Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted March 27, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 27, 2018 I began tapering again two weeks ago, now down to 7.8mg Lexapro. Tomorrow I drop to 7.6, next week to 7.4, then hold for two weeks. In a year I'll be down to 1.9 and time to start thinking about handling those tiny doses with the Gemini scale. I'd prefer not to have to switch to liquid if I can. It's going tolerably well. A pretty uneventful taper, especially considering my polydrugging. Usual symptoms of anxiety, anhedonia, social anxiety and some agoraphobia though I do manage to get myself into the village several times a week. It's about as low-stress a village as possible, maybe ten square blocks with no parking meters, a couple of good restaurants, and oftentimes donkeys in the street. So all in all, in I have to go through WD, it's a pretty good place to do it. Our house is way up on top of a mountain, total quiet, donkeys here too (Jasmine and Josephine) who are fat and happy and do no work, unlike the other donkeys here. I hope all is well with you. Congratulations, you're getting way down there. Once you get off the Paxil, I guess a break then the Zoloft. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 10, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 10, 2018 The last few days I've had an uptick in symptoms--increased anxiety, only about 5 hours sleep and no sleep past 2 a.m., increased stiff neck pain, chills, rumination and catastrophizing after I wake up. It could be my dosage is getting lower but I have a feeling it's dread of some upcoming stressors. Weekend after next is a spay-neuter clinic my wife helped to organize and I can't decide whether it would be more of a stressor to attend or stay alone at the house all day wondering whether I should've gone. Also, we have a trip to the U.S. coming up, with a drivers license renewal test. And my wife's friends may be coming to Ecuador for a visit. I've always been a homebody but it's turning into low-grade agoraphobia. I'm heading into my regular two-week hold and will assess after that whether to hold further and also whether to slow my taper. I hate to report bad news but I think I should. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
AliG Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 I'm so sorry Gridley. It could be the upcoming stress that is increasing symptoms. I have found that we need to accommodate to that, but definitely you are probably the best judge. Ali xx Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Rosetta Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Thinking about you, Gridley. I understand about taking a trip to the US making one anxious. Can you pretend it's not happening for a few hours? Download a novel? Going to the clinic might be pretty taxing, but you may need the outing. It's easy to get set in your routine and feel off if it changes, but I do find that I'm rarely worse for wear. Do you? If so, can you focus on that realization? CBT the feeling? Take care, R https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment
wantrelief Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 2 hours ago, Gridley said: The last few days I've had an uptick in symptoms--increased anxiety, only about 5 hours sleep and no sleep past 2 a.m., increased stiff neck pain, chills, rumination and catastrophizing after I wake up. It could be my dosage is getting lower but I have a feeling it's dread of some upcoming stressors. Weekend after next is a spay-neuter clinic my wife helped to organize and I can't decide whether it would be more of a stressor to attend or stay alone at the house all day wondering whether I should've gone. Also, we have a trip to the U.S. coming up, with a drivers license renewal test. And my wife's friends may be coming to Ecuador for a visit. I've always been a homebody but it's turning into low-grade agoraphobia. I'm heading into my regular two-week hold and will assess after that whether to hold further and also whether to slow my taper. I hate to report bad news but I think I should. I am so sorry you are experiencing an uptick in symptoms, Gridley. It makes sense that the upcoming stressors are the culprit. I know exactly what you mean about trying to decide if doing something would be more stressful than not doing it, either way you are stuck thinking about it. It sounds like good timing you are headed into a hold and can then assess your next steps. I am thinking about you and hoping you get some relief with holding. -1/06 - 3/07 Cymbalta. Fast taper (essentially CT); withdrawal symptoms after 4 mos (didn't realize was WD) -10/07: 100 mg Zoloft; 1 mg Klonopin - tapered off Klonopin after 4 mos. Several unsuccessful slow tapers of Zoloft; went up and down in dose a lot -Spring 2013 back on 1 mg Klonopin to counter WD symptoms; switched over 5-6 mos from Zoloft to 35 mg citalopram -Two attempts at slow tapering citalopram, always increased dose due to WD; also increased Klonopin to 1.25 mg in 2014, then to 1.5 mg in 2015 -8/17-9/17: After holding one year at 20 mg, feeling withdrawal symptoms due to stress - slowly increased to 25 mg. No change in symptoms after 6 months (? tolerance ?) - decided to start citalopram taper February 2018 (still on Klonopin 1.5 mg). Supplements: fish oil; magnesium; vitamin D3; curcumin Citalopram taper: 2/2018 - 12/2019: 25 mg - 11.03 mg I 2020: 10.89 mg - 7.9 mg I 2021: 7.8 mg - 5.26 mg I 2022: 5.2 mg - 3.36 mg I 2023: 3.3 mg - 1.47 mg 2024: 1/5/24: 1.44 mg; 1/19/24: 1.40 mg; 1/26/24: 1.37 mg; 2/2/24: 1.34 mg; 2/9/24: 1.31 mg; 2/23/24: 1.28 mg; 3/1/24: 1.25 mg; 3/8/24: 1.22 mg; 3/15/24: 1.19 mg; 3/29/24: 1.17 mg; 4/5/24: 1.14 mg; 4/13/24: 1.11 mg Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted April 10, 2018 Moderator Share Posted April 10, 2018 Hi Gridley-- I'm sorry to hear to hear about the uptick in anxiety, that's always a bummer when it happens. It sound to me like it is very anticipatory in nature though and should be treated as an Emotional Spiral. I always found that when faced with a situation where I couldn't make up my mind if I was up to it or not, if I opted to do it it was always an experience I was glad I did. I may have been work to get through it and sometimes I needed to concentrate on one step at a time, but I was always glad I pushed the boundaries. A person doesn't have to be "present" at all times during an event, there is always a corner to go to for a few minutes of decompression. I would suggest that you go for it, enjoy what you can and survive the rest. 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 25, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 25, 2018 The two-week hold helped quite a bit and my increased symptoms settled down. I'm proceeding with my regular 2 1/2% cut today, down to 7.2mg Lexapro. When I compare with a year ago, when I was at approx. 15 mg, here's how my WD symptoms have changed: anxiety - greatly improved insomnia - somewhat improved (possibly due to Melatonin) anhedonia/apathy - the same tinnitus - the same (mild, not constant) neck pain - worse (new symptom) poor appetite - same (I see a link here with anhedonia) So generally there has been improvement as my dose diminishes. Two of the three most problematic symptoms (anxiety and insomnia) are while the other (anhedonia) remains the same. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
wantrelief Posted April 25, 2018 Share Posted April 25, 2018 23 minutes ago, Gridley said: The two-week hold helped quite a bit and my increased symptoms settled down. I'm proceeding with my regular 2 1/2% cut today, down to 7.2mg Lexapro. When I compare with a year ago, when I was at approx. 15 mg, here's how my WD symptoms have changed: anxiety - greatly improved insomnia - somewhat improved (possibly due to Melatonin) anhedonia/apathy - the same tinnitus - the same (mild, not constant) neck pain - worse (new symptom) poor appetite - same (I see a link here with anhedonia) So generally there has been improvement as my dose diminishes. Two of the three most problematic symptoms (anxiety and insomnia) are while the other (anhedonia) remains the same. I am so glad your increased symptoms settled down with your holding. You have done so well with your tapering, Gridley! I am very happy for you that you have noticed an improvement in some of your symptoms as you've gotten lower. I hope the improvements keep happening as you get lower in dose. Were these symptoms (aside form the neck pain which you mention is a new symptom) present when you started your taper? -1/06 - 3/07 Cymbalta. Fast taper (essentially CT); withdrawal symptoms after 4 mos (didn't realize was WD) -10/07: 100 mg Zoloft; 1 mg Klonopin - tapered off Klonopin after 4 mos. Several unsuccessful slow tapers of Zoloft; went up and down in dose a lot -Spring 2013 back on 1 mg Klonopin to counter WD symptoms; switched over 5-6 mos from Zoloft to 35 mg citalopram -Two attempts at slow tapering citalopram, always increased dose due to WD; also increased Klonopin to 1.25 mg in 2014, then to 1.5 mg in 2015 -8/17-9/17: After holding one year at 20 mg, feeling withdrawal symptoms due to stress - slowly increased to 25 mg. No change in symptoms after 6 months (? tolerance ?) - decided to start citalopram taper February 2018 (still on Klonopin 1.5 mg). Supplements: fish oil; magnesium; vitamin D3; curcumin Citalopram taper: 2/2018 - 12/2019: 25 mg - 11.03 mg I 2020: 10.89 mg - 7.9 mg I 2021: 7.8 mg - 5.26 mg I 2022: 5.2 mg - 3.36 mg I 2023: 3.3 mg - 1.47 mg 2024: 1/5/24: 1.44 mg; 1/19/24: 1.40 mg; 1/26/24: 1.37 mg; 2/2/24: 1.34 mg; 2/9/24: 1.31 mg; 2/23/24: 1.28 mg; 3/1/24: 1.25 mg; 3/8/24: 1.22 mg; 3/15/24: 1.19 mg; 3/29/24: 1.17 mg; 4/5/24: 1.14 mg; 4/13/24: 1.11 mg Link to comment
