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street129: hi


street129

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A quick question after you crush your 10 pills how did you know the average as 150mg  did you put the crush pills back on scale


the 142mg is the crush pill,  and every new month the crush pill has to go on the scale and subtracted from 5% correct me if you must, this is for my clarity, I will be doing two more weeks after the first month
 
Getting started with the correct dose would be key,  I see the train you demonstrated once you're on the right track in the beginning

 


I have to learn brassmonkeys way, right now I have only know your way, your way seem so simpler


I don't even know what's 1.25 a week  means, I'm waiting for my scale but I will tsend him a message letting him know I'm waiting on my scale I haven't talked to him since yesterday. I'm overwhelmed right now, talk to you later. I hope my scale gets to my door tomorrow
 


 

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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Hi BrassMonkey
I'm waiting on my scale to come from Amazon hope my scale gets to my door tomorrow I'll let you know.

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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BrassMonkey

And thanks for any help in getting off of this drug cuz I really really need to get off of it, I'm experienced daily headache that I cant control I don't know where this headache is coming from and doctors can't find anything wrong I did MRI  everything you can name I did and everything came back fine


 I am also having sinus problem my sinuses always clogged and I could hardly breathe getting off of this DRUG would be the best thing in my life for me right now I just want off however long it takes I want off of this drug, NO MORE DRUGS,  NO MORE DRUGS.

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator
2 hours ago, street129 said:

A quick question after you crush your 10 pills how did you know the average as 150mg  did you put the crush pills back on scale


the 142mg is the crush pill,  and every new month the crush pill has to go on the scale and subtracted from 5% correct me if you must, this is for my clarity, I will be doing two more weeks after the first month
 
Getting started with the correct dose would be key,  I see the train you demonstrated once you're on the right track in the beginning

 


I have to learn brassmonkeys way, right now I have only know your way, your way seem so simpler


I don't even know what's 1.25 a week  means, I'm waiting for my scale but I will tsend him a message letting him know I'm waiting on my scale I haven't talked to him since yesterday. I'm overwhelmed right now, talk to you later. I hope my scale gets to my door tomorrow
 


 

I weighed 10 tablets before I crushed them and they averaged .150mg. So I took 5% off .150mg which gave me the .142mg. Then I weighed the powder on the scale until I reached .142mg then put it in the capsule. 

 

You are going to do the Brassmonkey Slide which is much easier on your system than a straight 5% a month like I’m doing. He can explain it better than me and will help you with the calculations. He is very knowledgeable and knows exactly what to do. That’s why he’s a mod and I’m just here to support you.

 

 I’m so sorry to hear you were in the hospital. I hope you are doing better.

 

Take care,

 Frogie xx

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I have moved posts by street and frogie's responses to street's posts from tips-for-tapering-off-trazodone-desyrel

 

* 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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  • Moderator
6 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

I have moved posts by street and frogie's responses to street's posts from tips-for-tapering-off-trazodone-desyrel

 

Thank you so much!

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

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  • Moderator

Hi Street-- I hope the bacterial infection is clearing up, they're no fun at all.  I caught something in China a few years ago and it took for ever to get it cleared up. Have you tried saline spray for the sinuses?

 

When you're calculating the average weight of the tablets, you use the whole tablets not crushed ones. Weight ten tablets, divide the total weight by 10 and tell us that number.

 

The average weight of the tablet will become the basis that we calculate all your future reductions from.  It gives us a known starting point, and we work from there to calculate the weight of each new dose.  We then weigh out the calculated weight using the crushed powder because it is a lot easier to work with. From there the calculations are a progression each building from the last so the average weight is no longer necessary. Once you get your scales we can start to work out the actual numbers and techniques.

 

Here is a link on doing the Brassmonkey Slide Method:
https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/17671-the-brassmonkey-slide-method-of-micro-tapering/

 

 

And here's one that talks about the recommended way to write about weights and measures: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/17647-tao-of-the-brassmonkey/page/7/

 

 

@Frogie-- please read that one too.

 

BTW Frogie is giving some great advise on how to do a taper.

