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☼ RealMe: fighting depression/withdrawal from Abilify, Trintellix now on Prozac


RealMe

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In terms of how easy these drugs are being prescribed, I totally agree. And the situation is only getting worse judging by comparing prescription statistics from even 10 years ago and now. In the UK, there is a campaign to fight mental health stigma, which in itself is a good thing. The campaign makes it acceptable to talk about depression and other mind ailments. It also makes it easier to get referred to a doctor, which, in the majority of cases, will result in being put on pills. It’s even more frightening that young people, including teenagers and even children, are being prescribed ADs.

Feb 2009-Jul 2015 was on Prozac 20mg/day

                               with breaks for weeks and months off

                               in between.

Jul 2015-Feb 2016 off (cold turkey).

Feb 2016-Aug 2016 back on Prozac 20mg/day

Sep 2016-         completely off (cold turkey)

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Well, well, well.  Today is actually the one year mark to the day that I went completely off AD's.  In this past year I have taken antibiotics as prescribed for infections.  Other than that, no prescribed medications of any kind.  I take an occasional tylenol or advil.  I take vitamins B, D, E and Fish oil.  I am very glad to be free of mood-altering chemicals that I was told by medical professionals I would have to take for the rest of my then miserable life.  Life is hard; I'm not making it harder with ADs.  Thank you, SurvivingAntidepressants.org and all you survivors out there. :)

 

Alcohol periodic excessive 1963-1976, Valium sporadic 1964-1973,  Imipramine off & on 1982-1985, Fluoxetine 10mg-80 mg. Oct., 1995-Jan., 2014; Cymbalta, other ADs 1/2014-3/2014; Abilify 5 mg. 3/2014 - 8/8/17; Trintellix 20 mg. 3/2014 - 9/2017; Propranolol 60-80 mg. sporadically Sept-Oct, 2017; Seroquel few days Sept 2017 (c/t); Wellbutrin 150 mg. Sept, 2017 updosed to 300 mg. few days till c/t Oct 8, 2017, fish oil, vitD, vitE Oct 16, 2017-pres. Lipoflavonoid 4/2017-pres.  Fluoxetine 10 mg. Sept-Oct 8, 2017, 20 mg. 10/9- 10/15; 10 mg. 10/16 - 12/29;  9 mg. 12/30 - 2/9; 2 mL liquid (8.1mg) 2/10 - 3/7; 1.8 mL (7.29 mg) 3/8 -3/20; 1.6 mL (6.561mg) 3/20-4/2; 1.4 mL (5.9 mg) 4/3-4/14; 1mL (4 mg.) 4/15-4/22; .9mL (3.6mg) 4/23-5/1; .81mL (3.24 mg) 5/2-5/24; .73mL (2.916mg.) 5/25-6/8; .65mL 6/9-6/23; .6mL 6/24-7/17; .58mL 7/18-7/28; .525mL 7/29-8/13; .5 mL 8/14-21; .45mL 8/22-31; .4mL 9/2-21; .35mL 9/22-10/4; .3mL 10/5-28; .25mL 10/28-11/10; .2mL 11/11-11/24; .18mL 11/25-12/3; .1mL 12/4-12/18. Zero-12/19/18-present.

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On 12/20/2019 at 2:37 AM, RealMe said:

Well, well, well.  Today is actually the one year mark to the day that I went completely off AD's.  In this past year I have taken antibiotics as prescribed for infections.  Other than that, no prescribed medications of any kind.  I take an occasional tylenol or advil.  I take vitamins B, D, E and Fish oil.  I am very glad to be free of mood-altering chemicals that I was told by medical professionals I would have to take for the rest of my then miserable life.  Life is hard; I'm not making it harder with ADs.  Thank you, SurvivingAntidepressants.org and all you survivors out there. :)

 

Well done, RealMe! 

Feb 2009-Jul 2015 was on Prozac 20mg/day

                               with breaks for weeks and months off

                               in between.

