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Francis: my story


Francis

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Francis,

 

You're not a 'big baby'. Just someone who is suffering greatly from debilitating withdrawal symptoms.

 

I sometimes feel a little ashamed of posting about my woes when I see how badly others (including you) are suffering, so I have to remind myself that feeling bad is feeling bad - it doesn't help to compare our situations with others only to make ourselves feel worse for asking for help. We all deserve compassion and support.

 

Be kind to yourself while you go through this.

 

Take care

July 2001 prescribed 20mg citalopram for depression;
On and off meds from 2003-2006.
February 2006 back on 20mg citalopram and stayed on it until my last attempt at tapering in September 2011.
By far the worst withdrawal symptoms ever. Reinstated to 20mg citalopram
October 2012 - found this forum!
Nov 2012 to Feb 2013 did 10% taper, got doen to 11mg - was going great until stressful situation. Cortisol levels hit the roof, hideous insomnia forced me to updose to 20mg.
March 2016 - close to 100% back to normal!



****** I am not a medical practitioner, any advice I give comes from my own experience or reading and is only my perspective ******

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  • Administrator

I have two of the MTHFR gene mutations, including C677. I've been taking metafolin but I'm concerned about B12 and having it tested.

 

Low folate or B12 can definitely contribute to "psychiatric" symptoms and, I believe, withdrawal symptoms. They leave the nervous system vulnerable.

 

See this topic http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1392-vitamin-b12-essential-for-mood-nervous-system/

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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Thank you Basildev and Altostrata.

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

I was feeling somewhat better... waking up between 4-5am instead of 2-3:30am... and not having the feelings of horrible sadness/hopelessness upon waking, with terrible sweating and tight chest. I thought my issues with high middle of the night cortisol were going away... but now its all back. While I still am waking at 4-5, I am waking up feeling terrible- crying, jittery, sweating excessively and have tightness under my sternum. (Inositol helped me get some amazing sleep for around 5 days and I woke up feeling amazing... but then it just stopped working.)

I am assuming that the change for the worse is due to a drop in celexa by .2mg. I just find it amazing that such a tiny change can throw me off so much. Sometimes a decrease does nothing and sometimes I feel like Im being thrown off completely.

I take a lot of magnesium, but i think I need to start doing epsom salt foot soaks again. Its so hard to get everything done in the evening since I know I need to go to bed as early as possible since I'll be waking up around 4am. I hate getting on here and complaining. I have definitely had periods of feeling improvement and definitely feel better now than when I started this journey off of celexa, 19 months ago. I can't believe this has been going on for so long.

Im just feeling kind of defeated this morning. I don't know what to do next... I know patience is key.

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • Administrator

A decrease of .2mg from .6mg is 33%.

 

Please note we recommend 10% drops. At the end of a taper, even smaller decrements may be required.

 

You may wish to go back to .6mg again, stabilize, and taper by a smaller amount.

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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Frances did you have any problems switching to the liquid Celexa.You did well tapering such large amounts. I'm not so lucky.

C/T Celexa and Trazadone on Jan.29th 2014
Prescribed 1mg of Klonopin every 6 hours on Jan.29th
Began tapering Klonopin April 18th..stretching time between doses...at first one hour for 2 weeks then a half hour for app.10 days then another half hour 10days later.
Presently at .25 three times a day..6 2 and 10pm. Trying to stabilize.
Also still taking gabapentin 300mgs 2xs a day..

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I have loved the liquid and luckily I didnt find it difficult to go from the pills to the liquid, which is lucky. The liquid is so much easier to reduce by smaller amounts, although right now, Im finding it somewhat difficult to get the tiny amounts with the syringe I have.

I will try to be more gentle in my reductions. .2 mg was definitely too much. My Dr, while "believing in" SSRI withdrawal, is not very sensitive to it and has been pushing me to go faster in my taper. Its so amazing to me that my body can detect a .2mg reduction!

I need to push back.

