Staz Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 16 hours ago, Nikki74 said: I’m glad it’s lessening for you Staz. Mine’s intense 24 hours now with waves of extreme terror. My legs need to rub and move, ticking all over inside and electrical buzzes on my right side at times. Unfortunately I’m housebound and can barely walk with me/CFS and the akathisia makes it v uncomfortable to be with people. Nikki. I'm so sorry you are in this position maybe AliG has a point and start a slow taper off of diazepam. xxxx Dosulepin 75mg 1996 - 1997 tapered off no problem - Prozac sporadic use between 1995 and 2011 usually 9 months then off. Mirtazapine 2015 tapered off after 4 months no problem -Prozac 20mg 2012-2015 tapered off no problems Prozac 20mg April 2016-May 2016 stopped ct after 4 weeks due to adverse reaction I believe to be serotnin toxicity due to mirtazapine interaction Escitlopram 10 mg May 2016 - cut to 5mg May 2016 stopped ct November 2016 no W/d's noted Lyrica 300mg May 2016 - July 2017 - Taper from Jan to Jul 17 awful taper. Lofepramine 150mg November 2016 - January 2017 Swift w/d as it didn't work Quetiapine 75mg November 2016 changed to 150 XL May2017 changed to 150mg IR July 2017 reduced to in 25mg steps from July to 50mg Oct 17. 37.5mg 12th Nov 17 - 35mg 20 Nov 17 - 30mg 22 Nov 17 - 25mg 24 Nov 17 dropped to 20mg Dec 17, 15mg Jan 18. Current taken at bedtime. Quetiapine dropped Jan 17th 2018. Dosulepin 75mg May 2017 - increased in 25mg steps to 175mg Oct 17 Reduced to 150mg Nov 17 current taken at bedtime Diazepam 15mg May 2016 - c/t'd by shrink after 6 weeks. Reinstated at 12mg after 4 weeks June 16 - current 4mg 3 times a day morning, 2.30pm and bedtime. Mirtazapine 15mg since March 2015 - current - pooped out within 4 weeks Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 28 minutes ago, AliG said: Hey Nikki. ~ I have seen you winding yourself up lately and I really can't offer any other advice except to : stay as you are. However, If it were me I would try to start tapering off the diazepam as you can, because you already have the Mirtazapine at night. Thank you for responding. I’m not winding myself up, the akathisia is full on and 24 hours apart from the bit of sleep I get on the Mirtazipine. How might tapering diazepam help do you think? 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
AliG Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 I'm sorry ~ It's late ~ I will get back to you. Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 4 minutes ago, AliG said: I'm sorry ~ It's late ~ I will get back to you. Ok. Thank you Ali. i was told the escitalopram should go first. Hear from you another time. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 32 minutes ago, Staz said: Nikki. I'm so sorry you are in this position maybe AliG has a point and start a slow taper off of diazepam. xxxx Thanks Staz. I was hoping to hold and stabilise eventually. I’m only 7 weeks into holding after all the changes. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
wantrelief Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Hi Nikki, Although I am in a different situation, I am in the same position as you, waiting to stabilize. I am certainly not an expert on these matters but it sounds like you should go with the original plan which was to hold where you are and not change anything. I am so very sorry you are having such horrible symptoms. I think you are managing so well under these horrible circumstances. It seems like you have had moments when you felt a bit better so I am hopeful holding will help you stabilize. Hang on, Nikki. -1/06 - 3/07 Cymbalta. Fast taper (essentially CT); withdrawal symptoms after 4 mos (didn't realize was WD) -10/07: 100 mg Zoloft; 1 mg Klonopin - tapered off Klonopin after 4 mos. Several unsuccessful slow tapers of Zoloft; went up and down in dose a lot -Spring 2013 back on 1 mg Klonopin to counter WD symptoms; switched over 5-6 mos from Zoloft to 35 mg citalopram -Two attempts at slow tapering citalopram, always increased dose due to WD; also increased Klonopin to 1.25 mg in 2014, then to 1.5 mg in 2015 -8/17-9/17: After holding one year at 20 mg, feeling withdrawal symptoms due to stress - slowly increased to 25 mg. No change in symptoms after 6 months (? tolerance ?) - decided to start citalopram taper February 2018 (still on Klonopin 1.5 mg). Supplements: fish oil; magnesium; vitamin D3; curcumin Citalopram taper: 2/2018 - 12/2019: 25 mg - 11.03 mg I 2020: 10.89 mg - 7.9 mg I 2021: 7.8 mg - 5.26 mg I 2022: 5.2 mg - 3.36 mg I 2023: 3.3 mg - 1.47 mg 2024: 1/5/24: 1.44 mg; 1/19/24: 1.40 mg; 1/26/24: 1.37 mg; 2/2/24: 1.34 mg; 2/9/24: 1.31 mg; 2/23/24: 1.28 mg; 3/1/24: 1.25 mg; 3/8/24: 1.22 mg; 3/15/24: 1.19 mg; 3/29/24: 1.17 mg; 4/5/24: 1.14 mg; 4/13/24: 1.11 mg Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 3 hours ago, wantrelief said: Hi Nikki, Although I am in a different