 

 

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

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  • Moderator
1 hour ago, brassmonkey said:

Hi Street-- I hope the bacterial infection is clearing up, they're no fun at all.  I caught something in China a few years ago and it took for ever to get it cleared up. Have you tried saline spray for the sinuses?

 

When you're calculating the average weight of the tablets, you use the whole tablets not crushed ones. Weight ten tablets, divide the total weight by 10 and tell us that number.

 

The average weight of the tablet will become the basis that we calculate all your future reductions from.  It gives us a known starting point, and we work from there to calculate the weight of each new dose.  We then weigh out the calculated weight using the crushed powder because it is a lot easier to work with. From there the calculations are a progression each building from the last so the average weight is no longer necessary. Once you get your scales we can start to work out the actual numbers and techniques.

 

Here is a link on doing the Brassmonkey Slide Method:
https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/17671-the-brassmonkey-slide-method-of-micro-tapering/

 

 

And here's one that talks about the recommended way to write about weights and measures: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/17647-tao-of-the-brassmonkey/page/7/

 

 

@Frogie-- please read that one too.

 

BTW Frogie is giving some great advise on how to do a taper.

 

 

@brassmonkey:

 Can you jump over to my Frogie Off-Topic. I would love to answer you.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

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@brassmonkey,


I'm doing a test to see if I'm doing this right,  because when tapering time starts I want to make sure my posting is in the correct place.


please let me know

 

Edited by ChessieCat
unbolded font

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Yes this is the correct place to post.

* 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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  • Moderator

You got it right Street. However, the @brassmonkey flag didn't work.  Did you click on the little popup that appeared when you typed in my name?

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

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@brassmonkey


is this the way you want to to do this,  brassmonkey amount others poped up. Trail and error.

Thank you

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

That worked fine. It will also work with any of the other mods or members.

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

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@brassmonkey


Hi I got my new scale today, I tested it, it said pass then I remove the 2 weight then I turn it off.

 I'm having a little anxiety because of dreading withdrawal and the unknown.


I gather I have to first turn the scale on. 

when I put the 10 pills on the scale all at once do I put the metal disk on the center of the scale and what do I press once the pills are on the scale for the weight or I should just wait until it shows,


Then I write what the numbers show and tell you what numbers I got,  to move forward.


 

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

* 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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  • Moderator

Put the scales on a good solid surface like the kitchen counter.  Make sure there are no drafts or fans going in the area.

Set the metal disc on the middle of the scales. This is actually a little pan to help hold whatever you are weighing.

Turn the scales on.  The display should read 00.000

At the upper right of the display there should be a "g".  If not, press the mode button until one appears.

Pile all ten tablets onto the little pan and write down the weight, then post that number here.

 

I also need to know the strength of the tablets that is listed on the bottle.

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

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@brassmonkey 


do i removed the one 10g calibration weight that came stuck in the scale. and the strenght 100mg

 

i will wait on your reply pertaining to the 10g calibration weight, do i remove it from the scale


 Would I see a g once the scale is on,  right now scale is off


I'm trying to cross all my Ts

 

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

The only thing on the scale should be the little pan when you turn it on. The calibration weigh can just stay in the box.

 

The g shows up after you turn it on.

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

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@brassmonkey

 i was in the process of beginning to do as you say but after i turn the scale on im only seeing 0.000 yours shows 00.000 what do i do, im also seeing the g, its very tiny.

 

 

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator

0.000 is fine.  Yea, the g is really tiny.  When you tell us the weight, write down exactly what the display shows, all the zeros and the decimal point.

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

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@brassmonkey

 

I put all 10 pills on the scale it's weighing at 5.700 

No zero in front of the 5


 

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

That's excellent. 

 

Just to make sure, the pills we are talking about are 250mg strength Trazodone. Right? We will be referring to them as 250mgai.

 

So if we divide the 5.700 by 10 it gives us 0.570 for the average weight of a pill. We will be referring to this as 570mgpw

 

Just for my own records this gives us an AIC (Active Ingredient Concentration) of 0.44.  You don't need to worry about this one it's for future reference only.

