Carmie: accidently doubling up on Seroquel one day while tapering

[Carmie]

3 hours ago, DMV64 said:

OMG! this is ME! HA! Gotta laugh or I will just cry.

I think its great you looked over your notes. I am bad at that. Unorganized really. I write in one book. Then some in another. Or I forget to take the notes. Sigh.

I feel like I can't really see the patterns that well. But I do know it takes me also like 3 months to stablize, maybe more.

I made a list of my distractions so I would not forget them. Seriously,

 

Hi DMV, 

 

Yes, I just had notes on my digital calendar. I did do journals for years of my tapering as I’ve been doing it for a long time but I didn’t keep them because when I get a new diary I usually get rid of the old one. I should have kept them. 

 

So it takes you at least three months to stabilise too when withdrawals have been severe. I just looked over the notes I still had on my calendar n twice when I tapered too early I went into severe withdrawals that took about three months or a little bit more to get over. At least we know even if it takes that long we are healing during it as we eventually stabilise. 

 

A good lesson I learnt from this was that holds are extremely important. I wasn’t on SA at the time. I really don’t know how I managed to get myself down from 300mg to 7.5mg. I wish I kept all the diaries. 

 

I’ve got extra symptoms today as my non functioning brain helped me take a double dose last night. Naughty brain!!I’m definitely getting one of those Monday to Sunday pill holders. Making a mistake is just what one needs when already going through withdrawals. I’ve read a lot of people on this site have made mistakes in dosing, it’s our terrible brains. Okay pill holder I’m coming to get you, no more doubling up!😀

 

Yesterday I was looking everywhere for my reading glasses n guess where they were? In the kitchen cupboard!!

 

Im glad you wrote down your list of distractions. Despite being braindead I can always think of a million things I can do to distract myself. I love doing creative things n it’s fun doing new creative things. I’m knitting at the moment, just a scarf, nothing fancy. Doesn’t take too much brain power. I’m also watching comedies as I needed something to make me smile after yesterday’s mishap. 

 

Sending sunshine your way☀️☀️☀️

 

 

[Gridley]

Carmie, I've never used water but your calculation looks right to me.

[brassmonkey]

Hi Carnie--  You're very close to correct.  You are essentially making four doses at one time using different pills, so you would use four times the water (80mL total) and add differing numbers of each tablet.  The trick is you would end up with 4 days worth not 3.  This is a good thing, so instead of wasting one dose just do each level for 4 days.  It will slow the process by a few days, but will make the transition gentler and less likely to cause problems. 

[Carmie]

Thanks @Gridley @brassmonkeyfor checking my calculations, 

 

Yes, I’d end up with four days supply. I was just thinking of throwing away the fourth day but as you said brassmonkey I might just do it for four days each time instead of three, more smoother transition. 

 

Do you anything about water evaporation when you keep batches for a while? I’ve always made a new batch every day throughout my tapering n just thrown away the excess. 

 

Thanks again💚

 

 

 

 

[Carmie]

Just writing down the cross taper I will do when I get a new batch of compounded capsules which won’t be for many months as yet. I get six months worth of compounded capsules at 7.5mg. I haven’t been able to taper them as yet as I haven’t stabilised as yet.

 

If you get a new batch of compounded capsules there may be a slight discrepancy between the old and the new so I will do a cross taper. 

 

This is the formula for the crosstaper:

 

3/4 of the old dose/ 1/4 new dose.

1/2 of the old dose/ 1/2 new dose. 

3/4 of the old dose/ 1/4 new dose. 

 

You do each of these for three days. 

 

I have always tapered in 20ml of water so I am continuing to do my calculation this way. I am just going to quadruple the water to 80ml. With the first batch I will just put three of the old capsules in the water and one of the new ones. In the second batch I will put in two of the old n two of the new in it. In the third batch I will put in one of the old and three of the new.

 

Off course, this gives me four days worth with each batch so I can either take four days of each batch or I can throw the fourth day away. Doing four days might give me an even smoother cross taper. I always wonder about water evaporation. With water titration I’ve always made a fresh batch each day n threw out what I wasn’t using. 