Rosetta Posted April 25, 2018 Share Posted April 25, 2018 I'm so glad the anxiety and the insomnia have improved. You should be getting more down time when your body can heal itself now, I suppose. Neck pain -- I know what that is like. I hope you can stretch it, and get some relief. Overall,. Great report, Gridley! https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 25, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 25, 2018 1 minute ago, wantrelief said: Were these symptoms (aside form the neck pain which you mention is a new symptom) present when you started your taper? None, except insomnia, were present before I started my taper. My first taper was of Imipramine, not Lexapro. In Jan. 2016, before I discovered SA, I began tapering (10% every 3 weeks) from 75mg Imipramine (a brake, though I knew nothing of this). As I got lower on the Imipramine, the tinnitus and anxiety began and became severe around 12 mg. I discovered SA and updosed Imipramine to 25mg. It took around four months for me to stabilize and begin my Lexapro taper in Jan. 2017. I didn't begin experiencing the anhedonia and loss of appetite until early in the Lexapro taper and don't know if it's delayed WD from the Imipramine taper or the Lexapro taper or a combination. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, wantrelief. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 25, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 25, 2018 13 minutes ago, Rosetta said: I'm so glad the anxiety and the insomnia have improved. You should be getting more down time when your body can heal itself now, I suppose. Neck pain -- I know what that is like. I hope you can stretch it, and get some relief. Overall,. Great report, Gridley! Thanks, Rosetta, for dropping by. Yeah, neck pain. We have a great chiropractor here and I had about 25 sessions but relief was temporary. I finally stopped going because that neck crack thing they do terrifies me. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Miracle123 Posted April 29, 2018 Share Posted April 29, 2018 On 4/26/2018 at 6:25 AM, Gridley said: The two-week hold helped quite a bit and my increased symptoms settled down. I'm proceeding with my regular 2 1/2% cut today, down to 7.2mg Lexapro. When I compare with a year ago, when I was at approx. 15 mg, here's how my WD symptoms have changed: anxiety - greatly improved insomnia - somewhat improved (possibly due to Melatonin) anhedonia/apathy - the same tinnitus - the same (mild, not constant) neck pain - worse (new symptom) poor appetite - same (I see a link here with anhedonia) So generally there has been improvement as my dose diminishes. Two of the three most problematic symptoms (anxiety and insomnia) are while the other (anhedonia) remains the same. Hi Gridley, im glad and happy hear that your withdrawal is reduced and getting better. Me too ....also facing with the neck pain and tightling sensation come with nose ,eyes pain making my face numbness.This withdrawal took over more than 2 months of suffering. Now still got it but slightly released a bit. You need to hold a bit time to ease your withdrawals. I hope you will getting more stable and better improvement. Take care... Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017. Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017 Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 29, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 29, 2018 3 hours ago, Miracle123 said: Hi Gridley, im glad and happy hear that your withdrawal is reduced and getting better. Me too ....also facing with the neck pain and tightling sensation come with nose ,eyes pain making my face numbness.This withdrawal took over more than 2 months of suffering. Now still got it but slightly released a bit. You need to hold a bit time to ease your withdrawals. I hope you will getting more stable and better improvement. Take care... Miracle, thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you are feeling a bit better. Congratulations on being Lexapro-free! 