Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

Passion flower


Pamela

Recommended Posts

hi everyone

 

Quick question

 

Has everyone tried Body Calm by TRB

it is Monteroncy Cherry Tart extract and passion flower

 

for withdrawal from Zoloft

Thanks so much

Pamela- 45years

long term use of anafranil 10mg- 100mg- 1990-2012 off and on

Wellbutrin combined - 6months- 2001

Paxil 5mg-10mg- 2001-2003 and restarted 2013- 1 years

Pristiq 50mg- 2months- 2012, Effexor 1 month 2012 very low dose

Cipralex -10mg- 6 months 2014

Zoloft 23mls liquid 2015- 3 months

tapering presently Septermber 2015 17mls

November 2015 -12.5 mls. liquid Zoloft

March 2016- 13.5mls liquid zoloft- increased due to emotional issues and anxiety

August 2016- 8mg Zoloft capsules

crohns, lupus like condition, psoriasis, pernious anemia

Link to comment
Share on other sites

hi everyone

 

Quick question

 

Has everyone tried Body Calm by TRB

it is Monteroncy Cherry Tart extract and passion flower

 

for withdrawal from Zoloft

Thanks so much

Hi,

 

I tried back in summer, it didn't help me

10/2012 - Lexapro 10mg

2013/2014 - Started experiencing visual disturbances, like visual processing was slow, feeling drunk all the time

9/2014 - Lexapro 5mg, didn't notice any withdrawal, drunk feeling went away

2015 - Drunk feeling came back

5/2015 - Lexapro 2.5mg - 1.25mg - insomnia started

6/2015 - Lexapro 0.625mg

7/2015 - Severe symptoms started, in desperation on advice of pdoc restarted 5mg Lexapro - total disaster

8/2015 - Lexapro 5mg, disoriented, sleepless zombie

9/2015 - Very reluctantly started transitioning to Zoloft

as of 10/10/2105 - no lexapro, 37.5mg Zoloft

12/14/2015 - 35mg zoloft, 1/16/2016 - 34mg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, want to add that passion flower I think is helping but I take it consistently twice a day

10/2012 - Lexapro 10mg

2013/2014 - Started experiencing visual disturbances, like visual processing was slow, feeling drunk all the time

9/2014 - Lexapro 5mg, didn't notice any withdrawal, drunk feeling went away

2015 - Drunk feeling came back

5/2015 - Lexapro 2.5mg - 1.25mg - insomnia started

6/2015 - Lexapro 0.625mg

7/2015 - Severe symptoms started, in desperation on advice of pdoc restarted 5mg Lexapro - total disaster

8/2015 - Lexapro 5mg, disoriented, sleepless zombie

9/2015 - Very reluctantly started transitioning to Zoloft

as of 10/10/2105 - no lexapro, 37.5mg Zoloft

12/14/2015 - 35mg zoloft, 1/16/2016 - 34mg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

Hi Pamela & starcontrol2 or anyone else that has tried it,

Have you found passion flower is still helping you with WD symptoms?

Medicine History

June 2011 I was put on 10 mg Olanzapine. I stayed on that for 7 months then went down to 5 mg for 3 months and then went down to 2.5mg and slowly went down to less than .3 every few days. I have tried to come off 4 times, each time getting down to less than .3 before having to go back on at 5mg or 2.5mg. I would cut by 50% each taper. From Jan 2015 to June 2015 I reduced from about 5mg to .3 mg. This last time I went on 2.5 mg last June 2015 until July 2, 2016. July 3, 2016 I went down to 1.25mg - withdrawal hit. Up dosed to liquid 2 mg July 23, 2016.

Medicine Current

2 mg Olanzapine as of July 23, 2016

Supplements

Omega 3 1000mg, Vitamin E 400 UI, Vitamin C 1000 mg Time Released, 200 mg Magnesium Bisglycinate, Multi Probiotic, .25 mg melatonin for 3-5 days as needed

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

Hello I was curious about the herb passionflower for sleep and relaxation? I have been off Paxil for a little over 5 years and still in withdrawal. I tryed B12 for the nervous system but it was too activating for my fragile nerves. I got in a terrible kayak accident last February and it bruised my bladder, I am slowly recovering but my internal organs are fragile, I think I have PTSD from the accident, my brain is always on fight and flight, I have a great therapist I saw today so I hope she can help me with the trama. I was seeing if I could try to take some passionflower to help my sleep lately I have been restless and wake up feeling tired and unrested with cortisol spikes throughout the day, some nights have been peaceful. I have used Bach rescue flower remedy with success but it doesn't help with night anxiety, so I am looking for something to take the edge of naturally, thanks

Paxil for 20 years starting dose was 20 mg. fast taper over 2 years, withdrawal symptoms over 5 years and 4 months out.

