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Rabe: how to taper and adjust Viibryd while on Clonazepam


Rabe

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Thank you, Rabe.  Happy new year to you, too.  And warmest wishes for a 2019 that brings more improvement for us all.

 

Take care, have a good day.  Mine is knitting, done a 40 min. walk before it got too hot, and watching soothing videos.

 

Warmest and besets wishes

 

Neroli 💜

2006 Citalopram 20mg on and off to 2013.  April 2013 - July 2014  Sertraline, Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, Mirtazapine v. bad reactions. July 2014 - CT Mirtazapine.  July 2014 - February 2016 Medication free, long term w/d.  February - July 2016 Fluoxetine.  Medication free, long term w/d syndrome.  2017 Jan physical breakdown.

2017 February - March Escitalopram, Nortriptyline instated.  Lorazepam, Zopiclone PRN.  April 2017 Lithium Carbonate 250mg 1 wk. 14 August 2017 finish cross to Diazepam 22.5mg daily, stop Zopiclone

Tapers:

Diazepam 

2017 21 August - 30 Dec 21.25mg to 14.5mg 2018 6 Jan - 11 May to 12mg.  2 June updose to 12.25mg - hold. 2019 (0.5mg cuts) 12 Jan - 28 Dec 12mg to 10mg 2020 (0.25mg cuts) - 25 Jan - 29 Dec 9.75mg to 6.25mg 2021 *May have bungled dose and accidentally took 1mg more for about a month (7.25mg), so 4 Jan started again at 6.5mg; 19 Jan 6.25mg; 1 Feb 6.0mg; 23 Feb 5.75mg; 9 Mar 5.5mg; 23 Mar 5.25mg; 9 Apr 5.0mg; 6 May 4.75mg; 13 May 4.5mg; 6 Jun 4mg; 12 July 3.5mg; 2 sep 3.0mg; 15 Sep 2.5mg; 1 Nov 2mg; 15 Nov 1.5mg; 16 Dec 1mg; 26 Dec 0.5mg; 2022 1 Jan - OFF

Escitalopram - 2022 1 Mar to 9mg; 29 Mar 8mg; 24 May 7mg; 21 Jun 5mg; 19 Jul 4mg; 1 Sep 3mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 31 Oct 1.5mg; 22 Nov 0.5mg; 2023 1 Jan 0.25mg; 1 Mar OFF

Nortriptyline  2018 90mg to 2020 1 Dec down to 72.5mg; 2021 20 May 70mg; 8 Jun 67.5mg; 24 Jun 65mg; 31 July 60mg; 12 Oct 55mg; 23 Oct 50mg; 2022 13 Jan 40mg; 22 Jan 30mg; 29 Mar 20mg; 26 Apr 10mg; 3 Aug 5mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 2023 1 Jan - OFF

 

1 March 2023 - off all drugs - 6-year taper off three drugs.

 

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12/23 6 hour sleep

1000 increased anxiety, passed

1030 to my daughters

1140 Viibryd 9mg with food

140 dizzy, anxious

340 very anxious

530 better

550 Clonazepam .2mg with food

845 Premarin .3mg with food

915 head hot, depressed, feel short of air

950 increased anxiety

1115 head hot, headache, anxious, agitated, feel short of breath

1150 Clonazepam .7mg with milk

1220 better

 

12/24 6 hours sleep

1000 anxious

1030 better

1140 Viibryd 9mg with food

1230 stomach not good

230 went to store

330 walk

400 food

540 Clonazepam .2mg with milk

700 food

810 stomach better, depressed

845 Premarin .3mg with food

1000 not feel well

1130 good

1140 Clonazepam .7mg with milk

1200 bath and bed

 

12/25 6 hours sleep

1000 anxious and sad, such bad thoughts, played computer game and kept seeing words die, dies, died

1030 Tums

1100 yoga

1140 Viibryd 9mg with food, tried Lactaid milk and did not feel good, eyes irritated

1250 head hot, feels hard to get air, heart skipped

230 food

400 nice walk

500 ears ringing so loud, anxious, feel cant get air, chest hot

515 Tums

530 haedache

545 Clonazepam ,2mg with milk

845 Premarin .3mg with food

915 needlepoint

1150 CLonazepam .7mg with milk

 

12/26 6 hours sleep

830 up and nervous, headache

1140 Viibryd 9mg with food

1240 anxiety

140 worse

200 food

215 increased anxiety

230 better, went to store to get a frame for needlepoint

400 nice FT with daughter and grand daughter

500 food, anxious

515 needed food and got to store but very hard

545 CLonazepam .2mg with food

745 depressed, crying, rocking, pacing, SI

830 some better

845 Premarin .3mg with food

1000 anxious

1115 better

1145 Clonazepam .7mg with milk

100 eyes puffy and irritated, tired, to bed after quick bath

 

12/27 5 hours sleep

0900 headache

1100 yoga

1115 my son and his wife came

1140 Viibryd 9mg with food

1230 very anxious, do not feel well

130 way worse, pacing, agitated

200 very anxious

215 food

300 anxious

310 better, chest hot, stomach not good

400 Tums, to store and back

430 stomach hot, head hot

bit of food

500 better

545 Clonazepam .2mg with food

700 tired but anxious

1115 still anxious...been anxious, pacing, depressed, crying all day

1145 Clonazepam .7mg with milk

1200 bath and to bed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

700

 

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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12/28 slept on and off, up hot and sweaty, anxious

1100 yoga

1145 Viibryd 9mg with food

1230 tried to go to my daughters and had to come back

1245 meditation and short walk

130 back in car and drove to my daughters

245 increased anxiety

underlying anxiety all day 

830 played Pinochle

1000 anxiety worse

1130 talked with Nina...she has had to step back she said because she does not understand what is going on

1230 to bed in their living room 

 

12/29 slept bout 6 hours

730 up

830 chatted with everyone...so nice not to be alone

930 headed back when my son and his wife left

1030 stopped and got some groceries at organic market

1140 Viibryd 9mg with food

115 tired, stomach bad

240 heart skips, anxious, passed

300 stomach hot and unsettled

315 Tumes

330 better

415 walked a block

430 increased anxiety

445 tired

540 CLonazepam .2mg with food

615 increased anxiety, head hot

800 better

845 Premarin .3mg with food

nervous until 1115

1115 yoga

1145 Clonazepam ,7mg with milk

1200 bath and to bed

 

12/30 about 6 hours, slept well

1000 anxious, meditation

1045 better

1140 Viibryd 9mg with food

140 increased anxiety

215 to store

245 increased anxiety

300 better, food

315 longer walk

515 errand, irritated, short temper, anxious

540 Clonazepam .2mg with milk

800 smoothie of salad things...sat in my stomach

840 Premarin .3mg with food

1040 anxious, head hot, eyes irritated, feel hard to breath

1130 better

1140 Clonazepam .7mg with little food

100 to bed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts or experience with this:

I have had this on and off with the Clonazepam since tapering...I am fine before and then soon after taking get suddenly dizzy, short of air, head so hot, agitated.  It scares me so when it happens and I feel I dont want to take it again.  