 

Now that we have the information, the big question is, what do you want to do with it? Back around June 19 you mentioned wanting to try a 5% Brassmonkey Slide.

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

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@brassmonkey


Yes I'm taking 250mgai of TRAZADONE a night been on them for about  2 years


Yes I want to do the 5% Brassmonkey Slide.  Last time in 2017  I tried a 10% it was harsh.


I'm ready for this Journey and rid myself very slowly of this drug.


TRAZADONE is the only drug I'm taking

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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@brassmonkey


what is the next step, I'll wait on your reply, thank you

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

I so glad you're ready to try this.  There is one other thing you're going to need and that is some gelcaps to put the powder in so you can swallow it easily.  You will need size "0" or "00".  You can get some at almost any drug store or healthfood store, but they are cheapest on Amazon.

 

The Brassmonkey Slide works by taking successively less medication over a four week period and then holding for a couple of weeks to let things settle down.  You wan to do a 5% Slide so you will be reducing by 1.25% each week for four weeks.  Added together this will give a 5% reduction.

 

WE now know that the average weight of a pill is 570mgpw. So we need to calculate the weight of 1.25% less would be for your first reduction. Then 2.5% less for your second reduction, 3.75% less for your third and 5% for your fourth.  Sounds complicated , but it's not.  It works like this:

 

Week one: 570 X .9875 = 563 This is the weight of your first weeks dose.  The display on the scale will show 0.563.

Week two: 570 X .975 = 556 This is the weight of your second weeks dose. The display on the scale will show 0.556.

Week three: 570 X .962 = 548 This is the weight of your third weeks dose.  The display on the scale will show 0.548.

Weeks four through six: 570 X .95 = 542 This is the weight of your last dose.  The display on the scale will show 0.542.

 

For the next Slide you will do the same calculations but will use 542 instead of 570.

 

Week one: 542 X .9875 = 535

Week two 542 X .975 = 529

Week three 542 X .962 = 522

Weeks four through six 542 X .95 = 515

 

If you run these numbers on the calculator they will be just a bit different because they are rounded up to the next number.

 

So this post doesn't get too long I will write again and go into detail about how to crush and weigh the pills.

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

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@brassmonkey


okay I will get my 0 capsules  from Amazon, I will go tomorrow and see if they are in wholesome 


Do I need to use the calulator I don't need to confuse things or me.
 

I would have to make a week of 535 capsules  for 7 days 


could I make all 7 of them in one day for when I'm starting my first day.


 if I start my first day on Monday would 7 days be the sunday, cause I know people say Monday would be the 7th day,

which is correct for the 7 days starting from monday. Thanks I want to do this right.

 

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

A calculator makes things a lot easier.  There should be an app on your phone or computer.

 

Yes, making up a full weeks worth (7) at one time is a good way to do it. Take your first one on Monday and your last one on Sunday.  Then make the next batch to start again on Monday.

 

Did your scales come with a small plastic tube with a top? You are going to need a small bottle or something to store the extra crushed tablets in.  Because you won't be using all of each tablet there will be a little bit left over each time.  If you save it every once in a while your get a "free dose".  When the doses get smaller it can add up pretty quickly.

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

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@brassmonkey


There is no small plastic tube that came with my scale.

One quick question, do you know the estimate of how many years it will take, thanks.


, this is the one I ordered

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012TDNAM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


I will used a empty aspirin bottle, I will wash it out and put to dry. so there won't be no residue


Getting my empty capsule today 0' ones of 1000.

first stop will be a health store and whole food.

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

Good, the aspirin bottle will do fine.  I think they have changed the packaging since I bought my scales all those years ago.  I know the price has really dropped. Once you get the gel caps we'll be all set.

 

You will probably find this next statement upsetting. 

 

The half life of a 5% every six week taper is 18 months. So if you start at 250 today you will be at 125 in a year and a half, and 63 in three years.  It is a very long slow process, but keeps the symptoms at a manageable level.  The thing is if you were to CT it would take just as long if not longer to recover and the symptoms would be off the chart the whole time.  Once we get the taper started and stabilized there is a good chance we could speed it up a bit, possibly going up t 10%.  That would cut the time in half, but it all depends on how your body reacts to the reductions.