Supplements-Isagenix whey protein shake in the morning, Pantothenic acid B5(1,000 mg for adrenal Heath, magnesium citrate 

 Bach flower rescue remedy for anxiety when needed

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator

Many people have success with Passionflower.  Start with a small dose and build up a bit if needed.  Some people have reported that it only works for a few weeks and then you need to take a break from it for a while.

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, Great Thankyou will start slow with passionflower for sleep and work up to a full dose! 😊 

Paxil for 20 years starting dose was 20 mg. fast taper over 2 years, withdrawal symptoms over 5 years and 4 months out.

Supplements-Isagenix whey protein shake in the morning, Pantothenic acid B5(1,000 mg for adrenal Heath, magnesium citrate 

 Bach flower rescue remedy for anxiety when needed

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Hi all.  Passionflower helped me a lot when I first had anxiety before I made the decision to take medication, but I always was worried about the safety because there's not much information since it's herbal and all I heard was that it was supposed to be used temporarily, maybe there are no long term studies or something.  Does anyone have any info?

29y.o.  Started Lexapro, 15mg in 2013 for anxiety and depression.

9/28/15- Started taper, went down to 10mg, then 5mg by 10/31/15. 

1/2016-  anxiety, nausea, fatigue, crying spells, sadness, by January. Reinstated back to 10mg.  Leveled out.   1/1/2018- Began further taper, down to 0mg by 1/31/2018.  Last dose was 2.5mg. Feelings of dizziness during taper recommended by pdoc.  Slowed down taper, but still had symptoms of stomach upset.

2/12/18 - Dealing with symptoms of dizziness, anxiety, sadness, stomach upset.  2/20/18 - Reinstating medication with .6mg.  2/21/18 - Emotionally feeling better.  Dizziness much improved.  2/24/18 - Went to sleep with extreme feeling of chills.  No fever.  Fatigue.  3/19/18 - Increased anxiety.  5/1/18- Began therapy.  Have trouble with anxiety and GI symptoms.  9/22/18 - Decrease to .5mg.  Anxiety, GI, chills.  9/26/18 - back up to .6mg.  10/31/18 - app Curable, feeling distinct change in outlook and anxiety levels decreased.

2/1/19 - not seeing improvement in anxiety.  started 10mg Prozac  2/7/19 - up to 20mg Prozac, experiencing chills, tiredness  2/21/19 - tapering down to 10mg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Does anyone know about citalopram and passiflora/citalopram interactions?

1999:  Paroxetine (20mg). Age 16. 2007-2008: Fluoxetine (Prozac) for 1.5 years (age 25) Citalopram 20mg 2002-2005, 2009: Escitalopram (20mg), 2 weeks, (age 26) (adverse  reaction)/*Valium 5mg/Temazepam 10mg 2010: Mirtazipine (Remeron)( do not remember dosage) 2010, 5 months.                     2010-2017: Citalopram (20mg) (age 27 to 34) 2016: i.1st Sept- 31st Oct Citalopram 10mg , ii.1st November 2017-30th November 2017, Citalopram 5mg iii.1st December 2017- 4th February 2018, Citalopram 0mg, iv.5th February 2018- March 2018 Citalopram 5mg (10mg every other day) 28th February- tried titration of 5mg ( some adverse effects)

2018: 1st March 2018- 1st June Citalopram 10 mg (tablet form) /started titration 8mg , then 7 mg.2018: June 15th- 10th July Citalopram 10 mg pill every other day 2018: 10th July - 13th Sept Citalopram- 0mg  (CBD oil first month of 0mg, passiflora on and off) 2018 13th Sept Citalopram  2mg ,  approx 16th Sept 4mg , approx 25th Sept 6mg held.  2019: 11 Feb 19: 7mg (instant bad rxn) 12 Feb 19 6mg held 1 May 19 5.4mg held 5 Oct 19 5.36mg 22 Oct 19 5.29mg 30 Oct 19 5.23mg 4/NOV/19 5.18mg 12 Nov 19 5.08mg 20 Nov 19 4.77mg 7 May 22 2.31mg 17/09/2023 0.8mg

(Herbal/Supplements since 1st September: Omega Fish Oil 1200mg, 663mg of EPA- 2 tablets a day, magnesium and magnesium bath salts)

I did not die, and yet I lost life’s breath
- Dante
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator Emeritus

 

4 hours ago, India said:

Does anyone know about citalopram and passiflora/citalopram interactions?