 

Well I’ve  still got about four months or so of these capsules so won’t have to do the cross taper for ages yet but I’m prepared😄.

 

Hope everyone is coping as best they can💚

 

 

 

[Rabe]

Hi Carmie...you are prepared!  Thank you for sharing that!  It is good to know all of that.  Blessings!💜

[brassmonkey]

Just keep them in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator and you shouldn't have any problems. 

[Rosetta]

Thanks for writing on my thread.  I really appreciate your encouragement.  I hope you don't have any problems from your double dose! -Rosetta

[Carmie]

A thought provoking thought that someone on here mentioned today that I’ve thought about too. What happens if you’re tapering n you have to go to the hospital for some reason. I’ve been in hospital heaps of times but not in the last few years. 

 

If you’re microtapering or tapering the tablet or capsule or whatever you’re tapering now n you need to water titrate or measure your meds on a scale what does one do when they are in hospital? The doctors n nurses won’t let you do that. They will just give you the dose of whatever meds you’re on so you will be updosing. 

 

Very though provoking.

 

Take care everyone 💚

 

 

 

[Rabe]

UGH!  THAT is a really icky thought!!!💜

[Carmie]

2 hours ago, Rabe said:

UGH!  THAT is a really icky thought!!!💜

 

Yes, that’s definitely an icky thought Rabe, 

 

Really what does one do in that situation. I’m on 7.5mg of a compounded formula at the moment n will eventually taper that when I stabilise. I’m wondering whether when  I start getting down lower n lower to occasionally get the compounded formula made lower n taper that. I’ll just have to keep changing my math though. Not a fan of math😄. I get the 7.5mg capsules  for six months. 

 

Can you imagine if I’m down to 4mg or 5mg by water titrating my 7.5mg tablet n for some reason end up in hospital, they will just give me my 7.5mg capsule as they won’t let me water titrate. 

 

I probably won’t end up in hospital but it is a possibility.  I usually focus on the positive but this is something to think about. I have spent a lot of time in hospital in the past n today someone mentioned this in their thread n I’ve been pondering about it again. 

 

That being said, we need to focus on the positive n take a moment at a time. Thinking of things that might not even happen doesn’t help but at the same time one must take all things into consideration in this horrible thing called withdrawals.

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

 

[Rabe]

I guess you would have to take your meds along and hope that they would work with you on it.  Sometimes your doctor can write order for you to take your own medications.  Pretty common actually.  That would be the best I think...just be sure to have all the things you need and I believe it would work.  💜

[Carmie]

1 hour ago, Rabe said:

I guess you would have to take your meds along and hope that they would work with you on it.  Sometimes your doctor can write order for you to take your own medications.  Pretty common actually.  That would be the best I think...just be sure to have all the things you need and I believe it would work.  💜

 

Hi Rabe, 

 

That’s a good idea. Just get them to ring my doctor. He has no idea about withdrawals though. I must say he’s been good though as he gives me any prescription I need n is happy to give me any compounding prescriptions too. 

 

Every time I talk to him about withdrawals he wouldn’t have a clue despite being a psychiatrist. That’s just normal though as they haven’t been taught about withdrawals. 

 

Last time I spoke to him I was so frustrated but usually I’m just happy he gives me whatever scripts I need. 

 

We are alone in this journey when it comes to doctors. Just as well we have our own brains and can figure all this out. All I can say is don’t trust doctors n psychiatrists. There is an occasional one that understands but the majority of them go by the book, what they’ve learnt in medical school which is definitely nothing at all about withdrawals.

 

This system definitely needs an overhaul. When will they finally learn about withdrawals???

