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Thepaintinglady: How long does the withdrawal hell last? I've lost 'me'


Thepaintinglady

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If you are going to switch from tablet to liquid, you should do a gradual crossover.  Please read MammaP's post (the second post) in the following link.  

Qqii: Is liquid less potent than pills even though its same substance ...

Gridley Introduction

 

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

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

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

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

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

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

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

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

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

Taper is 95% complete.

 

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

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

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

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

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

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


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

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On 01/03/2018 at 7:52 PM, powerback said:

OMG I could cry with joy [weird I know and of course I mean no offence ],I thought I was the only one with the same dilemma .

months of a hold and pointless .I may as well of gone to zero with the symptoms I have  .I was on a snail taper .

but coming to the site unstable so long ago obviously shows I have constantly been chasing my tail. 

Hi Powerback,

Nice to know that there are other people on small doses with the same dilemma as me! Although as usual, I am taking advice from Grindley and other SA staff and sticking to the slow taper method as the thought of making it worse in the end just isn't worth the risk. 

I will say however, that during my taper, I haven't always waited to feel better before cutting again. In the past, I have had weeks of feeling shite and thought 'bugger it' (that's a technical term ;) ) I'll taper anyway - always a small taper, but even when tapering some windows have miraculously appeared after a few days or weeks. If I had waited for a long window to happen before a cut, I don't think I would have ever got down to the 13mg I'm on now.

I remember thinking how awful I felt when I was on 375mg Venlafaxine (plus dreadful side effects such as horrific nightmares each night) and I decided that I might as well feel awful without the tablets as they seemed to be doing naff all to help anyway!

It's been nearly a year since I stopped Venlafaxine - I'm sure this withdrawal I've been through is linked with that evil drug as well as the Sertraline that I'm weaning off now. The withdrawal syndrome has certainly been worse than anything I have ever experienced before or during treatment with AD's.

Powerback, you are doing so well with your 'bead out' approach - don't chastise yourself, you're not chasing your tail - you are taking steps in the right direction and   hopefully we will both be celebrating the return to a better state of mind and body in the next few months or so :)

Take care

TPL

Thepaintinglady

On and off Sertraline or Citalopram for 20 years from GP. Then private psych' doc prescribed the following....

6.3.14 Venlafaxine 150 gradual inc to 375 Sept'14

4.11.14 reduced Ven to 300 9.1.16 reduced to 150 Ven

29.2.16 inc to 225 Ven 10.10.16 reduced to 150Ven

16.1.17 Start Sertraline (50) as well as taking 150mg Ven

7.3.17 reduced to 37.5 11.3.17 take 37.5 on alternate days 25.3.17 STOP VENLAFAXINE

21.4.17 increased Sertraline to 100mg daily 8.6.17 reduced Sert to 50 as had 7 horrible weeks of increased anxiety

19.6.17 reduced sert to 25 30.6.17 STOPPED ALL AD's!!!!

Restarted tiny chip (10mg ish) Sertraline 21.7.2017 due to dreadful withdrawal side effects 

Updosed to 25mg daily  Sertraline 26.7.17 - still suffering

Nov reduced to 22mg, Dec reduced to 22.5 then 20. Jan '18 red to 15mg. Feb reduced to 13mg

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10 minutes ago, Gridley said:

If you are going to switch from tablet to liquid, you should do a gradual crossover.  Please read MammaP's post (the second post) in the following link.  

Qqii: Is liquid less potent than pills even though its same substance ...

Thank you so much for this information Grindley. I certainly hadn't realised you'd have to do a gradual crossover.

It makes sense, what MammaP has written - I will certainly consider this if/when I switch.

I did look into getting a private prescription for liquid Sertraline but it would have cost over £200 to buy in UK !! - which makes it far too expensive, so I'll try doing it the way MammaP advises in her 'how to make a liquid' post.

Thanks for your support and advice - much appreciated

TPL

Thepaintinglady

On and off Sertraline or Citalopram for 20 years from GP. Then private psych' doc prescribed the following....

6.3.14 Venlafaxine 150 gradual inc to 375 Sept'14

4.11.14 reduced Ven to 300 9.1.16 reduced to 150 Ven

29.2.16 inc to 225 Ven 10.10.16 reduced to 150Ven

16.1.17 Start Sertraline (50) as well as taking 150mg Ven

7.3.17 reduced to 37.5 11.3.17 take 37.5 on alternate days 25.3.17 STOP VENLAFAXINE

21.4.17 increased Sertraline to 100mg daily 8.6.17 reduced Sert to 50 as had 7 horrible weeks of increased anxiety

19.6.17 reduced sert to 25 30.6.17 STOPPED ALL AD's!!!!

