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Jams: I hope to survive Remeron!


Jams

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Thank you for a very informative reply.  Forgot to ask...  Are my symptoms normal for tapering Remeron?  Is a 5% cut every two weeks okay even with my symptoms?  Should I hold until all or most insomnia/anxiety symptoms are gone before cutting again?  

 

Thanks so much!!! 

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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I had a quick look at your signature. I would certainly hold until symptoms fade. To put it in perspective, i tapered by 20% last year and only now one year later have my symptoms mostly gone. I would hold until your stable. It takes patience and perseverance but its worth it. If you can taper the remainder of your dose whilst remaining stable - it will be infinitely worth it. 

 

All the best

Nick

Started Citalopram in 2005 (aged 15) for apparent "OCD" - 60mg 

July 2015 attempted 2 x 10% + cuts 4 weeks apart. WD symptoms intense at times. Need to slow down.

 

November 2016 - Resumed taper. 1.25 - 1.5% decrease weekly approx.

44.5mg November 2016. Jan 2017 42.5 mg. March 2017 40 mg. June 2017 37mg. September 2018 22mg. Nov 2018 Holding at 22mg to stabilise from moderate wave. January 2020 - Holding, mostly feeling fine, but still having some waves at times. 

 

February 2020 - Resumed taper , 1.5% reduction weekly/every two weeks. 

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Thank you for sharing your perspective, Nick!!  Very helpful!  

 

I did wonder if holding at a certain dose for several weeks can result in tolerance withdrawal.  How do I keep the right balance? 

Thanks again!  

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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After a 3-week hold, I'm still experiencing scary symptoms (anxiety the worst!) off and on.

 

Can we hold an A/D taper TOO long and bring about TOLERANCE WITHDRAWAL?  

 

Is there some way to discern whether we've reached tolerance and need to move on, or we've tapered too much and/or too fast and need to slow down????

 

And along that line, since symptoms seem to come and go even during holds, how do we decide when to make the next cut???

 

Thank you so much! 

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

BrassMonkey has coined the term "withdrawal normal":

 

Here is his post:  brassmonkey-talking-about-myself

 

The fact that your anxiety is "on and off" is a good sign.  If it were constant it would be more concerning.  I linked the Windows and Waves previously.  Have a read of it.  Also see:  What is Happening in Your Brain.  It's a long post but well worth reading.  It helped me to understand that what we are going through affects so many things and the brain has a big job to do.

 

It's important to keep daily notes on paper because you can then look back to gauge your improvement, because the improvement may only be small and you might not realise how much you have improved.  rate-symptoms-daily-to-track-patterns-and-progress

 

Generally it is better to hold longer than to try and go fast, become destabilised and then have to try and get stable again.  Some members find that once destabilised that they may improve but don't seem to get back to as good as they were.  There is one member that I know of who has been going too fast and trying to get stable and has been going up and down in dose several times for about 2 years.  If they had gone slowly they may have already been drug free.

 

Understanding that it is a withdrawal symptom and then accepting it can help to stop secondary fear and anxiety.

* 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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  • 4 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Jams

 

How are you buddy..?? Is your tapering going OK??

 

Hope you are doing fine.

2015 -  2016 Xanax only rescue doses of 0.125 mg 1-2 times per month
 March 2016 0.125Mg * 2 Xanax for 10 days.

20 March 2016 0.25 Mg * 2 Xanax for one week. 1 April 2016 Tranxene 5 mg and Fevarin but bad reaction for 5 days.4 April 2016 25 Mg Amitryptiline + 6 MG bromazepam at night

Started tapering Bromazepam 6 days later reached up to 3 MG in 10 days and withdrawal. Pdoc asked to go 6 MG again.

10 of May started Remeron 15 MG and started tapering Bromazepam again.