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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I didnt think enough about the B12 issue. Im wondering if I do have subclinical deficiency that isnt showing up on my blood tests. I take a tiny bit of methylcobalamin in my multi but will try a little bit more sublingually. I'll take it in the morning just in case its activating to me.

 

I had an incredible night of sleep on Friday night and yesterday was wonderful... today, not a great day. Its so amazing how quickly my body can swing from feeling good to feeling a mess. On these bad days, I have such awful thoughts and can't stop crying. Im just so upset that I ever took the celexa in the first place- I need to let that go because clearly there is no time travel in my future!

 

What do you all do when you are feeling low, to regain a little hope? Right now, I don't know why I would want to live for years like this. I feel like Im in some sort of limbo while everyone else I know is moving forward with their life. I feel so ashamed when I have to cancel plans with friends/family due to withdrawal symptoms.

 

I also have to say that I am incredibly for everyone on these boards and to you, Altostrata. I would be very happy if nobody else was experiencing this withdrawal, but I am grateful for this community. While I have a few very supportive friends and family members, it is amazing to be able to reach out to others who have been or are in my shoes.

 

Thank you!!!

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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Hi Francis, The fact that you're having some windows can be a good sign. Some people don't have any for a long time. It can mean that you're not going to have to go through this for years and years. And anyway, over time the waves get less bad and the windows get longer and more frequent. I've been having WD problems for the past 7 mnths and I've noticed this kind of pattern. Still the waves always seem awful. This is the dificullty, isn't it? I was in one today, and I know it's no where near as bad as 5-6 months ago, and yet it's disappointing and it sucks all the same. There's no where to go but through.

 

There's no shame in being ill.

 

Also, in the few weeks I've been on this site I've already read so many times the phrase "putting my life on hold" as well as "not being able to move forward with my life" as though we're all in suspended animation or limbo here. That's a gross an exageration. Life's nothing but goals and planning ahead to meet them. Well, maybe getting well isn't how we would like to be spending our time, but it is our goal, and as with any goal in life, we are going about figuring out how to meet it. What I'm saying is that, we are not on hold at all, this IS our life, or a part of it. And health is certainly a worthwhile pursuit. I'm not in Limbo, I'm right in the middle (or maybe alittle passed the middle) of my life. And anyway, as you feel better, you naturally begin adding other more self-selected goals. But Life hasn't stopped for you or any of us here, thank God.

 

Hope you're feeling better or will be soon, Benz

Sept 12th 1992-began taking Imipramine (50mgs) for panic attacks.

Stopped Imipramine after 4 months (cold turkey).

7 months later experienced "mysterious" bad flu-like symptoms, although, without upper respiratory problems or fever. Because of this and a day of panic attacks, was put on Prozac (20mgs?) for 2 months and then, when that didn't work-was put back on  Imipramine,  plus Xanax 1 mg (4Xdaily)-October 1993.

March 1999-switched from Imipramine (50mgs) to Celexa.

2008-switched to Pristiq for 3 months, then back to Effexor XR (after bad reaction to the Pristiq).

Sept 1st 2010-Switched from Effexor XR (75mgs) to Effexor Generic (solid form) in preparation for taper.

Nov 15th 2010-Began tapering from 75mgs Effexor Generic.

January 13th 2014-.06mgs

April 17th 2014-      .03mgs

May 11th 2014-       .02mgs

Ended taper October 31st 2014

Oct 4th 2015-11 months post taper and completely back to normal!