situation, I am in the same position as you, waiting to stabilize. I am certainly not an expert on these matters but it sounds like you should go with the original plan which was to hold where you are and not change anything. I am so very sorry you are having such horrible symptoms. I think you are managing so well under these horrible circumstances. It seems like you have had moments when you felt a bit better so I am hopeful holding will help you stabilize. Hang on, Nikki. Thank you dear WR. Yes continuing to hold is the only way it seems. We can do that together. Somehow I get my son off to school then brave face it in the evenings, stagger around doing dinner, and try to pretend I’m ok. I kind of let it all out on here as I have to be strong in front of my son. It’s just us two. X 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
wantrelief Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Yes, we can hold together! It is amazing you are going through all of this whilst caring for your son. Well done getting him off to school, making dinner, and keeping a brave face for him.....that must be SO hard but you are doing it! This is a safe place where you can let it out - we all feel so alone and scared going through this as no one can understand what this is like unless they've been through it themselves. -1/06 - 3/07 Cymbalta. Fast taper (essentially CT); withdrawal symptoms after 4 mos (didn't realize was WD) -10/07: 100 mg Zoloft; 1 mg Klonopin - tapered off Klonopin after 4 mos. Several unsuccessful slow tapers of Zoloft; went up and down in dose a lot -Spring 2013 back on 1 mg Klonopin to counter WD symptoms; switched over 5-6 mos from Zoloft to 35 mg citalopram -Two attempts at slow tapering citalopram, always increased dose due to WD; also increased Klonopin to 1.25 mg in 2014, then to 1.5 mg in 2015 -8/17-9/17: After holding one year at 20 mg, feeling withdrawal symptoms due to stress - slowly increased to 25 mg. No change in symptoms after 6 months (? tolerance ?) - decided to start citalopram taper February 2018 (still on Klonopin 1.5 mg). Supplements: fish oil; magnesium; vitamin D3; curcumin Citalopram taper: 2/2018 - 12/2019: 25 mg - 11.03 mg I 2020: 10.89 mg - 7.9 mg I 2021: 7.8 mg - 5.26 mg I 2022: 5.2 mg - 3.36 mg I 2023: 3.3 mg - 1.47 mg 2024: 1/5/24: 1.44 mg; 1/19/24: 1.40 mg; 1/26/24: 1.37 mg; 2/2/24: 1.34 mg; 2/9/24: 1.31 mg; 2/23/24: 1.28 mg; 3/1/24: 1.25 mg; 3/8/24: 1.22 mg; 3/15/24: 1.19 mg; 3/29/24: 1.17 mg; 4/5/24: 1.14 mg; 4/13/24: 1.11 mg Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 Magnesium Zinc B6 Any comments? I’ve never been good with supplements though did ok on B vits before this. I’ve heard Zinc is calming? 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
UnfoldingSky Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Hi Nikki, I am guessing you read the bits online about B6 supposedly helping aka? I read a study years back about that, but from what others said it didn't work for that. Not sure if anyone here might have had success with it? Magnesium is one of the few supplements recommended here. However--be careful--people can have bad reactions to supplements some are like I was, not able to tolerate anything for a time but what I absolutely needed. If you try them, try the smallest possible dose, and don't mix them, in withdrawal it's always a good idea to get single ingredient supplements where possible and avoid running tests on more than one on same day. That way if you react badly to something you now what it was caused the problem. Anyway mag is good for anxiety, muscle tension. There are different kinds of mag some may be easier to tolerate than others. I've not heard zinc is calming, I tried a bit when in withdrawal (for poor sense of taste) it didn't seem to do much of anything, good or bad. Hoping your day is starting out better, US I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 30 minutes ago, UnfoldingSky said: Hi Nikki, I am guessing you read the bits online about B6 supposedly helping aka? I read a study years back about that, but from what others said it didn't work for that. Not sure if anyone here might have had success with it? Magnesium is one of the few supplements recommended here. However--be careful--people can have bad reactions to supplements some are like I was, not able to tolerate anything for a time but what I absolutely needed. If you try them, try the smallest possible dose, and don't mix them, in withdrawal it's always a good idea to get single ingredient supplements where possible and avoid running tests on more than one on same day. That way if you react badly to something you now what it was caused the problem. Anyway mag is good for anxiety, muscle tension. There are different kinds of mag some may be easier to tolerate than others. I've not heard zinc is calming, I tried a bit when in withdrawal (for poor sense of taste) it didn't seem to do much of anything, good or bad. Hoping your day is starting out better, US Thanks US, I think I am too nervous to try anything really. I’m still struggling with aka round the clock apart from the bit of sleep I get on Mirtazipine. I noticed things ease a bit for around an hour yesterday afternoon at 3.30. I’m at a loss. I can’t tell if the diazepam is making it worse. I get a half hour of calming after taking it (sometimes) then symptoms rev up more after. I’m really scared and depressed X 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
