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☼ MostlyAlive: Looking for stability


MostlyAlive

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Mostly Alive. Try reading "Symptoms and Self - Care " . It is the best place to go for non- drug help so as to deal now and in the future with symptoms. Once you learn to deal with emotions and feelings naturally, you will be able to step away from the drugs . I went through the fear /crying and depression in withdrawal . There are no drugs that are going to take this away .If you add more , you end up with more side effects and then more drugs to combat even more side effects, and the cycle goes on. Rinse & repeat .

If you can stabilize, then you can eventually taper off slowly. Then you can start to live.

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
.
         

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Yes. If I can stabilize, now is NOT stable. I have re-instated at 37.5 Effexor and this is not enough.

My wife asked  me to leave my house today because she can't watch it anymore and wants to protect kids but think that would be further destabilizing for me - i have "some" control over sound, temperature, food where I am. Out on the street I wouldn't last a week.

 

I need to recover some level of capability... to appear functional. I went up to 75mg and agitation worsened.

I'm going to try again but take less, maybe 50mg or 60 mg.

 

Does this sound like the right number?

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Mostly, I'm so sorry to hear things are so hard for you. I hope you can keep your stable environment while you are healing. 75 mg is obviously too much for you and lower will obviously be more suitable but when it comes to how much your guess is as good as mine...

 

Can you put your recent changes in the signature so that we know what is going on.

 

I keep saying that it is not so much a particular dose that heals but stability over time. So choosing a particular dose and sticking with it is always the best bet.

 

I still worry about your taper off of 6 mg of Xanax. I'm hesitant to say it but since you are struggling so much I wonder if reinstating a tiny bit of clonazepam would help (you can discuss it with Wellness).

 

Keep us posted and hang in there. You can do it.

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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I still worry about your taper off of 6 mg of Xanax. I'm hesitant to say it but since you are struggling so much I wonder if reinstating a tiny bit of clonazepam would help (you can discuss it with Wellness).

 

 

OMG really? ... dissociating

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

What do you mean?

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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"Taking a benzo" is a stressful idea to contemplate.  It was 2+ years of "hard work" tapering off of them.

 

When I read what you wrote I had an uncomfortable out of body experience. I think it's called dissociation? Perhaps I should have said "depersonalizing." I thought your "hesitance to say" meant anticipation of that kind of reaction so I didn't expound.

 

My current sensitivity is no doubt due in part to GABA receptor downregulation. I am benzo-free for the first time in 20+ years... and was doing ok until tapered SSRI too fast.

 

I guess what you are saying is... it may be time to run the cost benefit analysis again.

I guess what my body is saying is... that's a very scary thought.

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

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I read instructions to calculate -  from my beginning taper point -  10% reductions per month and begin there.

That would indicate I should increase dosage from current re-instated dosage (75mg) to something closer to 130.

Is that correct? Is that what I should do to get rid of this insomnia and hellish fearful agitation?

Or doesn't it matter because I have already "set the dominoes cascading" because I tapered to fast?

 

Alto says:

We have people here who have experienced this. Their situation is real but they are a minority of a minority of a minority

-->people who taper

     --> people who have difficulty tapering and have to slow down

           --> people who get withdrawal syndrome despite very slow tapering

 

the nervous system wobbles a bit after withdrawal (acute withdrawal symptoms) but rights itself. For others, it's more of a slow falling of dominoes, which accumulates or culminates in severe long-term symptoms.

 


Is this where I am? Have the "dominoes" been set in motion or is there something I can do to recover?

Like get the reinstatement dose correct.

 

I am setting up a meeting with Dr. Shipko. Can I reasonably expect to get told "your screwed" for my $250 ?

Please help me understand where I am and what to expect. I need to know if I can undo what I have done.

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I didn't mean to scare you even more. As someone who is on a very similar combo I feel even more for your plight.

 

I said I was hesitant because I have no idea whether that is still an option. And it was more like desperate times call for desperate measures. But know you know where you stand and why you are suffering.

 

I'm curious what dr. Shipko will say.

 

You tried 75 mg and it made things even worse. We are suffering from destabilisation and there is unfortunately no right dose or indeed a quick fix of any kind. But we make it.

 

I will put your question above to the attention of the mod team and I hope there will be more ideas.

 

What are your symptoms at the moment?

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thank you for adding the recent changes into your signature. Can you give more details on the use of Prozac? Why did you start it?

 

Are you now taking 75 mg Effexor (despite the agitation you wrote about) and 5 mg of Prozac?

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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SYMPTOMS: Can't sleep. Difficult to eat. Agony pain anxiety. Curled up in a ball shaking and rocking. Hyperventilating. Trying not to think because the thoughts are no good. Desperate.