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I like your view on what we are going through Benz. You are right, this is our goal right now, and we don't stop evolving all the same. Thank you for sharing! -Athena

2000-2001: Effexor              2005-2012: Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, desipramin, Wellbutrin, mirtazepin, Lamictal, Remeron, Abilify, nortriptylin, Cipralex, Cymbalta, and others I don't remember. Really bad side effects to all.
Sept-Nov 2012: Paxil 20mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Imovane 5mg      Nov 2012: Paxil 20mg --> 10mg
Dec 2012: Paxil 10mg-->0; 1 week later: HUGE WD symptoms. Started to get informed on the internet and back to 10mg Paxil.
Dec 2012-Jan 2013: Paxil 10mg, Wellbutrin 100mg, Imovane 2.5mg        End Jan 2013: P 9mg, W 100mg, I 2.0mg
Feb 2013: P 8mg, W 100mg, I 1.5mg      April 2013: P 7mg, W 100mg, I 1.25mg       May 2013: P 7mg, W 90mg, I 1mg    

June 2013: P 7mg, W 80mg, I 0mg       July 1/2013: P 7, W 70     July 22/2013: P 7, W 60             Aug 2013: P 7, W 50       Sept 2013: P 6.1, W 50     Oct 2013: P up to 6.3, W 50     Nov 2013: P 6.2 to 5.9, W 50      Dec 2013: P 5.9, W 40      Jan 2014: P 5.3, W40        Feb 2014: P 5.3, W 30      March-April 2014: P 5.3, W 26    May 2014: P 5.3, W 20        June 2014: P 5.3 W 15     July 2014:  P 5.3, W 14       Aug 2014: P 5.3, W up to 15     Sept 2014: P 5.3, W 14    Oct 2014: P 4.8, W 14      Nov 2014: P 4.3, W 14     Dec 2014-Jan 2015: P 3.9, W 14     Feb 2015: P 3.9, W 12    March 2015: P 3.6, W 12   April-May 2015: P 3.3, W 12    June 2015: P 3.3, W 10    July 2015: P 3.3, W 8   Aug-Sept 2015: P 3.3, W 6   Oct 2015: P 3.0, W 6   Nov 2015: P 2.7, W 6   Dec 2015: P 2.4, W 6   Jan-Feb 2016: P 2.4, W 5  March 2016: P 2.2, W 5   April 2016: P 2.2, W 4   May-June 2016: P 2.2, W 3  July 2016: P 2.2, W 2  Aug 2016: P 2.2, W 1  Sept 2016: P 2.2, W 0!!  Oct 2016: P 2.0   Nov 2016-Jan 2017: P 1.8  Feb-Mar 2017: P 1.9  April-May 2017: P 1.8   June 2017: P 1.6 July-Dec 2017: P 1.5  Jan-April 2018: P 1.6

Others: Cytomel 25mcg (thyroid), vit. C, vit D, Omega-3 fish oil, Magnesium bisglycinate , Melatonin 1mg, 81mg Aspirin, Milk peptides, L-theanine, Valericalm tincture mix, scullcap tincture, Suan Zao Ren (jujube seeds)

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  • Administrator

Thank you, Francis.

 

You might want to browse in our Symptoms and Self-care forum and Finding Meaning forum to see how people cope.

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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Youre points are all very well taken, Benz!

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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Greetings Just wanted to pop in and give you a cyber hug...I am in the process right along with you and its been the owrst year of my life

 

I take magnesium glycinate every evening along with klonopin and I get pretty good sleep, I do NOT reccomend starting a benzo...I basically had to so I could function and now I am stuck on it until I stabilise with my RI

 

 

 

keep us posted and ask all the questions you can possibly come up with...there are so many here who have the answers

2006-2012 50mgs zoloft
skipped doses every other day for a year and started having anxiety again in March 2012
back on at 50mgs Dec 2013
started taper from benzos April 2014 per Heather Ashton method (c/o from kpin to diazepam)
March 2015 started 1.25mg lorazepam
Tapered off Zoloft in May off in 4 weeks...5 weeks later crashing AGAIN. Dr wanted to start Gabapentin tried it 7 days
Symptoms :burning eyes, anxiety, pounding heart, dizzy, strange head feeling, internal shaking, Overall UNWELL
Taking lorazepam 1.25mg daily

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi all- I am guilty of posting when I feel awful and shying away from this site when Im feeling good.