Jul 2015-Feb 2016 off (cold turkey).

Feb 2016-Aug 2016 back on Prozac 20mg/day

Sep 2016-         completely off (cold turkey)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

What a nice update, happy anniversary 😃

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • 4 months later...

 

I wrote this in April in response to someone who messaged me, but it's good for an April update so I'm including it here:

 

I'm in NY so things here are in rough shape for now.  I'm glad I'm not where I was in early withdrawal from all the brain altering medications I was on.  To answer your question about how manageable my withdrawal was, I realize today that I had no idea how to get out of the mental confusion and pain I was in without the help and guidance I found here.  The professionals I sought help from were not able to help me; mainly, I think, because they did not recognize withdrawal from anti-depressants as a real syndrome.  The doctor I was seeing at the time kept telling me he would help me with "this depression."  Most assuredly, I was "depressed" but the reason was that I was exhibiting side effects of the medications I was on!

 

The taper was pretty much as described by many others.  The pain came in waves, either emotional or physical or both, followed by periods of improvement.  Ultimately, I stabilized; and now I feel like a normal human being every day.  I have what I believe are normal, appropriate ups and downs.  My reactions seem appropriate to whatever is going on with me and my world.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  Even when times are tough, I recognize that I am gifted with normalcy!

 

I am learning to habituate to tinnitus with the help of an audiologist who is teaching me strategies to deal with it.  I have times when it doesn't bother me and times when it is pretty awful, but it is not as godawful as it used to be.  If I think about how I got it (from prescribed Wellbutrin), it makes it worse and gives me a feeling of sadness; so I try not to dwell on that.  I try to dwell on the hope that it will be better in the future as I get stronger in dealing with it.

 

Best wishes for complete recovery from anti depressant drugs,

RM

Alcohol periodic excessive 1963-1976, Valium sporadic 1964-1973,  Imipramine off & on 1982-1985, Fluoxetine 10mg-80 mg. Oct., 1995-Jan., 2014; Cymbalta, other ADs 1/2014-3/2014; Abilify 5 mg. 3/2014 - 8/8/17; Trintellix 20 mg. 3/2014 - 9/2017; Propranolol 60-80 mg. sporadically Sept-Oct, 2017; Seroquel few days Sept 2017 (c/t); Wellbutrin 150 mg. Sept, 2017 updosed to 300 mg. few days till c/t Oct 8, 2017, fish oil, vitD, vitE Oct 16, 2017-pres. Lipoflavonoid 4/2017-pres.  Fluoxetine 10 mg. Sept-Oct 8, 2017, 20 mg. 10/9- 10/15; 10 mg. 10/16 - 12/29;  9 mg. 12/30 - 2/9; 2 mL liquid (8.1mg) 2/10 - 3/7; 1.8 mL (7.29 mg) 3/8 -3/20; 1.6 mL (6.561mg) 3/20-4/2; 1.4 mL (5.9 mg) 4/3-4/14; 1mL (4 mg.) 4/15-4/22; .9mL (3.6mg) 4/23-5/1; .81mL (3.24 mg) 5/2-5/24; .73mL (2.916mg.) 5/25-6/8; .65mL 6/9-6/23; .6mL 6/24-7/17; .58mL 7/18-7/28; .525mL 7/29-8/13; .5 mL 8/14-21; .45mL 8/22-31; .4mL 9/2-21; .35mL 9/22-10/4; .3mL 10/5-28; .25mL 10/28-11/10; .2mL 11/11-11/24; .18mL 11/25-12/3; .1mL 12/4-12/18. Zero-12/19/18-present.

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Sounds like a success story to me! Are you thinking of posting one soon? It would help so many people!

