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DaveB: trying to stop a roller coaster year


DaveB

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  • Administrator
5 hours ago, DaveB said:

Wow, let me just say how overwhelmed I am by the support and advice I have gotten. I don’t know what is best for me and my family, so far this new path has been promising, but WOW are you guys awesome! I at least know I am not alone and am cared about. Hopefully the mods can stop giving me warnings cause I am REALLY wanting to stay and be in this community with all you amazing, supportive, brave people!

 

And we are really wanting not to have to pull you out of holes you dig yourself, Dave.

 

Since you believe this is a good solution for you, I don't think there's anything more to talk about. It's your decision, we respect that. It either goes well or it doesn't. Please let us know if it's going well.

 

Otherwise, take your complaints to your doctor. The staff has seen this movie before, we don't want to see it again. We have lives, too. Thank you.

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.

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Dave,

 

Im not here to judge you or tell you what you already know....the risks etc of going down this route. I just hope that it all works out for you in the long run.

 

While I dont agree with your choice I definitely understand the feeling of needing to do something different to get better especially if you are responsible for your families income. I’m fortunate I can stop working if needed but I know so many of us don’t have that luxury.

 

Take care.

 

 

20mg Lexapro 2007

10mg Lexapro 2012

Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago  from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3.

Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction.

Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October.

Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018

Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov.

Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018

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Dave, 

i do not know you and have not followed you. I just read from Monday on...

 

i know this is all harsh. I remember the day, 15 years ago when I was spiraling the drain, and my doc gave me klonopin. I had no idea what I was doing, consulted no one, the internet was not what it is now, so I took it. I felt amazing the next day. Within a month I didn’t. I lost my job 5 months later. It RUINED my life. It cost me my career. I did not even add insult to injury by discontinuing another drug. If I could have a do-over, I would take a leave of absence from my job, and try to stabilize, without adding in new drugs. You may think you can’t afford this, but I lost my career. It has cost me way, way more than a year’s teacher salary. I basically became disabled and have never worked again. I was 48. Since then I have dealt with one crisis after the other, most likely brought on by the drugs and have only been able to reduce my 50%. 

 

I know you feel better right now, but I guarantee you are going to regret this. I believe since you just did this it is not too late to change course. That klonopin will take over your life quickly and that cold-turkey will catch up. Maybe you can stop what you are doing and seek the right kind of guidance in what to do?

 

i don’t know anything about you or your life but I do know it was hanging in the balance and is about to get even worse. 

 

I dont believe it is it is too late to consider. I know you feel ganged-up on. Everyone is just upset to see you make what is likely a tragic decision. 

 

Grace

  • amitriptyline from 1980-2002,
  • intermittent  use of benzos over 2 decades prior to 2002
  • 2002-2010 Klonopin 1-2 mg., ambien 10--20, mg, remeron 4 mg. and  trileptal 300 mg
  • 2011 Stopped ambien and crossed over to valium 17.5 mg. (updosing 2.5 mg. to cover ambien C/T )
  • tapered valium w/ long holds to 12.74 mg. from a high of approximately 20-30 mg/day
  • 2015-2023 tapered trileptal to 98 mg.  had to completely stop tapering due to multiple chronic, serious health issues
  • currently 2024 still on 98 mg. trileptal and 4 mg. remeron
  •   Currently on benzo hold as I have to cross-over from brand-name valium to generic diazepam.   The diazepam is way weaker and brought on severe acute w/d
  • Current dose of diazepam is 7.9 and valium is 6.6.  I had to up-dose the total valium/diazepam from 12.74 to 14.5 where I have stayed since June 2023.  I am crossing over to generic at a somewhat tolerable rate of .3mg/month after about 2 months of trial/error w/ updosing.  I am not currently tapering; will continue to cross over. 

