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Rosetta: cold switch May 2011 & too fast taper Feb 2017


Rosetta

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Up again for the second night in a row.  I think I woke up at about 3:00.  Yesterday, it was similar and I was up until 5:30 or 6.

 

I have dystonia from using my hand too much to order Legos.  


Today was much less anxious.  It’s remarkable how calm I felt today compared to the other day when I had a surge of anxiety.
 

I worry a lot when I’m awake in the night.

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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It’s 4:30 a.m.  I’ve been up since about 2:00 maybe.  I have mild akathisia.  I had it when I went to bed, too.  When I woke up, I was afraid, but I know this is just a dysfunction of the cortisol or adrenaline release.  So tiring.  I’ll fall asleep again, eventually.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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Now, it’s almost 6.  Every time I fall asleep, I wake up to a cortisol spike and a hot flash.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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Oh Rosetta, I am really sorry you are going through this.....it sounds so challenging to deal with not only not sleeping but then when you do, the cortisol spikes as well. It will straighten itself out but in the meantime, you are being your usual brave and courageous self to get through it.  I hope things settle soon.  Thinking of you, WR.

-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

 ❤ Sending you lot of love Rosetta  ❤

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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Thank you, Errell and Wantrelief.  I know you are both dealing with your own issues.

 

Yesterday morning, I finally took some Benadryl.  I slept from about 6:30 am until 10, and I was groggy for much of the day.  
 

I went to bed at about 9:30.  I just woke up to a cortisol spike at 12:45 am.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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Another spike at 2:50 am

Hot flash

Then, by 3:00, I’m cold

Not feeling as sick to my stomach as usual

Some akathisia feeling in my limbs and chest.
I’m very tired

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment

I woke up at 7 without a strong spike.  I was cold instead of hot.  Not sweaty.  Perhaps there was no hot flash.  I had been clenching my jaw.  Back to sleep.  I awakened with a stronger spike at 7:20.  Hot flash.  I’m still so tired.  I want to sleep again, but I don’t want to experience another spike.

 

I have been having cramps in my calves the last few nights.  This happened during my last wave.  Potassium deficiency perhaps?

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment

Four wake ups so far.  The first was around 12:30 am, I don’t know the time of the second, and the third was just before 5:00.  That one was the strongest.  The fourth was at 5:45.  That one was not as bad, but I am so, so tired of this.  The third made me sick to my stomach, and so did the fourth one.  The third made my heart ache like it would after I was frightened suddenly.  Exhausting.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Oh dear, these cortisol spikes can really exhaust us !

I'm thinking of you, remember that we are here to support you ❤

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
23 minutes ago, Rosetta said:

Four wake ups so far.  The first was around 12:30 am, I don’t know the time of the second, and the third was just before 5:00.  That one was the strongest.  The fourth was at 5:45.  That one was not as bad, but I am so, so tired of this.  The third made me sick to my stomach, and so did the fourth one.  The third made my heart ache like it would after I was frightened suddenly.  Exhausting.

Rosetta:

 

I'm sorry you are going through this. Like Erell said, they are exhausting!

 

I hope you find some relief soon.

 

Take care,

Frogie xx

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

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Thanks @Frogie @Erell @Elyssa143 @Rabe

You are all so kind to write to me here.  I’m very lonely most of the time.

 

I did have two play dates the last week, and it was nice to talk to another adult besides my husband.  It was exhausting, and I had had little sleep, but it was still nice.  Reminding the kids to stay away from each other is a never ending issue.  It’s like having a toddler again who might hurt a baby if we are not constantly vigilant!  It really is.

 

Last night, I didn’t fall asleep.  Really amazing given his little sleep I have had.  Finally, at 2:00 am, I went to sleep after taking Benadryl, and I didn’t wake up in a cortisol spike.  At one point, I went to the bathroom, but I went right back to sleep.  At about 7:30 a.m, I awakened and anxiety began to build from there.  It was mild, and I have been able to have a normal day thus far.

 

I haven’t been taking supplements, but I’m think about trying magnesium or fish oil.

 

Yes, homeschooling it is for the next month and a half at least.  We have been working on English Language Arts all Sunner to catch up with what we missed last Fall.  We did some writing and research.  (It’s amazing, but kids are taught research in Third Grade.  They aren’t expected to learn it; it’s covered to expose them to the concept.  At this time, I am trying to get through what she missed after the school closed — grammar, phonics, spelling, Latin roots, suffixes, and prefixes.  Very little of that was covered in the “distance learning.”  
 