UnfoldingSky Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Hi Nikki, I don't blame you for not wanting to take the supplements, I didn't try B6 as I was scared too. I was thinking...There's a doc who specializes in adverse reactions to antidepressants who can be contacted online, maybe he could help you sort out what's gone on with the pills and if something you are on right now is an issue. I have never talked to him, so I can't say how accurate his info is, but might be worth a try. I don't know how much he knows about benzos or psych drug withdrawal syndromes though. But I'm wondering if he can maybe tell you if there are definitive symptoms that would tease out if say you were reacting to an antidepressant, or a benzo, and how one would sort that out from whatever underlying withdrawal you might have. If you are interested let me know and I'll dig up his info. I can't guarantee he'll even respond let alone provide helpful info, but as the situation is rather confusing maybe he might shine a light on it, figure something out we have not. I hope you get some reprieve today, I feel terrible for you Nikki that it's still such a struggle. Praying for a window. Warm wishes, US I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 18 minutes ago, UnfoldingSky said: Hi Nikki, I don't blame you for not wanting to take the supplements, I didn't try B6 as I was scared too. I was thinking...There's a doc who specializes in adverse reactions to antidepressants who can be contacted online, maybe he could help you sort out what's gone on with the pills and if something you are on right now is an issue. I have never talked to him, so I can't say how accurate his info is, but might be worth a try. I don't know how much he knows about benzos or psych drug withdrawal syndromes though. But I'm wondering if he can maybe tell you if there are definitive symptoms that would tease out if say you were reacting to an antidepressant, or a benzo, and how one would sort that out from whatever underlying withdrawal you might have. If you are interested let me know and I'll dig up his info. I can't guarantee he'll even respond let alone provide helpful info, but as the situation is rather confusing maybe he might shine a light on it, figure something out we have not. I hope you get some reprieve today, I feel terrible for you Nikki that it's still such a struggle. Praying for a window. Warm wishes, US Thank you US, that’d be helpful please. I do feel stuck. Stuck in wd with this awful condition (or spectrum of symptoms that are the same as akathisia or are akathisia) and not able to get off anything. Thank you for your kindness and thought x 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
UnfoldingSky Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Hi Nikki, No problem, I just hope he can help and will give you good info. Okay, found it. His name is Dr. Ken Gillman and his site is here: https://psychotropical.info/ It says on his page he can be contacted via Skype, here's that page particularly: https://psychotropical.info/contact If you contact him, make sure to come back and let us know what he said and roughly what you told him. That way we are all on the same page and if for some reason some crucial bit got missed that might have changed what he would tell you we can help correct for it. Also as I said before, I haven't contacted him before, so have no idea how good his advice may be. Years back I recall a few people writing about well known critics of pills, and them feeling the info given was not correct. So whatever you do it would be a good idea to post back here and talk to mods first. Don't do anything like make changes in a blind panic, I've done that before and it never went well. And I'm pretty sure Alto mentioned on a thread here she had spoken to him, so if she's available you could maybe contact her first see what she thought of him. Praying he has some helpful advice for you. I know it's not even worth saying this given what the pills do but please try not to be scared. We'll help you sort through this somehow. Thinking of you, US I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment
Cheeky Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Nikki, just chumming in to say I know how hard this is for you at the moment, especially with a child. im having a thought time too and have two beautiful boys . I’m sending you hugs 🤗 1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg 2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg of Seroquel Through the years made many mistakes tapering Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 7.5% per month Paxil 9% Seroquel doing daily micro-taper Guided by Mark Horowitz 31/3/24 Paxil 10.31mg 31/3/24 Seroquel 9.9mg Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 13 hours ago, Cheeky said: Nikki, just chumming in to say I know how hard this is for you at the moment, especially with a child. im having a thought time too and have two beautiful boys . I’m sending you hugs 🤗 Hi Cheeky Thank you so much and I’m so sorry you’re having a tough time too. Our precious boys eh. Just want to be well for them. This akathisia is testing me in every way. Keep going for my boy. Sending hugs your way x 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 How could I have a 4-5 hour period ten days ago where the weight lifted, I felt positive, almost calm, agitation left mostly, I had no fear, I felt creative. But just constant akathisia again since? was that some fluke? I’m not getting any breaks and my body is strained, weak. Im going over the past and think: Ive had some of the things I do now with the aka but they weren’t distressing like they are now. I’d cross and uncross my legs in social situations sometimes, I’d squeeze my hands sometimes but not in an agitated way, I’d flick my toes when going to sleep but found it comforting. Does this mean they were side effects of the escitalopram? I also look back and think I experienced akathisia at Easter when I thought it was anxiety rearing up, and tried a higher dose of pregabalin but it made it worse. Then the Mirtazipine came along and things got better instantly. I don’t know what to think. If I have akathisia from drugs full stop, how can I get better? It was a week after cting the escitalopram it really hit. So do I have wd aka and I stand a chance of stabilising? End of October I had periods in days where I had no agitation. Fluke? Is this just a long wave? It is the same as it was at the start when I joined here, but I’m weaker and have other symptoms like shaking and shivers at times. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 I think the akathisia is from a destabilised nervous system in general after 18 months of changes and polydrugging. My body is weaker and weaker. I cannot stand for more than a minute. My arms weak. With years of CFS behind me I cannot exercise to build strength. My family and friends are pulling away. Unable to understand why I can’t engage. My best friend just emailed to say she can no longer collect prescriptions or help me out due to her own commitments. Other things too. Just praying for healing but I know it’s a long long road ahead. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
UnfoldingSky Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Nikki, I am sorry your friends are pulling away, that is fairly common, though it can be that people are just busy sometimes and they may be more involved again down the line. Sometimes it's hard in withdrawal to gauge just how much others have going on too. I know that's little consolation, it hurt badly to have people do it to me too. The most understanding people I knew were people who also had their own health issues, others had a harder time of getting it usually. Is there a delivery service for scripts there? I think where I live you can have them deliverered for free if need be. Concerned for you being so weak with all of this going on, too. It is so upsetting you are in this position. We need some kind of withdrawal charity that could say drop off meals, pick things up for people and maybe do housework, I wish I had the wherewithal to start something like that. A few years ago I heard of a "charity" of sorts where people could post to a forum asking for help with different things like odd jobs, cleaning etc, and someone might come on and offer it for free. I think the general idea was somewhere down the road you were to do a favor for someone else in return, not even necessarily that person. I cannot remember the name of it though, I don't know if it was just in Canada? Or if it was elsewhere too. Maybe someone here has heard of something like this in the UK? I tried looking it up a little while ago but my search terms are hopelessly vague with so little info. Not drawing the right site. I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 On 25/11/2017 at 5:22 AM, UnfoldingSky said: Nikki, I am sorry your friends are pulling away, that is fairly common, though it can be that people are just busy sometimes and they may be more involved again down the line. Sometimes it's hard in withdrawal to gauge just how much others have going on too. I know that's little consolation, it hurt badly to have people do it to me too. The most understanding