 

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Dave, you have to do what you feel is best for you. Every body is different and there is no one set formula that will work. All we can do is speak from our own experience. I too took klonopin for a little bit during my WD journey from Effexor and it was my miracle drug that allowed me to sleep. I could not sleep on my own for months, this will make a person go insane in and of itself if you just leave them in this state and tell them to keep holding. So I get it. I was able to come off of it MUCH easier than the Effexor (which I am still on about half my original dose) and am sleeping on my own again without any drugs. I really started turning the corner this month and am trying to get my job and boyfriend back. Direct message me if you have any questions about the klonopin. 

6 years old- 23 years old Effexor XR 75-150mg 

March-May 2017  3-month taper of Effexor XR from 150mg down to 37.5 and then 0.  

After a week reinstated Effexor at 37.5 and quickly worked your way up to 150.

Mid-May increased to 187.5.

End of July to mid-October switched to 50-200mg Zoloft

Nov. to present  switched back to Effexor 75 mg

March 29, 2018 Increased Effexor dose to 150mg (original dose). 

May 12, 2018 Began a 10% AT LEAST monthly taper off of 150mg Effexor XR.

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Well I have been doing ok lately. I no longer take the Paxil, and haven’t had too many effects there. The lightheadedness and brain zaps were much worse from the drop from 20 to 10 than they have been from 10 to 0. I am taking .5mgs of Klonopin right when I get up and it makes my mornings much more manageable therefore I can manage the anxiety and my days much better now. Not going to lie, all the posts on here have me very worried about what will happen down the road, but for now, I am doing much better than before.

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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I'm glad to see you post.  I have been thinking about you.  Take care, 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

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  • Mentor

Dave,

I'm glad you are feeling alright. Please continue to keep us posted.

Rachel

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

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Good for you Dave ,I strongly suggest you get a plan in order to tackle the stresses and  strain  in daily life ,don't forget to rest and give yourself a break .an accumulation of stresses will fault you after the nervous system has been shocked  .All this is for the long term .get good at saying NO to what suits you.

Take care  .

Alcohol free since February 2015 

1MG diazepam

4.5MG PROZAC.

 

 

 

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  • Mentor
7 hours ago, powerback said:

get good at saying NO to what suits you.

I like this and I agree.

 

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

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  • Administrator

Good to hear you're doing well on one dose of Klonopin per day, Dave.

 

Oh, plus the Zyprexa, right?

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.

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Glad you are okay Dave. Since you are informed, you will  taper off the klonopin appropriately and as soon as you are able. Good wishes. 

 

Grace

  • amitriptyline from 1980-2002,
  • intermittent  use of benzos over 2 decades prior to 2002
  • 2002-2010 Klonopin 1-2 mg., ambien 10--20, mg, remeron 4 mg. and  trileptal 300 mg
  • 2011 Stopped ambien and crossed over to valium 17.5 mg. (updosing 2.5 mg. to cover ambien C/T )
  • tapered valium w/ long holds to 12.74 mg. from a high of approximately 20-30 mg/day
  • 2015-2023 tapered trileptal to 98 mg.  had to completely stop tapering due to multiple chronic, serious health issues
  • currently 2024 still on 98 mg. trileptal and 4 mg. remeron
  •   Currently on benzo hold as I have to cross-over from brand-name valium to generic diazepam.   The diazepam is way weaker and brought on severe acute w/d
  • Current dose of diazepam is 7.9 and valium is 6.6.  I had to up-dose the total valium/diazepam from 12.74 to 14.5 where I have stayed since June 2023.  I am crossing over to generic at a somewhat tolerable rate of .3mg/month after about 2 months of trial/error w/ updosing.  I am not currently tapering; will continue to cross over. 

 

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I was thinking this:  You have had a nice break from anxiety, but it's a mistake to get addicted to the Klonopin.  It's been 14 days.  I'm wondering what others, including Mods, might think about taking a week off and then taking it only every 3 days?. Alternatively, starting a taper.  How fast I don't know, but I'm hoping it's not too late to avoid addiction.  It would be nice if you could continue to get the same benefit from the same dose of Klonipin going forward, but using it only every 3-4 days in order to avoid addiction.  

