Christian Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Thanks but I didn't do anything special. In fact, what I did isn't advised. I just rotated them taking one at bedtime when I first went on them last December when all of this happened and I had insanely high nighttime cortisol. After my cortisol dropped and the anxiety left, I didn't need benzos/sleep meds anymore. I'm also down to 2.5 mg of Mirtz. Being on that only 7 months, I might jump off. Again, not advised. This whole mess isn't who we are. We aren't drug addicts. We are fathers, mothers, business people or whatever. We were given meds to treat something probably minor. We took our dose as directed. Then cause we didn't know better we hopped off. Then we became pathetic, panicked souls trying to figure out what to do to get our lives back. Reinstating, sleep meds, whatever. At least I am getting closer to me being off most of the meds. Though what's left of me is not the high functioning traveling salesman/father. Hopefully I can get some of that back. Looks like you are Bruin! Terribly happy for you. Lexapro: started in 2002 at 10 mgs. Ambien: started as a as needed sleep aid in 2010. Quit Lexapro cold turkey in June 20015 due to contributing to low sodium issues. Restarted Lexapro in late November for a week (only 5 mgs) but quit due to dizziness side effects. Side effects worsened for 3 weeks until 12/24/15: Protracted WD hit, experienced extreme anxiety, insomnia lack of full concentration and social challenges. Reinstated Lexapro on 1/1/16 at 5 mgs. Increased per Dr to 7.5 MG. Tapered off Lexapro in March 2016. Started 50MG of Seroquel in late January 2016 for bedtime to help in eliminate Ambien. Tapered off both Seroquel and Ambien in March 2016. 2/14/16: Prescribed both Remeron (15 MG) and Temazapam (15 MG) for sleep. Also use Klonopin and Ambien again in place of Temazapam to avoid addiction. However I did take Temazapam 60 straight days 6/15/16: Stopped use of all benzo's and now use Belsomra 1-2 times a week. Still on 15 MG of Remeron 10/11/16: Off all psych medications After kindling, trying to regain my strength suffering from severe mental and physical fatigue. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted September 23, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 23, 2016 Christian, you scare me - 2.5 mg Mirt when in June you were on 15? That's scary fast! I am hustling off the Mirt due to grossly raised cholesterol and anemia which I believe are caused by Mirt, but even then I am doing maybe 15% per month and doing well with that. Bruin, it is nice to read you are doing relatively well now and clearly are in control of your destiny with regards to these meds. I feel the same way, that I am in the driver's seat and know that symptoms could arise from cuts but that they are not a mystery if they do happen. I think it will be smooth sailing for you here on out! SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Bruin Posted September 25, 2016 Author Share Posted September 25, 2016 Good to hear from you SG thanks for stopping by my thread and for the cheering on. Very much appreciated. I know that sometimes there will be steps backwards and that recovery is not linear.....but am with the same group of friends that I was with this time last year and can track that I have made some progress in that time. This is encouraging. Glad that you are in the driving seat....the best place to be ! All the Very Best Bruin Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Bruin Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 Wanted to ask a question ...I am thinking about getting a flu shot as am going on a long haul flight and am frightened about picking up a virus from being in a confined space for so long......However am concerned that getting the shot maybe destabilising......Would welcome any wisdom on this subject.....All good wishes to all ...Bruin Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted October 13, 2016 Moderator Share Posted October 13, 2016 I've been getting them the past several years and have not had any problems. They do make my arm sore for a day or two. Hope you have a great trip. I have several coming up and can't wait to get going. 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
Bruin Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 Thanks brassmonkey and hope you have a great time too ! Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
peng Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 I had one a couple of weeks ago, as in previous years, with no apparent odd effects. On Effexor, too, 162.5mg just now. Born 1945. 1999 - First Effexor/Venlafaxine. 2016 Withdrawal research. Effexor. 13Jul - 212.5mg; 6Aug - 200.0mg; 24Aug - 187.5mg; 13Sep - 175.0mg; 3Oct - 162.5mg; 26Oct - 150mg 2017 9Jan - 150.00mg; 23Mar - 137.50mg; 24Apr - 125.00mg; 31May - 112.50mg holding; 3Sep - 100.00mg; 20Sep - 93.75mg; 20Oct - 87.5mg; 12Nov - 81.25mg; 13 Dec - 75.00mg 2018 18Jan - 69.1mg; 16Feb - 62.5mg; 16March - 57.5mg (-8%); 22Apr - 56.3mg(-2%); CRASHED - Updose 29May - 62.5mg; Updose - 1Jul - 75.0mg. Updose - 2Aug - 87.5mg. Updose - 27Aug - 100.0mg. Updose - 11Oct 112.5mg. Updose - 6Nov 125.00mg. 2019 Updoses 19 Jan - 150.0mg. 1April - 162.5mg. 24 April - Feeling better - doing tasks, getting outside. 7 May - usual depression questionnaire gives "probably no depression" result. Supps/Vits Omega 3; Chelated Magnesium; Prebiotics/Probiotics, Vit D3. Link to comment
Bruin Posted October 14, 2016 Author Share Posted October 14, 2016 Hi Peng.....Thanks Very Much.......glad you are tapering Effexor slowly....I pretty much cold turkeyed it...not to be advised.! All the Best. Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
AliG Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Bruin. You might like to read through this : http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4976-flu-shots-and-other-vaccines/ Have a great trip. 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
