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


ChessieCat

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  • Moderator Emeritus

yesyesyes asked me a question via PM which I quote below:

 

Quote

 

Hello, how are you? I hope everything is okay. How long did it take for you to recover from the syndromes after stopping the medication?

 

 

It will be 6 months at 0mg Pristiq on 13 May, so only another 8 days.

 

The mild serotonin toxicity reduced when my dose got lower possibly somewhere between 50mg and 75mg. 

 

During my taper I only experienced mild withdrawal symptoms, including a low intensity of anxiety and feeling on edge.  The anxiety may have been because of, or worsened, because I should have been taking my dose 2 times a day (which I didn't start doing until I got below 10mg).  But I did still have mild anxiety when taking it twice a day.  There were times during my taper that I noticed other things, issues with sleep, bright light, repetitive thoughts/songs, hearing "talking" when the fan was on, lack of creativity and interest in things and lack of joy.

 

I do still have some mild anxiety, but it is not as bad as it was and I don't think it is all related to WD, but due to life circumstances.  I think I have also learned to live with it better and also learned ways to be calmer.  I definitely notice faster when I am feeling edgy and use my non drug coping to deal with it, including self talk.

 

As mentioned in my recent posts since mid November 2021 when I stopped Pristiq I am not able to say if I am now having withdrawal symptoms.  There is nothing that I would say is definitely ADWD.  I have other health issues and I think that things that I am experiencing now are most likely related to those and not ADWD.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *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, ChessieCat!  I need to go back and read your whole story. I must admit I try to read mostly the success stories so as not to trigger anything, but it is always comforting to see where people once were before they progressed to recovery. 

65 y/o Female

Current meds:

Started:26 February, Propranolol 5 mg 8am and 8 pm

Started: 11 March 2022, Ativan : 0 .25mg 1pm and 9pm

Off Seroquel since early October 2022

Off Lunesta since early September 2022 

 

Other meds: Levothyroxine 50mcg with extra 25mcg Mon. Wed. Fri.

 

 

 

 

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Goodness six months have gone fast!

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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  • Moderator Emeritus
8 hours ago, bubbles said:

Goodness six months have gone fast!

 

Not quite, but nearly there.  Yes it has gone by very quickly.

* 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, 

 

Great to hear about being 6 months without pristiq. It is heartening to read your story of what i read browsing through. I am caught up in a bad Withdrawal of the same which i was on for 21 months till October 2021 - 150 mg/day.  My detailed medications are given below my comments. 

 

I started reducing from 150 Mg in October 2021 & sucessfully got to 50 mg in December 2021 in a period of 3 months reducing 12.5 mg every 2 weeks. But from January 2022 to April this year I started reducing 6.25 mg every 2 weeks & the withdrawal startred going from Bad to worse so much so that in 1st week of April when i reached 12.5 mg I had developed severe hallucinationatory dreams, excessive low energy, missed work for 2 months ( I had Covid in January which lasted long, initially thought it was long covid) Tachycardia (110 Heart rate in sleep), Hunger pangs & Sugar Craving, Teeth grinding & tension & pain in the base of the mouth, headaches, muscle spasms, IBS severe recurrence. It was almost as if everything in my body had stopped. 

 

Another problem was I had also started reducing Clonazepam 0.5 mg on which I was for 10 years on & off by switching to Chlordizapoxide 10 mg & from January I came down to 5 mg & in April came to Zero. So in my case it became a double whammy.

 

Right now I am on to 25 mg Desvenlafaxine (we don't have pristiq brand name in India), Chlordizapoxide 10 mg at night. The symptoms have come under control but only about 60%. I am still struggling with muscle spasms, very low energy, brain fog, hunger pangs & memory loss.

 

A surprising thing which helped control the withdrawal symptoms is Propronalol which I'm taking 40mg at night & 20 mg in the morning. I was prescribed to me at 20 mg once in the morning in October 2021 to control my heart rate which was constantly staying above 100 after Desvenlafaxine.

 

I just read your post about being 6 months post all medicine withdrawal, I don't know if Propronalol would help you manage some minor part of the anxiety & withdrawal since it is being used off label for anxiety here in India & I have my own experience to vouch for it.

 

I wish to start the 10% reduction as per the advice here & also seeing your table but only once I stabilize a bit on my current medication.  I am waiting for my symptoms to reduce but they are on & off right now. Any advice on this would be welcome. 