 

I know addiction CAN happen in two weeks, but that's the shortest time, correct?  Maybe Shep has some advice for you.  I suggest you ask her right away.  Maybe there would be some way to tell if you were addicted by very closely monitoring your reaction to the cessation over a period of 24 hours?  @Shep ???

 

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

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  • Moderator Emeritus
2 hours ago, Rosetta said:

Maybe Shep has some advice for you.

 

This is the comment that Shep made:

 

On 2/26/2019 at 10:38 PM, Shep said:

We don't have enough staff in the benzo forum to deal with members who ignore tapering advice for antidepressants, go cold turkey, and then go onto a benzo. 

 

You will need to work with your doctor. 

 

* 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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Dave,

I did not realize you have been taking the klonopin for 2 weeks.  Perhaps a taper should be started. I know it's tempting to sleep and feel better, but in a few weeks you won't.  Just my thought.  It's your life, but you have to look down the road and not just at today or tonight or tomorrow....

 

Grace

  • amitriptyline from 1980-2002,
  • intermittent  use of benzos over 2 decades prior to 2002
  • 2002-2010 Klonopin 1-2 mg., ambien 10--20, mg, remeron 4 mg. and  trileptal 300 mg
  • 2011 Stopped ambien and crossed over to valium 17.5 mg. (updosing 2.5 mg. to cover ambien C/T )
  • tapered valium w/ long holds to 12.74 mg. from a high of approximately 20-30 mg/day
  • 2015-2023 tapered trileptal to 98 mg.  had to completely stop tapering due to multiple chronic, serious health issues
  • currently 2024 still on 98 mg. trileptal and 4 mg. remeron
  •   Currently on benzo hold as I have to cross-over from brand-name valium to generic diazepam.   The diazepam is way weaker and brought on severe acute w/d
  • Current dose of diazepam is 7.9 and valium is 6.6.  I had to up-dose the total valium/diazepam from 12.74 to 14.5 where I have stayed since June 2023.  I am crossing over to generic at a somewhat tolerable rate of .3mg/month after about 2 months of trial/error w/ updosing.  I am not currently tapering; will continue to cross over. 

 

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Dave,  What ever happened to the Prozac?  Didn't you begin taking it some weeks ago?

  

Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, Multi vit., Calcium, D3,  Magnesium, Fish Oil, Melatonin,  Ambien 3.3 mg 1 or 2X/mo.  Benadryl-seldom, .......2002 - eliminated alcohol

2002- Paxil - 20 mg (3 WD attempts: 2005, 2008, 2010)

2011 - 30 mg 

2018 - 40 mg- Sept to Nov} {Dec - 37.5}

Jan 2, 2019 - 35 mg

Jan 11 -  33.75 mg

Jan 28 - 32.5 mg

Feb 4 -  33.75 mg 

Mar 4 - 32 mg

Mar 30 - 30 mg

 

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@ChessieCat, there is absolutely no need to be rude to me.

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

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  • Moderator Emeritus
14 hours ago, Rosetta said:

I was thinking this:  You have had a nice break from anxiety, but it's a mistake to get addicted to the Klonopin.  It's been 14 days.  I'm wondering what others, including Mods, might think about taking a week off and then taking it only every 3 days?. Alternatively, starting a taper.  How fast I don't know, but I'm hoping it's not too late to avoid addiction.  It would be nice if you could continue to get the same benefit from the same dose of Klonipin going forward, but using it only every 3-4 days in order to avoid addiction.  

 

I know addiction CAN happen in two weeks, but that's the shortest time, correct?  Maybe Shep has some advice for you.  I suggest you ask her right away.  Maybe there would be some way to tell if you were addicted by very closely monitoring your reaction to the cessation over a period of 24 hours?  @Shep ???