SINCE 09/06/2016 BENZO FREE - Started Tapering Remeron 04/07/2016

 

04/Jul/16 12.8 Mg, 11/Aug/16 12 Mg, 20/Aug/16 11Mg, 3/Sept/16 10Mg, 11/Sept/16 9 Mg, 30/Sept/16 8.1 Mg, 14/Oct/16 7.25 Mg, 17/Nov/16 6.7, 23/Nov/16 6.5, 2/Dec/16 6.25, 9/Dec/16 6Mg, 25/Dec/16 5.7Mg, 4/Jan/17 5.4Mg, 20/Jan/17 5.2Mg, 07/Feb/17 5 Mg, 15/Feb/17 4.8Mg, 27/Feb/17 4.5Mg, 15/Mar/17 4.2Mg, 23/Mar/17 4Mg, 1/Apr/17 3.7Mg, 14/Apr/17 3.4Mg, 27/Apr/17 3.1Mg, 06/May/17 2.8Mg, 22/May/17 2.6Mg, 31/May/17 2.3Mg 09/Jun/17 2Mg, 20/Jun/17 1.7Mg, 29/Jun/17 1.4Mg, 11/Jul/17 1.2Mg, 20/Jul/17 1Mg, 31/Jul/17 0.8Mg, 11/Aug/17 0.6Mg, 23/Aug/17 0.5Mg, 05/Sept/17 0.4Mg, 13/Sept/17 0.3Mg. 22/Sept/17 0.2Mg, 03/Oct/17 0.15Mg, 10/Oct/17 0.1Mg, 23/Oct/17 0.05Mg, 22/Nov/17 0.025Mg, 06/DECEMBER/2017 MIRT FREEE.

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Thanks for asking about me, Santino. Interesting timing.

 

I had to have a root canal Friday.  No epinephrine.  And despite my trepidation, the procedure went well.  I'm taking Amoxicillin for the infection and Ibuprofen for pain.    

 

Monday (yesterday), three days later, I had a series of withdrawal episodes with endless wailing, pacing, machine-gun chatter, scary thoughts...just completely off the wall!  I'm not sure, but I think I experienced an intense bout of Akathisia, something new to me.  I assume that it was all a major reaction to the root canal, meds, etc.  

 

Today I felt anxious and edgy until after breakfast.  I still feel a bit of that but better.  How can one cope with or prevent this type of reaction?

 

Thanks!!  

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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Hello again.  Just hoping someone will respond to my question above concerning a root canal and withdrawal.  It's been five days, and I'm still feeling potent anxiety come and go plus worsened insomnia.  Wondering, too, if Ibuprofen or Amoxicillin can rev symptoms.

 

Thank you!

Jolene 

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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Hi Jams,

I had a root canal treatment 2 years ago and also took antibiotics while I was in acute phase of WDS.

I did not notice worsening of the WDS symptoms. I recently had a minor procedure requiring a local anesthetic and I was freeking out, mainly because I was scared of WDS symptoms worsening.

The doctor told me that when you get a local anesthetic it does not really enter your blood stream, it mainly numbs that area.

I am fine, no worsening of WDS.

I was imagening the worst case scenario.

We are all different. It might also depend on how far you are in your WDS.

I am not sure. Obviously it has effected you.

It will pass. WDS does get better. Wait in between drops at least 6-8 weeks before making a cut.

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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I researched the numbing agent used by the dentist in Friday's root canal and discovered that Carbocaine can interfere with antidepressants!!!  Wonder if anyone here knows that!  Explains why I had such INSANE w/d afterward...and still up til 3 or 4 AM with anxiety and insomnia!  I still need to go in for a crown.  Can you suggest a freeze agent that won't increase w/d??  Thanks!  And thanks to Hopefull for your helpful reply.

 

Monday (yesterday), three days later, I had a series of withdrawal episodes with endless wailing, pacing, machine-gun chatter, scary thoughts...just completely off the wall!  I'm not sure, but I think I experienced an intense bout of Akathisia, something new to me.  I assume that it was all a major reaction to the root canal, meds, etc.   

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm sorry that we missed your question about dental meds. Here's our topic on dental procedures and the medications used:

 

Dental surgery and dental medications.

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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  • 3 weeks later...