I have to say that the best self care Ive taken of myself recently is that I stopped seeing a Dr who was pushing my taper too fast. I have held at 0.6mg of celexa for around a month and I feel SO GOOD! Im not sleeping all that much better than before the reinstatement and hold (I went down to .4mg and felt awful, after quickly decreasing from 1mg to .4mg over the course of 6 weeks).

I also stopped taking a ton of supplements, which were clearly causing diarrhea for months(Dr didnt care).

 

Regardless of the amount of sleep Ive gotten, my depression has significantly lifted, I have energy, I don't think about sleep all day, I am not as pessimistic and bitter, muscle cramping has stopped, brain fog is improved, memory is improving. Its amazing that doing "nothing" can go so far to heal the body! I find myself more in the moment and am more easily catching my negative thoughts before I fixate on them.

I also assume that the spring also plays a big role in my improved mood. Once I am completely off of the celexa, it will be interesting to see if I have actually developed serious seasonal affective disorder or if this is all connected to withdrawal.

 

I am incredibly grateful for this relief.

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • Administrator

Hi Francis

 

Thanks for posting when you are feeling good :) . It sounds like you are making great progress. Good for you, realizing that the doctor was pushing your taper too fast. We really do need to listen to our own bodies through this process.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor


I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Francis,

 

I'm so glad you're feeling good!

 

I tend to shy away from posting when I'm feeling good - just in case I jinx it!:)

July 2001 prescribed 20mg citalopram for depression;
On and off meds from 2003-2006.
February 2006 back on 20mg citalopram and stayed on it until my last attempt at tapering in September 2011.
By far the worst withdrawal symptoms ever. Reinstated to 20mg citalopram
October 2012 - found this forum!
Nov 2012 to Feb 2013 did 10% taper, got doen to 11mg - was going great until stressful situation. Cortisol levels hit the roof, hideous insomnia forced me to updose to 20mg.
March 2016 - close to 100% back to normal!



****** I am not a medical practitioner, any advice I give comes from my own experience or reading and is only my perspective ******

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Francis,

 

I'm so glad to see that you're feeling so much better! I love your phrase, "Its amazing that doing "nothing" can go so far to heal the body!" (I moved your post to your Intro, since it's about you and your progress rather than help for symptoms in general).

 

I also tend to keep the good days to myself until I'm fairly sure that I'm actually doing better.

Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's Razor


Introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/

 

Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/

Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers.

 

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I intended it as a post about symptoms- about help for symptoms, but posts seem to often get moved and its hard to find posts I respond to or post because so many of them seem to get moved... but oh well. I guess I have to accept the bad with the good. I'll just focus on the positives of this site.

A lot of the posts (if not a vast majority of posts) in the symptoms/self care section are about personal experiences- its not clear to me what the difference is between intros and symptoms, since people post about their personal symptoms and experiences. or, people respond with personal anecdotes.

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm sorry that moving your post annoyed you. I should have PM'd and forgot about it in my busy-ness.

 

IMO, it's best to keep a person's posts in their Intro so as to have the whole picture in one place. Again, IMO, I think the topical discussions such as "Tapering" and "Symptoms and self-care" should be mostly reserved for topics of general interest, sort of like a shelf of reference books.

 

Sometimes it's difficult to decide just where a post should go because it's a mix of the personal and general. Then too, there was a long time when there were no moderators at all, just Alto and alexejice as administrators, so a lot of older posts didn't get tidied up due to lack of time.

 

Again, I apologize. Please keep in mind that we're all volunteers, from Alto down to the newest mod, and we make mistakes and get too busy at times to do things as thoroughly as we would like.

Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's Razor


Introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/

 

Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/

Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers.

 

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I appreciate this site and everyone who puts time into it more than I can express. Im sorry for being difficult.

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • Administrator

Hi, Francis. Do stick around and share your knowledge about taking care of yourself with others who have had the same kind of snarls.

 

Sorry about the consolidation of posts. Yes, we do want people to keep their topics updated rather than posting updates in Symptoms. The Intro topics are valuable as case histories.