The only thing different today was that I did not take any Tums except for a small bite after the Premarin and food. I just felt so so awful after taking it today....anxiety after the Viibryd is one thing but this really upends me.  

Thank you for any experiences or knowledge or thoughts.  I dont want to take the evening dose...though it seems to happen mostly with the afternoon dose.  Would like to see that go because of this. 

Thank you again. 

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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The only other thing I notice is I seem to be very dry when this happens after taking it and my eyes and under lower lip puffy and just pale and not well.  

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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12/31 6 hours

830 up, felt good

1030 anxious

1140 Viibryd 9mg with food

1230 did not go to my daughters....weather

130 food

140 anxious

400 head hot, cold, food

430 better, FT with daughter and grand daughter for over half hour...very nice

540 Clonazepam .2mg with food

600 sudden dizziness, cold, feel short of breath, head so hot, agitated

630 heart skipped bit, headache, skin dry

720 so tired, stomach gurgling

740 better, bite of Tums

930  head still hot and headache 

1100 better

1140 Clonazepam .7mg with milk and bit food

130 to bed

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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Many mornings I feel hung over....like I did when drinking...headache, side hurts, thirsty, my ladder is so sore and irritated....

Praying the Clonazepam goes better today.  

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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Rabe, I suspect it's not the C that you are reacting to.  My first thought is that you would react every time if it was, but that's not necessarily true.  Your system isn't operating normally.  It could be more sensitive to a particular substance at one time and not another.  However, I still wonder if there is some other reason.  Maybe just WD.  You are in tolerance always with the benzo, and the windows and waves are continuous.  Can you think of any other thing that you ingest or even breathe that could be involved?  Where did you go before the reaction, etc.. Maybe if you track everything for a few days you will find that there is something you breathe -- car exhaust, air freshener, something like 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

Hi Rabe, 

 

I just wanted to pop by and say you are such a sweetheart. You send the most encouraging messages to different ones on this site. It is much appreciated. I’m sorry you’re struggling so much, I wish I could take your pain away. 

 

Thanks for all the times you have interacted with me as well. 

 

Wishing you all the best in your recovery 💚💚💚

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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@Carmie  Oh Carmie..thank you so much for stopping by!  I am so sorry you are still so bed bound.  You DEFinitely are a tribute to the quote you shared.  To be so immobile and yet find so much to occupy your time and mind is a true testament to who you are....such a bright light, Carmie.  Thank you for all you share and all the support you have given and continue to give.  I am so grateful you are here!!  HUGS for YOU Carmie!!💜

 

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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@Rosetta Rosetta I feel so badly...I missed your post!  UGH! until now...I didnt get a notice I dont think.

Thank you SO much for your thoughts.  They helped lots!   I just am so leery of the C now.  I started reacting to it when tapering at home...ended up with asthma in ER...it was after the repeat of using the dissolvable Klonopin that didnt agree the first time...after the second time I started reacting to the C, PPI, whole works.  Eventually things settled but it returns and it sure feels awful when it does.  I had been good all day, had just FT'd with my daughter, had some food and took it and 20 minutes later I felt like I was going to die and looked like it.  Its so odd.

But what you have said makes sense and I do keep a journal of what I do and where I go and what I eat...maybe its food.  But I can eat so little as it is.  Or maybe it si the WD and my system not doing well with it at certain times. IDK.

Thank you for mentioning tolerance which I dont really understand and dont understand in r/t things like this.  I just googled it ..... THATS scary!!😢   I didnt respond to premedication for procedures after a number of years...but I had no idea what was going on.  And I had and have so many odd things not right that no one could/can figure out...makes me very sad to think that this drug is the cause of so much.  

I know neither of them help my stomach. I read the other day that Viibryd can make IBS worse because of the serotonin receptors in the gut.....thought well, double whammy on that one with the GABA and Serotonin receptors all trying to adjust. 🙄  And everytime I have tapered things flare up again....but the tapering was too fast.  I would like to get back to that soon...well 'like' maybe replace with need.  🤔

I am thinking about getting the stomach and all checked...just so dont want the medications for that.  But think it is time.  If there is something there that would explain a lot as well.

Thank you so SO much again Rosetta.  You always make things clearer for me and I am grateful!!  Thinking about you lots, as always.  Hoping the heat is helping your muscles! 💜 

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

Link to comment

Hello Rabe

 

Responding to your comment on Carmie's thread, and having looked at your symptom diaries above, I would definitely say you are doing your best to lead as normal a life as possible.  Beats me how you manage to do things like drive to your daughter's, have them round for a visit etc.  when the effects the drugs are having on you are  so constant, uncomfortable (too mild a word?) and wearing.

 

You keep on going and you keep on sending encouraging messages to other people - that's heaps.  

 

I think WD/CNS damage gets me flustered because of all the messages I get from other people who keep on suggesting ways to get past it (people who have no idea what it is or what it's like) by pushing on through.  Like, I mentioned to a friend that I had managed to ride my bike round the block and suddenly, with great hope in her voice, it was suggested that I might be able to do 15 mins a day and that would help my legs.  I know everyone means well but I also know from experience that pushing these leg muscles does not make them better - it's not a case of strengthening them up, it's a CNS damage issue which keeps them in a constant state of feeling like I've hiked 9 hours over hilly terrain.  Pushing them does not make them any better and can leave me with fallout for a few days.  Believe me, if I thought going for a run would help, I would be out there every day.  It's just not possible at the moment.   I sometimes wish I'd had my legs amputated in an accident (no I don't really) because then people would see a physical ramification of why my legs don't work properly.  I just wish they'd shut up - because I haven't integrated the manifestations of this condition with my own sense of not trying hard enough - so it hits a raw nerve and I feel anger, frustration and kind of backed into a corner.  I should never tell them things I have achieved - then I won't have to face my own sense of fear of not achieving more when their eyes light up and they suggest a "rehabilitation programme". 

 

That's a bit of a rant.  Probably because I didn't go out for a walk today and have rested with knitting and colouring and listening to "spiritual" videos - so I'm guilty that I didn't even walk round the block.