 

Thanks a ton & all my wishes to you and everyone here for as easy as possible withdrawals.

 

 

2. Desvenlafaxine - 100 mg to 150 mg - 21 months
2. Amitriptyline - 25 mg to 100 mg - 11 months
3. Quetiapine - 25 mg - 3 months
4. Risperidone 0.5 mg - 1 mg- 15 months
5. Clonazepam 0.5 mg - 21 months (Previous history of usage on & off for 10 months upto 180 days in a year or more)
6. Chlordizapoxide 10 mg - 15 months
In between the medicines tried by the doctor for not more than 3 months were:
7. Trifluoperazine (2.5mg) + Trihexyphenidyl (1mg) - 15 days
8. Mirtazapine 7.5 mg - 60 days
9. Trazadone - 25 mg - 23 days
10. Pregabalin 75 mg - 45 days
 
This was all to treat IBS linked Depression attributed to some protracted stressful events PTSD over the last Decade.
 
 

2009-2019 : IBS Treatment by various GI's prescribing various AD's, AP's & AA's on & off

Jan 2020- Oct 21 (Psych1) : Desvenlafaxine 100-150 mg | Clonazepam 0.5 mg | 

(Started but tapered) : Quetiapine 25 mg 9 months | Resperidone 0.5 mg 15 months |  Chlordizapoxide 10-5 mg 9 months | Amitryptiline 25-12.5 mg 18 months | Propronalol 10 mg - 3 months (Tapered in less then 45 days): Trifluoperazine (2.5mg) + Trihexyphenidyl (1mg) - 15 days | Mirtrazapine 7.5 mg - 60 days | Trazadone - 25 mg - 23 days | Pregabalin 75 mg - 45 days 

Oct 2021 - Dec 22 (Psych 2) : Desvenlafaxine Tapered 150 mg to 50 mg | Duloxetine 20-30 mg & Tapered off 45 days | Amytriptyline 25mg-12.5 mg tapered in 45 days | Clonazepam 0.5 mg changed to Chlordizapoxide 10 mg | Propronalol 10 mg increased to 20 mg

Jan 2022 - Mar 22 (Psych 3): Desvenlafaxine Tapered from 50 mg to 12.5 mg | Chlordizapoxide 10 mg to 5 mg to CT | Propronalol 20 mg

April - May 22 (Psych 4): Desvenlafaxine increased from 12.5 mg to 25 mg | Chlordizapoxide 10 mg restart  | Propronalol 20 mg + 40mg (Night)

May 22 - Mar 23: Desvenlafaxine 25 mg | Chlordizapoxide 10 mg | Propronalol 20 mg (off & on) | Magnesium 170 mg | Ashwagandha (off & on)

Jul 23 - Jan 23: (Off All psychiatric medication since 6 months but struggling) | Metprolol 100 mg | Magnesium Glycinate 340 mg | Ashwagandha (off & on) | CBD oil Just started for sleep

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Nitsmax and welcome to SA.  Please create your own Introduction topic as per the "friendly warning" which I have sent you.

 

8 hours ago, Nitsmax said:

I don't know if Propronalol would help you manage some minor part of the anxiety & withdrawal

 

I found that taking magnesium helped reduce my anxiety.  It is only of only 2 supplements which SA recommends, the other being omega 3 fish oil.

 

My anxiety is even less now that I am off Pristiq.  When on 100mg I was experiencing mild serotonin syndrome, and one of the symptoms of this is anxiety.  It might have been the drug which was causing the anxiety throughout my taper and not the withdrawal, because now I am completely off it seems to be a more normal anxiety, and I use non drug techniques for this.

 

* 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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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

UPDATE:

 

It's now be just over 6 months since I stopped Pristiq and it is well and truly in the rear view mirror now.  I only very occasionally think about it now, even though I am still on SA.

 

My thinking is much clearer and my memory is much better than it was BUT that might be due (I think it is) to the change to a low carb diet.

 

The following might be related to getting off Pristiq, ie the histamine issue but see the background note:

 

Just over 2 years ago I wrote the following:

  

On 11/2/2020 at 7:46 AM, ChessieCat said:

Eg at this time I cannot eat a Roma/egg tomato for 4 days in a row because I get hives, but other "ordinary" tomatoes seem to be okay. 

