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Survivor1: sleeping after trazodone (and benzo)


Survivor1

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Hi Survivor1,

 

Have you had your tpo,  tgab and rt3, b12,  vitamin d, mma checked? I found that when my hair was dry, bloating, dry skin, and a plethora of other symptoms, I had these tests done and slowly took steps to increase my b12 (can't take the supplement so eat foods high in b12) my vitamin d (slowly introduced a fish oil/d3 combo) adjusted my diet to gluten free, not too much dairy, no soy, refined sugars and grains sparingly, actually I only eat rice and avoid other grains, I began to slowly see improvement. My antibodies are still elevated, but I am feeling much better. I need to be mindful of keeping my life as stress free as possible. Just thought I'd mentioned was has been helpful for me. Hope this helps some. 

I am not a medical professional. My comments and posts are based on personal experiences. Please consult appropriate medical professionals for advice. 

I was started on psych drugs back in the late 80's. You name it. I probably was on it. Tapered off final cocktail 2013-2019. For Hashimotos and high blood pressure I take Levothyroxine. Liothyronine. Spironolactone. Hydrochlorothiazide. Losartan. B12 hydroxy. Fish oil w/D3. Bee pollen. Magnesium Glycinate.

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Hello Marsha,

 

I have not had the thyroid panel tested recently, but the last time it was done, all was normal.  I know that this recent drug discontinuation is causing some thyroid issues because it has happened in the past.  I am not overly worried because the last time it occurred, I was able to regain normal functioning after a few months, when WD was over.

 

I take a multivitamin that has B12 and D3, also fish oil.  I eat well, limiting gluten, sugar, dairy (but don't completely avoid them).  I hope after this ordeal is over, I will see improvement in the thyroid and adrenals (which I know are also shot).

 

Thanks for stopping by with advice and support. I very much appreciate it.  Best wishes for your journey in discontinuing your drugs!

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Survivor1, thanks for stopping by my thread and for the encouraging words.  Sorry to hear that you are still experiencing so much difficulty but glad to hear that you are at least getting adequate sleep.  When I first started tapering my sleep was really bad and found that once my sleep cycle regulated, it made a world of difference.  Am hoping that is a positive sign for you as well.  You have a  good attitude that your symptoms will eventually get better, I think sometimes that is half the battle, that we remain hopeful and plod along.  Not that we have much choice, but a good attitude will take you much further.  You are in my thoughts and hope that you start feeling a little better soon.  All the best, BaroqueP

Current Prescription Drugs for Hypothyroidism:  Synthroid 100mcg / Cytomel 5mcg (15 years Pristiq/Effexor)

Tapering Schedule
September 15, 2016 - switched from Pristiq 50mg to Effexor XR 75mg; November 10, 2016 - reduced to 67.5 Effexor XR
December 9, 2016 - reduced 60.75
January 5, 2017 - reduced 54.67
January 30, 2017 - reduced to 49.0
February 20, 2017 - reduced to 44.0 
May 20, 2017 - reduced to 40.25 (holding for additional month due to late onset of withdrawal symptoms after this taper)
July 17, 2017 - reduced to 38.24
August 15, 2017 - reduced to 37.5 (50% of my original dose)

October 15, 2017 - reduced to 35.6

November 12, 2017 - reduced to 33.8
December 15, 2017 - up-dose to 35.6
December 28, 2017 - up-dose to 37.5

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Thank you Baroquep.  I am feeling better these days.

 

And how about becoming a mod - Congrats! Now I know who to badger when I need my questions answered ;)

 

Best.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

lol, thanks so much.  hope you are feeling better!!!

Current Prescription Drugs for Hypothyroidism:  Synthroid 100mcg / Cytomel 5mcg (15 years Pristiq/Effexor)

Tapering Schedule
September 15, 2016 - switched from Pristiq 50mg to Effexor XR 75mg; November 10, 2016 - reduced to 67.5 Effexor XR
December 9, 2016 - reduced 60.75
January 5, 2017 - reduced 54.67
January 30, 2017 - reduced to 49.0
February 20, 2017 - reduced to 44.0 
May 20, 2017 - reduced to 40.25 (holding for additional month due to late onset of withdrawal symptoms after this taper)
July 17, 2017 - reduced to 38.24
August 15, 2017 - reduced to 37.5 (50% of my original dose)

October 15, 2017 - reduced to 35.6

November 12, 2017 - reduced to 33.8
December 15, 2017 - up-dose to 35.6
December 28, 2017 - up-dose to 37.5

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  • 3 weeks later...

16 weeks off 2.4 mirt ...

 

I would like to say that I have stabilized, but unfortunately I have not as yet.  The WD so far is overwhelmingly physical.

 

In the typical windows/waves pattern.  Symptoms seem to wax and wane, with others dying off and some appearing anew.  Currently my symptoms are intense body aches and tinnitus as the top two.  Others are disorientation, night sweats, thumping heart, headaches, but these are manageable.   The body aches are somewhat debilitating as they affect my feet (plantar fasciitis-like except the shooting pain radiates up beyond my ankles) and wrists/hands, also seem to have sciatica so sometimes I am literally hobbling.  

