Cheryl Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 I am in a "desparate" situation. I have weaned off my antidepressants after well over 10 yrs. I cannot be on them, period. I found out from a psychiatrist that gastro patients should not be on SSRIs. It has to do with the "mind/gut connection". Any increase of serotonin via mouth goes right to the gut=too much serotonin. as a result of going off of them I have never felt better in the gut so to speak. As a result I am severely depressed. I can't even take anything natural such as tryptophan or 5-HTP. I was put on Trileptal and am not fully titrated up. I don't feel comfortable taking it. Aftwr reading everyone's posts, I feel it's better to ride out the storm. I am basically "existing", barely functioning at work. My current depression is what I call "raw". I am at my lowest, but able to pull my thoughts out of SI with thoughts of my boys. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 31, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 31, 2016 Hi Cheryl, welcome to SA. Sorry to hear that you are struggling. It's good that you have found SA. This is a very supportive community. It would be helpful if you would Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature Please include ALL drugs, dates, doses and how & when you decreased/increased them. Were you suffering gastro problems prior to EVER taking antidepressants? Or did the problems start after you started taking them? Or did they start after you stopped taking them? It is important for us to have drug and symptoms details because it will assist the staff to make suggestions based on your individual situation. Introduction to AD Withdrawal Syndrome Here is a link Digestive problems: Nausea, Diarrhoea, Bloating, GERD Other members here suffer from gastric issues so I'm sure you'll get some support. * 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
nz11 Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Welcome Cheryl. Sure glad you found sa. Sounds like you are suffering classic withdrawal symptoms for sure. To be able to hold down a job and endure wdl is amazing. Here is one of my favourite links on a list of wdl symptoms http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2390-dr-joseph-glenmullens-withdrawal-symptom-checklist/ You say your weaned off all your ad's' -plural. Did you wean off several at the same time? What was your taper method? As requested by cc be great to fill out the drug sig. They make them pretty tough in Michigan. nz11 ssri wdl reminds me of a towns name in Michigan and i ain't referring to 'Paradise' . Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Cheryl Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 Thank you all fir responding.It took me a while to navigate in here and find my post. I will definitely fill out the rest of my information. (and yes, it is hell Goldstar ;-)( I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted March 31, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 31, 2016 Welcome to SA, Cheryl. Sorry you have to be here but this is the best place for help on this subject. Two things for you: First, if you go to the upper right of this page, there is a little box that says "follow" and if you click it you will receive an email each time someone posts on your thread. Easy to find that way. Second, "goldstar" is a reference to how many posts someone has made. Each person has a screen name like "Cheryl" or, in my case "apace41". So NZ11 is a goldstar member but we still like to call him NZ11. Post your history and we can provide more help. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted March 31, 2016 Administrator Share Posted March 31, 2016 Welcome, Cheryl. What is your gastro illness? I have never heard that gastro patients can't take SSRIs (though SSRIs affect the gut as well). I think your psychiatrist might be expressing a very eccentric opinion. Also, he or she doesn't know how to taper someone off an antidepressant. That's a red flag. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Cheryl Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 Thank you everyone for your response. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in my early 20's. I had my first son at 27. After that, my flare ups got worse. My disease progressed to the point of multiple hospitalizations, which I should add I developed PTSD. I had a surgery 1995, to remove my entire large bowel and an internal reservoir was make from small bowel. I go more often than the average person. I had my seconds son in 1996. I still had symptoms and my diagnosis was changed to crohn's disease. My mental illness diagnosis all came afterward. I took myself off the Abilify this past August because I knew it was raising my Tryglycerides...and I survived withdrawal. The doctor I met was in the ER. SSRI's cause upset in gastro patients. This all correlates with the "mind/gut" connection. Since 95% of serotonin is produced in the bowels, adding any additional serotonin does not go well with me. Since I went off the Lexapro, my bowel function has improved nearly 100%. Sorry this is so long and I don't want to get to "graphic" with my descriptions. I am extremely involved in research of my conditions. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Cheryl Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 nz11, I am struggling in my job currently. I am required to have a diagnosis to be in my position. Boss lady is very understanding. Even though I am supported I have realized I do not want to continue working there. If is stressful line of work. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