 

Rosetta

 

Using Klonopin every 3 - 4 days can still cause dependency due to Klonopin's 18 - 50 hour half life. At the 50 hour half life, you would still have 25% of the dose in your system after 4 days. At the 18 hour half life, you would have 25% in your system 36 hours later and 13% 2 days later. This accumulates according to frequency. 

 

This half-life calculator can show you how this plays out:

 

Drug Half-Life Calculator

 

Whether Dave is dependent or not is unknown and possibly unknowable because he's using the benzo to mask abrupt withdrawal from going cold turkey from Paxil. If he comes off, he may have symptoms unrelated to the benzo but related to the Paxil. There's no way of knowing. 

 

And Paxil, like any other SSRI, can cause delayed withdrawal. So coming off the benzo now and then resorting to it later can lead to kindling. It would be better for him to stay on the benzo long term and do a slow taper later than to do a lot of off and on dosing and end up with a kindled nervous system

 

A large part of the reason I am not interested in continuing to support Dave is not just due to him adding in the benzo, but because of his inability to taper Paxil and the rate the moderators were burning out trying to coax him into a taper. Why would his behavior be any different with a different drug such as a benzo? 

 

We are a growing web forum with lots of new members and we simply can't afford to lose moderators due to members' risky behavior with these drugs. 

 

 

9 hours ago, Rosetta said:

@ChessieCat, there is absolutely no need to be rude to me.

 

Rosetta, you are a calming and gentle voice on this forum and we all value you greatly. Please note that CC was not being rude, but simply saving me time, as she knows my thoughts are exactly where they were back in February. 

 

While we want every member to be able to do a slow and careful taper and not add in other drugs, members are ultimately responsible for their actions. We can only do so much. 

 

There are other websites such as Benzo Buddies, that offer social support for benzo withdrawal regardless of how their members are tapering and what other drugs they add in. This would be a much better site for Dave than here on SA. We're a lot more regimented and that's not what everyone wants or needs. 

 

In the end, we all have to chose our own path, and that's not always the same as what SA advocates. 

 

 

 

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  • Administrator
14 hours ago, Rosetta said:

@ChessieCat, there is absolutely no need to be rude to me.

 

Hello, Rosetta. Please do not be offended. ChessieCat was trying to protect Shep. We appreciate your contributions, too. I see Shep has weighed in with her complete opinion.

 

DaveB's dropping Paxil to take Klonopin once a day and maybe continuing the Zyprexa -- it's always been hard to get DaveB to supply complete details -- may work out fine for him. We don't have an ideological opposition to benzos, though they're horrible drugs and usually more trouble than they're worth. But for some people, benzos are a route to go off antidepressants, often the only one doctors know about. (Which is why we have so many people here taking benzos.)

 

I agree with Shep about this:

 

4 hours ago, Shep said:

Whether Dave is dependent or not is unknown and possibly unknowable because he's using the benzo to mask abrupt withdrawal from going cold turkey from Paxil. If he comes off, he may have symptoms unrelated to the benzo but related to the Paxil. There's no way of knowing. 

 

Nobody knows when DaveB might be able to go off Klonopin without breakthrough symptoms from potential Paxil withdrawal. Maybe they're already gone. We can't tell.

 

We do know it is advisable to go off Klonopin carefully, or you could add benzo withdrawal syndrome to underlying Paxil syndrome and that is a world of hurt.

 

Then there's the Zyprexa, always a strange choice for Dave, but I guess he and his doctor thought the risks of a antipsychotic were worth it.

 

We wish DaveB well with whatever choices he makes. But as Shep said, it's been so frustrating to work with him, none of the staff are willing to take on coaching him through a benzo taper or whatever.

 

Since Dave is under a doctor's care, it's best that the doctor take the responsibility for prescribing drugs and getting Dave off them.

 

@DaveB we do want to hear how this works out for you. How you go off Klonopin and then Zyprexa will be very informative to our members.

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.

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Thank you, Alto, and thank you, Shep, for noting all those facts and checking my assumptions.  This is all such a mine field that I was afraid to give him any advice.