 

Brassmonkey, one of our moderators, wrote following recently about passionflower:

 

"Many people have success with Passionflower.  Start with a small dose and build up a bit if needed.  Some people have reported that it only works for a few weeks and then you need to take a break from it for a while."

Gridley Introduction

 

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

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

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

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

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

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

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

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

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

Taper is 95% complete.

 

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

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

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

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

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

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


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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you. I started to get concerned there might be an interaction. I will lay off it for a bit. I managed to sleep last night without it. I think it is still in my system though. I will see how I go.

1999:  Paroxetine (20mg). Age 16. 2007-2008: Fluoxetine (Prozac) for 1.5 years (age 25) Citalopram 20mg 2002-2005, 2009: Escitalopram (20mg), 2 weeks, (age 26) (adverse  reaction)/*Valium 5mg/Temazepam 10mg 2010: Mirtazipine (Remeron)( do not remember dosage) 2010, 5 months.                     2010-2017: Citalopram (20mg) (age 27 to 34) 2016: i.1st Sept- 31st Oct Citalopram 10mg , ii.1st November 2017-30th November 2017, Citalopram 5mg iii.1st December 2017- 4th February 2018, Citalopram 0mg, iv.5th February 2018- March 2018 Citalopram 5mg (10mg every other day) 28th February- tried titration of 5mg ( some adverse effects)

2018: 1st March 2018- 1st June Citalopram 10 mg (tablet form) /started titration 8mg , then 7 mg.2018: June 15th- 10th July Citalopram 10 mg pill every other day 2018: 10th July - 13th Sept Citalopram- 0mg  (CBD oil first month of 0mg, passiflora on and off) 2018 13th Sept Citalopram  2mg ,  approx 16th Sept 4mg , approx 25th Sept 6mg held.  2019: 11 Feb 19: 7mg (instant bad rxn) 12 Feb 19 6mg held 1 May 19 5.4mg held 5 Oct 19 5.36mg 22 Oct 19 5.29mg 30 Oct 19 5.23mg 4/NOV/19 5.18mg 12 Nov 19 5.08mg 20 Nov 19 4.77mg 7 May 22 2.31mg 17/09/2023 0.8mg

(Herbal/Supplements since 1st September: Omega Fish Oil 1200mg, 663mg of EPA- 2 tablets a day, magnesium and magnesium bath salts)

I did not die, and yet I lost life’s breath
- Dante
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • Mentor

 I was using Passionflower a lot right before I started on sertraline. It did work moderately but not the heavy numbing of sertraline. I am back on it now and do feel it slightly alleviates anxiety. I now know not to have expectations that it will be nearly as strong as a psychotropic -- and that is okay.

  • Prozac | late 2004-mid-2005 | CT WD in a couple months, mostly emotional
  • Sertraline 50-100mg | 11/2011-3/2014, 10/2014-3/2017
  • Sertraline fast taper March 2017, 4 weeks, OFF sertraline April 1, 2017
  • Quit alcohol May 20, 2017
  • Lifestyle changes: AA, kundalini yoga

 

"If you've seen a monster, even if it's horrible, that's evidence of divinity." – Damien Echols

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 years later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Sharing:

Taking Passion Flower for Anxiety: How Effective Is It?

It of course does not address taking it for WD.  And so, I am not endorsing it's use.

Some interesting stuff in here though:

"Chrysin and benzoflavone are believed to have the effect of increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (often abbreviated as GABA) in the brain, much in the same way that standard anti-anxiety meds known as “benzodiazepines” do. GABA limits the “excitability” or reactivity of the brain’s neurons. This results in the calming effect that gives passion flower its reputation as a mild sedative but means that it can also disrupt mental and motor functions in higher quantities."

"In Combination With Other Sedatives Passion flower should be taken as a sedative by itself or not at all. Taking more than one sedative at a time runs the risk of slowing motor and mental functions more than is considered healthy."

 

And so, caution with the use of it while on another drug of any class I would think.  Check for interactions if you can. 