nz11 Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Thanks for taking the time to update the drug sig. Sorry i am a little confused are you taking or not currently taking the klonopin? How did you taper the lexapro out of interest. 5mg drop per week for two weeks? What a kind boss you have. You are very fortunate. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 1, 2016 Author Share Posted April 1, 2016 I am currently still taking Klonopin. .25 to .50 at night. I have always been a minimalist when it comes to medication. I always break my .50 in halves and will usually take that first before adding the second half. I do know my anxiety is increased so I know this is not the time to get rid of it. My last LPN put me on Lamictal and I was only on it for 2 weeks. As soon as I titrated to 50 I was itching all night. Now it's Trileptal. To be honest I think it is making me worse. I barely started it. I plan to discontinue. It has not even been 2 weeks. I have been off the Lexapro for almost 3 months. I went down to 3/4 pill for less than a week and than 5mg over about 2 weeks, I also broke the 5 in half for bit. I have the best boss in the world. My whole team of case managers are very supportive. I can cry at my desk and it's okay. Our agency supports us peer support specialists. She asked me if I needed time off but I said no. I have to go or I won't get out of bed. I do know that the stress of this job is triggering me more. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 She asked me if I needed time off but I said no. I have to go or I won't get out of bed. Wow good for you what a great attitude. I think that is a good idea work can be a helpful distraction in wdl. In my opinion you are suffering lexapro withdrawal as the major player here and it could go on for many many months. (Hey i was pretty close with my guess at your doctor advised taper schedule! Sometimes i surprise myself! I would like to tell you that if you followed the 10% of previous dose per month taper method rec here then it would take in the vicinity or just under 2 years to taper off 10mg.) It appears the medical profession are simply following past guessing behaviours - trying to smother psychotropic drug withdrawal from uninformed tapering with a new drug. Cheryl you need to step up and consider refusing to continue on this drug merry go round. I dont know your medical situation but trileptal is an off label (unapproved) mood stabilizer an antiepileptic. These drugs have a huge number of side effects known and unknown. And who knows how it is reacting with other drugs. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22735246 One of the side effects i notice is 'upset stomach' so that seems a bit odd they would give you this drug esp considering their comments on not wanting to trigger gut issues. I would ditch the trileptal and say no to adding and swallowing anymore chemicals. If you cant cope with the (lexapro) wdl symptoms then you may consider going back onto a very small amount of lexapro. When stable you could taper off following the advice here at sa. People can advise on that too. If you continue on lex free it may take some time to stabilize then when stable you could start a klonopin taper. There is a benzo forum here and someone can advise on how best to taper the klonopin. Im so glad you found sa. nz11 Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Was going to recommend a book 'anatomy of an epidemic ' by R Whitaker But you might find insightful this interview with Brogan. Brogan is a psychiatrist who read the Whitaker's book and then turned against her tribe and now says, "i don't prescribe anymore'. http://seancroxton.com/008-kelly-brogan/ Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 1, 2016 Author Share Posted April 1, 2016 "It appears the medical profession are simply following past guessing behaviours - trying to smother psychotropic drug withdrawal from uninformed tapering with a new drug." I am so glad you are following up with me and just having this group increases my confidence. Actually, the drug tapering schedule was my own. I had an 80 yr old dr. that I "fired" after I met the ER dr. The LPN was