3/21/19 started Bupropion XL 150 mg

3/21/19 started Risperidone 2mg

7/7/19 start Abilify half dose 5 mg. discontinue Risperidone

7/9/19 full dose Abilify 10 mg

7/29/19 discontinued Abilify due to panicky side effects

8/2/19 Began Latuda 20 mg

8/5/19 discontinued Latuda due to similar side effects 

8/10/19 discontinued Bupropion after realizing it was causing the insomnia

From 8/10/19 no drugs whatsoever

Currently taking vitamin C, D, E, a probiotic and fish oil. 
Message me here if you want: 
https://www.facebook.com/morra.lal.3/  I've been getting a lot of fake friend requests, so please send a message before friend requesting me, thank you!

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  • 7 months later...

Happy New Year, AD Survivors!  I have been completely off antidepressant drugs for two whole years, and I have been feeling like a normal person the whole time.  So grateful to all the people here who helped me withdraw from mind altering chemicals when the professionals insisted I "needed" them.

 

One thing I've noted about me over the past few years is that I have never resumed trusting medical professionals about very much.  I had a knee replacement in May because my knee kept swelling and filling up with water-- and I couldn't walk.  That made me believe I might benefit from a knee replacement--not just because a doctor told me, but because I came to the conclusion myself.  I don't have an opinion about how anyone else handles that type of surgery with its attendant pain, but I never took even one narcotic painkiller.  And I never lost my mental clarity except when I was out under anesthesia during surgery.  Afterward, I alternated the lowest amount of Tylenol with the lowest amount of Advil.  Maybe some day I will have to take a mind altering chemical, but not today. :)

 

My primary care physician insists that I take statins for high cholesterol, but he also insisted that I needed prozac.  I am going to a new primary care physician for a second opinion about the cholesterol and trying to stick to a Mediterranean diet.  Christmas cookies interfered with that, but I'll try again.

I'm exercising as much as I can.  It's hard after being sedentary for so long with my debilitated knee, but I'll get there.

 

With all the pa.ndemic scares and confusion, I focus on the idea that I am responsible for myself.  I listen to the science as I understand it, and then I make up my own mind about how to protect myself and my family.  I find no need to debate anyone. 

 

I'm 75 years old, and I'm enjoying my life with all its ups, downs, twists and turns.  Wishing all AD survivors a very happy, antidepressant free new year!

 

Best wishes,

RealMe

 

 

 

 

Alcohol periodic excessive 1963-1976, Valium sporadic 1964-1973,  Imipramine off & on 1982-1985, Fluoxetine 10mg-80 mg. Oct., 1995-Jan., 2014; Cymbalta, other ADs 1/2014-3/2014; Abilify 5 mg. 3/2014 - 8/8/17; Trintellix 20 mg. 3/2014 - 9/2017; Propranolol 60-80 mg. sporadically Sept-Oct, 2017; Seroquel few days Sept 2017 (c/t); Wellbutrin 150 mg. Sept, 2017 updosed to 300 mg. few days till c/t Oct 8, 2017, fish oil, vitD, vitE Oct 16, 2017-pres. Lipoflavonoid 4/2017-pres.  Fluoxetine 10 mg. Sept-Oct 8, 2017, 20 mg. 10/9- 10/15; 10 mg. 10/16 - 12/29;  9 mg. 12/30 - 2/9; 2 mL liquid (8.1mg) 2/10 - 3/7; 1.8 mL (7.29 mg) 3/8 -3/20; 1.6 mL (6.561mg) 3/20-4/2; 1.4 mL (5.9 mg) 4/3-4/14; 1mL (4 mg.) 4/15-4/22; .9mL (3.6mg) 4/23-5/1; .81mL (3.24 mg) 5/2-5/24; .73mL (2.916mg.) 5/25-6/8; .65mL 6/9-6/23; .6mL 6/24-7/17; .58mL 7/18-7/28; .525mL 7/29-8/13; .5 mL 8/14-21; .45mL 8/22-31; .4mL 9/2-21; .35mL 9/22-10/4; .3mL 10/5-28; .25mL 10/28-11/10; .2mL 11/11-11/24; .18mL 11/25-12/3; .1mL 12/4-12/18. Zero-12/19/18-present.