 

Dave,

 

I hope this does help you -- help you to keep your job and keep your wife from leaving you as well as to get through this horrific experience.  

 

My greatest fear for you is that your doctor will tell you in just a few weeks, "Ok, you should be done with Paxil "discontinuation syndrome" by now.  Let's get you off that benzo over the next couple of weeks!"  There is plenty of information for your doctor about that issue, and if he is unaware of the need for a slow taper from benzos, please find another doctor.

 

And please try to drive as little as possible. Having that drug in your system while driving can get you in a lot of trouble.  

 

I hope you will let us know how you are doing.  We all care about 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

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  • 2 weeks later...

Unfortunately I continue to struggle. I am taking .5mgs of Klonopin before bed and then again in the AM, I also take the 2.5mgs of Zyprexa (which was always a curious choice from an old doctor). It is possible that even with all the changes I made to the Paxil that I will be able to stabilize doing what I am doing. I have been really up and down, and last week would have said I was doing quite well. This week has for sure been more down.

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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That being said, I do still feel I am doing better now than i was in February on the Paxil and Zyprexa. Just wondering if I am just going to continue to get worse and worse now when I maybe become tolerant to the Klonopin or if the Paxil WDs hit really hard, or if I will be able to stabilize and start living a semi-normal life again.

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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Thanks for letting us know.  I'm hoping for a miracle for you!!  Maybe the benzo will cover your Paxil WD symptoms and if you can taper off the benzo very slowly and carefully in a couple of years everything will be ok.

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

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Wow, I have not read your WHOLE thread, but I REALLY hope the benzos don't turn on you. Luckily I found this site after I CT'd an SSRI and reinstated. My doc tried to up my dosages and add gabapentin or remeron; I would have happily accepted these "solutions" if I hadn't found SA and other support groups. I cannot risk adding on more meds, as many, if not all, of us can't either. I have met a friend who lives near me who was ONLY on Ativan for a couple years, as prescribed by her doctor. Then, that same doctor, CT'd her and she lost 2 years of her life. She was paranoid, hallucinating, suicidal, close to dying. Luckily, she had her mom to take care of her and her children. She is doing ok now, but she almost died, and probably would have without the care of her mother. 

 

I'm sorry, I HATE scare stories too, but benzos are no joke. And the questions you just asked an hour or so ago, the mods have already answered in full. 

 

I REALLY hope the best for you and your healing. 

Celexa 10mg: 2007 to June 2018, stopped CT

No meds: June 2018 to December 2018

PROTRACTED WD-- major depressive episode for 2+ weeks

Lexapro 10mg: December 12, 2018 to January 19, 2019, severe adverse reaction

Celexa 10mg: January 20, 2019

June 24, 2019: 9mg

July 22, 2019: 8.5mg

Jan 8, 2020: 8mg

Aug 25, 2020: 7.2mg

 

Supplements: Magnesium, Fish Oil

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  • 3 weeks later...

Went on a trip to Las Vegas with my wife last week, felt totally normal about 80 percent of the time, and even the bad wasn’t that bad. Got back a week ago and things have just slowly gotten worse to where I feel like I am as bad as ever. Amazing how just one week ago I truly didn’t think I could ever feel like this again, yet bam, here we are. Windows and waves?!?

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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3 hours ago, DaveB said:

Went on a trip to Las Vegas with my wife last week, felt totally normal about 80 percent of the time, and even the bad wasn’t that bad. Got back a week ago and things have just slowly gotten worse to where I feel like I am as bad as ever. Amazing how just one week ago I truly didn’t think I could ever feel like this again, yet bam, here we are. Windows and waves?!?

Nice trip dave ,youl settle down in a few days or weeks .the trip pushed your nervous system over the edge.cool memmories though.loads of rest for now.

Take care.

Alcohol free since February 2015 

1MG diazepam

4.5MG PROZAC.