 

For Two days now: 75mg Effexor  in the AM. Yesterday I took prescribed 5mg of Prozac, not today. Too agitated.

 

*I* know the SSRIs are agitating me but

pdoc assures me this will make me "feel better in a few days"...

 

 

Original idea was to "bridge" with Prozac. I guess pdoc still has that in his head. I dont care about getting off right drugs now, I'm desperate  for relief. I see your point about benzos. I'm very scared, you know the benzobuddy position on reinstating. I drunk their coolaid. (i trust consensus there)

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thank you for providing more details. Do you get any sleep however brief or you have been going on with absolutely no sleep? For how long?

 

I'm waiting for input from other moderators but I wouldn't go for 'bridging'. We see people bridging to Prozac and still suffering from withdrawal symptoms from their orginal drug even when coming from a stable situation. I fear that in your situation it can only make things worse. Try to give this dose at least a week before changing anything again. It takes 4 days for the change to fully register. Unless there is an immediate very bad reaction.

 

Have you noticed any change after being on the increased dose for 2 days?

 

When are you meeting dr. Shipko? Sorry for so many questions...

 

Hang in there. People survive.

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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ok, reading yourt sig now... you tolerated this for 2 weeks until significant relief??????

 

changes: more agitation, muscles starting to cramp

 

dr shipko: scheduling

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I had no choice... I knew from previous 'taper' attempts that only time can help. But almost 3 years from now I wasn't in such a bad shape after CTing 2 drugs as I was now after a too fast taper off of Xanax (mixed with some AD reduction at the same time).

 

I must say that after reinstating I felt like my brain was a cart speeding down a very steep slow and then suddenly stopping. I panicked too much and reinstated at much higher than what we advise but it still worked.

 

3 years ago I didn't even stop working... Our brains get more sensitised but they still retain the capacity to heal. The brain can heal from even most desperate situations. We just have to hang in there.

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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Hi Mostly Alive

 

I'm writing this from under the covers of the bed. This is my first post. I haven't done my signature yet, but was compelled by your story to write.

 

I withdrew cold turkey from Celexa in January. Went from living in a nice little house in Georgia by a lake, with a lovely woman, to sleeping in a car in a ghetto in Los Angeles. I just got back to GA two weeks ago, though I don't know how I managed it. I was on the street. I am lucky to be alive, though many days, like others in these forums, don't feel that.

 

I understand the situation with your wife. It's terrible extra stress you don't need. My partner resents me for the pain I caused her when I went AWOL, and tells me she is not strong enough to deal with this. She is a great woman. She let me come home, but I feel the distance. And I feel like she wants me to recover fast, and feel that pressure.

 

I have been doing the Pozac bridge also and have found it makes me worse. I took 20 mgs two days ago and was a mess. It's too stimulating. I started it a month ago out of desperation. I have found taking it every other day helps diminish anxiety. Today I broke the capsule into a glass of water, dissolved it and drank half. I feel more stable, able to write. I will drink the other half tomorrow. I to have a fear of benzos. I have been taking .5 for three weeks to stave panic, today .25mgs.

 

To help sleep I have been using Melatonin and Valerian together. I have been taking more then the standard dose of each. I know there is discussion on here about this. Some experimentation is needed for your needs. It works. I slept last night. The dreams can be vivid and weird, but I'd rather dream then not sleep.

 

It's hellish right now, but you will look back on it from a stable place as something that happened, a crazy story. You may even be able to laugh at the insanity of it

 

You will beat this, I will beat this, we will beat this.

 

LOTS OF LOVE

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Mostly you wrote:

I'm stabilizing at 37.5 Effexor and holding off from the Remeron for now. Every day just slightly better.

 

I have read shipko's post

and identify with tardive akathesia.
 
What is the prognosis for someone like me who has been on SSRIs for 20+ years?
Shipko does not recommend stopping (any SSRI) for anyone with over 10 years exposure.
 
This is very sad news. Tardive akathesia is very painful.

 

Shipko is amazing, he's one of the few that we have.

 

But he is also bleak and frightening.  There are people here who have been on SSRI and SNRI for more than 10 years who have successfully tapered off.  So while Shipko is what he is, he is one voice in a field which has no long term tapering studies, only anecdotal ones.  We have a few thousand anecdotes here on SA which do not correlate with Shipko.

