Mandyv Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 I was introduced to antidepressants and benzos in 2002 for anxiety and depression. The list looks like this: effexor xr,Paxil, zoloft, lexapro,celexa,and brintellix being the latest ad.. benzos were ativan,Valium, and clonopin being the latest. I'm only 3 weeks into recovery from ad..about 3 months from benzos.. will I ever be "normal" this is horrible 2002-2016 AD-Zoloft 50-100mg,effexor 37.5-75mg,Paxil, lexapro, celexa,and most recent was brintellix 20mg tapered over 2 weeks and last dose was 2/2/16 Benzos 2002-2015-ativan 0.25mg,Valium 5mg,and most recent klonopin 1mg last dose after 4 day taper Ad were pretty steady over the time span and the benzos had been daily three times a day for several years Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Fresh Posted February 27, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi Mandy , welcome to the site. It can be very dangerous to stop any of these meds. abruptly. Please can you give us a little more detail about your situation: - what dose of brintellix were you taking , for how long , how did you come off - what symptoms are you having at the moment - how many years were you taking benzos for , what doses etc. By stopping without adequate tapering , you're at risk of "protracted withdrawal syndrome" , which can continue for many months. You may be able to reinstate a small dose to alleviate symptoms , then taper off slowly after things have become stable. Instructions for filling out your signature are here Please put your withdrawal history in your signature After 14 years on meds. it may be quite some time before you feel "normal" again if you ride out the withdrawal. bw , Fresh 1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg 2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months. July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months. Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg. October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive. March 2016 , 21mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SkyBlue Posted February 27, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi Mandy and welcome to SA. We're glad you found us. 2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever. 2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds. 2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better. Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.) "You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa Link to comment
Mandyv Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 Thanks for replying! I am trying to figure out the signature thing! 2002-2016 AD-Zoloft 50-100mg,effexor 37.5-75mg,Paxil, lexapro, celexa,and most recent was brintellix 20mg tapered over 2 weeks and last dose was 2/2/16 Benzos 2002-2015-ativan 0.25mg,Valium 5mg,and most recent klonopin 1mg last dose after 4 day taper Ad were pretty steady over the time span and the benzos had been daily three times a day for several years Link to comment
Mandyv Posted March 3, 2016 Author Share Posted March 3, 2016 My most recent toxic cocktail was brintellix 20mg once a day and 1mg klonopin three times a day.. I was forced into a rapid taper from klonopin over a 2 week period and then the brintellix taper happened due to adverse effects after the klonopin was discontinued. That was tapered off in about 2 months.. since November the symptoms include night sweats, extreme anxiety and panic, hypervigilence, dp/Dr,insomnia, vision disturbance,fear ok going insane,losing control,obsessive thinking,fear of anything that is uncertain,questioning faith and life,thinking about thinking..just to name a few. 2002-2016 AD-Zoloft 50-100mg,effexor 37.5-75mg,Paxil, lexapro, celexa,and most recent was brintellix 20mg tapered over 2 weeks and last dose was 2/2/16 Benzos 2002-2015-ativan 0.25mg,Valium 5mg,and most recent klonopin 1mg last dose after 4 day taper Ad were pretty steady over the time span and the benzos had been daily three times a day for several years Link to comment
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