

I'd rather add a couple of weeks and be a cool cat, than race onwards and downwards and feel like a cat on a hot tin roof.

 

Thank you to all the members who posted encouragement.  It's appreciated.

* 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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UPDATE:  Dropped to 8.5mg today.

 

From tomorrow I will start taking a small part of my dose in the evening.  The irritability I'm experiencing seems to happen in the morning so it might be interdose withdrawal now that I'm on a low dose.

 

And WOW, it is a low dose compared to 3 years ago!  From 100mg to 8.5mg.  To see it in print makes it so much more real.  And to think I came here in a massive brain fog after I reduced from 100mg to 50mg.

* 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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Congratulations, CC - that is a huge accomplishment getting all the way to 8.5 mg from 100 mg!!

-1/06 - 3/07 Cymbalta. Fast taper (essentially CT); withdrawal symptoms after 4 mos (didn't realize was WD)

-10/07: 100 mg Zoloft; 1 mg Klonopin - tapered off Klonopin after 4 mos. Several unsuccessful slow tapers of Zoloft; went up and down in dose a lot

-Spring 2013 back on 1 mg Klonopin to counter WD symptoms; switched over 5-6 mos from Zoloft to 35 mg citalopram
-Two attempts at slow tapering citalopram, always increased dose due to WD; also increased Klonopin to 1.25 mg in 2014, then to 1.5 mg in 2015

-8/17-9/17: After holding one year at 20 mg, feeling withdrawal symptoms due to stress - slowly increased to 25 mg. No change in symptoms after 6 months (? tolerance ?)  - decided to start citalopram taper February 2018 (still on Klonopin 1.5 mg).

Supplements: fish oil; magnesium; vitamin D3; curcumin

Citalopram taper:  2/2018 - 12/2019: 25 mg - 11.03 mg I 2020: 10.89 mg - 7.9 mg I 2021: 7.8 mg - 5.26 mg I 2022: 5.2 mg - 3.36 mg I 2023: 3.3 mg - 1.47 mg 2024: 1/5/24: 1.44 mg; 1/19/24: 1.40 mg; 1/26/24: 1.37 mg; 2/2/24: 1.34 mg; 2/9/24: 1.31 mg; 2/23/24: 1.28 mg; 3/1/24: 1.25 mg; 3/8/24: 1.22 mg; 3/15/24: 1.19 mg

 

 

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Way to go CC.  You're making some real progress. That's quite a total reduction.

 

Brass

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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Congrats on getting so low.  Hoping to be where you are at some point!

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks all.

 

It is a good feeling.  My goal when I stared here was to get to 50mg.  This was probably due to being told in 2012 that I would need to be on an AD for life (diabetic/insulin analogy).  It was after learning from this site and researching that I made the decision to see how I would feel if I kept reducing.  It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

* 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

Congratulations ChessieCat, 

 

You have done amazing getting down to 8.5mg. It does look incredible when you see it on paper. All the best with your latest taper💚

 

 

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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  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

UPDATE:  I've decided to hold for an extra week at 8mg.

 

Since getting a toothache on 17 May, I have had several root canal treatments on one tooth (which still needs the final treatment), 2 teeth removed  (2 and 30 July) and antibiotics for the most recent extraction because it was infected.

 

Reductions during this time:  26 May accidentally reduced my dose by 1/2 for 4 days when I tapered and made reductions on 30 June and 21st July.

 

I also had a blocked sewer and the plumber wasn't able to get out for several days.  Thankfully it only cost $200 but added to the cost of my teeth it caused a lot of added stress.

 

I have been sleeping during this time but have had some nights where I would be awake for a couple of hours and/or wake very early and not be able to get back to sleep.  I did have one day off work because I didn't think I would be fit to drive home after working all day.

 

A week ago I was feeling fragile and on the verge of tears.  Yesterday it all became too much and I got very upset at my volunteer job.  Thankfully I had lots of support and understanding which helped me to get through it and didn't add to the stress.