I NEED HELP.  I updated my Signature, so you can see what I've been through.  I think the root canal and election stress were the two main triggers, but I was also unable to see my new grandson in October, plus several other unpleasant events.  Life goes on.  I wonder if there's anything else you can suggest, but I had to ask.  I think I might have been okay if the dentist hadn't re-injected me with Carbocaine SEVERAL times during the 2-hour procedure.  I don't know.  I was worried about the election for weeks and spent too much time on Facebook.  I need to ditch a lot of that and focus on uplifting things.  I understand I'll need to hold even longer now to overcome all of the past trauma.  I never feel well on Remeron - always fogged, fatigued, edgy, with bits of anxiety, so it's frustrating not to be able to cut more often like Benzos.  My entire family has put off Christmas with us until next year.  Now I'm not sure I'll be off the Rem by then.  I'm almost 69 years old, too.  Sure would like some happy time in the land of the living before I die!   

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I've read your post and your updated signature. I'm not sure what you're asking for, Jams.

 

Staying away from easily avoidable stressors such as facebook is a good idea. I'm with you on that -- I haven't watched television or listened to the radio in the last week.

 

Remember that each step you take decreasing Remeron dosage holds the possibility of decreased symptoms. The fog will lift. You will get off this medication too.

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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  • 1 month later...

I wondered if tapering Remeron can cause the stomach muscles to clench.  I have no digestive issues, that I know of.  This symptom began with my Rem taper, but today it's not going away like it did.  What to do?  Thanks.

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • 1 month later...

Hello,

I've been holding at 5.3 mg Remeron since 1/19.  Did pretty well at first but have experienced hard-hitting withdrawal since 1/22/16, reminiscent of my prior Klonopin w/d with most of the symptoms occurring in the evening...after I've taken my meds.  WHY IS THAT?  I've had an especially hard time since 1/28/17 with more anxiety, shaking, crying, shrieking, and insomnia than ever before (despite holding all that time)...even spilling into the DAYTIME!  IS THAT NORMAL??? Looking back, I can see the window/wave pattern, but lately it's all wave and no window with severe symptoms lasting all day now.  How does one cope with this much anxiety and resulting insomnia?  Thanks so much.  I plan to hold another week or two and see how it goes.  IS THAT A GOOD PLAN?  My previous updoses had mixed results, and I understand that the fewer changes we make, the better, so I'd like to avoid another updose if I can.  RIGHT?  

 

Thank you so much!

Jolene 

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Jams, sometimes the first few days after a dose reduction are okay. Then the CNS (central nervous system) adjustments to the new dose become noticeable as symptoms.  Just keep holding at the dose. The symptoms will almost certainly settle down over time.

 

Your most recent reductions were 

January  3, 5.9 to 5.6 mg, 5%

January 19, 5.6 to 5.3 mg, 5.4%

 

If in another week or two (Feb. 10 or Feb 17) things don't settle down, it might be worth considering an updose to 5.45 mg, half-way to your previous dose (5.6).

 

You may have discovered that you need to make smaller reductions and/or to hold for longer.

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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Thank you for your reply, Scallywag!  It confirms my suspicions and encourages me to stay the course!

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • 3 months later...

Hello.  Since my last cut May 12th, I've experienced more constant w/d symptoms...low level anxiety with flares of it at night that keep me awake, the worst fog/fatigue I've ever felt (even more after meals), broken sleep and difficulty falling asleep (takes hours sometimes), and I'm more easily shaken or startled.  The smallest worry can lead to fear and shaking.  I've thought about up-dosing halfway back to my last dose, but I keep hoping I'll stabilize.  Is it normal for w/d to be this strong 3 weeks after a cut?  What is "withdrawal normal" anyway?  Am I tapering too fast?  Maybe I haven't fully recovered from those 5% cuts, although I held about 2 1/2 months after the last one.  Thanks for your advice.    

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

* 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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Well, thank God, this arrived in my mailbox today, so I can respond properly.