 

Well, to bring things back down to earth a bit, I do hope you get some relief from the stomach issues.   it may be a good idea to get the stomach checked out, to eliminate any other things that might be going on - but I understand you not wanting any more medications (and I wouldn't take any anyway, the Doc. gave me Ranitidine for acid reflux, haven't touched them, don't want something else upsetting the apple car..  I use bicarb in water instead).

 

Wishing you the best

 

Neroli 💜

 

 

 

 

2006 Citalopram 20mg on and off to 2013.  April 2013 - July 2014  Sertraline, Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, Mirtazapine v. bad reactions. July 2014 - CT Mirtazapine.  July 2014 - February 2016 Medication free, long term w/d.  February - July 2016 Fluoxetine.  Medication free, long term w/d syndrome.  2017 Jan physical breakdown.

2017 February - March Escitalopram, Nortriptyline instated.  Lorazepam, Zopiclone PRN.  April 2017 Lithium Carbonate 250mg 1 wk. 14 August 2017 finish cross to Diazepam 22.5mg daily, stop Zopiclone

Tapers:

Diazepam 

2017 21 August - 30 Dec 21.25mg to 14.5mg 2018 6 Jan - 11 May to 12mg.  2 June updose to 12.25mg - hold. 2019 (0.5mg cuts) 12 Jan - 28 Dec 12mg to 10mg 2020 (0.25mg cuts) - 25 Jan - 29 Dec 9.75mg to 6.25mg 2021 *May have bungled dose and accidentally took 1mg more for about a month (7.25mg), so 4 Jan started again at 6.5mg; 19 Jan 6.25mg; 1 Feb 6.0mg; 23 Feb 5.75mg; 9 Mar 5.5mg; 23 Mar 5.25mg; 9 Apr 5.0mg; 6 May 4.75mg; 13 May 4.5mg; 6 Jun 4mg; 12 July 3.5mg; 2 sep 3.0mg; 15 Sep 2.5mg; 1 Nov 2mg; 15 Nov 1.5mg; 16 Dec 1mg; 26 Dec 0.5mg; 2022 1 Jan - OFF

Escitalopram - 2022 1 Mar to 9mg; 29 Mar 8mg; 24 May 7mg; 21 Jun 5mg; 19 Jul 4mg; 1 Sep 3mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 31 Oct 1.5mg; 22 Nov 0.5mg; 2023 1 Jan 0.25mg; 1 Mar OFF

Nortriptyline  2018 90mg to 2020 1 Dec down to 72.5mg; 2021 20 May 70mg; 8 Jun 67.5mg; 24 Jun 65mg; 31 July 60mg; 12 Oct 55mg; 23 Oct 50mg; 2022 13 Jan 40mg; 22 Jan 30mg; 29 Mar 20mg; 26 Apr 10mg; 3 Aug 5mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 2023 1 Jan - OFF

 

1 March 2023 - off all drugs - 6-year taper off three drugs.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
19 hours ago, Rabe said:

@ShepYes that is it....

If you have time Shep could you read something on my thread?  Thank you.  Happy New Year to you.

 

Rabe, I saw this on Hibari's benzo thread. 

 

On 12/31/2018 at 10:45 PM, Rabe said:

I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts or experience with this:

I have had this on and off with the Clonazepam since tapering...I am fine before and then soon after taking get suddenly dizzy, short of air, head so hot, agitated.  It scares me so when it happens and I feel I dont want to take it again.  

The only thing different today was that I did not take any Tums except for a small bite after the Premarin and food. I just felt so so awful after taking it today....anxiety after the Viibryd is one thing but this really upends me.  

Thank you for any experiences or knowledge or thoughts.  I dont want to take the evening dose...though it seems to happen mostly with the afternoon dose.  Would like to see that go because of this. 

Thank you again. 

 

Is this the post you are referring to? 

 

If so, Rosetta's post here was spot on. 

 

 

19 hours ago, Rabe said:

Many mornings I feel hung over....like I did when drinking...headache, side hurts, thirsty, my ladder is so sore and irritated....

Praying the Clonazepam goes better today.  

 

 

If you have a history of drinking, your nervous system may be more sensitive. Alcohol and benzos both affect GABA receptors, as well as the central nervous system. Dr. David Healy refers to benzos as "alcohol in a pill". So even though you are no longer drinking, you may be more sensitive to this entire process due to any previous damage. 

 

It's good to be aware of this so you can accept these upticks of symptoms without trying to trace it to this drug or that drug and simply understand that you have a severely compromised nervous system and focus on doing a slow taper so you can finally free your mind/body of these drugs and go into the space of healing. 

 

 

 

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@Shep I wanted to say thank you....what you said makes sense and, yes, Rosetta's post was so so helpful as always as well.  I did do some reading on tolerance which was more enlightening than I would have thought.  I think it is why this whole chain of life events started after my accident with pain meds and surgery with pain meds and 2 procedures with meds...I was manic etc and looking back not at all in my right mind...

 

1 hour ago, Shep said:

Dr. David Healy refers to benzos as "alcohol in a pill". So even though you are no longer drinking, you may be more sensitive to this entire process due to any previous damage. 

 

Could I please ask Shep, so even if the drinking was stopped almost 40 years ago it could still affect things now?

So the 'previous damage'  can be damage done at any amount of time ago?

I will say that I did not drink for very long before my liver enzymes were high and I was not well...my body didnt like it and it let me know.  I stopped and sought support and have followed that all these years.  

I was saying to Rosetta that after I read about tolerance I thought of when I would go to get my procedures and I dont know when it started but at some point they had given me the max of the drug (valium?...which I never did well with in pill form) and I was no where near asleep...I wish I would have known then what I know now.  And there have been so many other odd things with my system....

Thank you again Shep.  

1 hour ago, Shep said:

It's good to be aware of this so you can accept these upticks of symptoms without trying to trace it to this drug or that drug and simply understand that you have a severely compromised nervous system and focus on doing a slow taper so you can finally free your mind/body of these drugs and go into the space of healing. 

A space of healing sounds like the best gift. I would like that.

Bless you Shep and wishing you many more in this New Year.  Thank you for this information.  I will read more of what I can find.  I am grateful!💜

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

Link to comment

@Shep  Given  the Viibryd does not seem to affect me as severely as the benzo...should the C be tapered first even tho it helps sleep?  When the doctor asked me which one I thought was the bigger problem it was an easy answer physically..the V just has lots of emotional things attached d/t treatment in treatment.  

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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  • Moderator Emeritus
12 minutes ago, Rabe said:

should the C be tapered first even tho it helps sleep? 

 

Are you going to be able to function without sleep? 

 

28 minutes ago, Rabe said:

Could I please ask Shep, so even if the drinking was stopped almost 40 years ago it could still affect things now?