trying to "think outside the box" by starting with lamictal, then trileptal. I fired him since and see a new LPN on the 22nd. If will only be on klonopin when I see her. I appreciate all the links you are sending me...I will read for sure. I also just ordered yhe book recommended by missmelle in her recovery topic. I will definitely be following up with you. Feeling hopeful, that alone changes my whole attitude. In my job we are considered "hope givers". You are all hope givers here as well!! I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 1, 2016 Author Share Posted April 1, 2016 Title: Recovery and Renewal: Your Essential Guide to Overcoming Dependency and Withdrawal from Sleeping Pills, Other 'Benzo' Tranquillisers and Antidepressants Author: Frederick, Baylissa This is the book I ordered I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Mentor ang Posted April 1, 2016 Mentor Share Posted April 1, 2016 Hello Cheryl, welcome to the group! 1992 Dothiepin 375mg 8 weeks, exhaustion/depression. Serotonin syndrome, oh yes! seizures . Fell pregnant, 3rd baby, Nitrous Oxide, 3 weeks mental hospital pp psychosis. zoloft tegretol. Feb 1996 ct tegretol, tapered Zoloft 8 weeks. as (unexpectedly) pregnant. Steven died after 3 days.(Zolft HLHS baby). 98 had run in with Paxil, 2 tablets, 3 weeks taper, survived.2005..menopause? exhausted again. Zyprexa, mad in three days, fallout.... Seroquel, Effexor, tegretol, and 8 years of self destruction. Failed taper.Damn 1/4 valium... nuts again! .fallout, zoloft 100mg seroquol 400mg mirtazapine 45 mg tegretol 400mg. Mid 14 3 month taper. Nov 14 CRASH.Mid 15 .... 75mg seroquel, 3 x 1800mg SJW 2 week window end of December followed by 6 week wave5/2 68mg seroquel, 2.5 x 1800mg SJW::::20/2 61mg seroquel, 2.5 x SJW::: 26/2 54mg seroquel, 2 x SJW::::21/3 43mg seroquel, 1 x 2700SJW :::: 23/4 36mg seroquel 1 x 1800 SJW15/5 33mg seroquel, 1 x SJW:::: 28/5 30mg seroquel, 1 x SJW::::; 18/6 25mg seroquel 1/2 SJW::::, 11/7 21mg seroquel 1/2 SJW::, 26/7 18mg seroquel 1/2 SJW:::, 9/8 12mg seroquel :::, 16/8 6mg seroquel ;;;;, 12/9 0 jump. 23/9 3mg....., 27/9 0mg. Reinstated, 6mg, then 12mg............. LIGHTBULB MOMENT, I have MTHFR 2x mutations. CFS and issues with MOULD in my home. So I left home, and working 150km away during week, loving it. Oh was hard, panic attacks first week, gone now, along with the mould issues. Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 1, 2016 Author Share Posted April 1, 2016 Thank you!! I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Cheryl that looks like an interesting book It came out in 2014. http://www.amazon.com/Recovery-Renewal-overcoming-tranquillisers-antidepressants/dp/1849055343#reader_1849055343 I have had a quick look at the taper section on amazon i 'take a look inside' First of all they say if taking a benzo and an ad then taper the benzo first. This site rec taper the ad first. Also for me it is not acceptable to give someone tapering advise by saying "reduce the drug in small increments periodically" and send them on their way. This sort of advice infuriates me. It is totally devoid of any specifics. Nor is it good enough to say "if you take a high dose you will take longer to withdrawal" ..thats about as profound as saying if you live 1 mile from the shops it will take longer to get there than someone who lives across the road from the shops. Then when i read "you will need to co-operate with your doctor" (though generally slow to anger) i now start to feel the onset of limbic activity. Look the best thing you can do is to spend time here browsing the mountain of info. provided on this site. This is the front line. The book does seem to have some very interesting chapters (im very keen to have a read) but in terms of tapering advice i would look no further than sa. Because anything else is second best and sometimes second best just aint good enough! Hate to say it. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
AliG Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 Cheryl. She has a website and is on Facebook , as well . http://www.recoverystories.info/recovery-road-website-from-baylissa-bliss-frederick/ Welcome aboard . Ali Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted April 1, 2016 Administrator Share Posted April 1, 2016 Baylissa is a wonderful counselor regarding withdrawal. Cheryl, when you say "depressed" -- what's it like? How's your sleep? This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 2, 2016 Author Share Posted April 2, 2016 Thank you Ali...I am so glad I found this group. nz11, I like what you sent me. I am one who has always marched to my own beat since I was little. I question anything my doctors recommend if I want clarity...and often times do what I think is best for me, even if it goes against their recommendation. That's the "feisty and noncompliant" part of me. As far as "depressed"...it's different now than