 

additionally, you have continued to bounce the basketball-brain.  I understand, I do, what desperation and situation can do, but it becomes harder and harder to put Humpty back together again the more times the basketball bounces (oops, there I go again mixing metaphors)

 

You have in your signature (I am adding extra bounces in blue):

20+ year xanax and SSRI exposure

2014 started taper Xanax @ 6mg

2015 AD crossed to Pristiq/Effexor

Jan 2016 finished benzo taper

Jan 2016 Started Effexor taper @ 300mg

May'16 tapered too fast 37 - 27 - 18 - 15  at each for a week -> crisis

June 4-6 Noritriptaline - 3 doses total

June 6 failed re-instating 75mg Effexor (too much prozac added - agitation)

June 11 Prozac 20? Remeron 30 - one dose each.

June 12 holding 37.5 mg Effexor

now (June 21) re-instating 75mg Effexor (+ 5mg Prozac bridge)

 

Please stop bouncing.  Please hold.  Since May you have had - up to a dozen drug changes.  That's 6 changes a month, an average of 1.5 changes per week.  Or, put another way, you've bounced the brain basketball an average of every 2.5 days.

 

We don't know what your receptors are doing, but until you hold still, your dominoes are going to keep accumulating.

 

My father always said to me:  In order to get out of a hole, you must first stop digging it.  

 

Ugly, but true.

 

Please hold, please heal, please let your neurons have time to regulate and get still.  OR - go to doctors and let them drug the heck out of you.  They'll be happy to do so.  But in order to succeed on your own, you must - hold - still - for long enough that we can see what is really happening.

 

And if JKZ isn't working try something else.  Non Drug Techniques for Coping with Emotional Symptoms

Non-Drug Techniques for Dealing wth Physical Pain

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

Link to comment

bubble

 

Thank you very much for sharing this with me. This kind of discussion is very helpful for me. I guess I can go read your posts, but this is what I understand...

3 years ago you QT Escitalopram and kept working. Did you take (ADD) benzo at this time?

 

I think you are lucky to do benzo taper last. Before I reinstate benzos I will try Remeron. I need some sleep or I think I will become psychotic. 

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

Link to comment

JanCarol

 

I have JUST read your note and will do my best to abide by your hard won wisdom. I love and appreciate your time and care!

I don't want to bounce the ball. But I dont want to die.

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

 

I have read shipko's post

and identify with tardive akathesia.
 
What is the prognosis for someone like me who has been on SSRIs for 20+ years?
Shipko does not recommend stopping (any SSRI) for anyone with over 10 years exposure.

 

Even in Shipko's piece that you cited, he talks about "ultra slow" tapers (what we at S/A would consider "safe" and "recommended" tapers), and refers to someone who was on Effexor for 14 years that he took off over 2.5 years without significant consequence.  So, clearly he believes that tapers can be successful after 10 years.  Read the success stories and in particular read Hudgens who was on for 18+ years.  There are plenty of people who successfully taper off after very long term use.

 

It would be a lie to tell you that it is easy for those of us that have bad withdrawal, but to suggest it can't be done or that after a certain point you are "dead in the water", would be equally wrong.

 

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

apace41: thank you for the encouragement. I will read those histories as you suggest!

backtolife: interesting story...glad you are back!  Lake in Georgia sounds better than LA! Thanks for mentioning the supplements. They are something I forgot about and will try tonight. Better than Zyprexa which is what my shrink now prescribed (after I made an emergency call to him at 3 this morning).

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Mostly, just about everything I know about lamotrigine is here One theory of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome

 

Have you tried contacting (from Recommended doctors, therapists, or clinics)

I understand you're desperate to feel better but it's very difficult to visualize which way to go because you haven't had significant periods when your drug intake was stable. All of those variations confuse things a lot. You reported once you were feeling better, what was your drug intake then?

 

Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages.

 

What exactly are you taking now? If you've increased Effexor to 75mg, has your symptom pattern changed, and how?

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

thank you so much for reading, advise & patience with my panic / flailing about.

 

Alto:

I was improving very slightly each day holding at 37mg. But waking (after 5 hrs sleep) at 4 each night with excruciating restless anxiety...the recent increase of SSRI makes it worse as below.

I have found a nurse practitioner working at a practice that is run to a listed practitioner Scott Shannon. Did not get a chance to speak with her however. Scheduled for July.

 

Bubble:

I have increased to 75mg for 3 days now at pdoc prescription.

I (correctly) resisted this increase for as long as i could... but was getting desperate.

 

Unfortunately the reinstatement increase has ...

- reduced sleep down to 2 hours (10:00 -12:00)  +  about 10min "naps" each subsequent hour until 4:00.

- increased anxiety & agitation

Today pdoc says "looks like mixed state, AD withdrawal would have responded to increase by now" and wants me to take Zypreza to treat "underlying condition." He likes Humpty Dumpty basketball.