 

Thank you for placing a timeline in this. Hopefully it won't be a factor.  Sounds like you went from alcohol to psych drugs, so it may be a matter of learning to self-soothe without relying on any form of chemical numbing, whether alcohol or psych drugs. 

 

 

 

 

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@Rabe It looks like you’re having quite a go of it right now. I hope you’re finding some things to do to distract your mind from all of the symptoms. I’m really appreciative that one thing you do is jump over to my thread and give encouraging words. You are so kind even in the midst of all of this!

 

hugs!!!!!!  Sheera 

Started Lamictal and Brintellix in November 2015

May 2016 Discontinued Lamictal 100 to 50 and then stopped completely.

October 20, 2016 discontinued Brintellex 10 to 5 then went from 5 to 0 on November 10, 2016.

 

Currently off all antidepressants

 

Current Supplements:  L-Theanine, Natural Progesterone, L-Methylfolate, Vitamin D, Omega-3's, Probiotic

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Hello Rabe

 

Hope your day/night (I don't know whether you are in day or night at the moment) is ok.  Still getting the meds. sorted.  I stopped drinking 8 years ago, before all this med. damage happened (3 years later when I'd been mashed by swapping a-ds a number of times, on Docs. advice).  I never thought the system sensitivity had anything to do with the alcohol cessation and still don't, there was just too much time passed before the drugs fiasco.  I believe my sensitivity is all drug related.

 

Wishing you the best.

 

Neroli 💜

2006 Citalopram 20mg on and off to 2013.  April 2013 - July 2014  Sertraline, Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, Mirtazapine v. bad reactions. July 2014 - CT Mirtazapine.  July 2014 - February 2016 Medication free, long term w/d.  February - July 2016 Fluoxetine.  Medication free, long term w/d syndrome.  2017 Jan physical breakdown.

2017 February - March Escitalopram, Nortriptyline instated.  Lorazepam, Zopiclone PRN.  April 2017 Lithium Carbonate 250mg 1 wk. 14 August 2017 finish cross to Diazepam 22.5mg daily, stop Zopiclone

Tapers:

Diazepam 

2017 21 August - 30 Dec 21.25mg to 14.5mg 2018 6 Jan - 11 May to 12mg.  2 June updose to 12.25mg - hold. 2019 (0.5mg cuts) 12 Jan - 28 Dec 12mg to 10mg 2020 (0.25mg cuts) - 25 Jan - 29 Dec 9.75mg to 6.25mg 2021 *May have bungled dose and accidentally took 1mg more for about a month (7.25mg), so 4 Jan started again at 6.5mg; 19 Jan 6.25mg; 1 Feb 6.0mg; 23 Feb 5.75mg; 9 Mar 5.5mg; 23 Mar 5.25mg; 9 Apr 5.0mg; 6 May 4.75mg; 13 May 4.5mg; 6 Jun 4mg; 12 July 3.5mg; 2 sep 3.0mg; 15 Sep 2.5mg; 1 Nov 2mg; 15 Nov 1.5mg; 16 Dec 1mg; 26 Dec 0.5mg; 2022 1 Jan - OFF

Escitalopram - 2022 1 Mar to 9mg; 29 Mar 8mg; 24 May 7mg; 21 Jun 5mg; 19 Jul 4mg; 1 Sep 3mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 31 Oct 1.5mg; 22 Nov 0.5mg; 2023 1 Jan 0.25mg; 1 Mar OFF

Nortriptyline  2018 90mg to 2020 1 Dec down to 72.5mg; 2021 20 May 70mg; 8 Jun 67.5mg; 24 Jun 65mg; 31 July 60mg; 12 Oct 55mg; 23 Oct 50mg; 2022 13 Jan 40mg; 22 Jan 30mg; 29 Mar 20mg; 26 Apr 10mg; 3 Aug 5mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 2023 1 Jan - OFF

 

1 March 2023 - off all drugs - 6-year taper off three drugs.

 

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@Shep

5 hours ago, Shep said:

Are you going to be able to function without sleep? 

When I look back in my journal after the rapid C taper it was mostly my stomach, inability to eat anything, substantial weight, muscle and fat loss and the electrolytes, though sleep was affected too. Most are better...GI and ability to eat remain.

6 hours ago, Shep said:

Thank you for placing a timeline in this. Hopefully it won't be a factor.  Sounds like you went from alcohol to psych drugs, so it may be a matter of learning to self-soothe without relying on any form of chemical numbing, whether alcohol or psych drugs. 

 

I quit alcohol but the panic attacks that I had for as long as can remember just never stopped...so tried various treatments and coping skills but none were effective so Im thinking mid 80's? tried various SSRIs and finally the C.  As I have been thinking back since you and Rosetta posted, it was not a good choice given didnt tolerate the Valium, and I have been in tolerance I think for quite some time but clueless.

Being on the drugs is scary...the tapering is as well, mainly because it is a total system affect and I just stop thriving, and right now Im still not thriving so well as it is.

Thank you so very much again Shep fo your thoughts.  I am truly grateful!!  Take care!💜

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

Link to comment

@Shep Wanted to apologize for rambling...this mind of mine!  🙄

Probably would not do well for long time without sleep...but biggest issue has been GI...know can be related to the meds as welll

 

Glad I could help with a timeline and thank you for your thoughts of the ETOH not being an issue...nice to hear!! Take care!💜

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

Link to comment

@Sheera Thank you Sheera!  I stopped by your thread.  Been thinking about you!💜

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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@neroli Boy do I understand others wanting you to do more if you manage to do anything.  May family is number one in line and it feels bad but I also understand comes from a place of need, fear, and lack of knowledge.  My daughter is always wanting me to babysit or take the dog while they vacation...I would never put any child or animal in the position of needing me to a credit for them when most days I can hardly care for myself.  It is not a matter of WANTing to to do those things, but rather of not wanting to to ever jeopardize their safety in any way.  But that is not understood either.  All I hear is the need for them to take a step back...for themselves...and when and if I am able to join in then thats fine.  I understand that as well...everyone has battle fatigue everywhere with this syndrome it seems.

SO glad in the midst of all the expectations you continue to take good care of yourself Neroli!!  💜

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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Thank you, Rabe.  You "get it".  I am meeting a walking partner for a walk tomorrow morning, which will be a bit of a test (again!) as I've rested for two days.  Hoping it's ok because on Monday I start back at the office and want to feel that I will be up to it.  There is heat over here at the moment, which does not help.

 

I may have had a day like you feel right now - one of those not so good ones.  Hang in there, I'm there with you on that.