 

Background:  About 30 years ago I developed an MSG intolerance and has to stop eating foods naturally high in glutamates for several years.

 

I have realised this morning that have been eating 1 Roma/egg tomato for more than 4 days in a row earlier this year with no issues!

 

But I do get hives from pea protein so I have to stick with whey protein concentrate (which is a bit higher in carbs) to try and increase my protein intake because I don't eat much meat.

 

If you are only interested in AD WD related things please 🚦 stop here.

 

UPDATE on other health:

 

Blood test:  earlier this month, all my numbers are good (overall cholesterol readings are improving more), ALT liver function has gone from 45, 28 now 22 which means my liver is working well.  After the January blood test I increased my carbs a little bit (to keep my diet interesting and helping me to stick to it).  A1c went from 7.0, 5.2 to 5.4 but I'm not concerned.

 

Weight:  this stalled for a while but it is started to go down again.  This is a side benefit which I am happy about but I am not doing anything to try to make it happen.

 

Waist:  originally 44", this morning 40" - and I don't cheat, I try to make it as fat as possible.

 

Blood pressure:  Last year I was taking 10mg of my BP drug, after about 2 months low carb I reduced it to 5mg and then in January I reduced it to 2.5mg.  The doctor took it in clinic last week (9.30 am) and systolic was 159, he took it again straight way and it was 133.  The next week the nurse took it (3.00pm) and it was 114 and I think the following standing test was 124.  So I am really pleased with that.  I need to watch for fatigue (which I had the 2 times before) which might indicate that I need to go off the BP drug completely.

 

Height:  this was measured at the clinic.  I've shrunk!  I was 152cm and now I'm 151cm.  It was 5' 0" so would now be about 4' 11.5".  I used to always say five foot nothing.  Now I can't.

 

ECG:  I had an ECG performed this week and it didn't show anything wrong.  Doctor wants me to see a cardiologist for a stress test because my dad died suddenly at 54 of a massive heart attack.  My mum lived to 86 with no specific heart issues.  My sister is 10 years older than me and hasn't had any heart issues.  Funny thing is that the doctor the specialist will get you to run on a treadmill and I just looked at him and said I cannot even walk fast on a treadmill!  I have found out after researching that there is a drug that they can give you to increase the heart rate to do the stress test but I have decided, after reading a person's review about their test, that if that is the only option I will not do the test.  This person said that they felt like they were having a heart attack and the test overseer said that's normal.  I've suffered several incidences of anaphylaxis with a racing heart that I didn't think was going to keep up and that was without pain.  There is no way that I am going to put myself at the mercy of a drug and a person who has control of the reversal.

 

My back/knee issues:  this varies; no major flare ups.  I did have a day at work when it was a bit worse because I had been doing a lot of cooking, but I took some ibuprofen and for the rest of the day it didn't feel as bad.  Even though it can get me down at times, especially trying to get comfortable in bed at nigh, I am coping as well as can be expected and I think I have learned ways to live with it more than I had been doing earlier on.

 

Sleep:  my quality of sleep has definitely improved, probably from the low carb as well as losing weight.  And I am finding that I have some nights where I only wake one time and can go back to sleep fairly quickly, but I might wake up early when that happens, and I have other nights where I can be awake for 2-2.5 hours in the very early hours, but I don't stress about it (I listen to audio books).  If this only happens for a couple of days in a row I seem to manage okay during the day.  But there was a period a few weeks ago that it happened over about 4 nights and I really struggled at work with a fatigued brain.  Thankfully my boss understands.

 

Do your own research and advocate for yourself.

* 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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13 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

UPDATE:

 

It's now be just over 6 months since I stopped Pristiq and it is well and truly in the rear view mirror now.  I only very occasionally think about it now, even though I am still on SA.

 

My thinking is much clearer and my memory is much better than it was BUT that might be due (I think it is) to the change to a low carb diet.

 

The following might be related to getting off Pristiq, ie the histamine issue but see the background note:

 

Just over 2 years ago I wrote the following:

  

 

Background:  About 30 years ago I developed an MSG intolerance and has to stop eating foods naturally high in glutamates for several years.

 

I have realised this morning that have been eating 1 Roma/egg tomato for more than 4 days in a row earlier this year with no issues!

 

But I do get hives from pea protein so I have to stick with whey protein concentrate (which is a bit higher in carbs) to try and increase my protein intake because I don't eat much meat.