 

And to top it all off last night I had an upset stomach.  The ham had been bought on Sunday and I forgot to put my lunch in the fridge at work yesterday morning.  Thankfully it didn't happen whilst my sewer was blocked!

* 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
33 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

UPDATE:  I've decided to hold for an extra week at 8mg.

 

Since getting a toothache on 17 May, I have had several root canal treatments on one tooth (which still needs the final treatment), 2 teeth removed  (2 and 30 July) and antibiotics for the most recent extraction because it was infected.

 

Reductions during this time:  26 May accidentally reduced my dose by 1/2 for 4 days when I tapered and made reductions on 30 June and 21st July.

 

I also had a blocked sewer and the plumber wasn't able to get out for several days.  Thankfully it only cost $200 but added to the cost of my teeth it caused a lot of added stress.

 

I have been sleeping during this time but have had some nights where I would be awake for a couple of hours and/or wake very early and not be able to get back to sleep.  I did have one day off work because I didn't think I would be fit to drive home after working all day.

 

A week ago I was feeling fragile and on the verge of tears.  Yesterday it all became too much and I got very upset at my volunteer job.  Thankfully I had lots of support and understanding which helped me to get through it and didn't add to the stress.

 

And to top it all off last night I had an upset stomach.  The ham had been bought on Sunday and I forgot to put my lunch in the fridge at work yesterday morning.  Thankfully it didn't happen whilst my sewer was blocked!

 

Hi Chessiecat, 

 

Im so sorry you’ve had such a stressful time. It’s easy to accidentally make mistakes in dosing, I’m so sorry that happened to you. I hope your nervous system settles a little soon. The antibiotics wouldn’t have helped either. I hope your stomach is a little better too.When it rains, it pours, hey. 

 

Our nervous systems get so ramped up with extra stress when going through withdrawals. I hope the next few weeks aren’t as stressful for you. 

 

Sending you big hugs🤗🤗

 

 

 

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

Hi Chessiecat, 

 

Im just wondering how you’ve been feeling? I hope you’re teeth haven’t caused you any more problems. 

 

Thinking of you💚

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Carmie, and thanks for dropping by to ask after me.

 

Thankfully things have settled down.  I made a 0.5mg reduction Saturday just gone so I'm now at 7.5mg.  I have been experiencing some irritability over the last few days but we've been having strong winds as well which can cause this so I'm not sure of the reason.  Probably a bit of both.

 

I hope you are well.  

* 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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12 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Hi Carmie, and thanks for dropping by to ask after me.

 

Thankfully things have settled down.  I made a 0.5mg reduction Saturday just gone so I'm now at 7.5mg.  I have been experiencing some irritability over the last few days but we've been having strong winds as well which can cause this so I'm not sure of the reason.  Probably a bit of both.

 

I hope you are well.  

 

Hi Chessiecat, 

 

Im so glad to hear that things have settled down and  you’ve been able to make another reduction. I’m at 7.5mg too. I’m going to do the brassmonkey slide from now on n according to the tapering calendar it will take me about ten years or so as I can’t do 10%, I need to stick around 5%. 

 

Im sorry you’ve been feeling irritable. Do you find different kinds of weather, on top of withdrawals, make you feel like that? Im sorry the wind stresses you. I have a friend who isn’t good in winter, she has SAD and gets really down. Fortunately we don’t have much winter in Australia. 

 

Wishing you all all the best with this latest taper💚

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi ChessieCat, 

 

Hope the irritability has settled down a bit since your last reduction. Hope the winds have died down a bit too. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Carmie, I am doing much better now, thank you.

* 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
On 9/3/2018 at 12:29 PM, ChessieCat said:

Hi Carmie, I am doing much better now, thank you.

 

I was very happy to hear you’re doing better ChessieCat, 

 

I hope you’re having a good day today too. I’m enjoying listening to rain outside, we haven’t been getting much rain. 