Restarted tiny chip (10mg ish) Sertraline 21.7.2017 due to dreadful withdrawal side effects 

Updosed to 25mg daily  Sertraline 26.7.17 - still suffering

Nov reduced to 22mg, Dec reduced to 22.5 then 20. Jan '18 red to 15mg. Feb reduced to 13mg

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3 minutes ago, Thepaintinglady said:

Hi Powerback,

Nice to know that there are other people on small doses with the same dilemma as me! Although as usual, I am taking advice from Grindley and other SA staff and sticking to the slow taper method as the thought of making it worse in the end just isn't worth the risk. 

I will say however, that during my taper, I haven't always waited to feel better before cutting again. In the past, I have had weeks of feeling shite and thought 'bugger it' (that's a technical term ;) ) I'll taper anyway - always a small taper, but even when tapering some windows have miraculously appeared after a few days or weeks. If I had waited for a long window to happen before a cut, I don't think I would have ever got down to the 13mg I'm on now.

I remember thinking how awful I felt when I was on 375mg Venlafaxine (plus dreadful side effects such as horrific nightmares each night) and I decided that I might as well feel awful without the tablets as they seemed to be doing naff all to help anyway!

It's been nearly a year since I stopped Venlafaxine - I'm sure this withdrawal I've been through is linked with that evil drug as well as the Sertraline that I'm weaning off now. The withdrawal syndrome has certainly been worse than anything I have ever experienced before or during treatment with AD's.

Powerback, you are doing so well with your 'bead out' approach - don't chastise yourself, you're not chasing your tail - you are taking steps in the right direction and   hopefully we will both be celebrating the return to a better state of mind and body in the next few months or so :)

Take care

TPL

Hi TPL I agree with you ,it always could get so much worse ,I'm kind of proud in this hold because anymore cuts mite of sent me over the edge,my body is fighting on loads of fronts this winter ,I'm actually in a little window this evening ,nothing mayor but ile take it ,my intrusive thoughts are even  a little nice self affirming witch is rare lol. enjoying some music but I better stop in an hour ,I have a habit of going to late in a window and being hyper .

Thanks for the saying I doing well ,I appreciate it .

Oh the nightmares are awful ,I well know .hopefully they are over for you .

We will get there without a doubt .

Take care .

Alcohol free since February 2015 

1MG diazepam

4.5MG PROZAC.

 

 

 

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I’ve been using the liquid titration from the very beginning painting lady. I used to dissolve 50 mg of tablets in 50 mls of water ie a 1mg/ml suspension, but when I reached 25mg I halved the  50 mg tablet and dissolved it in 25 mls of water (still a 1mg/ml suspension) and have been doing that ever since. I take out what I don’t need and drink the rest. It’s easy really, I’m somewhat of a taper veteran at this stage. 😄

May 2007 - October 2007 Citalopram 20 mg od. 1st Antidepressant ever taken. No problem with fast taper and no withdrawal effects. No antidepressants for over 5 years.

 

January 2013 started Citalopram 20mg.

March 2014 Switched to Sertraline 50 mg od.

23rd June 2016 started taper 45mg

23.07.16 40.5mg 23.08.16 36.45mg 27.09.16 34.65mg 24.10.16 32.90mg 28.11.16 31.26mg 04.01.17 32mg 25.02.17 31mg 22.03.17 30mg 14.04.17 29mg 09.05.17 28mg 07.06.17 27mg 08.06.17 26mg 13.07.17 25mg 07.08.17 24mg 24.08.17 23mg 13.09.17 22mg 12.10.17 21mg 10.11.17 20mg 04.12.17 19mg 01.01.18 17mg 25.01.18 15mg 22.02.18 13.5mg 25.03.18 12.15mg 

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  • 2 months later...

Hello All,

I wondered if any of you have been suffering symptoms of extreme fatigue and pain (particularly leg and feet) - it's a fatigue that comes on quite quickly and is extremely debilitating. I can literally do NOTHING but sit on the sofa and feel sorry for myself :( (usually comes with bouts of crying too!)