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Miracle123 Posted April 29, 2018 Share Posted April 29, 2018 8 minutes ago, Gridley said: Miracle, thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you are feeling a bit better. Congratulations on being Lexapro-free! Hi Gridley, you are welcome. I also hope one day you will reach zero, getting very mild withdrawal and can hear from your good news too. Take care. Mid December 16 lorezapam 1mg and lexapro 5mg Early April17 updosed lorezapam 2mg, mid Apr17 taper 1.5mg, mid May17-1.25mg, early Jun17- 1mg, mid Jun17-0.75mg, mid July17-0.5mg, End July 17 reduce from 0.4mg, 0.3mg,0.2mg until 0.1mg.lorezapam free on 9 August 2017. Early Mar17 updosed to Lexapro 10mg , end Mar17 reduced 7.5mg, mid May17 reduced 0.5mg, End Aug17 reduced 2.5mg, early Sep17 -1.5mg, Mid Sept-1mg, End Sept - 0.5mg .lexapro free on 26 September 2017 Supplement- omega fish oil and magnesium citrate only. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted May 8, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 8, 2018 I had just been reading posts about paying the price when you overdo it. Last weekend, we took a 5-hour trip to Cuenca, a larger city, for our 30th anniversary. I was leery, since even going down to our tiny village can cause anxiety, but my wife, Kathy, deserved a celebration. The big city plus a lot of unaccustomed walking plus strange surroundings did me in. I rested up yesterday but we had to take our 14-year old blind Yorkie rescue to another big city today for x-rays. (Good news there, no cancer as feared, just her continuing heart condition). Coming up in 3 weeks is a 2-week visit to the U.S. I will need to hone my coping skills for that one. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Rosetta Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 Hi, Gridley, I'm wishing you all the best for your trip to the U.S. You must be leaving very soon. Sending good vibes! Peace, Rosetta https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted May 29, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 29, 2018 Thanks, Rosetta! We leave this Saturday. Mixed feelings. Feels like scaling Everest. By the way, you are a balm to all. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Rosetta Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 As are you, my friend. Good luck. https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment
wantrelief Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 On 5/28/2018 at 7:38 PM, Gridley said: We leave this Saturday. Mixed feelings. Feels like scaling Everest. I hope you have a good trip, Gridley. I can understand it feeling like scaling Everest. Imagine how you'll feel upon your return having successfully climbed the mountain. -1/06 - 3/07 Cymbalta. Fast taper (essentially CT); withdrawal symptoms after 4 mos (didn't realize was WD) -10/07: 100 mg Zoloft; 1 mg Klonopin - tapered off Klonopin after 4 mos. Several unsuccessful slow tapers of Zoloft; went up and down in dose a lot -Spring 2013 back on 1 mg Klonopin to counter WD symptoms; switched over 5-6 mos from Zoloft to 35 mg citalopram -Two attempts at slow tapering citalopram, always increased dose due to WD; also increased Klonopin to 1.25 mg in 2014, then to 1.5 mg in 2015 -8/17-9/17: After holding one year at 20 mg, feeling withdrawal symptoms due to stress - slowly increased to 25 mg. No change in symptoms after 6 months (? tolerance ?) - decided to start citalopram taper February 2018 (still on Klonopin 1.5 mg). Supplements: fish oil; magnesium; vitamin D3; curcumin Citalopram taper: 2/2018 - 12/2019: 25 mg - 11.03 mg I 2020: 10.89 mg - 7.9 mg I 2021: 7.8 mg - 5.26 mg I 2022: 5.2 mg - 3.36 mg I 2023: 3.3 mg - 1.47 mg 2024: 1/5/24: 1.44 mg; 1/19/24: 1.40 mg; 1/26/24: 1.37 mg; 2/2/24: 1.34 mg; 2/9/24: 1.31 mg; 2/23/24: 1.28 mg; 3/1/24: 1.25 mg; 3/8/24: 1.22 mg; 3/15/24: 1.19 mg; 3/29/24: 1.17 mg; 4/5/24: 1.14 mg; 4/13/24: 1.11 mg Link to comment