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

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@brassmonkey

 

Couldnt find the capsule so I had to order them off of Amazon


so I will be close to finish in about 3 years? 
 

My biggest concern is getting withdrawal cuz I know how withdrawal feels.  Thanks for your help, I'm so scared but also ready.

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

Sorry to say it, but it will take a lot longer than 3 years.  I did 10% every 6 weeks starting at 40mgai, didn't have any extended holds and it took five and a half years. Rough calculations for a 5% taper every 6 weeks works out to 10 years. It is a shockingly long process if you want to keep the WD symptoms to a minimum.

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

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@brassmonkey


And how was your withdrawal without the 2 weeks holded.

Are you doing ok..  I wish I had help when I was here in 2017, I would have been 2 years in, I guess people was trying to deal with their taper


oh well, willing to do this now


10% is harsh for me

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

I did do the 2 week holds every reduction, that's part of the Brassmonkey Slide.  Reduce each week for four weeks and hold for two for a total of six weeks.  What I was talking about was additional extended holds.  Some people start having a build up of symptoms and will do an extra extended hold of 6 or more weeks just to let things stabilize before continuing to taper. I think I did one for six weeks when I hit 10mgai, but that was the only time I did an extra hold.

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

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@brassmonkey


Oh ok gotcha.

I should get my capsule by monday-tuesday.


For some reason I thought you were in the uk.

'm in New york. I just now noticing  you're in CALI

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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@brassmonkey

 I got my empty capsules.
I'm willing to do the two weeks hold after the month.

JOINED THIS BOARD AUGUST 27, 2017

 

 

250mg trazodone

250mg   Aug 21, 2017  tapering before I found SA

200mg -  Aug 21, 2017 to Aug 25, 2017 tapering before found SA

225mg -  Aug 26, 2017  updose holding

November 26, 2017. I reinstated my original dose of 250mg  trazodone..planning on holding for a very long time. No more withdrawal

June 14, 2020  at 10% 507  My first start of my trazodone 250mg  taper

6/16/20  90 mgai    7/26/20   81 mgai    9/6/20  72 mg ai 10/17/20- updose to 77 mgai  11/11/20- updose to 81 mgai  

 

 

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  • Moderator

Good, so we have everything set to go. There are a couple of more things you will need, but you should already have them around the house.  A couple of big spoons, a nail file and a small square of paper, I use a small postit note. Maybe a small plate or saucer would be helpful.

 

First off we need to crush some of the pills.  Put one of the tablets in the bowl of a spoon and place the other spoon on top of it so they "nest". Then press them together and smash the pill.  Press the spoons back and forth and grind it into a powder.  Let the powder fall onto the small plate and scrape the rest off of the spoon. Now use the spoon to grind the powder on the plate until its really fine.  Repeat this with several more pills until you get a nice pile.

 

Take the paper and fold it in half and then flatten it back out. Put a small bit of the powder onto the paper and lightly rub it about to cover the crease all the way to the edge.  Then put the powder back into the pile.

 

Set up your scales where they are easy to work with.  Put the paper on the little pan so it "dishes" up.  Turn on the scales.  You should get a display of 0.000 with the small g.  If there are numbers press "TARE". If there is something other than g press "MODE" until you get the g.

 

Now use the nail file to scoop a bit of the powder on to the paper. Add and subtract powder until the display reads 0.535  0.563.  It will take a bit of practice because the sale is very sensitive.  You have a bit of leeway 0.537 0.565 to 0.532 0.561 will be close enough.

 

Once you have the right weight carefully lift the paper and pour the powder into one of the gel caps.  Make sure all of it goes in off of the paper.  We put some powder on the paper before we started because a little bit will stick, which is fine. Now close the capsule and set it aside.

 

You already have all the powder crushed so now it's just a matter of weighting out each dose and putting it into a capsule.  There will be a bit of powder left over, which gets saved for next time.

 

That's all there is to it. Next time you will weigh out 0.529 0.556 on the display.

Edited by brassmonkey
Corrected Dosage Weights

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

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