people I knew were people who also had their own health issues, others had a harder time of getting it usually. Is there a delivery service for scripts there? I think where I live you can have them deliverered for free if need be. Concerned for you being so weak with all of this going on, too. It is so upsetting you are in this position. We need some kind of withdrawal charity that could say drop off meals, pick things up for people and maybe do housework, I wish I had the wherewithal to start something like that. A few years ago I heard of a "charity" of sorts where people could post to a forum asking for help with different things like odd jobs, cleaning etc, and someone might come on and offer it for free. I think the general idea was somewhere down the road you were to do a favor for someone else in return, not even necessarily that person. I cannot remember the name of it though, I don't know if it was just in Canada? Or if it was elsewhere too. Maybe someone here has heard of something like this in the UK? I tried looking it up a little while ago but my search terms are hopelessly vague with so little info. Not drawing the right site. Thank you US. Things seem to be getting worse for me. Now in the night I started to make this head movement, an urge to push my head back with my chin pushing into my neck, like stretching the back of my head. What is this? Is it a new movement disorder? It’s an urge rather than involuntary. I also had no idea what day it was and had to work hard to figure it out, couldn’t recall the weekend we’ve just had. My body weakness is worse too. I went to church yday morning with my friend and afterwards she got frustrating with me and left dramatically. Texted later to say sorry but she’s struggling with my stuff and finding it all too intense. That left me so agitated and distressed. I feel I overdid it yday. Its like my brain and body just can’t cope with anything. The akathisia isn’t letting up but rotated through the day between manifestations. I’m so scared what’s to become of me. Just seems more things keep cropping up. I noticed my sore teeth and tongue have gone but that’s the only thing. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Cheeky Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 On 11/24/2017 at 5:50 AM, Nikki74 said: Hi Cheeky Thank you so much and I’m so sorry you’re having a tough time too. Our precious boys eh. Just want to be well for them. This akathisia is testing me in every way. Keep going for my boy. Sending hugs your way x Your amazing Nikki, if you can get through this you can do anything in life. We both will beat this (((((hugs)))))) 1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg 2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg of Seroquel Through the years made many mistakes tapering Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 7.5% per month Paxil 9% Seroquel doing daily micro-taper Guided by Mark Horowitz 31/3/24 Paxil 10.31mg 31/3/24 Seroquel 9.9mg Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 12 hours ago, Cheeky said: Your amazing Nikki, if you can get through this you can do anything in life. We both will beat this (((((hugs)))))) Thank you lovely. just longing for a window xxxxx 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Cheeky Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 19 minutes ago, Nikki74 said: Thank you lovely. just longing for a window xxxxx me to hun. 1995 started Paxil 20mg slowly increasing to 50mg 2014 I decided to tapper myself not knowing how too and crashed , DR added 50mg of Seroquel Through the years made many mistakes tapering Started Tapering Both drugs at the same time 7.5% per month Paxil 9% Seroquel doing daily micro-taper Guided by Mark Horowitz 31/3/24 Paxil 10.31mg 31/3/24 Seroquel 9.9mg Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 19 minutes ago, Cheeky said: me to hun. It HAS to come! Big hugs to you xxxxxx 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
UnfoldingSky Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 11 hours ago, Nikki74 said: Thank you US. Things seem to be getting worse for me. Now in the night I started to make this head movement, an urge to push my head back with my chin pushing into my neck, like stretching the back of my head. What is this? Is it a new movement disorder? It’s an urge rather than involuntary. I also had no idea what day it was and had to work hard to figure it out, couldn’t recall the weekend we’ve just had. My body weakness is worse too. I went to church yday morning with my friend and afterwards she got frustrating with me and left dramatically. Texted later to say sorry but she’s struggling with my stuff and finding it all too intense. That left me so agitated and distressed. I feel I overdid it yday. Its like my brain and body just can’t cope with anything. The akathisia isn’t letting up but rotated through the day between