bubbles Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 Hope you have a great trip Gridley 2005 St John's Wort / 2006-2012 Lexapro 20mg, 2 failed attempts to stop, tapered over 4.5 months in early 2012 January 2013 started Sertraline, over time worked up to 100mg July 2014 Sertraline dropped from 100mg to 75mg, held for six months, slower tapering until 2019 22 Dec 3.2mg 2020 Sertraline 19 Jan 3.1mg, 26 Jan 3.0mg; 1 Mar 2.9, 7 Mar 2.8, May (some drops here) 24 May 2.5, May 29 2.4, June 21 2.3, June 28 2.2mg, July 4 2.1mg, July 24 (or maybe a bit before) 2mg, early Nov switched to home made suspension; 29 Nov 1.8mg; approx 25 Dec 1.6mg) 2021 Some time in about Jan/Feb realised probably on more like 1.8mg and poss mixing error in making suspension; doses after 10 Feb accurate; 10 Feb 1.6mg; 7 Mar 1.4, continued monthly 10% drops until 1mg, then dropped 0.1mg monthly. May 2022,0.1mg, now dropping 0.01mg per week 29 August 2022 - first day of zero! My thread here at SA: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1775-bubbles/page/21/ Current: Armour Thyroid Link to comment
Rosetta Posted June 19, 2018 Share Posted June 19, 2018 How are you, Gridley? You have one more week in the States? I hope it's been easy for you!! - Rosetta https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 19, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 19, 2018 It has actually been a real pleasure. I should never underestimate the power of distraction. We stayed with an old friend in L.A. (3 of us in a 1 bdr 1 bath) and I adapted well. Maybe it's good to get away from my house (which I regard basically as a long-term recovery room) and out into the world a bit. I've been on a hold at 6.6. Lexapro for the trip, which I think was a good idea. Today I passed my drivers license renewal test! I am so proud of myself. For whatever reason, calm descended on me for the whole DMV experience. I was able to restock enough Imipramine (unavailable in South America) to see me through my post-Lexapro-taper taper. A secure feeling for that time two years distant. We leave day after tomorrow. Really I do miss lots of things about the U.S. Almost zero anxiety during the whole three-week stay. Anhedonia lifted! Thanks for checking in., Rosetta. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Rosetta Posted June 19, 2018 Share Posted June 19, 2018 Just wow! How wonderful for you. Enjoy your last week, Gridley. -R https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment
RealMe Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 On 6/19/2018 at 12:12 AM, Gridley said: Almost zero anxiety during the whole three-week stay. Anhedonia lifted! Great to hear about the absence of anxiety and anhedonia! RM Alcohol periodic excessive 1963-1976, Valium sporadic 1964-1973, Imipramine off & on 1982-1985, Fluoxetine 10mg-80 mg. Oct., 1995-Jan., 2014; Cymbalta, other ADs 1/2014-3/2014; Abilify 5 mg. 3/2014 - 8/8/17; Trintellix 20 mg. 3/2014 - 9/2017; Propranolol 60-80 mg. sporadically Sept-Oct, 2017; Seroquel few days Sept 2017 (c/t); Wellbutrin 150 mg. Sept, 2017 updosed to 300 mg. few days till c/t Oct 8, 2017, fish oil, vitD, vitE Oct 16, 2017-pres. Lipoflavonoid 4/2017-pres. Fluoxetine 10 mg. Sept-Oct 8, 2017, 20 mg. 10/9- 10/15; 10 mg. 10/16 - 12/29; 9 mg. 12/30 - 2/9; 2 mL liquid (8.1mg) 2/10 - 3/7; 1.8 mL (7.29 mg) 3/8 -3/20; 1.6 mL (6.561mg) 3/20-4/2; 1.4 mL (5.9 mg) 4/3-4/14; 1mL (4 mg.) 4/15-4/22; .9mL (3.6mg) 4/23-5/1; .81mL (3.24 mg) 5/2-5/24; .73mL (2.916mg.) 5/25-6/8; .65mL 6/9-6/23; .6mL 6/24-7/17; .58mL 7/18-7/28; .525mL 7/29-8/13; .5 mL 8/14-21; .45mL 8/22-31; .4mL 9/2-21; .35mL 9/22-10/4; .3mL 10/5-28; .25mL 10/28-11/10; .2mL 11/11-11/24; .18mL 11/25-12/3; .1mL 12/4-12/18. Zero-12/19/18-present. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 26, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 26, 2018 I'm back home after three weeks in the U.S. I don't know whether it was the four-week hold I was on while I was there or the fact that I was on vacation, but I had zero anxiety the whole time and the anhedonia even lifted somewhat. I gained some much-needed weight from the great food there. A real pleasure all in all. I've started tapering again, and 5 days in a bit of the old anxiety has reappeared but tolerable. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
bubbles Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Hi Gridley. Glad to hear you had a great trip and a reprieve from the symptoms. 2005 St John's Wort / 2006-2012 Lexapro 20mg, 2 failed attempts to stop, tapered over 4.5 months in early 2012 January 2013 started Sertraline, over time worked up to 100mg July 2014 Sertraline dropped from 100mg to 75mg, held for six months, slower tapering until 2019 22 Dec 3.2mg 2020 Sertraline 19 Jan 3.1mg, 26 Jan 3.0mg; 1 Mar 2.9, 7 Mar 2.8, May (some drops here) 24 May 2.5, May 29 2.4, June 21 2.3, June 28 2.2mg, July 4 2.1mg, July 24 (or maybe a bit before) 2mg, early Nov switched to home made suspension; 29 Nov 1.8mg; approx 25 Dec 1.6mg) 2021 Some time in about Jan/Feb realised probably on more like 1.8mg and poss mixing error in making suspension; doses after 10 Feb accurate; 10 Feb 1.6mg; 7 Mar 1.4, continued monthly 10% drops until 1mg, then dropped 0.1mg monthly. May 2022,0.1mg, now dropping 0.01mg per week 29 August 2022 - first day of zero! My thread here at SA: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1775-bubbles/page/21/ Current: Armour Thyroid Link to comment