 

So, 2019 and all sorts of reduction plans in my head - which one to reduce, which one is causing the most issues, which one can I reduce without too much unsettling of the CNS, which one might be best to get off for my legs?  Questions, questions - and I can't answer them.  I just think it's going to be slow, slow, slow for all of them and that is going to take years.  In the end, like Shep suggests, it's hardly worth all the questioning about which drug is doing what and I have to accept that my CNS is very disabled.  The only answer is slow.

 

It's hard for you with your family - families are a mish-mash of ups and downs anyway, all the more highlighted by the WD effects.  So sorry about that.

 

I do hope you get some good moments.  I think my good moment today was forcing myself to the post office to send off a couple of thank you cards, and waiting in a long line to do it (not retreating and thinking I couldn't wait that long).  So, one errand done. :)

 

Thinking of you

 

Neroli 💜

 

 

2006 Citalopram 20mg on and off to 2013.  April 2013 - July 2014  Sertraline, Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, Mirtazapine v. bad reactions. July 2014 - CT Mirtazapine.  July 2014 - February 2016 Medication free, long term w/d.  February - July 2016 Fluoxetine.  Medication free, long term w/d syndrome.  2017 Jan physical breakdown.

2017 February - March Escitalopram, Nortriptyline instated.  Lorazepam, Zopiclone PRN.  April 2017 Lithium Carbonate 250mg 1 wk. 14 August 2017 finish cross to Diazepam 22.5mg daily, stop Zopiclone

Tapers:

Diazepam 

2017 21 August - 30 Dec 21.25mg to 14.5mg 2018 6 Jan - 11 May to 12mg.  2 June updose to 12.25mg - hold. 2019 (0.5mg cuts) 12 Jan - 28 Dec 12mg to 10mg 2020 (0.25mg cuts) - 25 Jan - 29 Dec 9.75mg to 6.25mg 2021 *May have bungled dose and accidentally took 1mg more for about a month (7.25mg), so 4 Jan started again at 6.5mg; 19 Jan 6.25mg; 1 Feb 6.0mg; 23 Feb 5.75mg; 9 Mar 5.5mg; 23 Mar 5.25mg; 9 Apr 5.0mg; 6 May 4.75mg; 13 May 4.5mg; 6 Jun 4mg; 12 July 3.5mg; 2 sep 3.0mg; 15 Sep 2.5mg; 1 Nov 2mg; 15 Nov 1.5mg; 16 Dec 1mg; 26 Dec 0.5mg; 2022 1 Jan - OFF

Escitalopram - 2022 1 Mar to 9mg; 29 Mar 8mg; 24 May 7mg; 21 Jun 5mg; 19 Jul 4mg; 1 Sep 3mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 31 Oct 1.5mg; 22 Nov 0.5mg; 2023 1 Jan 0.25mg; 1 Mar OFF

Nortriptyline  2018 90mg to 2020 1 Dec down to 72.5mg; 2021 20 May 70mg; 8 Jun 67.5mg; 24 Jun 65mg; 31 July 60mg; 12 Oct 55mg; 23 Oct 50mg; 2022 13 Jan 40mg; 22 Jan 30mg; 29 Mar 20mg; 26 Apr 10mg; 3 Aug 5mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 2023 1 Jan - OFF

 

1 March 2023 - off all drugs - 6-year taper off three drugs.

 

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@neroli Good for you that you are meeting for a walk!!  Do be careful in the heat...perhaps take some water with some electrolytes mixed in be in milk, or coconut water, or gatorade, or pedialyte...something.  Hope it goes well for you Neroli.  If it is a bit much you do have the weekend before work again Monday.  Let me know!  Cheering for you!!👍

I didnt really have a bad day except for my stomach feeling it is on fire the minute I started eating this morning .... and continued all day.  I am going to make myself make an appt for those tests.  I did get out and run a couple errands and that was it...fixed the bird feeders for my buddies.  It snowed today and I was just fine hankering down.  Tried my new bread maker but forgot to put in hot water...so didnt rise as should have and the crust was really hard.  I munched on it a bit but threw the rest and will try again.  I thought it probably was for best as I love bread and might have eaten more than I ought which would not have helped my stomach I dont think.

IM grateful for a day without such debilitating anxiety and all throughout ... so there are rainbows.  Wishing you many of them Hibari.  You are so special!  Blessing and hugs to you!💜 

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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  • Moderator Emeritus

 

15 hours ago, Rabe said:

When I look back in my journal after the rapid C taper it was mostly my stomach, inability to eat anything, substantial weight, muscle and fat loss and the electrolytes, though sleep was affected too. Most are better...GI and ability to eat remain.

 

A rapid benzo taper could definitely cause stomach issues, but that's related more to the rapid taper than to the benzo itself. 

 

Viibryd has a half-life between 20–24 hours, and reaches peak plasma concentrations at 3.7–5.3 hours, so some of your GI symptoms could also be a side effect of Viibryd, which is an antidepressant known for causing GI distress. 

 

Viibryd - Side Effects

 

The top 4 side effects are:

  • diarrhea,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting, and
  • sleep problems (insomnia)

 

 

 

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Rabe—hope you are getting some relief from your stomach issues. Homemade bread sounds delicious—the smell alone is worth it. It’s so comforting!  I’m glad your anxiety took a break—wonderful for you!

 

hugs—-Sheera

Started Lamictal and Brintellix in November 2015

May 2016 Discontinued Lamictal 100 to 50 and then stopped completely.

October 20, 2016 discontinued Brintellex 10 to 5 then went from 5 to 0 on November 10, 2016.

 

Currently off all antidepressants

 

Current Supplements:  L-Theanine, Natural Progesterone, L-Methylfolate, Vitamin D, Omega-3's, Probiotic

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18 hours ago, Shep said:

A rapid benzo taper could definitely cause stomach issues, but that's related more to the rapid taper than to the benzo itself. 

It started in the hospital after the rapid taper...I thought it was the food and told the doctor I had to leave and go back and get some good food! 🙄  How could the doctor and staff and myself be so clueless to all of this?  

 

18 hours ago, Shep said:

Viibryd has a half-life between 20–24 hours, and reaches peak plasma concentrations at 3.7–5.3 hours, so some of your GI symptoms could also be a side effect of Viibryd, which is an antidepressant known for causing GI distress. 

I had GI issues after starting it...so bad that I was incontinent...just water.  I didnt know the above...I told the doctor and told the nurse and no one said or did a thing.  It is hard not to be angry at things like this.  Being a rapid metabolizer the 3.7-5.3 hours is enlightening in that the uptick in anxiety and then way uptick would coincide with those times I think? 