manifestations. I’m so scared what’s to become of me. Just seems more things keep cropping up. I noticed my sore teeth and tongue have gone but that’s the only thing. Oh Nik...I have had this too with the memory issue, not knowing what has gone on. Big hug... I don't know if this will make you feel much better given you can't taper at the moment, but could be the benzo doing that, benzos do impact memory, so once you are able to taper off it will improve. I was really bad for a time but things are a lot better than they were. But I do get where you are coming from. As for the head thing, i haven't had that exactly but have had urges to do other movements, this stuff will recede in time try not to worry. I'm sorry about your friend too that must be stressful for you, I know I had same thing go on with some people I knew too. Some family refused to understand the pills were the problem even though docs had said they were, and a close friend sometimes would yell at me that I had to do this or that to get better, stuff we know around here does not work, acting like I was not trying hard enough when I went to pretty absurd lengths TO try to get better. I'm sure you understand, no one wants to have akathisia and the like! Also it could be the stress from what happened with your friend has caused a brief upswing in symptoms too. If there was a problem with someone for me sometimes I'd feel worse for a few days. I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 28, 2017 Author Share Posted November 28, 2017 28 minutes ago, UnfoldingSky said: Oh Nik...I have had this too with the memory issue, not knowing what has gone on. Big hug... I don't know if this will make you feel much better given you can't taper at the moment, but could be the benzo doing that, benzos do impact memory, so once you are able to taper off it will improve. I was really bad for a time but things are a lot better than they were. But I do get where you are coming from. As for the head thing, i haven't had that exactly but have had urges to do other movements, this stuff will recede in time try not to worry. I'm sorry about your friend too that must be stressful for you, I know I had same thing go on with some people I knew too. Some family refused to understand the pills were the problem even though docs had said they were, and a close friend sometimes would yell at me that I had to do this or that to get better, stuff we know around here does not work, acting like I was not trying hard enough when I went to pretty absurd lengths TO try to get better. I'm sure you understand, no one wants to have akathisia and the like! Also it could be the stress from what happened with your friend has caused a brief upswing in symptoms too. If there was a problem with someone for me sometimes I'd feel worse for a few days. Thank you for your supportive post US. The head movement thing didn’t continue but I think it has been a response to the stress with my friend. She has been gwtting frustrated with me and it’s not been helping. A few things she kept suggesting that I knew were too much for me. I’m doing my best. My symptoms seem to have settled into a routine with the akathisia surging mid morning to mid afternoon then lowering and going up again in the evenings. If I have company or anything too stimulating going on then it gets much worse. Praying to stabilise. X 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
UnfoldingSky Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 I know you are trying as hard as you can. And you are doing a great job getting through too. Praying you get some much needed relief. x I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 28, 2017 Author Share Posted November 28, 2017 12 hours ago, UnfoldingSky said: I know you are trying as hard as you can. And you are doing a great job getting through too. Praying you get some much needed relief. x Thank you so much US. No change with symptoms but I spent most of the day with my dear Mum. Around mid afternoon I get an hour where there’s a lull in agitation and fear and I was able to lie next to my Mum in her bed and hold her hand and just felt something like calm. It was precious. I wish I could live with her with my son. This evening my restlessness is up again but I managed ten minutes of sewing to satisfy a creative need. I hope next year I see some improvements. X 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