 

Sending hugs🤗🤗

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

UPDATE:  Been down to 7mg for the last 12 days and doing okay.  However, I've realised this morning that over the last few days I've been getting that "want to be somewhere else" feeling.  I was at home on Monday and wanted to be at work, I was at work yesterday and wanted to be somewhere else.  Today is my day off work and I want to be at work. Go figure!

 

Thanks Carmie.  The weather is a bit crazy this time of the year in Sydney.  A week or so ago I was rugged up because of the cold weather then we had 33 degrees C on Saturday and then high teens the next day.  Now the temperature is going up gradually each day again.  You have to wear layers so you can adapt if needed.  I had thick socks and joggers on at work yesterday and my feet got hot.  I think it's time to change to cooler shoes.

* 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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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi CC. You have been kind enough to point me in the right direction a few times when I have been struggling. I appreciate it. How are you doing ? I was always under the impression that you moderators were ‘home free’ . Shows how much I know. Which makes the fact ,that you go to the trouble of helping me when you still have wd’s yourself, even more admirable. Thanks CC for all your efforts.

Good luck

Steve

 

Quote

Dosulepin 75 mgs per night since 1993.           Dosulepin March 16  2018   75mgs and 50 mgs alternate nights.             Dosulepin. March 30. 2018.  50 mgs per night

Dosulepin. May 2. 2018. 50mgs and 25 mgs alternate nights

Dosulepin. May 27 2018. 50 mgs per night ( increased )

Dosulepin. July 11 2018. 45 mgs per night

Dosulepin. August 13 2018  40 mgs per night

Dosulepin  October 10 2018. 37.5 mgs per night

Dosulepin. October. 24 2018. 35 mgs per night

Dosulepin. December 5 2018. 32.5 mgs per night

Dosulepin.  January 2. 2018  30mgs per night   February 14 2018  29 mgs per night

Dosulepin February 27  28 mgs per night

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thank you Steve.  The moderators are all volunteers and most of us are still in the clutches of a psychiatric drug, some still on them and some off them but still affected by them nonetheless.

 

UPDATE:  I'm now down to 6.5mg and withdrawal symptoms are very mild as I write this.  I've noticed that when I get down it's not the desperate, want to dig a hole and curl up in it and hide desperation.  I have been through teary patches, which have been caused by external factors combined with WD.  During our lives we go through periods of change and the following is what I am currently trying to cope with:

 

I've been feeling very negative recently and thinking about death, not suicidal death but just the regular, my body is hurting and death is getting closer.  I'm about to turn 61, and starting to get arthritis in my hands and knees and other aches, pains and stiffness.  I can only get voluntary work (15 hours over 3 days per week) which I am required to do to get government benefits (for which I am very thankful)  However the benefits I get don't quite cover my outgoing $$$ so in the next few years I am going to have to sell my house to gain access to money.  At this time I am not ready to move and don't know where to moved to.  I see this period as an adjustment time, mental preparation for the future changes.  The voluntary work I can get is very limited because my skills are as an admin assistant which are usually paid roles.  The house I live in hasn't been maintained as my husband had his own business and we lived week to week.  Since his death 20 years ago there has only be 4 years where I was employed full time and actually "making money".  It's hard for me to know if how I am feeling is made worse by the tapering, and I've recently been wondering if it would be better to stay on an AD so that my feelings are numbed a bit by the drug.

 

I know when I turned 60 last year I realised that I've lived at least 2/3rds of my life.  I've been widowed for 20 years and am not interested in getting married again, but I find it very lonely.

 

Whereas previously I wanted to do things around the house but didn't have the energy my attitude has changed to "why bother?"  But if I do manage to do some tidying up I appreciate how nice it looks.

 

I've just changed the days on which I work and I'm hoping that it might improve that area a bit and then flow on to other areas.

