CMK5496: 7 years on meds

[CMK5496]

Hi.  I'm a 45 year old woman totally addicted to psych meds. 

Several years ago I had a terrible depressive episode and ended up in the hospital for 4 days.  I was prescribed several medications, but two of them I have been taking ever since, Prestiq 50 mg and Seroquel 300 mg.  I have  recently made some changes in my life, eating a vegan diet, exercising more, and now feel ready to get over my addiction to these drugs.  I am not bipolar or schizophrenic, never had a manic episode, just severe depression which has come over me about 5 times in my life.  This last time I was so scared I told myself I could never go off of meds.  But I realize now that my doctor has never really asked me how I'm doing, or what my symptoms are or were.  Skipping dosages of Prestiq here and there has had no effect.  But skipping just one Seroquel leaves me shivering, anxious, sweaty, crying, and completely unable to sleep.  Anything that feels that bad when I skip one pill has got to have bad long term side effects.  I want to be free of all meds.  I also have my own business now and insurance has been a nightmare.  I'm having to spend over $300/month on meds. 

 

Anyway, I've stocked up on supplements, B complex, magnesium, fish oil, 5HTP, melatonin.  I'm ready to start my taper.  Wondering how many supplements to take, when, with my meds?  Is it possible to take too much?

 

Any guidance is appreciated

[MollyN]

Hi CMK,

 

Welcome to SA! We're so delighted you're here at the beginning of your tapering journey, not a quarter of the way down a hellish road of withdrawal. 

 

It's very sobering when you realise just what a hold these drugs have on us. When we notice, like you have, how even one skipped dose, or taking a dose later than usual has significant effects. I'm so glad to read you've been able to make such positive health changes ahead of your taper, you're off to a great start.

 

You've already added a signature, thanks so much, it really helps to know where you're at. When/if you start taking supplements (we suggest magnesium and fish oil) do add them into your signature.

 

SA suggests a taper at 10% of your last dose, then hold for 4 weeks and if you feel stable, reduce again by 10% etc.

 

Here are some links to discussions to get you started:

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

Tips for tapering off Seroquel

 

Tips for tapering off Pristiq

 

It's also really important to take your dose, daily, at around the same time. Your brain likes stability, to be treated gently. The object is to gradually accommodate it to lower and lower dosages. Don't throw it off a cliff every day by skipping/alternating doses. Move it slowly down a ramp by gradually decreasing dosage by an amount it may hardly notice. A 10% reduction in dosage may be appropriate. Stay at that dosage for 4 weeks, then decrease again if appropriate -- by 10% of your last dose.

 

Please read this discussion of 5HTP before you consider taking this supplement. 

 

Let us know how you're getting on and do ask any questions!

 

xxxmollyn

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2017 by MollyN
typo

[Gridley]

Hi, CMK5496 and welcome from me too.

 

A couple of other points about supplements:  Yes, you can take too many; your system is very sensitized and some supplements might not agree with you.  

 

Add supplements one at a time, at a very low dose, to see how you tolerate each one.  You can always increase the dosage.  B-vitamins can be very activating (possibly making you anxious) during a taper so they might not be advised.  Single-ingredient vitamins are better than multiples; with a multiple, if something isn't working, there's no way to tell which ingredient it is.

 

As MollyN said, it's great you found your way here before your taper.  The links she provided will be very helpful.