Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted May 31, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 31, 2018 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. Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted May 31, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 31, 2018 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. Link to comment
apathetic Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 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". Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 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 Link to comment
Hellbutrin Posted June 6, 2018 Share Posted June 6, 2018 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 Started Wellbutrin 75 mg IR the end of 2015. Tried quitting cold turkey in June 30th- July 3rd 2017. Had severe withdrawals. Was placed on Wellbutrin 100mg SR so I could taper without withdrawal. Stabilized on 100mg SR for most of the month of July. Started tapering on July 17th, 2017. Completed taper on August 8th, 2017. 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. Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted June 6, 2018 Author Share Posted June 6, 2018 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 Link to comment
IrishMonkey92 Posted August 28, 2018 Share Posted August 28, 2018 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? Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted August 30, 2018 Author Share Posted August 30, 2018 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 Link to comment
IrishMonkey92 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted October 5, 2018 Author Share Posted October 5, 2018 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted October 5, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 5, 2018 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted November 8, 2018 Author Share Posted November 8, 2018 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted November 8, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 8, 2018 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 Link to comment
jozeff Posted December 8, 2018 Share Posted December 8, 2018 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 / Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted December 8, 2018 Author Share Posted December 8, 2018 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted December 11, 2018 Author Share Posted December 11, 2018 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted April 6, 2019 Author Share Posted April 6, 2019 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 Link to comment
jozeff Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 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 / Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted April 6, 2019 Author Share Posted April 6, 2019 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted April 6, 2019 Author Share Posted April 6, 2019 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted June 14, 2020 Author Share Posted June 14, 2020 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted June 14, 2020 Author Share Posted June 14, 2020 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 Link to comment
Moderator DataGuy Posted June 14, 2020 Moderator Share Posted June 14, 2020 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. Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted June 14, 2020 Author Share Posted June 14, 2020 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted June 14, 2020 Author Share Posted June 14, 2020 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 Link to comment
Moderator DataGuy Posted June 14, 2020 Moderator Share Posted June 14, 2020 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. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 14, 2020 Administrator Share Posted June 14, 2020 You might have to work on improving your sleep, this can move recovery along: Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep What is the sleep cycle? Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime 1 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted June 14, 2020 Author Share Posted June 14, 2020 21 minutes ago, Altostrata said: You might have to work on improving your sleep, this can move recovery along: Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep What is the sleep cycle? Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted June 14, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 14, 2020 (edited) 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 June 14, 2020 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 Link to comment
Itzakadoozee Posted June 15, 2020 Author Share Posted June 15, 2020 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 Link to comment
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