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Elexis: tapering fluoxetine / Prozac - did I come off too fast?


Elexis

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  • Moderator Emeritus

The duration of a reinstatement is about 10-14 days, depending on the drug:  3-5 days to reach steady state and then 7-10 days to give your CNS time to adjust.

 

I'm glad the PGA is becoming less intense for you over time.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Updated reinstatement diary:

 

6th August

1.30: PGAD = 2

3pm: PGAD = 7

7pm: PGAD = 4

11pm: PGAD = 7

 

7th August

12pm:  PGAD = 1

4pm: PGAD = 1

7pm: PGAD = 7 (after sitting for 2-3 hrs)

9pm: PGAD = 4

12am: PGAD = 1

 

8th August

Can't recall but very low all day, no more than a 4.

 

9th August

2pm: PGAD = 1

4pm: PGAD = 4

7pm: PGAD = 6

10pm: PGAD = 5

 

10th August

2pm: PGAD = 2

3pm: PGAD = 6

7pm: PGAD = 4

8pm: PGAD = 7

11pm: PGAD = 3

 

11th August

2pm: PGAD = 1

5pm: PGAD = 4

7pm: PGAD = 6

8pm: PGAD = 4

11pm: PGAD = 3

 

12th August

2pm: PGAD = 1

3pm: PGAD = 4

4pm: PGAD = 7 (after sitting on hard seat)

 

 

It's a lot of data but I think it looks like the reinstatement sure hasn't made anything worse, I think overall the numbers are better than they were before. What do you think? What would be a good next step?

 

Thanks :)

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Well you're at about 2 weeks after reinstating and it appears that your symptoms are settling. I suspect this settling will continue if you hold at 1 mg.  In your shoes, I'd be curious to see what might happen with a consistent daily dose for 2-3 months.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Cool, I'm up for doing that :) I should have noted in my last post that I've been avoiding sitting on hard seats as much as possible, trying to give this the best chance for recovery. Should I continue keeping symptom diaries?

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Elexis,

 

It's a good idea to keep notes on paper of what symptoms improve or worsen.  No need to post them here at the moment unless you want to keep a record in your topic).  That way if issues arise down the track you will be able to provide the information here so that it can be assessed and suggestions offered.  It can be very difficult several weeks later to try and remember what has gone on.

 

You may still have symptoms come and go but this is to be expected.  Please read this Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization.

 

You might find this helpful:  Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

* 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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Hi,

thanks for the links. I'm wondering about how to know whether the reinstatement dose is 'enough'? Like should I expect a significant improvement over the next couple of weeks? Is upping the dose generally risky?

 

Sorry for asking obvious questions - I tried reading the thread about reinstatement but due to an eye condition flare up I can't do much reading right now without pain. :(

 

Thanks very much

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Elexis, your symptoms are a sign that your CNS (central nervous system) is sensitized. Given that they (the symptoms) have improved somewhat with the reinstatement, the safest route is to continue to hold at a dose rather than increasing the dose.

3KIS: Keep it slow. Keep it simple. Keep it stable.

 

What is prompting your question about updosing?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Just wondering if it would make the symptoms go away better or faster. Like if 1mg causes 10% improvement then would 2mg cause 20% improvement? I suspect it's not that simple though & I may be asking a silly question. I've printed out the post you linked to read slowly as eyes allow :)

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Increasing risks further destabilizing your CNS.  Too bad dose response isn't linear. ;) Unfortunately the only way to find out if it helps or makes things worse is to try it. If symptoms are tolerable, it's best to hold rather than updose.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Ah, I see, that makes sense. I'll keep going with the 1mg then, will keep a symptom diary as when my symptoms get worse it feels like they're totally intolerable but, from previous diaries, that usually only lasts a few hours (though it sure doesn't feel like that at the time!). Sounds like updosing is only worth the risk if things are pretty bad.

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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Elexis. You could perhaps try 2 mg and see how it goes. There is a risk.that it could be destabilizing. I would hold where you are on  1mg.

As always though It is up to you.

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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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks for the advice guys, think I will stick to 1mg unless things deteriorate for some reason.

 

Quick query - was reading the thread about how to keep the CNS stable (not adding new supplements, lifestyle adjustments etc.) just wondering, do paracetemol and ibuprofen count as drugs that could destabilise CNS? I take one or both of them pretty much everyday before bed for chronic pain (have noticed they sometimes help the PGAD too). Do I have to be consistant with when I take them / how much I take in the same way I would with an antidepressant to avoid further destabilisation?

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Elexis,

 

Here is a link: Painkillers in withdrawal: Aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, acetaminophen, naproxen, codeine

 

"Do I have to be consistant with when I take them / how much I take in the same way I would with an antidepressant to avoid further destabilisation?"

 

Alto's post #2 in the above link.  My thought is that you would take them as needed.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

Thanks, so from what I saw on the thread I only really need to be cautious if I'm taking more 'heavy duty' painkillers like codeine, stuff like aspirin / paracetemol / ibuprofen should be fine?