when I was on Lexapro. As I said in my original post, it is "raw" now. I feel like I'm at the bottom and when suicidal ideations come to mind they are in a higher place, easier to pull myself back. On Lexapro, my thoughts would spiral towards the SI, depending on my triggers, at a quicker rate. Stress and anxiety have always been my triggers. I was originally prescibed .50 of klonopin up to 4 times a day but never followed that. I wanted it to be effective for when I truly needed it. I try to use some of my relaxation tecniques that I teach my consumers but it seems like I'm the last one to use them. I actually had a "good" day today although found myself quick to anger. As far as sleep goes, it varies. I take .25-.50 klonopin at night. Lately I sleep for about 5hrs straight some nights, other nights it's disturbed. It's getting out of bed that's the hardest. If I cannot sleep in the middle of the night I put on Binaural Beats to help me go back out. For anyone who has not heard of that, search it on YouTube. There are different kinds, kind of like spa music. I also want to add that I went into menopause 7 yrs ago, which at that time my anxiety doubled. I lost a brother prior to that, so I became even more dependent on the medication. If there is anyone out there that can relate I would love to hear from you. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 2, 2016 Author Share Posted April 2, 2016 I started out with a good day today...then it turned bad. I believe I am still easily angered and feel like I'm "obsessed" with things. When I was originally diagnosed with major depressive disorder I truly believe it was just stress and anxiety symptoms. I'm sorta feeling like I am going back to that. Does any of this make sense? I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Hopeinahpwr Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 Cheryl, It does. Please stay strong! I will pray for you. I also look to my children for strength and want to push thru for them, we must! On zoloft since 2000 for OCD/anxiety. Tapered off from 150mg to 100, 50, 25 over Dec/Jan 2015. After month n half off, began depression. Being terrified, as I never had depression before, after a few days, went back to 50mg, then five days later to 100mg. Now stable. I will stop this medication, with time and perseverance...my current taper level and timing are as follows, which includes No other Rx's, No alcohol, NEVER any illicit drugs: 84mg from October 2016 82mg from February 2017 79mg from April 2017 77mg from June 2017 75mg from July 2017 "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift." - Eleanor Roosevelt "Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation." - Viktor Frankl Link to comment
Hopeinahpwr Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 Also, between full time work, which in itself is stressful and raising and being strong for our children...it's a true struggle...you are not alone. On zoloft since 2000 for OCD/anxiety. Tapered off from 150mg to 100, 50, 25 over Dec/Jan 2015. After month n half off, began depression. Being terrified, as I never had depression before, after a few days, went back to 50mg, then five days later to 100mg. Now stable. I will stop this medication, with time and perseverance...my current taper level and timing are as follows, which includes No other Rx's, No alcohol, NEVER any illicit drugs: 84mg from October 2016 82mg from February 2017 79mg from April 2017 77mg from June 2017 75mg from July 2017 "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift." - Eleanor Roosevelt "Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation." - Viktor Frankl Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Cheryl you are decribing classic wdl symptoms not 'depression' OCD and anger are typical also...i had them. Sadly it is sometimes not able to be seen when in the moment , only in hindsight. Depression is itself a major withdrawal symptom its called 'tardive dysphoria' from memory - drug induced depression. Were you diagnosed with major depressive disorder prior to any drug use? I'd be careful with the use of words in front of a doctor ....instead of using the 'D', word in front of a doctor use words like iatrogenically injured. Akathisia, 'Disappointed'- i wasnt informed of these drug outcomes/effects', tardive dysphoria. Hey i just emailed the library to request them to purchase that book you ordered. Looks like the first book ive seen on coping/surviving wdl. Perhaps its the book PB should have written but didnt. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 Thank you Hopeinahpwr...I did read about these symptoms on someone else's topic. I guess having reconfirmation of it helps. Today I woke up anxious, became tearful for almost no reason and now I'm just down. My memory is horrible. I am glad I have this group. I actually am not raising my boys. They are older, one lives on his own and the other living with his dad. My younger struggles with a diagnosis of his own. I am thankful for my cat, a huge emotional support and good friends. Nz11, I was originally diagnosed with depression orior to drug use. I don't see my new LPN until the end of this month. I don't know what I'm going to tell her yet. I will take your advice though...using the descriptve words instead. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 ok Well that was 8 yrs ago ..depressive disorders resolve in about 3 months.(refer Brogan interview above) So that was then and this is now. (maybe you were a bit more fidgety than usual 8 yrs ago...these defns are very loose) You might like to read these great links too. How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal? What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms? Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Thank you so very much. My day got worse but I stayed productive somewhat. I hate how I feel but I know there's an end in sight to all this misery. ;-) I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 You're welcome. I believe to use the words anxiety , depression, or suicidal in front of a doctor while in wdl (or at any time) is simply to loose all credibility to let the doctor off the hook for any responsibility and to provide them with stuff that can be used against us at any time of their choosing. Hang in there. You are doing amazing to be able to do a job through this. It will get better for sure. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Thank you...I've attached something for all...one of many of positive quotes/readings I use for some of the groups I run. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Hopeinahpwr Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Cheryl, nz11, Just read some of your posts. Thank you for making me feel better! We are all in this together. I am praying for us all! Ben On zoloft since 2000 for OCD/anxiety. Tapered off from 150mg to 100, 50, 25 over Dec/Jan 2015. After month n half off, began depression. Being terrified, as I never had depression before, after a few days, went back to 50mg, then five days later to 100mg. Now stable. I will stop this medication, with time and perseverance...my current taper level and timing are as follows, which includes No other Rx's, No alcohol, NEVER any illicit drugs: 84mg from October 2016 82mg from February 2017 79mg from April 2017 77mg from June 2017 75mg from July 2017 "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift." - Eleanor Roosevelt "Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation." - Viktor Frankl Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 You're welcome Ben and thank you too...prayer is huge. I was planning on giving an update: I feel like I'm having days with good windows and that gives me hope. I also cycle through emotions, crying for a reason, crying for no reason, anger, panic, obsessive thoughts, OCD, anxiety. I have been trying some coping skills from Baylissa's book as well as some of my own. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 This is a photo I found today that describes how I feel I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
nz11 Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Got that book you recommended from the library today. She has done a great job. Its a book thats way overdue and i think many here could have written it. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Yes, I've been flipping through it myself. Sometimes I have to remember to switch up coping techniques. It made sense to me when she says "wait for a good window" to exercise. Certain techniques can be over stimulating, such as music is my go to, but on some days I just have to turn it off. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
AliG Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Cheryl . Are you now off all drugs ? Did you C/T ? If so , how long have you been off, everything ? I might have missed it , but it would help to put that information in your signature. I can totally empathize , as I also suffer the depression , in waves and unfortunately C/T ' ed, before I knew anything . You sound strong and positive , and those qualities will help you through this . Ali Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Cheryl Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 No Ali, I am not off all drugs. I am on my Klonopin still. I went off the Lexapro a few months ago and am still having symptoms. What is C/T? (still getting used to these abbreviations) I have been prescribed Klonopin .50 up to 4 times a day as needed, although never took it that way. I break them in half an take .25. I am now back up yo .50 at night though. I know now is not the time to discontinue it...that will be last. I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018** Link to comment
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