I am tapering at the 10% rate and am currently down to 8.2mg Sertraline (been off effexor for more than a year after very quick taper)

My waves last about 90% of the time - and I do have occasional windows (which are wonderful, but dont last long enough!) - I am generally reasonably fit, although I did have an episode of hospitalisation with pneumonia/infection/sepsis just over a year ago 

The exhaustion seems to be happening more frequently over the last couple of months, I wondered if it was anything to do with the fact that my dosage is around the 9g range (I've had really bad waves over the last couple of months)

I've looked up fibromyalgia but dont think I have enough symptoms for it to be that - Is this just another crappy symptom of withdrawal/recovery?

I must admit that swimming through this treacle of life is EXTREMELY difficult sometimes - I hope that recovery and a return to the 'real me' is possible one day. Even with the 10% taper my symptoms are relentless .........but I guess I must keep plodding on (even if my feet hurt!)

Any advice and support would be very welcome (typing this through tears, yet again!)

TPL

x

Thepaintinglady

On and off Sertraline or Citalopram for 20 years from GP. Then private psych' doc prescribed the following....

6.3.14 Venlafaxine 150 gradual inc to 375 Sept'14

4.11.14 reduced Ven to 300 9.1.16 reduced to 150 Ven

29.2.16 inc to 225 Ven 10.10.16 reduced to 150Ven

16.1.17 Start Sertraline (50) as well as taking 150mg Ven

7.3.17 reduced to 37.5 11.3.17 take 37.5 on alternate days 25.3.17 STOP VENLAFAXINE

21.4.17 increased Sertraline to 100mg daily 8.6.17 reduced Sert to 50 as had 7 horrible weeks of increased anxiety

19.6.17 reduced sert to 25 30.6.17 STOPPED ALL AD's!!!!

Restarted tiny chip (10mg ish) Sertraline 21.7.2017 due to dreadful withdrawal side effects 

Updosed to 25mg daily  Sertraline 26.7.17 - still suffering

Nov reduced to 22mg, Dec reduced to 22.5 then 20. Jan '18 red to 15mg. Feb reduced to 13mg

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On ‎7‎/‎27‎/‎2017 at 9:00 AM, Thepaintinglady said:

Thepaintinglady

 

Hello, I'm new to this forum, well - I have looked at it lots of times but only just got the courage to join in!

 

Historically, I have been on and off antidepressants for 20 years - mostly Sertraline of Citalopram (these seem to be the only ones GP's know about) 

 

When I reached 50 I had a lot of life changes, lost both my parent's, gave up work, kids left home, was I menopausal? lots of prob's 'down below' - given HRT patches and a Mirena coil :0 

 

I had increased anxiety and depression, although my depression is not so pronounced that I can't function. I always get on with my life, up at 7, shower, make up, hair, busy busy busy.

 

I saw a counsellor for about 6 months - no big issues raised or sorted and she suggested I see a professional psych doc.

 

The private psych doc (yes, £300 per hour !! - only saw him for 1.5 hrs and the occasional expensive phone call at the same rate!! - let's face it, NHS in England is useless if you need help unless you are sectioned) prescribed me Venlafaxine (Effexor XR) . He started me on 150mg and increased me to 375mg daily (I'm only tiddly 4'11")

 

I didn't think the Ven' was brilliant, ok for a couple of weeks then nervy and a bit miserable, hence the dose increases. The side effects were horrible! Nightmares being the worse - all night and every night .......I could have written a horror book/film upon awakening - all so vivid. Had recurring gastritis too.

 

I began to taper quite quickly dropping by 37.5mg every few weeks. When I had got down to 150mg daily I was getting tearful and so my GP put me on Sertraline as well (50mg) 

I reduced the Ven quicker and stopped completely at the end of March this year. I became tearful and GP advised increase Sert' to 100mg - However, this made my anxiety much worse. 

 

In June, after 7 weeks on 100mg Sert I dropped to 50 again, which seemed to help the anxiety a bit - and then I thought "bugger it, I'm going to get off these bloody medicines" so I did!

So in the month of June, I went from taking 100 daily to 50, then 25 then nothing! I didn't consider this quick - but looking back it was a very fast taper especially after quitting the Venlafaxine  in March.

 

I must also add that I was extremely ill with a pneumonia type of sepsis in March which hospitalised me - I went from a fit 55yr old (don't smoke or drink) to a weak and feeble thing that could hardly walk around the garden. I have steadily worked hard to recover from my sudden illness - my body has certainly been through ****! (that's a medical term!) - the imbalance of antibiotic treatment has given me thrush 7 times since March (I can hear a sharp intake of breath from all you understanding ladies) - and I have felt generally 'out of sorts' all this year.