 

Take care💚💚💚

[Miracle123]

Hi Carmie, So sorry to hear you double dose and hits with bad waves...........im think its common here when sometimes we forgot or accidently over take. I hope your waves will be stable and back to your baseline soon. Im know all those withdrawals is not comfortable but you always keep something or anything to keep distraction is a good comfort way to help.Wishing you will see sunshine very soon and getting well too......love and hugs from me💚🤗

[Carmie]

18 minutes ago, Miracle123 said:

Hi Carmie, So sorry to hear you double dose and hits with bad waves...........im think its common here when sometimes we forgot or accidently over take. I hope your waves will be stable and back to your baseline soon. Im know all those withdrawals is not comfortable but you always keep something or anything to keep distraction is a good comfort way to help.Wishing you will see sunshine very soon and getting well too......love and hugs from me💚🤗

 

Thanks Miracle, 

 

Im actually not doing too bad. When I doubled the dose I was really bad that night n the next morning but by the afternoon I went back to normal withdrawals. I still haven’t stabilised from changing to compounded capsules but all n all I’m not doing too bad. 

 

Someone else on here couldnt take their dose one night but stabilised pretty quickly. I think it’s important not to panic but just take a moment at a time.

 

I have decided in my brain it doesn’t matter how long it takes to stabilise. I will just continue living life as best I can. 

 

Thank you for the sunshine, sending it back to you ☀️☀️☀️

[DMV64]

2 hours ago, Carmie said:

I think it’s important not to panic but just take a moment at a time.

So important. When I get into the future I really mess myself up!

[Carmie]

Just documenting it’s been three days since I accidentally took a double dose ( Wednesday night) and I’m not having any affects from it today or yesterday. I was really bad on Wednesday night n then Thursday morning with extra symptoms but since then so far am just back to the normal windows n waves. 

 

One day at a time does it. 

 

Good night everyone💚

22 hours ago, DMV64 said:

So important. When I get into the future I really mess myself up!

 

Hi DMV, 

Yes, so true. Best not to panic too much about the future n just take a day at a time, an hour at a time, a minute at a time if need be. 

 

When I first realised I took a double dose n started getting some severe symptoms soon afterwards my brain went: “Oh, no. I’m such an idiot. Now it’s going to take even longer to stabilise.” Then I changed my thinking n said to myself: “No big deal, just ride out the extra symptoms. They will eventually subside again, they always do.” Even though I barely slept that night as symptoms were so severe I just floated through the night n stopped thinking catastrophically. 

 

Here’s to taking a moment at a time n not worrying about the future💚

[DMV64]

8 hours ago, Carmie said:

I just floated through the night n stopped thinking catastrophically. 

This rocks! I am not very good at floating when it has to do with sleeping. Encouraged that you can!!

[Carmie]

Documenting: It's day 61 since I changed over from tablet to capsule. The last couple of days haven’t been too bad. Maybe I’m stabilising? Who knows? 

 

3 hours ago, DMV64 said:

This rocks! I am not very good at floating when it has to do with sleeping. Encouraged that you can!!

 

Hi DMV, 

 

Yes, it’s not easy to float during the night but what is the alternative? To just stay in a panic state? It is hard. I may eventually get rebound insomnia from the seroquel because I remember when I forgot to take it one night many years ago I didn’t sleep for a minute the whole night.

 

Let’s see how my floating through the night goes if that happens.😀 I’m just focusing on each moment as it comes now. Can’t do much about the future.We have to continue to live in the present. 

 

Im off to spend the morning with friends which I’m looking forward to. Hope you have a nice day too.

 

Take care💚

 

 

[direstraits]

hope you enjoy your time with friends, @Carmie

sending hugs,ds

❤️

[Carmie]

6 hours ago, direstraits said:

hope you enjoy your time with friends, @Carmie

sending hugs,ds

❤️

 

Hi direstraits, thanks for dropping by. Yes, I had a lovely time with friends this morning. Friends certainly help one to keep going despite withdrawals. I didn’t mention my withdrawals at all today but my friends are okay when I tell them how I’m really feeling. 

 

A young sixteen year old friend of mine just got her learners n I put together a congratulations card n put balloons in there n lots of metallic gold n silver confetti saying congratulations plus some little plastic cars. I love making people happy as it makes me happy. I loooooove being creative n doing creative things n that’s one of the things that keeps me going. I think in withdrawals it’s important too to do things for others as it takes the focus off yourself for a while despite all the pain we’re going through. 

