☼ ItsNearlyMedlessKateAgain

[scallywag]

I hope you're home-free from Lamictal.  A jump from 5 mg twice daily to 0 is a big one. Given all the medications you've come off of in the last 12-18 months and the fast tapers, it's likely that your CNS (central nervous system) is highly sensitized.  

 

From your signature:

Lexapro -  08/15, Started at 10mg, tapered daily over three weeks

 

Gabapentin - 800 mg

2 attempts to discontinue led to ER visits: 7/13 cold turkey ; 8/14 Reduced by half .

10/15 3rd attempt to discontinute successful, reduced by around 10% a week for close to 3 months.

 

Latuda with Zofran - 04/16, 60 mg reduced by half for a week, then 20 mg for four days, 10 mg for four days, then 5 mg for four days

 

Lamictal - started at 200mg (100 x2 daily); tapered 1mg per day (bad move) from April 28th, 2016 to late May 2016. Held at 175 mg from May 28th 2016. Tapered 10% to 157mg on June 21 2016.

added by scallywag

Tapered to 5 mg twice daily. Oct 27 - Nov. 3, 2016

0 mg Nov 4 - today

 

People often experience a withdrawal honeymoon of several weeks and then get blasted with a shockwave of symptoms. I do hope you escape this but my good thoughts for you carry little weight with your CNS.

 

It's only been 5 days, I hope that you'll consider reinstating the twice-daily 5 mg dose and hold for a bit and then continue to taper from there.

[ItsNearlyMedlessKateAgain]

Thankfully, all is still going well at 21 days. I celebrated my first major holiday prescription-free in 15 years yesterday and I'm pleased to say it was a smashing success.

 

A few months ago, I reestablished a relationship with an old therapist willing to work with me on an as-needed basis and who is supportive of my going off meds. I have a monthly standing appointment that I cancel if I don't need - his idea and it's working. So far, I have not been back since we re-initiated a therapeutic relationship. Just knowing I can see him if I need to has offered me a level of professional support to continue doing this on my own without feeling like I'm working entirely outside of and against the system.

 

I also started a small business online which has been slow to get going but is providing me a sense of accomplishment and purpose and a possible eventual avenue off of disability benefits. Major props to successful sole-proprietor small business owners - I feel like I need four hands and a secretary to get everything done but keeping busy with positive productive work certainly helps any negative symptoms that crop up.

 

I still have a very controlled, mostly non-stressful day-to-day life with a huge amount of support at home, so I can't yet say I am fully functioning or about to go out and change the world. I was raised to be a caretaker and ignore my own needs. However, I have learned - the hard way, I think -  that when I care for and nurture myself the way I would for a small child, being sure to take care of my own needs without feeling selfish for doing so, that I function at a much higher level. And I can't help but be pleased with the progress I've made by following this gentler path with and for myself.

 

I wish all continued success in this journey. Peace!

[ItsNearlyMedlessKateAgain]

Today is my 4th anniversary off prescription drugs. I wanted to provide a short update to encourage others. 
 

Since I got off the drugs, I’ve gotten married, went off disability, started a small crafting business, spent two 10 month stints traveling the US full time in my RV. I am now under contract to purchase my first home. I will be a homeowner with a mortgage. And I’ve been offered a job to start after I get settled in researching real estate while I study for my realtors license. I have been asked to speak before the Maryland legislature and was asked to give an interview to a major magazine this year - both of which I respectfully declined for the time being.  I have been given a new chance at life after many years of being told I was disabled and needed to temper my expectations and realize my limitations. I have learned to never ever ever give up.

 

Thank you SA, Alto, JanCarol and all the moderators and participants.

 

Love, KindredSpirit

[manymoretodays]

Hi NearlyMedlessKate......now Medless Kate, also ItsNearlyMedlessKateAgain,

 

Sounds like you are doing super!  4th anniversary off!  Are you still experiencing any Waves and Windows?

Would you summarize your withdrawal history in your signature please

^ will help us all understand the context of your posts, I do see your first post here, with some of your history and then an initial signature done previously.  Just take a look at the above link, for the how tos.  Thank you.

 

And I hope you will consider adding your story to our Success Stories forum, as well.  And thankyou for coming back to encourage others.  ❤️

 

What were you asked to speak about and be interviewed on?  I'm thinking that it was probably around the trials of medications, and then WD(withdrawals), but not quite sure.  And I can understand your declining for the time being.

 

Many thanks,

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

So happy to read that update! Because you're feeling better, I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol ☼ to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

 

Please add your story to our Recovery Success Stories!

[ChessieCat]

Hi @ItsNearlyMedlessKateAgain

 

It's nearly your 6 year anniversary.  We'd love for you to post your Success Story!