 

I heartily agree with the consensus here at SA advocating stillness ... during the day.  At night - the horror begins again and I vow to make the doctor-recommended change. It's like ... night and day.

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

bubble

 

Thank you very much for sharing this with me. This kind of discussion is very helpful for me. I guess I can go read your posts, but this is what I understand...

3 years ago you QT Escitalopram and kept working. Did you take (ADD) benzo at this time?

 

I think you are lucky to do benzo taper last. Before I reinstate benzos I will try Remeron. I need some sleep or I think I will become psychotic. 

 

I will just share my experience but we are all different. What is more, our own brains get different with each trauma caused by drug changes. Yes, almost 3 years ago I just stopped taking 2.5 mg of escitalopram thinking it was a very small dose. At the same time I also stopped taking Xanax (I believe I was on 0.5 then reduced to 0.25). I lasted for a month and then symptoms got bad so out of panic I reinstated 5 mg of escitalopram and 2 mg of Xanax. My poor brain was in a way better condition at that time and I survived all that and managed to work throughout. It was horrible but I was able to do it. 2 years later I decrease from 1 mg to 0.64 mg of Xanax and from 5 to 4.6 mg of escitalopram and my brain can't take it any more and reacts with worse and longer lasting symptoms ever.

 

Back to you. Alto has jumped in so please work with her. You answered the second part of her question on how updosing made you feel (obviously worse).

 

Can you please add answers to these questions that Alto made:

 

Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages.

 

What exactly are you taking now? If you've increased Effexor to 75mg, has your symptom pattern changed, and how?

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Alive:

 

I don't want to bounce the ball. But I dont want to die.

 

 

The symptoms will not kill you.  What you do with the symptoms is another thing.  

 

It's a shame we don't have nice, safe Quaker houses to check into where they take care of our bodies while our brains re-stabilize.  There are a few who are looking into this model in the USA and Europe, but it's rare, and still for the rich, as it's not cheap to house and feed and cover liability in situations like yours (and a few others I'm thinking of).  

 

I understand that your life is challenging (too weak a word, I know.  Exploding?  Discombobulating?  Melting?) for you to be experiencing these symptoms now.

 

But you're sensitized now.  Adding drugs, taking them away - is only going to make it worse.  If we can get a month of holds from you, we will learn so much - and hopefully, you will start to feel better.

 

Melatonin may be safe - just to let you know - the smaller the dose the better. .25 mg (yes, 1/4 of a mg) is a recommended starting dose, not to exceed 1 mg.   It is not a "sedative," but is instead a gentle trigger, to tell your brain that the sun has gone down and it's okay to sleep.  It's very gentle, and may or may not knock through the symptoms you have right now.  

 

Valerian is counter-indicated in anyone on your psych drugs.  Please avoid.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/599-valerian-root/  my last post there links to an Australian doctor who classifies it as quite dangerous, especially with SNRI:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/599-valerian-root/?view=findpost&p=173414

 

There are people here who have gone for long periods of time without sleep.  I'm not saying it's easy, it's not.  It's very destabilizing, and scary.  But if you can learn to lie down, and rest, and use good sleep hygiene, eventually your body will settle and insist on some sleep.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/53-sleep-problems-that-awful-withdrawal-insomnia/

 

Yes, in an ideal world, you would've tapered the benzo first.  But now you have what you have, and I believe it would be double dangerous to go back on.  I also disagree with your doctor's Zyprexa suggestion.  When a doctor starts to feel helpless, they start throwing neuroleptics around.  This is off label prescribing, and if you want to know more, I'll go into it, but that's what happens when you complain to a doctor.  They give you more drugs.  It's what they do.  Sad, but true.

 

Since what date has your dose been stable?  What is that dose?  Of which drugs?  

 

We're all pulling for you, if you can get through this first hold, there will be windows waiting for you on the other side.

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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  • Moderator Emeritus

And it seems we forgot the supplements!

 

In addition to melatonin please get some magnesium asap: for anxiety and muscle cramps. I'm using Doctor's best chelated magnesium from iherb (easy on the stomach and better absorbed than the regular one).

 

Also some good quality fish oil. Start low to test the waters with one supplement and then introduce the other and increase the dose if you get good response or no reaction. 

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

Link to comment

All,

I have received good advise from this board, and many other caring practitioners and family members. At this point, I must listen quietly to my body and make choices to find a regiment where I can rest safely. In order not to frustrate you or waste your time, I will be taking a week to find that regiment I can live with. When I stabilize I will present that picture to you and proceed from there. You are a wonderful support and have been a blessing. Thank you so much! Will post again when consistency is established.