Rosetta Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 I'm very, very happy for you, Gridley!!! https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus manymoretodays Posted June 27, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 27, 2018 Oh me too! Very happy for you. Thanks for the positivity!!! .........and tapering again.......off you go........... Love, peace, healing, and growth, mmt Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks. Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988. In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm. Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time). 5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014) 12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs. My last psycho med ever! Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to 2016 Dec 16, medication free!! Longer signature post here, with current supplements. Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016. And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed. Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022. Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜 None of my posts are intended as medical advice. Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider. My success story: Blue skies ahead, clear sailing Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Carmie Posted June 28, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 28, 2018 On 6/27/2018 at 5:27 AM, Gridley said: I'm back home after three weeks in the U.S. I don't know whether it was the four-week hold I was on while I was there or the fact that I was on vacation, but I had zero anxiety the whole time and the anhedonia even lifted somewhat. I gained some much-needed weight from the great food there. A real pleasure all in all. I've started tapering again, and 5 days in a bit of the old anxiety has reappeared but tolerable. That’s really great news Gridley, Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you had such an amazing time. It’s lovely to get a reprieve, isn’t it? All the best with your next taper💚 Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg✔️ 2020➡️From 5.60 to 4.80✔️ 2021➡️From 4.60 to 4.0✔️ 2022➡️From 3.95 to 3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️ 2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 28, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 28, 2018 Thanks for dropping by, Carmie. Yes, it was great. Now it looks like it's back to work! 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Moderator Emeritus Carmie Posted June 28, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 28, 2018 8 hours ago, Gridley said: Thanks for dropping by, Carmie. Yes, it was great. Now it looks like it's back to work! Yes Gridley, Tapering certainly is work! One of the hardest jobs of our lives I reckon. You’ve got lovely memories to look back on now from your holiday. I think making memories when you’re in windows helps you when you’re in a wave again as you know eventually you will be able to make more such memories. It gives you something to look back on and make you smile. All the best with your tapering💚 Seroquel. 2019:➡️ From 7.25mg to 5.80mg✔️ 2020➡️From 5.60 to 4.80✔️ 2021➡️From 4.60 to 4.0✔️ 2022➡️From 3.95 to 3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️ 2024➡️Jan15=3.20✔️ Feb19=3.15✔️ March26=3.10✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor. Link to comment