 

Only trouble is that I've been taking ibuprofen for waay longer than I should... think it's meant to be 10 days max... I've taken two tablets a night, every night, for 4-6 weeks. I'd like to stop as I know I shouldn't be doing this, just wondering is it safe to just stop cold-turkey or should I wean myself off?

 

Thanks :)

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

You probably don't need to taper off ibuprofen, but you might want to do that to be on the safe side.
 
You may find some helpful ideas for dealing with physical pain:
Non-drug techniques for dealing with physical pain

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Thanks for the link, I'll have a good read :)

 

Yeah I think I'll taper to be on the safe side... maybe just drop to 1 ibuprofen a night for a couple of weeks and then stop completely.

 

By the way, my reinstatement is going well, I've been keeping a detailed symptom diary and although there are unpleasant flares from time to time they're short lived, I was surprised at the amount of time I now have with minimal symptoms (around a 4 usually). So nice to know things are improving :)

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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That's great news , Elexis .  :)  I hope things continue to improve for you. 

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

What wonderful news that your symptoms have improved that much!  Have we made another convert to tracking symptoms? ;)

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Glad your reinstatement worked for you.

1995 - 2015 antidepressants and antianxiety medicine
Multiple failed attempts to quit/taper anti d/anti anxiety meds since 2008

June 17, 2016 began prozac bridge to get off of effexor xr, stopped effexor xr on June 24, 2016, could not tolerate prozac due to severe side effects so I had to stop it  Currently...300 mg ER of lithium, 1 mg of estradiol, 60 mg propranolol ER, Fish oil 2 x a day, Magnesium Glycinate,  zinc, vitamin c, vitamin d, NAC

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks guys :) and yes, Scallywag, consider me converted - I would never have realised how short my periods of flare-ups actually are if I didn't have a record of it, always feels like it's going on forever at the time!

 

A bit of a problem has happened. :( I've been very stupid and allowed myself to run out of some of my amitriptyline tablets. I normally take a 10mg tablet + a 50mg tablet each night (so total dose of 60mg). I still have enough 50mg ones to last until I can get my prescription but I'm out of my 10mg ones. I've had to miss taking them tonight and will have to miss it tomorrow night as well. Should I be worried? Don't know if I can persuade the doctors to do my prescription any quicker but could try if this could be a serious issue and mess up my reinstatement.

Also, when I do get my hands on the 10mg ones again should I go back to taking them having missed a couple of doses?

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Elexis, try and get the 10 mg tablets. You should be able get them within a week of your last dose, just return to 60 mg.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

I'll be able to get them tomorrow (so 2 days after my last dose).... I could try and insist on getting them today if you think it'd be urgent?

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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Update - just got off the phone to the doctor and they're getting me my tablets today :) so will only have missed one dose. What a relief!

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Elexis,

How are you doing? Are you still experiencing PGAD symptoms?

I had PGAD symptoms and it has gone away.

It might take a while for things to settle down.

While I was going through it, I found swimming in the sea very helpful. It stopped PGAD symptoms.

I also found cold sit baths with table spoon of salt helped calm things down.

To this day, even after seeing a so called "drug expert ", no one has been able to explain why SSRI's cause this kind of reaction.

It seems more and more people are reporting this horrible symptom on SA.

You will heal but it does take time.

Best wishes, Hopefull.

DRUG HISTORY:

 

November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction).

January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey).

January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering.

October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg.

September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed.

September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised.

February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol. :(

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  • 1 month later...

Hi  Hopefull,

 

Apologies for such a slow  response, I haven't been on here for a while.

Overall I've been doing well, I've had long periods with no or minimal symptoms, not entirely gone though. I've fallen out of the habit of keeping symptom diaries (silly me) so I can't be sure just how much symptoms I'm having.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and tips, it's so encouraging to hear of anyone recovering from this symptom :) It can feel so hopeless at times. I'll give the baths a try some time! I'd love to try swimming in the sea but I'm in Scotland so I'd probably die of hypothermia lol

 

Feel a bit awkward saying this but I've noticed  that just about the only time I get severe and prolonged symptoms now is after sexual contact. I wonder, should I tell my partner to basically leave me alone until I'm over this? Seems a bit extreme and I doubt he'd be very happy but I'd hate to do  something to prevent healing... Currently going through a bad flare, symptoms away back up at an 8 and have been for days  :(

 

Going to start keeping my symptom diaries again so I can get a clearer idea of what's going on.

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Nice to see your post, Elexis.  I'm glad you've had long windows!

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Yeah I've been loving the long windows without symptoms! Really helps keep you motivated to keep going battling through the withdrawal process  :)

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

Link to comment

Hi Elixis,

 

It will only get better from now on.

You will heal and be your self again.

Take care, Best wishes, Hopefull. :)

DRUG HISTORY:

 

November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction).

January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey).

January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering.

October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg.

September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed.

September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised.

February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol. :(

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Just posting all my symptom diaries... I find it helpful storing them on this thread - no risk of me losing them!