 

If you are only interested in AD WD related things please 🚦 stop here.

 

UPDATE on other health:

 

Blood test:  earlier this month, all my numbers are good (overall cholesterol readings are improving more), ALT liver function has gone from 45, 28 now 22 which means my liver is working well.  After the January blood test I increased my carbs a little bit (to keep my diet interesting and helping me to stick to it).  A1c went from 7.0, 5.2 to 5.4 but I'm not concerned.

 

Weight:  this stalled for a while but it is started to go down again.  This is a side benefit which I am happy about but I am not doing anything to try to make it happen.

 

Waist:  originally 44", this morning 40" - and I don't cheat, I try to make it as fat as possible.

 

Blood pressure:  Last year I was taking 10mg of my BP drug, after about 2 months low carb I reduced it to 5mg and then in January I reduced it to 2.5mg.  The doctor took it in clinic last week (9.30 am) and systolic was 159, he took it again straight way and it was 133.  The next week the nurse took it (3.00pm) and it was 114 and I think the following standing test was 124.  So I am really pleased with that.  I need to watch for fatigue (which I had the 2 times before) which might indicate that I need to go off the BP drug completely.

 

Height:  this was measured at the clinic.  I've shrunk!  I was 152cm and now I'm 151cm.  It was 5' 0" so would now be about 4' 11.5".  I used to always say five foot nothing.  Now I can't.

 

ECG:  I had an ECG performed this week and it didn't show anything wrong.  Doctor wants me to see a cardiologist for a stress test because my dad died suddenly at 54 of a massive heart attack.  My mum lived to 86 with no specific heart issues.  My sister is 10 years older than me and hasn't had any heart issues.  Funny thing is that the doctor the specialist will get you to run on a treadmill and I just looked at him and said I cannot even walk fast on a treadmill!  I have found out after researching that there is a drug that they can give you to increase the heart rate to do the stress test but I have decided, after reading a person's review about their test, that if that is the only option I will not do the test.  This person said that they felt like they were having a heart attack and the test overseer said that's normal.  I've suffered several incidences of anaphylaxis with a racing heart that I didn't think was going to keep up and that was without pain.  There is no way that I am going to put myself at the mercy of a drug and a person who has control of the reversal.

 

My back/knee issues:  this varies; no major flare ups.  I did have a day at work when it was a bit worse because I had been doing a lot of cooking, but I took some ibuprofen and for the rest of the day it didn't feel as bad.  Even though it can get me down at times, especially trying to get comfortable in bed at nigh, I am coping as well as can be expected and I think I have learned ways to live with it more than I had been doing earlier on.

 

Sleep:  my quality of sleep has definitely improved, probably from the low carb as well as losing weight.  And I am finding that I have some nights where I only wake one time and can go back to sleep fairly quickly, but I might wake up early when that happens, and I have other nights where I can be awake for 2-2.5 hours in the very early hours, but I don't stress about it (I listen to audio books).  If this only happens for a couple of days in a row I seem to manage okay during the day.  But there was a period a few weeks ago that it happened over about 4 nights and I really struggled at work with a fatigued brain.  Thankfully my boss understands.

 

Do your own research and advocate for yourself.

Your story was the first one that got me to realize tapering slowly is best. Knowing your cognitive abilities and all the things that are better gives me hope. 

2002-2021: 19 yrs on/off psychotropics

2/2022: Wellbutrin 150mg, Lexapro 20mg  3/22: Wellbutrin 150mg xl, Lexapro 10mg    4/22: Wellbutrin 150xl, Lexapro 5mg 

4/2022: Lexa 7.5mg total, Wellbutrin 150mg    5/2022: Wellb 112.5mg xl, Lexa 7.5mg (Stopped Clonazepam & Hydroxyzine- didn't take often)

6/2022: Welbutrin 111mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg          8/2022: Wellbutrin 100mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg            10/9/22: Wellbutrin 100 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg

11/3/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg       11/30/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6 mg

3/15/23: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.2 mg???