 

Have to admit I am surprised that I feel this way so far out after dropping "only" 2.4 mg remeron, and am feeling some battle-fatigue.  I am in no hurry to start tapering the others, and am even considering staying put until the end of the year (assuming I stabilize before then).  I have been through a lot of changes this year: stabilizing for 3 months after a reinstatement of seroquel, an 18% drop of trazodone, and now a complete discontinuation of remeron.  My soul needs peace!

 

I have to work on acceptance of the tinnitus as it bothers me the most, even more than than the intense body aches.  I am trying to have faith that it will eventually resolve but it may be a while.

 

I am still sleeping well, mood is decent, and have no anxiety nor depression and for these, I am incredibly thankful.

 

Best to all.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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Survivor, 

Hope the windows increase for you! You are right with all those changes, sounds like you need some peace and time to stabilize. SOOO glad you are sleeping well!!!! Man that makes EVERYTHING more tolerable. 

 

Meg

Sep '18 - became pregnant  in late August, then on 9/5 insomnia/anxiety went THROUGH the roof. I tried a lot of things but here is what is current: 

Paroxetine: 6.2mg (began 9/5/18, and there was a new manufacturer of which I just found out 2 days ago) during the day

Olanzapine 7.5mg at night

Ambien: 5-10mg at night

Xanex: 5-10mg at night

Fish Oil: for prenatal things

 

  • Aug '18: Paroxetine 6.6mg, (30mg thyroid hormone, fish oil, vit D3, SBI protect, probiotic. Following AIP diet)
  • Mar '16: began taper from 20mg. Decreasing .75mg or less each month or more. Sporadically used Ambien &/or Trazodone for insomnia. 
  •  Sep'15: tried to come off slower. Used fish oil, vit D3, and regular exercise/healthy diet to assist. (Taper sched= 18mg for 60days, 15mg for 60d, 10mg for 30d, 8mg for 30d) At my 3rd week of 8mg in Nov '15, insomnia and panic attacks began. Back up to 20mg after a month of horrible withdrawal. 
  • Oct'12-Sep'15: 20mg Paxil
  • Sep'12: 1st attempt to get off, naively tried cold turkey per Dr. suggestion. Couldn't work for 2 months. Another Doc upped dose to 20mg.
  • Jun '09-Aug '12: 10mg Paxil for severe insomnia due to anxiety. Also took Ambien/Trazodone for sleep.  Other meds taken sporadically: Ativan, Abilify, Xyrem 

 

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness. 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

4 1/2 months off 2.4 mg mirt:

 

Usually I try to check in every month or so but am in a crushing wave at the moment, so am 2 weeks early.  While I do not have the stomach roiling anxiety, I do have its relative - shakiness.  This has plagued me throughout the WD, but today it almost brought me to my knees.  As I write this, I am feeling a slight lifting from it (Yay!)

 

Added to this, last night I accidentally took 8 mg seroquel instead of my usual 5.  Tonight I plan to go back to the 5, but I am expecting some fallout from the updose and subsequent reduction.  Ugh!

 

Other symptoms are:

  • Tinnitus - somehow has gotten louder since the wave began
  • Debilitating body aches, no exaggeration.  I brought out a walker I had from an old foot injury and am using it to move around when the pain gets bad.  I also get pain in my jaw, teeth, back 
  • Severe lightheadedness/ rubber limbs.  Not a good combination for balance.  Couldn't walk a straight line if my life depended on it!
  • Hot flushes during the day and sweating during the night.  About 10 espisodes in a 24 hr period.  Have started to use Pedialyte as I feel I am at risk of electrolyte imbalance from the drenching sweats.
  • Thumping heart; resting HR in the 50's!  
  • Alerting at night leading to broken sleep.
  • Hair loss 
  • Other minor sxs: faint brains zaps, nightmares, etc. These are all manageable.

I have been taking only fish oil and that too only for health, not for WD.  I will not increase it just yet.  I have just restarted magnesium for the heart issues and maybe the sweats.

 

At this rate I do not see any stability for another few months.  So preparing for a long hold ...

 

Hope my next update is a positive one ... All the best to those in search of stability.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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Survivor1, 

Thank you for stopping by my thread and lending your support.  I am sorry that you're in a wave, but am glad that you have the opportunity to taper and to give your brain a reSt when needed.  I wish you all the best getting off the rest of your meds.  Take your time and treat yourself well.

 

 

Mid 2014 - June 2016 (~ 2.5 yrs): sertraline 75mg. Under advice of my Pysch NP, weaned off in 1 month

Sept 2017 - Feb 2017 (6 months): Latuda (dose 20mg up to 80mg). Under advice of Psych NP, weaned off in 6 weeks (Jan - mid Feb). Tirtated down 20mg every 2 weeks.

Nov 2017 - Feb 2017 (3 months): lamictal 100mg. Abruptly taken off. This was the "wean": 100mg, 50mg, then off

Feb 2017: sertraline 150mg for 1 week to bring me out of a severe suicidal depression. Abruptly stopped due to serotonin syndrome. Tried to reinstate 50mg a week later, but the serotonin syndrome symptoms came back. Not possible to reinstate sertraline.