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  • Mentor
17 minutes ago, RealMe said:

Happy New Year, AD Survivors!  I have been completely off antidepressant drugs for two whole years, and I have been feeling like a normal person the whole time.  So grateful to all the people here who helped me withdraw from mind altering chemicals when the professionals insisted I "needed" them.

 

One thing I've noted about me over the past few years is that I have never resumed trusting medical professionals about very much.  I had a knee replacement in May because my knee kept swelling and filling up with water-- and I couldn't walk.  That made me believe I might benefit from a knee replacement--not just because a doctor told me, but because I came to the conclusion myself.  I don't have an opinion about how anyone else handles that type of surgery with its attendant pain, but I never took even one narcotic painkiller.  And I never lost my mental clarity except when I was out under anesthesia during surgery.  Afterward, I alternated the lowest amount of Tylenol with the lowest amount of Advil.  Maybe some day I will have to take a mind altering chemical, but not today. :)

 

My primary care physician insists that I take statins for high cholesterol, but he also insisted that I needed prozac.  I am going to a new primary care physician for a second opinion about the cholesterol and trying to stick to a Mediterranean diet.  Christmas cookies interfered with that, but I'll try again.

I'm exercising as much as I can.  It's hard after being sedentary for so long with my debilitated knee, but I'll get there.

 

With all the pa.ndemic scares and confusion, I focus on the idea that I am responsible for myself.  I listen to the science as I understand it, and then I make up my own mind about how to protect myself and my family.  I find no need to debate anyone. 

 

I'm 75 years old, and I'm enjoying my life with all its ups, downs, twists and turns.  Wishing all AD survivors a very happy, antidepressant free new year!

 

Best wishes,

RealMe

 

 

 

 

Hey! This is amazing to read!!! I am glad you are doing well! I heard of people having great success with the Mediterranean diet for cholesterol reduction. As well as the diet I follow The Plant Paradox. Super pumped you are doing well! I am coming up on 2 years drug free as well! 

I follow The Plant Paradox lifestyle by Dr.Gundry. This lifestyle has given me my life back and I feel better than I have ever felt in my life. It has enabled me to finally get off of this medication and truly live my life. Nutrition is the key to health!!!!! 

2008 to 2019  - 20 mg Paroxetine

Attempted 2 CT's around the 5-6 year mark. Were absolutely terrible and reinstated. Was never explained by the doctor the seriousness of the short half life of this drug. 

2017 - Attempted a tapered discontinuation of this drug and reinstated after being unsuccessful.

2019 - Feb. 12 - After a three month taper I am off of paroxetine. The 3 months were terrible, awful withdrawal feelings. I followed the doctors guidelines for the reduction of this drug and now know it was way too fast. 
2019 - Oct. 12 - 8 months off paroxetine. 75% improvement since coming off the drug. Definitely have had tons of challenges along the way. Let’s go!!!! 

2021 - Feb. 12 - 24 months off paroxetine. I have minor challenges now. Tinnitus/Headaches are still around but are reduced by a massive amount. 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

@RealMe : this is a very inspirational update, you're giving hope to a lot of people !

I'm so happy for you, and thank you for taking the time to write your post.

 

Lot of hugs in this free life !

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Wonderful Update @RealMe!   My mother, husband and aunt all stopped their statins after reading research that they have little, if any benefit, after the age of 70 years old for those with no active cardiac disease.  They all said they actually felt better after stopping them and their labs didn't even change that much!!  One of them had withdrawal symptoms for about 8 weeks (fatigue and muscle aches) but after that, they said they felt stronger than ever and their sleep is better.   Best wishes for you and thanks for your update!!