 

 

 

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It is interesting how a change in surroundings can influence our mental health. I notice that as well when I travel as well. It’s very well possible routine is a component to why we feel bad sometimes. Get out in nature, and try to break away from the 9-5 life whenever possible. Sitting ruminating only makes things worse in my opinion.

Citalopram: 2011

Sertraline February: 2013-November 2013

Escitalopram January: 2014-August 2014

Escitalopram November: 2014-January 2016

Venlafaxine: April 2016-January 2018 (8 month taper included)

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1 hour ago, Cnick91 said:

It is interesting how a change in surroundings can influence our mental health. I notice that as well when I travel as well. It’s very well possible routine is a component to why we feel bad sometimes. Get out in nature, and try to break away from the 9-5 life whenever possible. Sitting ruminating only makes things worse in my opinion.

 

I agree, it is just frustrating. I thought I was FINALLY getting better. Only to come crashing down again.

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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I think my big problem is  the Zoloft withdrawals from coming off it two years ago after 8 years of being on it. I am thinking of reinstating the Zoloft, this last week was unbearable, I can’t keep living life this way. What are your thoughts?

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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Dear Dave, 

 

the way I see it, you expect life to be liveable during withdrawal, which it isn't and it causes you to try this and that. 

 

I understand! My last six and a half months have been hell. 

 

But in my opinion you need to stop. Stop irritating your CNS more. Accept (oh and I suck at this, so I understand!) that this is what you have to deal with until one day you will be healed. 

 

I feel bad you have had to go through this for such a long time. But unfortunately there is nothing you can actively do. 

 

The healing happens in its own time. 

 

Wishing you the best! 

Escitalopram August 2015 - 20mg

Some time in winter 2017 down to 10mg with no problems

May 21 2018 5mg, June 4 2018 2.5mg, June 18 2018 0mg 

October 2 2018 arriving in hell

Reinstated 0.25mg

October 27 2018 0.35mg, November 23 2018 0.5mg, November 24 2018 0.6mg

November 28 2018 0.5mg and holding since 

June 2019 Finally stable at 0.5mg

January 2020 - Dezember 2023 tapered to 0 without many issues, jumped from 0.02mg 

January 3 2024 crash

Taking fish oil and magnesium 

L-Thyroxin 75 for Hashimoto's

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My thoughts:

There is no magic pill.

There is no speedy recovery.

 

There is:

*Accept 

*Change attitude

*Distract

*Float

 

 

  

Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, Multi vit., Calcium, D3,  Magnesium, Fish Oil, Melatonin,  Ambien 3.3 mg 1 or 2X/mo.  Benadryl-seldom, .......2002 - eliminated alcohol

2002- Paxil - 20 mg (3 WD attempts: 2005, 2008, 2010)

2011 - 30 mg 

2018 - 40 mg- Sept to Nov} {Dec - 37.5}

Jan 2, 2019 - 35 mg

Jan 11 -  33.75 mg

Jan 28 - 32.5 mg

Feb 4 -  33.75 mg 

Mar 4 - 32 mg

Mar 30 - 30 mg

 

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  • Administrator

I don't know, Dave. At this point, your guess is as good as anyone's.

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.

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Good luck, Dave. Remember they always say if you reinstate to only reinstate a tiny amount to start. 

Early 1980s 2 mg. vallium prn; Mid-1990s Paxil and 2mg. vallium prn; Somewhere in there Buspar

Early 2000s Sertaline 50 mg. and .25mg Xanax prn 

2008 Sertaline 50 mg but Xanax was increased to .5mg 6 times a day 

2015 Sertaline increased to 100mg. 2 mg. vallium prn and Wellburtrin (only on a few days)

April 2016 Venlafaxine XR 225mg with 50 mg. Zolft  and 10 mg. Vallium 3 times a day as needed

Fall 2017 Venlafaxine upped to 300 mg - 5 mg. Vallium 3 times a day prn; Jan. 2018 Venlafaxine 225mg w/Vallium