 

 

* 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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Hi CC. I think that I recognise a lot of those feelings. I’m 62, feeling the aches and pains more and more.. I finished work a couple of years ago.Looking back now , I think that I was looking for any excuse to finish.I couldn’t stand the stress and the antidepressants weren’t working as they had at one time. My partner has retired and we don’t have the money we once did and we used to love to travel. We can’t afford to as much now. I sometimes get the feeling that the best is behind me. 

 

A lot of it is the wd’s exaggerating things though. I think it is.  I’ve recently started going to meditation classes run by Buddhists. It helps me a lot. It’s all about living in the moment being grateful for what I’ve got etc,etc.  They believe in reincarnation. I’m not sure that I do but I would certainly like to believe.

 

So just wanted to say that you aren’t alone with those feelings. I bet it’s fairly common as we get older but I think the wd’s just make it seem a whole lot worse. 

 

Wishing you well

Steve

 

 

 

Edited by ChessieCat
removed quote
Quote

Dosulepin 75 mgs per night since 1993.           Dosulepin March 16  2018   75mgs and 50 mgs alternate nights.             Dosulepin. March 30. 2018.  50 mgs per night

Dosulepin. May 2. 2018. 50mgs and 25 mgs alternate nights

Dosulepin. May 27 2018. 50 mgs per night ( increased )

Dosulepin. July 11 2018. 45 mgs per night

Dosulepin. August 13 2018  40 mgs per night

Dosulepin  October 10 2018. 37.5 mgs per night

Dosulepin. October. 24 2018. 35 mgs per night

Dosulepin. December 5 2018. 32.5 mgs per night

Dosulepin.  January 2. 2018  30mgs per night   February 14 2018  29 mgs per night

Dosulepin February 27  28 mgs per night

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I appreciate you sharing how you feel.  It can be hard to talk about it with people in the real world.  I do have one very close girlfriend of the same age who has never taken psychiatric drugs, and she also feels similarly so it's not just the AD/WD, but I do think it makes it worse.  I had a tough, one-sided marriage so my 2 daughters were my focus back then (when I believe that marriage should be a partnership, you and me against the world, and that the children shouldn't be the sole focus but an addition, because they grow up and move on to their own lives).  They are now 30+, one married to a poly-drugged husband who has plenty of his own his own issues and that daughter is on Zoloft and is numbed.  The unmarried daughter is an introvert, and suffers from anxiety and we can only tolerate each other in small doses.  She has noise sensitivity and I'm a loud type of person on my better days so there is a clash there.  Part of me wishes that I had a partner to go through life with but from my own experiences with partners and what I've heard from other people, on here included, is that just because you have a partner doesn't mean you get the support.

 

Life can be tough.  Sometimes tougher than at others.

* 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 changed the title to ChessieCat: so I'm not the only one
  • Moderator Emeritus

Stopping by to wish you a very, very......happy and joyful......peace and serenity.........birthday time ChessieCat.

And oh my........I can sure relate to much.......of course not all.........but much....... of what you have expressed above.

 

And sheesh gabob.......where did I read or see the following..........it was something about being 60ish........and how that........can be seen.........for many.........as the most productive, or creative, or something time.  I liked this idea.

Then in contrast to that........oh, not so long ago.........perhaps around Spring this year, in the U.S.  I remember totally subscribing to the idea that Life, in general........for most of us.........is only fair(not sure that's the word I want to use)............for about 2 weeks out of any given year.

 

Me, now........I think something in between works well.  Be moderate in all things........I don't know.  And how do you like that, fellow moderator?B)  Moderate moderator......mmmm.......ummmmmm........outloud laugh.  I get comfortable not knowing sometimes.

 

........you do some great stuff here ChessieCat.  Kudos, hugs, and best.

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

oh my......and woohoo, !!!!!!!!!, 6.5 mg Pristiq now......if that isn't just the cat's purr

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

Thantks MMT, I appreciate you dropping by and sharing your thoughts about ageing etc.  I doubt that many people's lives turn out the way they expect that it will.  It's just that when we are young we are naive.  As we get older and experience more of life we are confronted with reality.