Thank you again Shep for all you have sent.  I am grateful.  

On 1/2/2019 at 4:35 AM, Shep said:

It's good to be aware of this so you can accept these upticks of symptoms without trying to trace it to this drug or that drug and simply understand that you have a severely compromised nervous system and focus on doing a slow taper so you can finally free your mind/body of these drugs and go into the space of healing. 

 

Shep I feel someone has pulled up the shades in the past few days .... I dont know why things really hit me but they have.  It started with Rosettas post to me and then yours that followed.  And Rosettas re tolerance which I looked up but did not understand in terms of ongoing WD and how it affects tapering.  I better understand now all the weird symptoms and medical problems I have had for years...high cortisol, auto immune issues, no sweating then sweating buckets, low BP, sensitivities to so much, blood sugar fluctuations, not being sedated when given max of valium for a procedure, GI..and it goes on.  

I have spent so much time trying to control what has been going on because I never connected things to the C....and those attempts to control have continued now because I dont think I had really made the connection because much has been similar to what I dealt with for so long...and I wasnt tapering in those years.  And anticipating the worst that has occurred all the time as there is never a stretch of the same.  

I am understanding not just how unstable I am now but how unstable I have been for quite a number of years perhaps. My psych doctor and PCP both knew about all the odd things and I was told they were somatic.  But that's not true if Im understanding now.  

In treatment the other doctor said you probably get anxious later in the day and I said how did you know...he said because you are withdrawing...he wanted me to take more C, I didnt do that.  I said how can I be withdrawing when I am not tapering? He just stared at me.  I am embarrassed to be a nurse and know nothing about what has been going on now and for so long.

I feel very lost right now...I dont know what to do next in light of all I have gleaned past few days and given my doctors stance...talk about feeling stuck!  

Thank you again for everything you have shared...I am so so grateful...and grateful my mind has been clearer the past couple days so as to understand better. Take care Shep.  💜

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

Link to comment

I tried hard today not to let my anticipatory fears and anxiety get the best of me and spiral down.  I got up and said just do one thing at a time.  Wash you hair, get ready, pack some food, if you dont feel like going you can always not go...but start somewhere.  So I did.

I did head out to my daughters this morning, took the V on the way. It was an ok drive.  We had a nice day...my anxiety was minimal...we got outside, I made a very small snowman for my grand daughter, helped with her bath and meals...then my anxiety upticks were worse as usual later in afternoon and that in addition to my concerns about taking the Clonazepam, driving in the dark, and 5:00 traffic led me to leave...but I was there over 4 hours.  The trip back was not as easy as going over, but better than the last time which was panicky.  I feel very grateful for a day with a bit of a window...tonight is not as easy....but thats ok...better than other way around.  

I want to say thank you to everyone here.  I have come to understand more and better about the tapering. WD, tolerance and so much more the past few days...I dont know why some things finally really sunk in....but I am grateful for that as well.  Thank you Rosetta and Shep for your time, information, support, patience these past days...I am grateful...I just am understanding some things far better which is good....but it also has left me feeling very lost wondering how and where to go from here.  Some fear but thats ok too...and lots overwhelmed and taken aback by all that has come to light.  

It is scary to think I have been in WD for quite a number of years I believe, as I look back.  Just to be addicted to something is scary...well 2 now.  It is hard to believe I have been a nurse for so many years and had zero knowledge of all this!  I just trusted the doctors, maybe because I am always so careful with my patients and never give a med I have not looked up and checked interactions for etc, my father was a doctor, my brother is a doctor and I trust them....so I just trusted and it has led me to where I am.  That has changed.

My doctor gave me an rx at my last visit for 8.75 of the V because he feels I am not moving forward so he will....and so he did....says I am stuck and he is helping me.  He was busy, not in great mood, but because of those he handed me the rx rather than faxing it as he usually does, thank goodness.  I was able to call the pharmacy and get one more refill sent to me of the 9mg.  I am asking for some guidance please as to what to do next seeing as how I am in ongoing WD from the C.  Do I try to better stabilize or is that something that will not happen because of the C?  

Also, I have continued to play with my scale and my concern is that I took one capsule and weigh it at different times and days and it is rarely the same.  I have the Gemini 20 and I am wondering if I am doing something wrong or if anyone has any input on that?  I have read the information I can find. 

Thank you again to everyone here.  As lost as I feel I also feel a small door has opened.  I hope so.  I am so grateful for this site and for everyone on it!!  Blessings and love!! 💜    

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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Hello Rabe

 

It seems all sorts of light bulbs are going on for you at the moment as you find out more about the meds.  I hope you can work out how you want to proceed, it is a conundrum, one that I am mulling over as well.  I mentioned it in my previous message above.  I'm sure you will work out a way.  My thoughts are with you.

 

I did go for the walk - before it got too hot.  Legs have been at about a 7 today but I'm strangely not worrying about them.  Must be just that I subconsciously hit "pause" on that for a while.

 

Got the fan on in the bedroom now, curtains drawn even though it's light outside.  I go to bed at 7pm usually, I've had enough of the day by then, and given that I cannot rest and relax when I wake and I get up at 5.45, I settle to sleep at 9pm.  I'm astounded by how late you can stay up.  Even I stayed up later, it would still be 5.45 when I get up, I've tried having later nights and all that happens is I feel wiped out the next day.

 

Anyway, hoping you're getting by ok.

 

Big thoughts for improvement being sent your way ....

 

Neroli 💜

 

 

2006 Citalopram 20mg on and off to 2013.  April 2013 - July 2014  Sertraline, Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, Mirtazapine v. bad reactions. July 2014 - CT Mirtazapine.  July 2014 - February 2016 Medication free, long term w/d.  February - July 2016 Fluoxetine.  Medication free, long term w/d syndrome.  2017 Jan physical breakdown.