April 2018 weaned  to 187.50mg, 150mg, 112.5 mg at 4 to 5 week intervals vallium 3 times a day prn

July 2018 112.5 mg ; July 2018 started SA's 10% guideline w/ 2.5 vallium prn; lost notes  dropped to 89 mg by 10/22; 89 mg 10/29; 10/6 86 mg, 10/13 83 mg; 10/20 - 11/2 updosed to 89mg; 11/3 86 mg; 11/17 80 mg. 11/24 77mg - 12/20 80mg 1/ 20 77 mg venlafaxine; 2/19 75 mg Ven  still taking vallium 2.5 mg morning, after and evening

Simvastatin 40mg. daily with supplements: Magnesium, Omega Fatty Oils, Vitamin D3, Turmeric, Magnesium, 25 mg. to 50 mg. diphendramine for sleep

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4 hours ago, DaveB said:

this last week was unbearable, I can’t keep living life this way.

 

if Altostata doesn't know what you should do, I sure the heck don't. but I will say that whenever I feel bad, really bad, part of it is the feeling that it will be that way forever and that I can't stand it.

 

but thoughts and feelings just aren't the same thing as facts. "I can't stand it anymore" is just a feeling like any other feeling. You don't have to assume it's true because it might not be. maybe you can. in fact, I would guess almost certainly you can because what if you had no choice?   things are going to get better, because they always do, but who knows when. 

 

what Gracee said, for sure. I think acceptance is the hardest and maybe the most important thing. 

 

Dude, you went to Vegas with your wife and felt normal 80% of the time? that's great: you ARE getting better. 

 

 

Currently taking Ramapril (blood pressure) 5 mg twice a day

Omeprazole 10 mg AM and 20 mg PM  (the taper has gone nowhere after the first cut)

Famotidine   once a day (and I still needs tums sometimes)

magnesium 200 mg at night

as of yesterday 2 fish oil capsules "EPA-DHA 1000"

 

off Lexapro as of 5/2018  - last dose had been 5 mg every other day for a couple years

 

highest dose had been 20 mg at which point I was diagnosed with Bipolar II, which went away when I cut the lexapro down to 15 mg. 

 

I spent years on Paxil before Lexapro (can't remember dose), briefly on Effexor and Abilify and others I have forgotten. in fact, when I was diagnoses with BPII I was put on all kinds of things which made me feel so bad I stopped them cold turkey within maybe 3 or 4 weeks, thank goodness. since then I've known these pills were terrible and I weaned down the Lexapro with zero help or support over I'm not sure how many years. 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Cold turkey off Paxil.  Please add the last date you took it to your drug signature.

 

February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs

* 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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Hey DaveB,

 

just wanted to stop by and say Hi! Also, wanted to show I little support. Hope your days are getting better.

 

Feel free to message me if you want someone to chat with.

20+ years EffexorXR 150mg. and Lorazepam PRN <- I rarely took this and never developed a problem.
2017 (nov-dec?) -> Feb 2018 fast taper - flipped out in Feb. Reinstated with 75mg-150mg (?not sure) stabilized
2018 Feb Began year long taper - somehow made it to 50pellets, did fine
          Sept -  17 bbs <-- where I started keeping track
           Oct - 16 bbs, Nov - 15 bbs, Dec - 14 bbs
2019 Jan - 13bbs, Feb - 12bbs, Feb Had problems - found SA
           March 19 - 15bbs,  April 17 - 20bbs  <--Updosing

 

Supplements: Multivitamin,  Fish Oil, B Complex, Magnesium, GABA,  L-Theanine, Inositol

Low sugar/carb diet, plenty of exercise. Meditation
Blood test Results: High in Copper, Low in Zinc, Very high whole blood hystamines

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I have decided to wean off the Klonopin and try Zoloft again. I was good on Zoloft for 8 years and I just think I went too fast and need to get back to a baseline stable again, and then get off the Zyprexa, then the Zoloft. That is my new plan.


 

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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