Other Daily Meds: Singulair 10mg, Zyrtec 10mg, Spiriva Respimat inhaler.  Rarely taking: OTC pain relievers, Diclofenac, Cyclobenzaprine, anti acids

SupplementsFish oil 1300mg, Nigella oil, Mag Glycinate 200mg, Probiotics 30 billion, 1/5 dose prenatals, Melatonin .38mg, (Reishi, Lion's Mane & psilocybin microdosing by cycles)

 

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Hi ChessieCat,

What happy news! ;-)

Congratulations on all your hard work across the board, and well done on your impressive results. 

Your generosity and dedication in your role as moderator never cease to impress. I cannot imagine SA without you. Thank you!

Gratitude, admiration, respect,

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 Emeritus

Thank you Ariel.

 

Tinnitus:

 

I have had some members ask me about tinnitus, I'm assuming because they do a search and they find that I have mentioned it somewhere in my topic, so I will include information about it here:

 

I do not know what caused/causes my tinnitus.  Sometimes it is bad, sometimes it is okay, sometimes I hardly notice it and only realise that it has been "quiet" when it gets worse again.

 

I have had to learn to live with it.

* 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

A member asked the following question and I have responded in their topic.

 

It explains why I didn't always hold on a dose for a minimum of 28 days.  It also explains the longer holds that I did at 50mg, 20mg and 0.75mg.

 

Please see my tapering chart here:  My full tapering program

  

Quote

Hello ChessieCat,

 

I'm trying to taper venlafaxine for 5th time.  Two times ago I had a very bad panic attack that included ice cold sensations throughout my body.

 

question:  I glanced at your taper log.  It appears you did not taper 10% over a set period of time, like a month each time?  So, did you taper based on your symptoms??

 

NightOwl

 

You asked the above question via PM.  I will respond here in your topic.

 

Is this the taper information that you saw?

 

My full tapering program  

 

In a nutshell, no I did not taper according to my symptoms.  I tapered according to the capsule doses I was able to get and taking cost into consideration (I could have got 0.125mg capsules made up but because I was paying out of pocket that would have worked out very expensive).  This is explained in full below.

 

That chart clearly shows the doses and the number of days I held on that dose.  There were a few times at the beginning that I updosed because of unbearable withdrawal symptoms and there were a few times when I made mistakes and took the wrong dose so you will see a dose when I was only on it for a few days and then increased back to the previous dose.

 

I think I managed to keep my taper at 10% or less of the previous dose.  I had my Pristiq compounded into capsules and to get them at a good price I had to buy 100 capsules of each dose.  Therefore I had to work my taper around set doses.  Above 50mg I was taking a tablet plus capsules.  Below 50mg I was getting the capsules made into 40mg, 30mg 20mg, 10mg and then adding in capsules of smaller doses (depending on what I needed at the time I got these:  0.125mg smallest he could do at an affordable cost, 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, 2.5mg, 3mg?, 5mg; I cannot find the exact amounts but I think you get the idea).

 

The times when I made a reduction sooner than 28 days was because I had not made a full 10% reduction the time before; it was not related to symptoms.

 

Because I needed to get my dose down quickly because I had mild serotonin toxicity, I tried to get to 50mg as quickly as possible keeping my symptoms to a minimum.  The reason I wanted to get to 50mg was because that is a whole tablet.  In Australia the government has not allowed 25mg tablets to be available, only 50mg and 100mg.  When I got to 50mg held for 87 days (almost 3 months) to allow my brain to catch up with any adjustments that it needed to make.  It was a convenient dose because it was a tablet and I didn't have to pay the cost for compounding during that period.  When I got to 20mg I had a lot of 20mg capsules left so I decided to hold for 2 months.  The reason I held at 0.75mg for 77 days was because I hurt my back and was in a lot of pain, not sleeping well and taking other medications.  Injury and sickness causes stress and it is generally suggested to hold on a dose during that time.  See information below.

 

STRESS

 

Quote from the video:

 

any time that you have a stress response you're going to decrease repair so basically you can  
defend yourself or you can repair stuff but you  can't do both at the same time

 

This is a video about liver detox but the part that I would like to you to watch, and this is where the link begins, is the explanation about stress and the body:

 

Sten Ekberg:  #1 Absolute Best FATTY LIVER DETOX

 

* 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

I'm not sure if I've every listed my serotonin toxicity symptoms here in my Intro so I will add them here:

 

MILD SEROTONIN TOXICITY:

 

Generally serotonin toxicity is caused by taking 2 or more serotonergic drugs.  In my case I was taking only one drug, Pristiq, but I was taking 100mg.  I felt so horrible for several years and realised that it might be the drug causing it so I started researching side effects and realised that I was experiencing mild serotonin syndrome.  My diastolic blood pressure (when the heart is relaxed) was very high.  I also felt confused/trouble concentrating and anxious/agitated a lot of the time as well as muscle tightness when walking only a short distance (and had trouble stepping up from the road to the footpath, about 5 inches in height) and sweating even on a cold day.  I also had several times a day when my heart felt like it "flipped".  It may be what others describe as missing a beat.  Once my dose got lower these symptoms improved.