 

When I’m well enough I might plan a party again at someone’s place. I love party planning. The last time I did a tropical theme. There are so many themes one can do. I’ve always wanted to do a 1920’s Gatsby party. Maybe one of these days. There are so many themes one can do. 

 

This is afternoon I hit a wave again but I’m back in a window. Let’s see what the rest of the day brings. I’ve been watching YouTube videos this afternoon n I really want to crank up the music in a minute.

 

Im having trouble with concentration so videos n music it is.

 

Hope you’re doing okay, Thanks again n for dropping by, much appreciated 💚💚

[Carmie]

Okay, one last thought for today. I’m struggling with concentration otherwise I’d read more threads at the moment.

 

I am now going to zone out n listen to music. It breaks my heart that so many people on here are noise sensitive. Music is amazing if you can tolerate it. 

 

Pleeeease don’t let withdrawals change the real you. Continue to do the things that inspire you even if you’re anhedonic or in panic. Try and think about getting through each moment. We can do this!!!!

 

Bye for now💚💚

[Carmie]

P.s.s Can’t stop crying this eve. It’s the good kind of crying. Got a beautiful message from a friend. This journey is so hard, don’t know what I would do without my friends. 

 

Okay, back to Imagine Dragons n Twenty One Pilots on YouTube. Headphones on

[quetiapineAddict]

Carmie have you tried to just throw cold turkey off that little piece of 7.5 mg? 7.5 mg is so little

[Carmie]

7 hours ago, quetiapineAddict said:

Carmie have you tried to just throw cold turkey off that little piece of 7.5 mg? 7.5 mg is so little

 

Hi QA, 

 

There is no way I would go cold turkey. I just have to taper a small 5% n I get withdrawal symptoms. If I taper at 10% withdrawals get sooooo severe.  7.5mg isn’t a small amount. Some people taper from 0.0 something n when they do that even small amount they end up with bad withdrawals.

 

My brain is so sensitive to any change that if I cold turkeyed the withdrawals would be so bad that I wouldn’t want to live.  I have been put on n off meds in the past, all due to chronic pain n it was a nightmare. I was cold turkeyed too, that was absolute torture. You can get protracted withdrawals too if you cold turkey.

 

Coming off the meds isn’t the end of the journey. It takes time for your brain still to heal after the last dose of medication you take and if you cold turkey it can take even longer, especially if you’re extremely sensitive to meds. Some people have been in protracted withdrawals for years after going cold turkey.

 

Because youre on such high high doses of seroquel going down by 7.5mg for you wouldn’t be a lot but cold turkeying that at the end would be like jumping off a cliff. 

 

I am going to do the brassmonkey slide, I’ll maybe tweak it here n there, but it might take about ten years to get off this last dose. I really don’t want protracted withdrawals.

 

Please be careful with your tapering. 

 

Take care💚

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Carmie]

Hello everyone, 

 

This site is absolutely amazing. Thank u sooo much @Altostrata. 

 

I think I need a bit of a break though from focusing on withdrawals. 

 

I have an amazing support  system of friends in the real world so I might say bye for a week or two.

 

Hang in there everyone, you are all amazing! See you all again in the future.

 

Sending lots of love n hugs🤗🤗🤗💚💚💚💚

 

[Sunnyday]

Hi @Carmie, I know you're not around at the moment. I haven't been around for a while either so I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about the accidental double dose but you seem to have handled it very well. I hope you're doing okay now, taking care of your friendships is a good priority! So important. Hope you have a good week, take care. Hugs.

[Bee5]

On 10/28/2018 at 11:43 PM, Carmie said:

Coming off the meds isn’t the end of the journey. It takes time for your brain still to heal after the last dose of medication you take and if you cold turkey it can take even longer, especially if you’re extremely sensitive to meds. Some people have been in protracted withdrawals for years after going cold turkey.