 

PS: I am keeping a log and will not be doing anything that could be "very destabilizing."

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

Link to comment
  • Administrator

thank you so much for reading, advise & patience with my panic / flailing about.

 

Alto:

I was improving very slightly each day holding at 37mg. But waking (after 5 hrs sleep) at 4 each night with excruciating restless anxiety...the recent increase of SSRI makes it worse as below.

 

Slight, gradual improvement is the typical pattern of a successful reinstatement. 5 hours of sleep with morning anxiety is "normal" (5 hours of sleep isn't that bad!) when one is stabilizing.

 

I have found a nurse practitioner working at a practice that is run to a listed practitioner Scott Shannon. Did not get a chance to speak with her however. Scheduled for July.

 

Please do not be surprised if this person knows nothing about tapering or withdrawal syndrome.

 

Bubble:

I have increased to 75mg for 3 days now at pdoc prescription.

I (correctly) resisted this increase for as long as i could... but was getting desperate.

 

Unfortunately the reinstatement increase has ...

- reduced sleep down to 2 hours (10:00 -12:00)  +  about 10min "naps" each subsequent hour until 4:00.

- increased anxiety & agitation

Today pdoc says "looks like mixed state, AD withdrawal would have responded to increase by now" and wants me to take Zypreza to treat "underlying condition." He likes Humpty Dumpty basketball.

 

The pdoc is incorrect. From your resulting symptoms, it seems that 75mg venlafaxine is too much for you -- you are experiencing adverse effects. If I were you, I would immediately go back to 37.5mg and accept it that stabilization will be very gradual and possibly slow.

 

I heartily agree with the consensus here at SA advocating stillness ... during the day.  At night - the horror begins again and I vow to make the doctor-recommended change. It's like ... night and day.

I have no idea what doctor-recommended change you're referring to.

 

We have been counseling you to have patience. We don't know of any immediate cure of withdrawal symptoms. You need to let your nervous system settle down. Adding drugs, which is just about all most doctors know how to do, often has the opposite effect.

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

Stabilized : eating, sleeping, meditating ... no violent agitation.

65mg Effexor, 2.5 mg Zypreza

daily aerobic exercise

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

That is good to see, you should hold there for a while to be sure you are stable before making any changes. You might find the symptoms return but they will subside again, it's called waves and windows.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

 

I'm happy for you and hope this keeps up for you. :)

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

Link to comment

Thanks MamaP. You guys have a very special place in my heart.

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

Link to comment
  • 6 years later...
  • Administrator

@MostlyAlive how are you doing?

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

Six years later.

 

I'm off Xanax and Effexor. Better than that...  I'm alive.

Discontinuing meds was my choice, I succeeded, and this forum helped.

It appears I was fearful and disorganized during this time. You can hear the desperation in this thread.

I had akathisia. 

It's hard for me to imagine there is anything worse.  https://akathisiaalliance.org/about-akathisia/

The condition is a reaction to psychotropic drugs. Empirical data available to guide sufferers is scarce.

Measures are being collected here to counter that. https://forms.gle/Bimvxrc1ft217GB86

 

The time, attention, and patience Alto and other moderators gave me was, and is, deeply felt. 

They are true humanitarians. 

 

I will be happy to answer any questions members might have about akathisia or my particular experience.

If there is a setting for mail notifications... I will turn it on.

 

20+ years on ADs & benzos
2016 - finished 2 year benzo taper from 6mg Xanax to done

     Jan   Started Effexor taper @ 300mg.  A mistake.  May - 37mg to 18mg too big of a drop -> Akathisia , June 6 re-instating 75mg Effexor with Prozac more Akathisia

    June 24 holding 65mg Effexor + 2.5 mg Olanzapine - stabilized Aug  - discontinued olanzapine without issue

2017 - finished Effexor taper  2018 - drug free

2020 - few doses of SSRI -> Akathisia  Lamictal 200mg  
             Have added Lithium 900. Yes... I want to try everything.:rolleyes:

2023 - Lamictal tapered to 0mg. 

Drug free. B-complex, fish oil,

 

exercise.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

So happy to read this update MostlyAlive, 

 

I’ve seen the Akathisia Alliance videos on YouTube, but I’ve never been to their website. I went over there just now due to your mentioning it. There’s a great guide to Akathisia for clinicians. It would be great to show doctors as trying to explain it and how it makes you suicidal isn’t always believed. Many just think if we feel suicidal it’s a psychiatric problem. Akathisia is pure torture.  Thanks for bringing the website to my attention. 
 

Sending hugs🤗

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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Thanks so much for coming back and letting us know you're doing better. I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

 

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories!

 

Please see this topic:  How to write your success story

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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