March 2017: remeron 7.5mg. Took one dose that knocked me out for two days. Refused to take it again

February 2017 - March 2017: Ativan 1mg. Took 5 pills total spread out over the course of 3 weeks. No longer taking it.

6/16/18 - 6/26: celexa 1.25mg

6/27/18 - 6/29: celexa 2.5mg, 6/29 had burning and agitation within 30min of dose

6/30/18 - present: celexa 1.25mg

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Hi,
I've been taking a similar older antidepressant doxipen (tricyclic antidepressant) for 2.1 months. I started at 25 mg 2 weeks, then was increased to 50 mg for 2 weeks, then tapered to 25 mg for 2 weeks, then decreased to 12.5 for 2 weeks and have been stuck at 5 mg. Every time I try to taper off, I suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms. 
Is there anyone on this forum who successfully came off the antidepressant tricyclic doxipen? 

Drugs Tapered From Feb to Aug 2017:

Limbritrol 75 mg on 12 years CT over one day February '17

Ambien 5 mg on 12 years over Stopped 2 wks March '17

Mirtazapine 15 mg on 6 wks Stopped over 3 wks April '17

Zyprexa 7 mg on 2 months Stopped over 3 wks May '17

Depakote 500 mg on 5 1/2 months Stopped over 10 days

July '17

Amitriptyline 50 mg on 4 1/2 months Stopped over 3 weeks August '17

Doxipen on 2 months currently on 5 mg since Aug.   

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Survivor, sorry to hear that you are in what sounds like a really awful wave.  Hopefully you won't experience too much disruption from the accidental up-dose.  Will have to commend you for having a very positive attitude in dealing withdrawal and will serve you well as time goes on.  This journey by far has been the hardest thing that I have ever done or experienced and tapering is not for the faint of heart.  Sending you healing thoughts and hoping that you start to feel better soon. 

Current Prescription Drugs for Hypothyroidism:  Synthroid 100mcg / Cytomel 5mcg (15 years Pristiq/Effexor)

Tapering Schedule
September 15, 2016 - switched from Pristiq 50mg to Effexor XR 75mg; November 10, 2016 - reduced to 67.5 Effexor XR
December 9, 2016 - reduced 60.75
January 5, 2017 - reduced 54.67
January 30, 2017 - reduced to 49.0
February 20, 2017 - reduced to 44.0 
May 20, 2017 - reduced to 40.25 (holding for additional month due to late onset of withdrawal symptoms after this taper)
July 17, 2017 - reduced to 38.24
August 15, 2017 - reduced to 37.5 (50% of my original dose)

October 15, 2017 - reduced to 35.6

November 12, 2017 - reduced to 33.8
December 15, 2017 - up-dose to 35.6
December 28, 2017 - up-dose to 37.5

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Hello Baroquep,

 

As always, your support means so much, especially at times when one is feeling the whiplash from WD.  The wave has passed and I am feeling a bit better.  Only those in our position can fully appreciate WD, and you are right in saying that this is easily the hardest thing one can do.

 

I hope your journey is continuing with manageable symptoms.  Best wishes to you.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • 3 weeks later...

5 months after stopping 2.4 mg mirt:

 

No stability yet.  But today was a window-y day, so I am hopeful.

 

Current symptoms:

  • Body aches 8/10.  This has been over-the-top, INSANE.  At times could barely walk.  Shooting pains had given way to throbbing pain, now "just" a plain dull ache (improvement).  Tried using magnesium, but was a sugar pill.  Cannot use ibuprofen as contraindicated with trazodone, nor Tylenol as contraindicated with NAC (see below).  Just plowing through, hope for eventual relief, which I did get some today.
  • Tinnitus 7/10. Has gotten worse! How is this possible - after 5 months I have added another tone to the initial hiss.
  • Low muscle tone in arms which just flop around.  Improving 4/10
  • Thumping heart - improving 4/10
  • DP/DR - Improving 4/10
  • Hangover feeling - appeared in the first 2 months, disappeared, now reappeared.
  • Cognitive issues - unable to focus, improving
  • Memory issues - 6/10, can't remember what I did 5 mins ago
  • Hair loss - still going on

 

Manageable SXS: faint brain zaps, inner ear myoclonus, mild body twitches, alerting sensations, faint dizziness.

 

The month-long hot flushes/ nightly sweats are gone!  As is fatigue. I hope that means that I am on the upswing.

 

Overall, I am quite functional since I get 6 hrs sleep.  Also fortunately no anxiety, depression, nausea (perhaps the trazodone/seroquel combo is masking these; can't imagine what my taper off these would be like, but that is for later...)

 

Two things that helped:

For the alerting sensations (hyping jerks, etc) that disrupted my sleep for a while, I used N acetylcysteine (NAC)150 mg.  Was effective.  Stopped after 2 weeks as I did not want to taper off it eventually.  There is a thread on this.

For itching (and alerting), 1 teaspoon of ground nigella sativa seeds (black cumin, found in Indian grocery stores called "kalonji").  According to the NAC thread, it helps with alerting by affecting glutathione, etc. For me it works.  Am still taking it.

 

For me, this is a somewhat positive update.  Were it not for the body aches, I would be in a really good place.  Best wishes to all.

 

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • 5 weeks later...