 

I just wondered if my Remeron/water solution is okay.  I add 150 ml water to a 15 mg Soltab, shake, and pull my cut from there.  Makes the math easier that way.  I've seen other "tighter" suspensions using a 1:1 ratio, med:water, which might cause stronger withdrawal unless drops are minuscule.  The only problem with my "big" mixture is that I'm looking at a lengthy taper of 3-4 years since I'm only able to drop 2-3% at a time after a month's hold.  Any suggestions?  Thanks so much!

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

The dilution ratio of water to active ingredient won't affect how long it takes to taper. If you were decreasing by 2-3% using a scale to weigh crushed tablets, it would take the same amount of time.

 

15 mg in 150 ml is the same as 15 mg in tablet form which is the same as 15 mg in 15 ml or in 1.5 ml.

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

Oh boy!  I forgot to take my Remeron & Gabapentin last night!!!  Do I take it now and then my regular doses tonight or what?  Thanks!!!

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hmmm, no one got to this message in time for you.  I was asleep, here in New Zealand:).  In general though, if you realise you've missed a dose and you're within 12 hours of the missed dose, take it asap.  If you are closer to when your next dose would be due, wait till then. 

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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  • 2 months later...

Hello!  Just a quick update to tell you that I'm experiencing less withdrawal since doing 2.5% cuts once every 4+ weeks.  I hope that I can pick up the pace a little, like to every 3 weeks, but I'll continue to listen to my body and cut only when I feel thoroughly stable and almost normal & clear-headed.  I still get very THICK brain fog after breakfast and lunch and would like to know why that is.  But over all, I'm encouraged now that this has become more do-able.  Less fear of protracted w/d, too.  Thank you.     

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Great to hear you have found the pace that is most comfortable for your brain.

 

That's the way to go.

 

Did you maybe have a chance to fill in the survey on WD? There are still some 3 hours before it closes and we need those researchers to hear about all this...

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

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

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

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

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

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

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Yep, I filled out the survey yesterday...just in time!  

 

Thanks for your encouraging words.

 

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Really pleased that you did the survey!

 

Some of the members here find that the lower their dose gets the slower they need to go.  There is a discussion about it here:

 

Why taper paper: dose-occupancy curves

 

Remember that slow and steady wins the "race".  I'm taking it very carefully and slowly because my withdrawal symptoms are minimal and I just don't want to upset the apple cart.

* 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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Thanks, Chessie!  Makes sense!  Like you, my symptoms lately have been amazingly minimal, so I'll stay the course. :-)

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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  • Moderator Emeritus

That's good to hear.  And I think that's one great thing about being a member here is not only the encouragement we receive, but reminding each to stay patient.

 

I've just finished 6 weeks of a 9 week hold on 20mg because when I get my tablets compounded I have to get 100 capsules of one dose and I ended up with lots of 20mg so thought it would be a good time to do a long hold.  I did a 12 week hold back at 50mg because that was a tablet.

* 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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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Jams,

 

I recommend you really value the stability.  Privilege getting off well, not quickly.   I had to really slow down when I got under 5.   I also inserted some really long holds.  Basically, there were times when I was basically symptom free but still on a very low dose.  Although I had a burning desire to be done with it, I took the opportunity to hold, give my body a break, enjoy the moment.  I viewed it as an investment in the next cut and laying the foundations for that to go well.

 

All the best.

 

Dalsaan

 

Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist.

Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014.

Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September.

Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015.

Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15).

Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past.

 

DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017

 

>My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan

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Wise advice, Dalsaan.  I've begun to look at it that way, as an "investment in the next cut" ever since I reduced my cut to 2.5%, and symptoms lightened a lot. Gave me hope that I could taper well, not necessarily fast.  Thank you!

 

 

Chessie, kudos to you for tapering off 80 mg of Pristiq in less than a year...wow! 

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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Hello Jams,

 

Great job figuring what pace is right for you.  

 

Question: are you still suffering from tinnitus?  I recently had to jump off 2.4 remeron due to serotonin syndrome with trazodone, and developed tinnitus which is really bothering me; three months later it is still there, no improvement.  

 

If you still have it, can you please let me know how it is affected by your taper?  Does it worsen then return to baseline after each drop, or worsen without improvement.  Any help/insight is appreciated.

 

Best wishes for a WD-free taper!

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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12 minutes ago, Survivor1 said:

Hello Jams,

 

Great job figuring what pace is right for you.  

 

Question: are you still suffering from tinnitus?  I recently had to jump off 2.4 remeron due to serotonin syndrome with trazodone, and developed tinnitus which is really bothering me; three months later it is still there, no improvement.  

 

If you still have it, can you please let me know how it is affected by your taper?  Does it worsen then return to baseline after each drop, or worsen without improvement.  Any help/insight is appreciated.

 

Best wishes for a WD-free taper!

Hi Survivor.  Yep, I still have tinnitus, but I try so hard to ignore it that I haven't noticed much of a pattern.  I think it's there all the time but seems worse at night because it's so quiet. (I distract with a sound machine to sleep.)  I'm guessing that it worsens after each cut, too, but not sure.  I've read that tinnitus is actually a misconception in the brain rather than anything to do with the ears, so brain healing is the key.  Tinnitus Talk online may have some answers, and there's probably a Facebook group...as there is for just about everything...lol.  How are you feeling post-jump??  

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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Hello Jams, thanks for the quick response.

 

I try not to get on the tinnitus forums as many are really suffering, and I couldn't handle any more negativity right now.

 

Post-jump, at 13 weeks, I am doing OK; this past week especially has seen some dramatic improvements.  I am still sleeping adequately.  My worst symptom has been fatigue that is simply bone-deep.  No amount of sleeping alleviates it.  But I have just started getting a break from that.  I would say that most of my symptoms now are mild to moderate.  I feel very positively that I will heal from this (not sure about the tinnitus though!).

 

You seem to be doing well with your taper.  I too would have done a slow one if it were not for the adverse reaction I had with trazodone.  I plan to do a proper taper with the other two meds I am on.

 

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
32 minutes ago, Jams said:

Chessie, kudos to you for tapering off 80 mg of Pristiq in less than a year...wow! 

 

No, it hasn't been in less than a year.  I started back in November 2015.

 

Edit:  I've just checked my signature.  I've got the year wrong :o

Edited by ChessieCat

* 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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  • 3 weeks later...

I can't seem to find any tapering advice for hydroxazine (vistiril).  I realized I'm in tolerance w/d from it.  I've used it intermittently to taper Remeron.  Can anyone give me some general guidelines?  I only take one capsule.  Thank you!!!

1990: Ativan prescribed for insomnia

2010-2012: Water titrated Ativan from 4 mg to 1.5 mg 

2012: Crossed from 1.5 mg Ativan to .075 mg Klonopin  

2012-2015: Micro-Tapered Klonopin to .0003 mg

8 '15 - 10 '15: - Rehab Center cut Klonopin to ZERO. 8 mg Valium, 300 mg Gabapentin, 50-100 mg Trazadone, & 7.5 mg Remeron added.  

10 & 11 '15: Valium to ZERO. 2 '16 - 4 '16: Trazadone to ZERO. Gabapentin to 200 mg.

6 '16: Tapered 7.5 mg Remeron to 5 mg. 8/10 and 8/21'16: Up-dosed twice, from 5.0 to 5.5 mg and again from 5.5 to 6 mg. 9/12: 5.7. 10/6: 5.4. 10/30: updose to 5.8. 12/28: updose to 5.9   1/3/2017: 5.9 to 5.6   1/19: 5.6 to 5.3   4/7: 4% 5.3 to 5.1    5/12: 5.1 to 4.95   7/19: 4.71   8/17: 4.6   10/3: 4.4. 11/18:  2% 4.39.  11/23: up-dose to 4.43.  

1/2018: 4.39; 2/16/18: 4.36; 3/21/18: 4.34; 5/6/18: 4.3; 5/26/18: 4.14; 6/6/18: updose to 4.24  Continued taper in 2019 down to 3.2 mg Remeron 

8/21/21: Currently on 3.2 mg Remeron, 87.5 mg Trazodone (increased from 50 mg 8/19/2021), 200 mg Gabapentin, 650 mg Phenibut. 

   

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