2017 February - March Escitalopram, Nortriptyline instated.  Lorazepam, Zopiclone PRN.  April 2017 Lithium Carbonate 250mg 1 wk. 14 August 2017 finish cross to Diazepam 22.5mg daily, stop Zopiclone

Tapers:

Diazepam 

2017 21 August - 30 Dec 21.25mg to 14.5mg 2018 6 Jan - 11 May to 12mg.  2 June updose to 12.25mg - hold. 2019 (0.5mg cuts) 12 Jan - 28 Dec 12mg to 10mg 2020 (0.25mg cuts) - 25 Jan - 29 Dec 9.75mg to 6.25mg 2021 *May have bungled dose and accidentally took 1mg more for about a month (7.25mg), so 4 Jan started again at 6.5mg; 19 Jan 6.25mg; 1 Feb 6.0mg; 23 Feb 5.75mg; 9 Mar 5.5mg; 23 Mar 5.25mg; 9 Apr 5.0mg; 6 May 4.75mg; 13 May 4.5mg; 6 Jun 4mg; 12 July 3.5mg; 2 sep 3.0mg; 15 Sep 2.5mg; 1 Nov 2mg; 15 Nov 1.5mg; 16 Dec 1mg; 26 Dec 0.5mg; 2022 1 Jan - OFF

Escitalopram - 2022 1 Mar to 9mg; 29 Mar 8mg; 24 May 7mg; 21 Jun 5mg; 19 Jul 4mg; 1 Sep 3mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 31 Oct 1.5mg; 22 Nov 0.5mg; 2023 1 Jan 0.25mg; 1 Mar OFF

Nortriptyline  2018 90mg to 2020 1 Dec down to 72.5mg; 2021 20 May 70mg; 8 Jun 67.5mg; 24 Jun 65mg; 31 July 60mg; 12 Oct 55mg; 23 Oct 50mg; 2022 13 Jan 40mg; 22 Jan 30mg; 29 Mar 20mg; 26 Apr 10mg; 3 Aug 5mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 2023 1 Jan - OFF

 

1 March 2023 - off all drugs - 6-year taper off three drugs.

 

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oh, I just read your latest post.  good to hear that you managed to get over to your daughter's and play with your grandchild.  funny that you have snow and we have blazing sun! x

2006 Citalopram 20mg on and off to 2013.  April 2013 - July 2014  Sertraline, Venlafaxine, Fluoxetine, Mirtazapine v. bad reactions. July 2014 - CT Mirtazapine.  July 2014 - February 2016 Medication free, long term w/d.  February - July 2016 Fluoxetine.  Medication free, long term w/d syndrome.  2017 Jan physical breakdown.

2017 February - March Escitalopram, Nortriptyline instated.  Lorazepam, Zopiclone PRN.  April 2017 Lithium Carbonate 250mg 1 wk. 14 August 2017 finish cross to Diazepam 22.5mg daily, stop Zopiclone

Tapers:

Diazepam 

2017 21 August - 30 Dec 21.25mg to 14.5mg 2018 6 Jan - 11 May to 12mg.  2 June updose to 12.25mg - hold. 2019 (0.5mg cuts) 12 Jan - 28 Dec 12mg to 10mg 2020 (0.25mg cuts) - 25 Jan - 29 Dec 9.75mg to 6.25mg 2021 *May have bungled dose and accidentally took 1mg more for about a month (7.25mg), so 4 Jan started again at 6.5mg; 19 Jan 6.25mg; 1 Feb 6.0mg; 23 Feb 5.75mg; 9 Mar 5.5mg; 23 Mar 5.25mg; 9 Apr 5.0mg; 6 May 4.75mg; 13 May 4.5mg; 6 Jun 4mg; 12 July 3.5mg; 2 sep 3.0mg; 15 Sep 2.5mg; 1 Nov 2mg; 15 Nov 1.5mg; 16 Dec 1mg; 26 Dec 0.5mg; 2022 1 Jan - OFF

Escitalopram - 2022 1 Mar to 9mg; 29 Mar 8mg; 24 May 7mg; 21 Jun 5mg; 19 Jul 4mg; 1 Sep 3mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 31 Oct 1.5mg; 22 Nov 0.5mg; 2023 1 Jan 0.25mg; 1 Mar OFF

Nortriptyline  2018 90mg to 2020 1 Dec down to 72.5mg; 2021 20 May 70mg; 8 Jun 67.5mg; 24 Jun 65mg; 31 July 60mg; 12 Oct 55mg; 23 Oct 50mg; 2022 13 Jan 40mg; 22 Jan 30mg; 29 Mar 20mg; 26 Apr 10mg; 3 Aug 5mg; 23 Sep 2.5mg; 2023 1 Jan - OFF

 

1 March 2023 - off all drugs - 6-year taper off three drugs.

 

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@neroli Famous minds Neroli!  Juset as I was writing on your thread your message came through on mine!!! ☺️

On 1/3/2019 at 12:10 AM, neroli said:

So, 2019 and all sorts of reduction plans in my head - which one to reduce, which one is causing the most issues, which one can I reduce without too much unsettling of the CNS, which one might be best to get off for my legs?  Questions, questions - and I can't answer them.  I just think it's going to be slow, slow, slow for all of them and that is going to take years.  In the end, like Shep suggests, it's hardly worth all the questioning about which drug is doing what and I have to accept that my CNS is very disabled.  The only answer is slow.

 

What you said is also helpful Neroli!   I guess its just that with this new information on the tolerance and all I just was upended a bit..but you are right and Shep is right...my system is very unstable...I am really seeing that now.  I have attributed it to all sort of things except the WD because I thought I had been holding for so long. 

🙄 Im realizing with the tolerance stable is probably not going to be real stable?  But yes, sloooow.  Why I am now concerned about the next step and my doctors mandate...to help me.  Oh well..he probably sadly really believes that.  Problem is I need to get the rx and pills somewhere....so I feel caught a bit by that.  It will work out somehow...have to believe that.💜

 

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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@neroli Grateful to hear about your legs!  Yay that they are not overwhelming Neroli!  How nice you got out!  Sleep well.  I am going to bed myself soon.  

I think you work tomorrow?  I hope that goes well too Neroli.  Will be thinking about you!!💜

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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1/1  5-6 hours woke with sweating and so hot about 530 or so

up...headache thirsty tired...started hydrating

1000 anxious...passed

1130 Viibryd 9mg with food

115 to my daughters..very hard drive

230 increased anxiety but had nice time

345 drove back, very hard, near panic, used cold items

500 food and FT, feeling anxious re meds

540 Clonazepam .2mg with food, went ok

715 anxious

800 chills

855 Premarin .3mg with food

915 headache, head hot, anxious, feel hard to get air

1030 increased anxiety

1100 better

1145 Clonaxepam .7mg with milk and snack

1200 bath, laundry and bed at 130

 

1/2  woke early..bout 515 very hot and sweating...had to change pajamas, dozed on and off after that

1115 yoga

1150 Viibryd 9mg with food

115 feel tired

145 head hot, hard to get air, stomach upset

230 ran a couple errands

315 anxious, feel feverish but no fever, hot, chilled

Tums piece

400 increased anxiety, food

Tums piece

430 ice cream

540 Clonazepam .2mg with food, went ok

800 washed sheets

845 Premarin .3mg with food

100 anxious

1140 Clonazepam .7mg with milk and snack

100 to bed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

Link to comment

Im just posting things to my thread to keep in one place...I have things in too many places..