6 months off 2.4 mirt:

 

Am feeling better.  Last two days had long windows.  Am hoping to stabilize completely in a couple of months.  No symptom is debilitating anymore.

 

Old symptoms

  • Body aches 4/10.  I actually despaired that this would get better because it was there every day for the past 6 months, and was intense.  Now there is definite improvement!
  • Tinnitus 6/10. Still with me.  Worse during a wave, better during a window
  • Low muscle tone in arms which just flop around - no improvement, but does not hinder my quality of life
  • Thumping heart - improved
  • DP/DR - gone
  • Hangover feeling - gone
  • Memory issues - 4/10, improving
  • Hair loss - no improvement

New symptoms

  • Anxiety - yes, it finally appeared:(  Am able to tolerate it so far.
  • Constipation
  • Groin pain

 

To counter the constipation, I took a dulcolax tablet yesterday morning.  In the past I have used it with success, not problems.  But I woke up this morning in a massive wave, with cramps like I was about to give birth, shaking with anxiety, severe lightheadedness and heart rate ramped up!  So horrible I will not use it again.  Ugh.  Unfortunately I have to have a colonoscopy soon (mom died of colon cancer), and dulcolax is standard treatment for bowel cleansing,. Don't know what to do about this.

 

On a very positive note ...last Dec 2016, I reinstated "5 mg" Seroquel.  In my brain fog, I thought I was using a 10ml syringe, and took half the contents.  Turns out I was using a 1 ml syringe. Only realized this a week ago.  For a whole year, I though my dosage was 5 mg instead of 0.5 mg!  I feel like a complete dolt (albeit an ecstatic one).  So I have a short taper of seroquel next.  YAY!

 

All the best to everyone.

 

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Survivor1, am so very happy to see that you are finally turning the corner, it was a very long time coming.  You have been very patient over the last year and it looks like it is finally paying off, excellent news and glad that you are dealing with only a few symptoms now.   Sorry to hear about the ducolax reaction, have you tried magnesium?  It seems to help with constipation and from what I've read, sipping it throughout the day can help with anxiety as well.  Thank you for stopping by my thread with your thoughtful message, it is much appreciated as I trudge reluctantly through this nightmare but trying to remain as positive as I can.  Wishing you continued stabilization, it's really nice to hear that you are in a much better place.  All the best. 

Current Prescription Drugs for Hypothyroidism:  Synthroid 100mcg / Cytomel 5mcg (15 years Pristiq/Effexor)

Tapering Schedule
September 15, 2016 - switched from Pristiq 50mg to Effexor XR 75mg; November 10, 2016 - reduced to 67.5 Effexor XR
December 9, 2016 - reduced 60.75
January 5, 2017 - reduced 54.67
January 30, 2017 - reduced to 49.0
February 20, 2017 - reduced to 44.0 
May 20, 2017 - reduced to 40.25 (holding for additional month due to late onset of withdrawal symptoms after this taper)
July 17, 2017 - reduced to 38.24
August 15, 2017 - reduced to 37.5 (50% of my original dose)

October 15, 2017 - reduced to 35.6

November 12, 2017 - reduced to 33.8
December 15, 2017 - up-dose to 35.6
December 28, 2017 - up-dose to 37.5

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Thank you for your wishes Baroquep.

 

Only last week I had a positive-ish post about my WD.  But now I am slammed by an ugly wave.  I have to admit to being somewhat disheartened, as I was hoping for my symptoms to improve by now; instead I feel the worst that I have felt since dc'ing the mirtazepine!

 

New sx - nausea; old sxs reappear - night sweats and abdominal pain; others worsen - disorientation, hair loss

 

I have been trying to be stoic about the hair loss since it is not physically painful, but it really bothers me.  My hair loss began with my untreated thyroid/low ferritin several years ago and never abated due to my many drug dc's.  Whatever is left is now fine and wispy - now I look like I have a finger perpetually in a light socket.  Mentioned to my husband of 23 years that I am now a different woman; he responded "that's OK, I had been looking for something different anyway". Had a much needed laugh.

 

Anyway, I must be strong, it's the only way ... Eventually it must end.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Almost 8 months off 2.4 mirt:

 

No stability yet.  Since my last post two months ago, things went downhill rapidly.  Am now in a "dirty window" situation: there has been much improvement on the body ache front, but a marked increase in shakiness/anxiety.   Bloating and GI issues have definitely improved but ear-fullness  and pressure have worsened, and as result, tinnitus seems more shrill.  For 6 months now I have been dealing with a thumping heart, and occasional elevated HR - there is no improvement here.  

 

I can't believe I still have brain zaps, albeit mild.  There are a few other symptoms, but they are manageable.

 

This is a mixed-bag post; I will continue to update as more time elapse, and hope the next post is more positive.

 

Best to all.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

Link to comment

Advice needed please

 

It has been 8 months since I dc'ed mirtazepine and about two months in I developed severe muscle jerks while resting and elevated HR.  These did not interfere with my sleep.  However about a week ago I seemed to develop a case of autonomic dumping: increased HR especially at night, body jerks while resting (not only while drifting off to sleep, but just being at rest), involuntary vocalizations that sometimes awaken me from sleep (loud "ummm"), uncontrollable coughing, etc.  All are leading to the dreaded insomnia which has been about 3 hrs/night this past week, despite being on trazodone.