 

And I'll reiterate from this:

On 9/19/2018 at 12:00 AM, brassmonkey said:

Many people have success with Passionflower.  Start with a small dose and build up a bit if needed.  Some people have reported that it only works for a few weeks and then you need to take a break from it for a while.

 

Start low.

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Does Passionflower cause dependency, withdrawal or tolerance?  If so would using it topically cause dependece or withdrawal and would topical use be safe?  I have tennis elbow and am thinking of adding it to an herbal compress to use a topical muscle relaxant.

1993-2000: Zoloft few months CT, Prozac 1-2 yrs, Ritalin PRN

2002/2003: Wellbutrin,  Paxil 25mg FT, and Xanax PRN CT (all 3 to 6 months), Adderal 40mg, Strattera 40mg

2003- 2016: Effexor XR 75 mg to 150 mg., Strattera (2002-2008)

2017: Effexor XR 225 mg. Gabapentin 300 mg. Elavil 25 mg.

2018: (Sept.) Effexor XR 187.5 mg, Zoloft 10 mg. (OCT.) FT off Gabapentin (NOV.) FT off Elavil (DEC) FT Effexor to 150 mg.

2019: (JAN.) D/C Zoloft, added Viibryd 10mg (FEB) CT Viibryd, (MAR) Prozac bridge, Effexor xr 112.5mg, (Sept.) Effexor XR 112.5 mg + 0.4 mg (1 bead), (Oct.) Effexor XR 112.5mg, (Dec.28) start 10% taper Effexor XR 101.25 mg, 

2020: (Jan. 25) Effexor XR 91 mg., (Feb. 22) Effexor xr 82 mg., (Mar. 21) 75 mg. 

Supplements:  Vitamin D 5000 IU topical, Probiotic 6 billion CFU, Epsom salt bath 1C 2 to 3 X week, California Poppy 2 droppers, various essential oils 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/21446-superwoman-effexor-taper/page/8/?tab=comments#comment-475779

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Superwoman,

It has seemed to, cause dependency, in one member I know.......who when trying to go off it abruptly.......did get WD.

They were taking it orally.

 

There must be better things to add to a topical compress, right?

For inflammation??

I don't know.......someone else may have tried it in a compress.

Can you try a cream or coconut oil carrier with some mild anti inflammatory herbs?

 

I've had good luck with a cream with capsaicin in it for what my doc thought might be tendonitis or ?pre-tendonitis in my shoulder.  This was a pre-made cream I got though with coconut oil in it too, and a few other herbs.  Anyway......it doesn't burn at all when I use it and seems to help.

https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/capsaicin-risks-and-benefits

I'm really not pushing it.  It just was happenstance that I began usage, before I went and got checked out, as it is Left shoulder pain.......and I got worried it might be cardiac related.  It's not.


My 2 cents.  Honest, I know nothing about tennis elbow either.  I have some vague memory stirring up of it though.  Over usage?

 

Best. L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
On 12/18/2022 at 12:46 AM, manymoretodays said:

Hi Superwoman,

It has seemed to, cause dependency, in one member I know.......who when trying to go off it abruptly.......did get WD.

They were taking it orally.

 

There must be better things to add to a topical compress, right?

For inflammation??

I don't know.......someone else may have tried it in a compress.

Can you try a cream or coconut oil carrier with some mild anti inflammatory herbs?

 

I've had good luck with a cream with capsaicin in it for what my doc thought might be tendonitis or ?pre-tendonitis in my shoulder.  This was a pre-made cream I got though with coconut oil in it too, and a few other herbs.  Anyway......it doesn't burn at all when I use it and seems to help.

https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/capsaicin-risks-and-benefits

I'm really not pushing it.  It just was happenstance that I began usage, before I went and got checked out, as it is Left shoulder pain.......and I got worried it might be cardiac related.  It's not.


My 2 cents.  Honest, I know nothing about tennis elbow either.  I have some vague memory stirring up of it though.  Over usage?

 

Best. L, P, H, and G,

mmt

It would be great if there was a list that listed all of the herbs and natural supplements that cause withdrawal.  I look each one up independently, but it is hard to find info and I still worry.  I am thinking it would probably be safe topically.  I am just rather paranoid about anything that effects brain chemicals.  I ended up taking a supplement called CuraMed Acute Pain Relief for the tendinitis.  My naturopathic doctor recommended it as the most effective natural anti-inflammatory she knows.  It has Tumaric in it.  It is expensive but worked really well, much better then the prescription anti-inflammatory without the side effects.  