bheb Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 I'm so glad you got an hour of respite, or however close to calm you can get. Where does your mom live? Aug-Dec 2015 Prozac 20mg / Dec 2015-Feb 2016 Prozac 15mg / Feb 2016-May2016 Prozac 20mg May 2016-June 2016 15mg June 2016-August 2016 10mg October 2016-January 2017 15mg, alternating agitation/akathisia sets in --> cold turkey January 2017 Clonazepam .5mg February 2017 Clonazepam 1mg (for a week) then .5mg morning and .25mg evening for about a month. Came down to .25mg morning and evening. May 1, 2017 Clonazepam .25mg morning and .125mg evening. // May 20, 2017 Clonazepam .25mg morning and .0625 evening (.3125 total). early June .28125 // early mid june .25mg // mid june .21875 // late june .1875 // early july .15625 // early mid july .125 mid july .09375mg // late july .0625 //early August 2017 down to .03125mg once a day, hopped off in mid August reinstated at .0625mg late August // Oct 16 - updose to .07mg and switch to oral Rosemont solution Nov 17 2017 reinstate Prozac .5mg // Nov 21 2017 prozac 1.6mg // Dec 18 2017 3mg prozac / fast taper off the reinstatement -- probably completely off early Oct 2018 June 2019 begin tapering off .07mg Clonazepam, Finish taper December 2019 Link to comment
UnfoldingSky Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 4 hours ago, Nikki74 said: Thank you so much US. No change with symptoms but I spent most of the day with my dear Mum. Around mid afternoon I get an hour where there’s a lull in agitation and fear and I was able to lie next to my Mum in her bed and hold her hand and just felt something like calm. It was precious. I wish I could live with her with my son. Very touching Nik, I am glad you had some calm. Only wish it was permanent. I hope you see improvements before next year! I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 I hate being on these drugs. I wish I could start tapering but know I’m not stable. I’m so scared that I won’t improve. Can anyone give me some hope? Is there anyone who had a similar story to me and improved while still on these drugs and was able to safely taper? I’m feeling like there’s no hope for me. I’ve looked at the success stories and can’t see anything like my situation. The akathisia symptoms are not letting up. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 14 hours ago, bheb said: I'm so glad you got an hour of respite, or however close to calm you can get. Where does your mom live? Thank you Bheb. My Mum lives only a mile away. She’s just into remission from blood cancer. We are both housebound (have to get cabs to see each other) and she really seems to get what I’m going through more than anyone else in my life as she’s experienced stuff from the chemo drugs and morphine. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 12 hours ago, UnfoldingSky said: Very touching Nik, I am glad you had some calm. Only wish it was permanent. I hope you see improvements before next year! Thank you dear US. i think I’ve been on high alert since I found out my son is going away to see his dad for the holidays. Plus it being Christmas which is triggering me every which way. The akathisia just won’t let up right now it seems. Even though I’ve got plans in place for my family to keep checking on me over the holidays I just can’t feel any peace. Is this one big wave? 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 Q is there anything I can do re doses/ drugs? Should I have reinstated pregabalin? Should I have gone back to 10mg lexapro? This is hell every day, all day, and my nights are broken but I do get some sleep. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 Ignore the above. Desperation talking. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
Nikki74 Posted November 30, 2017 Author Share Posted November 30, 2017 Agitation has been about 30% less today. Restless head and body though. Slightly less depression. 2009-2011 mirtazapine 45mg plus clonaz as needed. Start Lexapro Nov 2011. June 2016 Zopiclone, July-Sept Trazodone 50mg, adverse reaction, ct, started pregabalin, reduced Lexapro from 20 to 15mg Start of 2017 on 15mg lexapro, 100mg pregablin. April added 15mg mirtazapine. End May. Start June stop pregablin after two week taper. End June. Stopped Lexapro 15mg 3 wk taper. Start July Mirt 30mg + Diaz daily 2-4mg End July returned to mirtaz 15mg + lexapro at 10mg reinstated. 4th Aug - 19 Sept Zopiclone (3.75 then 7.5 then 3.75 at the end) diazepam 7-8mg day since then. 16 Sept cut lex to 5mg. 5-6 Oct swapped 5mg lex to 8.15am and 15mg mirtazipine to 11pm 8 Oct onwards sticking to 6mg diazepam p/day 3 doses/ 2 Feb start 1mg clonazepam, stop Diaz. 21 Feb 2% cut lex. 8 March 12.5% clon cut. Now take .5 clon 9am, .375 5pm(0.875 mg daily clonazepam) 16 May @8% clon reduction so 9am dose .43(0.805 mg daily clonazepam) 2 July 10% Lexapro reduction to 4.5mg. 9 Aug .25mg lex cut to 4.25mg/ 13 Aug 4.5mg 2018 October Lexapro 4.5 to 4.25 mg clonazepam 0.80 mg mirtazapine 15 mg 2019 October present drugs: Lexapro 2.75 mg(tapers of 0.25 increments in last year at 5 -9 week intervals), clonazepam 0.78 mg(taper of .02 mg November 2018), mirtazapine 15 mg 2020 January 5th Lexapro taper to 2.57 mg(2%drop), total clonazepam 0.78 mg, mirtazapine 15 mg previous signature here recent dosing and symptom logs here Link to comment
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