 

Because it's so far out, I have catastrophic musings, thinking the trazodone has gone paradoxical, etc.

 

I would love to get some feedback on how to manage these, do they improve with time (in the past month, the HR issue seems to have gotten worse).  It seems like some people may have had relief with lamictal, but I really do not want to add another drug to the mix.  I am hoping to ride it out.

 

A typical night this past week was as follows: resting HR about 65

 

9:30 pm:    trazodone and seroquel

10.              200 mg mag, 500 Vit C, feeling drowsy from meds

10:30         bed, HR ramps up to mid 70's

11 - 2am:      HR varies from 65 to 100, many ups and downs

2:30 am.       asleep

5:30            wake up, HR racing mid 80's

 

Any input appreciated!

 

 

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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Advice needed (see above post also):

 

These past three days have seen sleep deteriorate to 1 and 2 hrs/night.  At night the alerting is strong, I could feel myself drifting off many times only to be jolted awake.  This started about 2 months after discontinuing mirtazepine (dc'd mirt 8 months ago), yet I was able to sleep through it with the trazodone.

 

It now seems as if my body is fighting the trazodone.  In addition, it does not make me drowsy after 30 mins of taking it (like it used to), nor am I able to fall back asleep anymore if I awaken.

 

I am trying to determine:

- Am I in a wave from the mirtazepine discontinuance 8 months ago; if so, I'll hold.  Note that I had been able to get 5-6 hrs sleep most nights during these past 8 months

- Or has trazodone lost its puff and I need to start reducing (not stable enough yet for that). 

The insomnia seems so profound so far out that it has taken me by surprise.  Don't know what to do.  

 

I might add that I am feeling kind of like I did when I had serotonin syndrome: involuntary twitching, alerting, head noises, goosebumps, insomnia.  I have also developed insane anxiety.  I am aware of the wax/wane nature of healing, but this far out to be feeling the worst yet is puzzling.

 

Any help is appreciated!

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

Link to comment

Hi Survivor:

 

I have looked at some of your other postings and your supplements. 

 

To this day, I cannot take Vit. C , fish oil, or any other supplements other than magnesium, calcium and a multi vitamin.  They revved up my benzo WD symptoms bigtime.  So maybe the same could be going on for you with C, fish oil, turmeric, and probiotic?  The immune system gets revved up easily with the supplements and this will aggravate the CNS. 

 

Hope you start getting good sleep....and feel better soon.:rolleyes:

Shebon

Started 3.75 mg. remeron 4/2013.  Had tapered off benzo 4/2011.  Had tapered down to 1.87 mg remeron but mistakenly thought I was in bad withdrawals, when it was Synthroid again.  Stopped  Synthroid 3/31/3021-side effects are the same as hyperthyroid symptoms, but doctors have no knowledge of this side effect.  Started taper end of 7/2021, now at 3.48 mg. daily. 

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Hey there survivor 

Im sorry your still not feeling well. 

I'm 11 months CT from mirt, I have the alerting as well though I 

only have it if I try and nap during the day. I've also had mind racing apon waking since I stopped it.

The insane anxiety I also had at 6 months out which has calmed down a great bit, at it's peak I would sweat profusely from my hands and feet to the point they shriveled like I'd been in the tub to long.

It lasted a solid month and I don't know how I made it but I did.

I CT 25mg trazodone 8-11-17

I'm getting worried as I'm coming up on that magic 6 month mark. 

I tapered beta blocker through November and came off in December and finished my gabapentin taper 

(if you can call it a taper) January 16th.

 

Knock on wood I found that the more I came off the better I slept 

 

While still on trazodone I would fall asleep only to wake repeatedly throughout the night 

 

If there's anything I can help you with I'm here for you. As I'm still struggling with things we all need support.

december 25th 2016 gabapentin 900mg 1500mg increased january 5th 2017 between may and june decreased from 1500 mg to 700 mg 

december 25th 2016 remeron 15mg 2 week taper stopped febuary 26th withdrawal leveled out in may 

december 27th 2016 coreg 12.5mg x2 a day

december 28th 2016 trazodone 100mg january 6th 75mg january 8th 50mg january 10th 25mg january 15th 37.5mg june 12th 25 mg 

hydroxyzine 25 mg prn 

colozopam .5 only taken .25 in two moths 

Link to comment

Shebon,

 

thank you for your suggestions.  I actually don't take the supplements regularly, except the magnesium, so I.m sure that my issues are drug related.  

Thanks for offering support, I very much appreciate it!  I hope you are doing well.

 

Undiagnosed, I appreciate your input as well.  Unfortunately, I think my body is rejecting trazodone and I have to figure out how to deal with it.  Did your anxiety start at six months or you had it until six months.  Mine is now intense (only started a week ago), so at 8 months out, I do not know if it is WD or traz.  Hang in there, you are off all drugs so it has to get better.  Thank you for your support as well.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

Link to comment

I was hoping to hear from one of the mods because I needed to make a decision about my drugs and their effects as soon as possible.  