1993-2000: Zoloft few months CT, Prozac 1-2 yrs, Ritalin PRN

2002/2003: Wellbutrin,  Paxil 25mg FT, and Xanax PRN CT (all 3 to 6 months), Adderal 40mg, Strattera 40mg

2003- 2016: Effexor XR 75 mg to 150 mg., Strattera (2002-2008)

2017: Effexor XR 225 mg. Gabapentin 300 mg. Elavil 25 mg.

2018: (Sept.) Effexor XR 187.5 mg, Zoloft 10 mg. (OCT.) FT off Gabapentin (NOV.) FT off Elavil (DEC) FT Effexor to 150 mg.

2019: (JAN.) D/C Zoloft, added Viibryd 10mg (FEB) CT Viibryd, (MAR) Prozac bridge, Effexor xr 112.5mg, (Sept.) Effexor XR 112.5 mg + 0.4 mg (1 bead), (Oct.) Effexor XR 112.5mg, (Dec.28) start 10% taper Effexor XR 101.25 mg, 

2020: (Jan. 25) Effexor XR 91 mg., (Feb. 22) Effexor xr 82 mg., (Mar. 21) 75 mg. 

Supplements:  Vitamin D 5000 IU topical, Probiotic 6 billion CFU, Epsom salt bath 1C 2 to 3 X week, California Poppy 2 droppers, various essential oils 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/21446-superwoman-effexor-taper/page/8/?tab=comments#comment-475779

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator

Trying to find good information on supplements is next to impossible. It takes a lot of research to find anything.

 

There are three main ingredients in this formulation: curcurman, Boswalla, and black seed oil.

Curcurman is a good anti-inflamitory but can cause kidney stones. Personal experience on that one.

Boswellia is Frankincence, which is psychoactive and plays with neurotransmitters.

Black Seed Oil is an anticoagulant/blood thinner, abortive (not recommended for women wanting children) and is psychoactive playing with serotonin levels.

 

I really wish there was a list too, but it would destroy the supplement industry. A general rule of thumb is that if a supplement promotes "wellbeing" it is psychoactive and will cause problems with ADWD.

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/14/2023 at 4:21 PM, brassmonkey said:

Trying to find good information on supplements is next to impossible. It takes a lot of research to find anything.

 

There are three main ingredients in this formulation: curcurman, Boswalla, and black seed oil.

Curcurman is a good anti-inflamitory but can cause kidney stones. Personal experience on that one.

Boswellia is Frankincence, which is psychoactive and plays with neurotransmitters.

Black Seed Oil is an anticoagulant/blood thinner, abortive (not recommended for women wanting children) and is psychoactive playing with serotonin levels.

 

I really wish there was a list too, but it would destroy the supplement industry. A general rule of thumb is that if a supplement promotes "wellbeing" it is psychoactive and will cause problems with ADWD.

Yeah, I agree it is hard to find information on herbs and takes a lot of research.  The information is often conflicting as well.  That's why I asked my doctor about it.  Could this supplement cause dependency or withdrawal? 

 

It has helped a lot.  Much more then the prescription anti-inflammatory.  I haven't noticed any side effects or worsening of WD.  I don't react to things nearly as much as I used to.  That is good to be aware of the kidney stones. 

 

1993-2000: Zoloft few months CT, Prozac 1-2 yrs, Ritalin PRN

2002/2003: Wellbutrin,  Paxil 25mg FT, and Xanax PRN CT (all 3 to 6 months), Adderal 40mg, Strattera 40mg

2003- 2016: Effexor XR 75 mg to 150 mg., Strattera (2002-2008)

2017: Effexor XR 225 mg. Gabapentin 300 mg. Elavil 25 mg.

2018: (Sept.) Effexor XR 187.5 mg, Zoloft 10 mg. (OCT.) FT off Gabapentin (NOV.) FT off Elavil (DEC) FT Effexor to 150 mg.

2019: (JAN.) D/C Zoloft, added Viibryd 10mg (FEB) CT Viibryd, (MAR) Prozac bridge, Effexor xr 112.5mg, (Sept.) Effexor XR 112.5 mg + 0.4 mg (1 bead), (Oct.) Effexor XR 112.5mg, (Dec.28) start 10% taper Effexor XR 101.25 mg, 

2020: (Jan. 25) Effexor XR 91 mg., (Feb. 22) Effexor xr 82 mg., (Mar. 21) 75 mg. 