* 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
5 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

That is such good news that things are improving.  You can use that to your advantage.  Whenever you start worrying remind yourself that things are getting better.

 

I'm having to do that myself at the moment.  I have some sort of virus (negative PCR covid tests x 2) and today has been day 6.  I feel awful and really fed up but I keep reminding myself that I did feel a whole lot worse and that I am improving.  It can be hard at times during the day but I also remind myself of what another member said:  this will pass.  During this time I've also had "monkey mind" where I have a thought go around and around in my head until I want to scream for it to stop.  I know that being stressed about it only makes it worse so I have to try and do some deep breathing (or at least as best I can at the moment) and tell myself that getting stressed is not helping my recovery.

So sorry to hear you've been having such a hard time with the cold @ChessieCat, yes this will get better. Please take care of yourself.

omw

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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Thinking of you, ChessieCat.

How are you going? 

Healing vibes and restorative chuckles <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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thank you OMW and Ariel.

 

For members who aren't aware (and also for my own record).

 

WD?  During this week I have been experiencing looping thoughts which have nearly driven me crazy at times.  I don't know if the stress on my body has caused a WD wave.  But then again they might have happened anyway and not be related to WD.  I've been off for 6 months now after a careful 6 year taper.

 

One week ago I became sick with symptoms that seemed like Covid. I had a combined Covid, RSV, Flu A &B test done and it was negative.  I had a second Covid only test two days later and it also came back negative.

 

I have no idea what I have but it is not a cold.  Because I was taking paracetamol for the first few days I don't know if I had a temperature.  I did feel some mild aches.

 

I am still not well but have improved a lot since the start of this.  But I am "over it"!  And it's been cold here in Sydney so I cannot even go outside and sit in the lovely  sunshine we have been getting.

 

I've managed to keep eating, and I've managed to stick to low carb.  Eggs have been my go to during this time.

* 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

So glad to hear that you're feeling better, and all the tests are negative.

 

Even if they are not WD related, "looping thoughts" can be handled in much the same manner as Emotional Spirals. Just a thought, just a thought, just a thought, just a thought, jus.... (Sorry bad joke)

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm sorry you've been ill CC, but I'm glad you are feeling better.  I understand the frustration of looping thoughts - I deal with that some days, as well.  I even had this before going on psych meds.  

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks Brass and GOL

 

I'm still not quite 100% yet but definitely feeling clearer headed this morning but still a bit fuzzy.

 

Interestingly during the evening last night I realised that the plumber who had not returned my call might have given me a high quote and doesn't want the job (and it's a long weekend here).  And I could feel the looping thoughts wanting to start again.  But I self-talked and told myself that I couldn't do anything about it and that I was not going to let the monkey mind drive me nuts.  Fast forward to this morning, with a little bit clearer head, I have been able to contact a handyman and ask for details of his plumber, at the same time starting to organise gutter cleaning with the handyman, rang the plumber and have got the ball rolling for another quote.  There is no way I would have had a clear enough brain to do that yesterday.

* 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

Chessiecat I just thought of this along with stress and sickness you have colder weather coming in. which any one of them by their self can give us grief 
 

self love and self help skills.  Hang on 👍

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks Heath, yes it has turned very cold here and of course everyone's resistance is lower because we haven't been get natural immunity for exposure to viruses over the last 2 years.

 

UPDATE:

 

7 months off.  Funny thing, last night as I was about to go to bed I thought no I don't need to take my dose.

 

I have no idea whether I got WD symptoms during my virus.  It might have been related but of course there is no way to know.  Thankfully my non drug coping skills helped as well as some support and encouragement I received from a couple of SA members via PM; you know who you are.  To them I say thank you, I truly appreciate you helping me to get through this.