 

This is a longish, possibly confusing,  post so please bear with me.

 

Ever since I added mirtazepine to my drug mix, I developed serotonin syndrome (SS), including alerting sensations.  Did not realize what was happening for a while, then 10.5 months ago tried to drop a large dose of trazodone to help mitigate the effect.  This worked for a while but the SS sxs returned.  8 months ago, I dropped mirt cold (2.4mg).  WD ensued, but I have seen improvements.  In hindsight, some of the WD sxs were SS.  About a week ago, I started having sxs that were like the clearly like SS I had experienced in the past: insomnia due to alerting, sweating (different from the hot flushes I had in mirt WD), racing heart at night, goosebumps, shaky and now insane anxiety.  

 

Whether it is SS or not, it is clear to me that trazodone is not working for me any longer.  I have made the decision to start reducing it.  I am planning to do so beginning tonight,10%.  I am terrified to start this tapering now as I am not stable from the mirt d/c, but at 8 months out I seem to be getting worse.  The insomnia is already telling on me and I haven't even begun the taper!  

 

If any of the mods think I should keep keep holding, please let me know.  I would be more comfortable with the tapering if the anxiety was manageable, but I'm starting to think that it is related to the trazodone since it started so late.  But who knows...

 

So here I go, wish me luck!

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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I had intense anxiety during the first 6 weeks of acute withdrawal. Then it calmed a little except when I ate. Then at 6 months crap hit the fan anxiety wise. It lasted everyday for a solid month. It's now very tolerable but has taken a toll on me mentally. I'm no mod but I don't think your symptoms are ss just intense withdrawal, it's hell but we must survive and you will as your name implies. It is an intense battle that you can't put into words. Keep the faith survivor it will get better but in the mean time buckle up and hold on tight. If you need to talk don't hesitate to message day or night as I know I desperately wanted someone to understand the suffering I was enduring. 

december 25th 2016 gabapentin 900mg 1500mg increased january 5th 2017 between may and june decreased from 1500 mg to 700 mg 

december 25th 2016 remeron 15mg 2 week taper stopped febuary 26th withdrawal leveled out in may 

december 27th 2016 coreg 12.5mg x2 a day

december 28th 2016 trazodone 100mg january 6th 75mg january 8th 50mg january 10th 25mg january 15th 37.5mg june 12th 25 mg 

hydroxyzine 25 mg prn 

colozopam .5 only taken .25 in two moths 

Link to comment

Journal:

 

Made first trazodone drop last night to 47.9g, a 5.7% drop.  Feeling somewhat shaky this morning, but tolerable.  I know the  full onslaught could be felt 2-3 weeks from now, so I am preparing ...

SS sxs (alerting, muscle twitches, tachycardia, sweating) last night were unchanged from the drop as I'm sure it's too small yet to register.  Sleep was 3 hours.    I feel like I have to get used to this amount of sleep for the next while, until my body senses a distinct drop of the trazodone. Other SS sxs: goosebumps, very soft stool. 

 

Tinnitus is very shrill and ears feel full, faint numbness in heels. Light headache.  Also appetite is suffering, with some weight loss, legs feel weak (these could be from the mirtazepine d/c). A few other mirt sxs exist but are tolerable.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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Update:

 

Good news: 8+ months after d/c'ing mirtazepine at 2.4 mg:  stabilized two weeks ago (took 8 months).  Only remaining sx is tinnitus.  

 

The bad:  still had severe SS issues even after dc'ing mirt.  Dramatic twitches, jerks, alerting sensations immediately after dosing (was taking taking trazodone and seroquel at the same time).  Insomnia ruled supreme at 2 hours per night.  Other SS sxs were very soft stool, sweating, tachycardia.

 

I thought that the trazodone had gone paradoxical, and started reducing. No improvement.  After a lot of research I realized that the issue was the interaction with seroquel.  Initially, I tried dosing seroquel in the morning instead, but that only served to spread the SS over the course of the day instead of clustering the sxs at night.

 

So, I decided to updose trazodone back to 50 mg and stopped the small dose of seroquel.  Today is the third day of no seroquel, and ALL SS sxs are GONE!!  Sleep has been restored to 6 hrs per night.  I now have some WD from the seroquel dc, but overall, all's good.

 

I will make a post in the Symptoms forum about SS.  I hope people read it, as SS can occur with the smallest of interactions among different drugs.  Also, drugs and supplements  that you don't normally think are serotonergic, are.

 

I plan to hold here for several months.

 

Best to all.

 

 

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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Alto, mods, need help please ...

 

It seems that my dc'ing seroquel to reduce the serotonin syndrome issues is unsuccessful.  After three nights of normal sleep, I have gone back to the same old symptoms of 1 hour sleep, tachycardia, and that unique alerting sensation when I drift off to sleep.  I guess that this is now the proof that I am having an adverse reaction to trazodone.  I am in a bit of a panic.  

 

I am tempted to ct trazodone, but the thought of doing so scares the hell out of me.  Yet I feel it is the only option.  I don't want to do anything crazy, so I'm looking to see if there are any other options other than ct before I take such a drastic step.

 

When I dc'd mirtazepine at "only" 2.4mg, I was physically disabled for a while, among other things. I can't imagine what a ct of 50 mg trazodone would do ...