 

However, if you want to discuss symptoms in a general way you are welcome to start topics and reply to topics in the Symptoms forum. I know the distinction might be hard to understand at first but you'll get the hang of it.

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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  • 2 months later...

Its pretty incredible how phobic of mainstream medicine this ordeal has made me.  I havent been to a "regular" Dr in over a year... until yesterday.  Trying to explain my withdrawal and related symptoms/supplements was maddening, frustrating, saddening, and honestly, I felt like I was returning to an old abuser.  

 

I went with the understanding that this GP is somewhat "holistic" and uses homeopathy and acupuncture in her practice.  Im not sure why I thought this would mean that she would be more open to my SSRI withdrawal or would understand it.  

 

I have found a wonderful naturopath and holistic psychiatrist who are supporting me through this process.  I feel believed, supported, and like Im on the same page with them.  I dont feel like I have to constantly defend myself or explain what I know is my truth.  

 

Im not sure when I will be able to go to a Dr again without feeling incredibly vulnerable and preyed upon.  

 

The Dr told me that there is no way to be addicted to ambien, that I am taking too much D3 (I was severely deficient when taking her recommended amount), that all I need to do to "fix" my insomnia is to take valerian/chamomile/aerobically exercise (despite my explanation that even 5 minutes of aerobic exercise causes my heart to race for over an hour).  Kept asking what else was going on during the time that my insomnia started (clearly not believing in the SSRI withdrawal cause).  Refused to look at  or take copies of my lab results (showing severe digestive issues/lack of fat absorption and other significant "stuff." 

 

How can "smart" people be so damned stupid/insensitive/blind to their ignorance?

 

OTHERWISE, Im doing very well!  I can't let these ignorant/dangerous people get the best of me.  Im OFF of the celexa finally!  WOOOO HOOOOO!!!  Im coping relatively well.  Im sleeping 4-5.5 hours a night, having only a little jittery insides and am close to fully functioning at socially and at work.  I have my bad days, but they are getting less frequent.  Im going to beat this!

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • Moderator Emeritus

  I can't let these ignorant/dangerous people get the best of me.  Im OFF of the celexa finally!  WOOOO HOOOOO!!!  Im coping relatively well.  Im sleeping 4-5.5 hours a night, having only a little jittery insides and am close to fully functioning at socially and at work.  I have my bad days, but they are getting less frequent.  Im going to beat this!

That's the spirit!!!! Congrats on successfully getting off celexa and THANK YOU for posting your success and especially revealing your fighting spirit!! We ALL need to remind ourselves that we are in charge and we WILL make it!!

 

RU :)

Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone

1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox.

b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b]

2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax

November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b

Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax

My mantra " go slow & with the flow "

3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day)

4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day.

10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro.

1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms.

1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. :) 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut.

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Congratulations on getting off of Celexa, Francis - what an accomplishment!!  I have read from the beginning of your journal and wanted to ask you if you ended up stabilizing after you had reinstated Celexa before you started your taper?  I am curious because I am starting a taper of Celexa in a fairly unstable place after a switch from Zoloft that didn't end up working very well.  I am worried how tapering in my not so good state will go as I am scared it will make my symptoms worse.  It sounds like you may have not been 100% stable before starting your taper?  Please let me know what your experience was on this front.  

 

Again, congratulations!

Michele

-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

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Congrats!  How are you feeling now that you're off the Celexa?

3 Years 150 mgs Effexor

2 month taper down to zero

3 terrible weeks at zero

Back up to 75 mgs

2 months at 75

6 or so months back to regular dose of 150 - was able to restabilize fine.

3 month taper back to zero

1 HORRENDOUS week at zero

2 days back up to 37.5

3 days back up to 75

One week at 150 - unable to stabilize.

Back down to 75 mgs

At 75 mgs (half original dose) and suffering withdrawal symptoms since October 2012.