 

I'm now on day 13 of my "whatever it is" virus.  Thankfully it wasn't really bad, but it was bad enough.  I think the long duration made it feel worse.  I am surprised that I got hit so hard with it, because healthwise I am at the best I have been for a long time, but I do suspect that many people will be getting sick this year after the Covid isolation we've been in.  I noticed small improvements every day and thankfully today I feel like I have turned the corner because I can exert myself and not get fatigued like I was.  I'm still not 100%; head is still a bit foggy.  But it is nice to actually be starting to feel like I am almost over it.  When we are in the thick of it, it feels like it will never end and just like WD all we can do it keep getting through each day the best we can.

 

Thankfully I was able to stick to my low carb reasonably easily.  I wasn't eating much but I was eating 2-3 eggs a day.  I have lost more weight, 2kgs / 4.5lbs.  I have now lost 16.25% of my body weight, without even trying.

 

I noticed the other morning that my feet and ankles look a lot thinner!

 

Even though I haven't be doing my pilates whilst I have been sick, thankfully my back has not caused any issues.  I was only going to bed at night time and I think that helped.

* 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,

Glad to read your update.

Congratulations on 7 months off! And so pleased for you about the various ongoing improvements. 

Two weeks of illness is no joke. Well done getting through and staying the course!

May you continue to feel better and better <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 Emeritus

Thanks Ariel.

 

For the record:

 

Christmas 2013 I had lock jaw / lockjaw.  There were times when I opened my mouth I would literally have to push it closed.  It wasn't until later that I wondered if it was due to taking Pristiq.  My Pristiq dose had been increased from 50mg to 100mg earlier in 2013.

 

Mid June 2014 I had a massage and they did something/realigned my jaw.  I cannot remember how bad the locking up was at that time but I think it must have still be causing issues otherwise I wouldn't have thought to tell them about it.

 

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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  • Mentor

Chessiecat I had something similar to lock jaw when I first started Paxil 22 years ago. It happened within 2 months of starting. 
My jaw popped when I yawned one day. I couldn’t close it for a week or so. And it would pop and such. Hurt to eat. I also had some hypo mania during this time. It gradually went away on its on. 
 

The Paxil helped me not care about the side effects of Paxil. 🤷‍♂️
 

I personally believe for me that I started out on 2 high of dose. And caused many things . 

 

Also during tapering lexapro I have noticed my jaw being sore. Within last year. And one day I noticed I was holding my jaw tense. 

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks Heath.  I am 99.99% certain it was Pristiq that caused it.

 

I'm putting this here for the record because sometimes I cannot remember if I have posted something here or in another member's topic:

 

Just now, ChessieCat said:

I was on an antidepressant for 25+ years, from 2012 on Pristiq.  I've now been off for 7 months.  I feel better off the drug than I did being on it.  Now that isn't to say that I feel fantastic, but things have changed, I have changed, my health and body have changed during that time.  Every now and then I would love to be numbed to the emotions I have when life gets hard to cope with, but there is no way I would go back on an AD.

 

Thankfully in the last 7 years I have learned many non drug coping techniques which are very helpful with getting through these tougher/tough times that life throws at me.

 

* 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
On 6/20/2022 at 8:06 AM, Heath said:

My jaw popped when I yawned one day. I couldn’t close it for a week or so. And it would pop and such.


Just to make clear- I may have worded it wrong but the Paxil definitely caused the lock jaw in my case also. Somehow it affected muscles causing them to draw joints on way or the other.  My confirmation came with the tight sore jaw muscles again 20 years later with lexapro during dose changes. 

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hooray!!!  It's been 4 weeks since I came down with a virus.

 

About 2 weeks ago my Hire a Hubby cleaned out my gutters.  He blower vacced the litter into a pile and I've just managed to fill the small green bin 140L/30 gallon? that I have with the rubbish.  I used a pair of leaf scoops which made it easier.