 

Any help is appreciated.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi, Survivor.

 

I received your PM but I'm going to answer you here on your thread.

 

On 2/5/2018 at 11:32 AM, Survivor1 said:

So, I decided to updose trazodone back to 50 mg and stopped the small dose of seroquel.  Today is the third day of no seroquel, and ALL SS sxs are GONE!!  Sleep has been restored to 6 hrs per night.  I now have some WD from the seroquel dc, but overall, all's good.

 

5 hours ago, Survivor1 said:

It seems that my dc'ing seroquel to reduce the serotonin syndrome issues is unsuccessful.  After three nights of normal sleep, I have gone back to the same old symptoms of 1 hour sleep, tachycardia, and that unique alerting sensation when I drift off to sleep.  I guess that this is now the proof that I am having an adverse reaction to trazodone.  I am in a bit of a panic.  

 

On February 5, you posted that you made two changes - stopped Seroquel at .5 mg and increased trazodone to 50 mg after trying to reduce it. Please only make one change at a time, as it makes it impossible to know what drug is causing what symptom. See:

 

The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable.

 

Survivor, please note that this is not a linear process. Withdrawal moves in windows and waves. It's possible you're dealing less with serotonin toxicity and more from a completely destabilized nervous system. From your signature, you're dealing with possible window and wave activity from 5 drugs: 

 

Gabapentin - off September 2015

Klonopin - off September 2015

Mirtazapine - off  May (not sure what year)

Seroquel - off February 3, 2018

Trazodone - still taking, but in varying doses

 

You have "serotonin toxicity NOT false alarm" listed twice in your signature. What makes you think this isn't another false alarm? There's a side effect of trazodone you might want to read about. Please read the first post in this "tips" section regarding mCPP: 

 

Tips for tapering off trazodone (Desyrel)

 

Whether the mCPP side effect is causing an issue or not is unknown from the information you're supplying. If you want to track this, it's important to keep a symptoms and drug journal. This is a good format to use: 

 

Keep notes on paper about your drug dosages and daily symptom pattern

 

Whether your symptoms leaving on February 5 for 3 days had more to do with the removing of seroquel, the changes in trazodone, or simply a window is unknown. But it seems like you might be better off not making so many changes. Instead, give your nervous system time to stabilize and bring in some non-drug coping skills to tide you over while you go through this most recent wave:

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

When was the last time you had your thyroid checked? 

 

 

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Shep,

 

Thank you for taking the time to provide a detailed reply.

 

I realize that I have had a lot of changes recently, but I am fairly sure that my symptoms are SS related. They started when I added mirtazepine in Nov 2017 (reinstated 0.5 seroquel around the same time), so I knew it was a drug interaction scenario.  My symptoms and drug journal show a pattern: The particular cluster of symptoms are insomnia, tachycardia, loose bowels, sweating, goosebumps/chills, body jerks, and start an hour after dosing trazodone at 9:30 pm; the twitches and jerks have improved 60% since dc'ing seroquel and mirtazepine. 

 

Over the course of the day, the tachycardia and sweating are decreased, only to start up again (with the others) after I dose the trazodone at night.  I feel that this is not a wave because the pattern and most of these symptoms (except the loose bowels, sweating and chills which are new) have been with me for over 1 year.

 

I had a wellness check two weeks ago, and thyroid levels (TSH, T4, T3) are all within range.  And if it weren't for the profound insomnia, I'd say I feel fairly decent.

 

Thanks for reading and any more input is welcome!

 

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 2/5/2018 at 11:32 AM, Survivor1 said:

So, I decided to updose trazodone back to 50 mg and stopped the small dose of seroquel.  Today is the third day of no seroquel, and ALL SS sxs are GONE!!  Sleep has been restored to 6 hrs per night.  I now have some WD from the seroquel dc, but overall, all's good.

 

12 hours ago, Survivor1 said:

Over the course of the day, the tachycardia and sweating are decreased, only to start up again (with the others) after I dose the trazodone at night.  I feel that this is not a wave because the pattern and most of these symptoms (except the loose bowels, sweating and chills which are new) have been with me for over 1 year.

 

 

Hi, Survivor.

 

Thanks for the additional information. I'm still a bit confused. Did these systems completely disappear during the three days you reported "ALL SS sxs are GONE!" even though you were taking trazodone every night? 

 

How did last night go? 

 

 

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Hello Shep,

 

I can see how confusing that is.  Those three nights I slept for 6+ hours.  Usually I am awakened by the sweating, tachycardia and jerks, but not those nights.  In my zeal to find a "cure" I thought I was symptom free.  It is possible that I was able to sleep through the the sweating, tachy and jerks.

 

Last night I slept for 3 hours, again I was awakened drenched in sweat and HR 110.  

 

Typical pattern of symptoms:

 9:30pm:  dose trazodone 50mg

10:30: feel HR increase, fall asleep usually around 11 pm - 12:00 am

2:30 - 4:30 am: wake up, usually in a pool of sweat, high HR (above 100 ppm)

wake up - 7:00 am:  try to doze, sometimes have some light sleep

9:00 am (next day):  HR decreasing

1 pm:  try to nap, but can't due to small jerks of body when resting

Throughout day:  increased bowel sounds (churning noise in tummy), HR up and down from 60's - 80's, jerks continue but only felt when I am resting, temperature dysregulation (extremely cold feet), goosebumps.  