We have been ignoring math for a couple of months, and getting back to it is painful.    I’m trying to make it fun, but failing, I’m afraid.
 

School starts at the end of August, but we will all be at home until the end of September.  After that, the idea is that half of the kids will go to school for 1/2 of the day, and the other half will go in the afternoon.  I’m trying to “cross that bridge” when I come to it, but I’m sick with fear, frequently, that we will get sick or die if she goes back to school.  I’m not sure what I’ll do if the day comes whf. She’s suppose to go there.  We have the option of staying home, but the school forced us to choose one of the two plans about two weeks ago.  We didn’t want to choose full distance learning for the next 4 months without knowing what the situation might be in late August.  I hope we will stay home until January.
 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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@Rosetta

i understand completely! I’m sorry your having to deal with the school situation as well. We’re doing online too Atleast for the first nine weeks. That’s stressful on top of how I feel already. The inner akasthia has been pretty relentless lately. I do have much better hours and some really good times but then back down again. The suicidal stuff is still here and makes things extremely hard :( I’m scared I won’t make it. The feeling of dread and inner akasthia in my chest is so hard too. I’m sure u can relate. 29 months, really holding onto that 3 year marks as this stuff will improve I pray. I can’t live forever like this. Hugs to u sweet lady, I’m always here to talk!!! I am glad u didn’t have the cortisol morning that’s huge!!!

13 months on 25 mg of sertraline.

Fast taper in march 2018, reinstated 12.5mg

Cold turkey sertraline april 17,2018

Zyprexa 5mg april 17,2018

Zyprexa taper to lamictal May 4-13 (life threatening rash)

Back on zyprexa 5mg for 10days & tapered over 5 weeks.

21 months off sertraline 

19 months off zyprexa

22 months into withdrawl 

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Headache for 3 days.  It finally lessened around 9 o’clock last night.  It’s 4:00 am.  Hot flashes and cortisol spikes keep waking me, over and over.  I’m so tired.  I want to sleep, but . . . This is Hell.  I know it will stop eventually.  I have to keep telling myself that.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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  • Moderator Emeritus
4 hours ago, Rosetta said:

Headache for 3 days.  It finally lessened around 9 o’clock last night.  It’s 4:00 am.  Hot flashes and cortisol spikes keep waking me, over and over.  I’m so tired.  I want to sleep, but . . . This is Hell.  I know it will stop eventually.  I have to keep telling myself that.

It will, it will ! ❤💪

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.

Link to comment

Yes, Errol, it will. @Erell

 

I need to test this idea, but I may have found a solution to cortisol wake ups.  A couple of times, I have placed my shoulder wrap (bead filled heating pad shaped like a rectangle) on my chest.  I did that because my muscles were tense all across my chest (and my shoulders and my neck, my head, my face, etc.).  Last night, I did it to see if the warmth from the pad would help me sleep.  It did.  I don’t know if the weight or the warmth or both helped.  I didn’t have another cortisol wake up.  Oh, if this could be the key!!!

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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@Elyssa143 This is a hard time for you.  Telling you it will end helps very little, I know.  As far as school, after having taught my daughter through akathisia, I do not recommend it.  My anxiety and anger made it all much, much worse.  She didn’t learn much except to hate having me as a teacher.  I’m hoping that your school will do a better job of distance learning than ours did last Spring, and you can leave the teaching up to the teachers.  Depending on the ages of your kids, I can recommend shows on Netflix and Prime that teach a lot in a fun way.

 

Hang in there!

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment

Went to bed late — about 11:00.  Slept most of the night for a change.  Had two strong cortisol spikes this morning.  The kind that make me wake wake up terrified as if I had a very bad dream.  The first was at about 6:30.  I tried to go back to sleep, and I had another at about 7:00.  I decided to get up to avoid a thirds. 
 

I don’t think the weighted heating pad helps.  What a shame.

 

Otherwise, my mental state is not too bad. My days aren’t too bad.  I’m doing ok except for the tiredness and lack of motivation.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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  • Moderator Emeritus
1 hour ago, Rosetta said:

Otherwise, my mental state is not too bad. My days aren’t too bad.  I’m doing ok except for the tiredness and lack of motivation.

 

I'm sorry to hear (read) about the disturbed sleep, but glad to read you're doing ok.

Healing is taking place ☀️

 

I know I'll read your Success Story one day, and can't wait for it 😊

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.

Link to comment

Someday, @Erell.  Someday.
 

I had akathisia yesterday morning after I posted my update.  I had to wait for it to go away before I could be with my family.  Eventually, it did.  On the night last night, I had a cortisol awakening at about 3, but I was able to go back to sleep.   This morning, I had at least 2 before 7 am.  I feel awful when I wake up everyday.  It’s hard to live this way.  It’s hard to believe I’ve been waking up like this for so long.  Once in a while, I wake up feeling ok.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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Hard night. Awake at about 3:00 until about 5:30 or 6 am.  Several cortisol spikes.  Two around 3:00 am.  Two around 5:00 am.  Akathisia today.  It’s almost 3:00 pm, and I still have akathisia.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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  • Mentor

Hi @Rosetta

Sorry to hear about your struggles 

I hope you will get some relief soon.

My best wishes to you🙏
 

 


1999-2020  20 mg Paxil

Bridged with Fluoxetine to help me get off Paxil.

2022 Fluoxetine 15 mg 12/12 14mg 27/12  13mg jan 12mg feb 11mg mars 10mg, 9 mg 8,5 mg 7.6mg 7.0 mg 6,3 mg 5,6 mg 5,0 mg 4,5 mg 4,0 mg 3.6mg 3,2 mg 2,9 mg 2,6 mg 2,3 mg 2,0 mg

 


I am not a medical professional nor is this a medical advice. I only talk from my own experience.

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Hi Rosetta,

I see you’re having hard times. I hope that you will be better soon. You are a strong person, I’m sure you will...

I have a question (maybe I’m ignorant), what does it look like to have cortisol spike? What the symptoms are? I was thinking that I didn’t have it, but I’ve had some hard wake up in the last couple of weeks, with awful nightmares, and I’m questioning myself if it is caused by cortisol spikes. 
Take care of you, dear Rosetta! 
 

Mimi

2008-Today: various ADs, benzos and seroquel , initially for Anxiety Related Insomnia. (Absolutely no other mental issues than simple Insomnia!).

Numerous W/D and C/T of those meds. During those years, my GP diagnosed me with GAD, Depression, etc... It was all W/D related, I know now!

Fall of 2019, after too fast attempt to taper Mirtazapine, put myself in full blown W/D.
February 2020, found SA and staying on 45mg Mirtazapine, waiting for stabilization.

February 2021, I stupidly used some Ativan prn to cope with Mirtazapine W/D symptoms (By far worst mistake of all my life!!).

Became accidentally and rapidly addicted (within 2-3 weeks). Started taper immediately.

Actual medication: Mirtazapine: 40,0mg - holding-
Ativan Taper: Started at 0,29mg march 2021, 03-28 0.28mg/ 04-08 0.27mg/ 04-26 0.25mg/ (...) 10-29 0.18mg/ 04-05-22 0.17mg/ 08-25-22 0.16mg/ 09-15-22 0.15mg/ 10-22-22 0.14mg/…/ 01-12-2023 0.11mg /07-02-2024 switch to 1mg Valium /

14-02-2024 0,9mg Valium.

Supplements: Omega-3, Probiotic.

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Spikes at 12 midnight, 3:00 and again about 3:30.

 

Thank you, @Hanna72

 

@Mimi79 Some are more intense than others.  Tonight they are quite strong.  I wake up afraid as if there was a loud noise or someone attacked me.  My heart is hurting.  It’s being squeezed hard.  Am I having a heart attack?  My stomach feels sick.  It’s that feeling I get if someone tells me really bad news.  It lingers.  So does the heart ache.  I know some sort of hormone like adrenaline has been delivered to both my heart and gut.  I worry  about what this is doing to my body; what long term consequences are there?  
 

Slowly it fades.  I’m tired, even sleepy, but I’m wired at the same time.  I worry about the past, the future, what I have lost, and what I will lose.  It’s very emotional, but also intensely physical.
 

At times the spikes are milder.  I wake up, feel scared for a while, and go back to sleep.  At those times there is no pain in my chest or sickness in my stomach.  There might be hot flashes and cold sweats.  These don’t seem to occur when I feel very sick in the aftermath.  Maybe they do, but not tonight.  
 

I’m afraid to fall back asleep, but I’m so tired I can’t help it.  

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment

It’s 5:44.  I had another spike.  I had finally fallen asleep.  I was up since 3:00.  I’m having daymares again.  The thought of horrible things happening.  Very visual.  I’m sick to my stomach again.  My heart doesn’t hurt too much compared to earlier.  I’m having akathisia again.  My legs are restless, I’m nervous, anxious.  Wishing I had never been born,

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment

I was up from about 3:00 am until about 5:00 am last night after a cortisol spike.  I woke with a cortisol spike at about 6:90, but it wasn’t too harsh.  Then I slept until about 8:00.  No aka, not much anxiety today.  I have restless legs tonight interfering with going to sleep.  I have my heating pad on my legs.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment
  • Altostrata changed the title to Rosetta: Cold Switch May 2011 & too fast taper Feb 2017

How are you, dear Rosetta?

2008-Today: various ADs, benzos and seroquel , initially for Anxiety Related Insomnia. (Absolutely no other mental issues than simple Insomnia!).

Numerous W/D and C/T of those meds. During those years, my GP diagnosed me with GAD, Depression, etc... It was all W/D related, I know now!

Fall of 2019, after too fast attempt to taper Mirtazapine, put myself in full blown W/D.
February 2020, found SA and staying on 45mg Mirtazapine, waiting for stabilization.

February 2021, I stupidly used some Ativan prn to cope with Mirtazapine W/D symptoms (By far worst mistake of all my life!!).

Became accidentally and rapidly addicted (within 2-3 weeks). Started taper immediately.

Actual medication: Mirtazapine: 40,0mg - holding-
Ativan Taper: Started at 0,29mg march 2021, 03-28 0.28mg/ 04-08 0.27mg/ 04-26 0.25mg/ (...) 10-29 0.18mg/ 04-05-22 0.17mg/ 08-25-22 0.16mg/ 09-15-22 0.15mg/ 10-22-22 0.14mg/…/ 01-12-2023 0.11mg /07-02-2024 switch to 1mg Valium /

14-02-2024 0,9mg Valium.

Supplements: Omega-3, Probiotic.

Link to comment
  • ChessieCat changed the title to Rosetta: cold switch May 2011 & too fast taper Feb 2017

I am better.  The cortisol spikes still happen, but they are weaker.  I’m awake for hours perhaps or only 1/2 an hour, but I don’t feel sick to my stomach.  Tonight, I’m having muscle tension, and I’m clenching my jaw.  This is better than what was happening before!

 

@Hanna72 @Mimi79 @Elyssa143 @Frogie @wantrelief Thank you all for being there for me recently.  It was very helpful.  I think I’m in what is a window for me.  It’s still hard, but I’m better.  All my love to you, and I hope you are doing well.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Oh ! I love reading that you're feeling better ! 🤗

Thank you for letting us know !

 

I hope this relief will allow you to rest more 🤗

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.

Link to comment

Thank you, @Erell.  I hope you feel better soon.

 

I’m beginning to think that sugar is a problem.  I’m wondering if I might recover if I stopped eating sugar.  Anything that affects hormones (well, ok, that’s everything), anything that affects hormones to a greater degree, is probably off limits.  Yeah, pretty depressing thought, huh?  But, for me, at this point, it’s worth a shot.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
6 minutes ago, Rosetta said:

 ’m beginning to think that sugar is a problem.  I’m wondering if I might recover if I stopped eating sugar.  Anything that affects hormones (well, ok, that’s everything), anything that affects hormones to a greater degree, is probably off limits.  Yeah, pretty depressing thought, huh?  But, for me, at this point, it’s worth a shot.

 

I definitely think sugar can be a problem : I've noticed that sugar makes me more restless or anxious. And it seems that other folks report that reaction too.

Like with alcohol, once you realise that something isn't good for you, it's definitely worth a shot ☺

My only sugar now is in fresh fruits. 

 

I used to find depressing the fact that I might not be able to drink alcohol again in my life. But now that I value so much my health, it doesn't bother me anymore.

 

Our bodies are beautiful machines and I wanna cherish mine 😉

 

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.

Link to comment
13 hours ago, Erell said:

I used to find depressing the fact that I might not be able to drink alcohol again in my life.

I still find it very hard to not be able to drink a glass of wine, especially when I’m with friends or family. Sometime I put in my glass just a little quantity of wine, like one little sip, just to feel normal in the eyes of people around.  
I really hope that when I will be done with ADs I will be able to drink and eat what I want without any issues! 

2008-Today: various ADs, benzos and seroquel , initially for Anxiety Related Insomnia. (Absolutely no other mental issues than simple Insomnia!).

Numerous W/D and C/T of those meds. During those years, my GP diagnosed me with GAD, Depression, etc... It was all W/D related, I know now!

Fall of 2019, after too fast attempt to taper Mirtazapine, put myself in full blown W/D.
February 2020, found SA and staying on 45mg Mirtazapine, waiting for stabilization.

February 2021, I stupidly used some Ativan prn to cope with Mirtazapine W/D symptoms (By far worst mistake of all my life!!).

Became accidentally and rapidly addicted (within 2-3 weeks). Started taper immediately.

Actual medication: Mirtazapine: 40,0mg - holding-
Ativan Taper: Started at 0,29mg march 2021, 03-28 0.28mg/ 04-08 0.27mg/ 04-26 0.25mg/ (...) 10-29 0.18mg/ 04-05-22 0.17mg/ 08-25-22 0.16mg/ 09-15-22 0.15mg/ 10-22-22 0.14mg/…/ 01-12-2023 0.11mg /07-02-2024 switch to 1mg Valium /

14-02-2024 0,9mg Valium.

Supplements: Omega-3, Probiotic.

Link to comment

Muscle tension is the problem now.  I’m clenching my jaw in my sleep And waking up with pain in my chest, cheeks, and lower jaw.  Could be worse.  It’s not migraine level pain the way it used to be.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

Link to comment

I'm so sorry to hear that. I had a lot of trouble from clenching in my sleep. I ended up having shots of Botox in my masseters, which reduced the amount of damage I could inflict on myself. It helped a lot but took several weeks for the pain in my face to subside. I've always bruxed (at least, so the dentist said) but it was only on SSRIs that it was incredibly painful. Now that my dose is very low, I'm back to my baseline - occasionally I can tell I'm doing it but it never hurts that same way so I've not had to resort to the botox again. If it happened again, I would though - it really helped.

 

Hope it improves soon.

2005 St John's Wort / 2006-2012 Lexapro 20mg, 2 failed attempts to stop, tapered over 4.5 months in early 2012

January 2013 started Sertraline, over time worked up to 100mg

July 2014 Sertraline dropped from 100mg to 75mg, held for six months, slower tapering until 2019 22 Dec 3.2mg

2020 Sertraline 19 Jan 3.1mg, 26 Jan 3.0mg; 1 Mar 2.9, 7 Mar 2.8, May (some drops here) 24 May 2.5, May 29 2.4, June 21 2.3, June 28 2.2mg,  July 4 2.1mg, July 24 (or maybe a bit before) 2mg, early Nov switched to home made suspension; 29 Nov 1.8mg; approx 25 Dec 1.6mg)

2021 Some time in about Jan/Feb realised probably on more like 1.8mg and poss mixing error in making suspension; doses after 10 Feb accurate; 10 Feb 1.6mg; 7 Mar 1.4, continued monthly

10% drops until 1mg, then dropped 0.1mg monthly.

May 2022,0.1mg, now dropping 0.01mg per week

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

My thread here at SA: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1775-bubbles/page/21/

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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@Rosetta

of course, no need to thank me. I am glad you are better! I’m coming up on 30 months this week, definitely having better times but I’m in a wave right now and it’s extremely hard. The suicidal intrusive thoughts the feeling of wanting to die the inner akasthia, it’s horrible. I can’t believe I’m still dealing with the suicidal stuff this far out. I truly hope your big corner is sometime soon!!! Did you still have these feelings and thoughts at my time off? Hugs to you and thank you for always being there for me.

13 months on 25 mg of sertraline.

Fast taper in march 2018, reinstated 12.5mg

Cold turkey sertraline april 17,2018

Zyprexa 5mg april 17,2018

Zyprexa taper to lamictal May 4-13 (life threatening rash)

Back on zyprexa 5mg for 10days & tapered over 5 weeks.

21 months off sertraline 

19 months off zyprexa

22 months into withdrawl 

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@Elyssa143 Oh, it is so hard, isn’t it?  Really life changing.  “This far out.”  Tell me about it.  The amount of time it takes for the brain to change!  I’m not having SI these days.  It’s been a while since that happened.  I think it was within the past 8 months, but I don’t remember exactly when.  It’s in my thread.  It’s amazing for that to be on hiatus.  I forget to be thankful for that, but it is such a change.  Someday, you will see.
 

Hi @bubbles Botox.  I have thought about that.  It scares me, but to not wake up feeling physical distress.  That would be so nice.  I wake in the night with my tongue pressed very hard against my palate. It seems that if I’m having physical issues when I wake in the night I’m not having emotional issues, and vice versa.  Once in a while, I have neither for one day or maybe two if I’m lucky.
 

It doesn’t seem to matter whether I exercised or not.  I think I need to lift weights or do resistance work on the chest and back.  For my jaw, I doubt there’s anything I could do.  Tonight, my right foot is cramping.  My toes, arch.  No headache.  That’s a huge plus.  

 

I’m glad you have seen such improvement, Bubbles.   
 

Yes, @Mimi79, me, too.  Me, too!

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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