Supplements:  Vitamin D 5000 IU topical, Probiotic 6 billion CFU, Epsom salt bath 1C 2 to 3 X week, California Poppy 2 droppers, various essential oils 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/21446-superwoman-effexor-taper/page/8/?tab=comments#comment-475779

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems particularly difficult to find information on which herbs can cause tolerance, dependency and withdrawal.  I try to look up each herb.  But I still worry.  I don't know if there is as much information either on herbs and if it will say about withdrawal.  But I don't want to be afraid to take anything either.  I might try to make such a list sometime. 

1993-2000: Zoloft few months CT, Prozac 1-2 yrs, Ritalin PRN

2002/2003: Wellbutrin,  Paxil 25mg FT, and Xanax PRN CT (all 3 to 6 months), Adderal 40mg, Strattera 40mg

2003- 2016: Effexor XR 75 mg to 150 mg., Strattera (2002-2008)

2017: Effexor XR 225 mg. Gabapentin 300 mg. Elavil 25 mg.

2018: (Sept.) Effexor XR 187.5 mg, Zoloft 10 mg. (OCT.) FT off Gabapentin (NOV.) FT off Elavil (DEC) FT Effexor to 150 mg.

2019: (JAN.) D/C Zoloft, added Viibryd 10mg (FEB) CT Viibryd, (MAR) Prozac bridge, Effexor xr 112.5mg, (Sept.) Effexor XR 112.5 mg + 0.4 mg (1 bead), (Oct.) Effexor XR 112.5mg, (Dec.28) start 10% taper Effexor XR 101.25 mg, 

2020: (Jan. 25) Effexor XR 91 mg., (Feb. 22) Effexor xr 82 mg., (Mar. 21) 75 mg. 

Supplements:  Vitamin D 5000 IU topical, Probiotic 6 billion CFU, Epsom salt bath 1C 2 to 3 X week, California Poppy 2 droppers, various essential oils 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/21446-superwoman-effexor-taper/page/8/?tab=comments#comment-475779

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Mentor
1 hour ago, Superwoman said:

t seems particularly difficult to find information on which herbs can cause tolerance, dependency and withdrawal.

 

This can be tricky, I don't know how much research has been done around dependency. I've found that making teas instead of tinctures (which are more concentrated) can be helpful. Low dose, usually with other herbs, with the bonus of a hydrating cup of tea.

 

Also, I've consulted the book's Medica Materia more than any other herbal book over the years. It's got a wealth of information spanning a lot of topics.

Pronouns: they/them/theirs 

Started on Prozac in early 2000s to treat cPTSD, been on various cocktails ever since.

2002-2004, 2017-2022: Buspar, tapered down to 0

2016-present: 100mg Seroquel for sleep -> May 2023: 90mg -> June 2023: 81mg -> September 2023: 72mg -> switched to brand name, much too strong, down to 60mg -> October 2023: 54mg -> November 2023: 50mg -> January 2024: 45mg

2016-Present: 100mg Wellbutrin SR -> January 2023: 75mg IR (37.5mg 2x a day) -> February 2023 (33.75mg 2x a day) -> July 2023 (30.37mg 2x a day) -> August 2023: 27.33mg 2x a day 

2018-present: 25mg Pristiq

2015-present: 600mg Gabapentin (200mg 3x a day) -> December 2022: 300mg Gabapentin (100mg 3x a day) per GP's recommendation after side effects -> March 2023: 90mg 3x a day (switched to liquid suspension) -> April 2023: 81mg 3x a day -> September 2023: bad generic, switched back to homemade liquid; too strong after bad generic, down to 70mg 3x a day, still bad. Adjusted slowly till at 60mg 3x a day, much better. Long hold till -> December 2023: 54mg, still feels too high after November Seroquel switch from brand name to generic, doc recommended 50mg which feels better -> January 2024: When Wellbutrin went down, Gabapentin started putting me to sleep, went down to 45mg, then 41mg to stay awake, so far so good -> February 2024: 36mg

Supplements: Multivitamin w/magnesium, probiotics, digestive enzymes, anti-viral nitric oxide nose spray as needed

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator

With daily use Passionflower can cause dependency and tolerance in a few weeks and needs to be tapered.

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy