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Itzakadoozee: withdrawal nightmare


Itzakadoozee

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Please Google "survivingantidepressants.org vision problems"

 

You will find many members reporting the same issues.

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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14 minutes ago, Gridley said:

Please Google "survivingantidepressants.org vision problems"

 

You will find many members reporting the same issues.

Ok I read through kinda freaked out. I hope vision will become better and the changes are not permanent. Floaters I assume are but I hope everything else goes.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I would not assume that anything is permanent.  The brain has enormous capacity to heal itself.

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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1 minute ago, Gridley said:

I would not assume that anything is permanent.  The brain has enormous capacity to heal itself.

 

I agree. Since psychotropic drugs affect the functioning of our brains, I believe that vision problems are connected to our neurons being sensitive. Eye nerves are being affected as well. This is just a theory though, but that is why I think this is temporary. I think that when our brain recovers, our eyesight will recover as well.

My withdrawal journey (click)

 

"If you're going through hell - keep going".

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Ok thanks for the input.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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On 4/19/2018 at 5:27 PM, Itzakadoozee said:

Well this WD affects the central nervous system which can control anything about a person  be it physically, mentally or emotionally so it could just be by chance or stage of withdrawal. Might start physically then mentally then emotionally at random.

My WD have been consistently mental for 11 months. I’m ready for them to start getting at least a little bit better 

  1. Started Wellbutrin 75 mg IR the end of 2015.
  2. Tried quitting cold turkey in June 30th- July 3rd 2017.
  3. Had severe withdrawals.
  4. Was placed on Wellbutrin 100mg SR so I could taper without withdrawal.
  5. Stabilized on 100mg SR for most of the month of July.
  6. Started tapering on July 17th,  2017.
  7. Completed taper on August 8th, 2017.
  8. Currently experiencing severe withdrawal.
  • Symptoms- Currently experiencing anhedonia, depersonalization/derealization, concentration/memory issues, chronic congestion, chronic dry eyes, dry skin, dislocated TMJ joint from teeth grinding during C/T withdrawal, waves of depression, anxiety, nausea, morning cortisol spikes, insomnia, agitation, food sensitivities, no tolerance for caffeine and chronic fatigue, burning muscle pain in upper and lower back and occasional tinninitus.
  • Supplements- Omega-3 fish oil supplement twice daily, 100 mg of magnesium once daily. 
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3 hours ago, Hellbutrin said:

My WD have been consistently mental for 11 months. I’m ready for them to start getting at least a little bit better 

Oh yeah I know what you mean. Antidepressants are insane-o devil pills.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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  • 2 months later...
On 6/6/2018 at 6:48 PM, Itzakadoozee said:

Oh yeah I know what you mean. Antidepressants are insane-o devil pills.

Itzakadooze, I have all your symptoms. The rocking swaying boat and trampoline walk are the worst for me, also the floaters. My boat and trampoline symptoms getting really bad after getting out of a car, is that the case for you? 

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On 8/28/2018 at 2:07 PM, IrishMonkey92 said:

Itzakadooze, I have all your symptoms. The rocking swaying boat and trampoline walk are the worst for me, also the floaters. My boat and trampoline symptoms getting really bad after getting out of a car, is that the case for you? 

No mine is when I’m in the shower or brush my teeth for some reason. 

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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Well I get it there too... do you have it 24/7 and it’s just worse at them places? It’s worse for me when washing my hands in the toilets too 

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  • 1 month later...

My doctor has recommended a possible treatment for DP/DR. Low dose naltrexone. Is anyone familiar with this?

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

There are many existing topics on this site.  Before creating a new topic please use either the site search function or a search engine and add survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.  Thank you.

 

Here's the link to the existing topic:  low-dose-naltrexone-ldn-anyone

 

* 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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  • 1 month later...

Day 1, 0mg

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Woohoo.  Congratulations.  Please update your drug signature.  Please show the dates and the reductions you made.  Thank you.  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

This topic may be helpful:  are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

 

 

* 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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  • 5 weeks later...

Congratulations! 

 

Just started following your topic.

 

Did you taper from April 2018 until now? 

 

How are you doing itza??

 

Is the 0 mg escitalopram working for you? Let us know how you are doing.

 

Happy healing.

 

Cheers

Jozeff

 

Sep- 2016 - Okt 2017 citalopram some months 15 mg some months 20 mg

Nov 2017- Apr 2018 citalopram 25 mg

Apr 2018 -  Jun 2018 citalopram 3 month TAPER too fast  from 25mg to 16.5 mg (0.1 mg per day decrease, felt horrible and crashed)

Jun 2018 - Aug13th 2018 citalopram trying to stabilize at 16.5 mg for 5 wks

- August 14th 2018 - April 29th 2019  citalopram 18 mg (1.5 mg updose).

 

2019 apr 27 : START taper citalopram @ 18 mg: 29Jun 16.4 mg / 19aug 15.4 mg / 25aug 15.2 mg / 30sep 14.0 mg / 4dec 13.1 mg

2020  03Jan 12.75 mg / 28Jan 12.29 mg / 18Feb 11.83 mg, 25Feb 11.68 mg hold.. / 7May 11.33 mg hold...., 4Aug 10.98 mg / 5Dec 10.0 mg 4 month hold...

2021 30mar 9.8 mg / 06apr 9.5 mg /  13apr 9.4 mg / 14may 8,5 mg / 04jun 8,0 mg / 11jun 7.75 mg, 02jul 7.35 mg /  09jul 7.2 mg hold 3 weeks during holiday /31jul 7 mg/ 8aug 6.8 mg / 15aug 6.63mg / 22aug 6.5mg / 1sep 6.3 mg / 8sep 6.15 mg / 15sep 6.0 mg / 22sep 5.9 mg / 29sep 5.8 mg / 04 oct 5.65 mg / 10oct 5.55 mg / 17oct 5.45 mg / 24oct 5.35mg / 30oct 5.25 mg hold 3 wks / 22nov 5.15 mg / 01dec 5.1mg / 12dec 5.0mg / 20dec 4.85mg / 30dec 4.70mg

2022   08jan 4.5 mg / 16jan 4.4 mg / 23jan 4.3 mg / 27jan 4.2 mg / 18feb 4.1 mg / 25feb 4.0 mg / 04mar 3.9 mg / 11mar 3.75 mg / 18Mar 3.65 mg / 09apr 3.55 mg / 16apr 3.45 mg / 23apr 3.35 mg / 01may 3.25 mg / 8may 3.15 mg / 17may 3.10 mg / 28 may 3.0 mg / 7jun 2.94 mg / 18 Jun 2.88 mg / 27 jun 2.84 mg / 05 jul 2.80 mg / 16 jul 2.75 mg / 23 jul 2.70 mg / 01aug 2.65 mg / 09aug 2.60 mg hold 5wks / 18sep 2.55 mg / 25sep 2.5 mg /02oct 2.45 mg / 10oct 2.40 mg / 19oct 2.35 mg / 27oct 2.30 mg / 05nov 2.27 mg / 14nov 2.25 mg / 22nov 2.20 mg / 29nov 2.10mg / 09dec 2.05 mg / 15dec 2.0 mg 

2023  hold 2.0 mg for 5 months / 05may 1.95 mg / 14may 1.90 mg / 24may 1.87 mg / 02jun 1.85 mg / 17jun 1.82 mg / 27jun 1.79 mg / 07jul 1.75 mg / 31jul 1.72 mg / 12aug 1.69mg / 27aug 1.67 mg / 04sep 1.65 mg / 09sep 1.63 mg / 22sep 1.61 mg / 27sep 1.60 mg / 12oct 1.58 mg / 18oct 1.56 mg / 31oct 1.54 mg / 06nov 1.52 mg / 18nov 1.50 mg / 04dec 1.48 mg / 11dec 1.46 mg / 22dec 1.45 mg / 28dec 1.44 mg

2024 01jan 1.43 mg / 06jan 1.42 mg/ 10jan 1.40 mg hold /

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6 hours ago, jozeff said:

Congratulations! 

 

Just started following your topic.

 

Did you taper from April 2018 until now? 

 

How are you doing itza??

 

Is the 0 mg escitalopram working for you? Let us know how you are doing.

 

Happy healing.

 

Cheers

Jozeff

 

Not good. Feel worse then I’ve ever felt in my life. Feels like I’m on an acid trip/confused 24/7. But from reading around I was kinda expecting the first couple months completely off or even year to be brutal so I guess it’s going as expected. I tapered from April 2017 till now from 5mg to 0, too fast I know. I was thinking tapering was the big problem because I would improve every month after dropping a dose but bam I would do it all again the next month and each drop would feel like I literally received a blow to the head.I just imagined that 0 would be much better finally having  my brain be able to have some stability with its chemistry. And I could not tell what symptoms were from withdrawal or side effects of taking the meds.Today it’s been a month off exactly which I am proud of because I was never able to make It off this long before  so something has changed for the better. I no longer feel like a prisoner to taking pills to stop withdrawal. Because that was exactly what was happening. I’ve come to realize I was taking the pills just to ward off withdrawal. Over the years I would try to stop but I would get massive DP/DR which I thought meant I needed the pills. I would restart and it would go away. Now I realize it is a symptom of withdrawal and I am trying to deal with it.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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I have a question for a moderator if they would be so kind. Do you have to give up coffee to heal properly? Not really having an issue with anxiety and using coffee helps me exercise. But I’ve read about people saying it prevents healing and that they had to give it up to recover. What do you guys think?

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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  • 3 months later...

It’s been almost 3 years exactly since my life was destroyed by a doctor recommended rapid taper. I reinstated after a month off but the damage was done. I have not felt the least bit normal since. I held on the reinstatement for a little over a year with minimal changes and desperate for some relief I decided to restart my taper and finished Nov 8, 2018. I have only gotten worse...

I wish sometimes I wouldn’t wake up in the morning...

 

 

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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Hi itza,

 

I'm so sorry you still feel so bad.

 

You have had a lot of patience so far. Do you think your symptoms are WD from the reinstatement or WD from you very fast taper in 2016?

 

Anyway, you will have to deal with your symptoms. It is unbelievable that you still have to deal with this for so long. This stuff should be forbidden.

 

I really wish you all the best and strength in the world. I wish there was something I could do about it. Let's hope someone will come up with some ideas to support you and your mind.

 

 

Best wishes.

 

Jozeff

Sep- 2016 - Okt 2017 citalopram some months 15 mg some months 20 mg

Nov 2017- Apr 2018 citalopram 25 mg

Apr 2018 -  Jun 2018 citalopram 3 month TAPER too fast  from 25mg to 16.5 mg (0.1 mg per day decrease, felt horrible and crashed)

Jun 2018 - Aug13th 2018 citalopram trying to stabilize at 16.5 mg for 5 wks

- August 14th 2018 - April 29th 2019  citalopram 18 mg (1.5 mg updose).

 

2019 apr 27 : START taper citalopram @ 18 mg: 29Jun 16.4 mg / 19aug 15.4 mg / 25aug 15.2 mg / 30sep 14.0 mg / 4dec 13.1 mg

2020  03Jan 12.75 mg / 28Jan 12.29 mg / 18Feb 11.83 mg, 25Feb 11.68 mg hold.. / 7May 11.33 mg hold...., 4Aug 10.98 mg / 5Dec 10.0 mg 4 month hold...

2021 30mar 9.8 mg / 06apr 9.5 mg /  13apr 9.4 mg / 14may 8,5 mg / 04jun 8,0 mg / 11jun 7.75 mg, 02jul 7.35 mg /  09jul 7.2 mg hold 3 weeks during holiday /31jul 7 mg/ 8aug 6.8 mg / 15aug 6.63mg / 22aug 6.5mg / 1sep 6.3 mg / 8sep 6.15 mg / 15sep 6.0 mg / 22sep 5.9 mg / 29sep 5.8 mg / 04 oct 5.65 mg / 10oct 5.55 mg / 17oct 5.45 mg / 24oct 5.35mg / 30oct 5.25 mg hold 3 wks / 22nov 5.15 mg / 01dec 5.1mg / 12dec 5.0mg / 20dec 4.85mg / 30dec 4.70mg

2022   08jan 4.5 mg / 16jan 4.4 mg / 23jan 4.3 mg / 27jan 4.2 mg / 18feb 4.1 mg / 25feb 4.0 mg / 04mar 3.9 mg / 11mar 3.75 mg / 18Mar 3.65 mg / 09apr 3.55 mg / 16apr 3.45 mg / 23apr 3.35 mg / 01may 3.25 mg / 8may 3.15 mg / 17may 3.10 mg / 28 may 3.0 mg / 7jun 2.94 mg / 18 Jun 2.88 mg / 27 jun 2.84 mg / 05 jul 2.80 mg / 16 jul 2.75 mg / 23 jul 2.70 mg / 01aug 2.65 mg / 09aug 2.60 mg hold 5wks / 18sep 2.55 mg / 25sep 2.5 mg /02oct 2.45 mg / 10oct 2.40 mg / 19oct 2.35 mg / 27oct 2.30 mg / 05nov 2.27 mg / 14nov 2.25 mg / 22nov 2.20 mg / 29nov 2.10mg / 09dec 2.05 mg / 15dec 2.0 mg 

2023  hold 2.0 mg for 5 months / 05may 1.95 mg / 14may 1.90 mg / 24may 1.87 mg / 02jun 1.85 mg / 17jun 1.82 mg / 27jun 1.79 mg / 07jul 1.75 mg / 31jul 1.72 mg / 12aug 1.69mg / 27aug 1.67 mg / 04sep 1.65 mg / 09sep 1.63 mg / 22sep 1.61 mg / 27sep 1.60 mg / 12oct 1.58 mg / 18oct 1.56 mg / 31oct 1.54 mg / 06nov 1.52 mg / 18nov 1.50 mg / 04dec 1.48 mg / 11dec 1.46 mg / 22dec 1.45 mg / 28dec 1.44 mg

2024 01jan 1.43 mg / 06jan 1.42 mg/ 10jan 1.40 mg hold /

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5 minutes ago, jozeff said:

Hi itza,

 

I'm so sorry you still feel so bad.

 

You have had a lot of patience so far. Do you think your symptoms are WD from the reinstatement or WD from you very fast taper in 2016?

 

Anyway, you will have to deal with your symptoms. It is unbelievable that you still have to deal with this for so long. This stuff should be forbidden.

 

I really wish you all the best and strength in the world. I wish there was something I could do about it. Let's hope someone will come up with some ideas to support you and your mind.

 

 

Best wishes.

 

Jozeff

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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Just now, Itzakadoozee said:
6 minutes ago, jozeff said:

Hi itza,

 

I'm so sorry you still feel so bad.

 

You have had a lot of patience so far. Do you think your symptoms are WD from the reinstatement or WD from you very fast taper in 2016?

 

Anyway, you will have to deal with your symptoms. It is unbelievable that you still have to deal with this for so long. This stuff should be forbidden.

 

I really wish you all the best and strength in the world. I wish there was something I could do about it. Let's hope someone will come up with some ideas to support you and your mind.

 

 

Best wishes.

 

Jozeff

It all started during the withdrawal the reinstatement just stopped the withdrawals from getting worse I guess. I wish I wouldn’t have reinstated I would’ve been off a lot longer now. But maybe that would’ve been worse also this whole thing is like a giant guessing game on what to do. It’s so confusing.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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  • 1 year later...

Been off since November 2018. Current symptoms No libido, unable to think clearly/cognitive impairment, loss of visual imagination, DP/DR, SI, Anxiety, Depression, chronic fatigue, visual disturbances, insomnia, extreme sensitivity to supplements, loss of coordination. Literally almost all of my physical symptoms have went away what remain now are the ones I always wanted gone, go figure. Healed from the majority of the dizziness, twitches, head pressure, burning brain feeling. No I haven't drank or have taken any drugs.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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I have been able to read slightly more clearly though. Reading was extremely difficult and some of my visual imagination is back, but still I consider myself lacking in visual imagination. I tried a paleo diet for a whole month and I felt better on it I was thinking clearer, sleeping better, but recently stopped because it was extremely restrictive and I relapsed into a horrible diet consisting of processed carbs and snacks. What a huge difference diet can make. Paleo= minimally functional. Processed crap= non functional hell on earth completely lobotomized feeling. I wonder why.... I started paleo again by the way. Day 2. Gonna try to keep it going longer this time. Never had a sweet tooth until WD started.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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  • Moderator

Sorry to hear you are still experiencing symptoms, Itz. But that is great you've made so much progress. Hang in there and take care of yourself and you should make it all the way back. 

 

As for the problems with food, it's always hard to say what is causing the problem unless you do an elimination diet. I think in withdrawal we tend to feel every little thing that happens in our body and so certain foods which trigger unique biological responses might cause general discomfort, malaise etc. Human biology is still a bit of a mystery, so the best thing you can do is test what works and what doesn't. Hard to say something is good or bad based on what we know about its nutritional profile (macro and micronutrients).

 

I haven't read your entire thread, so I apologize if you've already answered this, but is there anything you find that helps relieve symptoms besides diet? Exercise? Meditation? Deep breathing? 

 

I did see your question on coffee. I would drink decaf if you can manage it. Caffeine seems to increase the rate of neuroapoptosis (programmed cell death in neurons). Probably best to avoid excess nerve cell death at this point. 

 

"Isoflurane exposure increased apoptosis 3.3 fold for neurons and 3.4 fold for oligodendrocytes compared to control brains. Isoflurane + caffeine caused neuronal apoptosis to increase 8.0 fold compared to control levels but did not augment oligoapoptosis. Neuronal death was particularly pronounced in the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Higher blood levels of caffeine within the range considered therapeutic and safe for human infants correlated with increased neuroapoptosis. Caffeine markedly augments neurotoxicity of isoflurane in the fetal macaque brain and challenges the assumption that caffeine is safe for premature infants."

 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-23560-7#:~:text=Research has revealed that sedative,oligodendrocytes in developing mammalian brains.&text=Caffeine markedly augments neurotoxicity of,is safe for premature infants.

 

 

Remeron - 2004-2005 (bad withdrawal)

Clonazepam - 2005-2018 (jumped around March)

Olanzapine - 2014- late 2017

Domperidone - 2008-2018

Many drugs in between including Lexapro, other benzos and z-drugs.

Still suffering post-withdrawal from Clonazepam (Klonopin), Olanzapine and Domperidone. 

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25 minutes ago, DataGuy said:

Sorry to hear you are still experiencing symptoms, Itz. But that is great you've made so much progress. Hang in there and take care of yourself and you should make it all the way back. 

 

As for the problems with food, it's always hard to say what is causing the problem unless you do an elimination diet. I think in withdrawal we tend to feel every little thing that happens in our body and so certain foods which trigger unique biological responses might cause general discomfort, malaise etc. Human biology is still a bit of a mystery, so the best thing you can do is test what works and what doesn't. Hard to say something is good or bad based on what we know about its nutritional profile (macro and micronutrients).

 

I haven't read your entire thread, so I apologize if you've already answered this, but is there anything you find that helps relieve symptoms besides diet? Exercise? Meditation? Deep breathing? 

 

I did see your question on coffee. I would drink decaf if you can manage it. Caffeine seems to increase the rate of neuroapoptosis (programmed cell death in neurons). Probably best to avoid excess nerve cell death at this point. 

 

"Isoflurane exposure increased apoptosis 3.3 fold for neurons and 3.4 fold for oligodendrocytes compared to control brains. Isoflurane + caffeine caused neuronal apoptosis to increase 8.0 fold compared to control levels but did not augment oligoapoptosis. Neuronal death was particularly pronounced in the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Higher blood levels of caffeine within the range considered therapeutic and safe for human infants correlated with increased neuroapoptosis. Caffeine markedly augments neurotoxicity of isoflurane in the fetal macaque brain and challenges the assumption that caffeine is safe for premature infants."

 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-23560-7#:~:text=Research has revealed that sedative,oligodendrocytes in developing mammalian brains.&text=Caffeine markedly augments neurotoxicity of,is safe for premature infants.

 

 

Nothing really makes me feel better but a really clean diet, gentle exercise and a good nights sleep. Plenty of things make me feel worse though. The coffee thing though, does it only cause apoptosis when combined with that Isoflurane or is that a characteristic of caffeine. I would hate to give anything else up in my life unless necessary, being as I have lost everything already and coffee helps stave offs fatigue and depression for me. But if I must I will to help heal.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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Ill try to give up coffee for a month or so. But I've tried before a restarted because I would literally get so depressed I would get major SI. Thanks for the reply Data Guy.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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  • Moderator

Ok. I think the implication of the article is that both sedative/anaesthetic drugs and caffeine are neurotoxic in isolation, but when combined they amplify each other's toxicity. At this point it is a hypothesis as to what is causing the problems in infants who have to be sedated for surgery. The FDA's recommendation was interesting because they are not exactly famous for looking out for patient safety. 

 

Remember when you are quitting caffeine: caffeine itself causes physical dependence and can have its own unique withdrawal syndrome. I would just slowly reduce your intake. You may feel worse for a period of time, but should gradually begin to feel better. I think that may be likely why you felt depressed last time you quit. I would avoid just stopping cold turkey.

 

I hope it does start to help you feel better, Itz. Good luck with the paleo diet!

Remeron - 2004-2005 (bad withdrawal)

Clonazepam - 2005-2018 (jumped around March)

Olanzapine - 2014- late 2017

Domperidone - 2008-2018

Many drugs in between including Lexapro, other benzos and z-drugs.

Still suffering post-withdrawal from Clonazepam (Klonopin), Olanzapine and Domperidone. 

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

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21 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Thanks for the tips. My sleep has vastly improved from the beginning. I used to have major insomnia. Now it’s more of an occasional thing but sometimes gets bad. I use melatonin sparingly. I probably watch too much tv at night. I read a book yesterday and feel asleep early. I just don’t like reading too much it’s still more difficult then I would like it to be and can be kinda frustrating.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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5 hours ago, DataGuy said:

Remember when you are quitting caffeine: caffeine itself causes physical dependence and can have its own unique withdrawal syndrome. I would just slowly reduce your intake.

 

One good way to do this is to cross taper from caffeine to decaf.  You can make a cup of coffee with a combination of caffeinated and decaf coffee.  Then you don't have to reduce the number of cups of coffee you are drinking but you are reducing the caffeine gradually.

 

Instead of decaf coffee you could use coffee substitute.  I drink decaf during the day but if I have a cuppa after dinner I use a coffee substitute because decaf isn't 100% caffeine free.

 

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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2 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

One good way to do this is to cross taper from caffeine to decaf.  You can make a cup of coffee with a combination of caffeinated and decaf coffee.  Then you don't have to reduce the number of cups of coffee you are drinking but you are reducing the caffeine gradually.

 

Instead of decaf coffee you could use coffee substitute.  I drink decaf during the day but if I have a cuppa after dinner I use a coffee substitute because decaf isn't 100% caffeine free.

 

K. I’ll try it. Thanks ChessieCat.

2005-2015 sertaline, 2015 to November 2018 escatalopram. Used liquid titration to drop doses. By 0.5mg at first then drops as small as 0.01mg at end of taper. Jumped of at 0.02mg

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