 

What I am eventually getting round to is - I feel like crap! Since I stopped all meds (July 1st being day one) I have had mood swings (at first anger which I have never experienced in my life) and crying daily and I mean EVERY day. I feel anxious, depressed, I'm all 'in my head' and can't stop thinking about me and how bloody awful I feel. Every minute is like an hour when you feel like shite!

 

At first the crying was just out of the blue without feeling particularly down. Now I am crying so deeply (howling and sobbing) and very low, I have felt as tho there is no end to this nightmare and have even felt a bit suicidal - although I would NOT act on this because I have a loving and supporting family.

 

I contacted the forum a few days ago and had a reply from MamaP which was very kind of her. She suggested I re-introduce a small dose of Sert' which I did. (although chipping a small 50mg pill into 10th's is pretty tricky) - I took this for 4 days and I don't think it helped, infect, I felt worse. So have increased it to 25mg over the last two days.

 

What I would really like to know and to hear from anyone is .........is this normal? when will it end?

I feel like i'm going mad.

I have completely lost the real me, am I lost forever?

I also feel like I'm struggling to swim in a very deep and choppy ocean with no-one around :( I have a loving and supportive husband but he's never been through anything like this.

How long will the withdrawal symptoms last? 

I have read some real horror stories where they go on for months or even years (I don't think Im strong enough to last that long)

 

Looking for some people who have seen the light at the end of the tunnel :)

Love

Thepainting lady

 

Not sure where to put my drug history?

 

6.3.14 Venlafaxine 150

27.3.14 Venlafaxine 225

4.9.14 Ven 375

4.11.14 reduced Ven to 300

26.9.15 Ven 262.5

24.10.15 reduced to 225 Ven

16.12.15 reduced to 185 Ven

9.1.16 reduced to 150 Ven

12.2.16 increased to 187.5 Ven

29.2.16 inc to 225 Ven

10.8.16 red to 188 

10.10.16 reduced to 150Ven

16.1.17 Start Sertraline (50) as well as taking 150mg Ven

21.1.17 reduced Ven by 37.5

27.1.17 reduced Ven to 75mg daily

7.3.17 reduced to 37.5

11.3.17 take 37.5 on alternate days

25.3.17 STOP VENLAFAXINE

21.4.17 increased Sertraline to 100mg daily

8.6.17 reduced Sert to 50 as had 7 horrible weeks of increased anxiety

19.6.17 reduced sert to 25

30.6.17 STOPPED ALL AD's!!!!

 

 

I "hear" you on the gastritis and thrush. 

 

My biggest issue has been gut dysbiosis on account of stress and AD WD causing reflux, gastritis and thrush.

 

Hugs,

JC

Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD).  Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal.

Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy.

Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum"Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals.

Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions).

Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking.

Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO.  April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol.   25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L).

Symptoms:  Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing).  **Histhamine intolerance (suspected).

Major Life Events: 

Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016

My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs)  Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018  "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018  Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome

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Thepaintinlady

I had a really rough time trying to get off of Venlafaxine. and was put on Prozac 40 mgs, then 50 mgs until March of this year. I really have had a fear of withdrawal since the Venlaxfine because I know how brutal it is. I admire your courage and despite the symptoms brought on first by the Venlafiaxine, then the Zoloft, you are moving forward. 

 

My best to you always, 

Daisy

 

Effexor XL 2009-2012. CT 150mg Effexor XR  2012, Effexor XR  75mg  2012  then rapid taper to 0, Reinstated Effexor XR 13mg then updosed to 20mg, Tapered to 18mg Effexor XR 4/9/12, Off Effexor XL ?Reinstated  Effexor XL 150 mgs  August  2012, Crashed in November 2012, Prozac 40 mgs 2012 to Feb 2018, Buspar 60  mgs 2012-stopped 2015, Remeron 7.5 mgs as needed for sleep-stopped Feb 2017, Prozac 50 mgs Feb 2018 to March 2018, Lexapro 5 mgs March 18 2018 to May 17th 2018, Lexapro 2.5 mgs  May 18th to May 26th 2018, Prozac 10 mgs May 15th 2018, Prozac 5 mgs May 19th 2018 to current day May 28th 2018,  Xanax 0.25 mgs to 0.5 mgs daily for over 15 years. Increased Xanax to 1.5 mgs Sept 2012, Tapered Xanax to 0 mgs  May 2013.Reinstated Xanax Feb 2017 at 0.125 mgs as needed, Gradual increase of Xanax to 1.5 mgs daily till May 22nd 2018, Xanax 1.25 mgs daily. Holding

 

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