Rosetta Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Hope you are enjoying being home, Gridley. I've "caught" your window it seems. I hope it lasts a while! https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25 2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born) 2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg 2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction) 2016 - Stopped Xanax Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown) Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone Drug free since Feb 2017 2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted July 10, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 10, 2018 There was a link in SA recently about the connection of the major leg muscles and the brain (sorry, can't find it)--to the effect that the signals don't just go from the brain out but from the leg muscles to the brain. My insomnia had been worse, but doing some moderate weight-bearing leg exercises with quads has helped greatly for the last four nights, with me getting 7 or even 8 hours sleep (broken but I'll take it)--plus dreams! My wife, Kathy, has a machine, but I'm sure squats would work. And as a result of the sleep, my days have been better, with this afternoon qualifying as a genuine window. 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
bubbles Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Gridley said: There was a link in SA recently about the connection of the major leg muscles and the brain (sorry, can't find it)--to the effect that the signals don't just go from the brain out but from the leg muscles to the brain. My insomnia had been worse, but doing some moderate weight-bearing leg exercises with quads has helped greatly for the last four nights, with me getting 7 or even 8 hours sleep (broken but I'll take it)--plus dreams! My wife, Kathy, has a machine, but I'm sure squats would work. And as a result of the sleep, my days have been better, with this afternoon qualifying as a genuine window. At one point I had some issues (related to the AD, not WD) which sent me into physical therapy. My physical therapist did various stretches which included legs, which he referred to as neuro-something. It was all about the nerves. It was interesting. I'm not sure it did a great deal for me - the AD meant I was constantly having a new injury inflicted (bruxing) - but perhaps it did. 2005 St John's Wort / 2006-2012 Lexapro 20mg, 2 failed attempts to stop, tapered over 4.5 months in early 2012 January 2013 started Sertraline, over time worked up to 100mg July 2014 Sertraline dropped from 100mg to 75mg, held for six months, slower tapering until 2019 22 Dec 3.2mg 2020 Sertraline 19 Jan 3.1mg, 26 Jan 3.0mg; 1 Mar 2.9, 7 Mar 2.8, May (some drops here) 24 May 2.5, May 29 2.4, June 21 2.3, June 28 2.2mg, July 4 2.1mg, July 24 (or maybe a bit before) 2mg, early Nov switched to home made suspension; 29 Nov 1.8mg; approx 25 Dec 1.6mg) 2021 Some time in about Jan/Feb realised probably on more like 1.8mg and poss mixing error in making suspension; doses after 10 Feb accurate; 10 Feb 1.6mg; 7 Mar 1.4, continued monthly 10% drops until 1mg, then dropped 0.1mg monthly. May 2022,0.1mg, now dropping 0.01mg per week 29 August 2022 - first day of zero! My thread here at SA: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1775-bubbles/page/21/ Current: Armour Thyroid Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted August 3, 2018 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 3, 2018 Update: I think I've settled into a pretty consistent WDnormal as I continue to slowly taper the Lexapro. The biggest improvement is that the Cortisol morning anxiety, which several months ago, was consistent, has almost totally abated. As I look at my symptom log for the last few months, the vast majority of days are at "0" (no unusual symptoms), with a few 1's and 2's (5 is worst). My definition of WDnormal is not feeling great (that's a window) but feeling tolerable consistent yuckiness. So I still have apathy, anhedonia, lack of motivation. I do have some windows; one all day a couple of days ago. Some waves caused by regrets, self-blame, what-ifs and second-guessing, but these don't last more than a couple of hours. One big help to me is the adoption of two attitudes whenever the regrets start--1. acceptance and 2.make the best of the situation. Sometimes I miss the U.S. but we are here and I make the best of it. Life is too short for indulging in what-ifs, a tendency I've had all my life. Especially since on July 3 I had my 70th birthday! 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 April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, 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
Moderator brassmonkey Posted August 3, 2018 Moderator Share Posted August 3, 2018 Hi Gridley-- a good solid WDnormal is such a nice thing. I'm so glad to hear that you've been there for a couple of months now. "Contentment" is the condition I strive for in my life. Things could be better, but they could be worse, but for right now I'm content just where I am. Brass 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
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