 

 

2016 - Oct -Daughter started Risperdal (for steroid induced psychosis that never went away after stopping prednisone)

Nov - dose increases stopped at 1.5mg in Dec

2017 - Jan- weaned from 1.5 to 1.0 in 2 weeks then 1.0 to .5 in two weeks and then off. Feb. 3 weeks of increased psychosis, pacing, insomnia, other awful symptoms so late Feb  - Back on 1.5 mg Risperdal. May  - decrease to 1.25mg, two weeks later 1.0mg - symptoms started again. June - held steady at 1.25mg for 6 weeks and switched to liquid (3 ml syringe). July - started 10% taper every 3 weeks, October -  .8 mg, December - .7 mg .

2018 -Jan- 0.65 mg,  Feb- 0.59,  Mar-0.50, late April - .40mg, July- .36 mg, Aug - switched from 3 mL syringe to 1 mL syringe for more accuracy (her dad and i were not sure we were giving her the same dose when in between the 'dashes' on the 3 mL syringe.) Aug -.30 mg (3mL syr)/.44 mg (1 mL syr) difference due to med in the tip of both syringes). Sept- .28 mg (3mL syr)/.42 mg (1 mL syr). Oct - .16 mg (3 mL syr)/.30 mg (1 mL syr). Nov.- .06mg (3mL syr)/.20 mg (1mLsyr). Dec. - tip only/unmeasurable (3mL syr)/.10 mg (1mLsyr)

2019- Jan -.06 mg (1 mL syr), Feb- .025 mg (1 mL syr), Feb 27, 2019 - jumped to zero!!

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Someone else has their sun returning symbol!! Good for you mate. It's a hell of a thing to go through.

Gussy

On effexor for at least 11 years. Last few years going through ivf treatment dose has ranged from 150-200mg. Mainly 150 though. Tapered from about 175mg mid jan 2017 to zero mid april 2017. 2&1/2 months of straight hell. Getting there now though.

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • Administrator

@RealMe You are a shining star! When may we see your Success Story?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi Alto,

Thank you -- far more than I can say!

I'll put in a search for "how to write a success story" and get on it asap.

❤️RM

Alcohol periodic excessive 1963-1976, Valium sporadic 1964-1973,  Imipramine off & on 1982-1985, Fluoxetine 10mg-80 mg. Oct., 1995-Jan., 2014; Cymbalta, other ADs 1/2014-3/2014; Abilify 5 mg. 3/2014 - 8/8/17; Trintellix 20 mg. 3/2014 - 9/2017; Propranolol 60-80 mg. sporadically Sept-Oct, 2017; Seroquel few days Sept 2017 (c/t); Wellbutrin 150 mg. Sept, 2017 updosed to 300 mg. few days till c/t Oct 8, 2017, fish oil, vitD, vitE Oct 16, 2017-pres. Lipoflavonoid 4/2017-pres.  Fluoxetine 10 mg. Sept-Oct 8, 2017, 20 mg. 10/9- 10/15; 10 mg. 10/16 - 12/29;  9 mg. 12/30 - 2/9; 2 mL liquid (8.1mg) 2/10 - 3/7; 1.8 mL (7.29 mg) 3/8 -3/20; 1.6 mL (6.561mg) 3/20-4/2; 1.4 mL (5.9 mg) 4/3-4/14; 1mL (4 mg.) 4/15-4/22; .9mL (3.6mg) 4/23-5/1; .81mL (3.24 mg) 5/2-5/24; .73mL (2.916mg.) 5/25-6/8; .65mL 6/9-6/23; .6mL 6/24-7/17; .58mL 7/18-7/28; .525mL 7/29-8/13; .5 mL 8/14-21; .45mL 8/22-31; .4mL 9/2-21; .35mL 9/22-10/4; .3mL 10/5-28; .25mL 10/28-11/10; .2mL 11/11-11/24; .18mL 11/25-12/3; .1mL 12/4-12/18. Zero-12/19/18-present.

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  • 2 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

RealMe has posted a Success Story here

 

 

 

As it is our tradition, I will close this topic.

 

Congratulations and thank you @RealMe ☀️🤗

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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