 

"It is a radical cure for all pessimism to become ill, to remain ill for a good while, and then grow well for a still longer period." - Nietzsche

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When I initially stopped the celexa, almost 2 years ago, I did a quick taper without adequate proper medical advice and I fell into a severe withdrawal, sleeping only 1-1.5 hours a night, cortisol spikes, panic and bad magnesium deficiency.  I had been on 10 mg when i came off, but trying to "stabiize," and being advised by an incompetent Dr, I ended up going up to 30 mg to try to combat the withdrawal symptoms.  I never full stabilized at 30 (didnt get my sleep back to normal and still had issues with magnesium), but I was certainly not in acute withdrawal anymore when I started to taper again.  Getting down from 30mg to 10 mg was pretty easy to me and I was able to make pretty big drops.  Once I got down to 5 mg, tapering became more difficult and my body noticed every decrease.  I felt particularly bad when I tried to decrease lower than 0.6mg.  Thank god for the liquid celexa!  I was able to hold at 0.6mg for around 2 months and stabilized to a point where I felt more comfortable in my body and then started to taper again by 0.05mg.  I dont honestly know what "stable" completely feels like anymore.  I fear that my sleep wont ever return to "normal," but I certainly feel better than I had.  

 

Now that Im off of the celexa, Ive been having ups and downs. I have found that the mixed supplement Kavinace has helped with my sleep a lot.  I know that mixed supplements arent always the smart way to go because you never know which ingredient is doing what, but my Dr is knowledgeable in withdrawal and wanted me to try it and, for me, it has been a god send.  I know it wont work the same way for everyone.  I have to take quite a bit of it and also sometime feel a bit groggy from it...  but at least Ive been sleeping 4-5.5 hours- at least I can function.  Last night I slept a little less than 4 hours and I don't feel very well right now (tight chest, a little racing thoughts, upset stomach, weepy).  Its all a process... Im working through it.  When I held at 0.6mg of the celexa, I started feeling a lot better after 6 weeks.  I am hoping that the same will be true now.  My last dose of celexa was 6/27.  Therefore, maybe 6 week later, in mid august, I'll see more improvement.  I guess I can only be patient.  

 

 

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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And I also feel like Ive made a great accomplishment... getting off of the Celexa hasnt been pretty and has been the most difficult thing Ive ever done.  I especially hate that I can't share this fight with so many people in my life because issues surrounding mental health and psych drugs are so full of judgement and misunderstanding.  

 

I am PROUD of myself.  I am grateful to my support system (my husband and mother are AMAZING  supportive people).  

 

I read so many of the stories here and know that I could have it much worse.  I am hopeful, however, that I can provide a little hope to people out there.  Im not done with this process, but Im SURVIVING.  

 

(In a few weeks I am going to get a ton of lab work done... hopefully it will look better than it did last time... but Im not going to hold my breath.  Again, this is all a process.)

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • Administrator

Good to hear you're doing well. Do you feel you can recommend your doctor? Is he an MD who can prescribe? If so, please add his contact information here http://tinyurl.com/7cp8l8v

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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Shes already on the list!

Thanks so much.

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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Im so sick of seeing articles stressing the importance of sleep and the dire consequences of lack of sleep... YES, I KNOW... not all of us are CHOOSING not to sleep!

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • 1 month later...

Ive been off of the celexa since June 27th and Im not sure I can wrap my brain around how Im feeling.  I am positive that my anxiety before taking the celexa was not this bad.  I know that I didnt have this kind of severe middle of the night waking insomnia.  I know I didnt feel this wacky in the morning.  Yet, its so difficult to not just feel that this is "me."  

I am taking 2 weeks off of all of my supplements so I can get a baseline on a bunch of labs.  Perhaps that is also making me feel worse.  I caved and took an epsom salt bath but Im still feeling somewhat shaky.  I also seem to have a bad reaction to calming acupuncture and massage.  I dont sleep at all after acupuncture.  I decided that I "deserved" to treat myself to my very first 1 hour massage yesterday... well, it felt great while it was happening, but last night, just liek with the acupuncture, I never got tired.  So bizarre how paradoxical bodies can be!