 

Because youre on such high high doses of seroquel going down by 7.5mg for you wouldn’t be a lot but cold turkeying that at the end would be like jumping off a cliff. 

 

I am going to do the brassmonkey slide, I’ll maybe tweak it here n there, but it might take about ten years to get off this last dose. I really don’t want protracted withdrawals.

 

Please be careful with your tapering. 

 

This is such excellent advice. I experienced protracted withdrawal, and I can definitively say that I NEVER want to experience it again. So I am buckled up for a years-long tapering journey.

 

I hope you are doing ok Carmie. Thinking of you.

[Miracle123]

Hi Carmie.....i know you take a short breaks.....is a good ideals to give yourself some good time with your good friends in your real world. Always keep busy in your daily activity with a lots distraction......its so wonderful.Hope you everything will getting well and better. Thinking of you and hugs😘

[manymoretodays]

Love and hugs back Carmie.

And good to see you got some more input around your tapering plan and formulation over in tapering.

I shall await your report of some coastline or concert venue.......or maybe even a new creative venture of some sort.

It's all good!

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

[Carmie]

On 10/31/2018 at 12:34 AM, Sunnyday said:

Hi @Carmie, I know you're not around at the moment. I haven't been around for a while either so I just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about the accidental double dose but you seem to have handled it very well. I hope you're doing okay now, taking care of your friendships is a good priority! So important. Hope you have a good week, take care. Hugs.

 

Hi Sunnyday, 

 

Hope you are doing okay. I’m just dropping in briefly.  Thank you for thinking of me. I’m going through severe waves at the moment on and off but I know I will eventually stabilise again. I just need to spend more time away from this site n not focus on withdrawals and reading everyone’s sad stories as it affects me. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

On 11/1/2018 at 12:04 AM, Bee5 said:

 

This is such excellent advice. I experienced protracted withdrawal, and I can definitively say that I NEVER want to experience it again. So I am buckled up for a years-long tapering journey.

 

I hope you are doing ok Carmie. Thinking of you.

 

Hi Bee, 

 

Yes, definitely taper slowly. Even tapering slowly we have withdrawals but the alternative is so much worse. I remember once when I tapered too fast I felt like I was literally being electrocuted.

 

Take care💚

On 11/1/2018 at 1:12 PM, Miracle123 said:

Hi Carmie.....i know you take a short breaks.....is a good ideals to give yourself some good time with your good friends in your real world. Always keep busy in your daily activity with a lots distraction......its so wonderful.Hope you everything will getting well and better. Thinking of you and hugs😘

 

Hi Miracle, 

 

You positive soul, you. Yes, it’s lovely to have friends. My friends seem to stick with me through thick n thin. I guess that is what true friendship is all about. 

 

Sending hugs back to you🤗

On 11/1/2018 at 2:11 PM, manymoretodays said:

Love and hugs back Carmie.

And good to see you got some more input around your tapering plan and formulation over in tapering.

I shall await your report of some coastline or concert venue.......or maybe even a new creative venture of some sort.

It's all good!

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

Hi mmt, 

 

Thanks for dropping by.  My next concert isn’t until December. It’s John Farnham, Darryl Braithwaite and some eighties bands. It is at Sirromet Wineries n it will be an outdoor venue, sitting on the grass all day. The last time I went to an outdoor venue was to see Bryan Adams, though I’ve seen him before in an indoor stadium. 

 

Withdrawals have been pretty bad but I’ve been doing diamond paintings. Finished one today with a girl holding an umbrella n beautiful autumn trees all around her. Now I’m doing one with a lighthouse. Anything to do with nature makes me happy , although I’m extremely anhedonic at the moment. 

 

I finished crocheting a blanket for a friend in his footy colours, I just have to do the edging. 

 

I just bought a whole heap of fairy lights n put one of them up so far on my happy wall. I loooove looking at my happy wall. I feel so shocking but looking at that wall in the bedroom inspires me.

 

I went to the typo store too n got some cool notebooks to write positive articles. I continue to journal as well. 

 

Take care n bye for now, I won’t be checking in again for another week or so. 