 

I'm sorry you feel so bad.  All I can tell you is that you have to savor those moments when you feel better, make gratitude lists, and remember that if you are sleeping you are healing.  It is so slow.  I'm sick of it, too.  I can't believe how long this takes.  

  • -There is also a topic about cortisol, so do a separate search for that as well.

     

    Making two changes at the same time or closely together will mean that you won't know what is causing what or if something is helping.  Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

     

    A reminder whenever you make a change it is a good idea to Keep Notes on Paper

  •  

    I call it yo-yoing.  It's a part this for me.  Can be only hours before there is a swing.  I believe it means you are healing.  This is really great news for you, Dave, if you ask me.  

     

    I'm going through yo-yoing right now.  It doesn't scare me this time.  I know it's a part of this.  My brain is adjusting to some change in the number of receptors perhaps and overshooting the target?  That's how I think of it.  Some days my brain gets the formulation right.  I feel like Frankenstein's monster.  I used to get very upset by it, but this time I'm happy about it.  I'm making another shift!!  I may be crying one minute and feeling happiness that I haven't felt in years a few hours later.  The happy feelings are starting to come back and they are bringing with them some extremely sad thoughts.  I've heard that good feelings are the last to return.  When the yo-yoing involves all bad feelings or neutral feelings, it's very confusing, frightening and nerve wracking.  Try to think of it as a sign that you are seeing a good change.

  •  

    When in a wave, the mind believes you will never get better.  When in a window, the mind is certain you will get better if the window lasts long enough for the adjustment. 
  •  

    hat happens with this completely maddening syndrome.  Often, I seem to discover a lot of healing has occurred after the symptoms have been very bad.  The intense impulse to find "what went wrong" never goes away.  It might fade over time just like all symptoms.  The theory is that symptoms get bad because a change has occurred in the brain and the needed neurotransmitters are not available to accommodate the new situation.  It's quite plausible isn't it?  Nonetheless, we are used to learning from our mistakes, and suddenly feeling much worse drives the mind to analyze, analyze, analyze.  It's usually futile, but your mind will do that anyway.  Try to distract until you feel better, Dave.  These are signs that your neuroplasticity is in action.  That's a gift.  I am still in awe that my brain can heal from this horrible, horrible damage!!  We are very lucky.

     

    What is helpful in understanding what is happening is that when one thing in your brain is changed it sets off a chain reaction.  Change one thing, then another thing has to be changed etc and so on down the line.  A domino effect.

     

    When we were visiting my in-laws many years ago there was a large earth tremor (Newcastle earthquake in NSW Australia) and I broke out in hives.  That is a example of what one added stress caused and very quickly.

     

    You also need to look at the big picture and be mindful of the changes you have made in recent months, not just the most recent.

  • You need to be careful not to get caught up with anticipatory anxiety, worrying that something is going to happen.  It just adds stress and then the thing you are worrying about is more likely to happen.

  •  

    Acceptance

  •  

     

    Also instead of comparing how you are feeling now with how you were feeling at your best, compare how you are feeling now with how your were feeling at your worst.

     

     

     

     

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Rabe,

 

I noticed some @'s.  And mostly just looking on these days, but I'll try to address, what I remember seeing.

 

Yes, I think you are fine to move up your .7 mg dose of clonazepam by a half hour at a time, taking it earlier than 11:30 or 11:45 pm.  Prior to any procedures that you decide to have done.  I think you asked that in regards to getting some GI studies done.

 

I also don't think it's a bad idea of your doctor, to get you started on a slow reduction of your Viibryd.  I came up with a 8.75 mg dose being a 2.8% reduction from 9 mg. 

 

And apologies, I just can't follow much here right now.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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24 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

Yes, I think you are fine to move up your .7 mg dose of clonazepam by a half hour at a time, taking it earlier than 11:30 or 11:45 pm.  Prior to any procedures that you decide to have done.  I think you asked that in regards to getting some GI studies done.

 

I was wanting to try to get to bed earlier if I could.  If I move the evening earlier then I should move other meds earlier as well to keep C doses spaced and to keep the C and V spaced d/t interaction?  

 

27 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

I also don't think it's a bad idea of your doctor, to get you started on a slow reduction of your Viibryd.  I came up with a 8.75 mg dose being a 2.8% reduction from 9 mg. 

Yes...I got that % as well.  Ok...then I will go with it.  I hadn't gotten it filled yet as there was mention of crossing over to the V tablet.  But I will send the rx in today and get going on that then.

 

29 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

And apologies, I just can't follow much here right now.

I dont know if its me thats hard to follow (well I do know...I cant follow myself sometimes🙄) or that you are struggling today...either way I am sorry MMT.  Hope your day goes well and that your holidays were good ones. Thank you so much for stopping and for the advice.  I appreciate it.

-Nardil 1976 < year, stopped. React to AD's. Klonopin .5BID 1990, 2.5mg til 2016

-Klonopin doubled Jan '16. Taper to 2.25mg May to Nov '16. Bad react to Lexapro, stop. React to Prevacid too, taper off. 

-November '16 Tapered .25mg Klonopin in hospital. Jan '17 started Viibryd, 20mg from Feb to June '17,     

-20mg to 10mg Viibryd from 3/25 to 6/10 2017, 12/15 10% Viibryd taper...back up next day

-Clonazepam 2mg to 1.85mg 4/14 '17 to end November; taper to 1mg Clonazepam in hospital 9/1 tp 9/14 '17

-Feb '18 Amiloride .25mg  5/18 off Amiloride d/t react. Clonaz compounded  

-4/27 '18 Viibryd 9.5mg, 6/11 9.0 mg, 1/27 '19 Viibryd 8.75mg, ; Clonazepam .2mg 530pm and .7mg 1130pm, Premarin .3mg 830PM CARAFATE QID 2/27/19 to 3/5/19

-July 6'19 1/2 10mg Claritin 230pm, stopped it about July 18, started Oct 11 '19, 

-7/27 Viibryd 8.5, 8/29 8.25, 10/24 8.0, 12/19 7.75, Feb '20 7.50, 3/20 7.25, 5/20 7.0, 6/20 6.75, 7/20 6.5, 8/20 6.25, 10/2 20 6.0, 11/25'20 5.75, 1/9/21 5.5, 2/23 5.25

-1015 AM Viibryd, vit D 4,000IU 130, 415 Clonazepam .2mg, 815 Premarin .3mg, 1015 Clonaz .7mg,

  1115 3t fish oil+D 1145 Castor Oil 650mg(4) 1230 Carafate 1/2GM,Methylated B Vit  1/week,Reacted Mag prn

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