I also went on vacation and had a difficult time relaxing.  Which is always frustrating, since I look forward to vacation so much.  Its kind of like Christmas as a child, when its hyped up so much and then ends in disappointment.  

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • Administrator

The nighttime waking and paradoxical reaction to calming treatments are very typical of withdrawal syndrome.

 

You may wish to darken your bedroom with blackout shades and curtains, use a sleep mask, and turn off all lights at nightfall. Dark is conducive to sleep.

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

It seems like even when people taper down and come off at a low dose, the body still knows the difference between "a teeny tiny bit" and "none at all."  But hang in there, it's just withdrawal, it probably won't be as bad as what you had in the past; I doubt it will get much worse than what you're having now. And it will pass. And you'll be DONE!

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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Thanks for the encouraging words, Rhi, it really is helpful to try to keep everything in perspective and to remember how bad things were 2 years ago.  I certainly never thought this would be such a long process, and I certainly have wondered if I can take any more of this along the way.  

 

BUT, I havent lost hope.  I feel terrible that my husband is having to go through this with me and that his sleep is affected when I wake up and cant stop my body from moving.  He is an amazing support.  

 

Rhi, I see that you are tapering from Valium.  While my Dr is on the recommended list and is amazing, she recommended I use valium if things get really bad with sleep, just for a night, very infrequently.  Would you advise against it?  Im very wary of taking any drugs but Im also in pain from lack of sleep at this point.  I think/assume that part of my current issues is that I stopped taking all of my supplements for the last 2 weeks so we can get baseline labs done.  Luckily, the labs were all done this morning and Im already back on all of my supplements.  Hopefully I'll feel better with the supplements back in my system.  

 

It really is amazing how little celexa the body wants to hang on to!  I can't imagine how it can even detect .05mg... but I guess its been sensitized (I went off too quickly 2 years ago) and theres no turning that around.  

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'd be careful with the Valium. Take as small a dose as possible (try a quarter of a 2 mg tablet).

 

Valium has active metabolites which take several days to clear out and if you take more before that time you can end up with an ongoing constant level of benzodiazepine in your bloodstream, which I would be concerned might cause dependence to develop. It only takes a few weeks of ongoing use to develop dependence on benzos.

 

I find the breakdown products to be actually more sedating than the Valium itself, so when I updose, I really feel the sedation after I've taken it for a couple of days, more than right after I take it. (When I stay on the same dose it's not sedating at all because I've developed tolerance to it.)

 

If it were me I'd stick with once or at most twice a week, and allow at least three days between doses.  And I'd start with a really small amount and work up from there so you're using the minimum effective dose.

 

I've been finding L-ornithine to be helpful for sleep, but like all supplements, that can be really variable for different folks.

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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Thanks so much.  I can't decide to try the valium or go back to what was working a little but before I stopped the supplements (to get new baseline labs).  Part of me just wants to get knocked out.  

I definitely wont take the valium on weekdays when Im working- I'll make that a strict rule.  

 

(As an aside, these injury law firm ads on TV, telling people to call if they had children with birth defects after taking SSRIs during pregnancy KILL me.  So sad.)

2003-2010 up and down 10-40mg celexa for anxiety
2/2011 10mg
8/2011 5mg for 3 wks, then stopped completely.
middle of night waking after apx 1-2 hours of sleep (nightly), panic/jitteriness after waking
11/11 back on 30mg celexa, ambien/many supplements-insomnia/panic.
2/12 30mg celexa, many supplements (Magnesium eliminated morning tight chest/jitteriness). Off ambien!
7/12 20mg
8/12 15 mg(sleep improving,mood pos)
12/12 2.3 mg got liquid celexa!
1/13 2.1 mg
3/13 1.2 mg
4/13 down to .6 too quickly- cortisol spikes, middle of night waking, night sweats...
4/13 held at .6 for 3 weeks so far. Off most supplements as well. Withdrawal depression almost gone!

7/13 OFF OF CELEXA!!!

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