 

UPDATE:  Reduced to 6mg today.  This time 3 years ago I was in the middle of my 3 weeks of cog fog after dropping to 50mg from 100mg Pristiq.  I joined SA at the end of October 2015.  

* 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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Just been working out my next batch of compound capsules required.  I'll be getting some 0.25mg made up this time.  I'm very thankful that I've got my Excel spreadsheet template which I've been using and have had lots of practise using it before because it's starting to get more complicated now that I'll be reducing by 0.25mg after I get under 5mg.

 

The funny thing I've worked out is that over the next 298 days I will only be taking a total of 12 x 100mg Pristiq tablets, which averages out to 4mg per day.  After 298 days I will be ready to reduce to (hopefully) 2.75mg.

* 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

Just had an appointment at the doctors for a script renewal and he had a student doctor in with him.  The last time I went was beginning of October last year so I should make sure I go in October from now on!  He seemed to be willing to give me a bit of time for my psychiatric drug spiel.  I mentioned that I've been tapering for 3 years and it will probably take another 2 years.  He was surprised about the latter.  I told him that I'd rather get off slowly than to risk withdrawal symptoms.  I also told him that withdrawal syndrome is in the DSM5 which he didn't seem to know about, but he said that it being in there is a good thing.  I also mentioned about the Scottish Petition and the large number of submissions received from people worldwide who have had difficult getting off their drug/s and/or bad reactions to them.

 

Every little bit 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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  • Administrator

Maybe next time you see him, he'll remember what he's learned!

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

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On 10/16/2018 at 8:15 AM, ChessieCat said:

I have been through teary patches, which have been caused by external factors combined with WD. 

 

Well my teary patches turned into a teary afternoon (and suicidal feelings) at work, triggered by something that someone said.  There was nothing wrong with what the person said, it just triggered other stuff.  Thankfully they are being supportive.

 

I think I have worked out what might be happening.  I had many major life issues happen between the ages of 19 and 35 at which age (roughly) I went on an antidepressant and have been on since (about 25 years).  I had other major life issues happen during the time on an AD.  However, now that my dose is low my feelings are no longer numbed.  Even though I have had counselling and know that I have dealt with the past issues, I think because I am now wondering what I am going to do with the rest of my life.  I am lonely, bored, having trouble making ends meet financially and my body is getting aches and pains reminding me that I am getting older.  I am looking back over my life and it is dredging things up.  The issues themselves aren't the problem it's how the issues have affected my life in a negative way.

 

And of course there is possibly/probably withdrawal thrown in there for good measure.

 

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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Hi CC. I’m sorry to hear that that it’s tough at the moment. For myself, I think that what I am going through is partly withdrawal and partly facing reality without my drug or at least less of it. It’s probably more the wd but there is no doubt that my ad numbed my feelings ,so I’ve  got to find coping strategies to help meet life on life’s terms. I suppose coping with life without any type of drug in my system is just as big a challenge as the wd’s. At least it is for me because I have spent so many years with one drug or another numbing my feelings.

Good luck

Steve

Quote

Dosulepin 75 mgs per night since 1993.           Dosulepin March 16  2018   75mgs and 50 mgs alternate nights.             Dosulepin. March 30. 2018.  50 mgs per night

Dosulepin. May 2. 2018. 50mgs and 25 mgs alternate nights

Dosulepin. May 27 2018. 50 mgs per night ( increased )

Dosulepin. July 11 2018. 45 mgs per night

Dosulepin. August 13 2018  40 mgs per night

Dosulepin  October 10 2018. 37.5 mgs per night

Dosulepin. October. 24 2018. 35 mgs per night

Dosulepin. December 5 2018. 32.5 mgs per night

Dosulepin.  January 2. 2018  30mgs per night   February 14 2018  29 mgs per night

Dosulepin February 27  28 mgs per night

 

 

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