 

I have some WD from the seroquel dc, but they are tolerable so far ( anxiety/shakiness, body aches - these started only after dc'ing ser)

 

What is surprising to me is that I was able to tolerate 100 mg trazodone two years ago.  I had been on 50 for about 1 year or so, with no problems until I added the mirtazepine.  After that things took a turn for the worst.  After I dc'd the mirtazepine and seroquel, there have been some improvements in the alerting sensations, jerks.  Don't know what to make of all this...

 

By the way, I have been looking at your thread for inspiration in dealing with insomnia - wow you are superhuman.  Were you able to work when it was at its worst?  I have two teenagers and part of my panic at this insomnia is how to take care of them when I can hardly function on so little sleep (tell me it's doable -_-)

 

Thank you Shep for your help.

 

 

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus
4 hours ago, Survivor1 said:

What is surprising to me is that I was able to tolerate 100 mg trazodone two years ago.  I had been on 50 for about 1 year or so, with no problems until I added the mirtazepine.  After that things took a turn for the worst.  After I dc'd the mirtazepine and seroquel, there have been some improvements in the alerting sensations, jerks.  Don't know what to make of all this...

 

It could be many things, but Alto makes a great point here in the One Theory of Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome thread:

 

On 5/24/2011 at 10:59 PM, Altostrata said:

The first phase of withdrawal, the acute phase, is the initial shock of withdrawal, with the most defined symptoms, such as brain zaps and nausea and possibly waves of unusually intense "depression" and "anxiety" -- actually, emotions generated by the neurological upset. Later, glutamatergic hyper-reactivity and autonomic instability take over. Often the autonomic instability causes wide hypersensitivity to drugs, supplements, and even foods.

 

 

This is why it's very uncertain whether you're dealing with serotonin syndrome or whether it's overall instability of the nervous system. Either way, you may want to start to come off the trazodone sooner rather than later. 

 

However, because I'm not sure, I've asked the other mods for input.

 

4 hours ago, Survivor1 said:

By the way, I have been looking at your thread for inspiration in dealing with insomnia - wow you are superhuman.  Were you able to work when it was at its worst?  I have two teenagers and part of my panic at this insomnia is how to take care of them when I can hardly function on so little sleep (tell me it's doable -_-)

 

Oh it's doable! I was out of work for most of 2013, but I've been working full time since March 2014 and with very little sleep. 

 

Now I don't work around teenagers, so your life may be more difficult than a full time job! But you are doing fine, Survivor. It's just a matter of navigating getting off your current drug as safely as possible and then you'll go into the recovery phase. That also comes with windows and waves, but you are doing the best thing for your own health, as well as your kids. 

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 19/08/2017 at 2:17 AM, Survivor1 said:

I have not had the thyroid panel tested recently, but the last time it was done, all was normal.

 

Just wondering if you have been tested since this post in August last year.

 

Also, would you mind telling us your age?  Thanks.

* 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

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Shep,  I have seen the post by Alto, and I see what you are getting at.  As soon as I am stable from the seroquel dc, I will begin dropping trazodone (thinking micro taper).  

 

And thank you for the vote of confidence about dealing with the insomnia.  I really needed to hear from someone who has been in the trenches of sleeplessness.    Your support means a lot especially at this time when I fell like I'm struggling to keep my head above water.

 

ChessieCat,  I recently had my thyroid tested two weeks ago.  All values (TSH, T3,T4) were within range.  I actually feel reasonably fine.  And I am 50.

 

Thanks for your help!

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 2/8/2018 at 2:30 PM, Shep said:

However, because I'm not sure, I've asked the other mods for input.

 

Hi Shep,

 

1) I was wondering if there was any consensus about my situation.  The reason this is important is, if it is an unstable CNS, I would like to hold, but if SS, I should taper asap.

 

Anyway, sleep has deteriorated to 1 hour for the last three nights.  Don't know how much of this I can take.  I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't though of adding another med for sleep.

 

I do not believe my symptoms are from WD.  I seriously considered valium, and this coming from someone who came off klonopin 2 years ago with horrific WD.  If it comes to this, I'd be devastated.  I am trying to hang in there.  If I could get 3 hours, that would make it more bearable ...

 

Pattern of symptoms unchanged from the first Feb 8 post, except for less sleep.

 

2) I was thinking of dosing trazodone in the morning since it is causing insomnia at night.  Generally, if one moves a sleep med to morning, can one sleep without dosing at night (assuming no complications like mine)

 

 

Any advice is appreciated.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus
4 hours ago, Survivor1 said:

2) I was thinking of dosing trazodone in the morning since it is causing insomnia at night.  Generally, if one moves a sleep med to morning, can one sleep without dosing at night (assuming no complications like mine)

 

From:  https://www.insomnia.net/medications/trazodone/

 

Trazodone's half-life, 3-6 hours, means it is most likely to be used as a treatment for sleep onset or middle insomnia sufferers.

* 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

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