 

Sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Rabe]

Hi Carmie...good to hear you!  Hope the waves get better!  Always thinking about you!!💜

[Carmie]

Okay everyone, 

 

Im wondering what one earth to do. I changed to compounding capsules a couple of months ago n have been in lots of waves since then. The lovely @Rabehas been having lots of problems with her compounded capsules not being exact. Each capsule had a different measurement.

 

It will probably take me another month or more to stabilise again but I’m wondering whether to go back to my original tablets again n go through the withdrawal hell from changing back over for another few months.That will be six months or more of withdrawals without really getting anywhere. 

 

Brassmonkey said too its better to work from the original tablets. When I first started to take compounded capsules I didn’t know about the discrepancies in them. They have at least three percent discrepancy in them, plus if they don’t fill each capsule properly  you will be having a different dose each day. 

 

What a waste of time going through such severe waves with many more to come without accomplishing anything. We can’t change the past though. 

 

I wish I knew about the discrepancies before changing to a compounded formula.

 

Hang in there everyone 💚💚

 

 

[Rabe]

Im sorry Carmie...I had no idea...I thought compounded was fairly accurate.  Seems depends upon who does it and if its a Friday. JK...IDK...it is a tad frustrating.  I can see why it is considered a dose change.  I also can see why brass recommends the pills.  But you know...it seemed like a nice idea...I just ran into visual discrepancies and that was the thing that kind of sealed the deal for me.  Hoping changing back to tablets will in the long run be a better thing.

I dont know how much 3% is...how much for them to be off (the number) is ok.  Ill call next week and ask.  

Thinking about you lots Carmie!!!  Take care!! 💜 

 

[Carmie]

2 minutes ago, Rabe said:

Im sorry Carmie...I had no idea...I thought compounded was fairly accurate.  Seems depends upon who does it and if its a Friday. JK...IDK...it is a tad frustrating.  I can see why it is considered a dose change.  I also can see why brass recommends the pills.  But you know...it seemed like a nice idea...I just ran into visual discrepancies and that was the thing that kind of sealed the deal for me.  Hoping changing back to tablets will in the long run be a better thing.

I dont know how much 3% is...how much for them to be off (the number) is ok.  Ill call next week and ask.  

Thinking about you lots Carmie!!!  Take care!! 💜 

 

 

Hi Rabe, 

 

Thank you soooo much for your input. I’m going to go back to my original tablets once I stabilise n I’ll probably end up with another three months of withdrawals because of it but I think it’s the best thing in the long run. Im going to be tapering for ten years anyway so what’s six months going backwards.

 

I’ve been umming and ahhing about going back to the original tablets since brassmonkey mentioned it. Off course, I can’t at the moment as I’m in severe waves from changing to compounded but once I stabilise I will. 

 

We can’t change the past n no amount of getting frustrated with ourselves will change anything. 

 

Here’s to looking forward 💚💚

[Carmie]

P.s. One reason I changed to compounding tablets before I knew about discrepancies is that I thought that if I ever end up in hospital again for any reason the lowest dose they could give me is the one of the compounded capsule of 7.5mg whereas the tablet is 25mg. We do things based on fear because we know what hell withdrawals are. I don’t want to get to the stage again where I feel I am being electrocuted n want to jump off a bridge. Akathisia is the absolute worst thing anyone can go through. 

 

I am still terrified of what would happen if I end up in hospital because doctors n nurses won’t let you water titrate your tablet so they will end up giving me a 25mg tablet despite the fact I’m down to 7.5mg.

 

I am an extremely positive person by nature but what these meds do to us is torture. 

 

Im going to stay off this site now for a while again, maybe a week. I’m going to distract myself with crafts, nature, music, my friends, Netflix, DVDs.

 

I want to stabilise so I can go back to the tablet n then I’ll have to go through waves because of that again. I really wish I hadn’t changed to compounding capsules but one can’t change the past.

 

Hang in there everyone, this journey is SOOO HARD!!

 

Sending hugs n love to all🤗🤗🤗💚💚💚