 

30th August

2pm: 0

4pm: 4

6pm: 2

7pm: 6

9pm: 2

11pm: 7

1am: 2

 

31st August

2pm: 0

4pm: 4

6pm: 6

8pm: 3

10pm: 6

11pm: 2

 

1st September

2pm: 0

3pm: 4

6pm: 6

8pm: 4

9pm: 6

12am: 3

 

2nd September

2pm: 0

3pm: 4

6pm: 6

7.30pm: 3

8pm: 6

9pm: 4

10.30pm: 6

11pm: 4

1am: 2

(Brief spike to 8 during the night)

 

3rd September

2pm: 2

4pm: 6

8pm: 8 (after sitting for 6  hours!)

9pm: 5

 

On 5th September missed 10mg dose of Amitriptyline. Resumed on 6th September.

 

7th September

2pm: 0

3pm: 5

4pm: 7

6pm: 8

8pm: 6

12am: 5

 

8th September

2pm: 2

3pm: 7

5pm: 8

Used ice-pack at 8pm.

9pm: 6

10pm: 5

10.30: 6

12am: 5

 

9th September

2pm: 2

3pm: 5

5pm: 3

Stayed at 3-4 all night.

 

10th September

3pm: 0

4pm: 6

5pm: 7 - then used icepack

6pm: 4

7pm: 2

9pm: 3

 

11th September

8am: 5

2pm: 3

4pm: 2

7pm: 4

 

------

 

Flare up on 20th October. Started keeping symptom diary again.

 

23rd October

4pm: 6

5pm: 3

7pm: 6

10pm: 7

12am: 4

 

24th October

1pm: 7

5pm: 3

1am: 4

 

25th October

10am: 4

11am: 5

1pm: 7

3pm: 4

6pm: 6

12am: 4

 

26th October

1pm: 4

6pm: 5

1am: 6 (ice pack)

 

27th October

2pm: 3

3pm: 5

6pm: 3

9pm: 5

1am: 6

5am: 7 (ice pack)

 

28th October

2pm: 5

4pm: 7

7pm: 7

9pm: 4

1am: 3

 

29th October

1pm: 3

6pm: 7

9pm: 4

 

30th October

1pm: 2

2pm: 3

6pm: 2

9pm: 5

4am: 6

 

1st November

8am: 6

9am: 8

2pm: 6

4pm: 4

9pm: 2

 

4th November

1pm: 2

6pm: 4

8pm: 7

12am: 6

 

5th November

1pm: 6

5pm: 4

8pm: 6

10pm: 5

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • 1 month later...

Hi folks,

just a quick question, I couldn't find the answer when searching.

I used to take Nytol tablets when I couldn't sleep, they're sleeping tablets with the antihistamine Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride.

 

Is it safe to still take these  occasionally if I'm still  going through my Prozac withdrawl? I haven't taken any since these withdrawl symptoms started as I worried about making my symptoms worse...

 

Thanks

x

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Have a look at this topic - it should give you some idea.  Some people in w/d do react badly to it, so read through the thread to get different opinions.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2352-benadryl-diphenhydramine-for-withdrawal-insomnia/]Benadryl dipehnhydramine for withdrawal insomnia

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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Thanks for the info, had a read and I think I'll give the antihistamines a miss.

 

Unfortunately turns out I've been a bit silly and while not taking antihistamines for sleep I've been taking a herbal supplement thinking it would be harmless. Been taking it for 2-3 months (which is way too long for starters), it contains Valerian, Hops Strobile and PassionFlower. I've just read the thread on here about Valerian and it sounds like it affects CNS so I really want to get off this stuff now.

 

I take 2 tablets a night, so 60mg of Valerian. One of the reports posted on the thread recommended gradual withdrawal over 1-2 weeks - does that sound too fast? I'm wary as I've seen reports on medical websites saying you can withdraw from Prozac over 3-4 weeks and y'know how well that worked out for me!

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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  • Administrator

If the herbal supplement helps you sleep with no other side effects, no need to stop.

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

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Tbh I'm not convinced it's really helping my sleep anymore. It did at the start but I've been taking it more out of habit than anything  else lately.

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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If you are convinced the Valerian is not helping you sleep and you want to discontinue it, I would taper off very gradually over a period of months just to be cautious and avoid any problems.

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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Okay, would that involve tapering at 10% per month like with coming off antidepressants, or do we go a bit quicker since it's a herbal supplement? I'm on 60mg, which seems to be a relatively small dose.

 

If you think it could be risky to come off these while still dealing with withdrawal from Prozac I don't mind staying on them, just worried the longer I stay on the harder it will be to stop? there seems to be some evidence for valerian being potentially addictive.

Amitriptyline - 60mg, since 2011

Lyrica - 200mg since 2014

Prozac - 25mg/day 9 months in 2015. 1mg day since 2016.

Promethazine - 25mg, since 17 April 2020

Herbal nytol - since 2018

Alverine Citrate - 120mg twice a day since 2012

5htp - 50mg April 4th-21st. reinstated at 25mg May 27th. Off at 5mg 19th August. Reinstate 2.5mg 26th Aug.

 

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