 

I am a little bit puffed (more than I normally would be), but there is no way I could have done it yesterday so I'm definitely nearly over the bug.  Oh and I wheeled the bin, which is quite heavy, out to the side walk as 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

Link to comment

So glad you're feeling better, ChessieCat <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. 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I've just been watching a video (not related to ADWD) and one of the doctors in the video states this:

 

 

if your doctor becomes emotionally upset with you for wanting to have a discussion about your one life
your literal health that's a huge red flag that you need to find a new doctor at least get a second
opinion

 

* 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
  • Moderator Emeritus
1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

I've just been watching a video (not related to ADWD) and one of the doctors in the video states this:

 

 

if your doctor becomes emotionally upset with you for wanting to have a discussion about your one life
your literal health that's a huge red flag that you need to find a new doctor at least get a second
opinion

 

👏👏👏👏👏

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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On 7/3/2022 at 9:50 AM, ChessieCat said:
if your doctor becomes emotionally upset with you for wanting to have a discussion about your one life
your literal health that's a huge red flag that you need to find a new doctor at least get a second
opinion

 

YES. 

And this goes for anyone, not just your doctor but your therapist, your parent, your friend, your partner, anyone. 

Thanks for sharing, ChessieCat. 

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 Emeritus

Tomorrow will be 8 months since I got off Pristiq!

 

But I'm posting a day early because ...

 

Well this is such fun!  NOT.  I've got sick again.  It's coming up to 8 weeks since I caught the" whatever it was" flu and I never did recover fully from it because my voice is still a bit croaky at times.

 

Last evening I started getting a sore throat and it just got worse and worse during the night.  I'm really tired and have some aches and a headache (which panadol is not really helping) and swollen neck glands.  It feels different to what I got before; this is from the neck up whereas the other virus affected mainly my lungs.

 

It's cold here in Sydney and my bed is calling to me.  I'm just waiting for my MP3 player to recharge and then I will go and snuggle up.

 

This time I do have some RATs so I might do one of those this afternoon, because I'm supposed to be working on Thursday (instead of my usual day Friday).  I called in sick 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 Emeritus

Congratulations on being off your meds for eight months now @ChessieCat but I’m so very sorry you have another virus, that’s just awful.

 

How do you find the RAT tests? They don’t always seem very accurate, one of my friends who had Covid a while ago took four of them and they were all negative, despite her having Covid. She got a PCR test and it was positive. She tried another RAT test after that and it turned out positive this time. Someone was saying to me it depends on the timing of taking the RAT test. 
 

Stay warm dear Chessie and I hope you recover soon. It’s cool up here in Queensland too, I’ve got the heater on a lot, not looking forward to the electricity bill. 
 

A friend of mine that lives a few streets away from me has Covid at the moment and because she works so much she’s using her time to spring clean, crazy girl😂. She’s actually happy she’s able to spend some time at home. She did say yesterday she slept until lunch time, I told her she needs to rest. I’m staying away from people, unless it’s outdoors or important medical and health appointments as I don’t want to end up in hospital because of my lungs. 
 

Again, I’m very sorry you’ve caught another virus yet again, when it rains it certainly pours. 
 

Sending big hugs your way and wishing you a speedy recovery 🤗🧡

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

Thanks, Heath, Ariel and Carmie.

 

Well I had a sleep and the did a RAT which is Negative.  I didn't expect it to be positive.

 

The paracetamol that I took at breakfast time had worn off by the time I got up so I'm feeling miserable at the moment waiting for the new ones to start working.  They definitely made a difference this morning.

 

* 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
26 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

Thanks, Heath, Ariel and Carmie.

 

Well I had a sleep and the did a RAT which is Negative.  I didn't expect it to be positive.

 

The paracetamol that I took at breakfast time had worn off by the time I got up so I'm feeling miserable at the moment waiting for the new ones to start working.  They definitely made a difference this morning.

 

Hope the paracetamol kicks in soon🤗

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
7 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Thanks, Heath, Ariel and Carmie.

 

Well I had a sleep and the did a RAT which is Negative.  I didn't expect it to be positive.

 

The paracetamol that I took at breakfast time had worn off by the time I got up so I'm feeling miserable at the moment waiting for the new ones to start working.  They definitely made a difference this morning.

 

I hope you feel better very soon.

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 Carmie and Frogie

 

I am starting to feel a bit better.

 

And I might have made the connection about why I succumbed to a virus so easily and as bad as I did and then caught another one.  Now I cannot say that it is proof positive but there is definitely a possible connection.  About 6 weeks before I got sick the first time, now 8 weeks ago, I started reducing my Vitamin D supplement and then stopped it altogether.  After seeing a video last night I checked my tick off sheet and it is there in black and white.  And it's winter here in Australia so I'm hardly ever outside to get Vitamin D naturally.

* 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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