Bruin Posted October 14, 2016 Author Share Posted October 14, 2016 Very Helpful Ali......Thank You ! Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted October 15, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 15, 2016 Hi, Bruin. I wanted to thank you for the kind posts you've left on my thread and to wish you well on your trip. I don't have any experience with getting a flu shot during withdrawal, but I hope if you do, it doesn't affect your recovery and you're able to travel. Also, don't forget the importance of getting plenty of nutritious food including foods with vitamin C for your immunity. That's important, too. It's easy to get off track with diet and sleep on trips, so please take good care of yourself. I know we sound like a bunch of over-protective mothers around here, but it's because we care. Sending healing vibes your way. Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted October 15, 2016 Moderator Share Posted October 15, 2016 Hey Bruin-- I just remembered, I frequently take a zinc lozenge before getting on a plane. Their great for reducing the chance of catching something. 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
Bruin Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 Thank you BM.......I take Zinc but will get some lozenges for the flight ! Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Bruin Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 Thanks Shep.........it feels good to be cared for...beyond good...completely vital in this rather gruelling process. Sometimes it is hard to self care and get all the good nutrients in. I do juice quite a lot but am going to do the smoothie thing too I am feeling the Benzo Taper a bit so need to be kind to myself. Lotos of healing vibes back to you too ! Bruin Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Bruin Posted December 3, 2016 Author Share Posted December 3, 2016 Pleased that the BMA, British Medical Association is recognising the damage caused by Psychiatric drugs and there are calls for a 24 hour helpline. Am sure this will take an age to institute but it would be an absolute lifesaver. Definitely something I would sign up for as a volunteer. Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
AliG Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Hey Bruin. Happy New Year . I want to thank you for the encouragement & support offered on my thread. I really appreciate that. How was your trip ? I hope it went well. You haven't done an update recently so I'm not sure how you are doing but I assume the silence means you're coasting along nicely. I know you're active on the Benzo thread but I rarely get there. Wishing you much healing & happiness in 2017. 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
Bruin Posted January 6, 2017 Author Share Posted January 6, 2017 Thank you AliG and very Happy New Year to you too........I am glad I did the trips but they have rather worn me out. I am mainly posting on the Benzo Thread because am tapering Valium but know I am still affected by the Effexor and Lyrica rapid tapers. I keep hoping I will wake up feeling myself again but have a feeling that this is going to be a long journey which will take patience, stamina and courage. I am not really able to work and the mornings are tough. The most difficult thing I find is to maintain a positive attitude .... I do know deep down that I will Heal but wish I had a date !......The worst of the DP/DR has gone and I am getting a bit more sleep but the neuro emotions, fatigue and agoraphobia are still pronounced. May 2017 be wonderful and happy one for you Ali G......... Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Martina23 Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Bruin, I wish you also a nice year 2017 and hope that you feel already better overally. 05/2013 Lyrica 100 mg / per day for pain + PGAD resulting from caesarian delivery11/2014 started to taper: 50 mg per day/ for one week then c/tafter one month reinstated at 50 mg /per days of 10 July 2015 drug free- symptoms OCD Link to comment
Bruin Posted January 14, 2017 Author Share Posted January 14, 2017 Thank you Martina........and may 2017 be a wonderful year for you with health and creativity. Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
Bruin Posted February 26, 2017 Author Share Posted February 26, 2017 I mainly post in the Benzo section at the moment because it is the taper which I am actively engaged in. Down to 1 mg Valium...Hooray ! I am coming up to 2 years post an Effexor CT........well a taper of 6 weeks...essentially a CT. I do not think that I am completely healed from that trauma but some symptoms are vastly improved. I am not planning to approach Mirtazapine until I am well clear of the Valium. I feel like I need a rest from tapering after the last couple of years. I know that no psych drugs are good but my experience of Mirt has not been nearly as bad as that with Effexor. I have been on it a hell of a long time....over 15 years. I do hope coming off will not be too hard. I feel pretty sure that it is no longer effective , but imagine that my brain is completely habituated it to it for functioning. Anyhow am not dealing with that today ........First task is to heal from my brush with Benzos. Anti Depressants for 25 years. Valium between 2006 to 7 tapered off over a month without too bad withdrawals. For last 15 years 150 mg of Effexor and 30 mg of Mirtazapine. Occasional short term benzo use without habituation. March 2015 stopped Effexor after rapid taper. 6 weeks. One month fluoxetine June 2015...stopped CT July 2015. October 2013 to December 2015 Zopiclone 15 mg at night, Dec 2015 to Early March 2016 Lyrica 75 mg at night. Stopped too quickly as adverse side effects. January to May 2016 tapered Zopiclone to 7.5mg Crossed over to Valium and now ..March 28th 2017 Benzo Free. Also on 30 mg Mirtazapine and holding until have finished Benzo taper. IN protracted WD from Effexor. Link to comment
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